Florence looked at her wristwatch. It was 6.30p.m. Thank God she was home. She had this ominous feeling all day. She hoped everyone at home was fine; her mother, father, brothers and sisters. She decided she would call them that night. In any case, it had been two weeks since they called. She hoped that Uncle Dave and Dapo were okay. Her world would crumble if anything happened to any of her loved ones. Well, she and Dapo would go and visit Uncle later; just to be sure he was alright.
At the entrance to the flat, she paused for some seconds before bringing out her bunch of keys from her handbag. It was as if she dreaded even going in. As she tried the door, she noticed the door was not locked.
That was strange! Inside, the second surprise came when she found the door to Dapo’s room ajar. Dapo would never leave the door open. He had this phobia for roaches and rats, which he said are attracted by open doors. Then… she heard voices. She quickened her steps towards the room. It was as if some blind force was driving her. She pushed the door wide open. There, she found them, two nude figures, lying side by side, in a relaxed manner. Dapo sat up with a jolt. Shocked beyond words, she just turned and headed back to the living room. Rubbing her forehead, she noticed she was sweating. She tried hard to hold back her tears, but she could feel them coming. And gradually, they came streaming down as she gave in to the hurt she felt inside. How could this be happening? What was all this?
After how many years?
They started their affair while still in secondary school. Dapo was to join his older brother in Ghana for his University education. She had also secretly applied to prevent being separate from him. On gaining admission, she eloped with him to Ghana. Luckily Uncle Dave, mom’s cousin, accepted her story of running away from home because she wanted to live with him in Ghana. He had called her parents back home and apologised on her behalf, and they had forgiven her, knowing she was safe.
They both finished school, with good results, and with Uncle Dave’s help secured good jobs. Soon after, they started planning their marriage, nothing stopping them, anyway. Or so Florence thought. They had sent word home of their intention to get married with their families present. So, it had to be in Nigeria. Preparations were in full gear.
Then all this!!! That morning, exactly twelve days to their wedding, Dapo had called her on the phone to ask her to come over to his place in the evening. He mumbled some story about the designer bringing their outfits and insisted she had to come that evening.
As she sat thinking through everything, the woman came out of the bedroom. Florence noticed that the only item of clothing she had on was a wrapper tied around her chest. It seemed as though Florence had been sitting there for a whole day. The tears were still streaming down her face, smudging her make-up.
Dapo came out shortly after. Her eyes followed him as he walked to the dining table, and sat down backing her. The other woman still stood, uncertain. As if remotely controlled, Florence said, “Could you please excuse me, Dapo”. Dapo looked at the other woman and jerked his head towards the room, She got the message and left.
“What’s going on?”
“How? What do you mean?”
“Look Dapo, don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I want to know what’s going on. Who is she? The least you can do is explain all this, and not ask me to come for?”
Dapo was obviously very uncomfortable about everything. I didn’t want you to find out this way. You see, it a long story, Florence. It happened a while ago. That lady is Philomena and she’s carrying my baby.”
To be continued next week.
By Lekan Adewole
First published in the now rested Celebrations magazine.