MY HUSBAND AND I (Part 9)

MY HUSBAND AND I (Part 9)
Lara folded her arms round her chest as she watched her mother in-law pack some fruits into a basket.
“You’re going out” she said rather than asked.
“Yes, but I’ll be back soon.” Amara replied covering the basket with a table cloth.
“I’m coming with you…” Lara began to say.
“No…”
“I’m coming with you!” she said firmly.
“Lara, you can’t come with me, okay?” Amara tried to soothe her.
“Is there anything wrong? You’ve been going out now for the past one week, and…and… Or is there anything you’re hiding from me?” Lara said with a frown.
“Now, Lara relax your nerves, okay. Stay back, I’l buy you something when I’m coming back.” Amara patted her.
“Okay then…I’l be going back to my place.” Lara pouted.
“Lara! You can’t…”
“I can’t stay here all alone!” Lara began to cry.
Amara sighed, she knew her game is up. She need to tell Lara the truth. But how would she start? Tony would be discharged that night.
“Errm..Lara, Tony had an accident, he’ll be discharged today.” she said slowly.
“Accident? Tony?” Lara held her chest firmly.
“Yes, he'll be discharged today.” Amara sighed again.
“I’m coming with you to see him!” Lara said huskily.
“No…I’l drop you at your place instead, you'll see him later in the day, when he’s been discharged.” Amara told her.
Lara felt her knee go weak, she prayed the accident isn’t that bad.
...
Lara toyed with her cornrows out of boredom, her mother-in-law had called to tell her they were on their way.
She tried to imagine what Tony would look like, maybe he would wear a scowl, or perhaps bark at her.
She heard the front door open, she stood up sharply, expectantly.
“Welco…” what she saw made her Tongue stick to the roof of her mouth…
Tony sat in a wheel chair, he looked so pale. Chief Ifiora pushed the wheel chair into the room.
Lara looked on, she tried to speak, but couldn’t. Tony looked up at her, he held her gaze, his eyes full of regrets, sorrow and pains.
Lara looked away, tears stung her eyelids, was it real? She asked herself.
“Don’t cry.” Amara hugged her.
Lara wept on her shoulder, she watched her father-in-law push Tony in his wheel chair towards his room.
Tears blurred her vision. Was this the same Tony she saw few days ago? Now he is in a wheel-chair?
She hugged her mother-inlaw and they both wept holding each other tightly.
“Breakfast is ready…” Lara cooed as she helped Tony sit-up on his bed.
He was watching her closely, she’s been supportive ever since he came back from the hospital.
He had always imagined her paying him back his evils now that he’s defenceless, but she proved his imaginations wrong.
He wondered if she had forgiven him, cos he’s not even asked for her forgiveness yet.
“Hope you don’t mind me putting too much milk in your tea…the doctor said you should drink alot of milk o.” Lara smiled as she offered him a cup of tea in a saucer.
“Thank you.” he said almost in a whisper.
“Your toast is here, your boiled eggs, your potato chips, your fried plantains, your ….” Lara listed as she pushed a tray full of food towards him.
“for only me?” Tony’s eyes widened.
“Yes o! The doctor said you need a balanced diet!” Lara said
Tony laughed, he never knew she had a sense of humour.
“Eat up, while I get your bath water ready…” she quipped.
“Errrm..Lara?” he searched her eyes.
“yes?” she turned to look at him.
“I…errm…I…just…wanted to say I’m sorry..for..for..all I did to you…I’m…” he stammered.
“Oh please, don’t start! Stop those I’m sorry stuff!” Lara frowned.
“I don’t..know….Its..just that…just that…I feel I’m not worth your kindness….” he continued.
“Now, don’t talk like that, I hold no grudges against you..okay? Now eat up and take your bathe, you know your father would be here soon…remember you’re seeing the doctor today…huh?” she said sweetly.
Tony held her gaze for a while beforechecking she looked away. She walked gently towards her room