“Can you
think of any other five-letter words?” Eniola was the one who asked.
I was
assisting her with her homework at the time.
“Errrm..M-U-M-M-Y….” I chuckled and said, "Write it down."
“I haven't
seen anyone in a long time.” she remarked looking upwards
“How
about D-A-D-D-Y, DADDY?” I said
She
grimaced and said, "I don't want to write that."
“Why?”
She
looked down and said, "I don't have a daddy."
I
corrected her, “You do have a daddy.”
She
shrieked, "I don't, I can't see him."
A
customer stepped in at that precise moment.
He said,
"Please, I need a bottle of water."
“All
right, Gerrit from the refrigerator!” I responded without the need to look up
“Good
afternoon, sir!” I overheard her say.
“What
are you doing here, pretty?” he replied.
“Mummy,
have a look at the man who came dangerously close to hitting you.”
I smiled
as I looked up, but... I simply froze. The atmosphere in the room got strained;
What
does he want here? I couldn't breathe. How did he find out I was here?
“Teju?” David
discovered his own voice.
He threw
down the bottle of water he was holding.
What are
you up to? I mean...errr... How did you get here? He inquired, his face
beaming.
The roof
of my mouth clenched around my tongue. He hasn't changed much...still he's the
good guy. I was devastated by a good-looking guy who ruined my life. I gulped
and swallowed hard.
“I…errrm…
Is she your child?” he enquired..
Anger
was coursing through my veins.
“Of
course! 'She's my mum,' Eniola joked,
“Eniola,
be quiet!” I screamed at her, I was furious.
I was
surprised by my scream as well.
Eniola,
shocked.
“How
about you? I shifted my gaze to David.
“Are you
here to buy some water, abi? Now go get your water and leave.” My voice was
getting louder.
He
began, "Teju..." “Please accept my apologies...
“I truly
am...” He made a step towards me.
“Sorry?
“For what purpose?” Surprisingly, my tone of voice was hushed calm.
“I
didn't mean to hurt you...”
He was
cut short by my nasty laughing.
“I'm
sorry, Teju; I'm not sure why you despise me.
“Now you
know how much I despise you, don't you?
With my
hands, I told him to leave my shop.
I was
expecting him to clutch his cheeks or make a funny face. He had a look on his
face, but he didn't seem to mind.
“Please,
Teju, we need to talk...” He made an attempt to take my hands.
“If you
touch me, ehn?” I swear, I'm in a wooza mood.
“You!” I
yelled.
He
squatted, grinned, and turned to Eniola.
“Baby…
“Can you tell me your name?” his tone was hushed cool.
“Eniola
David,” she said softly and tremblingly in her tone of voice.
He
gently rubbed her chin and studied her. He patted her brow with his hands.
“Get
your dirty hands off my daughter!” I retorted as I yanked Eniola away from him.
“Are you
sure she's mine?” Isn't she my baby?” he had a strange expression on his face.
I
clapped my hands and said, "See thief o..."
“You
pretend to love me, but you detest me so much.”
“My
daughter...” he bemoaned.
“She
isn't your daughter!” I let out a shriek.
“Yes,
she is!” Eniola David is her given name.
Do you
know any other Davids besides me?” he exclaimed.
Isn't
that obvious? She... has my face...”
“Get out
of here now!
“I'll do
it, but I'll come back tomorrow to pick it up.”
“My
child,” he said emphasizing the term.
As he
walked out of my store, I kept an eye on him.
I knew I
was in trouble as I turned to look at Eniola.
If he
takes me to court, I'll be in a lot of trouble. I don't think I'll be able to
cope without Eniola.
“Mummy,
don't worry about him, you hear?” Eniola said as he hugged my waist.
My
cheeks were flushed with tears.
Is this
going to be my fate? Do I have to go through this? I'm not sure where I went
wrong. Do I deserve all this?
He said,
"Tomorrow!" I had to act quickly.
He definitely can’t take my daughter away.