Because, It's you.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Hello my wonderful readers of the novel galaxy and beyond. I wanted to write a whole chapter of ranting but thought against it.

Anyways, I just wanted you guys to know, I’m grateful to everyone who reads this book, and I also wanted to tell you guys to please share, the book. It’s disappointing when the reader's outcomes are low. Please, please, share this book with your friends, loved ones, lovers, and well, anyone you want to, (pouts).

OKAY, BACK TO THE BOOK!

His mum?

I took in the elderly woman in front of me. She was stunning in her purple-designed Ankara skirt and blouse that complimented her fair skin. Her jewelry was simple diamond stud earrings and a matching necklace that brought out her facial features and made her low-cut styled hair look outstanding. She didn’t wear heavy makeup but had bright red lipstick on. Overall, she was beautiful.

“Stand up my dear, why won’t we come for your branch opening? You keep making us proud” she said to the prostrating Adeyemi who soon stood up when the mum looked at me with curiosity making me do the first thing that came to my mind.

“Good evening, ma,” I said, going on my knees in greeting.

She looked down at me and then at Yemi before putting her hand on my shoulder.

“Good evening my dear, stand up” I gulped at her warm yet firm voice.

Luckily, Yemi quickly came to my rescue as to the way his mum was looking at me.

“Mum, this is my friend, Oluwadarasimi.” He introduced making Mrs. Coker finally give a warm smile.

“So, Omo Yoruba ni e? Ba wo ni? Shey school ni e jo pade?” (So, you’re a Yoruba lady? How are you? Did you both meet in school?)

His mother asked the both of us as she spoke Yoruba so fluently.

“Beeni ma” (Yes ma)

I just said yes to both questions because how was I to explain that I was Hausa by birth? She seemed to want to ask me more questions but let it go with a smile and a nod.

“Mum, where is dad?” I sighed in relief when Yemi bailed me out. The woman looked at him and sighed.

“He was talking to Mr. Garuba, I left him alone when I saw you.” She said looking around for whom I assumed was her husband.

“Okay then, let’s go sit down”

Yemi led us to a table that seemed to have all our names written in italics form on a card. I sat down at my name card making me think Adeyemi must have told them to put mine next to his for which I was grateful.

We all made small talk and when Mr. Coker showed up, I greeted him on my knees as well. they served the appetizers which I did not hesitate to eat rather gracefully.

“Let’s welcome our CEO, the brain behind all this Mr. Adeyemi Coker to give his welcome speech,” The emcee said and everyone started clapping and screaming.

Adeyemi looked at me with a smile and stood up to walk to the middle of the room.

“Dara, how are his studies? What level are you?” My head snapped to Mrs. Coker who was staring at me. I stopped clapping.

“Studies have not been easy but it’s going well by God’s grace and I’m in my final year ma” I answered with a smile to which she nods before looking at Yemi and back at me.

“What course are you studying?” she was either curious to know or she was just looking for angles to come at me but I still opted to answer her.

“I’m studying Law ma,” I answered while her husband looked at me with interest.

“Law? Any particular reason?” he asked with genuine curiosity that I saw in Yemi’s eyes. Like father like son, I guess.

“Yes, well, I just wanted to contribute a small part to society by helping to curb the rate of underage child marriage in Nigeria,” I replied truthfully while Yemi had finished his speech and came back to sit.

“Do you have a plan on doing that? And I thought Underage marriage is not a thing anymore” he questioned me making me crease my brows.

The rich may not know much about what happens in the trenches of this nation.

“I plan on joining some organizations that fight this cause sir, I have some in mind as I did my practice year at the said organization, and underage, marriage is still very much rampant, especially in small towns where people pay no mind to. The female and male children are sold to wealthy buyers from a young age.” I spoke my mind to a listening table.

“Wow, you speak like you have been in those places before” I froze in my seat. I have no idea what to say.

“I’ve seen it happen with my own eyes and there was nothing I could do. Which is why I’m studying law” I said when I unfroze.

That sounded like the best thing to say at the moment. It was confirmed when he nodded in curiosity.

“Wow, when you are done, I’m sure I can link you up with some NGOs that deal with children's law. You are an interesting person Dara, it’s good to see that we have people with this kind of mindset” I took that as a compliment and saw Yemi smile from the corner of my eye.

“What about skills? Do you have any side skill you’re doing?” Mrs. Coker asked.

“Aaah Mum, Dara is a fashion designer. She even sowed the gown she’s wearing and the one I got Lara” Yemi answered for me with a smile making his parents nod in interest.

Lara was his younger sister who had sent in her measurement a little late but I had managed to sow the gown he wanted for her. It was for her birthday.

“Wow, the gown was beautiful,” Mrs. Coker said in surprise.

“Thank you, ma” I replied simply.

I was starting to get hungry and it didn’t look like they were going to serve the food anytime soon which I groaned about. My stomach grumbled quietly indicating my urge to eat something.

The emcee continued his order of program which consisted of Mr. Coker, Yemi’s father giving a prayer for the opening of the company and the rest were just some random jokes and then he went on about introducing different people who were going to be working there.

I turned to see Yemi speaking with one of the ushers quietly and I looked down to open my phone to see I had some messages on w******p. I quickly replied to most of them as they were from Praise, Anjola, and Adeola asking how the party is going. My replies were interrupted by the smell of something amazing making me look up to see Jollof rice, fried rice, and chicken sitting in front of me. I turned my gaze to the person serving to see that they were serving only our table first. Confused I looked at Yemi.

“I figured you must be hungry,” he said shrugging, and my mouth went open. Did he hear my stomach grumble? Oh my, that would be so embarrassing so instead of making it any more embarrassing, I stood up.

“Excuse me please,” I said standing only for my hand to be grabbed by Yemi. I looked at him to see a worried expression on his face.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly making me smile.

“Yes, I just want to use the restroom” I answered and he let me go giving me directions to the restroom.

I found my way there easily and I sighed in relief. I eased myself and washed my hands. I had not expected to see his parents but that would have been inevitable.

He was their son and they had to support him. What if they had asked about my parents? I was grateful they didn’t but what if when I got back there, they would ask? I don’t think I would be able to answer. I had enjoyed their company and seeing the way they cared for Yemi made me think about my parents.

What would have happened If I was born to another? Did they even care a little about me to look for me? Did they know even know I have a child? My tears welled up in my eyes, all I’ve ever wanted was not to be a waste of space and to matter to them. What did I ever do to get treated like I never matter only to be sold at an early age?

A knock on the door made me gear up and use the tissue paper to clean my eyes. I opened the tap and washed my hands and opened the door to reveal Adeyemi. My eyes widened and I looked down hoping he didn’t see my red eyes.

“Hey. Are you alright? I was worried.” He asked in a calm voice making me look at him. His eyebrows creased in confusion.

“You are not alright. Why were you crying?” he wasn’t harsh instead he was calm and his voice soothing.

“Why do you think I was crying? Maybe I poured water on my face” I answered not wanting to be cornered with questions I didn’t have answers to.

“You were crying, Dara. Please tell me what’s wrong. Is it too much for you? I’m sorry if they asked any inappropriate questions, I ca…” I didn’t let him finish his sentence.

“No no, it’s not that at all. On the contrary, I was happy for you. They didn’t bother me at all, they just reminded me that they are questions my parents should ask me. They were so warm and reminded me of how a parent’s love should be” I explained and his eyes softened as he held my hand and pulled me to the veranda a few steps after the restroom.

The breeze touched my skin and made me sigh.

“You know you can tell me anything. It’s not right to keep our drowning emotions bottled in because they just drown you in their depths in the long run. I know I might not be the person you trust the most but I want you to know that I am here for you if you ever want to talk” he said with such a soft voice that almost made my eye tear up again.

Oh, how I want to tell him everything.

“My parents never thought I mattered. I was born in Kastina state, in a society where being a girl child meant being a burden to our parents and mine wasn’t any better. My real name is Mohammad Semiat, I changed it to my baptismal name Oluwadarasimi when I came to Lagos. My father never looked at me with compassion or respect or anything just disdain and my mum, well, she tried her best but like always just set me aside. I was able to finish secondary school and wrote WAEC at 13 because my dad thought I would be more sellable if men heard I went to school even for a few years. I left at fifteen, scared and alone, with a one-year-old child in my arms. It took about two days to get to Lagos because I wanted to be as far away from that place as possible and I’m pretty sure my parents got their money and forgot about me. I don’t even think they know I have a child. It wouldn’t matter any-ways, they despise female children” my voice was void of emotions as I spoke blankly.

The tears welled up in my eyes but I would not let them fall and risk being vulnerable to anyone. I didn’t like it but before I knew what was happening, I was being grabbed gently by my waist into an embrace. It took a few seconds to register that I was being hugged by Yemi and it didn’t bother me. I had my reservations, yes, but I felt calm.

“You can cry you know? Crying doesn’t make you less of a person instead it shows you are human and can get back on your feet after the tears. It doesn’t make you vulnerable, it makes you human and a better person” he said as he patted my back gently while I sighed on his shoulder.

My hands were still by my sides as we stood there for a few minutes.

“I’m tired of crying,” I say tiredly. I didn’t want to be like this anymore. I had told God everything I thought about and he always tells me the same thing… I could do all things through Christ who strengthened me.

“Why don’t we head back inside and we can go to the buffet table to pick whatever you want since I’m sure the one served will be cold after eating, we can dance or maybe do a duet,” he said when we pulled away from the hug. He had a big smile on his face which made me smile as well.

“Okay, let’s have fun,” I said clearing my voice and putting on a big smile, we head back inside the hall.

Authors note

Wow… I have a feeling we still have more to know about Dara’s life.

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See you next chapter.