" I'm sorry, for that- I mean not telling you about my marriage issues, and her mind was made up, so, you there's nothing you could've done, even if I told you ".
" But, didn't she consider Sophie?. Her only child, and what people would say ?".
I scoffed. Alicia was a very shameless woman, whom could go through any length to get what she wanted.
" Alicia even cheated on me, on the night we got divorced ".
" What?- cheated ?. Was she this bad?".
" You never know her. Pretending to be the ever lovely, the delicate flower and the perfect wife, but she's a wolf in sheep's clothing ".
" And you passed through hell, all for her, all for her sake, just to get betrayal in return?. She …".
" Jude, it's fine. Fine, she wanted freedom, so I gave her the freedom that she craved for, just left with my daughter and I, in this wicked world ".
" But you have me, and mother and father- have they visited?".
" They did. Last week to be precise, they said that they could only accept me, on one condition ".
" Seriously?. Why the conditions applied?".
" Father wants me to take her to the Sophie to an orphanage home".
" Jesus Lord!. That's to say abandon her there?. Why would Father and mother be so cruel. Sophie's their blood for crying out loud!".
I leaned back on the wall to the balcony, shaking my head in pain and despair. Jude was sitting on a wooden chair.
" They claimed that since Alicia had her, she was going to turn out to be a whore too".
" God!. This is outrageous. Never heard of it before- so if you don't?".
I shrugged my shoulders, telling him what was to come. " I will continue to live my life In penury. That's the condition, I was given to ".
" So, father's this wicked ?".
" You never knew?. As wicked as the devil himself . A male jezebeel".
" And mother?".
" Sadly, she's also a play thing , to be played with ".
" So, what are you going to do ".
My mind brought me back to the fact , that I haven't even offered him, anything ".
" Sorry, i have not offered you anything. So, what will you like to have?".
" I'm not a guest here, so…".
" I insist, pardon my manners, let's go inside ".
He took my hand in his and went inside, first to the room, and met Sophie sleeping on the sofa.
" Your child's such a lovely one… . I just wish that …".
" Jude dear, it's okay. I'm fine and would still be fine, so, what do you love to eat"?.
He cleared his throat and looked at me, with a smiling face, with his curly hair all ruffled to his left forehead, with a hint of mischief in his eyes and innocency , I knew he wanted to do something, I might not approve of.
" So, before that … . Do you accept my relationship with Jarred?. I need your approval on this first, and I wasn't rushing into marriage, if I got your consent, first of all".
" I need to see him, and when I do, I just want to make sure that my baby brother's in good hands. Yes, I don't like the word " gay". Nor do I love them, but still, I can make a little compromise for you ".
" Really?. You support me?".
" Supporter of whosoever that supports me".
" Check mate ". We both laughed.
" So, what are you gonna do?".
" Wanna make a little stuffs for you … . Come on we own a baking business, so basically, it's our thing".
" Mhn. I see, this is little brother of mine, wants to claim the word" Baker".
" Why not?. Or don't you believe me?". He came closer to my face, his breath fanning my face.
" Save this flirtatious tone of yours, for your future partner, or husband, I should say". I said jokingly, pushing him away.
We both laughed again. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed this much, or found a good reason to laugh.
" So, the kitchen is mine right?".
" It's yours…".
" Hope, you are fully stocked up , cos, i don't like going for shopping. I'm a lazy , on that ".
"All there. Eggs, butter, cheese, milk, sugar, flour… I need to take Sophie to school, she's running late.
" You go take care of her, while I go make something sumptuous for breakfast this morning ".
I headed straight to the room, and tapped her gently. The slow battering of her eyelashes, made my heart flutter.
" Papa?…".
" Come on my love, lets go get ready for school. School is waiting for my little princess ".
" Okay , papa".
I carried her in my arms and went to have a shower, after showering, my nostrils were filled with mouth watering aroma of delicious muffins and pastries…
" Tarrah… . Here we go, fam. One for you and one for you , my little sweet angel".
" Thank you , uncle Jude".
" Oh, you are welcome, my little niece". He touched her cheeks and placed a kiss on then.
" It's fine. Besides, I love to bake these, when I feel so sad and lonely, or in a happy mood ".
" It's been a while, since I had these, so yummy and delicious…".
We spent some more time together, before I took Sophie for school, before seeing him off.
"So , you are chasing me away ?. Not fair bro. Not fair ".
" You need to go back to school, and …".
" To Jarred?. He understands, plus, he wants to see you, in person ".
" Oh… I see…".
He gave me an envelope, filled with cash.
" Not again Jude, you …".
" Have this , for you and my little snowflakes, for her treatment and wellbeing ".
I was so grateful, for the support he rendered. I was at the point of shading tears.
" You have done more than enough, and I pray that good things will keep coming your way ".
" Big brother , it's alright, I believe that one day, it will be better, just stay strong for me and think less, I don't want you to develop any health issues, because of the divorce ".
" No. I'm fine, perfectly fine, don't worry about me, alright?".
"I won't. Take care my love".
"And to you too, my dearest brother ".