CHAPTER FIVE

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“Thank you for making out time to be here, I’m Ruth,” An elegant looking woman, dressed in a Navy blue, off-shouldered maxi dress, stripped with gold lines on the burst that matches the gold studs earrings revealed under her long box braids and the gold bracelet on her left wrist, introduces as she welcome me into her sitting room, pointing to the couch for me to sit “I was thrilled when my friend called me to inform me about your coming,” she sit comfortably facing me “before then, I was frustrated.”

Mrs. Adebanjo had filled me in a little on the personality and need of her friend, Ruth. And while Mrs Adebanjo is away on a trip with her family, I'm really in need of a substitute job so, it's imperative I make a good impression here today.

“I had trouble getting a good babysitter so I called my friend who recommended you to me.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through the trouble.” I say, smiling

“Thank you again Eno.”

“You’re welcome.” I reply.

“I have a company dinner to attend next week Friday with my husband and I am hoping that you can watch my kids while we are out,” She request. From the look on her face, I can tell that the dinner is a very important one.

I nod and starts to say “I’ll—“ But I'm distracted by the engine of a car driving in. I watch Ruth glance through the window to see whose car it is.

“My husband is back please, give me a minute.” She say politely then exit the sitting room to go welcome her husband.

I take my time to admire the painted white parlor adorned with polished brown furniture. The oval shaped center table in front of me is a detailed piece of art made with shiny brown glass with flower design on it, which stands on a light brown, furry center rug. The living room is too large, that it has two separate chair arrangements. The first, which I'm seated in, has a magnificent milk and coffee brown coloured, 7 seaters sofa Facing a novel TV stand with polished brown wall unit. On one end of the stand, I can see a white flowers vase holding a bouquet of flowers and on the other end, a small picture frame of the lovely couple, which I paid little attention to.

The second chair arrangements is having a black love-seat sofa set close to the wall, two black arm chair and an abstract coffee table at the middle. I also notice the beautiful crystal chandelier hanging at the center of the living room and white floating shelves with different colors of artificial flowers on them which leads to the dining area. Wow, so this is what being rich feels like. If I put price on everything i see in this room, the estimation I'll get will be enough to settle ten generations.

My eyes survey in awe then, it found a family photo hanging on the wall in front of where I'm seated, I observe it is an enlarge family photo. I easily can spot Ruth, her husband sitting while their four children, a girl and three boys, stands behind their parents, smiling beautifully. The girl looks very much older than my daughter and the boy beside her looks seventeen. But the other two boys are still very young.

I smile admiring the beautiful family, that’s when it dawn on me. Instantly, I jump up, shocked, taking another close look at the family photo.

Gaping fixedly at it when I hear the front door whacking open then Ruth voice echoes in my astound mind “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” She apologize.

I turn around to see her and there he is, standing before me was my confirmation from the photo I studied.

I feel my heart throbbing fast, my feet turning numb and my eyes, wide enough to contain his image.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” I wonder as the room turns smaller and smaller, suffocating me in it.

“Eno, meet my husband.” She introduces

I can hear me screaming in my head but my mouth opens up saying nothing. Tears forms in my eyes.

I gaze at confuse Ruth “So this is the family you abandoned me? ” I blurt, tears blurring my vision and escaping down my cheeks.

“What?” Ruth sound, even more perplexed. Looking at her husband, then at me “You two know each other?”

All those years from the village, the pain, the stigma, the wait. Everything came flooding my head, breaking me into smaller pieces. Ubong, the man that took my pride and left me with the price to pay alone. Feeding me with false hope and dream crowned with fake love. That man who after promising me forever, abandoned me to suffer alone in the village and ran to the city to build his perfect family in a perfect house. And now, before my eyes is that man, Ubong.

Ubong stands speechless, staring at me in bewilderment.

I hope and pray every day never to run into Ubong, this is the Universe’s way of telling me that is inevitable.

“I’m sorry Ruth, I can’t work for you.” I utter in my now shaking voice. Picking my purse on the couch, I add “I’m truly sorry, I’ll call Mrs. Adebanjo and apologize.” before leaving the room hastily.

I can hear them arguing from inside but what do I care? All I can think about now is getting out of here.

I stand at the end of the street, heavy. Fighting back the tears was the most difficult part. All the memories I had of Ubong, all the pain I went through, it is all coming back to me.

My chest ache so much I can barely breathe. I am scared of myself right now; I hurt so much I’m scared of what I might do.

I take out my phone and dial Omoh’s number. I know I shouldn’t bother her right now but I did.

“Babe,” I called the moment she picked

“Hey, what ’sup?” she asks in her cheerful tone, a tone I definitely ignored.

“Please, where are you?” I ask instead.

“I’m on my way home. Are you home?”

“Not yet” I reply, trying hard to sound alright but failed.

“Are you sure you are ok?” She suspects quickly.

“We’ll talk when I get home.” I say, ending the call. If you ask me, I think I am a bit relieved that I won’t be alone at home. With my state of mind, I can't predict what I might do next.