"Wow, that's nice, congratulations," she replied joyously. "Well," she scratched the back of her head, "a good Samaritan brought me from the village and landed me a housemaid job here in Abuja. It's not so far from here. Do you want to know the place?"
"Ahh, no, it's fine. What about your son?" Nathan stammered.
"He's here too. My boss allowed him to live with me when I told her I don't have anywhere to take him."
"Oh, wow, she must be a nice person," Nathan replied with a tight-lipped smile.
"Yeah, she is," Bassy smirked at him, taking a quick glance at his outfit from head to toe. "Wow, you are now a big boy, Nathan. Look how plump you are with such fresh skin. I'm happy for you."
Bassy could tell from the look on Nathan's face that he seemed embarrassed to be standing on the street with her. Without a doubt, she knew that the long, old-looking, and shapeless gown she was wearing was more like a rag compared to the designer T-shirt and pants Nathan was wearing. He was wearing proper sneakers as footwear, while she was wearing flip-flop slippers that even looked old and dirty. But she didn't let her appearance bother her, knowing fully well that she couldn't afford such expensive outfits, and there was nothing she could do about her physical appearance, which looked pallid with her dry skin lacking moisture.
"Stop teasing," he replied, cutting her short. "Do you know that Edu lives in this town?"
Each time Bassy hears the sound of Edu's name, it's like a butterfly in her belly. "Yeah, I heard so," she answered with a swayed emotion, "have you ever met him?"
"Yeah," Nathan said, dumbfounded, "he's now a big boy. Do you want me to help link you up with him?"
Nathan noticed the sudden strain on Bassy's face as soon as he mentioned that. Bassy couldn't hide her emotions no matter how hard she tried. "That would be nice," she forced a smirk. She didn't even know when the word came out from her mouth. "I've always wished to meet him someday."
"I can't believe she's still hoping to meet Edu," Nathan muttered inwardly. "What makes her think he'll still be interested in her after all these years? Someone who couldn't spot the father of her child. Imagine the huge gap that is now between them, and she's still so overwhelmed to meet him. Well, it would be an opportunity for me to take my share in her... life," Nathan thought to himself.
"I'll take you to him whenever you are free. Give me your contact." He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone.
Bassy swiftly called out her number for him, happiness written all over her face. She couldn't hide her expression no matter how hard she tried. "Damn, this is a dream come true," she uttered inwardly.
Bassy couldn't shake off the feeling of meeting Edu from her head. She wondered what his expression would be. "What if he truly doesn't know he is Gabriel's father?" she asked herself, nervous about what he might say was the reason for his actions. "Thank goodness he's now very rich. I'll suggest a DNA test; otherwise, I'll leave Gabriel for him. Even if he doesn't want me anymore, he should at least take care of Gabriel. That child deserves better. Wait, did I just say 'if he doesn't want me anymore'? Was I by any chance thinking he'll still be interested in a housemaid like me?" She chuckled bitterly at her thoughts. "Even Nathan doesn't want to be anywhere close to a poor girl like me. He was obviously saying it in his body language that he's embarrassed to be standing next to me."
"Bassy! It's a few minutes past 2," Nsisong's deep voice echoed through the window, bringing Bassy out of her inner turmoil.
"Okay, I'm almost ready," she replied, raising her voice so he could hear her.
A few moments later, they both went to school to pick up the children and Bassy continued with her usual daily tasks.
For the rest of the days, Bassy's mind had been preoccupied with the kind of conversation she'll be having with the big afro-pop star. She wondered if she's really ready to meet him, what if he still loves her, what if he embarrasses her, etc. She tried to picture out what could happen, but nothing surfaced. It was like a hole had dug into her stomach as each time she pictured the scenario in her heart, something kept moving in her stomach.
She thought of calling Nathan, suggesting if he could take her to him on Sunday since it's her day off.
She felt a surge of relief that finally, this endless thinking was coming to an end when Nathan firmly agreed that Sunday would be better.
Bassy couldn't wait for Sunday to break properly before taking a shower and preparing herself and her son, Gabriel, for what is to come.
"Why is she so desperate? Does she really think Edu will want to have anything to do with her?" Nathan smirked inwardly, asking himself when Bassy hit his phone, waking him up from his slumber before 7 am, asking if she should start coming. He prompted her to be there by 4 pm, claiming that Edu said he wanted to meet her in the evening after he spoke with him last night.
His statement made Bassy more eager and desperate to meet with Edu. It was like her heart was beating at the back of her chest for the rest of the day; the time seemed to be moving like a snail.
She dressed Gabriel up in the most beautiful shirt she could afford for him. "Mummy, where are we going?" Gabriel asked with a grin curved on his face, stepping out of the house for the very first time.
Bassy wasn't so sure of what to answer him, but she shook off the nervous feeling and told him straight away, "We are going to see your father," she gazed into his eyes, smiling back at him.
The admiring grin on Gabriel's face instantly disappeared, turning to a sad gesture upon hearing about his father. "But you said he doesn't want me," he said with a hint of sadness.
"Umm, maybe I was wrong," Bassy replied, faking a smile. "Just be a good boy as always when we get there, okay?" She patted his chin.
Gabriel nodded his head slowly, with an assuring glance.
Bassy left the house a few minutes past 12. Even though Nathan had told her to get there by 4 pm, she wasn't so sure of how far the place was, as the only location she knew in Abuja was from her house to the market and from the market to her house. She wasn't certain of knowing the road to the children's school, as it was always a car that took them there, and her son's school was very nearby.
She followed the address that Nathan sent her carefully, asking people on the road which way she should go to ensure she didn't miss her way.
When she finally got to the location, she called Nathan's number, nervous about what he might say since he asked her to come by 4pm and its barely 3pm.