Fred got back home to Lagos and just as he thought, the family who leased the house still lived there. He had driven his BMW and parked by the house. He met an elderly woman outside, and he greeted her.
"Good afternoon ma, I am Fred Okorie, the owner of this building. You live here, right?
"Yes, but I don't understand"
"I mean this is my house and the lease rent expired two years ago"
The woman sighed heavily and called for her son, Kelvin. "Please bear with me. It was my husband who leased the house, and now he is late, may his soul rest in peace, but I am trying to call my son, Kelvin!"
She stood up to sort for Kelvin, meanwhile, they could hear vomiting inside the bathroom.
The woman explained to Fred that her son's wife was pregnant, which is why she was vomiting.
She called the wife, "Nwunye m, Biko bia"
She came around, still recovering from the throw-up. Fred was startled to see her. It was Lynn.
"Lynn" Fred said just after recognizing her.
She glared and him, and then she screamed, "Fred?" she wanted to hug him, but she couldn't. "Oh my goodness, it's a pleasure"
"Yeah, nice to meet you too, I came for my house."
"It's not legally your house, Fred. It's on lease"
"It expired 2 years ago." Fred defended.
Lynn was short of words. Her eyes wandered in shame.
"I'll be back in two weeks. Thank you"
Fred left for his car, but before he could go in, Kelvin approached him.
"Good afternoon, how may I help you?" Kelvin asked innocently.
"I am Frederick Okorie" Fred brought forth his hand to shake him.
"Nice to meet you, I am Kelvin"
There was this awkward moment of silence.
"The lease rent expired 2 years ago. I came back for the house" Fred opened up abruptly.
"Oh my goodness. You are Fred, you… Oh, I understand now." Kelvin stammered.
"I would be back in two weeks"
Kelvin went on his knees. "Please, I don't have where to go at the moment.
Fred wasn't so interested in the house, but he hated the fact that Lynn left him for this pathetic man.
He noticed someone was watching, and he looked the other way and saw Lynn. She had tears in her eyes, she looked extremely pathetic. She came towards him and also knelt. "Please, give us some time"
Fred felt paralyzed at that moment. He didn't want her to go as far as kneeling. He just went into his car and drove away.
***
Fred went for his appointment and left for Lagos immediately. He contacted Derek again and explained to Derek. Derek told him how that Kelvin was against Lynn asking for help from her family for their survival, he bullies Lynn over little things.
He had asked Lynn to leave him countless times, but she never listens, so he left her to her fate.
Fred was bothered. He wished there was a way he could help, but he also wanted to mind his business.
Two Year Later,
Fred made up his mind to get married. He found himself a model from England but had Nigerian background. They got to know each other, and she was okay with marriage. He married her after six months of courtship, and they went on to start having children.
Lynn heard the news of Fred's marriage from Derek, and she didn't know why, but she was jealous. She tried to fight it, but couldn't. She cried all alone. She never went to college because Kelvin deceived her, he impregnated her and made her feel College would be a waste of time and money; they could use those resources on their children.
Lynn always loved foolishly. She loved Kelvin foolishly and endured all the mess he gave to her. He cheated on her and humiliated her.
Lynn's mother, Mrs. Eze never comes around because she felt uninvited each time she goes to visit. Kelvin made her feel that way. She checks up on Lynn, but she wished Lynn could leave that so-called marriage. Lynn found out she was pregnant again and cried bitterly. This will be the third child and no funds to raise them.
Fred, even with his happy home, still thought about Lynn. He decided to at least see her one last time and ensure he leaves on good terms with her. He traveled to Nigeria and met Lynn.
When he first saw her, he didn't believe it was her, She looked a mess, like an older woman, and it pissed him off.
When she called his name, he couldn't hold back his expression of disappointment. She sounded sick. She hugged him, and Fred could feel her bones right against his skin. She had grown lean and pretty old.
"What happened to you?" He couldn't help but ask.
She smiled wildly as though she had to use energy to smile, then she suddenly fainted. Fred caught her, rushed her into his car, and drove her to the hospital without a second thought.
At the hospital, she was confirmed Positive for the Virus.
"It has weakened her cells, and it's in its last stage. I am afraid there is nothing we can do presently" The doctor said to Fred.
Fred scoffed, he didn't believe what he just heard. At that moment, he felt like turning back the hands of time and making sure the doctor says, "She will be alright, she is just tired"
Tears escaped his eyes, he watched her sleep from the door. "How long does she have?" he asked.
"I don't think she can last a year," He said, patting Fred's shoulder and left.
He went in and Lynn woke up, she smiled at him, and he smiled back at her.
"I know I am going to die" she uttered. "Thank you for coming back. I prayed every day since that day you left that I see you again before I die."
"Lynn, can you please stop," Fred said, and it could be heard in his voice that he wanted to cry.
"Fred, thank you so much." she took his hands, and it felt heavy, but she held on anyway. "I pray you walk in God's plan for your life vehemently"
Fred held her hands tight, he leaned lower and kissed her forehead. "I love you and I always will," he said.
"I will miss you, we will see in the other world"
Fred sighed deeply.
He turned and saw Kelvin watching at the door. He said his final goodbye and went his way.
The end.