A Wounded Heart 

A Wounded Heart

Photo by Designecologist

I was still enjoying my sleep that morning when my phone began to ring continuously.

"Oh, who could that be? Isn't it too early to start calling people?" I murmured as I moved towards the edge of my bed to pick up my phone.

"Hello," I answered the call with a deep voice followed by a yawn.

"Hello Daddy, don't tell me you are still in bed by this time," Tessy asked.

"Tessy, you won't understand, an owl doesn't just sleep during the day for no reason. What's up?" I asked.

Hmm, Tessy Sighed, "Dad, can I see you later in the day? I am in a mess, I really need your help."

M..e...ss?" I asked, dragging the word.

"Yes Dad, mess, and if you don't show up, It might get worse, " she added and began to whimper.

"Wait, are you sobbing? Don't worry honey, I'll be at your place in an hour," I replied as I dropped the call and headed to the bathroom.

Tessy was one of my students during my Teaching Practice program (a mandatory 6-month teaching exercise for final-year NCE students). She was a very calm, disciplined, and loyal lady. She and I met again a few years after I graduated from college.

I was so happy to see the woman she has become, very beautiful, smart and simple.

She and I became very close subsequently and she started calling me "Dad" because she loves the kind of counsel I give to her. I became her confider, she told me almost everything about herself.

After my bath, I quickly rushed to her campus in the school which is within my place. When I got to her door, I knocked, but she didn't open up, until I said "It's Emreal, please open up."

Her eyes were red and swollen, there were particles of tears still hanging on her lower lashes.

"Good afternoon sir," she greeted me, forcing a smile and whipping the tears left on her face as she walked sluggishly to her portable student bed and lay with her face facing the bed.

Usually, she would hug me and ask for my phone immediately but she was different that day.

Her action got me so worried, that I sat for some moment without saying a word, I had never seen Tessy in that condition before.

"Tessy, what's happening," I finally broke the silence.

It was as if the question added fuel to the fire, Dad, called, and began to cry as though she was beaten.

I cuddled her and managed to get her to stop crying with repeated: "Sorry, please stop crying."

When she stopped crying, and I noticed she could talk, I then made another attempt, "what happened my dear?"

"Dad, it's Bali, he has been acting weird recently, he claims he is always busy yet posts different ladies on Social media.

Last night, I called him and I heard a lady's voice in the background. When I persisted to find out who she was, he hung up," she replied.

"What?" I exclaimed. "Is it the same Bali you said you were going to introduce to me? You guys are already having problems this early?" I responded.

Hmm, she sighed and sat upright.

"Since then he hasn't called?" I asked

"Emm, he has been calling and sending text messages but I don't feel like talking to him right now. I even blocked his line," she replied.

"What? That was too hard dear, you shouldn't have blocked his line, at least allow him to express himself first probably, he has something reasonable to say.

She looked at me as though she was going to say something. Hmm, she sighed and remained quiet, with her arms folded.

I'll advise unblock him and take his calls, don't just judge without hearing from the horse's mouth," I queried her.

"Anyways, I don't want to see my daughter in this mood, hope you've eaten?" I asked.

"No Dad, I don't have an appetite," she replied.

Hmm, I sighed, "so how can I be of help now?" I inquired.

"You have helped already, your presence has made me feel relieved. I'll unblock him and take his calls like you suggested, but if he doesn't have anything reasonable to say we are done," she said as she asked for my phone.

Tessy loves comedies, and I have a lot of them, most times when we are together that's what she watches.

Just a few minutes after I handed over the phone to her I heard, "Dad, who's this lady?"

"Which lady?" I inquired, adjusting on the bed to see.

"Oh, she? She is my friend, we did high school together," I responded.

"Okay, she's pretty. Do you know her man?" Tessy asked.

"Why are you being so interrogative, honey?" I replied

"Dad," she called, looking straight into my eyes with a frown face.

"Okay fine, yes I do," I replied.

"Do you have his pictures?" She inquired

"Yes, I do. He is a nice guy, I knew him from my previous area," I described him while going through my Facebook to get his picture.

"Here he is," I said, as I showed the picture to her.

"My God!" she shouted, "I knew it."

I became confused, "what's wrong?" I asked

"That's Bali Dad, that's him, " she said pointing at the picture. "All men are the same." She said and started to cry afresh.

I felt for her honestly, if I had known that talking about the lady (my friend) would add fuel to the fire, I wouldn't have said anything further or even shown her the guy's picture. I thought I was making her situation better by distracting her from her current predicament not knowing I was going to end up making it worse.

I knew the guy as Abed, I didn't even know he was fondly called Bali.

I managed to calm Tessy down. Though she was so heartbroken. I gave her a few pieces of advice and she appreciated it.

She let go of the relationship and focused on her life. To date, I am not sure she is ready to give love another trial yet.

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