4 The Discovery

Anna took longer than usual in the bathroom and Steve wanted to come to check on her but then he was too tired and drunk to check. He fell asleep before she even returned and that was an advantage for Anna. Anna needed time alone to think things through. Though Steve was her happiness, she still felt like she was not getting anything close to happiness as Steve was a busy man but that was not all, he seemed to be too busy to be with her. Every time she demanded his attention, she always got excuses from him. “I can do better than this!” Anna said while staring at the mirror. It was different staring at it while feeling so heartbroken like she had given up in life. Thinking about the doctor’s earlier visit, Anna could not help but remember the doctor’s words. She had lost herself in the process and needed to be checked into a better medical facility to check on her health. Her recent feeling made her feel like she was terminally sick and needed medical attention but that could only be ruled out by blood tests which she was not ready to undertake. Anna tried to forget the words but they kept lingering in her mind. “You are sick and you need to go for a check-up as soon as possible,” he had said. “I don't think you understand what you are saying because the reason I called you to come and check on me is because you are a family doctor and yesterday my husband and I got a little bit physical. All I need is a few tablets and I will be back to normal self,” she had requested him. “You don’t get it, Anna. your wounds speak volumes about your health. There is something wrong and the only way we can get a clear diagnosis is by you checking in a bigger facility,” he added. “Do you think it's something serious? I mean should I be worried?” Anna wondered. “Only the tests can confirm that. But as it is now, it doesn't look so good.” he said and then left. Anna took the medication and then took a nap. She knew she had to decide if she was going to the hospital; she had to make the call. She had to go for a check-up and get to know what was ailing her. Anna went back to bed and found Steve already sleeping but immediately after she joined him, he opened his eyes and held her in his arms. They then fell asleep in each other’s arms. When morning came, Anna was shocked to find herself asleep alone. As Steve had mentioned, he had a work thing and had left very early in the morning. It made her very happy since she knew that she could go to the hospital without raising an alarm. Anna prepared herself and then requested an Uber. The Uber arrived but before they could even drive for ten minutes, she spotted a car parked somewhere along the road. It was the exact car that Steve was driving that morning. She tried to look and just then her fears were confirmed. It was Steve’s car! “Just when I thought we were headed in the right direction!” she murmured. The driver turned to look at her wondering if he was overspeeding or something. Anna’s words sounded like a complaint. “Everything okay? Sorry if I was overspeeding. I am going to drive slowly henceforth,” he apologized in advance. “No, you are driving okay. I just saw someone I have been married to for a very long time parked next to another car that belongs to someone I have always suspected he had an affair with. Tell me, are there any faithful men remaining in this universe because the way I see it, I think the next generation will avoid marriages completely. I mean, what is the essence of getting married to someone who will only waste your time and play with your feelings?” she asked. The cab driver looked around and then started to explain to her in the best way he knew how. “I don't think it's okay to generalize, there are still some amazing people out there. For example, people are getting married today and there are also others getting divorced today. That should tell you that the world has two types of people. You should be positive and believe that even if you parted ways with your man today, there would still be better and faithful men in the world. The only problem you have right now is you feel wasted and broken but you can bounce back.” “You can reclaim your glory either by making him change through confrontation or being nicer towards him or you can choose to walk away, which is not a guarantee that everything will be okay. The next person you fall in love with might be the best or the worst!” he was not making sense to Anna! “Please shut up and drive!” she said. Anna knew exactly what she had seen. Steve had gone to his other woman and had left the car on the roadside. He didn't even care if anyone saw him. Steve had become a thorn that could not be unplucked in Anna’s life. She knew what she needed to do but her love for him blinded her completely. “He will change, maybe, or not,” she thought to herself. Steve had no idea that Anna was going to the hospital that day and maybe that was the reason why he had visited his other woman. He had made the call the previous night because he wanted to confuse Anna and make her think that there was no other woman. That he was a changed man, little did he know that she would be going to the hospital and would bump into him on the way. He was not safe. A few meters from the spot where Steve had parked the car, Anna changed her mind and told the driver to take her back to where her husband's car was parked. She wanted to confirm since she didn't even know who the other woman was. The last she checked, he was into the company’s secretaries and business associates but upon arrival, she realized that the car had driven off. Steve had left! Anna removed her phone and dialed her husband’s phone number. He picked and even went ahead and lied about how busy his morning was at work! Anna angrily asked the driver to drive off and take her to the hospital. It was her priority at the time. Whatever Steve decided to do with his life was the least of her worries. She had health concerns she wanted to address and not waste her precious time with infidelity issues. “How much is it?” she asked the taxi driver after she got to her destination. “Thirty dollars,” he said softly. He had learned that Anna was stressed and didn't want to address her fears yet or at least she didn't feel like she was ready to. The taxi driver waved at her and she went to the hospital’s reception. Anna knew she was expected at the hospital and being the wife of an established businessman made her stand out. She was respected and the receptionist came to assist her. Anna was escorted to the doctor’s office where she would know her fate. It was the day to reckon.