Mother Theresa, pray tell, what would you have me do? I wanted to abort, you
were not in support, and to say the truth, I'm actually scared of abortion, Now
do you prefer I give birth to a bastard?"
"Erm, hmm, I didn't......" I was trying to find my voice, the
right words, the expressions, but this time around, words fail me, my tongue is
tied. It's as if my brain had lost touch with my tongue.
"Leave story Ifeoma, even though I wasn't sure what his reaction would
be, I just couldn't take any chances. Mama was already getting suspicious, I
had to make a plan. Whether he wants the child or not, I just had to have
someone to take responsibility.
He was the best choice. All the other men in my
life are married, I know once Papa gets to know I'm pregnant, I'm dead, but to
tell him a married man as old as he is, was responsible??? Now, you want my
ghost dead!"
I still couldn't utter a word, all she said made sense, at least she wasn't
entertaining the thoughts of having an abortion anymore, for that, I was
relieved.
"Hmmmm. You are right D. I understand. It's best to make the best out
of a bad situation."
"Now you're talking."
"So, what did Toba say? What was his reaction? He hadn't said much when
I left the hospital the other day." I asked, anxiously to know what
happened.
"He was excited. You know say my game tight. I've never given him any
reason to suspect I had other men in my life.
Though he wasn't ready, He is
willing to take full responsibility. He is in his final year in uni you know,
plus his athletic engagements are beginning to pay off.
It was from the cash
award he collected for winning the gold medal at the last All African Games
that he bought his car."
"Wow. I'm happy for you my friend. So he now has enough money to take
care of you abi?" I say with a mischievous smile.
"Yes o, he might not be able to afford some luxuries yet, but it's
definitely a big step up from me sharing a bedroom with four sisters."
"That's true, I'm just glad it's all working out. Just don't forget me
in your enjoyment o."
We both laughed, and it was divine. We laughed like old times, something
that we've not done since the whole pregnancy saga began.
"All that's left now is breaking the news to our parents. He has agreed
to marry me and carry out all the necessary rites.
I'm just scared that Papa
might be a little difficult. Mama will have to make sure he cooperates. I plan
to tell her tonight."
"Ok. I'm sure Mama would definitely find a way to make Papa understand.
All will be well."
"Toba has always loved me you know."
"But do you love him?"
We start making our way back home as it's getting dark.
People are returning from their places of work and business and the little
children are also leaving the play field.
" I like him, but you know I've always told you it's better a man does
all or most of the loving. That's one of the reasons I chose him. All those
anuofias love my body and the sex; but Toba is different, I see it in his eyes,
the way he looks at me."
Dani is obviously enjoying a lot of attention and affection from Toba, I hope
she reciprocates.
"True, I agree." I say non challantly.
"All those men are with me just for my beauty and sex, He loves the
real me."
"Yea, right." I murmur scornfully, hoping she doesn't hear. The
real Dani cares for no one but Dani.
Dani has always been a beautiful girl. She is tall, slim, with ample curves
in all the right places. And her fair skin? It is to die for. She is spotless
from head to toe.
Her hair is lush, long and shiny. And when she lets her hair down? She looks
like a goddess.
I am not surprised all those men are always after her, as a matter of fact,
they want a piece of her.
Not like short, thin and dark Ifeoma.
I know I'm not ugly, you don't have to tell me.
I don't have esteem issues, but I know a beautiful woman when I see one. And by
all standards, Dani is one.
___________________________________
___________________________________
And so, the whole process began, the palm wine carrying, the payment of the
bride price and all the other marriage rites.
Lucky Dani, barely twenty years old and she's expecting her first child, has
the man who is every woman's dream, living the good life.
Just when I thought nothing could be added, she told me Toba already rented
a two bedroom flat inside the GRA. I was surprised, how could he afford that
with the wedding expenses, and considering the fact that he didn't have a
steady job yet.
"It's all thanks to my father in law o. In fact, He is a great man. He
says he needs to do everything possible to make his first grandchild
comfortable.
I also used to think it's only business men that have money, but I
think his job with the oil company in Eket pays very well. The man is
loaded." Dani gushes about the life of comfort she'll be living by virtue
of her marriage.
"Really? I'm happy for you girlfriend. I'm happy you're eager to settle
into family life. Please make the best of this opportunity and love your
husband."
"Before nko? Over love sef dey worry me. I'm in love now o."
"In love with Toba or the money?"
"Haba na, I love Toba, I love money, no be the same thing? Na who no
like better thing?
"I'm glad. But I must go now, just let me know as soon as you people
move to your house so I can pay you a visit."
"No problem, I'll let you know"
____________________________________
____________________________________
And so it was, that my friend, Daniella Nwachukwu got married to Toba ogundana.
The SSCE results came out and I passed all my papers, UME too was a miracle.
I made the cut off mark for Medicine and Surgery for the Federal University of
Science Technology Owerri.
Life was good.
I was so immersed in my studies that I rarely had the time to socialise. All
I did was read.
Papa sold some of his inherited farmlands to put me through school, so
there's no way I could mess this up.
Because my father married late, I am his first and he and mama always
reminded me at every opportunity that I needed to be serious with my academics
so as to be able to help out with the training of my younger ones.
#fiction
#friendship
#girlchild
#friendship
#girlchild
All rights reserved
Written By Tolulope
Fakayode-Faniran
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