Hell Of A Marriage
Chapter 38

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." -Washington Irving One week later

"Why am I hacking into their system again?" Rory asks Keenan with a curious tone of voice as he opens and begins to access some information on the computer screen.

Keenan who realises Rory has succeeded in accessing the bank security information moves closer to him. "Because it's one week and two days since Vary left and I have to find out where she is that way I'll be okay." He answers with honesty in his voice. After Vary disappeared from the hospital a week ago and Keenan had no other choice but to try looking for her the best way he can.

He pays a visit to Alian, Vary's a very good friend but she told him she hadn't seen Vary since the birthday party and Keenan also went to meet with Levi, but he also said he hadn't seen her, but would also be on the lookout for her. After a long unyielding search, Keenan returned home that day, and as he walks over to the nightstand he sees a small note on the lampstand close to the bed. He gingerly picks up the note and notices it is written in Vary's handwriting. "I need time to be alone, there are a lot of things I have to do to reset my life. Please don't look for me, this is better for both of us."

-Vary.

When leaving, Vary took Keenan credit card along with her and Keenan was very sure the police investigating her whereabouts could track it and he can get to know where she is, but he purposely withheld the information of his missing credit card when the police were asking if he knew anything about her disappearance. He didn't care if it would end up implicating him, but he knew he didn't want them finding her or arresting her and he also didn't want her back in handcuffs again.

He loved his wife so much and he was ready to do anything that would protect her even if it was the wrong thing.

Rory looks up at Keenan from the computer, "Didn't she specifically tell you not to look for her? How do you even know she's the one who took your credit card?" Rory asks his question which are completely reasonable.

Keenan places a hand on Rory's shoulder, making Rory look up at him, "If Taylor told you to stay away, when you know what she needs the most is to not be alone would you let her go and really stay away?"

Rory remains quiet because though he is concern about Keenan's wellbeing, he knows he would do the same thing if he was in the same shoe with him, "I guess you've got a point, but there is no guarantee that she took your card." He still argues his previous point. Rory is right, there is no certainty, but Keenan knows better, "I know because she's the only one who knew where I kept it and she came here first to write a note, so I know it's hers."

He sighs in defeat, "I guess you are right." he replies and without another objection, Rory helps Keenan track down the location Keenan credit card was last used.

He taps on the keyboard and sits back as the information comes on the computer screen and draws closer to read it, "According to this, the credit card was used at this motel with the name Christy along the Catlyn road, about a week ago and it says here that the occupant's signed in with the name Andrew Klean." Rory reads out then finally looks at him, "who is Andrew Klean?"

"Vary." He says, happiness returning to his being for the first time in more than a week now, running to his study table and grabbing his car keys.

He is going to meet her, and there is nothing else on his mind. He doesn't even know what he's going to say to her or what he will do, but he knows he's glad as long as he will get to see her again.

Rory frowns in confusion as he stares at Keenan who is running around the room grabbing one thing or the other like a crazy person. "How is Andrew Klean Varisha?"

He pauses in the centre of the room and turns to him, "Andrew Klean is... was her twin brother... It's a long story." He rambles out, a little disoriented.

He realises that Rory is still very clueless about everything that happened the night of his wife's birthday and he hasn't had the time to properly explain everything to him so he can't blame him now for being lost.

"You are right about that." He nods as he closes up his laptop.

"|

I got to go buddy, thanks for this and many others." He says, hurrying out as fast as his legs can take him. "I promise I will explain everything to you." He yells out as he exits through the door.

"Okay, go get your woman," Rory says and there is no guarantee that Keenan even heard him before the door closes.

Ten weeks ago.

Keenan was in his office working over the few documents left for him to do before going home when his phone rang and he picked it up and placed it to his ears.

Paula his new secretary voice came threw the phone, "Hello there's a man here to see you, he says his name is Tobi Klean?" She replies.

Keenan drops the pen in his hand down and speaks up, "Yes send him in."

He had asked George to look up everything on Andrew Klean after Vary had told him about her brother a few weeks ago. He knew Vary may not have talked about her family, they meant a lot to her because he saw the light in her eyes when she first talked about Andrew. He just wants to help get Vary's family close so she can be truly happy and complete.

George told him there was no record of any twenty-five-year-old Andrew Klean back in Nigeria or any related to Varisha Klean but he told him there existed a Tobi Klean who was the father of two kids. He asked him to further his search and that was how he learnt that Tobi was Varisha's biological father.

Keenan reached out to Tobi Klean a week later after discovering the truth and invited him over to the States to talk with him and that was why he was here.

The door opened and a black man in his mid-fifties with grey hair and thick rough beards walked in. He was wearing a grey polo and black jean trousers and white sneakers. Although he is so unkempt, Keenan noticed that he shared a little bit of resemblance with his wife Vary. They both had the big brown eyes and full lips and Keenan notices other features he possessed but he couldn't wrap his fingers around it.

He immediately got up from his seat and approach the man who still hadn't left the door. He was his father in law and he wanted him to feel as welcome as possibly.

"Tobi Klean, it's so nice to finally meet you," he stretched his hand out to him for a shake and when he shook it, he introduced himself. "I'm Keenan Hilton, please come and sit." He told him and he followed behind.

They both settled down on their seat and Keenan began to speak "I know this is all too sudden, but I had to come and get you as soon as I found out that you were still alive."

"I don't know who you are sir," Tobi answered in a confused voice.

"Don't call me sir, my name is Keenan, you can call me that and the reason I called you is because of your daughter, Varisha Klean?"

He immediately looks up at Keenan, his eyes wide and yearning, "Varisha? What happened to her?"

"Nothing, I am her husband," Keenan replied, with a warm smile taking over his face.

"What? My Varisha is married?" the man seemed shocked beyond measure.

"Yes she is my wife and we've been married for a few months"

"I didn't know that," Tobi replied looking a little torn and sad and Keenan felt sad for what Varisha and he were going through because of separation.

"She doesn't talk about you, her Mom or her brother, that was the reason I thought you'd be dead."

The man's face was covered with a crooked smile, "Vary left years ago because she believed I would never forgive her for what she did."

"What she did?" Keenan echoed, feeling lost and interested to be clarified.

"She blamed herself for the death of her twin brother Andrew Klean." The man answered and Keenan's heart skipped a beat.

"How did that happen?"

"It was raining one day when Vary was fourteen and she wanted to take a walk in the rain, Andrew never liked the rain, but vary begged and pleaded and Andrew nodded his consent and they both went out, but when Vary returned, Andrew wasn't with her and she wouldn't say anything. I went out to look for Andrew but even I couldn't find him that night." He paused and pressed his lips together and pain flashed in his eyes, "the next morning we found Andrews body beside the river and realised that they had wandered to the nearby river and the strong flow of water had swept Andrew away." The man finished.

Keenan couldn't believe his ears, his wife had gone through such a traumatic childhood, and now he understands why she never liked to talk about it. She probably blamed herself for his death and still does and Keenan's heart went out to her.

"Varisha never talked much again and when she finally turned sixteen she ran away from home. I believe she was convinced that I would never forgive her and she did what she did, but she's my daughter, my flesh and blood, I'd always forgive her. Besides, it wasn't her fault, it was an accident." The man concluded.

"So you've not seen or heard from Varisha in eleven years?" Keenan asked quietly.

He shook his head, "No, I haven't."

Keenan knew he had to make things right, Varisha wouldn't have to live in pain anymore, she wouldn't have to feel guilty or blame herself anymore.

Flashback ends

***

Vary had ordered for food delivery an hour ago and when it didn't come she decide to get ready for bed on an empty stomach when she hears a knock on her door. She hurries out of the bed, happy she isn't going to bed hungry like she thought and she runs to the door and opens it.

"It was about time -" she begins to say, but she stops as she sees Keenan instead of the delivery girl.

She becomes speechless as surprise take over her whole being and she can't find her voice or strength to speak.

Seeing her face brought life into his face and he wants to reach for her and wrap his arms around her, but he holds unto his control.

"Vary." Keenan breathes her name and there exists great joy and relief in his voice and he sees her.

The emotions in her face disappear and she eyes display fear and anxiousness, "What? how?"

"I'll tell you everything, can you let me in?" He requests, hoping she would not turn him down and shut the door to his face.

She steps away from the door allowing Keenan to enter and she closes it.

The nervous look she had a minute ago disappears and she now holds an indifferent look on her face.

"What are you doing here?" She demands with a strict tone as she walks past from him towards the bed.

The joy Keenan felt a minute ago decreases at the tone of her voice and the expression on her face. "I had to find you, I missed you and I know you miss me too." He reveals, walking towards her.

She raises her hand in protest and stops him on his tracks. "I told you not to look for me Keenan, I told you I needed time alone." She rants out, her voice rising with every word she says.

He nods and rubs his forehead; this isn't going the way he pictured out in his head.

"I know, but how much time do you need?" He asks, looking into her eyes needing a little hope and reassurance. He has been through a lot of pain, emotional torture and most importantly fears and he needs to know that he hasn't lost her after everything that has happened.

She looks away from his seeking gaze, not sure if she can give him the answer he desperately needs. "I don't know."

He sighs in defeat as his eyes lower, his heart-wrenching in sorrow. "You know you don't have to do it alone, that's why I'm here to be with you."

She shakes her head and walks towards the window and stare through it into the night.

"You don't understand, you have to go, I need to be alone, that's the only way-" she began but Keenan doesn't let her finish.

These were the very words he was afraid of hearing, "Way for what?" He demands and Vary remains quiet and he continues, "I get it, you're hurt, but aren't we both?"

She immediately turns around at his word and cuts the rest off angrily, "I lost a Daniel!" She exclaims flaring up.

"I lost Daniel too!" He points out with a pain-filled tone, still in the grieving process, "And worse, I lost you."

Her teeth clenched and her hands ball into a fist as she thinks of the place they both are now and a tear rolls down her eyes. "You had no right bringing him back into my life!" She cries out and Keenan knows exactly who 'him' is and he has to agree, she was right. If he had known the horror; (which include the death of his unborn son,) bringing Tobi back into their life would drag on, he would never have attempted to.

He nods in admission and regret, "I never meant for any of that to happen Vary, and I'm sorry. I only contacted Tobi because I believed whatever disagreement you two had could be worked out, I thought he was family and should be closer. I thought that seeing your father or at least one of them would make you happy. I got in touch with Tobi and he told me Andrew died eleven years ago and that you felt responsible and so you left. I believed him I shouldn't have, but I did so I thought seeing him and knowing he isn't mad at you would make up for the lost years, but I was wrong and I'm sorry."

Another tear slips down Vary's face, "You could have waited for me like I told you to."

"And for that I'm sorry. I didn't know you had such a terrible past if I did do you think I'd bring Tobi back into your life? I love you and would never put you in harm's way, you have to believe me."

Vary sighs and walks back to the bed and sits down I and Keenan also make his way over and when she doesn't protest, he sits down. "After mom left Tobi, he became abusive and blamed it on mom. He'd lash out on Andrew for no reason and whenever I tried to intervene, he'd hit me too. Soon as my body began developing as a result of puberty, I began noticing how he'd wait outside while I take a bath and also how he'd enter my room whenever I was changing my clothes and one night he said he was turned on and didn't have money to go pick up some whore so he asked me to strip."

She bites her lips and as more tears run down her face and Keenan does not want her talking if it still has this much effect on her. "You don't have to tell me, I get it, believe me."

She wipes the tears off, "I do, you have to know, I don't know if I'll ever be able to dig it up again." She answers and then continues, "When I refused and told him it was wrong, but he said he wasn't going to touch me and that he only wanted to watch me while he touched himself. When I still said no, he threatens to have his way and r**e me if I didn't do as he said. I did and that was how it started, but when we turned fourteen, I convinced Andrew to run away with me and we went to our mom, I told her everything that had happens and mom promised to make him pay, but he killed her. It was never proven, but I knew he did."

"After mom's funeral, Tobi demanded we return with him, I refused but Andrew thought it wise because he was mature and fit and was in rehab and so he could to take care of us. I wanted to believe Andrew, but I couldn't, so I prayed and hope he found his way." "Then I travelled to another state, where I knew Tobi wouldn't look for me and when I got a scholarship to study here. I took it and for the past eleven years never saw Tobi again. Until last week. He was going to kill me like Andrew and mom I had to save myself." Keenan takes a deep breath, trying to accumulate everything she just confessed to him. Now he knew why she tried so hard to bury that part of herself. "I get it now. Why you did what you did and if I was in your shoes, I'd do the same or worse. Vary believe me if I knew..."

She briefly closes her eyes, "I know Keenan, but it's going to take a while to recover."

He places his hand on Vary and for an unknown, but awesome reason, she doesn't draw away. "Take as much time as you need Vary, I'll be here when you are ready to come home." "Thank you." She says, a bright smile peaking at the corner of her lips.

"You are most welcome." He replies and releases her hand after giving it a soft squeeze and as he releases it, they both want it back, but neither of them taking the first step. Nevertheless, he smiles and gets up. "Always remember that I'm always going to be here." And with that, he walks out of the room.