'Good afternoon ladies.' He gave a low bow.

They stood and he hugged Katherine before Kayla.

'You ladies look stunning dressed similarly. ' He complimented.

They were dressed in tie and dye straight cut gown. She had come with 32 yards for the family and the duo had chose a similar style.

'Thank you.' They chorused.

'You look charming and handsome better than I remembered.' She winked at him.

Kenneth chuckled and unbuttoned his blazers as he sat.

'I believe you've met Kayla.' Katherine said as a matter of fact.

'Sure thing. Kelvin make his cherished friends meet his wonderful family.'

Kayla smiled.

They gave their orders for lunch and drinks and in no time they were served.

'Can you imagine that Kayla and I are twins?'

'Twins?' He repeated and glanced at both of them with puckered brows. 'How do you mean?' He took a sip from his tumbler.

'Kelvin made the discovery and it's true.' Katherine informed him all in smiles.

'Amazing! I can imagine your reactions to the revelation. Bet that's one of the most successful research my friend has ever done.' He grinned.

'Yup.' Kayla giggled. 'You need to see him when he gave the announcement.'

'I celebrate you two.'

They beamed.

They concentrated on their meals making small talks.

'Kenneth, Kayla, you two have some similarities.' Katherine announced after their table had been cleared of plates and cutlery.
'You've been through disappointment and all it's baggage at the hand of the opposite sex. I've done my best to offer advice and support and God in his infinite mercies has taken charge of your lives.'

They listened to her raptly. Both a little taken aback at the news of the other.

'I for one detest unfinished works. I don't want anything that would happen that may cause regression and I know you still nurse fear of making another mistake. I will need you to share some of the things you've learnt with each other. Iron sharpens iron.' She glanced from Kenneth to Kayla, 'Who goes first? '

'I will.' Kayla said.

*-+

Katherine looked around the airport car park for her official car and driver. She had called her driver to come for her.

Then she saw him looking so fly and fine leaning against his car, his legs crossed with sun glasses like he just stepped out from a magazine for men.

Before one could say Tom Cruise, she began running with her suitcase, when she was close enough, she dropped it and flew into his arms.

'Gracious goodness, have you been learning high jump!' Kelvin exclaimed and laughed.

'I've missed you.' She said before burying her face into his neck.

'Huh...' He acted surprised as he ran his palm on her hair. 'I've missed you more dearie.' He kissed her cheek and forehead.

Soon they were headed to a funspot and Katherine was chatting away.

He listened, made comments but laughed most of time, feeling a sense of wholeness that was to new with her beside him.

+*-
-+*
They shook hands both smiling.

'Congratulations once more.' The doctor told him.

'Thank you very much sir.' Tobi gave a low bow brimming with happiness.

Just then, Aishat and Shakirat came into the waiting room.

'Congratulations Ladies, ' The elderly family doctor told them. 'She was delivered of two boys and a girl and they are all fine.'

Shakira and Aisha leaped for joy.

'Thank you Doctor Hassan. ' She made to knee in courtesy.

Shakira hugged her brother in law.
Just then, the matron approached the doctor almost running. 'Doctor we need your attention for Mrs Adams. '

Just a look at the Matron he had worked with for about fifteen years, without asking questions, he hurried away with her.

The trio stared at the departing figure, mouth agape and horrified.

+++

Hameenat94: Tnx I saw ur text! Me thinking Ezeugo z Katherine's uncle

Time will tell.

boladex1: now is katherine doing match making


thanks for this appetizer, more please

Hehehe...let's see how it turns out.
Sweetie send me a msg via the no I gave. I've sent Nne and Hameenat theirs.

princesssusan: I missed alot o

There will be time to catch up.

nnekamezor: Dearie i sent u a text..hv u seen it?

Sure.

nnekamezor: I jst sent u a n email hv u seen it?

I haven't dearest but I observed that email is having issues.

A promise has to be kept, please send me your no and email for confirmation to this no- 080-942-19722

That is for all my winners, please am sorry for all inconveniences.

*+-

Ezinne Ezeugo closed the door of the nursery and leaned against it.

It's been eight years ago she arranged the nursery with so much optimism and excitement. She had so sure she would conceive within three months of marriage.

She exhaled and closed her eyes. All she could boast after all the years had been series of miscarriages. Now her sister in law was heavily pregnant and she didn't know how to feel.

She sighed and her tears flowed. Not like she and husband had been seating on a rocking chair. They had seen some of the best specialist both home and abroad.
Being the only daughter, out of fear of being chased out of her matrimonial home, her parents had arranged and sponspored some personal visits to some herbal doctors, all to no avail.

Now her only friend had stopped seeing and picking her calls because she had suggested they visit some native doctors for help and she disappointed had walked out of her boutique after expressing her disappointment.

She signed once more and heaved. Yes, she wanted a child desperately but she didn't want marine children. She knew there consequencial children that would need her making some sacrifices every other year, unable to travel beyond some distance, not eating some kind of food amongst others.

She sat on the floor with her legs stretched out before her and her back against the wall and placed both hands on her head.

She was sure if her parents in law were alive, they would have thrown her out of her matrimonial home.

Ezinne sniffed and looked up. 'God why me? What have I done that cannot be forgiven...is it my destiny to die childless?' Her body shook as she burst into fresh set of tears.
*-+
+-*

'You know the place, don't you?' Katherine strolled around the garden with the phone to her ear.

'Yes dear.' Kenneth responded.

'I will be grateful if you would come.'

'Sure thing Therine I will be there.'

Even as she took to execute the first move to the plan that had been going through her mind for the past couple of days, she had even prayed about it but still had a feeling her plan was ridiculous but she couldn't help herself.

A call came into her phone and she smiled on the phone, she beamed. It was Kelvin and he already back in Nigeria.

*-+

They were seated in the restaurant, her companion eyes were trained on the menu list while she had her eyes on the entrance.

It was still five minutes before the time she told him but she was anxious, afraid that something might come and he wouldn't be able to make it.

Then she sighted him looking as handsome as she remembered and she broke into a smile before exhaling.

He glanced around and saw her, he beamed and took strides to cover the distance between them.

...

nnekamezor: nt yet dear..jst checked it nw

Send me an email with your no. I've tried severally.
ugbajaesther@yahoo.com

boladex1: i dont want to say it served mathew right but most of us take what we have for granted
and start chasing shadow.

thanks queen for this update

You hit the nail right on its head dear.
You're one of my winners, your network and email.

jaymomma: Matthew why? So sad

I'm glad you're sympathizing with him. He won't be so alone.

nnekamezor: my netwrk is Etisalat & my email addy is nezzykool0113@ yahoo.com .. Hw re u doing dear?

I'm fine.
I've sent you mail. please let me if you've received it.

nnekamezor: Nice one... More ink to ur PEN

Thanks dearie

lenmafon: if kayle had married math and he started his flirting madness, maybe she would ve been infected with hiv. their breakup happened for a reason

Thanks for expatiating dear.

lenmafon: thanks queen for de update. how ve u been and how is work? hope all findeth thee well - spirit, soul and body? pls lets get to know about the other families and how tbey are faring. kathy is indeed a blessing, an inspirator and has a listening ear.

I will do as you've instructed Sweetie.

snowprince07: hmm its true they said u wouldnt know d value of what u have untill u loose(lost) it

That's right dear.

Queenxstar: Shall we all gather, everyone at the royal bouquet? (Queen Summons)

I've been thinking of giving some giveaways, lol.

My questions goes thus:
1. What is your favorite part in the story so far and why?

2. What is the specific age of Kathy, no range please?

Do drop your E-mail after your answers.

Thanks in anticpation.

Katherine age is 25yrs.

I'm choosing five winners, though some didn't get the age.

Hameenat, Jeanfortune, Hassan, Boladex1, Nnekamezor.
Please send me your preferred network and your emails once more and I will forward your recharge cards to you.

Except Hameenat who I already have her contact.

I really appreciate all of you who attempted. There will be room for you to win next time.

vivikul: Jezz kay I feel ur pain. God pls heal her bleeding hearth. Pls queenny I want moreeee

You have morrreee now Sweetie !

nnekamezor: Kool update.....plz give us more

I already did darling.

Ziziola: Heyah! Poor kayla. Welldone sis queen

Thanks Olababy.

Hameenat94: Poor Kayla...... I cry 4 her seriously... Weldone dear

Cry no more dearie, she is a change woman.

boladex1: kayla, kayla, kayla dont worry and be happy because God is preparing u for a wonderful, awesome and understanding Guy for you who will cherish, pampered and cared for you.

queen wonderful update. weldone

Amen on behalf of Kayla.

Thanks dearest.

Essyydiamond: This story sef......

What happened to it?

She saw a reflection of herself momentarily. She felt like crying but she knew that would do better than Kay. She exhaled. 'What did your mum say about it all? '

'She said that a broken relationship is better than a broken marriage and she would not have any of children divorce.'

'I would like to start on that note. That is very important Kay, we wouldn't know we have done a favour until our spiritual eyes are opened.

There is always something to be thankful for...always dear because people out there are going through worst, some don't even have shoulders to lean on. '

Kayla kept shaking her head.

It dawned on Katherine that she would need a living testimony to rekindle her spirit . She exhaled and told her life story.

Kayla had stared so hard at her before bursting into bouts of tears, 'How can I be complaining when you have been through all that... Kathy I don't think I'll survive all that! ' She threw her arms around Katherine and embraced her. 'God must be disappointed in me, for questioning him over some half baked guys.'

Katherine chuckled at Kayla's reaction and for the fact that she had shared her story without being teary eyed. It was a sign of divine healing.
*-+

+-*

She had hardly closed the door behind her when a hand came over her right hand and pulled her  forward.

'No! I very much want to sit.'

'There is something you have to hear. ' Kayla collected her bag.

'Oh no Kayla. ' Katherine frowned and tried to break free from her grip. 'My knees are knocking and I will collapse if you don't let me be.'

She had gone for dance practise with Darlene.

Kayla pulled with both hands and more energy.

'Jeez Kay! Haven't you been listening to me? '

'Don't give up on me Kathy. Don't be as stubborn as Camilla.'

'Jeez! ' Katherine muttered and rolled her eyes before following up the stairs.

'Lord Almighty!' She slumped on sofa in Kayla's study.

Kayla went over to the phone, press a button before sitting beside Katherine.

'Kayla Sigismund, you could have killed me.'

'Hush.' Kayla said with a index finger to her lips.

"Kayla Sigismund here.

"Hello... hello Kayla, is that you? Oh my... '

Katherine sat up.

"Who am I speaking with? "

"I...I can't believe I'm hearing your voice and that was the dose that usually make my day." The voice was shaky.

"Who in the world am I speaking with? (Calm with mild irritation.) If you don't tell who you're are, I'll hang up 'cause I have better things to do than to listen to some fused words."

"That's how you've been my baby, stating things straight. This is huu...Matt...Matthew and please don't..."

"Matt...Matthew...Matthew who?" (Snaps)

Kayla linked her palms with Katherine's who looked from her sombre face to the phone.

(Remorse) "Matthew Wellington, please don't ...don't hang up."

'What the heck! (Anger iced with curiosity) You dared to call me after all these years? If you remember me so well you should know I don't take order from insensitive, heartless..."

"Please... please Kaylabel, I beg of you in whatever you believe in, you've got to hear me out. I know you've got every right not to listen, to be cross but darling, listen to me."

"Are you thinking straight Matt? After walking out on me on the aisle, like am some piece of trash...you must be out of your fricking mind!"

"Please Kaylabel, that's the more reason you should listen to me, besides I ain't gonna let you be until you hear me out ."

"Coward! Why you don't you show your face and say what you need to say."

"I would very much love to see you again and I will give anything just to see your face again. It's just that... that am on a hospital bed."

From what Katherine could fathom, she guess he was trying to fight back the shakiness from his voice and tears.

She glanced at Kayla, tears were also in her eyes.

"So what? "(Icily)

"Walking out on you was the worst mistake of my life. I walked out on you that fateful day to...my early grave."

'Spill the bean and stop being idiomatic."

"I'm serious Kaylabel! It's over for me. (sobs) I'm taking counts to when it will be over. "

"What are you talking about?"

"I have barely a month to live. "

"What! Is this this a joke? "

'No Kay...I'm not that is why am calling to ask for forgiveness. "

"Calm down Matt, I think you're not joking because I have never known you to be the crying type. For God's sake, stop crying...Why are you on the hospital bed?"

'I am a suffering from AIDS. "

"What! Even so Matt...you can't have a month to live if you got to the hospital in time and was true to medications and follow up."

"Not only that Kaylabel, I have another diagnosis. "

"Which? "

"I can't say."

"Where are you and who is your physician? "

"Germany and he is Bill Smart. "

"Doctor Smart is a specialist in treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. (Pause) Matthew! Hope it's not what am thinking. "

"I suppose it is, or worst. "

"How could you! Didn't I beg you to stay...didn't I?"

"That's why I find it difficult to forgive myself ...we should be married Kay, I did love you and probably we should have our first baby and am sure he or she would have been a beauty. Damn it! I had all the imaginations but I can't figure what kind of spirit possessed me. With my eyes wide opened, I chose to walk out on a woman I didn't find a replacement for in all of my exploration and fate paid me back in my own coin giving me hell with no alternative. I'm very sorry Kay. "

"I've already forgiven you. You need to forgive yourself Matt. You need to confess your sins and accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour. I'll come and see you as soon as I can. "

Kayla stood and turned off the machine.

'He calls you Kaylabel. ' Katherine stated as she came to sit beside her once more.

'Yes.' She smiled. 'The additional BEL means my baby, everything and love.'

'Wow.' Katherine said impressed.

'I cried after speaking with his physician who confirmed my fears, he should be more like a skeleton now.'

'It's okay if you want to see him.'

'No...I don't want to change the memory I have of him, besides, am scared.'

'I can come with you Kay when you're ready.'

'Oh Katherine...' She threw her arms around her. 'You're heaven sent!'

'And you're the best Sweetie and you'll have nothing but the best in all ramifications of your life.' Katherine kissed her cheek.

+*-

JeffreyJamez:

What did I do Na?!

With your 32 all out, I think you know already.

KingzPen:

Loooool... Glad to know you are a loyal fan of KMJ...

I'm a Boss in my lane, not competing with nobody... I only try to beat my best...


But next time dude, don't trash someone else's opinion, just make yours known... Life Too Short For That...


Love You Though(No Homo)

My King has spoken in the multitude of his grey hairs.

Still I follow, awed by the brain behind this precision.

renzyl: I plead d blood of Jesus on all under dwellers

That's right babe, this chilling in my spine is something else.

JeffreyJamez:

oh oh!!...were people riding on them?

Jeff you're impossible!

***

Katherine approached the midst of the garden where Kayla was seated carrying a mini tray containing two juice glass and a pack of juice.

She stood watching Kayla who was staring into space momentarily before crossing over,dropping the tray on the table and serving it.
She handed a glass to Kayla who mouthed her appreciation.

They took sips and silence prevailed.

Katherine said few  prayers in her mind before speaking. 'I have a weakness of observing people, and most times, my conclusions are usually ninety percent correct.'

Kayla directed all her attention to her.

'Every time you are alone, you seem to go out of your environment, your face express a kind of bitterness.'

Kayla sighed.

'Dearie, what is wrong or better still what is the challenge? Is it a patient before you went on vacation, is it a patient that passed on? I understand that medical doctor see and go through a lot in the course of their profession.' Katherine continued calmly.

Kay managed a smile. 'Kathy I don't allow my profession interfere with my personal life, I do my best and allow God take charge.'

'Thanks for the information sis, I can now interfere that there is a challenge but it is not profession-related.' Katherine smiled. 'One of the reasons we are human and not perfect is because most times, we have a challenge or battle that make us cry in our clos... '

'Katherine, ' She interrupted with a voice void of emotions. 'We can catch some fun with this time, 'cause there is nothing to talk about, really.' She scrolled through her phone. 'Let me find out if we could go see a movie.'

'I'm sounding nosy but I am not like that every time.' Katherine set the tumbler on the table. 'Listen to me dearie, this last time okay? I was in a situation and something Kelvin told me stuck in my head till date and had transformed me. We are each other angels, whether we like it or not. God cannot come down from heaven and meet our needs even after we've prayed.' She exhaled. 'I am promising a solution but I know that a problem shared, is a problem on the path of solution.'

Kayla looked away from her. Where they born on same, place on same path by fate for a time and allowed to meet for a time like this? She heaved

Katherine picked her glass and took a couple of sips while she waited hoping not to dismissed.

'I'll be needing half a dozen boxes of Kleenex.' She managed a shaky laughter at her own sense of humour and turned to look at her companion.

Katherine beamed. 'That can be arranged.' 

'I wish I could tell you this without going all weepy.' She bit her lower lips momentarily. 'It is just like opening a healed wound, no...no...' She shook her head. 'The wound never healed, it did not even clot, it only stops bleeding at will.'

Katherine move her chair close and took Kayla's hand in hers. 'Take it all out sis.'

'If you've watched Camilla and I closely enough, you must noticed our way of life is different from what is respected generally, specifically nationality.' Kayla began.

Katherine nodded. They were always dressed modestly and respectful.

'Kayla Sigismund find pride in being born in a godly family. The background we didn't much appreciate because we were brought up to be different from others until we grew older. Before age ten, I watched a movie that changed my life, it was there and then, I got motivated to be a medical doctor.

I am a girl of my own in the sense that I relate to people but hardly call anyone friend. When I was in high school...' She paused momentarily before proceeding. 'There used to be a period every season in high school in which there is an inter school competitions with rewards and awards for the winning school and participants. I remember at a particular season, it was drama. The winning drama would be shown on TV. The drama title and intro was posted and had to be develop by our instructor. It wasn't my biz until the drama instructor walked into my grade, read few words from a script and asked who the best person to act a doc would be. All hands pointed to me and I became involved. There was another guy whose role was to be a fire fighter. I met in the course of rehearsals, he was a couple of grades ahead of me. If I hadn't be so much into myself, I would seen him before them.' She smiled. 'He was tall, cute, dandy guy and was popular too because most of the ladies drooled just at the sight of him and were... what would be the perfect description?' Kayla paused thoughtfully.

'Heels over head in lust with him.' Katherine suggested.

'Perfect!' She beamed and her face reminded Katherine of Kelvin and she smiled, they look more like twins.

'My school won, the drama went cable and we actors and actresses were invited to an exclusive interview in the most prominent TV station at that time. The interview was dual, in the sense that complimenting roles were interviewed same time.
Matthew is the name of the fire fighter and we were interviewed together.' Kayla blinked severally and couldn't help the tears that rolled down her oblong face. 'Damn it Kayla!' She chided herself.

'Don't beat yourself up Kay, if you could help yourself you would have done that.' Katherine said soothingly and stroked her palms.

'He was a good memory then but now he is such a bad one that always succeed inflicting me with stinging tears. ' She took in a deep breaths before proceeding. 'We became friends after that. Despite all the girls that wanted me, he chose me and that amazed. I knew I was beautiful but I considered him to be more. He always walked me home after school. He met my family and I his.

When he graduated, even when I went to medical college, he still kept in touch, while we pursued our dreams. He was my best friend and I loved him so much. ' Kayla stared into space. 'I loved him dearly, I don't praying with his name inclusive as incomplete. At twenty one, I had my hospital, and he a job with fat salary. On my birthday, we got engaged. ' She sighed and her eyes welled. 'Never did I think of looking at another man.' Her forehead creased in sadness.

'Unlike many of my mates, at that age, I knew what I wanted. I was in love and ready to settle. A month before we took her vows in the presence of the Almighty, Matt asked me out to a restaurant and that turned out to be the most devastating day in my life. There, he told he appreciated the years we shared together and that he needed to do real exploration before ever tying the knots. Those were among the last things he said to me.'

She was confused. 'What did he mean by exploration? '

'In the relationship, at a point in time, he wanted it consummated but I refused.' Kayla replied.

'Oh...I see.' Katherine said offhandedly

'Every of his words were likr darts in my heart, I was knocked out, when he stood and wanted to leave, I couldn't help but plead him to stay. "My mind is fixed." He said before leaving. The nerve of a man!' She said spitefully. 'He picked me from my father's house, and just walked out on me not caring how I got back home. I had to call Cam to come for me. That girl is the best, She met me practically breathless.
He didn't call me again and I was scared to hell to call him because I felt I would die from my heart haemorrhage if I hear him repeat what he had told me. I was so torn apart because there was no previous sign that gave me cause to have second thought of his integrity.

A little bird told me he got a new job in one of the Asian countries. You can imagine how devastated I felt to know he had moved on.'

Katherine nodded.

'Eventually I kinda got even with myself and pull me together because I was tired of seeing the worry look on my family's faces and I didn't want my patient victims of negligence. I had a new mindset.'

'Let me guess.' Katherine raised a finger. 'I will never let any man take advantage of my heart, never would I let any man take me aisle and dump me there.' She pledged.

'Yes Katherine, Yes.' She affirmed. 'A year later, as I was doing my routine check on all patients in the hospital, I got to a Ward in which the patient had gotten I'll due to self medications over time and at that moment was convalescing. There, she introduce me to her half brother who happens to be her only surviving relative. He complimented me on the work that had been done on his sis and the hospital services. Afterwards, he made it a point of duty to check up on me every time he came around. After a week he asked me out and of course, I turned him down. There was something dominant about his personality, his smile. He had a kinda smile that make you certain he would be smiling through twenty one lashes of a whip.' She couldn't help but chuckle.

Katherine grinned. 'That must be some smile!'

'I'm as serious a man aiming an arrow at a hair breadth.' Then she exhaled and ran three of fingers across her face. 'There was this greatness about him, I can express it all, the kind of aura one feels around a man who can compete with Omar Borkan Al Gala in terms of look, cool headed, soft spoken coupled with the fact he was managing two inherited companies effectively. He persisted and I eventually realised he was  I -don't- take- no for an answer kind of person. His disturbance got on my nerve and I decided to grant his request, hoping to discourage any other invitations via my attitude. Against my plan he was annoyingly charming and it became a maiden entrance to other outings. Though he had confessed that I was the first woman that turned him down.

He told me he understood that I had suffered from a relationship turned sour, I was taken aback because my relationship with Matt was never a media thing. He did most of the talking and got me cracking up. After his sister was discharged, He kept calling but I wouldn't pick, three weeks after our first outing, he came to office and waited four hours just to see me, after playing hide and seek, I couldn't help but obliged him. Afterwards we became friends. ' Kayla reached for her glass and took a sip of her juice.

'He was such a good person, he cared so much and in my mind, I compared him with Matt. ' Tears formed in her eyes. 'He was more of an epitome of my dream man. He was like an angel sent to relief me of all the pains Matt inflicted on me for good. ' She closed momentarily and heaved. 'I loved him awfully and prayed to the Almighty that things would work out this time around. Nine months later, we were engaged, barely a month after, I received a message from a lady who asked to because he was hers.' She opened her eyes and the dam was let loose.
...

It wasn't my intention not to update yesterday, I was trying to cover a reasonable length between the Ks conversation.
I'll announce my winners on Saturday. Please keep your answers coming, you guys rock my world.

hassan85: favourite part 1. I liked it wen Kathy fought and avoid molestation in her inception into SIC. Y I feel every lady should learn from dt.. if she was cheap she will never be where she s today. infact a friend of mine sighed an example with ur work #a lady# 2. I will say 24yrs old. 3. email - vidichassan@gmail.com

Noted dear.