Chapter one
Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a mother who has children without a husband. I know most people will say it is strange but to me, it was like one of my dreams to achieve and I did achieve it. I had my beautiful daughter, Adeife when I was 23 that was after I completed my national youth service. Though the journey hasn't been easy, I totally enjoyed it because my daughter's smile alone always gives me the strength and determination to keep going.
I am not a prostitute who slept around, in order to obtain this dream of mine. I just gave my virginity to a guy who was head over heels for me during my university days and just that once I got pregnant. A sharp shooter, isn't it? But I am not going to talk about it. All I want to talk about is my daughter, Adeife.
"Good morning mummy". My six year old daughter greeted me, looking cute in her hello kitty pyjamas.
"Good morning to you, my little angel". I replied carrying her into my arms.
"How was my baby's night?". I asked.
"Lovely, mommy. Today is Monday and our exams start today". She said happily. Adeife loves tests and exams so much unlike other kids of her age. It is safe to say that she got that from her father because I am not too good with books especially if they are not romantic novels.
"Well, mommy wishes you the best of luck. Now, let's get ready for today". I said.
Adeife and I got to do our usual routine. While I got ready for work, she got ready for school. After that we had breakfast, I drove Adeife to school and dropped her off not after praying for her like my late mom used to when I was little.
Speaking of my late mother, I really miss and deeply wished she had met Adeife. I knew pretty sure that she would have loved her but not my decision in raising Adeife without her father. To Adeife, her father is dead. Though I feel bad for lying to my daughter at times but it is for her own safety.
I remembered when I told my family that I had given birth to a baby girl. At first they didn't believe, they all thought I was joking until I took Adeife to the house where my father resided. At that time, all I saw in their eyes was disappointment. I felt discouraged and neglected by their reaction but I knew what I did was not that good either. Till date, my family wants to meet Adeife's father and also wants my daughter to meet that man. But it is a NO.
"Good morning, Lily. The boss wants to see you in his office right now". One of my colleagues informed me as soon as I sat down on my seat. I grumbled inwardly and reluctantly went to my boss's office with a fake smiling face.
"Good morning, sir". I greeted him with a big fake smile.
"Good morning to you too, Lily. I called you to inform you that you won't be able to qualify for the promotion". Frank, my boss dropped the bombshell.
"What? Sir, I really worked hard to get to the promotion. With all sue respect sir, I am better than everyone in my department and you know that I am the best candidate for the promotion so why is that I am not qualified?". I asked feeling cheated.
"Miss Simisola Adeoye, you are right about all what you said but you have forgotten that you are a single mother and in this organization, you know how must respect we give to those who are married with kids. Not unmarried with a child". Frank said with a strict tone.
"Unmarried with a child? What do you mean by that statement, Mr Frank? With all due absolute respect, don't you dare insult my daughter who is better than those married people's children". I yelled controllably.
"I am sorry, Simisola. Look, you are the best for the job that is unarguably but it is the policy". Frank said with a low tone.
"It's fine, I respect the company's policy. If you would please excuse me, I have a lot to do". I smiled as I left Frank's office to the restroom. I entered one of the toilets and there, I closed my eyes to stop the tears from rushing down my face.
If I said I wasn't hurt by what Frank said, that's a lie. Even though this is not the first time, huge promotions would pass me by just because I was a single mother, an unmarried one at that. The promotions go over to those who don't worth it and at the end of the day whenever they fumble, I am the one who always steps in and cleans their mess.
Of course, it wasn't my dream. I, Simisola Adeoye has always dreamed of becoming a flight attendant all my youth days but when Adeife came along the way, I had to let go of my dream job and take good care of Adeife who became my responsibility. Only if I was married, I would be working as a flight attendant knowing fully well that I could trust my children with my husband. I guess all this is my fault, poor planning.
I felt all eyes on me as I walked back to my office, it seems the news has spread. My colleagues who all disliked because they knew I had the knowledge they could never dream of, were really happy that these promotions kept passing me by. This doesn't mean that I should be discouraged but I should continue working hard and probably one day, I might get the job.
At the closure of work, I drove to one of my close friends' house, Adina. She has been my friend ever since our first year at the university. She also had her own ups and down in life but she is now happily married to the love of her life, Olajuwon. Her marriage itself, was a big breakthrough in her life. Her parents were Muslims and her husband's family were Christians, so you could imagine what happened down that road but at least she is happily to him with their two beautiful kids and now, she is expecting their third child.
Adeife attends Adina's children's school so that it would be easy for Adina to help me pick her up from school because I close from work six in the evening and whenever I am to do an overnight at work. Adeife just sleeps over at their house, her necessities aren't the problem due to the fact that Adeife and Adina's first child, Martha are age mates. Though I hate the whole marriage conception but sometimes I wished I was married to give Adeife that complete family.