C11 MARRIAGE CRISIS

Beatrice's hand gently rolled up to check on Hazel who was lying beside her. Her hands touched her face lightly, only to find her burning up with fever. Startled, Beatrice sat up, and immediately sprang into action.

"My gosh! Hazel, you're burning up! What happened?" Her face etched with concern

"I don't know. I just woke up feeling like this" turning weakly she replied

Beatrice rushed to the bathroom, returning with a bowl of chilled water and a towel.

"Here, let me help cool you down." She adjusted the sheets on her body

She began to sponge Hazel's forehead, providing relief from the fever.

"There, you should feel better soon" she adjusted her clothes

"Thank you, Beatrice. I appreciate it."

"Shh, don't say anything" Beatrice tucked her in lightly before leaving her to rest.

---

Beatrice headed to Carl's room, and banged the door twice. Without waiting for a response, she walked in. To find him dressed in a black shirt and red shirt. He held a comb in his hand

"Brother!, may I have a word with you?"

He wrinkled his forehead "What's so urgent, Bea?, Can't it wait am a little busy"

"Now! I need to talk to you right now" she insisted

"Fine, he gently placed the comb on the dresser. What is it Bea?"

She sat on their bed "It's about Hazel. Do you know she's sick? She woke up with a terrible fever. But, she should be fine now. You can't keep treating her this way."

Carl cocked his brows at her" What are you talking about?"

"Hazel! She's your wife, not a servant. Show her some respect."

"I did, I always do.You don't understand, Bea. Last night was a little misunderstanding, she was messing with my sleep"

"Carl, I can't stand by and watch you hurt her. She's family. and that doesn't justify the hair pull and harassment. I understand enough to know she deserves better. If you continue treating her this way, she might leave you"

Carl's expression suddenly became solemn. He didn't know why he did that. Maybe, it was just his guilt choking him last night. And he could not fathom the thought of Hazel leaving him "You're right, she...am sorry" he became speechless.

"Well, am not the one you should be apologizing to.you know who. She tapped his shoulder. Just do what is right. Am leaving now" she stood up and left him.

---

Hazel woke up feeling a slight headache, coupled with unusual hunger and nausea.

"Beatrice? Beatrice? She tried to turn to her side but her head pounded harder"

Puzzled by these sensations, she attempted to get up but felt pain in her waist. After sitting for a few minutes, drowsiness overwhelmed her, and she drifted back to sleep.

---

It was few hours to midnight when Hazel woke up from her sleep. Leaving Beatrice's room, she discovered the entire house was quiet. Unusually quiet. Maintaining the silence, she tip toed to her room.

Silently pushing the door, she noticed that Carl wasn't inside. Walking towards the bed, she heard the door shut behind her.

"Hazel. She heard Carl's voice. Slowly turning her head. She met his eyes."

"Y..ess..."

"Come here" he motioned her

"Me?" She pointed at her face

"Come here love. She slowly moved towards him. Am so sorry love. He held her palms and squeezed them lightly. Did I hurt you?" He stared at her eyes

"N..o..Not really. You didn't" she stuttered, quite surprised by his sudden show of affection. Never knowing Carl could be this caring.

"But, Beatrice said you weren't feeling okay" he asked her

"Just a slight headache. About that I want to tell you something. I just realized th...."

Slightly twisting her head. The words were half swallowed in a kiss. Hazel stood shocked for few seconds before surrendering herself to the deep drowning kiss. She closed her eyes and let his tongue explore her mouth, his hand sliding down her back explored the pleasures of her body.

Breaking free from him, Hazel breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath. "Don't..am still mad at you. You aren't forgiven yet." Her facial expressions did no justice to her words, as she flushed, and turned her back at him.

"Am so sorry love, it won't happen again" He pleaded as he held her waist from the back

She wanted to be mad. But she couldn't, as he knows how to press her buttons. Gosh, this man would be the death of her. Faking a smile, she turned to him. "It's fine, it's alright. No need to worry."

"Thanks love. You just made me happy" he replied, and continued with his dressing up.

"But...there's something I want to tell you. It's very important. she said and moved to his front. Grabbing his palm, Hazel stared deeper into his eyes. My Love..I'm..."

The door slammed open, revealing Greg. He hissed as he saw their hands together.

"What the hell is going on here!?

Hazel's heart sank at the sudden interruption. If bad timing was a person. The room became suddenly tensed as Greg watched them.

"Sorry to interrupt your child's play. Carl, I need to talk to you"

"Father, I'll be down in a minute. Let me just..."

"Now!, he stood arms akimbo. I need to talk to you right now" He commanded him and threw an odd glance at Hazel

Heaving a long sigh, Carl released Hazel's grip on him. "I'll be back soon" he patted her cheeks and grabbed his coat. Then left with his father.

It was almost 10pm, as Hazel sat on the bed exhausted. Still awaiting Carl's return, to break the good news to him. Still no sign of his return. Stretching her body on the bed and yawning loudly, she threw a bored glance around the room and decided to go downstairs.

The first person she sighted was Beatrice, she held a dress on her right hand, and a shoe on the left. She beamed as soon as soon she sighted Hazel.

"Guess what? I Was just on my way to see you. I have something for you" she grinned as she pulled Hazel into her room and shut the door. Look at this dress. She held the dress for Hazel to see. It was a green sleeveless dress, with a flattering neckline and a body hugging silhouette. S totally chic like dress. See, it's fashionable right?"

"It's...it's so short" Hazel replied pointing at the mid knee dress

"It has to be. So it would be comfortable for dancing. Here accompany me to a party. Pretty please?" She winked at Hazel

Hazel rolled her eyes and shook her head. "At night? Thanks but I have to pass on this one"

"What! C'mon. This is a chance to divert your thoughts from the tense atmosphere. To enjoy your youth more"

"I don't know, where's Carl?"

"Hey, forget about him for now. We've got a party tonight. Come with me; it'll be a good distraction. You will have fun, and meet new people."

"I don't know, Bea". She didn't want her life to be any more complicated than it was.

"Come on, let loose a bit. We all need a break to escape reality sometimes." She stared at her

"Fine" Hazel agreed to join Beatrice for the party.

"Yass. Beatrice yelled. That's a great idea. Who knows you could meet someone interesting"

A light sigh escaped Hazel's lips. She hoped the party would provide a much-needed escape from the complexities of her sad married life.