Chapter 18: Chapter 18
What counted as a successful day? Lisa thought as she skipped towards her supplier. She was going to need to get acquainted with a good supplier for some of the goods so that she would always have a specific place to source them. She felt giddy because so far, she had ticked three things off her to do list and she knew it was only a matter of time before she was done and had to go back to await her daughter who would be dropped at her place of work.
Getting rolls of cloth for the decorations and pins, she was finally set and giving them the address for where to drop the things she was well on her way back. She got back on time, coinciding with the arrival of her daughter who moved from the bus so excited that she had to brace herself for the hug she knew was coming.
Waving at the driver, she picked her and carried her inside her office. Having reiterated about the song their teacher taught them albeit not very well memorized, she squeezed herself to move to the front. Somehow within a few minutes she found her hitting it off with tony who had her up in the air twirling her around.
Mama, uncle tony gave me a lollipop.
Ha-ha really, where is it.
Then as if remembering something, she closed her mouth with her hands it’s my secret with uncle tony.
Ha-ha are sure you won’t tell me even if I tinkle you.
Pretending to be a tickle monster she moved to her daughter and tickled all over until she was panting and tell her it was in her pocket.
Her giggles and joy made her feel so happy that tears escaped but for a moment. She was immensely blessed. This was one of the reasons that she kept moving forward. Getting up, she checked the time and realized that she could not make it to the grounds on time and so postponed it to the next day on the morning. Having decided that, she left tony to lock the place up then hailed a taxi and they were on her way home very quickly.
Having taken a bath, she started working on the food while Marya settled down for a children’s cartoon that had her hooked. Feeling especially happy and satisfied, Lisa went on cooking while humming and at times she would just swirl, making the place look lively. It was while she was in the climax of whatever song she was humming now turned singing that she heard claps behind her.
Turning, she saw Alex who was standing by the door, trying to hold the laughter that she knew she was holding in. and before long the two were laughing so hard, Alex was holding her tummy and rolling on the ground. On the other hand, Marya also joined them while not knowing what was going on. If there was someone who could not even manage to sing, it was Lisa.
She always managed to sing either too slowly or too fast and her voice just belonged to either backing or breying. It was definitely unfit for human consumption. When they finally finished laughing, she wiped the tears as she shooed Alex up the stairs for a bath. Alex took the steps while still laughing something that she just let go.
When the food was ready, she called Marya to help her set the table even though she could by herself. She always believed in teaching her daughter the essential and normal duties early on in life. Just as they finished setting up the food, Alex came and joined them and they ate in perfect harmony until Marya asked something that caused Lisa to be troubled.
Mama, where is my papa
Shocked, though knowing she should have expected the question. She looked at her baby who looked more like his father than she did him.
Tears welling in her eyes, Marya pouted in the only way kids can, eliciting a feeling of pity d being wronged. The other children were driven to school by their papas. do I not have a papa.
She knew that maybe it was time she made it known to her daughter about her father, after all they still had a relationship regardless of his character. Taking her from her chair, she hugged her baby while kissing her face. Oh baby, you have a father just like the other babies. It’s just that your father has been quite busy. He will come see you soon, you’ll see.
Is my papa strong.
Yes, your papa is very strong. He has very big hands that can beat anyone that disturbs my Marya. At that, she settled down before wiggling and turning back to her food. It was pretty funny how the threatening tears never fell, yet the desire of her daughter to know about her father opened wounds that she did not want opened. She knew that one day, she would have to let father and daughter meet, it was their right and she could not begrudge Marya the love of her father. On the other hand, she was worried that the father would not want her and she would end up abandoned just like her mom abandoned her.
The worry gnawing on her caused her appetite to diminish and by the time she was slipping beneath the blankets, her face was a mask of worry. Her daughter had to be protected. She also had to protect herself what if Omar took her daughter away from her, would he be a good father, what would she do in such an event.
It was while those thoughts were circulating within her mind that she finally fell into fitful sleep. Her mind conjuring Omar who at first wants her and then when she does not accept him, he comes for her baby with a vehemence that surprises her. she woke up with sweat all over her head as she shuddered at her fears. Even in her dreams Omar could not leave her.