Episode Twelve: “Heartfelt Words Touch The Heart”

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Vicky and Rachel arrived at an arcade and Rachel said she wasn’t that good at playing games so Vicky taught her, despite his reluctance to play. They went to see a short movie afterwards and Vicky got cotton candy for Rachel.

“Why don’t you like cotton candy?” Rachel asked.

“It’s too sweet” Vicky protested.

“You need more sweet things in your life” Rachel said.

“I think you are enough” Vicky said and Rachel stopped pushing his wheelchair when she realized what he meant.

“Just keep pushing” he gruffed and Rachel pushed. As they went from place to place having fun, they enjoyed their time together and learnt new things about each other. They even went to an aquarium and took photos together.

At their final stop for the date in a restaurant, Rachel went to get something and Vicky stared around noting all the men and women together and the men were able to do things for their women that he couldn’t.

Rachel returned and noticed Vicky’s subdued. “Did something happen?” She asked concerned.

Vicky shook his head and they ate to their fill.

At the house, Patrick sat down uncomfortably while Testimony watched films. “I can’t believe I have been reduced to a babysitter” he mumbled, “doesn’t that mean that when they have a child, this is what I will be doing on their date nights?!”

Patrick looked genuinely horrified to think that only to sigh in relief when he heard the car drive in. He rushed to the door but paused and spied through the window.

Outside, Vicky and Rachel got out of the car. “I had a great day, thank you so much” Rachel said gratefully.

“You’re welcome. I had a great day too” Vicky said, “I honestly would have never taken time off to relax and it’s because of you.”

“hmm, okay” Rachel said. They stared at each other for a while, both of them wanting to take the next step.

“Bend” Vicky commanded and Rachel leaned in front of him. Vicky stared at her them placed his hand on the nape of her neck and kissed her.

Rachel closed her eyes and kissed him back. In the house, Patrick watched them with stars in his eyes. He was so close to squealing like he was watching a drama where the main characters kissed.

Patrick almost pressed his nose to the window to watch them. Behind him was Testimony who wanted to see what Patrick was watching.

“What are you doing?” Testimony asked and Patrick jumped in shock.

“What?! What are you doing here?” Patrick said alarmed, “go and watch TV.”

“But what are you doing? Who is there?” Testimony asked curiously and when he tried to peek, Patrick jumped into covering the boy’s eyes.

“What are you doing?!”Testimony exclaimed, trying to remove the hand from his eyes.

“Precautionary measures” Patrick said, only for the door to open. He turned and Vicky and Rachel staring at him.

“What are you doing?!” Rachel said in alarm just as Patrick let go of Testimony. Testimony frowned and rubbed his eyes.

“Patrick” Vicky said in a warning tone.

“I was just…” Patrick didn’t know what to say.

“I just wanted to see what he was looking at outside the window. He nearly blinded me” Testimony complained and Rachel and Vicky turned to Patrick.

“Out the window?” Rachel squeaked in a high pitch voice and held Testimony. “let’s go Testimony, I bought some chocolates for you.”

Rachel escaped to her room with Testimony and Patrick and Vicky watched her leave. Patrick turned to Vicky with a sneaky smile.

“You and Rachel seem to be having a wonderful time” he teased. Vicky tilted his head as if considering something.

“I wonder if I should start deducting from your pay whenever you make smartass comments” Vicky said.

Patrick pouted, “fine, I’ll leave boss. Bye, goodnight.”

Patrick left and Vicky went to his room. Rachel returned downstairs to make Testimony food and then went to bed. Testimony slept peacefully but all Rachel could think about was the kiss.

Vicky was thinking the same thing. He kept remembering all the moments he spent with Rachel and he looked at his wedding ring.

“This might not be so bad” he muttered feeling happy.

{💮}

The next day, Rachel was too shy to face Vicky directly while it just made him smile. They went to their respective places.

At the university, Rachel was reading in the library when Prieye ran to her. “Rachel, bad news, no, terrible news” she gasped.

“What is it?” Rachel asked.

“That useless Jessica is spreading the news that you married a disabled man for money. That girl” Prieye growled, “I swear, she is just jealous of you.”

“She told everyone she knew, what am I to do?” Rachel got worried, “how is it her business sef? Jessica is something else.”

“What are you going to do?” Prieye asked.

“Nothing, I am not going to fight her” Rachel said, “let her say whatever nonsense but if she crosses my path to look for trouble, she is finished.”

“Good, this is the action I’ve been wanting you to show your father” Prieye said grinning and Rachel shot her a look.

“Forget that, did you give your brother in-law my number?” Prieye asked. Rachel feigned innocence but Prieye knew better.

“I don’t like that guy. It’s nice he is rich but he is so annoyingly persistent” Prieye said, “besides, I found a nice new boyfriend.”

“Tell that to my brother in-law” Rachel deadpanned and Prieye pouted.

Later, Vicky told Rachel he would pick her up and waited for her in the school. He ended up stepping out of the car and unfortunately heard some gossip.

“I can’t believe Rachel really married a disabled man for money. She didn’t come across to me like that kind of girl” a passerby said and Vicky froze.

“Rachel is really something o” another person froze.

“How did she even find the guy sef? Rachel, she is not even fine” a woman said.

“Do you think a disabled man will care about that one? When he is like that, who will marry him?” a man answered and Vicky paled with every word that he heard.

He looked up and saw Rachel running to him. “hi, sorry I kept you waiting” she said.

“It’s nothing” Vicky quietly said.

“Rachel wait!” Prieye yelled and joined them. Vicky looked at her. She looked at him, “oh, good afternoon.”

“Vicky, This is Prieye. She is my very good friend” Rachel said, “Prieye, Vicky.”

“It’s really nice to finally meet you, Rachel talks about you a lot” Prieye said and Rachel shoved her slightly. “What? It’s true.”

Vicky chuckled and shook Prieye’s hand. “it’s nice to meet you too.” He said. He turned to Rachel, “let’s go.”

“Oh, and Rachel, tell your brother in-law to lose my number. Bye” Prieye said cheerily and skipped away. Rachel shook her head and looked at Vicky who was staring at her.

“What did she mean by that?” Vicky asked curiously.

“Oh, Austin is sort of interested in her I think so he asked me for her number” Rachel explained, “but Prieye is not interested. Plus, she got herself a boyfriend.”

“Austin liking your friend…? That clown liking someone?” Vicky said in amazement, “must be a joke, your friend did right.”

Rachel chuckled and they entered the car and left. Vicky dropped Rachel at home and they waved good bye to each other as the car drive away.

“Patrick?”

“Yes Sir?”

“For the first time in a long time, I really want to get better” Vicky admitted, “every time I am with Rachel, she makes me want to be a man again. I want to walk, so I can do all the things that other men do for their wives.”

“I have never felt this helpless or this strong to want this. What do I do?” Vicky said, nearing tears and Patrick felt bad.

Later at night, Vicky stayed up thinking about what people were saying about Rachel at the university. “how could something like that about her? Don’t they know who she is?” he muttered worried.

Rachel passed by and saw him worried. “Vicky? Is everything alright?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s fine” he answered then paused. “Rachel wait, sit.” Rachel looked at him worried but sat down.

“What are people saying about you at the university?” Vicky asked.

“W-what? What do you mean?” Rachel said, but her expression betrayed her. “what could you possibly know about what people say in the university that I don’t?”

“Don’t lie to me, I heard everything” Vicky said quietly. Rachel looked down sadly. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I am, I don’t care because I know it isn’t…true” Rachel said haltingly, “I hoped you wouldn’t find out because I was worried you would be sad.”

Vicky looked at Rachel’s hand that was clutching his now. He smiled, “I have gotten used to it, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Just because you’ve gotten used to it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt” Rachel said and Vicky looked at her.

“You are wise for your age” Vicky said and clasped her hand in his. “I don’t know why, ever since I got to know you, I feel so weak. I feel different. I’ve changed.”

“Is that…is it bad?” Rachel asked tentatively.

“No, it feels good” Vicky smiled. “You are much different from what I imagined and I’m glad.” Rachel blinked at him when he leaned in and kissed her hand.

Vicky smiled at a bashful Rachel.

{💮}

The next day, Rachel and Vicky made plans to see her parents after they were done. They went to pick up Testimony from school and took him home to change before going to see Rachel’s parents. Rachel fidgeted nervously as Vicky knocked the door.

“Oh, good evening” Bisola greeted them happily only to recoil in shock when she saw Testimony. She shot a glare at Rachel who shrunk.

“Come in” Bisola forced a smile and Rachel pushed Vicky in. Senator Uche came and welcomed them, he was shocked to see Testimony too.

“it has been a long time since we visited so we came” Vicky said, “how are you doing? How is your health?”

“We are fine, it’s by the grace of God” Bisola answered, “come, let me get you juice. And you too Testimony, how are you?”

Testimony quietly answered fine. Bisola tried not to react at his quiet response. “I was surprised to hear that you adopted him?” Vicky said surprising Uche and Bisola.

Uche glanced at Rachel who nodded. “Oh, Testimony is just a lovable child” Uche said, “you…are taking care of him?”

“Yes, didn’t Rachel tell you? She asked me to” Vicky answered looking confused. Uche and Bisola feigned knowledge and offered some juice.

Using that as an excuse, Bisola dragged Rachel to the kitchen and slapped her. “Ma!” Rachel exclaimed in shock.

“Shh, do you want him to hear?” Bisola scolded but Rachel was still in shock. She continued, “How dare you? Do you want to ruin everything? Why did you take Testimony to Vicky’s house?”

“They kicked him out of the place I kept him for fighting and I can’t bring him here” Rachel said in tears. “I can’t let you do to him what you did to me.”

Bisola looked at Rachel angrily as if she was going to hit her when her husband’s voice distracted her. “This women, they must be catching up” Uche said loudly, “they haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

Bisola glared at Rachel before pushing her aside and returning with the juice. Rachel wiped her tears and joined the family.

Vicky talked to Uche and Bisola livelily but he noticed that Rachel’s and Testimony’s expressions were more reserved. Something didn’t feel right.

After the visit, they arrived home and ate dinner. Testimony went to the room to sleep and Vicky watched Rachel as she did the dishes.

“Is something wrong? You didn’t look very happy at your parents place?” Vicky asked concerned and Rachel paused.

“it’s nothing” Rachel answered, “I was just feeling a bit weak, that’s why.”

Vicky stared at her worried, he didn’t believe her but he had learnt that when Rachel didn’t want to say anything, she wouldn’t.

The next day, Vicky went to see his father in the house. Manuel drank his juice and dropped it. “I have been hearing a lot about you from Austin” he said, “you seem to be taking your marriage better now.”

“I don’t think that is much of your concern” Vicky said hostilely.

“Will you stop hating me for nothing?” Manuel scowled, “just tell me, are you still going for your check ups. No matter what the doctors say, I still believe there is a chance for your legs.”

“I don’t know but I don’t care anyways” Vicky said.

“stop hating yourself Vicky” Manuel said sadly, “I know you blame yourself for the accident but don’t. Bea wouldn’t want you to be like this.”

“How would you know how I feel?!” Vicky yelled tearfully. “you are misunderstanding, I don’t feel guilty.”

“You are not the only one who lost someone Vicky, I lost my daughter and I don’t want to lose my son” Manuel said, “please.”

Vicky looked away. “I’m leaving, I’ll call” he said and rolled away. He ran into Juliana on the way out but ignored her. Juliana went to Manuel.

“He is so stubborn, I only want him to get better but he antagonizes me” Manuel complained sadly.

“He is quite immature but he will surely understand. His grief and guilt are only blinding him” Juliana consoled, “he will recover from this.”

“Yes, but when?” Manuel said.

“Sir?”

Manuel and Juliana looked up to see Patrick. “Yes Patrick?” Manuel answered.

“I know Mr. Vicky will be very angry if he found out I told you but…” Patrick said.

“yes?” Manuel said hopefully.

“Mr. Vicky has had thoughts about getting treated and it’s all thanks to madam Rachel. She hasn’t been pushing him to get treated but” Patrick said, “he has been yearning to be a better person for her.”

“Really?” Juliana said surprised.

“Rachel? Is she really that…?” Manuel said in disbelief.

“Honestly, Mr. Manuel, Madam Rachel is a very nice woman” Patrick said thoughtfully, “she has something special about her I can’t explain.”

Juliana and Manuel exchanged looks. “Hmm, maybe I will have to see Rachel” Manuel said interested.

Later, at the university, Austin came to pick Rachel up after finding out where she was. His eyes lit up to see Prieye was with her.

“Hello Prieye, you look beautiful” Austin grinned coquettishly.

“I’m flattered but no” Prieye said with a smile.

“You didn’t even know what I was going to ask” Austin said offended. Prieye shrugged. He turned to Rachel, “my father wishes to see you.”

“Your father wants to see me?” Rachel asked surprised, “is anything the matter?”

“Nothing, but you will find out when you get there.” Austin said and Rachel followed him. Austin drove her to the Aiyedehin Mansion.

With Vicky in his car, Patrick was driving him. “Er, Sir” Patrick said hesitantly, “your father has plans to see Rachel this afternoon. I think he wants to talk about your treatment…since I told him about Rachel…and you.”

“What?! Patrick!” Vicky erupted angrily, “couldn’t you keep your mouth shut? Turn around.”

At the Aiyedehin Mansion, Rachel greeted Manuel. “I have heard good things about you from Patrick, he says you are treating my son well.” Manuel said.

“It’s my duty to” Rachel answered.

“Okay, how is your schooling going? I heard Vicky took over the fees payment” Manuel asked.

“School is fine.” Rachel meekly answered.

“Okay, Rachel, what do you think about Vicky? I know very well he is a difficult person and the conditions under which you got married was…trying” Manuel said.

“Vicky is a nice person though he acts grumpy. He is very caring and protective too” Rachel answered truthfully, “I like that about him.”

“That’s good, you see, I have been trying to get Vicky to get treatment” Manuel said gently, “my son, before the accident and the loss of his sister was a lively man. It took a toll on him since he lost his mother and sister.”

“Yes, Vicky told me.”

“Hmm, I want Vicky to get treatment but he is refusing. He refuses to see that I care for him and I want him to recover” Manuel said, “the doctors are saying it will be difficult for him to recover but he has come a long way from the way he was years ago.”

“The doctors feel there is a chance but Vicky is refusing. He keeps thinking about his sister” Manuel said.

“He is…punishing himself” Rachel said in realization, “he feels guilty for her death and he wants to be punished. You feel sad when you see him in pain like that and so do I, but for him that is living and not forgiving himself.”

“yes, imagine how heartbreaking it us for me to watch him like that” Manuel said, “I was hoping you could convince him. Patrick said he has been thinking about treatment ever since you came into his life.”

Rachel looked up surprised. Manuel continued, “I want you to convince him to get treated. He might listen to you since it’s the first time he ever thought of it.”

Rachel looked quietly. She finally spoke up, “I would like to see Vicky walk again, happily and forgiving himself but I can’t do that. I can’t force him or convince him.”

“Only when he is ready to forgive himself and move on will he get treatment” Rachel said full of certainty. “I feel that day is soon but he won’t get treatment because of me but because he wants to be a better him.”

Manuel quietly took her words in. “You are not wrong, I just wish he would get out of his guilt soon” he said sadly

“Like I said, that day is not too far and when he does it, it will be for himself” Rachel said encouragingly and Manuel smiled.

“I think I understand why Patrick said you were special” Manuel said smiling. Rachel looked surprised but nodded.

At the door, Vicky was there quietly on his wheelchair and he had heard what Rachel said about him. It was up to him to get up from that chair and not for anyone but for himself.

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Everyone is beginning to see Rachel’s worth, isn’t that nice? Thanks to all who have voted so far, I’m touched.

Drop some comments, let me know how you are enjoying the story.