Toni had become aware of the oldness of her home on the day she and Andre found the perfect house. An estate agent called Andre the evening before then while both of them sat on the floor in his office, trying to figure out what to do with a problematic client whose company was throwing in a good sum into Covet.
βOga Andre, you go like this house. Na wetin madam say she want. Her complete specification.β
βWhich time you wan come my office tomorrow?β
βAnytime, bros. Anytime.β
Toni was always fascinated by the fact that Andre spoke Pidgin English better than she did. One couldnβt pick out his French inflection whenever he went all Nigerian. It often amazed her how much he could be anything he desired, just to get what he wanted.
βI hope the house no too cost sha?β Andre asked the agent.
βVery affordable.β
βThe area nko?β
βClose to una office.β
Andre stretched on his back to rest his head on Toniβs thighs as he brought the call to an end.
βGreet madam for me.β
The βmadamβ title left a weird feeling in Toni. Her singularity had been zapped out of her in a flash. Everyone these days referred to her as Andreβs possession. It put her in a state of pride on one end, and nakedness on the other. She felt exposed. And the fact that things were going at a speedy rate didnβt help either. Now, this was no fault of Andreβs. She had gotten them there all by herself, having finally fallen into the person that brought her completeness into loving a man. She surprised herself with how much she gave back. The house had been her idea. Her rent was almost due, as was Andreβs. She posited that it was best if they got a bigger house for themselves and the kids. Andre went along with the plan and contacted his real estate agent. The agentβs call the evening before left Toni anticipating. The following morning, they were both standing in what she was certain was their new home. After a short tour around the six-bedroom space that came with a large compound, a swimming pool and a βhis and hersβ boudoir separated by a wall, Toni looked into Andreβs eyes and flashed a charming smile in anticipation of his approval.
βBut itβs expensive,β he complained. It turned out that the agent had lied about the price of the place.
βItβs just the first year. Next year weβll pay way less.β
The agent, standing in a corner, nodded.
“Maybe we should buy a house?” Andre suggested, and Toni almost laughed when she saw him wincing. She was happy to know that she wasn’t the only one who was compromising in this relationship.
“No, let’s rent for now.”
“For now. So, do you want this?β Andre asked.
βYes.β
βThere are still other houses to look at. Iβm not in a hurry.β
βBut I want this one.β
βItβs too big.β
βThe kids would love it. Ruby gets her own room. The boys share one. We have our space and a little extra for guests.β
βYou really want this?β
βYes. Stop asking.β
βAlright.β
Toni widened her smile but contained her excitement. On her bed that night, she began to think about how things were falling apart in her present home. The lower part of the walls was peeling off; there were leaking faucets, creaking doors, dying flowers on the verandah, and the bedroom she shared with Leticia had suddenly become too small for them. The house seemed to be telling her that she had outstayed her welcome. When she shut her eyes and her mind ruminated over the events of the day, she stumbled into one thought, and then to the next, and to another, until she came into worrying about what had gone wrong with her period. It was delayed by eleven days. She was not the type to be late. Her cycle was always on time. But whenever it chose to be late, it always tried to make a statement. Hence, Toni didnβt bother about the fact that she could be pregnant.
The following day, she was lost in a sea of office work. On her way home, she received a call from Leticia, asking her to purchase a home pregnancy test.
Toni stood before the shelf in a popular upscale pharmacy which was a short distance from their house. There were various home pregnancy tests to choose from. It was while trying to pick the one Leticia asked for that she mused on the possibility of being pregnant herself.
βNaa,β she said almost out loud, drawing the attention of a man standing a couple of feet away from her. She smiled to herself, tossed two pregnancy test kits into her shopping basket and walked to the aisle where sanitary towels and tampons were displayed. At home, she delivered Leticiaβs test kit and kept the other in her handbag.
When morning came, she was burning with a sudden desire to try out the test, thus she picked the kit and went to the bathroom for her first pee of the day. Following the instructions she found on the pack, she ran a quick test. Two minutes later, she was staring at a blue line that clearly indicated that she was pregnant.
Toni laughed in disbelief and ran a second test. She was presented with the same result. Sitting on the toilet seat, she held the test stick for a while, wishing the blue line away. But it remained there stubbornly until she began to panic.
βFuck,β she finally muttered. She got off the toilet seat, confused, refusing to accept the test results. She thumbed on the flusher just as Leticia entered the bathroom. At the sight of her, Toni hid the home pregnancy test.
βHey,β she said, aiming for the washbasin. Leticia walked past her to the bathtub, plugged the drain and turned on the tap. Toni hid the test stick in the drug cabinet above the washbasin and glanced at Leticia. She found a red stain on her pajama pants. Toniβs mood dropped. She watched Leticia sit on the floor and pull her knees up.
βYour period?β
Leticia looked at her. Toni saw tears filling her eyes.
βSorry.β
βYou think maybe God is punishing me?β
βPunishing you?β Toni repeated. βWhy?β
βAll the married men I slept with. Iβm sure somebodyβs wife cursed me.β
βPlease, donβt think like that.β
βThen why canβt I get pregnant? Whatβs wrong with me?β
βNothing.β Toni walked to her and sat on the toilet bowl. βYouβll get pregnant. Stop stressing.β
βMaybe Iβve aborted all the babies Iβm supposed to have. God is punishing me.β
βI donβt know much about God, but the little you keep drumming in my ears says that God is merciful and heβs kind and heβs a father. If weβre to go by that, I donβt think heβs punishing you for what you did in the past.β
Toniβs words didnβt help. They seemed to have done more harm than good. Leticia made a hollow with her arms over her knees and buried her face in a sob. Toni sat beside her.
βLeticia,β she called gently, hand stroking her back. βItβs going to be fine, sweetheart. By this time next year, youβll be holding your baby in your arms and Iβll be telling you βI told you soβ. Oya say amen.β
βAmen.β
βSo, stop crying. Just sit in the tub and take the day off work. Okay?β
Leticia nodded.
βYou want me to call Dapo over?β
βHeβs busy. Just leave him. I donβt want to depress him with sad news this morning.β
βOkay, darling. You want me to stay at home with you? I can handle the office from here today.β
βNo, Iβm fine. I just need painkillers and a depressing movie.β
βAiit.β Toni rose up. βLet me iron what Iβll wear and come and shower.β
She began towards the door but Leticiaβs next words stopped her.
βThis life is not fair. When I didnβt want the babies they came. Now that I need them, theyβre not here. Itβs ironic to think that some chick out there who doesnβt need a baby is probably just finding out sheβs pregnant.β
Toni felt a sting of guilt. Unable to respond, she hurried out of the bathroom. A while later, after dressing for work and dropping the kids off at school, Toni sat in her car and allowed in thoughts of her present condition.
She was apprehensive, confused, and elated all together. But she sympathized with Leticia. How was she going to break the news to her? How would Leticia take it?
Toni heard her phone buzz. She picked it from her handbag. Pascal was on the line. He was calling to inform her of a scheduled meeting with Rita Harrison.
βCall and cancel,β Toni instructed. Lately, the woman had been a bother. She was requesting Toniβs services, even though Toni had made clear that she had her hands full and couldnβt take on another client. She knew Rita was only trying to make life difficult for her. Imade was still on his mission to divorce her. Toni surmised Rita was angry with her for not convincing him to quit on his plans. She sensed danger ahead and was doing her best to not run into it.
βThis is the second time youβll be canceling, Toni,β Pascal reminded her.
βI know. Just do as I ask.β
βOkay.β
βIβll see you in a bit.β
Toni grunted as thoughts of the workload waiting for her filled her head. And then she remembered the pregnancy. Andre would be delighted. To tell him now or not?
She wasnβt sure. She gave her car life and set it rolling down the street.
***
Christie took her eyes off her laptop and fixed them on the door with a frown, wondering who dared to barge into her office. She had ordered her assistant not to let anyone in. She needed an hour or two of silence.
Walking in like he was a crowd, Cyrus Junior had his phone stuck to his ear in a loud phone call while trying to ensure that the bouquet of flowers and plastic bags he was holding with the other hand did not fall to the floor. Christie drew away from her creative silence. She let down the lid of her laptop as he approached her desk.
βLet me call you back,β he said into the phone just before he lowered the flowers down on Christieβs desk.
βHi CJ.β She pushed her chair backwards. βWhat surprise have you got for me today?β
Cyrus Junior took out a single rose, rested his bum on her desk and handed it to her. Despite feeling some annoyance over being taken away from her solitude, she smiled and accepted the rose. But a different type of feeling came over her as she inhaled the scent of the flower.
βThank you.β
βTo the only chick in my life.β
βCyrus?β Christie found herself blushing.
βI brought salad for lunch. I know youβre on a diet. So, whatβs happening?β He hopped off the desk, wiping sweat from his forehead. βYou guys really need to fix the elevator, mom. I canβt be climbing all those stairs.β
Christie stood . She walked to the door and opened it. Her assistant came to her at the nod of her head. She handed the flowers to her with instructions on what to do with them. She returned to the office to find Cyrus Junior gazing curiously at a new painting on the wall. It was the only gift from Raji she kept, given to her the year before on her birthday. It was supposed to be impersonal, nothing amorous or with meaning, but it was one of those artistic pieces that left its beholders seeing different things. For Christie, she saw was a mix of colors Raji had thoughtfully picked to calm her, being that he was the only person next to Folarin that understood her moods and what worked for her. It was also inspiring for her creativity. But Toni had walked into her office on the day it was hung, took one look at it and said, βWhy are two people fucking in that painting?β
Christieβs eyes had popped out before she sent them into a staring exercise. Try as hard as she did, she didnβt see what Toni saw. Toni took the pains to outline the headless bodies of a man and a woman standing, with the manβs hand over the womanβs chest. Christie saw it but lost it in the synthesis of colors. She never asked Raji about it. Folarin was aware of the painting, having given her permission to use it in her working space. If he saw something other than colors, he didnβt say.
βDo you know that thereβs a guy and a chick in this painting, mom?β Cyrus Junior was saying now.
To avoid him taking the time to explain, Christie agreed with him.
βCool.β
βThanks.β
He looked at her with a smile. βYouβre so beautiful.β
She tried not to blush this time. The feeling that passed through her earlier returned. It was one of concern. Cyrus Junior was going through a major heartbreak, having lost his baby and his relationship with Lily. The girl had callously dumped him the moment she left the hospital. Christie had watched him mourn outwardly for just a day and from then on, he acted like nothing had happened, suddenly projecting his emotions on Christie. He pursued her with expressions of affection and little thoughtful gifts. She was indulgent at first, understanding that he needed to let himself feel something else. But with time, she came to discover that she was his escape from pain, and it wasnβt necessarily a good thing. In fact, it troubled her. She didnβt want him ending up with the notion that she was the only female he could trust and rely on. Her dream was to see him in a happier and better relationship in the future. It was unhealthy to be fixated on her.
βCJβ¦β
βYeah?β His eyes were back on the painting.
βHow is Lily these days?β
βGood.β
βCJ?β
He looked at her again. βSheβs good.β
He refocused on the painting.
βI donβt want to ask you how youβre doing because youβll lie to me and tell me youβre fine. But youβre not fine.β
βIβm fine.β
Christie exhaled. This had been his way since his breakup with Lily. He would talk to no one about it. Today, Christie was determined to break into his pain.
She strolled back to her desk. βYour dad gave me my first real heartbreak.β
βWhich dad?β
βFolarin.β
Christie rested her bum lightly on the desk.
βIt felt like death. When I left the house, I didnβt just leave to let him have his space. It was too painful to be in the same place with him and not do the things we used to do. It was agonizing to be ignored by him, to know that he could live well without me. So I ran away. I had to escape because I couldnβt take it. Shattered was too small a word to describe what I felt. I threw myself into work and into Tamilore and church activities, just to survive. I was dying slowly. And then he came and buried me by telling me there was some other womanβ¦ It was the worst thing. At that point, I had nowhere to run to, so I confronted reality, accepted it and learned to face your father again. It was then I found healing.β
βOkay. Cool.β
βCyrus, I know you are dying inside.β
βIβm notβ¦β
βYou are.β
βMom, I am not.β
βThen why donβt you look into my face and tell me that?β
He turned. βI am not, and if you think youβre going to give me some pep talk to help me get over shit, forget it. Thereβs no use. Lilyβs a hoe. She cheated. She has a boyfriend,β Cyrus revealed. βSome other dude was laying pipe on her and I didnβt know. Heβs probably the one that got her pregnant.β
βIβm sorry to hear that, CJ.β
βHer parents were not the reason she killed the baby. She did it for him. He didnβt want it.β
βHow did you find out?β
βShe called me on Christmas day after I sent her a screenshot of chats she had with the guy that my friend got from the guyβs cousin. She confessed everything.β
βIβm sorry.β
βSorry? Mom, Iβm stupid. Iβm totally sped. Lily fucked me over and yet when I was talking to her that day, I kept begging her to come back. Like who is that dumb?β
βYouβre not dumb.β
βLetβs just not talk about her abeg. Iβm so over her.β
Christie was happy he had opened up, but sad to learn that Lily was not the person she thought she was. Christie wasnβt going to push the boy into saying more. She took her seat and picked her lunch, noting Cyrus Junior bought something for himself as well.
βCome and eat.β
He returned to the desk. When he leaned on it, he asked, βWhen you cheated on dad, what was your reason? Why?β
Christie took a break from her pack of salad. Her story with Raji was not a book she wanted to open ever again. Being around him and having no ill-feelings towards him was difficult enough. She didnβt want to go back to memories that made her cringe.
βIβ¦cheated because I could.β
βThatβs not an answer, mom.β
For the first time, Christie wasnβt bursting with pride over Cyrus Juniorβs audacity to speak to his parents boldly.
βThe truth is when someone cheats, they always want to give some excuse, blame it on their partnerβ¦ It wasnβt that for me. Yes, I wished your father wasnβt what he was at that time. Yes, Raji had suddenly become attractive. Yes, I was going through a phase in my life, looking for excitement and adventure. But none of those were good enough reasons. I didnβt know that then, but when I was caught, I had to face the truth.β
βAnd whatβs the truth?β
βLust. I lusted after what wasnβt mine, not caring how itβll affect others. I relied on never being caught, so it was a case of I wonβt be hurting anyone who didnβt know what I was up to. I was carried away by my own selfishness.β
βLily said it was my fault she cheated. I was always busy in school, hanging out with the guys or watching footballβ¦ Mom, I was there for her. I spent on her. What the fuck did she want? To stay in the hostel with her or hang with her and her girls?β
Christie, having opened the door to his emotions, relaxed and began her lunch.
βThe guy sheβs talking about, heβs in three hundred level o. He doesnβt have her time. Heβs popular, contesting for director of something.β
βItβs not about either of you guys, CJ. Itβs about her. You should not compare yourself to anyone.β
βIβm trying to get why she had to do it. She could have just told me she wasnβt feeling us again and walked away. I wasnβt going to force her to stay.β
βBut you spent on her, didnβt you?β
βYeah.β
Christie shrugged.
βIβm so over falling for a girl. Iβm done. They can all go and fuck themselves.β
βDonβt talk like that.β
βSeriously, Iβm done. Theyβre the same ones that will come online and start tweeting that men are scum.β
Christie noticed that his eyes had gone red and the veins on his neck were pronounced. βCalm down, CJ. Youβre going to be fine. Just stop using me to hide from your pain.β
βYouβre the only female I can trust.β
βDidnβt I fail you in the past? I was hardly there when you needed me.β
βBut you always showed up and you always left me in the hands of people that took care of me. You were there, Mom.β
Christie felt a lump in her throat that wasnβt salad. She swallowed it but it remained. It brought burning tears to her eyes.
βCJβ¦β She covered her salad. βIβ¦ Iβm sorry for the times I abandoned you, for when I took one look at you after you were born and all I saw was your father, for the times I pushed you away for no fault of yours, for finding it hard to bridge the gap between us, and for waiting this long to say this. You deserved better than I gave you, Cyrus Junior. And youβre a bigger person for refusing to let me stay away from you, for breaking the walls I put up against you. Iβm so sorry for all I did.β
βAwww. Can I hug you?β
Christie laughed. He normally didnβt need to ask to do so. He was bursting with hugs these days.
When he went to her chair to express his emotions, she tried to control hers. But it was hard. The moment he put his arms around her and rested his chin on her head, Christie felt the tears again. This time, they forced their way down. She clung to his arm that was gently put around her.
βI love you,β she whispered.
βMe too, because youβre the best mother in the world, Christina Adediran.β
She laughed. The boy had some guts calling her by her first name. But he was Cyrus Junior, a product of three men whose lives had affected hers. As much as she hated to admit it, he had some parts of Solomon in him. And then, Cyrus and Folarin. Both were as expressive as Solomon had been. It wasnβt surprising to see the boy love her the way he did.
There was a gentle knock on Christieβs door. She tapped Cyrus Juniorβs arm away as her assistant thrust her head in.
βMr. Kouassi is here.β
βGive me a minute and then let him in.β
Christie wiped her tears and attempted to make her desk clean.
βYou want me to go?β her son asked. She didnβt want him, but she looked at him apologetically.
βWork calls.β
βItβs cool. See you later.β
She nodded. βThat thing you were saying about being done with girlsβ¦ I hope thatβs a joke?β
He gave a snort, walking to the door. βI was just kidding. Girls are everywhere.β He spread his arms out as he walked in a backwards motion. βThey wonβt just leave me. So many to pick from.β
She showed relief. It only occurred to her after he left and Andre walked into her office that Cyrus Junior was making allusions to now being a player. Christie found a new thing to worry about.
***
It was strange to Lade that she found herself doubled over, retching into her toilet bowl while the woman who was carrying her child was crouched beside her in concern. She was the un-pregnant one who bore the first trimester pains while the pregnant one was doing just fine.
βI need to go and see the doctor, abeg,β Lade lifted her head, rubbing wet eyes brought on by excessive gagging.
βIβm not stopping you o, but trust me heβll tell you that youβre suffering from sympathetic pregnancy. Just relax. Youβll be fine.β
The surrogate mother was fast turning into Ladeβs closest friend. They spent the bulk of their time together. She followed Lade out whenever the latter wasnβt busy. She was a beautiful, intelligent mother of one who had lost her husband just a day after Lade lost her own baby. Their individual losses had been an initial bonding ground for them. The relationship budded from then into something deep and meaningful, something Lade had been warned to avoid by the surrogacy agency. They assured her that it was going to become difficult for the surrogate mother to cut off ties after her work was done. But Lade had been stubborn, refusing the option to have the lady live on her own.
βI want to watch my baby grow,β she had told Tayo in defense. βTo experience everything again.β
It was now ironic that she was literally living through the pregnancy with a nasty spell of morning sickness that enjoyed lasting the entire day.
βIβll just go and let him prescribe something to stop the symptoms.β Lade dragged herself up, flushing the toilet.β
βYou want me to come with you?β the lady asked.
βNo, donβt worry. Iβll be fine.β
The lady gave Lade some privacy as she endured a cold shower. When she brushed her teeth, her gums bled. She smiled as she watched the mix of blood and paste circle down the drain. She felt lucky to have a taste of motherhood once more. Her anticipation for the baby was one she couldnβt contain. Tayo was less excited, but she didnβt mind. She knew he was occupied with work and some other woman. She wasnβt concerned with his love life. She hadnβt physically been with a man since she left him. She occasionally made out with him, but that was all they did. Lade had her future love life to look forward to; but right now, all she wanted was to hold a baby in her arms once more.
She came out to the living room, dressed for her hospital visit. Her car was in good condition and parked outside, but like many Lagosians, she hated to drive. She had called for an Uber earlier, and was now heading out of the house.
Tayo was on the phone with her, teasing her over her sympathetic pregnancy. He wanted to know if it was okay to drop by after work to check on her.
βIβll be alright,β she said. βGo and meet your girlfriend.β
βWhat girlfriend, please?β
She laughed as she approached the cab waiting outside her gate.
βThe one that keeps giving you bite marks on your neck and ear.β
βDidnβt I tell you that itβs village witches?β
Lade hissed.
βI swear. I sleep and wake up and the marks are there.β
βYou can lie!β
She entered an impressive red Toyota Camry and took up space in the backseat. The driver waited patiently for her to conclude her call with Tayo before he spoke to her.
βHi,β she responded to his greeting, hoping he didnβt recognize her without her sunshades. Her last big movie released five months ago in which she played a supporting role, was making waves. She was still engaged in active promotion for the movie and this left her in the news now and then. She was the sort of celebrity to keep her business off social media, but Toni had made it hard for her to go unnoticed. Her contract with Guru & Monet was renewed and she now appeared on billboards and social media. However, Omolade was not moved by the stardom. She kept herself grounded and stayed away from the limelight as much as she could.
βCan I start your journey?β the Uber driver asked.
βSure,β she replied, putting on her sunshades. She didnβt want to take chances.
βAny type of music you would like to listen to?β
βNope. Just play anything.β
βAfrican? Nigerian?β
βAnyone.β
The car slowly began to move. Lade took out her phone to engage in some chat with a friend. Just as she started, she heard the opening notes of Sauti Solβs Isabella. Lade smiled. She hadnβt heard the song since she tried to kill herself. She hadnβt even listened to Sauti Sol since then. The song brought good and bad memories. Manny was in jail, to be released sometime soon. Sule, her silent but well-informed cabbie, was now out of the shores of Nigeria. She missed them both, weirdly. Her loathing for Manny had died after she survived her suicide attempt. She hated to hold grudges.
βSo you like Sauti Sol?β she asked the cab driver.
βSauti what?β he replied.
βThe people singing. Sauti Sol.β
βOh. Those guys that sang with Yemi Alade? The Kenyans?β
βYou donβt know them?β
βNo. Iβm just playing a collection of African music.β
βOh.β
Omolade took a moment to stare at him. He was young. Nothing else about him struck her. She went back to her phone and remained there until the cab stopped outside the hospital. She thanked him for the ride, walking away.
Her appointment didnβt take more than an hour. She was soon done and was on her way out when the Uber driver entered the reception.
βYou forgot your power bank,β he said. βIt fell on the floor.β
Lade was temporarily distracted by his looks. It wasnβt that he was so fetching that she became unfocussed; it was that she was having a rare moment of being hit by what it was that hit people who claimed to have experienced love (or some form of infatuation) at first sight. Maybe in the initial stage, such left them speechless. For Lade, she couldnβt speak initially. She felt her hand move to accept the power bank and her lips let out a βthank you.β It was only after he had turned away that she came to.
βTake me back home,β she said.
βOkay.β
She followed him out to meet a setting sun and a huge electronic billboard which towered over the vicinity. It seemed it had just been recently erected.
The Uber driver stopped and gave her his attention. βYour face is familiar.β
Lade tried to figure his age, but couldnβt. His appearance gave the impression that he was in his late twenties. Something about him reminded her of Dapo. But Dapo was more handsome and had needy, penetrating eyes that friends of hers found attractive. This man before her, he had curious eyes with laughter behind them, like he was just going to burst into laughter for no reason at any time. But he hadnβt seemed that way earlier. He had been quiet.
βMy face is not familiar,β she responded to his claim. βYou mistake me for someone else. I get that a lot.β
βNo. Iβve seen you somewhere before.β
Lade broke into sudden laughter. It was ironic that the billboard hovering over them was presently displaying pictures of her in a Guru & Monet ad.
βWhatβs funny?β he asked with a smile.
βNothing.β
And just as he turned, the ad disappeared. Lade followed him to the car.
βBack home, you said?β
βYes.β
βCan I begin the journey?β
βSure.β
The car came alive, as did Sauti Solβs Isabella.
βThis song again?β Lade asked.
βIβm sorry. The collection has been playing since. Iβll put something else.β
βUmβ¦actually, let it play. Put it on repeat until we stop.β
He looked at her with a curious smile. βSeriously?β
βYes.β She smiled back. It was a flirty one. It had been ages since she flirted, since she had been Isabella. βI hope itβs not too much to ask? Like you wonβt want to claw your eyes out listening to the song over and over again?β
βIf it becomes too much, Iβll just leave the car moving and jump out of it and leave you and the song alone.β
Lade laughed. He laughed too.
βWhatβs your name?β she dared to ask.
βCruz.β
βCruz. Nice to meet you, Cruz.β
And thus, Cruz led her on a smooth ride to her doorstep.
βI think Iβll now throw away this CD,β he commented. Lade chuckled.
βThank you, Cruz.β
She alighted from the vehicle and began in. But he stopped her when she opened her gate.
βI remember you now!β He was grinning. βOmolade AKA Isabella James.β
βYou caught me.β
βYouβre more beautiful in person.β
βSo they say.β
βSo can I call you?β
βErmβ¦I donβt think thatβs a good idea.β
βYOLO.β
Lade bit down a smile.
βYou only live once. I didnβt say that. Sauti Sol did. And me I wanna have some fun.β
She laughed. βOya add the part where it says you want to spend all your money on me because you canβt take it when youβre dead.β
βAh. I no sabi the song reach that side o.β
She held her chest in amusement.
βSo can I call or youβre too much of a superstar for me to slide into your DM?β
She blushed. βYou can call.β
He picked his phone. βGive me a minute to save your number. Itβs 08035896247, right?β
βYeah.β
βCool. Bye.β
βBye.β
Her security guard opened the the pedestrian gate. The moment she walked in, her phone rang. She answered the incoming call.
βHey, Isabella,β Cruz spoke. βDo you wanna come out and dance with me tonight? The stars look beautiful outside. So, so beautiful.β
Lade was blushing again. βIβll dance with you when you get ingenious with your own lines and not Sauti Solβs.β
βOkay, ma. Let me park and compose lyrics for you. Iβll call back.β
Lade didnβt take him seriously. Still amused, she made her way into the house.
***
There was something rewarding about having a big sister. Toni was a special kind of sibling to Dapo. She didnβt bug his life daily, but whenever she bothered to drop into his existence, she did so with a sense of entitlement. Today, she barged into his office almost at the close of day and demanded his audience, not caring to know if he had important things to do. She then proceeded to state her reason for visiting.
βLeticia.β
βOf course. Why else would you be here? Your baby brother doesnβt even exist to you.β
βShut up.β
Dapo shifted his chair backward and placed his feet on his desk.
βYour WCWβs period came this morning.β Dapo showed no reaction. βSheβs depressed. She believes God is punishing her for her past sins.β
βIβve told her itβs not true.β
βI need you to step up your game, Dapo. First of all, stop talking about having kids. Babies come when they want to come. You should concentrate on making Tisha happy.β
βIβm doing everything, Toni.β
βTake her on a baecation. Youβve never done that before. During Christmas you sat your asses down here in Lagos. Whatβs wrong with you sef?β
βI had work.β
βTake her to some exotic place, take her mind off the pressure of getting pregnant, make her happy again. See, Tisha has this thing where she starts to act crazy when sheβs been in pain for long. You donβt want her to get to that point.β
βLetβs hope she doesnβt.β He put his legs down. βIβm thinking we should just get married. That would keep her distracted.β
βYouβre serious?β
βYeah.β
Toni beamed. βI love you. You know that?β
He winked. βWhen are you getting married sef?β
Toni frowned. Dapo laughed.
βIβm asking on Mommyβs behalf. Whenβs it going to happen?β
Toni stood. βMaybe never.β
βStop saying shit like that.β Dapo went on his feet as well. Toni gave him a smile as he went to where she stood. βAndre is a good man. You donβt get his type around here.β
βI know.β
βThen make him happy.β
βAre you throwing my words back at me, young man?β She pulled his ear.
Dapo pecked her cheek, putting his arm around her waist. βCome and be going, big sis. I still have work.β
He escorted her out of the office, all the way to the parking lot. After she was gone, Dapo returned to his desk. He was lost there until 6PM. When he was finally done, he left the office and drove to Leticiaβs. She was alone when he walked in. She was spread out on Toniβs favorite couch, head on a pillow, arms clutching a teddy bear. A Mariah Carey song was playing.
Dapo stooped before her and touched her cheek. She opened red eyes.
βItβs very dangerous to leave the front door unlocked.β
βHi, boo.β
βYou have been crying.β
βNo.β
βYour eyes are swollen. Talk to me.β
βMy period came.β
And just like he showed no reaction when Toni told him earlier, he did the same with Leticia. βSo?β
βSo, Iβm still not pregnant.β
βWe. Weβre not yet pregnant. And thatβs okay, Tish. Iβm sorry for all the unnecessary pressure I put on you to have a baby. It shouldnβt be that way.β
βItβs also my decision to have a baby.β
βAnd you will. We will.β He held her hand. βRight now, we should just concentrate on ourselves and on planning our future together.β
βWhatβs a future without kids?β
βThey will come, baby. Stop stressing.β
βGod is punishing me.β
Dapo watched her eyes go moist. He freed the teddy bear off her hold and lay beside her. She turned to her side to accommodate him. He allowed her cry, but not for long.
She rose up abruptly.
βI need to go and see someone.β
βWho?β
βA friend. I need to drop a message with her.β
βCall her.β
βNo, I have to go there. Please, come and escort me.β
βIβm tired, Tish.β
βIβll drive.β
βIs it far from here?β
βNo.β
βOya, letβs be going. Whatβs this message you want to drop sef?β
βItβs a package.β
Dapo waited while she wore her clothes. It didnβt occur to him that she didnβt pick the aforementioned package for the friend until they drove to the destination, which was an impressive house in a quiet estate. His mind still didnβt register that she held nothing in her hands when she entered the house after waiting a while for the gate to be opened for her. Dapo didnβt have to wait too long, though. She soon emerged, bearing what looked like a smile of satisfaction.
βWho lives here?β he asked.
βA friend.β
βAnd you donβt think I need to know who this friend is after dragging me here in the name of delivering a package you didnβt end up delivering?β
βOkay, I lied.β Leticia fastened her seatbelt. βThere was no package and there was no friend. My ex lives here.β
Dapo looked at the house as if just noticing it was there. βYou brought me to your exβs house? For what exactly?β
βI went to see his wife to apologize for all I did to hurt her, whether knowingly or not. I asked her to forgive me and pray for me if she ever cursed me while I was dating her husband.β
Dapo was stunned. βThis ex is the Covet guy? The Igbo one?β
βYes, Izu. Just spoke to his wife. Turned out she never cursed me. She wasnβt so happy I stopped by, though.β
βTisha, tell me you did not just do what you just told me you did.β
βI feel some part of the burden lifted off of me. One down, four more to go.β
βLeticia!β Dapo tried not to shout. He was losing his calm.
βDapo, please, donβt get angry with me. I know it doesnβt make sense to you, but I have to free myself from the guilt and from any curse laid on me.β
βNobody laid shit on you.β
βHow do you know?β
βI know.β
βI slept with peopleβs husbands. Do you know how it hurt the marriage? How the wives felt knowing that the man they love is with some other woman?β
βOr maybe they never knew. You now want to go and shatter their bliss. Are you thinking at all?β
βI have to do this.β
βNo, you donβt. And if you insist on doing it, donβt drag me to shit like this again. This is really stupid.β
βOkay.β
She started the car and drove them home. Neither of them spoke until they were in Toniβs bedroom.
βIβm sorry for calling you stupid,β Dapo apologized.
βYou didnβt. You said what I did was stupid.β
βStillβ¦β
βDapo, Iβm rededicating my life back to God,β she said with a plain face, hands clasped in front of her.
βAnd what does that mean exactly? Arenβt you a Christian? Donβt you go to church regularly and pray every morning and night?β
βItβs not enough. I have to live a pure life.β
Dapoβs annoyance returned. βI know where this is going. Just end it right there.β
βNo more sex until we get married, DP. This is not to force you into walking down the aisle with me. I just need to cleanse my life and do things right. The way God wants me to do them.β
βWhatever. Iβm going home.β He started towards the door.
βDapo, Iβm sorry.β
He gave no response. Not even when she ran after him, calling him back. He entered his car and sped off into the night.
***
It was one of those long, brainstorming sessions that ran into the night. Andre, Toni and Christie were present with a creative team, trying to put together a campaign for a major client that was threatening to fire them. The session came to a close a few minutes after 3AM.
Since they had used the floor on the building solely for Covetβs late night meetings, which was basically an apartment with furnished bedrooms, Andre felt it was best to sleep over. But Toni was bent on spending the night on her bed. They had a little argument about it. She won, however, with a few soft kisses on his lips.
βIβll drop you at home and come back. You know I canβt share that bed with you and Tisha.β
βThank you.β She kissed him again.
βYouβre such a diva, Braithwaite. Whatβs so wrong with sleeping here, though?β
βCan you just drive me home?β
He swore in French and got a smack from her as they made their way out from the building. As expected, the streets were empty on their drive to Toniβs house. Most of the traffic lights had switched from the default red, yellow and green to blinking yellow lights. Gunning down Ozumba Mbadiwe street, Andre let out a few yawns. Seated beside him, Toni was busy with her phone. He glanced at her.
βWahala woman.β
βYeah, baby?β
βWho are you chatting with this night like this?β
βNobody.β She looked up suddenly. βStop.β
βWhat?β
βStop!β
Andre stepped on the brakes, halting the carβs movement under a blinking yellow light. βYou know we really donβt have to stop, right?β
βShhh.β She put her finger to her lips. βWait for it.β
βWait for what?β
Toni pointed up and ahead of them where an electronic billboard owned by Covet was erected.
βYeah, thatβs ours. Whatβs up with it?β
Light filled Toniβs eyes as she pointed. βLook.β
The screen lit up with the picture of a babyβs overall, and on it was written the words, βEnfin bref, ja pense Γͺtre enceinte de toiβ.
Andre squinted hard as he read out the words in English slowly. βLong story short, I think Iβm pregnant with your child?β He looked at Toni in confusion. βWhatβs this? A new ad?β
She giggled, hand over her mouth.
βI donβt understand,β he murmured.
She giggled harder. His eyes went to the billboard again. More confusion on his face.
βWho is pregnant with whose child?β
βYouβre so dumb, Frenchie.β She took his hand off the wheel and placed it on her tummy. His jaw plunged.
βYouβreβ¦?β
She nodded.
βWeβre having a baby?β he asked in French.
βOui.β
βOh, Iβm so dumb.β He hit his forehead on the wheel. βHow didnβt I get it? Iβm so sorry, ma chatte.β
He leaned towards her and laid his lips on hers, but it was not to kiss her. βYouβre keeping it?β
βI wonβt touch it even if I was offered the world, Fabrice.β
βDonβt I just love you, you this annoying, stubborn, sexy, beautiful woman?β
He kissed her, smiling in-between.
βCan we now turn back to the office? I badly need to pee.β
βOf course.β
He made a U-turn back in the direction they came.
βSo, I really need to ask,β Toni said, βhow did I get pregnant, Andre?β
He began to laugh. It was low at first, and then he laughed so hard, tears came to his eyes.
βAndre?β
βYeah?β
βHow did I get pregnant?β
βI donβt know. You saw that I never came inside you.β
βYou really did the immaculate thing?β
βLook, maybe this withdrawal method thing is crap at the end of the day. Iβve heard how itβs failed many people.β
Toni held a suspicious stare, but it was a weak one. He pinched her nose and then sent his hand down to her tummy.
βSo do you feel like your world is falling apart now that youβre carrying my child?β
βNo, I feel like hitting you because I know youβre so going to gloat over this. I hope youβre happy you won.β
βI am. You have no idea how fussy Iβm going to get from now on.β
βPlease, donβt. I donβt want to feel different.β
βKeep talking to the wind there. I own you now, ma chatte. You have officially become the Frenchmanβs property and youβre going to have a taste of what it means to be loved senseless.β
βOh, go away.β
Toni smacked his hand off. He smiled at her but she was looking out the window. He returned the smile to himself, pleased over how his covert plans to get her pregnant had worked. In fact, it had worked faster than he had anticipated. The next step was to have her bear his name.
βWhatever evil youβre planning there wonβt work,β Toni said as she stretched out her legs on his lap. Andre flung his head backwards and laughed vigorously.
Β©Sally@moskedpages
Translations:
WCW – Woman Crush Wednesday
Baecation – vacation for a couple
Oui – yes (French)
Woooow. This episode was great! There was little or no drama… well, except from madam tish.
How are you and your family Sal? I hope all is well with you? Thanks for not relenting in bringing joy to us, your readers, even when you may not always feel like it. May your path be graced, and your burdens light.
Amen, darling. thanks a lot. God bless you much
Thank u Sally well done
Thank you, hon
Aww…Tish really wants to make things right.
Look at Toni that didn’t even want to have a baby at first. Thank you sally
Life can be funny
No wonder Tish felt bad and sent a backhand comment to Toni. Tish was an accessory to Andre’s preggy.
I am sure Tish’s new year resolution would crumble after two weeks. Babe’s libido is too high Biko.
I admire Christie’s candor in relating with CY Junior. I miss Folarin. And I miss Khanyi.
Weldone Sally
Lol. Tish loves the D, you’re so right. I hope she holds tight
Sally thumbs up!
Thank you for not infusing any tragedy, I read this with my heart in my mouth thinking of what tragedy you have waiting ahead and thank God I read the whole episode and twas all good.
Leticia, I really feel sorry for you.
LadeCruz liking the sound of that.
Madam Sally big ups to you Darling
Hahah! Sometimes the twist is in not adding any twist.
Thank you, Kemi
This episode was calm, so i know next episode is gonna be fire fire!!!
Dapo seems like he’s hiding something, i hope he isn’t impotent sha…
Meanwhile “madame la mannequin’ sally i saw that fine makeup on the ‘gram stay beautiful!!!
Thank you, Eromaye. I’m not a fan of taking pictures, so that was some work. I’ll change this year
Well done Sally! Thank you for this episode β€οΈ
You’re welcome!
This is beautiful….
Thank you, Oluwatofunmi
Tish didn’t really need to do that though…. Nice one Sal
Thank you, Nay
Thanks Sally, I enjoyed it as I did others. Do Have a beautiful week ahead.
And cheers to another weekend to you, Rashidah
Awww! Thank you for this Ms Sally.?
Always my pleasure, Adeola
Tish and Dapo sha, their wahala is too much. What’s wrong with that girl, going to apologize for curse that didn’t happen? If I knock her head! I wonder how Andre got Toni pregnant, or is there a twist where is is revealed that the baby actually belongs to her previous married lover? I wouldn’t put that past you, Sally. LOL!
Lol. Ifeanyi, stop it. I have changed this year. I will not break people’s hearts with long drama π
We are Pregnant!!!!! We are happy to be finally
Cyrus Junior, Player mode activated. Go out and have a blast. I always had this notion that Lily was a very innocent girl, turns out she is a monster like the rest of her family. interested only in the money, but why was she now crying like egbere.
That Painting in Christie’s office sounds fascinating.
Leticia, please come out of this mumu phase, I hope Dapo doesn’t have a secret sha
Lol. Let’s hope for happy endings π
This Episodeis so relaxing , so happy for Toni, just worried about how Leticia will take the whole pregnancy thing now.God bless you Sally, you are so gifted
Let’s pray Leticia take it well. I can’t imagine how she’ll feel
woooooow, thanks Sally
You’re welcome
God bless you Sally.thanks for this episode
Bless you for reading
Nice one Toni
You can say that again
You can say that again
I’m just here thinking of a good hashtag for Andre and Toni ?
Will #Tondre suffice?
Haha! #Fabton nko?
Finally Toni is pregnant! I hope she doesn’t change her mind and run away
I hope so too
Beautiful as usual… Thank God there was no disaster, I was scared accident will happy when toni asked Andre to stop…more ink to your pen.
Bless you, Simplygold
As usual, your writing is impeccable and unrivaled. Well done Sally, may your light never go dim!
Amen. Thank you
Oh my! This is so long and I love.
I miss salma, Malik and Raji and Folarin too.
Thanks Sally for remembering us.
And thank you for being here always
#team ladecruz# winks
Lol. Already?
So happy for Toni n her Frenchman
We all are π
Wow! This episode is lovely…i finally caught up with the series. Happy for Toni, hope she doesn’t develop cold feet along the way sha. I guess a new door of love is opening for Lade now in the name of Cruz. Thanks Sally and happy new year to you and yours.
Thank you, Toyenlon. *kisses
See life! Tish pele, no b curse dey worry you, some might say na nemesis, but i believe its not time or the issue is from DP.
Congrats Tondre.
I like how Cyrus J asked which one when Christy said your father….i bet we said that “which one in unison”lmao.
Well done Sal.
Lol. While i was writing that part, I also asked the same question
Toni and Andre finally getting some more glue in their bond. I hope this will make them stick with one another and quit their drama.
I like how CJ and his mom engaged one another really. It’s always bliss when kids and their parents can talk ‘no holds barred’. It’s a blessing for those of us who had that growing up.
Leticia would do well to just calm down jare. That’s how people will be giving themselves unnecessary wahala. She should enjoy the ‘result-less’ knacks while waiting for the one that will ‘plant the seed’.
Thank you for this gift that you regularly give Moskedites. May this talent open doors unto you and bring the required results.
Blessings
It really is a blessing to have that relationship, Seye. I missed out on that while growing up. But right now, my mom and I are great friends
Ha….. now I can sleep well knowing Toni and Andre will be together.
Sally please give Tish a child please.
I’ll see what I can do, Ejiro
Thank you Sally for satisfying my curiosity at least Andre has Toni all to himself now, it’s amazing how Isabella is getting to fall for Cruz. well done Sal.
Thank you, Princess π
OMG! I feel like I need a boyfriend right now. This piece seems to make love and all that it comes with so simple?. I love! I love! I love! Thanks Sally?
Thank you, Tolu. May you get that amazing boyfriend you search for
Well done Sal and a Happy New Year to you!!!
If I start commending you ehhn.. you are so creative and your brain works amazingly! May your ink never run dry and may you have a truly fulfilling year!
Anyways, I just like the way you find interesting pictures to match the story like the last one in today;s story! Lol!
Thanks for making me smile with this. Bless you!
All love in this episode. I really feel for Leticia and understand what she is going through. I suspect however Dapo is the problem. I was scared of an accident too when Tones insisted on going home that night.
Thank you Sally. You never fail to wow us
Na God, dear. Thank you
Why do I keep having this feeling that the baby is for Imade Harrison..I just hope am wrong o. Amazing read always ma’am. Thanks a bunch God bless you
I hope you’re intuition is not right o
God bless you too dear
Love how you make this story so beautiful. Thanks Sally.