Kelvin returned to his wife as his mother was leaving her. He was on alert immediately. Leila smiled when he arrived. He placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her up the stairs into the house. She didn’t look sad or upset. That could only mean one thing. “What did my mum say?” “She invited us for dinner,” Leila replied. She shifted the basket to her other arm and took his hand. They started the walk to their room. “She was nice today.” And on other days, she could be nice too. But for some silly reasons, she was rude to only Leila. He wouldn’t let it pass till she changed. “Do you want us to go?” Leila paused on the first stair. “Yeah. Do you?” They were inside their room when he finally said, “I don’t know. I don’t trust her not to pull any stunts.” “Let’s just give her the benefits

Leila was not allowed into the room even after the doctor came. Her attempts to enter was foiled by the two men at the door. They didn’t look when she cried or yelled. Everything she tried to tell them was in vain. When Mrs McKenna walked out with the doctor, a small smile on her lips, a burst of hope spread through Leila. She waited till the doctor was gone, then followed behind her mother-in-law to her room. Her father-in-law had not shown up, she didn’t know if he was in the house. He would have been kinder and let her in.  “Please, I want to see Kev.” Her voice trembled. The fight in her was gone and she would do whatever was necessary to see her husband. Mrs McKenna unhooked her necklace and placed it on the table in her room. She removed the rest of her jewellery like Leila wasn’t in the room. After a few more steps towards her, Leila tried again. “Please. I want to see my baby.”“Your baby?&rdquo

They stayed like that for a while until Kelvin’s phone rang. Amara. “I have to take this outside,” he told his wife. Having been stuck in the room for a full day, he needed to clear his head and speak to his mother where Leila had no chance of listening.“Are you sure you don’t want to do it here? I won’t eavesdrop,” Leila said. She followed behind him like he was a kid and he was reminded of their first time in the house when he washed and broke a plate. “Kev?” Keeping the door open with one leg, he said, “It’s fine, baby. Just relax, okay? You can start packing up.” Leila gasped. She covered her mouth to hide her excitement but Kelvin knew she was happy with his words. How did he miss it? He genuinely thought she and his mother had put aside their differences. His wife had done her best, joining the maids to cook and do the dishes before his mother requested it of

Leila was all smiles as she drove her parents home. Her mother had been unable to counter her when she made the offer again. Kelvin had backed her up by saying it was the only way he could make it up to them by being late. Kelvin stretched a hand to her and she took it. She had volunteered to drive because she knew how tired he must be. Her parents were at the backseat making conversations and giving her directions. A peek at Kelvin and she smiled again. His eyes were closed and his head was resting on the headrest. She cut into the corner her father asked her to. This life was crazy. They were living in the same city yet they hadn’t stumbled on each other. She drove down an unfamiliar path and took another turn by her left.At her father’s instructions, she parked in front of one of the similar looking houses. She tapped Kelvin and his eyes opened. He stared at her for a bit, then smiled. He looked tired. They wouldn’t stay long.&n

The car was deathly still. Leila was trying to keep the laughter in but it became harder. She turned on the radio and Kelvin switched it off, grumbling under his breath.Unable to hold it in any longer, she erupted in laughter. “Fuck you, Leila,” was all he said. Leila laughed harder. She didn’t reply him till they were at a traffic light. “Yes, Kev. I want you to fuck me but as you can see, I’m driving. I wouldn’t want us to get killed. I don’t want to give you another reason to scream.” “Shut up!” At his outburst, more laughter trickled out of her lips. She wiped the tears that leaked out of the corners of her eyes. She had always thought nothing scared Kelvin but today, hearing him scream in fear during the zombies attack had proved her wrong. “I hate that game.” “Really?” Kelvin stared at his feet. “Yeah. Didn’t enjoy it much.