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Chapter 4 - SHOULD HE BE FORGIVEN?

As dawn broke, John stirred from his slumber, his mind racing with the tumultuous events of the previous night. His love life felt like a ship caught in a storm—the foundation of his relationship had been rocked. But John was determined to steer things back on course, and an idea like a beacon of hope flickered in his mind.

Yet, there lay the tricky dilemma: how to explain where he had been? An overnight party? The words tangled in his throat, feeling clumsy and inadequate against the weight of the truth.

He glanced over at Sasha, who had been misbehaving, and suddenly felt a flicker of courage. In some twisted sense, her actions—cheating with another man, and in his own bed no less—seemed more monumental than his supposed transgressions. But this was a tightrope he had to walk carefully; the sensitivity of the situation threatened to unravel the very fabric of their bond.

John was untenably attached to Sasha—she was his most treasured possession, and he wasn't willing to let her slip away.

"Love, why did you choose betrayal? Have I ever denied you anything?" he began, his voice steady but heavy with unspoken anguish. They sat facing each other on the couch, the air thick with unresolved tension.

Sasha's expression was a mixture of guilt and confusion, tears welling up in her eyes. She was at a loss for words, her throat choked by the weight of remorse.

"Please don't cry, darling," John coaxed gently. "Come sit closer." She buried her face in a handkerchief as she shifted, finally perching on his thighs. 

In that moment, as she wept against his chest, John couldn't help but wonder if her tears were sorrowful or simply a performance. After all, her history of deceit was etched in his memory. 

Words of resolution eluded him; discussing their relationship seemed too monumental for that delicate moment. He opted to postpone the tough conversation for another time, wanting to foster closeness before confronting the turmoil.

Instead, he suggested something soothing: a date to revive their spirits. The glimmer of excitement in Sasha's eyes lit up the room. A date! Just the thought painted vivid images of romantic settings and luxurious escapes. High expectations danced in her mind.

With the promise of a day out on the horizon, John requested a day off from his demanding job, confident that as a senior official, he'd easily gain permission. Sasha took the news to heart, rushing to make elaborate preparations for their outing. For the first time, she filled the bathroom with warm water for John's shower, a gesture laden with significance. She meticulously ironed his clothes, folding them with care.

When John emerged, invigorated and ready, a delicious breakfast awaited him, served with love. The warmth of their connection felt stronger than it had in a while.

Sasha hurriedly indulged in a refreshing shower that invigorated her spirits and chose a dress that matched John's, a first in their relationship. She spent time curating her appearance, skillfully applying makeup, fragrant lotion, and adjusting her iconic plaited hairstyle, readying herself for an unforgettable day. Together, they would traverse the complexities of their love, patching the fissures and perhaps finding their way back to each other.

John paced anxiously outside the bedroom, growing curious about why Sasha was taking so long to get ready. When he finally stepped inside, he was struck by the sight of her meticulously applying makeup, her focused gaze flickering between her face and the wall mirror. Her lips shimmered with a silvery gloss, and the blue earrings she wore perfectly complemented her elegant blue dress. She radiated a beauty that left John momentarily speechless.

The couple was all set for a special date, excited to spend the evening at the renowned Farm View Hotel, famous for its top-notch services and stunning amenities. John called for a motorcycle, which whisked them away to the main road, where they hopped on a bus heading to the vibrant Bumala business district, both of them beaming with anticipation. It felt like a moment carved out just for them.

As they arrived and stepped off the bus, John couldn't resist taking Sasha's hand, and together they strolled toward the main gate of the hotel. The entrance was elegantly adorned with well-groomed flowers, and a warm reception awaited them. After a friendly exchange with the gate guards, they headed to the reception desk, excitedly booking a room for the night. Sasha's joy was infectious as she reveled in every moment of their new adventure.

Before diving into the hotel's other offerings, they decided to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Sasha eagerly ordered a generous one-kilogram portion of chips paired with fully fried chicken. John, thinking the dish would be sufficient for both of them, hesitated to place his own order. 

When the steaming plates arrived, the aroma was irresistible. Although John eventually ordered a plate of Ugali with fish, he couldn't help but notice that Sasha, engrossed in her meal, barely touched half of what she had ordered. As he watched her chat and nibble at her food, a slight irritation began to bubble within him. The frugal side of John couldn't shake off the feeling that all that excess was a waste. He considered how best to address the issue of her extravagant ordering without causing a scene. 

"Hey, Sasha," he cautiously began, "don't you think ordering so much is a bit much?" 

But her reaction was fierce, her eyes flashing with indignation. "What's wrong with treating myself?" she shot back, her tone sharp. Realizing he might have crossed a line, John quickly dialed back his tone, trying to smooth things over and avoid an awkward confrontation. The tension hung in the air as he paid the bill, and they made their way to the swimming pool.

Stepping into the water, they donned their swim gear, and the playful spirit returned. They decided to race, with Sasha eagerly determined to outpace John. While she glided gracefully through the water, demonstrating her impressive skills, John found himself struggling to keep up. He wasn't the strongest swimmer, and as panic began to swell within him, he realized he was in over his head.

"Help! Help! I'm drowning!" he called out, his voice echoing around the pool. 

Sasha's heart dropped at the sound of his desperate cries. She immediately rushed toward him, but before she could reach him, another woman, confident and composed, jumped in to help. John was floundering, but feeling waves of jealousy wash over her, Sasha sprang into action. She pushed the stranger aside and dove in, taking charge to pull her boyfriend to safety.

"Are you okay?" she asked, anxiety lacing her voice as she held him tightly.

John's embarrassment was palpable, but all he could think about was why he'd decided to swim when he knew he wasn't skilled at it. As they both caught their breath, he couldn't help but wonder: Was it worth the risk? What a memorable day it had turned out to be—filled with beauty, excitement, and a splash of drama. Charged with pulling her boyfriend to safety.

"Are you okay?" she asked, anxiety lacing her voice as she held him tightly.

John's embarrassment was palpable, but all he could think about was why he'd decided to swim when he knew he wasn't skilled at it. As they both caught their breath, he couldn't help but wonder: Was it worth the risk? What a memorable day it had turned out to be—filled with beauty, excitement, and a splash of drama.

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