The restaurant is bustling with activities as Becca enters. She agreed to see Helen. Her eyes scan the room and she locks eyes with Helen who smiles at her. She walks over and Helen watches her draw the chair and seat.
'How are you Becca?' She asks.
'Fine. Why do you want to see me?.
Helen pauses, thinking of how to starts her words. Becca don't like her and she want to use the opportunity to make her like her.
'It's been seven years and we are still not close yet. I feel we should be closer since we are agemate'. She says and Becca chuckles, wonders.
'Why?'.
'Because I like you'.
Becca scoffs lightly, looking away. She kind of feel good with that words.
'It must have been hard on you Becca'. Helen says and Becca turns immediately, a mix of surprise and anger on her face. 'Niyi told me how Dad decided not to help you because of the lifestyle you chose to lived in school. You disappointed him....'.
'....what are you saying?
Helen stops talking immediately and wonders if her words was bad.
Becca continues 'What do you know about me? Is this the reason why you want to see me? Want to tell me my story and tell me it was wrong on what?'. Becca is furious. Helen is surprise to see her takes the words far. It's just a means of starting conversations and sharing things together her intention was.
'No becca'.
'Do you think you are better than me? You wrote a book and got you an award, making you famous. Does that mean you have everything?'. Becca do not stop talking. Helen keeps quiet, regretting she said those words.
'I'm sorry Becca. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Was just a concern'. She stops there and deliver Niyi's message to her. She asks for her account details so she can forward the cash to her but Becca, fueled by pride refuses the money despite her financial struggles. Deep down, she craves the assistance but stands firm in rejecting it, With determination in her eyes, she sends Helen back with the unaccepted money, assuring them that she will carve her own path to success without their support. Becca rises and leaves.
When she comes out, she grapples with self-blame, realizing the weight of her decision but pride restrains her from turning back.With determined steps, she walks away, resolved to face her challenges independently.
Becca comes out of the restaurant, disappointed her meeting didn't go well with Becca. She walks to her car and get in. She drives away. She drives to a grocery store. She goes in and gets some stuffs and drives home.
In the night, she serves the food for herself and her daughter at the dining. She sit and the two begins to eat.
'I can't remember the last time I ate with dad'. Sarah says. Helen slowly eats when she hears the word, she pauses small.
'Dad is busy. He wants to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with us but he is just so busy. Please don't be mad at dad'. She says to her daughter. Sarah nods. Helen stares at her before she continues to eat.
Niyi is recognized for his busy schedules, his dedication to work paints him as a relentless workaholic. Helen hates it but she can't stop him since he works with his dad. They would always travel together for meetings and that has became a routine, leaving Helen in solitude at home. In her solitude, she discovered solace in writing. A creative outlet born out of her boredom. She struggles to express her dissatisfaction to Niyi, pretending that all is well, she conceal her unhappiness. Niyi is oblivious to her emotional struggles except for the one not satisfying her on bed.
Becca sits on the bed in her bedroom, waiting for Niyi, it's almost 11 and she is angry as she thinks of her marriage with Niyi. Not quite long, Niyi enters. She doesn't look at her immediately, creating a brief silence. Niyi walks closer to her, he knows she is still angry about the last night, he could sense the tension in the room. Helen turns to him.
'Try and be coming home early, your daughter miss you. She asks of you everyday because she doesn't get to see you often'. She says and stand up, climb on the bed and lie down. Niyi stands small before taking small steps then drop his briefcase and sit on the bed.
'I'm leaving Nigeria on Friday with dad'. He announce. Helen stares, a small surprise on her face. 'We are going to South Africa for a business trips for a month'.
This time, Helen sit up, looking at him. 'South Africa? This Friday? A month business trip?'. She scoffs lightly, holding back tears.
'I'm sorry about last night. I didn't do well again'. He apologize. Helen looks at him.
'Not just that'.
Niyi looks at her, curious 'What else?'.
'I should tell you this. I am tired of acting like it's okay when it's not'. Niyi looks surprise to hear that. 'When was the last time we went out maybe for dinner date or just for fun? When was the last time we had dinner or breakfast in this house? When did you create a time for me and Sarah? When was the last time we had a good sex on bed?' She asks all these questions and Niyi couldn't answer any but looks away slowly. He thinks of it and he knows he hasn't been a good husband to her due to his work.
Helen continues 'You are always busy. Busy to pay attention to us and your sister. She thought you intentionally ignored her but had no idea how busy you are'. Helen's frustration pours out. 'We have wanted to go to the hospital to see the Doctor so we can know what's wrong with you but you are too busy to take care of yourself. You don't last one or two minutes before you ejaculates'. Niyi bows his head silently.
'You need to let your father knows this. He should give you sometime to spend with your family. We can't just being like this. I hate it. Sarah needs you, and I need you too especially on bed'. She says and begins to cry softly. Niyi keeps his head bowed. Helen lies back on the bed, sobbing. Niyi lifts his head and looks at Helen, the weight of her words sinking in.
On the day of Niyi departure, his belongings in the car, ready to joins his father at the airport. Before he leaves, he assures Helen that he will mend things when he is back. Helen believes him but she wants him to stay but she has no choice than to wait for his return, hopeful that their relationship will be set right. As the car carry him away, Helen with a melancholic gaze, waves him goodbye, knowing that all she can do is to wait for his return and the promise of a brighter future.