As Fred and his wife, Moni got down from their car, they saw Onome. She was on her way out.

Moni said hello and involuntarily looked at Fred. He greeted Onome briefly and followed Moni into their apartment.

Moni remembered the past and all the pain came over her again. As she entered the room,she determined she would not allow her emotions to colour her mood.She would not let her feelings show to Fred. She entered the kitchen and cooked. Afterward, they sat at the table and began to eat together.

Fred was making conversations, and Moni answered quietly, without laughing much. He Raised his eyes to look at her once, sensing that her mood seemed to have changed. What could the problem be? Or could it be his imagination?

Moni struggled to push the pain away. She had to. Fred was making efforts these days to love her and she must encourage him. She noticed that he had finished the juice in his glass cup. “Do you want me to pour more juice for you?” She asked nicely.

He nodded, “Yes,thank you.”

As she quietly sat with him later to watch TV, she felt the issue of the past was something she would have to bear alone and she prayed that God would help her overcome it.

Fred eventually asked, “Are you very happy?”

“Yes,” she tried to smile. How could she be sure it was really over between Fred and Onome?

“You seem a little withdrawn.”

She shook her head.“There’s nothing.”

“There’s nothing as in – there’s really nothing or there’s nothing as in – leave me alone?”

She kept quiet.

“Let’s go in.”He told her quietly.

She followed him into the bedroom.

Behind closed doors, he held her strong. “If there’s anything at anytime, I wantus to discuss it. We should clarify issues as soon as possible;that’s what the pastor said. And if I seem to be forgetting my promises, I want you to remind me.”

Should she mention the real issue? She began to think. He sensed her hesitation and asked, “Are you thinking about something?”

She shrugged,“Well, it’s just that seeing Onome now brought the past back to my memory.” There, she had said it.

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.” ……

…… It’s just that the pain comes sometimes and refuses to go away. The same thing happened when I saw her last week.”

He tightened his arms around her.

She really needed to be reassured so she asked softly, “Is it really over between you?”