MEMORIES the thing about them is the fact that they have a way of fucking (pardon me) up your day or making your day. Sometimes I hate them and sometimes I love them.
I turn on my laptop and quickly connect to my neighbour’s WiFi. God bless his soul, he sure does know when to turn it on. Who doesn’t love free wifi…..looool
I have a skype call…..it’s my baby Uche, I pick it up.
“Aunty Becca!!!” He is shouting as usual. I can’t help but smile
“Uche!!!” I scream in return
He laughs “Uncle Ben’s wife asked to call you today,Today is Dad’s remembrance” he says with a serious voice
I nod….i can feel the rush of emotions, my floodgate is about to open
“Don’t cry Aunt Becca” he says, understanding me as usual “I miss him” he says
“I miss him too” I say..
I can’t believe he is just ten years old, he is so matured.
He is Che’s son and would have probably have been my adopted son….if not for DEATH….Death how cruel!!!! The tears start to flow.
“You still wear it?” Uche says in a husky voice, he is trying to be strong for me i know….my hand has subconciously gone to my engagement chain, I nod
“I know Dad is happy in heaven because i am happy, Uncle Ben is such a good uncle” he says.
Ben is Che’s cousin who got custody of Uche, he relocated with his family and Uche of course four months after Che died. I really miss Uche tho everyday i wish Che and i had gotten married before….i bring my thoughts back.
“How is Ben and Mel?”
“Everybody is fine” he says
“You know Dad can only be fully happy in heaven when you are happy” Uche says
“What do you mean?” I ask
“He will want you to love again” he says…..More silent tears flow…
“I dont think I can Uche” I reply weakly
“Aunty Becca you can…..please do this for me and Dad. I want to have younger ones too” he says grinning
I can’t help but laugh “younger ones indeed”
“Aunt Becca make Che happy” he says….
I am shocked into silence with that statement, is this really a ten year old boy? He has grown up so much, Che will be so proud.
“How is Aunt Eni and Aunt Des and everybody?” He asks
“They all miss you” I reply
“I miss them too, especially Debbie” his eyes twinkle with excitement…I roll my eyes, another “man” in my life entangled in Debbie’s charm
“Becca loves Uche” I say
“Uche loves Becca” he replies. I’m about to end the video call
“Make Che happy” he ends it.
I can’t even bring myself to stand up, I’m so weak. My hand involuntarily goes to my engagement chain, I open the memories gate.
“I will miss you bitches” Nneka as usual with her loud self..
Everyone is looking at her and I can see people speculating and gossiping if she is pregnant or not. I smile at their train of their thoughts, Nneka is perfectly slim and her career in modelling has taken a bigger swing with the activities she has lined up for Paris….her baby bump not stopping her.
“We will miss you too” Eni is saying
“Take care of urself and the baby” Des says
“I sure will, I’m so happy” she shrills
“We know” i reply.
Her flight is called.
“That’s me i gotta run” she says “not literally though” rubbing her tummy, she laughs as usual to her own joke
“Okay bae, kiss Segun for me” I say. Segun is her husband they have been married like forever, gist for another day.
“I sure will” we all come in for a bear hug as usual mama bear.
“Bye” she blows a kiss before turning and starts to walk away.
Eni shakes her head vigorously and i know she is trying to fight tears.
“Let’s go” she finally says
“Yeah” I turn and smile at Des she smiles back. We follow Eni out of the airport.
“My car!!!!!!” Eni is screaming, shouting, wailing, jumping and doing everything at once.
“Calm down” Des says
“Calm!!! See the scratch on my car” Des and I follow her pointing hand and yeah it is a bad scratch but not as bad as exaggerated, I honestly don’t envy who is responsible for this scratch.
“Hello miss” we all turn to the voice
“Yeah?” Eni replies still not taking her eyes off the scratch
“I’m really sorry about that…..it is all my fault. My driver was rushing to drop me so I wouldn’t miss my flight. I would pay for all damages” Des and I share a look as we practically fade to the background this is not our fight and honestly I need drama right now to take my mind off my drama.
“You think sorry solves……” Eni finally takes her eyes off her car and finally looks at the guy.
Why did she stop mid sentence tho? I look at Eni and I could swear I could see her swallow spit
“Why is your face familiar?” She asks him
Hey hey what about your car my mind is shouting at her
“I dunno maybe you have seen me somewhere but then if you have you would definitely remember me” he says wearing a smirk.
You should be apologetic bruh my mind is warning him
“I doubt you would have made an impression” Eni retorts
“I know I would have” he smiles
He has dimples…. Oh shit!!! This is the end.
“About my car ……” Eni starts to say, acting disinterested
Bitch I can see through you
“Yeah about your car” he interrupts, is it only me or did he actually sound like he emphasized on the car.
“Give me your card” he says
“Why should I?” She retorts
He gets under Eni’s skin I’m enjoying this, I sense this will end well for both of them.
“I need to call you to find out how we can fix that” he said pointing at the car while looking at her ass
Hmmmmmm…what exactly are we fixing here Mister
“Oh? I don’t need your help mister” she says
“You don’t, I agree but I insist on offering” he says
She shrugs, opening her purse, she hands him her card
“Goodbye” she says before he could say anything
She gets into the car, Des and i quickly join her
“What was that about?” I quickly ask her
“How to get my car repaired” she replies
Des and I share a look via the mirror.
This is just the beginning.
We just dropped off Des at her place and Eni and I are headed to my studio.
“Has he called?” She asks
We both know who she is talking about
“Nope” I reply
“Don’t worry he will” she says
I shrug. My boyfriend Che has gone AWOL on me for the past one week after he took me to his parent house and his mother walked me out of her house saying in her own words “No son of hers will marry any ngbati ngbati person” I actually do smile at that thought
“Becca your phone is ringing” Eni says
I quickly answer
“Hello”
“Is this Becca?”
“Yes, this is she, who is this?”
“You won’t know, you this cheap slut, sleeping with my boyfriend. Stay away from my man, he is mine”
“Wait, who is this?”
The person hisses and hangs up
“Who was that?” Eni asks
“I honestly don’t know” I repeat what the person said
“She is mad!!!” Eni screams
“We do know this is Che’s mum right?”
“I don’t know and i don’t care” I reply
“Hmmmm” Eni says
“About the site…..” She starts changing the topic.
I’m back home, it has been one long hectic day, fresh out of the shower drying my body, I see the red light blinking on my phone, maybe he has finally called. I pick up the phone and glance through my notifications nothing from him yet.
There is a knock on my door I quickly dry myself, grabbing my night robe I put it on
“Coming” I shout
I open the door to find Uche standing alone at the door.
Uche is Che’s son and his mum, well a story for another day. And everyday I see this boy I wonder how son can be this cute. His mum an Hispanic American is a drug addict and unfit to be his mother that’s why Che has him
“Uche! Did you come alone?” I ask foolishly” I am glancing around, I can’t see his father, my boyfriend. Uche is nine now and well no way Che would have let him come here alone
“Nope Dad’s driver brought me here” he says
“Oh?” I know, I sound disappointed, I thought he was here
“Dad is sick, he needs you” Uche says
“Sick? Che is sick?”
“Yeah” Uche is nodding
“Wait here let me change……Never mind” I grab my keys and I lock the door as Uche and I run hands in hands to the car.
Uche runs through the door and I follow him
“Why is everywhere so dark??
Uche!” I say
Suddenly a light comes on and I jump out of fright
“May I have this dance Amante?”
I turn to see Che with his outstretched hand, him on his knees and the ring in his hand

“I want to hold your hand and dance with you through it all. I want us to take our mistakes and make it into perfection, I want to love you and you me for the rest of our lives, I want you to take my heart Becca and make it yours. This past one week has made me realise how much I need, love and want you in my life” he takes my hand into his holding it…I’m crying….my heart is about to explode “God!!! I love this man” I scream in my mind
“Say something Becca” he says.
I join him on my knees, taking his face into my hand, i kiss him.
“I love you Che”
“Forever??”
“Yeah” I nod.
Using his fingers he wipes my tears.
“I don’t nt want to ever make you cry, your happiness is mine.” He says.
Bringing out a gold chain from his pocket he attaches the ring to it as a pendant as he wears the chain for me.
“Whew!!!!!!” We both turn, Uche is standing at the door. Mischievious child i think.
“Can I join?“he says
“Of course my superman” I say
He runs into the open arm of his dad…..My fiance.
I stretch out my hand and switch off the alarm.
No it can’t be morning yet, I stretch lazily on the bed, the bed still scents like him.
Last night. I smile. Glancing at the clock it is 7am, barely an hour for me to drop Uche at school. Che had to attend an early morning meeting.
Driving Uche to school, he always has stories upon stories to tell, he is such a happy kid and his happiness tends to rub off. To think I will be his mum officially makes me happy….Don’t go jumping the gun Becca I think to myself, remember his mother Uche’s grandmother hates you.
“We are here!!” I say interrupting Uche’s story about his friend who brought his pet (a cat) to school.
“Yaay” he grabs his bag
“Becca loves Uche” I say
“Uche loves Becca” he says
He is getting down from the car when he suddenly turns to look at me
“Grand mum is here” he says warily
Oh shit, I look around and I actually spot her
“This is so not good” I mumble
“You don’t need to come down” Uche says
I sigh Che don’t u keep anything from this boy I ask rhetorically
“No, we need to say hi to Grand mum” I say
“Okay if you say so” he shrugs as he gets out of the car.
Time to face your demons Becca. I come down and Uche walks around taking my hand into his, we walk towards his grand mum, I know he is doing it as a show of solidarity, but I don’t think it helps so much cause as soon as she sets eyes on us, I can literally see smoke coming out of her head. Uche has to release my hand as he hugs her
“Grand mum”
“Uche how have you been?” She asks
“Very well Grandma” he says politely
“I came to see you” she says
“What of your dad?” she glances at me and if looks can kill I will probably be singing halleuyeuah in heaven right now.
“Early meeting” Uche replies
“Okay” She nods
“Grandma can I go now? I am going be late” he says
“Sure you can” she says, she hugs him again and kisses him on his forehead
He turns to me winks and says “Uche and Che loves Becca” he runs off. I can’t help but smile.
I turn my attention back to my future mother-in-law and well my smile fades. Why does she hate me so much?? She barely knows me.
“Good morning ma” I say
“Keep your greetings to yourself, you have bewitched my grandson too with your evil Yoruba jazz, you gold digging blood sucking monster” she spits
I’m stunned into silence, I’m not a confrontational person and yeah I always flee from any exchange of insults.
“You think I can’t see through you, you think I don’t know all these your good behaviour is because of what you want to eat where you didn’t sow but over my dead body, I won’t let you” she spits
This has to be some nollywood movie but I can’t believe “Patience Ozokwor” is going be my mother-in-law for the rest of my life.
She is still talking as I turn around and start to walk away.
“Yes, walk away you evil witch and as you are going, walk away from my son’s life too”
I turn abruptly and start to walk back to her.
“Mama, you don’t know me, so I know I don’t deserve any of the insults you are dishing out this morning. I’m in love with your son, my fiancé Che and there is nothing you do that will ever make me leave him” the expression on her face when I say fiance almost makes me laugh but this isn’t me “hello inner bitch ” I think
“You see that car” she continues, I point at my car parked at the other side
“That’s mine, I bought it, I earned it from hard working, I’m not some gold digging whore, Mama you are Che’s mother and I know he adores you, I’m not fighting for your place in his heart, If you can just forgive me for whatever thing I have done and let’s move on but please don’t insult me again ever” I turn around and “FLOAT” to my car.
“You said all that!!!” Eni is saying over the phone,
I nod like she can see me beaming from ears to ears
“I always knew you had it in you” she says
“That’s what I call polite rude” she continues
I laugh at her expression
“Guess who called?” She says before I can answer she continues
“The guy from the airport, he has sent his driver to come get the car”
“Oh that’s cool, really nice of him”
“Yeah, i guess but honestly Becca that nigga gives me the chills and not in a bad way”
“Hmmm can you remember why is face was familiar”
“Yeah, he is Pharez Omotosho” she says
“Are you kidding me? The Pharez?”
“Yeah, the CEO of the fastest growing Engineering firm, I saw his picture in a magazine and you know me i never forget a face”
“Yeah” I say
“Wow those pictures didn’t do him no good at all” I says
“I know right” she laughs.
My other phone is ringing i glance at the caller Id Che
“Eni can we talk later?” I say
“Hmmmm…..Che” she replies
“I’m so happy for you bae about your engagement” she says
“Thanks boo”
“Bye” she hangs up
I answer his call
“Baby”
“Hey watsup” i say
“Are you okay? I heard what happened at Uche’s school today, I know mum must have created some kinda scene I’m really sorry”
Whoever must have gisted him probably didn’t give him the full story
“No baby, it’s okay, you can’t keep apologizing everytime about mum, don’t worry she will come around” i say
“Errrrrmmm” he sounds unsure
“Becca?” He asks
I laugh “of course this is she” I say
“Where you at?”
“I’m at the site” I reply
“You know all these Lekki wives, the woman insists I’m here everyday to supervise a job i know is in capable hands”
“Lekki wives” he laughs
“You and this expression, but you know you will soon be one”
I smile “Nah i won’t, I’m gonna be your wife, I’m still gonna be Becca”
“Oshey feminist” he says sarcastic
“Go away jooor” i reply jokingly
“I love you Becca forever and always”
“As I do” he hangs up.
“Hey Ola”
“Hey Becca” we have been neighbours for almost two years now and during that time we have grown really close almost best friends, he is such a successful young man and if there was no Che, it would probably have been him.
“I was coming to your place, you look tired whats up?”
“Just coming from the site” he helps me with my bag as i open the door.
My flatmate, my cousin is not around, she has travelled to the States to spend her leave.There is so much to gist her about.
“Thank you” I collect the bag from him as we both enter into the apartment. I walk into the room to drop the bag and change into comfortable clothes, coming back into the sitting room, I find Ola with an already opened bottle of wine, I sigh playfully
“Whoops, I forgot to ask” he teases
“Let me put rice on fire” I say and bring out the stew
“Yeah no p. thanks, just shout my name if you need me” he says
I roll my eyes at him and walk to the kitchen.
My tummy is so full I feel fat, workout tomorrow is gonna be hectic I think. We have the finish the bottle of wine already
“I will do the dishes” Ola says
“Okay” he takes the plate to the kitchen
I take my laptop and I start to work on some pictures, some demanding customers yet pay so little and expect so much
“New chain?” Ola says
I was subconsciously playing with my engagement band around my neck
“Yeah something like that” I answer
“Is that an engagement band?” He asks
I used to think Ola was gay when we first met, knew too much about being a girl, knew jewellery, very grayish behaviour but I guess that’s what happens when you are the only boy and last born of five sisters.
“Yeah” I answer
“He has finally gathered some sense and proposed” Ola says
He walks up to me, lifts me up and spins me
“I’m so happy for you, Becca” he says
I’m laughing as he is too, he is such a sweet guy.
“We should celebrate with more wine” he says as he drops me
“I think we already did” I glance at the empty bottle of white wine
“Well I didn’t know then” he says shrugging
“You aren’t touching another bottle of wine from my fridge”
“Well I have an apartment with a fridge filled with wine, let’s leave here”
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“So I could have my wicked ways with u?” he pretends to be thinking
“Hell yeah” I punch him, he laughs before saying
“Becca, I’m really happy for you”
“Let’s go to your place” I respond
My head is pounding. Yeah that’s what happens when you drink three bottles of white wine and watch movies too late.
How did I get here tho? I was at Ola’s apartment the last time I remembered. Ola
I’m still wearing my comfortable clothes of yesterday, I grab aspirin and down it with a bottle of water by my bedstand, grabbing my phone, I see a missed call from Ola I call him back, he picks on the second ring
“How is the head?” He says
“Pounding!”
He laughs, “As it ought to be“.
“Where are you?” I ask
“Office” he replies
“Weren’t we together till 3am yesterday? ” I glance at the clock it is just 7am
“Yeah we sure were” I hear the voice of his secretary in the background
“Let me call you later Becca” he says
“No problem”
I hang up, I dial out again, I haven’t spoken to my mum in days.
“Iya”
“Omo” she replies
“Morning ma’am”
“Morning”
We talk about everything that has been going on at her shop, my younger sister Debbie and her many troubles she is creating as usual.
“Okay ma, bye love you” I end it
I lie down as I fall asleep again.
Someone is knocking on the door or is it my head. I open my eyes
Yeah it is the door.Standing up grudgingly, I walk to open the door
“Where have you been?” Eni says entering into my apartment
“Sleeping” I reply
“Che was worried abt you, he has been calling my phone constantly” she says
“Sorry I had a late night with Ola” I say simply
“I have a lunch date with Pharez” she says
“He has returned the car already? ” I ask
“Yeah, yesterday night, he painted it white” I walk to the window and look at the carpark yeah her white car is parked there glowing in it image
“How did he know?”
“That I can’t answer” she replies
“Let me call Che” I say
I walk to my room, take my phone and true to Eni’s words I have 5missed calls from Che and ten from Eni, I raise my eyebrow
I dial Che, he picks on the first ring
“Baby I’m sorry I had u worried I just had a late night with Ola and have been so hungover been asleep since”
“Oh? No problem then although u had me worried, Eni with you now” he says
The thing about our relationship is the trust that exists between us
“Yeah she is”
“How is Ola by the way?”
“You know him same old same old” I reply
“I’m travelling to Abuja today” he says “might be dere for a week pls can Uche come stay with u for the next one week”
“Do you need to ask?” I say
“I will love to have him over”
“Thanks baby, I will have the driver drop him off after school today”
“No problem”
“I love you forever and always I will call you when I land in Abuja”
“I love you too baby” I hang up.
I walk back to the sitting room to see Eni has changed into a Louis Vuitton black body hugging gown that emphasizes her ass if only she knows that’s what Pharez wants to fix, she will probably be wearing Mary Amaka’s gown she paired it with her Jimmy Choo white sandals that I have plans of stealing.
“You look good” I say
“I know I do” she replies cockily
I roll my eyes.
“Is he coming to pick you or you are driving to meet him”
“I’m to meet him at Golden Gate restaurant but I’m gonna be late as usual”
“What time is your date?”
“12 noon” I glance at the clock it is 12:30
“Yeah I know” she says following my stare “15more minutes”
“Errrrrm no wahala I need to freshen up,I have to go to the site”
“Yeah true, do your thing, I will let you know when I leave”
It is been a whole week and two days since Che travelled and I miss him so much but I have Uche and he has been great company a handful tho but I could do this one week again, again and again cause of him but I miss my man. Eni and Pharez have been on several dates everyday of the week and God knows after every date he gets closer to fixing it
“Cause of Dad you are making that special meal” Uche is sitting on the high chair with me in the kitchen
“Yeah I’m sure he must have arrived in Lagos” I say
“I miss him” he says “not that I don’t love being with you Aunty Becca” he says
I smile at him and ruffle his hair with my free hand
“Your phone is ringing” he says as he hands the phone to me
I answer it
“Hello”
“Miss Becca?”
“Yeah this is she”
“Do you know one Mister Che Evans”
“Yes I do. What’s this about”
“He has been involved in an accident and he is in our hospital”
“Accident?” Uche stops what he is doing and turns to me
I look away and try to concentrate on the phone call
“Which hospital” I say shaking
She rats out an address and the name
“Thank you” I say as I hang up.
My hands are shaking and I am quivering, I’m crying now
“Aunt Becca what’s going on” Uche asks
“Go to the next door Uche, call Ola” he comes down and runs out of the apartment.He is back within seconds with Ola at his heels. I am still standing on the same spots, tears are flowing freely now and I can’t still move
“Becca what’s going on” Ola says wrapping me up in a hug
I shove him away “Che has been involved in an accident” I say
“Dad?” Uche says
I nod at him
“Where is he at?” Ola asks
I rat out the same address to Ola
“Let’s go” he grabs my car key
I bend down and scoop Uche up, he is really big but I don’t feel anything, his eyes are wet with tears and his cheeks are stained
“No, it is not true Aunt Becca” he says
“Sssssh it is gonna be all right” I reply him
As we all leave the apartment.
To be continued………………………
Becca
(photo credit http://www.iamcocoa.com)