Akinyi played with the six-month-old Adams Junior on the carpeted sitting room floor when the doorbell rang. She picked up her son and went to the door. When she opened the door, her breath held.
An old man who was Adams’ copyright, a younger man, and a young lady in her twenties stood there. Her in-laws.
Feeling giddy with joy, she said a silent prayer, hoping that the coldness around her husband’s heart had thawed to forgive them.
“Good afternoon, Madam. Is Mr Adams Okal in?” the old man asked.
“Good afternoon, he is in. Welcome,” she said as she shook their hands and ushered them into the sitting room.
Once they were seated, she offered them drinks and went in search of Adams. He was in the study room, working on his laptop. When she got in, he looked up, grinning.
“Are you very busy?” she asked, moving towards him.
“Not too busy for the most beautiful woman in the entire world,” he said when she stopped right in front of him, appraising him with his eyes, sending a shiver down her body.
Adams Junior wiggled out of her arms, giggling and reaching out to his father, breaking their moment.
He winked at her, kissing her on the lips, and the kiss held so much promise in it. Later, she knew that he would make it up to her. She couldn’t wait.
Adams took their son. They looked so much alike. The two most important men in her life.
“You have visitors.” She touched his arm lightly.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who are they?” Confusion clouded his eyes, frown lines forming on his forehead.
“I don’t know them.” She shrugged nonchalantly.
“I guess we will find out then,” he said, walking out of the room.
She followed him, her heart beating fast, and she wiped her hands on her dress.
***
When they got to the sitting room, Adams stood rooted to the ground, frozen. His long-lost family was on his turf, so unfamiliar and out of place. His old man slowly rose from his seat. Seth and Val looked at him expectantly. Akinyi fidgeted next to him, shifting her weight from one foot to another.
“My son, I am so glad to see you,” the familiar voice of his father broke the silence.
How many times had Adams replayed and toyed with this reunion? After years of waiting, he had given up hope. But right here, right now, his family was here. He had mixed feelings—confusion, anger and relief all wrapped in one.
Adams turned to Akinyi, who was standing next to him. Her eyes were bright with hope, anticipation, and ever-present love for him. She reached for the baby, and he handed Junior over. She turned to leave.
“Please stay, my love.” He tugged at her hand, needing her to anchor him. She nodded.
Adams walked to his father in three long strides. He gave his hand in greeting, but his father pulled him into a hug. His old man wrapped his arms around her neck, his eyes misting with tears.
When they pulled apart, Adams knew he had been deluding himself all this while. One couldn’t run away from his roots. His brother Seth stood and embraced him. Next, he hugged Val, who had grown into a beautiful woman just as he had suspected.
Akinyi shook their hands a second time and sat next to Adams on the couch across from theirs. Adams looked at his father’s greying and thinning hair. White hair was sticking out of his nose and ears, as was common with the old. He even had wrinkles on his face, and he was thinner. All these years, memories of his father had been of the same age he had left him in. His brother Seth was taller and even had a potbelly. He had matured.
“How have you been, my son?” The old man broke the silence.
“I have been fine. This is my wife, Lucy Akinyi, and that is my son, Adams Junior,” he said.
His father nodded, pride in his eyes.
“Look, son, I am too old to hide behind a groundnut’s farm. I am sorry for the way we treated you. It wasn’t your fault that your mother died. We were bitter and wanted a scapegoat, and you were an easy target. We still love you, and you are welcome home anytime.”
Adams knew his father to be an immensely proud man. This apology had taken all he had, and the earnest look in his eye told it all. Was it too late to apologize? Adams had been hurt to the point of numbness. He had wanted someone to believe him. But they had ganged up against him.
“But why did you accuse me of the death of mum? Why did it take you all this while to reach out to me?”
“I wish I had the answers to your questions. I know they will just be excuses. Please forgive us,” his father pleaded, going down on his knees.
Adams shook his head, helping the old man to his feet. “No need for that, Baba.”
“Please forgive us,” Seth and Val pleaded further. Absolution and condemnation were both in his hands. He could forgive them and start on a clean slate or hold them accountable and lose them forever. Both fought for dominion within him. Long-held anguish still gushed deep inside him. He looked at them, wondering which way to go.
“Darling, please let it go,” Akinyi whispered, pleading with her eyes, rubbing his back, soothing his frayed nerves.
He closed his eyes, the weight of bitterness and resentfulness, heavy like boulders, tearing the seams of his heart.
“I forgive you!” he blurted, afraid that if he didn’t let out the words now, he’d never be able to sum up the courage.
Exhaling, all the hurt, the disappointment, the loneliness, the sadness expunged from his system with those three words. And he felt light. The weight that had sat heavily on him was finally put to rest. He found tears flowing down his cheeks, and his father went to embrace him. His siblings joined in. Akinyi looked on, beaming at him. They pulled apart, and it was like the old times. Seth started teasing him. They took turns in carrying the baby and getting to know Akinyi. They left in the evening, and Adams promised to visit them the following weekend.
***
After his family left, Adams excused himself and escaped to his study. Anguished cries echoed in the house. Akinyi paced outside the wooden door, her stomach knotting with dread. Knocking, it took a while before the door cracked open. He regarded her with sad bloodshot eyes, defeat slumping his shoulders. She closed the distance hugging him.
“Everything will work out, you’ll see,” she whispered, kissing him on the cheek.
He nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be out in a few.”
Walking away, Akinyi entered the kitchen and started preparing supper. She set the table as Adams joined them, his face bright though he was too quiet, and she wondered what was going through his head.
“Are you okay?” she asked, concern in her eyes.
“Yes, my love.” He gave her a ghost of a smile.
They ate their meals in the companionable silence, Adams Junior nodding off. Akinyi breastfed before taking him to his bed.
When she came out, she found Adams had cleared their plates and was out seated on the porch. She paused at the door, taking in the night. The night air was cool, the scent of Moringa thick in the air. The sky was starry, with the half-moon shining bright. The crickets kept on their ceaseless chirping.
He looked up at her, the semi-darkness intensifying his eyes and features. God, he was handsome. He held out his hand, and she closed the distance, standing before him. He tapped his lap, and she sat on him, his musky scent making her thighs clench.
“What is on your mind?” She looked up at him.
“You,” he said, pulling her closer, rubbing his nose on her neck, breathing her in.
She whimpered, her heart picking up speed.
“Is that so?” she whispered.
“Yes, that night you came out here after the burial of my friend Oti.” His hands ran on her stomach, cupping her boobs.
“I remember. You were out here smoking.” She tried to focus, but he wasn’t making it easy.
“I was out here all alone. It was one of the lowest points in my life. I had been running for so long, but all my demons caught up with me on that night. Then you came to me.” He stalled, looking up at the moon as if gathering his scattered thoughts.
“And?” She ventured, reining him in.
“I felt whole again. Like my life had gained some semblance of direction. Thank you.”
“I love you with the whole of my heart and soul. You are the best husband and father.”
He pulled her to straddle him, linking their forehead, his warm breath fanning her lips as their lips grazed. He dove in, kissing her fiercely, growling deep in his throat. She crushed her boobs on his chest, riding him through his trousers.
“Akinyi!” he croaked, his throbbing hard-on seeking her out.
He reached out between her legs and found her panty-less.
“Damn, woman!” Sinking his fingers into her warm, wet pussy.
She rode his finger, her mouth pouting as she threw her head back.
He lowered his trousers and entered her warmth, filling her. Then, with his wet open mouth on her neck, sucking, nibbling, his hands on her waist as she flew them to ecstasy. He took in her cries of pleasure as he gave an answering growl deep in his throat, spewing his seeds inside her.
She wanted it to last forever and beyond.
“Akinyi, I love you so much.” Devouring her mouth with his. “I want to stay like this forever. Get lost in your tender warmth, never to be found.”
The End