MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS By Unknown
Episode 1
I was just 14 years old, when my mother sent me to Onitsha to stay with her younger sister. I was filled with expectations and dreams.
Life had been seriously hard on us ever since my father died.
My mother was left to cater for 5 children, including me.
The suffering was too much that my mother felt relieved when Aunty Nneka offered to help out.
Aunt Nneka, My mother’s immediate younger sister had promised to see me through secondary School and my mother was so appreciative.
“Thank you so much my wonderful sister, God bless you” My mother had told Aunt Nneka.
But when I arrived Onitsha, My aunt turned me into her maid and the worst she refused to send me to school. I was disappointed. There was no means of communicating with my mother apart from Aunt Nneka’s cell phone and there’s no way I could tell my mother what has been happening to me , in the presence of my aunt.
Each day, I woke up with aches all over my body, Aches caused by excess house chores and errands. More chores were always available each day. In no time, I got used to those hard chores and errands.
Every morning, I always prayed to God to touch my aunt’s Heart, so she could send me to school but three years passed, I turned 17 years old, everything remained the same except for the hardship I faced each day increased and I have also lost hope of going back to school. I worked double, with little food, sometimes the food were leftovers and I slept in the cold Kitchen floor every night.
One cold evening, my Aunt sent me on errand.
“Juliet” My aunt called out to me that evening. I was at the kitchen washing the dishes used for dinner.
That evening, My Aunt, her two sons and her husband had Jollof rice and chicken for dinner. One will think I had dinner too but no I didn’t, I was starving, My aunt had asked me to have the left over beans for dinner and as I was washing the dishes, I was making the left over beans warm on the gas stove.
“Yes Aunty” I replied as I turned off the gas stove, rinsed off my soapy hands and ran to the sitting room where my Aunt and her family were seated watching thier favorite TV channel.
Immediately I came closer, she gave me a quick stare.
“Take this money and get me a pain killer from the pharmacy”She told me and I ran out immediately heading to the pharmacy down the street to purchase the medicine.
I arrived at the Pharmacy and I met a young guy who will be in his early twenties, instead of a middle aged man, who i often saw at the Pharmacy.
“Good evening” I greeted
“Good evening, what do you want?” The young guy asked with a quick smile.
“Where is Daddy chijioke,The chemist?” I inquired.
The young man smiled.
“My father is not around” he replied.
Daddy Chijioke or Sunny Chemist as he was popularly called was the owner of the medicine store. He was a good man and Out of curiosity, I asked “Are you brother Chijioke?” And the young man nodded “yes” with smiles. I could easily tell who he was because I knew the Pharmacist had only two daughters and a son who was in the University. Daddy Chijioke and his family attends the same church with Aunt Nneka and her family and that was how I knew them so well.
I bought the Medicine that I came for and headed back home. From that day I became familiar with Chijioke and little by little we became friends as I always saw him each time I came to buy medicine for my aunt.
Aunt Nneka was always taking drugs that something I wondered why she loved self medication more than seeing a doctor.
One day, My aunt sent me to the Market to buy some soup recipes, I was at the market when I noticed that I had lost the money that my Aunt gave me, I almost had an heart attack when I couldn’t find the money on me. I burst into tears at the main road, I was confused and at the same time disappointed at myself.
“Juliet, how could you be so Careless?” I asked myself, but who will blame me, I’m always occupied with plenty house chores, that I barely have time to rest or reason straight, the worst is that I’m always confused because my aunt always yelled at me. I was doing laundry when my aunt send me to the market that very day. I was not done with the laundry before I hurriedly left for the market, I was not even putting on a nice cloth either and i had put the money inside my dress pocket, I never realized that my dress pocket was torn untill I noticed that the money was gone.
The dress was one of the clothes I came with from the village and it has worn out, I had being wearing this dress for the pass three years and my aunt had no plans to get me new clothes, not that she doesn’t have the money but she was just wicked and heartless.
I was crying bitterly at the market and the only thought that came to my mind was to run away because I know my aunt will beat the living hell out of me, if I return home empty.
I was still in tears when someone tapped me from behind, I almost jumped out of my skin but when I turned around, I was surprised to see the Pharmacist’s son- Chijioke.
“Why are you crying?” He inquired.
When I told him what had happened, he was moved, he dipped his hands into his pocket and gave me a sum of 1000 naira.
I danced for Joy and I was so appreciative. I kept saying “Thank you”. I was so relieved and happy that I had escaped my aunt’s wrath.
“Go into the market and get what your aunt had sent you to buy” He told me and then he left.
From that day, Chijioke and I became so close. He became my best friend, gradually I fell for him and when he asked me out, I didn’t hesitate, I accepted his relationship proposal and he was glad I did, he seemed to be in love with me or so I thought.
“Being blind-sided by love was MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS.
We started dating secretly, everything felt so beautiful and Chijioke was the best thing I had in my life, I loved him so much and he told me he loved me too.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 2
Chijioke Was My First Love, He was the only one that was giving me joy and peace at the time, he helped alot. As Aunt Nneka’s maltreatment was increasing daily. I fell helplessly in love with Chijioke He appeared to be a kind and thoughtful person.
He was everything to Me, At first, He was just perfect, He acted so wonderful around me that I felt my life was fulfilled, sometimes I doubted his existence and thought that I had contrived him in a dream. Chijioke inspired me, challenged me and loved me just as I was: unkept, flaws and all. He touched my soul so deeply that I was completely vulnerable to his grasp, he was always tender and caring and that was what I needed at that moment.
I love every element of his soul. he was intelligent, he seems happy to have me in his life, his love felt pure and true. Our conversations were energy-filled debates of love and adoration: any time I saw him, I will be bursting with excitement of having the knowledge that I have someone who really cares about me.
Chijioke was down to earth despite being born with a silver spoon. My clothes were worn out and some are torned but he still calls me beautiful. Yes I was beautiful, I was fair like my mother but I lack the basic things of life like care, I lacked good clothes and I always looked unkept but he was always proud to stand beside me anywhere he bumps into me
Ever since Chijioke came into my life, I had hope of a happy life, Chijioke knew me better than I knew myself; his love guided me towards a more beautiful life and opened my eyes to a wonderful, dazzling world that I created in my head. My heart was safely, snuggly wrapped in a blanket of his love; and so I always carried him with me, wherever I went: in my heart, in my actions, in my thoughts and in my daily chores.
His thoughts brings smiles on my face.
With Chijioke by my side, I felt like I could conquer the world, reach all my goals and dream up inconceivable dreams.
I was in the hardest stage of my life, I was stuck in an icicle of hardship: too afraid to completely give my heart to him because I felt we were not in the same league, he was a graduate, while I stopped in SS 1, he looked rich and his family was the most wealthiest around. Sometimes I felt inferior but he always told me that I was the best thing that happened to him. He came into my life at a very fragile time, and when I discovered that I needed him to be happy, I began to listen to him and show him how much I love him too
For months Chijioke had been wanting to kiss me, I have never been kissed. One evening I was out on an errand, when I bumped into him.
“my love” He said immediately he saw me and I blushed. I greeted him and he asked where I was going to.
“My aunt sent me to buy medicine as usual, I’m just coming from your father’s store, I met your father” I announced
“Oh really, you are coming from our store, I missed you” he told me.
I smiled, we talked for while.
“I will be going home now, see you tomorrow” I said half shyly
He held my hand and came closer and planted a passionate kiss on my lips and that was my first kiss. From that day, we began to kiss, We kissed a lot.
A year later, it was my 18th birthday, as usual I was busy with chores, my Aunt didn’t even remember that it was my birthday untill i mentioned it to her, and she reluctantly said “Happy birthday, you are now a woman, your mates in the village are married with kids, be grateful you came to Onitsha, later in the day, I will call your mother, so you can speak to her, but if you dare tell your mother that I didn’t send you to school all these years, I will send you back to her “.she warned me sternly
That same day, when Aunt Nneka picked up her phone to call my mother, her phone rang instead and when she received the call, she received a disheartening news that her first son Nathan was injured at school. Aunt Nneka ran off immediately she got the bad news and she instructed me to take care of the house.
That day was not a nice day but I sadly did my chores, I barely ate anything for lunch and I expected my aunt and her husband’s arrival, the whole evening but no one came home.
It was around 9:00pm when someone knocked on the door, I had thought it was my Aunt and her family but lo and behold, it was Chijioke, I was shocked.
“What are you doing here ?” I asked him
“My love are you not happy to see me?” He threw in
“I am always happy to see you but I don’t want to get into trouble with my Aunt” I said nervously.
” Have you heard what happened to Nathan, your cousin” He asked and i nodded “yes”
“Infact I drove your aunt and Nathan to the hospital at the state capital, this afternoon, your Aunt had called up my father for some medical suggestions and my father sent me to accompany your aunt to the hospital, I don’t think your aunt’s husband will return home today because your aunt told me her husband had travelled for some urgent work, this morning” He announced.
“I hope Nathan’s injury is not serious” I asked in fear
“Don’t worry, it won’t be serious, Nathan will be fine, here I bought you something for your birthday” Chijioke said as he handed over a gift bag to me, I smiled faintly,
I was still worried with my thoughts wandering around, I wondered why my aunt’s husband would choose to be away in a day my aunt needed her the most but I was a bit relieved that everything was under control. I looked into the gift bag and It contained new clothes, I was so surprised.
“If your aunt asks you who had gotten this new clothes for you, feel free to mention my name” He said calmly and I managed to say “Thank you” to him, I also thanked him for everything he did for my aunt and Nathan.
We started talking more as I was no longer afraid that my aunt and her family might walk in on us, He tried to cheer me up. “Be happy, today is your birthday and your cousin will be fine” He told me.
We were talking when he kissed me “Happy birthday Juliet” Chijioke whispered in my ears and I smiled faintly. Before we know what was happening we were in each other’s arms , I was scared, i was still a virgin.
“I have never been with any man, please let’s not do this” I said calmly.
Chijioke was a sweet talker, he assured me of his love and Finally I gave in and we made out. Chijioke was so impressed that I was a virgin and he promised to be with me forever.
Six weeks later, Nathan had been discharged from the hospital, My Aunt’s husband had also returned from his business trip. Nathan had began to show some improvement. For the past four weeks, I have not seen Chijioke and I wondered if he was okay.
One evening, I visited Daddy Chijioke’s pharmacy and I was disappointed when I met his father instead of Chijioke but I stylishly asked of him from his father and I got the biggest shock of my life.
“Chijioke had travelled out, my son is now in the United States of America working” the pharmacist told me.
I almost died of shock but somehow comported myself in front of the Pharmacist.
“How could Chijioke travel without saying goodbye to me, the last time we met, he didn’t mention about going on a trip, talk much of travelling abroad” I thought soberly as I walked back home.
From that day I fell ill and my aunt was forced to take me to the hospital, when all the medicine she had bought for me did not improve my health.
“Juliet don’t just add to my problems, why will you be sick at a time like this, who will do the house chores?” She told me as we drove to the hospital. I was quiet and I wondered what she took me for.
“I’m a human being too and I can fall sick at anytime, the too many house chores I do daily could make anyone fall sick” I thought.
When we got to the hospital, many test was run on me even a pregnancy test. And when the results came, I was dumbfounded. When I remembered that night that I made out with Chijioke, I shivered in fear.
“Your niece is 6 weeks pregnant, congratulations” the doctor announced.
“Congratulations on what, doctor that result is wrong, she is just 18 years old, she barely steps out except when I send her on errand” Aunt Nneka’s said at once.
I was already in tears as the doctor confirmed my result, I was scared and devastated.
“You this girl, how did this happen? you have finally succeeded in ruining your life and putting me to shame, I only took you in because of my elder sister, who is your mother, how will I explain this to her now?” My aunt said aggressively, if not that we were still at the doctor’s office, I know that she would have given me the greatest beating of my life.
“Madam, take it easy, your niece is at a delicate stage of her pregnancy, please don’t be too hard on her, take her home and talk things through with her” The doctor advised.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS💔 💖
Episode 3
We just arrived home, when my aunt gave me a resounding slap. I saw little stars and I held my cheek in pain and fear.
My aunt’s husband was not around and that means I was doomed.
“Who is responsible for your pregnancy? Don’t tell me you seduced my husband” she thundered
I was mute but in tears, I wondered how my own aunt will treat me this way and would imagine such abomination.
And right there I spoke up.
“Aunt why would you imagine such abomination?, How could you reason like this?, for the past 4 years I lived with you, you have never shown me love, or treat me like your own, I endured all your torture and maltreatment for the past 4 years without complaining and now you want to accuse me of sleeping with your husband, all because I got pregnant, you didn’t even care to know what really happened and how I got pregnant and you just concluded that I seduced your husband, Aunty I’m tired, I want to go back to my mother” I said in anger.
“Of course you are returning to your mother, I can’t accommodate you here anymore, pack your things, first thing tomorrow morning, you are returning to your mother”She concluded and walked away.
I burst into tears, I wondered why Chijioke deceived me,
Life without him had brought me inconceivable pain and with the unplanned pregnancy, I was in alot of pain, pain that turned out to be my greatest teacher. It was the pain that set me on a path of self-discovery; pain that demanded me to keep learning; pain that taught me what it really means to be cheated; and pain that forced me to open my eyes that had been blinded by the illusion called Love.
“my entire world and the person I depended on for happiness, had left me, when I needed him most, why did I trust him, I was foolish to love Chijioke” I thought in tears. I went into the kitchen packed my things and that night I couldn’t sleep, I had to force myself to sleep.
The next day I was prepared to go back to the village, I ignored every thought that told me to visit, the pharmacist- Chijioke’s father.
“What will he do for me? What good will that bring, I don’t want him to feel like I am accusing his only son just because he told me that he was now in america, I had no proof, Chijioke and I dated secretly” I told myself, I took a cold, hard look at myself in the mirror and finally I was honest about my aspirations and how I wanted to reach them. I had to forget about everyone else’s opinions and uncover the truth about how I felt, I had to start creating my own happiness; and I thought going back to my mother was the best decision
I went back to the village without visiting Chijioke’s father, when I arrived the village, I was thrown into a deep regret, I should have gone to the Pharmacist. It’s hard to live with should haves and the mourning of unspoken words, I am regretful for the fact that I never gave Chijioke’s father the opportunity to know what was going on, when I returned to the village, it created an even higher wall between us, separating him from ever knowing the beginnings of this new life that was growing in me, because it would had lead him to the realisation that he was going to be a grand father.
When I returned to the village, I saw the other side of my mother, my aunt has told her lies about me, how I was wayward and refused to go to school. I was in tears as my mother didn’t give me a chance to defend myself, she disowned me immediately and she referred to my unborn child as a bastard. I was devasted.
“How could my mom believe her wicked sister?” I thought
Life after I discovered I was pregnant was filled with self-discovery, enlightenment, change, a new perspective, wisdom, pain, sorrow, disappointment and fear but some how i found confidence. “No one is trustworthy except God, love doesn’t exist” I thought. I was in a place of pain and shame: knowing that my mother was against me too, killed me. She doesn’t care about me or my health, my siblings insulted me too and everyone blamed me and cursed me. . They tagged me a wayward girl.
“I sent you to Onitsha to better your life but you returned with a shameful pregnancy” My mother had told me countlessly time and with time I became the talk of the Town.
Six months later, when I saw that my mother had truly disowned me, I decided to take my destiny in my hands and help myself. I was almost due for delivery and I have not bought a single baby items that will be needed during my delivery.
One day I went outside our village and got a menial job and in few weeks I bought my baby items and began to prepare towards my delivery on my own. Even though I was broken, I was capable of giving all my love to my child, I never thought of aborting my child and i was relieved that my mother did not even reason to that direction. I was so excited when I found out that I was expecting a baby girl.
I had made up my mind to tell her about my mistakes when she comes of age, so she won’t repeat the same mistake I made.
I have accepted and grown from the flaws of my failed life and its lessons. I am no longer myself: my life literally ended immediately I turned 18, my journey on earth has been incredibly tough, but somehow I was healed when my daughter was born, I continued to take up menial jobs to take care of my child, my family especially my mother rejected me. I picked up myself and I was determined to give my daughter, the best life possible.
Kosisochukwu my daughter was 4 years old when my mother’s best friend reconciled me and my mother and my mother began to care about me again, my siblings were still disappointed in me but I was not bother as long as my mother has accepted me with my mistake, my mother also named my daughter Catherine and I was excited that I was no longer disowned by my mother, I was excited because come what may, I was still my mother’s daughter. When i realized that guilt and self pity were a wasted emotions, I gained the courage to forgive myself, forget my mistakes and move on, the freeing feelings of elation, relief and exuberance that followed are what have now come to define me as a woman and a mother.
One-day, I stroked a deal with my mother.
“Mom, I want to go to our state capital Awka and get a better Job, please I will leave without Catherine, I promise I will send money to you every month, mommy please would you take care of Catherine for me” I pleaded but my mother refused sharply, I was disappointed and frustrated. But when I involved her best friend, she reluctantly accepted after she gave her conditions and warned me sternly to always work hard and send money back home every month or else she will never forgive me again, if I misbehaved.
I grew up too quickly and life has given me a harsh responsibility of becoming a mother at a young age. I was no longer pursuing my dreams, all I was doing after I had my daughter was to survive and take care of my daughter. I was glad my mother accepted to take care of my child while I was away. And in few days I embarked on my journey to Awka and I was wondering how I will make it when I know no one at Awka except my child hood friend Vivian, who had promised to help me get a job when I come.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS💖
Episode 4
I arrived Awka with my hope built only on God, many times I have asked God for his Mercy and for his directions and he always comes to my rescue, many times, I have wondered on much God had seen me through, he didn’t abadon me even when my own mother and siblings rejected me.
God used my childhood friend for me as Vivian proved to be a good friend, immediately i arrived Awka, I squatted with her and her family and they treated me nicely unlike aunt Nneka, Vivian got a Job for me at a factory and the pay was good. I was able to send money back home and in six months I had saved alot. It was not a job for a young woman like myself, it was a hard job, but I was able to cope because of the too many hardship I had faced in my life.
As I was working, I registered myself for GCE-General Certificate Examination, sat for the exam and my Joy knew no bound, when I passed with flying colors. And then I went for a per time course in one of the prestigious polytechnic in Awka.
In three years of shifting my base to Awka, my life changed for the better, I got a better Job, I sent good money home and my siblings who were disappointed in me began to look up to me for their need. Immediately I graduated from the polytechnic, I got a more befitting Job and I began to earn more money.
My daughter was 8 years old when my mother became critically ill and I had to leave everything and return to the village because my mother insisted that I should return, I took permission from my place of work and I left for the village.
My Mother was critically ill, when I arrived, I had to admit her into the best private hospital in our village and I foot the bill, in no time, she recovered and was discharged. my mother was so surprised on how much I have succeeded that she began to cry for my forgiveness, even when I told her that I was not angry at her, she kept weeping. I reassured her that she was my sweet mother and I will never keep any grudge against her
“I’m sorry for giving up on you, my child I’m sorry for everything I did wrong” My mother apologised and I had to tell her that she was forgiven to stop her from shedding more tears.
I had to tell her everything I went through in the hands of her younger sister -Aunt Nneka, and how I got pregnant. She was so disappointed at her younger sister. She called up aunt Nneka immediately.
“Thank you for all the torture and maltreatment you mounted on my daughter, thank you for everything, Nneka, after everything I did for you, you leashed out such maltreatment on my own daughter, if it’s not death that took my husband away, my Juliet, will never had come to your house and you won’t have treated her like your maid, my God will judge you Nneka, you are my sister who I will do anything for, but look at how you maltreated my child and pushed her into the arms of a stranger who got her pregnant and ran away. Heaven will judge you Nneka, you lied against a little girl, your niece, my daughter all because you don’t want to be exposed, Nneka, when our parents died, I put it upon myself to take care of you, I paid for your secondary School and university education but when my daughter came to you for help, you treated her badly, you couldn’t even give her a good meal or buy her new clothes, I will never forgive you Nneka, I cut all ties between us, you are no longer my sister” my mother said bluntly and hanged up.
Immediately the call ended, My mother burst into another tears, “Juliet, i have wronged you, my child, please forgive me” She said, I was speechless, I hugged my mother, I could see why she trusted her younger sister so much, she had thought they shared a strong bond but reverse was the case. They shared no bond. After three months when I have returned to my base at Awka, My mother died.
I was shattered. I threw a befitting burial ceremony for my mother and after the burial, aunt Nneka was always at my mother’s grave to plead for forgiveness. When Aunt Nneka came to me and pleaded for forgiveness, I reluctantly forgave her for my peace of mind.
A week later, after the burial, I returned to Awka with my daughter Catherine and enrolled her in a prestigious school. I worked harder everyday to give my daughter the best life. No doubt Catherine was a carbon copy of my first love, or will I say, MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS, Chijioke. I have vowed never to have anything to do with any man, marriage was not in my agenda and the only love, I want to feel forever is the love I have for my daughter.
My late mother did a good job in bringing up my daughter as she was smart and respectful. I didn’t waste any time in telling her about my mistakes and foolishness and of course about her father, who decieved me.
“Your father left immediately he got what he wanted, all your father wanted was to get between my legs and immediately he got what he wanted, he left without saying goodbye” I had told Catherine.
And she cried bitterly, I felt bad too but I had to tell her everything before she hears it from someone else.
Many men had asked for my hand in my marriage but I was not prepared to share the love I have for my daughter with any man and no one will love my daughter like his own. So being single for life will be the best and I was determined to let things remain that way forever.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 5
Even though my Mother had died, I was still showing my siblings love, I set up a good business for each of them, They were so appreciative and at the same time, they felt embarrassed for not being there for me at my worst. But I have told them they are my blood and i love them so much.
One-day I was out for an official assignment that took me down to Onitsha and then I bumped into Daddy Chijioke. The aged pharmacist, barely recognized me but I had to introduce myself and he remembered me immediately.
“Wow, Juliet my child, you look so beautiful, how are you?” He had said. He was so happy to see me again and he told me that his son was not back from the US yet and how Chijioke keeps asking after me from him. The old man requested for my number and I reluctantly gave him, my business card.
Many months passed and I didn’t get a call from the Pharmacist, as he had promised but I wasn’t bothered. I was glad he didn’t call but most times, I wondered what he meant by his son Chijioke asking of me.
“Did Chijioke think I will no longer live my life because he abadoned me?, he is so stupid” I thought.
One day, I got a call from one of my siblings that my Aunt Nneka, was hospitalized
“Aunt Nneka was diagnosed with a Liver disease and her husband had sold everything they had for her treatment” one of my siblings told me
“That’s serious oh, God will heal her” I said calmly
I felt bad afterwards and I made up my mind to go visit my aunt at the hospital. I was moved by sympathy, Aunt Nneka is family after all.
I was no longer angry at my aunt, I had truly forgiven her, all I went through in her hands, contributed to my success story. That day, I prayed for my aunt’s healing and in few days, I visited her at the hospital and there she confessed to something that made me shiver in shock.
“Chijioke, the pharmacist’s son visited you one day, some years ago when you were still living with me, Juliet,you were at home but busy with the house chores, that day I had told you to wash the water tank and you were busy with that chore when he came and he insisted on seeing you but I told him that you were busy and would not be able to come out, to my utmost surprise, he left and came back, He handed over a big brown envelop to me and told me that it was for you and then he left” Aunt Nneka said calmly and then she paused for a while and continued. While I was just listening quietly.
“When I looked into the big brown envelope, I saw a letter, in the letter, Chijioke professed his undying love for you and he also mentioned that he will be travelling out of the country in two days time, but he will be leaving for Lagos the next day, so he could be closer to the international airport at Lagos, in his letter he pleaded you should wait for him, he included a phone number you could reach him on and a cash of 200 hundred thousand naira, he instructed that you should go back to school with the money…… but I took the money, torn the letter and kept quiet about his visit. I’m sorry, please forgive me, my child” Aunt Nneka confessed in tears.
I was so devastated, all these years I thought Chijioke left me, I thought he used me and dumped me. I never knew my Aunt was behind all my problems. I wondered why she was so wicked and heartless to me. I didn’t say a word, my aunt was already in a pitiful state. Getting mad at her will be of no use. I walked away quietly.
I was thrown into a state of deep regret, i regretted not taking Chijioke’s Father’s contact when I met him in Onitsha. I regretted not telling him about his grand daughter Catherine. I burst into tears as my thoughts travelled to the time I discovered that I was pregnant and how I returned to the village without meeting up with him, I reminisced on every pain I went through, when I was able to contain my emotions, the tears stopped and then I prayed for God’s intervention.
” Lord I know I have sinned, I slept with Chijioke many years ago, when I should had said no to him, I have sinned and Lord you know how much I have paid for my sins. I’m sorry Lord, I was overwhelmed by the love I have for him, but please bring him back to me, I want Catherine to meet with her father. Please forgive me as I have forgiven everyone that had trespassed against me, including my aunt” I prayed within
That very day, I corrected the impression Catherine had about her father Chijioke as I was ready to start looking for ways to reconnect with his family at least.
I was discouraged, I wondered how I will go about it. When many years had rolled bye.
How will I respond to thier Questions, when they ask why it took me too long to show up with Catherine? Will Chijioke’s Father believe me? Because I met him at Onitsha without mentioning anything about Catherine to him. But I was prepared to correct my wrongs and do things the right way.
Sadly Aunt Nneka died and was buried. Her sons and family were inconsolable and at the same time, they were thrown into abject poverty as they sold everything they had to save thier mother but still it was futile. After the burial I wrote a cheque for 2million and handed it over to my aunt’s husband and her two sons and they were so appreciative and they promised to use the money well.
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS💔 💖
Episode 6
The search to find Chijioke, my daughter’s father began, I went to his family house in Onitsha and I was told his parents had moved to Lagos and I wondered why Chijioke’s father didn’t mention it, when I met him few months back at Onitsha. I was doing all I can to locate them, but it was futile. I was disappointed as I have raised my daughter’s hope of getting to meet with her biological father and grand parents.
I got to a stage, I lost hope of ever reconnecting with my first love Chijioke.
“What if he is married?, What if he had moved on? He never knew that I was pregnant with his child, talk much of having a 9 years old daughter, this is too complicated” I had told myself.
I tried all I could to convince my daughter that she was destined to have only a mother. But I promised her that I will be both, a father and a mother to her.
“No mom, you can’t be a father to me, you are my mother and I love you so much, I still need my Father in my life but I know it’s not your fault that my father is not with us, you have tried your best for me, even though all my friends at school have their own father, I won’t complain. I am happy I have you” Catherine responded one warm evening and lost words and was thrown into a dilemma, it was obvious that Catherine needs her father and I had to do all I could to reconnect with Chijioke . I regretted telling Catherine alot about his father, I wished I concealed some details, She was just a child, she won’t understand everything.
That evening was so emotional for me as I reminisced on my life and everything that I had went through. I was in tears, I remembered how Chijioke always professed his love for me
Ironically, we are like a puzzle pieces now more than ever before, but the memory of the time we spent together and the knowledge that Chijioke truly loved me, made my heart leap for Joy.
My feelings for Chijioke will eternally be unchanged. My respect for him runs deeper than the darkest depths of the ocean. We met at the wrong time, and that’s okay. I have come to accept it, and hope that someday, maybe somehow, we’ll meet again and he will meet his daughter. Chat MartinMartino on zero eight one eighty thirty fourteen twenty one to be added to his WhatsApp group.I wondered if he will still be in love with me, wherever he was. Sadly, I cannot tell my heart when to stop beating for the person who has stopped listening for its rhythms.
One thing is infinitely certain: Chijioke will forever be the one who woke me up- My first love and only love and for that, I will always love him.
After that evening, I stopped mentioning any thing that has to do with Chijioke to Catherine. That girl was indirectly putting pressure on me to look for her father but what can I do. I can not leave our life in Awka and move to Lagos and start looking for Chijioke’s family at every nook and cranny in Lagos. I have never been to Lagos but I have heard stories that Lagos was far bigger than our state and I don’t want to lose my way. Who do I know in Lagos?
“Let the will of God be done” I had prayed silently.
I concentrated on my Job and showered more Love on Catherine, so she could lose up a little and forget about finding her father for a while .
Then one day, I got a letter from my Boss’s Personal assistant, my boss was away for three months, he travelled out for a business trip and all his responsibilities was shifted to his Personal assistance.
I was curious when I read through the letter, in the Letter It stated that I was transferred to Lagos to resume my job at the company’s new branch in Lagos.
I had mixed feeling about the news, leaving Awka was something I could never imagined will happen and going to Lagos, was like a dream come true.
But still I was not in the right frame of mind, all I want was to see Chijioke again and relocating to Lagos is a step towards seeing him again.
When I broke the news to My daughter that we were moving to Lagos, she was in smiles because she understood what that meant, but when she thought of her friends at Awka, she began to feel the same way I felt, i was in a state of confusion and uncertainty, as I don’t know if I will ever be able to locate my first love. Moving to Lagos won’t guarantee anything because we might not be able to meet Chijioke’s family, I had no idea of where to find them in Lagos, Lagos is a big city, but I was prepared to try and see what happens.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 7
They say if you want to make something happen really really bad, come to Lagos, I don’t know who said that, but I was ready to see if that statement was right. When I arrived lagos with my daughter, I noticed it was indeed a big city, my company had prepared an accommodation and other mouth watering benefits. Being transferred to Lagos felt like I was promoted as i occupied a better position in the new branch, even my salary was increased.
With no time, I and my Daughter fit into the big city and we became accustomed to the big city. Catherine made new friends at her new school and I gained new colleagues at my place of work. Lagos was not like Awka, yes the stress was much, especially stress caused by traffic congestions but in no time, my company gave me an official car.
Ever since I arrived Lagos, it was as if heaven was compensating me for all my pain and struggles. Life became great, my daughter was attending a very expensive school and I could afford it as I did not find it difficult to pay the school bill, I even paid on time.
One evening my daughter reminded me of thier school’s upcoming excursion.
“Mom my school will visit the international airport next week” Catherine told me
“Airport?, why the Airport? When there is alot of interesting place to visit” I responded
“Mom, I don’t know why, but I have never seen or been to the Airport before, except on television, so it will be nice to see how an airport would look like in reality” Catherine added and i nodded in agreement.
Then the scheduled day for the excursion came and my daughter and her school mates that paid for the little trip were taken to the Airport to explore and learn.
Catherine came back with so much excitement and tales.
“Mom, we entered into a parked plane, we pretended as if the plane would take off, mom I took lots of photos” Catherine told me. I smiled as I saw happiness reflecting in my daughter’s eyes. I was excited too.
“I’m glad you liked your school trip” I said in smiles
“Like? No mom, I love it, a man’s luggage almost got stolen at the Airport today, I alerted the airport security and they caught the thief, everyone at the airport, praised me today, even the man whose luggage was almost stolen was so appreciative, he gave me some chocolates and biscuits but I refused to take it but I told him thank you anyway” Catherine revealed
I was shocked that all that went down at the excursion, I was also marvelled, when i look through the pictures my daughter took with her Camera at the Airport, I almost collapsed when I saw the picture she took with the stranger who she saved his luggage from being stolen. One stare at the man in the picture, I knew who he was.
“Chijioke? Chijioke!”I said in tears
Catherine wondered what had happened.
“This man is your father” I revealed in tears
“Mom, that can’t be, what, I met my father Today?” Catherine said calmly
“You know what that means?” I asked and my daughter nodded “no”.
“It’s means your father has returned to the country ” I said in smiles but tears was falling from my eyes.
“Mom I did not know that the man was my father, assuming I knew I would have requested for his phone number or his address, I liked the man immediately I saw him, he looked quite familiar, he seemed like a nice person, he smiled immediately he saw me at the Airport with my school mates, late grand ma had told me not to greet a stranger but I couldn’t help but greet him when he smiled at me and when he left to get something, a thief came for his luggage, I was forced to intervene, it felt like I knew him somewhere, now I know why, I can’t believe I met my father today” Catherine added but this time she was also in tears.
I wiped her tears “sweetie, don’t worry, we will reconnect with him soon, don’t cry my angel, we are close and God will cause our path to cross, now you know him and the way he looks, I have never shown you a photo of him because I had none but now we have his photograph” I consoled Catherine and she managed to smile a little.
All through that evening, Catherine was staring at Chijioke’s photo and I wondered why Fate was keeping Catherine away from her father. I couldn’t help but reminisced on the past and how time had flied.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 8
Weeks passed, Catherine and I still hold on to hope that one-day we will meet Chijioke again.
We kept staring at his picture, i can’t help but admired how much My Chijioke had changed, he looked more matured and he was still handsome.
I prayed and wished that he should remain single, because I will be shattered if he has moved on with someone else.
Then one-day, I was at work with alot of work load on my desk, I was hungry but I was still occupied with work. I had to call the office assistant to get me something to eat while i work.
While all these was happening, I had no idea that I forgot my phone in my car. When I realized, I walked to the car park to get my phone because I needed to make few important calls.
On getting to my car, I picked up my phone and I was shocked to see that I had lots of missed calls from a particular unsaved number. I wonder who the person was.
As I walked back into my office, I dialed the number and someone picked up immediately.
“Hello” the person greeted
“Good afternoon” I replied as I couldn’t place who was on the line.
“Juliet, how are you?” The voice said
And then immediately I knew who I was talking to.
It was the pharmacist himself, Chijioke’s father.
I was speechless and nervous.
“Juliet, I’m sorry I didn’t call you before now, I didn’t remember where I had kept your business card, untill yesterday I saw it in my wardrobe, how are you?” The pharmacist added
“I’m fine… Thank you sir” I said calmly
“How is your family and everything? The man asked
“Fine, thank you sir” I replied
“Chijioke is back from America and still he had not stop asking of you?” The pharmacist said at once.
“Is…he….there?” I stammered
“Chijioke is here, would you like to speak to him?” The pharmacist added and I said “yes” in a low tone while my heart skipped several beats. It was as if i was dreaming, I was so excited within but speechless.
Everywhere was silent except my heart raced uncontrollably in joy.
“Hey juliet” a familiar voice said at the other end of the phone, I didn’t need anyone to tell me who was on the other end of the phone, it was my Chijioke as I could recognize his voice so well.
“Hello Chijioke” I said at once
“Juliet, where have you been, you didn’t even call me once, what have you been up to?” Chijioke said calmly.
Hot tears was just dropping from my eyes, I couldn’t believe I was talking to My Chijioke after 10 long years, I was speechless, I had something to say but words failed me as I suddenly went mute.
“Are you there?” He asked
“Yes”I replied in tears
Chijioke sensed that I was in tears, he paused for a while and then he asked “Juliet, Are you okay?”
“I’m fine” I replied
The Next day, I met up with Chijioke and I explained everything to him, he almost died of excitement when he learnt that we had a daughter, immediately he saw Catherine he recognized her and he embraced her immediately.
Chijioke was so happy with my accomplishment and he praised me for all the troubles I conquered alone.
” You are a strong woman, you singlehandedly took proper care of our daughter for 9 years, when I had no idea that we had a daughter together” he told me and I blushed.
Immediately he took Catherine to her family and introduced her to every member of his family, his parents were excited to see their grand Daughter.
“Juliet why did you hide the fact all these years?” The pharmacist asked and had to tell them everything and they were shocked that my own Aunt could be that heartless towards me. They cursed my late aunt Nneka and when I told them, she was dead, they suddenly went mute. They complimented me for everything I had done alone for Catherine.
For two months I have reconnected with my first love but I was still scared to ask if he still have plans for us, every night, I went to bed, wondering if Chijioke still feels anything for me, reconnecting with him had raised my Hopes up and the worst was that I was still in love with him just like the first time we meet.
I got more scared each time Chijioke only wants to spend time with his daughter, without including me in his plans.
I concluded that Chijioke only wants his daughter and not me , I decided to go with the flow as I don’t want to appear desperate. I was happy that my daughter had reunited with her father and that was a good feeling.
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 9
(Second To Last Episode)
I was driving to work one morning, when my car suddenly broke down on the main road, it was so bad that it caused a terrible hold up, I was at the middle of the road with cars driving bye, I was also running late for work but there was nothing I could do.
I had called our Company’s mechanic and he told me, he was so far away but will arrive where I was in two hours.
“Madam, find people who will push the car off the road for you and park at the nearest filling station” the mechanic had told me and i wondered how I was going to do that as my car was causing obstruction at the main road.
I managed to get down from the car and headed to a filling station nearby, I stood at the filling station tired and stressed. I was so stressed that I began to think about my life and all the struggles I had faced and how I had thought that my life will be alot happier if I reconnect with Chijioke but on the contrary, I felt more alone than ever.
Since Catherine reconnected with her father, she barely spends time with me, She spends more time with his father and grand parents.
For the past four week she had been going to school from there. I had spent my days alone but I don’t mind as long as my daughter is happy.
Although, Chijioke treats me nicely but I’m unhappy on how he treats me so casually, he had not spoken anything about us, or our love not even “I miss you”. “I don’t think he still loves me” I concluded.
I was still in thought, standing at the filling station, at the same time I was trying hard to get people to push off my car from the road, I compared my life to my broken car, because that’s was how I was feeling, I felt broken. I almost burst into tears but I comported myself. I managed to tell one of the fuel attendant that I needed help to get my car off the road.
I was still conversing with the fuel attendant when a car drove into the filling station and stopped where I stood. To buy fuel I had thought.
Behind the wheels was an handsome guy, the fuel attendant, had promised to call people who will help but it would cost me money and I agreed to pay, to my greatest surprise, the handsome stranger who drove in offered to help me with my broken car instead.
“Money for what? Are you going to fix the car? Just to take the car off the road, you want to collect money from her, why? That’s wrong” The handsome stranger told the fuel attendant while I stared at him speechlessly.
And the handsome stranger then turned to me and said
“I saw you getting down from your car at the main road and ever since then, you have been standing here like a damsel in distress, when I was coming back, I saw you again standing here, I decided to help” I thanked him for his concern but I turned him down.
“Thank you for your concern but don’t bother” I said to push him off
“Please I just want to help you take the car off the road, someone may bash your car or something, it’s a busy road” He insisted and I finally agreed as he made a good point, immediately I agreed, he arranged some men and they pushed my car off the road without taking a dime from me. I thanked him and he nodded and smiled.
“Ok take care” he told me as he walked towards the direction where he had parked his car at the filling station. I smiled at him in appreciation.
He came back again. “You look so exhausted, but you are beautiful” he added, I was speechless and I managed to thank him for his compliment. “By the way, My name is Andrew, what’s yours?” He asked.
“My name is Juliet” I told him reluctantly
“Wow, what a beautiful name” he said jokingly and I smiled.
“Mr Andrew, Thank you for your help, i appreciate” I said calmly.
“It’s nothing” Andrew said.
Andrew stylishly requested for my phone number and I declined and he gave me his business card,
“Please I want to know you, if you don’t want me to have your number, here you can have mine” he said as he gave me his business card and I collected it so he could leave.
Life soon continued and i forgot all about Andrew and his help, untill one-day I was looking for a vital document in my car when I came across Andrew’s business card and I decided to give him a call and thank him for his tremendous help he offered me, the day my car broke down, I dialed his number and he picked up immediately, At first, he didn’t know who was on the line but later on, when I introduced myself, he sounded very excited to hear from me.
We talked for a while and Andrew appreciated my call, and then I hanged up, After over two weeks, Andrew returned my call and from that day we became friends. One afternoon, I got a call from Andrew, he invited me for a dinner at a popular cozy restaurant, I reluctantly accepted to show up when he persisted so much. All these while he had been inviting me for a meet up, but I kept declining, I decided to accept this time and see how it goes.
The time scheduled for my dinner date with Andrew drew close so i had to leave in order not to be too late. At exactly 7:45pm, I arrived at the restaurant and I saw Andrew immediately I arrived. He had been waiting since 7pm.
He stood up and gave me a friendly hug, before removing the chair for me to seat. Andrew was a gentleman and he made sure I had a nice time.
It was time for me to go and he walked me to my car and thanked me for showing up and I reciprocated. “Thank you for having me, I had a nice time” I told him.
After that date Andrew and I became quite close, that he calls me up anytime, I was even expecting a relationship proposal from him when the unexpected happened.
End Of Episode 9
To Be Continued
MY FIRST FOOLISHNESS 💖
Episode 10 (Final Episode)
It was my beautiful daughter’s tenth birthday and Chijioke had planned a big birthday party for our daughter in his family house and of course I was included in the birthday plans. Chijioke got alot of gifts for Catherine.
Catherine had invited all her friends. The party had started like 2 hours ago and Catherine’s favorite music was playing, every one were dancing happily, eating and drinking. It was a fun-filled party.
Chijioke even invited his friends and I did the same too.
I was busy attending to my guest, when Catherine came and said “Mom, My daddy is calling you”.
I smiled faintly, because I saw how much Catherine had bonded already with his father in just one year. It was as if she knew Chijioke her entire life.
“Where is your daddy?” I asked calmly
“He is sitting beside the swimming pool and he asked me to call you” Catherine said
“Ok, tell him I will be with him shortly” I entered and Catherine left.
In five minutes, I left the party and headed to the swimming pool, located inside the huge compound, I didn’t see anyone when I got to the pool, I almost concluded that Catherine had just pulled a prank on me because she was good at pulling my legs. I was about to return to the party. When a familiar voice said
” Juliet please wait”
I turned around and saw it was Chijioke, my heart skipped a beat.
Even though I had gained a new friend in Andrew, I was still madly in love with my Chijioke.
Chijioke walked closer and held my hands.
I suddenly grew mute.
“My love, have you moved on? It’s has been 12 months we found each other again and you haven’t said a word about us and about our love” he told me
“See who is talking, I had thought in the same direction, ever since you returned, you had been seriously bonding with Catherine and you forgot all about me, I felt shattered because I never expected you could move on so quickly” I entered at once.
“Moved on with who? I only got to spend a year with our daughter but you have spent 10 years with her already, is it wrong to bond with my own child?, Juliet how could I move on when my heart still beat for you, all through my stay in the United States, I have never been committed to anyone, yes I dated few girls but I didn’t feel anything for them, you are my love, my first and last love, I love you” Chijioke said calmly and held my waist.
And I was surprised, I wondered why I always assumed the worst, At first I thought Chijioke abandoned me and when he returned, I assumed he was no longer interested in our love.
“I’m sorry” I said in tears.
He wiped my tears and looked into my eyes.
“Juliet do you still love me? Does your heart still beat for me? “He asked and I nodded “yes”
“Chijioke I had always been in love with you and I am still in love with you, you are my everything, how can I stop loving you?” I responded.
He kissed me and then my mischievous Daughter walked in on us.
“Dad, I told you that mom loves you so much” Catherine said in smiles.
Chijioke and I smiled faintly because we were embarrassed. I never knew Catherine and her Father was up to something.
“Dad, this is the right time” Catherine added
“Right time for what Catherine? You better return to your party, your friends will be looking everywhere for you” I said at once.
I was still talking to Catherine, when Chijioke knelt down on one knee and Catherine gave him a small shimmering box, I almost had an heart attack when Chijioke took out a beautiful lovely engagement ring from the small box and proposed to me.
“My love will you marry me?” He asked so lovingly, tears of Joy was falling from my eyes and then I screamed a big yes. Chijioke stood up, kissed me and embraced me so tight.
‘i don’t want to be far away from you, never again, Juliet I love you so much” he whispered in my ears.
It didn’t take long, we got married, we had a nice wedding, we spent our honeymoon in the US and I got pregnant again, this time Chijioke was always there for me as he wants to make up for his absence during my first pregnancy with Catherine and in a few months time, I had a baby boy who we named God’s will.
Before we assume, we should learn the facts. Before we conclude find out the real story. Don’t jump into conclusion so quickly.
It doesn’t matter if people pushed you or pulled you down, drained you or fueled you, loved you or left you, hurt you or helped you, what matters is that they were part of your growth and you have to thank them or even forgive them.
Don’t give up on yourself, even when everyone had written you off, dust yourself up and start from somewhere and help yourself.
You may lose your way but never lose Hope.
Carrying a child for 9 months doesn’t make you a good mother, dropping everything in your life to make sure your child has a good life makes you a Good Mother.
True love conquers all. Be patient, don’t rush, your time will come and God’s will would be done.
Never give up on someone you love.
The End