A Promise From My Heart

42.

I placed the mug of zobo drink on his nightstand instigating him to sit up as he put his phone away. My eyes wandered off to the device that disappeared under the second pillow. It was aimed at getting a glimpse of what he was doing but failed at it. My eyelids nearly shut with disappointment. Is he talking to her? That overwhelming sense of curiosity needed me to know so badly.

"How was school?" I asked, settling on the chair next to his reading table.

"Fine. We are done with our tests. Exams should be soon." A groan of tiredness seeped from him while he got hold of the mug. "I am tired of school. Dad should just make me focus on my business."

"I think I understand where he's coming from. Even though you do not want to use your certificate to work, you should still have it."

"In this new world? The world has evolved past this. Not having a certificate does not guarantee success. Mark Zuckerberg is a Harvard dropout."

"Listen to yourself. You said Harvard, not UNILAG. You can't also blame dad. His time was different. He won't understand. It will be the same when you have kids. Your thinking and way of life will be obsolete. Just endure it." I pled. "How has the business been?"

His shoulders collapsed with forbearance. "Fine. It's moving slow but steady. I have just started so I can't expect it to kick off."

"I missed your cooking while you were in school."

Conceit made him smile. His shoulders shot up as if they have heightened with an invisible shoulder pad. "You sure have to. Who cooks as well as I do in this house?"

"Look at him." I eyed him playfully. "Such a boastful person."

"I would with my skill."

"Do you hear from your twin?"

"I was chatting with her before you came in. I hope she's doing well. I pray this won't be one of her many deceits."

"Stop it." I brought the mug to my lip, tasting the beverage. Citrus and other mixes of flavour saturated my taste buds. "Give her a benefit of doubt. She won't be stupid to make the same mistake twice. I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

The bottom of the mug clanked against the table as I abandoned it. I brought out my phone from the pocket of my gown. "I want to show you something." I browsed through my phone until I got what I wanted.

My finger paused over it. I hung back from showing him. Should I do this? Is this even the right thing? But it would be for his good. Besides, he needs to be aware that someone knows about this. This might break him and I was sorry in advance.

"Here." I leaned forward to stretch my hand out to him. My heart rate sped painfully in my chest. He got up briefly to collect the phone from me. "Swipe left." My hands bonded, locking into a tight ball on my laps.

His smile dropped at the view of the first picture. The muscles of his face slackened compelling his mouth to part with surprise. I saw the wave of disappointment that crushed him like I was not meant to know about this. Snapping his jaw hard, he went through the other pictures. Each one nearly drove him to panic.

"Have you been spying on me?" There was a slight tremor in his finger as he lowered my phone to the bed.

"Maybe." I admitted. "Kind of. But not really. I saw you at the shopping centre sometime back in the car."

A spurt of curses rushed from his lips surprising me. He ran a hand through his low cut. "Nobody is meant to know about this."

Really? For how long is he willing to hide this? It surely can't be forever.