Aisha
"Talking about your greatest fan." Toni mused as we sat on the couch in the living room after lunch.
I rolled my eyes with a laugh as we leisurely enjoyed our cream cake. The guys were out discussing on the patio.
"And handsome." She added after finishing her bite. "Do you call on a model casting when you're picking them? Because I have no idea how you do your selection." I giggled at her.
"Seems like pregnancy has got your behavior on reset too." I joked. "Now you're acting like Kim."
"C'mon. I'm just happy for you." she beamed. "you're glowing and you look happier and healthier."
"I feel happier and healthier. " I replied with a smile of my own. "Besides, I am to be saying you are glowing not the other way round."
She chuckled. "Yea well maybe we're on the same page but you're hiding it."she said with a sly grin.
I laughed, "not even close."
"But on a more serious note... you two are good together and he is all over you. You can't tell he likes you." She joked and I blushed. "Safe to say he adores you. I'm glad you've finally found someone who looks at you like you're his most prized treasure and most importantly, that makes you happy." She said squeezing my hand.
"Thank you Toni." I said going in for a hug then I felt the baby kick.
"Oh my God! Did you feel that?" She asked, her eyes gleaming in excitement.
"Totally." I replied ecstatic as I placed my hand on her abdomen and listened attentively. Then I felt another kick.
She smiled rubbing her stomach. "Easy baby. I know you're elated to see your aunt but she isn't Mary either." She said and we both laughed. "I guess the baby can't wait to meet you. Would you be her god-mother?"
I sighed. "Toni you know I can't..."
"Yea yea, religion I guess." I smiled softly at her. "Was worth a try. I had rather it was you than Kim but I guess I'll have to ask her after all."
"I'm sorry. It's really an honor and I wish I could but alas, I can't. " I replied regretfully.
"I understand." She said nodding with a smile.
I repositioned myself on the couch as I faced her. "What about your brother's wife or your mom? I'm sure you would find someone else who had be a perfect fit."
"I hope so." she replied stretching her legs onto the coffee table. I took a small throw-pillow and placed it under her feet to make it more comfortable. "Thanks" she said with a smile. "See? I told you everyone is nice with you when you're pregnant. " she said with a cheeky grin and I laughed.
I missed times like this which we could be just us girls. Without having to worry about other things. Funny how adulthood hit us really hard: I was already engaged - soon to be married, while Toni was already married and expecting. Kim on the other hand was not so lucky with her relationship but she was in the UK for an internship where she was expecting to be employed after that. From what she explained, she and Jeremy had some sort of misunderstanding and are now separated. She was vague about the details but I supposed it a tacky subject so I did not push on for any explanation. Compared to now, our problems in college seem so trivial.
"So have you had a chance to speak with her?" I asked referring to Kim
"Not much she's always busy with one or two things. It's hard to catch up with her these days." She replied as she rubbed her belly.
"Yea I know. I can barely get hold of her too. I guess the responsibilities of adulthood will tear us apart some day." I said with a weak smile.
"Even if it does. We'll always find our way back." She cheered giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Yep. Always." I replied.
"Speaking of which .... last we spoke, she made mention of you bumping into him at Katz..." I went rigid. I was hoping she wouldn't open that can of worms. "What did he say?" She asked warily.
"Nothing that mattered." I replied keeping aside my unfinished piece of cake.
"Aisha..."she started tentatively, but I could hear pity in her voice.
"He was trying to apologize and beg me to come back but I told him I've moved on with someone else." I replied not looking at her as I played with the ring on my finger. It's odd how my hand felt different since I took his ring off. I couldn't explain why. I always had it on even at home.
Right after I had left, I fell into major depression. Crying myself to sleep every night, barely eating, my parents were worried. I was really close to loosing my admission for my masters program. I had lost a great amount of weight and my friends feared I had become anorexic. I hardly smiled, I couldn't even function right. I hardly went out of my room or the house less my parents forced me to. I had become withdrawn from the entire world. Many times, I had caught myself looking through our pictures together, or looking at any notification hoping it might be his, or always remembering him when I looked at the ring. At times, I even heard his voice but all of those always ended in tears.
Many of my family members had tried talking me out of my state, even Jacob. They feared the worst with my behavior and I even spoke less than usual.
After some time I couldn't find the ring anymore so I thought I had dropped it off somewhere or lost it. Gradually, I begun to heal from my wounds. But not having the ring around my finger always brought a feeling of lacking something. I had always subconsciously reach out for it or touch my hand or middle finger and feel nothing. Then I decided to move on. So, my feelings changed: from denial, despair to resentment. I couldn't keep lamenting over a man who did not care about me any more right? I had a life to live and dreams to achieve and no-one was going to desuade me.
I gave out anything pertaining to him because the plain sight of it annoyed me. I was even hoping I would never have to find the ring again even though a part of me still sort out for it.
Next I was off to Ghana for my master's. So I had no time to dally around. With school I hardly had breathing space but I always went back for the Holidays. That's when I met Christian. I was out with my sisters at a restaurant when I bumped into him while walking to the bathroom. I wasn't quite sure about the person because the last we saw each other was after high school and we didn't end pretty well, hence loosing contact with each other. We immediately took on from there. He told me he had been in the US too for quite some time. Strange how we were in the same country yet never crossed paths nor had any idea. In-between calls and texts I don't really know when but we had picked on again from where we left. It was pretty though getting back together though. There were still a few things I held against him from when I was leaving for college. We had a bit or an argument before I left: mainly him wanting to stay back to prove that i love him. I think he feared i may fall out of love for him. That was the last time we ever spoke to each other again till i came back.
To be honest I was very reluctant about us meeting but we did and it ended great. He apologized for that time but I didn't hold it against him. Not anymore anyway. He proposed giving it another try but I refused. Not especially after Michael was still fresh on my mind. But he was so persistent and earnest that u gave in. I won't lie that it was hard at times because I had the bad tendency of slipping and calling him Michael. Thankfully I worked that out. At my graduation, he proposed to me when I came back home. Safe to say I wasn't really prepared for it. I was beyond shocked but however, agreed to being his bride.
Our traditional wedding was to be in October but unfortunately, he had to pick up this really important job he got here so it was postponed. Shortly after, I was hired by Sagittarius & Sons. So, here we are.
"Are you ok?" She asked furtively.
"Of course I am. Why won't I be? I have a better man who was ready to put through a lot for me. Who appreciates my efforts. Who just like you said adores me. Who complements me. So what more can I wish for?" I asked looking away.
"You sure you're cool? Because your speech still hold resentment. Like you're trying to prove to yourself that you're ok." she said.
"Can we not talk about him please?" I pleaded, referring to Michael, "we just got reunited with so much that went on in our absences. So please, can we not bother about my encounter with someone I wish to have no connection with?"
"Ok. But you'll have to face your demons sooner or later." She said
"Yea well not that demon in particular." I said with a grimace.
"Whatever you say." She said rolling her eyes.