The Betrayal

Here's another piece I just dug up - this laptop has been hiding things from me! - can't remember when I started it, but it's incomplete. So I'm posting the little I've written so far and will commit myself to finishing it and posting the rest here. 

Betrayal is something we all have experienced at one time or another, in different ways, so I hope some of you can relate. If not, just enjoy :)!

Pokuaa woke up feeling as though she had been ran over by a car and then beaten with a cane. She got up slowly and sat up on the bed, wondering whether she had dreamt about the events of the previous night. Getting up carefully, she went to the mirror in her room and stared back at her reflection. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying herself to sleep. Her lips seemed to have forgotten how to smile and her nose was blocked. The sight of her own face made her even sadder bringing tears to her eyes once more and causing her to remember the reason behind her unhappiness.

                She had been reading over her lecture notes when her boyfriend had called to tell her he was on his way to see her. She had been ecstatic because it had been a while since she saw him; he had been busy trying to finish a project which was taking up all of his time. After the call she had quickly freshened up and tidied her room up a bit. When the knock on the door came she knew it was him and opened it with a broad smile on her face. Her smile slowly faded as she noticed the somber look on his face.

                “Yaw, what’s wrong? Are you ok?” she asked him worriedly.

                “Can I come in?” he asked, brushing off her question.

She opened the door wider to let him in and closed it behind him. She paused for a moment wondering what could possibly be making him behave so seriously.

                “Can I offer you anything to drink?” she asked him in an effort to ease the tension which was quickly settling in the room.

                “No, I’m ok,” he paused. “Ermm, we need to talk…I think you should sit” he said carefully, not looking at her.

                “Ei, you sound serious papa” she responded with a small laugh as she sat on her bed. He did not return her laugh and this made her even more nervous.

Yaw pulled up a chair and sat facing her. Pokuaa waited, he seemed to be mustering the courage to speak. She braced herself, still wondering what it was that was so difficult for him to say.

                “Ok, I’m listening. I’m all ears” she said with forced brightness trying to hide her nervousness.

                Yaw took in a deep breath and exhaled. “Ok. Pokuaa, here’s the thing. You know I care about you a lot, right?” Pokuaa nodded, feeling confused and wondering where this was going. “But…” Yaw paused.

                “But…?” Pokuaa prompted.

                “I don’t think this relationship is working and I think we should break up,” Yaw let out in a rush. He looked at her face, watching for her reaction.

                Pokuaa wasn’t sure she had heard right. She tried to process what Yaw had just said to her but it still did not make sense to her. “You want a break-up” she repeated incredulously. “Why?”

                Yaw suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Pokuaa, I’m really sorry but I just think this is the best thing to do. Especially considering how I have to focus most of my attention on my project work” he offered as explanation.

                Pokuaa was annoyed and confused. “You’re not the only one who’s a student, you know. Are you seriously using school work as your excuse?” she exclaimed in disbelief.

                “That’s not the only thing…”Yaw began and trailed off.

                “Ok, you have my full attention. Tell me why this sudden desire to break up with me” Pokuaa urged. She felt a wetness on her cheeks and realized she was crying.

                “Please don’t cry,” he begged with a look of panic in his eyes.

He made to hold her but Pokuaa pushed him away.

                “I’m still waiting for you to tell me why” she pressed, brushing away the tears with her hand even as more continued to flow down her face. 

                Pokuaa watched as Yaw opened his mouth and then closed it without saying a word and proceeded to look anywhere but at her face.

                She was filled with a muddle of emotions; anger, sadness, frustration, confusion. Her anger overpowered the other emotions and she lashed out at him. “If you have nothing to say to me then get out!” she screamed.

Her outburst shocked him. He had never seen her so enraged. He seemed about to say something but then thought better of it and mumbled out a meek, “I’m sorry”.

“Just get out!” Pokuaa choked out as she held the door open for him.

Yaw got up to leave and paused at the door, attempting to speak again but Pokuaa turned away from him and he left.

Pokuaa closed the door behind him and finally sank into her bed, giving in to the tears she had been holding at bay.

* * *