episode 52
Abena’s brain stopped working for that
moment. Then slowly, she started to
process what Tobi had said.
Mama.
Oh shit.
It was Tobi’s mother. She didn’t plan for
that at all. The elderly woman gave her a
scrutinizing gaze, and Abena wondered why
she didn’t wear something nicer than
leggings and an oversized shirt.
“Isn’t this my son’s house? Since when do I
have to let you know before I come?” She
heard Mama’s velvety voice. Tobi just rolled
his eyes still smiling.
Did he not understand the situation?
“Omo mi. Who is this girl?” She asked, still
standing outside the door, looking at Abena,
or rather, at Abena’s stomach.
Tobi shifted uncomfortably from one foot to
the other. “Oh. Mama. This is Abena, she’s
my… friend ?”
Then suddenly a broad smile lit up on his
face, he slung his arm around Abena’s
shoulder before she could protest.
“And she’s pregnant with my baby.”
Mama’s scrutinizing scowl was suddenly
replaced with a warm smile and an excited
squeal.
“Why didn’t you say so? Oh, my daughter,
welcome to the family.” Mama said pulling
Abena into a warm but uncomfortable hug.
“Sarah, go and wait for me in the car.” She
said to the chubby woman she had brought,
who scowled and left.
“Mama. Who was that?” Tobi asked, a
mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“Oh. Just one girl I was trying to set you up
with. But who knew that my son would
finally listen to me, and she’s so beautiful.”
Mama laughed sitting down and pulling
Abena with her.
“My daughter, were you cooking? You
shouldn’t stress yourself, let Tobi do that for
you.” Abena nodded and looking at Tobi
giving him a look that said, ‘I’m going to get
you for this.’
“Abena. That’s not Yoruba. What kind of
name is that?” Mama asked.
“It’s Ghanaian ma. My mother was Ghanaian
but my father was from Osun State.” Abena
explained.
“Ohh. So where are your parents now?”
“They passed away a long time ago.” Abena
said quietly.
“Oh, well that’s sad. But I can be your
mother now, okay?”
Abena felt a pang of guilt as she nodded her
head. Sure, his mother was overwhelming,
but she didnt deserve the lies they were
telling.
“Mama, let me check what I’m cooking and
get you something to drink.” Abena said,
standing up quickly.
“Okay. Tobi, follow her. You better be taking
care of her oh! I can finally have a daughter-
in-law and a grandchild, so you better
behave and take care of her.” She pointed
her finger at Tobi who just rolled his eyes.
Grandchild, yes.
Daughter-in-law, not exactly.
“Mama. I know how to take care of a
woman.” Tobi grumbled, and Abena laughed
in spite of her anger.
“I know. You didn’t even go to work today.
Very surprising. I didn’t know you were
capable of missing work for one day.” Mama
teased.
“Shayy, Mama. Him and that his work, ehn.”
Abena added and Mama laughed.
As Abena walked into the kitchen, she heard
Mama tell Tobi, “She’s good for you.”
As she turned off the gas, and got a pitcher
of orange juice from the fridge, Tobi walked
in grinning.

episode 54
“What would I be doing in Canada? Abeg, I’m
staying home.” She said nonchalantly,
although she really didn’t want him to go.
“Are you sure? The hotel room is really
cozy.” Tobi wiggled his eyebrows and her
jaw dropped.
“Tobi! Ew. We’re eating.” She laughed.
“I could provide desert.” He joked.
“Oh Jesus!”
…
“Remember to lock the doors every time.
Don’t leave lights on when you’re not using
them in case of anything like a high current.
Don’t sleep off when you’re cooking. Don’t
move furniture. Don’t over work yourself.
I’ve instructed one of my guys to come over
everyday and check on you. Chinwe would
still come to cook and clean. No running
down the stairs. Keep the house tidy. Don’t
do anything stupid-”
“Abeg be going to where you’re going jare.”
Abena cut him off, slightly amused.
“I just want to make sure you’ll be okay.” He
sighed and looked at her.
“I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself.” She
replied, a small smile on her lips.
“Be careful. You’re the only one at home.
Don’t slip and fall or anything, you know
how clumsy you can be.” Tobi said quietly.
“Excuse me?” She feigned annoyance,
placing her hands on her hips.
“It’s not too late to join me. Its a private
jet.” He offered.
She was so tempted to say yes.
“Just get going. The faster you leave, the
faster you come back home.”
Home?
He didn’t seem to notice her choice of
words. And if he did, he didn’t seem to
mind.
“Yes ma’am. Cook for me when I get back.”
He said.
“Get me Canadian stuff.” She replied and he
laughed. He pulled her into a hug and she
relaxed in his arms, inhaling his scent.
“I know you”ll miss me.” He joked as he
pulled away, about to head for his car.
“What can I say? You’re growing on me.”
She gave a cheekily smile and watched him
get into his car and drive away.
She walked back into the large house and
suddenly, if felt too big.
Too empty.
…
Abena spent her days decorating the
nursery with the interior decorator, or
hanging out with Dera, trying to pass the
time so that the week would go quickly. She
missed Tobi, no doubt. And instead of her
feelings to start diminishing, as she planned,
instead, it seemed to be the same.
Or even worse.
She had given the interior decorator the day
off, because the woman needed to sort out
a family issue, so it was just her and the
sound of the television drowning the silence.
She surfed through the channels, not finding
anything to watch. She heard the door bell
ring and lifted an eyebrow.
She looked at the clock, 12pm, it was the
time that the interior decorator normally
resumed.
Didn’t she get the text?
She walked up to the door and opened it.
“Uju, I sent you a text. Didnt you recieve-”
Standing before her wasn’t Uju, it was a
slim model like lady glaring at Abena, or
more specifically, Abena’s stomach. She
wore a body con dress that was too short
for her, and she shifted uncomfortably in the
dress, meaning it was also too tight.

episode 56
Abena stood up quickly from her bed. She
heard the front door of the house open and
someone walked in. She checked the time.
It was almost twelve a.m. And it couldn’t be
Tobi, he was coming in two days.
She got a golf club that she had ‘borrowed’
from Tobi’s study and tiptoed out of her
room and down the stairs. It was still dark,
but the person was putting some things
down on the kitchen island.
“Freeze, or I swear, I’ll make sure I’ll make
sure you never have children again.” She
threatened in a shaky voice.
“Baby. You’re already having my children,
and is this the way to treat someone who
has been away for almost a week?”
“Tobi?”
“Yeah? When am I getting my welcoming
hug?”
She let out a sigh of relief and laughed,
walking over to the wall to switch on the
light. There he was in all his glory, wearing
a white shirt and sweatpants, smirking at
her.
“Well?” He opened his arms and she rolled
her eyes before going into them, inhaling his
familiar scent.
“What did you bring for me?” She asked as
soon as he released her.
“Apart from my awesome self, chocolates
mostly. They’re in the fridge. And we’re
going for a boat trip tomorrow.”
“Yay! Chocolate. Wait, a boat trip?” She
asked, walking over to the fridge.
“Yeah. I owe you one remember, for putting
up with my mum. And if I brought something
like clothes and jewellery, you would have
killed me.” He joked.
“True.” She said, taking a big bite out of a
chocolate bar. She let out a satisfied moan
and rested on the fridge.
Tobi looked at her, and gave an amused
smile. “You shouldn’t make sounds like that.
Or you would end up giving me more than a
welcoming hug.”
…
The week went by quickly. They had gone
on his private yatch, though Abena wasn’t
surprised that he owned one.
The week ended with another visit at the
hospital, and Abena found out something
about the baby.
…
Abena let out a sigh and stared at the
mirror. “Hey. Welcome home. I made dinner,
your favorite, Spaghetti Bolognese. Go and
freshen up so we can eat.” She repeated to
herself.
She jumped at the sound of Tobi entering
the house.
“Abena. Hey, I’m home.” He grinned,
loosening his tie.
“Hey. Welcome home. I made dinner, your
favorite, Spaghetti Bolognese. Go and
freshen up so we can eat.” She said
immediately, saying everything she had
practised, sounding like she was a recorded
voice.
He lifted an eyebrow in confusion but
shrugged.
As long as he was getting free food, and his
favorite too.
They sat down in awkward silence, the only
sounds that could be heard was the sound
of the cutlery against the plates.
“Abena. What’s wrong?” He finally asked.
“I went to the hospital today-”
“Oh my God. Are you okay? Is the baby
okay? What did the doctor say? I should
have called him today, I totally forgot. I
should probably go call him now. Oh Abena,
I really hope you’re okay, if you aren’t-”
“There are two babies!” She blurted out.
“What?” He asked in confusion.
“Two babies. I’m having twins.” She said
slowly.
A grin spread across his face. “Yes!” He
shouted, pumping his fists in the air. “Yes!
Yes! Yes! I said it! I’m a sharp shooter baby!
I’ve got to call Joseph, and Mama would be
so happy. Oh this is amazing Abena.”
“I want to keep one.” She said and
immediately, the grin on his face vanished.
He stared at her, anger bubbling slowly
inside him.
“Excuse me?”