I resumed work the next day with that feeling of accomplishment. My meeting with Ada the previous day was like a double-edged sword. It was healing to Ada on one hand, while on the other hand, a stark revelation of the high moral decadence prevalent amongst the youths in my church.
I resolved after that meeting to befriend as many young people in my church as possible. That way, they can confide in me on issues which they would probably be afraid to tell their parents.
“Dabira, guess who is coming to town this weekend?” Anna buzzed into my ears the moment I returned to the staff room after the close of work.
“Your prince charming, of course,” I teased her.
“No,” she shook her head vehemently. “One more try?”
“Look, Anna, I’m not in a guessing mood,” I acknowledged as I gathered my lesson notes into my bag.
“You won’t believe that my ex is finally coming home after seven years of fruitless toiling in America!”
“Wow, that’s unbelievable! How did you find out?”
“Who else, if not his lousy baby sister on Instagram…”
“Aunty Dabira!” Nkoli intruded.
“Nkoli, what is it?” I turned in her direction. “Why are you intruding?’
“I’m sorry, Aunty Dabira,” she said, feeling remorseful. “My mummy says she would call you…”
My heart sank, and with it caved in the rest of the details from Nkoli.
“Aunty Dabira, you’re not listening to me,” she shook my arm.
“Okay, yes, you said your mother would call me…go on, I’m listening,” I urged her.
“Has she called you?” Nkoli continued with an anxious look.
“No,” I replied and turned towards Anna, who seemed clueless about what was going on.
“I hope there is no problem, Nkoli?’ I returned my attention to the girl.
“I don’t know, it’s just that my mum behaves funny sometimes…” she hesitated.
“Bye, Aunty Dabira,” she waved and turned to leave.
“Come back here, Nkoli! Is anything the matter?”
“Nothing…aunty Dabira, please, I have to go. My driver is waiting for me.”
As I watched Nkoli dash out of the staff room, I felt like going after her, but Anna’s presence restrained me.
“Dabira, what’s with this insecure expression on your face?’ Anna, held my arms. “Is it something I should know?”
I felt a pang of guilt before Anna. She was more than a colleague to me. Ever since Bimbo and her family relocated to their personal home at Mowe, Anna had become my confidante. Ironically, I had never mentioned my encounter with Chief Mbadiwe to her. But that afternoon, I told Anna everything she ought to know about the Chief and his budding interest in me.
“To cut a long story short, after that first meeting, I ran into him last week at the mall…”I paused, gazing at Anna, who was keenly following my story.
“Chief Mbadiwe held me passionately as though we were a couple and then, someone who knew him, saw us and assumed I was his mistress…”
“Are you his mistress? The expression on Anna’s face had a blend of friendliness and severity.
“I’m not, Anna. You know I can’t date a married man.”
“Dabira, without any iota of doubt, I believe you are saying the truth, but I don’t understand why you are behaving so jittery? If Chief Mbadiwe’s wife wants to call you, then let her go ahead; calls are meant to be answered.”
“You’re saying all these because you’re not in my shoes,” I muttered.
“Grow up Dabira, and stop acting like a baby!” Anna pulled me along as we both left the staff room.
**********************************************
Anna’s encouraging words strengthened me. There is absolutely nothing to be worried about.
I had barely finished watching a soap opera when my phone rang.
It must be from Anna I surmised as she still had some gist to tell me about her ex…but oh, it was not her number!
“Hello,” I picked up the call. “Good evening. Please, who is this?”
“My name is Justina, Nkoli’s mother.”
My heart began to tick like the clock.
“I saw your picture on my husband’s phone…” Justina continued.
The ticking of my heart graduated into the sound of the talking drum. My God, what is Chief Mbadiwe’s wife up to?
“Hello…are you there?” the caller continued.
My lips remained sealed.
