Sometimes when I finish a series I come up with a spinoff just to keep the memories going for a while. I never publish them as ebooks. Just read and enjoy. Tonight, we’ve come to the end of Dear High Mistress. Thank you for being here as always.
Enjoy this episode. Good night.
Biyankavitch comes up tomorrow .
Leticia and Dapo were the first house guests to drop in for Toniβs housewarming get-together. They were at the door at exactly twelve noon. Toni responded to the ringing doorbell with a fussy Jozi in her arms.
βHi guys,β she greeted, face bearing a tired smile. Leticia swept in with a housewarming gift. Dapo had in his hands a crate of wine.
βDP, youβre looking frosh,β Toni complimented, accepting a peck from him.
βSo, me Iβm not frosh abi?β
Toni frowned. βWhen you didnβt come with my mangoes.β
βI didnβt find them.β
They walked to the kitchen.
βWhy is this boy crying sef?β Leticia frowned at Jozi. She tried to touch him but he screamed.
βHe hasnβt seen his mommy.β
βMommy?β
Toni responded to the confused look on Leticiaβs face. βItβs a stuffed toy. Please, donβt ask. Iβve spent the last eternity looking for the thing. The day has not even started and Iβm already tired. Duke jumped from the top of the bunk this morning and sprained his elbow. Ruby has diarrhea after staying up late with Andre and drinking God-knows-what. Iβve been up since five. Please tell me motherhood gets easier.β
βUnfortunately, no.β
βJosiah, abeg go down. I canβt be carrying you like this.β Toni let the boy down and he screams got louder. She lifted him up again.
βYouβre spoiling him.β
βWhat am I supposed to do? Spank him?β
βLike yeah. You know he canβt try this with Andre. Whereβs that one sef?β
βHe went to get chickens. Live chickens.β Toni let out a sigh. βJust because he promised Ruby heβll slaughter them like Mark used to.β
Leticia shook her head in a laugh. βYou guys will be alright. So, how can I help?β
Dapo stood beside her. βYeah, letβs help.β
βJust assist with the curtains in the living room.β
βWhy hasnβt the dΓ©cor company done anything here?β Leticia inquired.
βI discovered Andre paid them without asking me, I got angry and scolded him and asked him to withdraw their service, and here we are.β
βYou see yourself?β Leticia scolded.
βI know. I feel really stupid right now. Sha help me with the curtains, and if you can, the entire dΓ©cor.β
Leticia placed both hands on Toniβs cheeks. βBreathe.β
βI canβt do this,β Toni let out in frustration.
βItβs just a day. By evening weβll all be gone and youβll be restingβ¦β
βNo. The kids, daily stress, living with a manβ¦ I canβt do it. I am not domestic. Iβm losing my mind here, Tish.β
βNo, youβre not. One stressful day cannot spoil your entire life. So, breathe.β
βIβ¦β
βArinola, breathe.β
Toni inhaled.
βGood. Now, let it out slowly.β
She exhaled.
βGood girl. Keep doing that all through the day, okay?β
βOkay.β
βNow, take that bawling brat upstairs or Aunty Leticia will spank him.β
βStop it, heβs not a brat.β
Toni carted Jozi away as his wails increased, almost drowning the sound of the ringing bell.
Leticia hurried to the door. She opened it, welcoming Lade and Vera.
βHi superstar.β She gave Lade a warm hug and did the same with Vera. βHow are you ladies doing?β
βGood.β
βWhere can I put this?β Lade asked about a basket of pastries she had brought along. Leticia pointed towards the kitchen.
βI heard the house needs some decoration. Can I help?β
βDonβt worry about it. Itβs nothing major.β
The doorbell went off again. Leticia dashed for the door and let Khanyi in.
βKhanyisile Musawenkosi!β
βGood afternoon, Tish.β She went into the house, bearing a fancy foot mat.
βThatβs perfect right there.β Leticia pointed at the floor where she stood. Khanyi dropped the mat at her feet. βSweet.β
βWhereβs Toni?β
βUpstairs. Sheβll be here in a bit. I love your crop top, by the way.β
βOh.β Khanyi blushed. βThank you.β
Leticia put her arm around her waist, guiding her to the kitchen. βI canβt get over your ass.β
The Adedirans arrived next, along with their daughters and a set of expensive china dishes. Pascal and Tochi followed. Raji and Salma arrived last. Salma, with the kids. Raji alone. The house soon became a buzz of activities, with each guest working under Leticiaβs direction to decorate the living room while Toni was asked to take two hours of rest. When she finally found her way downstairs, she felt refreshed and in a better mood, although still bushed. She beamed appreciatively at the sight of her improved living room. Leticiaβs version of the design had turned out better than what she had in mind. She slipped her hand into hers.
βWhat will I do without you?β
βIt better be suicide. I donβt want to think youβll continue living when Iβm no longer in your life.β
Toni rested her head on her shoulder. βYou know what Iβve come to learn since I got serious with Andre?β
βWhat?β
βThat I actually need people. That I canβt do everything alone.β
βI always told you. Want to know what me I learned?β
βWhat?β
βDapo is addicted to my nipples.β
βEww! Thatβs my brother.β
βYesterday, he slept with one in his mouth.β
Toni pushed her away. βI just canβt with you.β She started in the direction of the kitchen where Christie was making a phone call. At that moment, Daisy burst into the house.
βYβello! Weβre here!β
She had shown up with her clan. The boys in matching outfits and her daughter, wearing something similar to what she had on.
βFuck me sideways,β Toni muttered.
βHi everyone!β Daisy greeted with a wide smile. In her usual fashion, her outfit showed more skin than was considered decent.
βYou invited her?β Leticia asked Toni.
βNo.β
βBitches! I am here o!β
βBitches?β Christie who had just put her phone down and taken out roast chicken from the oven, stopped to ogle Daisy.
βIgnore,β Toni whispered to her.
βOya, boys, go and play outside, let Mommy and Kayin hang with the ladies,β Daisy instructed her kids and then waltzed towards Toni. βAs nobody thought to invite me, I self-invited.β
βDid you self-bring a housewarming gift, at least?β Leticia probed.
βI wanted to but since it was last minute, I couldnβt.β
βHi Daze.β Toni managed a welcoming expression.
βDonβt βhi Dazeβ me. Youβre supposed to be more than a friend, considering we share blood.β She poked Toniβs tummy. βYouβre carrying Kayinsolaβs cousin.β She looked at her baby. βTell her, Kayin. Tell your aunty sheβs not nice to you.β
βIβm sorry I didnβt invite you.β Toni handed Christie a dish for the chicken. βIt skipped my mind.β
βI forgive you and thatβs because your house is to die for. Whereβs Tayo? Has he come?β
βNot yet.β
βLet me use your restroom. I need to change this poo-poo baby.β
Toni gave her directions to the guest bathroom.
βIβll be back. Mmm! That chicken smells so good!β
The ladies held silence until she was gone.
βThereβs always that one person in the family that nobody wants around,β Leticia quipped. Christie laughed.
βIβll kill Tayo. How could he have told her about this and then given her directions?β
βMaybe he casually mentioned it.β
βYeah, while banging her ass. Lade should better not see that baby.β
βWhereβs she sef?β Leticia peeped into the living room.
βSheβs outside. Maybe I should just take the baby to Ruby. She loves babies.β
βGood idea. Or we just say the baby is Dapoβs. Lade would be disappointed, but itβs better than knowing Tayo betrayed her. At least that was the initial plan.β
βLade will still know.β
βSheβll believe us if we lie to her. Itβs better that sheβs mad at Dapo than at Tayo.β
βCan you ladies fill me in?β Christie requested.
βAbi o,β Khanyi looked from one friend to the other. βYouβre just whispering.β
βLong story,β Toni answered.
βLong day ahead.β Christie pulled a chair. βYou better start talking now.β
Leticia tugged up her jeans, wiggling her bum. βLet me do the honors. So you know Lade was married to Tayo, right?β
βYes.β
βSo last year, they got divorced due to irreconcilable differences. I forgot to add that while they were married they had a baby who passed away.β
βLong story short,β Toni cut in. βTayo and Daisy have been fucking and they have a baby that looks exactly like the one he had with Lade. Now, the problem here is that heβs having another baby with Lade via a surrogate.β
βThe pregnant chick in the living room?β Christie asked.
βYeah. Sheβs carrying their baby.β
βAnd Lade doesnβt know that he already has one with Daisy?β
βExactly.β
βWow.β
Khanyi gave an uncomfortable pose as her eyes lifted up to the entrance of the kitchen. Toni and Leticia turned to find Lade glaring at them, aghast.
βTayo is the father of Daisyβs baby?β she asked.
Toni dropped her stare.
βNo,β Leticia replied hastily. βNot Tayo. Dapo. Dapoβs responsible for that child. They had a fling and she got pregnant andβ¦β
But Leticiaβs fib had come in too late as Daisy reappeared with the baby. Lade went stiff, making a slow turn to give the child an intense, concentrated stare that lasted long enough to have Toni going back to her previous mood.
βWhatβs her name?β Ladeβs voice was a harsh whisper to Daisy.
βKayinsola,β Daisy answered. βLook, Ladeβ¦ I didnβt have anything to do with Tayo until you guys broke up.β
Lade looked at Toni. βYou didnβt tell me.β
βIβ¦we just found out recently.β
βAnd still nobody told me and you wanted to lie to me about it.β
βWeβre sorry,β Leticia responded.
βGood afternoon, ladies.β Tayoβs sudden appearance at the backdoor brought on fresh edginess to Toni. She prepared herself for drama, but Leticia put her hand in hers and tugged her.
βLetβs leave them to talk.β
One after the other, the ladies made their exit. In the living room, Toni politely asked Daisy to leave.
βToni, weβre family,β Daisy protested. βMy baby, yours and Ladeβsβ¦ Weβre all connected.β
βAnd thatβs true, but right now, Kayinsola is a sore reminder of a painful past to Lade. You need to leave. The boys can stay. Leticia will bring them to you.β
βPlease, Daze,β Leticia added.
βOkay.β
For the first time, Toni felt bad over asking Daisy to leave her house. She watched her pick her bag and then followed her when she went outside to call her sons.
βYou donβt have to, Daisy.β
βI want to.β
βThe boys are having fun. Leticia will take them home to you later.β
Daisy ignored her and forced her sons away from the other kids and into her car. After they were gone, Toni allowed herself a glass of red wine to uplift her spirit. Tayo and Lade were still in the kitchen, their voices now loud enough for the other guests to hear.
βThis is a disaster,β Toni mumbled, at the same moment Jozi, who had been asleep upstairs, broke into a cry. She ran up to his bedroom and discovered that he had peed on the bed. She tried to placate him, but he kept with his cries. When she made to lift him out of the bed, he pushed her away and began kicking her hands. Toni finally snapped and lost her patience with him. She dragged him out forcefully, held him by the hand and smacked him several times. It wasnβt until she saw terror in his eyes that she realized what she was doing. She took her hands off him as if he had electrocuted her and sat gawking in guilt as he howled.
βYou did the right thing.β Andreβs sudden presence and voice coming from behind her gave her peace.
He walked into the room, gave one look to Jozi and pointed him in the direction of the bathroom. The boy stopped crying instantly and did as he was ordered. Andre stooped before a teary-eyed Toni.
βIβm going to be a bad mother.β
βNo, youβre a good mother, ma chatte. A wonderful one. I was waiting for the day youβll put the fear of God in that boy.β
βI didnβt mean to hit him.β
βYou didnβt do a bad thing, Tone.β
βIβm sorry.β
βShhhβ¦ Just stop stressing, go downstairs and have fun.β
βThe mattressβ¦β
βIβll handle it. Go downstairs.β
βOkay.β Toni rose up. βPlease, donβt smack him again. Heβs just a baby.β
βBaby, my ass.β
Toni made her way to her guests. The caterer had just arrived with the food and with the help of Leticia, served it in dishes.
βLade left,β Leticia announced. βI tried to make her stay but she was very upset.β
Toni refused to let the news disturb her. She spied Tayo in a corner, his head bowed over his phone. She strolled to him.
βI donβt want to hear how terrible I am.β He put his phone away.
βIβm not here to tell you that.β
βLade left.β
βI know. Donβt worry about her. Sheβs fine. Sheβs just mad at you.β Toni sat beside him. βAnd I just want to know how youβre doing these days, work and all.β
βPulling through.β
βThatβs good.β She patted his hand. βAlways take care of yourself.β
βI will. Did I tell you about my trip to Dubai and the import business I want to do on the side?β
βNo, you did not. Tell me.β
Toni sat more comfortably and listened to her brother talk about his business life. When food came, Dapo and Raji joined them. They expanded the discussion to other matters and soon got everyone engaged. The conversations continued long after the food ran out. Andreβs pastor dropped by at sunset to bless the house. Toni hadnβt objected to him coming over, but she hadnβt prepared for a manifestation of his nosy interest in her relationship with Andre. He wanted to know, after the prayers, when she and Andre would make things official.
βWeβre taking things slow,β Andre replied immediately, putting his arm around Toniβs shoulder.
βWell, you better hurry up and do the right thing. Godβs plan for couples is marriage alone. Nothing other than that. So you have to take this thing seriously.β
βThank you, Pastor,β he said dismissively as he guided the man out the door. βIβll see you after church tomorrow.β
Upon his return, Andre came in with Lade and Cruz. She had an apologetic expression when she sauntered towards Toni.
βIβm sorry, Aunty Toni. I needed to cool off.β
βItβs fine, hon.β
βNot like the weather sef allows anyone to cool off.β
Toni smiled. βWho is he?β she inquired, referring to Cruz.
βHis name is Cruz. My boyfriend,β Lade answered shyly.
βI hope you didnβt just materialize him after your fight with Tayo?β
βNo. Weβve had a thing for a while now.β
βWeβll talk about him later. Come and introduce him to everyone.β
The evening wore on quickly. Salma announced first that she was leaving. She took her children along. Folarin and Christie followed. Tochi and Pascal had a match they had to see. Raji stayed back for drinks with Andre and Dapo. Tayo had somehow slipped out, unannounced. Toni had noted how quiet he had become at the arrival of Cruz.
βSo, now that weβre just family, I have something to say,β Leticia announced.
βShe considers me family,β Raji commented, raising a glass to her. She grinned back as the living room came to a hush.
βSo, Dapo Ogunfuwa and I are expecting a baby in seven months.β
Dapo, seated with his back to a wall, took his eyes from his phone which had gotten his attention for most part of the evening, and rested them on her. βSorry, weβre what?β
βPregnant.β
βWe are?β
Leticia nodded.
βThis is not a joke?β
βNo.β
Dapo tried to smile but his eyes moistened, instead. He put a hand over them. Toni got infected by his emotions as well and drew a serviette from a pack to dab at the tears that ran down her cheeks.
βI didnβt mean to make you guys cry,β Leticia said, giggling. βItβs supposed to be a happy thing nau.β
βOf course, Tish,β Andre commented. βCongratulations.β
The felicitations poured in over Leticia and Dapo. He was still dumbstruck. Eventually he let down his hand and moved to where Leticia sat.
βI know we didnβt struggle like most couples, but the struggle wasnβt any less real.β His hands closed in on hers so tenderly. βI watched you starve yourself, cry all night, blame it on your pastβ¦ I had my own moments too, doubting if things would ever work out. You donβt understand how this is the best news ever, Tish. You keep giving me life. I canβt even start to explain how I feel.β
βI know.β
He appeared to have something more to say but he remained silent and left adoring eyes on her.
βHaving witnessed this wonderful moment, I think itβs time to take my leave.β Raji stood up. Andre arose with him. Lade, Cruz and Vera also announced that they were leaving. Andre and Toni walked them to their cars, and after their departure, Toni went back in the house while Andre remained outside to have a word with a nosy neighbor.
The sounds of giggles from the kitchen drew Toni there. Leticia and Dapo were in each otherβs arms, whispering, kissing and laughing in-between. It was too private a moment to interrupt. She dragged weary legs upstairs, checked in on the sleeping children and then finally dropped her weight on her bed. Andre came in a little while.
βDapo and Tish are sleeping over,β he revealed. βI let them have the guestroom.β
βI doubt that they would do much sleeping tonight with the way they were kissing in the kitchen.β
Andre lay on the bed. βHow about us? Any much sleeping tonight?β
Toni tucked a pillow beneath her head. βIf you give me your cutest expression, you might just get laid.β
βCute keh.β
βTry, baby.β
βMy grown ass is not cute.β
βOkay o. Itβs you who doesnβt want mommyβs touch.β
βAre we now going to start having infantile sex because youβre pregnant? I donβt want to hear βwhoβs your mommy?β when my cock is all up in your pussy.β
βYour language is nasty, Frenchie.β
βMe, Iβve told you my own. In short, when is this baby coming out sef?”
The look on Andreβs face put Toni in serious laughter.
βIβm now a clown,β he grumbled in French as he planted a kiss on her breast.
βYouβre just annoying, Fabrice.β
βItβs better than being cute. We have a whole Ghana-must-go dedicated to cute things you bought on impulse.β
βTheyβre for the baby.β
βPink handcuffs and male g-strings are for the baby?β
This time, Toni held her tummy as she laughed. Andre continued to amuse her by expressing his disapproval over cute things in French.
βItβs you that donβt want chatte this night, Fabrice. Me, Iβll just go to bed.β
She pecked his pouty lips thrust out at her in mock anger.
βGoodnight, beau.β
She turned away. She felt his finger poke her arm.
βWhat?β
βHow about this?β
Toni went back to her initial position and found him trying not to smile. She took his arm and placed on her waist, moving closer. βThatβs more like it. In the words of your pastor, letβs take this thing seriously.β
***
It was on the morning of Christie and Folarinβs renewal of marriage vows, while applying her makeup, that Salma came to the conclusion that her kids needed to see a child psychologist. The word βdepressionβ had hung heavy on her from the moment her sister mentioned it casually after Salma complained about the childrenβs collective mood swing.
βChildren suffer depression too. Abi, you donβt know? Just take them out a lot since they are on holidays. It will uplift their spirit and theyβll soon forget.β
βForget Raheem? How?β
Her sister had not had an answer for her. A sad Easter had come and gone. Deejah, Leelah and Fahad had had to watch their brother leave them.
βCanada is only a flight away,β Raji explained for the zillionth time while buttoning Raheemβs shirt that morning. But he could have been speaking to a wall for all the kids cared. Parting with Raheem at the airport had been so heartbreaking that people gave them audience, took videos and shared on social media. Afterwards, Salma and Raji sat morosely in the kitchen, blaming themselves for the drama that had transpired.
βWe shouldnβt have allowed them come to the airport,β Raji whispered. βThe goodbyes could have ended in the house and Comfort and Raheem driven to the airport alone.β
βBut they had begged and cried. Were we to ignore them? Didnβt you see how Raheem was hanging on Fahad as if to life?β
Hours later, Salma found Fahad barfing in the front porch. He had fallen ill, and Leelah too, a day after. Deejah escaped the spate, but sat glumly all day, crying. In Canada, Raheem had a hard time accepting his reality. He became rude to Comfort, threw tantrums and couldnβt keep down anything he ate.
βIf he doesnβt adjust after his first term in school, Iβm bringing him back,β a weepy Comfort told Salma over the phone. βItβs been four days and I canβt cope. This is such a bad idea.β
Salma felt her pain. Everyone had advised her to let the boy stay and visit during the holidays, but Comfort had been adamant and Salma supportive of her decision. She had put herself in her shoes, wondering how she could ever willingly stay away from her own kids. Thus she cheered Comfort on her decision. Now, they shared the same pain.
Fahad and Leelah eventually got better, but their moods did not improve. It was at this point Salma called her sister and complained. The response she got wasnβt what she expected, but the mention of depression stuck with her. She continued to watch them and to do everything to bring them back to norm, but all she tried fell short. Not even the Skype sessions they had with Raheem helped. The moment each call was over, Deejah would burst into tears and drag her siblings back into sadness.
Salma was exhausted and felt conspired against. Last night she walked in on them speaking in hushed tones in the living room, but when she requested to know the topic of their discourse, they each got up and went upstairs. She was certain they were punishing her and Raji for letting Raheem go. The plan was to call Raji for a talk after she returned from the Adediranβs wedding party. She knew he would kick against talking to a child psychologist, and tell her the solution was to simply bring Raheem back home. Nonetheless, she would try. She was on the verge of breaking down.
Continuing with her makeup, Salma tried to force in sunny thoughts about the wedding party. But it was hard, even with the genuine happiness she bore for Folarin and Christie. She figured that the moment she got to the party, the ambience would raise her spirits. She loved Yoruba parties and was certain Folarin would make this one a celebration to remember.
There was a faint knock on her door that made her halt her activity. She knew it was Deejah knocking.
βDeejah?β
The girl peeked in.
βCome in.β
She walked in. βMommy, I canβt find my storybook.β
The child loved to read. She had a collection of storybooks Salma couldnβt keep up with. But there was the one that nobody touched, gifted to her by Raheem on her birthday. Deejah went everywhere with it.
βYou canβt find it?β Salma asked eagerly, pleased that she was needed. The children had largely acted like she did not exist over the past few days. βWhere did you keep it?β
βI kept it under my pillow. I canβt find it. Come and help me. Please.β
Salma didnβt ask any more questions. She took her hand and led her to the bedroom she shared with Leelah. Salma began a vigorous search for the book that lasted a little more than five minutes. But she did not mind. She stopped, however, to fan herself, feeling her makeup go moist. She turned on the air conditioner.
βAre you sure you kept it here and not in the kitchen or Fahadβs room?β
βItβs here.β
βLetβs go and check the kitchen…β
βNo!β Deejah shook her head in a manner that showed she was deeply upset. Salma suspected she wasnβt far from tears.
βOkay, itβs fine. No need to cry. Weβll keep searching.β
Salma continued for longer until Leelah burst in with the said book.
βDee-dee! I saw your book!β
βWhere did you see it?β
βUnder the sofa, in the sitting room. You can tell me thank you.β
Deejah took the book without a smile. βThank you.β
βNo thank you for me?β Salma asked, rising up from the floor where she had been on all fours.
Deejah walked out without a word.
βYou girls can have cookies if you want to!β she said after the girls. βAsk Aunty Sukura to give you some.β
Salma went back to feeling drained. She was somewhat glad that the kids would be off her hands for a few hours. Sukura was Comfortβs maid who had cared for Raheem since he was a baby. She was now part of the family and worked fulltime for Salma, although she didnβt live with them yet. Comfort had let her have her apartment until the rent ran out.
Salma returned to bedroom where she concentrated on getting dressed for the wedding. This took an hour extra, and just when she was about to pick up her purse to leave, she heard Raji outside her door, asking to be let in.
βCome in, Raj.β
He entered the room and halted when his eyes fell on her. The instant expression of adoration that filled his face caused Salma to smile.
βYou like?β she asked.
βYouβre so beautiful, Sal. Iβm actually breathless here.β
Her smile deepened. βThank you. Youβre not doing bad yourself.β
βMerci.β They had on matching attires, in keeping to the aso-ebi of the wedding.
βSo whatβs wrong with your phone?β Raji inquired. βI tried calling.β
βMy phone?β Salma threw her eyes on the bed. βI left itβ¦ Where did I leave it? Why were you calling sef?β
βFahad called me and said your phone was bad and you needed me to come pick you for the wedding.β
βFahad called you and said my phone was bad?β
βYes.β
βAnd you should come and pick me?β
βYeah.β
βFahad?β
βYeah.β Raji began to look confused. βWhatβs going on?β
βMy phone is not bad.β Salma moved towards the bed. βI left it here. You tried calling it?β
βIt was switched off.β
βAre you serious? What is your son up to?β
βIβm guessing you didnβt tell him to call me.β
βNo.β
Raji was amused. He burst into a short laugh.
βYouβre laughing. Didnβt I tell you getting him a phone was a bad idea?β Salma picked a pillow.
βHeβs eight years old. Waitβ¦youβre saying he made the whole thing up?β
βMy phone is not bad and I didnβt need you to come pick me up. And this one that I canβt find the phone, I think he took it. Can you help me call it?β
βMy phone is downstairs with Leelah.β
βRaji, I am seriously tired of these children right now. Iβve had it up to here. We have to do something about their behavior.β
The door made a creak. Salma and Raji turned and watched it slam shut.
βFahad?β Salma went towards it, but stopped moving when she heard the familiar sound of the key turning in its lock. She checked the lock and discovered the key had been taken away.
βFahad?β she called again. She tried the door handle.
βWeβre locked,β she told Raji, stunned.
He began to laugh again.
βIt is not funny. Iβll kill these children.β
βEasy. I think theyβre just playing a prank, which is a good thing considering theyβve been out of sorts recently.β
βWe donβt have time for a prank. We have a wedding to attend.β
βRelax. Sukura is downstairs. We can get her to open the door.β
Raji pulled off his cap and went to the east window that faced the backyard. βSukura!β he called. βFahad?!β
Salma moved to the opposite window that looked out to the entrance of the house. She hissed. βThey just left with the driver to Saidaβs.β
βSaida?β
βYes. I called her the other day and complained about their behavior. She suggested they needed to see a psychologist, but she also asked me to bring them over so they could spend time with them Abdul. I felt this was the best day to take them over. I didnβt know they were going to lock us in before they left.β Salma slouched. βIβm tired.β
βSorry.β Raji went behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
βLeelah is with my phone.β He maintained his amusement. βWhat are they up to?β
It was at that moment Salma saw a piece of paper poking into the room from beneath the door. It was addressed to her and Raji in Fahadβs writing.
βRaj, they left a note.β
Her fingers trembled as she unfolded the paper. Fahadβs jumbled writing was scrawled over the page. Salma read:
Dear mommy and daddy,
We are sorry for lucking you inside your roomβ¦β
βHe spelled locking as lucking. Like good luck,β Salma commented.
βContinue.β
βPlease dont punish us. we just want you to stop fighting. daddy please come back. we dont like your house.we miss you like we miss Rahim. we dont want you to go to canada so stay inside and talk to mommy in a nice way.say your sorry too so that mommy will allow you come back home. two of you are in the nutty room.aunty Suku put food and water for you in the closet. dont be angry with us.we love you.
From us”
Raji chuckled.
βIs this for real?β Salma felt annoyance while Raji saw the humor in it.
βItβs ingenious. I never knew my kids were this brilliant.β
βDid you put them to it?β
βNo. Iβm just as much a character in this game as you are.β
βThis is ridiculous. Iβll flog the nonsense out of all of them, especially Fahβd. And nobody will stop me.β
βPlease, donβt.β
βCan you imagine the nonsense?β She tossed the note away. βAnd of all the days the gateman had to go visit his family!β
βCalm down, Sal.β
Raji picked the paper, read the note again and smiled proudly. βI love these kids.β
βOf course you do.β
His face slowly became serious. βWe never really asked them how they felt about the divorce.β
βHm?β Salma was making an attempt to force the door open.
βDonβt. Youβll spoil the handle.β
βWhy did I leave the spare key downstairs?β She hissed.
βWe never asked them how they felt about the divorce. We just told them what was happening and forced them to accept it. We forced the divorce on them without asking to know how they felt.β
βThey cried, remember? Fahad wouldnβt talk to either of us for days?β
βYeah, but they never expressed their hurt. We didnβt give them the chance to. And now, Raheem is gone and they are beginning to get scared that I might leave too. Theyβre having a crisis of trust, Salma. Our children are scared to lose us.β
Rajiβs word sank into Salma painfully. She abandoned the door, took off her gele and slipped out of her shoes. She sat on the dressing stool.
βEverything now makes sense. The mood swings, the illness, the tearsβ¦ They werenβt just missing Raheem.β
βExactly.β
Salma and Raji stayed quiet for a long time, each pondering on the present situation, going deeper into thought as the minutes passed.
βI could jump down the balcony and get downstairs and get us out of here,β Raji spoke up. βI have the spare front door key in my car.β
βJump down the balcony? Are you serious?β
βIn my day, I was a Romeo. I did a lot of jumping from windows. Of course, it was much easier than climbing up.β
Salma shook her head.
βLet me have a look.β He opened the balcony doors and stared downwards. βItβs not far.β
βRaji, please donβt.β
Raji disregarded her warning and hurled himself over the railing.
βRaji?β
He made the jump. Salma dashed to the balcony. She found him leaping around in pain.
βWhat is wrong with you?!β
βIβm not as young as I used to be.β
βThatβs not what I meant!β she screamed back. βDo you want to break your legs?!β
Raji limped to his car, got out the key to the house and unlocked the front door. He managed upstairs with the spare key for Salma and came down again because it was as far as he could move. He collapsed on one of the couches until Salma came to him.
βYouβre a very annoying man, Asepita.β She pulled a stool and sat. She took off the shoe and sock on his left foot.
βYou know this leg has issues and yet you jumped on it like the mad idiot you are. When will you grow up?β
βJust help me reset it like you used to.β
Salma gave the foot a couple of clockwise wiggles and then, in one sharp movement, jerked it downwards. It made a cracking sound and his ankle went back into position.
βThank you.β He dragged her towards him unexpectedly and placed a kiss on her lips. She gave him a painless slap.
βWhat nau?β
βGet up, letβs be going for the wedding, abeg.β
Salma went back upstairs and returned, dressed as she was before. She handed Raji his cap and a fancy walking stick.
βYou still have this?β he asked.
βI still have many things of yours, including your meddlesome children.β
Salma felt some sort of guilt as she recalled Fahadβs letter. She and Raji were palpably disregarding the childrenβs wishes. She wasnβt sure what Rajiβs reasons were. But for her, she feared that if she gave the idea any serious thought during the course of the day, she might find herself committing to Raji. Over the past few weeks, she had been on the verge of needing him. It was scary.
During the drive to the party, Salma played music loudly in the car. Raji knew better than to engage in a conversation with her. He maintained silence on his end until they arrived at the venue for the wedding party, having missed the church part which had lasted only an hour.
Familiar faces, good music, great cocktails and an air of revelry had them forgetting what had transpired earlier. It wasnβt your average wedding party. Folarin went all out to make Christie happy. He had voiced his heart to Raji the weekend before, stating that he was going completely broke after the whole thing was over. When Raji asked why he was doing it, his answer was simply that he wanted to start all over again with Christie.
βAnd I think you should do the same with Salma. For the sake of the kids.β
Raji sat now, stirring his drink as thoughts of the children came back to mind. Folarin and Christie had just been called to the dance floor. The music was old school soul, an Al Green classic that Christie had always loved. Memories of the night Raji spent with her in Amsterdam were brought to mind. Raji recalled how she had been so embarrassed afterwards that she left the hotel to a lounge, and he went looking for her. When he located where she was, he saw her seated alone at a table in a corner, face washed with tears.
βI came here to escape, but someone at the bar seems to want to punish me. The song playing right now is the same that played on the radio on my first date with Folarin.β
Folarinβs name was the last thing Raji wanted to hear, but he obliged her.
βI didnβt even know the song, but he did, and he kept singing it all the way.β She looked at Raji. βWhy did we do what we just did?β
βI donβt know. It justβ¦ It happened, I guess. But sitting here, listening to this song isnβt going to make you feel better. Letβs get back to the hotel.β
Christie remained on her seat as the song played again and again until someone behind the bar got tired of it and switched to something more upbeat.
Watching her and Folarin now, Raji smiled. Her head was resting on his chest, her eyes shut. When she opened them, she looked at Raji and grinned.
βDo you and Salma have your own song?β she had asked him that night as they walked back to the hotel.
βAre we supposed to?β
βNot really. Letβs Stay Together is not even our song. Iβm sure Folarin has forgotten it played on the radio that night. Do you remember that he borrowed your car?β
βYeah.β
βHe took me out on the best date of my life that night.β
Raji realized her eyes had gone wet again. She stopped abruptly. βLetβs not do this again. I canβt hurt Folarin. Itβll kill him if he finds out.β
βHe doesnβt have to.β
βStick with Salma. Be faithful to her. Iβll do the same with Folarin.β
And then she left him standing alone as she hurried back to the hotel.
With all that had transpired between them and everything they both had fittingly suffered for their act of betrayal, Raji felt he had gotten the short end of the stick. But again, he felt it was justified. Folarin had always been a better man than he. A better husband. If fate had tied him to Salma, he would have loved her better than Raji ever would. And it was this person Raji wanted to become. His heart was genuinely interested in doing good, but he feared that he bore an imbecile somewhere within that liked to screw things up. This had been his reason for staying away from Salma lately. He wasnβt sure where the self-doubt was coming from. Maybe it was because Salma gave the impression that she was into Maliq or it was simply because all Raji had done had been met with disappointment. He just didnβt have the push as he used to.
Heaven Sent by Keisha Cole came on and he watched the lovebirds fall into their bubble. Knowing them well, if the DJ didnβt change the genre of music to something upbeat, they would forget that they had an audience. They were so into each other these days, it left everyone around them envious. Raji, inclusive.
βDoes this song spark up any memories?β Salma cut into his thoughts.
βHmm?β He looked at her in distraction; and also with intensity when his eyes and brain agreed that she seemed to have gotten more gorgeous since they walked in.
βThe song? Heaven Sent?β
βUmβ¦ Kendra something.β
βKeisha Cole.β
βYeah. I remember it. 2009, 2010, right? It was the jam then.β
Salma turned away. Raji went back to watching Folarin and Christie. He was so invested in their dance that he didnβt realize Salma had slipped away. It was only when the DJ began to play trending Nigerian songs and Raji was moved to spray the couple with some naira notes did he realize someone else had taken Salmaβs space.
βHi,β the lady smiled.
Raji didnβt respond. He looked around, rising up.
βThe lady that was here, where did she go?β
βWhat lady?β the stranger beside him replied.
Raji picked his walking stick and began searching for Salma. He walked to the table where Andre and Toni were seated. No one had seen her.
βSalma?β Leticia, just joining them from the dance floor, asked. She wiped sweat off her forehead. βI saw her heading out when I was going to dance. She said she was going home.β
βShit. I mean, thanks.β
Raji hurried towards the exit, ignoring Andreβs inquiry about why he was limping. When he got outside and to the parking lot, he realized that his car was gone.
βCome on, Sal.β
He made a 360 turn but saw no sign of her or his car. He headed for the gate where he pleaded with a security guard to find a cab for him. The man disappeared for a bit and came back with a rickety yellow cab. Raji paid him some money. He got into the cab and gave him directions to Salmaβs. When he got to the house, he met it locked. He concluded that she had gone to her supermarket, but he was tired from moving about with his sprained foot, and so he sat at the entrance, shielded from the sun.
Salma didnβt show up until about a couple of hours later.
βYou know youβre selfish, right?β He was angry at her.
βHow?β Salma slammed the door.
βHow?! You left me at the reception, took my car without a word and drove off to your boyfriendβs!β
βAnd why wouldnβt I when you were staring at Christie and wishing you were Folarin!β Salma marched to the front door barefooted, holding her shoes. βYou didnβt even know when our song was playing!β
Raji pulled himself to stand. βWe have a song?β
Salma unlocked the door and got in. She dumped his car key on his palm. βJust go home, Raj.β
He took her hand. βWe have a song?β
She threw her face away from his penetrating gaze.
βI was seriously thinking about us getting together and making the kids happy but you were so into Christie, you didnβt know I was there.β
She snatched her hand away and ran upstairs. Painfully, Raji made his way up. He walked in on her undressing.
βGo home nau.β
βThat thing you said downstairs, that you were considering us getting back together, is it for real?β
Salma sat on the bed. βYes.β
βAnd Maliq?β
βThereβs no Maliq. I had to let him go almost two months ago.β
βWhy?β
βBecause I didnβt want to complicate the lives of the children by giving them a stepfather when their father is still alive. I didnβt want to put Maliq through unnecessary meanness from my family and yours because they would never accept him. I donβt like drama, Raji. Having Comfort and her family in our lives is enough complication. No need to add more.β
Raji slowly let himself down on the dressing stool. βHow did you feel letting go of Maliq?β
Salma took off the gold rings on her fingers. βIt hurt. I really liked him and I wanted something, but at this point in my life, itβs not about what I want.β
βSame here.β
βNot exactly. You had your eyes on Christie.β
βI did, but it wasnβt what you were thinking. I was lost in some place.β
βIn that place where you were smashing her.β
Raji felt no offense over her words. βHeaven Sent is our song, isnβt it?β
Salma hissed at him.
β2008. I first heard the song in April and I thought to myself that Salma had to hear this song. I played it everywhere I went. Every darn place. Folarin teased me a lot. But the song was you, Salma. I was so in love with you I thought my heart would burst. And then the first day we made love, I played it for you. It was magical. Gosh! I didnβt believe you were a virgin until it happened. And I was thinking to myself that Iβve gotten to a place I canβt get back from. It then occurred to me the enormity of you letting me share that moment with you. That was why I promised to never make you cry.β
Salma laid her head on a pillow, eyes on him. βAnd yet you did.β
βIβm tired of saying Iβm sorry, Sal. I want to show you that I mean my words. I want the type of chance Christie got today. A chance to undo everything.β
βAnd all I want is a man who would never hurt me or my kids again.β
βI am that man, Sal.β He moved to the bed. βYou know I am. You know how badly I want to do the right thing. Just let me in one more time.β
Keeping her face away from him, Salma said, βYouβll move in tomorrow. Weβll announce to our families that weβre giving ourselves another try. Weβll spend quality time with the kids. Your work and my business can never be obstacles. By 7 p.m., weβre both home. Weβll also spend a lot of time with each other. But youβll stay in the guestroom until you prove yourself worthy.β
βYes ma.β
βIf I suspect you for cheating on me, we’re done. And I will take the kids and all your money.β
βThat means weβre getting married again?β
βInshaβAllah.β
Raji fell backwards in joy, fists pumping into the air.
βYou do understand what InshaβAllah means, right? Not my will, not yours. But Allahβs.β
βI know.β
βAnd this is after you prove to him that youβre a good Muslim.β
βI get it. No drinkingβ¦β
βIβm not going to take that away from you, Raji. That has to be your personal conviction. All I want is for you to try to be a responsible man from now on, so that you can hold on to something. Something bigger than you that will always remind you to do good.β
βSure.β
She turned and lay on her back, staring down at him. βAre the terms okay with you?β
βPerfect.β
βGood. Now, come up here and show me how seriously you want me to be an Asepita again.β
Raji gave a wicked laugh as he moved up to meet her. Slowly, he took off her underwear and then his clothes. When his lips met hers, Salma gave a long, gratifying moan.
__The End__
Β©Sally@moskedapages
Happy ending kudos to u sally
Thank you, Ola
Oh Sally, I love you!!! This is a beautiful climax. I’m glad for Raji and Salma. Thanks for this beautiful story.
Thank you for reading it
All’s well that ends well
You got that right
Awww, Thank you tonns Sally. Now I can go to bed and have a fine night. I have come to your page like 10 times today. Thank you for always having us spell bound and thank you for your consistency. Blessings!
I’m glad to have you here π
Happy ending for everyone, nice one. Sally, u re da bomb dat blast every story dat u spined into great π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π£.
i’m glad you’re having a blast here
A great follow up. Nice piece of work, nice to know life after d end of a great piece of work. (Fourth finger).
Have a feeling stranger in Lagos will be super dope.
Awwwwnnnn….dont you just love Andrew’s ‘cute face?
Thank you Sally…once again you have blown my mind.
Xoxo
Thanks Sally for the jolly ride. and they all have their happy ending. Great job more inspiration
Sal,thank you so much for this lovely amazing beautiful story. God bless and increase u and ur family
I am so sad to see this one go. It’s been a wonderful story. I can’t believe Raji got back with Salma; I still don’t think he deserves her. Folarin and Christie? That’s a really surprising twist, for them to have a second wedding. I doubt Toni and Fabrice will ever get married. LOL. Sally, the life you bring to your stories? Unmatched.
Where’s my kleenex? I love love.
I’m sooooo happy Salma gave Raji a last chance. He has learnt his lessons for sure.
I was just smiling like a ‘gbef’ all through.
A very very happy ending. Except for Tayo of course.
It was indeed a beautiful read. Thank you Sally. More grace.
This has been one long, beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-mending, emotional…. story. Even after all the pain, everyone was happy at the end. Great story ma’am. May your ink never run dry.
I am really going to miss these guys. Thank you Sally for making my weekends better π
I thoroughly enjoyed reading dear high mistress. Thanks sally
I’m so excited that Salma and Raji got back. I’ll really miss Dear High Mistress, I feel I’m a part of that story. Thank you so much for this Sally. God bless you love ππ
You need to see me here, smiling and crying intermittently. These people have gone through a lot amd I love how they managed to pull through. This is so beautiful Sally. I think it needs to be a book. I cant be coming to the blog everytime to be reminded that love is worth fighting for. π’ππ’π’π’πππ’π’
Thanks Sally. That was awesome.
Wow. Didn’t want the story to end. So glad for Salma and Raji. Love is a beautiful thing. Thank you Sally.
Phew!! Very nice conclusion. Welldone Sally!
Beautiful ending, was wearing a smile all through ,the characters are just so real, will definitely miss them *wears a sad face* thank you Sally πππ
Yaaaaay! Everyone got their happy ending… well, except for tayo and maybe comfort. Sally my smiles haff finish oo. Your works are a blessing sal!. I’ll miss DHM- i had gotten attached to the characters here, as i do with all your writing. You make your characters so real, it’s like they are people one knows in reality. Thanks Sally.
Wow…simply amazing!!! I just kept smiling all through, it has been a wonderful experience so far. I still can’t believe this is the end, I just can’t get enough of the series. Thanks for the happy endings….my best couple was Tish and dapo, of all the relationships theirs felt too real. Thanks for this ma’am may you keep going higher.
This conclusion was the best, thanks sally. Am seriously blushing
Nice ending. I enjoyed every bit of it. More wisdom in Jesus name
Amen. Thank you
Awwwh, finally it comes to an end….happy ending. Hope to see some of the characters again.
Is it possible to make all your write-ups ebooks…..so one can always go back to read them. The sex part are mesmerizing.
May you ink never run dry, amen. How are the kids doing now?
Thank you Sally……xoxo.
My kids are doing well, thanks for asking
I like a bad boy turn good…Raji just became MC…this story is a journey that i hope will still continue. Sal,, you be elele.gbosa!
Thanks, luv
Love every bit of the ending. Thank you so much for this Sally.
Bless you, babe
Thanks Sally for taking me though another adventure and memorie, God bless you
@iam_awilly
Thank you and blessings, Willy
AWESOME!!!
Thank you!
Whoa, Sally, i really lovethe way it ended. God. blues y
Bless you too Datoks
I am BLOWN! Sally, na you ooo, your head dey there!
I can’t comment, I want to ruminate and savour
Thank you Sally
Awww, thank you
AWWW SALLLY.
YOU ARE THE BESTETST
Thank you, Jennifer
Thank you for this beautiful journey Sally.
Thanks even more for giving them all a happy ending. I believe in second chances and I’m glad Christie and Raji got theirs.
Folarin and Salma are characters that epitomize the true love, the efforts required to keep it going and of course that very important phenomenon called forgiveness.
Leticia is one weird character I grew to like.
There’s always someone for someone, Andre and Toni found a way round all their drama.
Amazing story all round, I really love it.
Big ups Sally, thank you so so much for sharing your gift with us.
Blessings all the way
Thank you, Seye
I appreciate it
Thank you Sally for reminding us that Love isn’t totally perfect but it is worth fighting for and holding on to. Raji and Salma, Folarin and Christie are people whose story tells us Love is a decision and it is worth holding on to especially if the person has realised there shortcomings.
I will miss them, especially my favourite people Toni and Andre.
This story is simply summed up in 2 words- Love and Forgiveness. Everyone who had a happy ending had to forgive to get to their happy ending. What a great lesson for us all.
Thank you Sally. God bless the work of your hands Darl.
Bless you, Kemi. You’re always a blessing to me
This comment is the truth.. “Love isnβt totally perfect but it is worth fighting for…” God bless you Sal!
Sally may you always be bless by God…. you are good… and i love you so much…
I love you too, Calli
Thumbs Up Sally!!!
Great Read…Much Love from here
Love you right back
Wow! What a wonderful ending to this series, I love it. God bless you Sally, and give you more inspirations.
Amen, Toyenlon. Thank you
I’m here just grinning from ear to ear! Beautiful ending to a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your gift with us dear Sal! God bless you rea goodl!xx
*real good
I could not have asked for a better ending. Thanks Sal, you rock!
It’s been a long and beautiful ride, thank you sally for sharing your beautiful mind with us, you are blessed. I love you
Love and Forgiveness
Hmm…. Beautiful happy endings for them all
Thanks Sally darling for sharing yhur beautiful minds to us.. Jah bless yhur hands
Thank you Sally. Very beautiful ending. Everyone deserves a second chance
Beautiful piece… thank you Sally… but as Oliver twist that i am… I want more