₦airaland Forum

hello guyzzz sorry updates have been late
enjoy;

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Mom, I need to go to Kano”
I said as I removed the meat pies I had been baking from the oven. Mom dropped her napkin as she stared at my 2-month-old pregnancy and stared back at me.

“Why?”
I shrugged putting down the tray of meat pie on the table and sat across mom to rest my swollen legs. I had enrolled in a catering school and I had learned cakes and cake decoration as well as pastries, biscuit and small chops. Mom had been so proud of me when I started collecting cake contracts. Dad had told me I was a hardworking woman even in my condition.

“God confirmed it last night for the fifth time”
She sighed, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy convincing her.
"Okay, why don't you put to bed first before thinking of kano."

“Mom….i just feel it’s urgent. Like I told you, this is the fifth time I got the same revelation”
"O Lord, why that Boko Haram state."

I couldn’t help but giggle at her hilarious statement.
"Mom, thousands may fall at my right hand ten thousand at my left but they shall not come near me"

I paraphrased as I stood up to put the next round of meat pies in the oven.
“Amen. but am still scared of the north. But who am I to question the will of God”
I nodded at her and continued what I was doing,
“Hope you will inform Denrele?”
I paused for a while not knowing what to say to her. Since that night I hardly see Denrele again. The last time I saw him was at the hospital. I had gone for antenatal and I had seen him talking to a doctor, I had wanted to greet him but he had looked away and had headed out without sparing me a glance.
“I don’t think it will be a good idea. Perhaps you could help me pass the message to him.”
She nodded as she chewed on one of the meat pies I brought out earlier.
“Mom stop! It’s for a customer!”
I shouted as she hurriedly took another one and rushed out of the kitchen. I laughed as I suddenly realized that I was finally happy after a long time.

***********************************************************************

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“No Denrele, I don’t want her in this house she’s a rebellious child”
I cried the more as I knelt down begging mom. As she didn't want to see me. Dad was holding her and trying to calm her down while Denrele kept on prostrating on my behalf. Finally, she remained calm and then everyone sat in the sitting room quietly. I was too ashamed to look my parents in the eye as I watched mum speak to me directly for the first time that day.

“You are even pregnant to crown it all. What have you done to yourself? I told you not to go but you went against God’s will now can you see what you’ve landed yourself into?”
I saw her clean her tears as Dad patted her.
“Mom, Dad I’m sorry. I ought to have listened to God when he spoke through you but I was too blinded by the luxury, the life I ‘have always imagined for myself and I forgot God’s will for my life. If God would give me another chance I would make sure I never go against his will for my life”
Denrele held my hands and whispered to me that it was going to be okay as I moved towards my parents to hug them.
******************************************************************************
I shrugged as I watched Denrele’s car pulled in front of my mother’s shop. As he stepped out of his car he was wearing a white short sleeve shirt and a blue jean. I smiled shyly as I quickly stopped myself from acknowledging his cuteness as he was now Teni’s husband. I wondered why his visit had become constant since I moved back with dad and mum.
“How is the baby doing hope he is kicking?”
I smiled at him as I gave him an empty chair to sit on.
“I’m just 4months old now”
“Okay,”
We gisted a while then I asked.
“How is Teni?”
“She’s fine I guess”
“Why? Don’t you leave in the same house?”
He shrugged as he looked into my eyes.
“Well, yea but she moved out of our room like a month ago.”
I was shocked and I knew it was because of me.
“Why? I hope it’s not because of me?”
He smiled and grabbed my hands before talking.
“Sara, when last did you talk to God?”
I exhaled; I knew he wanted to avoid my question.
“Just before you came.”
He threw me an ‘I don’t believe you’ look and I just shook my head and spoke back.
"I'm serious D, I have learned to walk with him daily now not just because I learned my lessons but because I want people to learn from my mistakes and I also want him to be my close friend. So I have been studying the scriptures listening to messages and God has really been faithful because at times he speaks to me through his word. So am fulfilled"

“Wow, am proud of you Sara, not everyone would want to learn from their mistakes but you did and you chose the right path.”
We talked some more before I told him to start leaving. He gave me some money which I took and when he was leaving I saw in his eyes that he still loved me but it was just too late as nothing can be done.
I locked up the shop as soon as it was 6:30 pm as I started walking home. I felt I needed to exercise my body instead of taking a bike home. Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me and before I could turn,

someone had just emptied a bucket of soapy water on me. I was drenched in soapy water my almost protruding stomach could also feel the effect as my cotton shirt was soaked.
“Husband snatcher!!!! Look this is just the beginning. Next time its acid I will pour on you trust me. leave my husband alone and face your horrible self!”
I never knew Teni could behave this way, as I folded my arms across my body in shame. People were already watching as I saw her entered a car that had brought her and zoomed off. I was humiliated as some people took out their phone to take shots of me, while a woman quickly ran towards me and lent me her wrapper as she ushered me into her house to dry my cloth.
***********************************************************************
I was so sure that Denrele must have done a lot of things to her that night because he had driven into our compound with rage and as soon as he got to me he enveloped me in a hug and patted me as he kept on whispering ‘'I'm so sorry''. We sat outside the house as we kept on dwelling in our silence his hands covered mine as he stared at me and then tore his gaze away.

“I regret getting married to her”
I swallowed; as this was going to be harder than I thought as his voice was laced with embittered emotions.
"I was sad and lonely when you left and I met her at the United mall and from there we started dating. I never asked her out but it just happened. I only wanted to use her to get over you. I never knew she was your friend until she told me about you and kept on saying wrong things about you and I just couldn't stand to hear that even when you rejected me"

The last word pierced my heart as I shut my eyes tightly trying so hard to say something before he interrupted me.
“I don’t know what came over me that day probably because I heard you were married to your boss that was when I decided to hurt you back with your friend. God told me that she wasn’t for me but I just wouldn’t listen as revenge filled my heart. I got married to her thinking she was a good person”
He turned back at me, though he wasn't crying his eyes were red. He held my hands and I had to stand up.

"She's a torn in my flesh. Sara, I wish you had listened to me 2 years ago. Things wouldn't be like this. I wish you had granted me an audience. I wish I had listened to God and not let revenge fill my heart".

He hugged me and I felt his mouth caress my neck I kept telling him that I was sorry, my heart kept beating fast as his mouth brushed against mine slightly. I could feel his chest pounding as he tried to make another attempt. But I quickly jerked free out of his arms as I wasn’t going to hurt God anymore.
“You are married D, please go home and work things with your wife. Remember that we’ve both walked out of God’s will for our lives. So we need to accept what we’ve created for ourselves and just keep praying to God to make things right.
He nodded sadly as he watched me for a while but I averted his gaze. He walked towards his car which was closely parked and almost whispered…
“I….love you. I really do Sara and am helpless about it….But let God’s will be done”
I watched him zoom off as I felt sad watching him go. A man who was ready to take me as I am. God just made me understand that I have to let things go in order to do God's will. Letting it go might hurt us or tear us apart but been in God's will is surely worth it.

Dedicated to Treasure17, Blackween and Aprilwise

enjoy!

CHAPTER TWELVE
I eyed the so-called lawyer the Nigerian embassy had assigned for me as she chewed the gum she had in her mouth like a trained prostitute. She took out her phone as she took the third selfie since I was brought into the questioning room.

“Can you please stop this rubbish you are doing and tell me the progress of the case?”
I slammed my cuffed hands on the table before us as she glared at me and eyed me rapidly with her artificial lashes. She quickly put down her phone as she produced some document. I stared at her as I was clueless about what she brought.
“What’s this?”
She chewed her gum again making some sounds before talking.
“Look, when we went for your case hearing at court yesterday, the judge got to know that your visa has expired and since the Nigerian embassy has gotten involved, they had no choice but to suggest taking you back to Nigeria to complete your jail term.”
My hands shook as I dragged my eyes to meet hers to know if she was serious or joking. I shook my head sadly. I can’t go back to Nigeria because it would be humiliating and secondly I couldn’t bear staying in a Nigerian prison.
“Here, sign this”
She pushed some papers towards me and I stared at the papers cluelessly until my eyes caught a sentence.
“Wait…..you expect me to sign this document that states that I will complete my jail term in Kuje prison?”
“Yes….at Abuja now the capital of Nigeria”
“I know what and where Abuja is! Okay! And am not signing this! I prefer to stay in life imprisonment here than Abuja do you get!”
She eyed me as she retrieved the papers from the table and put it in her Gucci handbag.
"All right then, you think you better sign this paperwork or else you will just get electrocuted because the man you killed was a very prominent gay and his gay partner is seeking justice."

“Wait…you know his gay partner?”
I studied her as she shifted uncomfortably as she fished out the paperwork and dropped it in front of me. Then she stood up.

"That is the only thing you know how to do! Just take a stupid selfie and wear clothes that don't fit you…you think it's fashion? What kind of lawyer are you? How did you pass out of the Nigerian law school huh! Cause you know nothing...go and get Peter's gay partner he's also a prime suspect!"

She was shocked as I could guess she was taken aback by my statement as she swallowed probably the gum she was chewing as I stood up to face her. I motioned to the cop to come take me back to my cell as I watched her struggle with words.
“Whatever. But I will no longer be your lawyer from now…. I cease to be your lawyer!”
She said as she walked out on me but she turned to say something that got me thinking all the way back to the cell.
“Criminal”
She had called me a criminal. The word kept ringing in my head as I lay on the hard spring bed. I didn't know what to do or whom to turn to as I kept on thinking about my parents who had struggled to give me the best as I fought the tears that clouded my eyes but it was too late as I couldn't control it. I felt the urge to throw up like I have been doing for the past two weeks as I quickly emptied the content of my stomach into the only toilet in the room. I sat on the floor beside the toilet as I watched my white roommate look down at me with pity in her eyes.

"Take it easy Sara, it's all goin' to be all right"

I tried to smile but tears ended up blocking the smile as I gnashed my teeth. I patted my flat stomach as I tried my best not to think about the possibility of being pregnant. I held my breath as I called on the name ‘Jesus'. My insides tightened as I cried out silently.

“God I am sorry, I don’t know what else to say but am sorry, please save me from this mess lord….shit!”
I quickly put my head back into the toilet as I threw up again.
*****************************************************************************
My fears returned as I felt the plane touch the runways of Murtala Mohammed international airport Abuja. I couldn't cry as I didn't want to be in tears as I allowed myself to be led by the two immigration officers to the immigration office at the airport where I was detained as the officers kept talking with a Hausa man we had met in the office that I was a deportee. I shook my head as I thanked God briefly for exonerating me from the case as Alexander, Peter's gay partner was miraculously apprehended as he confessed to having killed Peter.

"Ma'am you need to call someone to come pick you up as they need to sign paperwork."

I paused a while as I wanted to call out my mother's number but the last time I called her in prison, the call had ended badly. I folded my arms as I looked around trying to figure out whom to call as I thought about Teni. I quickly dialed her number on the Hausa man's phone as I waited for her to pick.

“Hello,”
My heart tightened as I heard Denrele's voice. I couldn't talk so I just hung up. Fresh tears blurred my vision as I tried mum's number and when I told her that I was the one she had hissed and ended the call. I waited for her to call back but instead, Teni was calling back I picked and quickly spoke into the phone as I thought it could be her.

“Teni, please it’s Sara and am in a big mess. I am at Murtala Mohammed airport at the immigration office. I really need your help”
I heard the person hesitate
“Sara? Is this Sara?”
I was stunned as I didn't know it was Denrele that would be calling back. As I quickly dropped the call and kept on dialing my parent's line.

****************************************************************************
Teni glanced at me and then at her husband, then she hissed and took her child into the room. She had found Denrele holding my hand as I kept on narrating all that have passed through for the past two years. He had brought me back to their house they had been all nice not until yesterday when Teni suddenly changed towards me. I sighed as I removed my hands from his.
“Hey, you shouldn’t worry about her okay? I will talk to her okay?”
I raised my head slowly to look at him as I smiled at him. He had added more flesh these past few years and he had grown more handsome.
“I need to leave now please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything”
He patted me on the back and left. He had even taken it upon himself to get a few things for me including a small Nokia torchlight phone. I walked towards the room he shared with Teni as I watched her breastfeed her baby and typing into her phone.

"Teni, am sorry if have been inconveniencing you here but…. I would soon move. I just need a little time"

I heard her snort as she kept her eyes on the phone.
“Teni...Teni I totally understand…….”
"Oh hell no, you don't. you came in here 1 month ago and you say you understand? Tell me what do you understand? That my husband no longer gives me the care and attention I used to have? And now because you are back and stranded he's now at your beck and call? Tell me, Sara?"

I was tongue tied I tried protesting but I could not, she scoffed and continued
"I wish I never allowed you into my matrimonial home, Sara! "

I saw pains, jealousy, and disappointment all in her eyes as she placed her baby in her cot.
“I’m so sorry Sara but I will soon leave please”
“Look you are making the temperature in this house hot and not conducive for me, my baby or even for Denrele.”
“Teni, I can’t snatch your husband….am pregnant”
Her eyes dropped to my flat stomach as she watched it briefly and then she sighed and stood up.
“It still doesn’t mean anything Sara. You and I know how smitten Denrele is when it comes to you.”
“So what do you what me to do?”
“I want you to leave”
She said as she motioned to me to leave her room and then she shut the door in my face.

hello everyone how was your weekend?
enjoy today's chapter

CHAPTER ELEVEN
I thumped repeatedly on Peter's door as I waited impatiently on the porch. I wiped the tears that had started to form in my eyes. As I took out the documents an unknown person had dropped for me at my workplace. I had so many questions running through my mind. I checked the document, flipping through the pages and flipping the pictures that had gotten me mad as I laughed hysterically. I still couldn't believe that have been sleeping or rather having plans with a gay. I shook my head as I kept on banging the door till it opened slightly. I rushed into the quiet house, as I needed to find out why he had chosen to hide this from me. I flipped through the pictures again as I saw him and another guy having carnal knowledge of each other and the time the picture was taken was of recent. At least if he were to be a repented gay I would have considered but for him to have done it when we are about to get married was unforgivable and disgusting. I screamed his name as I entered into his house fully. I scanned the kitchen and he wasn't there, I walked hurriedly forgetting that I was on pencil heels, as I rushed into his bedroom. The sight I saw made me scream. He was handcuffed to his bed and he was stark naked and had been stabbed repeatedly on the chest. I didn't know who to call as I was confused.

My bag fell together with the documents and pictures I was holding as I rushed to his side. He was still breathing as he opened his mouth to say something.
“….am…s…or...y,”
I couldn’t stop the excessive bleeding as the bed sheet was getting drenched with his blood fast. I raced to look for keys to the cuffs, rummaging his drawers I saw a pin and decided to try it on the cuffs before he said;
“Al…….”
"Who did this Peter who?"

I screamed. I was losing it already because he was dying. He began to cough out blood and it was then I knew that I couldn't save him. Tears ran freely down my face washing the makeup on my face.

“Peter!!!”
I screamed, I saw the knife and carried it wondering who must have stabbed him repeatedly on the chest. I wept while still trying uncuff his hands as I had already forgotten that I came to ask him questions, questions that are still unanswered. I quickly stood up from the bed watching peter’s nude and lifeless body. It suddenly dawned on me to leave the house fast before anyone sees me and think am the murderer. I raced to the bathroom as I washed my hands to get rid of his blood. The end of my skirt was soaked with his blood but I quickly pulled it to wash. I was putting it on when I heard a knock on the door.
I froze as I tried to figure out the move to take. As I didn't want anyone to meet me here. I sobbed silently as I watched Peter's body turn pale already. I muttered ‘am sorry' as I walked slowly towards the door since the knock had stopped.

“Put your hands behind you miss, you are under arrest for the murder of Mr Peterside”
Fresh tears fell as I was too weak to be surprised. Probably his neighbours or someone must have called the police on her or probably AL, the unknown person.
“Please I didn’t kill him”
I pleaded to the white cops, as my hands were cuffed behind me. I couldn’t protest as I just kept on crying as I was led into the police car.
**************************************************************************
2 WEEKS LATER….
I watched the detectives question Ed from a distance. As another cop was seated watching me. I was too weak to cry as I kept on watching the detective nod his head to whatever Ed was saying. I had gotten him involved because he had threatened me and he was Peter's friend. He acted surprised when the detective had told him that Peter was gay. I was still their main suspect as my fingerprints were all over the murder weapon and the cuffs. But they were still on the lookout for the mysterious A.L that gave me the documents and the murderer. I cringed in my blue prison pyjamas they had given me to wear, when I saw them approach me.

“We’re ever sorry to disturb you Mr Edgar, but we would still call you if we need your help”
He shook hands with the detective and he glanced back at me, the stare was a bit long but cold and blank. As he stepped out of the wide room. The detective turned to me and said.
“We shall be taking you to court by Friday. Mr Edgar just testified against you about been violent”
I just kept on staring as I kept on replaying what the detective had just said.
“So if you have someone to call, probably a lawyer or your loved one it would be better you let them know”
I was lost, I mean I couldn’t believe Ed would pay me back in this manner. Life was so cruel to me. What would I tell mom or dad? Or what if I die in this prison or what if I was sentenced to life imprisonment or what if…… I shook my head sadly as I kept on asking myself questions that had no answer.
“Hey, Sara”
I felt the detective call me as he shook me and brought me out of my reverie.
“Do you have someone to call?”
I nodded my head. as he gave me the phone. I couldn’t bear calling mom as I decided to call my only friend here in Canada.
“Hello, Rose its Sarah please I need your help”
I said into the phone as a tear slid down my face for the first time that day.
******************************************************************************
“Sara you need another lawyer real fast if not you will just be here awaiting trial and they might even pin the whole murder case on you since your lawyer has not been able to find concrete evidence about your case”.
I just bent my head on the table as I listened to Rose. She had come to visit me.
"After I spent all my savings on the damn lawyer, the dumb-ass still couldn't win the case huh?"

I sniffed my nose as I combed my short hair with my fingers. As my Brazilian weave was already loosened and kept with the cops. I sniffed again as I badly needed a puff. Just staying in cell for a month, I had learned how to smoke in the cell though we were not caught as I was among the big girls club in the cell so no one dared us. Rose stared at me with pity in her eyes as she wanted to start her sermon of ‘don't worry it's going to be all right'. I quickly chipped in.

“How is your baby? What did you name her?”
She smiled this time.
“She’s fine. We named her Kendra”
I rested my head in my palms as I scoffed.
“I begged you to name her Sara……but I guess am a prisoner so my decision doesn’t count”
“What…..No Sara please don’t talk this way”
I ignored her until she caught my attention.
"I went to the Nigerian embassy and I told them about your situation, of not having enough money for a lawyer and your visa that is about to expire in two week's time. So they agreed to assist you for free but I still had to pay them the money you know, and your lawyer would be here tomorrow"

I held her hands and squeezed it.
"Thanks a lot, Rose…..thank you…."

She nodded as she tried to blink back her tears, I wasn't in tears neither was I prepared to cry. Rather I was in a hurry to get back to my homies and have a puff.

“We are moving…”
I squinted my eyes like I didn’t hear her.
“I mean, I and my family would be relocating to the United States.”
She kept on talking but I didn’t hear the words she was saying as I suddenly felt sad. My friend was leaving, there would be no one else to talk to. I stood up to leave as I heard the warning bell for prisoners to go back to their cells as visiting was over.
“Cast all your burdens on him cause he careth….Cast it all on Jesus, only him can help you out…I can’t and no one can except Jesus”
I heard her say to me before she gave me a tight hug and left. all I could think of was casting all my worries and burdens on the dope (drugs) I was going to smoke tonight as I felt Jesus has long gone forsaken me even if I cast all my burdens on him, he wouldn’t take it because I was not in his will anymore, I was already in my will and am already reaping the repercussion so I alone, can save myself. I thought to myself as the prison warders led us into our cells

CHAPTER TEN
I smiled to myself as I watched the mall attendant put the wedding dress at the back of Peter's car. It was just two months to the wedding and he had suggested I buy my wedding dress in preparation. He had even started arranging mom and dad's trip to Canada for the wedding. I smiled at the attendant as I started the car. My phone rang and I picked.

“Sara, please don’t hang up listen to me.”
I seethed, it was Ed
“What?”
“Please come back to me, I love you”
"It's like you don't get it right? I no longer love or want you just stop bothering me my wedding is in two months"

I heard him gasp and then he sighed.
“Who are you engaged to? A white dude huh?”
“It’s none of your business okay!”
“Well it will be my business when I find the son of a bitch and slit his throat”
"You will do no such thing, Edgar."

He laughed softly and ended the call. I flung my phone at the car seat and gritted my teeth, as I drove off.
***************************************************************************
“So, have gotten a caterer for the event, but I need us to go together to the decorator’s place okay?”
"All right"

“Ed called to threaten me can you imagine?”
“Oh…yea?”
He sounded absentminded as I heard him,

“Peter? What’s wrong?”
I heard him sigh and then he spoke up.
"Can you come over? Please, I need to see you…I just hope you'd be able to take me as I am when I explain to you"

I was suddenly scared. What could be wrong? Or did he also want to leave me?
“Are….are you breaking up with me?”
He groaned.
“No Sara, I love you. And I would never do such. Just come over okay?”
"All right baby. I would just come in the evening then"

“No please come now.”
“Okay. Am on my way”
I hurriedly wore my clothes and carried my bag. Then I saw a new message on my phone and it read;
I left a folder for you at your place of work
Don't be surprised know you, Sara. Just make sure you

Pick up the package I sent. Its ‘bout peter
You will thank me later.
A.L
I didn’t know who A.L was. And the fact that he mentioned peter got me more curious so I drove straight to the Chinese pizza restaurant on high speed.

aprilwise:
I don't trust Peter, he might want to have his share.

same here April thanks for following

Ann2012:
Hmmmmm.....Sara well done oooo
Thanks for the update

thanks for following ann

Beautiful morning to you all, This chapter is dedicated to all my readers I luv u!

please ghost readers drop ur comments or else....


CHAPTER NINE
“Na WA o, Sara you couldn’t even call to congratulate me haba!”
I sighed as I looked sideways to check if my boss was coming as I had sneakingly gone to pick my call while on duty.
“Teni am sorry okay. It’s just that work has been stressful and have not even had time for myself”
“Huhm…okay o. if you say so”
“So MrsDenrele how are you doing how is life as a married woman”
I heard her chuckle and I smiled, though I wasn't too happy I had to be.

“Well, life is still the same my dear…just that have been promoted at the mall”
I tightened the grip on the phone. I couldn’t believe my ears, as I felt weak immediately. I didn’t know if I should be happy for her.
“Wow, that’s nice Teni as what?”
“As sales manager”
I laughed.
“Are you kidding me? What about madam harsh tag now”
That was our sales manager then, which was what we normally call her. I heard her laugh.
“You won’t believe she’s now working under me….she replaced you. I don’t know how oga did it but she left after 2 weeks as she couldn’t face the embarrassment”
“Ohh….eyyah.”
I rolled my eyes. That served her right, she was a wicked soul I said in my mind.
“So has Mr. Edgar proposed?"

She asked eagerly. Her question immediately got me choking as I began to cough and I immediately ended the call and switched off my phone. I wasn’t ready to gist her about Ed yet as I was still ashamed of the whole fiasco with him.
“Miss Sara, let me have that phone. I told ya….not to use ya phone during work hours let me have it”
I was busted! I mean, I was too shocked to even look at her as I handed over my phone to my Chinese boss. She said something in Chinese and left. I sighed and walked towards the kitchen, picked my apron and started kneading. I noticed I was the only one in the kitchen as my colleagues were nowhere to be found.
“You’re here…..!”
“Yeah”
I replied to my other colleague who is also an American.

“Everyone is downstairs you need to come.”
I was puzzled what were they all doing downstairs I asked myself as I washed my hands.
“Hurry!”
She said and rushed off. I quickly removed my apron and hung it as I also rushed downstairs.
******************************************************************************
I saw some of my colleagues holding some placard that had WILL YOU MARRY ME on it. I folded my arms as I stood close to my Chinese boss who was suddenly smiling sheepishly. I ignored her and faced the little crowd that had already formed in the eatery as I sighed. I heard the voice singing and it sounded so familiar like that of Peter but I couldn't just imagine him at my place of work as he has never come to see me during working hours. I ignored the voice but I suddenly noticed that they were all staring at me and some had their phones in their hands recording it. I suddenly got perplexed as I saw Peter coming towards me. I pinched myself to know if it was a reality. Tears streamed down my face willingly as I watched him get on one knee and produce a tiny dark box.

“Am not a man of many words Sara but if you will do me the honour of marrying me, I will make sure I will be the best husband that you'd ever wished for. I will love and cherish you and our unborn kids. Will you marry me?"

I quickly nodded my head as he slid the diamond ring onto my index finger. I kept on hearing the ‘awww’ and ‘oooh’ when he kissed away my tears. My boss quickly gave me the day off and returned my phone to me. I was elated, I finally found love.
***********************************************************************
“Is this the person you want to get married to?”
Mom asked as soon I sent her the picture of myself and Peter earlier that day.

“Yes mum what’s wrong”
“Sara you don’t seriously know what is wrong”
I heard her sigh, I sighed too as in why couldn’t she be happy for me? why does she always find fault in all my choices?
"Sara, your so-called fiancé puts on earring and you say there is nothing wrong?...or is it not earring that is in this picture am seeing?”
I inhaled sharply, Peter wears earrings and it's not as if it was that visible. They are very tiny and I wondered how mum saw them.

“Oh mom, I forgot. That was before he got converted”
I quickly had to think of what to say to her before she starts preaching. Not that I hate preachers though.
“Hmm. Okay then. But Sara, I want you to pray very well about this one. Let God reveal to you if he is the right person for you"

“Okay mom, even though have prayed about it but I will still pray again”
I wanted her to leave the topic and say something but she just kept sounding her warnings to my ears.
“Okay mom I have to go, extend my greetings to dad”
“Okay then. Make sure you come home soon then. May God be with you”
I ended the call as soon as I heard a knock on the door. I thought it was Peter but it wasn't him. As he was just there staring right at me holding a rose flower in his hands.
“Won’t you let me in at least?”
I glared at him as I opened the door widely for him to come in. he set the box of chocolate on the center table and still held the flower.

“Nice place you have here.”
He said looking around. I finally found my voice and shut the door as I stood across him.
"Ed, what are you doing in my house?"

He smiled, I eyed him. Perhaps he still thinks his smile still holds that charm to me. He stretched me the flower he had with him and I collected it.
“You’ve not answered my question! What are you doing here?”
He rubbed his palms which I presumed to be sweaty.
“I ….am sorry I mistreated you all these while. I realized have been a jerk and am so sorry”
I laughed, I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Like seriously? You just know that you’ve been more than a jerk?”
He sighed and got on one knee. I smiled, almighty Edgar on his knees?
“Do you know what I went through?”
He shook his head and I realized how big his head was at the moment.
“I went through trauma! Emotional trauma! And now you are back…..let me guess why you are back after 1 month. You are back because your kitchen has been mismanaged right? Or you need someone to warm your bed!”
I couldn’t stop the tears that had started flowing freely now.
“Please am sorry Sara…please come back home. I promise to make amends, please come back home and be my wife”
I wiped my tears quickly and waved at him my engaged finger.
“Too late Ed….too late. Am engaged to be married before my visa expires by November”
He quickly sat back on the sofa as he looked at me with apologetic eyes.
"I'm sorry angel, please come back to me. I alone can treat you right".

He tried to touch me, but I whipped his head with a rose flower he came with. I kept on hitting him with it and I kept shouting at him to ‘Get out'. He quickly stood up and left as he kept repeating ‘Sara am sorry’. I banged my door and sank inside the sofa. How dare he? I decided that the next time I set my eyes on him, I will make sure I bite him.

CHAPTER EIGHT
Good evening everyone enjoy this for the night


2 WEEKS LATER……
“…but will you be able to work in a Chinese pizza restaurant?”
I held her hands and nodded firmly at her. I had told Rose about my dilemma and she had agreed to help me look for a job temporarily before getting me a better one.
“Don’t worry, when my husband comes back from his trip I would tell him about you perhaps he might be able to get a job for you…but am happy you’ve decided to leave his house, he doesn’t know your worth girl”
I smiled sadly; as I looked around the park we were seated. We had brought her kids to the park. Ed had not spoken to me nor did he eat my food before he told me he was traveling to Nigeria for 3 weeks. And I had seized that opportunity to rent a room apartment and it had gulped almost half of my savings. When he comes back from Nigeria am sure he would be happy to come back to an empty home.

"Thanks a lot, dear I really appreciate."

She smiled at me, squeezing my hand in reply. My phone buzzed and I knew it was Peter, we had grown so attached to each other that we had even started going out to places together. I felt love was finally giving me a second chance again and probably this one might marry me and I would end up becoming a legal citizen. I smiled at my fantasy.
“My angel, where are you?”
I smiled,
“Am with my friend, at the park”
"Okay…. I was thinking if you would like to have grilled fish, baked potatoes and pie for dinner"

I was surprised, Ed has never called to ask me about dinner or even breakfast.
"Don't worry Peter, don't stress yourself I will do the cooking"

“No…No, my angel. I will cook dinner for you tonight okay?”
“Wow…okay then”
“Good…so since you’re yet to pack out of Ed’s house, I will come over and then we can have dinner there”
I hesitated; I didn’t like the idea of us having dinner at Ed’s place.
“Why can’t we have dinner elsewhere….like your place or when I move to my own place by tomorrow. We could postpone the dinner.”
"No sweetheart, I wanted us to have dinner at Ed's place since he's not around, then I would help you move your things over tomorrow to your own place."

I nodded,
“Never thought about that. The plan sounds good”
"All right, 7 pm?"

"Okay Peter"

I ended the call only to meet Rose’s smiling face.
“What….”
I laughed
“New catch?”
"Oh, yea…I think so. I hope he's the right one"

I said to no one in particular

“Well, you’d have to ask God ‘bout that huh”
I nodded my head in agreement as I muttered a quick prayer telling God to make Peter the right man for me.
*****************************************************************************
I was surprised when I saw him seated on the chair, he had even set the table and prepared all he had said he would do. To crown it all, the bedroom I use to share with Ed now looked more cozy and romantic as it was a bit dark on one part, and candles were placed on the table. Peter rose up from the chair and ushered me into another chair by the table beside the bed.
“Welcome back sweetheart, you don’t have to stress yourself okay?”
I was speechless, he looked breathtakingly handsome, and he wore an armless black singlet and a three-quarter trouser. And then what made him look sexier was the apron he had on, and the way his biceps glowed in the candlelight made me think as if he had properly oiled it like those male macho models I see on T.V. I struggled to take my eyes off him as I lazily dragged my eyes to the sumptuous

meal he had served me. I never knew he was planning this big for just dinner, I would have borrowed one of Rose’s dinner gowns.
“Bon appetite..Enjoy your meal beautiful”
He winked at me I couldn’t help but smile shyly. I started with the grilled fish, and then I descended on the baked potatoes. I was too filled to even eat the dessert.
“Peter I don’t know what to say but I must say, that am very grateful”
I watched him clear the last plates on the table as he sat beside me on the bed.
“You don’t have to say anything okay…am always at your service.”
He held my hand and stroked it gently. I exhaled as I felt he was trying to awaken the lustful monsters.
“Will you do me the honour of becoming my girlfriend?”
My eyes opened widely, like seriously? This man is more of a gentleman than Ed. Ed never asked he just used me but this is more official and I feel there is more future in this.
“I promise to be a better boyfriend to you,...i..”
I nodded eagerly at him not thinking of Ed. All I could see was future marriage.
He hugged me and kissed me fully on the lips and I was dazed for a while as my eyes were closed, I bet Peter was a better kisser than Ed. We held on to each other as we kept on kissing and my heart shook when I imagined if Ed comes home right now and sees us on his bed.

“Hey…relax Ed’s in Nigeria. He won’t be back until Friday”
I felt relaxed as I shifted into his arms and let him take me to places on Ed’s bed.

LightQueen:
Thanks for the update
Sara never see anything yet

thank you!!

Ann2012:
Sara is just Ed's plaything
Thanks for the update Happy new year ma'am

thanks Ann!!!

CHAPTER SEVEN
I couldn’t believe I was in front of one of the biggest Architectural firms in Canada. I pressed my lips together as I watched the white receptionist attend to a man that I met there. Ed had ignored my greetings that morning, he had hurriedly dressed up and left for work. That was when I became more determined to go to peter's firm.

“Yes ma’am, can I help you”
I smiled back at her.
“Yes please, I’m here to see Mr. Peter"

She checked the computer in front of her and looked up.
“Am sorry there is no Mr. Peter here, do you know his last name?"

I frowned, I didn't know his last name. I only knew him as Peter. I quickly muttered ‘thank you Jesus' as I remembered copying his number last night. I dialed his number and he picked on the first ring.
“Sara?”
I quickly hid my surprise, how did he get my number?
“….Uhmm...I’m at your office…at the reception”
I heard him exhale and muttered something I wasn't quick enough to hear before he ended the call.

“An angel like you is supposed to sit while people like us, tend to your service”
I was shy at his flattery, he smiled at the receptionist who in turn said
“Oh ma’am am so sorry, I never knew you were asking about Mr. Peterside”
Like seriously, these Whites will just be bearing some names that I can't even comprehend. I nodded at the receptionist with a smile as I followed Peter up to his office.

“Please sit down”
He sat beside me on his couch. His office was far bigger and beautiful than mine at the eatery and I couldn’t but wonder if he owned the place.
“So what’s the problem? You don’t look fine”
He raised my head with his index finger as I slowly looked at him, I quickly concluded he looked more handsome in the dark blue suit he had on. I pressed my lips together as I was unable to get the words out. He pulled his suit and rolled up the sleeves of the shirt he had on. I imagined him taking me in his wide but lean arms, but I shook my head out of my reverie as I heard him say.
“ I lost my wife of 2 months and our unborn child to a fire incident 2 years ago and I just stopped blaming myself for their death recently…..we had quarreled that night and I angrily went to sleep in a friend’s place and..."
I moved to hold his hands as he tried to avoid the tears that clouded his eyes. He smiled sadly at me and continued.
“The next morning I woke up to hear the news of my burnt pregnant wife in our house..that the fire was caused by a cigarette”
He wiped the tears that already dropped and smiled at me
“She loved to smoke when she was angry”
I rubbed his hands and smiled at him
“You don’t need to beat yourself over what is done already..it was not your fault okay?”
His Adam's apple bobbed as he laughed and held my hands tightly

"Thanks, angel I feel better already"

I smiled at him as I slipped my hands slowly from his. He muttered ‘sorry’ and I nodded.
“Ed just told me last night that I was his girl friend..”
I paused as I watched him listening and gazing at me intently. I continued even though I was starting to feel tears in my eyes.
"I…..i never knew that have actually been performing wifely duties to a man who doesn't consider me as his wife to be….. I mean he knows how we Africans take things like this and he still went ahead to hurt me with harsh words."

I cleaned my tears as I quickly dabbed my eyes to avoid the flowing tears from ruining my makeup.
“Of course you won’t understand how important this is to us"
He laughed and his laughter melted my heart the more and he held my sweaty hands again.
“Sara, that I’m black American doesn’t mean I don’t understand African’s belief”
We kept on talking and I felt more relaxed, by the time I spent 2hours with him and dropped me off at the office, it was then I decided within me that I was going to leave Ed.
“Hey, I’ will talk to Ed okay? So please angel take care of yourself”
I wasn't too glad when he said he would talk to Ed for me. But to me, I felt he means no harm. And he would definitely make a good friend.

***************************************************************************
“Like seriously? You reported me to peter how dare you!”
I was startled at his outburst; I was eating the spaghetti and chicken sauce I made for us before he came in from work shouting. I was too scared to drop the spoon back on the plate as I was careful so as not to let the sound irritate him.
“Are you deaf or something? I’m talking to you!”
He frowned at me as I watched him fling the glass cup on the floor.
“Am sorry”
That was all I could say before I started another round of tears, how could he hate me so much like this? What could I have done to him? He smiled wickedly and waved his finger at me.
“In your life, never you try this with me okay!”
He eyed me and I felt naked to his disgust as he was clearly disgusted by me. He stormed out of the kitchen and rushed upstairs. I moved about the kitchen sobbing as I cleared the shattered glass wondering where I had gone wrong. I couldn't but wonder if God really was with me on this trip.

"O Lord please I need your help, let everything fall back to place"

I just hope God would hear me as I felt I was too far from him to hear me.

happy new year!!!

CHAPTER SIX
My eyes lit when I saw him walk into my office. I had thought it was another Mr. Peter that asked to see me I never knew it was Mr beautiful.
“Nice view up here”
I eyed him slowly as I watched him turn away from the window and moved towards me.
“Mr Peter? Sorry, why are you here?"

He smiled and went over to sit on one of the armchairs. I was furious, I mean what effrontery! How could he just sit like he owned the office?

“Did my husband send you to me?”
His suddenly stopped smiling and sat up
“Husband? Ed didn’t tell me he was married and besides can’t I come and pay an angel a visit?”
I was angry. Angry at Ed for not wedding me on time, angry at myself for warming a man’s bed who doesn’t even acknowledge me as his wife, and angry at this man for indirectly insulting me.
“Am sorry…I mean, I shouldn’t have said that”
I was still mad,
“Wait, what do you take me for? A LovePeddler...and why would you pay me a visit”
Somehow he knew I was mad, he quickly stood up and tried to hold my hands.
“I mean no harm Sara, I just wanted to be your friend. Have seen you a couple of times with Ed and I felt there was no harm in trying to associate with you. Am an architect as well as a writer, I just wanted to know...”
He rolled up the sleeves of the black body hug he had on. It really did justice to bringing out his muscles. I found it hard to concentrate even though he had extended a hand of friendship towards me, I felt I needed to be a bit hard on him.
“Get out!”
I said almost silently but hard. He rubbed his palms on his jeans as he took his car key and phone off my table and walked towards the door. My heart almost divided as I thought he wasn’t going to say anything but he turned and spoke to me.
“Sara, I mean no harm”
I sneered at him as he shut the door. I exhaled, it was as if I was formerly tensed and as soon as he left I got relieved. I wondered why he wanted to be my friend and he knows am his friend’s fiancé. I needed to speak with Ed, he needs to save me from this marriage embarrassment.
************************************************************************
2 MONTHS LATER…..
“So how is your boss?”
“He is fine mom, I hope you've taken your drugs”
I heard her stiffen a yawn as she spoke back
"Yes, my dear. Are you coming home for Christmas?"

“No mom, but my boss would be coming”
“Okay…Uhmm...Denrele is getting married”
I shut my eyes as I gripped the phone tightly trying to process the information mum had just given.
"Oh, that's good then. So who is he getting married to?"

“Teni, your friend. Didn’t she tell you?”
I laughed. I mean Denrele and Teni? That’s so impossible.
“That’s impossible”
I shook my head,
“Why is it not possible ehn? Tell me...that man has refused to marry you and you are still in his house.”
“Mom….mom…please stop. I didn’t mean to say it was impossible I wanted to wish them a happy married life!”
I heard her sigh. I knew I was finished. I remembered seeing Teni’s missed calls last week but I had forgotten to call her back.
“…bring your own man home not your boss he is not your husband”
With that, I clicked off the phone and tossed it on the bed. Ed must definitely do something about our status tonight.

**************************************************************************
I heard him mount the stairs to our room as he entered the room and switched on the light. He was startled when he saw me sitting on the bed with folded arms.
“You scared me”.
He forced a smile, well I know a forced smile when I see one. He looked scattered, his well tucked shirt was half tucked and rumpled. He had another look on his face, he looked wild. And the idea of him sleeping with someone else got me mad as I sparked up, like the Nigerian babe I am now, we don’t take nonsense.
“Where are you coming from this late?”
He frowned at me, pulling his trousers.
“Sorry, what time is it?”
"It's 11:00 pm!"

He stood up and clapped his hands mockingly.
“So, are you telling me when to come back to my own house?”
And the question threw me off balance, I mean it’s his house and he was actually correct. He could come back whenever he wanted. I just sat back on the bed and covered my legs with the sheet. He wore his pajamas and lay on the bed, and then he whispered.
"I was with Peter, my friends you know, at the club"

I knew better than to say nothing so I just kept my mouth shut.
“Oh...”
That was all I said. as I thought on how best to present my next question.

“Ed?”
He turned to me and held my hands looking at my face.
“Ed, who am I to you?”
He frowned and stroked my fingers gently
“I don’t get, why are you asking?”
“Just answer me”
“Okay, my girlfriend”
I was shocked, so he didn’t even see me as his wife?
“Wow, okay.”
He still kept on stroking my fingers absentmindedly.

“I want us to get married”
He shifted his head to get my clearer picture before turning back and removing his hand back.
“That’s crazy Sara”
He said calmly like it was no big deal. My eyes tingled as I quickly blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
“Crazy? How? Have been performing wifely duties to you for almost a year Ed! And you think getting married to you is suddenly crazy?”
I flared up, I didn’t know he could be this uncaring to my feelings. as he stood up to take his pillow.
“Wow, wow….nice one Sara. I hope you've not forgotten that I house you, feed you, pay you and have you warm my bed willingly. So why are you suddenly complaining?”
Tears welled up my eyes as it started to fall. I held the sheets tightly as I cried in pains. My heart was in pain. How could he think so cheaply of me?

“I ‘will be in the next room”
He just picked his pillow and closed the door. My body shook as I sobbed with tears. My mom was right, after all, he's not my husband. I sighed and wiped my tears, I would just pack out of the room we share and probably rent a place for myself before my two years visa expires. The sound of his phone jolted me back to the physical, as I found out he had left his phone behind. I wanted to know who was calling him probably one of his whores. Peter was displayed on his screen, he was the one calling I contemplated on picking the call or not as I needed to speak with someone so bad.

I didn't think twice as I pressed the receive button of Ed's iPhone 7.

“Hello”
His voice sounded rough and a bit low.
“Hi, good morning…sorry, Ed isn’t around”
“Hey……, hey Sara. How are you doing?”
His voice still sounded rough but a bit lively. I felt he was happy, talking to me. and I couldn’t deny been happy also as I felt relaxed.
“Am…..am fine”
He hesitated and spoke up again.

“You don’t sound fine….did he do anything to you?...did he hurt you?”
I didn’t know when the tears started again. I cleared my throat before speaking.
“Am fine…I will tell Ed you called”
“Hey, Sara …”
I heard him sigh and exhale then he said,
"I will be at the park and lake gardens at 10 am tomorrow or if you would like to come to my office"

He hesitated.
“You know what...my office would be fine, just come to Jenkins Architectural firm, and ask of Peter. Will be waiting for you by 10 am, sleep tight"

He said as I dropped the phone. I still wasn't sure if I would see him tomorrow, though I was anxious, anxious to hear what he would say to me, why he wanted to be my friend. I quickly copied his number into my phone just in case I need it I told my mind, as I laid down on the soft bed I had been calling my matrimonial bed for months and drifted off to my dreamland with peter’s sexy frame flooding my mind.

LightQueen:
This shows he might dump her, if really she is pregnant

@Ann2012
@Skubido
@Damibiz

Thanks for the update and dedication

thank you

Ann2012:
I pity Sara, Ed is only using her
Thanks for the update OP

I'm glad u enjoyed it!

Treasurewamiri:
Sara! Sara!! Sara!!! You're pregnant, those drugs he promised to get for you might be abortion pills. OP well done

Thanks!!!

Thanks for commenting guyz...I see u..will drop another before the new year!


CHAPTER FIVE
I woke up the next day feeling very light. I must have slept for so long because I didn’t even eat dinner. I could only remember eating some chips and juice that Ed had bought from work and I had slept till 11:00 am on a Sunday morning. I quickly dragged myself up from bed so as to try to meet up for the second service. That was when I noticed that I had nothing on but pants. I frowned as I hit my head slightly with my palms. I never took alcohol so why was I having trouble in remembering last night. I proceeded to pull off my pant, and I noticed some faint pints of blood. I hissed as I tossed it into the bin of dirty clothes at the corner of the room. Probably I was on my period, I thought as I went into the bathroom for a brief shower.
******************************************************************************
I took my silver purse as I headed downstairs with my healed sandal making a sound. All this while I hadn’t set my eyes on Ed. It was either he was on duty at the hospital, or he was somewhere downstairs. I heard the sound of the coffee machine in the kitchen and decided to check. I didn’t see Ed, but I saw an average chocolate man in my kitchen sipping out of my favorite china cup. I frowned as I saw how relaxed he was to see me, he wasn't scared he just leaned more on my cabinet and did a side smile. It was then I noticed his face, he was the cutest creature have ever seen. If a man could be called beautiful then he certainly was beautiful. He had a sexy kind of eyes that had a light brown colour. His hair was well shaved, unlike Ed's bald head. He didn't have any beard or mustache. And his broad chest fitted the blue faded shirt he wore. My heart increased its tempo as I suddenly felt shy, I

dropped my purse on the cabinet as I stood akimbo determined to ask this beautiful man out of my kitchen.
“Who are you? And what are you doing in my kitchen!”
He smiled the more, and I realized he had a dimple and I fell the more for his beautiful attributes. He should be in his early 30s or late 20s I guessed but who cares! I asked him a question and I demanded an answer but he just opened his mouth slightly and curved it into a smile and I saw his Adam's apple blob. I thought I would go crazy. I mean Ed is cute but not as cute as this guy, I narrowed my eyes at him making me look more serious. I caught his eyes raking my body, I guess he was assessing the body-hugging knee-length gown that obviously brought out my feminine attributes. He wanted to say something until I heard Ed's voice.

“Hey, Sara. I see you've met Peter"

I heard him rush his words and I wondered why. I relaxed as I directed my gaze back on peter that still had his pervert gaze on me. I rolled my eyes at him as I was determined not to make the first move of greeting him in the European way.
“Uhmm…okay peter, the basement is set”
He nodded at him and gave me a wink before walking away that was when I noticed he was slightly taller than me. I hissed and picked up my purse.
“Where are you off to?”
He kissed my forehead as he held my hand. I smiled feeling loved.
“Church”
His mood changed as he dropped my hand. I mean this was the third time I would go to church since I came. I wondered why he was having issues with it.
“I mean can’t you attend seminars, go to parties, you know”
"Sweetheart, the church service is just an hour and thirty minutes service. Besides, I don't go to church every time. So please permit me to go at least for the month"

He shrugged but his expression didn’t change.
"All right you can go"

I kissed him on the lips and turned to go.
“I would be at the basement when you come, don’t bother coming to disturb okay?”
I nodded, but come to think of it I never knew a basement existed in the house. I wanted to ask but I decided against it. as I would do my own survey later. I picked my car keys from the side table and headed out.
**************************************************************************
I walked slowly to the parking lot where I parked my car, with my mind heavy and my conscience speaking to me. The pastor had made a statement in the middle of the sermon that,
"As a young lady, you shouldn't be living in the same house with a man who hasn't married you yet"

I didn't know that white preachers also make emphasis on that, I thought the emphasis was only placed on it in Africa. I sighed, I felt dirty, I needed to speak with God, and I need to come back to my relationship with Christ. I need to also speak to Ed to get married to me on time so as to stop this guilty feeling. Probably if I had listened to Ed I should have just stayed at home, another part of my mind said.

I looked up as I wanted to enter the car, only to meet my only Nigerian friend in the whole of Canada.

“Rose, how are you”
I shut my door as I gave her a hug, with her protruding stomach making it almost impossible for me to squeeze her.
“Am fine Sara. You look pale”
“Really? But am fine”
She looked at me for a while before saying
“Okay”
“When are you due?”
We’ve only met a few times and we’ve gotten really close. She had come to visit me just once at the house and since then Ed had warned me not to associate with her. But I didn’t let him know we meet secretly. At times in her house or the beach. She is happily married to a white man and they've had 2 children. I envied her because she is a nurse, her husband is a wealthy businessman and she is happily married. I wished, Ed would propose to me at least.

“Early January…..and I want to see your wedding invitation by then.”
I smiled and wished so.

“Aye captain!”
I did a salute to her and we kept on laughing.
“Make sure you come to visit soon Sara, my children have missed you”
She said as she got into her car. I waved at her as her driver drove off. I missed her children as well especially her chubby daughter. One day I would be as happy as she is, I said with a sign of hope. As I drove off.

LightQueen:
I think her mum and Denrele are kinda right

Make she no go regret her decision later when she finally settled down there. More of pain and regrets later on I guess

Desperation on her part? I can't say

abi oo....all these desperation to travel abroad

Happy Sunday guyz!!

meanwhile this chapter is dedicated to LightQueen

Ghost workers please don't hesitate to say something plssss


CHAPTER FOUR
I took a sip out of the coffee my secretary had gotten for me this morning. The coffee had a creamy taste, it burnt my tongue as I took a sip. I wrapped my manicured nails around the cup as I went around inspecting the workers in the kitchen.
“Morning ma”
I turned my head towards the workers who were busy baking and cooking. I nodded at some of the black women and smiled at some of the white chefs. I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I mounted the elevator to my office. The eatery was just another version of the mall he has in Nigeria. Only that it has about 2 story buildings, and the office of the general manager which was my own office was on the last story. I took another sip as I looked through the window, after 6 months of been in Canada, I had thought something bad would happen to me since mum and Denrele were having troubled spirits. I had even sent my parents money, and I had saved some. I earned #150,000 naira as my monthly income in dollars and it was okay for me because I lived with Edgar. I didn't spend on food or shelter
or clothes as all of it was taken care of by Edgar. Yes, I have been living with him since I came to Canada and we only started living as husband and wife only last month. We live in a beautiful duplex in Toronto. But what baffled me most was that he never went to church and I've never seen his children since I came.

I felt queasy, as I quickly went to the washroom to throw up, all the chocolate doughnut and creamy coffee I ate all rushed out of my mouth as I rinsed my mouth and dabbed my face with a hand towel. I felt tired as I touched my flat stomach and suddenly widened my eyes. I hope I wasn't pregnant as I have been throwing up like this for close to 2 weeks now. I rushed back into the office as I picked my car keys and called my secretary to tell her I was closing for the day. I glanced at my wristwatch as it read 12:25 pm. I didn't know if Edgar would be at home as he might still be at the hospital. I needed to go home as I feared the reality of been pregnant without been married. I quickly started the car Edgar had given me and drove off.

****************************************************************************
“Who are you?”
I froze, tongue-tied, Staring at the black teenage girl with loose curls. She stared at me with hatred and my guts shook. I mean I just drove home and I found the door opened with a mysterious brown teenage girl standing on the front porch. I wondered who had given her the right to enter the compound in the first place. We both looked up when we saw Edgar standing with another brown teenage boy. It was then it dawned on me the semblance between the trio. They were his kids and he hadn’t told them about me.
“Dad, who is she!”
Edgar’s smile faded as he stared hard at me, I had never seen him look this way at me before. I swallowed as I thought this was really going to be hard as I started having a banging headache. I felt too weak to the bones as I quickly rushed into the house leaving them at the door post. But I heard the other teenage boy say something like;
“Come on Kendra lets go”
“Can’t you see that lady’s got…..”
As I got into the room I shared with Edgar, I couldn’t hear them again, I pulled my short yellow gown and grunted inwardly. No wonder the girl had looked at me with hatred, I was putting on her mother's cloth. Edgar had given them to me that he had bought them for his wife and he would really love them on me. Now I had spoilt my chance of being a stepmother. I hissed and dropped the gown, as I went to the bathroom to have a shower. On coming out I met Edgar’s questioning gaze.
“What?”
I towelled my body and wore a loose blouse and shorts.
“Haven’t I told you to always call me when you are about to leave work?”
I stared at him, what and where was he getting at? Was he not supposed to apologize for not introducing his children to me or vice versa?
“Am talking to you!”
I nearly jumped out of my skin as he raised his voice at me. Something he has never done before. I suddenly felt ashamed of myself, for warming his bed and shamelessly sharing his room and the worse is, getting pregnant for him and he is yet to get married to me. My throat suddenly got clogged as I started crying. His icy cold eyes melted as he saw me crying and he cuddled me.

"All right, am sorry okay? It's just that you weren't supposed to meet

My kids that way, I haven’t even told them about you yet. But am sorry
I will make sure I do that okay?”
I smiled amidst my tears. As he began to kiss me, I felt loved again. This was all I ever wanted.
“Ain’t you going back to the hospital…?”
I rushed my sentence as I moaned at the pleasure he was giving me at the moment. He slipped down his trousers as his hands touched my breast. His mouth never leaving mine as he turned me on my back and raised me up against the wall, then he held my slim frame with one hand and kept another hand pressed against the wall as he pressed his manliness against the folds of my womanliness he began thrusting repeatedly until we both climaxed. He collapsed on the bed and I lay by his side and whispered to him.

“I love you”
He smiled, as he kissed my forehead and began to put on his clothes to go back to work.

“I don’t know Ed, but I feel am pregnant”
He cringed when he heard the last word and then he smiled and shook his head.
"No, you can't be pregnant"

I shook my head in disbelief. Was this the man that finished making love to me a while ago? Why was he acting like this?
“What do you mean I can’t be pregnant? Do you think am a barren woman?”
He wore his shirt and sat close to me, as he drew my naked body to himself.
“I mean you don’t look pregnant Sara…okay, you know what? Why don’t you come
Over to the hospital”
“But you are a gynecologist, is it so hard for you to know?”
He paused for a while and held my pale hands and checked my eyes, he told me to lie flat on the bed as he touched my flat stomach and asked if I was feeling pain and I told him no.
“When last did you see your period?”
“Last month”
“Okay, so have you been throwing up, feeling dizzy, spitting?”
“Well have only been throwing up mostly when I take coffee and doughnut in the mornings on an empty stomach”
He smiled and stood up rolling his sleeves.
“Sara, you are not pregnant. Probably you are just allergic to taking coffees and doughnut in the mornings, but I will get you some drugs I promise okay?”
I nodded at him, relieved I wasn't pregnant. He kissed me goodbye and left. I knew I needed to get married to him fast as my visa expires next year. He is a Canadian citizen and getting married to him, would automatically make me a citizen. I smiled dreamily thinking about the future with Ed with children running around us.

what do you think about Sara?

LightQueen:
Pls continue, the story dey sweet me

lol thanks!

His will, my will



CHAPTER THREE
I could still hear dad singing a victorious song as I lay on my bed scrolling through my phone. Dad had jumped up when I told them the news. And mum had rolled on the floor muttering “ese baba” in our local dialect. And dad had instructed mum not to inform anyone yet not even our relatives until am abroad. I opened my WhatsApp messages and found out that Teni had sent an offline message. I was still contemplating on gisting her about Mr. Edgar's offer when mum entered my room.

“Sara”
I quickly sat up as she sat on my bed. I wondered what she wanted to say this time.
“Yes mum”
“As much as I want this offer for you, I wouldn’t want you to go”…
I paused as I gazed at the woman I share semblance with and I began to doubt for the first time in my 25 years of existence if she really birthed me. She tried touching my arm but I flinched. As if she got my message, she kept her hand to herself.
“…why?”
I knew she could sense anger in my question so she quickly spoke up.
“Daughter, I always want the best for you….you don’t know this man well enough and…I mean what if something goes wrong while you are there. And besides my spirit has been troubled ever since u mentioned this trip.”
I was mad at mum. What does she mean by having a troubled spirit?
"You are just not happy for me. mum"

She cringed as she tried to touch my shoulders but dropped her hand again.
“My angel, please don’t say that. Your happiness is my happiness….i”
I shook my head firmly, rejecting what she just said as I cut her short
“I don’t think so, you are not happy for me”.
I propped my pillow against the bed and leaned on it for support I tried to block out mum's presence.

“….may God be with you in whatever you will be doing but please still
Speak to God concerning this okay?”
“He already gave me a go ahead!”
I shot back at her, as I bit my tongue for the lie I just said. I wanted her to leave my room and I didn’t want her to talk me out of the offer as I tried to draw up my legs to the bed. She stood up and nodded at me and smiled.
“Sara, I love you and would always want the best for you…just make sure you ask for anything when you need it….goodnight”
She smiled again before shutting the door. I sighed, I won’t possibly need anything from her or dad because she’s a civil servant and dad was retired. I was sure she knew I wouldn’t bother her, at least I have some savings and I still have the 20 thousand naira Mr. Edgar had given me earlier. I smiled to myself God himself opened this door of opportunity for me and I wouldn't be so stupid to avoid it.

‘Not every open door is opened by God’
My heart hammered as I heard that in my mind. I blinked back in fear. Could that be God speaking or my mind? As I continued scrolling through my phone. At least whenever God speaks to me it was either in a dream, or a trance or when am reading his word. But I have never heard him speak audibly to me before. And besides, it could be the devil toying with my mind because of what mum had just said. I quickly tossed my phone under the pillow as I forced myself to sleep. I didn’t want to hear discouraging ideas in my head as my thought got flooded with Mr. Edgar's face. This time around, we were holding ourselves like lovers only that the environment was different. It looked like Canada!

************************************************************************
ONE WEEK LATER……
I took one last look at the new hair I just made before leaving the mirror stand. I had bought an 8inch human hair and it gave me this black American look. I was set, and everything was ready. Mr. Edgar had helped me get my passport and in no time my visa was granted. I had gone back to the mall to tender an official resignation letter to make it official according to what Mr. Edgar and told me to. My sales manager was red with anger when she heard I was traveling out of the country, she had said; "not everyone who goes abroad becomes successful".

Teni had told me to ignore her. Even some of the choristers had been jealous when I made the announcement. My phone rang out as I snapped out of my thoughts.
“Sara?”
I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me it was my choirmaster.
“Brother Denrele…..Good evening sir”
I heard him give a short laugh as he spoke back
“When would you drop this brother and sir you
Always add to my name”
I chuckled back, not that it was funny but I just wanted to ease his tension. He had asked me out twice and I had shoved his love back in his face. Not that he wasn’t cute or spiritual, but I wanted more. I wanted someone that wasn't too soft on me, someone who loves me but isn't too attached to me, and most essentially someone who wasn't too broke like me. Teni had told me I was too complicated when I told her about him. But obviously, he was still pretty hung up on me.

“Heard you are going abroad?”
I almost snapped at him before I remembered he wasn’t around when I made the big announcement.
“Well…yea?”
“Wow, that’s a big one. Congrats, but have you asked God about it yet”?
I was irritated by his question as he was beginning to sound like mum.
“Do you think I would embark on this kind of journey if God wasn’t involved?”
I snapped at him. I heard him quickly mutter an apology and then he paused a while before he spoke up
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way Sara…..i really do love you but
I just have to tell you what God said….God said he didn’t open this door of opportunity”
“Excuse me?”
"Am sorry Sara, but that was what the Lord told me. It's not yet time for you to go to Canada. I know this isn't easy for you to understand but God has been speaking to me for 3 days now since I officially heard it from one of the choristers. God had revealed it to me. Please try and believe me"

I was done listening to the likes of mum. I was furious with them all, my flight would be this night and I wouldn't want anyone scattering my plans. I hissed and cut the call. I didn't even want him to finish talking as I quickly wrote down the important number I would need and switched off my phone. After tonight I would need a new phone because I would be starting a new life. I thought as I lay on the bed to catch a sleep before my flight at 7:30 pm.

His will, My will

CHAPTER TWO
“Are you not going to church?”
I glanced at my mum briefly before shaking my head. I knew she wanted to throw another question but I quickly focused on the eyebrow I was carving. Then I quickly applied my Milani brown powder and applied a red gloss on my lips.
“Why?”
She sat at the edge of my bed as she adjusted her headgear.

“Has dad gone?”
She nodded and kept on looking at me for more answers. I knew dad would have gone because he was an elder in the church.

“Well, my Boss wants to see me?”
“Your boss Mr. Edgar.....what for? And why does he see you only on Sundays?”
I sighed; I was obviously tired of my mum’s questions. This was not the first time he had asked to see me on Sundays so why was mum making a big deal out of it.
“Mum, probably he wants to give me something or help him do something
Before he goes back to Canada after all, this is the first time this month he has asked to see me”.
I watched mum’s face change to that of disgust
“What does a man who is obviously in his late 40s want to do with his sales attendant”?
That question threw me off balance as my countenance changed. I was so angry with mum. I mean, I know that am a sales attendant but I didn’t want anyone telling me that to my face. For God sakes am a graduate of food technology at Bayero University Kano. If not for the situation of the country I should have been working in NAFDAC or probably own one food processing industry but life wasn't fair at all. I put my purse in my handbag and moved towards the door.

“Mum, you don’t know who can help me and when they would”
I pursed to see her reaction as she nodded at me and released her frowned face. She stood up, taking her bag with her as she moved toward the door too.

“…that’s true. But I hope you’ve asked God about him”?
I tried to force a smile as I left the house with the question still on my mind. It's been days since I spoke to God because whenever it is my prayer time, it's either i'm making calls or I'm sleeping. I flagged down a motorcyclist as I put it at the back of my mind to have a quiet time with God when am back.

****************************************************************************
“Hey, come in have you been here for long?”
He held my right hand slowly pulling me inside his suite. The suite was new to me as this one was way bigger than the other one I normally meet him at. I sat on the soft sofa and he sat beside me staring at me, obviously staring at the blue floral knee length dress I wore. He breathed sharply as he stared at my cleavage. I actually took my time in choosing this particular dress. He quickly stood up and went close to the intercom.
“So what would you like to eat Sara?”
“Nothing sir, am okay”
I giggled when he shook his head, I knew he wouldn’t want to hear that so I quickly added
“Jollof rice will do”
He smiled at me giving me a boyish grin that made him look cuter as he spoke back into the receiver. The yellow t-shirt he wore exposed his biceps and the fact that he had no hair on his head and no beards made him look more like a young boy in his 20s. He winked at me as he began to move towards me. I felt he looked too tall for his age but that was a plus for me because I was also as tall as him, I wish he would just take me in his broad arms and make me forget that the world ever existed.
“Sara….are you okay?”
I quickly blinked back to the present as I saw a waiter dropping a tray filled with food on the center table. My cheeks and armpit grew hot with embarrassment, have I been daydreaming for that long? Lord have mercy! I saw him smile again before taking his seat by my side and opening our food.
“Am fine…fine sir”
He rolled his eyes as he gestured towards me to start eating. I was sad maybe he didn’t have feelings for me or perhaps he was toying with my feelings. I sighed feeling ashamed of myself as I ate the food slowly.
"What's wrong? Is the food salty or is it too hot?

I suddenly got choked and started coughing, he quickly handed me the glass of water as he patted my back slowly. I felt relieved immediately not because of the water I took to ease the choking but because of the feel of his hand against my skin the only barrier was the silky gown I had on. God forgive me if something happens right now because I wasn't sure if I was myself anymore. He was
also fixated to one spot as he kept on staring at me with partly open eyelids. I wanted to pull his other hand towards my body but he quickly shook his head and stood up muttering
“No...”
I was embarrassed again all in one day. I was sad as my conscience started pricking me. A chorister in church for that matter, and I claim to have a relationship with God. I picked up my spoon to continue eating as my conscience pricked me again. I had worn that blue floral dress for a reason and that was simply to look sexy to him. I sighed again, my life is so full of sin I hope the Lord forgives me.

“Am sorry”.
I heard him say as he cleared his throat and sat across me. I couldn’t raise my head as I continued eating.
I was mad at him for not been firm enough to handle simple issues perhaps he wasn't drawn to me as I thought. I was also mad at myself for going this far with him, maybe if I had respected myself and not have fallen for a 48-year-old widower with two kids I wouldn't have been in this place I thought as I heard him clear his throat again.

“Ehmm… have wanted to suggest this to you but I didn’t know how you were going to take it”.
I looked up to give him a go ahead as he rubbed his large palms together.
“Well, I own an African kitchen abroad as well as an eatery too
And since my wife died, it hasn’t been well managed. And I got to find out you
Read food tech in school, so I don’t know if you would love to manage it for me please”?
I looked up slowly to meet his gaze for the first time since the last awkward event that happened between us 20 minutes ago. I wasn’t sure if I really heard him well, it was too good to be true, was my prayer really answered? Was God opening an international door for me? I couldn’t believe my ears as I opened my mouth in surprise.
“I ….don’t know but I don’t have a…”
“Shhh...You don't have to worry about Sara, your passport and visa would be processed, and I promise to pay you a reasonable income and to provide comfortable accommodation for you".

He quickly added as he pleaded with me with his eyes. This was a beautiful offer who wouldn’t want to live and work in Canada. This was like a dream come true as my eyes brightened the more.
“Or do you want to go home and consider it”
I shook my head in excitement. Who would want to go home and consider this kind of offer, even my parents would be mad with joy when they hear this.
“Yes….yes sir. I would love to work for you abroad”
He suddenly broke into a smile and hugged me tightly before releasing me gently and muttered a quick apology. That was when I realized he loved me. Even his eyes betrayed him as he quickly looked away and shoved his hands in his pocket.
“Am sure your parents will be glad…”
I nodded as I continued picturing myself already in a plane going to Canada,
“So I would tell you all you would need for your visa interview because I have some few friends at the Canadian embassy, so when your interview is fixed, I would let you know during the week. So that latest by next week you should be saying your goodbyes to Nigeria”
He dug his hand into his wallet and brought some wads of new naira notes. Sometimes I wondered if the bank specifically gives him new naira notes. He didn’t count it, he just pushed it into my hand as I smiled back at him in appreciation. He walked me to the door and whispered into my ears
“Please let me know when you get home”
His warm breath sent a chill down my spine but I didn’t react so as not to embarrass myself. I waved at him as I left the guest house

i posted this story few months ago on facebook and I've decided to share it here so sit back and enjoy; meanwhile, you can check my blog for fast updates www.zibahstories.

CHAPTER ONE
My heart shivered when I saw him glance at me shortly and then he smiled. The smile lingered briefly on his face before he turned to the sales manager. I couldn't get to return his small smile because he quickly turned and that small smile was enough to make me joyful for the day. My heart adjusted its slow beatings to a fast one and was glad as I went about preparing the stock reconciliation that the sales manager had given me to do.


“Sara?”

No one needed to tell me that that was my harsh sales manager calling. I was not surprised when I saw the frown on her already wrinkled face. Even the makeup she had on was out of place as the foundation on her face was way too heavy. I often wondered why ladies could not just look natural or perhaps wear something light like me. But Teni would say “they are not as beautiful as you are now”.

“Why are you disturbing the whole mall with your voice?”

The frown extended longer on her caked face as I rolled my eyes. For Gods sakes I was singing aloud neither was I intimidating anyone with my voice. Although I'm a chorister in church and I needed to exercise my voice chords daily and why would she just exaggerate all because she obviously hates me.


“Excuse me, ma?”

I wanted her to repeat what she said so I could give her the answer she deserved but she just rapidly fluttered her artificial lashes and a small hiss escaped from her glossy mouth.

“Mr. Edgar says you should come to his office…."


Her frown deepened when she saw me smile shyly like I had won a lottery. She eyed me and added:

“When you’re done with your work”

The dance my heart was doing before she added the last sentence collapsed my heart briefly as I watched her walk away. Obviously, I wasn't going to finish the stock reconciliation before 12 pm, and definitely he would have left the mall before then, of course, he had several other businesses to tend to and The United Mall was one of the biggest malls in Nigeria. Teni’s face flashed briefly in my mind,
She would be willing to help but not without a bribe of course. I quickly found my way to the front desk but I didn’t see her. My mind would be in turmoil if I didn’t see her before the mall officially opens by 8:am, then my chance of seeing him would be thwarted.

“Chioma, abeg where Teni go?”

I asked a colleague of mine at the front desk.

“Check upstairs now,”

I sighed, where would I find her, in a big mall that has about 4 story buildings

“Sara”
I would remember that voice from anywhere of course!

“Teni! Where have you been now?”

I was also puzzled at the question I asked when of course I knew she had been in the mall.

“What, have been in the mall…what is it”

She rolled her eyes at me and I perceived she knew I wanted to ask for a favour, she stood at akimbo and twisted her mouth.

“Well you know what to do now…this time around you will do my shift on Saturday”

I frowned at the idea but I really needed to see him so I just dumped the documents I was with into Teni’s waiting arms as I rushed quickly to the elevator.
**************************************************************************
I waited patiently as his secretary punched his number into the intercom. I relaxed at least am here already but my small heart wouldn’t stop beating aloud at a point, I wondered if it was beating too loud to the point that the secretary kept stealing glances at me.

“Well, you can go….”

I didn't wait for her to complete her statement before I walked past her. I smoothened my braids and quickly rubbed my face in case if it was oily. I knocked on the well furnished door and I immediately heard him say “come in”.
My palms were sweaty as I quickly rubbed them on the jeans trouser I had on. His brown round face brightened as I entered. I smiled at him and sat across him while he cleared his throat and fixed his oval eyes on me.

“Black beauty, how are you”?

That is what he normally calls me, and I am happy about that. Yes! That is how close we are. He is the owner of the mall although managed by his late wife. He had first gone through trauma during the first few years his wife died. He had met me at the storeroom singing and since then he had taken interest in me.


"Good morning sir I am doing fine sir"


I rubbed my sweaty palms together to ease my tension. Sometimes I wondered why I have started feeling this way for the past 3 months of meeting him, I wondered if he also felt the same way.

"So, how are daddy and mummy"?


He did the side smile he normally does when we talk and that makes me think if he is actually seducing me.

“They are doing fine sir, and how are Tobi and Kendra? Have you been hearing from them?”

“Oh yea, spoke with them yesterday”

“Oo-oh okay, that’s good”.

I averted his gaze as I looked down at my black loafers.

“…well, I don’t know if we can meet on Sunday morning…would you be free?”

I shifted a bit on the chair, although I wasn't comfortable with the timing because I would definitely be in church anything for him of course!


“Ah –yes. I would be free”

He smiled at me and wanted to say something before his phone rang. Then he scribbled down something on a plain paper and handed it over to me.

‘Number 2, shalom guest house: 7:45 am'

I nodded at him and left him still talking on the phone. I quickly folded the paper as soon as the elevator opened to the ground floor. Raising up my head, only to meet a cold stare of disgust on the sales manager’s face. I knew she was already fuming about what I did earlier, I made to pass her but she held me by the arm and spoke through clenched teeth.

“When next I give you something to do….don’t you ever give it to someone else you get!!”
I was startled by her outburst. I wanted to say something to her at least to defend myself, after all, I have rights too but she dropped my arm and walked away. I quickly cleaned my cheeks from the unseen saliva she might have unknowingly spat on my face as I eyed her retreating back.

Kitchen littered, green peas, diced carrots scattered on the tiled floor, diverse scents of spices caressed my nose leading me to look in the large pot. My face scrunched up in confusion as soon as I came to the realization of what they had cooked.

“Fried rice and chicken again?" I scoffed. This was our national anthem every passing Christmas and to be sincere I was getting fed up of it.

“Mom why fried rice for Goodness sakes!” I demanded.
Mom turned to me with a scowl etched on her brown face.
“Melinda, you should be glad that you’ve got something to eat!” she turned back to dish her food.
I groaned stomping my foot in disgust. I wasn’t going to eat fried rice with them again.
"I should have eaten the turkey meat and Chinese, Charley's mom offered me. " Charley was my childhood friend and we lived in the same neighborhood only that his parents were quite wealthy and so they could afford to travel abroad while we stayed here in Kubwa, Abuja.
To me it was annoying. I wanted their life. I wanted my parents to be wealthy so that i could afford to go anywhere I wanted thus my anger on Christmas morning when I woke to see mom cooking fried rice and chicken.

“You are so ungrateful. Many people wish they could eat rice today but you are privileged to be alive to even eat...." Molly my younger sister said.

“Just shut up! What do you even know!" I screamed at her.

Molly was always the ‘good' child while I played the bad part which made my parents prefer her more than me.

“What’s going on here?" dad's voice boomed in the kitchen. I could feel all eyes on me. But I didn't care.

“Melinda was just complaining about the food we cooked.” She said slyly, her eyes running over my skinny features.
Dad looked at me with disapproval in his eyes. “Prepare, we are going to the orphanage in an hour.” His eyes stayed on mom who was already wolfing down some spoons of rice.
Orphanage? I really don’t understand these people. When there’s no Shoprite, malls, and parks to go, my family, has decided to go to the Orphanage? I was irked.

I walked back to the blue room I’ve known as my bedroom for twenty-one years now. I picked up my Samsung gh360 and dialed Charley's number. I needed to leave the house.

But after three rings, he didn’t pick the call. I became frustrated and bored. I wanted to go elsewhere asides from the crazy suggestion my dad made. After ten minutes of rummaging my contacts, I realized there's no one to spend the Christmas with.

Somehow in the middle of chatting with my instagram contacts, the letters began dancing in my eyes, things became blurry and i drifted into sleep.
**********************************************************************************
“Melinda!”
I stirred in my sleep; it was as though my name was called from afar. I squinted my eyes, adjusting to the sudden brightness in my room. I wondered why my room was this bright last I remembered my curtains were drawn down to prevent light from entering the room.

“What are you still doing here? Get up! We’re going to the shop.” The voice said.
I jerked up. I wondered what she was talking about. In the first place, we didn’t have a shop. My parents are civil servants. Another thing that amazed me was my mother’s clothes. Even though we were of the average class of family, my mom has never worn what she was currently putting on faded Ankara skirt and blouse. In fact, i had never seen her wear such things.

I sat up on the bed, putting my feet down I felt something pierced my feet.

“Ouch”
Glancing down, my mind raced on seeing the Concrete hard floor, my room was small with only one window, and it had lots of clothes hung on the walls of the room like it was a farmer’s room.
“This...this isn't my room," I whispered.
“I hope you aren’t dreaming? The room you’ve been living in, for the past twenty-one years. Will you get up now let’s go to the shop. It’s Christmas and we just might get enough customers.” She walked off, banging the door.
I extended my hands to pick the outfit I had laid on the bed before I went to sleep. But instead of jean and a silver blouse, my eyes fell on some old pair of shorts and a faded pink blouse.
I was perplexed. Not only did the state of my room confuse me but my outfit also confused me. I used the opportunity to touch my head. True to my suspicion, instead of the curly Brazilian weave I had bought for #25,000, I felt plaited cornrows on my head.

Putting on my clothes, I walked out of my room. Still awed by the state of my room, I walked into another surprise that startled me. I realized I was presently living in a one bedroom flat instead of the four-bedroom duplex we lived in.

By the time I stepped out of the house with my mother I became more disgusted with the surrounding I found myself.
“Iya molly happy Christmas o!” A dark woman who would be in her late 40s chanted from the front of her house. My mother waved and shouted ‘Merry Christmas’ in reply.
“Since when did we live in a house filled with many neighbors?" I asked my sister.

“Since when did you start asking dumb questions?” she threw back angrily.
I wondered why she was angry. She had probably found herself in the same situation as I did.

“Let’s go girls.” My mother commanded.
*********************************************************************************
Few hours after we got to a small red container located just within the local neighbourhood. Mom opened the shop and brought out the wares in the shop.
“We sell tomatoes and pepper? No, I can't believe this. This is way too much for me." I placed my hand on my throbbing chest.

“What is wrong with you Ehn? What exactly is wrong with you?” mom dropped one of the containers filled with tomatoes aside as she faced me squarely. I could see anger blazing in her brown eyes.
“You’ve been acting weird all morning. First, you mentioned that your room was not yours, and all that. What’s wrong with you?”
“I...i can't just explain it. I slept in a beautiful house a few hours ago and now I woke up in..."

“In a wrecked, dirty one bedroom apartment?" Molly asked.

I was dazed. I wanted to say something but somehow the words were stuck in my throat.
“Cat got your tongue? What's really wrong with you Melinda? Why are you suddenly asking questions as if you just woke up on another planet?" Molly asked.

“Maybe I did... I did wake up on another planet because this is just not my life!!" I screamed. The whole situation was driving me crazy.
When I saw I was getting nowhere with my questions, I decided to leave the shop to clear my head. I passed by some group of dirty kids who were playing in what I assumed to be their Christmas clothes screaming ‘Father Christmas’.
I couldn't imagine myself living in this place even if we weren't rich enough. The environment was stinking and rugged with an untarred road that raised dust if a vehicle passes.

Few minutes after roaming aimlessly about, I sat under a huge umbrella tree that faced a large refuse dump. What got me surprised were the thatched houses built close to this dump.
I didn’t know such houses still existed in 2018. While still thinking about the state of the houses, a range rover 2017 model drove past me and stopped by the dump.
Watching closely, a middle-aged woman stepped out of the car. I could tell she must be the wife of a rich man because even her fair skin glittered in the sun. She threw something wrapped in black nylon into the bin and drove off.
Just then, about five to six kids ran out from the thatched house towards the dump chanting ‘Happy Christmas!’
I wondered what they were up to. And to my amazement, the kids picked the particular nylon bag and began to bring out what I assumed to be spoilt/remnant food and meat.
But they didn't care, they ate like they hadn't eaten for days. What amused me was the way they sat in a circle and divided the spoils among themselves happily.

I was almost moved to tears when another kid ran out of the house crying. The other kids called out to him and gave him out of what they were eating. He took it happily and sat with them.
I was disappointed in myself. some few hours ago, I had fried rice and chicken at my disposal and a few hours after...

The kids played happily after their meal. I watched them play until nightfall. It was when I found my way to the house I had woken up from that it dawned on me that I was stuck in this world as a pauper.
“Where have you been?” mom asked amidst mouthful.
They were all seated round with a stainless dish at the middle. That was when I noticed dad. He still had the same facial feature only that he looked older.

“I went to clear my head," I replied dully, trying to catch a glimpse of what they were eating.

“Melinda sit and join us. This is what we can afford for Christmas.” Dad added.
I wanted to go back to my room to sleep when my stomach growled reminding me of an empty stomach. I sat beside molly that was busy wolfing down concoction rice and fish.
I almost got angry but I remembered the kids I saw eating at the dump few hours ago. After eating the first spoonful, I realized it wasn't that bad.

So instead of getting angry, I was grateful with the little I had. After dinner, we all went to sleep in the room. Dad slept in the sitting room, mom slept on the floor, while Molly and I slept on the bed.

I could feel Molly's breath grow heavy by the minute. My thoughts drifted to the kids I saw at the dump. I began wishing that I had enough to give to the kids to give them an enjoyable Christmas.

“If only i had the opportunity to go back to my previous life...” i said aloud before drifting to sleep.
********************************************************************************
“Melinda! Melinda wake up!!”
I squinted my eyes adjusting to the fairly bright room.
“Mom says you should get ready or we will be late for the Orphanage visit.” The voice cut through my thoughts bringing me back to reality.
Realization dawned on me when I sat up. The first thing I felt for was the floor. It was smooth, not rough. My room was painted in beautiful patterns and colors. One more thing, there were no hanging clothes on the wall.

I did the very next thing that came to my mind, I screamed!

Moll, mom, and dad came barging into the room.

“What’s wrong?”
“Melinda!”
“Sis are you okay?”
They chorused. “No..No...I mean yes! I’m just happy! I can't wait to go to the orphanage!" I gestured with my arms upwards.

They simply shook their heads, looked at me strangely and left. I was glad to be back to my real and normal life and I also learned a lesson. I learned to be grateful and share whatever you have with others.

That's the spirit of Christmas! As I wore my clothes to prepare for our visit, I reminded myself to tell Charley about my paranormal Christmas.


Find Me Here

I ordered for two ebooks and I got a prompt delivery
cheap ebooks as well.
Thanks alot! it was nice doing business with you.

I ordered for two ebooks and I got a prompt delivery
cheap ebooks as well.
Thanks alot! it was nice doing business with you.

I ordered for two ebooks and I got a prompt delivery
cheap ebooks as well.
Thanks alot! it was nice doing business with you.

hi,

please I need d pdf version of DARK SURRENDER BY ERICA RIDLEY.
thanks! you can send it to;
funmiakins40@gmail