LarrySun:
Beautiful. Thanks, UjSizzle. This will help a lot.

Hello Larry, I tried reaching you a while back via the PM thingy.

I wanted to ask if you take on editing jobs.

@eagleeye2 and all Belinda sympathizers... sorry but that's how the cookie crumbles I guess. Have a good day yall...

@Hernyolar, thanks for the breakdown. I nearly did that but was too tired. @teespice and most readers comments, you are absolutely right. The key thing here was moving on, everyone did but Belinda. She just couldn't pick herself up after Blossom's rejection plus the loss of her friends contributed to it. Then the problems with her parents, the fact people didn't approve of her sexuality et al.

Its no excuse to commit suicide and she could have moved on; it a new place with untapped opportunities yet she didn't...

That's a lesson for us all I guess. From Wole's stance to Fejiro's steadfastness(her small pay and unwillingness to compromise finally paid off) her willingness to forgive her cousin even when she could have had a gloating party, to even Okiemute's moving on after realizing her mistake then to the underdog (Isioma) a single mother, the most unlikely person yet she was the one who fought for her sister till the end, a sister who hardly visited her, she may not have been the nicest person to live with but she loved her kid sister in her own weird way...imagine, she was the one who finally got Charles to talk...

I can go on but I guess the main thing for me is letting go and moving on...

Thank you all you beautiful people. Thanks a bunch. Literature section was cool but we shall collide again at 'where e dey hot' AKA the sexuality spot. Till then...

she got to know so much because Belinda left a will and gave almost everything to the same Blossom. It was then the lawyer abi probate people contacted her''

''Jesus Christ!''

''Blossom was now asking me if we were interested in Belinda's things. She didn’t want nada shipped to her place''

''Oh Lord, rejected even in death. I wish Belinda can wake up and see the folly of her action. See person when she die for; oh what a shame!''

''My dear na so I see am oh! I sha directed her to Phillip but she was not even willing to do that. She didn’t care if the things got lost, stolen or even burnt! I had to contact Phillip and pass on Blossom's number. Her family will definately treasure her personal items''

''I feel horrible hearing all this. This was not a
nobody, she was loved''

''Ebube, I say on that day, Blossom was talking to me and whispering like a small child. Apparently she didn’t want her husband to get wind of anything. She wants nothing to do with Belinda even in death. Can you blame the poor girl?''

''I advised Belinda to leave another man's wife oh! Hmm it is well sha. I don’t blame Blossom because I know the conditions my husband gave me too. I always knew I would not be able to reach Belinda once I reconciled with Charles. It was inevitable and she understood that''

''Talking about your husband, how are things?''

''Okay, we are taking it one day at a time. I told you I
got something else as per work now?''

''Yes you did. Congratulations, company secretary toh bad!''

''Na really. Its hard work but it helps to keep me
occupied''

''So is Charles back in the bedroom?''

''No but I moved to the guest room and he's okay with it. That's our permanent abode'' then Nat gave her a hi-five and the pair began to laugh ''Good for you, good for you guys'' she remarked. The pair raised their glass
and clicked it again. Then Nat continued with her aproko gist ''so it's safe to say you guys are back on track?''

''Ask me the question well''

''Are you guys having sex?''

''We are doing good there but we still have a long way to go in terms of trust. Sometimes I feel he holds back like I can literally feel him tense up when I touch him. Then at other times it's okay. God, it kills me Nat''

''It will pass - I promise you. As long as he doesn’t push you away''

''There is so much hurt and pain. He doesn’t trust me. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get back what we lost - it scares me''

''Don’t be scared. You will get it back dear as long as you remain together and his heart remains receptive. It's going get better someday. He'll
probably never forget just like me but it wouldn’t hurt so much. Love conquers all''

"I guess you're right; by the way, how is the girl and
her baby?"

"You mean the small slut? Oh well that is their
business, me I dey my own lane. The other day, Ken
was moaning about the money he sends for the baby. For my belle, I just laugh. As you make your bed, so you shall lie on it. His business has picked up a bit and I leave him to handle his matter. The other day he was saying he wants to see his mum and the child in Warri. Its got nothing to do with me and I've sworn never to get involved"

"Hmm, it is well oh!" then Ebube looked at her watch and sighed ''I gotta go'' she announced.

''Me too; Ken begged me not to stay out too late''

''Yeah lets go, we'll do this again some other time, say next week or so''

Then the two friends walked out together. Once they got outside the restaurant, Nat placed a hand around Ebube's neck and whispered ''don’t be sad. This is the beginning of better things''

''Yeah, Bel would have liked it this way. Do you know she actually begged me to reconcile with you?''

''Did she?''

''Yeah. It was one of the last things she told me just before I left her house for the last time. Now I think of it, I just wonder. She sort of knew…''

''I kinda know that feeling. So we are back to being
best friends?'' Nat asked. Ebube looked at her and laughed ''best friends for life. We are all we got'' she
whispered.

Then the pair held their hands tightly and continued to walk on.












THE END!

"Sad that they couldn't reach out to us"

"Phillip was most apologetic when I said the same
thing. Well it's her family after all and we've got to
respect their wishes.If they chose to fly her all the way from the States, then who are we to judge? They also lost a daughter, their only daughter and that’s huge!''

''Sometimes I feel guilty though; I kind of know why she went there and I feel if that stuff didn’t happen with us, she wouldn’t feel the need to leave. I know she was contemplating leaving after that Blossom’s issue but that was just talk. Unfortunately after that our incident, that stuff made her flee. It was too
much too soon. She lost Blossom then she lost her
friends; oh gawd! I'm plagued with guilt Nat"

''Oh don’t blame yourself Ebube''

''Oh Nat I do. I can't help it. Sometimes I wake up
from this dream and it's all before that stuff ever happened. I mean right before that night. If I could go back in time, I know what I wouldn’t do''

Then
Nat pointed a finger at her and spoke in a harsh tone ‘’Listen, we have all made mistakes. I made mistakes while in school, you did, Belinda did, Ken did but look where we are today. The problem is when you err and sit there. If you can forgive yourself, move on and better yourself then you are a victor. At one point, I found myself in the rot but I
got up, apologized, dusted my dress and moved on. Now if Belinda couldn't do that, it's not
your fault. You can't put that load on your head unless you want to join her. Ebube, you are not responsible for Belinda's demise''

''I guess that's what I'll have to live with. The guilt then the fact it was not my fault. A never ending path down this black hole that leads nowhere''

''It
will be better with time - I promise. Don’t do that to
yourself’’ ‘

"Nat,
are you sure they checked well? Did they do like an autopsy because they are loads of crazy folks in this world''

''An autopsy was done dear; I'm sure I mentioned that when I called. There was no
foul play involved in her death. We've got to admit she was probably
depressed from Naija. The time frame from when she left to when this thing happened was just too short. All those times she smiled and moved around we've got to admit there were deep seated issues simmering underneath''

''Perhaps if I'd reached out to her just once…''

''Unfortunately I didn’t reach out to her too but I'm
glad I made my peace with her before she traveled out. I apologized to her and she knew I meant it. I didn’t even know when she left the country. I didn’t know anything''

''Bel is sha crazy. She mentioned moving to Alaska once and I thought she was kidding. The dimwitt actually moved there!'' then Nat started laughing and this time she didn’t bother to wipe the tears that rolled off her cheek ''I mean she moved to Alaska smack bang in the middle of winter then she began to work in a convenience store. Like who does that? Like who leaves her high paying TV job and goes to man the checkout till in a foreign land?''

''Bel'' Nat replied.

''It's crazy, funny yet sad - very sad. I think of her in her final days and my heart skips a beat. Imagine working a dead-end job in the middle of nowhere while it's freezing cold. Do you have any idea how cold Alaska is?''

''I tire for Belinda oh and she had family out there. You see why I believe this depression theory?''

''Bel was as stubborn as a mule; I'm sure going to miss her. By the way how did Blossom know so much about her life in Alaska? Were they still like an item?''

''Hell no! Blossom told me she lives in Arizona with
her family. They relocated some time at the start of
the year. Apparently, Belinda got wind of it and tried to reach out to her but Blossom rebuffed her attempt''

''You see what I mean by she is a mule? Fancy trying to reach Blossom after all the advice I gave her. She just couldn’t leave that lady alone. Unfortunately that was her undoing''

''I'm afraid so. That was the much Blossom knew about Belinda until her demise. Apparently...

announced ''let's make a toast''

''With your juice?''

''We can toast with anything silly besides you have something fancy. I'm jealous but soon I'll be sipping on
something strong again''

''Your time will come but for now enjoy ya juice'' then Ebube lifted her glass and asked ''what shall we toast to?''

''To friendship, family, good health, our kids, the baby and Belinda''

''Yeah to Bel'' they clicked their glasses and Ebube looked away. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and a tear ran off. Immediately, Nat reached for her hand and squeezed her finger
''it’s okay dear'' she whispered.

''I never got the chance to ask or maybe I was too
scared to find out over the phone. What were the circumstances? I mean you touched on some parts but…''

''Zanex, loads of zanex and some other medication she was on; mostly for depression. It was a lethal cocktail; she knew what she was doing''

''I can't believe it'' Ebube replied. She shook her head and wiped another tear then she continued ''she was the strongest person I ever knew. She was calm in the face of opposition. She rarely complained about what she was going through unless she had reached her breaking point. She rarely took things seriously. She was a bloody good fighter and she was never scared to walk alone. You couldn’t beat that girl down and you couldn’t make her conform
with the crowd no matter how hard you tried''

''True that''

''Remember how her parents tried to make her stay in the science class yet failed? That was as far back as JSS3/SS1 and that girl wouldn’t
budge. That’s the Belinda I know not a depressed or suicidal person''

''I know. It's so sad but you know those guys over there are thorough. She didn’t get those drugs off the street corner or have someone crush it into her drink. She took
them on purpose - suicide. I got in touch with Phillip (Belinda's younger
brother) via Facebook and the story is solid. She was even attending counseling to help with…''

''That's not the friend I know! A flipping shrink?''

''I know, all those things we used to laugh about. Remember how we used to say, sit on my couch
and I'll be your doctor Phil?''

''Or your shrink''

''Yeah those good old days'' Nat concluded then she picked up her hanky and dabbed the corner of her eyes.

''And that’s why I believe something horrible happened to her. Belinda would never have seen a psychologist on her own. I'm sure it was those depressing session that pushed her to the edge. Someone needs to go through that shrink's tapes or notes. Those stupid questions they ask; tell me about yourself, close your eyes and imagine a time when bla bla bla. Stupidity at its peak!''

''Hmm''

''I mean we are Nigerians and we don’t get depressed. Life on its own in this place can be depressing. Even if you are rich and you look outside your tinted window, it's depressing out there. Nevertheless we tug on''

''Yeah we do''

''I mean we are depression personified; depression cannot depress us. Depression sees a Nigerian and
flees. Depression is learning work where I am sef.
That’s the spirit of a proper Nigerian'' Nat smiled at her but didn’t say anything else. She didn’t quite believe all Ebube said because she had seen depression in its rawest form. Depression had looked her in the eye and smacked her in the head.

She knew Ebube was emotional so she decided to allow it go. Meanwhile Ebube continued to lament ''I don’t know why she relocated sef, she was doing very well here. Then burial in Port Harcourt?''

''I know it’s depressing right?''

''Why didn’t they leave her in Texas? Bel hated Port
Harcourt. Gosh, I wish they even considered her. I
don’t think her parents understood her even to reach death. They would have done a better job
burying her in Benin. Bel loved her time there and
she would have chosen it over PH for sure''

''I quite agree but this one is beyond us. I hear it was done pretty much straight away, body arrives one day and interred by the next day. Just family members"

''No. It's this issue that happened with your husband and…

''He told me about it. Forget it. I don’t want to dwell in the past and dig up silly things we did. It's not just
you, I'm sorry too. I'm sorry it took this incident to
bring us back together. I'm sorry for everything that
happened that night…''

''No. It's not your fault Nat. We were to blame. It was wrong and I was selfish. I can't even blame Bel again; I take full responsibility for all that happened. I'm so sorry…''

''It's okay. Let's leave everything in the past. It’s a
happy day''

''Oh yes it is. It’s a day for reconciliation, catching
up proper, baby talk, good food, good drinks and of
course recalling beautiful memories''

''I'll try to keep it in line with the aforementioned
and if I slip up blame it on the hormones'' the pair
held hands across the table and began to chatter.
They spoke about everything under the sun. The
waiter came around again but they asked for water
and dismissed him. They continued to talk until a
Caucasian (probably a manager or head chef) came
around. It was then they decided to take their order
''let's order before they think we are women of easy
virtue'' Nat whispered. She coughed once and lifted the menu and Ebube began to laugh again.

It was fun seeing Nat as she once knew her. She
sounded like her former self – light, chirpy and
free. It was also great hearing familiar terms the 3
friends once used. When one of them made a certain comment, the rest would burst out laughing.

There was always a story behind it and instinctively
everyone would recall the incident. For example, the story behind 'women of easy virtue' was quite
simple but embarrassing. While they were at the university, they had gone out to enjoy one of Nat's bounties. Unfortunately, no sooner had they sat down when a fat man walked up to them and asked them to leave his establishment. The friends refused to leave. Instead they brought out their
school ID card and Ebube began to quote law.

Immediately, the man became more incensed. He continued to shout and insult them in Bini.
On that day,Nat was the first to get up and pack her bag in horror. Ebube continued to quote the law while Belinda raised her slippers and continued to display. All the while, the man kept shouting ''women of easy virtue, don’t spoil my market, women of easy virtue, leave here!'' and that
phrase would never fail to amuse the three friends.

Shortly afterwards, Natasha and Ebube finally made
their order and the waiter walked away. Some minutes later, he returned armed with their meal. Ebube had pasta with some creamy sauce while Nat had good old jellof rice ''do you like yours?'' she asked.

She noticed Ebube frowning for most of the meal and she felt sorry for her. 'Pasty is a tad soggy but the sauce is okay" Ebube replied." I like the fish too''

''You dey try oh! I don’t want anything that would upset my tummy. I can't fit shout!'' then Nat raised up her glass of juice and...

She wondered what his story was. Some
months back, she would have jumped at him. She
would have taken the menu from him and brushed against his palm. She would have done it in a way that would leave him confused. He would have been unsure if she did it on purpose or if it was an innocent act.

But that was a long time ago. Ebube had repented
and she was sticking to the straight and painfully
narrow path. She had sworn never to return to her old ways and so she smiled at him and stated she would wait for her friend before making her order.

About 7 minutes later, a familiar face stepped though the sliding doors and her mouth hung wide open. It had been about 6 months since she last saw Nat and it was great to finally see her again.
The pair had only started talking about 2 weeks ago
and ever since, they had not stopped. Nat was the first to make the call and on that day, Ebube was shocked at how well they communicated. It was almost like nothing had happened; like there was never a break in transmission ''look at you!'' Nat
yelled in excitement.

''You've eaten a frog'' Ebube shrieked. "Why didn’t
you tell me about it and we've been taking in the past two weeks.

''I wanted you to see it yourself. My pastor says you
don’t announce pregnancy, you see it''

"Oh for Pete's sake Nat"

"I missed you and this your Pete expression"

''Oh Nat I missed you too. You are back with your
pastor gist and girl, you look absolutely beautiful. It’s wonderful to see you looking this way. I've always imagine how it would be and finally I get to see it''

''Thank you''

''How far gone are you?''

''About 18 weeks''

''The IVF thing finally went through?''

''No. funny enough, it happened naturally"

"Wow! So what did you do differently?"

"Funny enough nothing or maybe I was more relaxed. I prayed as usual, exercised some more but to be fair it wasn't like I did something I've never
done before. I think I was just at peace with myself.

"Its amazing right?"

"More than amazing; it was just your time girl. I'm
truly happy for you"

"Thanks, anyways let me finish
the gist. We sha continued with our earlier IVF plan but this time, we wanted to do it aboard. We had even planned the visit, booked the appointment, gotten the visa because Ken's had expired. We even paid small money then I got sick that month. A trip to the doctors and voila, here we are. Master Jesus did
it, I tell you I'm still in shock''

''Jesus is great. I follow you shout Master Jesus -
natural conception''

''As natural as they come''

''Can I touch your bump?''

''Of course silly! I'll be mad if you didn’t'' then
Ebube got up and touched her tummy. Almost
immediately they began to laugh as they took their
seats; it was a sight to behold but the only person missing was Belinda. As though Ebube knew what it was, she began to tear up.

Immediately Nat got up again and they hugged again ''I'm so sorry for everything'' Ebube began. ''And just before I sit and start acting all cosy, I did something silly. I'm terribly sorry but I have a confession to make and I can't pretend it
didn’t happen. I didn’t mean to…''

''Hush! I believe we've spoken about it already…''

56


The days turned into weeks and the weeks turned
into more weeks. The rain came down in torrents, the trees swayed to the drum of mother nature and time walked on by. And so it was for everyone, they got on with their life until an event occurred. And when this 'thing' happened, two people decided to put aside their differences and meet.

The venue for the meeting was an upscale restaurant on the island. Ebube was the first to arrive. She was supposed to eat indoors but one look at the white tables and chair lazing outside was enough to pull her out. She promptly got up
from her chair and made her way out. It was windy
day, but it was just okay - light wind like you
needed after the blistering sun. Ebube sat at the top
floor and looked around, the view was breathtaking.
She could see the powerboats swaying by the side of the water.

Their colour was a dull white and she wondered how strong they were. Any doubt about their efficacy was soon laid to rest once a couple got
on board and the driver took it out for a spin. Ebube shuddered as the boat came alive and zoomed
off. She shuddered because she couldn’t imagine
taking a ride across that body of water. It was not
because it was in Lagos, for even if it was in Miami or Bahamas, she would have still been scared. She
hated water, river, beach, stream, sea, ocean and
indeed anything that was submerged by a body of
water. She always preferred the view from afar.

Then almost immediately, waiter in a well tailored suit walked by and dropped a menu for her ''evening ma, would you like something to drink?'' he asked. Ebube looked at him and smiled. He looked like her specification; tall, dark, handsome, well spoken (with a rich baritone) and somewhat vulnerable. Well vulnerable because he seemed like he was out of place - like a fish out of water. It appeared like he would look better in a black suit in a corporate environment. It seemed like he was a graduate who took this job because he couldn’t find a better one.

''No. I'm not''

''Are you?''

''No but I have a kid though - a daughter'' Okienute had gambled but she had always been a gambler. She looked into the stranger's eyes and watched for the faintest reaction but there was none. Some seconds, the stranger smiled at her and cocked his head to a corner ''I have a kid too'' he finally replied then Okiemute raised her hand for a hi-five and he reciprocated the gesture ''this is going to be interesting'' she announced.

''I think so too. The name is Ogaga by the the way''

''Ogaga the powerful. I like that name. Okiemute is the name, this is my shop and yes, I make my snacks myself''

''The pleasure is all mine'' then the pair shook hands and continued to gist.







TBC

Almost immediately, she smiled as a gentlemen
approached her shop ''customer, come nah'' she yelled.

''You get cold malt?''

''Very cold, blocked, cold one, chilled one, my fridge is very good. My freezer too; I even sell ice block here. Enter. You want something else? I sell snacks too'' then the man smiled at her and strolled in ''I thought you were angry just now" the man began. "I say make I nor vex you further''

''Ahh! Vex for customer? No oh! Sit down abi you want to buy and go…come…'' Okiemute yelled at another customer. ''Come what do you want to
buy small girl?'' This time around they were 2 small
children coming back from school. Suddenly her day was busy and she liked it. It was particularly nice when the children closed from school and stopped by her shop to buy buns or puff puff ''Oga don’t be angry''Okiemute announced. ''Let me quickly sell for them''

''Don’t worry; they are small children. I have a good feeling I'll spend some time here'' the man replied. He looked at her fingers to be on the safe side and was pleased it was bare. She was free he imagined but just to be sure, he would ask.

He noticed her ass jiggling as she walked by to grab a sachet of pure water for someone else. She had a good shape and he liked her already. Meanwhile, Okiemute hurried around and settled the children then placed a bottle of malt in front of him ''let me have egg roll please'' the man replied.

She brought one and placed it in a black nylon and the stranger bit into it ''very good'' he announced. He raised it up a bit and smiled at her ''Very sweet just like the maker'' then Okiemute laughed and asked ''Flattery. How are you so sure I made it?''

''Well I don’t know but I guess so. I just want a channel to chat with you. Come and sit down now and let's talk. You've been on your feet since I walked in''

"Na money cause am" Okiemute joked then she sat down and they began to chatter. It was the start of something new only she didn’t know it then. She didn’t know if he would be like the rest guys who had run off once they heard she had a child. She didn’t want to bother herself with that for now. He was a good looking man. He was flirting with her and she didn’t mind.

She was game, very single and ready to mingle. The man seemed friendly, educated and well mannered heck he hadn’t even asked her out but she could bet he would before he left her shop. She looked at his
finger and smiled then looked again and was pleased there wasn’t any pale mark left by a wedding band but she couldn't be sure. She had fallen for one and she had no intention to mumuishly date another married man ''are you married?'' she suddenly blurted out.

''I don't know what is bringing this leg oh besides I didn’t by pass you. I only paid for her school fees like I'm expected to do, that’s what you expect isn't it?''

''Whatever''

''Am I lacking in anything else?''

''Whatever''

''You are saying whatever now then later I will see missed call. When I call back, you will tell me school bag is thorn or socks has hole! Does that even make sense?"

"So let my child, your child, the child of a man like you go to school with worn socks?"

"I've advised you to call my mother when you need anything. You don’t have to call me all the time for these little things, that’s what we discussed isn't it? We are adults so let's act like adults would''

''Whatever''

''Don’t create confusion in my home over small things like this. I cater for my daughter and if
you need to remind me of school fees when the current term is not even over, then speak to my
mum about it. She is a stone throw from you and you and know it. If you call her, she will answer. If you need to speak to her for whatever reason, you
know where she lives in Warri. Let's be mature about this thing. Give me a call when there is something important concerning my daughter''

''Whatever''

''By the way, is it not this break I get to see her?''

''Who?'' Okiemute replied in a belligerent tone.

''Cassandra, my daughter''

''It is not this one!'' Okiemute spat out. ''That is not what we discussed. It is the long holiday in September I said''

''Okay no worries then. I will give you a call closer
to that period so we can arrange the logistics''

''Whatever''

''How is everything and your parents?''

''Like you care''

''Okay. You want to be mature about this - fine. Take care and please remember to call when…'' then
Okiemute cut the call while he was still speaking and hissed like a snake.

As a matter of fact, Okiemute was not doing badly
for herself and had even contemplated moving out of her parents home but they refused. They felt she was better off living with them until such a time a she got married. As Okiemute thought of these
things, her phone began to ring and she hissed once she saw who the caller was. But the call
was relentless and she finally picked ''hello'' she
greeted in an annoyed tone.

''How are things?'' Ken asked.

''I bless God; he is keeping us''

''I saw your missed call earlier in the day''

''Yes. I don’t like calling but just so you know, a new term is about to start''

''Have you spoken to her principal?''

''Ehn?''

''Did you have a word with the proprietor of Cassandra's school?''

''Not yet but what for?''

''Because if you did, you would know I've already discussed with her and paid the fees''

There was silence for sometime before Okiemute laughed and continued ''so what are you trying to do by by-passing me? Are you trying to say I will eat my own daughter's school fees? Abi na me nor want education for am? Am I not educated myself? What kind of mother will I be if I pocket her school fees?''