WHEN THE HEART KNOWS

Euphoria

The next couple of weeks, Nma’s feet hardly touched the ground, she was walking on air and so happy. Most of the people who thought she had a death wish before found it difficult to understand what was happening to her. Even Helen couldn’t understand it anymore. Nma had Eva to thank for her meddling but the meddlesome woman was not in the country. Helen walked in as she was musing to herself.

“Ok, out with it” Helen said

“Out with what?” Nma asked her pretending ignorance

“You are smiling to yourself again; only two things can make me do that, dating Chuck or Jason Momoa ”

“So you have it hot for Chuck”

“The guy is too cute for his own good, and I find footballers sexy”

“Didn’t know football is such a sexy sports”

“Don’t change the subject”

“Let’s just say I am happy with way things are now in my life”

“Most of us are happy with our lives too, but that dreamy look and smiling at nothing is way beyond it, so is it prince charming”

“How very perspective you are dear, Uche is a big part of my life and I am happy with us”

“Oh Nma isn’t it wonderful that of all the women all over the world he chose you. It makes me wonder what his psycho ex Angela would say this time”

Nma had forgotten about the other girl, the girl Uche was dating before he met her, funny how he never spoke of her again. Not that she was relishing seeing the girl but it looked quite suspicious that the girl would just give up so easily after all her threats.

“There goes my big mouth, didn’t you know about her”

“Of course I do, I was just wondering what happened to her”

“Simple Uche dumped her for you; she must have seen the way he is besotted with you and decide to give up”

Nma laughed at Helen’s enthusiasm. The girl was full of energy and optimism. She acted like a teenager.

“So back to you, I think I can help with Chuck” Nma said

“Chuck, do you know him?”

“Let’s just say I am very close to his brother”

“Prince charming, yes I know they are very close, why do you think I am in full support of Prince charming” Helen laughed “Now that my friend is dating his brother, I know she would hook me up” Helen pleaded

“I will if my friend works very hard to finish the orders I gave her in a record time”

“Deal” Helen agreed quickly and rushed out to start.

Nma smiled happily at Helen. The girl was a bundle of excitement, Nma was yet to see her depressed or sad even for a minute. And it dawned on Nma that she knew next to nothing about the girl. How could one be such a talkative and yet say nothing about her own background?

Tessy opened the door to her husband’s office and smiled at him. He smiled back and got up from his chair; he drew her in his hands and kissed her passionately.

“Just what I needed in middle of the afternoon, my sexy wife”

“I came to see Nma, you said she has been working around with a long face, I want see if I can cheer her up”

“Too late, she glowing these days”

“Really, that is strange?”

“Not exactly”

“You know anything about her mood swing?”

“Must be the Billionaire” Felix replied frowning

“If he could do that to her, that means…” she smiled at her husband “Now that is a story I will be hearing from Nma” Tessy turned to go.

“Don’t you think you should wait till she tells you?”

Tessy smiled, “No” she replied her husband.

After she left Felix sighed and wondered why women were always excited about romance? Ok he would admit the difference in Nma, she was indeed happy, he thought. He had once called her state “a shinning radiance” He hoped with all his heart that Uche wouldn’t break her heart. It was easy to see that she was totally in love with him. And that she might not survive if he left her. God help him if he did, Felix thought furiously, he would make sure the guy suffered for his sins. Then a nagging thought hit him. Nothing would hurt Nma more than the secret he harbored in his heart but she would never find out. He hoped to carry the secret to his grave. Then what moral right had he to punish Uche if he hurt Nma when what he carries in his mind could easily do that and more. He heaved a sigh. He would call the other person who knew the secret, it was high time they told her. He was tired of being bound by the deception. He placed a call to the only other person who knew

Tessy slowed down as she got nearer to Nma’s office, she could remember the first time she met the girl. Nma had been full of resentment for her then. She smiled. She didn’t get angry with the sixteen year who had a huge crush on her fiancé; rather she tried to be understanding. She understood that being sixteen and having your first crush was never easy. So she had tried as much as possible to befriend Nma. The girl had been distant and mean to her at first but with time they became friends. She would never forget the occasion that marked the beginning of their friendship. It was the first time she found out that her father was terminally ill and had very little time to live. She had come to look for Felix as was her habit, to be consoled by him but instead she had met Felix’s wife. Tessy smiled and moved on.

And as soon as she had opened the door for Nma on that fateful day, she could see on her face the pain written all over it and suddenly the pain changed to disappointment and then resentment. Nma had turned around to go without another word but she had called her back and asked her to wait for Felix who had gone to a nearby grocery shop. Nma had entered reluctantly and while she waited for her husband, Tessy got into small talks with her which led to her spilling her heart. She didn’t know what else to do but to gather the grieving girl to her bosom and offer sisterly comfort.

Tessy sighed and opened the door that led to Nma’s studio. She found her alone bent over her sewing machine as usual. Tessy smiled at the picture, all these, this whole building was a result of one little brave girl who was determined to make a difference in a world where wrong is right and right is wrong. She didn’t know how long she stood watching and admiring her.

Nma felt she was no longer alone and looked up, she saw Tessy watching with a motherly look. Nma felt something touch her heart.

“Hey! You are not planning on standing all day?”

Tessy realized that she had been seen and smiled “I could, it gives me a very proud and beautiful feeling looking at you and all you have accomplished”

Nma stood up and gave her a hug. She remained in Tessy arms trying to control her emotions. Tessy was the closest person she had to a mother. Since she couldn’t recall her own mother and her father had destroyed all her memories right after she left.

“You know that you and Felix are very much part of this success and achievement. I can’t separate one from the other”

Tessy smiled “You could say that and I will keep wondering what I ever did to become a part of this whole thing”

“Tessy you love me, I see it in your eyes. You are like the mother I never knew and I find myself working hard not to disappoint you, just like a good daughter would”

“I think I am going to cry” she quickly brought out her hanker chief and wiped the tears already gathered in her eyes. Nma embraced her again. That was exactly how Helen found them when she entered.

“Oh! This makes me want to cry” Helen exclaimed and the other two women burst into laughter.

“Come along then” Tessy invited, “We seem to have free tears going around”

“I know I said in a record time Helen but this is way too fast. If this is any evidence of how much you want the man”

“What man?” Tessy eyes were already gleaming

“I wouldn’t know, the only person who seemed to have gone loony over a man is Nma.”

“Oh please you girls shouldn’t keep in me suspense”

“Helen seemed to have it hot for Chuck and Chuck happens to be Uche’s brother”

“She would introduce me to him if I finish my work in a record time”

“But she broke the record, so much for love”

“Hate to disappoint you dearie but I am only here to ask what is to be done with this” she raised the material

“Like you don’t want the man anymore” Tessy laughed

“Well what would a rich, handsome international star ever see in me?”

Nma rolled her eyes heavenward “You don’t say that kind thing to Tessy, she is an incurable romantic”

Tessy laughed “Love doesn’t recognize status sweetie, any love that does that is not true love. You just have to have faith in what you feel in your heart that it will grow and one day if you are meant to be, he will feel its warmth and return it”

“That’s a mouthful” Nma smiled

“And very wise, thanks” Helen said.

“And you smart mouth, I was told that you went from someone who had a death wish to someone who couldn’t be more content with her life”

“It is called mood swing very common with creative people”

“So then why do I see Uche Okoha written all over you”

Helen chuckled

“You are right”

“So here I am waiting to hear all the pleasant details from you”

Nma sat down and heaved a contented sigh. A dreamy look lighted up her face. She was lost in beautiful memories.

“What can I say? He is every woman’s dream come true. He makes me feel like I am the only woman in the whole world” she laughed “Now you can’t expect me to tell you everything”

“What was it like the first time he kissed you?” Tessy asked dreamily

Helen giggled with excitement “First kiss is supposed to be special isn’t it”

“My dear when I was dating, I made it a point to kiss all my dates that was my way of knowing. When I first kissed Felix, I felt a kind of pleasure that was beyond description. But one thing will always stay in my mind, in that one kiss, I saw my future and the feeling was so great that my toes curled. If a guy’s kiss doesn’t make your toes curl, then he is not your guy” Tessy looked at them seriously. She turned to Nma “So tell me dear, was it like that for you”

“It was like that and more Tessy. He stole the first kiss, so my first feelings were shock and anger but even at that, there was this warm feeling that started from the bottom of my belly and before I knew it I was kissing him back like my life depended on it. My toes curled. I could kiss him forever Tessy, sometimes I wonder if I am abnormal”

“As far as he feels the same way honey then you must count yourself lucky”

“Oh mine!” Helen exclaimed “Nma I think I want to kiss Chuck”

They laughed. “I should now go and break that record if I want my toes curling anytime soon” they laughed as Helen left them. Tessy gave Nma one more hug. “I am very happy for you sweetheart”

As soon as they left, Nma called Uche. She couldn’t wait to hear his voice. Not after her girly chat with her friends. It was like realizing how lucky she was to have him in her life. Uche picked the call at first ring and she felt her body warming at the sound of his deep voice.

“I was just about to call you” he said.

“Oh! So I beat you to it, how is your day going?”

“I swear if Star reminds me of yet another meeting I will fire her”

Nma laughed, the beautiful face of the woman swam to her mind. She worried a little about Star.

“I am sure she means well” she replied instead

“What are you doing this evening?” he asked her

“That’s why I am calling, I want to cook dinner for you”

“How tempting but I have a social engagement tonight and I want to show you off”

She laughed at that. “Very flattering” she said “I don’t mind at all though it might be the other way round”

He chuckled at that “We would have dinner on our way, but I will come early so we can spend sometime before we go out”

Nma smiled, she knew he was doing that to soothe her emotion for refusing dinner in her house. She wondered about that. He had all but refused all dates that would put the two of them alone together. Well she supposed one cannot have her cake and eat it.

“That would be ok” she replied him.

“I will see you soon” he said then he began to talk to someone else in his office. “If there is yet another meeting, you can cancel, I am leaving early today, oh send her right in. He spoke to the phone “Sweet heart, I will be at your front door before you know it” he said and hung up.

Nma held the phone in her hands. Why couldn’t he say it, why couldn’t he tell her he loved her? She was sure he did, she was sure of that as she was sure she loved him. Patience! Patience! She chanted to herself. She smiled as she recalled he was coming early so they could spend some time together before they go out. So instead of worrying that she was not getting enough of him, she should think of how to make the little time she got with him special. With that she started planning. She was already not satisfying his major needs but she could satisfy him on other levels. She thought

Nma came out of the bathroom and wore a sea green chiffon gown, very simple and casual and at the same time sexy. She rushed to the kitchen to finish up the local fruit punch she was preparing for Uche. It was a recipe she got from Tessy. She had some wild berries Tessy’s mom had brought to go with it. She wasn’t sure he was going to like it but it was something different and she wanted to be different and unique from the other girls he had dated before. When she finished that, she ran into the living to play one of those soft songs he loved listening to. She was rising up after setting the music when the door bell rang and she hurried to the door running her hands through her hair as she went. She opened the door and there the love of her life was standing in deep blue jeans and a jacket, he smiled at her. She threw herself at him and kissed it vigorously. She drew him into the living room and he smiled at the scene.

“You look good, now how do I stop my friends from ogling at you”

Nma laughed “Of course I am not going in this, I still have sometime to change to my dress, or are you in a hurry to leave?”

“When my girl is dressed like that with that song in the air, it will take ten thousand stampeding elephant babe”

She laughed and kissed him again, “I made us some light snacks”

“You are the only woman I know who relish cooking”

“I only relish cooking for you”

She went back to the kitchen while Uche made himself more comfortable by pulling off his blazers. He adjusted the music and looked around, if he was in a normal relationship, they would be in her bedroom and not here with him all strung up. He appreciated the fact that she was trying hard to lighten the mood but it was hard not to notice the s****l tension. All he could think of was touching her; he wanted to do more than kiss her. He wanted her in his bed and he couldn’t think straight with that kind of want. He took a deep breath and waited for her to reappear. He wondered again if he wasn’t mad to accept this kind of relationship. What would his friends say if they found out that he was not sleeping with the woman he was dating? Well it seemed to be becoming a trend for him, after all he didn’t sleep with Angela too and he dated her. That was different he told himself. He never wanted Angela in the first place. Life was so ironic and sometimes he laughed at the sense of humor of whoever was up there. This was a real blow, the bad boy heart breaker falling in love with someone who wouldn’t sleep with him. He caught himself and stopped. He wasn’t in love with her, was he? He sat up abruptly. Yes he was he agreed, what else was he doing here with a woman he couldn’t sleep with unless he married her? He knew all along that he would marry her. How could he have been so blind to all the signs? When he couldn’t get her out of his mind, when one look at her gave him tender feelings, when the thought of living without her was like living without air? He should have known then that he was falling love with her. How could he have let this happen? He had vowed that he would never walk down that road again. But here he was in love with a woman who even though claimed that she loved him refused to give all she had to their relationship. He scolded himself at the thought. How could he think like that after hearing the story behind it? Suddenly he wanted to leave. He wanted to be alone with his newly discovered emotion. He needed to understand what it meant and what he would do about it. If he did that, she would be confused at his sudden disappearance and it would hurt her deeply. He was sure he could find a way to explain later when he must have sorted out his feelings. But as he was standing up, Nma came bearing a tray which she put down gently on the table beside him. She poured him a glass of a liquid he wasn’t sure he knew.

“Taste and tell me what you think”

He forced a smile trying to get back some of his earlier mood. He sipped the drink and it surprisingly tasted well and drank more deeply. “What’s in it?” he asked as he picked up the berries and looked at them strangely.

“I don’t believe I have seen these berries before”

“They are wild berries, it has a local name I can’t remember it now, Tessy mother brought it from the village”

“They are nice” he murmured.

Nma noticed then that something was wrong with him. He looked like he wanted nothing but to be gone from here, away from her. She wondered what could have happened between the time she was getting the refreshment and then to put him in such a mood. She was going to ask him but she thought against it.

“I would go get dressed now” she said and got up, she walked to the door and turned around only to see him looking into space, the refreshment forgotten. What could have gone wrong, she wondered as anxiety sipped into her spine.

“Uche are you alright?” she asked quietly

He looked at her, gush how he loved her, he thought. Shouldn’t that knowledge fill him with joy? All he could feel was confusion and a touch of anxiety. He felt like he had played into hands of an expert. But the woman standing there looked like she had no scheming bone in her body.

“I am fine” he replied “You know I had a long day at work, I guess it is getting to me”

“Would you rather go home? If you are not feeling up to it, I guess we can forget it”

The exact excuse he was looking for, he thought. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He had promised he was taking her out and that he would do. It was not her fault that he couldn’t come terms with loving her.

“No I am alright, let’s just pray you dressed like the typical woman and I would catch some sleep by the time you are ready” he smiled as if to reassure her.

Nma sat on her dressing stool, looking at white body con gown she was going to wear. Suddenly the evening was becoming a disaster and there was nothing it seemed she could do about it. How could she have done something about it when she didn’t know the reason behind it? She didn’t believe the story he told about being tired, she knew somehow that whatever was wrong with him was deeper than tiredness. Could it be s****l tension? She saw in his eyes how much restrain he was putting on himself when he kissed her earlier. She knew it wasn’t easy on him to become celibate after years of active s*x life. Was she not asking too much of him, she thought. Was the whole thing too much of a punishment for him to bear. She sighed and hoped that he would be in a better mood by the time she returned to the living room. She walked over to the bed and picked the gown and wore it, slipped her feet into black high heel sandals. She only freshened up her make up. She wore the diamond earrings he gave her with its matching bracelet then she picked up her black purse and left.

He was half asleep by the time she entered the living room. He really looked tired and she didn’t have the heart to wake him. She stood there undecided trying to make up her mind. He really needed the rest and besides there would be many more parties to attend in the future.

“Are you going to kiss me awake or not?” he murmured sleepily

She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Well you hardly need it now. You are awake already?” Thank God she prayed silently. Whatever the problem was seemed to be over. She also prayed that it wouldn’t come back later in the night.

“I am not awake yet” he told her and grabbed her by the waist. She went willing laughing and gave a noisy kiss. “If that doesn’t wake you, nothing would” she laughed.

He held her head and kissed her slowly. Nma could feel the warmth in her belly. She wondered if she would always feel like this whenever he kissed her.

“Now that is more like it, I am definitely awake now” he told her and drew her to her feet. “You look good” he told her

“I would have gone for breathtaking” she laughed.

He looked at her and smiled “and that too” he led her out to the car, tonight they had a chauffeur. “Don’t want to drive when I drink”

She smiled and got into the back of the SUV with chauffeur holding the door for her.

Their car glided to a stop near the harbor, she turned to Uche with confusion written all over her face. “Where is this place?”

He led her out of the car as the chauffeur opened the door. “A private harbor, it belongs to one of my friends” he explained as he led her towards the plank that led to a yacht.

“I thought we are going to a party”

“Yes we are honey, it is his engagement party but having more money than he would ever need, he decided to buy a yacht for the party. I also heard that he is going into yacht hotels after this”

Nma swallowed it all in awe. “Oh!” was all she could manage as she crossed the plank. A door man ushered them in. The man took her wrap and showed them into one of the most magnificent hall she had ever seen.

Nma was still looking around in awe when he saw a handsome young man break out from a group and came towards them with a smile.

“Hey Uche! I wasn’t sure you could make it. I am so glad you did”

“Wouldn’t miss seeing another die hard bachelor shackled for life”

The man laughed and pounded Uche on the back. “I am very sure that you would be getting shackled soon my friend” he turned to Nma and gave her full male lusty look. “I know who you are and have lusted after you since I saw that picture of you and Uche. I am Yemi Yem” he kissed her fingers, lingering in the kiss. Uche frowned and had to rescue Nma from Yemi.

“I see shackled or not Yemi, you will never cease being the typical bachelor”

The man smiled coyly and laughed out rightly, he turned to Nma. “He is yours for shackling, don’t waste too much time.”

The man led them into the hall. Nma could not keep the wonder from her face.

“Nice place huh!” Uche commented

“Nice doesn’t cut it” Nma replied smiling up at him. The hall was shimmering with light. There were about ten chandeliers dropping for the high ceiling, the French windows were left open to let in the sea breeze, there were exotic flowers at almost all the corner of the hall. Uniformed waiters moved about with trays of assorted drinks.

She let him lead in her into the hall teeming with people and as they walked she could feel eyes coming to rest on them. Uche stopped here and there to exchange pleasantries with acquaintances. Nma saw Angela, the girl was looking good as usual in midnight blue shimmering evening gown that clung to her waist and flayed at her ankles. Angela began to walk towards them and Nma wanted desperately to veer Uche to another direction. Then suddenly she turned and smiled at Angela. She could give the girl coy if that was what she wanted. She shouldn’t be the one doing the running, not anymore.

“Here you are darling, I have been looking out for you” she said to Uche totally ignoring Nma completely.

“Hi Angela, you look good tonight” Uche commented. At that same time he wondered if he was not better off with Angela at least his heart would be safe. Then he looked at Nma knew that there was no way he was going to let her go now. She was meant for him and only him. Angela’s next flow of words cut into his thoughts.

“Is that all you can manage ma Cherie” she laughed

“No I seem to remember thinking Nma looked breathtaking this evening” he smiled at Nma. “Have I told you that honey?” he asked her

“Several times already but I still want to hear it” she smiled and kissed him on his lips. He wanted to deepen the kiss but she laughed and took a step back “Uche behave yourself, everyone is watching”

“Yes” Angela said, her face a mask of anger and temper. “Everybody is watching” she turned to Nma and looked at her like she was a pest. “It is not over till it is over; you are not married to him yet”

“Nice meeting you again Angela” Nma smiled at her

“I wonder if she would always be this way”

“She is not important” he told her, “Do you want to sit while I get you a drink, I am very sure the waiters are not passing around any non alcoholic”

“I will just look around” she told him and watched him leave.

Nma took her time to look at the hall and the opened French windows made her itch to go to the balconies and look at the sea but Uche would wonder where she was. Then she looked at the guest milling around, the country richest were all accounted for here. All of them shimmering and reeking in designer clothes and precious stones. She wondered if she would ever fit in. if she married Uche, she will become a part of this people. She would move in their circle. Was this really what she wanted, this pretentious life. She smiled, she was thinking too far ahead, Uche had not asked her to marry him yet and he probably wouldn’t. So her fears were needless.

“What a pretty girl like you doing here alone?” a deep said behind her

She whirled around and saw Stanley smiling down at her. Her first thought was the guy had the most fascinating eyes she had ever seen.

“Hi” she managed to say to him, offering her hands

He kissed it instead “Don’t tell me he left you all by yourself here”

“Well he went in search of a drink for me”

“I see, I should steal you away for a while that will teach him never to leave you alone”

“But I don’t mind being left alone” she smiled at him “And besides have you not left someone alone to come here and steal me away”

“You are quite clever but the girl I am with is used to this crowd and can never find herself alone”

“Oh but I will rather wait for him” she told him “But you can keep me company, since your girl can find her way around here”

“My pleasure” Stanley said.

“You look good night; I wish I saw you first”

Nma laughed, “I didn’t catch what you did the last time we were together”

“I have sizeable beverage company and another one for house hold equipments, etcetera etcetera. Let’s say I am crazy about manufacturing”

“Beverage Company?”

“Sweet water” he told her

“I am your number one customer, this is really great, and I especially love your diet range”

“Now what would a skinny girl like you be doing with diet range”

“It takes discipline to remain skinny” she laughed at him

“I guess” he agreed with her

Angela walked over to Stanley’s date Chris and the girl smiled at her. “Angela you look exceptional tonight”

“Thank you” Angela said “And where is your man, have you wondered?”

Chris laughed “Stanley is not my man but tonight he is my date”

“I see but where is he anyway?”

“He is over there talking to Uche’s girlfriend”

“You mean that w***e!”

“Angela! Now I know why you might resent the girl but that name calling was uncalled for”

“When a girl snatches another girl’s boyfriend, what does that make her?” Angela asked

“But you knew Uche wasn’t very serious with you, everyone knew”

“He would have been if that scheming b***h didn’t come up and ruin all my plans”

“Sweet heart look around, there are still plenty bachelors around who look at you with stars in their eyes”

“I want Uche” she snapped at Chris

“Well it doesn’t look like he wants you. Forget him darling and move on with you life. You are a very pretty girl, and you shouldn’t be alone for one second pinning for a man who has eyes only for one girl”

Angela smiled “I know you might think I am mad but true love overcomes in the end. I truly love Uche and I think that’s what’s going to count at the end of the day”

“But Uche looks like he truly loves that girl and at the end of the day it is he who decides who he wants”

“You are supposed to be my friend Chris but all you have done so far is support the girl you snatched away my future” Angela cried

“Yes because I am your friend and sometimes I want to bang your head with a resounding object and clear it of the cotton wool in it. It’s okay to have a crush on a man when you are a teenager but when you are a grown woman it becomes foolish” Chris said calmly but already her eyes are widening “Oh my goodness it is BODY TALK”

Angela watched the person Chris was referring to walked into the hall in the hands of an international singer. The woman wore a shimmering short green gown that clung to her perfect curves.

“She is truly the most beautiful woman alive” Chris said “When she didn’t manage to ensnare Uche, I thought no one could” she added. They both turned to look at Nma who was still Stanley, they watched as Uche joined them and they both gasped.

“Now I see the connection” Angela said

“It turns out that the tat is not a tat after all”

“Just because she is related to Amber doesn’t mean she is not from the gutter. If my mother was Amber I wouldn’t be wasting my time with that small hut of a boutique trying to make ends meet” Angela snared

Chris smiled but remained silent. She was more interested in the kind of look the woman was getting from men and women alike. Men stared with blatant interest while the women seemed to tighten their holds on their men. And no one seemed to have seen the resemblance between the woman and Nma yet.

Nma was laughing up at Uche and Stanley.

“You owe me a dance for keeping you company while this rascal here went about doing who knows what”

“I will be glad to dance with you” she beamed at him

“Haven’t you heard of taking permission from the man” Uche cut in

“What man?” Stanley asked in mock shock looking around. Then he swore and had all of them looking his direction.

“It is BODY TALK” Nma said with excitement.

The woman was indeed beautiful, Nma thought, more beautiful than any of her posters she had seen. “She is incredible” Nma murmured

But the guys were looking at the two women and making comparison. “And she looks exactly like you” Stanley said with awe.

“Yes she does” Nma agreed casually

Stanley looked at Nma startled, “You know?”

“She is my role model; I have her poster in my bedroom. I believe she is the most creative designer I have ever seen”

“You have not wondered why you look exactly like her” Stanley asked

“Yes I have but I have also found out that we have no blood relationship”

“You are sure”

“Yes she is” Uche answered. “Nma is an only child”

“I was thinking that she could be her mother”

Uche gasped because he knew how sensitive Nma was with anything that had to do with her mother.

“Nma doesn’t like talking about her mother” Uche said

“I am sorry, is she dead?”

Uche rolled her eyes

“Didn’t you come here with a date?”

“I am just being curious”

“She is not dead. She left when I was about eight months old”

“Oh! I am so sorry”

“Yes me too but it is her loss not mine” she managed a smile

Uche knew differently so he gave his friend one of those not too friendly look.

“And I’d better find my date” he said “And don’t forget that dance”

“Don’t pay him too much attention”

“It is a natural reaction. When I was younger, I used to day dream that I was her daughter and that one day she would come back and we will become a family again”

She turned to look at him quietly “If indeed she is my mother, don’t you think she would have looked for me. I mean she cannot be that cruel to forget she had a child?”

The look on her face pained Uche and for the first time he saw how much she wanted and missed having a mother. He drew her into his hands and he pressed a kiss on her fore head.

“Look what a success you have turned out to be without her, I can assure you there are so many girls out there who grew up with their mothers and yet lack the impart of motherhood. But you are a priceless daughter any mother would wish to have. So I say it is her loss, not yours”

She looked up at him and smiled. Then she kissed him fully on the lips. “Why would anyone worry about having a mother who didn’t want her when they have got you” she said.

“What a romantic picture?” A deep husky voice that sounded close to her own said behind her and Nma turned around and gazed into the eyes that were exactly like her own. If the woman was surprised at the way they resembled each other, she hid it well and smiled at the both of them.

“Amber” Uche said getting a fierce hug from her.

“My runaway boyfriend” she responded letting him go then she turned to Nma.

“I have been hearing the rumor that Uche is dating my daughter and I came to see”

Nma gasped with shock and for a moment they could only stare at each other. Only when Uche drew her closer to him did it occur to her that she had been squeezing the life out of him.

“Not that any of the rumors are true honey” Amber laughed.

Nma could feel herself beginning to breathe again.

“So I heard you own a clothing line NMA”

“Yes, I do” Nma answered

She saw what looked like a flicker of pain flash through the woman’s face but it only lasted a moment and she wondered if she imagined it.

“You are as lovely as your name, Uche I think this time you have made the right choice”

“She didn’t tell you her name was Nma” Uche was quick to observe

Nma saw the woman’s smile falter for a second or two.

“Well she didn’t have to but I read all about the two of you on the internet, the one that had both of you in each others arms” Amber replied smiling again

“Nma I believe both of us should get together, I can tell you that this resemblance and the speculations going on with it will sell millions of clothes for us honey”

“I guess so” Nma replied finding her voice at last. She watched the woman open her purse and bring out a card and handed it to her.

“Here is my card, call me” she said, she turned and looked at Uche. “I am glad you didn’t end up with Angela honey but I believe right now you have got the best there is for you, waste no more time” she smiled and blew a kiss at him and sashayed away back to her lover’s arms.

“She is nice, don’t you think, not like a baby deserter” Nma commented

“I guess” he replied “let’s dance” he said.

The rest of the evening went well, Nma danced with Uche to a slow love song and also danced with Stanley who tried to set Uche off by placing his hands on her waist suggestively as they danced. They all had a good laugh when Uche walked to the dance floor to get her away from him.

It was fun and she actually forgot they were on water and not on solid safe ground. But she had to go spoil it by deciding to freshen up her make up.

Nma was standing watching her reflection on the mirror and thinking that it would be her period soon, it was already showing on her face, a very tiny pimple which she was not going to let grow big was faintly on her fore head. She brought out her translucent power ready for a touch up. The door opened and Angela came

“Same scene, another take” Nma murmured and continued with her make up.

“I can see you are enjoying being the lady of the day”

“That particular title will go to the celebrant fiancée” she told her and decided her face was perfect after all.

“Not running away are you?”

“No but I am actually done here”

“As he would be done with you soon”

“I don’t see that happening soon and I can tell you why?” Nma said, maybe it was time someone told the girl the gospel truth”

“I am dying of curiosity” Angela said and walked to mirror to pat her face.

“I am very different from you; I work hard everyday at being different from you. The thought of you gives him the shudders”

Angela gasped and looked at her, “I can see you are becoming confident. Let me see why, oh now I see, being the bastard child of BODY TALK is getting to your head”

It was Nma’s turn gasps “I am not a bastard” she told Angela and began to leave but the girl caught her hands

“Sure you are. I mean I know Amber had a child she doesn’t talk about and won’t acknowledge but seeing that you are gunning to become the wife to the heir to Okoha throne. She comes out to give her bastard daughter some motherly support”

Just then Amber walked in. and she looked at Angela with disdain, Nma actually saw the girl step back and she was surprised, she didn’t think anybody could get to Angela’s rock solid self esteem.

“Didn’t think you would still be playing the b***h for a guy who is as good as shackled Ella”

“Only my friends call me that” Angela sneered

Amber laughed and walked over to the mirror “Not that it is any of business honey but when I hear my name in connection to a bastard daughter…”

“I know what games you are playing Amber, first you became his mother’s best protégée, then you tried to trap Uche and when he chose me over you, you decided to present your long forgotten bastard daughter”

“Wow, I see you have it all worked out” she turned to Nma “You are lucky Uche is in love with you because I wouldn’t want to see you this bitter some day”

“He is bewitched because he is too intelligent to love a bastard!”

“Good thing I am not one Angela, but then bastards are mostly known from their attitude, see you around” Nma nodded at Amber and left.

“Your little stunt won’t work, Uche will never marry her” Angela said snapping her compact powder shut “You have always had your eyes on the Okoha’s wealth and you think you can get it through your daughter but he will see through your plans soon because I will make sure of it” she walked past Amber

“If you are right then I have a good chance of getting what I want” Amber smiled at Angela and snapped open her compact

“Over my dead body” Angela replied and left

“Be careful of what you wish for honey” Amber said watched while Angela left,

Nma sat beside Uche on their way home; she was unusually quiet and had been since she came from the ladies. He didn’t want to probe if she didn’t want to tell him but it was killing him to find out what happened in the ladies. He was also wondering what to do with his newly discovered feeling for her; he was wondering if he should tell her but he was afraid that if he told her he would be laying his heart at her feet to step on and crush when she wanted to. He told himself to wait and really think about what he wanted to do. Happy with his decision, he smiled and placed his hands on hers and she squeezed his hands and smiled up at him.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes just a bit shaken, meeting Amber shook me more than I realized” she told him

“Maybe I should do some research about my mother, she must be on this earth some where”

“Why the sudden urge?”

“A seed has been planted Uche, I and Amber must be related in one way or the other. She might be an aunt. I have never met any of my relative from my mother’s side. Once she left, my father never allowed it”

“I guess its ok to try to locate a part of your family, but honey it might not be a happy home coming, they might all be jerks”

“I know they are because none of them made an effort to find me”

He stopped in front of her house and turned to her “let it go for now honey”

He kissed her fingers. “I am thinking we should spend a whole day together before I travel,. Maybe this weekend” he asked her surprising both of them. She smiled at him

“Would love to Uche” she told him but her heart was pounding but she had come to trust him with all her heart if he wanted to spend the whole day with her, she was sure that he didn’t have s*x in mind. She was sure

“Do I get to know where you are taking me?”

He kissed her for answer “Somewhere special” he replied and opened the door for her. “Pack a bikini” he said and she looked at him strangely.

“Alright, I will be looking forward to it”

At her boutique the next day, Nma was thinking about how completely her life had changed, she no longer did things without thinking of how it would affect Uche. She could no longer up and leave without letting him know she was traveling and most times he frowned at it. She even stocked up half of her cupboards with his favorite food. She smiled and wondered if she was not loosing herself in him. Her mind strayed to the coming weekend and she wondered how he could think of it when he could hardly bear to stay one hour in her company alone. She knew he was afraid if he stayed longer, he would actually make love with her. And he wasn’t so wrong. She wanted him as much as he wanted her and being together only intensified it. Sometimes she felt like he didn’t really belong to her or that she didn’t have rights like a normal girlfriend would.

Just then her door opened and she looked up and her eyes widened with shock.

“Good evening” the woman said to her.

“Good evening” she found her tongue at last. She watched as Mrs. Okoha look around her work room.

“So this is where all those marvelous clothing are created”

“Yes” Nma said not knowing what to do, what should a girl do? How should she behave when her boyfriend’s mother decides to pay an unexpected visit? Especially when that woman was Rose Okoha, who owned one of the first class boutiques around the world, and when the woman didn’t think you were good enough for her son? Then she wondered again how the woman could prefer Angela for her son, was the woman blind? Nma noticed that the woman was still standing and looking at her and she remembered her manners, “Please sit down, I forgot my manners, it is not everyday Rose Okoha pays a visit”

The woman looked at the seat but smiled blankly at her “I won’t be staying long” she told her.

“So I actually wanted to peek at your designs then I remembered I have been asking my son to dine with us with no success, are you the one keeping him away from me?”

Nma felt a rush of anger but she held herself, it wouldn’t do good to loose her temper on the woman not when you are praying to marry her son. She decided that two can play the game.

“I am surprised you lend me such importance. You are the one who raised the pig headed man so that no woman can actually control him”

Rose smiled “Oh you are good, no wonder he is besotted. Well you have better start pulling your weight as his girl if you want to sell some of these in my boutique. I want the two of you at my house tomorrow night”

“I am afraid that won’t be possible, Uche has plans already for the weekend and I am not going to manipulate him so I can sell my clothes in his mother boutique. Your son is not just a means to an end. He means a lot more to me than these”

Rose smiled. “Well then I guess my visit here has been wasted” she said and put on her designers sun shades. “On both counts” she added.

Nma sat in her chair as soon as Rose left and wondered what kind of a visit that was. How could the woman be so callous and unfeeling? What gave her the right to think she could manipulate her son through a girlfriend? Ok, she was beginning to get it, Nma thought. No wonder the woman preferred Angela, she was sure Angela wouldn’t have hesitated in getting Uche to forego the weekend plans for dinner at his mother’s place. Nma smiled ruefully. Uche and his needs came first and if he wanted a romantic weekend, his mother was going to have to wait for another weekend to have her son for dinner. Talking about the weekend, it was the next morning and she had not parked an item yet. Uche had said pack a bikini and she knew one person who was always experimenting with that sort of thing, with that thought in her mind, she left her office in search of Helen.

Just as Nma thought, Helen was holding a pink bikini bottom she was making. It would not surprise her if the girl ended up a lingerie designer at the end of the day.

“You look like a woman on a mission” Helen smiled at her.

Nma was still perplexed at the girl’s deep sense of perception.

“You so right’ Nma answered and went to inspect the briefs Helen was making.

“I am sorry if you feel I am wasting valuable time but it was just that….” Helen stammered

“I thought you would have broken the record and told me the reason why beauty exists”

“You are not angry”

“How can I be when they are so beautiful?”

“Thanks” Helen smiled “So what mission brought you here today?”

“Actually these briefs you keep experimenting with brought me here”

“But you just said you are not angry…”

“I want to see if you have any bikini I can use for tomorrow, I am spending the day with Uche, I have a drawer full of them but I want something very special?”

“Oh, you are going away with Prince charming? That’s very romantic?” Helen cried. “And you are in luck because I just experimented on two very nice designs I am sure you would like them and they are sure to make him go gaga”

Helen went to another table and brought one sea green bikini and another hot red one. “I have not made the wrap I wanted to go with it”

Nma was still looking at the bikinis with admiration and renewed respect for the girl. “You have got a huge talent here sweetheart and don’t worry I have some matching sarong to go with them”

“You really like them?” Asked Helen expectantly

“Of course they are brilliant girl, and to show that I do honey from now on wards you are free to experiment all you want. I believe that together we can find buyers for them or better we can do lingerie exhibition”

“Oh that will be great Nma, it will really mean a lot to me”

“And to me too, now I have a long day ahead tomorrow I have to run”

“Give my love to prince charming” Helen called as Nma left. Then she started a tap dance. She couldn’t believe it, her own creation getting exhibited. Oh Nma! She exclaimed, bless you!