A Little Too Late.

As the sun rose over the horizon, it became clear what had happened. Oma's emotions spiraled in a tumultuous storm of betrayal and resentment as she thought about the new revelation. "Damn it!" She cussed. She threw the half-filled glass of water across the room and watched in dismay as the glasses shattered and the content found an escape.

Oma stood up from the cushion and paced across the room to the balcony. On the other side of the street, Andy was on his balcony. Their gazes met, and Andy smiled, but Oma retreated back into the house. She let out a scream and let her body thud against the floor. How could she have done this? She covered her face with her hands as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

R-region

Three months ago, Oma had discovered a cache of letters and receipts of money her husband had been sending to an unknown woman hidden in a locker under her husband's reading table. Oma couldn't believe her husband was cheating on her, let alone having a child.

Oma and Michael had been married for ten years, and they embodied the epitome of a loving couple. Everyone could see how much they adored each other. However, as with any journey, theirs was not without challenges. Oma had a hereditary disease, and the doctor advised her against having a child because the child would most likely inherit the disease. When she discovered Michael had a child, the pain cut deep and lingered like an untreated wound.

For days, Oma was haunted by Michael's affair. Michael knew something was off about their relationship, but each time he makes an attempt to talk about it, Oma gives him the cold shoulder. This went on until Oma found solace in her new neighbor, Andy. He was a handsome man with an irresistible charm. His smile shamed the sun, and his perfectly curved face left a lasting impression. Each time Oma sat on her balcony to read, he was on his balcony listening to music. They began exchanging pleasantries, and his presence soothed her hurting heart. As days turned into nights, the bond grew stronger, and an affair bloomed amidst the shadows of secrecy.

Oma rose from the floor, wiping her tears with the hem of her top. She blew her nose before reaching for the letter.The letter she had retrieved from the mailbox that morning explained it all. The woman had written to her husband to extend her heartfelt gratitude for staying true to the promise he made to his friend- a former colleague, on his dying bed. The letters were not secret affairs but rather expressions of sympathy and financial assistance.

A knock on the door startled her. She walked to the door and found Andy there. She was not in the mood to talk to him. The warmth of her affair with him had turned cold. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a somber glow over the town, Oma struggled with the complex emotions that love and betrayal had woven into the tapestry of her life. She must face the consequences of her decisions. She can only hope that a confession will serve as a beacon to guide them back to solid ground.

That night, Michael returned home to the aroma of a home-cooked meal. Oma hadn't cooked him anything in a long time. He wondered what the occasion was. He trudged into the house, to see the table served. But there was something wrong; Oma's eyes were bloodshot and puffy. He dropped his bag and walked up to her. He took her hand in his and kissed the back of her palm.

"Have you been crying, my love?" He asked

Oma sniffled quietly, tears welling up in her eyes. She could not hold back the heartbreak anymore. She hugged Michael as gut-wrenching tears broke through her chest. Michael let her cry until she was calm. He pulled her away from him and placed his right hand under her jaw, forcing her to look at him, but Oma's eyes were closed.

"What is the matter, Oma? You are breaking my heart with these tears. Please talk to me," he pleaded.

"I did something very terrible", Oma admitted. She opened her eyes and looked at him. She stroked his cheek and wondered how she could have done something so terrible to him. Michael was the perfect husband.

"I found some letters underneath your table. Some letters and receipts of money".

"Oh my goodness!" Micheal interjected. "Is that why you are crying? I am so sorry I didn't tell you about it because I did not know how you'd react. The letters….."

"Shhhh!" Oma placed a finger on his lips. "I know everything. She wrote back." She pointed at the letter on the table.

Michael looked at the letter on the table and back at her. If she had read the letter and knew everything, why was she crying?

"It was a promise I made to…." He continued his explanation, but she wouldn't let him speak.

"Don't bother to explain. I know you are an honorable man. Unfortunately, I can't say much about myself. I found the letters three months ago, and I thought you were cheating on me. I was blinded by anger and hate, and I ended up…" She broke into sobs again. This time, he waited for her to continue.

"I…cheated" she sobbed, her voice barely audible. I'm so sorry. It was meant to be a payback but now I know the truth I feel so stupid".

Stocksnap

The unexpected news sent an electrifying jolt through Michael's body, leaving him speechless. He took two steps back and looked at his wife, who was crying on the floor. As Oma's sobs turned into wails, he picked up his bag and walked out through the same door he had come in, never to return.