STORY: Love In Times Like This | Complete Episode 1 To 46 (All In One)...
A funny
feeling crept up the back of Harry's neck, the kind of feeling he always got
when he was excited about something.
He followed Atimma and stood just behind her. "I love You. It's just that I am not buoyant enough to marry you now. Give me sometime my darling." He said huskily, laying his hands on her shoulders.
"What if I decide to give you the money for our wedding? I can afford it." Atimma said. Her tone was sharp, her manner indignant, and her eyes sparked like a hammer on an anvil as she stared at Harry directly in the eyes.
Harry nodded and sat gently on the bed.
"And after marriage, we are going to survive on my okirika business?" He paused and said in a painful whisper. "Give me time. You won't like to stay here in a one bedroom after our wedding."
"I will. We can start from here. I can't wait any longer!" She said with a contemptuous curl on her lips.
"Are you sure about this?"
She defiantly turned her head and met his gaze.
"Yes I am. I am doing a good job Harry. I can support you without anyone knowing that the money is from me. We've dated for four years already, I will be thirty by July, how long should I wait more?" She turned away, looking at the picture frame of her and Harry on the wall.
She sat down and lowered her head.
"What if we plan the wedding for next Year? By then I will be fully settled. I mean I will have a good job by then."
Atimma shook her head in disgust. "What is wrong with giving you money to come marry me, pride? Will it take away your manhood Harry?
I said I will assist you. I will cope! I am doing a good job. My salary can take care of you, myself and your mom." She yelled angrily.
Harry moved closer so he could sit beside her. " You have to understand me."
Lowering her head, she said softly, "I think you never wanted to marry me. You've been using me for four good years Harry?"
He eased back away from her and stood up.
"Okay, Fine! let me prove you wrong, bring the cash, let's plan our wedding." Harry said loudly.
She turned her head and gave him a small smile.
"When should we plan on seeing my parents?" She said in a slow delight.
"Next weekend. I will inform uncle Ettete and my mom."
Atimma nodded in approval and hugged Harry tight to herself. "Finally, we are going to spend the rest of our lives together my love." She said in soft whispers.
Harry took her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lip.
She gave a short laugh and said in a teasing tone, "Mr and Mrs Harry Edet in few months right?"
He laughed. "Soon baby."
She knelt beside him and chuckled. "I just can't wait to get married to you Harry." He glared at her but said nothing.
She cuddled close to him, closing her eyes until she slept off in his arms.
He followed Atimma and stood just behind her. "I love You. It's just that I am not buoyant enough to marry you now. Give me sometime my darling." He said huskily, laying his hands on her shoulders.
"What if I decide to give you the money for our wedding? I can afford it." Atimma said. Her tone was sharp, her manner indignant, and her eyes sparked like a hammer on an anvil as she stared at Harry directly in the eyes.
Harry nodded and sat gently on the bed.
"And after marriage, we are going to survive on my okirika business?" He paused and said in a painful whisper. "Give me time. You won't like to stay here in a one bedroom after our wedding."
"I will. We can start from here. I can't wait any longer!" She said with a contemptuous curl on her lips.
"Are you sure about this?"
She defiantly turned her head and met his gaze.
"Yes I am. I am doing a good job Harry. I can support you without anyone knowing that the money is from me. We've dated for four years already, I will be thirty by July, how long should I wait more?" She turned away, looking at the picture frame of her and Harry on the wall.
She sat down and lowered her head.
"What if we plan the wedding for next Year? By then I will be fully settled. I mean I will have a good job by then."
Atimma shook her head in disgust. "What is wrong with giving you money to come marry me, pride? Will it take away your manhood Harry?
I said I will assist you. I will cope! I am doing a good job. My salary can take care of you, myself and your mom." She yelled angrily.
Harry moved closer so he could sit beside her. " You have to understand me."
Lowering her head, she said softly, "I think you never wanted to marry me. You've been using me for four good years Harry?"
He eased back away from her and stood up.
"Okay, Fine! let me prove you wrong, bring the cash, let's plan our wedding." Harry said loudly.
She turned her head and gave him a small smile.
"When should we plan on seeing my parents?" She said in a slow delight.
"Next weekend. I will inform uncle Ettete and my mom."
Atimma nodded in approval and hugged Harry tight to herself. "Finally, we are going to spend the rest of our lives together my love." She said in soft whispers.
Harry took her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lip.
She gave a short laugh and said in a teasing tone, "Mr and Mrs Harry Edet in few months right?"
He laughed. "Soon baby."
She knelt beside him and chuckled. "I just can't wait to get married to you Harry." He glared at her but said nothing.
She cuddled close to him, closing her eyes until she slept off in his arms.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 2)
Harry's head drifted backward to rest against the cushion chair. His mother came out of the kitchen with a tray of palm oil rice and sardine in a small saucer.
"You didn't inform me of your coming, I would have made afang soup with lots of
Mfi and Okporoko." she said, as she dropped the tray on a stool.
Harry smiled a bit, and then took a spoon from the tray, stared at the food for a while and then spooned the rice into his mouth continuously.
"I know you eat good food in the city." His mother said excitedly.
"No food is as delicious as yours, no matter the amount of money used in making it." Harry said. He took the sachet water from the tray, tore it with his teeth and gulped it down.
"I will be getting married soon Mama." He broke the silence.
In confusion, his mother blinked her eyes, disoriented for a moment, and then her eyes widened on Harry. She sat up quickly.
"I thought you said your business isn't moving too well, getting married is expensive."
"She will sponsor our Wedding."
"God forbid!" His mother exclaimed. " A woman cannot lend you money for her own bride price. Do not ever let what happened to Etubom Idung ette happen to you o."
"She is a good woman mama. She loves me. I love her too."
"If she cannot wait for you to make your own cash, and marry her honourably, then yak aka." She said angrily.
"What different does it make Mama? I mean she sponsoring our wedding, and I giving her the money back in future. I can't lose her." His gaze slid down to her shaky legs.
His heart slammed into his gut, and he quickly stood and turned his back to her. His voice was low when he said, "I will be seeing her family by next weekend. I just came to inform you first. I want to leave Ikot Akam before sunrise tomorrow."
He walked out of the sitting room into the bedroom.
Later, a single lantern lit the dimness of the room. His mother walked slowly towards him. Harry was sleeping soundly when his mother's hand lightly touched his shoulders.
"Bring her to me for my blessings." She whispered.
His brow arched, and he gave her a soft look.
"She will be here a day to our introduction. She is always busy at work."
"What does she do?"
"She works with an oil company. She is hardworking mama."
She chuckled. "how long have you known her?" she asked softly.
"Four years."
"Then she really loves you. If she has been with you all through these while."
"She does. A woman like Atimma is rare mama." Harry whispered.
He swung out of bed and hugged his mother tight.
"You will love her." He whispered to her ears.
***********
Few days later, Harry visited his mother with Atimma. They were all excited.
Atimma had brought expensive wrappers and clutch purses for Harry's mom. After sometimes of exchange of hugs and Pleasantries; She knelt down respectively and handed the Gift items to Harry's mother.
"Oh my dear. You're the daughter I never had. sosongho!" she said softly.
Harry's face was filled with joy and excitement as he watched the favorite women in his life prepare him food in the kitchen.
"His father died when he was nine."
Harry could hear her mother telling Atimma from the sitting room. Then there was a loud laugh afterwards.
He knew that he had made his mother and Atimma happy.
He muttered something under his breathe and laid his head on the couch, waiting for the food to be ready.
Harry's head drifted backward to rest against the cushion chair. His mother came out of the kitchen with a tray of palm oil rice and sardine in a small saucer.
"You didn't inform me of your coming, I would have made afang soup with lots of
Mfi and Okporoko." she said, as she dropped the tray on a stool.
Harry smiled a bit, and then took a spoon from the tray, stared at the food for a while and then spooned the rice into his mouth continuously.
"I know you eat good food in the city." His mother said excitedly.
"No food is as delicious as yours, no matter the amount of money used in making it." Harry said. He took the sachet water from the tray, tore it with his teeth and gulped it down.
"I will be getting married soon Mama." He broke the silence.
In confusion, his mother blinked her eyes, disoriented for a moment, and then her eyes widened on Harry. She sat up quickly.
"I thought you said your business isn't moving too well, getting married is expensive."
"She will sponsor our Wedding."
"God forbid!" His mother exclaimed. " A woman cannot lend you money for her own bride price. Do not ever let what happened to Etubom Idung ette happen to you o."
"She is a good woman mama. She loves me. I love her too."
"If she cannot wait for you to make your own cash, and marry her honourably, then yak aka." She said angrily.
"What different does it make Mama? I mean she sponsoring our wedding, and I giving her the money back in future. I can't lose her." His gaze slid down to her shaky legs.
His heart slammed into his gut, and he quickly stood and turned his back to her. His voice was low when he said, "I will be seeing her family by next weekend. I just came to inform you first. I want to leave Ikot Akam before sunrise tomorrow."
He walked out of the sitting room into the bedroom.
Later, a single lantern lit the dimness of the room. His mother walked slowly towards him. Harry was sleeping soundly when his mother's hand lightly touched his shoulders.
"Bring her to me for my blessings." She whispered.
His brow arched, and he gave her a soft look.
"She will be here a day to our introduction. She is always busy at work."
"What does she do?"
"She works with an oil company. She is hardworking mama."
She chuckled. "how long have you known her?" she asked softly.
"Four years."
"Then she really loves you. If she has been with you all through these while."
"She does. A woman like Atimma is rare mama." Harry whispered.
He swung out of bed and hugged his mother tight.
"You will love her." He whispered to her ears.
***********
Few days later, Harry visited his mother with Atimma. They were all excited.
Atimma had brought expensive wrappers and clutch purses for Harry's mom. After sometimes of exchange of hugs and Pleasantries; She knelt down respectively and handed the Gift items to Harry's mother.
"Oh my dear. You're the daughter I never had. sosongho!" she said softly.
Harry's face was filled with joy and excitement as he watched the favorite women in his life prepare him food in the kitchen.
"His father died when he was nine."
Harry could hear her mother telling Atimma from the sitting room. Then there was a loud laugh afterwards.
He knew that he had made his mother and Atimma happy.
He muttered something under his breathe and laid his head on the couch, waiting for the food to be ready.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 3)
Marriage life had just began for Atimma and Harry.
They got married at Saint Peters catholic church in Ikot Ntuen.
Linda, her best friend had missed the church wedding. She was supposed to be her maid of honor; But Atimma wasn't angry, she walked down the aisle delightedly in her white, Pearle beaded dress.
Atimma felt Harry's eyes on her as she walked down the aisle. She would have enjoyed the walk along with her father, or even her mother, but they had died many years ago; since when she used to be a teenager.
At the moment the priest had joined them in matrimony, and the congregation applauded, Harry stared at the ring on his fingers, as if measuring it's bigness compared to Atimma's own.
He took her chin and her face to his and kissed her, while the church screamed in excitement. Atimma smiled shyly and hugged Harry tight to herself.
After the wedding reception party ended, Harry and Atimma got back home that night with joy in their hearts.
****
Tto weeks after their wedding, Atimma resumed work at the company, while Harry traveled to Lagos to buy fairly used clothes for his shop. And it went on that way...
Linda, Atimma's best friend visited them for the first time after their wedding.
"Your wedding wasn't big like I expected." Linda said shrilly as she took a sip of the coca cola drink she was offered.
"Harry and I wanted it low." She replied softly.
"Na waooo, and you people still packed into this your small one bedroom flat after wedding, not even a two bedroom in an estate in town." Linda said with her usual straightforwardness.
"Well, Harry and I will move out when we have enough cash. We spent a lot at the wedding."
Linda laughed out loud, clapping her hands and throwing them into the air.
"Atim, how much does Harry even have? He doesn't even have money for common introduction, talk of wedding. You and I know too well that your whole money was used for that wedding, and that Harry's kobo was not there."
Atimma frowned and looked away.
"Don't let that bother you. It's my money, he is my husband."
"Okay o. I just want to let you know that Oga Seno isn't happy that you got married without his consent." she said earnestly.
"What consent? He is a married man, I am married now. Is that why he stopped replying my greetings at the office? He should go to hell!" Atimma said angrily.
"Is it after you ate his money that you just realized he is married huh?"
"I was single then."
"But at least Harry was still your bobo."
"Stay off Linda! Leave me alone." She yelled and stood to walk away.
"I am not condemning you. It's just that I am sad that you left wealth to settle in this ghetto with an okirika seller."
Atimma angrily grabbed Linda by the hand forcefully.
"Get out of my house!" she yelled as he pushed Linda to the floor.
"You're jealous that I am married and you're not!"
Linda stood up gently from the floor, she gave a sneering smile as she wiped the back of her denim gown.
"You really think I am jealous of this poverty stricken place? Why do you think I refused to be your chief brides maid Atim? I could not bring myself so low in those cheap Taffeta you had wanted me to wear. Who envies this kind of life you're living? I will rather remain single, dating rich sugar daddies, than be married to a man who can't afford my bride price." She paused and then walked stylishly towards Atimma." I mean you married yourself!"
Atimma pushed Linda out of the house. Her heart was hammering in her breast like a wild thing, while she felt like it might burst her body any moment.
"Never ever you come here anymore!"
Linda was frightened, it was the first time she saw her best friend in such mood.
Marriage life had just began for Atimma and Harry.
They got married at Saint Peters catholic church in Ikot Ntuen.
Linda, her best friend had missed the church wedding. She was supposed to be her maid of honor; But Atimma wasn't angry, she walked down the aisle delightedly in her white, Pearle beaded dress.
Atimma felt Harry's eyes on her as she walked down the aisle. She would have enjoyed the walk along with her father, or even her mother, but they had died many years ago; since when she used to be a teenager.
At the moment the priest had joined them in matrimony, and the congregation applauded, Harry stared at the ring on his fingers, as if measuring it's bigness compared to Atimma's own.
He took her chin and her face to his and kissed her, while the church screamed in excitement. Atimma smiled shyly and hugged Harry tight to herself.
After the wedding reception party ended, Harry and Atimma got back home that night with joy in their hearts.
****
Tto weeks after their wedding, Atimma resumed work at the company, while Harry traveled to Lagos to buy fairly used clothes for his shop. And it went on that way...
Linda, Atimma's best friend visited them for the first time after their wedding.
"Your wedding wasn't big like I expected." Linda said shrilly as she took a sip of the coca cola drink she was offered.
"Harry and I wanted it low." She replied softly.
"Na waooo, and you people still packed into this your small one bedroom flat after wedding, not even a two bedroom in an estate in town." Linda said with her usual straightforwardness.
"Well, Harry and I will move out when we have enough cash. We spent a lot at the wedding."
Linda laughed out loud, clapping her hands and throwing them into the air.
"Atim, how much does Harry even have? He doesn't even have money for common introduction, talk of wedding. You and I know too well that your whole money was used for that wedding, and that Harry's kobo was not there."
Atimma frowned and looked away.
"Don't let that bother you. It's my money, he is my husband."
"Okay o. I just want to let you know that Oga Seno isn't happy that you got married without his consent." she said earnestly.
"What consent? He is a married man, I am married now. Is that why he stopped replying my greetings at the office? He should go to hell!" Atimma said angrily.
"Is it after you ate his money that you just realized he is married huh?"
"I was single then."
"But at least Harry was still your bobo."
"Stay off Linda! Leave me alone." She yelled and stood to walk away.
"I am not condemning you. It's just that I am sad that you left wealth to settle in this ghetto with an okirika seller."
Atimma angrily grabbed Linda by the hand forcefully.
"Get out of my house!" she yelled as he pushed Linda to the floor.
"You're jealous that I am married and you're not!"
Linda stood up gently from the floor, she gave a sneering smile as she wiped the back of her denim gown.
"You really think I am jealous of this poverty stricken place? Why do you think I refused to be your chief brides maid Atim? I could not bring myself so low in those cheap Taffeta you had wanted me to wear. Who envies this kind of life you're living? I will rather remain single, dating rich sugar daddies, than be married to a man who can't afford my bride price." She paused and then walked stylishly towards Atimma." I mean you married yourself!"
Atimma pushed Linda out of the house. Her heart was hammering in her breast like a wild thing, while she felt like it might burst her body any moment.
"Never ever you come here anymore!"
Linda was frightened, it was the first time she saw her best friend in such mood.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 4)
Heavy raindrops had just begun to Fall.
Atimma stepped out of the elevator in her leather suit and pant; She was struggling with piles of files on her hands, she held them firmly as she walked gently on a long corridor that led to her office.
She heard footsteps walking behind her, she knew who it was. The smell of his perfume was familiar. She wanted to run, but took hurried steps instead. She knew in her heart that he was following her. He was glancing down at her when she was downstairs, her eyes caught with his.
Atimma got to her office, she threw the files on her table, breathing heavily.
"Happy Married life." A voice came from behind her.
"Thank you sir." She said in a shaky tone, not looking directly at his face.
"Why have you been avoiding me since after your wedding?" He seated himself on the overstuffed chair and propped his long legs on the table, falling off Atimma's wedding picture frames. She lowered herself and picked them one by one, setting it well on the table.
"Handsome man!" He exclaimed, as he carried the picture frame gently and stared at it for a while.
"thank you." Atimma said in broken whispers.
"The rains are here, I miss you in my arms." He said, as he placed the picture frame gently on the table.
"Thank you. I am married now Seno."
He chuckled, and then stood up immediately. He started to walk around her path. She raised an angry gaze at him. "I am grateful for all what you did for Me; For this job, for contracts, for promotions and for the car..."
"The car you gave to your husband."
"It is my car. It is our car, what I own is his too. He comes to pick me after work with it."
"So you married a man who had nothing. You left me for a man who had nothing!"
"You're married Seno. You never wanted me to settle too?"
"Not that way Atimma!" He yelled, then paused. His voice softened now. " I told you to give me time, Susan refused to grant a divorce. I couldn't do things that way. I invested in you because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."
"How do you always manage to make up these lies?" She demanded, finally looking into his eyes. "You and your wife are fighting for a divorce, and yet she is Pregnant. And yet you two go on vacations and trips. You think I'm a fool Seno? While Harry was out there, dying for me, showing me true love, I cheated on him with you."
Seno Casually leaned against the wall, his entire attention focused on her. She felt the heat of his gaze, and looked away.
"So, he is the good guy now?"
"He has always been the good guy." She retorted.
Seno smiled slowly and nodded painfully.
"Susan and I were almost ending it. Until you left, you changed. I stopped loving her, because you stole my heart."
"I had given your heart back to you, take it, and go back to your wife. Whatever we had was in the past. I love my husband, I will manage with him, until it gets well." Her anger died, as he sat down gently on a chair.
"I didn't realize you were such a good woman. I know you more than he does. you will come back to my arms. But if there is anything he can't for you, I am here, always loving you enough to help."
The telltale sign of her humiliation showed on her flushed cheeks.
Slowly she raised her gaze to his, and she had the feeling that she was drowning in those penetrating eye.
Heavy raindrops had just begun to Fall.
Atimma stepped out of the elevator in her leather suit and pant; She was struggling with piles of files on her hands, she held them firmly as she walked gently on a long corridor that led to her office.
She heard footsteps walking behind her, she knew who it was. The smell of his perfume was familiar. She wanted to run, but took hurried steps instead. She knew in her heart that he was following her. He was glancing down at her when she was downstairs, her eyes caught with his.
Atimma got to her office, she threw the files on her table, breathing heavily.
"Happy Married life." A voice came from behind her.
"Thank you sir." She said in a shaky tone, not looking directly at his face.
"Why have you been avoiding me since after your wedding?" He seated himself on the overstuffed chair and propped his long legs on the table, falling off Atimma's wedding picture frames. She lowered herself and picked them one by one, setting it well on the table.
"Handsome man!" He exclaimed, as he carried the picture frame gently and stared at it for a while.
"thank you." Atimma said in broken whispers.
"The rains are here, I miss you in my arms." He said, as he placed the picture frame gently on the table.
"Thank you. I am married now Seno."
He chuckled, and then stood up immediately. He started to walk around her path. She raised an angry gaze at him. "I am grateful for all what you did for Me; For this job, for contracts, for promotions and for the car..."
"The car you gave to your husband."
"It is my car. It is our car, what I own is his too. He comes to pick me after work with it."
"So you married a man who had nothing. You left me for a man who had nothing!"
"You're married Seno. You never wanted me to settle too?"
"Not that way Atimma!" He yelled, then paused. His voice softened now. " I told you to give me time, Susan refused to grant a divorce. I couldn't do things that way. I invested in you because I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."
"How do you always manage to make up these lies?" She demanded, finally looking into his eyes. "You and your wife are fighting for a divorce, and yet she is Pregnant. And yet you two go on vacations and trips. You think I'm a fool Seno? While Harry was out there, dying for me, showing me true love, I cheated on him with you."
Seno Casually leaned against the wall, his entire attention focused on her. She felt the heat of his gaze, and looked away.
"So, he is the good guy now?"
"He has always been the good guy." She retorted.
Seno smiled slowly and nodded painfully.
"Susan and I were almost ending it. Until you left, you changed. I stopped loving her, because you stole my heart."
"I had given your heart back to you, take it, and go back to your wife. Whatever we had was in the past. I love my husband, I will manage with him, until it gets well." Her anger died, as he sat down gently on a chair.
"I didn't realize you were such a good woman. I know you more than he does. you will come back to my arms. But if there is anything he can't for you, I am here, always loving you enough to help."
The telltale sign of her humiliation showed on her flushed cheeks.
Slowly she raised her gaze to his, and she had the feeling that she was drowning in those penetrating eye.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 5)
Atimma was finding it difficult waking up early for work.
She slid out of bed, pulled on her tattered blue robe and went into the bathroom with a pregnancy test strip.
She was feeling strange and unusual, so she bought a test strip on her way back from work the previous day.
She urinated into the a small bottle, and inserted the strip in it. She was anxious, her heart trembled as she pulled it out and placed it on a pavement.
The first red line showed, followed by the a second. She held her tummy and smiled lightly.
She washed her hands and got back to the bedroom.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked in a sleepy tone.
"We are expecting a baby, I am pregnant!" she exclaimed.
Harry sat up on the bed and grabbed her to himself excitedly.
"How did you find out?"
"I haven't seen my period for four months now. The signs were there, but I wasn't sure. I tested few minutes ago, and it's positive." She said shyly.
Harry kissed her softly on the forehead and laid his hands gently on her stomach.
"I am going to be a daddy. My mom will be so happy."
He said and fell on the bed weakly.
"Let me sleep with the good news at heart my love. We are now three!" He chuckled. "I need to sleep a little longer, I will be opening the shop late today."
Harry slept off again as soon as his eyes got closed.
Atimma couldn't sleep anymore, she wrestled with the notion of discussing relocating to a bigger house in town. She didn't want to grow her baby in a ghetto as Linda called it, she wanted a good life for herself, Harry and the unborn baby.
She had mentioned sometimes ago that she was uncomfortable cooking in the tight kitchen, and squeezing her body in the bathroom, so that her hands won't touch the walls.
She drifted off to sleep with the thoughts of getting a new apartment in her mind. Since she wasn't too buoyant, she was going to tell Harry to assist her with part of the money from his business.
****
The next morning, Atimma was shivering, she had fever.
She brushed her hair away from her face and sat up on the bed.
She opened her eyes, looking startled when she heard a cry from the sitting room.
She forcefully stood up, and walked gently to the sitting room.
"what happened?" She asked in a trembling tone. There were tears in Harry's eyes. she had never seen him that way before. She held his head to his chest, his tears dampened his shirt, and she clutched at him, not willing to let him off.
"Tell me, who called you? Is mama okay, did you get a message from the village?" She asked soothingly in broken whispers.
"My shop...My Shop, my goods..." Harry cried out in a faint whisper.
She drew in a shuddering breath.
"What happened? Your rent hasn't expired yet."
"Fire! Fire burnt everything. Obinna...the guy that sells Motor parts, told me. His shop is just partly burnt." Harry cried out.
Atimma became weak. She laid tiredly on the couch. She was dry faced and tensed.
"Everything will be fine. We will find a way." She said soothingly, holding Harry's hands.
"Why now? Why now that you're pregnant? I invested all my money, my savings... into these last set of okirika that I bought. I wanted to make you happy, I wanted to get us that dream apartment you've always wanted." Harry's voice broke. His eyes and his face where filled with tears.
She shook her head and nestled against him more securely.
Atimma was finding it difficult waking up early for work.
She slid out of bed, pulled on her tattered blue robe and went into the bathroom with a pregnancy test strip.
She was feeling strange and unusual, so she bought a test strip on her way back from work the previous day.
She urinated into the a small bottle, and inserted the strip in it. She was anxious, her heart trembled as she pulled it out and placed it on a pavement.
The first red line showed, followed by the a second. She held her tummy and smiled lightly.
She washed her hands and got back to the bedroom.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked in a sleepy tone.
"We are expecting a baby, I am pregnant!" she exclaimed.
Harry sat up on the bed and grabbed her to himself excitedly.
"How did you find out?"
"I haven't seen my period for four months now. The signs were there, but I wasn't sure. I tested few minutes ago, and it's positive." She said shyly.
Harry kissed her softly on the forehead and laid his hands gently on her stomach.
"I am going to be a daddy. My mom will be so happy."
He said and fell on the bed weakly.
"Let me sleep with the good news at heart my love. We are now three!" He chuckled. "I need to sleep a little longer, I will be opening the shop late today."
Harry slept off again as soon as his eyes got closed.
Atimma couldn't sleep anymore, she wrestled with the notion of discussing relocating to a bigger house in town. She didn't want to grow her baby in a ghetto as Linda called it, she wanted a good life for herself, Harry and the unborn baby.
She had mentioned sometimes ago that she was uncomfortable cooking in the tight kitchen, and squeezing her body in the bathroom, so that her hands won't touch the walls.
She drifted off to sleep with the thoughts of getting a new apartment in her mind. Since she wasn't too buoyant, she was going to tell Harry to assist her with part of the money from his business.
****
The next morning, Atimma was shivering, she had fever.
She brushed her hair away from her face and sat up on the bed.
She opened her eyes, looking startled when she heard a cry from the sitting room.
She forcefully stood up, and walked gently to the sitting room.
"what happened?" She asked in a trembling tone. There were tears in Harry's eyes. she had never seen him that way before. She held his head to his chest, his tears dampened his shirt, and she clutched at him, not willing to let him off.
"Tell me, who called you? Is mama okay, did you get a message from the village?" She asked soothingly in broken whispers.
"My shop...My Shop, my goods..." Harry cried out in a faint whisper.
She drew in a shuddering breath.
"What happened? Your rent hasn't expired yet."
"Fire! Fire burnt everything. Obinna...the guy that sells Motor parts, told me. His shop is just partly burnt." Harry cried out.
Atimma became weak. She laid tiredly on the couch. She was dry faced and tensed.
"Everything will be fine. We will find a way." She said soothingly, holding Harry's hands.
"Why now? Why now that you're pregnant? I invested all my money, my savings... into these last set of okirika that I bought. I wanted to make you happy, I wanted to get us that dream apartment you've always wanted." Harry's voice broke. His eyes and his face where filled with tears.
She shook her head and nestled against him more securely.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 6)
Harry gave a gasp of surprise when he first saw Atimma trek from the gate entrance. She was supposed to be driving. Harry walked towards her gently, and gave her a warm hug.
"What happened to the car?" Harry asked.
"I sold it a moment ago." Atimma replied softly.
"Why Atim? You need a car now that you're Pregnant. I don't want you to be stressed. And you never told me you wanted to sell the car."
"It's my car Harry. I can decide to do whatever I want with it." she said rudely.
Harry became quiet for a while, then held her hands. He was ashamed.
Something about the whole thing was not right, but he could not find a flaw.
"I sold the car and got a house in town." Atimma broke the silence.
"Is this meant to be a surprise?" Harry asked, looking surprised.
"No. I am telling you that we will be packing from here today. I have gotten a better place in town."
"Why didn't you let me know first? I am your husband Atimma!"
Without answering, she darted around him and hurried into the room.
Harry sighed and sat down gently on the couch.
A moment later, Atimma came out of the room with her boxes and bags. Harry's heart trembled as he stood up to his feet immediately.
"Where are you going to?" He asked in broken whispers.
"To the new house."
"Now?"
"Yes now."
He became mute for a while then said, "is there no truck? We need trucks to pack the chairs and the bed, and the kitchen stuffs"
"I can't go to my new house with these filthy things, I got new stuffs." She said softly.
Harry looked around the house and sat again on the couch. He thought of why Atimma said 'my house' and not ' our house. ' He was grieved.
"Who are we giving all these things to? these things are valuable to me. These are stuffs I bought with my first savings."
He finally spoke out after few minutes of keeping mute.
"burn them." She paused for a moment, allowed her gaze on the sitting room. She walked out with the luggage and banged the door.
Harry stood up immediately and ran after her.
"I understand that you're pregnant, that's why you're acting this way?" Harry said, running after her...
*******
Harry and Atimma got to their new house by taxi. Harry was amazed at the sight of the beautiful edifice. He got the boxes of clothes from the car, while Atimma carried only her handbag.
Atimma led the way into the beautiful apartment.
As they got to the sitting room, Harry became bewildered by the Chandelier, the expensive looking furniture and the curtains. He touched the walls and pressed his hands on the sofa.
"thank you for this new place." He said softly to Atimma.
Atimma was trying to concentrate at the view from the window, she pretended not to hear what Harry was saying.
Harry hugged her backwardly. "thank you." He whispered.
When she turned, and raised her gaze to him, she could not move or speak.
She was frozen in place as she stared into Harry's eyes that seemed to look right into her mind and discover all her secrets.
She Was ashamed to tell him that Seno had kissed her that afternoon at the office, but that she didn't like it.
She held her protruded belly firmly as Harry held her into his arms.
Harry's phone interrupted the blissful moment. He struggled to get the phone from his trouser pocket. It was his mom's neighbor Eka Etido who was calling him, Harry's instincts told him that something might be wrong with mama. His voice trembled as he pressed the answer button.
Harry gave a gasp of surprise when he first saw Atimma trek from the gate entrance. She was supposed to be driving. Harry walked towards her gently, and gave her a warm hug.
"What happened to the car?" Harry asked.
"I sold it a moment ago." Atimma replied softly.
"Why Atim? You need a car now that you're Pregnant. I don't want you to be stressed. And you never told me you wanted to sell the car."
"It's my car Harry. I can decide to do whatever I want with it." she said rudely.
Harry became quiet for a while, then held her hands. He was ashamed.
Something about the whole thing was not right, but he could not find a flaw.
"I sold the car and got a house in town." Atimma broke the silence.
"Is this meant to be a surprise?" Harry asked, looking surprised.
"No. I am telling you that we will be packing from here today. I have gotten a better place in town."
"Why didn't you let me know first? I am your husband Atimma!"
Without answering, she darted around him and hurried into the room.
Harry sighed and sat down gently on the couch.
A moment later, Atimma came out of the room with her boxes and bags. Harry's heart trembled as he stood up to his feet immediately.
"Where are you going to?" He asked in broken whispers.
"To the new house."
"Now?"
"Yes now."
He became mute for a while then said, "is there no truck? We need trucks to pack the chairs and the bed, and the kitchen stuffs"
"I can't go to my new house with these filthy things, I got new stuffs." She said softly.
Harry looked around the house and sat again on the couch. He thought of why Atimma said 'my house' and not ' our house. ' He was grieved.
"Who are we giving all these things to? these things are valuable to me. These are stuffs I bought with my first savings."
He finally spoke out after few minutes of keeping mute.
"burn them." She paused for a moment, allowed her gaze on the sitting room. She walked out with the luggage and banged the door.
Harry stood up immediately and ran after her.
"I understand that you're pregnant, that's why you're acting this way?" Harry said, running after her...
*******
Harry and Atimma got to their new house by taxi. Harry was amazed at the sight of the beautiful edifice. He got the boxes of clothes from the car, while Atimma carried only her handbag.
Atimma led the way into the beautiful apartment.
As they got to the sitting room, Harry became bewildered by the Chandelier, the expensive looking furniture and the curtains. He touched the walls and pressed his hands on the sofa.
"thank you for this new place." He said softly to Atimma.
Atimma was trying to concentrate at the view from the window, she pretended not to hear what Harry was saying.
Harry hugged her backwardly. "thank you." He whispered.
When she turned, and raised her gaze to him, she could not move or speak.
She was frozen in place as she stared into Harry's eyes that seemed to look right into her mind and discover all her secrets.
She Was ashamed to tell him that Seno had kissed her that afternoon at the office, but that she didn't like it.
She held her protruded belly firmly as Harry held her into his arms.
Harry's phone interrupted the blissful moment. He struggled to get the phone from his trouser pocket. It was his mom's neighbor Eka Etido who was calling him, Harry's instincts told him that something might be wrong with mama. His voice trembled as he pressed the answer button.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 7)
A wisp of Atimma's black hair had come loosed from the tight knot secured at her neck.
She stared anxiously at Harry, waiting for him to tell her what Eka Etido said to him over the phone.
Harry sat down on the sofa, shaking his head, his eyes brightened with fear.
"What did she say?" Atimma asked softly.
"Mama is sick again." Harry replied with a sigh. Tears sparkled in his eyes.
"She shouldn't be sick now that I don't have money o." Atimma said as her eyes widened with anger.
Harry stared at her sternly. He was wondering if his wife of eight months actually said that.
Two months after their wedding, she was such an angel who had vowed to love him for better for worse. She had never talked to him insolently before. Until when she got pregnant six months ago, and suddenly sold her car without his consent. And now, he was in this big edifice that he knew nothing of.
Atimma didn't feel sorry for the fact that Harry's mom was sick. She was relaxed and not bothered.
She went into the kitchen and came out with a cup of tea. She stirred the tea for a while and sipped it bit by bit.
Harry's brow furrowed, he was thinking of his mother when Atimma interrupted.
"What is wrong with Mama?" she asked finally.
Harry stared at her face for a while and then replied, "she has asthma. It's severe, I heard her breath aloud from the background."
Atimma closed her eyes. "I don't have money now. I can't use the money for my child's bills for your mom."
Harry's heart felt. His lip curled into a snarl, and anger coiled inside him. He wondered what suddenly happened to his wife.
"I didn't ask you for your money. I will do what I can to save my mother." He said in a broken voice.
"Don't forget that you have a wife who is pregnant." Her voice suddenly became mocking and arrogant.
"My mother needs help, she is sick!"
"Then help her! I need help too Harry. I just paid for this place."
Her high-handed attitude shoved every sane thought out off his mind, and he was left with only anger.
Harry became genuinely puzzled by her attitude. His former neighbor Nsemeke had told him that Atimma changed because she pays the bills. While his former landlady had told him that pregnancy makes women behave that way.
But Harry took the words of his former lady.
He recalled how his mom had told him of of how she packed her things to leave his father when she was pregnant of him.(Harry) According to her, the pregnancy had made him hate her husband. Harry was afraid that the same thing that happened to his mom was happening to his wife. He smiled slowly.
"I will visit mama tomorrow, I will like you to lend me some money please." He demanded, finally looking into her eyes.
Atimma raised her angry gaze at him, and then suddenly sniffed in exasperation.
"you're very ungrateful..
I can't believe you're asking me for money, despite my condition." She was mumbling and leaning heavily on the the wall.
Harry was hurt again. His forehead furrowed and more lines appeared on his face.
"I am sorry if I haven't been man enough my love. But bear with me please. I really need your help now. I can't even afford ventolin for mama. I can't." His voice was fading, but she heard him.
Atimma made a short derisive sound and Harry's face burned.
A wisp of Atimma's black hair had come loosed from the tight knot secured at her neck.
She stared anxiously at Harry, waiting for him to tell her what Eka Etido said to him over the phone.
Harry sat down on the sofa, shaking his head, his eyes brightened with fear.
"What did she say?" Atimma asked softly.
"Mama is sick again." Harry replied with a sigh. Tears sparkled in his eyes.
"She shouldn't be sick now that I don't have money o." Atimma said as her eyes widened with anger.
Harry stared at her sternly. He was wondering if his wife of eight months actually said that.
Two months after their wedding, she was such an angel who had vowed to love him for better for worse. She had never talked to him insolently before. Until when she got pregnant six months ago, and suddenly sold her car without his consent. And now, he was in this big edifice that he knew nothing of.
Atimma didn't feel sorry for the fact that Harry's mom was sick. She was relaxed and not bothered.
She went into the kitchen and came out with a cup of tea. She stirred the tea for a while and sipped it bit by bit.
Harry's brow furrowed, he was thinking of his mother when Atimma interrupted.
"What is wrong with Mama?" she asked finally.
Harry stared at her face for a while and then replied, "she has asthma. It's severe, I heard her breath aloud from the background."
Atimma closed her eyes. "I don't have money now. I can't use the money for my child's bills for your mom."
Harry's heart felt. His lip curled into a snarl, and anger coiled inside him. He wondered what suddenly happened to his wife.
"I didn't ask you for your money. I will do what I can to save my mother." He said in a broken voice.
"Don't forget that you have a wife who is pregnant." Her voice suddenly became mocking and arrogant.
"My mother needs help, she is sick!"
"Then help her! I need help too Harry. I just paid for this place."
Her high-handed attitude shoved every sane thought out off his mind, and he was left with only anger.
Harry became genuinely puzzled by her attitude. His former neighbor Nsemeke had told him that Atimma changed because she pays the bills. While his former landlady had told him that pregnancy makes women behave that way.
But Harry took the words of his former lady.
He recalled how his mom had told him of of how she packed her things to leave his father when she was pregnant of him.(Harry) According to her, the pregnancy had made him hate her husband. Harry was afraid that the same thing that happened to his mom was happening to his wife. He smiled slowly.
"I will visit mama tomorrow, I will like you to lend me some money please." He demanded, finally looking into her eyes.
Atimma raised her angry gaze at him, and then suddenly sniffed in exasperation.
"you're very ungrateful..
I can't believe you're asking me for money, despite my condition." She was mumbling and leaning heavily on the the wall.
Harry was hurt again. His forehead furrowed and more lines appeared on his face.
"I am sorry if I haven't been man enough my love. But bear with me please. I really need your help now. I can't even afford ventolin for mama. I can't." His voice was fading, but she heard him.
Atimma made a short derisive sound and Harry's face burned.
LOVE IN
TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 8)
Harry closed his eyes, his lashes resting like a fuzzy caterpillars on his scratched cheek. He'd fallen asleep or passed out on the sofa.
He had been on the sofa since the previous night. Atimma had left him to the bedroom.
Harry didn't deserve her compassion or her empathy anymore. He needed to start looking for jobs so that he can help his mother survive.
Atimma woke up with a slight headache. She turned to the other side of the bed, but didn't find Harry. She stood and swayed with unexpected dizziness.
She pulled her cell phone and nudged it open with her chin. She pressed a fast-dial button and leaned against the wall.
She heard Harry's phone ring from the sitting room, and sighed...
She took a shower and prepared herself for work. She had disposed all the cheap perfumes Harry had bought for her from Ariaria market, and took out the Victoria secrets cologne that she had bought the previous day from Nicon supermarket. She wrapped Harry's perfumes and threw them in a bin bag.
"Why are you putting the ones I bought for you there?" Harry's voice became professionally crisp from behind her. He walked in unnoticed. His guess roamed over the room and the wardrobe.
"They smell like goat shits. They make me want to puke all the time. Next time, you should get me something like this." She pointed at the Victoria secret cologne.
"That's expensive. You know I can't afford it now."
"Then don't bother buying them. Until you can buy these ones." She said wryly.
Harry stared at her as she pasted a deep red lipstick on her lips.
"Have you thought of what I asked of you yesterday?" Harry asked.
Atimma grinned stiffly and held up her handbag tight. She counted money from it and handed it to him.
"That's two thousand. I don't have money. What I have here is for my ante-natal and hospital card. I am suppose to start buying baby's things." She said, looking him over.
"Thank you. I know this won't be enough, but I will try and hustle for more money. I am sorry for the inconvenience my love, always remember that things weren't this bad, until the shop got burnt...."
"How much came out from that shop daily Harry, how much? You keep talking about the shop as if you were contributing to anything."
She interrupted in an oddly quiet but compelling voice.
She slowly picked up her wedding ring, and fixed it on her finger. A wave of remembered desire streaked through her, making her legs feel like jelly.
"I am off to work." She said.
Harry shook his head lightly and winced. He was still counting the two hundred naira notes countless times, until Atimma slammed the door. He shrugged and tried to grin, but a grimace of pain crossed his face. His eyes closed and his legs buckled and slid down the wall.
****
Atimma got to the office that morning with a broken heart. She had thought of how her salary was going to pay all what she got herself Into; Harry and the baby.
She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and concentrated on the computer screen.
There was a knock on her door, and it was the office receptionist.
"ma'am, Miss Iinda is here to see you." She said shrilly.
"Itoro, don't let her in here." The bitterness of her voice surprised the receptionist. She was shocked that Atimma said that about her best friend. She still stood by the door.
"What are you waiting for?" Atimma asked.
"Madam, I want to be sure."
Atimma giggled and then paused for a while.
"Let her in." Her eyes lit with amusement.
Moments later, she could hear foot steps of stiletto heels walking towards her office, she knew that Linda was getting close.
She breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring the tiny inner voice that told her to be rude.
Harry closed his eyes, his lashes resting like a fuzzy caterpillars on his scratched cheek. He'd fallen asleep or passed out on the sofa.
He had been on the sofa since the previous night. Atimma had left him to the bedroom.
Harry didn't deserve her compassion or her empathy anymore. He needed to start looking for jobs so that he can help his mother survive.
Atimma woke up with a slight headache. She turned to the other side of the bed, but didn't find Harry. She stood and swayed with unexpected dizziness.
She pulled her cell phone and nudged it open with her chin. She pressed a fast-dial button and leaned against the wall.
She heard Harry's phone ring from the sitting room, and sighed...
She took a shower and prepared herself for work. She had disposed all the cheap perfumes Harry had bought for her from Ariaria market, and took out the Victoria secrets cologne that she had bought the previous day from Nicon supermarket. She wrapped Harry's perfumes and threw them in a bin bag.
"Why are you putting the ones I bought for you there?" Harry's voice became professionally crisp from behind her. He walked in unnoticed. His guess roamed over the room and the wardrobe.
"They smell like goat shits. They make me want to puke all the time. Next time, you should get me something like this." She pointed at the Victoria secret cologne.
"That's expensive. You know I can't afford it now."
"Then don't bother buying them. Until you can buy these ones." She said wryly.
Harry stared at her as she pasted a deep red lipstick on her lips.
"Have you thought of what I asked of you yesterday?" Harry asked.
Atimma grinned stiffly and held up her handbag tight. She counted money from it and handed it to him.
"That's two thousand. I don't have money. What I have here is for my ante-natal and hospital card. I am suppose to start buying baby's things." She said, looking him over.
"Thank you. I know this won't be enough, but I will try and hustle for more money. I am sorry for the inconvenience my love, always remember that things weren't this bad, until the shop got burnt...."
"How much came out from that shop daily Harry, how much? You keep talking about the shop as if you were contributing to anything."
She interrupted in an oddly quiet but compelling voice.
She slowly picked up her wedding ring, and fixed it on her finger. A wave of remembered desire streaked through her, making her legs feel like jelly.
"I am off to work." She said.
Harry shook his head lightly and winced. He was still counting the two hundred naira notes countless times, until Atimma slammed the door. He shrugged and tried to grin, but a grimace of pain crossed his face. His eyes closed and his legs buckled and slid down the wall.
****
Atimma got to the office that morning with a broken heart. She had thought of how her salary was going to pay all what she got herself Into; Harry and the baby.
She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and concentrated on the computer screen.
There was a knock on her door, and it was the office receptionist.
"ma'am, Miss Iinda is here to see you." She said shrilly.
"Itoro, don't let her in here." The bitterness of her voice surprised the receptionist. She was shocked that Atimma said that about her best friend. She still stood by the door.
"What are you waiting for?" Atimma asked.
"Madam, I want to be sure."
Atimma giggled and then paused for a while.
"Let her in." Her eyes lit with amusement.
Moments later, she could hear foot steps of stiletto heels walking towards her office, she knew that Linda was getting close.
She breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring the tiny inner voice that told her to be rude.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 9)
Linda looked amazingly fabulous.
She sprayed her hair gold, and had her nails painted lemon...She wore a sky blue color distressed jean and a black Sweater, as she walked zigzaggedly towards Atimma's office.
A small smile quirked her mouth as she opened the door stylishly.
"Mrs Harry! oh my darling friend, you look beautifully pregnant." She said softly, her words slurring.
"It's been a while Linda." Atimma said, trying hard to impress her with a mild smile.
"I came to visit Muhammed, since the Muhammed has refused to come see the mountain." She chuckled, and sat on the chair facing Atimma.
"You got me really angry the last time you came to my house. I didn't like that one bit."
"I know. That is why I am here to say that I am so sorry for hurting you." She pushed her hands across the table and held Atimma's hands tight.
"If not for anything, for the sake of my god child." She giggled.
Atimma's face creased in a slow smile.
"It's okay. I got over that long ago."
"How is Harry? I hope all is well with you two? I didn't see your car outside."
"I sold it. I was very uncomfortable staying in the other house. The environment wasn't good for me in this condition... The mosquitoes, bad boys, erosion etc. So I sold the car to get a new place in town."
"That's nice. Seno called me last night, we spoke at length..." She paused and stared at Atimma's face for a while then said, "about you."
"What about me?" Atimma asked shrilly.
"He is still in love with you, he told me."
"What do you want me to do about him? I am married to someone else now."
"I know.... But does it really matter bestie? countless women have their eyes opened now. You're going after what your heart wants. Is it not married men that cheat on their wives and are still happily married?"
"So what you're saying is that I should go back to Seno?" Atimma asked amazingly, Linda nodded in agreement.
They two women were quiet for a while, then Atimma broke the silence with a sigh.
"I kissed Seno yesterday. I don't want to talk about what it felt like. It was a coincident."
"He has been thinking of you."
"I will make that decision after I put to birth in the next three months. Right now, I have to get over a lot of things."
Memories of Seno crowded in Atimma's thoughts. She smiled a bit and then nodded.
"I miss him too." She whispered. " But I am married."
Linda frowned and followed her gaze. "You better grow up." She muttered.
Atimma nodded without looking at her and stood up.
"Lunch break, I am famished." She yawned.
"Every pregnant woman is always famished." Linda retorted. They two ladies walked out of the office with their handbags as they headed to the office canteen.
****
Harry's face burned down with pains. It was a sunny day, and he wasn't bothered about how long the sun heat on him. He was worried about how he was going to reach his village with Ventolin and essential balm.
He was walking on the streets. His face was streaked with sweat and his jeans were brown with dust. He was weak and tired of walking, he didn't want to use the small money he had to take a taxi home.
An angry insect scratched and marred his cheek and a bruise discolored his face. He leaned tiredly against a wall of an uncompleted building, trying to look insolent and nonchalant, but he was pale as a ghost, and his jaw was clenched tight.
Linda looked amazingly fabulous.
She sprayed her hair gold, and had her nails painted lemon...She wore a sky blue color distressed jean and a black Sweater, as she walked zigzaggedly towards Atimma's office.
A small smile quirked her mouth as she opened the door stylishly.
"Mrs Harry! oh my darling friend, you look beautifully pregnant." She said softly, her words slurring.
"It's been a while Linda." Atimma said, trying hard to impress her with a mild smile.
"I came to visit Muhammed, since the Muhammed has refused to come see the mountain." She chuckled, and sat on the chair facing Atimma.
"You got me really angry the last time you came to my house. I didn't like that one bit."
"I know. That is why I am here to say that I am so sorry for hurting you." She pushed her hands across the table and held Atimma's hands tight.
"If not for anything, for the sake of my god child." She giggled.
Atimma's face creased in a slow smile.
"It's okay. I got over that long ago."
"How is Harry? I hope all is well with you two? I didn't see your car outside."
"I sold it. I was very uncomfortable staying in the other house. The environment wasn't good for me in this condition... The mosquitoes, bad boys, erosion etc. So I sold the car to get a new place in town."
"That's nice. Seno called me last night, we spoke at length..." She paused and stared at Atimma's face for a while then said, "about you."
"What about me?" Atimma asked shrilly.
"He is still in love with you, he told me."
"What do you want me to do about him? I am married to someone else now."
"I know.... But does it really matter bestie? countless women have their eyes opened now. You're going after what your heart wants. Is it not married men that cheat on their wives and are still happily married?"
"So what you're saying is that I should go back to Seno?" Atimma asked amazingly, Linda nodded in agreement.
They two women were quiet for a while, then Atimma broke the silence with a sigh.
"I kissed Seno yesterday. I don't want to talk about what it felt like. It was a coincident."
"He has been thinking of you."
"I will make that decision after I put to birth in the next three months. Right now, I have to get over a lot of things."
Memories of Seno crowded in Atimma's thoughts. She smiled a bit and then nodded.
"I miss him too." She whispered. " But I am married."
Linda frowned and followed her gaze. "You better grow up." She muttered.
Atimma nodded without looking at her and stood up.
"Lunch break, I am famished." She yawned.
"Every pregnant woman is always famished." Linda retorted. They two ladies walked out of the office with their handbags as they headed to the office canteen.
****
Harry's face burned down with pains. It was a sunny day, and he wasn't bothered about how long the sun heat on him. He was worried about how he was going to reach his village with Ventolin and essential balm.
He was walking on the streets. His face was streaked with sweat and his jeans were brown with dust. He was weak and tired of walking, he didn't want to use the small money he had to take a taxi home.
An angry insect scratched and marred his cheek and a bruise discolored his face. He leaned tiredly against a wall of an uncompleted building, trying to look insolent and nonchalant, but he was pale as a ghost, and his jaw was clenched tight.
LOVE IN
TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 10)
Harry was in hell. He was doing his best to walk down the main road. A young boy selling sachet water walked passed him. He whistled at him, and the boy walked as fast as he could towards him. Harry removed two cold sachets of water from a bucket and handed over ten naira note to the boy. He gulp in the water in a second and breathe in and out noisily. His head cleared slowly, and he regained a little strength.
A car drove passed him, and then reversed backward, horning for his attention. Harry sniffed the air. Without raising his head, he opened his eyes.
"Harrison Bassey?" An husky voice called his name from the car. Harry's heart trembled, he didn't remember the last time someone called him by his full name. He lifted up his face slowly and his eyes caught with the man in the car.
"Abia, Abia Umosen?" Harry called out, he was looking amazed.
"It's me." Abia said and gave broken loud laughter.
He was driving a big, black, tinted jeep. Harry looked at Abia's car and his appearance and felt ashamed.
"Oboy, where have you been?" Harry asked excitedly.
"I relocated to New York. I got married now...I am trying to build a structure down the street so that my family will be coming home for holidays." Abia said.
"That's great. Congratulations." Harry shook his head, his eyes dark and cloudy.
"What are you doing here?" Abia asked.
Harry's voice cracked as he replied Abia. " I am looking for a job. My wife is pregnant. Since after service, I have been looking for a good job, but no way! My shop just got burnt down some months ago."
"Oboy! you that graduated with a first class?" Abia exclaimed.
"Work no dey naija o. We dey suffer here."
"I can help you. You can join the workers to mold blocks for my new house on this street. I will pay." Abia said.
The laughter on Harry's face faded from his eyes. His face dulled to a gunmetal grey.
He thought of his sick mom, his wife and how he was going to support them. He stared at Abia right in the eye and said, "I will do it. Thank you so much. Can you take me to the place?"
"I can't carry you in my car, one of my men just finished washing it. I will give you my contractor's number, and give you a note to give to him. He pays three thousand daily, he will sign you in when he gets the note." Abia Said in a baritone voice. He spoke with pride and confident.
Grief and pain ripped through Harry like a straight razor and his voice shook with passion and fury. "Thank you." He said.
Abia handed a note to him and he collected it shyly with both hands.
He was ashamed. Abia was one year below him in the university, Abia graduated with a third class, and yet he was right before him with an expensive car, with a good job and secured job. While Harry was in his tattered clothes, set to raise blocks and bricks for Abia's mansion.
Abia zoomed off, and Harry trekked back down the street. He was ready to do anything for his beloved mother and wife.
After he met with Abia's contractor, he resumed work immediately.
****
He got back home dirty and in torn clothes. His jean became sandy and dirty, his face dark and sweaty.
Atimma opened the door, and stared at him shockingly. She didn't want to look into his eyes, she didn't want to see the pain and the sadness deep in those eyes that had once sparked with laughter, but she couldn't pull her gaze away.
Harry was in hell. He was doing his best to walk down the main road. A young boy selling sachet water walked passed him. He whistled at him, and the boy walked as fast as he could towards him. Harry removed two cold sachets of water from a bucket and handed over ten naira note to the boy. He gulp in the water in a second and breathe in and out noisily. His head cleared slowly, and he regained a little strength.
A car drove passed him, and then reversed backward, horning for his attention. Harry sniffed the air. Without raising his head, he opened his eyes.
"Harrison Bassey?" An husky voice called his name from the car. Harry's heart trembled, he didn't remember the last time someone called him by his full name. He lifted up his face slowly and his eyes caught with the man in the car.
"Abia, Abia Umosen?" Harry called out, he was looking amazed.
"It's me." Abia said and gave broken loud laughter.
He was driving a big, black, tinted jeep. Harry looked at Abia's car and his appearance and felt ashamed.
"Oboy, where have you been?" Harry asked excitedly.
"I relocated to New York. I got married now...I am trying to build a structure down the street so that my family will be coming home for holidays." Abia said.
"That's great. Congratulations." Harry shook his head, his eyes dark and cloudy.
"What are you doing here?" Abia asked.
Harry's voice cracked as he replied Abia. " I am looking for a job. My wife is pregnant. Since after service, I have been looking for a good job, but no way! My shop just got burnt down some months ago."
"Oboy! you that graduated with a first class?" Abia exclaimed.
"Work no dey naija o. We dey suffer here."
"I can help you. You can join the workers to mold blocks for my new house on this street. I will pay." Abia said.
The laughter on Harry's face faded from his eyes. His face dulled to a gunmetal grey.
He thought of his sick mom, his wife and how he was going to support them. He stared at Abia right in the eye and said, "I will do it. Thank you so much. Can you take me to the place?"
"I can't carry you in my car, one of my men just finished washing it. I will give you my contractor's number, and give you a note to give to him. He pays three thousand daily, he will sign you in when he gets the note." Abia Said in a baritone voice. He spoke with pride and confident.
Grief and pain ripped through Harry like a straight razor and his voice shook with passion and fury. "Thank you." He said.
Abia handed a note to him and he collected it shyly with both hands.
He was ashamed. Abia was one year below him in the university, Abia graduated with a third class, and yet he was right before him with an expensive car, with a good job and secured job. While Harry was in his tattered clothes, set to raise blocks and bricks for Abia's mansion.
Abia zoomed off, and Harry trekked back down the street. He was ready to do anything for his beloved mother and wife.
After he met with Abia's contractor, he resumed work immediately.
****
He got back home dirty and in torn clothes. His jean became sandy and dirty, his face dark and sweaty.
Atimma opened the door, and stared at him shockingly. She didn't want to look into his eyes, she didn't want to see the pain and the sadness deep in those eyes that had once sparked with laughter, but she couldn't pull her gaze away.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 11)
Two hours later, Harry was in the kitchen, opening empty pots. He opened the refrigerator and gave a loud sigh.
"You didn't cook?" He said aloud from the kitchen.
Atimma took the last gulp of juice from the glass cup and spooned more rice into her mouth, she pretended as if she didn't hear him. Harry walked into the sitting room with an angry gaze on her.
"You didn't cook?" He asked again, this time more authoritatively.
"Did you give me money to cook for you? this food I am eating now, it's Linda who bought it for me from Food affairs." She said, still munching the food in her mouth.
"And you didn't think of cooking for me? at least you know that I have not had food since yesterday."
"And who are you? Can't you see that I am pregnant already? Harry you're heartless. I am pregnant, I am the one working and paying bills, I paid for this place. You still want me to cook after working at the office since morning? What have you been doing?" She gave a mock shudder, when she saw that Harry was staring at her sternly.
"I am raising blocks for building. The little money I am being paid daily is for mama's hospital bill. You know very well that you can assist in providing for you and I for now, while I hustle a little bit longer." He said weakly.
"You now lay blocks?" Atimma asked again in a funny way. She handed the chicken bone to Harry, he nodded and walked into the kitchen. He got water from the refrigerator and gulped it down till his stomach got filled. Then walked tiredly to the bedroom...
Atimma got to the bathroom. She picked up the soap and began washing her arms and shoulders briskly. The thoughts of Harry being a brick layer haunted her. She was expecting her salary the next day, and she was planning to give him some money for his mother. Her salary was enough to take care of all their needs, but she would ignore her conscience and save up the money for her baby's needs.
Her soap slipped from her fingers and plopped into the water. She tried to bend and pick it but couldn't. But she tried harder until she slipped and fell into the bathtub. "Jesus!" She exclaimed aloud.
Harry ran in from the bedroom and held her firmly out of the bathtub. He dived into the large bathtub and took the soft bar soap. Then his words sank in... "Be careful next time. You shouldn't be doing these things on your own. let me help you. " He said soothingly as he pasted the soap on the Sponge; He sponged her body softly and slowly. His voice had a hollow ring and his grin was crooked and meager.
She appeared carefree and relaxed.
He lifted her hands up like a child, and sponged her armpit. She began to whimper and laugh out loud. "That tickles!" She said, and stamped the soapy water on his head. His clothes were wet. He removed his clothes and stood naked.
He rubbed his body against hers, savored
the softness of her skin against his.
He missed touching her, and he loved touching her.
She was like silk over steel, her skin was so soft.
To him, she was the most perfect human being in the world. He couldn't wait to have his wife back after the pregnancy gets over.
He was ready to stand by her.
But while he began kissing her, he reached to push her hair away from his cheek, forgetting he had injuries on his face.
"Ouch!" he growled, and cursed.
Atimma stirred, turning toward him. She opened her eyes, and when her gaze met his, it was like old times.
Two hours later, Harry was in the kitchen, opening empty pots. He opened the refrigerator and gave a loud sigh.
"You didn't cook?" He said aloud from the kitchen.
Atimma took the last gulp of juice from the glass cup and spooned more rice into her mouth, she pretended as if she didn't hear him. Harry walked into the sitting room with an angry gaze on her.
"You didn't cook?" He asked again, this time more authoritatively.
"Did you give me money to cook for you? this food I am eating now, it's Linda who bought it for me from Food affairs." She said, still munching the food in her mouth.
"And you didn't think of cooking for me? at least you know that I have not had food since yesterday."
"And who are you? Can't you see that I am pregnant already? Harry you're heartless. I am pregnant, I am the one working and paying bills, I paid for this place. You still want me to cook after working at the office since morning? What have you been doing?" She gave a mock shudder, when she saw that Harry was staring at her sternly.
"I am raising blocks for building. The little money I am being paid daily is for mama's hospital bill. You know very well that you can assist in providing for you and I for now, while I hustle a little bit longer." He said weakly.
"You now lay blocks?" Atimma asked again in a funny way. She handed the chicken bone to Harry, he nodded and walked into the kitchen. He got water from the refrigerator and gulped it down till his stomach got filled. Then walked tiredly to the bedroom...
Atimma got to the bathroom. She picked up the soap and began washing her arms and shoulders briskly. The thoughts of Harry being a brick layer haunted her. She was expecting her salary the next day, and she was planning to give him some money for his mother. Her salary was enough to take care of all their needs, but she would ignore her conscience and save up the money for her baby's needs.
Her soap slipped from her fingers and plopped into the water. She tried to bend and pick it but couldn't. But she tried harder until she slipped and fell into the bathtub. "Jesus!" She exclaimed aloud.
Harry ran in from the bedroom and held her firmly out of the bathtub. He dived into the large bathtub and took the soft bar soap. Then his words sank in... "Be careful next time. You shouldn't be doing these things on your own. let me help you. " He said soothingly as he pasted the soap on the Sponge; He sponged her body softly and slowly. His voice had a hollow ring and his grin was crooked and meager.
She appeared carefree and relaxed.
He lifted her hands up like a child, and sponged her armpit. She began to whimper and laugh out loud. "That tickles!" She said, and stamped the soapy water on his head. His clothes were wet. He removed his clothes and stood naked.
He rubbed his body against hers, savored
the softness of her skin against his.
He missed touching her, and he loved touching her.
She was like silk over steel, her skin was so soft.
To him, she was the most perfect human being in the world. He couldn't wait to have his wife back after the pregnancy gets over.
He was ready to stand by her.
But while he began kissing her, he reached to push her hair away from his cheek, forgetting he had injuries on his face.
"Ouch!" he growled, and cursed.
Atimma stirred, turning toward him. She opened her eyes, and when her gaze met his, it was like old times.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 12)
They made love that night like it was their first time. Harry fell weakly on the bed afterwards and slept off.
Morning came, Atimma got out of bed slowly and made her way to the kitchen. She had changed into leggings and a pyjamas shirt, and was drinking Cappuccino from her favorite mug, the one with the chipped rim.
She lowered herself carefully into a chair and thought of the pleasant moment she had with Harry the previous night. She had missed him.
But the thoughts of Seno complicated her emotions.
She heard the shower running, and then realized that Harry was awake and ready for work.
Moments later, he was at the sitting room, dressed in a pair of jean and T-shirt.
"I am set for the bricklaying work. But first, I will reach the village to give mama some money." He said, and walked toward her. He held her face and kissed her forehead, then sat right beside her.
"How much are they paying you?"
"Three thousand a day." he whispered.
Atimma shook her head.
"Three thousand will feed us in this house Harry?" She asked, looking surprised.
He nodded grimly.
"We will manage. Or what do you want me to do? This isn't a permanent job, it's just for a while."
"I won't manage with you. For the fact that we made love last night doesn't mean things have changed. Be a man Harry." She gasp at her own words.
It was the first time she'd ever said that to him so boldly. He saw the effect of her words etched in the new lines of his face.
An anguish too profound to bear washed over his features, draining his face, and changing his countenance. Anger replaced his anguish as he vaulted up from the chair and grabbed her arm.
"You will never ever talk to me like that again! you hear me?" He yelled at her angrily. "You wanted us to be married, I agreed because I loved you, I wasn't buoyant, do not inconvenience me and make feel less a man because I do not have a job...That doesn't make you better than I am!" He yelled even more, and took a ragged breath. He released her arm, and pushed her away. "So don't talk to me about being a man, I am a man! All I need is a good job to complete me, go to hell with your damn money, I don't need it!" He whirled and stalked out of the sitting room. Tears clouded his eyes, but he held it firmly, and slammed the door.
Atimma took a shaky breath and screamed. She began to cry. She clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut.
"I am pregnant and you beat me up like this? I will deal with you bastard..." She sobbed softly.
She stood in the middle of the sitting room until her tears dried up. She realized she was still holding the mug. She set it down so hard that she was afraid it might break.
*****
She went to the office with a teary face. She wanted Sympathy.
Her best friend appeared at her office moments after Atimma called her phone in tears. "Harry has killed me Linda." She cried out.
"You see where you landed yourself? with an abusive husband! After all what you've done for him, he still had the guts to make you cry in this condition!" She said angrily as she handed a white kerchief to Atimma.
"Arrest him! Tell the police that it's domestic violence."
Atimma looked meaningfully at Linda and nodded slowly.
"But he didn't beat me, he only held my hands"
"That is abusive. You're pregnant, he wasn't suppose to do that."
The grin slowly faded from Atimma's face, she became confused. For some reason, Linda's words embarrassed her.
They made love that night like it was their first time. Harry fell weakly on the bed afterwards and slept off.
Morning came, Atimma got out of bed slowly and made her way to the kitchen. She had changed into leggings and a pyjamas shirt, and was drinking Cappuccino from her favorite mug, the one with the chipped rim.
She lowered herself carefully into a chair and thought of the pleasant moment she had with Harry the previous night. She had missed him.
But the thoughts of Seno complicated her emotions.
She heard the shower running, and then realized that Harry was awake and ready for work.
Moments later, he was at the sitting room, dressed in a pair of jean and T-shirt.
"I am set for the bricklaying work. But first, I will reach the village to give mama some money." He said, and walked toward her. He held her face and kissed her forehead, then sat right beside her.
"How much are they paying you?"
"Three thousand a day." he whispered.
Atimma shook her head.
"Three thousand will feed us in this house Harry?" She asked, looking surprised.
He nodded grimly.
"We will manage. Or what do you want me to do? This isn't a permanent job, it's just for a while."
"I won't manage with you. For the fact that we made love last night doesn't mean things have changed. Be a man Harry." She gasp at her own words.
It was the first time she'd ever said that to him so boldly. He saw the effect of her words etched in the new lines of his face.
An anguish too profound to bear washed over his features, draining his face, and changing his countenance. Anger replaced his anguish as he vaulted up from the chair and grabbed her arm.
"You will never ever talk to me like that again! you hear me?" He yelled at her angrily. "You wanted us to be married, I agreed because I loved you, I wasn't buoyant, do not inconvenience me and make feel less a man because I do not have a job...That doesn't make you better than I am!" He yelled even more, and took a ragged breath. He released her arm, and pushed her away. "So don't talk to me about being a man, I am a man! All I need is a good job to complete me, go to hell with your damn money, I don't need it!" He whirled and stalked out of the sitting room. Tears clouded his eyes, but he held it firmly, and slammed the door.
Atimma took a shaky breath and screamed. She began to cry. She clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut.
"I am pregnant and you beat me up like this? I will deal with you bastard..." She sobbed softly.
She stood in the middle of the sitting room until her tears dried up. She realized she was still holding the mug. She set it down so hard that she was afraid it might break.
*****
She went to the office with a teary face. She wanted Sympathy.
Her best friend appeared at her office moments after Atimma called her phone in tears. "Harry has killed me Linda." She cried out.
"You see where you landed yourself? with an abusive husband! After all what you've done for him, he still had the guts to make you cry in this condition!" She said angrily as she handed a white kerchief to Atimma.
"Arrest him! Tell the police that it's domestic violence."
Atimma looked meaningfully at Linda and nodded slowly.
"But he didn't beat me, he only held my hands"
"That is abusive. You're pregnant, he wasn't suppose to do that."
The grin slowly faded from Atimma's face, she became confused. For some reason, Linda's words embarrassed her.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 13)
Harry's face burned when he saw black maria and a few police men in front of the house. He held the waterproof that contained two plates of rice he had bought from Eka udo's restaurant, and a red rose. His heart trembled.
He had wondered what might have happened to his wife, he noticed four police men in their uniform, standing by the gate.
"Is everything alright?" He asked in a shaky tone.
The police men immediately turned and pointed a gun at him.
"Officer that's the wife beater!" Atimma screamed from the house. She came out dressed in a pyjamas night gown and flip flop.
Two officers held Harry, the waterproof that contained food and the rose fell off from his hands. The officers handcuffed his hands and pushed him to the black maria.
A queer regret settled into her heart. And a horrible, shivering feeling skittered up her spine as one of the police men slapped Harry hard on the face.
"What did I do?" Harry asked in a shaky tone.
"You beat woman, shut up!"
For a split second, an unguarded look appeared in her eyes. A look of fear. Her heart pounded.
Another police officer slapped him hard for the second time, and he turned to look at Atimma. She turned away, frightened by the intensity of his gaze.
"What did I do to you?" He yelled...and shook his head angrily.
The police officer pushed him into the van and they zoomed off.
Harry's sad face when the police officer slapped him, appeared in Atimma's imagination. She became afraid of her very own act.
She stared at the black maria, until she couldn't view it anymore, her pounding heart, stealing her breath.
She went back to the house reluctantly, and thought of how Harry was going to cope in cell.
She called Linda's phone and it rang twice. Linda called her back afterwards.
"He has been taken away by the police." Atimma whispered over the phone.
"Good. perfect! He will learn his lessons in there." Linda said.
The two women talked and laughed about so many things, until Atimma decided to sleep off.
****
Weeks passed into months, and Atimma had not gone to see Harry in cell. Shame won't let her.
She was in her third trimester, and she needed him more than anything. His mother had started getting worried, and demanded to talk with her son. The last time she saw him was when he took drugs and some money to her.
"He is in cell mama, police arrested him because he beat me up and almost killed me with this pregnancy." She said in a shaky tone.
Harry's mom cried and yelled over the phone.
"I don't believe you, Harrison won't do that, I didn't groom him to be aggressive!" She cried out...
Atimma hung up the call on her and turned off her phone. She was afraid that something terrible might happen to him, she became weak and thought of him at that moment.
Harry's mother had gone around different police stations, crying with her son's photo and showing it to the police men. she wanted to see her son and her joy was lifted, when she finally saw him at ikot Akpan abia.
"He has been here for over a month mma, he was arrested for battering his wife."
Harry's mom shrugged her shoulders and sat carefully at entrance of the police station, crying and yelling that her son is innocent. Every emotion inside of her was written on her expression.
When Harry was brought out by one of the police men for identification, her heart felt as she saw bruises from his head, to his feet. She wept uncontrollably.
She wept until he was taken back to cell.
she wept until she slept off and woke up again.
Harry's face burned when he saw black maria and a few police men in front of the house. He held the waterproof that contained two plates of rice he had bought from Eka udo's restaurant, and a red rose. His heart trembled.
He had wondered what might have happened to his wife, he noticed four police men in their uniform, standing by the gate.
"Is everything alright?" He asked in a shaky tone.
The police men immediately turned and pointed a gun at him.
"Officer that's the wife beater!" Atimma screamed from the house. She came out dressed in a pyjamas night gown and flip flop.
Two officers held Harry, the waterproof that contained food and the rose fell off from his hands. The officers handcuffed his hands and pushed him to the black maria.
A queer regret settled into her heart. And a horrible, shivering feeling skittered up her spine as one of the police men slapped Harry hard on the face.
"What did I do?" Harry asked in a shaky tone.
"You beat woman, shut up!"
For a split second, an unguarded look appeared in her eyes. A look of fear. Her heart pounded.
Another police officer slapped him hard for the second time, and he turned to look at Atimma. She turned away, frightened by the intensity of his gaze.
"What did I do to you?" He yelled...and shook his head angrily.
The police officer pushed him into the van and they zoomed off.
Harry's sad face when the police officer slapped him, appeared in Atimma's imagination. She became afraid of her very own act.
She stared at the black maria, until she couldn't view it anymore, her pounding heart, stealing her breath.
She went back to the house reluctantly, and thought of how Harry was going to cope in cell.
She called Linda's phone and it rang twice. Linda called her back afterwards.
"He has been taken away by the police." Atimma whispered over the phone.
"Good. perfect! He will learn his lessons in there." Linda said.
The two women talked and laughed about so many things, until Atimma decided to sleep off.
****
Weeks passed into months, and Atimma had not gone to see Harry in cell. Shame won't let her.
She was in her third trimester, and she needed him more than anything. His mother had started getting worried, and demanded to talk with her son. The last time she saw him was when he took drugs and some money to her.
"He is in cell mama, police arrested him because he beat me up and almost killed me with this pregnancy." She said in a shaky tone.
Harry's mom cried and yelled over the phone.
"I don't believe you, Harrison won't do that, I didn't groom him to be aggressive!" She cried out...
Atimma hung up the call on her and turned off her phone. She was afraid that something terrible might happen to him, she became weak and thought of him at that moment.
Harry's mother had gone around different police stations, crying with her son's photo and showing it to the police men. she wanted to see her son and her joy was lifted, when she finally saw him at ikot Akpan abia.
"He has been here for over a month mma, he was arrested for battering his wife."
Harry's mom shrugged her shoulders and sat carefully at entrance of the police station, crying and yelling that her son is innocent. Every emotion inside of her was written on her expression.
When Harry was brought out by one of the police men for identification, her heart felt as she saw bruises from his head, to his feet. She wept uncontrollably.
She wept until he was taken back to cell.
she wept until she slept off and woke up again.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 14)
Atimma's heart trembled when the police officer called her.
"Madam, his mother is causing problems here in the station." He said huskily.
She could not believe her ears.
"How did she find out where your station is?" She asked in soft whispers.
"I don't know ma. But we need you here."
She turned around and imagined the man who once meant everything to her. Her heart became broken as she took a cab to the police station.
She couldn't hold her tears when she saw Harry's mom sitting at the counter with the look of pains and agony.
"What did my son do to you?" She cried out when she saw Atimma.
"I can sell my wrappers and even sell my husband's house in the village just to pay you off for all what you've done for him."
She cried out.
"Mama e don do...You go see your pikin. him wife don come to bail am." One of the police officers said authoritatively.
"If not that you are carrying my grand child, I would have given you that beatings that you deserve, ebod atefo!" She said bitterly.
Atimma had a low whisper conversation with the officers, she counted money from her wallet and handed to them. The police officers cheered her aloud. She gave a pained smile, as Harry came out in his torn clothes and bruised filled body. His mother ran and hugged him tight to herself.
"How have you been feeding? I brought you food." She said in a shaky and teary tone.
"I ate in the morning."
"Who brought you food?"
"One of the sisters of a cell mate. She fed all of us daily because of her brother."
"Did her brother beat somebody?" His mom asked anxiously like the response mattered so much to her.
"No. He was arrested on his way coming back from church. He will be released today, his lawyer is on the way. let's go mama." he said, as he wore his shirt handed to him by the police officer.
"What about his sister who brings you food? where does she stay? I want to tell her thank you."
"I don't know mama."
"What's her name?"
"Enomfon..."
"ata Enomfon, God bless her. and may God punish every false accuser in your life. " Harry's mom said, as she turned rudely to Atimma who was already on her way out.
Harry could not look at Atimma's face. He was held by his mother. He shrugged, then winced when the movement hurt his shoulder.
Atimma became ashamed.
Harry's mom sighed in irritation and stepped out of the police station, while Atimma followed them sluggishly behind.
A dark hurt shadowed Harry's face briefly then his mouth quirked in a wry smile.
He wasn't walking too well, he was leaping.
Atimma closed her eyes when she watched him leap from behind, she tried to feel relieved that he was finally out. But all she could find inside her was a faint apprehension and a hollow sense of loss that had been there ever since she arrested him.
Somehow, she knew things were never going to be the same again, until she delivered her baby.
Harry's mom kept muttering words and laying curses until they got home. She untied her wrapper and took out some money from her brazier.
"where is market? let me cook food for you." She said excitedly.
"Mama, I have to clean up these wounds first. try and locate the bathroom from the corridor, you will see a bucket and towel." He tried to describe in a shaky, sick tone.
His mother rushed in and came out again with a disinfectant, bucket and water. She cleaned his wounds and dressed him smoothly, until he slept off peacefully.
Atimma's heart trembled when the police officer called her.
"Madam, his mother is causing problems here in the station." He said huskily.
She could not believe her ears.
"How did she find out where your station is?" She asked in soft whispers.
"I don't know ma. But we need you here."
She turned around and imagined the man who once meant everything to her. Her heart became broken as she took a cab to the police station.
She couldn't hold her tears when she saw Harry's mom sitting at the counter with the look of pains and agony.
"What did my son do to you?" She cried out when she saw Atimma.
"I can sell my wrappers and even sell my husband's house in the village just to pay you off for all what you've done for him."
She cried out.
"Mama e don do...You go see your pikin. him wife don come to bail am." One of the police officers said authoritatively.
"If not that you are carrying my grand child, I would have given you that beatings that you deserve, ebod atefo!" She said bitterly.
Atimma had a low whisper conversation with the officers, she counted money from her wallet and handed to them. The police officers cheered her aloud. She gave a pained smile, as Harry came out in his torn clothes and bruised filled body. His mother ran and hugged him tight to herself.
"How have you been feeding? I brought you food." She said in a shaky and teary tone.
"I ate in the morning."
"Who brought you food?"
"One of the sisters of a cell mate. She fed all of us daily because of her brother."
"Did her brother beat somebody?" His mom asked anxiously like the response mattered so much to her.
"No. He was arrested on his way coming back from church. He will be released today, his lawyer is on the way. let's go mama." he said, as he wore his shirt handed to him by the police officer.
"What about his sister who brings you food? where does she stay? I want to tell her thank you."
"I don't know mama."
"What's her name?"
"Enomfon..."
"ata Enomfon, God bless her. and may God punish every false accuser in your life. " Harry's mom said, as she turned rudely to Atimma who was already on her way out.
Harry could not look at Atimma's face. He was held by his mother. He shrugged, then winced when the movement hurt his shoulder.
Atimma became ashamed.
Harry's mom sighed in irritation and stepped out of the police station, while Atimma followed them sluggishly behind.
A dark hurt shadowed Harry's face briefly then his mouth quirked in a wry smile.
He wasn't walking too well, he was leaping.
Atimma closed her eyes when she watched him leap from behind, she tried to feel relieved that he was finally out. But all she could find inside her was a faint apprehension and a hollow sense of loss that had been there ever since she arrested him.
Somehow, she knew things were never going to be the same again, until she delivered her baby.
Harry's mom kept muttering words and laying curses until they got home. She untied her wrapper and took out some money from her brazier.
"where is market? let me cook food for you." She said excitedly.
"Mama, I have to clean up these wounds first. try and locate the bathroom from the corridor, you will see a bucket and towel." He tried to describe in a shaky, sick tone.
His mother rushed in and came out again with a disinfectant, bucket and water. She cleaned his wounds and dressed him smoothly, until he slept off peacefully.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 15)
Atimma couldn't wait for the morning sunlight to meet her at home, she was too ashamed to face her mother inlaw and Harry.
She stepped into the bathroom to get her makeup and nearly tripped over the pile of bloody clothes and towels. With a grimace of distaste, she picked up the towels. underneath was Harry's T-shirt.
She picked it up half-reluctantly. She saw a wet paper in the shirt pocket, and took it out with two fingers, she opened it and saw a writing on it. 'Enomfon Amanda...080333333677...'
She threw the paper into the toilet and flushed it.
She avoided thinking about what a lady's number was doing in Harry's pocket.
Harry woke up into another penniless life. He laid on the Persian rug carpet, just beside his mother. She had covered him with her wrapper.
Atimma felt sad. She could not talk to them. She only whispered 'good morning' to Harry and his mom, but they didn't respond. She felt shamefully uncomfortable in their midst.
Harry had thought of how he was going to resume his bricklaying work at Abia's building. His mother needed to stay for a while, until he healed properly. Atimma was going to put to bed in two months. He needed money to support these two women.
Looking at the clock, he hurried into the bathroom. He walked passed Atimma at the corridor, and didn't say a word to her, or even stare at her face. It was going to take a while for him to communicate with her again, if not that long, just maybe when baby is born.
He avoided her as much as he could, and stood strictly, only on his lane.
After he had his bath, he dressed up hastily.
"I am off to the building place mama." He said.
"You need some rest first. You don't need work now."
"I do need money badly." He whispered softly and ran out of the house.
Harry got to Abia's building place at a quarter pass seven. He was struck by the new look the structure had...
The other workers had finished working on it. They had painted it and completed the structure, it turned out to become a beautiful edifice.
Harry wanted to knock on the gate, but he couldn't. He knew he had lost the job already and that there was nothing to do. Rather, he thought of going back into the arms of his mother, and eating the remaining afang soup she had made the previous day.
He was sad, disappointed and felt like the whole world was against his happiness.
He trekked back home that day with a headache.
****
As soon as Atimma stepped into the office, Seno pulled out behind her, keeping a safe distance so she wouldn't spot him. And the same time, watching to be sure nobody was following either of them.
Atimma sat slowly on her office chair and tried booting her computer. Seno walked in without knocking.
Her heart slammed into her throat, and her knees buckled. She had to grab the chair handle to keep from falling.
"Oh jeez!" she breathed. "You scared the hell out of me, you just walked in like a ghost."
Seno clicked the office door locked and inserted the key into his suit pocket.
"You and I need to talk." He said huskily.
"Where did you keep the car I got for you?"
"I sold it!" She replied boldly.
"Why?"
"Because I was in need of a house. I sold it and rented myself a new place.
"Why didn't you tell me that you needed a new place? I would have arranged for one of my duplexes in Shelter afrique to be cleaned up for you and your man."
Atimma shook her head. A smile curved her mouth. Seno stared rightly into her eyes, as he walked stunningly towards her.
"I am about to kiss you, and I want you to let me. I know you're pregnant, I don't wanna see you suffer anymore. You mean the world to me. Give me a chance to love you more, take me back please" His head descended, his breath brushing against her lips.
Atimma couldn't wait for the morning sunlight to meet her at home, she was too ashamed to face her mother inlaw and Harry.
She stepped into the bathroom to get her makeup and nearly tripped over the pile of bloody clothes and towels. With a grimace of distaste, she picked up the towels. underneath was Harry's T-shirt.
She picked it up half-reluctantly. She saw a wet paper in the shirt pocket, and took it out with two fingers, she opened it and saw a writing on it. 'Enomfon Amanda...080333333677...'
She threw the paper into the toilet and flushed it.
She avoided thinking about what a lady's number was doing in Harry's pocket.
Harry woke up into another penniless life. He laid on the Persian rug carpet, just beside his mother. She had covered him with her wrapper.
Atimma felt sad. She could not talk to them. She only whispered 'good morning' to Harry and his mom, but they didn't respond. She felt shamefully uncomfortable in their midst.
Harry had thought of how he was going to resume his bricklaying work at Abia's building. His mother needed to stay for a while, until he healed properly. Atimma was going to put to bed in two months. He needed money to support these two women.
Looking at the clock, he hurried into the bathroom. He walked passed Atimma at the corridor, and didn't say a word to her, or even stare at her face. It was going to take a while for him to communicate with her again, if not that long, just maybe when baby is born.
He avoided her as much as he could, and stood strictly, only on his lane.
After he had his bath, he dressed up hastily.
"I am off to the building place mama." He said.
"You need some rest first. You don't need work now."
"I do need money badly." He whispered softly and ran out of the house.
Harry got to Abia's building place at a quarter pass seven. He was struck by the new look the structure had...
The other workers had finished working on it. They had painted it and completed the structure, it turned out to become a beautiful edifice.
Harry wanted to knock on the gate, but he couldn't. He knew he had lost the job already and that there was nothing to do. Rather, he thought of going back into the arms of his mother, and eating the remaining afang soup she had made the previous day.
He was sad, disappointed and felt like the whole world was against his happiness.
He trekked back home that day with a headache.
****
As soon as Atimma stepped into the office, Seno pulled out behind her, keeping a safe distance so she wouldn't spot him. And the same time, watching to be sure nobody was following either of them.
Atimma sat slowly on her office chair and tried booting her computer. Seno walked in without knocking.
Her heart slammed into her throat, and her knees buckled. She had to grab the chair handle to keep from falling.
"Oh jeez!" she breathed. "You scared the hell out of me, you just walked in like a ghost."
Seno clicked the office door locked and inserted the key into his suit pocket.
"You and I need to talk." He said huskily.
"Where did you keep the car I got for you?"
"I sold it!" She replied boldly.
"Why?"
"Because I was in need of a house. I sold it and rented myself a new place.
"Why didn't you tell me that you needed a new place? I would have arranged for one of my duplexes in Shelter afrique to be cleaned up for you and your man."
Atimma shook her head. A smile curved her mouth. Seno stared rightly into her eyes, as he walked stunningly towards her.
"I am about to kiss you, and I want you to let me. I know you're pregnant, I don't wanna see you suffer anymore. You mean the world to me. Give me a chance to love you more, take me back please" His head descended, his breath brushing against her lips.
LOVE IN
TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 16)
Seno kissed her lips, as he looked at her tolerantly.
His shoulders brushed against hers, and her heart pounded as blood thrummed hotly through her veins.
She had never been susceptible to Harry's touch the way she was with Seno.
She suddenly remembered that she pregnant, she paused a bit and pushed him slowly away.
"I can't be doing this in this condition. My baby won't like it." she whispered.
He frowned and placed his hands on her belly.
"Let it just come out, so that I can have my woman back into my life." He whispered softly into her ears. Atimma's laughter was deep and amused.
"I want to surprise you. I will be going on a vacation with you after childbirth. But for now..." He dipped his hands inside his suit pocket and brought out a cheque, and put In her hands then kissed her palms. "This is for my lost but found Queen. Get yourself a car with that. You don't deserve to walk or suffer with this pregnancy." He added.
Atimma shook her head excitedly. She hugged Seno tight to herself and whispered, "thank you so much."
Seno stared at her body lustfully. The thoughts of her beneath him, her body covered with sheen of sweat, her eyes filled with passion while he made love to her ran through his mind.
"I love you. It's my wife I don't cherish. I cherish you."
"You should have married me. Harry is a good man, he doesn't deserve this."
"I am sorry my love."
She flushed and pulled away from Seno's reassuring strength. The feeling of longing to be with him again settled.
****
Harry had trekked from Abia's building to his house. He walked on his feets for over five hours until he got back home.
He clicked the door open and saw his mother counting ten naira notes, sitting on the floor with her legs spread. He became surprise.
"Where did you get that from mama?" he asked.
His mother used the saliva in her mouth to separate the notes accordingly before responding.
"I went to look for money. I used the last five hundred I had to buy pure water. I made gain of eight hundred naira today alone." She said excitedly as she stared down at Harry, his face closed and grin.
"Why would you mama?" he asked painfully.
"We need to save up for your wife. She will be due soon. I also have to buy clothes for my grand child."
Harry nodded and half smiled, a pale phantom of his usual flippant grin. "I think I will join you in selling tomorrow." He said softly and settled on the sofa.
"What happened to your bricklaying work?" His mother asked, looking surprised.
"I lost it. The house has been completed already." He said sadly.
"Everything will be fine... I have been praying for you...." The voice continued, soothing, calming, and gentle. Her beloved hands cradled his forehead.
Moments later, Atimma got into the house. Her face had a delighted expression.
"Good evening..." She greeted calmly.
Harry didn't respond, but his mother nodded. " Welcome my daughter..."
Atimma became amaze at Harry's mom new attitude towards her.
"Sit down Atim. I want to talk to the both of you."
Atimma lowered herself slowly on the sofa. They both watched Harry's mom squeeze in the arranged naira notes inside her wrapper, she tied it firmly and then took her gaze back to Harry and Atimma.
"I was told that marriage isn't the bed of roses, it is true. There is no perfect Marriage, but love corrects imperfections and makes it beautiful." She paused and yawn a bit.
"Forgiveness isn't for people who are not ready to be married. Since I came here, I haven't seen the both of you talk to each other, no love...
It is not good. Reconcile and make peace, if not for anything, for the sake of the baby."
Her voice was coaxing them, buzzing into their ears like a a pesky bee.
reserved
Seno kissed her lips, as he looked at her tolerantly.
His shoulders brushed against hers, and her heart pounded as blood thrummed hotly through her veins.
She had never been susceptible to Harry's touch the way she was with Seno.
She suddenly remembered that she pregnant, she paused a bit and pushed him slowly away.
"I can't be doing this in this condition. My baby won't like it." she whispered.
He frowned and placed his hands on her belly.
"Let it just come out, so that I can have my woman back into my life." He whispered softly into her ears. Atimma's laughter was deep and amused.
"I want to surprise you. I will be going on a vacation with you after childbirth. But for now..." He dipped his hands inside his suit pocket and brought out a cheque, and put In her hands then kissed her palms. "This is for my lost but found Queen. Get yourself a car with that. You don't deserve to walk or suffer with this pregnancy." He added.
Atimma shook her head excitedly. She hugged Seno tight to herself and whispered, "thank you so much."
Seno stared at her body lustfully. The thoughts of her beneath him, her body covered with sheen of sweat, her eyes filled with passion while he made love to her ran through his mind.
"I love you. It's my wife I don't cherish. I cherish you."
"You should have married me. Harry is a good man, he doesn't deserve this."
"I am sorry my love."
She flushed and pulled away from Seno's reassuring strength. The feeling of longing to be with him again settled.
****
Harry had trekked from Abia's building to his house. He walked on his feets for over five hours until he got back home.
He clicked the door open and saw his mother counting ten naira notes, sitting on the floor with her legs spread. He became surprise.
"Where did you get that from mama?" he asked.
His mother used the saliva in her mouth to separate the notes accordingly before responding.
"I went to look for money. I used the last five hundred I had to buy pure water. I made gain of eight hundred naira today alone." She said excitedly as she stared down at Harry, his face closed and grin.
"Why would you mama?" he asked painfully.
"We need to save up for your wife. She will be due soon. I also have to buy clothes for my grand child."
Harry nodded and half smiled, a pale phantom of his usual flippant grin. "I think I will join you in selling tomorrow." He said softly and settled on the sofa.
"What happened to your bricklaying work?" His mother asked, looking surprised.
"I lost it. The house has been completed already." He said sadly.
"Everything will be fine... I have been praying for you...." The voice continued, soothing, calming, and gentle. Her beloved hands cradled his forehead.
Moments later, Atimma got into the house. Her face had a delighted expression.
"Good evening..." She greeted calmly.
Harry didn't respond, but his mother nodded. " Welcome my daughter..."
Atimma became amaze at Harry's mom new attitude towards her.
"Sit down Atim. I want to talk to the both of you."
Atimma lowered herself slowly on the sofa. They both watched Harry's mom squeeze in the arranged naira notes inside her wrapper, she tied it firmly and then took her gaze back to Harry and Atimma.
"I was told that marriage isn't the bed of roses, it is true. There is no perfect Marriage, but love corrects imperfections and makes it beautiful." She paused and yawn a bit.
"Forgiveness isn't for people who are not ready to be married. Since I came here, I haven't seen the both of you talk to each other, no love...
It is not good. Reconcile and make peace, if not for anything, for the sake of the baby."
Her voice was coaxing them, buzzing into their ears like a a pesky bee.
reserved
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 17)
Finally, Atimma felt as if she could raise her head after Harry's mom had advised the both of them. Harry was mute.
While Atimma just said "thank you mama."
She had bought food from a restaurant as usual, and ate in her room before she concentrated on her laptop.
The next day, she was ordering for her new car, and she didn't have anyone to answer to, not even Harry.
Morning came, Harry and his mother left the house early for the sachet water company downtown. It was etaha market day, and they were aware of the number of people who bought and sold in the market. They held and empty bucket and filled them up with twenty sachets of water each. He filled his mother's bucket with just ten sachets and held her hands as they hawked around the busy market.
After an hectic day, Harry and his mom sat under a flyover weakly, thinking of what to eat; they were hungry and their legs were hurting.
"Doesn't your wife cook?" Harry's mom broke the silence.
"I can't remember the last time she did that."
His mother wanted to protest, and Harry knew what was in her mind, but he glared at her suspiciously.
"It's not a problem, I think it's the pregnancy." He added. His voice hoarse and unsteady.
"Is she the first to be pregnant? When I was pregnant of you, I went to the farm with your father and carried cassava stems for plantation. Who is she?"
"Mama just let her be."
"It bothers me. You two don't behave as husband and wife."
"We will sort things out." He said dryly.
"I don't need to ask if you had beaten her up for real, because I know you my son, you didn't."
Harry nodded in agreement and laced his hands into his mother's.
He knew that things might not change, all he ever wanted was his child and a good job.
His mother and him bought plantain porridge by the road side, they ate it till their belly became filled.
****
Atimma waited anxiously for Linda to join her at the office, so that they could go get her car from the agent.
She was excited.
She had started having light pains around her stomach, she suspected that baby was coming soon.
Linda arrived her office that day, smelling of masculine perfume.
"You this girl! you're smelling man, man."
Linda laughed out loud and sat on the office table.
"Chief Nwabueze's perfume. That man loves me real good." She chuckled.
"I don't know why married men are loving their girlfriends more than their wives these days."
"Don't be deceived Atim. No married man loves his girlfriend more than his wife. They only pretend about it. They will all go back to their wives someday, when they get tired of our vaginas."
Atimma stared at her stunned, as her words sank in like a bomb in her head.
"Well, Seno loves me. He gave me over four million to buy a good car for myself."
"Amazing! congratulations... the baby is bringing in favours..."
"The agent is waiting, that's why I called you, so that we can go get it together."
"Bebe! you don turn big girl well, well!"
They both laughed out loud in unison.
"I am spending three million on the car, and the rest will go for my baby things. If not that you advised me to take Seno back, I would be looking like a mad woman from the ghetto by now." Linda's laughter became amused.
"Wait a minute, you mean Harry hasn't even given you a dime for his baby things?"
"Not a kobo! His mom came by, I met them last night counting some smelly ten naira and five naira notes."
Linda laughed and fell on the floor. "This morning, I overheard them talking about selling sachet water."
"Oh no Atim...I hope you get fresh air when you get back home today." Atimma gave a loud laugh, and shook her head.
Finally, Atimma felt as if she could raise her head after Harry's mom had advised the both of them. Harry was mute.
While Atimma just said "thank you mama."
She had bought food from a restaurant as usual, and ate in her room before she concentrated on her laptop.
The next day, she was ordering for her new car, and she didn't have anyone to answer to, not even Harry.
Morning came, Harry and his mother left the house early for the sachet water company downtown. It was etaha market day, and they were aware of the number of people who bought and sold in the market. They held and empty bucket and filled them up with twenty sachets of water each. He filled his mother's bucket with just ten sachets and held her hands as they hawked around the busy market.
After an hectic day, Harry and his mom sat under a flyover weakly, thinking of what to eat; they were hungry and their legs were hurting.
"Doesn't your wife cook?" Harry's mom broke the silence.
"I can't remember the last time she did that."
His mother wanted to protest, and Harry knew what was in her mind, but he glared at her suspiciously.
"It's not a problem, I think it's the pregnancy." He added. His voice hoarse and unsteady.
"Is she the first to be pregnant? When I was pregnant of you, I went to the farm with your father and carried cassava stems for plantation. Who is she?"
"Mama just let her be."
"It bothers me. You two don't behave as husband and wife."
"We will sort things out." He said dryly.
"I don't need to ask if you had beaten her up for real, because I know you my son, you didn't."
Harry nodded in agreement and laced his hands into his mother's.
He knew that things might not change, all he ever wanted was his child and a good job.
His mother and him bought plantain porridge by the road side, they ate it till their belly became filled.
****
Atimma waited anxiously for Linda to join her at the office, so that they could go get her car from the agent.
She was excited.
She had started having light pains around her stomach, she suspected that baby was coming soon.
Linda arrived her office that day, smelling of masculine perfume.
"You this girl! you're smelling man, man."
Linda laughed out loud and sat on the office table.
"Chief Nwabueze's perfume. That man loves me real good." She chuckled.
"I don't know why married men are loving their girlfriends more than their wives these days."
"Don't be deceived Atim. No married man loves his girlfriend more than his wife. They only pretend about it. They will all go back to their wives someday, when they get tired of our vaginas."
Atimma stared at her stunned, as her words sank in like a bomb in her head.
"Well, Seno loves me. He gave me over four million to buy a good car for myself."
"Amazing! congratulations... the baby is bringing in favours..."
"The agent is waiting, that's why I called you, so that we can go get it together."
"Bebe! you don turn big girl well, well!"
They both laughed out loud in unison.
"I am spending three million on the car, and the rest will go for my baby things. If not that you advised me to take Seno back, I would be looking like a mad woman from the ghetto by now." Linda's laughter became amused.
"Wait a minute, you mean Harry hasn't even given you a dime for his baby things?"
"Not a kobo! His mom came by, I met them last night counting some smelly ten naira and five naira notes."
Linda laughed and fell on the floor. "This morning, I overheard them talking about selling sachet water."
"Oh no Atim...I hope you get fresh air when you get back home today." Atimma gave a loud laugh, and shook her head.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 18)
Harry and his mother felt delighted, as they sold their water again in quantum.
Before Harry and His mother got back to the house, they had sold the water for five rounds.
Harry saw some baby clothes at cheap rates in the market and bought ten pieces of them, he also got baby napkin and white towels.
"It is remaining toiletries mama." He said to his mom after he counted the remaining money.
"We won't buy it today, after tomorrow's sales." She said. He helped her to her feet. He doubled the water buckets and placed them on his head, followed by his mother.
As they got back home, Harry was strangely quiet. He took a deep breathe when he noticed a fine, red car parked in front of the house, with a new plate number.
He stood as still as a statue, his arms folded across his chest, with the buckets on his head, and he did not look into that direction anymore.
When he got to the door, he tried to open it with his own keys, and noticed that Atimma had locked from the inside.
He knocked the door several times. His mother yawned and lowered herself slowly on the staircase.
They sat outside for hours, knocking on the door.
"Dammit!" Harry exclaimed, as he bounced more harder on the door.
His mother shook her head and stared pitifully at him. "maybe she is sleeping." she said softly.
"Sleep for how long? We've been here for hours!"
The door finally clicked open as Atimma stood in her night gown. She didn't say a word to them, she walked Passed them and got into her room.
The whole house was filled with baby seaters, diapers and baby clothes in piles filled up the sofas and the center table. Harry stared at the few clothes he bought from the market. Tears gathered in his eyes, as his head fell across his mother's shoulders.
He walked into the bedroom and saw Atimma lying on the bed, she was playing candy crush with her phone.
"I for something for baby." he muttered, his manner turning suddenly cold.
Atimma turned her face to him. "What's that?" she asked shrilly.
" Baby clothes, napkin and towels. Tomorrow, mama and I will buy the rest."
He whispered.
Atimma stood up and took the clothes from him. She held them irritatingly in her hands and perceived them.
"You got okirika for my child Harry? Did you not see the foreign things I bought for my baby?
Tell me that's what you can afford again, let me shame you." She said slipping her gown back in place and retying her ribbons with trembling fingers.
Her eyes closed as she threw the clothes at him.
"Babies don't use napkins anymore. They use diapers. Take those things to the motherless Harry."
Harry fell into brooding silence as he wiped a drop of tear from his eyes.
He packed the clothes slowly on the floor and piled them in his arms.
"I will talk to my boss about getting you a space at the office." She Muttered, and then said aloud, "Not something serious, as a cleaner precisely."
"No thank you. I do not want. I will rather sell water around the streets of Uyo, rather than work in an office for people who will take me as a fool Atimma. I am not a fool." He said softly, his voice was gruff, and he walked out of the room.
He heard her sigh deeply, murmuring words to herself.
When Harry arrived the sitting room, his mother's eyes was fixed on his face. "All is well mama." He said, his voice broke. He began to cry as he sat beside his mother and kept his head on her laps. His heart was drumming to his ears.
Their hearts trembled, as they heard a loud scream from the bedroom. They paused, then waited to be sure it was from Atimma.
She yelled again. Harry ran helter skelter to the room, his heart broke as he saw her in tears and pains.
"My water broke!" she exclaimed in pains. Harry couldn't wait for her to say the next word, he swept her into his arms and he ran hastily outside.
Harry and his mother felt delighted, as they sold their water again in quantum.
Before Harry and His mother got back to the house, they had sold the water for five rounds.
Harry saw some baby clothes at cheap rates in the market and bought ten pieces of them, he also got baby napkin and white towels.
"It is remaining toiletries mama." He said to his mom after he counted the remaining money.
"We won't buy it today, after tomorrow's sales." She said. He helped her to her feet. He doubled the water buckets and placed them on his head, followed by his mother.
As they got back home, Harry was strangely quiet. He took a deep breathe when he noticed a fine, red car parked in front of the house, with a new plate number.
He stood as still as a statue, his arms folded across his chest, with the buckets on his head, and he did not look into that direction anymore.
When he got to the door, he tried to open it with his own keys, and noticed that Atimma had locked from the inside.
He knocked the door several times. His mother yawned and lowered herself slowly on the staircase.
They sat outside for hours, knocking on the door.
"Dammit!" Harry exclaimed, as he bounced more harder on the door.
His mother shook her head and stared pitifully at him. "maybe she is sleeping." she said softly.
"Sleep for how long? We've been here for hours!"
The door finally clicked open as Atimma stood in her night gown. She didn't say a word to them, she walked Passed them and got into her room.
The whole house was filled with baby seaters, diapers and baby clothes in piles filled up the sofas and the center table. Harry stared at the few clothes he bought from the market. Tears gathered in his eyes, as his head fell across his mother's shoulders.
He walked into the bedroom and saw Atimma lying on the bed, she was playing candy crush with her phone.
"I for something for baby." he muttered, his manner turning suddenly cold.
Atimma turned her face to him. "What's that?" she asked shrilly.
" Baby clothes, napkin and towels. Tomorrow, mama and I will buy the rest."
He whispered.
Atimma stood up and took the clothes from him. She held them irritatingly in her hands and perceived them.
"You got okirika for my child Harry? Did you not see the foreign things I bought for my baby?
Tell me that's what you can afford again, let me shame you." She said slipping her gown back in place and retying her ribbons with trembling fingers.
Her eyes closed as she threw the clothes at him.
"Babies don't use napkins anymore. They use diapers. Take those things to the motherless Harry."
Harry fell into brooding silence as he wiped a drop of tear from his eyes.
He packed the clothes slowly on the floor and piled them in his arms.
"I will talk to my boss about getting you a space at the office." She Muttered, and then said aloud, "Not something serious, as a cleaner precisely."
"No thank you. I do not want. I will rather sell water around the streets of Uyo, rather than work in an office for people who will take me as a fool Atimma. I am not a fool." He said softly, his voice was gruff, and he walked out of the room.
He heard her sigh deeply, murmuring words to herself.
When Harry arrived the sitting room, his mother's eyes was fixed on his face. "All is well mama." He said, his voice broke. He began to cry as he sat beside his mother and kept his head on her laps. His heart was drumming to his ears.
Their hearts trembled, as they heard a loud scream from the bedroom. They paused, then waited to be sure it was from Atimma.
She yelled again. Harry ran helter skelter to the room, his heart broke as he saw her in tears and pains.
"My water broke!" she exclaimed in pains. Harry couldn't wait for her to say the next word, he swept her into his arms and he ran hastily outside.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 19)
Harry's body and face was coated with sweats. He looked pale and his eyes looked tired.
He folded his arms across his chest, while his mother was praying deeply in her heart.
He wanted all of this to be over.
Doctor Edet's deep voice came from behind them. "Mr Harry..."
His mother jumped up from her seat when she saw the doctor. They both stepped towards him to hear his words clearly. Doctor Edet's face was beamed with smiles as he announced the good news.
"It's a beautiful, hairy Princess." He said lyrically, almost like a song. "I have never seen a baby this beautiful..."
Harry and his mother could not hold their joy. They were excited. His mother knelt down and slowly hit her head on the cold tile. "Thank you Jehovah, Yahweh! elshaddai, elohin, adonai, I am that I am, abasi apostolic, ahha. At my age, I am going to carry my first grand child." She stood up and danced around by twisting her waist. Harry and the doctor watched her with smiles on their faces.
"Doctor, can we see her now?" Harry asked in a shaky tone.
"Oh yes...you can."
They both walked hastily behind Doctor Edet as he led them to the ward Atimma and the baby were.
Harry's heart skipped as he saw his daughter. He carried her from the baby bed and handed her gently to his mother.
He walked gently towards Atimma and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you for giving me an angel." He whispered into her ears.
She gave a forceful smile, but didn't say a word.
Harry went back to his daughter and took her from his mother's hands. She had a full black hair and a pointed nose, and looked exactly like him.
"she looks like you when you were baby. She has your nose and your hair. look at her nails, looks like her grand father's." Harry's mom said excitedly as she held the baby's hands.
Harry giggled, and kissed the baby on the forehead.
"What will be her name Mama?"
"I will name her Mkpoutommi..." She whispered excitedly.
Harry smiled.
He watched her lick her small pink lips. He admired her pink, unisex sleep wear and her coverall.
She made him feel so many emotions.
He held her tight to himself and cuddled her gently. Her tiny cry caught his attention.
"Is like she needs breast milk. she is hungry." Harry said softly, turning to Atimma.
"I won't give her breast milk. I bought her tin milk."
"Abasiakan...My grandchild will suck breast milk until she clocks six months. I did same for your husband, my son." Harry's mom said shrilly.
"I won't give her breast milk. I am not interested in what breast milk does to babies. I won't. I will give her baby milk."
Atimma said weakly, but authoritatively.
"Why? Breast milk is good for babies."
"Harrison, I don't want my breast to fall because of your child, I don't want to breastfeed anybody." She said.
Harry became sad. Atimma saw his frown and immediately took away her face.
"That's her food, in case, you want to mix it, make it 50ml." Atimma said and laid slowly on the bed. Harry's mom became mute.
Harry's gaze dropped at where the baby's food was pointed at. He searched through the bag, saw the milk, a water flask and a feeding bottle. He went out hastily to look for hot water so that he could feed his child. His heart was filled with anger. But the face of his little angel softened him.
He named her Edidiongabasi.
"She will bring me blessings mama." He said to his mom, as he inserted the feeding bottle into her mouth slowly, she took it without hesitation and sucked it gently.
"Didi girlllllll" His mother teased, he handed the baby to his mother and watched her feed baby excitedly.
He was amaze at such enchanting beauty and he stared at his little girl like she was magic. He was more proud that she was his.
Harry's body and face was coated with sweats. He looked pale and his eyes looked tired.
He folded his arms across his chest, while his mother was praying deeply in her heart.
He wanted all of this to be over.
Doctor Edet's deep voice came from behind them. "Mr Harry..."
His mother jumped up from her seat when she saw the doctor. They both stepped towards him to hear his words clearly. Doctor Edet's face was beamed with smiles as he announced the good news.
"It's a beautiful, hairy Princess." He said lyrically, almost like a song. "I have never seen a baby this beautiful..."
Harry and his mother could not hold their joy. They were excited. His mother knelt down and slowly hit her head on the cold tile. "Thank you Jehovah, Yahweh! elshaddai, elohin, adonai, I am that I am, abasi apostolic, ahha. At my age, I am going to carry my first grand child." She stood up and danced around by twisting her waist. Harry and the doctor watched her with smiles on their faces.
"Doctor, can we see her now?" Harry asked in a shaky tone.
"Oh yes...you can."
They both walked hastily behind Doctor Edet as he led them to the ward Atimma and the baby were.
Harry's heart skipped as he saw his daughter. He carried her from the baby bed and handed her gently to his mother.
He walked gently towards Atimma and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you for giving me an angel." He whispered into her ears.
She gave a forceful smile, but didn't say a word.
Harry went back to his daughter and took her from his mother's hands. She had a full black hair and a pointed nose, and looked exactly like him.
"she looks like you when you were baby. She has your nose and your hair. look at her nails, looks like her grand father's." Harry's mom said excitedly as she held the baby's hands.
Harry giggled, and kissed the baby on the forehead.
"What will be her name Mama?"
"I will name her Mkpoutommi..." She whispered excitedly.
Harry smiled.
He watched her lick her small pink lips. He admired her pink, unisex sleep wear and her coverall.
She made him feel so many emotions.
He held her tight to himself and cuddled her gently. Her tiny cry caught his attention.
"Is like she needs breast milk. she is hungry." Harry said softly, turning to Atimma.
"I won't give her breast milk. I bought her tin milk."
"Abasiakan...My grandchild will suck breast milk until she clocks six months. I did same for your husband, my son." Harry's mom said shrilly.
"I won't give her breast milk. I am not interested in what breast milk does to babies. I won't. I will give her baby milk."
Atimma said weakly, but authoritatively.
"Why? Breast milk is good for babies."
"Harrison, I don't want my breast to fall because of your child, I don't want to breastfeed anybody." She said.
Harry became sad. Atimma saw his frown and immediately took away her face.
"That's her food, in case, you want to mix it, make it 50ml." Atimma said and laid slowly on the bed. Harry's mom became mute.
Harry's gaze dropped at where the baby's food was pointed at. He searched through the bag, saw the milk, a water flask and a feeding bottle. He went out hastily to look for hot water so that he could feed his child. His heart was filled with anger. But the face of his little angel softened him.
He named her Edidiongabasi.
"She will bring me blessings mama." He said to his mom, as he inserted the feeding bottle into her mouth slowly, she took it without hesitation and sucked it gently.
"Didi girlllllll" His mother teased, he handed the baby to his mother and watched her feed baby excitedly.
He was amaze at such enchanting beauty and he stared at his little girl like she was magic. He was more proud that she was his.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 20)
Didi was barely two months old when her mother Atimma resumed work at the office.
Most times she was always with her grandmother; She bathe her, fed her and watched her sleep before she could wash her tiny clothes. While her father Harry cuddled her at midnights when she was awake.
Didi didn't have a bond with her mother.
Harry became Worried as Atimma always came back home late, mostly at midnights.
He had resumed his pure water business, and most times he went to the markets and schools to sell them.
He thought of his daughter each time someone insulted him, abused him or made him feel inferior. he will hawked them to sell, so that he could afford her milk.
And every night, when he came back from selling water, his mother watched him lament about leg pains, headache and backache.
****
Rushing inside the house, Atimma found Harry's mom in the kitchen. She had Didi girl tied to her back with a wrapper; she was holding a feeding bottle and hot water in a kettle, she was about to make Didi's food.
"Mama what are you doing here in the kitchen with my child?" She asked rudely.
"I want to make her food."
"She is too little to be tied to the back mama. That is why I bought baby roller and bouncers."
"When I place her on those white people's seats, she cries so much. She prefers my back Atimma."
"No she doesn't!" Atimma yelled and grabbed Didi girl out from her mother inlaw's back. She pulled her into her arms.
"Come my little princess." She teased.
When Didi opened her eyes and saw that it was her mother who was holding her, she cried out so loud. Atimma became surprise that her daughter doesn't know her.
She put her hand at the back of her neck and tried to cuddle her, but Didi wept even the more.
"Give her to me!"Harry's husky voice came in, he grabbed Didi from her and held her to his body. "Don't you ever, talk to my mother like that Again! If you love your child so much, you should be coming back home early to cuddle her, feed her and bathe her!"
Atimma became silent for a while, she didn't know what to say. She smelt of vodka and masculine perfume...Harry perceived it, but didn't ask her about it.
Didi girl relaxed in the comfort of her father's hands.
Harry's mom walked into the room immediately with Didi's formula in a feeding bottle. Harry handed Didi to his mom and she took her away to the sitting room.
"When is mama leaving my house, I am tired of seeing her face." Atimma broke the silence, as she tried to remove her earrings from her ear.
"You must be insane. How can she leave, who will take care of my daughter?"
She gasped audibly. Harry's face crumpling like a child.
"I will get a nanny."
"A strange being will never ever take of my child. My mother will. I wake every morning, toiling, walking around streets and hawking water like a child...for you, for my child, for my mother. At her age, she is suppose to be resting and enjoying the fruit of her labour. But she made the sacrifice of taking care of my child and you're here blabbing nonsense." He clenched his fists and anger suffused his features.
"Stop telling me your life history Harry. I am tired of always getting to hear of your pathetic life stories. How you hawk around the streets, how you do this and that...and blablabla..I wonder what you would have said if you were in my shoes. If you were the one who owned this place, or the car...maybe the world would have been at your feet...
but thanks be to God, he knows what you have become, if he had blessed you with wealth. He made you this way!" A faint light of a smile, tickled the corners of her mouth.
Anger burned Harry's heart, he pushed her to the bed and almost landed a slap on her face.
"Don't do that!" His mother's voice came from behind.
A shiver, like a cold rigor, slip up Atimma's spine. She shifted slowly out of the bed and walked to the kitchen.
"I curse the day I met you Harry. Take your daughter and leave my life!" She said in a choked voice, splashed water on her face, took her car keys and drove out.
Didi was barely two months old when her mother Atimma resumed work at the office.
Most times she was always with her grandmother; She bathe her, fed her and watched her sleep before she could wash her tiny clothes. While her father Harry cuddled her at midnights when she was awake.
Didi didn't have a bond with her mother.
Harry became Worried as Atimma always came back home late, mostly at midnights.
He had resumed his pure water business, and most times he went to the markets and schools to sell them.
He thought of his daughter each time someone insulted him, abused him or made him feel inferior. he will hawked them to sell, so that he could afford her milk.
And every night, when he came back from selling water, his mother watched him lament about leg pains, headache and backache.
****
Rushing inside the house, Atimma found Harry's mom in the kitchen. She had Didi girl tied to her back with a wrapper; she was holding a feeding bottle and hot water in a kettle, she was about to make Didi's food.
"Mama what are you doing here in the kitchen with my child?" She asked rudely.
"I want to make her food."
"She is too little to be tied to the back mama. That is why I bought baby roller and bouncers."
"When I place her on those white people's seats, she cries so much. She prefers my back Atimma."
"No she doesn't!" Atimma yelled and grabbed Didi girl out from her mother inlaw's back. She pulled her into her arms.
"Come my little princess." She teased.
When Didi opened her eyes and saw that it was her mother who was holding her, she cried out so loud. Atimma became surprise that her daughter doesn't know her.
She put her hand at the back of her neck and tried to cuddle her, but Didi wept even the more.
"Give her to me!"Harry's husky voice came in, he grabbed Didi from her and held her to his body. "Don't you ever, talk to my mother like that Again! If you love your child so much, you should be coming back home early to cuddle her, feed her and bathe her!"
Atimma became silent for a while, she didn't know what to say. She smelt of vodka and masculine perfume...Harry perceived it, but didn't ask her about it.
Didi girl relaxed in the comfort of her father's hands.
Harry's mom walked into the room immediately with Didi's formula in a feeding bottle. Harry handed Didi to his mom and she took her away to the sitting room.
"When is mama leaving my house, I am tired of seeing her face." Atimma broke the silence, as she tried to remove her earrings from her ear.
"You must be insane. How can she leave, who will take care of my daughter?"
She gasped audibly. Harry's face crumpling like a child.
"I will get a nanny."
"A strange being will never ever take of my child. My mother will. I wake every morning, toiling, walking around streets and hawking water like a child...for you, for my child, for my mother. At her age, she is suppose to be resting and enjoying the fruit of her labour. But she made the sacrifice of taking care of my child and you're here blabbing nonsense." He clenched his fists and anger suffused his features.
"Stop telling me your life history Harry. I am tired of always getting to hear of your pathetic life stories. How you hawk around the streets, how you do this and that...and blablabla..I wonder what you would have said if you were in my shoes. If you were the one who owned this place, or the car...maybe the world would have been at your feet...
but thanks be to God, he knows what you have become, if he had blessed you with wealth. He made you this way!" A faint light of a smile, tickled the corners of her mouth.
Anger burned Harry's heart, he pushed her to the bed and almost landed a slap on her face.
"Don't do that!" His mother's voice came from behind.
A shiver, like a cold rigor, slip up Atimma's spine. She shifted slowly out of the bed and walked to the kitchen.
"I curse the day I met you Harry. Take your daughter and leave my life!" She said in a choked voice, splashed water on her face, took her car keys and drove out.
LOVE IN
TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 21)
Harry came back home that evening, weak and tired. He met his mother bathing Didi in a rubber bathtub.
His mother's face was unusual, her throat tightened when she greeted him.
"Welcome. How was sales today?"
She poured water on Didi's hair and watched her smile. She loved water, and one of her favorite moments was bath time.
Harry stared at her and giggled.
"She loves what you're doing to her mama." He said and knelt beside them. He noticed that his mother's eyes were sad.
"Are you okay? Did Atimma say bad words to you again?" He asked desperately.
"She is gone." The faint smile disappeared from his mother's face.
"I woke up this afternoon and discovered that she had packed most of her things. The whole room is almost empty, she left only a few pairs of shoes and few boxes." She muttered. Harry hurriedly left her and rushed inside the room, then came out again.
"She kept a letter for you. I saw it under Didi's diapers." She took a white envelope beside her and handed it to Harry, he collected it and opened it hastily.
The letter reads..."Harry, by the time you get this letter, I must have arrived Lagos, waiting for my flight to leave for London on a business meeting. It's urgent. I don't know when I will be back; next month or in few months. Take care of my daughter. I won't stay for too long. And if you get tired of waiting for me, you can move on with your life....One love, Atimma Gregory. "
Harry began to sob softly. His mother dressed Didi and handed to him.
"your child needs you." She said, as Harry took Didi slowly from her hands.
"She is gone...Whatever she wrote in that letter are all lies. She has gone with another man."
"She is not like that mama. She is going to London, it is a good thing." Harry muttered.
"Listen to me! don't be fooled by a common prostitute who lured you to be married to her. She used you...Most of the times, I overheard her talk on the phone with another man, not you."
"Mama...I have known Atimma for years now, she isn't that kind of a woman."
"You didn't know her enough! She was never a good woman, she only tried to be and it didn't work. My instincts told me the first time you brought her home." Her voice quivered now. "But since you said she was a good woman, I couldn't help but take her as my own daughter. She isn't a good type Harrison. She didn't know things will be this hard for long. she couldn't cope."
Harry cried out softly, tears streaming out of his eyes. And just when his mother stopped talking, Didi began to mumble baby words.
Harry held her tight to himself and began to sing lullaby for her, until she closed her eyes and slept off in her Father's arms.
He exhaled, feeling his heartbeat settle into a natural rhythm.
*****
Atimma and Seno arrived intercontinental hotel at about evening time. They held each others hands and walked into the massive, executive suite they had booked. Atimma jumped on the bed immediately the room got opened.
"Oh no! this is beautiful honey, the bed is so soft." She said excitedly.
The next morning, they Will leave for London. And Seno had planned in his mind that after he made love to her, he would ask her to marry him. He had ordered for a diamond ring from Abu Dhabi, and Atimma wasn't aware. He had not also told her that he had left his Family for good. It was meant to be a sweet surprise for Atimma.
Seno was making Atimma crazy, he gave her all she wanted and it was all she had always dreamt of.
Seno made love to her that night. She screamed romantically as he laughed against her ears.
They slept naked that night till the next morning, and then they moved to London.
Harry came back home that evening, weak and tired. He met his mother bathing Didi in a rubber bathtub.
His mother's face was unusual, her throat tightened when she greeted him.
"Welcome. How was sales today?"
She poured water on Didi's hair and watched her smile. She loved water, and one of her favorite moments was bath time.
Harry stared at her and giggled.
"She loves what you're doing to her mama." He said and knelt beside them. He noticed that his mother's eyes were sad.
"Are you okay? Did Atimma say bad words to you again?" He asked desperately.
"She is gone." The faint smile disappeared from his mother's face.
"I woke up this afternoon and discovered that she had packed most of her things. The whole room is almost empty, she left only a few pairs of shoes and few boxes." She muttered. Harry hurriedly left her and rushed inside the room, then came out again.
"She kept a letter for you. I saw it under Didi's diapers." She took a white envelope beside her and handed it to Harry, he collected it and opened it hastily.
The letter reads..."Harry, by the time you get this letter, I must have arrived Lagos, waiting for my flight to leave for London on a business meeting. It's urgent. I don't know when I will be back; next month or in few months. Take care of my daughter. I won't stay for too long. And if you get tired of waiting for me, you can move on with your life....One love, Atimma Gregory. "
Harry began to sob softly. His mother dressed Didi and handed to him.
"your child needs you." She said, as Harry took Didi slowly from her hands.
"She is gone...Whatever she wrote in that letter are all lies. She has gone with another man."
"She is not like that mama. She is going to London, it is a good thing." Harry muttered.
"Listen to me! don't be fooled by a common prostitute who lured you to be married to her. She used you...Most of the times, I overheard her talk on the phone with another man, not you."
"Mama...I have known Atimma for years now, she isn't that kind of a woman."
"You didn't know her enough! She was never a good woman, she only tried to be and it didn't work. My instincts told me the first time you brought her home." Her voice quivered now. "But since you said she was a good woman, I couldn't help but take her as my own daughter. She isn't a good type Harrison. She didn't know things will be this hard for long. she couldn't cope."
Harry cried out softly, tears streaming out of his eyes. And just when his mother stopped talking, Didi began to mumble baby words.
Harry held her tight to himself and began to sing lullaby for her, until she closed her eyes and slept off in her Father's arms.
He exhaled, feeling his heartbeat settle into a natural rhythm.
*****
Atimma and Seno arrived intercontinental hotel at about evening time. They held each others hands and walked into the massive, executive suite they had booked. Atimma jumped on the bed immediately the room got opened.
"Oh no! this is beautiful honey, the bed is so soft." She said excitedly.
The next morning, they Will leave for London. And Seno had planned in his mind that after he made love to her, he would ask her to marry him. He had ordered for a diamond ring from Abu Dhabi, and Atimma wasn't aware. He had not also told her that he had left his Family for good. It was meant to be a sweet surprise for Atimma.
Seno was making Atimma crazy, he gave her all she wanted and it was all she had always dreamt of.
Seno made love to her that night. She screamed romantically as he laughed against her ears.
They slept naked that night till the next morning, and then they moved to London.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 22)
It rained softly that Morning.
Harry was sad, he knew that he wasn't going to make any sales on the rain. His mother was having difficulties breathing at home, and he could not afford an inhaler.
The rain had drained his body, he became wet. He walked home on the rain. He had so many thoughts on his mind as he walked slowly with the bucket of sachet water on his head; he thought of Atimma, how she was coping alone without him by her side, even when he knew that things had changed between them. But he missed making love to her and listening to her nag about unnecessary things. He thought about Didi, how she was going to sleep that night without her diapers, because he couldn't afford them. He became tired, and cold on the rain. He sat under a shade. He sat there, helpless while the vision of the people he loved played over and over in his head. Every time it played, he felt again the agonizing terror, the split second of unbearable suffering while he waited for the rain to stop.
The rain seemed unstoppable, he kept walking till he got home.
He wanted to wait on the veranda for a while, until he drained a little bit of water from his wet clothes; but the sound of Didi's cry could not keep him any longer. He had wondered where his mother was. He clicked the door open, In a brighten white bulb light, he could see Didi's tears.
His mom had slept too deep that she could not hear Didi cry. He watched her as she was all curled in on herself, sleeping as if her life depend on it. Harry felt it was his fault that she and to sleep so deep, she was tired.
Didi stopped crying as soon as she noticed her father's presence. He kissed Didi on the forehead, but couldn't carry her because of his wet clothes.
Then he turned his gaze to his mom for a while just to reassure himself that she was truly alright. Then quietly, slowly, he tried to tickle her, but she didn't move as usual.
His heart felt as he noticed that she wasn't breathing. Her body turned almost gray. He pushed his mom and turned her body over, holding her to himself and slapping her hands.
But what awed him, and frightened the wits out of him was that she didn't move, and then he realized that she had died some moments ago.
His throat ached with emotions, but he swallowed hard and draped his arm over her waist. He began to scream...
"Mama don't do this to me please I beg you..." Tears streamed out of his eyes like rainfall. He cried uncontrollably.
He gaze at his daughter who was mumbling baby words and sucking her hands. He closed his eyes, comforted by the her presence.
He turned tearily to Didi and whispered, "Grandma had died."
He held his mother to himself and wept even more, he had never wept that bitterly before.
He rushed into the room and came out with a wrapper and bed sheet. He covered his mother with the bedsheets and carried Didi on his back, tightening the wrapper firmly.
He sat on the floor and got confused on what to do.
His face turned red...
He thought of how he was going to bury his mom, he didn't have a dime.
A flicker of darkness clouded his eyes. Anger, harsh and swift, cut through him, then his knees went weak.
It rained softly that Morning.
Harry was sad, he knew that he wasn't going to make any sales on the rain. His mother was having difficulties breathing at home, and he could not afford an inhaler.
The rain had drained his body, he became wet. He walked home on the rain. He had so many thoughts on his mind as he walked slowly with the bucket of sachet water on his head; he thought of Atimma, how she was coping alone without him by her side, even when he knew that things had changed between them. But he missed making love to her and listening to her nag about unnecessary things. He thought about Didi, how she was going to sleep that night without her diapers, because he couldn't afford them. He became tired, and cold on the rain. He sat under a shade. He sat there, helpless while the vision of the people he loved played over and over in his head. Every time it played, he felt again the agonizing terror, the split second of unbearable suffering while he waited for the rain to stop.
The rain seemed unstoppable, he kept walking till he got home.
He wanted to wait on the veranda for a while, until he drained a little bit of water from his wet clothes; but the sound of Didi's cry could not keep him any longer. He had wondered where his mother was. He clicked the door open, In a brighten white bulb light, he could see Didi's tears.
His mom had slept too deep that she could not hear Didi cry. He watched her as she was all curled in on herself, sleeping as if her life depend on it. Harry felt it was his fault that she and to sleep so deep, she was tired.
Didi stopped crying as soon as she noticed her father's presence. He kissed Didi on the forehead, but couldn't carry her because of his wet clothes.
Then he turned his gaze to his mom for a while just to reassure himself that she was truly alright. Then quietly, slowly, he tried to tickle her, but she didn't move as usual.
His heart felt as he noticed that she wasn't breathing. Her body turned almost gray. He pushed his mom and turned her body over, holding her to himself and slapping her hands.
But what awed him, and frightened the wits out of him was that she didn't move, and then he realized that she had died some moments ago.
His throat ached with emotions, but he swallowed hard and draped his arm over her waist. He began to scream...
"Mama don't do this to me please I beg you..." Tears streamed out of his eyes like rainfall. He cried uncontrollably.
He gaze at his daughter who was mumbling baby words and sucking her hands. He closed his eyes, comforted by the her presence.
He turned tearily to Didi and whispered, "Grandma had died."
He held his mother to himself and wept even more, he had never wept that bitterly before.
He rushed into the room and came out with a wrapper and bed sheet. He covered his mother with the bedsheets and carried Didi on his back, tightening the wrapper firmly.
He sat on the floor and got confused on what to do.
His face turned red...
He thought of how he was going to bury his mom, he didn't have a dime.
A flicker of darkness clouded his eyes. Anger, harsh and swift, cut through him, then his knees went weak.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 23)
Harry shuddered at his mother's painted pictures on the room wall; It was a gift the Apostolic women gave to him to pay their condolences.
The women had contributed money and made Harry's mom's funeral was a success.
He carried Didi on his back every night to visit his mother's grave for two months. Harry mourned his mother for a long time.
Two months after his mother's funeral, he knew that the rent of the new house was almost expiring, he made plans to sell out the furniture, the generator and the refrigerators, so that he can gather money for a one room apartment, where he would live peacefully with his daughter.
After he sold most of the house furniture, he didn't wait for the landlord to chase him away, he packed by himself to a small one room apartment, where he began his dry cleaning business. He washed and iron customers clothes from home, and delivered to them in their houses.
A few times Didi helped him scatter the clothes or peed on them.
He started getting patronages from people around his neighbourhood mostly.
"Mr Harry, you wash so well." His new neighbour aunty Udeme said shrilly, twisting her waist and winking at Harry.
Aunty Udeme was a woman in her mid forties, who had a big breast, and a big buttocks. She had wrinkles on her face, and her boyfriends were mostly teenagers.
Didi began to cry aloud when she noticed aunty Udeme walking close to her father.
"My daughter doesn't like women around me." Harry said boldly.
Aunty Udeme giggled. "What does this your small chubby girl know about people being around you?" She said, laughing childishly. "I only came to say Hi bro Harry."
She picked up his pillow, and buried her face in it. It smelled like him, kind of wild and faintly sweet and musky.
Didi crawled over were she laid and bite her arms sharply.
"Jeez!" She jumped out from the bed.
"Your daughter's teeth is sharp, how old is she?"
Harry chuckled and then replied softly, "she will be one in few months."
Aunty Udeme kept touching her arms, where Didi had bite her. "This your baby enh..." she muttered and hissed.
"Brother Harry, I am going o." She said aloud, as she shook her buttocks. "Before your one toothed daughter will cut off my skin." She added shrilly.
"Thank you aunty Udeme." Harry said boldly.
****
Harry woke up with the thoughts of Atimma. He had wondered why she had not called him since she left for training in London.
He took a keke napep to her office that morning, and when he alighted fr the keke napep, he saw a woman addressing a group of people. She was elegantly dressed in lilac colored corporate gown. She tied a lemon color yashmak on her head; Harry watched her from afar, and waited for her to finish before he could approach one of them, but his heart led him to the woman with the lemon color yashmak.
"Good morning madam." He greeted huskily in oral English.
"Morning Mr?"
"Harry...Harrison I mean."
"How may I help you Harry?" She asked boldly.
"My wife works with this company ma'am. She was among the people who went on training to London some months ago. I just want to find out if I can get a number I can contact her with?"
Susan looked at Harry amazingly and then said, "I am Mrs Susan Seno. Follow me, let's talk inside the office." She said politely, as she led the way, Harry walked behind her.
"I have been longing to see the unfortunate man who married Atimma." Susan said, as she lowered herself gently on a chair.
Harry glared at her, but she spotted sadness in his eyes.
"I don't understand ma." Harry asked.
Laughter bubbled up in Susan's chest, making her feel bold and little reckless.
"You mean you're not aware that your Atimma is sleeping with my husband? They eloped to London to resume their love affair."
A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth, and his heart flipped.
Harry shuddered at his mother's painted pictures on the room wall; It was a gift the Apostolic women gave to him to pay their condolences.
The women had contributed money and made Harry's mom's funeral was a success.
He carried Didi on his back every night to visit his mother's grave for two months. Harry mourned his mother for a long time.
Two months after his mother's funeral, he knew that the rent of the new house was almost expiring, he made plans to sell out the furniture, the generator and the refrigerators, so that he can gather money for a one room apartment, where he would live peacefully with his daughter.
After he sold most of the house furniture, he didn't wait for the landlord to chase him away, he packed by himself to a small one room apartment, where he began his dry cleaning business. He washed and iron customers clothes from home, and delivered to them in their houses.
A few times Didi helped him scatter the clothes or peed on them.
He started getting patronages from people around his neighbourhood mostly.
"Mr Harry, you wash so well." His new neighbour aunty Udeme said shrilly, twisting her waist and winking at Harry.
Aunty Udeme was a woman in her mid forties, who had a big breast, and a big buttocks. She had wrinkles on her face, and her boyfriends were mostly teenagers.
Didi began to cry aloud when she noticed aunty Udeme walking close to her father.
"My daughter doesn't like women around me." Harry said boldly.
Aunty Udeme giggled. "What does this your small chubby girl know about people being around you?" She said, laughing childishly. "I only came to say Hi bro Harry."
She picked up his pillow, and buried her face in it. It smelled like him, kind of wild and faintly sweet and musky.
Didi crawled over were she laid and bite her arms sharply.
"Jeez!" She jumped out from the bed.
"Your daughter's teeth is sharp, how old is she?"
Harry chuckled and then replied softly, "she will be one in few months."
Aunty Udeme kept touching her arms, where Didi had bite her. "This your baby enh..." she muttered and hissed.
"Brother Harry, I am going o." She said aloud, as she shook her buttocks. "Before your one toothed daughter will cut off my skin." She added shrilly.
"Thank you aunty Udeme." Harry said boldly.
****
Harry woke up with the thoughts of Atimma. He had wondered why she had not called him since she left for training in London.
He took a keke napep to her office that morning, and when he alighted fr the keke napep, he saw a woman addressing a group of people. She was elegantly dressed in lilac colored corporate gown. She tied a lemon color yashmak on her head; Harry watched her from afar, and waited for her to finish before he could approach one of them, but his heart led him to the woman with the lemon color yashmak.
"Good morning madam." He greeted huskily in oral English.
"Morning Mr?"
"Harry...Harrison I mean."
"How may I help you Harry?" She asked boldly.
"My wife works with this company ma'am. She was among the people who went on training to London some months ago. I just want to find out if I can get a number I can contact her with?"
Susan looked at Harry amazingly and then said, "I am Mrs Susan Seno. Follow me, let's talk inside the office." She said politely, as she led the way, Harry walked behind her.
"I have been longing to see the unfortunate man who married Atimma." Susan said, as she lowered herself gently on a chair.
Harry glared at her, but she spotted sadness in his eyes.
"I don't understand ma." Harry asked.
Laughter bubbled up in Susan's chest, making her feel bold and little reckless.
"You mean you're not aware that your Atimma is sleeping with my husband? They eloped to London to resume their love affair."
A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth, and his heart flipped.
LOVE
IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 24)
He gazed up at Mrs Susan, amusement intensifying his gaze.
"I can't believe this." He muttered.
"You mean that my wife, is sleeping with your husband? How did you get to know?"
"I know. They were dating before she married you. She wanted Seno to divorce me and marry her, but when he refused, she got married to you out of frustration. What baffles me is why they got back together. It's my husband who got her all she has today." She paused for a while, leaving Harry in thoughts, then asked, "What do you do?"
With a grimace of pain, Harry replied softly.
"I'm a dry cleaner."
"Where is your office?"
"I work from home. I don't have an office yet."
"Oh nice..."
"I have to go ma'am, I left my daughter at my neighbour's house."
"You have a daughter?" Susan asked, looking surprised.
Harry nodded.
"From the same whore?" Susan began to laugh out loud, and despite the sad look on Harry's face, he was laughing too.
"My husband will come back home to me someday. I used to believe in letting things go, but I won't let my marriage drain that way. My best friend introduced me to her pastor, he has been praying for me, I have been praying too."
Harry gave a loud sigh.
"And you think prayer will bring your man back? If prayer really works, my mother's prayer would have made me a millionaire by now. My woman would not have left me for a wealthy man. I would be happily married by now, and maybe work in a good place." He said innocently.
"Your mother's prayer is still cooking." Suddenly everything stirred memories inside him, as Susan continued.
"You were just unfortunate to settle for that woman. I know her more than you do. Her friend used to sleep with my husband, but she wasn't aware. She, her friend...they are whores! You can get your life back if you believe in Jesus. My pastor says that all the time."
"Then why are we still talking about our problems? I mean your husband is the arms of my wife, they are in London, having sex and enjoying their lives. I am here, you are here. You sleep at night alone, under the warmness of your duvet, without companionship of your husband. I would have just walked back home, and commit suicide, if not for my daughter. I do not want to make her an orphan. I do not have a life. Why should I keep praying?"
Susan giggled.
"You talk like an atheist." She murmured.
"I am not."
"Believe in God, and watch your life change. Mine will change soon, and you will come back to ask me what I did to get my happiness back, and I am going to still tell you that it's the same God, I just talked about." She said boldly, and there was wonder in her voice.
Harry stared at her for moments, the unspoken words hung in the air. Her voice rumbling through him like a faraway thunder.
*****
He fought hard to control his emotions. He was trying to get her off his mind, his daughter stared at him innocently.
He cuddled her in his arms and wept bitterly.
Susan's voice rang like a bell in his ears. The face of Atimma reappeared in his imaginations, despite the fact that he tried to get rid of her from his heart, he couldn't.
For a moment, Didi was silent. He stared into her eyes and kissed her playfully from her forehead to her feet, causing her to laugh out so loud.
Suddenly the anger was gone, and he was looking at her the way he did on the first day she was born. His eyes heavy-lidded, and deep browned.
His expression suddenly went blank as he shook his head slightly.
He began to search for his bible, he didn't remember where he kept It; but he still searched until he found it inside one of his travelling Bags. It was dusty, but he wiped it with bare hands and knelt beside Didi.
"Let's pray that daddy gets favoured." Didi giggled, and began to speak in baby language, her father didn't understand what she meant, but he knew that she was talking to God.
He gazed up at Mrs Susan, amusement intensifying his gaze.
"I can't believe this." He muttered.
"You mean that my wife, is sleeping with your husband? How did you get to know?"
"I know. They were dating before she married you. She wanted Seno to divorce me and marry her, but when he refused, she got married to you out of frustration. What baffles me is why they got back together. It's my husband who got her all she has today." She paused for a while, leaving Harry in thoughts, then asked, "What do you do?"
With a grimace of pain, Harry replied softly.
"I'm a dry cleaner."
"Where is your office?"
"I work from home. I don't have an office yet."
"Oh nice..."
"I have to go ma'am, I left my daughter at my neighbour's house."
"You have a daughter?" Susan asked, looking surprised.
Harry nodded.
"From the same whore?" Susan began to laugh out loud, and despite the sad look on Harry's face, he was laughing too.
"My husband will come back home to me someday. I used to believe in letting things go, but I won't let my marriage drain that way. My best friend introduced me to her pastor, he has been praying for me, I have been praying too."
Harry gave a loud sigh.
"And you think prayer will bring your man back? If prayer really works, my mother's prayer would have made me a millionaire by now. My woman would not have left me for a wealthy man. I would be happily married by now, and maybe work in a good place." He said innocently.
"Your mother's prayer is still cooking." Suddenly everything stirred memories inside him, as Susan continued.
"You were just unfortunate to settle for that woman. I know her more than you do. Her friend used to sleep with my husband, but she wasn't aware. She, her friend...they are whores! You can get your life back if you believe in Jesus. My pastor says that all the time."
"Then why are we still talking about our problems? I mean your husband is the arms of my wife, they are in London, having sex and enjoying their lives. I am here, you are here. You sleep at night alone, under the warmness of your duvet, without companionship of your husband. I would have just walked back home, and commit suicide, if not for my daughter. I do not want to make her an orphan. I do not have a life. Why should I keep praying?"
Susan giggled.
"You talk like an atheist." She murmured.
"I am not."
"Believe in God, and watch your life change. Mine will change soon, and you will come back to ask me what I did to get my happiness back, and I am going to still tell you that it's the same God, I just talked about." She said boldly, and there was wonder in her voice.
Harry stared at her for moments, the unspoken words hung in the air. Her voice rumbling through him like a faraway thunder.
*****
He fought hard to control his emotions. He was trying to get her off his mind, his daughter stared at him innocently.
He cuddled her in his arms and wept bitterly.
Susan's voice rang like a bell in his ears. The face of Atimma reappeared in his imaginations, despite the fact that he tried to get rid of her from his heart, he couldn't.
For a moment, Didi was silent. He stared into her eyes and kissed her playfully from her forehead to her feet, causing her to laugh out so loud.
Suddenly the anger was gone, and he was looking at her the way he did on the first day she was born. His eyes heavy-lidded, and deep browned.
His expression suddenly went blank as he shook his head slightly.
He began to search for his bible, he didn't remember where he kept It; but he still searched until he found it inside one of his travelling Bags. It was dusty, but he wiped it with bare hands and knelt beside Didi.
"Let's pray that daddy gets favoured." Didi giggled, and began to speak in baby language, her father didn't understand what she meant, but he knew that she was talking to God.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 25)
The weather was bright and clear, and seemed to smile on Didi's birthday.
It was Didi's first birthday, and the first word she popped out was 'Dada.'
Harry's heart ached with the echo of her infectious laugh; that laugh that gave him joy in his heart. He admired the way Didi walked in steps, she was scared to fall.
Her father stared at her with a smile on his face, as he held her small hands and walked with her outside.
"See beautiful didi o...she is now so big." Aunty Udeme said shrilly. The neighbors clapped and laughed aloud in unison as Didi attempted calling her father again, "Dada!"
He loved the way Didi called him.
Moments later, he had gone to the market to buy her a pink barbie dress and a crown; She was his princess, and he was her king.
He went to the food club to buy her cake, and as he stepped into the classy, nicely scented room, which smelt of strawberries, raspberries and vanilla fantasies, his heart trembled as his eyes caught with this young woman, who had the most beautiful face he had even seen.
She had a long dark hair like Didi and looked exactly like Didi.
She tried to compose her face, but the sight of Harry standing there, made her unstable.
She was talking to a customer when Harry's presence moved her. "Excuse me ma'am. I will be back here soon, let me attend to this guy." She said politely as he walked towards Harry.
"Unbelievable! How did you know I work here? You never called, how is your family?" She asked amazingly.
Harry was mute for a while, he stared at her uncontrollably like he was reading something on her face.
"This is a Coincidence, I never knew you worked here Enomfon! I lost your number. I came to buy my daughter's birthday cake. Did you brother finally leave cell?" He asked.
"Just a day after you left. You have a daughter now?"
Harry nodded excitedly.
"What about your brother?"
"He is in Abuja now, he left Uyo for abuja few weeks after he was released. He is based there now. How about your wife?" She asked loudly, as she smiled brightly.
Harry lowered his head and then said, "we are separated now." He said, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Enomfon became quiet for a while. She had wondered in her heart why someone would ever leave a handsome and calm man like Harry.
"I am so sorry. let me show you the cakes we have now." Enomfon said, as she grabbed Harry's hands in a friendly manner and walked towards the cakes counters.
"You own this place?" Harry asked.
"It's family business. My mom is a caterer, everyone in my house is a caterer except me." she chuckled.
"So what are you?" His words echoed around her. Remorse, sharp and husky, streaked through her.
"I am a nurse. I work with a private hospital Downtown, I only come here to assist my mom on my off days."
Harry looked at her straight in the eye, and knew with the instinctive knowledge of lovers that they loved each other since the first day he had seen her at the police station.
With a broad grin, Enomfon handed a huge chocolate cake to him. "I can't wait to see your daughter myself. Happy birthday to her." She said. Harry took the cake excitedly and looked at it with a surprise look.
"This is quite big, I needed something small, for a small amount."
"Don't worry Mister, it's my own special gift for your little girl." she whispered near his ear.
"It's Harry, my name is Harry, not Mister." Harry said, there was love and passion in his tone, as he gave a soft smile.
"Okay Harry, I would have love to come for your daughter's birthday, but I will be busy in church this evening."
"And this weekend?"
"I will be in church. We are having a program. A serious program tittled 'walking into your destiny with God'...Will you like to attend?
Enomfon asked.
Harry looked skeptical and then nodded slowly.
He wanted to be in church too because she was going to be there.
"Yes." He whispered.
The weather was bright and clear, and seemed to smile on Didi's birthday.
It was Didi's first birthday, and the first word she popped out was 'Dada.'
Harry's heart ached with the echo of her infectious laugh; that laugh that gave him joy in his heart. He admired the way Didi walked in steps, she was scared to fall.
Her father stared at her with a smile on his face, as he held her small hands and walked with her outside.
"See beautiful didi o...she is now so big." Aunty Udeme said shrilly. The neighbors clapped and laughed aloud in unison as Didi attempted calling her father again, "Dada!"
He loved the way Didi called him.
Moments later, he had gone to the market to buy her a pink barbie dress and a crown; She was his princess, and he was her king.
He went to the food club to buy her cake, and as he stepped into the classy, nicely scented room, which smelt of strawberries, raspberries and vanilla fantasies, his heart trembled as his eyes caught with this young woman, who had the most beautiful face he had even seen.
She had a long dark hair like Didi and looked exactly like Didi.
She tried to compose her face, but the sight of Harry standing there, made her unstable.
She was talking to a customer when Harry's presence moved her. "Excuse me ma'am. I will be back here soon, let me attend to this guy." She said politely as he walked towards Harry.
"Unbelievable! How did you know I work here? You never called, how is your family?" She asked amazingly.
Harry was mute for a while, he stared at her uncontrollably like he was reading something on her face.
"This is a Coincidence, I never knew you worked here Enomfon! I lost your number. I came to buy my daughter's birthday cake. Did you brother finally leave cell?" He asked.
"Just a day after you left. You have a daughter now?"
Harry nodded excitedly.
"What about your brother?"
"He is in Abuja now, he left Uyo for abuja few weeks after he was released. He is based there now. How about your wife?" She asked loudly, as she smiled brightly.
Harry lowered his head and then said, "we are separated now." He said, his voice tinged with bitterness.
Enomfon became quiet for a while. She had wondered in her heart why someone would ever leave a handsome and calm man like Harry.
"I am so sorry. let me show you the cakes we have now." Enomfon said, as she grabbed Harry's hands in a friendly manner and walked towards the cakes counters.
"You own this place?" Harry asked.
"It's family business. My mom is a caterer, everyone in my house is a caterer except me." she chuckled.
"So what are you?" His words echoed around her. Remorse, sharp and husky, streaked through her.
"I am a nurse. I work with a private hospital Downtown, I only come here to assist my mom on my off days."
Harry looked at her straight in the eye, and knew with the instinctive knowledge of lovers that they loved each other since the first day he had seen her at the police station.
With a broad grin, Enomfon handed a huge chocolate cake to him. "I can't wait to see your daughter myself. Happy birthday to her." She said. Harry took the cake excitedly and looked at it with a surprise look.
"This is quite big, I needed something small, for a small amount."
"Don't worry Mister, it's my own special gift for your little girl." she whispered near his ear.
"It's Harry, my name is Harry, not Mister." Harry said, there was love and passion in his tone, as he gave a soft smile.
"Okay Harry, I would have love to come for your daughter's birthday, but I will be busy in church this evening."
"And this weekend?"
"I will be in church. We are having a program. A serious program tittled 'walking into your destiny with God'...Will you like to attend?
Enomfon asked.
Harry looked skeptical and then nodded slowly.
He wanted to be in church too because she was going to be there.
"Yes." He whispered.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 26)
Didi's Barbie ball gown was a mere whisper against the concrete floor. She had used her hands to deface the surface of her chocolate cake, she started eating the candles and licking the butter icing.
Her untamable mass of full black curly hair tumbled wildly. She had loosen the ribbons and the hair clips her father attached to her hair, and ate them, spitting the damaged ones out from her mouth.
"Didi!"
Harry said her name sharply, reaching for her. She scuttled away with surprising speed. He ran after her, and took her under his arms, kissing her on her forehead.
when Harry tried to removed her barbie dress, she screamed, the shrill sound hurting his ears. She wanted to sleep with it and never remove it, it was the most beautiful dress she ever had. But her father tricked her and removed the dress.
He bathe her that night, and after he fed her with bird custard and milk, he cuddled her until she slept off in his warmness.
He began to untie the gifts the neighbours had given Didi on her Birthday; the toys, they earring and a little dress that aunty Udeme had bought, and a lunch box for a nursery school beginner. Harry smiled with delight as he kept them in a small box and waited for morning to come so that he would thank them for the gifts.
He began to iron some of his customers clothes, as he placed them neatly in a nylon bag, waiting to be delivered the next day.
He slept that night thinking of Enomfon, he found her delightful, she was exactly the kind of woman he wanted.
*****
The next day, Harry prepared himself and Didi for the church program Enomfon had invited him.
Didi began to hum excitedly like she knew where her father was taking her to.
Her father wore her a flowery sleeveless gown and a black shoe. She held her father's hands tight, as they left for church.
Enomfon was waiting desperately for Harry and Didi outside the church auditorium.
Moments later, She sighted Harry alighting from a tricycle. She smiled as she saw little Didi in his arms.
She fell in love with Didi's hair, with her little pretty face...
She walked hastily towards them and when Harry saw her, his heart melted and Didi gave a wide smile that revealed her two teeth and two hidden dimples. She took out her two hands toward Enomfon excitedly. Harry became surprised that his daughter would follow and love a stranger at first time. The only persons she ever bonded with was his mother and him.
"She is such a beautiful baby.." Enomfon said girlishly as she kissed Didi on the forehead. Didi tried to do the same thing to her, by kissing her on her forehead too. Enomfon and Harry laughed.
"She likes you...I am really surprise that she followed you."
"She thinks I am her mommy." Enomfon chuckled.
But Harry didn't find what she said funny.
His frowned deepened.
"I don't want you to be her mommy. You're a woman of virtue, you can't be compared to her mommy, she doesn't even know her mommy, she hated her when she was even more tender. You can't be her mommy." There was an edge to his tone and a strange undercurrent emotion beneath the impish expression.
Enomfon turned away thoughtfully. She sensed that Harry didn't like what she said about being Didi's mom. Harry never heard any responds from her. He knew that she was aware that he didn't like it, and he hoped she will never say such words again.
Harry walked gently behind Enomfon, as she led the way to the crowded church auditorium.
Didi had laid her neck On Enomfon's shoulders. She loved the smell of Enomfon's cherry plum mist.
Enomfon held Didi in her arms until the pastor finished preaching.
The pastor's voice rang in Harry's ears, until he wanted to cover his ears with his hands.
The prayer moments came, and Harry saw himself weep like a baby.
"You have seen my struggles, you have seen my pains, tears and sorrows. Change my story dear lord, prove to me that you're God and that you answer prayers. Manifest your power!" He prayed aloud.
He prayed until something left his body, he became weak as he gazed at Enomfon; her eyes were closed, she was praying in soft whispers.
Didi's Barbie ball gown was a mere whisper against the concrete floor. She had used her hands to deface the surface of her chocolate cake, she started eating the candles and licking the butter icing.
Her untamable mass of full black curly hair tumbled wildly. She had loosen the ribbons and the hair clips her father attached to her hair, and ate them, spitting the damaged ones out from her mouth.
"Didi!"
Harry said her name sharply, reaching for her. She scuttled away with surprising speed. He ran after her, and took her under his arms, kissing her on her forehead.
when Harry tried to removed her barbie dress, she screamed, the shrill sound hurting his ears. She wanted to sleep with it and never remove it, it was the most beautiful dress she ever had. But her father tricked her and removed the dress.
He bathe her that night, and after he fed her with bird custard and milk, he cuddled her until she slept off in his warmness.
He began to untie the gifts the neighbours had given Didi on her Birthday; the toys, they earring and a little dress that aunty Udeme had bought, and a lunch box for a nursery school beginner. Harry smiled with delight as he kept them in a small box and waited for morning to come so that he would thank them for the gifts.
He began to iron some of his customers clothes, as he placed them neatly in a nylon bag, waiting to be delivered the next day.
He slept that night thinking of Enomfon, he found her delightful, she was exactly the kind of woman he wanted.
*****
The next day, Harry prepared himself and Didi for the church program Enomfon had invited him.
Didi began to hum excitedly like she knew where her father was taking her to.
Her father wore her a flowery sleeveless gown and a black shoe. She held her father's hands tight, as they left for church.
Enomfon was waiting desperately for Harry and Didi outside the church auditorium.
Moments later, She sighted Harry alighting from a tricycle. She smiled as she saw little Didi in his arms.
She fell in love with Didi's hair, with her little pretty face...
She walked hastily towards them and when Harry saw her, his heart melted and Didi gave a wide smile that revealed her two teeth and two hidden dimples. She took out her two hands toward Enomfon excitedly. Harry became surprised that his daughter would follow and love a stranger at first time. The only persons she ever bonded with was his mother and him.
"She is such a beautiful baby.." Enomfon said girlishly as she kissed Didi on the forehead. Didi tried to do the same thing to her, by kissing her on her forehead too. Enomfon and Harry laughed.
"She likes you...I am really surprise that she followed you."
"She thinks I am her mommy." Enomfon chuckled.
But Harry didn't find what she said funny.
His frowned deepened.
"I don't want you to be her mommy. You're a woman of virtue, you can't be compared to her mommy, she doesn't even know her mommy, she hated her when she was even more tender. You can't be her mommy." There was an edge to his tone and a strange undercurrent emotion beneath the impish expression.
Enomfon turned away thoughtfully. She sensed that Harry didn't like what she said about being Didi's mom. Harry never heard any responds from her. He knew that she was aware that he didn't like it, and he hoped she will never say such words again.
Harry walked gently behind Enomfon, as she led the way to the crowded church auditorium.
Didi had laid her neck On Enomfon's shoulders. She loved the smell of Enomfon's cherry plum mist.
Enomfon held Didi in her arms until the pastor finished preaching.
The pastor's voice rang in Harry's ears, until he wanted to cover his ears with his hands.
The prayer moments came, and Harry saw himself weep like a baby.
"You have seen my struggles, you have seen my pains, tears and sorrows. Change my story dear lord, prove to me that you're God and that you answer prayers. Manifest your power!" He prayed aloud.
He prayed until something left his body, he became weak as he gazed at Enomfon; her eyes were closed, she was praying in soft whispers.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 27)
Atimma inhaled the chill air gratefully. She was sitting by the window and waiting for Seno to come out from the bathroom.
Moments later, he came out. Scanty splashes of water were on his body, and he had a white towel tied loosely around his waist.
"You stayed for too long in there. I overheard you talking to someone on phone for a long time. Who was that?" She asked shrilly. A worried expression deepened the furrow between his eyes brows.
"I was on phone with Susan." He said sheepishly.
"What does she want?"
"She called to inform me that she had taken over the company a month after I left."
"What do you mean by she has taken over the company. Is it her company?" Atimma asked critically.
Seno eyed her strangely.
"The company is hers. She was the boss before I met her. She handed to me when we got married. She wanted to be a stay at mom for years, until our kids grow to a certain age."
Her heart gave a foolish lurch.
"And now, where will you be getting money from?"
Seno began to clean his body with the towel, revealing his nakedness.
"From my savings, until we can get back to Nigeria."
"Are we going back to Nigeria?" She asked looking amazed.
Seno nodded.
"After I am done opening a branch of our company here in London, we will be going back to Nigeria as soon as possible."
He sprayed the perfume all over his body and wore his boxers.
"Again? I thought we were never going back there anytime soon?"
"I have changed my mind now."
He wore a T-shirt, a pair of jean and a baseball cap. He was about to walk out of the door when Atimma stood boldly on his path.
"You can't do this to me. I left my family because of you, how can you do this to me? What face am I going to look my husband with?" She said fretfully.
"Get out of my way!" Seno said smugly. "I never said we are going back to our families!"
"Shut up, stupid. You said we were going to be married immediately we get to London, are you saying we are not getting married anymore? I have been wearing this ring for over eight months, why is Susan still calling you?" Atimma growled.
Seno gave her a shove and a kick. Deliberately she stared hard at him. Seno was tempted to hit her hard on the face.
He gave a loud sigh and slammed the door.
She hadn't slept much that night as a result of her chaotic thoughts. She wept uncontrollably under her duvet, she wept until she slept off.
****
When the pastor called out the people who want to be born again, Harry's legs shook. His heart trembled as he struggled to walk down the aisle to the church podium. He knelt down.
People clapped thunderously as the pastor laid his hands on him.
Enomfon felt she had won a soul for Christ, she tried to control her tears as Harry repeated after the pastor.
"Lord Jesus, I give you my life...."
After church service, Didi was clapping her small hands together. It was time to go, and she didn't want to leave Enomfon's hands. She screamed when
her father wanted to take her back.
"She doesn't want to come with you anymore." Enomfon said delightfully.
Harry gave a loud laugh and tried taking Didi from Enomfon's hands again, this time forcefully, until he pulled her out.
"Come to daddy my angel." He teased.
But Didi cried aloud.
"Maybe you should bring her to food club tomorrow, so that she can play with other kids at the playground. I will bring her to church, and you pick her from here.
"Okay, thank you so much. I will be a bit relieved. At least, I will be able To iron and deliver a few clothes to customers before church service."
"Nice...My lovely Didi, You will be with me all through tomorrow okay?" She said as she kissed Didi on the cheek."
"What food does she eat?" She asked in concern.
"Golden mourn, Bird custard, garri and foofoo. She eats anything."
Enomfon nodded with a smile as she held Didi's small hands in hers.
Atimma inhaled the chill air gratefully. She was sitting by the window and waiting for Seno to come out from the bathroom.
Moments later, he came out. Scanty splashes of water were on his body, and he had a white towel tied loosely around his waist.
"You stayed for too long in there. I overheard you talking to someone on phone for a long time. Who was that?" She asked shrilly. A worried expression deepened the furrow between his eyes brows.
"I was on phone with Susan." He said sheepishly.
"What does she want?"
"She called to inform me that she had taken over the company a month after I left."
"What do you mean by she has taken over the company. Is it her company?" Atimma asked critically.
Seno eyed her strangely.
"The company is hers. She was the boss before I met her. She handed to me when we got married. She wanted to be a stay at mom for years, until our kids grow to a certain age."
Her heart gave a foolish lurch.
"And now, where will you be getting money from?"
Seno began to clean his body with the towel, revealing his nakedness.
"From my savings, until we can get back to Nigeria."
"Are we going back to Nigeria?" She asked looking amazed.
Seno nodded.
"After I am done opening a branch of our company here in London, we will be going back to Nigeria as soon as possible."
He sprayed the perfume all over his body and wore his boxers.
"Again? I thought we were never going back there anytime soon?"
"I have changed my mind now."
He wore a T-shirt, a pair of jean and a baseball cap. He was about to walk out of the door when Atimma stood boldly on his path.
"You can't do this to me. I left my family because of you, how can you do this to me? What face am I going to look my husband with?" She said fretfully.
"Get out of my way!" Seno said smugly. "I never said we are going back to our families!"
"Shut up, stupid. You said we were going to be married immediately we get to London, are you saying we are not getting married anymore? I have been wearing this ring for over eight months, why is Susan still calling you?" Atimma growled.
Seno gave her a shove and a kick. Deliberately she stared hard at him. Seno was tempted to hit her hard on the face.
He gave a loud sigh and slammed the door.
She hadn't slept much that night as a result of her chaotic thoughts. She wept uncontrollably under her duvet, she wept until she slept off.
****
When the pastor called out the people who want to be born again, Harry's legs shook. His heart trembled as he struggled to walk down the aisle to the church podium. He knelt down.
People clapped thunderously as the pastor laid his hands on him.
Enomfon felt she had won a soul for Christ, she tried to control her tears as Harry repeated after the pastor.
"Lord Jesus, I give you my life...."
After church service, Didi was clapping her small hands together. It was time to go, and she didn't want to leave Enomfon's hands. She screamed when
her father wanted to take her back.
"She doesn't want to come with you anymore." Enomfon said delightfully.
Harry gave a loud laugh and tried taking Didi from Enomfon's hands again, this time forcefully, until he pulled her out.
"Come to daddy my angel." He teased.
But Didi cried aloud.
"Maybe you should bring her to food club tomorrow, so that she can play with other kids at the playground. I will bring her to church, and you pick her from here.
"Okay, thank you so much. I will be a bit relieved. At least, I will be able To iron and deliver a few clothes to customers before church service."
"Nice...My lovely Didi, You will be with me all through tomorrow okay?" She said as she kissed Didi on the cheek."
"What food does she eat?" She asked in concern.
"Golden mourn, Bird custard, garri and foofoo. She eats anything."
Enomfon nodded with a smile as she held Didi's small hands in hers.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 28)
The sand writhe with tan bodies, loud music and yelling children.
The food bar amusement park was filled with children.
The scent of water and suntan lotion mingled in the heavy, hot air. There wasn't even a breeze to stir the mix together.
Didi woke up to the cool, classy music that took over whole place.
She was lying on Enomfon's office bed. When Enomfon noticed that she was awake, she gave a wide smile and ordered the waitresses to attend to customers, while she concentrated on Didi.
"My princess." She teased Didi as she kissed her on her forehead and carried her on her laps.
She began to sing and dance for Didi, shaking her butt and causing Didi to laugh out so loud.
"Are you hungry baby?" Didi replied in baby language.
"Huhhuh...my baby wants to eat golden mourn and some delicious banana cake. And after that, my baby is going to have a warm bath, and after that, I am going to teach my baby how to count from one to tennnn!" She said excitedly, almost singing like a song as she placed her lips on Didi's navel, blowing whistle with it and causing her to laugh more.
Enomfon tied a bib around her Didi's neck as she mixed her cereal for her. She had shopped for Didi's food earlier that morning without Harry's awareness.
Didi took the spoon of cereal one after another, until the plate got empty.
She played and ran around the whole place, pinching other babies diapers and pushing then to fall on the sand. Enomfon had gotten her a small pink coloured swimming trunk. The swimming drunk revealed her diapers as she ran up and down the sandy floor.
Evening came, and Harry couldn't wait to carry his daughter.
"You're here already." Enomfon said as with a delightful smile.
"How has your day been? I hope Didi didn't bother you much?"
"Not at all...She made my day."
"Will she like to follow me even?" Harry asked desperately.
"Sure. But before I bring her to you, I have something to talk to you about. What course did you study in school?"
Harry lowered himself on the chair and stared into Enomfon's eyes. "Petroleum engineering."
"Oh great! I have this friend who lives in America. He works with chevron. He is our family friend, I used to stay with them when I was schooling in New York. My school of nursing was close to them..."
"Okay?"
"His company is hiring. They will be writing private examination next week in Lagos. I don't know if you will want to do it. It's remaining just two persons to be registered for the exams and the deadline is tomorrow. I would have discussed this with you since yesterday, but then I remembered my brother something about you studying these courses relating to petroleum while you were in cell you guys talked about it."
Harry nodded calmly.
"Are you sure they will take me?" Harry asked calmly, I have written exams for oil companies in the past, none worked.
"This one will work. Write a prayer request on this. Whatever you say to yourself, that is what will happen." She said pensively as she clamped her mouth.
"What about Didi?"
"Don't worry..." She whispered softly. "I can take care of her, I will talk to my mom about her. she will love her, we've not had a baby at home for a while now." She said with a bright smile.
"Can I register now?"
"That is the spirit! of course we will do that before we go to church...but first, let me get your daughter and food."
"food? wow..." Harry giggled as he relaxed on the chair.
Enomfon strode out and came back with Didi in her arms, and a waitress behind her back with a plate of seven colored rice and liver sauce. Didi could not hold her joy when she saw her father, she began to clap her hands and smile widely, exposing her two teeth. Harry held her tight to himself. He perceived cereal, strawberries and cherries on her.
"What did Aunty Enomfon give to you enh?" He asked, mimicking a girl's voice and kissing her all over her body.
The sand writhe with tan bodies, loud music and yelling children.
The food bar amusement park was filled with children.
The scent of water and suntan lotion mingled in the heavy, hot air. There wasn't even a breeze to stir the mix together.
Didi woke up to the cool, classy music that took over whole place.
She was lying on Enomfon's office bed. When Enomfon noticed that she was awake, she gave a wide smile and ordered the waitresses to attend to customers, while she concentrated on Didi.
"My princess." She teased Didi as she kissed her on her forehead and carried her on her laps.
She began to sing and dance for Didi, shaking her butt and causing Didi to laugh out so loud.
"Are you hungry baby?" Didi replied in baby language.
"Huhhuh...my baby wants to eat golden mourn and some delicious banana cake. And after that, my baby is going to have a warm bath, and after that, I am going to teach my baby how to count from one to tennnn!" She said excitedly, almost singing like a song as she placed her lips on Didi's navel, blowing whistle with it and causing her to laugh more.
Enomfon tied a bib around her Didi's neck as she mixed her cereal for her. She had shopped for Didi's food earlier that morning without Harry's awareness.
Didi took the spoon of cereal one after another, until the plate got empty.
She played and ran around the whole place, pinching other babies diapers and pushing then to fall on the sand. Enomfon had gotten her a small pink coloured swimming trunk. The swimming drunk revealed her diapers as she ran up and down the sandy floor.
Evening came, and Harry couldn't wait to carry his daughter.
"You're here already." Enomfon said as with a delightful smile.
"How has your day been? I hope Didi didn't bother you much?"
"Not at all...She made my day."
"Will she like to follow me even?" Harry asked desperately.
"Sure. But before I bring her to you, I have something to talk to you about. What course did you study in school?"
Harry lowered himself on the chair and stared into Enomfon's eyes. "Petroleum engineering."
"Oh great! I have this friend who lives in America. He works with chevron. He is our family friend, I used to stay with them when I was schooling in New York. My school of nursing was close to them..."
"Okay?"
"His company is hiring. They will be writing private examination next week in Lagos. I don't know if you will want to do it. It's remaining just two persons to be registered for the exams and the deadline is tomorrow. I would have discussed this with you since yesterday, but then I remembered my brother something about you studying these courses relating to petroleum while you were in cell you guys talked about it."
Harry nodded calmly.
"Are you sure they will take me?" Harry asked calmly, I have written exams for oil companies in the past, none worked.
"This one will work. Write a prayer request on this. Whatever you say to yourself, that is what will happen." She said pensively as she clamped her mouth.
"What about Didi?"
"Don't worry..." She whispered softly. "I can take care of her, I will talk to my mom about her. she will love her, we've not had a baby at home for a while now." She said with a bright smile.
"Can I register now?"
"That is the spirit! of course we will do that before we go to church...but first, let me get your daughter and food."
"food? wow..." Harry giggled as he relaxed on the chair.
Enomfon strode out and came back with Didi in her arms, and a waitress behind her back with a plate of seven colored rice and liver sauce. Didi could not hold her joy when she saw her father, she began to clap her hands and smile widely, exposing her two teeth. Harry held her tight to himself. He perceived cereal, strawberries and cherries on her.
"What did Aunty Enomfon give to you enh?" He asked, mimicking a girl's voice and kissing her all over her body.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 29)
Harry offered Enomfon a friendly nod and kissed Didi on the cheek and then started Walking toward the bus. "Good luck Harry!" Enomfon said as she waved at the same time. Didi waved too, she didn't know what it meant, but she waved excitedly.
Didi was growing into a miniature version of both Harry and Enomfon, everyone in the park said to Enomfon "Your daughter is beautiful." She nodded excitedly.
Enomfon drove Didi home that morning in her car. Didi enjoyed the ride in a car, it was her first time.
Enomfon had thought of what she was going to tell her mother about her new little guest. She grabbed Didi out from the car and held her small box with the other side of her hand.
"Who owns the pretty girl?" Her mother asked, she stepped into the sitting room. She was mixing batter for fruit bread.
"My friend mom. He has gone to Lagos to write exams, so I told him that I was going to take care of his daughter. He is a member of our church."
"He is a single father?" Her mother asked pensively.
"Yes mommy."
"What about the mother of the child?"
"We don't talk about her. I think she doesn't exist anymore."
Enomfon said shrilly.
"Bring her to me, let me cuddle her a bit."
Enomfon became happy as she carried Didi to her mother.
"What's her name?"
"Didi"
"oh my pretty girl, come here..." Enomfon's mother teased and grabbed Didi gently out from her daughter's arms.
She patted her back and sang for her. Enomfon stared at the both of them excitedly. Didi threw her arms around the woman's neck and laid on it softly.
"Mom, I am on night duty today. Will you take care of Didi for me?"
"Sure will...I will wrap her around my back and make her sleep." her mother responded soothingly.
Didi's stay with Enomfon was a memorable one. She was pampered and loved by Enomfon and her mother.
*****
Atimma woke up to the voice of Seno's voice conversing with someone over the phone.
She froze at his words.
"Please beg Susan for me."
He was conversing with his best friend Segun.
Atimma's heart was filled to burst. She got up from the bed immediately and grabbed the phone from his hands and threw it on the floor.
"Come here." He reached out to her, and she almost yielded, but then she pulled back.
"What? You lied to me, you told me that you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of life with me Seno."
Seno sat slowly on the bed, and watched her pitifully.
"I am sorry, things have changed. I don't know what came over me. I miss my family.
Susan is the woman who has made me what I am today. I can't just break my home like that. I have thought about this, again and again. And there is absolutely nothing that can me make me stay here In the next four months." He said huskily.
"You bastard! What about my family? My daughter, my husband?" Tears running through her eyes.
"You should think of going back to them too." Seno said softly.
She glanced down at Seno again and wiped her face.
"And what if he doesn't take me back?"
"Then he never loved you."
Atimma's mouth went dry with sudden apprehension.
She walked towards Seno, and gave her a loud slap on his face. She pushed her to the floor and beat her up mercilessly.
"Go call the police for me as you did for your weak husband! You think I am poor like him? if you dare try that this shit again, I will lock you up! You wanted money, and I have gave you affluence. Do not ride on my head. I am done with you prostitute!"
Seno yelled, his voice sounded like thunder.
Harry offered Enomfon a friendly nod and kissed Didi on the cheek and then started Walking toward the bus. "Good luck Harry!" Enomfon said as she waved at the same time. Didi waved too, she didn't know what it meant, but she waved excitedly.
Didi was growing into a miniature version of both Harry and Enomfon, everyone in the park said to Enomfon "Your daughter is beautiful." She nodded excitedly.
Enomfon drove Didi home that morning in her car. Didi enjoyed the ride in a car, it was her first time.
Enomfon had thought of what she was going to tell her mother about her new little guest. She grabbed Didi out from the car and held her small box with the other side of her hand.
"Who owns the pretty girl?" Her mother asked, she stepped into the sitting room. She was mixing batter for fruit bread.
"My friend mom. He has gone to Lagos to write exams, so I told him that I was going to take care of his daughter. He is a member of our church."
"He is a single father?" Her mother asked pensively.
"Yes mommy."
"What about the mother of the child?"
"We don't talk about her. I think she doesn't exist anymore."
Enomfon said shrilly.
"Bring her to me, let me cuddle her a bit."
Enomfon became happy as she carried Didi to her mother.
"What's her name?"
"Didi"
"oh my pretty girl, come here..." Enomfon's mother teased and grabbed Didi gently out from her daughter's arms.
She patted her back and sang for her. Enomfon stared at the both of them excitedly. Didi threw her arms around the woman's neck and laid on it softly.
"Mom, I am on night duty today. Will you take care of Didi for me?"
"Sure will...I will wrap her around my back and make her sleep." her mother responded soothingly.
Didi's stay with Enomfon was a memorable one. She was pampered and loved by Enomfon and her mother.
*****
Atimma woke up to the voice of Seno's voice conversing with someone over the phone.
She froze at his words.
"Please beg Susan for me."
He was conversing with his best friend Segun.
Atimma's heart was filled to burst. She got up from the bed immediately and grabbed the phone from his hands and threw it on the floor.
"Come here." He reached out to her, and she almost yielded, but then she pulled back.
"What? You lied to me, you told me that you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of life with me Seno."
Seno sat slowly on the bed, and watched her pitifully.
"I am sorry, things have changed. I don't know what came over me. I miss my family.
Susan is the woman who has made me what I am today. I can't just break my home like that. I have thought about this, again and again. And there is absolutely nothing that can me make me stay here In the next four months." He said huskily.
"You bastard! What about my family? My daughter, my husband?" Tears running through her eyes.
"You should think of going back to them too." Seno said softly.
She glanced down at Seno again and wiped her face.
"And what if he doesn't take me back?"
"Then he never loved you."
Atimma's mouth went dry with sudden apprehension.
She walked towards Seno, and gave her a loud slap on his face. She pushed her to the floor and beat her up mercilessly.
"Go call the police for me as you did for your weak husband! You think I am poor like him? if you dare try that this shit again, I will lock you up! You wanted money, and I have gave you affluence. Do not ride on my head. I am done with you prostitute!"
Seno yelled, his voice sounded like thunder.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 30)
Two months later, Harry came back from Lagos. He had been talking to Enomfon and Didi over the phone. Even though he didn't understand the things Didi said he translated them to his own meaning and understanding.
Enomfon hurriedly dressed Didi in a denim jean trouser and a sweater she had bought for her from a kiddies boutique.
She had bought a baby car seat for Didi. She placed her in it and slammed the car door as she drove hastily to the airport.
When they got to the airport,
she heard Didi scream excitedly in her arms, struggling to come out from her arms.
"Dada!" she yelled.
Enomfon glanced up and her heart skipped as she saw Harry. He had changed. His skin changed and everything about his looks captivated her.
She let Didi off her arms, Didi ran towards him and jumped into his arms. He hugged her tight and walked hastily toward Enomfon.
A smile curved his mouth as he hugged her tight to himself too.
"We didn't expect that you would stay for that long." Enomfon said excitedly.
"I didn't either. They needed two persons urgently for a job in Quatar. That was why I couldn't call you. They company asked us to wait. Paid for hotels and gave us a few trainings. I got my acceptance letter yesterday by email. I will be resuming work fully in two months times." He reeled off huskily.
"When you told me you got the job, I was so excited. Thanks be to God." Enomfon said as she hugged him again.
"This calls for a big celebration, I need to take you two out." He said as he kissed Enomfon on the forehead.
Her heart felt as She held his hands firmly. They got his luggage and Harry took the car keys from her as he drove to a bar that afternoon.
"Didi can talk now." Enomfon said excitedly. "She calls me 'Enyofon' and calls my mom 'momo'. She knows how to count one to five and she knows how to turn off the television. She knows a lot of things."
Harry laughed out so loud. "Can you imagine my Didi of yesterday o. I am so grateful to you Eno. You're a rare specie." He said boldly.
Didi dozed off before they got to the bar. Harry saw her sleeping time as an opportunity to lure Enomfon into kissing him.
He turned her face to her and held her body gently toward himself.
He offered her his lips and she took it gently. His lips were warm, drawing emotions from deep inside.
"Enomfon." He called her name boldly.
"Yes." She whispered softly.
"I am in love with you. I have loved you a long time ago. While I was away, all I thought of was you. I want to be your lover...my daughter already agrees."
She loved the sweetness that laid at his heart. She loved the way his voice hoarse with emotions.
Before she could even say something else, he kissed her deeply.
He tasted of ham and cheese and cola.
"You had snacks at the airport?" Enomfon asked. He nodded and grabbed her face again to his, he kissed her again with incredible tenderness, he slid his arm around her waist and reached for her hands.
"You're my good luck charm...and the Queen of my heart. You make me feel like a teenager." He said and kissed her again, stealing her breathe, stealing her thoughts.
She cuddled close to him, closing her eyes. His grip tightened on her, and her arms slid around his neck. His mouth was near her ear. He was aware of each breath she took, of each movement she made, and it stirred the fire higher and hotter within him.
She wished she could stay there forever, safely in his arms.
Two months later, Harry came back from Lagos. He had been talking to Enomfon and Didi over the phone. Even though he didn't understand the things Didi said he translated them to his own meaning and understanding.
Enomfon hurriedly dressed Didi in a denim jean trouser and a sweater she had bought for her from a kiddies boutique.
She had bought a baby car seat for Didi. She placed her in it and slammed the car door as she drove hastily to the airport.
When they got to the airport,
she heard Didi scream excitedly in her arms, struggling to come out from her arms.
"Dada!" she yelled.
Enomfon glanced up and her heart skipped as she saw Harry. He had changed. His skin changed and everything about his looks captivated her.
She let Didi off her arms, Didi ran towards him and jumped into his arms. He hugged her tight and walked hastily toward Enomfon.
A smile curved his mouth as he hugged her tight to himself too.
"We didn't expect that you would stay for that long." Enomfon said excitedly.
"I didn't either. They needed two persons urgently for a job in Quatar. That was why I couldn't call you. They company asked us to wait. Paid for hotels and gave us a few trainings. I got my acceptance letter yesterday by email. I will be resuming work fully in two months times." He reeled off huskily.
"When you told me you got the job, I was so excited. Thanks be to God." Enomfon said as she hugged him again.
"This calls for a big celebration, I need to take you two out." He said as he kissed Enomfon on the forehead.
Her heart felt as She held his hands firmly. They got his luggage and Harry took the car keys from her as he drove to a bar that afternoon.
"Didi can talk now." Enomfon said excitedly. "She calls me 'Enyofon' and calls my mom 'momo'. She knows how to count one to five and she knows how to turn off the television. She knows a lot of things."
Harry laughed out so loud. "Can you imagine my Didi of yesterday o. I am so grateful to you Eno. You're a rare specie." He said boldly.
Didi dozed off before they got to the bar. Harry saw her sleeping time as an opportunity to lure Enomfon into kissing him.
He turned her face to her and held her body gently toward himself.
He offered her his lips and she took it gently. His lips were warm, drawing emotions from deep inside.
"Enomfon." He called her name boldly.
"Yes." She whispered softly.
"I am in love with you. I have loved you a long time ago. While I was away, all I thought of was you. I want to be your lover...my daughter already agrees."
She loved the sweetness that laid at his heart. She loved the way his voice hoarse with emotions.
Before she could even say something else, he kissed her deeply.
He tasted of ham and cheese and cola.
"You had snacks at the airport?" Enomfon asked. He nodded and grabbed her face again to his, he kissed her again with incredible tenderness, he slid his arm around her waist and reached for her hands.
"You're my good luck charm...and the Queen of my heart. You make me feel like a teenager." He said and kissed her again, stealing her breathe, stealing her thoughts.
She cuddled close to him, closing her eyes. His grip tightened on her, and her arms slid around his neck. His mouth was near her ear. He was aware of each breath she took, of each movement she made, and it stirred the fire higher and hotter within him.
She wished she could stay there forever, safely in his arms.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 31)
Atimma woke up early in the morning, hot and thirsty. She saw Seno, packing all the clothes in the wardrobe into a bigger bag.
She sighed.
"Why are you packing?" She asked weakly.
"I am going back to my family. They need me."
He said as he kept fixing piles of clothes in a big box.
"I am pregnant Seno." She said softly.
"What did you say?" Seno asked in dismay.
"I just said that I am pregnant."
He smiled to himself as he dropped the last piles of clothes in a box and walked slowly to Atimma.
"Listen, if this is a way you wanna trick me to stay back with you, you're wasting your time."
"I can't trick you. I am already three months gone. I didn't know we were going to have issues that might end our relationship. I wanted to tell you on your birthday. It was supposed to be a sweet surprise."
Seno giggled. "You mean that you've been pregnant for over three good months?"
Atimma nodded. "And you're saying it was meant to be a 'sweet' surprise?" He chuckled. "What's so sweet about surprising a married man who has two kids with his wife that you're pregnant?"
She looked at him oddly and when Seno caught her gaze, she had to look away. Tears running through her eyes as she began to sob softly.
"What do you want me to do now Seno?"
"Abortion! I have two kids already, and the worse that can happen is to have the third out of wedlock. I will rather go back to the arms of my wife, fuck her, get her pregnant and accept the bearable mistake, than to have that mistake out of wedlock."
"Infanticide? you want me to kill my baby?" She asked tearily.
"Is this going to be the first baby you're gonna abort? Call it whatever you want, Atim. The last I can remember, you did aborted a pregnancy that was mine in 2014, and another one in 2015, and two In 2016; so tell me my darling, what is so fascinating about this particular pregnancy? If you think you can lure me back to your life with this, I think you're a big joke."
"You're not making closing remarks here."
Atimma said tearily, but shrilly.
"Trust me. This is more than a closing remark."
"When am I going to leave here?"
"Anytime you want. I am going to give you some money as compensation. If you like, you can get rid of that bastard, if you like you can keep it." He Said boldly.
"And what If I get to tell your wife about us, about this pregnancy?" She asked bleakly. Seno laughed aloud and sat on a trunk box, staring at her oddly.
"My wife knows that one slutty bitch, tried taking me away from her. She is aware that you forced me to make love to you that day you begged me to offer you a job. She saw all your messages and emails. I fell for you, because I loved the way you twisted your waist when you rode on me. I loved the sound of your moans. I wanted more, I had to do all I could to get them. You were my special sex toy, I couldn't resist you. My wife has taken a lot of shits from me. I am not ready to break her heart. I will let her know about your pregnancy, even before I get to Nigeria. I am afraid for you, not even for my wife. She won't be surprise, we've been fucking in this house for over a year now, or more. I mean without protection, so she won't be surprise that I got you pregnant along the run."
His words were like tiny razors, flaying her heart.
"You must be a fool, to think that sleeping with me makes you superior. You fell for me out of sympathy to offer me a job. you stood so low to fall for me. You left your family to spend a year and a half with a woman you just wanted to have sex with...how stupid."
Her anger was carefully controlled.
"At least I am better than some people who left their poor husbands and an innocent baby just to come have sex with a foolish man in London, because of the money she could not work for, or? should I say because of the money the man she married could not give her? Am I right whore?"
The silence was deafening.
Atimma woke up early in the morning, hot and thirsty. She saw Seno, packing all the clothes in the wardrobe into a bigger bag.
She sighed.
"Why are you packing?" She asked weakly.
"I am going back to my family. They need me."
He said as he kept fixing piles of clothes in a big box.
"I am pregnant Seno." She said softly.
"What did you say?" Seno asked in dismay.
"I just said that I am pregnant."
He smiled to himself as he dropped the last piles of clothes in a box and walked slowly to Atimma.
"Listen, if this is a way you wanna trick me to stay back with you, you're wasting your time."
"I can't trick you. I am already three months gone. I didn't know we were going to have issues that might end our relationship. I wanted to tell you on your birthday. It was supposed to be a sweet surprise."
Seno giggled. "You mean that you've been pregnant for over three good months?"
Atimma nodded. "And you're saying it was meant to be a 'sweet' surprise?" He chuckled. "What's so sweet about surprising a married man who has two kids with his wife that you're pregnant?"
She looked at him oddly and when Seno caught her gaze, she had to look away. Tears running through her eyes as she began to sob softly.
"What do you want me to do now Seno?"
"Abortion! I have two kids already, and the worse that can happen is to have the third out of wedlock. I will rather go back to the arms of my wife, fuck her, get her pregnant and accept the bearable mistake, than to have that mistake out of wedlock."
"Infanticide? you want me to kill my baby?" She asked tearily.
"Is this going to be the first baby you're gonna abort? Call it whatever you want, Atim. The last I can remember, you did aborted a pregnancy that was mine in 2014, and another one in 2015, and two In 2016; so tell me my darling, what is so fascinating about this particular pregnancy? If you think you can lure me back to your life with this, I think you're a big joke."
"You're not making closing remarks here."
Atimma said tearily, but shrilly.
"Trust me. This is more than a closing remark."
"When am I going to leave here?"
"Anytime you want. I am going to give you some money as compensation. If you like, you can get rid of that bastard, if you like you can keep it." He Said boldly.
"And what If I get to tell your wife about us, about this pregnancy?" She asked bleakly. Seno laughed aloud and sat on a trunk box, staring at her oddly.
"My wife knows that one slutty bitch, tried taking me away from her. She is aware that you forced me to make love to you that day you begged me to offer you a job. She saw all your messages and emails. I fell for you, because I loved the way you twisted your waist when you rode on me. I loved the sound of your moans. I wanted more, I had to do all I could to get them. You were my special sex toy, I couldn't resist you. My wife has taken a lot of shits from me. I am not ready to break her heart. I will let her know about your pregnancy, even before I get to Nigeria. I am afraid for you, not even for my wife. She won't be surprise, we've been fucking in this house for over a year now, or more. I mean without protection, so she won't be surprise that I got you pregnant along the run."
His words were like tiny razors, flaying her heart.
"You must be a fool, to think that sleeping with me makes you superior. You fell for me out of sympathy to offer me a job. you stood so low to fall for me. You left your family to spend a year and a half with a woman you just wanted to have sex with...how stupid."
Her anger was carefully controlled.
"At least I am better than some people who left their poor husbands and an innocent baby just to come have sex with a foolish man in London, because of the money she could not work for, or? should I say because of the money the man she married could not give her? Am I right whore?"
The silence was deafening.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 32)
It was their first night together at the le meridian hotel and golf resort.
Harry had paid his tithe the previous Sunday, and now, he made out time to spend with the two women he loved so much.
They had gotten a two bedroom suite; one for himself and Enomfon, and one for Didi girl.
Didi finally slept after a lot of talking and playing.
Through the endless sleepless night, Enomfon had yearned for the comfort of Harry's long, warm body and a deeper closeness.
She had not been in a relationship for years, or made love to a man. She tried to control her emotions and what she felt for him.
His hand ran up her back to her neck and he wrapped his fingers around her nape, his thumb tracing her jaw.
His mouth touch hers, the taste and feel so familiar; so welcomed, it made her want to cry. She shivered. A cry longing escaped her throat when he dipped his hands into her pyjamas. He devoured her mouth as his hands fondled her nipples slowly.
His desire was unleashed at last and it tore through him.
He stared at her long dark full hair, which fell loosely on her back, her dark skin sheened like stainless steel. Her face was sweet and angelic, he could not stop staring at every part of her body.
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her tenderly, slowly, unlike before. Then they both had been desperate, needy, their passion almost savaged in its intensity.
Now, he was going to take his time. It had been a long time since he made love passionately to a woman. He wanted to savor every inch of her body.
He ran his hands up her slender legs, marvelling at the feel of her.
She touched his hand as he caressed her breast, and he lowered his head to take the erect tip of his mouth. Enomfon gasped and tightened her fingers in his hair, as his lip and tongue played over her body.
He coaxed her, teased her, building the passion slowly this time. He tortured himself by waiting. He suddenly stopped and turned away.
"What is it?"
"I don't wanna do it anymore." He said softly. "I don't wanna take advantage of your body, just because you've been good to me."
"But I am your lover. You love me right. You're in love with me, you said so." She whispered softly against his ears.
He suddenly kissed her wildly again, and then eased himself into her, holding his breath to try to remain in control.
Her eyes burned with tears. He was crying too after a long, passionate moment. When he probed deeper, she moaned aloud with even more pleasure.
"I love you." he said as he drove into her, unable to control his urge and longing. She flung her arms around his neck as she moaned softly.
****
After the two days vacation at the golf resort, Enomfon decided to drive Harry home. Didi was behind in her car seat.
"When I return back from work again, I should leave this area for town." He said softly.
"I can get an agent to get you a house in town. You will write down your description. " Enomfon retorted.
"Is Didi coming home with me?" Harry asked.
"No. Her temperature was high last night. I need to run some tests on her and give her some medicines." She said soothingly.
She dropped Harry, and drove home with Didi. As soon as Didi alighted from the car, she ran into Enomfon's mother's hands.
"momo!"She screamed.
"My princess." she carried her into her arm and stroked her hair gently.
"Momo, Enyofon do Dada kiss, kiss." She said girlishly, trying to kiss her on her mouth.
Enomfon's mom paused for a moment, then understood what Didi meant.
They got to the sitting room and Enomfon greeted her mother softly, but she ignored her greetings and asked, "Are you dating Didi's father?" Her question cut into Enomfon's heart.
"He is my friend." She faltered.
"Friend? What friend? you kissed your friend before his daughter?" She asked with a stern stare.
Enomfon looked confused, she became dumbfounded.
"I really want to talk to you. I heard from someone that you've been seen hanging out with this guy a lot of times. I know you two are dating of course. But are you aware he was once married? and that his marriage wasn't up to a year, his wife ran away because he was always beating her."
Enomfon's heart broke as tears clouded her eyes. She lowered herself gently on the sofa and stared at her mom like she had never seen her before.
It was their first night together at the le meridian hotel and golf resort.
Harry had paid his tithe the previous Sunday, and now, he made out time to spend with the two women he loved so much.
They had gotten a two bedroom suite; one for himself and Enomfon, and one for Didi girl.
Didi finally slept after a lot of talking and playing.
Through the endless sleepless night, Enomfon had yearned for the comfort of Harry's long, warm body and a deeper closeness.
She had not been in a relationship for years, or made love to a man. She tried to control her emotions and what she felt for him.
His hand ran up her back to her neck and he wrapped his fingers around her nape, his thumb tracing her jaw.
His mouth touch hers, the taste and feel so familiar; so welcomed, it made her want to cry. She shivered. A cry longing escaped her throat when he dipped his hands into her pyjamas. He devoured her mouth as his hands fondled her nipples slowly.
His desire was unleashed at last and it tore through him.
He stared at her long dark full hair, which fell loosely on her back, her dark skin sheened like stainless steel. Her face was sweet and angelic, he could not stop staring at every part of her body.
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her tenderly, slowly, unlike before. Then they both had been desperate, needy, their passion almost savaged in its intensity.
Now, he was going to take his time. It had been a long time since he made love passionately to a woman. He wanted to savor every inch of her body.
He ran his hands up her slender legs, marvelling at the feel of her.
She touched his hand as he caressed her breast, and he lowered his head to take the erect tip of his mouth. Enomfon gasped and tightened her fingers in his hair, as his lip and tongue played over her body.
He coaxed her, teased her, building the passion slowly this time. He tortured himself by waiting. He suddenly stopped and turned away.
"What is it?"
"I don't wanna do it anymore." He said softly. "I don't wanna take advantage of your body, just because you've been good to me."
"But I am your lover. You love me right. You're in love with me, you said so." She whispered softly against his ears.
He suddenly kissed her wildly again, and then eased himself into her, holding his breath to try to remain in control.
Her eyes burned with tears. He was crying too after a long, passionate moment. When he probed deeper, she moaned aloud with even more pleasure.
"I love you." he said as he drove into her, unable to control his urge and longing. She flung her arms around his neck as she moaned softly.
****
After the two days vacation at the golf resort, Enomfon decided to drive Harry home. Didi was behind in her car seat.
"When I return back from work again, I should leave this area for town." He said softly.
"I can get an agent to get you a house in town. You will write down your description. " Enomfon retorted.
"Is Didi coming home with me?" Harry asked.
"No. Her temperature was high last night. I need to run some tests on her and give her some medicines." She said soothingly.
She dropped Harry, and drove home with Didi. As soon as Didi alighted from the car, she ran into Enomfon's mother's hands.
"momo!"She screamed.
"My princess." she carried her into her arm and stroked her hair gently.
"Momo, Enyofon do Dada kiss, kiss." She said girlishly, trying to kiss her on her mouth.
Enomfon's mom paused for a moment, then understood what Didi meant.
They got to the sitting room and Enomfon greeted her mother softly, but she ignored her greetings and asked, "Are you dating Didi's father?" Her question cut into Enomfon's heart.
"He is my friend." She faltered.
"Friend? What friend? you kissed your friend before his daughter?" She asked with a stern stare.
Enomfon looked confused, she became dumbfounded.
"I really want to talk to you. I heard from someone that you've been seen hanging out with this guy a lot of times. I know you two are dating of course. But are you aware he was once married? and that his marriage wasn't up to a year, his wife ran away because he was always beating her."
Enomfon's heart broke as tears clouded her eyes. She lowered herself gently on the sofa and stared at her mom like she had never seen her before.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 33)
Ridiculous tears stung Enomfon's eyes.
She managed to ask Didi lightly, "Where did you see your daddy and I kissing?"
"In ka...momo I see enyofon and dada do kiss, kiss in car..." Didi said innocently.
Enomfon's jaw set. The pulse in her neck quickened, making her ashamed.
"You just lied to me. You've been kissing a married man Enomfon? You're a christian girl, I didn't groom you to be wayward and loosed. What has come over you?"
"It's not that kind of kiss mom. It was just a peck. Didi doesn't know anything, don't believe her mom."
"How did she know that such ever took place. You think she does not know? I don't want to see that man around my house, or anywhere close to you again. I don't want to have issues with this innocent child. He should go reconcile with his wife and stay off your path." Her mother said sternly and dropped Didi gently on the sofa.
She looked at Didi, Didi flashed her a grin and her heart stood still. She felt so enervated as Didi smiled at her.
She ran a test on her that morning and got her medicines. Later that day, it rained softly. She wore Didi a cardigan and drove her to Harry's house on the rain.
Her eyes were wet with tears, She clasp her hands tight and thought of what she was going to say to Harry. She took out her phone and dialed his number.
"I am in front of your House. Come get Didi." She said tearily.
Harry sensed something was wrong. He could predict it from the way she spoke.
He rushed out on the rain with an umbrella and opened the driver's car door.
He stared at Enomfon in the eye and then held her hands. Enomfon took her hands off his and signed loudly.
"Did anyone hassle you today?" He asked in soft whispers. Enomfon was still mute. He held her two hands tight with his left hands and locked the car the car with one.
Didi had slept off, he took her out of the car, placed her on the bed and went out to carry Enomfon.
"What is the problem. Share with me sweetheart." He pulled her out of the car and held her closely to himself.
The unexpected contact was electrifying. For a moment neither of them moved.
"Harry." She breathed his name softly. He shook his head quickly as if to clear it.
He stared as if he was trying to see past her words, to read her chaotic thoughts.
"Why did your wife leave?"
Harry gave a loud sigh.
"It's a long story."
"Have you divorced her yet?" She asked, her voice quivered now.
"Not yet. She is nowhere to be found. She ran away. She left me when Didi was still a little baby; a year and a half now. I haven't thought of her for a long time now..."
"Liar! she left because you used to beat her. You abused her, you're a bad person and it hurts me that I fell for you..." She cried.
"No, that's not true. I have never ever laid my hands on any woman before. She was sleeping with her boss, because I didn't have money."
"No woman will do such thing you liar! I took away my pride as a christian girl and made love to you, I gave you my heart..." She wept bitterly. Harry's heart broke as he threw away the umbrella, and hugged her tight to himself. He was scenting of a strong masculine perfume, which clinched to her hair and her wet dress.
"Whatever you heard is a lie, believe me."
He said weakly. Wind driven rain continued to beat against them. He tried to kiss her, but she grabbed her car keys firmly from him and slammed the car door.
Harry tried to stop her, but couldn't. She drove off angrily, and with deep pains in her heart.
*****
Seno arrived Uyo that night.
Susan and their sons had made different delicacies and smoothies for his home coming.
His wife gave him a warm hug as he stared at her with fear in his eyes.
His sons; Ubong and Eugene greeted him oddly. He knew that something was wrong, but he wasn't sure until he got home, there was a surprise welcome party, it was one that changed Seno's life forever.
Ridiculous tears stung Enomfon's eyes.
She managed to ask Didi lightly, "Where did you see your daddy and I kissing?"
"In ka...momo I see enyofon and dada do kiss, kiss in car..." Didi said innocently.
Enomfon's jaw set. The pulse in her neck quickened, making her ashamed.
"You just lied to me. You've been kissing a married man Enomfon? You're a christian girl, I didn't groom you to be wayward and loosed. What has come over you?"
"It's not that kind of kiss mom. It was just a peck. Didi doesn't know anything, don't believe her mom."
"How did she know that such ever took place. You think she does not know? I don't want to see that man around my house, or anywhere close to you again. I don't want to have issues with this innocent child. He should go reconcile with his wife and stay off your path." Her mother said sternly and dropped Didi gently on the sofa.
She looked at Didi, Didi flashed her a grin and her heart stood still. She felt so enervated as Didi smiled at her.
She ran a test on her that morning and got her medicines. Later that day, it rained softly. She wore Didi a cardigan and drove her to Harry's house on the rain.
Her eyes were wet with tears, She clasp her hands tight and thought of what she was going to say to Harry. She took out her phone and dialed his number.
"I am in front of your House. Come get Didi." She said tearily.
Harry sensed something was wrong. He could predict it from the way she spoke.
He rushed out on the rain with an umbrella and opened the driver's car door.
He stared at Enomfon in the eye and then held her hands. Enomfon took her hands off his and signed loudly.
"Did anyone hassle you today?" He asked in soft whispers. Enomfon was still mute. He held her two hands tight with his left hands and locked the car the car with one.
Didi had slept off, he took her out of the car, placed her on the bed and went out to carry Enomfon.
"What is the problem. Share with me sweetheart." He pulled her out of the car and held her closely to himself.
The unexpected contact was electrifying. For a moment neither of them moved.
"Harry." She breathed his name softly. He shook his head quickly as if to clear it.
He stared as if he was trying to see past her words, to read her chaotic thoughts.
"Why did your wife leave?"
Harry gave a loud sigh.
"It's a long story."
"Have you divorced her yet?" She asked, her voice quivered now.
"Not yet. She is nowhere to be found. She ran away. She left me when Didi was still a little baby; a year and a half now. I haven't thought of her for a long time now..."
"Liar! she left because you used to beat her. You abused her, you're a bad person and it hurts me that I fell for you..." She cried.
"No, that's not true. I have never ever laid my hands on any woman before. She was sleeping with her boss, because I didn't have money."
"No woman will do such thing you liar! I took away my pride as a christian girl and made love to you, I gave you my heart..." She wept bitterly. Harry's heart broke as he threw away the umbrella, and hugged her tight to himself. He was scenting of a strong masculine perfume, which clinched to her hair and her wet dress.
"Whatever you heard is a lie, believe me."
He said weakly. Wind driven rain continued to beat against them. He tried to kiss her, but she grabbed her car keys firmly from him and slammed the car door.
Harry tried to stop her, but couldn't. She drove off angrily, and with deep pains in her heart.
*****
Seno arrived Uyo that night.
Susan and their sons had made different delicacies and smoothies for his home coming.
His wife gave him a warm hug as he stared at her with fear in his eyes.
His sons; Ubong and Eugene greeted him oddly. He knew that something was wrong, but he wasn't sure until he got home, there was a surprise welcome party, it was one that changed Seno's life forever.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 34)
As Seno got into the house, he tried to summon peace of mind. His sons appeared in his side with plates of rice, soup and chicken in curry sauce.
The Antihistamines and beer he had in the plane made his head swim dizzily as he staggered to a seat on the dining.
"Are you okay daddy?" Eugene asked boldly?
Seno nodded as he took a glass of water from the table and gulped it down his throat uncontrollably.
Everything seemed different in his eyes; His sons grew taller. Eugene was twenty two, while his youngest son Ubong had clocked twenty a week before Seno's return.
They both graduated from Army schools. They had gone all gruff and macho when their dad asked them to sit so that they could talk.
They waited anxiously for their mother to come to the dinning table with the bowl of chicken; while they glanced at each other.
Susan appeared in the dinning moments later with a bowl of chicken and a sword.
She placed the Chicken on the table and curved a smile as she lowered herself gently on the Chair with the sword on the floor.
"What are you doing with a sword?"
"It's for keeps." She chuckled.
"We missed you Darling, welcome back home. The boys missed you so much."
Susan said shrilly as she forked a chicken lap into her plate and passed it on to Seno.
For a few minutes, only sounds of cutleries were heard until Ubong broke the silence.
"Daddy, where have you been all these while?" He asked gruffly.
Seno choked as he took the glass of water and gulped down the second time.
"Emmm...London, yes. I was London."
"Doing what?" Eugene threw the question at him rudely.
"Didn't your mom tell you guys?" Seno asked, looking confused.
"We wanna hear from your mouth that you were living with a woman In London!" Eugene exclaimed.
Everyone dropped their cutleries as they all stared at Seno sternly.
Seno turned to Susan and then said, "Susan, you told the kids about our misunderstanding, that wasn't right." Susan got up immediately and poured the juice from the jug on his head. He yelled and got up from the dinning table, but his two sons held him down firmly.
They took a rope under the dinning table and tide his hand and legs to the chair.
"What are you doing? let me off!" He yelled shrilly.
Susan took the sword from under her feet,held it in her hand firmly.
"So Seno...You walked into this house with full confident, that even as a woman who loves Jehovah, I will let you in just like that?"
Seno shook his head desperately. His heartbeat accelerated and a bead of sweat limned his upper lip.
"I am sorry Susan, so sorry please..." He said, breathing heavily.
"I have been hearing this for twenty three years now. 'I am sorry Susan.'
You spent all my hard earned penny on women. You bought them cars, built them houses, slept in five star hotels with girls and came back falling sick on me. You came back with STDs and Infections I spent so much money to get rid off. And after every pains I bore, you still came back to say 'I am sorry'.
When Eugene was born, you left me on that hospital bed, and went away with Mercy your former staff...For Three consecutive months. I came back home and did the work of a boss and a mom, all alone. And then when she finally eloped with the company's money, you came back home pained and walked right into my arms. You still said 'I am sorry.'
We started from square one, I suffered, sold my family's gold, sold lands that I wasn't supposed to, just to start up life over again." Her voice broke down, as she sobbed softly. Tears running down her sons eyes.
"And after we picked up, and the company name became firm again, you slept with hundreds of girls, came back home drunk and weak.
I took over my company, and you came back begging that things were going to change, and that you were going to be a good father to our sons and a good husband to me.
I came down and handed to you the position of a CEO, you took advantage of it woefully. You failed again. This time, even worse.
You eloped with your staff, worse a married woman. A woman who had not been married for even a year, you ruined her home and took her away from her child and her less privileged husband.
And now, You're here again to tell me you're sorry." She broke down and wept bitterly, then comported herself. Her countenance changed, she unexpectedly held Seno's fourth finger and chopped it off, blood oozing out. His son's faces were stern and mean.
By the time his brain registered, he yelled and screamed uncontrollably; his voice echoed.
As Seno got into the house, he tried to summon peace of mind. His sons appeared in his side with plates of rice, soup and chicken in curry sauce.
The Antihistamines and beer he had in the plane made his head swim dizzily as he staggered to a seat on the dining.
"Are you okay daddy?" Eugene asked boldly?
Seno nodded as he took a glass of water from the table and gulped it down his throat uncontrollably.
Everything seemed different in his eyes; His sons grew taller. Eugene was twenty two, while his youngest son Ubong had clocked twenty a week before Seno's return.
They both graduated from Army schools. They had gone all gruff and macho when their dad asked them to sit so that they could talk.
They waited anxiously for their mother to come to the dinning table with the bowl of chicken; while they glanced at each other.
Susan appeared in the dinning moments later with a bowl of chicken and a sword.
She placed the Chicken on the table and curved a smile as she lowered herself gently on the Chair with the sword on the floor.
"What are you doing with a sword?"
"It's for keeps." She chuckled.
"We missed you Darling, welcome back home. The boys missed you so much."
Susan said shrilly as she forked a chicken lap into her plate and passed it on to Seno.
For a few minutes, only sounds of cutleries were heard until Ubong broke the silence.
"Daddy, where have you been all these while?" He asked gruffly.
Seno choked as he took the glass of water and gulped down the second time.
"Emmm...London, yes. I was London."
"Doing what?" Eugene threw the question at him rudely.
"Didn't your mom tell you guys?" Seno asked, looking confused.
"We wanna hear from your mouth that you were living with a woman In London!" Eugene exclaimed.
Everyone dropped their cutleries as they all stared at Seno sternly.
Seno turned to Susan and then said, "Susan, you told the kids about our misunderstanding, that wasn't right." Susan got up immediately and poured the juice from the jug on his head. He yelled and got up from the dinning table, but his two sons held him down firmly.
They took a rope under the dinning table and tide his hand and legs to the chair.
"What are you doing? let me off!" He yelled shrilly.
Susan took the sword from under her feet,held it in her hand firmly.
"So Seno...You walked into this house with full confident, that even as a woman who loves Jehovah, I will let you in just like that?"
Seno shook his head desperately. His heartbeat accelerated and a bead of sweat limned his upper lip.
"I am sorry Susan, so sorry please..." He said, breathing heavily.
"I have been hearing this for twenty three years now. 'I am sorry Susan.'
You spent all my hard earned penny on women. You bought them cars, built them houses, slept in five star hotels with girls and came back falling sick on me. You came back with STDs and Infections I spent so much money to get rid off. And after every pains I bore, you still came back to say 'I am sorry'.
When Eugene was born, you left me on that hospital bed, and went away with Mercy your former staff...For Three consecutive months. I came back home and did the work of a boss and a mom, all alone. And then when she finally eloped with the company's money, you came back home pained and walked right into my arms. You still said 'I am sorry.'
We started from square one, I suffered, sold my family's gold, sold lands that I wasn't supposed to, just to start up life over again." Her voice broke down, as she sobbed softly. Tears running down her sons eyes.
"And after we picked up, and the company name became firm again, you slept with hundreds of girls, came back home drunk and weak.
I took over my company, and you came back begging that things were going to change, and that you were going to be a good father to our sons and a good husband to me.
I came down and handed to you the position of a CEO, you took advantage of it woefully. You failed again. This time, even worse.
You eloped with your staff, worse a married woman. A woman who had not been married for even a year, you ruined her home and took her away from her child and her less privileged husband.
And now, You're here again to tell me you're sorry." She broke down and wept bitterly, then comported herself. Her countenance changed, she unexpectedly held Seno's fourth finger and chopped it off, blood oozing out. His son's faces were stern and mean.
By the time his brain registered, he yelled and screamed uncontrollably; his voice echoed.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 35)
Seno's words rang in Atimma's head several times. She imagined his face when he said them. She walked around the house, murmuring words to herself.
She was pregnant, and the signs were beginning to show on her face. She counted the money Seno gave to her over and over again.
She had missed home, she missed Harry and Linda. She had wondered what her daughter might look like now, and thought of how she was going to face them. She had Harry's number off hand, but she was ashamed to call him.
She stared at her phone for a while and then began to search for Linda's number. She dialled it and placed the phone slowly to her ears.
"I have been planning to call you, what's happening? I feel everything isn't right with you. I saw Seno with his wife at the ibom tropicana yesterday, he didn't see me. I tried calling you at that moment but your number didn't go through." She said shrilly, reeling off.
Atimma was mute for a while, then she suddenly broke down in tears.
"I am pregnant Linda, I want to get rid of it."
"You're pregnant for who?"
"Seno of course. We broke up two weeks ago, he left Nigeria and said it was over, that he was going back to his wife."
"How can he say such a thing? After using you for how long? No, you can't get rid of the pregnancy. Keep it. Come back to Nigeria and let him know you're still carrying his baby."
"What if he doesn't accept?" She asked through a hard breathe.
"Tell his wife. When you do that, he is going to know you're serious."
"I thought of that too. But I didn't want problems."
"Babe, na wa for you o. How can you think of getting rid of a whole Seno's baby. Do you know the kind of share of wealth you will have by keeping his baby? you might even have him back sef."
Atimma became relieved as she held her chest.
"Have you been seeing Harry and my daughter?"
"No o, the last I saw him was at the market. He was selling water as usual. Abeg, leave that poor thing. You should think of coming to see your daughter."
"She won't know me." She said pensively. And then became quiet for a moment.
"I just hope to see her soon." She muttered.
"Okay. thank you for calling me o, I will be expecting you in Nigeria soon."
"Thank you bestie, you always help me out when I am bothered." She said softly, as she hung the call.
She began to search for her international passports and ID cards.
She started making calls to find out about ticket bookings.
****
Didi woke up with a fever. She had been shivering and crying all through the night, keeping Harry awake all through the night.
He gave her the medicines Enomfon brought the previous day, but she vomited them with everything she had in her tummy.
"Enyofon, Dada enyonfon...awant enyonfon." She cried out softly.
Harry stood stiffly beside her on the bed, hurt and pained.
He held Didi in his arms and tried to sing to her. Didi placed her small hands on his mouth.
"You don't like the song honey?" She nodded softly.
"What song should I sing for my angel?"
"Enyomfo...dada...enyomfo..." She became cranky.
Harry took his phone and typed a message to Enomfon... 'Didi is ill. She has been calling your name for hours now. I need to take her to the hospital urgently.'
Within a minute, his phone rang. He stared at it, his heart trembled as he saw that she was calling him back.
"Hi." He said huskily.
"I want to be sure you're not tricking me, place the phone on Didi's ears." She said in soft whispers. Harry placed the phone immediately on Didi's ears and whispered "it's Aunty Enomfon. Say hello."
"Enyomfo, come, come..." She said softly.
Harry placed the phone back to his ears and said, We need you badly sweetheart."
The sound of their voices melted her heart, she couldn't wait for another moment. She took her car keys and drove speedily to Harry's house.
Harry was already waiting outside for her, with Didi covered with wrapper in his arms. Enomfon ran out of the car, threw the car key at Harry and got Didi from him.
She held her tight like she was never going to let her go. They sat behind the car, humming songs together as Harry drove hastily to the hospital Downtown.
Seno's words rang in Atimma's head several times. She imagined his face when he said them. She walked around the house, murmuring words to herself.
She was pregnant, and the signs were beginning to show on her face. She counted the money Seno gave to her over and over again.
She had missed home, she missed Harry and Linda. She had wondered what her daughter might look like now, and thought of how she was going to face them. She had Harry's number off hand, but she was ashamed to call him.
She stared at her phone for a while and then began to search for Linda's number. She dialled it and placed the phone slowly to her ears.
"I have been planning to call you, what's happening? I feel everything isn't right with you. I saw Seno with his wife at the ibom tropicana yesterday, he didn't see me. I tried calling you at that moment but your number didn't go through." She said shrilly, reeling off.
Atimma was mute for a while, then she suddenly broke down in tears.
"I am pregnant Linda, I want to get rid of it."
"You're pregnant for who?"
"Seno of course. We broke up two weeks ago, he left Nigeria and said it was over, that he was going back to his wife."
"How can he say such a thing? After using you for how long? No, you can't get rid of the pregnancy. Keep it. Come back to Nigeria and let him know you're still carrying his baby."
"What if he doesn't accept?" She asked through a hard breathe.
"Tell his wife. When you do that, he is going to know you're serious."
"I thought of that too. But I didn't want problems."
"Babe, na wa for you o. How can you think of getting rid of a whole Seno's baby. Do you know the kind of share of wealth you will have by keeping his baby? you might even have him back sef."
Atimma became relieved as she held her chest.
"Have you been seeing Harry and my daughter?"
"No o, the last I saw him was at the market. He was selling water as usual. Abeg, leave that poor thing. You should think of coming to see your daughter."
"She won't know me." She said pensively. And then became quiet for a moment.
"I just hope to see her soon." She muttered.
"Okay. thank you for calling me o, I will be expecting you in Nigeria soon."
"Thank you bestie, you always help me out when I am bothered." She said softly, as she hung the call.
She began to search for her international passports and ID cards.
She started making calls to find out about ticket bookings.
****
Didi woke up with a fever. She had been shivering and crying all through the night, keeping Harry awake all through the night.
He gave her the medicines Enomfon brought the previous day, but she vomited them with everything she had in her tummy.
"Enyofon, Dada enyonfon...awant enyonfon." She cried out softly.
Harry stood stiffly beside her on the bed, hurt and pained.
He held Didi in his arms and tried to sing to her. Didi placed her small hands on his mouth.
"You don't like the song honey?" She nodded softly.
"What song should I sing for my angel?"
"Enyomfo...dada...enyomfo..." She became cranky.
Harry took his phone and typed a message to Enomfon... 'Didi is ill. She has been calling your name for hours now. I need to take her to the hospital urgently.'
Within a minute, his phone rang. He stared at it, his heart trembled as he saw that she was calling him back.
"Hi." He said huskily.
"I want to be sure you're not tricking me, place the phone on Didi's ears." She said in soft whispers. Harry placed the phone immediately on Didi's ears and whispered "it's Aunty Enomfon. Say hello."
"Enyomfo, come, come..." She said softly.
Harry placed the phone back to his ears and said, We need you badly sweetheart."
The sound of their voices melted her heart, she couldn't wait for another moment. She took her car keys and drove speedily to Harry's house.
Harry was already waiting outside for her, with Didi covered with wrapper in his arms. Enomfon ran out of the car, threw the car key at Harry and got Didi from him.
She held her tight like she was never going to let her go. They sat behind the car, humming songs together as Harry drove hastily to the hospital Downtown.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 36)
After the nurses and Doctors had attended to Didi, Enomfon injected the syringe into her soft, small buttocks. She screamed in the hands of her her father, who held her hands and her legs tight.
"You'll be fine darling." Enonofon said soothingly as she disposed the used syringe and took Didi from Harry's hands.
Didi sobbed until she slept off in Enomfon's arms. They both watched her sleep peacefully.
"You called back immediately I sent you the message, weren't you sleeping?" Harry asked huskily.
Enomfon glanced at him and took her face away immediately.
"You were thinking of me." He said in soft whispers.
She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears that was burning in her throat from escaping.
"Tell me the truth, what happened between you and your wife." She asked softly.
Harry held her hands. "She isn't my wife. I made a mistake, I have told you this a lot of times...."
Harry went on to narrate how Atimma dealt with him and how his mother died. Tears running through their eyes uncontrollably. She watched his mouth move, and couldn't wait for him to tell her more of his bitter experiences. She grabbed him to herself and kissed her passionately, throwing her phone and car keys on the bed.
"I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." he said, holding her face with his hands.
"I want to shower, I am hot." She said weakly as she led the way to the bathroom in the hospital.
"Won't they nurses come to interrupt?"
"They won't. I work here. They know Didi already, they think I am her mother. Nobody will come, except I sent for them. She began to remove her clothes before him. He averted his gaze when he saw that she was naked. But she held him to the shower.
She stood underneath the water, hoping it would wash away all the painful memories Harry had experienced. The incredible tenderness with which Harry coaxed her into response, the unbearable pleasure that his hands, mouth, and body had given her, the explosive completion he'd shared with her.
Her knees felt water soluble, melting away under the steamy spray.
Enomfon put out a hand against the wall of the shower to steady herself as the echoes of passion pummeled her more effectively than the shower spray.
She felt whole for the first time, when Harry began to touch her. He removed his clothes and threw them on wet floor.
She blushed when he stared at her lustfully.
"I love you Eno." He moaned, as he pulled her to himself and began to do magical things to her body.
He pinned her to the wall, blocking her exit. He put his hand around her neck, carressed her nape, an act that never failed to make her crazy with the need to kiss him.
*****
Atimma arrived Uyo in the early hours of a Monday morning. She took a cab to a hotel room and after she placed her luggage in the wardrobe, she became calm. Thinking.
She went to her former house and was told by the new tenant that Harry was no more staying there.
"Do you have any idea where they are now?" she asked.
"I don't even know them." The man responded rudely.
"Shit! shit! shit!" She said, banging her hands on her forehead. She took a long breath and walked away hastily, heading to Seno's office.
The securities cheered her up as she walked passed them and stepped into the elevator.
As she walked on the hallway that led to Seno's office, her eyes narrowed with suspicion and wariness.
She opened the door slowly, she didn't knock. Her heart trembled as she saw Susan face to face for the first time. They had always seen themselves in photos and the company's end of year party or gala night.
Susan took a deep breath, clutching a mug in both hands and looking at Atimma sternly. She didn't blink an eye, she didn't show any expression of shock or surprise of seeing her.
Her peripheral vision was filled with the long expanse of her husband's bare flesh.
After the nurses and Doctors had attended to Didi, Enomfon injected the syringe into her soft, small buttocks. She screamed in the hands of her her father, who held her hands and her legs tight.
"You'll be fine darling." Enonofon said soothingly as she disposed the used syringe and took Didi from Harry's hands.
Didi sobbed until she slept off in Enomfon's arms. They both watched her sleep peacefully.
"You called back immediately I sent you the message, weren't you sleeping?" Harry asked huskily.
Enomfon glanced at him and took her face away immediately.
"You were thinking of me." He said in soft whispers.
She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears that was burning in her throat from escaping.
"Tell me the truth, what happened between you and your wife." She asked softly.
Harry held her hands. "She isn't my wife. I made a mistake, I have told you this a lot of times...."
Harry went on to narrate how Atimma dealt with him and how his mother died. Tears running through their eyes uncontrollably. She watched his mouth move, and couldn't wait for him to tell her more of his bitter experiences. She grabbed him to herself and kissed her passionately, throwing her phone and car keys on the bed.
"I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." he said, holding her face with his hands.
"I want to shower, I am hot." She said weakly as she led the way to the bathroom in the hospital.
"Won't they nurses come to interrupt?"
"They won't. I work here. They know Didi already, they think I am her mother. Nobody will come, except I sent for them. She began to remove her clothes before him. He averted his gaze when he saw that she was naked. But she held him to the shower.
She stood underneath the water, hoping it would wash away all the painful memories Harry had experienced. The incredible tenderness with which Harry coaxed her into response, the unbearable pleasure that his hands, mouth, and body had given her, the explosive completion he'd shared with her.
Her knees felt water soluble, melting away under the steamy spray.
Enomfon put out a hand against the wall of the shower to steady herself as the echoes of passion pummeled her more effectively than the shower spray.
She felt whole for the first time, when Harry began to touch her. He removed his clothes and threw them on wet floor.
She blushed when he stared at her lustfully.
"I love you Eno." He moaned, as he pulled her to himself and began to do magical things to her body.
He pinned her to the wall, blocking her exit. He put his hand around her neck, carressed her nape, an act that never failed to make her crazy with the need to kiss him.
*****
Atimma arrived Uyo in the early hours of a Monday morning. She took a cab to a hotel room and after she placed her luggage in the wardrobe, she became calm. Thinking.
She went to her former house and was told by the new tenant that Harry was no more staying there.
"Do you have any idea where they are now?" she asked.
"I don't even know them." The man responded rudely.
"Shit! shit! shit!" She said, banging her hands on her forehead. She took a long breath and walked away hastily, heading to Seno's office.
The securities cheered her up as she walked passed them and stepped into the elevator.
As she walked on the hallway that led to Seno's office, her eyes narrowed with suspicion and wariness.
She opened the door slowly, she didn't knock. Her heart trembled as she saw Susan face to face for the first time. They had always seen themselves in photos and the company's end of year party or gala night.
Susan took a deep breath, clutching a mug in both hands and looking at Atimma sternly. She didn't blink an eye, she didn't show any expression of shock or surprise of seeing her.
Her peripheral vision was filled with the long expanse of her husband's bare flesh.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 37)
Susan leaned back against the chair watching her closely.
"You have no modesty, no shame, Atimma." She got up slowly to the door and locked it with a key, then walked majestically back to her seat with the key in her hands.
With a shake of her head, she took her eyes off Atimma who had been quiet all the while.
"So finally, you're back from London?" She gulped down the substance in the mug and kept it slowly on the table.
"It's my pleasure meeting you face to face. I mean God is good right?" She giggled. "He puts our enemies right in our hands..."
"I am not an enemy." Atimma interrupted shrilly. Susan gave a loud laugh and fell on back on the Chair, and looked at her oddly.
"Did you hear that? She said she isn't an enemy." She laughed out so loud again, like she was possessed.
"You're the biggest enemy of my family. You're the biggest enemy of my company. You're a terrible woman, a very terrible one. You see this?" She took out Seno's fingers from a shelf and pointed at her.
Atimma glared at the finger, her eyes widened.
"Whose finger is this?"
"I don't know." Atimma Whispered shakily.
"Jeeezzzz, you don't know your ex lover's finger? Amazing...
This is Seno's finger. I chopped it off last week and was about feeding him with it when my sons pleaded. I had to chop his fourth finger because he doesn't deserve to be married, neither are you. The both of you. But thanks be to Jehovah, the lion and the tribe of Judah...He created me with a heart of gold, I forgave him and took him back as a good woman I have always been. I had to give him a mark on his body so that he will never ever cheat on me again. I am going to do same to you." She said boldly.
Tears ran out from Atimma's eyes as she began to shiver.
"Your husband deceived me. He told me you both had issues, and that he was going to marry me."
"You're shallow minded and stupid. He pulled your panties and forced you to bed? He dragged you out from your husband's house with chains and ropes? He smuggled charms into your drink that made you to be this stupid? Your husband came here weeping like a child, the poor man was so unlucky to have met a cheap, greedy slut like you. You're so pathetic. "
Atimma's chest was suddenly so tight, it felt paralyzed.
Susan took a razor blade from her drawer and stared at it for moments.
"I have been wanting to dispose this razor blade, but my instincts said to me 'a day will come when you will need it.' So I kept it back. I will always listen to my instincts, it is always right." Her voice had cracked, as she became stern and looked strange.
Atimma clenched her fists on the table and looked down at them. All she saw was the terrified look in Susan's eyes.
"I am so sorry Susan." Atimma whispered. Susan looked at her, surprised at how hazy and sweaty she looked.
"You still had the effrontery to come back here, in search of my husband. You still had the guts to send him messages of how your pregnancy has made you miserable." She paused and then whispered. " You're pregnant for my husband." She giggled.
"It was a mistake. " She cried out.
"You walked into that mistake with your eyes wide open. I will not ask you to get rid of that baby, of course I am not going to be heartless like my husband. I am a child of God, daughter of the most high God...I don't support infanticide. You're leaving here with your pregnancy, but with bruises on your skin!" She yelled a she grabbed A penknife from the drawer and slitted Atimma's skin bit by bit. She was so powerful that she grabbed Atimma in her legs and chopped her right hands off, blood splashing all over the place; Atimma wailed bitterly. Her loud scream attracted the security men who ran helter skelter and bounced on the door hard till it almost fell. By the time they entered the office, they all looked terrified at the bloody scene.
They all held Susan to a chair, while they managed to take Atimma out. She wept bitterly, with bloody bruises all over her.
Susan leaned back against the chair watching her closely.
"You have no modesty, no shame, Atimma." She got up slowly to the door and locked it with a key, then walked majestically back to her seat with the key in her hands.
With a shake of her head, she took her eyes off Atimma who had been quiet all the while.
"So finally, you're back from London?" She gulped down the substance in the mug and kept it slowly on the table.
"It's my pleasure meeting you face to face. I mean God is good right?" She giggled. "He puts our enemies right in our hands..."
"I am not an enemy." Atimma interrupted shrilly. Susan gave a loud laugh and fell on back on the Chair, and looked at her oddly.
"Did you hear that? She said she isn't an enemy." She laughed out so loud again, like she was possessed.
"You're the biggest enemy of my family. You're the biggest enemy of my company. You're a terrible woman, a very terrible one. You see this?" She took out Seno's fingers from a shelf and pointed at her.
Atimma glared at the finger, her eyes widened.
"Whose finger is this?"
"I don't know." Atimma Whispered shakily.
"Jeeezzzz, you don't know your ex lover's finger? Amazing...
This is Seno's finger. I chopped it off last week and was about feeding him with it when my sons pleaded. I had to chop his fourth finger because he doesn't deserve to be married, neither are you. The both of you. But thanks be to Jehovah, the lion and the tribe of Judah...He created me with a heart of gold, I forgave him and took him back as a good woman I have always been. I had to give him a mark on his body so that he will never ever cheat on me again. I am going to do same to you." She said boldly.
Tears ran out from Atimma's eyes as she began to shiver.
"Your husband deceived me. He told me you both had issues, and that he was going to marry me."
"You're shallow minded and stupid. He pulled your panties and forced you to bed? He dragged you out from your husband's house with chains and ropes? He smuggled charms into your drink that made you to be this stupid? Your husband came here weeping like a child, the poor man was so unlucky to have met a cheap, greedy slut like you. You're so pathetic. "
Atimma's chest was suddenly so tight, it felt paralyzed.
Susan took a razor blade from her drawer and stared at it for moments.
"I have been wanting to dispose this razor blade, but my instincts said to me 'a day will come when you will need it.' So I kept it back. I will always listen to my instincts, it is always right." Her voice had cracked, as she became stern and looked strange.
Atimma clenched her fists on the table and looked down at them. All she saw was the terrified look in Susan's eyes.
"I am so sorry Susan." Atimma whispered. Susan looked at her, surprised at how hazy and sweaty she looked.
"You still had the effrontery to come back here, in search of my husband. You still had the guts to send him messages of how your pregnancy has made you miserable." She paused and then whispered. " You're pregnant for my husband." She giggled.
"It was a mistake. " She cried out.
"You walked into that mistake with your eyes wide open. I will not ask you to get rid of that baby, of course I am not going to be heartless like my husband. I am a child of God, daughter of the most high God...I don't support infanticide. You're leaving here with your pregnancy, but with bruises on your skin!" She yelled a she grabbed A penknife from the drawer and slitted Atimma's skin bit by bit. She was so powerful that she grabbed Atimma in her legs and chopped her right hands off, blood splashing all over the place; Atimma wailed bitterly. Her loud scream attracted the security men who ran helter skelter and bounced on the door hard till it almost fell. By the time they entered the office, they all looked terrified at the bloody scene.
They all held Susan to a chair, while they managed to take Atimma out. She wept bitterly, with bloody bruises all over her.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 38)
The next morning, Atimma stood in front of the company's gate dragging her fragmented thoughts together. Parts of her body wrapped with plasters and bandages.
She waited anxiously for Susan to arrive. As soon as Susan's car got to the company's premises, the police surrounded it and took her away.
"You're under arrest for assault madam."
One of the police officers said as he clicked the handcuffed locked in Susan's hands.
"Officer, you don't also arrest people for sleeping with people's husbands?" Susan asked shrilly. One of the polices laughed out so loud as he shook his head.
Susan entered the black maria willingly as they drove off.
Atimma had written statements against Susan, and after she left the police station that morning, she went straight to her hotel room and then took her bags to the hospital. Her money was finishing, as she could not afford hotel bills anymore.
She dialed Linda's number.
"Hello, something bad happened. " She said softly.
"What happened again?"
"Susan, Seno's wife almost killed me. I didn't know she took over the company, I went to tell Seno that I was still pregnant of his child. She almost killed me... I have just one hand now. It's really painful Linda. I am stranded. I don't have where to go. I would have visited my late mom's sister, but it will be too shameful." She said weakly.
"Okay. I left my key under my carpet at home. I will text you the address to my new apartment. I am so sorry, I didn't know it will result in this. I would have not have advised you to go close to those wicked people. That lady is mad."
"I arrested her this morning."
"Good. Listen, I am in Lagos now, i came to see my man friend. I will be coming back later today. I will see you when I come."
"Thank you very so much Bestie."
Atimma said softly and hung the call.
Linda sent the address to her house via text message. She packed her bags and took a cab there.
Later that day, Seno went to the police station and bailed Susan. He knelt down at the police station and pleaded with her to let things go. She had signed an undertaking letter to take care of Atimma's bruises.
"I will do no such thing!" she whispered as she held her husband's hands and got into the car.
"If you get angry because I beat up that girl, I am going to cut off your balls when we get home." She said meanly.
Seno became frightened. "No honey. I am not angry, I love you." He said in a shaky tone as he started the car and drove back home.
*****
On that same day, Harry had left for work in Lagos.
Enomfon and Didi pecked him goodbye as he strode away excitedly.
Enomfon and Didi waved at him till they could not view him anymore.
As Harry got to Murtala Muhammad airport, he waited for the company's driver to come pick him up at the airport. Just as he saw him from afar, and tried to reach to him, a loud feminine voice called his name shrilly.
He began to wonder who might have known him in Lagos, and when he turned, his eyes met with Linda.
"Linda hi." He greeted casually.
"Mr Harry, long time no see. Where have you been? Since you took my friend away, I haven't heard from you both." She said and glanced up at him. She was awed at how much Harry had changed. From his head to his feet, he looked so handsome and adorable.
Harry returned a light smile.
Sadique the company's driver approached him and said " Welcome sir." he took away his bags respectively.
"Well, I haven't heard from her either." Harry said calmly.
"What are you doing In Lagos?" She asked.
"Work. I work here now."
"oh that's great. I would have asked where you work, but I don't want to be inquisitive."
"it's okay."
"I don't have your number anymore. I will like to call and pay my god daughter a visit." She said with a loud and amused laugher.
Harry returned her smile and got his complimentary card from his pocket and handed to her. She collected the complimentary card stylishly withholding his hands.
Harry took his hands away from hers and said, "It was nice meeting again Linda."
The sound of his deep voice ran through her like quicksilver.
She suddenly lost her voice as she watched him walk away.
She stared at the complimentary card till she got to Uyo.
The next morning, Atimma stood in front of the company's gate dragging her fragmented thoughts together. Parts of her body wrapped with plasters and bandages.
She waited anxiously for Susan to arrive. As soon as Susan's car got to the company's premises, the police surrounded it and took her away.
"You're under arrest for assault madam."
One of the police officers said as he clicked the handcuffed locked in Susan's hands.
"Officer, you don't also arrest people for sleeping with people's husbands?" Susan asked shrilly. One of the polices laughed out so loud as he shook his head.
Susan entered the black maria willingly as they drove off.
Atimma had written statements against Susan, and after she left the police station that morning, she went straight to her hotel room and then took her bags to the hospital. Her money was finishing, as she could not afford hotel bills anymore.
She dialed Linda's number.
"Hello, something bad happened. " She said softly.
"What happened again?"
"Susan, Seno's wife almost killed me. I didn't know she took over the company, I went to tell Seno that I was still pregnant of his child. She almost killed me... I have just one hand now. It's really painful Linda. I am stranded. I don't have where to go. I would have visited my late mom's sister, but it will be too shameful." She said weakly.
"Okay. I left my key under my carpet at home. I will text you the address to my new apartment. I am so sorry, I didn't know it will result in this. I would have not have advised you to go close to those wicked people. That lady is mad."
"I arrested her this morning."
"Good. Listen, I am in Lagos now, i came to see my man friend. I will be coming back later today. I will see you when I come."
"Thank you very so much Bestie."
Atimma said softly and hung the call.
Linda sent the address to her house via text message. She packed her bags and took a cab there.
Later that day, Seno went to the police station and bailed Susan. He knelt down at the police station and pleaded with her to let things go. She had signed an undertaking letter to take care of Atimma's bruises.
"I will do no such thing!" she whispered as she held her husband's hands and got into the car.
"If you get angry because I beat up that girl, I am going to cut off your balls when we get home." She said meanly.
Seno became frightened. "No honey. I am not angry, I love you." He said in a shaky tone as he started the car and drove back home.
*****
On that same day, Harry had left for work in Lagos.
Enomfon and Didi pecked him goodbye as he strode away excitedly.
Enomfon and Didi waved at him till they could not view him anymore.
As Harry got to Murtala Muhammad airport, he waited for the company's driver to come pick him up at the airport. Just as he saw him from afar, and tried to reach to him, a loud feminine voice called his name shrilly.
He began to wonder who might have known him in Lagos, and when he turned, his eyes met with Linda.
"Linda hi." He greeted casually.
"Mr Harry, long time no see. Where have you been? Since you took my friend away, I haven't heard from you both." She said and glanced up at him. She was awed at how much Harry had changed. From his head to his feet, he looked so handsome and adorable.
Harry returned a light smile.
Sadique the company's driver approached him and said " Welcome sir." he took away his bags respectively.
"Well, I haven't heard from her either." Harry said calmly.
"What are you doing In Lagos?" She asked.
"Work. I work here now."
"oh that's great. I would have asked where you work, but I don't want to be inquisitive."
"it's okay."
"I don't have your number anymore. I will like to call and pay my god daughter a visit." She said with a loud and amused laugher.
Harry returned her smile and got his complimentary card from his pocket and handed to her. She collected the complimentary card stylishly withholding his hands.
Harry took his hands away from hers and said, "It was nice meeting again Linda."
The sound of his deep voice ran through her like quicksilver.
She suddenly lost her voice as she watched him walk away.
She stared at the complimentary card till she got to Uyo.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 39)
As soon as Linda alighted from the taxi, she was so anxious to see Atimma.
When she clicked her door open, and saw her on the sofa, her heart broke.
"Abasi! What happened? Is it this bad. Ufan, this is crazy. You look awful!" She exclaimed.
Atimma lost her voice when she was trying to talk.
"Susan is a bastard! God will punish her."
Linda cursed.
"I almost died. She almost killed me. When I saw myself in the mirror, I could not believe my eyes. I don't know what to do."
"You will heal gradually. Take it easy please." Linda said soothingly.
"I can't even lift my hands." Atimma said almost in tears.
"Where did she keep your hands? I mean the one she cut off?"
"I don't know." Her answer was swift and short.
Linda stared at her pitifully. "God will punish Susana Seno in this life. Na only she get husband?" She muttered to herself as she tossed her sandals into the shoe bag.
"You will not believe who I saw today at the airport."
"Who?" Atimma asked softly.
"Guess right and get a sumptuous dinner from me tonight."
Atimma shot a grateful look at her.
"I don't know anybody. You're my only friend. so tell me who you saw."
"Harry..."
"Which Harry?" She asked with her eyes widened.
"Harrison, your husband..."
"What was he doing at the airport? selling water? or has he turned to a cab guy?"
"Non of the above. He works with Chevron now." Linda said as she searched hastily for the complimentary card in between the partitions of her bag. She handed it to Atimma excitedly.
"That's it! babe, this guy fine! if you see his skin, shining like oyigbo pepper. He was scenting like a rich guy. Even his wrist watch, his shoes, his T-shirt, babe I bow for the guy, he was too fine!" Linda exclaimed.
"Wow, how things can change so fast."
Atimma whispered.
"I am going to call him, so that I could at least see my godchild for the first time."
"I wonder what she might look like now."
Atimma muttered.
"Cute like her father of course. I am not exaggerating o, Harry too fine. When he stood enh, girls were just looking at him as if he fell from the sky." Linda said sweetly.
The dullness in Atimma's eyes became grief.
"I will like to see Didi. I will like to touch her. Even though she doesn't know me."
"And do you think Harry will let you go close to his child?"
"Harry loved me. I believe he still does, he will let me. And even if he doesn't want me anymore..."
Linda cuts in, "Want you? As you are now? Maybe this is the first time I am going to tell you the bitter truth. Forget Harry, he will never take you back. I am sure he is already in a relationship with someone else, or he might be searching, and anyone could be lucky."
"You can help me, you can help me talk to him." Atimma said in broken whispers. Pain exploded in her brain. Only the meager cushion of the blanket kept her from being knocked unconscious.
"Are you okay? Atim..." Linda held her hands slowly.
"I am fine." Her brain was whirling with the implication of Linda's words about Harry. Her body was filled with pains.
"I will try and get to Harry and find out when he will be back, so that you can see him and talk about your child." Linda said soothingly as she held her hands tight.
She began to cry weakly. Trying to get her feet under her, she began to scream at the pains she felt on her hands.
"screaming won't help. Calm down..." Linda's voice was muffled.
Pain stole the last dregs of coherence and nothing at all made sense.
As soon as Linda alighted from the taxi, she was so anxious to see Atimma.
When she clicked her door open, and saw her on the sofa, her heart broke.
"Abasi! What happened? Is it this bad. Ufan, this is crazy. You look awful!" She exclaimed.
Atimma lost her voice when she was trying to talk.
"Susan is a bastard! God will punish her."
Linda cursed.
"I almost died. She almost killed me. When I saw myself in the mirror, I could not believe my eyes. I don't know what to do."
"You will heal gradually. Take it easy please." Linda said soothingly.
"I can't even lift my hands." Atimma said almost in tears.
"Where did she keep your hands? I mean the one she cut off?"
"I don't know." Her answer was swift and short.
Linda stared at her pitifully. "God will punish Susana Seno in this life. Na only she get husband?" She muttered to herself as she tossed her sandals into the shoe bag.
"You will not believe who I saw today at the airport."
"Who?" Atimma asked softly.
"Guess right and get a sumptuous dinner from me tonight."
Atimma shot a grateful look at her.
"I don't know anybody. You're my only friend. so tell me who you saw."
"Harry..."
"Which Harry?" She asked with her eyes widened.
"Harrison, your husband..."
"What was he doing at the airport? selling water? or has he turned to a cab guy?"
"Non of the above. He works with Chevron now." Linda said as she searched hastily for the complimentary card in between the partitions of her bag. She handed it to Atimma excitedly.
"That's it! babe, this guy fine! if you see his skin, shining like oyigbo pepper. He was scenting like a rich guy. Even his wrist watch, his shoes, his T-shirt, babe I bow for the guy, he was too fine!" Linda exclaimed.
"Wow, how things can change so fast."
Atimma whispered.
"I am going to call him, so that I could at least see my godchild for the first time."
"I wonder what she might look like now."
Atimma muttered.
"Cute like her father of course. I am not exaggerating o, Harry too fine. When he stood enh, girls were just looking at him as if he fell from the sky." Linda said sweetly.
The dullness in Atimma's eyes became grief.
"I will like to see Didi. I will like to touch her. Even though she doesn't know me."
"And do you think Harry will let you go close to his child?"
"Harry loved me. I believe he still does, he will let me. And even if he doesn't want me anymore..."
Linda cuts in, "Want you? As you are now? Maybe this is the first time I am going to tell you the bitter truth. Forget Harry, he will never take you back. I am sure he is already in a relationship with someone else, or he might be searching, and anyone could be lucky."
"You can help me, you can help me talk to him." Atimma said in broken whispers. Pain exploded in her brain. Only the meager cushion of the blanket kept her from being knocked unconscious.
"Are you okay? Atim..." Linda held her hands slowly.
"I am fine." Her brain was whirling with the implication of Linda's words about Harry. Her body was filled with pains.
"I will try and get to Harry and find out when he will be back, so that you can see him and talk about your child." Linda said soothingly as she held her hands tight.
She began to cry weakly. Trying to get her feet under her, she began to scream at the pains she felt on her hands.
"screaming won't help. Calm down..." Linda's voice was muffled.
Pain stole the last dregs of coherence and nothing at all made sense.
LOVE IN
TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 40)
Didi ran around her father's new house excitedly.
Harry had sent money to Enomfon to get a big edifice at shelter Afrique. She had started buying room furniture, art works, room decors and got painters to paint the walls with snow white acrylic paints.
A feeling she could only label as happiness swept through her like a cleansing wind as she stood, watching her lover's well furnished new apartment.
"We did a good job right Didi?" She turned to Didi.
"Yes!" She yelled excitedly.
She carried Didi into her arms and drove back home. She was anxious for Harry's return.
****
Harry's return from work put smiles on the faces of Enomfon and Didi. Enomfon had made atama soup and wheat for him in his new house.
He strolled around the house, admiring every piece of arts and furniture, the curtains and the bed sheets, the chandelier, the rugs and the clocks were exclusively beautiful.
"I hope the money was enough? It seems you spent more than the amount I sent." He said, while moulding a lump of wheat into Didi's mouth.
"More than enough..." She said softly.
"We need a TV for Didi's room. She won't be watching some channels with us here."
He said huskily. Didi began to grumble words to herself.
Enomfon giggled. "She doesn't like that."
She said with a soft smile, looking at Didi's frowned face.
Harry gave a loud sigh and kept eating while feeding Didi too.
He kept staring at Enomfon. She was the most perfect creature he had ever met, she filled his heart until it overflowed.
Later that day, Enomfon and Didi had gone to church for the midweek service. While Harry laid tiredly on his soft couch.
The sound of his ringing tone woke him. When he saw that it was Linda, he reluctantly picked the call.
"Linda Hi."
"Harry the fine man...I want to come and see you for something very important."
" I hope there is no problem?" he asked boldly.
"Not at all..."
Harry gave her descriptions to his house and in an hour later, she was right before his gate; Standing on her six inches high heel and mini gown.
"Harry! nice meeting you again today." She said shrilly as she pulled him close to herself and kissed him on the cheek." Harry was uncomfortable with the act of greeting, but he comported himself and led her into the sitting room.
She placed her hands on his arms and hugged him backwardly.
"I missed you o." She said in soft whispers.
Harry pushed her off gently.
"What can I offer you Linda?"
"Yourself my baby." She whispered as she looked around the sitting room with her eyes wide open.
"Your house is too beautiful. Is this really your house?" She asked again. Harry nodded boldly.
"Wow....it's beautiful. It looks like those houses I see in American movies."
Harry giggled and lowered himself on the couch.
"You said you wanted to see me."
"Yes. But first, how about my god daughter?"
"She is out with my friend."
"oh I miss....I really wanted her to see her god mother." she said, shaking her breast. Harry took away his eyes, and placed it on the TV. Linda walked seductively and sat on his laps.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked. She turned her face to offer him her lips, but he turned his face away.
"Please stop it." He said rudely.
"I won't." She whispered against his ears. "I always loved you, even when your stupid wife, who calls herself my friend took you for granted. I always wanted to help, but I was afraid she might think otherwise." Her words were almost like a plea.
"I am not ready for this drama Linda. I never wanted to see anyone that has to do with Atimma ever again. And you're one of them. I invited you over because I thought you had something important to say. But you don't. please leave..."
She grabbed his muscular arm. "I want you to kiss me before I walk away." He didn't say a word. The grimness behind his smile sent terror streaking through her.
Harry lowered himself on the couch again and thought for a while.
"I will kiss you on one condition..." He took a deep breathe and then turned to her. "You will find your friend, and make her sign a divorce paper."
"She is not far fetched. She is right in my house..."
"I am not done yet. You will also represent her in court, for the divorce processes... because I know it will be difficult to bring her along."
"And after the divorce?" Linda asked with a mean look.
"I will kiss you. And do whatever you want." He said in soft whispers.
"No! you will marry me!"
He looked at her strangely, and a hollow laugh escaped his lips.
Didi ran around her father's new house excitedly.
Harry had sent money to Enomfon to get a big edifice at shelter Afrique. She had started buying room furniture, art works, room decors and got painters to paint the walls with snow white acrylic paints.
A feeling she could only label as happiness swept through her like a cleansing wind as she stood, watching her lover's well furnished new apartment.
"We did a good job right Didi?" She turned to Didi.
"Yes!" She yelled excitedly.
She carried Didi into her arms and drove back home. She was anxious for Harry's return.
****
Harry's return from work put smiles on the faces of Enomfon and Didi. Enomfon had made atama soup and wheat for him in his new house.
He strolled around the house, admiring every piece of arts and furniture, the curtains and the bed sheets, the chandelier, the rugs and the clocks were exclusively beautiful.
"I hope the money was enough? It seems you spent more than the amount I sent." He said, while moulding a lump of wheat into Didi's mouth.
"More than enough..." She said softly.
"We need a TV for Didi's room. She won't be watching some channels with us here."
He said huskily. Didi began to grumble words to herself.
Enomfon giggled. "She doesn't like that."
She said with a soft smile, looking at Didi's frowned face.
Harry gave a loud sigh and kept eating while feeding Didi too.
He kept staring at Enomfon. She was the most perfect creature he had ever met, she filled his heart until it overflowed.
Later that day, Enomfon and Didi had gone to church for the midweek service. While Harry laid tiredly on his soft couch.
The sound of his ringing tone woke him. When he saw that it was Linda, he reluctantly picked the call.
"Linda Hi."
"Harry the fine man...I want to come and see you for something very important."
" I hope there is no problem?" he asked boldly.
"Not at all..."
Harry gave her descriptions to his house and in an hour later, she was right before his gate; Standing on her six inches high heel and mini gown.
"Harry! nice meeting you again today." She said shrilly as she pulled him close to herself and kissed him on the cheek." Harry was uncomfortable with the act of greeting, but he comported himself and led her into the sitting room.
She placed her hands on his arms and hugged him backwardly.
"I missed you o." She said in soft whispers.
Harry pushed her off gently.
"What can I offer you Linda?"
"Yourself my baby." She whispered as she looked around the sitting room with her eyes wide open.
"Your house is too beautiful. Is this really your house?" She asked again. Harry nodded boldly.
"Wow....it's beautiful. It looks like those houses I see in American movies."
Harry giggled and lowered himself on the couch.
"You said you wanted to see me."
"Yes. But first, how about my god daughter?"
"She is out with my friend."
"oh I miss....I really wanted her to see her god mother." she said, shaking her breast. Harry took away his eyes, and placed it on the TV. Linda walked seductively and sat on his laps.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked. She turned her face to offer him her lips, but he turned his face away.
"Please stop it." He said rudely.
"I won't." She whispered against his ears. "I always loved you, even when your stupid wife, who calls herself my friend took you for granted. I always wanted to help, but I was afraid she might think otherwise." Her words were almost like a plea.
"I am not ready for this drama Linda. I never wanted to see anyone that has to do with Atimma ever again. And you're one of them. I invited you over because I thought you had something important to say. But you don't. please leave..."
She grabbed his muscular arm. "I want you to kiss me before I walk away." He didn't say a word. The grimness behind his smile sent terror streaking through her.
Harry lowered himself on the couch again and thought for a while.
"I will kiss you on one condition..." He took a deep breathe and then turned to her. "You will find your friend, and make her sign a divorce paper."
"She is not far fetched. She is right in my house..."
"I am not done yet. You will also represent her in court, for the divorce processes... because I know it will be difficult to bring her along."
"And after the divorce?" Linda asked with a mean look.
"I will kiss you. And do whatever you want." He said in soft whispers.
"No! you will marry me!"
He looked at her strangely, and a hollow laugh escaped his lips.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 41)
Harry made a large photo frame that had Enomfon and Didi on it. He hung it gently on the wall and admired it for a while.
Enomfon came out from the room, wearing a filmy dressing gown over her night gown. She was amazed when she saw the picture on the wall.
"This is beautiful. You enlarged the picture I sent to you when you were in Lagos." She said, as he walked towards him.
"I want us to marry this year. Before Didi's second birthday." He said huskily.
"Are you proposing? where is your ring?" She asked tenderly. He laced his fingers through hers.
"There are things I wanna get over first. You know America more than I do, you schooled there. I want us to move down there after we are married. Being here, brings back the sad memory of the past."
She puts a finger on his lips.
"It's okay. Let's not talk about it. We have to pay your mom a visit. Get her flowers, and maybe sit there for a while." She said. Harry's chest rose and fell, and he wondered if she knew how beautiful she was to him at that moment.
He almost could see her heart through her eyes, and was touched by the concern for his late mother."
"I am saving up some money, I want to build a church. I am going demolish my parents old house and build a church on the space."
"Your mother is going to be proud."
He nodded sadly.
"She would have stayed a bit longer. At least watch Didi grow. She would have stayed to see the woman who came to my life and changed it. You're my good luck charm, I am crazy in love with you." He began to kiss her succulent pink lips.
He moved his hand down and touched her intimately. He drew in a quick breath when she arched against his hand, inviting him to do more. "Where is Didi?" He asked in soft whispers.
"Asleep." She whispered.
He exhaled, feeling his heartbeat settle into a natural rhythm.
She opened to him, her arms going around his neck, touching her lips to his throat. Then he suddenly paused and then said, "I am officially divorcing Atim next weekend. I spoke with a lawyer. I didn't wanna waste my time trying to force her to come get a divorce, which I know she might not want to. She would want to frustrate me, and I don't want that. I want to marry as soon as possible. I wanna get you pregnant." He whispered against her ears, she giggled and held his hands tight.
"How are you gonna divorce her without her being there?"
"I have gotten someone. She said she is going to do it, on the condition that I am going to marry her."
Enomfon chuckled. " She must be a joker."
"A serious joker." They both laughed out loud. His laughter was deep and sexual. "I told Ani about us." Enomfon said softy.
"Who is Anni?"
"My brother. He was excited but he had this feeling that if my mom was going to agree or something."
"She must agree...she has no choice."He drew her back into his arms, holding her tightly.
"There is so much about you that makes me feel like you were created for me alone. We didn't know each other so well when I gave you my daughter and gave you my heart. Although my heart spoke to yours long before you answered."
The passion that had flared between them was just below the surface and it would take only a touch of his hands to bring it back into flames.
Harry made a large photo frame that had Enomfon and Didi on it. He hung it gently on the wall and admired it for a while.
Enomfon came out from the room, wearing a filmy dressing gown over her night gown. She was amazed when she saw the picture on the wall.
"This is beautiful. You enlarged the picture I sent to you when you were in Lagos." She said, as he walked towards him.
"I want us to marry this year. Before Didi's second birthday." He said huskily.
"Are you proposing? where is your ring?" She asked tenderly. He laced his fingers through hers.
"There are things I wanna get over first. You know America more than I do, you schooled there. I want us to move down there after we are married. Being here, brings back the sad memory of the past."
She puts a finger on his lips.
"It's okay. Let's not talk about it. We have to pay your mom a visit. Get her flowers, and maybe sit there for a while." She said. Harry's chest rose and fell, and he wondered if she knew how beautiful she was to him at that moment.
He almost could see her heart through her eyes, and was touched by the concern for his late mother."
"I am saving up some money, I want to build a church. I am going demolish my parents old house and build a church on the space."
"Your mother is going to be proud."
He nodded sadly.
"She would have stayed a bit longer. At least watch Didi grow. She would have stayed to see the woman who came to my life and changed it. You're my good luck charm, I am crazy in love with you." He began to kiss her succulent pink lips.
He moved his hand down and touched her intimately. He drew in a quick breath when she arched against his hand, inviting him to do more. "Where is Didi?" He asked in soft whispers.
"Asleep." She whispered.
He exhaled, feeling his heartbeat settle into a natural rhythm.
She opened to him, her arms going around his neck, touching her lips to his throat. Then he suddenly paused and then said, "I am officially divorcing Atim next weekend. I spoke with a lawyer. I didn't wanna waste my time trying to force her to come get a divorce, which I know she might not want to. She would want to frustrate me, and I don't want that. I want to marry as soon as possible. I wanna get you pregnant." He whispered against her ears, she giggled and held his hands tight.
"How are you gonna divorce her without her being there?"
"I have gotten someone. She said she is going to do it, on the condition that I am going to marry her."
Enomfon chuckled. " She must be a joker."
"A serious joker." They both laughed out loud. His laughter was deep and sexual. "I told Ani about us." Enomfon said softy.
"Who is Anni?"
"My brother. He was excited but he had this feeling that if my mom was going to agree or something."
"She must agree...she has no choice."He drew her back into his arms, holding her tightly.
"There is so much about you that makes me feel like you were created for me alone. We didn't know each other so well when I gave you my daughter and gave you my heart. Although my heart spoke to yours long before you answered."
The passion that had flared between them was just below the surface and it would take only a touch of his hands to bring it back into flames.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 42)
Atimma shook her head, staring at the gun she found in Linda's kitchen shelf.
She was feeling weak and nausea, due to the pregnancy.
"What are you doing with that gun?" Linda asked boldly.
Atimma gave a wide grin. "It feels good holding a gun for the first time in my hands. Who owns it? I got it here."
"My police inspector friend. He is my ex though. I stole it from him."Linda said shrilly.
"you stole a gun?" Atimma asked amazingly.
"Madam abeg, drop that gun in there. You look funny with it, look at how you're just carrying it one hand. Susan has really dealt with you."She said, trying to remove her earrings. Atimma's face frowned.
"For the past few days now, you've been making fun of my cut palms. I don't like that." She said sadly, threw the gun in the shelf and walked away.
"I met Harry at his house. He said he will forgive you and take you back on one condition."
Atimma's heart melted as she looked at Linda, looking aghast.
Her head slowly cleared and the debilitating nausea and dizziness faded.
"Did you tell him that I am pregnant for someone else?" She swallowed, then took another deep breath.
Linda nodded. "He is aware. I was shocked myself. He really loves you. But I didn't tell him that you had your palms cut out." Linda stared down at her, her face closed and grim.
"Did you see Didi?"
"No, He said she went out with his friend."
"What of his mom?"
"I didn't ask him that."
"I know that even as Harry is planning to have me back, his mom will protest." Linda stared at her with a betrayal on her face. Then Atimma asked again, "What's the condition he gave?"
"That you will have to sign an undertaking that will be given to you in few days from the court. And that undertaking says that you will never ever runaway after he takes you back."
Atimma nodded and gave a half smile, a pale phantom of her usual flippant grin.
"That's no problem. Did he say when he will see me?" She asked again.
Linda gave a loud sigh.
"You too ask plenty questions! He said after signing the paper I will bring to you from court, he will come and carry you." She said dryly.
"I will sign that paper and sign again. God will bless you Linda." She walked towards Linda and tried to hug her, but she shifted.
"Wait o Atim...These wounds on your body is scaring me away." She said with a disgustful glance.
Atimma moved backward a bit and lowered herself on a chair.
"It doesn't matter how disgusting I might look now, at least, my husband wants me back." The excitement began to build within her.
"Indeeeeeed!" Linda exclaimed as she tried to remove her brazier.
Atimma's mind settled. She smiled to herself and felt fulfilled for going to have her husband and daughter back.
******
Enomma woke up feeling sick and weak. She had been expecting her menstruation for the past one week.
She drove down to a drug shop and bought a pregnancy test strip.
Her hands shook when she inserted the strip into a urine; Moments later she saw two bold red lines.
She took her phone immediately and dialed Harry's number.
"I am pregnant. I just tested. It's positive."
She said in broken whispers, her heart was pounding.
"Oh sweet Jesus...this is good news honey." He said excitedly.
"No Harry, my mom is going to kill me."
She said weakly.
"She won't know. Just tell her that I am planning to come for introduction with my uncles before I get back to work. I will inform my dad's brother about this."
"What about your ex wife?"
"Don't be scared. I will refund back her money for bride price. This will be settled. Divorce will be done in few days. I love you."
"I love you too. I hope that this gets over soon." She said softly.
She stood helpless, as she realized she had a life growing inside of her. She was going to start buying baby clothes without her mother knowing.
She was going to give birth in America, and if it were a boy she would name him after the man she loved, "Harry."
She felt awesomeness, as she touched her belly. She was carrying part of Harry in her, and she felt very comfortable in it, she was only scared of her mother's actions.
Atimma shook her head, staring at the gun she found in Linda's kitchen shelf.
She was feeling weak and nausea, due to the pregnancy.
"What are you doing with that gun?" Linda asked boldly.
Atimma gave a wide grin. "It feels good holding a gun for the first time in my hands. Who owns it? I got it here."
"My police inspector friend. He is my ex though. I stole it from him."Linda said shrilly.
"you stole a gun?" Atimma asked amazingly.
"Madam abeg, drop that gun in there. You look funny with it, look at how you're just carrying it one hand. Susan has really dealt with you."She said, trying to remove her earrings. Atimma's face frowned.
"For the past few days now, you've been making fun of my cut palms. I don't like that." She said sadly, threw the gun in the shelf and walked away.
"I met Harry at his house. He said he will forgive you and take you back on one condition."
Atimma's heart melted as she looked at Linda, looking aghast.
Her head slowly cleared and the debilitating nausea and dizziness faded.
"Did you tell him that I am pregnant for someone else?" She swallowed, then took another deep breath.
Linda nodded. "He is aware. I was shocked myself. He really loves you. But I didn't tell him that you had your palms cut out." Linda stared down at her, her face closed and grim.
"Did you see Didi?"
"No, He said she went out with his friend."
"What of his mom?"
"I didn't ask him that."
"I know that even as Harry is planning to have me back, his mom will protest." Linda stared at her with a betrayal on her face. Then Atimma asked again, "What's the condition he gave?"
"That you will have to sign an undertaking that will be given to you in few days from the court. And that undertaking says that you will never ever runaway after he takes you back."
Atimma nodded and gave a half smile, a pale phantom of her usual flippant grin.
"That's no problem. Did he say when he will see me?" She asked again.
Linda gave a loud sigh.
"You too ask plenty questions! He said after signing the paper I will bring to you from court, he will come and carry you." She said dryly.
"I will sign that paper and sign again. God will bless you Linda." She walked towards Linda and tried to hug her, but she shifted.
"Wait o Atim...These wounds on your body is scaring me away." She said with a disgustful glance.
Atimma moved backward a bit and lowered herself on a chair.
"It doesn't matter how disgusting I might look now, at least, my husband wants me back." The excitement began to build within her.
"Indeeeeeed!" Linda exclaimed as she tried to remove her brazier.
Atimma's mind settled. She smiled to herself and felt fulfilled for going to have her husband and daughter back.
******
Enomma woke up feeling sick and weak. She had been expecting her menstruation for the past one week.
She drove down to a drug shop and bought a pregnancy test strip.
Her hands shook when she inserted the strip into a urine; Moments later she saw two bold red lines.
She took her phone immediately and dialed Harry's number.
"I am pregnant. I just tested. It's positive."
She said in broken whispers, her heart was pounding.
"Oh sweet Jesus...this is good news honey." He said excitedly.
"No Harry, my mom is going to kill me."
She said weakly.
"She won't know. Just tell her that I am planning to come for introduction with my uncles before I get back to work. I will inform my dad's brother about this."
"What about your ex wife?"
"Don't be scared. I will refund back her money for bride price. This will be settled. Divorce will be done in few days. I love you."
"I love you too. I hope that this gets over soon." She said softly.
She stood helpless, as she realized she had a life growing inside of her. She was going to start buying baby clothes without her mother knowing.
She was going to give birth in America, and if it were a boy she would name him after the man she loved, "Harry."
She felt awesomeness, as she touched her belly. She was carrying part of Harry in her, and she felt very comfortable in it, she was only scared of her mother's actions.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 43)
"Over my dead body! You can never marry a man who is a divorcee!" Enomfon's mother screamed as she angrily whisked the egg the more. She could not control her anger when Enomfon told her of Harry's visitation with his uncle.
"Mom, First you called him a married man. And now a divorcee..."
"You do not have a clue of what you're going into. You don't even know what you're saying. Didi will grow up and want her mother. Harry will never forget his wife."
Tears clouded Enomfon's eyes.
"He loves only me Mom!" She yelled as she wiped her face. "I have never felt this loved since I was born, from someone who isn't my blood. He loves me with his life. I can feel it within my body and my soul! he will never ever go back to a woman who left him when he had nothing, eloped with another man to London and left her two months old baby with her poor mother inlaw who couldn't even afford a two square meal for herself. She died mom, she died because Harry couldn't afford common inhaler for her...She died! Harry couldn't even afford money to bury her..." She sobbed softly.
"This man has suffered enough. I love him perfectly, and I am happy that I am that woman who put sunshine and light back to his life." Her heart ached at the echo of her voice.
"He doesn't have a friend, I am his only friend and family, myself and Didi. He loves just the two of us and nothing can come between us."
For a few moments, her mother listened to her talk passionately about Harry.
She threw the whisker on the table and held Enomfon's hands.
"Go ahead...follow your heart. As far as you're happy. I will give you my blessing. call your brother and let him know of their visitation." Her mother said softly. Enomfon hugged her tight to herself and kissed her cheeks.
"Thank you mommy." She whispered softly.
*******
Two lawyers sat in front of a Mercedes Benz, while Linda sat behind. They handed papers to her and a pen.
"Let her sign that. We are waiting to get it back. Tomorrow we will be using it in court." One of the lawyers said.
Linda stepped out of the car and appeared in the bedroom, she found Atimma deeply asleep on the bed.
"Atim! Atim!" She called her name.
Atimma turned her body and yawned.
"You have to sign these papers now. They lawyers are waiting outside."
Atimma got up from the bed immediately and took the papers from her. Linda got the papers back and folded it.
"Sign this place. Don't read, it will take time." She said boldly.
Atimma's hands shook as she signed the five pages of papers and handed to Linda. She hugged Linda unexpectedly.
"I know you don't want my messy body to touch you, but I am grateful. You're the best friend anyone could ever have. Thank you for taking me back to my family." She whispered softly.
Looking at the clock, Linda hurried out of bed.
"The lawyers are waiting, tomorrow, you will be meeting your Harry and your daughter. I am so happy for you." She said convincingly.
Tears streamed out of Atimma's eyes as Linda walked out hastily from the house. She heard the door slam, she overheard the car starting, she felt in her heart a deep joy that she had never felt before.
The next morning, Atimma woke up early, had her bath and attempted painting her bruised filled face. But she couldn't. She washed her face off with water and started folding her clothes into a bag. She held the toy she had Bought for Didi from london and stared at it for while. She had imagined how she was going to hand it to her, sleep on her bed. She had imagined making love to Harry and telling him how sorry she was for breaking his heart.
She groaned as her body reacted to her thought. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a long breath.
There was a knock on the door, She reluctantly got up to see who it was, her heart trembled at a woman corporately dressed in black and white polka dotted gown.
"Barrister Judith from the customary court. Your friend miss Linda stood in for you in court today. Please this is the letter given to you by the court."
Atimma collected it with a confused look on her face.
"I am sorry for your hand. The wound is still fresh, you should see a doctor." Judith said, as she couldn't take her eyes off Atimma's cut hands.
Atimma ignored her and said, "Linda didn't tell me they were meeting in court today." She opened the letter reluctantly, it occurred to her at that moment, that there was a danger that was part of her, and fear streaked to her like lightening.
"Over my dead body! You can never marry a man who is a divorcee!" Enomfon's mother screamed as she angrily whisked the egg the more. She could not control her anger when Enomfon told her of Harry's visitation with his uncle.
"Mom, First you called him a married man. And now a divorcee..."
"You do not have a clue of what you're going into. You don't even know what you're saying. Didi will grow up and want her mother. Harry will never forget his wife."
Tears clouded Enomfon's eyes.
"He loves only me Mom!" She yelled as she wiped her face. "I have never felt this loved since I was born, from someone who isn't my blood. He loves me with his life. I can feel it within my body and my soul! he will never ever go back to a woman who left him when he had nothing, eloped with another man to London and left her two months old baby with her poor mother inlaw who couldn't even afford a two square meal for herself. She died mom, she died because Harry couldn't afford common inhaler for her...She died! Harry couldn't even afford money to bury her..." She sobbed softly.
"This man has suffered enough. I love him perfectly, and I am happy that I am that woman who put sunshine and light back to his life." Her heart ached at the echo of her voice.
"He doesn't have a friend, I am his only friend and family, myself and Didi. He loves just the two of us and nothing can come between us."
For a few moments, her mother listened to her talk passionately about Harry.
She threw the whisker on the table and held Enomfon's hands.
"Go ahead...follow your heart. As far as you're happy. I will give you my blessing. call your brother and let him know of their visitation." Her mother said softly. Enomfon hugged her tight to herself and kissed her cheeks.
"Thank you mommy." She whispered softly.
*******
Two lawyers sat in front of a Mercedes Benz, while Linda sat behind. They handed papers to her and a pen.
"Let her sign that. We are waiting to get it back. Tomorrow we will be using it in court." One of the lawyers said.
Linda stepped out of the car and appeared in the bedroom, she found Atimma deeply asleep on the bed.
"Atim! Atim!" She called her name.
Atimma turned her body and yawned.
"You have to sign these papers now. They lawyers are waiting outside."
Atimma got up from the bed immediately and took the papers from her. Linda got the papers back and folded it.
"Sign this place. Don't read, it will take time." She said boldly.
Atimma's hands shook as she signed the five pages of papers and handed to Linda. She hugged Linda unexpectedly.
"I know you don't want my messy body to touch you, but I am grateful. You're the best friend anyone could ever have. Thank you for taking me back to my family." She whispered softly.
Looking at the clock, Linda hurried out of bed.
"The lawyers are waiting, tomorrow, you will be meeting your Harry and your daughter. I am so happy for you." She said convincingly.
Tears streamed out of Atimma's eyes as Linda walked out hastily from the house. She heard the door slam, she overheard the car starting, she felt in her heart a deep joy that she had never felt before.
The next morning, Atimma woke up early, had her bath and attempted painting her bruised filled face. But she couldn't. She washed her face off with water and started folding her clothes into a bag. She held the toy she had Bought for Didi from london and stared at it for while. She had imagined how she was going to hand it to her, sleep on her bed. She had imagined making love to Harry and telling him how sorry she was for breaking his heart.
She groaned as her body reacted to her thought. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a long breath.
There was a knock on the door, She reluctantly got up to see who it was, her heart trembled at a woman corporately dressed in black and white polka dotted gown.
"Barrister Judith from the customary court. Your friend miss Linda stood in for you in court today. Please this is the letter given to you by the court."
Atimma collected it with a confused look on her face.
"I am sorry for your hand. The wound is still fresh, you should see a doctor." Judith said, as she couldn't take her eyes off Atimma's cut hands.
Atimma ignored her and said, "Linda didn't tell me they were meeting in court today." She opened the letter reluctantly, it occurred to her at that moment, that there was a danger that was part of her, and fear streaked to her like lightening.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 44)
Atimma gulped down the first bottle of dark rum.
She tried to thrash the weakness in her body; gasped and coughed, straining for air.
The acrid smell of the cigarette she held in her hands wasn't good for her, but she kept inhaling it and exhaling through her nose.
She whimpered hoarsely and struggled weakly, fast running out of energy and will.
She gulped the second bottle of dark rum and coughed, then sucked air in through her mouth.
She felt terrified, as if she was experiencing claustrophobia.
Her stomach had started paining her, but she was so drained in the alcohol that she was drunk and didn't feel much of the pains.
"God go punish you!" She yelled. Dazed and nauseated, and choking from the acrid smell of the cigarette.
"I say my God go punish Una!" She coughed again uncontrollably.
"Harrison and her mother are fools! poor wretched fools....oh my Harrison. My Harrison...You hurt me!" She kept yelling, futile as it was.
Her chest was squeezing so tight that it hurt so bad.
Then she began to feel thrushes of blood running through her panties. She began to hum sorrowful songs to herself, mumbling senseless words.
The door suddenly clicked open, and all she heard was, "Why are you smoking in my house?"
Linda said with an angry stare. The whole house was stinking ethanol and mint cigarette.
All she could see was that the dullness in Atimma's eyes were grieved, and that the slump In her shoulders was defeat, and that she had never seen her smoke before. She stared at her for a while.
It was just too much to take in, she thought of how much she must have hurt her friend.
"Atimma I don't like this. Why are you smoking?" She asked again with a gruff voice. She got choked and started coughing.
"Is that you Linda Darling?" Atimma asked in a strange but weak tone. She was obviously drunk, but could not control it.
"It's me." Linda replied softly.
"A lawyer said you stood for me in court, thanks to you. You divorced my husband for me, so that you can take him."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do not say that crap! you're a liar, you took away everything from me!" She screamed as she pulled out the gun from her pyjamas which had starting draining blood.
"Jesus!" Linda exclaimed at the sight of the gun. "Listen Atim, please do not pull the trigger. There are bullets in that gun."
Atimma laughed strangely like she was possessed.
"Oh My best friend. You dealt with me. I was so foolish I would have known. From the day I met you, things started turning around negatively.
You know who you are? A killer! you have killed me! yes you have. You have taken away my joy and everything."
"That's not true. Harry wanted to divorce you. He loved you, he told me he loved me, and that he will marry me if I make you sign the divorce papers..." She said in a shaky tone.
"Liar! Harry will do no such thing. Even if he agreed to a divorce, he will never marry you. He never liked you being my friend. He hated your nose rings, he hated the color of your hair, he will never marry you! He just deceived you, but you will never live to realize...."
"Look Atim, you're bleeding... please I need to take you to the hospital!"
"I will kill you right now..."
Remembering back, Linda was amazed at how callous Atimma had been. In reality, she is been numb, running on nervous energy and caffeine, desperate to be her friend and sister. And now, she was the embodiment of everything she had lost.
And then Atimma pulled the trigger. Linda fell on the floor, pain exploded in her Brain after few moments. Something smelly and hot covered her legs. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't see. Her legs were kicked out from under her and she was dragged across the floor.
She tried to scream, but when she took a deep breath, all she got was a lungful of smokes. She coughed, choked and coughed again.
Then like a flash of lightning, she knew she was shot the third time on her laps. Adrenaline shot through her, and she forced air into her burning lungs and screamed.
Atimma whacked her upside the head with something heavy. She rolled and kicked, trying to get her feet under her, screaming at the top of her lungs.
She plastered a strip of tape across her mouth, cutting off any sound she might have made.
Then she heard the siren wailing in front of the house.
She squinted against the bright blue and red light that flashed from the siren. Her pale body thinning, her bloody look, her red teary eyes shinning brightly.
Atimma gulped down the first bottle of dark rum.
She tried to thrash the weakness in her body; gasped and coughed, straining for air.
The acrid smell of the cigarette she held in her hands wasn't good for her, but she kept inhaling it and exhaling through her nose.
She whimpered hoarsely and struggled weakly, fast running out of energy and will.
She gulped the second bottle of dark rum and coughed, then sucked air in through her mouth.
She felt terrified, as if she was experiencing claustrophobia.
Her stomach had started paining her, but she was so drained in the alcohol that she was drunk and didn't feel much of the pains.
"God go punish you!" She yelled. Dazed and nauseated, and choking from the acrid smell of the cigarette.
"I say my God go punish Una!" She coughed again uncontrollably.
"Harrison and her mother are fools! poor wretched fools....oh my Harrison. My Harrison...You hurt me!" She kept yelling, futile as it was.
Her chest was squeezing so tight that it hurt so bad.
Then she began to feel thrushes of blood running through her panties. She began to hum sorrowful songs to herself, mumbling senseless words.
The door suddenly clicked open, and all she heard was, "Why are you smoking in my house?"
Linda said with an angry stare. The whole house was stinking ethanol and mint cigarette.
All she could see was that the dullness in Atimma's eyes were grieved, and that the slump In her shoulders was defeat, and that she had never seen her smoke before. She stared at her for a while.
It was just too much to take in, she thought of how much she must have hurt her friend.
"Atimma I don't like this. Why are you smoking?" She asked again with a gruff voice. She got choked and started coughing.
"Is that you Linda Darling?" Atimma asked in a strange but weak tone. She was obviously drunk, but could not control it.
"It's me." Linda replied softly.
"A lawyer said you stood for me in court, thanks to you. You divorced my husband for me, so that you can take him."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do not say that crap! you're a liar, you took away everything from me!" She screamed as she pulled out the gun from her pyjamas which had starting draining blood.
"Jesus!" Linda exclaimed at the sight of the gun. "Listen Atim, please do not pull the trigger. There are bullets in that gun."
Atimma laughed strangely like she was possessed.
"Oh My best friend. You dealt with me. I was so foolish I would have known. From the day I met you, things started turning around negatively.
You know who you are? A killer! you have killed me! yes you have. You have taken away my joy and everything."
"That's not true. Harry wanted to divorce you. He loved you, he told me he loved me, and that he will marry me if I make you sign the divorce papers..." She said in a shaky tone.
"Liar! Harry will do no such thing. Even if he agreed to a divorce, he will never marry you. He never liked you being my friend. He hated your nose rings, he hated the color of your hair, he will never marry you! He just deceived you, but you will never live to realize...."
"Look Atim, you're bleeding... please I need to take you to the hospital!"
"I will kill you right now..."
Remembering back, Linda was amazed at how callous Atimma had been. In reality, she is been numb, running on nervous energy and caffeine, desperate to be her friend and sister. And now, she was the embodiment of everything she had lost.
And then Atimma pulled the trigger. Linda fell on the floor, pain exploded in her Brain after few moments. Something smelly and hot covered her legs. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't see. Her legs were kicked out from under her and she was dragged across the floor.
She tried to scream, but when she took a deep breath, all she got was a lungful of smokes. She coughed, choked and coughed again.
Then like a flash of lightning, she knew she was shot the third time on her laps. Adrenaline shot through her, and she forced air into her burning lungs and screamed.
Atimma whacked her upside the head with something heavy. She rolled and kicked, trying to get her feet under her, screaming at the top of her lungs.
She plastered a strip of tape across her mouth, cutting off any sound she might have made.
Then she heard the siren wailing in front of the house.
She squinted against the bright blue and red light that flashed from the siren. Her pale body thinning, her bloody look, her red teary eyes shinning brightly.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 45)
Atimma watched Linda take her last breathe, before she threw the gun on the floor and raised her two hands up.
She was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
The doctors confirmed that she was still pregnant before she was taken to prison. She was granted thirty years imprisonment for killing through self defense which she claimed it was. And for holding a gun.
She was just coming out of a deep sleep, and she groaned, dreaming that she got married to Harry the second time.
She was sore and her body ached.
She had muttered 'Harry' since the first day she was taken to prison, and the prison securities demanded that Harry visits her, even though they felt she was becoming mentally unstable.
After few weeks of considering if he was going to visit Atimma or not, he finally made up his mind to give her the opportunity of seeing Didi.
Right in front of the prison, before Harry was called in, he carried Didi in his arms and said, "We are about to see your mom. She hurt us, and I want you to forgive her, because I have..." Tears ran out of his eyes uncontrollably, he began to sob softly.
"Dada don't cry. I am here." Didi said in soft whispers. Those were the same words Harry said to her when she cried.
The prison guard appeared.
"She is ready to see you now." He said boldly.
Didi wiped her father's tears with her tiny hands and held him tight. She bent her neck on his arms as he walked into the Prison with confident. He was huge, handsome and the smell of his designers perfume went into the air. He was a wealthy man, it was obvious. The prison guards stood for him as he waved his hands at them.
"Welcome sir." They greeted in Unison.
It felt like a celebrity just walked in, and they wondered who he was; a cute man with so much delectability.
Atimma's heart broke when she lifted her face. There was sorrow in her gaze. She didn't move, didn't blink an eye when Harry walked into the room she was.
"Nice perfume." She said Softly, and then she began to cry softly. "Didi, is that you?" Her voice quivered as Didi nodded. "I feel like holding you in my arms, but the guards won't let me." She sobbed.
"I called you both today, to ask for forgiveness. I know it's going to be hard, but just let this go." She cried bitterly, trying to breath. "I cheated on your father, I was greedy." she stared at Didi's face. "I want you to grow and become better woman than I was. I want you to love God and your father..."
"And Enyofo?" Didi asked, her eyes snapping open at the sound of her own voice.
Atimma cried and then said, "whoever she is, if she means something to you and you love her, be a good girl and make her proud."
"Enomfon is the woman I am getting married to." Harry said huskily.
Atimma nodded.
"I had a feeling when I saw your number in your shirt pocket. I disposed it. If it's the same lady, then you two were meant to be. I was the wrong code, I was the one you made a mistake with. How is your mother?"
"She died, few months after you left." There was deafening silence as tears filled Atimma's face.
"I am so sorry. I deserve to stay here. Our daughter is so beautiful." She smiled tearily.
"The doctors said you're pregnant, and that after your baby is born, it will given to government." Atimma nodded.
"I am going to give your lawyer two million naira, it will raise your child."
"Thank You... thank you so much..." Atimma cried out.
"Oga, time is up o." The prison guard said.
Didi handed her a picture of herself, and she collected it hastily and squeezed it inside her breast...
"Thank you my baby." She whispered. The guard appeared and took her away.
There were tears in Harry's eyes. The woman he ones love was in prison uniform.
She was going to be there for thirty years; And by then, Didi was going to be thirty two years old.
He was going back to the love of his life. (Enomfon)
He was getting married to her. She belonged to him now, and nothing was going to take her away.
He opened the car door and gently lowered Didi on her seat.
"Dada I want to drink fanta." She said girlishly.
Harry heard her, but he didn't reply.
He drove her to the food club, and watched her as she gulped down a bottle of fanta in few seconds. She stared at her father excitedly.
Atimma watched Linda take her last breathe, before she threw the gun on the floor and raised her two hands up.
She was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
The doctors confirmed that she was still pregnant before she was taken to prison. She was granted thirty years imprisonment for killing through self defense which she claimed it was. And for holding a gun.
She was just coming out of a deep sleep, and she groaned, dreaming that she got married to Harry the second time.
She was sore and her body ached.
She had muttered 'Harry' since the first day she was taken to prison, and the prison securities demanded that Harry visits her, even though they felt she was becoming mentally unstable.
After few weeks of considering if he was going to visit Atimma or not, he finally made up his mind to give her the opportunity of seeing Didi.
Right in front of the prison, before Harry was called in, he carried Didi in his arms and said, "We are about to see your mom. She hurt us, and I want you to forgive her, because I have..." Tears ran out of his eyes uncontrollably, he began to sob softly.
"Dada don't cry. I am here." Didi said in soft whispers. Those were the same words Harry said to her when she cried.
The prison guard appeared.
"She is ready to see you now." He said boldly.
Didi wiped her father's tears with her tiny hands and held him tight. She bent her neck on his arms as he walked into the Prison with confident. He was huge, handsome and the smell of his designers perfume went into the air. He was a wealthy man, it was obvious. The prison guards stood for him as he waved his hands at them.
"Welcome sir." They greeted in Unison.
It felt like a celebrity just walked in, and they wondered who he was; a cute man with so much delectability.
Atimma's heart broke when she lifted her face. There was sorrow in her gaze. She didn't move, didn't blink an eye when Harry walked into the room she was.
"Nice perfume." She said Softly, and then she began to cry softly. "Didi, is that you?" Her voice quivered as Didi nodded. "I feel like holding you in my arms, but the guards won't let me." She sobbed.
"I called you both today, to ask for forgiveness. I know it's going to be hard, but just let this go." She cried bitterly, trying to breath. "I cheated on your father, I was greedy." she stared at Didi's face. "I want you to grow and become better woman than I was. I want you to love God and your father..."
"And Enyofo?" Didi asked, her eyes snapping open at the sound of her own voice.
Atimma cried and then said, "whoever she is, if she means something to you and you love her, be a good girl and make her proud."
"Enomfon is the woman I am getting married to." Harry said huskily.
Atimma nodded.
"I had a feeling when I saw your number in your shirt pocket. I disposed it. If it's the same lady, then you two were meant to be. I was the wrong code, I was the one you made a mistake with. How is your mother?"
"She died, few months after you left." There was deafening silence as tears filled Atimma's face.
"I am so sorry. I deserve to stay here. Our daughter is so beautiful." She smiled tearily.
"The doctors said you're pregnant, and that after your baby is born, it will given to government." Atimma nodded.
"I am going to give your lawyer two million naira, it will raise your child."
"Thank You... thank you so much..." Atimma cried out.
"Oga, time is up o." The prison guard said.
Didi handed her a picture of herself, and she collected it hastily and squeezed it inside her breast...
"Thank you my baby." She whispered. The guard appeared and took her away.
There were tears in Harry's eyes. The woman he ones love was in prison uniform.
She was going to be there for thirty years; And by then, Didi was going to be thirty two years old.
He was going back to the love of his life. (Enomfon)
He was getting married to her. She belonged to him now, and nothing was going to take her away.
He opened the car door and gently lowered Didi on her seat.
"Dada I want to drink fanta." She said girlishly.
Harry heard her, but he didn't reply.
He drove her to the food club, and watched her as she gulped down a bottle of fanta in few seconds. She stared at her father excitedly.
LOVE IN TIMES LIKE THIS (EPISODE 46)
Eight months after Harry and Enomfon's traditional marriage, they had relocated to Tennessee, America.
The pastor of their new church had told them to come back for marriage blessing after Enomfon had put to birth.
And right after nine months she had twin boys.
Harry was at work when she put to bed, but Didi was right beside her, holding her hands and shouting "Push!" just after the nurses.
She didn't know what was going on, but Enomfon had told her when she started having labour pains that baby was coming.
The nurses pulled out the first baby and pleaded with Enomfon to push one last time; and when she did, she pushed out her son with all her power and might.
She felt a feeling of joy as she heard the cry of her two sons. She opened her eyes, feeling calm and rested.
"cute boys!" the nurses screamed as they showed the babies to her. Didi widened her eyes and stared at her brothers amazingly.
She started crying and struggling with the nurses to carry them in her arms.
Enomfon smiled weakly, it was lazy and sensual smile.
"Let her just touch them please." Enomfon said to the nurses.
Harry returned back from work two days after his sons were born.
He cuddled them all through the night, while Didi sang lullabies for them. They both of them watched the boys as if they were magical beings.
Harry's joy was beyond.
Everyone was expecting Enomfon's mother and brother in two Weeks time. They were going to be there at the naming ceremony of the boys. Harry was anxious to meet his brother inlaw, who was once his cell mate in Uyo.
Harry had bought drinks and food stuffs in large quantities, he could not wait for the ceremony to come. He had two most important ceremonies in one day; His sons naming ceremony and his marriage blessing.
*****
Enomfon was awake to watch the sunrise, It was going to be the most memorable day of her life, the day she would marry the love of her life in church, and also the day she would give names to her sons.
Didi was always calling them baby one and baby two, and Enomfon would smile and stare at her. She could not wait to hear their real names.
She turned her head, and her face bumped against Harry's chest. She propped herself up on the pillow and watched him as he slept. With his intense spirit, she was happy that she was that woman who bore him sons and whom he was going to wed that morning. He was going to be first and only man he would kiss before her brother, her mother and the church.
His dark lashes laid like a silk against his tan cheeks. She loved the way his lips was, she could hardly resist kissing him. She lightly touched his lips, and jumped when he grabbed her hand, coming instantly awake.
For a moment, she stared at his brown eyeballs. His mouth moved into a smile, and he stretched slow and long, then pulled her toward him.
"Today, you will known as the mother of Ukeme and Utibe." He gave her the most seductive look.
He pulled her on top of him, yanking up her night gown so her bare flesh touched his.
She felt him swell against her, and caught her breath. Leaning slowly toward him, she touched her lips to his.
"Enomfon, I am bathing the babies, start bathing too so that you won't keep pastor in church. Wake your husband." Her mother screamed from the corridor close to their room.
They both of them giggled. His mouth ground against hers, and was lost to the flowing emotions that passed through them.
"I want to hold you forever." He muttered, sliding into her.
An hour, Didi was beautifully dressed in her pearle beaded little bride's gown. It snow white, and she loved the way the shiny flowers dropped on her skin. She led her new mother beautifully down the aisle.
Enomfon closed her eyes when she was almost close to the podium. Love shot Harry's eyes, he couldn't control his tears as he wept uncontrollably as Enomfon held his hands.
When he was about to make his vows, he held Enomfon's hands and stared at her eyes for a moment, then when he finally spoke, there was wonder, emotions and power in his voice.
Eight months after Harry and Enomfon's traditional marriage, they had relocated to Tennessee, America.
The pastor of their new church had told them to come back for marriage blessing after Enomfon had put to birth.
And right after nine months she had twin boys.
Harry was at work when she put to bed, but Didi was right beside her, holding her hands and shouting "Push!" just after the nurses.
She didn't know what was going on, but Enomfon had told her when she started having labour pains that baby was coming.
The nurses pulled out the first baby and pleaded with Enomfon to push one last time; and when she did, she pushed out her son with all her power and might.
She felt a feeling of joy as she heard the cry of her two sons. She opened her eyes, feeling calm and rested.
"cute boys!" the nurses screamed as they showed the babies to her. Didi widened her eyes and stared at her brothers amazingly.
She started crying and struggling with the nurses to carry them in her arms.
Enomfon smiled weakly, it was lazy and sensual smile.
"Let her just touch them please." Enomfon said to the nurses.
Harry returned back from work two days after his sons were born.
He cuddled them all through the night, while Didi sang lullabies for them. They both of them watched the boys as if they were magical beings.
Harry's joy was beyond.
Everyone was expecting Enomfon's mother and brother in two Weeks time. They were going to be there at the naming ceremony of the boys. Harry was anxious to meet his brother inlaw, who was once his cell mate in Uyo.
Harry had bought drinks and food stuffs in large quantities, he could not wait for the ceremony to come. He had two most important ceremonies in one day; His sons naming ceremony and his marriage blessing.
*****
Enomfon was awake to watch the sunrise, It was going to be the most memorable day of her life, the day she would marry the love of her life in church, and also the day she would give names to her sons.
Didi was always calling them baby one and baby two, and Enomfon would smile and stare at her. She could not wait to hear their real names.
She turned her head, and her face bumped against Harry's chest. She propped herself up on the pillow and watched him as he slept. With his intense spirit, she was happy that she was that woman who bore him sons and whom he was going to wed that morning. He was going to be first and only man he would kiss before her brother, her mother and the church.
His dark lashes laid like a silk against his tan cheeks. She loved the way his lips was, she could hardly resist kissing him. She lightly touched his lips, and jumped when he grabbed her hand, coming instantly awake.
For a moment, she stared at his brown eyeballs. His mouth moved into a smile, and he stretched slow and long, then pulled her toward him.
"Today, you will known as the mother of Ukeme and Utibe." He gave her the most seductive look.
He pulled her on top of him, yanking up her night gown so her bare flesh touched his.
She felt him swell against her, and caught her breath. Leaning slowly toward him, she touched her lips to his.
"Enomfon, I am bathing the babies, start bathing too so that you won't keep pastor in church. Wake your husband." Her mother screamed from the corridor close to their room.
They both of them giggled. His mouth ground against hers, and was lost to the flowing emotions that passed through them.
"I want to hold you forever." He muttered, sliding into her.
An hour, Didi was beautifully dressed in her pearle beaded little bride's gown. It snow white, and she loved the way the shiny flowers dropped on her skin. She led her new mother beautifully down the aisle.
Enomfon closed her eyes when she was almost close to the podium. Love shot Harry's eyes, he couldn't control his tears as he wept uncontrollably as Enomfon held his hands.
When he was about to make his vows, he held Enomfon's hands and stared at her eyes for a moment, then when he finally spoke, there was wonder, emotions and power in his voice.
THE END
©reserved
©reserved
Written by
Vicky Bon
Photo
credit: pintrest.com
16 comments
You are an amazing writer Alex. Such a touching story...kept me glued to my phone till 1Am.Will follow up on more of this.
Amazing! Riveting!! Arrestingly interesting!!! Superbly written. Kudos
Thank you for this beautiful piece. I haven't been glued to an online story like yours. Amazingly beautiful! I can't tyank you enough cos nithing beats a good read
wow , amazing and beautiful piece
This is aweeome, been glued to it all day.
It was like I was in a cinema watching it.
Beautiful master piece, very touching and very insightful.
Wooow soo loving and interesting . You are a great writer. Keep it up
Thank you all for your comments.
please keep visiting from time to time for fictional stories, inspirational articles and relationship tips...
woooo Dis story z so interesting and touching .I ve been in my bed over 2 hours now.
wow, such an amazing story,God bless the writer and give you more wisdom ijn.
I started reading the story today and couldn't stop till I got to the end. So captivating. God bless you for this. I hope young girls will learn from woes suffered because of the love of money by Atim's character. That money is not everything. All you need is God and the right man and woman will come along. Well done Alex. great wisdom shared here. So sorry Harry lost his mom though would have preferred she lived to see her son's succeed.
Wow! So much sauce in every episode. Lovely story.
Wow!
What a touching story
Wow!
What a touching story
I will forever be indebted to the great Doctor TAKUTA for fixing my broken marriage after my husband left me for his mistress for 3 months. I never believed in spells until my friend introduced me to him. At first, I was skeptical about him because I heard a lots about false spell casters but I put my doubts behind me for i was desperate to get my husband back and I did according to what he instructed me to do. Now my husband is back just within 48 hours of contacting him. I'm living happily with my husband again after months of divorce and I will not rest till he's known all over the world. He's also specialize in money spells, lottery spells, sickness spells E.T.C. Get connected with Doctor Takuta now, his email is takutaspellalter@gmail.com or WhatsApp on +2348158676990
After being in relationship with Wilson for seven years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that don’t believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I meant a spell caster called Dr Zuma zuk and I email him, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful spell caster who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email: spiritualherbalisthealing@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +15068001647
you can email him if you need his assistance in your relationship or anything. CONTACT HIM NOW FOR SOLUTION TO ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
I read some of DR padman testimonies about how he helped many people bring back their lovers in 3 days with a love spell. I was having problem with my boyfriend so I decided to contact him because I love my boyfriend so much. he left home and said he is not interested in the relationship anymore for no reason, i was in shock. I contacted DR Padman and he told me that my boyfriend would come back to me in the next 3 days, DR padman made a love spell and this made my boyfriend eye open to see how much we love each other and he came back home. As I write this testimony, I am the happiest girl on earth. my boyfriend and I are living a happy life and our love is now stronger than it was before we broke up. All thanks to DR padman for the excessive work he did for me, helping me get back with my boyfriend. if you are facing any relationship problem and want a quick solution contact DR Padman on Email: padmanlovespell@yahoo.com
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