Chapter 9

The next day at work was the hardest.

Everyone stared at me with disgust.

Infact, I heard all sort of murmuring and side talks about me.

Yet, I concentrated on my work and didnt mind them.

On the day's lunch break, I walked outside to call Chika.

It was her daughter's birthday.

'When will you pay us a visit' Chika chipped in just after I had sang a birthday song for Ada.

'Soon' I said, but deep down, I know I would never step my feet at her house.

'Do you know that Emma and his fiancee has broken up'? she asked.

I wonder how she had expected me to know.

'Really'? I asked.

'Yes oh' The girl got pregnant for someone else and wanted to pinned it on Emma. she answered.

'I just felt sorry for the poor guy' she said.

'Me too' 'He will be alright' I said. then we laughed and ended the call.

As I turned to return back to work, Someone collided into me, It was a girl.

A beautiful girl.

'I am sorry' she said in the most sweetest voice I have ever heard.

'It is fine' I said.

'You work here'? she asked looking at my uniform.

'Yes' I answered.

'Please come in, I will attend to you' I added.

As we walked to the Front desk office, I could smell her fragance, this lady is so sophisticated. I thought.

She had come to make a reservation for the end of March'

'My boyfriend is coming from Italy' she smiled at me trying to make a conversation.

'I want us to stay here for the one week he would be around' she added.

'Wow, that is lovely, He will like it here' I said in admiration.

'Thank you' 'My name is Faith' she said, put your number here, let's be friends.

'My name is Lisa' I said taking the phone from her.

As I typed my number on her phone, I smiled when I saw it was Iphone 16 promax. This lady is probably my age mate and she is living the good life.

'I will call you' she smiled and left.

Later that evening, I got a call and it was from Faith.

We exchanged pleasantries.

She said she admired my braids, and I had a beautiful smile.

I told her how elegant and sophisticated she was and she giggled.

'Will you be free on sunday'? she asked, I want you to come over to my place, I am planning a 'girls day' with my friends. she added.

'Yes' I will come. I said.

She sounded so happy as I said that and with that we said goodnight.

'That sunday' was Sandra baby's naming ceremony.

I attended with a little excitement, I was not entirely happy to be in the same space with families and relatives.

'Na you remain o' an aunt said to me.

'She go soon turn old layer' another one said and they laughed.

As I greeted my dad and his wife, I took a chair and sat beside them.

'How are you?' my father's wife asked me.

She has been the only one who never questioned my single life maybe because she too was unlucky and had married my father in her early 40's.

'Fine mummy' I answered.

'What is fine about being unmarried at 29years'? my dad cut in.

I didnt responded neither did his wife said anything.

My twin brothers and their wives soon joined us.

Paul, Peter and Susan. attended college of education, did 4 years courses and all graduated before me, their lives was magnificent, after their graduation they got good job offers from their school and they all married within my service year.

Paul and Peter's wives were pregnant too.

The whole ceremony was least enjoyable.

Everyone that came had something ill to say to me.

When I notice everyone was busy including my mum who had pestered me all through.

I sneaked out and went to Faith's house.

It didnt took me long to locate her house.

As I knocked on her gate ,I could hear laughter from inside.

Faith came out and ushered me in.

There was 4 ladies sitted around the huge living room and they all glanced at me.

'Ladies, say Hi to Lisa' She works at Emerald Hotel. Faith said and beckoned on me to sit.

In unison, they all said Hi.

I smiled and greeted them.

Faith dished a plate of fried rice and chicken for us.

we ate and gisted.

'Maybe Lisa and her man should join us for our upcoming couples retreat, one of her friends said.

'Ehn, I choked on my food and quickly drank water

'I was thinking so too' Faith said.

As I contemplated on telling them I was single to stupor or just agreeing on anything they said.

Faith touched me, It will be really nice if you and your man join us, Kathy's is married, Clara just got engaged, Amara wedding is next month and Juliet is married too. You already know I have a boyfriend, he is coming month ended, she said.

'He is coming to do a surprise engagement for our baby' Juliet exclaimed and they all laughed.

I smiled too. But I wanted to just disappear from their midst, this is torture.

'What about you?' Clara asked me directly and the rest of them became quiet with a stern look to hear my response.

'Hmm, Hmm, Yes, Hmm, I have a boyfriend too' I lied.

'Your boyfriend should act fast oh, they said, being a 26years old woman, you should be pressuring him for marriage before you clock 27 oh. Kathy advised.

'Me, 26years'? do I look that young? I asked and they all said 'yes'

'How old are you?' Faith asked me

'29' I answered looking at her eyes.

'You are the oldest here' Kathy cut in.

That stament broke me. They didnt stress the age or relationship issue, They talked about different things and I made little contrubution to the conversation.

Till I got home that day, I was so heartbroken.

I hated my life.

I hate the choices I made.

I regretted my past.

Frank was ready to marry me.

Femi could have married me.

Emma was planning to marry me.

My whole life is a mess.

A mess I caused upon myself.