The Long Kiss Goodbye

She could feel his presence in the room

She didn’t have to turn around to confirm if he was there. Her intuition had already done her the honours. She just stood facing the wall, her heart rate racing faster than a speeding bullet as she waited for him to come to her.

The atmosphere was charged and her body responded to it. Her skin increased its sensitivity and a shiver travelled down her spine. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. Her nipples were hard and clearly visible under the light fabric of her negligee. This time, she wore it for him as she knew he loved seeing her in it. No one said anything, they both knew that words would only ruin the moment for them. Besides, they had nothing to say to each other

He touched her and suddenly, a brilliant white light flashed before her eyes. She shut them; afraid that the light would deprive her of her sight. He ran his hand down her bare skin: touching, teasing, caressing, daring her to let herself go and fall into him completely and she felt the strength leave her knees as they began to wobble. She had to plant her hands on the wall to steady herself.

She heard him chuckle behind her knowing her had hit the right spot. He kissed her in different places and threw hear head back with a soft moan. Her ears, her neck, her back were already tingling from his kisses and she was afraid that she wouldn’t survive any more of his teasing. Her moans became intense as his hand reached under her negligee, finding one full breast and giving it a gentle squeeze. She ground her hips against him, feeling the tremors going through her body as she neared climax

‘Ugo! What are you doing?’
Her eyes snap open and she turns around. Her sister stood alone in the room; a mixed look of worry and confusion on her face. Ugo glances furtively around the room
‘Where is he? Where did he go?’
‘Who?’
‘Dozie now! He was here just now. Didn’t you see him outside?’
‘Ugo’ Amaka takes her sister’s hand ‘You really shouldn’t do this to yourself’
‘Do what? I’m telling you Dozie was here and you’re saying something else. What is wrong with you?’
‘Dozie isn’t here Ugo. He’s dead! He died in a car crash a month ago remember? And we’re burying him today. You should stop hallucinating; it’s not doing you any good’

Ugo jerks her hand free and runs to the window hoping that she would see Dozie standing there and she can prove her sister wrong. There were a group of people standing outside; mourners who had come to accompany her to the funeral but Dozie wasn’t amongst them. Disappointment takes over and she slowly sits down on the bed, her face in her hands, her tears running through her fingers as the reality of Dozie’s death hit her with the force of a hammer striking an anvil.

Amaka sits beside her putting an arm around her shoulders for comfort and waits for her as her grief and loneliness ran with her tears. All done with her sobs, she picks up a wrapper from the bed and wipes her face with it

Amaka squeezes ‘You really should get ready now. Everyone’s waiting for you and the service starts in an hour. I’ll be in the living room if you need anything okay?’

Ugo just nods and Amaka goes to the living room, allowing her to get dressed in private. As she gets dressed, her eyes travel to the picture of herself and Dozie on their wedding day. A young and happy couple, looking forward to a bright and blissful future together

A future that was abruptly shattered by a drunken tanker driver