sounds of running footsteps were soon heard and uncle Dapo dashed out followed by Ade.
Where have you been? what happened to you? are you hurt badly? I was so worried... she badgered me with questions.
Dami I think we should allow her inside first before you start with all the questions.
Yes that's true
she finally let go of me while Ade took hold of my left hand and led me inside.
I sat down on the couch. it felt good to be back home again.
uncle Dapo got me a glass of water while aunty Damilola stared at me impatiently.
I took a deep breath and told them everything that had happened.
They both stared at me and then at themselves wordlessly.
thank God you are alright... that's the most important thing... uncle Dapo concluded.
why don't you go bath and rest I'll make your favorite Jollof spaghetti with chicken tenders and fish.
I opened my mouth to protest but I didn't want to take this away from her so I said nothing.
I went upstairs to do as I was instructed.
The next few days I was treated like an egg. I wasn't allowed to do a thing, compelled to take my medicines and lay in bed all day.
luckily Davies and Sarah came by to keep me company.
after two weeks everything went back to normal and I started school again.
life went on as usual, routines and schedules back online.
one Friday after my uncle and aunt got back from the hospital from Ade's monthly check up, a knock was heard on the door.
I jumped off my bed eagerly, Sarah and I were supposed to have a study session in an hours time, maybe she decided to come early.
I opened the door in one swing and froze. lo and behold it was Mr Matthew.
good afternoon sir, my ingrained manners took effect immediately.
Shewa how have you been? he asked smiling like he won a jackpot.
I've been good.
Are your aunt and uncle home?I want to see them.
yes sir, is there any problem sir? I asked.
no not at all, he smiled. anyway I got you this as a present.
I opened my mouth to protest but he interrupted me. I won't take no for an answer, he warned.
I took a deep breath and collected it gingerly, it was a Louis Vuitton shopping bag. what could it be?
can I come in? he asked
of course sir, make yourself at home, I'll call them now.
he came in and sat down on the nearest couch to the door.
I brought a bottle of chilled water with a glass on a tray for him and went to call my aunt and uncle.
They came down almost immediately. I excused myself immediately, they would send for me if I was needed.
so Mr Matthew to what do we owe this pleasure? uncle Dapo asked.
he cleared his throat and began, as you may all know, I was the one who helped get Shewa to a hospital some time ago. During that time some tests were conducted and shocking discoveries were made.a blood test was carried out because donations were needed, the blood test showed a 99.9% blood match, we found that very strange since we were both strangers so the doctor advised we run a DNA test. when the results came out, there was a 99.9% match.
which could only imply that Shewa is your daughter.. aunty Damilola interrupted.
yes, he smiled as he brought out the paper containing the DNA test, I had it redone just to be sure and it came out the same.
so you must have been the one my sister was seeing, she never introduced you to anyone in the family.
Mr Matthew took a deep breath and began to explain.
Yetunde and I met in our final year of college. it was a case of love at first sight for us and we wanted to get married. I introduced her to my family and she promised to introduce hers to me as soon as we finished school. after our graduation, she went back to Abuja to inform her family while I stayed in Lagos and prepared mine. unknowingly to me, Yetunde had gotten pregnant with my child apparently and she didn't tell me. After a few weeks I tried calling her but she wasn't answering my calls. I sent her a message telling her that if she didn't respond to my calls and messages then I would come down to Abuja and look for her. she eventually called me and told me she was fine but that she wanted to put an end to our relationship, I was very surprised because I loved her and her me, everything was moving on fine, what caused the sudden change of mind?. she told me her family had chosen a husband for her already, her childhood hearthrob and she was going to marry him.
I pleaded with her but she refused and cut off all communication with me. my late mother encouraged me to go down to Abuja to look for her and I did so but I didn't find her. after about a month of searching, I found out my mother was ill so I had to hurry back to Lagos. since then I hadn't seen or heard from her. I got married about 2 years back, no child yet.... he ended sadly and brought out an old picture of Yetunde and himself and handed it to them. now life has given me a chance to reconnect with my love and her family and I didn't want to loose it again.
I am really sorry about your loss and everything you went through but the decision is left to Shewa not us so we will talk to her and get back to you.
no problem at all, I will be expecting your call. I got Shewa a little gift, I hope you don't mind, I've given it to her already.
not at all, it's no problem.
alright then, I should be on my way now. here's my card with my address and number... I'll be looking forward to hearing from you... Mr Matthew stood up to go.
alright then Mr Matthew.
please call me Richard.
good bye Richard
bye
aunty Damilola shut the door behind him. imagine after all this years fate brought Shewa's father straight to our door steps.
the tough issue now is convincing her.. Dapo concluded.