ONE



Freda looked through the window of the taxi as it steered through her parents’ street. Although it’s been a few years since she left, things have not changed a bit. She felt nostalgic. A few children were roaming the estate, the few adults she met on the drive were thankfully not familiar so she didn’t need anyone to know she was back. She never thought of coming back but like Temmy said to her, it was time to move on.

 Maybe this is part of her healing process. There was a time that coming back was taboo but looking at her current state, she knew she’s passed that phase now.

 She had cut off connection with everyone she knew in Lagos, even went ahead to change her phone number and nobody had access to her, except Temmy and her sister Helen and that had been months after she settled down and decided to make contact after deep thought.

 She was too hurt to think of anybody else other than herself and her baby.

 Even her social media handles have been dormant for a while. She needed the time to focus on herself and her healing.

“Aunty welcome, long time,” Salisu the gateman smiled and waved at her as the driver drove through her parents' gate after he confirmed from her if it was her destination.

She adjusted her sleeping son in her arms and smiled at Salisu.

She waited for the driver to park properly before she opened the door and alighted.  She saw her mother come through the entrance as if she’s been waiting for her all day which she probably has been doing.

“My darling,” she beamed.

The joy she felt was written all over her face. She knelt by the car, looking to the heavens in thanks and with happy tears.

“Mummy,” She called in her emotional voice.

“How are you?” She patted her cheeks then reached out for the sleeping boy.

 Freda was sure that if not for the boy, she would have been smothered in her mother's embrace.

“Mummy I am fine, I am so glad to be back.” She smiled back holding the hand to her cheek.

“I am so happy to have you back. Those video calls are not my thing and you know.”

“It’s work mummy and I have explained severally.”

“Work or you running away from your fears or should I call it challenges?”

“Mom, I don’t want to go into that right now. Let’s bask in the joy of my presence. I even brought a plus one.” She teased.

“Darling, I am ready to wait till you are ready to talk but you know your father. Since he learned that you were coming home, he has been insisting on you doing the proper thing.”

“Which is?” Freda asked.

“That’s everything madam,” the driver interrupted their conversation.

Freda opened the passenger side of the car to pick her bag, then pay the driver.

“Thank you,” she said and waved him off.

“Just leave the boxes there, I'll get someone to pick them.”

“Is daddy at home?”

“No he is not but you better start preparing yourself for a long conversation.”

“I already told dad that I will have the conversation when I am ready, for now, let me focus on official work.”

“I will take you any way I can, I missed you so much,” her mother tried to hug her while holding her grandson.

“I missed you too,” she replied smiling.

“You just left me like that. How many people will believe that I am meeting my grandson for the first time?”

“You have seen him severally, mom.”

“It’s not the same thing. Have I ever held him?”

“There’s that.” She shrugged following closely behind her mother.

“I am so tired.”

“Let me settle my baby down in a room and attend to you.”

“I am not a visitor mom. I can take care of myself.”

“I know you are not a visitor, but you just arrived from a long journey and need to rest.”

“Yeah,” Freda settled into the closest sofa and stretched out her legs.

“My grandson seems to be a sound sleeper. Another baby would have woken up by now.” Freda's mom said as she joined her daughter in the living room.

“There are a lot of things you will get to know about him.”

“I told the maid to put the bags in your room, Oreoluwa is in mine though.”

“He is not awake yet and you have started hoarding him,” she teased

“It is allowed, you know how long I have been waiting to see him?”

“I told the housekeeper to get your lunch ready. You'll probably want to shower.”

“Yes, later. How is dad doing?”

“He is still the same. He misses you but you know men, he will not come out and say.”

Freda smiled.

“I think you should be prepared for the conversation though so that things don’t become awkward between both of you.”

“Awkward, between who and who?”

“Anyway, you know how to wrap him around your fingers.”

“Just watch me perform my magic,” She winked.

“Temmy calls me sometimes. Bless her soul. She even comes to check on me too.”

“Isn’t she a darling? I trust her.”

“Does she know you will be coming around?”

“Temmy knows everything.”

“She is such a nice girl. She’s been here with her husband before.”

“Pfft, Temmy can drag Damola anywhere.”

“What about you, is there anyone you can do the same to?”

“Savage much,” Freda responded

“What is the meaning of that one again?”

“Mom, when I have someone, I will bring him home.”

“On a more serious note, does your daddy baby or what do you people call it these days know of Oreoluwa's existence?”

“I think I need to take that shower now. Love you mom, be right back,” she said and hurriedly walked towards her room.

“If you like, hide from now till tomorrow, you will answer the questions.”

The only response she got was the door closing behind her daughter.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

great to have you back.

Great start, welcome back.

TWO



“Baibayyyyyy!” Temmy screamed as the gateman led Freda into their home. She almost lifted Freda off the floor in a hug.

“You missed me this much?” Freda teased wounding her hands around her friend.

“You know I do.” Temmy beamed bussing her cheeks.

 “I am still bigger than you just leave me on the floor.” She cautioned.

 “You will be forming for me on the phone as if you do not notice my absence,” She accused walking further into the living room. She dropped her bag on the closest stool and smiled back at her friend.

“I miss you so much, I won’t deny that. Talking on the phone is not the same thing. You were too far away. I couldn’t even talk to you freely because of Ade mi and you know who. When I complain sometimes Adedamola gets jealous,” she winked

“It’s been how many years now?” Freda asked settling comfortably into the sofa.

“Three years. I can’t believe you just left like that.” Temmy complained.

She pulled an ottoman to sit directly in front of her friend

“You know I had to babes. I had to do what was best for me best for my sanity at that time.”

“Awww”

“I thought I was not going to survive it.”

“ You are one of the strongest women I know. I missed you so much,” Temmy hugged her again on her seat.

“Where is my godson?” Freda asked smiling

“He went to my Mother-in-law's place for the weekend. It’s been a while she saw him.”

“Lucky him. You are so lucky to have these people around you to help you. I nearly went into depression when I had my son.”

Temmy looked around to see if any of the maids was around.

“How is he?” Temmy whispered

“You are so dramatic. Why are you whispering?”

“Tell me joo. How is he?”

“He is fine,” Freda responded smiling.

“How has it been?”

“It keeps getting better, I guess” she shrugged. “How are you, and Mr lover?” Freda tried to wiggle her waist.

“ You can never change,” Temmy swatted at her. “He is fine, so many times he asked about you, I couldn’t tell him anything. He was so worried.”

“Aww. That’s so nice. I must be sincere, breaking away wasn’t easy for me too.”

“I know right?”

 “When I was pregnant with Oreoluwa, I used to wish so hard that I had waited for my wedding night just like you. Right now, I wouldn’t exchange him for the world.”

“That is the way it is with every child. They are gifts from God. They just come and capture your heart.”

“Speaking of hearts, Where is Mr. Makinwa?”

Temmy smiled sheepishly. “I wanted to have time to talk to you so I told him to help get some stuff.”

“Really, does he know I’ll be here?”

“I just told him there'd be a surprise waiting for him. Moreover, if he is at home, I won't be able to do anything.”

“Let the man love you abeg. A lot of people pray for what you have.”

“Hmmm. Please tell me you are here to stay?”

“Not for now, I am just part of the team that is to establish our new branch. As soon as we are done, I am leaving.”

“Freda you can’t stay away forever”

“Who says I am staying away? I have got to earn a living.”

“You understand better. You know what I mean. What happened is in the past and you need to move on.”

“I have moved on already. One of the reasons why I am here darling. When last did you see me? Coming to Lag is part of my moving on.”

“We need to have a long conversation and I hope we do so soon.”

“Don’t go matronly on me madam.”  

“I am not, but you know those bits and pieces of information are not it.”

“Na you sabi. There is nothing we have not talked about.”

“That guy, the one that has been on your case,” Temmy winked

“Getaway. You don’t even know you are a mummy now. Still after gist.”

“Let me be o. I can only live my fantasies through you now. Hot guys ogling you up and down.  For me, any single late-night call from clients like this My Mr will change the face.”

Freda burst out laughing. “Damola can not change.”

“Don’t mind him, as if I monitor him.”

“You know what the Bible says, where ever your treasure is…”

Freda was cut off when the door to the living room opened to reveal Damola. Who was smiling at his wife who was in his line of view.

“You just sent me on a goose chase abi?” He accused

“No, I did not,” Temmy defended meeting up with him to kiss him soundly on the lips.

Damola held on to her and deepened the kiss, gently savoring the feel of her lips.

Hmm… he groaned pulling her closer. His hands already found their way to the arc of her back.

“We have a visitor,” Temmy whispered to him

Damola broke the kiss briefly

“I thought you were trying to compensate me for the journey and it was working.” He responded pulling her back to himself to continue the assault on her lips.

“Ade mi, we have a visitor,” she tried again, pulling him towards the chair her friend was sitting.

“Who is it?” He asked trying not to show his distaste. Not at a crucial time like this

“You’ll see.”

“I know you persuaded your wife to take my godson to his grandma so that you can have my friend all to yourself.”

“Wow! Freda. He walked up to hug her. This is indeed a surprise. “Our runaway wife.”

“Temmy is the only wife I know, I  don’t know the person you are talking about.”

“How are you?” he hugged her again. “You just left my friend hanging like that.”

“It was for the best. How are you too?” she smiled

“I’m good. All thanks to my baby here. He pulled her close trying to kiss her again.”

“Ade mi, you don’t  have an atom of shame.” She accused her husband

Damola laughed out loud. “Freda is not a stranger. See what your friend is doing to me, is it a crime that I can’t get enough of my wife?”

“You haven’t changed a bit,” Freda teased him.

“I can say the same for you. You have not changed one bit.”

“Awww, so nice of you to say that.”

“You just disappeared, what happened?”

“I needed change.”

“A change that did not involve my friend?”

“He is a big boy,” Freda smirked.

“There is no big boy when love is involved. Sincerely, I have never seen him like that. He said he couldn’t reach you. Wifey here will not say anything. She said it’s for the best.”

“Exactly. It’s in the past and we have grown past it.”

“I think so too, at least he has decided to move on, Toye is preparing for his introduction in two weeks.”

“He is not married?”

“No, should he? You were a hard act to follow.”

“Oh! That’s serious I thought he would be married by now.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Well, I… never mind,” she waved off.

Temmy watched her friend swallow hard. She tried to cover up but she knew the hurt of the past was still there. She knew Freda too well and that has not changed in the years they have been apart.

“…good for him, ” Freda concluded.

“What have you been up to?”

“She is here as part of a team working on the establishment of a branch of their firm in Lagos,

She plans to leave as soon as their work is done.”

Temmy quickly put in before her husband discovered that her friend was trying hard to put her emotions in place.

“Oh! That’s nice. What do you do now? I practically know nothing about you again.”

“I am into investment banking,” she replied.

“That’s great.”

“Can I use the restroom?” Freda asked

“Yes please,” Temmy called on one of the helps.

“Please take my guest to the restroom,” she said immediately the maid appeared

Damola seemed to notice a change in Freda and asked if anything was wrong.

“She should be fine, I think she is just tired.”

“Where is she staying now?” Damola asked his wife.

“Her parents’ place.”

“What has she been up to really?”

“You know I won’t tell you that baby,” she kissed his lips.

“When she is ready to talk I think she'll tell us.”

“You never keep secrets from me except when it has to do with your friend.”

“I am doing it for a reason, but I hope all of it will be over pretty soon.”



SEE YOU NEXT TIME

Odoogu:
great to have you back.

Thank you.

Adeola25:
Great start, welcome back.

Thank you.

Thanks for the update

I just love the mood swings that follows your write ups. Sometimes I dey surprise myself with them feelings

Nice to have you back!

PrudySara:
Nice to have you back!

Thank you

Odoogu:
I just love the mood swings that follows your write ups. Sometimes I dey surprise myself with them feelings

THREE



Baby baby baby,  

I love you, all because, all because…” Freda chanted gently as she dressed her baby up for bed.

He had watched cartoon for a while and had dinner before she decided to bathe and get him ready for bed. It’s so good to have help. She sighed. She had left him with her mother all day while she did her run around.

“Ma-ma,” the little boy babbled at her.

Oreoluwa meaning the gift of God had recently clocked two, hence the decision to bring him home to her mother and family. Although they have all seen him during their frequent video calls, it wasn’t the same. She was glad her family welcomed him with open arms.

Even her father, although she had to seat him down and have a serious conversation with him. She made her parents understand that she is just healing and did not want to open up wounds that have not healed completely.

 Maybe it was easier to convince them because of the experience her older sister had with her relationship before she got married.

Oreoluwa is indeed a gift as she later discovered herself. She didn’t think of him like that during the first few months of pregnancy.

 She had cut off from everyone and dealt with the pregnancy on her own. She had called up one of her school friends that stayed outside Lagos for help. Thankfully she gladly offered help, coupled with the fact that Freda had cash she saved and depended on till she got a job after her pregnancy.

During the period of nine months when she carried the pregnancy, she had only told her sister Helen and Temilade because they were the closest humans to her and that was even a few months down the line.

The first few months were torturous and lonely. She cried her eyes out and almost went into depression.

Helen had encouraged her to tell their mother so that she’d at least get help during the pregnancy knowing that it was her first time, she refused.

The mistake was hers and she was determined to bear the consequences alone.

Helen had stopped talking to her for a few weeks after she got to know, insisting that if she doesn’t tell their mother, she’d not get involved.

 She told her sister point blank that she doesn’t need anyone. Helen had even threatened to tell their mother when she eventually started calling her again. She told her the same thing she told Temmy that if any other person got wind of the pregnancy, she’d disappear and no one will ever hear from her again.

 They must have sensed the seriousness of her threat because both of them kept her secret.

The decision to stay away was not an easy one but she needed to get away for her sanity. She had fallen into a trap that she guarded her heart against.

She told her mother of the birth of her child a few months after his arrival. She had made a video call and told her friend and sister to go-ahead to her parents' place and ease her way into the confession because she did not want the mother to get an attack.

Her father took the information in his stride but it took her mom days to come to terms with the fact that she was not aware of the pregnancy.

They asked of the father and she told them the father is not part of their lives. She could tell her father was disappointed but there was nothing anyone could do about it.

“Is he sleeping?” Her mother asked peeping through the door.

She looked at the boy who had calmed down amidst his mother’s travel down memory lane.

“No,” She answered, “but I think he wants to.”

“Let me put him to sleep then.” She offered

“Well done grandma, I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” Her mother answered. “It still hurts me though that you did not trust me enough to tell me about him on time.”

“I am sorry mom. It’s part of the reason I came home. I think staying away was the punishment I gave myself for disappointing you and daddy.”

“You did not disappoint me, darling, you never will.  Every child is a gift.”

“I didn’t think of it that way at first, but I know better now.”

“Well, how was your visit to Temmy's place yesterday? It’s been a while I saw her but trust me she calls regularly.”

“She is fine o she wanted to drive me home yesterday but I convinced her that I wanted to stop somewhere. She said she'll come and see you soon.”

“That’s great of her. I will look forward to the visit.”

“Here we go,” Freda handed her son to her mother.

“I don’t want to pry, but are we looking forward to any wedding bell soon?”

“Mom! Not again please.”

“What is my job as a mother if I don’t bother you?”

Freda just smiled. “No mom, no bells. For now, I want to focus on my job and Oreoluwa.”

“Jobs and money does not keep people warm at night,”

“If you continue like this, I will go and get a room in a hotel like my company wanted me to.”

“Really, is that a threat?”

“Not really,” she teased

“Well, I should be getting rent for the duration of your stay then.”

“Don’t worry, all I need is your account digits.”

“Seriously, I want you to give thought to what I said but for now, I'll let it go.”

“Thank you, mommy.”

“So what is the plan with your firm?”

“We are just here for about three weeks for the initial set up, we go back then return for full implementation. That will take about six months.”

“So the company will fund the accommodation and feeding?”

“The plan is to get us an apartment where we can stay for the six months.”

“Wait, both men and women in the same apartment?”

“Definitely not.”

“Maybe you can use your father’s other building then and collect the rent for yourself.”

“Trust my momma, always thinking of business.”

“It’s for my grandson. At least the money from that will do something for him. Taking care of a child is not a joke in terms of finances.”

“Yeah.”

“Does the father pitch in?”

“Mom, I don’t want to go there at all.”

“Alright, I am here whenever you are ready.”

“You know I love you right? Thank you for all you do.”

“For what I do or what you allow me to do.” Her mother hissed

Freda just smiled.



SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

FOUR




“So what’s the plan?” Damola asked his friend as they lounged in his living room.  He brought his wife to the salon which was close to Toye’s house and decided to visit with him rather than stay in the salon and listen to female gossip. He liked spending time with his wife but could not imagine himself waiting in the salon.

“For the intro?”

“Yeah. What else, you have something else I am not aware of?”

“Nothing big.” Toye dismissed with the wave of his hand.

 “Just my parents, a few of you that are available then maybe one or two relatives.

 What Bukola's family need is proper representation. This is just for formality, the family already know me in and out.”

“Alright then. So all I have to do is wake up, dress up and come with my wife and son.”

“Exactly.”

“We'll look forward to it.”

“I hope she won’t expect me to take her around the way you take your wife everywhere. Ain’t got time for that.” He teased his friend.

“I think I am more excited about your upcoming nuptials than you.”

“Well,” He shrugged

“I take Temi with me voluntarily. Sometimes I have to drag her. Love will do that to you. I don’t like staying at home without her or going out without her company, She doesn’t have to ask.”

Toye sighed deeply. “You are just scared someone else will snatch her from you. I don’t think I want to go that deep again with anybody.”

“What do you mean by that deep, you  love Bukola, don’t you?”

“I think a relationship is more than love jare. I have traveled that path once and it didn’t end well. Let me marry someone who understands the drill. I don’t expect too much from her and she doesn’t expect of me too.”

“That girl loves you and you know it,” Damola admonished

“Yeah yeah. Why didn’t you marry Tonye, she loved you too,  he laughed. At least she claimed to love you.”

“I couldn’t marry Tonye because I love someone else. I didn’t want to settle for less. Why are you marrying Bukola if you don’t love her?”

“Not everyone will be as lucky as you. Bukola has been with me for years. She’s been on the sidelines since my playboy days. Even when I was with Freda before she disappeared so why not compensate her with the Union.”

“ You don’t compensate someone with a lifelong journey. Marriage is forever you know? Speaking of Freda, do you know she is in Lagos?”

“Lagos, as in?” Toye asked sitting upright on the sofa.

He was shocked. This is someone who disappeared about three years ago after sending him a message to move on with his life as she had decided to move on with hers.

“She is in Lagos.”

“Since when?”

“Last week I think. She was at our place last week Saturday.”

“We talk everyday bro,  e-v-e-r-y day,” he emphasized and you didn’t say anything to me.

“What would you have done, does it change anything? You better face your business with Bukola.”

“Wait, what does she look like? Did she tell you why she left?”

“She didn’t say anything about her departure. I think there is more to it. The way she and my wife behave. Her loyalty to her friend baffles me.”

“Did she say anything about me?”

“No, why would she? I even told her you will be having your introduction soon.”

“What did she say about it, Is she married?”

“All these questions are not necessary bro. I don’t even want to start. She doesn’t have any ring on and she looks the same.

 I don’t think your relationship status concerns her. She is in Lagos for work and plans to go back after.”

Toye sighed. A mystery yet unsolved.

“What is it? Is everything alright?”

“I was her first you know?”

“First how?”

“You know…, hit the honeypot” Toye shrugged

“Are you for real?”

Toye nodded soberly

“I shouldn’t be surprised, I was my wife's first too.

You have moved on bro, don’t even bother yourself. Things happen for a reason.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

 Toye couldn’t believe that despite the way they were burning for each other back then she’d just disappear without a trace.

He knew she loved him and he loved her back. For her sake, he had left all the other girls. It had been difficult for him to convince her to date him and he didn’t want to mess it up. It was in the course of dating that he fell in love with her.

“So who is getting the fruits and gifts we are taking for the introduction?” Damola broke into his thoughts

“I transferred some cash to mom. I told her to contract someone to do that.” He replied

“But you know the way she is, she thinks everyone is out to cheat her so she'll probably buy it herself.”

“We could have done that on our own now, maybe tell my wifey. She has all the connections.”

“Momsy needs a level of involvement, so I did that for her. It’s the compensation for not inviting the whole of my village.”

Damola laughed out loud. “I hope Bukola's mother is prepared for us?

 Introduction gifts were the least of my problems back then. All I wanted was getting my wife and starting our honeymoon,” Damola smiled

“You ehn,” Toye laughed. “That girl has your control button. You were in a hurry to get the cookie then.”

“It’s a two-way thing, I have her control button too and I am addicted to that one cookie till now,” He laughed

“Of course, everyone can see the evidence in your son. I am so sure if she permits you, another bun will be in the oven already.”

Damola laughed out loud. “That’s why I am trying to get you to do the same with Bukola.”

 “Abeg, I don’t want that level of commitment again,” Toye insisted when his phone started ringing. He checked the screen to see it was his fiancee.

“Hi,” He said into the phone.

“How is your day going she asked?”

“Good o,  Damola is here keeping me company since you said you had a training at work today.”

“Aww, say hi to him for me.”

“Will do.”

“Have you collected your clothes from the designer?”

“He’ll deliver this week.”

“I hope he doesn’t disappoint. The event is next week Saturday.”

“I know, don’t worry he'll deliver.”

“I ordered some stew and food for you, the person should be there before evening.”

“That’s so nice of you. You don’t want me to look malnourished for our day right? My wife in the making.” He teased.

She laughed at the other end and said her byes. “Love you,” she concluded

“Lerra,” he replied.

He had never seen the need to reply to her confession of love with the same. Why lie to her?

He respects her and there was an attraction that works for him.

“Bukola said hi,” He said to his friend.

“Marry her on time so that we'll have food whenever we come to your house.”

“As if your wife doesn’t feed you with food and the other…you know,” he winked.

 “Na you sabi, ” Damola replied.



SEE YOU NEXT TIME

Thanks for the update, more plssssss

Nice story you've got here, please update soon

Thanks for the update OP.

FIVE



“What say, you Freda?”

She startled at the abrupt sound

She had escaped from his constant request for the few weeks she was in Lagos, she thought he would have eased up by now but obviously, he has not taken the hint.

“Mr. Lawson, I am sorry, I have to take a rain check. I have a lot on my table right now and my boss, will not take it lightly if he comes out to see that I have not finished.”

“I have told you repeatedly to call me Richard. Moreover, your boss understands that you just got back, trust me, I can talk to him for you.”

“No sir. I don’t want you to do that.”

“I know these are just excuses, I hope one day you will find it in your heart to take pity on this lonely bachelor.”

Freda smiled and nodded.

“You still have my contact?”

“Yes sir.”

“Call me when you have time for me.”

He counted some cash from his wallet and dropped it on her table.

“Sir…”

“It's for lunch. No strings attached.” He said and left the office.

“Hey God!” Romola said as she came into the office she shared with Freda.

“What now?”

“I can’t believe you this girl.”

“What did I do?”

“Teach me your ways on ye queen,” Romola gesticulated, fanning Freda with both hands dramatically.

“You are just a shameless eavesdropper.”

“I couldn’t miss the gist. Imagine. Richard Lawson walks into this place as if he owns the whole world.

Fine boy no pimple hashtag TDH”

“You and your slangs,”

“Seriously, what do you do to these men? Just the other day, it was Charles. Someone I have been giving the green light for months and has been ignoring me.”

Freda just shook her head. “Charles likes you. I think he just doesn’t know how to handle you.”

“Me, you are even worse, and he worships the ground that you walk on.”

“Teach me your ways,” she sobbed playfully.

“You better get your work done and let’s go for lunch.”

“Gladly, I hope you know you are paying?”

“Small thing.”

“Somebody offers me free lunch, God forbid I decline.”

“You know he wants more than that”

“And so? When are you going to get over these your baggage and give another man a chance to love you.”

“I am not ready dear. You see all these men we have out there are just out for what they can get, I don’t have strength for the roller coaster. Richard Lawson that changes women like bedsheets.”

“Maybe he’ll change for you.”

“Iffa hear.”

“Ah! I don’t mind the roller coaster. Let Charles just offer, my dear I will start picking my bridal train.”

“You are not alright, ” Freda started laughing. “You see why I said the guy can not handle you?”

“Let him attempt first, we'll make a compromise,” She went to her table to settle down.

“Oreoluwa's dad must have dealt you a big blow for you to be this closed up about the male species.”

Freda shrugged. Maybe she was unconsciously prepared for the breakup. She had loved Toye truly. That she knew but it was so difficult to close her eyes to the girls that were constantly in his life even when he had clearly stated he did not want them there.

Although Bukola had been a thorn in her flesh, she did not want her to go through what her sister went through to keep the love of the man she had loved.

Bukola had always been an issue between herself and Toye when they were together. He had however insisted that she had come a long way with him and promised her that she had nothing to fear. If only she knew.

Sex between them had been explosive. She could not deny that they enjoyed each other. At the beginning of their relationship, she was wary of having sex with him considering his reputation and him being her first. Toye had been gentle with her and seemed to appreciate the fact that he was her first. Maybe all of it was an act she thought to herself.

“Babes! Babes!!”

“Yes,”  Freda answered suddenly

“Where were you now? I have been talking for ages.”

“Sorry, I was deep in thought.”

“The response to the mails we sent out for the Lagos branch just dropped. Some of them are interested and you may have to follow up when you go back. I am sending you a list of contacts right now.”

“That is still like two months, why don’t we follow up with calls and emails for now?”

“We will for a start but, we need physical contact to push them.”

 “But babes I'll miss you when I go to Lagos,” Freda complained. “I know what we can achieve together.”

“Yeah right, I guess the bosses think I will hold the forte here.

I will only miss that cute baby boy of ours.”

“You can come and visit you know?”

“Definitely, I need to meet your friend Temmy and maybe I will meet guys that will flock around me.”

“Charles won’t like that you know?”

“As if he cares, I don’t want to be anyone's second option”

“You are not.”

“You think if you give Charles a chance, he'll look my way?”

She didn’t know how else to convince Romola but she needed to give Charles space maybe that will open his eyes.

“Don’t worry we still have two months to rock this town together she consoled.”

“That’s true, let me make a list of all the guys that have been on your case, they must take us out by force. Lunch, dinner, club, or anything.”

“We don’t need them for anything.”

“Girl, you are the man-hater, I need them for constant oiling.”

“What!”

“It’s serious business if Charles does not look my way, I need to look for other options.”

“You are just rotten.”

“Not all of us wear iron pants like you,” she retorted.



SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

SIX




Two months flew past so fast that it was hard to believe. She packed her stuff into storage and informed her landlord that she'd be away for some months because of work. The man gladly agreed since she recently paid a year's rent. At most, she should be back before it ran out.

The journey to Lagos was a smooth one since the company paid for the flight.

Two weeks after her arrival, she was back to default mode. No longer treated like the long lost daughter.

 Freda looked from her mother to her father, She knew the day of reckoning has come and there was no way out of the conversation.

It was obviously planned because Helen came earlier in the morning to pick Oreoluwa. She said they were all going to the park and Oreoluwa needed to get used to his cousins.

With the minor renovations going on in her apartment or rather her father’s apartment that she wanted to use for the duration of her stay, she had nowhere else to stay.

“Dad, you are making me feel that I should have rejected the offer to come to Lagos.”

“Eh-eh!” Freda's mother clapped her hands together. “What do you even mean?”

“I would have summoned you home eventually,” her father replied. “I just wanted to give you time to deal with whatever issues you have.”

“What if I am still dealing with the issues?

Don’t worry, it seems you people are tired of seeing me, I will follow my sister to her house, at least until I can move into my apartment.”

“Freda, as a father brought up in this part of the world, you may be an adult, but you remain my daughter, till I give up the right to be called your father or you disown me.”

“Dad! It’s not that deep.”

“Come off it, it is deeper. You children of these days sef.” Her mother cut in. “You never take anything seriously.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” her father continued. “I love you, I love my grandson but I should be able to know his roots. You live in my house and he does too so I should be able to account for both of you.”

“Yes now, the mother added. What if something happens or God forbid,” she emphasized snapping fingers over her head in an anti-clockwise manner. “Someone sues us.”

“Mummy, nobody will sue you for anything,” Freda shifted in her chair at the thought of it. Toye is ‘connected' but that shouldn’t even matter right now.

“Are you sure you know the father?”

“That’s an insult dad. I thought you said you were not disappointed in me?”

“It’s not an insult and you are not a disappointment to your mother and me, It’s just a question that needs to be answered.

Nobody is saying you should bring him for an introduction or anything. Who is he? That is all I want to know.” Her father concluded.

Freda sighed deeply and looked at both of them.

“It's as if both of you want to bring back old wounds,” Freda sniffed trying to force out tears.

“It won’t work with me, young lady. I need a name.”

Freda realized that her evasion pranks were no longer working and decided to let up.

“Well, I will tell you on one condition.”

“Which is?” Her mother prompted

“You will never call him or talk about him to anybody.”

“Where will I even get his phone number?”

“His name is Toye”

“Toye what?” her father asked

“Briggs”

“Ehn! Is he Nigerian?” the mother cut in

“Yes mom,” she replied rolling her eyes

“Is he someone we know?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What does he do, where...?”

“You asked for a name, you have one,” Freda cut her mother short.

“At least tell us what happened, Does he know about Oreoluwa?”

“Mom?”

“What do you think?” She asked her husband indirectly for support since he seemed to be firmer in his dealings with their children.

“Answer the question,” He responded

“It just didn’t work out, and no he doesn’t know Oreoluwa exists.”

“Why?” Both parents chorused.

“He is getting married. Can I go now?”

 She said and left even before she was given permission.

How does she explain to her parents that she did not want another woman to go through the heartache her sister went through while trying to protect her love for a man who was not even worthy of her.

She picked her phone to call Romola, she had a way of making her laugh but Romola does not even understand half of the whole story.

She dialed Temmy’s number.

“Missing me right?” Temmy said immediately she picked the call.

“Who is that?” she could hear her husband saying to her.

“I just needed someone to talk to.”

“Are you alright?” Temmy could sense the tilt in her friend's voice.

“I don’t think I am.”

“I am coming over right away, ” Temmy said.

“No, I don’t want you to come all the way.”

“It’s no bother, I will be there in less say an hour.”

“Babes, …”

“Just give me a brief of what happened.”

“My parents insisted on knowing who Oreoluwa's father is.”

“Did you tell them?”

“I had to. They have been on my case for a while now.” Freda answered slowly.

“Give me a few minutes,” Temmy said from the other end.

Freda lied down on the bed properly waiting intensely for her friend on the other side. She could hear some shuffling before her voice came on again.

“Sorry, I had to excuse myself. I was with Ade mi.”

“Oh! Sorry I bothered you.”

“Getaway, you can never bother me.”

“It’s just that I never saw this coming,” Freda complained

“That is the way it should be, ” Temmy responded. “I'd be worried if they didn’t bother you. They love you and want to help you.”

“I don’t want to bother anybody. I am to blame, and I should suffer the consequences alone.”

“Babes let me be sincere with you, you are punishing yourself for an offense you did not commit. Forgive yourself and move on.”

“I was so stupid, I shouldn’t….”

“You are were not,” Temmy interjected,  “You know what, I will join you in the next one hour.”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“You know what, let’s do this tomorrow. Mom's been complaining about not seeing you for a while. Just come around, and we will talk about everything.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes, I do. Have ever lied to you?”

“In fact, many times,” Temmy replied

“Don’t kick a dying horse this girl.”

“Promise me you'll talk to me tomorrow.”

“I promise.”

“Take care of yourself and my boy.”

“I will love you, babes.”

“I love you right back,” Temmy replied.





SEE YOU NEXT TIME