FARIDA Episode 45 – 46 by Oge’s Stories

FARIDA Episode 45 by Oge’s Stories

Wale planned to avoid Farida for the rest of her stay. Farida decided to move to a hotel as they were both uncomfortable in each other’s company. She informed Wale of her decision but he kicked against it. He asked her to meet him after work so they could talk like two adults.

The meeting held in at a sit out where grilled catfish and chips were sold. They found a table a distance away from noise and ears of others. Wale looked at Farida. She dressed like she used to when he first met her. She wore a pair of jeans and a white tshirt. She had no makeup on and her hair was packed into one. She had on sneakers. She looked so young. Over the years she had added a little flesh but she still looked amazing.

Farida couldn’t look Wale in the face after what happened. She was shy around him. Why would she be shy around the one person she has always been extremely free around? She couldn’t even start up a conversation.

Their order arrived and they ate in silence. After eating, Wale knew he had to break the awkward silence. He had a lot on his mind, he had so much to say but he knew he had to say it right otherwise he would lose.

“Farida, I have never hidden the fact that I like you and I am attracted to you. But, I also respect you and go with whatever decisions you make. Nothing has changed Farida, if given the opportunity and you were available, I would date you. I will make love to you like I have done many times in my mind. I will never force myself on you. It would be something we both want. Even then, it should be done right. I sat down and thought about it. I don’t want to be your rebound guy. Even though it would have been awesome, I don’t want you to use me as your revenge sex. You are a principled person and I know if we had had sex, you would hate me and never speak to me again. Emotions make a fool of us for a short period of time. They take over our senses. So, please forgive me for what happened. I won’t deny I enjoyed it but I assure, it won’t happen again”

Farida was quiet. She had her own fault in the whole saga. She should have resisted. She enjoyed it too. But then she was still married. “I have been asking myself, if we had done this what then is the difference between Sam and I? I am still legally married and until it ends, I cannot be with another man. I agree with you, I was overwhelmed by emotions but why didn’t I resist? I think we have become too close and we have not set boundaries for ourselves. Wale, you know too much about me and I will be uncomfortable being with someone who knows me too well. You know me better than anyone else. I …….”

“When we get to that bridge, we will cross it. We might never get there because I know Sam will come for you in London. He will do everything to woo you back. It is unless he is a stupid man that he won’t. When he comes back, Farida, I will advise you not to go back. But the decision is yours. I am preview to some information which I don’t think it is time to let you know. Don’t come back to Nigeria without your certificate. Don’t allow him bully you to give up your dreams. When you come back, get that law degree. You can even get it along side this as an online course. Do not lose out. Not having a baby is not the end of the world”

“Wale, you treat me more like a sister than a potential lover. That is where the problem is. I see you more like a brother although my body is beginning to think differently. You have never wooed me. Probably if you had I would never have gotten into a relationship with Sam”

“I asked you to wait for me. We had a moment Farida and I asked you to wait for me to come back. You hid your relationship from me. If I had known, I would have come back and proposed. Like you said, I know you that was why I took it slow with you. If you had waited before being with Sam, I wouldn’t minded but you didn’t”

“You asked me to wait for you when we were in the moment. Did you say anything else after that? Did you bring it up again after you left? Did you woo me and keep asking me to wait? You played it cool so I felt you were sending mixed signals. What felt for you then was brotherly love and nothing more. Sam was coming on strong. He swept me off my feet. Yes, I was too in love to reason when I married him but if not for having children for him, he wouldn’t have gotten this other lady”

“Who said so? He would have. It was part of the agreement for the expansion of his political career. Do you know Sam at all? Sam is selfish. He doesn’t want you to travel because he needs you. You take good care of him and moving with you in his circle gives him prestige. Also, an inter tribal marriage shown to the world to be filled with love will take him places politically. The Yorubas will support him if need be as he married one of theirs and he is taking care of her. Meanwhile, he doesn’t want you to know he has another family. He has a wife which satisfies the need of his people. Wake up Farida. Get over Sam, he betrayed you and will do worse if given the chance”

Farida was silent for a while. She knew all Wale said. She was aware as she had investigated which helped make her mind up to leave Sam. But, would seven years of her life go just like that? There will be no evidence to show she was ever in Sam’s life. That was her initial problem. Being with Wale was confusing her.

“Would you marry a barren woman?” Farida asked Wale.

“Who is the barren woman?”

“Would you remain with a woman who doesn’t have kids for you? Would you have acted differently from Sam?”

“I would remain with you Farida whether you have kids or not”

‘And if your family harasses me on the issue, what will you do?”

“I will take you away from where you are harassed to a place where no one will have access to us until they learn to behave”

‘Is that what you would have done if you were in Sam’s shoes? You won’t want to have children if it is not from me?”

“We will have children. We can adopt if you can’t have them physically. What if the fault was mine? Would you leave me to marry another man? Wouldn’t you stay with me? That is what you should ask Sam when he comes for you”

“I don’t know what we have but having sex with you while still legally married puts me in the same pedestal with Sam. It would mean I have lost my moral values. I will confess, I was tempted but I am happy we did not sacrifice our good upbringing on the surface of lust. I will stay in a hotel until we leave so we won’t have such temptations that might not end well”

“You are scared it will happen again?”

“Yes, I am”

“You are attracted to me? I can’t believe it. If you are scared then it means I turn you on. You admitting to being attracted and affected by my touch is enough for me. I won’t touch you again. We won’t discuss this again. You have three more days to go. I will make you comfortable. I will bring in my female friend to help douse the tension. You will like her. She will stay in my room; hope you don’t mind”

Farida minded but who was she to say it. She was not a child, a man and a woman lying together on a bed could only lead to one thing. Her mind wanted to run riot but she stopped it. She told him she didn’t mind.

“I want us to still be best friends”

‘You are my best friend”

“Good”

The girl he brought was different from the last one. She was dark, average height, pretty face and she was curvy. She had an enviable figure because of her large hips. Wale introduced her as Tomiwa. Farida liked her because she was homely and friendly. She helped out in the house while Wale was away. Immediately Wale returned, she followed him into the room and then she would come out to serve his food. Whenever she called Wale to ask what he would eat, Wale would refer her to Farida. She had asked Wale who Farida was and he said she was his sister and best friend.

Wale couldn’t bring himself to have sex with Tomiwa while Farida was there. She wanted to have sex with him but knowing how loud she was, he knew Farida would hear them and it would hurt her. He also didn’t want to disrespect her.

The last night before Farida left, they all sat together at the dining table to have dinner after Wale got home. After the meal, they sat in the sitting room. Wale wanted to have a private conversation about her trip with Farida but Tomiwa was present. He called Tomiwa aside and asked her to excuse them by waiting for him inside the room. She refused to leave. When she wasn’t leaving, Wale stood up and called Farida and they went into her bedroom. They discussed the trip in details. He ensured she had everything she needed. He had arranged for a black cab to pick her up at the airport. He gave her his UK sim card and the pounds he had left from the last time her travelled. He just wanted to spend a private time with her talking about nothing in particular. When it was quite late, he bade Farida good night and left her room.

At the door eavesdropping was Tomiwa. Wale had to cover her with his body.

“What were both of you doing in there? I thought you said she is a married woman, why then did you enter her room and stay there for this long?”

“Tomiwa, I don’t need this drama now. Do not embarrass me in the presence of my guest. I asked you politely to excuse us but you refused so I went into her room with her to have a private conversation”

“Wale, I have been here for how many days and you didn’t touch me. Are you using me as a front? Is she your lover?”

“I think I should take you home, you have overstayed your welcome”

“I am not leaving until you tell me what is going on. Wale, you have not touched me since I came. I can’t leave until she leaves”

“Ok then, I am going to a hotel this night. Leave when you want to”

Tomiwa grabbed Wale by the leg stopping him from moving forward, ‘Wale, I love you. Why do you treat me like this? One minute you are into me the next you are cold. Is it because of her? I know about the other babes and I have waited for you to realise that what I feel for you is real. But seeing both of you together, I am scared. Are you in love with her? Is she the one you said you were waiting for? She’s married now. Won’t you settle down? I am available for you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I am willing to do anything you say. Just love me back. Make love to me just the way I like it. You make me happy. You are my first true love”

Her words and demeanor calmed him down. He knew he hadn’t really been fair to her. She had made advances which he rebuffed. Now that Farida had retired for the night, they could have some fun. Being with Farida had an effect on him. “Let’s go into the room”

Farida came out after they had entered the room. Was their friendship a threat to Wale’s relationships? Farida sat down in the sitting room and pondered. She heard some noise coming from the bedroom, then some loud moans. She heard someone shush the person. Moan was louder and it was coming from Tomiwa. Wale had succumbed. Her moans meant he was giving her pleasure. She rushed into her room. Thankfully, she couldn’t hear them from her room but her imagination went riot. She hugged her pillow as the memory of what she heard replayed in her head. Farida had never reacted like this with Sam before. She was hearing such reaction for the first time. What could he be doing to her that was different? She had to stop thinking about it and try to sleep, it was a difficult task.

Tomiwa was spent and had fallen asleep. She looked so sweet as she slept. Wale liked Tomiwa, she was his favorite girl. The problem he had with her was her age; she was too young for him. He was clocking thirty soon and she was just twenty-two. She looked more mature because of her body. She was interesting company and whenever she was around, he was sure of a meal after a hard day’s work. She and Farida had a lot in common. She was the only one who could challenge him and get away with it. Sex with her was good because she was very expressive. She hated condoms so she was on the pill. He invited her so she would be good company to Farida as they had a lot in common. After Farida was Tomiwa. He couldn’t even deny that himself.

The next morning, he offered to take Farida to the hotel to drop off her luggage and then to the airport to pick up maami. Farida couldn’t look him in the face. She declined his offer. He insisted. He carried her luggage to the car and then he told her he was ready.

Farida gave Tomiwa a hug and asked her to take good care of Wale. Tomiwa promised to do that as she was bent on doing it. She wanted to come along with them but Wale refused. He put his feet down.

On the way to the hotel, Wale observed Farida was avoiding eye contact and was a bit withdrawn. He had asked her what was wrong and she said nothing. He knew something was wrong. At the hotel, he followed her to the room. While inside alone, he asked her what happened that she couldn’t look him in the face. She still said nothing. He tried to recall what happened last night that could have caused this but he couldn’t think of nothing.

“Do you like Tomiwa?”

“She is a nice girl. Quite possessive and very loud” Farid answered without thinking.

Wale caught it. “Loud? What do you mean loud?”

Farida was silent for a bit. She wasn’t someone that could lie easily especially to Wale. She didn’t know what to say

Her silence revealed everything. Wale realized she heard them last night. But how was that possible. There was no way she could hear from her room. Unless she was eavesdropping.

“Where you eavesdropping on us? Where you listening to us in our bedroom?”

‘That’s not what happened. I came out to the sitting room when I couldn’t fall asleep and I overheard her”

Wale could see she was uncomfortable. He decided to tease her, “What did you hear?”

“Nothing really. She was just loud. I could hear her voice”

“What was she saying?”

“She wasn’t talking; he was moa….” Then she stopped. She had just realized Wale was teasing her.

“Go on” Wale said with a smile on his lips.

“Mum should be landing Abuja any minute from now. Lets head to the airport”

Farida felt awkward talking to Wale about his sex life. She also felt jealous. Wale seemed to have a good relationship with Tomiwa. Why then was he talking about wooing her? Obviously, he had feelings for the girl.

‘Is Tomiwa the girl doing shakara for you?”

Wale smiled. He looked at Farida and was shocked at how innocent she looked. “She is not the one”

“She is a nice girl, why not consider her?”

“If you come back to me then I won’t consider her”

“Wale, why would you want me? We can’t get married. We can only have a relationship. Your mother will never allow you marry me. I want to be with you but not as your wife”

‘What are you saying? Not as my wife? Let us not even talk about this. When we get to that bridge we will cross it”

They drove into the airport. They didn’t have to wait for long before maami came out of the arrivals. She was pleased to see Wale. He drove them to his house to eat lunch. Tomiwa had prepared the food before they got there. They had lunch together before Wale took them to their hotel.

Farida didn’t tell maami she would be staying with Wale. She didn’t want her to ask too many questions. Luckily it never came up.

Farida told maami all that she had discovered since the last information she got. She knew Sam refused to release the documents. She told maami she had plans on living in London for a long time.

‘Is that your plan with Wale?” maami asked Farida who was taken aback by the question.

“No o. We don’t have any plans”

“The way both of you were looking at each other, I hope you remember you are still a married woman. End one relationship before you start another. I like Wale but I will not want your husband to accuse you of the adultery he is guilty of. You know our country is not merciful to an adulterous woman. Avoid it. Once you tell Sam it is over and file for a divorce then you can start another affair”

“Maami, there is no affair”

“Not with what I saw”

“Didn’t you see his girlfriend? Didn’t you see Tomiwa?”

“His eyes were on you not on her. I know what I am saying. I have nothing against Wale, I like him but it is not the right time”

“Like I said, there is nothing. I want to study Law at once too. I am not rushing home for anything”

“Ok. Not a bad idea but who will fund it?”

“I have my own money and the remaining money from Sam’s father. I can live comfortably in the UK. Wale got me accommodation in the outskirts of London which is a train ride away to the school. When we get there, we will see how it goes”

The next day, Wale came to pick them to the airport. He helped check them in. Iya Farida payed for Wale and went for her clearance not waiting for Farida. Wale and Farida found a private corner to talk. They were here again but this time the roles were reversed. She was the one leaving.

“I know you need to go but I want you to know I will miss you. I will call you everyday. I will come to visit as often as I can. I want you to know that whatever happens, this guy right here loves you and will do anything for you. Just name it”

Farida just walked willingly into Wale arms. She rested her head and his shoulders. He held her close. They were like that for more than five minutes. They listened to each other’s heart beating really fast and in unison. “I will never forget you. This time, I will wait for you. When we get to that bridge, we will figure out how to cross it together”

“I love you Farida”

‘I love you too”

Wale planted a kiss on her forehead and then one her lips. It was light but it was special. They stayed like that for a little more time before they heard people coming that way and they separated. He bade her good bye.

Farida had tears in her eyes and in her heart. She knew a new phase of her life was about to begin. She didn’t know what it held for her but she knew her life would never be the same again.

FARIDA Episode 46 by Oge’s Stories

When she arrived London, the black cab took them to Covent Garden. He stopped in front of a block of flats. It was located in a posh area and looked more luxurious than the houses they passed. The cab driver gave her a package. He told her she was in flat 4. She opened the package while her mom and the cab driver helped her take their things upstairs.

It was a note from Wale.

I got you another apartment because of Sam. I hope you like it. It is a few minutes’ walk to the school. I took the rent from the other place and paid for this one. I have paid for the first two years you will be there.

I miss you already. I wish I could join you over there. It will be selfish of me to distract you. Go and soar. Conquer the world. You can do it.

I will wait for you. If you come back to me, I will be here waiting. You are all that I want. I love you. Always remember that.

Love always,

Wale

She couldn’t believe it. She had paid rent for six months so she could look out for a cheaper accommodation to save money but now she was in a very comfortable studio apartment for two years. What would she do without Wale? How could she have been blind and stupid all this while. He had always looked out for her. Was it because he didn’t pressurize her like others she took his love for granted?

She went upstairs to join her mother. The apartment was clean and ready for use. She took a tour around the apartment. Maami was not tired. She began to unpack. Farida hid the note in her handbag and joined maami.

After putting away all their belongings, they decided to make something light. There were groceries in the house. The fridge and freezer were stock with food. The cupboards too. How did Wale manage all this?

“I know it is Wale’s doing. I like him. If only you listened to reason. I don’t see Sam letting you go. He will fight for you. He will do anything to make this right with you. He believes he can manipulate you. Ah, my Farida, where did you go? How could you have fallen for someone like Sam? He didn’t genuinely love you. How do you love someone and betray the person? Imagine him telling you not have children because he has had his own. This world is very unfair. You stayed in that village with a man to support him and he repaid you like this. No advancement in career; only two promotions. I am happy you have gotten your senses back. I could have said he jazzed you. Do not allow him take you away from here without getting your certificate. No matter what he says, don’t leave here without them. I have said my own”

Farida had made up her mind. Regardless of what happens, she was not leaving London until she had her MSc in her hands. She didn’t care what Sam had to say. If he came around she would tell him she wanted a divorce on the grounds of bigamy. She still held on to his property documents. She took to Sam’s advice; she didn’t want anything from him. All she wanted was a divorce and he would get his property.

Maami went with Farida to her school. They used that opportunity to sightsee. It was exciting for both mother and daughter. Farida concluded her registration. She asked if she could get a job while schooling and she was told there were well paying research jobs which also added points to her academic work. She signed up immediately. She was to commence her studies in September. She hoped the job would come soon so she could use it to while away time.

Every morning, Farida and maami went for walks. They bought fresh bread for breakfast. Farida had cooked her soups and stored in the freezer. She wouldn’t have to cook for months to come. She wanted only fresh ingredients to cook with which she told maami she would have to be sending to her.

A job offer came. Farida was to be a Market research analyst. She was to tap knowledge of different industries and their trends to assess how products or services fare under various economic conditions. The industry she was given was the retail market. The job kept her busy all day. She worked non-stop. She cooked and cleaned and worked.

Farida had been in constant communication with Wale. They talked everyday and Wale ended every conversation with I love you to which Farida replied with same. She was grateful for all Wale did for her. His method of showing love was being caring. She hadn’t spoken to Monica since she found out about Francis. Farida felt betrayed by her and refused to extend the hand of friendship. Worse still, she knew Idara was in her mother’s house bearing children for her brother and she said nothing. The hurt was deep. Very deep.

Farida couldn’t believe she went back to that house. Wale really had a lot of influence on her. How could Sam have believed she had forgiven him? All she wanted was to make him happy. She did things to please him. She was only interested in making him happy. Why then did he betray her like this? She was never going back to him.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sam waited for Her mother’s number too was switched off. the date of Farida’s trip to come and go before he reached out to her. Her numbers were not connecting. He wondered why. He called her mother, her number was switched off. He went to her mother’s house but there was no one home. He saw a neighbor and asked after the family. She told him no one was home. She gave him Ahmad’s number to call. Ahmad picked the call on the second ring.

“Hello, my name is Sam, your sister’s husband. I am at your house now but there is no one home. Where is she?”

“She has travelled”

“Travelled? To where?”

“She went to London. I thought you were aware”

“Aware of what? Please, where is your mother?”

“She travelled with her”

“Can I have their contact?”

“I don’t have a number; they call with call cards. They said phone calls are expensive”

Sam was in a state of shock. Farida actually travelled. How did she get her documents again in such a short time? He was confused. He was sweating. So she actually left without his consent. He would be busy for the next few months but he would have to travel to London to find her.

Sam was moody after he discovered Farida was gone. He snapped at any little provocation. Idara was not spared but she didn’t care. He insisted she remained in Lagos while he worked on bringing back Farida. Idara waited for him to leave Lagos before booking a flight and joining him in Ibeno with the children. Sam was upset. His wives don’t obey him. He insisted Idara goes back or he will divorce but she refused. He refused her sharing the bedroom with him saying it was strictly for himself and Farida. She took the other two rooms for herself and her daughters. There was always a fight or quarrel in the house. Idara refusal to leave caused Sam to ill treat her. Sam’s father had to get involved in the matter. He asked Sam to allow his wife live with him peaceful as Farida would be gone for more than a year.

“Dad, I am going to bring her back. Idara can’t be here when she comes back”

“I am not leaving this house. Go and bring her back, we will live together here. I am no longer going to hide away like a coward. I am the mother of your two children and I am pregnant for the third. I am not leaving you. I am staying here until I am ready to have this child. Hopefully it will be the son you so desired”

“She is pregnant. Allow her stay. She will learn how to take care of you like Farida did. Guide her”

“She can never learn. She is too lazy”

“I was born with a silver spoon unlike your first wife who was born into poverty. She is used to hard work I am not. I will employ people to ensure all your needs are met. You don’t have a problem”

“Will they also have sex with me the way I like it? Would you bring ladies to me to satisfy me? Farida never gets tired but you are always tired. So, I think you need assistance in that department”

Idara was shocked at Sam comment. Saying it in front of his father who she knew was also a chronic womanizer made her feel inadequate. Was that the hold Farida had on him? She couldn’t give him children but she turned his head with sex. She decided to be spiteful.

“Well, I get tired because I can have children. The one that can’t have doesn’t get tired”

Sam slapped Idara for that comment. He had been warning her to stop calling Farida barren but she wouldn’t listen. Idara was shocked. She tried to say something else and another slap landed on the other cheek. Sam’s father had to hold his son to stop.

“I married you because I wanted to fulfil an agreement and also to have children. I didn’t marry you because I loved you or you had any value to add to my life. I married Farida because she is smart and valuable. I discovered she is a good homemaker, hardworking, and very good in bed. She is more valuable to me than you are. So, if you disrespect her, I will divorce you and marry someone else”

Idara didn’t believe Sam’s undying love for Farida was ordinary. She suspected she had done something to make Sam not to be without her. Imagine Sam slapping her because of Farida. She had to go for prayers. Sam had to be released from Farida’s stronghold. She knew what to do.

Sam’s father took his son into the study and had a talk with him.

“You don’t hit a woman no matter what”

“I have warned her on numerous occasions not to call Farida barren. She doesn’t respect or obey me. She is a spoilt brat. She is lazy and completely disorganized. I can’t live with her. I am bringing Farida back so she has to leave”

“Please, leave Farida to acquire her second degree in peace. You can visit her as often as you like but don’t force her to come back. If she does, the house won’t accommodate all of you. Idara is feeling that you didn’t love but used her to have children. She won’t leave this house and rightfully so. You need to work on Farida knowing about the situation so when she comes back, she will be prepared”

“Idara is troublesome and mouthy. Farida can never talk back at me in your presence the way Idara does. If not for the children, I would have sent her away”

“You didn’t like her but you got her pregnant again. She is bad in bed but you were having sex with her. What is really your problem? You have to learn to manage both of them. If it is Farida that is making you act like you have lost your senses then go and see her so your body can come down”

“I intend to go when we are through with the project and commission it”

“Ok. Apologise to Idara and treat her right please”

“I have heard you dad”

———————————————————————————–

One morning, in mid-August, Farida collapsed in the bathroom. Her mother heard a stomp and rushed into the bathroom. She saw Farida on the floor unconscious. She was scared and didn’t know what to do. In tears, she picked up Farida’s phone which was unlocked and called Wale. Wale asked her to call 999 immediately. She did and they asked for her address which she gave them. They were there within minutes. While waiting for them, she tried to make Farida look decent but she couldn’t move her to wear her clothes as she was naked.

Farida was rushed to the emergency room of the hospital. The medical team trying to revive asked her mother questions. Some she could answer, most she couldn’t answer. Farida was immediately admitted and tests were conducted on her. Her mother refused to leave her side as she was worried her child was about to die.

One of the doctors came to see her. She asked her if she was Yoruba and she said yes. The doctor then spoke to her in Yoruba. She calmed her down and asked her if her daughter had been eating very well of late.

“She has a job which keeps her busy. She hardly eats”

“But for her condition she is supposed to eat very well and take her medication”

Iya Farida became more scared. She looked at the doctor, grabbed her two hands and asked her, “What condition? What is wrong with my daughter?”

“Relax ma, your daughter is fine. She is only pregnant”

“Pregnant? Farida is pregnant? I can’t believe this. Farida pregnant ke? I don’t believe you. Run the test again”

“We ran the test twice. It’s confirmed; she is pregnant”

“Ah! Farida has killed me. Who is this pregnancy for?” she said talking to herself.

“Calm down. She will wake up soon. She needs rest”

Maami was by Farida’s side. When Wale called, she told him she was still unconscious. He asked for the diagnosis but she said she was not told anything. She didn’t want to tell him. It was in Farida’s place to tell

him herself.

Eventually Farida woke up. The doctors examined her again and then asked her when her last menstrual period was. She tried to recall. It was awhile ago.

“You didn’t take care of yourself in this condition. Have you started antenatal?”

“Antenatal for what?”

“Are you not aware you are pregnant?”

“No, I am not”

“Yes, you are. You will be having an ultrasound done by 2pm today. We want to check the condition of the baby”

“Which baby? I am not pregnant and I have never been pregnant. How would I be pregnant and I wouldn’t know?”

“It is possible. We will keep you here for further observation”

Farida couldn’t look at her mother in the face. How did she get pregnant? Do people get pregnant from kissing? She knew it wasn’t possible. Her mother had a suspicious look on her face. She told her mother she doesn’t know how come she was pregnant.

“You don’t really know? Did you have sex with Wale? I saw the way both of you were all over each other. Are you sure you didn’t cross the boundary with him?”

“No maami. We only kissed. Can someone get pregnant from kissing?”

“Kissing leads to other things. What happened after the kissing?”

“Nothing. We just kissed briefly and that was it”

“How can a legally married woman be frolicking with a single man? Now you are pregnant. Who will believe you? You stayed in a man’s house and you both kissed and nothing happened afterwards? I don’t believe that”

Farida was upset with maami’s reaction. Didn’t she trust her anymore? She told her the truth; they just kissed. Why was she emphasizing on it?

Just then, she was wheeled out to have the ultrasound done. Maami went with her. The sonographer asked her some questions while she did the scan. Then she explained what they were seeing on the screen.

“Do you have a history of twins in your family? I can see two sacs”

“Yes, I have twin brothers”

“Well, you are having twins. From the scan you are sixteen weeks gone. Your babies are doing well and have met milestones. You need to take it easy and rest”

Farida looked at her mother. Twins? She was pregnant?

“Please, around what time could I have conceived?”

“At about late March or April”

Farida turned to her mother and said, “Maami, Sam is the father”

They both sat down in total silence. Maami was happy that it was Sam but didn’t want to show it as it affected Farida.

Farida was upset with the news. For how many years she desired this pregnancy but I didn’t come. When she had left their father, it decided to come and it came in double portion. She was upset. What now happens to her relationship with Wale? Her education? Would she have to quit school and come back to Nigeria? Would she have to reconcile with Sam? It was too overwhelming for her that she burst into tears at the ward. Maami was frightened and asked her,

“What is it?”

“I don’t want these babies. I don’t want them now”

“You want these babies. You have waited for them for so long and they came silently. If you had known they existed, you would have removed them but now they appeared without warning or any sign at all. You can do nothing about them. It has always been my earnest prayer that you have at least a child in your home so it will not be said of you that you are barren. It has happened. I am grateful to God. You should be too”

‘What of Wale? What of school? My job? I don’t want to be with Sam anymore. What happens?”

“You are a married woman and can’t be talking about a boyfriend. Focus on school and your job but you have to eat well and be healthy. If Sam comes, let him know what has happened. But, you mustn’t be with him. Tell him you want a divorce; I will never support what he did. Only when you are legally single can we talk about Wale”

‘I think this is unfair to Wale and I. How will I tell Wale about this? How do I explain how it happened?”

“You lived with a man. Was he expecting you to deny your husband sex?”

“Maami I am confused”

“You are pregnant. Today should be your most joyful day. Be happy; forget about Sam and Wale for now.

After how many years and without IVF you are pregnant with twins. What more do you want?”

#OpraDre FARIDA 45

Remember to drop a comment. Thank you.