CHAPTER 10: SIX MONTHS LATER
875 Words
BRIDE FOR HIRE – CHAPTER 10: SIX MONTHS LATER
*6:00 AM. Thursday. Toronto – Apartment 4B.*
Six months.
Six months of waking up next to Tobi.
Six months of real marriage. No NDA. No timer. No ₦500,000 hanging over us.
The letter was on the kitchen table.
*“Permanent Residency Confirmation – Tobi & Chinaza Bolanle.”*
We were free.
On paper.
*Tobi:* “We did it.”
He said it like he still couldn’t believe it.
*Me:* “We did it.”
We kissed. Slow. Like we had all the time in the world now.
Because we did.
Then my phone rang.
Lagos number.
Auntie’s number.
*Me:* “Auntie? It’s 11 AM there. Why are you calling so early?”
*Auntie:* “Chinaza… the tumor is back.”
The room went cold.
*Me:* “What?”
*Auntie:* “It’s back. Bigger this time. They say I need surgery in 2 weeks. Or… or I won’t make it to Christmas.”
My legs gave out.
Tobi caught me before I hit the floor.
---
*8:00 AM. Toronto – Hospital.*
We were on a video call with Dr. Adebayo at UCH.
*Dr. Adebayo:* “The surgery is ₦4.2 million. With chemo after, it’s ₦6 million total. We can’t wait, Chinaza. If we wait, it spreads.”
*Me:* “I don’t have ₦6 million.”
*Tobi:* “We’ll get it.”
*Dr. Adebayo:* “You have 14 days.”
The call ended.
14 days.
Permanent residency just came through, and now I might lose Auntie.
*Tobi:* “I’ll talk to my dad. He has the money.”
*Me:* “Tobi, no.”
*Tobi:* “Why not?”
*Me:* “Because your dad hates me. Because if he helps, he’ll own me forever. And I’m done being owned.”
*Tobi:* “So what do we do? Watch her die?”
We didn’t have an answer.
---
*12:00 PM. Toronto – Tobi’s Office.*
Tobi’s boss called him in.
*Boss:* “Bolanle, we got the contract for Vancouver. Big one. You lead it. Starts next week. 6 months on site. Salary doubles.”
*Tobi:* “I can’t leave Toronto right now.”
*Boss:* “You can’t? Tobi, this is career-making. If you say no, I give it to Kemi.”
Kemi hated him.
If Kemi took it, Tobi would be stuck in middle management for years.
*Tobi:* “Let me think about it.”
He walked out shaking.
Vancouver meant money for Auntie.
Vancouver meant leaving me alone in Toronto for 6 months.
Vancouver meant history repeating.
---
*3:00 PM. Airbnb – Toronto.*
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
*Message:* _“I heard about your auntie. Shame. I can help. Meet me. - A”_
Amaka.
She was back.
Of course she was.
*Me:* “Tobi, she’s here.”
*Tobi:* “Don’t meet her alone.”
*Me:* “I have to. If she can help Auntie…”
*Tobi:* “She doesn’t help for free, Chinaza.”
I knew that.
But what choice did I have?
---
*6:00 PM. Tim Hortons – Queen St.*
Amaka looked different. Softer. Tired.
*Amaka:* “Sit.”
*Me:* “What do you want?”
*Amaka:* “I want to help. But I want something in return.”
*Me:* “I knew it.”
*Amaka:* “Your auntie needs surgery. I can pay for it. All of it.”
*Me:* “Why?”
*Amaka:* “Because I don’t want to be the person who let her die. And because I want Tobi to choose me one last time.”
*Me:* “He won’t.”
*Amaka:* “Maybe not. But I need to know I tried. I need to know I’m not the villain.”
*Me:* “What’s the catch?”
*Amaka:* “I pay for the surgery. You sign divorce papers. No fight. No drama. Tobi and I try again. Clean break.”
The world stopped.
*Me:* “You want me to leave him.”
*Amaka:* “I want you to save your auntie. That’s all.”
*Me:* “And if I say no?”
*Amaka:* “Then I walk away. And you figure out ₦6 million in 14 days. Good luck.”
She slid an envelope across the table.
*Amaka:* “Think about it. You have 48 hours. After that, the offer’s gone.”
---
*9:00 PM. Toronto – Apartment 4B.*
I didn’t tell Tobi right away.
I couldn’t.
How do you tell your husband someone offered to save your auntie if you leave him?
*Tobi:* “You’re quiet.”
*Me:* “Just tired.”
*Tobi:* “We’ll figure it out, Chinaza. We always do.”
*Me:* “What if we can’t this time?”
*Tobi:* “Then we figure out how to live with it. Together.”
He didn’t know about Vancouver.
He didn’t know about Amaka.
And I didn’t know what to do.
---
*11:00 PM. Toronto – Bedroom.*
I lay awake staring at the ceiling.
Amaka’s envelope was in my bag.
₦6 million.
Auntie’s life.
Tobi’s love.
Pick one.
You can’t have all three.
*Tobi rolled over, pulled me close.*
*Tobi:* “Whatever it is, we’ll face it. Promise me you won’t shut me out.”
*Me:* “I promise.”
I lied.
- Writer
