Forbidden Dance: Will She Forgo Her Marriage for a Lifetime of Happiness? (6 page)

For the next couple of months, Alero spent more time at Zane’s place than she would have imagined possible. But tonight, she was seated in front of her dressing mirror with a cotton pad in one hand. She gently removed her makeup. Zane was busy selling cars to a group of Arab men he met at a car show last week.

Sex with Zane was great. He was attentive and caring. She cooked him dinner and they went night clubbing a couple of nights each week.

She didn’t bring up her marital status with him again. If Kyle never showed up in her life, it would be stupid to lose a great man like Zane for a non-existent marriage.

“Divorce Kyle,” she murmured. Her chest squeezed. “I can’t. My parents will have my head on a plate,” she groaned.

Zane helped set up her nail studio and assisted in recruiting two more manicurists. He was there when the doors opened for the first time, and he spread the word. Before long, sessions were by appointment only.

As they laid in bed one evening, after a hot sex spree, she shared her vision to donate a portion of her monthly profits to local school children who could not afford to buy lunch. He was so thrilled, he made it happen. He took the day-to-day stress out of her life.

When Zane found out after their first date, she hadn’t explored the glory of Marrakech, he whisked her off to the
Jamaa el Fna
square. During the day, the city’s square and market place bustled with orange juice stalls, Moroccan spice traders, and traditionally-attired water sellers, story tellers, dancing boys and chleuh. Although she had cringed at the sight of the performing snake charmers, Zane had quickly rushed her along to the food stalls where they bought and ate local delicacies. He encouraged her to taste so many flavours – spicy Moorish eggs with minty pitta chips, palmiers with a touch of harissa and cumin scented cheese crumbles washed down with a bottle of fizz drink.

So many people crammed in the well-lit open space. If she had to take a head count of the drifting crowd, it would take a decade to count them all.

A day after the trip to the city’s square, Zane had taken her on one of the desert tours. They went to Zagora along the Dra’s valley. It had ended with a camel ride in the dunes at Tinfou.

Still keen to deepen their relationship, he took her to the beach once a week, and they had a meal, and enjoyed a swim in the cool water.

To her amazement, Zane peeled off every layer of heartache. And so she allowed him into the part of her life - the adventurous and lively personality - she hid away in the closet after Kyle lost interest.

Okay, Zane wasn’t perfect. He snored lightly every now and then, when he was really tired. All she had to do was prop her ears with a pillow. A smile shadowed her lips. And he let out wind wherever he saw fit. She admired him for that. Okay, and he did not pick up after himself. She enjoyed taking care of him. Name one person who didn’t have one or two weaknesses?

Her mobile phone rang. Alero almost jumped out of her skin. “Jeez! Calm down,” she grumbled. She stared at the name on the screen. It was her mum. She let it ring. If Mrs. Tosan found out her daughter bailed out of her husband’s house, she would be in Casablanca before Alero finished removing her makeup.

Her throat tightened, and she got up to get drinking water from the refrigerator on the landing.

The phone rang again. She dashed back to her bedroom. It was her dad. Great. Her parents must have found out she was on the run.

“Oh dear,” she groaned. Honestly, she did not have the strength or patience to explain her situation to her beloved parents.

Alas, her younger brother, Temi, called. Alero let the phone ring until she heard the voice message beep.

Temi was the first of her three brothers. He was getting married to his sweetheart in December. Hopefully, he would have a better shot at the world of marriage than his big sister.

Too tired to take a bath, Alero slept and dreamt of a very disturbed Kyle.

≈≈≈

It had been six months since Alero disappeared from Kyle’s world. Nothing in his life had prepared him for a turbulent marriage. Kyle put a call through to his friend in Los Angeles.

“Hey, Dickson, how are you? I need your help.”

“Before you shoot, Kyle, I heard something interesting. While I’m working every hour of the day and night on your project, you’re busy popping champagne in Africa.”

Kyle sneezed. “Sorry man. What are you talking about?”

“I have to ask you a question. Have you fixed your issues with Alero?”

The hair on Kyle’s back stood still. He had not mentioned his wife’s disappearance to anyone, including, Dickson.

“Why do you ask that? She’s my wife or has that changed?”

“I don’t mean to pry, Kyle. But she was seen in Casablanca a few days ago. Never mind, perhaps you guys were on holiday.” The words hit his chest like a sledgehammer knocking bricks. Kyle grappled to sit down.

“What did you say?” he croaked.

“I assumed you were on holiday. Thandi mentioned she saw Alero in a nightclub in Casablanca, having a good time. Of course, I concluded you probably went over there on holiday.”

Kyle exhaled. His throat clogged up with relief. His wife was alive and well. Then fear clutched his gut. “Did Thandi mention the particular nightclub?”

“Hey man, you sound like you didn’t know.”

“Alero left me six months ago and I have tried to find her. Okay, I didn’t tell you because I couldn’t get my head around the truth. Thank you for sharing the news. I didn’t check Morocco,” he screamed, losing his cool.

“Geez! You should have said something earlier. I told you to let me know if you needed my help. Go find her, Kyle. She’s a good woman.”

Fresh hurt lacerated his heart. “What if she doesn’t want me back, Dickson? Have you thought of that? She has survived for six months in Casablanca without me.”

“You sound like you still love her. Okay, so you messed up. We all do. Tell her what a flop you have been, and beg for her forgiveness. She’s your wife. Go get her.”

If only it was going to be so easy. The receiver shook in his hands. “I intend to. But it is the outcome I’m not sure about.”

“Hope for the best, Kyle. You’re a damn good film director. One of the industry’s finest. You can be the best husband, if you put your mind to it.”

Why did I avoid Dickson for six months?

Kyle could have won his wife back ages ago. He didn’t recall Dickson being so positive in the past.

“It is La Villa Fandango in Boulevard de la Corniche. You can make your way there before she replaces you, Kyle.” The edge of a knife stabbed his chest and he choked.

“Dickson” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t joke with something so serious.”

“I’m sorry, Kyle. You’re right. What did you call me for in the first place?”

“Not important. Thank you, Dickson. I owe you one.”

His friend laughed. “No, I have run your business for six months, I think you owe me a whole lot. Take care and keep your head down.”

In the past six months, Kyle had visited the retired priest and his wife twelve times. At the onset of his marriage breakdown, he had not imagined he needed emotional support. But after two months of hoping for word on Alero’s whereabouts, he had been at the edge of losing his mind. One evening, he rang Rev. Jones. And the old man invited him over as if he had been waiting for his call.

The one-on-one sessions Kyle had with the priest and his interactions with Rev Jones’s family had helped him cope with his wife’s rejection.

Kyle made another call. After one ring, a deep voice answered.

“Yes, Kyle. You have good news for me.” It was not a question. Rev. Jones spoke as if he had an inkling.

“As a matter of fact, I do. Alero has been sighted in Casablanca. I’m flying out as soon as I can get on a commercial flight.” There was a pause. Kyle wondered if the old man heard him at all. “Rev. Jones are you still there?”

The man cleared his throat. “The Lord will be with you, Kyle. Remember all we talked about over the past few months. Don’t expect to pick up where you left off almost a year ago. Keep that at the back of your mind.”

The dread that formed in his mind as he spoke with Dickson, threatened to overwhelm him. He fully expected Alero to wait for him. She had always waited for him. Could she have moved on? His gut constricted, and he touched his hand to his throat.

“Rev., you have to pray for us. I can’t face the prospect of Alero with anyone else. It would kill me. I know it.”

“
I have prayed for you, and I’ll continue to do so. In life, you come across
many crossroads. So also in marriages, the streets are filled with thorns, weeds, pests, beautiful flowers and fruits. Your job is to tend the marriage garden until it blossoms. Patience and love are twin virtues you need in abundance. Go in peace, Kyle.”

“Thank you,” Kyle squeaked as he disconnected the call. His fingers shook.

For six months, his life had come to a standstill. Now, he had a reason to hope for a better future with Alero, no matter the curved balls life threw his way.

The flight to Morocco was long, and Kyle’s head ached in more places than he could count. At the moment, all he had was the address of the nightclub. His heart skipped at the thought of facing his wife after almost a year. The guilt that almost broke his soul no longer had a grip on his conscience. Yes, even though he muddled up his marriage, he had learnt to forgive himself. Rev. Jones had helped him fully understand all he read from the holy book concerning forgiveness. At best, Alero would ask for time to reconsider.

When they landed at Morocco International Airport, Kyle snatched his small bag, threw it over his shoulder, sailed past customs and got into a waiting taxi in the queue.

After a brief chat with the taxi driver, he learnt La Villa Fandango offered live music in addition to the DJ mixing in between performances. He hadn’t taken Alero out to a nightclub in nearly three years. His heart twitched a bit.

Is my wife frequenting a nightclub on her own or with friends? Would it be wise to tell her he knew she was a regular face at the club?
Many questions wired his brain.

“Here we are, sir,” the driver announced, intruding his thoughts.

He pushed five hundred Moroccan Dirham into the man’s hands. “I need you to wait for me.”

The driver smiled. “No problem. Thank you.”

“I have to check in to the Le Royal Mansour Meridien when we finish from here.”

The man grinned and nodded. He seemed impressed with his choice of hotel.

“It is in the heart of the city. Very good place.”

“I’ll be back.” Kyle hurried into the nightclub, found the manager and made enquiries. The man could not confirm if he had seen Alero in the club. Kyle tucked the photograph he had shown the man in his blazer.

“I’ll be back tonight,” Kyle assured the man. They shook hands and he returned to the taxi. Kyle stretched his legs in the front passenger seat. Once they were on their way, his thoughts roamed.

How did I lose track of my values to the point where I wrecked my marriage?

At thirty-two, he had accomplished many of his laid-down goals. His business was worth over twenty million dollars. He could afford many luxuries. The big flaw in his life was his failed marriage. He exhaled. As long as he believed, hope remained.

As soon the taxi stopped by the hotel’s grand entrance, an attendant in red attire tucked into black socks held the taxi door open for him.

Kyle turned to the driver. “Come back at eight. You’ll take me back to La Villa Fandango.” He paid the fare with a large enough tip to keep the man bowing his head with a huge grin on his face.

Once inside the luxurious suite, Kyle had a quick shower and a short nap. The alarm woke him up fifteen minutes before eight. He took care with his outfit, dabbed his favourite cologne on his pulse points, and went down to the foyer.

The driver pulled in at the hotel entrance a couple of minutes before eight, and the driver hit the accelerator as fast as possible.

When they arrived at La Villa Fandango, Kyle alighted and went inside the club. The carpark was jammed with luxury cars. His heart galloped. What if Alero didn’t turn up tonight? Kyle made his way inside after instructing the driver to keep watch. The man was only too willing to take a paid break.

Kyle chose a seat in a corner, where he could see everyone who came in or went out of the club. As soon as a waiter passed by, he grabbed a drink.

For over two hours, he watched several couples dance, snuggle and drink.

At one point, Kyle’s body tensed for no reason. His eyes had grown accustomed to the flashing lights. Then, the glass in his hand vibrated so hard, it landed on the floor. He swung his head to his right. Kyle’s breath hitched when he saw Alero grind her hips over a dark-skinned man’s crotch. He almost retched and rubbed his fingers over his eyes just in case the strong drink had left him delirious.

Even though his wife wore coloured hair, he recognised her in the dim light. The man’s hands held his wife’s hips and they gyrated to the music. Alero had her back to the man. She wound one arm round his neck, and he kissed her shoulder blade. This was a forbidden dance. It had to be. A married woman in an erotic dance with a strange man. He was sick to his stomach.

At first, Kyle turned away. He wanted to snap off the man’s head, but he breathe in and out, and counted to five. Sweat suffused his collar and he ripped off his blazer.

Alero must have got into the nightclub before he arrived, and had been romping with her companion.

“Calm down, Kyle,” he muttered. “Remember; commitment, tolerance, patience,” he recounted beneath his breath. Not one person noticed he was almost on the verge of doing something grave.

He strode towards the dance floor, his eyes reddened with rage. Just as he stepped on the packed dais, the music stopped.

The man wrapped his wife in his arms and kissed her neck.

“Get your hands off my wife!” Kyle ground out through clenched teeth. It took great will power not to throw a few punches.

Oh Rev. Jones, I need strength to face this hour,
Kyle
mused
.