FINALLY, IT WILL BE DONE

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I had to quickly think of something that can convince MD that what I needed the money for was important. He is a very smart man. He could be quite generous with his money when it comes to trying to meet my needs but he is also very mindful of how he spends money. And he doesn’t like it when he gets the impression he has been taken for a fool.

“See, MD, I have just been told by Aunty Meg that there’s a business I can put money on and it will fetch me good profit,” I said to him, looking him over with my seductive eyes to keep him from thinking too much or trying to rationalize what I was discussing with him.

“Hmm…you have come again, you and these your business brain waves,” MD teased.

“Oh, MD, please, wait now, let me finish before you talk,” I tried to stop him from speaking further.

“Okay, I’m listening to you, what’s the business about?”

“So, this business like I said was introduced to me and from what I see, it is moving very well.”

“You still have not told me what type of business you’re talking about, dear. Forget about the profit first, let’s talk about the business and how much you’re asking for.”

MD was rushing me and that was something I was trying hard to avoid. Once MD gets in that mood, it’s always difficult to dislodge him. “Okay, the business is about supplies of the latest designs of ladies’ shoes and they are selling like hot cake.”

MD was quiet. He was obviously trying to make sense of what I just said. Even me, I wasn’t sure I made much sense with what I just said but I just had to say something and it was the first thing that came to my head.

“So, what’s the big deal about selling shoes? What makes you think you will make your money back? And how do you hope to sell them if I may ask?” MD quizzed me. I was not totally surprised he was asking questions, that’s MD for you.

“I will go to offices and sell to their workers,” I answered, looking straight into his eyes.

“And you think that guarantees that you will get back your money?”

“Yes, now, why not?” I threw back at him, starting to feel frustrated.

“See, MD,  I’m tired of these questions, just let me know, are you going to give me the money or not?” I shot at him.

Finally, he shook his head, smiled and asked me: “Okay, even if I’m going to give you any money, how much are we looking at here?”

“Well, you know these things are really expensive, MD and I want to buy as much as possible in order to make enough profit…”

“How much?” MD interjected, he was tired of my stories.

“Okay, I’m thinking N25,000 will do,” I finally let it out.

MD ‘s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Twenty-five thousand naira was quite a lot of money back then.

“Twenty- five?” he snarled, his face contorting into a furious looking mask.

“Young lady, that’s a lot of money you’re asking for, you know?” he’d thrown at me.

“I know, MD, but that’s exactly what I need to be able to make good money out of the business.”

“But I remember I gave you some money not so long ago and you haven’t…..”

“Ah! MD, I don’t like this, I don’t like it at all!” I snapped at him. “How much am I asking for that you’re now querying me over money that you gave me long time ago? Are you saying I am wasteful when it comes to money? See, just in case you have forgotten, I am the mother of your only child, it would be unfair for me to be begging you for money every time I have something important that I need for.” And from that point, I started sobbing, making out I was really upset.

The man gave up. “Okay, okay, it’s okay, you don’t have to start crying, please, I will give you the money!”

“Are you sure, darling?” I turned to him, the excitement evident in my voice.

“Of course, I’m sure. Have I ever promised you something and failed to keep it?” he asked. I shook my head. “So, then why are you doubting me? Just make sure you put the money into good use, that’s what’s important.

“So, when am I getting the money?” I snuggled onto him as I asked.

“This evening, I will give you a cheque and you will cash it at bank tomorrow.”

Inside me, I smiled as heaved a sigh of relief. That’s a done deal.

Let me no bore you all with the details of how well I showed my appreciation to MD for the cheque. Let’s just say I took him to cloud nine and back. To be honest, I always knew I was lucky and privileged to have a man like MD in my life. A much younger man would’ve been totally difficult to handle for me. A lot of times, hell would’ve let lose between us. But MD, being older and far more mature than I am, always knew how to handle things differently. Even when I knew I had stepped out of line, and he knew so too, he rarely would get overly angry with me. Rather, he would simply let me know I was over stepping my bounds and ask me to retrace my steps. And it worked all the time.

That is why I always feel a pang of guilt anytime I did something I knew he mustn’t know about. My conscience would not let me rest. Like this one. Getting pregnant was the last thing on my mind. It just happened. I was prepared for it. One moment of heated passion and madness with Jerry brought this upon me. And now I am stuck with a pregnancy that I don’t want. The irony of it all is that MD badly wants me to have another baby for him. At his age, the only child he has is Junior which I gave to him. His wife of many years is yet to give him a single child. Truth is, except if a miracle happens, she can no longer give him a child at her age. She definitely must be past her menopause by now. So, that leaves only me as MD’s only chance of a second child. And that is what he has been begging me for all these years. Junior is already four years old. He is a carbon copy of his father. MD loves him to death and the little boy likes his father a great deal too. But, like Oliver Twist, the man wants another. Unfortunately for him, and for me too, I guess, while MD was away on a business trip for weeks, Jerry appeared from the blues and I perhaps because I was already feeling lonesome, he was able to sweep me off, my feet once again, like he did back then, many years ago. Before I could stop myself, we were already in bed, making wild and passionate love. This is the result of that one single moment of madness, and I am so ashamed of myself. Now, I cannot afford to let MD know about this. He will be shattered, he will be devastated. If that happens, God forbid, that might mark the very end of our relationship, and worse still, he could begin to doubt the paternity of Junior as well.

Early the following morning, shortly after MD had left, I went over to Aunty Meg’s apartment. She was barely awake when I got to her place.

“Anita, what’s the problem, I hope all is well,” she asked me.

“Sure, Aunty,” I nodded. “I came to inform you that we’re going today,” I said to her.

“Going where?” she’d asked, looking puzzled.

“The doctor’s place, of course,” I’d returned excitedly. “MD has given me a cheque, once I cash it, we are off to the doctor’s place.”

To be continued….