FARIDA
PART 50
The holiday came to an end. Wale’s leave was exhausted. He had to go back. He wanted to extend but he knew he had to lead by example. He promised Farida he will be there for the birth of her babies and he intended to keep that promise.
The night before he was to leave, they discussed the future for the first time. Although Farida had reservation, she opened up herself to dream. Wale talked about his plans to cut away from the family business if they meddle in his personal matter again. He asked Farida to consider remaining in London and do her research and analysis job or get a job as a Compensation and Benefits Manager after the children arrive. He felt Farida had more potential in London than back home which she also agreed to. At least until the tide settles. She would only come back to Nigeria if offered a mouthwatering job. Wale would visit every month.
The lawyer had filed for a divorce, immediately Sam received the application, he replied saying he was not willing for the marriage to end and wanted mediation between them. Why would he want to hold Farida down? Wale said it was a temporary setback. As long as she had the bigamy card to play, she was safe. Mediation couldn’t take place between Farida and Sam because Farida was in London while Sam was in Nigeria. Farida refused to come back to Nigeria to pursue the case. She asked her lawyer to take care of it.
They talked until very late at night. They were at a bridge and were strategising on how to cross it. Farida had given up on her marriage and swore never to go back. Wale had made his intentions clearly known again; it was Farida or nobody. Wale was convinced they were both on the same page. If nothing else this trip was the glue they needed to bond their relationship
Farida gently laid her head on Wale’s shoulder and said, “I will miss you. This place won’t be the same without you. I will go back to my boring life”
“We will both go back to our boring lives. At least you have Monica; I have no one. Hopefully, you will be all mine soon”
“All those girls with big hips and boobs will be there for you now”
“After Tomiwa’s issue, I have cut ties with them. Since we have agreed to be together, I will wait for you to have the babies then we will take it from there”
“You have been good to me. I don’t know why I couldn’t see and feel you clearly when I met you. Why did I have to rigmarole before finally settling with you? I still can’t believe I feel this strongly about you. What I feel for you is not just love but a bond. I feel confident when I am around you. You allow me be me and don’t impose what you want or expect from me. You allow me make mistakes and then learn from them. You make it easy to trust you and your decisions. I don’t know why but I hang unto every word you say. Don’t stay away too long, I miss you already”
Wale was so touched by her words that he turned, pulled her to himself and then k!ssed her. The k!ss got deeper within seconds because there were obvious sparks which were waiting for this explosion. Both of them were enveloped in deep passion and didn’t hear the door open or anyone come in.
Monica came back with Hugh. The environment they entered into was charged. Monica was scared they would do ‘it’ tonight. She wouldn’t have minded but she knew Farida, she would hate herself afterwards and then avoid Wale. She cleared her throat loudly and said “There are children in the apartment”. It jolted them back to reality.
Farida hid her face in Wale’s chest. She felt ashamed. Wale himself was all smiles. Hugh said hello and dragged Monica to excuse them as he left.
“I love you. Always remember I love you. No matter what happens, no matter the storm, no matter the attacks, no matter what we face, know that you can never do wrong where I am and I will always have your back. Even if you decide to go back to Sam, I will wait for you and still love you then. This is what I have done all these years and I will keep doing it”
Tears dropped from Farida’s eyes as she said to Wale, “I love you and I promise today I will never go back to Sam. I won’t love anyone else except our children. I am ready to weather the storm with you. I am prepared to face the attacks. I don’t care about anything anymore; all I want is to be with you. I wish this past month was my life story. You encourage be to be a better person. You remind of who I am; a pace setter. Unlike Sam, you do not care about me being in the spotlight. I know the world might be against our love but it conquers all. I will never give up on it. I will never give you up”
Wale knew there and then he had his love. He was set to be with her for the rest of their lives. They hugged until they heard the entrance door close before they went to the bed. Wale couldn’t sleep as Farida laid on his chest releasing gentle snores. He believed everything she said. He was going to fulfil all his promises to her. But he was still scared of opposition to their love. He suspected it won’t be easy but if they stand together, they can conquer.
They were all at the airport to see Wale off. Farida eyes were swollen from crying so much. She wouldn’t let Wale out of her reach. Even Monica was shocked at her open display of affection. She didn’t seem to care anymore. As Wale was about to leave, she held onto him in an embrace. People stared at them. Wale didn’t care but he knew they had to be careful so people don’t recognize them and go back with information. As he was leaving, he hugged Monica and thanked her for everything. Then he looked at his Farida and kissed her on the mouth passionately and then hugged her and he whispered to her, “Take care of yourself. I will be back soon. I love you always” then he k!ssed her forehead. Farida began to cry again which broke his heart. Monica took over and asked him to go.
Wale knew he had to be back soon. He planned on coming back for Christmas and the new year and then wait until the babies are delivered. He had given Monica money to start shopping for the babies as Farida never brought it up. She had refused to know the s*x of the babies too. He had bought enough baby clothes until they are nine months which will be delivered after he had left. He also bought the cot and other items the ladies in shop suggested. Tomiwa was having a daughter so he shopped for the baby too and had it sent to his mother in Nigeria. Since his mother would be travelling with Tomiwa for the delivery, she had to know what was available and what they needed to buy when they get there.
Monica held on to weepy Farida. She kept warning her it wasn’t good for her health and the health of the babies. The drive back home had her sobbing until her phone rang. It was Wale.
“I have boarded. We will take off soon”
“Ok”
“Are you still crying? I’ll be back sooner than you think”
“I will wait for you”
“I know you will. I love you”
“I love you too”
Monica listened to Farida talk on the phone. Many things had changed since Wale came around. Farida had blossomed and was more confident in herself. Monica remembered when the reverse was the case. Wale had told her how Farida changed his life and mindset. Now he was the one giving her back her life. She was happy for both of them. Her fear was the challenges ahead. Sam will never give up without a fight. Farida’s stubbornness was back so it will be a struggle. She was in love with this new Farida; Miss goodygoody was out the door. She knows if she had not stopped them last night, they would have had s*x. Farida baby bump was large. She knew Wale wouldn’t have minded. But it was better it was done right. The divorce had to be finalised before they could consummate the relationship. It was her opinion. But also, Sam would be an obstacle if he discovers the babies belong to him. She knew Sam well. He will not want to let Farida go. Maybe if he sees she has moved on, then he would let her be.
Wale had avoided calls from family when he was away. It was only his father and work calls he took. His mother called a good number of times but he didn’t answer her calls. He was still furious with for conniving with Tomiwa against him. When he landed Nigeria, his phone rang and it was his mother. He refused to pick it but it was persistent. He then picked up.
“You are back? Oluwa e se. Dat girl did not tie you dere. Aa! My son, why are you doing dis to me? You didn’t even tell you are travelling. It is Tomiwa dat told me. Why are you following a married woman around? Why are you r0mancing a married woman in public?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw the video. You were k!ssing someone else’s wife. It is an abomination”
“What did you see? Where did you see it?”
“I will send it to you now”
Wale waited anxiously until he saw the video. Who could have made this video and circulated? It was a private moment. He knew this video was going to raise a lot of dust. He was tempted to send it to Farida to prepare her but he decided against it. It didn’t matter much to him; he was just worried about Farida.
Sam saw the video. He was hysterical when he saw. He couldn’t believe it was his Farida that behaved so recklessly. She was hugging and kissing a guy in the view of everyone. The video spoilt his day. He called his lawyer about it. The lawyer told him the video would be useful if he was the one filing for or in agreement of the divorce. Since he wanted to get back together with her, he should not bring it up. Sam was tired of hearing all these. He wanted to see Farida and confront her with this evidence. The guy she was with looked familiar. He had seen him somewhere. He decided to spend Christmas in London to investigate himself.
Monica watched the video too but refused to show it to Farida. She didn’t need the tension it would bring. She should have shown Farida because Sam sent the video to Iya Farida and asked her if this was how she raised her daughter.
Iya Farida called Farida and was frantic on the phone. Farida didn’t tell her Wale was around because she knew she wouldn’t approve of him staying with her. Her mother was furious with her.
“Where did you throw all your values? Is it the pregnancy that is making act so senselessly? How can you be hugging and kissing a man who isn’t your husband in public? You are making people insult me because of your behavior”
“Maami, I am sorry if my conduct put you in bad light. I don’t think you owe any one an explanation; send them to me. I am not giving up Wale maami. He is sacrificing so much to be with me too. I love you maami but I will not trade my happiness and peace of mind for anything. Sam is my past; Wale is my future”
“Farida, I asked you to stay back and get a second degree not to be frolicking with another man while pregnant for your husband. Don’t you know you will be unable to bear the babies if you have sex with another while pregnant for another?”
“That’s your beliefs in Nigeria not here. Over here we don’t believe in superstition. I am with Wale and I am not ashamed of my actions. Sam dealt me a heavy blow which I can never forgive”
“Farida, think of your children. What will happen to them? Their father is alive and well. Are you the first woman her husband married a second wife because she couldn’t have babies? Some take that information to the grave. You are a Muslim and you know your husband can marry more than one wife. Why are you fussing? Stay in London with your children away from Sam’s wife and children but allow your children reap the benefits of having an influential father like Sam”
“I don’t love Sam. I will not stay in a loveless marriage. I have filed for a divorce. Whether he grants it or not is none of my business”
“Does he know he is the father of the babies in your womb?”
“He doesn’t need to know”
“He does Farida. You chose Sam even when we all tried to warn you against him. He was your choice. You can’t back out now. Wale was there when you chose Sam. I talked to you about it. Monica did too. Wale was disappointed. Why would you go back to the person you rejected? Why would he even accept you back? It is either he is playing a game with you or he is plain stupid. He has never married and he wants to be married to someone who was married for seven years and is expecting twins. He is deceiving you. He wants to use and dump you”
“Think what you want to think maami but I am not going back on this. Even if he is deceiving me, I prefer his deception to Sam’s. He put a woman in the family way and he confessed it to me immediately we met. What else do I want in a man? He supported me and uplifted me while he was here. I love Wale and nothing anybody will say will change my mind”
“He has a child too out of wedlock. You want to divorce the father of your children. Both of you are dreaming in lust. Very soon he will get tired of having sex with a pregnant woman. He would go outside and satisfy his urge. What happens?”
“As long as he tells me before going, I will not stand in his way. If he comes back, I know he is mine. Maami, Wale will come back; he will always come back. I know Sam put you up to do but I really don’t care how he feels. It’s all about me now”
The Farida talking to Iya Farida wasn’t the same Farida she had known for the past twenty -nine years. When did she stop caring about what people will say? What changed her? She was not bothered about Sam and his family. She wasn’t worried she will be a single mother. She was so assertive that her mother had to ponder. Her perspective now was not for her good. Sam was her husband and father of her children. She didn’t think the children deserved to be raised by another. As long as Sam was not beating, she should endure in the best interest of her kids. She decided Sam had to find out so he takes action. Maami didn’t want to come out straight to Sam, Sam talked too much and might tell Farida she was the one. She decided to see his father instead. He would know what to do.
Sam’s father welcomed Iya Farida to his office where they agreed to meet. She told him she suspects Farida might be pregnant for Sam. She advised him to meet with Farida and have a talk with her. If she denies the pregnancy is Sam’s, he should get a court to subject the children to a DNA test at birth. She told him she was doing this because she believed Farida doesn’t know what she was doing. She also asked for discretion.
Sam’s father understood. He knew why Farida didn’t want Sam anymore. He also knew Sam wasn’t helping matters. Iya Farida’s idea was a good one. Farida was like a daughter to him. He failed her and needed to apologise to her. He wanted her to come home, but there was a mess on ground. Idara was out of control. Sam moved out of the house because of her excesses. She was obsessed with Farida. If he can relocate Idara and her children then Farida can come home and live in peace. Sam had been misbehaving because Farida wasn’t there to caution him. Farida knew how to handle him. He booked a flight for the weekend while he instructed someone to trace her in London.
Sam’s father was surprised to see Monica with Farida in their apartment. He wasn’t aware she was in London. He asked to speak with Farida privately. Monica prepared refreshment and left for Hugh’s apartment.
Farida wasn’t expecting anyone so she wore a clingy dress which outlined her baby bump which was now getting bigger by the day.
“How far gone are you?” Sam’s father asked. The pregnancy, even though not very large in size, looked advanced.
“28 weeks sir”
“When did you come to London? That was about four months ago. You came to London pregnant”
“I found out I was pregnant here”
“I know you Farida, you didn’t take any lovers while you were in Lagos. Tell me, is Sam responsible for this pregnancy?”
“I don’t know yet”
“I won’t tell him, that’s a promise. Is he?”
“Yes sir”
“I believe you. So, what’s your plan?”
“I want to live here with my children”
“Children? Are you having twins like your mother?”
“Yes sir”
“Do you know the sex?”
“I have refused to check. I just know I am having twins. And I want to keep it that way. I was deceived and cheated just because I loved Sam and I couldn’t have children. Any sex I am blessed with is fine by me. Seven years is a long wait”
“I agree with you. Are you still bent on divorcing Sam? He still loves you and would do anything to make up with you. He has moved out and wants to divorce Idara so both of you can go back to the way you were”
“Sam and I are no longer compatible. We do not share the same values and ideologies. He wouldn’t be able to cope with the new me. And by the way, I am involved with someone else and I want to be with him”
“Farida, that is not how it works. Sam messed up, I agree. Yes, I supported him marrying from our place but he should have treated you with love and utmost respect. He should have told you. The deed has been done. He regrets all his action. He wants you back. Come back to his life. He is just loafing around aimless because you are not there to give him direction. You know he takes every word you say seriously. Sam loves you so much but has a strange way of showing it”
“Sir, it is beyond that now. I wish Sam all the best but we can never be together again. I have moved on with my life. I have someone I overlooked for Sam and I won’t make that mistake again”
“Farida, don’t take hasty decisions. Think about it carefully. Sam doesn’t want to give you a divorce. As long as you are with another man, you are committing adultery. Most people won’t take kindly to that. It will affect your reputation. It is not just about Sam but for your own peace of mind”
“I will think about it sir”
“Here is $10,000. I want to arrange my flat here for you to move into before you have the baby, sorry, babies”
“That won’t be necessary sir, we can cope”
“It’s your right. Whether you forgive Sam or not, you are having my grandchildren after seven years of waiting. I want to make sure they are comfortable while away from home”
“Thank you, sir. But my boyfriend will be around when I have the babies”
“Boyfriend? I thought you were joking”
“I am not joking”
“That’s the main reason I will turn down the offer. We will find a bigger place soon”
“You can use it. Farida you have changed”
“It is what your son turned me to”
“I know how pained you are on Sam actions but I want to assure you, he is a different person now”
“Good luck to him”
“Farida, he is still your husband. He is the real one”
“I don’t think so. I’ve moved on. I have forgiven him and started a new life that has no chance for him in it”
Sam’s father was glad he went on this trip. He believed Farida when she said it was Sam’s pregnancy. Now he had to keep to their agreement. Sam had to woo her back. Sam’s problem was his mother and others he was talking to. They give him wrong advice which backfires. Farida didn’t need him. He could see her surviving without Sam. It hurt him but what could he do?
TO BE CONTINUED
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