chapter 16
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My heart clenched as I entered the restaurant to see James. One thing I am thankful for is that the restaurant is a cozy one which has a homey and cozy feeling. I entered the well air-conditioned restaurant leaving the scorching sun outside. I sighed in relief as I can entered and used my eyes to search for him, before my eyes caught him sitting by the window side at the far end of the restaurant where there won't be prying eyes, just as I want it.
I walked towards him forcing a smile on my lips. I was almost by his side before he noticed me. There was a small brown envelope on the table after which there is nothing else. I guess he hasn't ordered anything yet. My eyes travelled to meet his smiling face as I sat down and u immediately regret it and felt pity for him. He looked another's ten years older than when I met him in the hospital. I wonder what is it eating him up Soo much that he looks this dejected and distraught.
Hey Fariya, he said cutting me out of my reverie.
Hey, I replied as I looked at his face again before looking down immediately.
What do you want to order? We can do just that before we talk, he said not meeting my eyes fro a reason best known to him.
I will just have Coke, I said shrugging
Alright then, I will just place the order now, he said beckoning to the waiter who took our orders.
Soo, how have you been been? He asked after an awkward silence.
I have been doing great, you?
Well I have been moving through each day. How is Maggie? He asked
She's doing great too, it's not as if she is the one who had undergone a bone marrow transplant, I explained, at least I owe him that much for help my daughter and I.
Ohh!! great, he answered distractedly tapping his finger on the table as if in deep thought.
Can you please tell me why you called me here, I asked him getting tired of the chit chat.
Actually, I ..., He started saying before the waiter interrupted us bringing our orders. A Coke for me and Sprite for James with snacks on paper plates. After thanking him, he left leaving the two of us once again.
You were saying..., I urged seeing that he doesn't want to start talking anytime soon.
Yes as I was saying,he started taking sip of his drink and wetting his lips with his tongue. Actually I want to talk to you about Maggie.
What about Maggie? I asked sitting up straighter
Umm, do you remember the day I first saw her that I called Neil's name, he asked me looking at me expectantly.
Yes I do, I answered wondering where this is heading.
Well that day, I ordered for a DNA test to be done between myself and Maggie.
Why would you do such a thing? I asked flabbergasted
Well Neil and I go way back and I was aware that she was pregnant for me to which she denied saying she aborted it. Seeing Maggie there looking just like her and after doing the maths, I realised Maggie's age isn't far from when I discovered Neil was pregnant. That was why, I am sorry I didn't inform you before going ahead with it but I didn't want to say anything until I am sure, he explained
Why were you not with Neil when I met her and what is the result of the test? I asked finding it hard to sink everything in.
Well, I broke up with her after she told me she aborted the child, I just couldn't bring myself to to stay with someone who wouldn't think twice before killing her own child, what chances do I have with that person. And to your second question, it was positive, he said observing my reaction.
How am I sure you are not lying, and why would I just believe you without evidence, I said trying to be reasonable.
Well this is the result, he said handing over the brown envelope to me
I took the brown envelope and pulled out the inner paper, I stared at it for a while but can't understand it. I looked up to James and asked, Can I take this result home?
Yes you can, you can even keep it with you, I have another copy, He said shrugging
Ok, I will take your leave now, I said standing up
Please sit for a while, I want to ask you a question, he asked
What is it?
Can you please tell me where Neil is? I mean Maggie is her daughter, how did she become yours that she calls you mom, he asked slowly as if careful not to say the wrong thing.
I stared outside the window in thought looking at people hurrying back home before it is too late. Mother's urging their wards to walk faster, children crying forcing their parents to stop and lift then in order for them to be able to walk faster, cars blaring their horns at each other, fight for dominance on the road but my mind is far from there. It is on the suffering I encountered just to save myself and Maggie. It is on the pain I always feel anytime I look at Maggie knowing she wouldn't grow up with any of her biological parent. Now that James has said he is her father I am happy but I won't let the fact that, that is what I want blind me from being sure and finding out the truth before accepting his words for the truth.
Fariya!! James yelled a little
tapping my shoulder bringing me back from my reverie.
Sorry, I said. I met Neil when I worked for her and after her death, I took Maggie away from the house when I found out her friends wanted to use Maggie for a call girl when she grows older. That was how she came to recognize me as her mother and what could I do, I started to introduce her as my daughter because I can't start explaining to everyone how I came to meet Maggie. It would be embarrassing for her when people see her in that light and most especially, I don't want her seeing her that way, I said looking up to see a shocked James
You mean to say Neil is dead? He asked
Yes she is,over a year now, I said
I am so sorry you had to go through all that, but those ladies are cruel, how can they wish that upon their friends child. I always told Neil her friends are not to be trusted but she refused to geed my warnings, may her gentle soul rest in peace, he said sadly
Yeah, I would leave now, I said standing up
Wait let me drop you off, it is late already, he said standing up to. He paid the bills and we left together walking towards his car.
Goodnight, I said as I stepped out of his car.
Goodnight to you too, he replied with a smile.
I waved until he was out of sight before I entered the house.
Mummy!! Maggie yelled running to hug me.
I raised her up and perched her on my hips. How are you my baby boo? I asked her kissing her nose
I am fine mum, see I am a magician,She said waving her fake wand in the air
Ohh I can see that, I said chuckling a bit before walking deeper into the house seeing Ben and Antra in awkward position.
What is this Maggie? I turned to face her with a Stern look on my face
I have frozen them up, she said smiling cheekily
Will you unfreeze them now, I said staring at squarely
Okay, she said waving her wand saying the words from Cinderella. Bibdi babdi bu, she said before Antra and Ben released themselves, I swear they can be big babies when they want to.
Welcome home Fariya, this child of yours can be something else, Ben said chuckling
How was it? Antra asked sitting up right
Well you won't believe me if I tell you, I said shaking my head and sitting down
Tell me please, pretty please, she said wiggling her eyebrows
Maggie will you go to your room for me? I said to Maggie before turning to Antra
He said he is her father, I Said after a while knowing no better way to out it
What!!!!!!!!! Antra exclaimed
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I know this is a bad cliff hanger but bear with me.
Love you all💖💖💖💗💗💗💗💗❤️❤️❤️💓❣️❣️
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