I gave Yemi the gist when I got home later that night while my mum tried her best to
eavesdrop on our conversation. I didn’t want to let her know anything about this date so she
wouldn’t start requesting that he fix a date to bring his family members—my mum can be
really deep like that sometimes.
I had already picked out my outfit for Saturday, right from that evening when I got home,
believe me, Saturday couldn’t come soon enough. I was counting down every hour, minute
and second, it was like I didn’t have any other purpose than to wake up to be counting down
every day.
Finally Saturday came. After waiting impatiently for 5 pm to come, I became angry with
myself for suggesting 5 pm instead of 3 pm or even 2. True to his word, at 4:59 pm, my
doorbell rang. I was so happy, I quickly ran to answer the door before my mum answered it
herself, because she had been dying to know who I was going out with. I convinced Chinedu
that there was no need to come inside because I had all my stuff with me already, so we left.
He took me to a rooftop restaurant where a live jazz band was performing. The view of the
city from there was amazing, the cool breeze, the moonlight and good food, everything was
just perfect. I opened up to him about everything that had happened to me since the last
time we met and he did the same.
After dinner he told me how he had thought he’d never find love or happiness again since his
wife died and how he suddenly felt a ray of hope after seeing me at the mall again.
He held both my hands, looked into my eyes and whispered into my ears, “Now that I’ve
found you, I’m never letting you go a second time,” and kissed my hands. Honestly I felt like I
was dreaming, like it was too good to be true. How could he still want to be with me after
how I played with his emotions in the past? Why would he want to be with someone who
was pregnant with another man’s children? I just couldn’t wrap my head around it, I made up
my mind to enjoy it while it lasted, after all, I deserved to be happy.
Two weeks later, it was the 27th of November and as usual I was super excited even though
I had dreaded this day for a long time because I was scared to finally turn 35.
I had nothing planned but everything seemed to be working out well for me, so I was happy.
“Happy Birthday!” Yemi said, jumping into my room to wake me up, with my mum following
right behind her.
“Happy birthday dear daughter,” she began and before I could even respond she started
praying for a husband for me. I really don’t understand why African mothers make this
husband issue a big deal, it beats me. I just kept saying amen and hoped the prayer would
eventually have an ending.
Luckily it was on a Saturday and I wasn’t on duty so I didn’t have to go to work. Yemi
eventually left the house later that afternoon claiming that she had an appointment.
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I hadn’t heard from Chinedu the whole day and for some weird reason, his phone had been switched
off. I was already getting worried by evening when I still hadn’t heard from him and then
suddenly my phone rang—it was his son calling to tell me that his Daddy was not feeling too
well and I should please come over to the house. I had no idea what he meant by “not
feeling well” and he dropped the phone before I could ask any further questions. When I tried
calling back it just kept ringing with no response.
I picked up my bag and headed to his place. That was probably why I hadn’t heard from him
all day. I panicked, I was praying nothing serious was wrong with him. I could feel some
cramps in my belly as I drove down to his place but I ignored them and drove on.
When I finally reached his place the security man let me in, then I met the front door open so
I busted into the house shouting, “Chinedu where are-,-I immediately stopped in my tracks…
I had expected to run in to meet Chinedu lying helpless or weak on the floor or couch or
something… instead I was greeted by a very happy Chinedu standing with Yemi and my
terror squad screaming “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” I was shocked and relieved at the same time, I
didn’t even know what to say.
Apparently Yemi and Chinedu, who I had earlier introduced on one of our outings, had
planned a surprise get together for me and invited my girls and a couple of Chinedu’s
friends. They had decorated his sitting room with birthday banners and balloons and there
was a beautiful birthday cake on the dining table with my name on it.
I was so happy, it was definitely turning out to be one of my best birthdays ever. I was still in
the middle of hugging them all and saying my “thank yous” when the sharp pain returned. It
was so bad that I screamed and fell to the ground.
“What is wrong?” Chinedu shouted, rushing towards me with the others following behind.
“My tummy” was all I could say, I had never felt such pain in my entire life and I wasn’t even
prepared for it, my surprise party was about to be ruined by another surprise…
Find out whathappens next…..
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