Nanny lulu was tired. She was also happy, Tamie
had brought a girl home. He never did, but this one was different, she could
tell.
She wanted him to be happy. She also looked
forward to a child one day. She picked up the album. It was old and worn but it
was one of her dearest possession. She opened it and gazed at the picture of
baby Paula. She was three months when the picture was taken.
Her eyes moved to that of Tamie, then Paula
again. If only her Paula were alive, if only...
************************************
Emeka was in love with Ella and his happiness was
that Ella shared his feelings as well.
He never knew love could be so sweet. He was
going to marry her, he'd already decided and nobody, not even his mother, could
stop him.
When Julie came home in a few weeks time, he
would tell her so she could talk to their mother. He was supposed to pick up
Ella. They were going for a picnic. His mind flashed back to the confrontation
he'd had with his mother two weeks ago. She'd sent for him. Mystified at the
order, he'd postponed an early morning appointment with a friend of his who had
wanted some medical equipments supplied to answer his mothers summon.
When he got to the house, she was already
dressed and ready to go to the office. He presumed his dad, an early riser, had
already left.
"Sit down Emeka," she ordered,
buttering a toast and sipping coffee from her china teacup as if she had all
the time in the world. He watched her for some time, getting impatient with her
nonchalant attitude and the disruption of his early, morning schedule.
"Mum you wanted to see me," he broke the silence.
"Yes my dear" she replied, wiping her
lips with a napkin and flashing him a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I want you to stop seeing that slut. .. "
"Mother!" He cried, springing up, a
look of anger and dismay on his face.
She gave him an irritated stare. "Yes, I
want you to stop seeing her. Emeka, she is an orphan which invariably means she
could have being born by any of these prostitutes. These Bini girls!" She
hissed.
"Mum you're wrong, you don't even know this
girl, and she is so loving, so sweet. .. " "Hey! spare me!" She
cut in, her hand raised.
"That is utter rubbish. What do you know
about her? Where is she from? What about her family? For all you know, she
could be a two timing gold digger!"
"That's enough mum," he cried. "I
will not stand here and watch you insult Ella. You know absolutely nothing
about her, yet you sit on your high horse and judge her. I'm disappointed and
you make me feel ashamed!"
He hissed, stood up, making for the door.
"How dare you? How dare you insult me because of that girl!" she
screamed. "Let me tell you little boy, you know nothing yet. You better
get rid of that slut. I don't want her in my house, understood?" she screamed
at his retreating back.
The incident had taken place two weeks ago and
he'd avoided going to the house despite the many times his dad had invited him
whenever they met at the hospital. He was depending on his sister to help fix
things up. His plan was to marry Ella in the next eight months with or without
his mum's consent.
He parked his car, her room door was flung open.
She came running and they ended up in embrace with him raining kisses all over
her face.
"I spoke to Julie today. She's coming in two
weeks time." She told him as they both walked to her room. "Yes, she
called me and told me as well," he replied.
"Emeka, I'm so happy now that I'm in my
final year, she says she can help me sell some of my painting in London."
"But I thought you wanted an
exhibition?" he asked.
"Of course, I do sweetheart," she
gushed. "Its just that I can't resist the temptation of trying the British
market and seeing how they will accept my painting, after all, I'm an
unknown."
He shrugged and lay back on the bed. He'd wanted
her to move in with him. Their relationship was now about five years old but
she had repeatedly turned down his request. Luckily,
he'd been
able to pay for a self-contained apartment for her. Lying on the bed, he
watched her work on a painting. Suddenly; he was gripped by something he
couldn't understand. Then he realized what it was. He was scared, he was scared
of losing her because he really loved her.
"Hey, this place is too quiet baby, let tune
on the radio." Ella turned to stare at him, a smile on her face.
"Okay," she shrugged. He stood up and
went to stand at her back. He nibbled at her ear and neck while she squirmed,
laughing
"Emeka, let me be now. I've got to
paint," she gasped.
"Only if you kiss me;" he insisted.
"Hmmm okay," she leaned forward and gave him a quick
kiss.
"Just that?" he protested, wearing a
pained be look.
"Yes, sweetie, she replied going back to her
painting.
Sighing in defeat, he moved over to the tape and
tuned it to a station. As he moved back to the bed, the announcer announced the
highlights of the news, mentioning a commercial plane crash, somewhere in the
United State.
Hours later, they both left the house; they'd
decided to have diner outside. Half way to their destination, he suddenly
changed his mind.
"Lets go home, Ella. I want to have you all
to myself' "This kin love sef," she said laughing.
He reversed the car and they headed straight
home.
***********************************
Few hours later, they had eaten and lay relaxed
on the living room rug, in front of the TV "You care for anything?"
he asked, getting up and moved over to the kitchen.
"Hmm .... yes dear, you," she whispered
softly. He brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses, not answering her.
"A celebration?" she asked, smiling.
"You could say that sweetheart." He
poured the wine and in a split second, slipped something into her glass and
handed it over to her.
"To us and a beautiful future, honey,"
he whispered as they clicked glasses,
"What’s this ... what?" she asked and
brought out a ring from her glass. "Darling Emeka," she cried,
staring at him with so much love and joy.
Slowly he knelt on one knee and took the ring
from her hand. "Will you marry me? Be my love, the mother of my children,
my soul mate and you'll never regret it" he said.
"Oh Emeka," she murmured, emotions
clogging her voice. She hugged him. "I will .... I will be your wife,
sweetheart." She offered her hand and he slipped the ring unto her finger.
It was a beautiful diamond ring and he'd bought
it three months ago. "I love you so much Ella" "And I love you
too Emeka." She replied.
CHAPTER 5
TO BE CONT.
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