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I wiped a tear drop from my eyes as I listened to Richard. My heart was racing with speed and I was already having headache. I cleared my aching throat and began to plead to him shamelessly.

“Rich, please…I beg you. Don’t do this to me. Please…. i love you so much Rich. Don’t leave me I’m pleading to you. I centered my life around you and I won’t be able to cope through life without you. Rich…. please, for God sake and everything you believed in don’t do this to me. I beg of you my love. How do you want me to start all over, where will I even start from? Think of the three years we spent together, Rich think of the true love we once shared. Think of how lovely and fun it used to be between us. They are sweet memories I want to keep forever with you. Rich…what do you want me to do and I will do it. Anything just don’t leave me…don’t call it quit please….

He began to laugh so loud over the phone, I did not stop pleading even with his annoying laughter. He later said.

“Look at the way you are begging me like a child asking for some candy. Try another trick, this one cannot work on me. Get off my phone Becca, is over and your tears and begging will not do any good. I know I was too good for you and you may never find another like me but is quiet unfortunate that I can’t be with you anymore. I hate to be disturbed so you better go get a life for yourself because I will block you from reaching me. Goodbye Becca.

Before I will say another word he ended the call. I try to call back but I couldn’t reach him anymore.

I try sending messages but still couldn’t reach him.

I was really devastated. I sat on my bed crying like a child and totally ignored the knock on the door.

I can hear my Dad shouting at my Mom who was at my door. “Leave her alone…she will be fine…”

I cried none stop until I was tired of crying. I later picked up my phone again to call him but I still can’t reach him.

I thought of Jojo and called her immediately, she picked up. And was sounding so lively just as usual.

“Becca, you sound like you have being crying, what happened to you…are you alright?

Jojo asked with a concerned tone.

“Richard broke up with me, he said it was over between us and blocked me from reaching him. I don’t even know what to do. Jojo, please tell me the truth…did you mention anything about my boss friend to him. You were the only person I told about one of my boss friend that asked me out and I turned him down. Did you by any means speak with Richard and told him about Mr Ohio…

“meee?? Never…no way! Where will I even see Richie to start gossiping such nonsense? You know that I can’t do such to you Becca. I did not even see him or tell him anything. I don’t know how he heard about it, maybe you mentioned it to him without knowing or he probably heard it from somewhere. But is definitely not me. Anita was at my place that week and I jokingly mentioned it to her, she was the only person I told but not Richie. I’m your friend, how will I go behind your back and start gossiping with your man, it doesn’t make sense. I’m a big girl and I can’t do such shit. Ooh, I’m really sorry Becca that Richie called it quit. Just dust off and move on. Is very sad and I even feel like crying right now because I know how much you loved him but this is life and is unpredictable. Since he wants you to leave him alone, just do exactly what he asked. I promise within a short time you will be fine. I so much hate Richie for doing this to you…he doesn’t even deserve you Becca. Don’t dwell on your pain or make him feel he has you where he want you. dust off and move on babe. Such is life. Maybe after work tomorrow, you can come over to my place and we will go out together and catch some fun, I will help you forget Richie…

After the call with Jojo, I try to reach Anita but her line wasn’t going. She was probably at work and I hope she will call me back when she sees my missed calls.

I need to understand how Richard got to know about my boss friend.

I managed to cope through that day and was at work the following morning. I couldn’t do much and sneak In and out of the rest room to cry my eyes off.

I’m finding it difficult to cope with everything happening to me.

I left for Jojo’s place after work and she has some consoling words which was a little helpful.

She got dressed and said she wants to take me out so that I can cool off, she said that all the bills is on her.

Something flashed in my eyes and it was her earring. I recognized the pairs earring, it was the same one I saw at Richard’s place one day and he said it was one of his friend’s that dropped it unknowingly.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I pointed at her earring, my heart was already filling up with anger and confusion.

She looked surprised at my action and asked me what was wrong with her ear ring.

I asked her what her earring was doing inside Richard’s room… I told her I saw the exact ear ring at his place.

“whaaat Becca! You should know me better by now. This are my earrings and Anita just returned them back to me last week after borrowing them to attend an event. If not that they are expensive, I could have asked her to keep them. And this earrings is not common but I can’t possibly say it was Anita that left the earrings in Richie’s house because is not possible, she is not capable of such. She is very cool and calm unlike me. Richie is probably right…it maybe his friend. Anita can’t be going out with your man. If she tries such I will personally deal with her myself.

I later left with Jojo in her car, she drove me to a cool spot where we sat and she ordered for drinks as the music played so loud.

My heart is still heavy, not just because of the break up but which of my friend sold me off to Richard, Anita or Jojo? It can’t be Jojo because she is doing well for herself and will not have such gut to betray me. Anita in the other hand is calm and collected and does not look like she can hurt a fly but ever since yesterday she has not called me back.

Is confusing because I don’t know who to accuse. Apart from the earrings, who among my dear friends told Richard about Mr Ohio?

I later spoke with Anita, I told her about my break up with Richard and how difficult it has been for me.

I also asked her about the earrings and how the information concerning my boss friend got to Richard after Jojo told her about it.

Anita denied of ever getting such information from Jojo, Anita said she did not borrow any ear rings from her either.

“Since you are not the one…then who else? Jojo told me that…

Anita quickly interrupted me.

“Forget about whatever Jojo said to you Becca, or you can still choose to believe her if you want. The last time I saw Jojo has being over two weeks, we had a quarreled over something and I stopped going to her place ever since and focused on my life. She did not say anything to me concerning your boss or his friend and she cannot even tell me because I detest her. I know you will believe her over me, is your choice, I won’t tell you what to do Becca. Jojo wears long ear rings, I don’t… except during a party or I’m attending an event. I work from Monday to Friday. Saturdays are for resting and tiding up things, Sunday is service and to visit few family and friends or I rest at home. Monday I resume work again. I don’t have time for petty gossips. Why will I even call your boyfriend and start selling trash to him, what will be my gain? Why exactly will I do that to you of all people Becca. I’m even happy that Richard left, is a good thing Becca and you should brace up yourself and move on. Even if I explain my reasons for saying that you won’t still understand but Richard doesn’t worth you babe. Stop killing yourself over him. Maybe is time to really move on and be happy. Stop making a man the center of your happiness, that is why you are still finding it difficult to move on. I will advise you to get a small apartment far away from everyone, from your parents and even your friends. Because seeing your parents sometimes remind you of your flaws, the sad feeling of you still under them because you are not lucky with a man and not married at your age just as society demands, such feeling will return to settle on your soul…. sad memory which you are trying to forget will also settle in. Is time to start living and find yourself again. I know you planned to move from your parents’ house to your husband’s house who you thought will be Richard but everything has changed and you should also change too. They maybe cool now and feel you needs their love but with time they will resume their usual taunt. So get out babe and start living your life. Someday you will be lucky to get a better man than Richard. I can’t hurt you Becca, going behind your back to gossip rubbish to your man is evil, total wickedness and that makes me a snitch. I can’t do such to you or anyone so don’t even think of it. Maybe soon enough you will get to know the real person behind all this. Be strong Becca, I got your back always….

I decided to let everything slide, both how the information got to Richard and the ear rings. I don’t even care to know any more.

At first, I thought it was Anita after Jojo told me but right now Anita sound convincing and I can’t say is Jojo either because she is not capable of such. She is a very lively and loving person.

I don’t know who among them is lying but I don’t care to know.

Every day seem difficult to cope through, I was going deeper and deeper into thinking. Not happy and did not find joy in anything.

I manage to wake up every morning to work, return back and go straight to my room. I only come out to make dinner sometimes. I started doing laundries, cooking and cleaning up the house every weekend.

Even as I sit in the laundry room, watching the washing machine wash and dry the cloths, my mind has traveled far, making me lost in my thoughts.

I do my parents laundry and also iron some of it. We have somebody who comes every weekend to do all that but I took over even before the person will come I have done almost everything.

I wanted to engage my mind and channel all my energy into work instead of getting depressed daily. But no matter what I do I was still thinking of Richard. I was finding it difficult to forget him.

I lost appetite for food and was gradually reducing in size. My parents were concerned about me, my Dad try to talk calmly with me one day after I told him I will be moving out.

“Rebecca, I know I have being harsh on you but it was for the best. I just want to see you flourishing. You have a good heart and you deserved to be in your own home…. your husband’s house which was why I didn’t want you to keep wasting your time with that good for nothing Richard. Nobody is asking you to leave, this is equally your house and as much as we will love you to stay we can’t force you to do so because you are an adult. Whatever you think will make you happy… I can only render my support. You are slimming down all because of Richard. Leave the foolish boy, let him be with whoever he thinks is best for him. You are my daughter and I can’t shut my eyes and watch you kill yourself over a man who does not worth it, a stupid boy that wasted three good years of your life all for nothing. Rebecca go out and do the things you love so that you can forget him. Next weekend, me and your mother will be driving down to Resort beach, is a carnival weekend and fire work. Is going to be filled with fun and I want you to join us. Enough of all this safe pity. You are still my daughter and I have your best interest at heart…

After my Dad gave his own encouraging word, my Mom also try to talk to me and I promise to think right so that I can really move on.

My Dad drove us to the resort beach that weekend and it was indeed filled with fun. I even joined in the carnival dance and parade. My Dad bought different costume for me and my Mom and we had a good family time. I laughed out loud for the first time in a long lonely month.

My parents took pictures and send to both Joe, my elder brother and Melinda. He made a video and told them that they were missing out on the fun.