Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Songs for this chapter are:

Can't block it - Lecrae

Torn - Asa

Cassandra

A familiar person once told me that, 'if you don't know how to act when shocked, don't act at all.' So, I stood rigid as a monumental statue as he came closer. Even the wind from the beachside that blew fiercely could not dare to challenge my stance.

I thought sister Yemisi was mature enough to stay by my side as the firstborn child but she walked away to join my other siblings and their children. I took a very deep breath. There were too many questions but I made the resolve not to attempt providing the answers since I didn't have any.

"Were you invited?" I didn't hesitate to ask him once he was within hearing shot.

"Not precisely. But I knew I had to be here today, " he was brief and expressionless. Not even that smile of pain I'd seen him wear at the office. That didn't help my urge not to overthink because I could not help but start to wonder what he meant by he had to be here.

Maybe he's here to do something that's not so nice to me? No, sister Yemisi said he was here to solve my problems. That can't be his reason but what was going on?

"First, I heard about Dan's execution. I'm very happy for you. I'm glad the whole ordeal is now over."

"Thank...you..." I guess.

"How are you doing? How are the kids doing? I thought it would be great to come and see them today since word got to me about the party and I would love to take a few pictures with the children. I'm sure they would love it too."

"I'm afraid it's all too soon for me. We haven't discussed our plan towards co-parenting and I'm not sure if we are ready for it."

Speak for yourself girl.

"I am ready and that is why I'm here today."

"Well...I'm not." I confessed, looking away into the rocks and trying to focus my attention on the clanging of the dinner wares and cutleries.

"Why?"

There was a way he asked why that made me wish he wouldn't ask it like that. I wanted to give him the most acceptable excuse. After all, excuses always made themselves available to be used for those who needed them but on the more reasonable side, wasn't repetition in itself somewhat off-putting? Did I always have to play the 'I-still-feel-guilty-about-everything' card? I should not choose for Mustafa if he wanted to forgive me or not and I should let things happen. It's not always about me and it shouldn't be.

What's meant is meant.

No matter how many times I wished it happened differently. Also, I was still working towards making him accept me so I should not start that journey by lying.

"It's Zoe, " I admitted. "She's a major threat."

"I heard. I just wanted to hear you say it to me so I could confirm it. Thank you for being honest."

I clasped my hands together, tugging softly at the hem of my dress. Should I act like I was shocked when a part of me knew that Ebun was the one who told sister Yemisi and then the information got to him? No. I would be honest even in my conduct but it was indeed a surprise to learn that my sister knew all along and was calm about it.

"She came around a week before Dan's court trial. Wasn't expecting her. She said I was being a multifaceted harlot and I was being unfair to her. Tried to make her understand that you and I are simply co-parenting, nothing more. She slapped me on the face after I said that."

I summarized the whole event since he said he already knew but when I saw his cool expression transform into one of sheer surprise, I realized that maybe Ebun only told my sister that Zoe came around and truly didn't hear her slap me.

"Slapped you? What side of your cheek exactly?" suddenly his hand was on my face before I could process it and they were roaming all over it with concern. I wasn't sure if he was supposed to be touching me at all so I stood there like some bride with a hyperactive mother who wanted to cake her daughter's face up with the most ridiculous set of make-up products.

Afterward, I just let it be. He wanted to do it. It was his choice, not my prompting. I won't give in to my guilt to consume me whole. He was choosing to be concerned.

"I'm fine already. It was just a slap. I already treated myself, " I assured him with a smile on my face that showed intense discomfort.

"It wasn't just a slap. I can see faint marks of her nails by the side of your face," he said after observing. Thankfully, he had stopped touching me and it gladdened me to see that he was studying my face now.

"What do you want to do about it though? You can't hurt a lady you know?" I smirked slightly, wondering what made sister Yemisi think Mustafa could get Zoe to stop.

Even if he did, Zoe was stubborn. I knew that about her confidently. Any opportunity given to her to display her obnoxiousness, she would shamelessly take it.

"I can't hurt her but I can send her into oblivion. I already warned her to stop chasing after me because I wasn't into her. I've been telling her off for the longest time. I thought my resistance would win over her desperation in the long run but it's not acceptable to learn that she is now threatening you!" he fused then he calmed down a little for fear that I might have gotten the wrong idea from what he said. "At least I owe it your sister to chase her away from your life for good."

Or...maybe I was the one thinking on his behalf.

"Everything we did was what we had to do to redeem ourselves. You don't owe me or my sisters anything."

"You matter a lot to her and I respect your sister so just let me handle it."

"What is your plan?" I asked, not pushing the topic further.

What's meant is meant.

He dipped his hand into the inner pocket of his suit and brought out a black, flat file, and handed it to me. There was an inscription on the cover page, written in cursive letters:

Z.Z Waste Disposal.

Curious as to how a professionally looking file could contain a heading that contradicted its outlook, I opened it to be a one-page document. I started to read carefully through the lines.

As my eyes went through the writing, my facial expressions shifted too. They were many things; surprised, intrigued, a bit doubtful but mostly intrigued. When I got done reading through every detail, I looked up at him, astonished.

"Can this work?" I asked the one question on my mind even if I knew deep down that it was a very smart plan.

"One hundred percent sure, Cassie. I was hoping I would not get to show you this file because this method is mostly for urgent matters. I was hoping I wouldn't get to use it on Zoe but now, it's necessary that I do and it will work. I can assure you."

"Damn. You never told me that you had these sort of powers though."

And what makes you think you deserve to know?

I shunned the voice off my mind, choosing not to regret that I asked that question.

"You wouldn't have seen the importance of it like you do now."

He retrieved the file from me and slipped it back into his suit neatly. "Can I see my three musketeers now?" he asked.

"I guess you can, " I replied cheerfully.

**

The party was going to start soon and I was glad my siblings did not let me cancel it. All through, I could not get my mind and my eyes off sister Yemisi. She was my superhero for real. She was always ten steps ahead of me even when I didn't know what to do most times. My peace of mind battered so much that she was willing to do anything for it. For my sake, she was willing to be selfish and challenge anyone.

I was filled with gratitude. I walked down to the side where the wooden tables were because she was there with my younger sister, Ebun. While one was setting the plates, the other was setting the serviettes. I wrapped my arms around their necks simultaneously only after squeezing Ebun's butt cheeks for the fun of it.

"Thank you so much, my best babes." my wish was to squeeze their heads together with mine. I'd never been this joyful.

"Careful girl. The cups will fall and mix with the sand if you don't release me." sister Yemisi said with a smile. Typical of her to not fancy mushyness all the time.

"Whatever. I'm thankful for the two of you. For caring deeply about me."

"What are siblings for?" the two of them said at the same time.

The statement hit differently from Ebun especially. She had been through worse than one but was still strong enough to be by my side. I had to be there for her as well now that I was feeling better.

Later, I released them so they could continue with their activities and went to check on my other three siblings; David, Alexander, and Demi. Sister Demi and Brother Alex were adding the finalities to the party setting; putting a white spreadsheet around the chairs and colorful pillows, colorful lanterns all around for more aesthetically pleasing light, and fixing more standing lamps.

David on the other hand just stood by the shore of the beach, gazing far away with his hands dipped into the pocket of his trouser, doing nothing like the boss he always thought he was but I ignored him and went to check on the one person I was very much concerned about and when I saw him, he looked too lost in the happiness that Ahmed, Youssef, and Farida were giving him. He was smiling just like the way he always did when we were in high school. There and then, I realized just how important it was for him to be here today.

They were so happy to be with their father after several, long weeks and were eager to dismantle anything that had already been arranged since Mustafa was making everything look like a toy to them.

Toddlers!

Twenty minutes later, sister Yemisi made a noise by hitting a metal spoon against a glass cup to summon our attention. It was time for the party. Everything was set.

We all approached the wooden tables and chairs, each person had a table reserved for them, with so many meals on each table; appetizers like turkey pepper soup, appetizing indeed and so many other meals making the table look ten times better. My table however was the only one full with my kids and Mustafa and with all sincerity, I loved the sight and feeling of having my own family.

There was a standing lamp since we were partying into the night and the evening was drawing close. The beach beyond us was a magnificent view that showed a turquoise blue kind of wave. The rocks before the beach highlighted the scenario for the gathering.

Everything was perfect.

Once we were all seated, sister Yemisi remained the only one standing, radiant in her subtle makeup and green denim jumpsuit. She left the first four buttons open, revealing her perky cleavage. She was very confident. I on the other hand looked like a potato with makeup that had been wiped away by tears but it didn't matter much. I was still going to have the time of life.

"Attention everyone! I'm so glad to have my favorite people in the world present today and I'm happier for our gathering. Today is indeed such a liberating day for my baby girl, Cassandra. I'm so proud of her for staying alive through this whole process and I'm glad to see her win, to see her liberated, to see to the death of Dan, the adversary who brought about so many difficulties in her life. I'm proud of her for staying strong which is why I celebrate her today. We all do and it is a big cheer to that!" sister Yemisi said.

She popped open a bottle of fine champagne and poured each person a glass. (oh, the kids weren't included just in case you were wondering). After a befitting round of applause, we gathered together to raise our glasses high in the air and join them together with a clink. We cheered on to a prosperous and better year ahead for me and to long-lasting happiness.

The evening was approaching fast and the sun had moved far below its horizon, settling on the sea to produce the most beautiful reflection on the waves of the sea.

The wind was starting to blow rapidly. I had a few words to say to everyone so I walked up in front of everyone to gain their attention. My hair consistently got stuck on my face but it wasn't something I could not handle. All I had to do was tuck it back in place a hundred times over.

I did my best to amplify my voice as the wind grew stronger, causing the wooden tables to rattle slowly. Everyone's attention was keen on me, with wide smiles on their faces.

"Umm...I'm happy today. I've always wanted a gathering like this. A family in togetherness. You all have helped me grow and let go during this moment of my life. I've felt love like never before, having all of you stand by my side. I've gotten to learn that I'm worthy of love and should not settle for anything that is not authentic even at the slightest sign. This is the best night of my life and I can feel a good breath of fresh air. I'm thankful for it." the movement of the wind was starting to overshadow my voice as it blew my hair across my face again. I removed it. "I love yurywuw—

My voice got caught up in the wind. I coughed out a little and decided to try again. "I...love...yourwusuuwbu—

Soon, my voice became unheard and it was the sound of tables, chairs, plates, cups, dinner wares falling, rattling, and clattering that could be heard. Not only were the table arrangements, lanterns, and chairs falling to the ground according to the dictates of the wind. Things were flying too; the white cloths that had been used to cover the chairs and the table napkins. The lamps were flickering, losing watts of solar energy by the minute.

There was nothing we could do but gasp, exclaim, and try to protect our children from endangering edifices but Sister Yemisi particularly seemed to be in the mood for an argument with the wind unlike everyone else who was trying to get a full grasp of what just happened.

Alexander found it amusing to watch my sister stand, hands akimbo, trying hand to rearrange everything that the wind had destroyed but to no avail.

Luckily for him, one of the white clothes that were flying weightlessly in the air fell into his hands in a successful catch before landing into the sea. Sneakily from behind, he shushed us till he was able to cover sister Yemisi whole with the heavy, white spreadsheet, making her look like a ghost. Afterward, he ran.

"Someone let me out of this! Nng! Grfs!...ffs!"

We couldn't hide our laughter with her being our laughing stock. It was even more interesting to watch furious Sister Yemisi chase Alex around the beach like a dog after learning that he was the culprit. It was a wonderful and super hilarious sight to see the playful Yemisi. I doubt if any one of us had ever seen that.

Mustafa and I were cool throughout the night. No awkward side glances or tension. Just liberty and the willingness to try again. I couldn't exactly say that we were pretending like nothing ever happened. It was more like we were letting what was meant to happen, happen.

The music began. We danced for a good, memorable time because Mustafa and I were the only ones who knew how to dance out of everyone present. I danced away my pain and it was beyond therapeutic to be able to move my bones.

Yemisi had only agreed to take a family photo with us only after giving Alexander a good slap on the back. She was having the most fun even when the party was organized for me to be the star of the show.

The highlight of the party for me had to be the sudden outturn of events that brought out the authentic, happy sides of everyone. No one wished for the wind to destroy everything we'd spent days organizing. It just showed that life would not always be what we expect it to be but even when we are met with surprises, so long as we have the right people with us, we are going to be okay.

Also, I couldn't get over the family photo that Mustafa and I took with the children. I realized it was my dream family. Regardless of the shortcomings.

In all honesty, though, I had the feeling deep down within me that this party was not a complete one yet. Especially for me. Maybe that was why Yemisi was the one who had the spotlight to mount. Also, maybe that was why the wind would not let me tell my siblings that I loved them without one person present.

My mother. It was time to bury the hatchet and I was ready for the big conversation. I was ready to continue from where we stopped that afternoon at the kitchen when I was only eighteen-years-old, empty, and sorrowful.

"Should we meet one of these days?" I sent the text message to my mother just before retiring to bed that night, drunk and wasted.

******

Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace."

P.S: The photo above is a pictorial representation of what the party scene in this chapter looked like. Hopefully, I was able to do some justice to the description.

Glossary

• Pepper soup is an assorted delicious meal vastly eaten by Nigerians which could contain turkey, meat, or catfish, depending on the individual's preference. If by chance you come to Nigeria as a foreigner, pepper soup should be on the top five list of delicacies you should try out. :)