Chapter 18



"We're here to see doctor Kumar" Segun said to the lady at the reception
"Do you have an appointment?" She asked smiling
"Tell him he has visitors from Nigeria" Rain stated
"Okay, please have a seat" she motioned to the empty seats in the waiting room and left.

"You can go and see him" she returned after a minute.

"Come in. You're welcome, have a seat" the bald man drawled in an Indian accent. "How may I help you?"

Rain looked at Segun and when he nodded, she began.

"Good evening father".
Dr. Kumar took off his glasses and scrutinized them closely.
" Unbelievable! Sherr...
"Segun, it's Segun" Segun added a bit irritated.
"Wow, I didn't know I'd see you again "This is awesome, how's your Mom? Young lady, you're welcome.
"Is she your sister? " he said referring to Rain.
"Your daughter? Remember, Nana, my mom, Sally..she was smiling so much you'd think she'll hurt her face.
" You have no idea dad, I've wanted to meet you all my life" Rain grinned widely.
"How is your grandmom Rain? I hope she's forgiven me?"
"Forgiven you, for me what, what did you do?" Her eyes bored into his
"Oh she did..n't tell you?"
"Tell me what Dad, what are you talking about?"
"Uh, his mouth twitched. I..uh.. was unfair to her, I mean your Mom, by it's all in the past now, we couldn't be together you know so I figured it was better I left, but I did it wrongly. He nibbled on his pen. I cheated on her...

"With her best friend, my Mom isn't it? Isn't that what happened?!" Segun growled, Rain went white.

She interrupted the silence as she regained composure. "I don't believe this Segun, why didn't you say this all this while? And to her father she began, " what do you mean by saying you weren't meant to be together?"
"Your Mom was my half sister it appeared your grandma had an affair with my dad which made our affair an incest. But your grandmother then, if I can remember never approved our relationship she thought I didn't mean well for her daughter, and like she would say, she wouldn't want history to repeat itself".

" And she was right, you ditched my mom after making her fall in love with you just like your father had done".

"Your Mom Sally was strong headed, she wouldn't listen even though I wanted her to abort you so everything will be normal again. I guess your grandmother found out and that became the beginning of her spite for me. I had no choice but to leave. Already as it were, she accrued the calamities the town was facing on account of my atrocities" he peered through this glasses and continued. But well, I'm glad she didn't oblige, who would have known I had such gorgeous children during my youthful exuberance "
"What about your mom Segun?"

"You can ask her that when you meet her, he pulled out a gun. This is for my mother".

Boom!

Rain found both of them on the floor. It happened so fast. She tried to reach him, to block him but he already fired. She must have pushed him that explains why didn't they were on the floor. Before Rain could realise what was going on, the room was filled with people, shouting and screaming ontop of their voices.

" Call an ambulance!" Someone yelled." She ran to the body sprawled on the floor and covered in blood. Dad! Dad! Wake up". He stirred a bit
"Arrest them, murderers!" She turned and saw Segun, his face twisted and then they were bundled out.


What do you guys think about this chapter?

Rain stubbornness has gotten her into a mess.
I can't fathom why she wouldn't forgive and hear her granny out, no matter what happened, she took her in since the day was born, surely she meant well for her. I just pray it won't be too late for her to ask for forgiveness and reconcile with her mum.

Too short after making me check for update at least four times a day for more than a week.





Segun has this dark aura all this while. Why take Rain along with him to commit crime. Rain is foolish, didn't I tell her that she should seek out her grandma first and not run off with a stranger? See the kind mess she got herself in. I didn't see them having fun on the trip sef.

Ma please let next update be quick and long.
Weldon

Chommieblaq:
Rain stubbornness has gotten her into a mess.
I can't fathom why she wouldn't forgive and hear her granny out, no matter what happened, she took her in since the day was born, surely she meant well for her. I just pray it won't be too late for her to ask for forgiveness and reconcile with her mum.

Don't mind Rain. I hope it won't be too late too o

Pearl05:
Too short after making me check for update at least four times a day for more than a week.





Segun has this dark aura all this while. Why take Rain along with him to commit crime. Rain is foolish, didn't I tell her that she should seek out her grandma first and not run off with a stranger? See the kind mess she got herself in. I didn't see them having fun on the trip sef.

Ma please let next update be quick and long.
Weldon

Especially for you, I will

Rain, May you be vindicated. That's my prayer for you.

Hmmmmmmmm RAIN

Having a gun must have been Segun's insistence on traveling on land so as to prevent the airport authorities from knowing he's carrying a weapon...

Chapter 19


His hands were bleeding against the iron bars he was leaning on. He had punched the walls hard with his fists repeatedly till they were crushed and bled, like his soul.

"How would you feel if you woke up one morning to find the only person you love dead? How would you feel when you realize she poisoned herself? She didn't even think, one bit how I'd feel".

Rain gave no response, she straightened her slanted head when he began to talk but kept mute.
" He killed her".
Rain opened her mouth to speak but decided against it.

"Do you think I regret my actions today?" Doesn't he deserve to die?he took our loved ones away from us dammit!" When she still gave no response, he yelled "say something!"

"Are you? Really, are you just saying all these to me?" She stood up and walked over to his side then stopped.

"You're foolish. I'm just surprised I didn't see this coming. I believed and followed you all along cos I thought you were sensible and strong, but I was wrong. You're weak. You're not different from your Mom".

He turned and glared at her" Don't ever talk to me like that again"..

"Or what, Segun? What will you do? Shoot me like you shot dad? She scoffed.
" He's not my dad!".

"Really? You think you're the only one who's hurt? My own father wanted me aborted and he had the guts to tell me to my face! I could shoot him, like you and not regret it. She placed her hand on his hands. But I won't, why shoot a man who's already dead at heart. She turned his palms to look at the back of his hand. He wasn't worth this Segun"..

He broke into tears " I'm sorry.. I... I don't know what came over me. It..it was...I was..

"Shhhh... come here" she drew him in a hug, her tears flowed unto his shoulders. "We'll be fine ".


They broke from each others embrace when they heard someone unlock the keys.
" Immigration officers are here to question you" the jailer said and led them to the entrance.

"So where are your passports you criminals we didn't find them in your belongings" one of the officers said, Rains head was down and Segun remained silent too.

"Are you both deaf?" He yelled at them.
" Hold on, let me talk to them I'm a Nigerian so I know how to handle them. Rain lifted her head when she heard the voice.

"Michael!" Her jaw went slack.

"Rain? He was struck by surprise where have you been? How..."

"It's a long story" she cuts him.

"What's going on here?" The second officer exclaimed.

"I think I've just found my long lost sister" he lied.

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

She retrieved her belongings the next day and thanked the officers before leaving.

" I can't thank you enough Michael, you're a savior ".

"It's the least I could do c'mon what are friends for or should I say siblings ". He joked.
She nudged him and laughed. " you haven't changed ".
" But you have. The Rain I know wouldn't get herself involved in such a mess. You were smarter than this. How did you even know this guy?" He asked referring to Segun.

She laughed and shook her head "it's a long story"

"I have plenty of time, it's still two hours before your flight".

"I don't...have. Time. I mean not like that, of course I want to spend more time with you, and learn of everything going on in your life, and how you ended up here, like old times. She sighed. But like I said, there's something I need to do and scores to straightened and it's urgent. I must return home immediately".

" Sure, I understand".

"Thank you. But first, I want to go see my Dad".

He nodded and drove her to the hospital.

" How do we see again? " he asked her when they got to the door.

"I'll be in Nigeria".

" Where in Nigeria? "

"You know how to find me" they held each others gaze for a while. Then he hugged her affectionately. His chest was strong and warm and he smelled of lavender.

She almost decided to change her mind about leaving.

"I'll find you. I promise" then he bent a little and kissed her cheeks.

"Take care of yourself and don't get into trouble".
She smiled, her cheeks still burning from his touch "okay" she replied. And they exchanged byes before he drove off.

She entered the ward she was directed to and paused when she saw her Dad lying on the bed, a woman and two kids sat beside him.

"Good evening".

" Rain...you c..ame" he struggled to talk. The other occupants of the room simply stared at her like she had just come out from a cemetery.

"Yes. I wanted to check on you to see how you're doing and to tell you I'm leaving".

" This is Rain, she's my.. daughter. Rain meet my...my wife a..nd..
He stopped and coughed.
"Sorry" they all chorused, the woman patted his arms.

"It's enough. The doctor said you shouldn't talk, it's too tasking for your state right now" his wife ordered and gave him a glass of water.

"Thank you" he said after drinking then with a nod he asked them to excuse him.

"What about yo..ur brother?" He asked after they left.

"We were, we was, he was imprisoned" she stuttered.

"Oh..
" He was charged for attempted murder and is to serve 3months in prison. Thank God a friend intervened and well..you didn't die".

"Rain, I'm s..oorry, I wish I... can.. make it up..
" You can't and you don't have to. Segun's mom is dead, she committed suicide and he blamed you for it. But I've tried talking to him to help him see that anger and revenge is not what he needs. He needs someone to be there for him and I will be there for him. Dad, I know he's not acted right but same as you, please try visit him when you get discharged. I promise you he's changed his mind about you. Just give it a try.
He noddrd wuth understanding.
"We've forgiven you, I've forgiven you and I didn't come back just to relive the past or place blames, but to let you know I'm leaving and I'm glad I've finally met you ". She held his hands and squeezed them. " Get well soon Dad and please don't abandon these cuties, again". She smiled.

Tears rolled down his eyes as he nodded.

"Bye dad. She kissed his forehead. I'll keep in touch".

Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

gracile:
Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

Present ma

Thanks for the more to come quickly

gracile:
Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

Nice update.... It's getting more interesting

Those of you by the window peeping, Hi.
You can come in and have a seat.

gracile:
Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

i Don Land,tank U

gracile:
Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

Am present

Gracile I'm sorry. I give u permission to flog me sef

EvaJael:
Gracile I'm sorry. I give u permission to flog me sef

I am her P.A.. oya bring your back.

gracile:
Pearl05, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra, beosten and all of you..
You don't want to miss this update.

Nice update, thanks sis

EvaJael:
Gracile I'm sorry. I give u permission to flog me sef

Ah, ejor na me need that flogging
For my absenteeism to class(hidden diamonds) and for my irregular updates

princ007:
I am her P.A.. oya bring your back.

Eh if you flog anybody in this class I will disP.A you o

gracile:

Eh if you flog anybody in this class I will disP.A you o

Lol, okay oh i hear you

Chapter 20


As she approached the house, the many slippers on their doorstep allayed her fears.
Something was definitely wrong, she has been feeling it for days now and her instincts don't deceive.
She entered the house counting her steps, a thousand eyes landed on her immediately she entered and everywhere turned quiet, instantly.
"Where is Nana?"
They began to murmur aside.
She ran to her grandma's room and screamed 'Nana'!
She went round the rooms and kept shouting 'Nana'! And bumping into people. They were the least of her cares right now.
She returned to where they were gathered in the sitting room.
"Where is Nana? Somebody answer me! She barked.
" Calm down, Rain, calm down ..
"Don't tell me to calm down, I want to see Nana, where is my Nana? Someone should answer me, please!"

"Nana is dead".

The exclamation was followed with hmmms, hissing and shaking of head.

Rain started to laugh, " you are a joker, you are all joking you don't know what you're saying ".

The lady came to stand beside her and held her, she was crying. "Rain, Nana died four days ago, we can't believe it ourselves..

"Shut up, j..just sh..ut up" her eyes were up and then screamed "Nooooo!" She collapsed to the floor and continued to scream till her throat became dry and she had no voice. The voices around her became distant and dissolved into the air.
Nana's voice was all over her head and she could picture the last time she saw her, she was weeping, weeping for something she was innocent about. She tried to explain but was not given the chance.

"I'm sorry, Nana, please forgive me, don't leave please" she let the tears flow freely as she stared vacantly, more bittered than shattered.
The sympathizers didn't go and it annoyed her, "they should all just leave her alone, so she can kill herself" she hoped. They patted her and some scolded her each time her voice pitched into a loud scream, the rest of the time she just groaned, swallowing the pains.
She went on that way for days, refusing to eat anything or talk to anyone. Her once bright beautiful eyes now dark and swollen and her frame got limp and weak by the day.
"Eat something. Do you want yourself?" Her close friend advised.

" I killed her".

"You didn't, stop saying that. Nana was I'll, she died of a heart failure. You didn't cause it".

"But I could stop it, I'm a cardiologist for Christ sake!" Fresh tears began to fall. I should have been her..for her..but I wasn't "

Her friend drew her into hug, and patting her said "it's not yours or anyone's doing my friend, please stop making this to hard for yourself, there's already too much for you to take. I know how close you both were, and you miss her, we all do. Nana was a nice woman it's painful but you have to be strong and be easy on yourself my dear". She continued to cuddle for some minutes then withdrew and left to ho get her some food. By the time she came back, Rain wasn't in. She searched every corner in the house but Rain was no where to be found.
She ran to the backyard and there she was, sprawled upon her grandma's grave.

" Rain, Rain," she called but got no response. So she drew closer and tried to yank her away, but Rain won't budge but insisted to be left alone. Her friend had to rush in and find someone else to help her help Rain. The both of them(she and another Lady) were finally able to drag her away from the grave, even though she kept on crying and screaming " Come back Nana, I'm sorry, ple...eaa..sse!".

Hmmmmmm Nana Is Die

Toyin223:
Hmmmmmm Nana Is Die

I tell you, she died

Awwww y did Nana die na.

crislyn:
Awwww y did Nana die na.

i guess her time is up ni

Chapter 20

Three months later

The afternoon sun was hot and seemed to pierce through the walls of the old two bedroom flat. This time of the day was usually quiet in the village as children slept after their heavy lunch of tuwo while parents rested under the shades of trees in their compounds.
Rain was seated in the sitting room which she had turned to her office, where she attended to the sick and injured poor villagers. The old sofas which were formerly arranged in a round fashion was now pushed to the far corner of the room and arranged linearly. It served useful as a reception area for her patients. Two adults sat there, one, the man had dozed off while the woman watched keenly at what she was doing.
She was diagnosing a younger lady, who was in her teen. Her parents had brought her two weeks earlier to run a pregnancy test on her and were told to come back today for a recheck as the result had been negative and she suspected it was probably because it was too early to be detected. While they wait for the result to show because she used her blood sample for the test, she decided to run physical check on the young girl.
First she checked her weight, then her temperature, her blood pressure and recorded the results as she did. The young girl just kept watching her in fascination. Next, she asked her to lie down straight on the bed then she opened her both eyelids and after brief observation she moved to her abdomen, pressing them lightly with her fingers. Then she put on her stethoscope and listened for her pulse rate. She told the girl to stand up and sit while she checked the result of the blood test.
After confirming it positive she called the parents over and related the result to them advising them of necessary lifestyle changes the girl would pass through and how to handle each, warning them not to let her forget her ante natal visits. She however didn't fail to warn them not to be hard or harsh on her sue to her condition as was the reaction of most parents when the children bring home an unwanted pregnancy.
After the session, they thanked her profusely and left.
It was 2:00pm, her break time, the villagers were aware so they didn't come around that time till her break was over. She remembered her plan to call Seguns' lines again, it was three months already and by her calculations he should be out of the prison by now yet she has heard nothing from him. She dropped the phone when she got the same annoying "the number you're trying to call is not available at the moment, please try again later"
She held onto the phone while she deliberated whether to call Meggy or not. They had spoken over the phone just this morning and she seemed in a hurry to go though she didn't tell. But she understands how busy she has become lately. Not that she wasn't happy that her friend is finally fulfilling her dreams of being in the entertainment industry as showbiz has always been her thing even though she was deceiving herself and her parents studying medicine in the university; she just misses her company or to be more honest she needed company, and so resorted into bothering poor Meggy even though she knows very well that Meggy would never see her calls as a bother. She dropped the phone after putting on a music from her favorite genre - 'Soul'. She went on to the kitchen to put together some lunch while she sang along to Adele's 'I'll set fire to the rain'.
Truth be told, contrary to the 'concerned' villagers belief, she was having no problems being alone. The selfless free health service she renders to the poor villagers gave her enough. Though it was mostlyher late grandma, Nana she was doing it for. She thought this could at least atone for her unforgivable treatment towards her grandma that led to her neglect. Therefore, ever since her death three months ago she has vowed to never abandon any sick person and to spend the rest of her live helping the poor to the best of her ability.
The villagers were immensely grateful to her and the chief (sarki) has offered a title to her which she politely refused but despite her attempts at refusing their gifts of love, they kept on showering her with food items and goats and chickens so much that she wouldn't be able to exhaust them all alone in a year.
She turned the stove on and placed a pot containing water for her garrii. She had leftover egusi soup and therefore anticipated a lunch of her favorite food, EBA and egusi. The weather outside changed from sunny to cloudy and the sky threatened to rain a heavy downpour. She shut the windows and turned on her large rechargeable lantern before grabbing a stool to sit. Folding her arms and crossing her legs she watched intently at the pot on the stove as she let her mind wander off.
Maybe, the villagers are right, she needed to settle down if not for love, because that seemed impossible at the moment, at least for the sake of companionship. Suitors were not a problem, they flocked all around her, disturbing her since the death of her grandmum. She knew they thought she was vulnerable and decided to seize the opportunity. Fine suitors, within and outside the village have been begging for her hand in marriage. Some even came from abroad which made her surprise, she didn't know her village produced such successful elite and educated men. The few ones around didn't have the boldness to approach her knowing her educational background and profession especially, scared them away.
But she was happy and quite content being single after all, love is not what's most important to her right now. All she focuses on most is the health condition of her people and seeking solutions to them. She gets her satisfaction from the relief and compulsive appreciation from her patients.
She thought of Michael and wondered what he's up to now. They hadn't had a chance to talk the last time. The loud rumble of thunder brought her thoughts back home. She flew in an instant to check what she put on fire it was already boiling and quickly she grabbed the sack of her garri and began mixing her EBA.
She thought she heard the door shut but decided to ignore it as it could be the wind blowing against the door. She served herself on one plate and with the fluorescent light on one hand, her lunch on the other, she returned to the living room or rather her office.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

No this must be another game her mind is playing on her.
She dropped what she was holding on the table and called to the smiling slightly drenched figure before her
"Michael! What how did you get here?"
"Why are you looking surprised? Were you not expecting me?"
"No, yes you said you would find me but..."
"You didn't think I was serious did you, you thought I wouldn't come for you?"
"No I just, not like this
" Okay I'm sorry I.. barged in like this, the rain was heavy and nobody was answering the door so I had to..
"No, it's okay it's fine c'mon you're not a stranger. You're welcome". She said without looking away from his eyes.

The music player was playing 'All of me' by John Legend now.

She went in and came back with a towel.
" Oh thank you. He collected it and took off his jacket before sitting down. Sorry about your grand mum, it's really a shock".

A wry smile was all she could manage.

"I'm glad you're holding up pretty well" he said briefly scanning the house. Knowing how close you both were, I can understand how much you miss her".

"You have no idea Michael, it's terribly lonely here. Their eyes lock for a second. Anyway, did you happen to learn anything about segun?".

" Oh yeah, sure, we were together a day to my flight, that was two days ago and according to him he'll be returning to Nigeria today. Yeah. He's been released ".

" Wow that's great news. But why didn't he call as promised, he should have told me".

"He will. I'm sure he will. I also gave my number to him and he promised to call whenever he got a new phone he wants to start afresh".

" Good for him". So how long do you plan on staying? ".

" That depends on you". He smirked.

"How do you mean?" She tried not to smile back.

"Well. Okay. He breathed deeply. I see you haven't changed, always wanting it in black and white". Then he stepped forward and knelt with one knee. His left hands moved to his pocket and came out with a ring. He paused midway when Rain broke out laughing, her hands over her mouth.
" Sorry, sorry, sorry this us stupid. Not you, I mean, me, laughing. Why am I laughing?".
He lost his self control and joined her guffawing.
"Okay let's be serious now. I don't even know what's funny here".
" You're right. Then she cleared her throat and watched him intently.
He cleared his throat too and began.

"I've always dreamt and wanted to marry my friend. Someone we both share memories with. Someone, I'm me with. Today, I have not only discovered that friend but I am also happy that she is not just a friend, but a sister, a mother, a doctor, a great woman with a heart of gold.
Rain, will you be this woman of my dreams, will you be the mother of my kids? Will you make me the happiest man on earth by agreeing to be my wife?".
" Oh no, she tilted her face sideways. I can't Michael " a small frown played on her face.
"I..I can't. Say no". A smile escaped her lips.
He couldn't hide his joy as he stood up and in one swoop swept her off her feet, into the air. He swirled her around and around till she was dizzy and begged to be brought down.
" On one condition he whispered, may I kiss you? "
She looked into his eyes, relief washed upon her and right there she knew. She closed her eyes and waited to relish the beauty of a new beginning.




THE END

Tiffanyj, royver, oluwabuqqYOLO, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra,

gracile:
Chapter 20

Three months later

The afternoon sun was hot and seemed to pierce through the walls of the old two bedroom flat. This time of the day was usually quiet in the village as children slept after their heavy lunch of tuwo while parents rested under the shades of trees in their compounds.
Rain was seated in the sitting room which she had turned to her office, where she attended to the sick and injured poor villagers. The old sofas which were formerly arranged in a round fashion was now pushed to the far corner of the room and arranged linearly. It served useful as a reception area for her patients. Two adults sat there, one, the man had dozed off while the woman watched keenly at what she was doing.
She was diagnosing a younger lady, who was in her teen. Her parents had brought her two weeks earlier to run a pregnancy test on her and were told to come back today for a recheck as the result had been negative and she suspected it was probably because it was too early to be detected. While they wait for the result to show because she used her blood sample for the test, she decided to run physical check on the young girl.
First she checked her weight, then her temperature, her blood pressure and recorded the results as she did. The young girl just kept watching her in fascination. Next, she asked her to lie down straight on the bed then she opened her both eyelids and after brief observation she moved to her abdomen, pressing them lightly with her fingers. Then she put on her stethoscope and listened for her pulse rate. She told the girl to stand up and sit while she checked the result of the blood test.
After confirming it positive she called the parents over and related the result to them advising them of necessary lifestyle changes the girl would pass through and how to handle each, warning them not to let her forget her ante natal visits. She however didn't fail to warn them not to be hard or harsh on her sue to her condition as was the reaction of most parents when the children bring home an unwanted pregnancy.
After the session, they thanked her profusely and left.
It was 2:00pm, her break time, the villagers were aware so they didn't come around that time till her break was over. She remembered her plan to call Seguns' lines again, it was three months already and by her calculations he should be out of the prison by now yet she has heard nothing from him. She dropped the phone when she got the same annoying "the number you're trying to call is not available at the moment, please try again later"
She held onto the phone while she deliberated whether to call Meggy or not. They had spoken over the phone just this morning and she seemed in a hurry to go though she didn't tell. But she understands how busy she has become lately. Not that she wasn't happy that her friend is finally fulfilling her dreams of being in the entertainment industry as showbiz has always been her thing even though she was deceiving herself and her parents studying medicine in the university; she just misses her company or to be more honest she needed company, and so resorted into bothering poor Meggy even though she knows very well that Meggy would never see her calls as a bother. She dropped the phone after putting on a music from her favorite genre - 'Soul'. She went on to the kitchen to put together some lunch while she sang along to Adele's 'I'll set fire to the rain'.
Truth be told, contrary to the 'concerned' villagers belief, she was having no problems being alone. The selfless free health service she renders to the poor villagers gave her enough. Though it was mostlyher late grandma, Nana she was doing it for. She thought this could at least atone for her unforgivable treatment towards her grandma that led to her neglect. Therefore, ever since her death three months ago she has vowed to never abandon any sick person and to spend the rest of her live helping the poor to the best of her ability.
The villagers were immensely grateful to her and the chief (sarki) has offered a title to her which she politely refused but despite her attempts at refusing their gifts of love, they kept on showering her with food items and goats and chickens so much that she wouldn't be able to exhaust them all alone in a year.
She turned the stove on and placed a pot containing water for her garrii. She had leftover egusi soup and therefore anticipated a lunch of her favorite food, EBA and egusi. The weather outside changed from sunny to cloudy and the sky threatened to rain a heavy downpour. She shut the windows and turned on her large rechargeable lantern before grabbing a stool to sit. Folding her arms and crossing her legs she watched intently at the pot on the stove as she let her mind wander off.
Maybe, the villagers are right, she needed to settle down if not for love, because that seemed impossible at the moment, at least for the sake of companionship. Suitors were not a problem, they flocked all around her, disturbing her since the death of her grandmum. She knew they thought she was vulnerable and decided to seize the opportunity. Fine suitors, within and outside the village have been begging for her hand in marriage. Some even came from abroad which made her surprise, she didn't know her village produced such successful elite and educated men. The few ones around didn't have the boldness to approach her knowing her educational background and profession especially, scared them away.
But she was happy and quite content being single after all, love is not what's most important to her right now. All she focuses on most is the health condition of her people and seeking solutions to them. She gets her satisfaction from the relief and compulsive appreciation from her patients.
She thought of Michael and wondered what he's up to now. They hadn't had a chance to talk the last time. The loud rumble of thunder brought her thoughts back home. She flew in an instant to check what she put on fire it was already boiling and quickly she grabbed the sack of her garri and began mixing her EBA.
She thought she heard the door shut but decided to ignore it as it could be the wind blowing against the door. She served herself on one plate and with the fluorescent light on one hand, her lunch on the other, she returned to the living room or rather her office.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

No this must be another game her mind is playing on her.
She dropped what she was holding on the table and called to the smiling slightly drenched figure before her
"Michael! What how did you get here?"
"Why are you looking surprised? Were you not expecting me?"
"No, yes you said you would find me but..."
"You didn't think I was serious did you, you thought I wouldn't come for you?"
"No I just, not like this
" Okay I'm sorry I.. barged in like this, the rain was heavy and nobody was answering the door so I had to..
"No, it's okay it's fine c'mon you're not a stranger. You're welcome". She said without looking away from his eyes.

The music player was playing 'All of me' by John Legend now.

She went in and came back with a towel.
" Oh thank you. He collected it and took off his jacket before sitting down. Sorry about your grand mum, it's really a shock".

A wry smile was all she could manage.

"I'm glad you're holding up pretty well" he said briefly scanning the house. Knowing how close you both were, I can understand how much you miss her".

"You have no idea Michael, it's terribly lonely here. Their eyes lock for a second. Anyway, did you happen to learn anything about segun?".

" Oh yeah, sure, we were together a day to my flight, that was two days ago and according to him he'll be returning to Nigeria today. Yeah. He's been released ".

" Wow that's great news. But why didn't he call as promised, he should have told me".

"He will. I'm sure he will. I also gave my number to him and he promised to call whenever he got a new phone he wants to start afresh".

" Good for him". So how long do you plan on staying? ".

" That depends on you". He smirked.

"How do you mean?" She tried not to smile back.

"Well. Okay. He breathed deeply. I see you haven't changed, always wanting it in black and white". Then he stepped forward and knelt with one knee. His left hands moved to his pocket and came out with a ring. He paused midway when Rain broke out laughing, her hands over her mouth.
" Sorry, sorry, sorry this us stupid. Not you, I mean, me, laughing. Why am I laughing?".
He lost his self control and joined her guffawing.
"Okay let's be serious now. I don't even know what's funny here".
" You're right. Then she cleared her throat and watched him intently.
He cleared his throat too and began.

"I've always dreamt and wanted to marry my friend. Someone we both share memories with. Someone, I'm me with. Today, I have not only discovered that friend but I am also happy that she is not just a friend, but a sister, a mother, a doctor, a great woman with a heart of gold.
Rain, will you be this woman of my dreams, will you be the mother of my kids? Will you make me the happiest man on earth by agreeing to be my wife?".
" Oh no, she tilted her face sideways. I can't Michael " a small frown played on her face.
"I..I can't. Say no". A smile escaped her lips.
He couldn't hide his joy as he stood up and in one swoop swept her off her feet, into the air. He swirled her around and around till she was dizzy and begged to be brought down.
" On one condition he whispered, may I kiss you? "
She looked into his eyes, relief washed upon her and right there she knew. She closed her eyes and waited to relish the beauty of a new beginning.




THE END

This is beautiful ma. You can give us the sequel please. Where she gets married with maybe her father and segun and magg in attendance.

gracile:
Tiffanyj, royver, oluwabuqqYOLO, Toyin223, muhawal001, princ007, Rhayne, Crislyn, oluwabuqqyYOLO, vakjay08, synanza1, Nickibeauty, tiffanyj, dupsai, marychommy, swankmee, kelvinhilton, Evajael, skimpledawg, DiegoNakel, mamakendra,

Happy Ending, Weldone Sister

This is beautiful Gracile, I so much love the story and the way it ended. May the Lord bless your heart darling. More grace, strength and inspiration.

Pearl05:




This is beautiful ma. You can give us the sequel please. Where she gets married with maybe her father and segun and magg in attendance.

Wow, I didn't even think of that! Sounds interesting to me. Noted. And thank you so much you encouraged and inspired me a lot