How long was she going to cover up? Would she continue to live in deceit? If he got to know, would he still accept her? These and other questions flooded Mariam’s mind. She quickly wore her wig, applied some powder on her face, straightened her dress, and stole a last glance at her face, and headed downstairs. Straight into the arms of her lover, he was happy to see her. If only he knew that there was more beneath the smile and ‘packaging’.
The weekend was a memorable one. She spent it with him. Just the two of them. She wished she had been a little more open but she kept postponing. He would eventually find out, that was her excuse. But was it better he found out or she told him straight up? He seemed so far from reality. Like he was in another world, she didn’t want to spoil the fun. Time, they say flies when you are having fun. The sun went down with so much anxiety and the darkness crept in eagerly. Being the gentleman that he was, he had to drop her home safe and sound. Besides he had promised her parents to bring her before the curfew they proposed.
It was the shortest journey that evening. They had chatted all the way like two teenage lovers. Even the popular Lagos traffic bowed to them that day. She wished they were held up in traffic so that they would at least have more time. Instead, the road was free. She was home again. They exchanged goodbyes, hugged and that was it.
Her mother was already by the gate, waiting to get the gist. She stood there and stared at her daughter quizzically and asked: “How did it go?’
She tried to be naughty and sealed her lips. Smiling she told her mum she had ‘mad’ fun. Trust mothers, she knew her daughter too well to know something was amiss. ‘Did you tell him?’ Her mother asked. She knew what her mother was talking about. Shaking her head, she knew she had flopped.
Alone in her room, she removed her wig. Then it became obvious, the source of her pain. The bald-headed lady starring at her in the mirror was different from the one who went out on a wonderful date.