Category: CASSANDRA

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 42




‘’so what do you think about the two ladies?’’ I suddenly asked mum as we headed to my house minutes after the touching scene with Nora. She shrugged and breathed deeply.

‘’I like Nora very much and you are going to do the right thing with her. As for Cassandra, I really don’t know but she also acts like a nice girl. However your sister isn’t saying the same about her and you know she knows her much better ‘’’ she answered.

‘’I told Cassandra about Nora earlier today. She didn’t break up with me instead understood all I said to her. I really see that girl as a level headed person. Moreover she is very educated and beautiful. She will soon be a doctor and you will be her proud mother in law ’’ I said with a smile, forcing my mum to smile as well. Yes I believed Cassandra’s education was the only thing probably gaining my mother’s respect but then her new found motherly friendship with Nora was something I was intelligent enough not to overlook. At the end I knew I was the one to make the final decision but then in Africa we all know that family support or a mother’s support is very essential in a relationship.

‘’mum you know I couldn’t finish my education because of financial reasons. You also know that I’m ambitious and a good business man. Marrying a doctor will be good for the family and also good for business. I need your support’’ I appealed softly.

‘’supposing Cassandra isn’t educated, would you have noticed her?’’ mum suddenly asked, surprising me with the question.
‘’I really don’t thing you love that girl, because just like you said, you are simply blinded by what she is going to become in future and how good she will be for business’’ she added annoyingly.

‘’come on mum, don’t be like that. I love Cassandra. I know what I feel for her is strong to be called love’’ I defended quickly.

‘’how about Nora, what do you feel for her?’’’ she slowly asked, giving me a quick look. I breathed deeply, keeping quiet for some seconds.

‘’I really can’t answer that easily. I feel many things for Nora. I feel sympathy, respect and admiration but I don’t think I have enough love for her. No I don’t’’ I breathed slowly. My mother shrugged, saying nothing more.

My head really was filled with many thoughts as we silently made the rest of the journey back to my house. I couldn’t help but wonder what mum’s plans were. I couldn’t help but imagine what she could be thinking.

_____________________

On getting to the gate, I stopped my car , alighted and tried to open the gate. A man instantly appeared from nowhere, taking me by surprise as he grabbed me from behind. My heart instantly stopped with fear.

‘’where is my Cassandra?. Where did you keep her?. Talk to me or I will slit your throat’’ the young man threatened loudly as he softly pierced my neck with the tip of a small knife. I instantly knew the fool trying to scare me was no other person than Edwin. I desperately struggled to free myself while my mother jumped out of the car.

‘’you are taking this too far. Let go of me Edwin’’ I barked, struggling with him.

‘’who is that old woman?, Is she comi8ng to fight me or what?. I guess you have lots of loved ones and yes I will destroy them one by one before killing you. Cassandra is my wife , let her be’’ he threatened, threw me forward towards my mother, and faced us with a defiant posture. The neighborhood was very dark and less busy. The noise also coming from hundreds of generators inside the surrounding buildings greatly added to the noisy evening.

‘’my son are you alright?,who is he and what did he say to you?’’ my mother asked breathlessly while I stared back at her unable to say a word because I was deeply shaken.

There wasn’t any doubt that Edwin could kill me and destroy my family.

‘’ahhhh I see she is your mother. Hmmmmmm’’ Edwin quickly chuckled while I stared suspiciously at him, wondering what his next move would be.

The guy was really, really sick in the head.

To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 34




‘’Yes oo, he came into my room as soon as you left. I tried talking some sense into him but it turned into a fight. He grabbed my bag, searched it and took all the money you gave me. I don’t just know what to do right now. I’m finished’’ she cried over the phone.

‘’calm down. I will call you later. I’m still driving’’ I stammered and hung up, shaking with rage as i managed to control my car which i really had a hard time driving as my mind was now occupied with many thoughts.

I really just didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even think properly.
‘’surely the little rascal is pushing me. But what exactly do I do to stop him. What do I do?. Gosh’’ I wondered miserably.

It really was with a confused heart that I sought out Chinedu’s help later in the day when he showed up at my shop. As a university graduate I felt he had the experience and knowledge to guide me in dealing with the campus rascal. I hid nothing as i told him everything.

‘’seriously, this is a hard nut to crack . Dealing with a cultist isn’t an easy thing and I just can’t advice you to leave Cassandra because of the threat. What makes you a man then?’’ he breathed while I nodded in agreement.

‘’it’s not as if I’m fully in support of your relationship with Cassandra but as a friend I have to support your decision. You chose Cassandra and I respect that. So I believe we are in this together’’ he added softly.

‘’but to be truthful I think there is nothing much you can do to that boy. You cant arrest him with the police because you live very far from the school and getting to him will be very hard, moreover guys like him are good at disappearing. The only solution I can see is to get Cassandra to report him to the school security but I doubt if she can do it because we really don’t know how sincere she is or even if she has the courage to do it’’ he said intelligently.

‘’the dude even threatened to deal with my sister, can you imagine’’ I added sadly.

‘’well I really don’t think he will go that far. No he won’t risk it. You are lucky you are not a student. That guy would have dealt with you in his hostel’’ he retorted with a short laugh while I shrugged.
‘’so what do I do ?’’ I asked one more time. Chinedu shook his head and stared at me for some seconds.

‘’I’m sorry but I really can’t come up with any solution right now. Give me some time to think about it’’ he answered slowly, shook hands with me and left for his shop. I scratched my head as I desperately tried to come up with something but nothing seemed to come forward.

I was still battling with my thoughts when he walked back into my shop. I hopefully stared at him, thinking he finally came up with something but I was disappointed because he came to talk about Nora.

‘’I really forgot telling you about something I noticed lately’’ he breathed, sitting on the chair he vacated minutes ago. I looked at him curiously.

‘’you know this is a small world and in this part of the country or should I say in Africa, people tend to take their neighbor’s problem seriously’’ he said softly, watching my reaction.

‘’you see there are lots of gossips going round town about you. Many people now talk behind your back. Your story is now the talk of the town, especially in restaurants and within the market community . People say you abandoned your wife for a campus girl. The story even has many versions. Some say you are under the influence of love charm. Some say you are under the influence of your own stupidity. Others say you are just too ambitious and greedy. You know Nora is a popular lady around here and her shop is the meeting place for all types of ladies. So her pregnancy is really generating a lot of reactions and sympathy’’’ he slowly said, never leaving his eyes on me. I breathed deeply, so shaken with the revelation. As a business man, i knew how harmful such public reaction could be to me. Yes of course I knew all he said was true because I already have noticed how people looked at me whenever I strolled around.

‘’this is a free world. Everyone has the right to think whatever he wants’’ I finally muttered with a faint smile while my friend shrugged.

‘’yes you are right but as a business man you are not supposed to live a life of controversy. It wont take much from you to at least make peace with Nora.’’ he pushed on.

‘’you know I have always wanted to reach a compromise with Nora but she just refused to be accommodating. What do I do?’’ I poured out with desperation.
‘’try one more time brother. Pay her another visit. ‘’ he said with a serious smile while I nodded in agreement..

‘’one more time. Yes one more time’’ I breathed, wondering when all these would come to an end.

Wednesday evening, I found myself in Nora’s new apartment.

To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 14




Minutes after the phone call, Chinedu showed up at my apartment to check up on me. He really was worried by the cold manner I answered his call the previous day and quite knew that something wasn’t alright.


‘’I knew it. I knew something was wrong yesterday. Your voice was so strange and different. i sensed it’’ he said seriously after I told him all that happened the previous day plus Cassandra’s phone call minutes ago.


‘’so what do you think bro?’’ I asked while he shrugged.


‘’it’s very obvious Cassandra spend Valentine’s day with her school boyfriend or someone she met before you. It’s very common among students but by her calling you early today, it shows she still wants to keep you by her side. Everything is in your hands. It’s left for you to continue or not but as for me you know I do prefer Nora over the pretty girl’’ he said seriously. I rubbed my face with my palms with worry, very uncertain of which part to follow. The love i had for Cassandra was so real and pure. it wasn’t something that could be waved away so effortlessly.


Marrying the pretty girl was an accomplishment I so badly wanted to achieve but with the situation of things, I just wasn’t sure of myself anymore. Moreover cutting my relationship with her at that early stage also meant abandoning the money I already had invested on her.


My phone rang that moment and it was Cassandra calling again. I stared at my phone for some seconds before answering.
‘’hi dear, are we still going to see my family today?’’ she asked,
‘’yes we are’’ I answered, leaving her silent for some seconds as she probably pondered over my answer and how to reply me.


‘’it’s just as if you are rushing things for no reason, but it’s alright I’m already on my way to your house’’ she muttered and hung up.


Chinedu took his leave soon after, but he equally dropped another advice, begging me to be careful and think things through.


_______________________




By 10am that fateful morning, 
Cassandra arrived at my apartment looking very sharp and beautiful in a green gown. Seeing her looking so hot and mature removed all the doubts and bad feelings i was having before she arrived. I swallowed hard as i admired her beauty while she graciously threw herself on me, apologizing once again for disappointing me the previous day. I smiled with great joy.
Minutes later, we left my apartment and headed to Porthacourt, stopping on the way to buy some things for her family.


It really was an uneventful drive from Owerri to Portharcourt. We said nothing much to each other, instead concentrated on our thoughts. In no time we arrived at her family house, which surprisingly was located in a plush neighbourhood.


No one was at the house when we arrived but after waiting for some minutes Cassandra’s mother showed up, looking very surprised.


‘’my dear you never told us you were coming home, nor coming with a friend.’’ Her mother queried, hugging her daughter and expertly seizing me up.
‘’yes mum, it was a sudden decision. Actually I planned coming yesterday’’ she replied softly before introducing me to her mother.




___________________________




I spend close to three hours in Cassandra’s house. Her mother was very friendly and kind. She welcomed me as if I was part of the family and equally served me a wonderful meal of pounded yam and vegetable soup. Cassandra’s father who showed up later in the day was more reserved and a bit cold. He asked very prying and unnecessary questions which I answered easily. However I made no mention that I was interested in marrying their daughter because it was my first visit and traditionally not acceptable to do so in the first visit.


By 4:30pm, I got up to leave, very satisfied and happy. Cassandra told that she was staying to spend some days with her family , something I never expected but quickly accepted.


‘’so you see, I have nothing to hide. My ways are plan and simple. You have seen my family, haven’t you?’’’ she asked with her usual killing smile as she escorted me to my car. I smiled back with great happiness.


”i’m a very plain girl. you should learn to trust me” she added very innocently, leaving me with no cause to worry about anything. I stared deep into her eyes and held her hands.


‘’I will take you to my family during the coming Easter celebration. I can’t wait to introduce you to my whole family’’ I muttered, stunning her with my words. She froze and stared at me with disbelief while I nodded like a happy lizard.


‘’you are going to be mine sooner than you expect dear’’ I said in my mind, very sure of myself.


Marrying the beautiful damsel was the only thing in my mind that moment. I hoped for the best. I prayed for a wonderful life with her..



Oh Cassandra.




To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 9





Juststarted with a simple kiss, which quickly turned into a huge exchange of kisses. Our bodies instantly lit up with fire as we caressed each other, throwing away every caution as we devoured each other, kissing, caressing and fondling. The passion I felt that moment was simply crazy . It was just as if we have been waiting for that spectacular moment.

To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 9





Juststarted with a simple kiss, which quickly turned into a huge exchange of kisses. Our bodies instantly lit up with fire as we caressed each other, throwing away every caution as we devoured each other, kissing, caressing and fondling. The passion I felt that moment was simply crazy . It was just as if we have been waiting for that spectacular moment.

To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 6




I shut my door, returned to my meal and quickly finished it with a well troubled mind. I rushed back to Nora’s apartment afterwards, knocking on her door.

I knocked for about twenty minutes but she refused to answer. I tried calling her on phone but she equally refused to pick up the call, leaving me totally worried. I couldn’t imagine how she was feeling.

Of course I definitely knew how painful it feels finding out that the person you care so much for, has no same feelings for you.

‘’Nora please open up. We need to talk. I beg of you’’ I pleaded again and again but she never answered back nor opened her door for me..

___________________________

Early the next day after dressing up for work, I rushed over to Nora’s apartment once again, praying she talks to me this time around. I was lucky to meet her apartment door open, so I walked in nervously, praying for her not to over react on seeing me.

I ran into Nora in her sitting room. She was well dressed up and in the process of leaving the house. She froze on seeing me while I equally stopped with a forced smile.

‘’good morning’’ she greeted a bit coldly.

‘’please we need to talk. All I need is just five minutes of your time’’ I begged seriously. She silently studied me for some seconds before nodding and breathing deeply.

‘’fine, I have five minutes to spare’’ she muttered with a drawn face. I slowly sat on a couch, making chance for her to sit beside me. She hesitantly obliged.

Holding her hands, I stared into her eyes.

‘’I’m very sorry for neglecting and not checking up on you all these while. I really have no sincere explanation for failing in my duty as a friend. Seriously it always crossed my mind to call you but at the end of the day I do forget. Please forgive me’’ I apologized sincerely.

‘’I really don’t know what to say. I never expected such attitude from you. In fact I purposely stopped myself from calling you on phone just to check if you will miss me but you never even noticed, which means I wasn’t missed at all’’ she complained softly, staring into my eyes.

‘’you know as of last year, I thought we were slowly getting there. I thought we were gradually hitting the top spot. But I don’t understand you anymore’’ she added, forcing me to look down with confusion.

Just like Chinedu hinted, the poor girl was definitely expecting much from our friendship which I wasn’t ready to give.

‘’how the hell do I tell her my true feelings?. How do I tell her about Cassandra?’’ I wondered.

‘’it’s about another woman right?’’ she slowly asked. I swallowed hard, saying nothing.

‘’so all the time I cooked for you, cleaned your house plus every other assistance i rendered meant nothing to you?’’ she asked, freeing her hands from my grasp.
‘’no , no dear’’ I stammered, raising up my face to meet her gaze. She was totally colored up and obviously angry.

‘’I thought we were just great friends. I never imagined you were aiming towards a relationship with me’’ I stammered, but my words kind of pushed her feminine ego to the wall. She sprang up with great spirit. Her eyes blazing red.

‘’you have to leave now. Please leave’’ she shouted. I stood up, drew close and hugged her, greatly surprising the angry girl with my action.

‘’I’m so sorry. I never imagined a beautiful girl like you would have strong feelings for me. I really thought you were assisting and helping me out of pity. Even though I used to feel something strong for you, I couldn’t push my luck by asking you out in order not to betray your trust. You are such a wonderful girl and the last thing I want now is losing your friendship and help’’ I said softly, melting down her heart with my well chosen words.

‘’I met this young girl last Christmas and I have been trying to build a relationship with her. She is nothing close to you in beauty and manners but I have my hopes up’’ I expertly added. She broke free with shock, gazing at me with disbelief. This time around she let the tears in her eyes fall freely.

‘’I’m not a kid and there is nothing to hide from you again. My prayer has always been to marry you . All the help, All the attention, everything was done in expectation of the day you will ask me out. I guess fate has a way of doing things. There isn’t any need hoping on a guy that now has feeling for another girl. I perfectly understand you’’ she breathed, leaving me bleeding and hurt.

I quickly held her once again, holding her face with trembling hands and bringing my face closer to hers. Our lips were just but a hair away for each other.

‘’Nora. Nora I’m now confused’’ I confessed with all my heart….
”a real man don’t get confused over a woman. You are not confused. ” She replied softly, leaving me speechless on what next to say.

It was very obvious she was clearly disappointed in me and at this stage i was a bit confused on taking the lifeline she offered and starting up something with her or putting all my eggs in Cassandra’s basket. But living a life of deceit was something I just couldn’t do.

To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 3




‘’so what actually do you want from me?’’ Cassandra suddenly asked, leaving her beautiful eyes on me. I tried to relax as I met her gaze, breathing heavily as I quickly formed an answer in my mind.


‘’I know you probably must be hearing what I’m about telling you everyday but I beg of you to believe me. I’m not a kid and I’m equally not getting younger. I’m at the ripe age to settle down and I’m here with you today because you have all the qualities I need in a wife. I really would so much appreciate if you will consider me much more than a friend. Let’s make things happen together. Let’s fix our future together’’ I answered solemnly, my heart pounding furiously as I watched her reaction. She simply smiled and shrugged.


‘’invariably, you want me as a wife and not as a girlfriend?’’ she asked slowly. I nodded quickly.


‘’well just like you said, this isn’t the first, second nor third time I’m hearing such words. I’m equally not a kid nor a naive young girl who would shiver on hearing the word marriage. To win someone like me, you will have to work hard for it. You will first work your way into my heart . first as a friend, then as a lover before I can even consider you. ‘’ she simply replied, leaving me a bit excited and confused at the same time.


‘’but we are already friends right?’’ I asked with a smile. She rolled her eyes.


‘’well for now, we are mere acquaintances. You haven’t proved yourself as a friend yet’’ she answered, leaving me extremely surprised. My face fell.
‘’come on, don’t be like that. You should know I’m not an easy person. I don’t mess around. So you have all the time to prove yourself to me. You are aiming towards marriage and it requires dedication and commitment’’ she preached while I shrugged with resignation.


‘’so when are we seeing again?’’ I asked.


‘’I really don’t know. I’m going back to school on the third of January’’ she answered.


‘’alright. I believe we will be seeing often’’ I murmured.


‘’ I hope so’ she breathed.


_____________________________




I drove her home afterwards, before rushing home to meet my dad anxiously waiting for me.


‘’where went you?’’ dad asked,
‘’I went to see a friend’’ I answered with a smile.


‘’I hope you didn’t go drinking with friends?’’ he asked suspiciously. I laughed.


‘’come on dad, will I be back this early supposing I went out drinking with friends. Actually I was with a woman. A lady I plan to marry’’ I answered innocently, leaving a great smile on the old man’s face.


‘’now you are talking son. You know I have been worried that at your age you are yet to bring a woman home. But why hang out with her outside?. Why didn’t you bring her home?’’ he queried with a frown.


‘’don’t worry dad. I will soon bring her home. I promise”. I assured the old man .


______________________________




New year (2013) arrived with me getting more fond of Cassandra. We spoke on phone almost four times every day . I couldn’t stay an hour without thinking about her. She equally responded and behaved very well to me. Her responses and everything she did was kind of a green light to me. I fell madly in love with her. I never hesitated in telling my friends and neighbors about my Cassandra even though the pretty girl was yet to officially say yes to me but I believed her positive/ encouraging actions towards me were more than the yes I needed.


I was so ready to do anything for her. I was so madly in love. Everything was green in my eyes.
On the second Thursday of January 2013, she surprised me with a phone call.


‘’hi Dave , what’s up?’’ she greeted.


‘’I’m fine very dear’’ I answered with happiness.


‘’I will be very free this weekend and I want to spend it with you. Hope you will be free to pick me up on Friday evening ?’’ she asked, surprising me with the unexpected offer. I couldn’t find my voice for some seconds. I could believe my ears. I couldn’t believe it was all real.


‘’gosh a hot girl like Cassandra offering to spend a full weekend with me, without me even asking?’’ I reasoned with great joy.
‘’there isn’t any doubt she’s mine. Of course what is yours is yours’’ I summarized as I licked my lips in anticipation of the great weekend that awaited me.


Just like she promised, by 7pm that fateful Friday, the pretty girl was well settled in my apartment, making me the most happiest bachelor on earth. My mind was so full of expectations.



OH CASSANDRA…. So beautiful, so charming, well mannered but full of pretense..




To be continued

CASSANDRA
Cassandra-Episode 3




‘’so what actually do you want from me?’’ Cassandra suddenly asked, leaving her beautiful eyes on me. I tried to relax as I met her gaze, breathing heavily as I quickly formed an answer in my mind.


‘’I know you probably must be hearing what I’m about telling you everyday but I beg of you to believe me. I’m not a kid and I’m equally not getting younger. I’m at the ripe age to settle down and I’m here with you today because you have all the qualities I need in a wife. I really would so much appreciate if you will consider me much more than a friend. Let’s make things happen together. Let’s fix our future together’’ I answered solemnly, my heart pounding furiously as I watched her reaction. She simply smiled and shrugged.


‘’invariably, you want me as a wife and not as a girlfriend?’’ she asked slowly. I nodded quickly.


‘’well just like you said, this isn’t the first, second nor third time I’m hearing such words. I’m equally not a kid nor a naive young girl who would shiver on hearing the word marriage. To win someone like me, you will have to work hard for it. You will first work your way into my heart . first as a friend, then as a lover before I can even consider you. ‘’ she simply replied, leaving me a bit excited and confused at the same time.


‘’but we are already friends right?’’ I asked with a smile. She rolled her eyes.


‘’well for now, we are mere acquaintances. You haven’t proved yourself as a friend yet’’ she answered, leaving me extremely surprised. My face fell.
‘’come on, don’t be like that. You should know I’m not an easy person. I don’t mess around. So you have all the time to prove yourself to me. You are aiming towards marriage and it requires dedication and commitment’’ she preached while I shrugged with resignation.


‘’so when are we seeing again?’’ I asked.


‘’I really don’t know. I’m going back to school on the third of January’’ she answered.


‘’alright. I believe we will be seeing often’’ I murmured.


‘’ I hope so’ she breathed.


_____________________________




I drove her home afterwards, before rushing home to meet my dad anxiously waiting for me.


‘’where went you?’’ dad asked,
‘’I went to see a friend’’ I answered with a smile.


‘’I hope you didn’t go drinking with friends?’’ he asked suspiciously. I laughed.


‘’come on dad, will I be back this early supposing I went out drinking with friends. Actually I was with a woman. A lady I plan to marry’’ I answered innocently, leaving a great smile on the old man’s face.


‘’now you are talking son. You know I have been worried that at your age you are yet to bring a woman home. But why hang out with her outside?. Why didn’t you bring her home?’’ he queried with a frown.


‘’don’t worry dad. I will soon bring her home. I promise”. I assured the old man .


______________________________




New year (2013) arrived with me getting more fond of Cassandra. We spoke on phone almost four times every day . I couldn’t stay an hour without thinking about her. She equally responded and behaved very well to me. Her responses and everything she did was kind of a green light to me. I fell madly in love with her. I never hesitated in telling my friends and neighbors about my Cassandra even though the pretty girl was yet to officially say yes to me but I believed her positive/ encouraging actions towards me were more than the yes I needed.


I was so ready to do anything for her. I was so madly in love. Everything was green in my eyes.
On the second Thursday of January 2013, she surprised me with a phone call.


‘’hi Dave , what’s up?’’ she greeted.


‘’I’m fine very dear’’ I answered with happiness.


‘’I will be very free this weekend and I want to spend it with you. Hope you will be free to pick me up on Friday evening ?’’ she asked, surprising me with the unexpected offer. I couldn’t find my voice for some seconds. I could believe my ears. I couldn’t believe it was all real.


‘’gosh a hot girl like Cassandra offering to spend a full weekend with me, without me even asking?’’ I reasoned with great joy.
‘’there isn’t any doubt she’s mine. Of course what is yours is yours’’ I summarized as I licked my lips in anticipation of the great weekend that awaited me.


Just like she promised, by 7pm that fateful Friday, the pretty girl was well settled in my apartment, making me the most happiest bachelor on earth. My mind was so full of expectations.



OH CASSANDRA…. So beautiful, so charming, well mannered but full of pretense..




To be continued