Lost Once, Forbidden Now, Episode 2
By Adebanke Abel
“That's what men do”, she reminded herself. But Chidi’s words had already done their work. "It’s never too late to start again." So, she did. A year later, Adaeze opened her art gallery. Without him. Without love. Without the man who had given her the courage to believe again, only to vanish like a passing dream.
_______
"My fiancé is coming over tonight. I want you to meet him!" Adaeze smiled as she set the table. Her daughter had found love—the kind of love Adaeze had never experienced.
The knock came at 7 PM. Adaeze walked to the door, opened it—
And froze.
The air left her lungs.There, standing in her doorway, looking just as stunned, just as breathless, just as shattered as she was—
Was Chidi.
“What is he doing at my house? Has he been trailing me without my knowing? Who is this guy? He went MIA for a year and came back as if he owns my house. Wait, how does he know my house….?” Several thoughts crisscrossed her mind, she felt lots of emotions all at once, she didn't know what to do. So, she just decided to slam the door in his face. But Ifunanya was standing right there, beaming with excitement.
"Mom! This is Chidi! My fiancé!"
Chidi visibly swallowed, but his eyes never left Adaeze’s. He was as shocked as Adaeze was.
"Good evening, ma," he said, voice quieter than she had ever heard it. For a moment, she said nothing.Then, she smiled. A lie of a smile.
"Welcome," she said, stepping aside. She didn't know what to say, feel or do — she was just blank for that moment. He walked past her. And for the first time in a year, Adaeze could smell him again—the scent of a memory she had buried.
She avoided him through dinner, but his presence burned. She hated it. She hated that he had the audacity to sit at her table. She hated that she was still waiting for an explanation. When Ifunanya left to take a call, they were alone. Chidi finally spoke.
"No." Her voice was sharp. "You do not get to say my name."
He ran a hand through his hair. "I tried to find you."
Silence.
When she did not reply, he tried again.
"Who do you think you are fooling? A teenager?” She folded her arms.
Silence stretched between them.
“I loved what I saw and would have asked you to give me a chance to love you if my phone was not stolen that same day we met. Adaeze, I really…”
She clenched her fists.
And that was the problem. Because for the first time in twenty-five years, Adaeze’s heart was beating for a man. A man she could never have.
“You are here now, for my daughter. Let that sink into your head young man.”
Watch out for episode 3!
How does Adaeze deal with the only man whom she allowed access into her heart but ended up vanishing? How does Chidi explain the unexplainable? And Ifunanya—what happens when she realizes her mother knew the man she wants to marry?
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