Unexpected Trouble - S01 E01

Story 17 hours ago

Unexpected Trouble - S01 E01

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 1

Unexpected Trouble Episode One

Livinus paced around the house, checking every corner to make sure everything looked neat. He was expecting someone very important-Melinda, his girlfriend from Lagos. She was coming to Enugu to visit him for the first time, and he wanted everything to be perfect. He cleaned his sitting room, arranged the throw pillows, and sprayed air freshener. The kitchen was also in good shape, and he even bought her favourite fruit juice. Livinus smiled to himself, thinking of how beautiful Melinda was and how lucky he was to have her.

By 5:30pm, Melinda arrived. Livinus rushed out of the gate to welcome her. She came down from the taxi with her small travel bag and a wide smile. "You didn't even allow me knock," she said, laughing. Livinus collected her bag and replied, "I've been waiting since morning." They hugged for a few seconds before going inside. Once inside, Melinda looked around the house. "Wow, this place is nice. You've done well for yourself," she said. "Anything for my future wife," Livinus replied. She smiled and sat on the sofa.

After she had rested for a while, Livinus suggested they go out to eat. "There's this nice joint that sells fresh fish pepper soup. You will love it," he said. Melinda agreed, and they left. At the restaurant, they sat in a quiet corner and enjoyed their pepper soup with cold drinks. They talked, laughed, and shared memories. After eating, Livinus brought out a small ring box from his pocket. He opened it slowly.

"Melinda, will you marry me?" Melinda placed her hand on her mouth, surprised. "Yes, I will!" she said with a smile.

People around clapped as Livinus slid the ring on her finger. They left the restaurant holding hands and talking about their future. Back at the house, they relaxed in the sitting room.

"I'm so happy I came," Melinda said. "This weekend will be unforgettable." Livinus looked at her and nodded. "It's already unforgettable." Later that night, after watching a movie together, they went into the bedroom. They made love and held each other as they slept. Everything felt perfect. Livinus believed life was finally going the way he wanted.

Around 5am, Livinus woke up to prepare for work. He didn't want to leave Melinda, but he had an early meeting at the office. He got up quietly and went to the bathroom to brush. When he returned to the room, he called her softly, "Melinda... wake up. I want to say goodbye before I leave." She didn't move. He moved closer to the bed and touched her arm. It felt strangely cold. "Melinda," he called again, louder this time. Still no response. He shook her gently. "Melinda!"

Livinus started to feel uneasy. He switched on the light and looked at her closely. She was lying in the same position she slept in. Her body was still. Her eyes were closed. He touched her face. It was cold. He touched her neck, trying to feel for a pulse, but he wasn't sure what he was doing. "Melinda, please wake up," he said again, this time in a shaky voice. He stood still, staring at her. Something didn't feel right. He bent down and listened to her chest. No sound. No movement.

He stepped back slowly, still looking at her. "This cannot be happening," he muttered. He tried calling her name again, then touched her again. Nothing changed. Her body was stiff. A strange feeling came over him. He stood there for a while, confused. His hands were sweating.

He looked around the room like he was expecting someone to explain what was going on. "Is this a dream?" he asked himself. He picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang beside her, but she didn't move. That was when he knew for sure something had gone wrong.

Livinus sat on the edge of the bed, silent. The woman he had just proposed to, the woman who said yes, the woman who laughed and joked with him the night before, was gone. He rubbed his face and stood up again. He looked at her one more time. Nothing changed. He couldn't understand it. "She was fine last night. We even ate together. We laughed. We made plans." He didn't know what to do. He paced around the room. Calling someone now would mean questions. And answers he didn't have.

He looked at the time. It was almost 6am. The whole compound was still quiet. No one knew what had happened. Livinus thought of calling her family, but what would he say? How would he explain that she died in his house? He picked up her phone and checked for her mother's number but paused. He wasn't ready. The reality was too heavy. He walked to the window, then back to the bed. She was still lying there,

the same way. Like she was sleeping. But she wasn't. She was dead.

He dropped the phone and sat on the floor. His head was full. Nothing was making sense. Не wanted to rewind time, go back to yesterday. Maybe he missed something. Maybe she complained and he didn't listen. But no, Melinda had said she was fine. She even danced in the restaurant. She laughed, ki.ssed him, and said she was happy. How could someone who was so happy just die like that? Livinus leaned against the wall. He felt like shouting, but he couldn't even open his mouth properly.

The sky outside was beginning to brighten. A new day had come, but for Livinus, nothing felt new. It felt like the world had paused inside that room. He knew that once people started waking up, questions would come. Doors would open, people would start moving around, and he would have to say something. But what would he say? Who would believe he had nothing to do with it? It didn't matter how much he loved her. A woman dying in a man's house would always bring trouble.

He remained on the floor for a long time. His eyes stayed fixed on the bed. The silence in the room was strong. It was the kind of silence that made someone uncomfortable. He wanted to move, to leave the room, to walk away from the whole thing. But he couldn't. He stood up again and looked around like someone searching for answers. His legs were weak, but he managed to remain standing. He walked to the bathroom, washed his face, and returned to the room. Still nothing had changed.

Livinus picked up his phone again. He scrolled through his contacts but didn't know who to call. He didn't want to involve his neighbours. Not yet. He wanted to think, to understand what had just happened. But his thoughts were scattered. He knew trouble had started. This was not something he could hide. It was just a matter of time before everything came out. His heart was full. He walked back to the bed and sat down again. He looked at Melinda for a long time, then whispered, "Why now? Why like this? Your death has put me in trouble. How am I going to explain this?"

To be continued in Episode 2