I inhaled and exhaled deeply whilst I was praying in my heart that this situation will be what I can handle, at least pending when Alex comes out from the bathroom.
Honestly, all that was running through my mind was….
‘Oh God! I hope this woman hasn’t manhandled or used any of the suite’s appliances in an inappropriate way that has now put the kitchen on fire’
I thought of calling out to Alex but I felt it wasn’t necessary since he is bathing and will be out soon anyways.
I decided to handle it in my own way so I voiced out to the cleaner at the door that I was coming shortly.
I walked over to the wardrobe in the room and I picked a dress alongside a new underwear.
After doing that, I pulled off the bedsheets wrapped around my body and wore them.
Then I slowly walked to the door and after taking a very deep breath to calm my tensed nerves, I pulled the door open.
I was still filled with anxiety but at the same time, I was mentally ready for anything.
Since God doesn’t want me to rest with all these constant everyday troubles, then there’s no problem, I will handle it all.
The cleaner who is named Bimpe was looking so frightening and she kept shouting ‘Fire! Fire! Fire ohhhhh!’
“Fire…? Where exactly….? Bimpe, did you manhandle the appliances or what….?” I asked all at once as I attempted to dash towards the direction of the kitchen
Bimpe’s next words are what stopped my movement to the kitchen midway.
“The fire is not in the kitchen ma’am. It’s outside!” Bimpe said anxiously.
“Outside…? How and why…? I don’t get you!” I asked anxiously still not thinking straight because my mind was focused on how to put out the fire that she’s complaining of.
“Ehen! Ma’am, I’m sorry but I took the refuge bin outside to burn them and somehow the fire went beyond what I wanted it to! So it…it…it…caught on a…” Bimpe said stuttering badly and before I could ask further questions, she left me standing on that spot and ran outside.
I didn’t even know what to think again because nothing she said was adding up or even making sense one bit!
I’m not disputing the fact that there is a refuge bin. I only became confused when she said that she took it outside to burn it.
Why did she do that when she knows that there’s a way it could be effectively disposed of without it being burnt….?
Or could it be she had been employed newly prior to our logging into the suite and so she doesn’t really know how things are to be done in here….?
Since I was now thinking straight, my mind drifted off to somewhere else at that moment and it got me even more confused.
The danger alarm is installed in our bedroom hence, it is supposed to be ringing in there and not the sitting room. But how come it rang in the sitting room when Bimpe was knocking on our door earlier….?
Could there be a second alarm installed in the sitting room that I wasn’t informed about…? I guess so because that’s the only logical explanation to the fire tales.
Or wait! Could it be what I am thinking it is…? because I can still vividly remember that something similar to this happened a month ago although in a different style.
“Are you okay babe….? I have been calling your name since but you seem to be so lost in thoughts” Alex’s voice was what brought my mind back to where it drifted off to.
He continued talking when he saw me quietly nod my head without saying anything.
“….from the bathroom, I think I heard someone shouting earlier….? I know it was certainly not your voice babe and it must certainly be Bimpe since she’s the only person in this house beside us” Alex said calmly and I looked at him suspiciously.
“Yes hunnie, it was Bimpe that was shouting earlier” I said after about five minutes of staring at Alex in silence and suspicion.
Afterwards, I took my eyes away from Alex and began walking towards the door that led outside.
Since Bimpe said there’s fire outside, I want to see the fire burning outside.
I don’t even know what to think anymore but my guts kept on telling me that my suspicion about the fire thing is correct!
“Where are you going to….?” Alex asked calmly whilst following behind me.
“I want to check the fire that Bimpe claimed is burning outside” I said staring at Alex hoping to get a clue from his facial expression. I wanted to know if he has an idea of what is going on outside.
“There’s fire burning outside….? From where exactly…?” Alex asked me with his face creased as though he was worried about the news, completely leaving no room to be suspected as the chief planner of this.
“I wouldn’t know until I step outside. I just hope it is not my darling husband trying to use a trickish kind of way to surprise me like he did the other time” I said sarcastically as I walked to the door.
Thankfully, Bimpe left the door ajar when she ran out so I didn’t need to unlock anything.
I stepped out and looked around but I couldn’t find Bimpe or any burning fire anywhere in sight.
Instead what I saw in front of me left me in bewilderment!
Oh my God! I exclaimed joyfully in surprise with my hands over my mouth.
My eyes nearly popped out of its socket when I saw a new Mercedes Benz packed outside, right in front of our door.
“It’s yours babe. My wedding gift to you. Thank you once again for accepting to be my wife. You’re heaven’s best gift to me” Alex said giggling as he stepped outside and he wrapped his arms behind me.
“Oh my goodness! Ah! Isn’t this too much for me…?” These were the only words I could utter because of how shocked I was.
Me Kasarachi owning my own car in less than two days of being officially married…?
“Please stop talking like that babe. It seems you are forgetting that you are now the wife of one of Nigeria’s richest entrepreneurs….? So my love….nothing is too much for you as my wife. Infact eh, this is just the beginning” Alex said sweetly as he kissed my neck.
I was just standing there and staring at the car with tears rolling down my eyes.
Honestly speaking, Mercedes Benz is something I could never have dreamt of having because the cost is extremely high.
That’s why, it is hard to believe that today I am getting an expensive gift on a platter without having to work or stress over it.
Ah!
Yes I know that Alex loves me but I didn’t know it would be enough to buy me an expensive car especially after knowing that my background isn’t in any way rich like his.
Some men would have felt like I wasn’t worth it and may even start using their wealth to intimidate me and sincerely, I had already mentally prepared myself for that.
From the look of things, it seems my Alex isn’t like that at all. God gave me a good man that loves me and always wants to see me happy regardless of the circumstances.
“Are you sure this is for me…?” I had to ask again to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating things.
“Of course babe, it’s yours. I wanted it to be a surprise but you were smart enough to guess me out. That means I am married to a very smart woman who might always get my surprises right and I must confess….it hurts so bad!” Alex said holding his chest dramatically and then he kissed my neck again.
The way Alex spoke and acted in a dramatic manner made me laugh out loud as I playfully hit him on the arm.
“Naughty boy! Give me my car keys jhor!” I said casually and that’s when Alex brought out a key from the pocket of his short.
I wanted to collect the keys from Alex but he pulled back his hands, intentionally withholding the keys from my reach.
“I can’t give you the keys right now because you can’t use the car yet until….” Alex was about completing his statement when I cut his words short with my questions.
“Until what…? I thought the car is mine or are there now conditions attached to a gift….?” I said with a slightly raised voice. It was simply my dramatic self trying to make a fuss.
“Calm down babe. I never said the car isn’t yours again. All I’m trying to say is that, since you can’t drive a car yet….I feel like it is best you first learn how to drive before getting the car keys from me. That way you won’t be tempted to explore driving like you want to do now!” Alex said calmly.
I understand from his perspective so I nodded my head to indicate that I agree with his thoughts pattern and somehow I felt bad for speaking to him the way I did.
“You’re right hunnie. I’m sorry for seeing things differently and countering you. I just didn’t think about getting driving lessons before testing my gift, that’s why!” I replied with a voice that portrayed how remorseful I was for how I talked to him earlier.
“That’s why you have me nau….so I will think for both of us when the need arises. Babe, do you know what’s more….? I’ve registered you in one of the best driving schools in Nigeria. So I believe that in less than six months my wife will be a professional driver….even more than me sef” Alex said jokingly as he turned me around so I could face him directly.
I heaved a sigh of relief as I looked at Alex lovingly and I told him with all honesty.
“I love you very much baby. Thank you for being the best man on earth. Also, there’s something I think you should know about me and it’s somewhat related to my past”
I was now ready to let him know about my past struggles and my Canada experiences.
“There’s no problem babe, but that will have to be later in the evening because this morning is mainly for surprising my wife. So now over to the next surprise” Alex said lovingly caressing my cheeks.
“There are more surprises after this….?” I asked looking at him wide-eyed.
In my mind, I was saying ‘With the way he is going, I just hope this man would not kill me with unpredictable surprises someday’.
What’s even more amazing about all of this surprises that Alex does is the fact that I actually love this adventurous part of him very much. I find it so interesting and fun.
“Of course babe. This car gift is just the icing. The biggest one is on its way” Alex said smirking naughtily which got me wondering what this romantic husband of mine has up his sleeves.
I just hope it ain’t s£x sha because I am still not ready to do anything this morning. Besides, I’m feeling very famished already.
“What’s the next surprise babe….?” I asked yawning intentionally to pass Alex an indirect message that I am feeling hungry. So if it’s possible, the surprise could wait until we are done with eating breakfast.
“I see you are very hungry babe. Thankfully, the next surprise is going to be joining us for breakfast….and I doubt you will still be interested in eating immediately….after seeing the surprise I have well packaged just for you” Alex said smiling widely and somehow his words piqued my curiosity.
“You think with how hungry I am now, I will not eat my food immediately I land in the dining room because of your surprise….?” I asked and chuckled because I found it to be funny.
“Yes babe, I am a hundred percent sure!!!!” Alex said smiling again and I chuckled lightly as I shrugged my shoulders.
“Okay then, lets bet. If you fail, you will buy me a Rolex wrist watch and if you win, you can ask me for anything and I will try to do it!” I said thinking I was playing a fast one on him but his own request shocked me.
“Okay babe, if I win, my part of the bargain is that you will bathe me by yourself this evening. Is that agreed…?” Alex asked me and I slowly nodded in agreement although his unshakable confidence was getting me scared.
I wanted to bypass Alex to walk inside the house but he blocked my way and the next thing he did was to bring out a blindfold from his short pocket.
Alex gestured to me to turn around that he wanted to cover my eyes and I chuckled aloud finding the game even more interesting.
After shrugging my shoulders, I turned around as I was told. That’s how Alex covered my eyes with the blindfold and thereafter he led me inside by the hands.
I followed his leading until he eventually stopped at God knows where and then I felt his hands starting to untie the blindfold.
After the blindfold was off my eyes, I opened my eyes. The first place my eyes landed on was the dining table because I was standing and directly facing it.
I screamed when I saw Mama and Osinachi, Grandma Chummy, madam Ify and Alex’s two sisters.
Then in their midst, I saw one of the last people I never thought I would ever see in this life, Mrs Sharon and her husband!
All of them were sitting at the dining table that was spacious enough to contain the seven of them.
Oh my God! The feeling of seeing Mrs Sharon again was indescribable!
If you ask me, I will say that this is the greatest surprise ever!
I don’t know how Alex managed to pull this through but I am beyond wowed! Ah, Jesus!
Honestly, at first I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me and that this is merely a beautiful dream. It was when Mrs Sharon stood up and walked closer to me that I realized this is happening for real!
For real I am seeing Mrs Sharon in good health right in my house and she’s smiling at me in the same loving way she used to.
“Mrs Sharon….? Is this you or is it my mind playing tricks on me….?” I asked with my eyes beginning to tear up.
My heart is filled with intense appreciation to God that Mrs Sharon is now hale and hearty and not in a vegetative state anymore.
“It’s me Kasarachi. Happy married life darling. I’m happy to know that you found yourself a prince charming that is well deserving of a queen that you are. Oh my dear, I have really really missed you!” Mrs Sharon said with an emotional voice and then she threw herself on me for a hug.
Mrs Sharon was crying as she hugged me and I was crying too with my hands wrapped around her; reciprocating the hug without a care of who was looking or not.
For more than ten minutes, I held onto hugging Mrs Sharon and I wasn’t ready to let go of her in case this is a dream. God knows that I can’t bear losing her again.
It was Mrs Sharon who first released herself from the hug and said it is okay, that this is real and not an illusion like I think it is.
I still wasn’t convinced so I pulled Mrs Sharon by the hand towards one of the bedrooms in the suite. Thankfully, she followed me without bothering to ask questions as to where we were going.
I led the way until we got to one of the bedrooms in the suite and that’s when I released Mrs Sharon’s hand so I could open the door.
After opening the door, I used hand gestures to usher her to come inside and then I closed the door after she entered.
I know it will sound funny but the thing is, I just wanted to have alone time with her. I want to hear her talk for long so I can be sure I am really not hallucinating things!
I pulled her by the hand again to the bed and together we sat on it. You need to see the way I was bombarding her with several questions eh, I asked them all at once.
Mrs Sharon had to tell me to take a deep breath to calm my nerves and jokingly told me that with the way I was going, I might pass out due to over-excitement and curiosity.
I chuckled and calmed down as she said before asking her questions again but this time around, I asked them one at a time.
Mrs Sharon answered my questions and went ahead to tell me what happened that led to her falling down back then in Canada.
It was all Halima’s handiwork and she did so out of jealousy.
Well, if I am to be sincere, I wasn’t really surprised to hear about that because I already knew Halima was the culprit!
This dangerous woman carried out her bad intentions with the help of Mrs Sharon’s neighbors who had even testified against me despite knowing that I was innocent.
Mrs Sharon said that when she woke up a month ago, she told her husband alongside the police what happened and so an arrest warrant for Halima was issued immediately.
Mrs Sharon further told me that Halima confessed on how she had conspired with the lecturers to photoshop indecent pictures and videos, in order to get me expelled from the university without a certificate.
According to Mrs Sharon, Halima had been sentenced to a fifty years imprisonment in Canada for attempted murder on her life and several other heinous crimes that were discovered by the court after her arrest!
Oh yes, Halima intended to kill Mrs Sharon but thankfully her plans didn’t pull through because Mrs Sharon did not die as she anticipated.
Even her plans to get me expelled from school and shamefully deported back to Nigeria without a certificate after spending four years in school didn’t work either.
No matter how hard she tried to hurt me, her plans were not perfected because my God was mightier than her evil schemes.
Infact, all of Halima’s schemes had only helped in facilitating my meeting with my husband in Nigeria, of which I would have missed out on if I was still in Canada.
Indeed, God has a reason for everything that he allows to happen to his children!
“Kasarachi, after my husband and children, you are the first person I had asked about when I became conscious in the hospital. My husband told me all you had to go through because you were falsely accused of hurting me which isn’t true. You’ve been through so much because of me and I am very sorry that my husband was amongst those who accused you wrongly. Please try and forgive him Kasarachi. Honestly, he felt so remorseful after everything came to light that you are innocent of all the charges!” Mrs Sharon said tenderly placing her hands on my thighs as she looked at me.
I heaved heavily as I replied to her in the calmest way possible.
“To be honest, I am not angry with anyone Mrs Sharon. Infact, I am thankful to them for what they did because if they hadn’t done so….I would have surely missed out on the wonderful husband God kept in Nigeria for me” I said smiling sheepishly.
“Thank you Kasarachi. You are such a sweet and forgiving soul. No wonder God keeps lighting your path! I’m guessing He wants you to use your story to liberate others who are going through the same thing. I want to believe that by now….you understand the journey better enough to coach others….” Mrs Sharon said smiling.
Just when Mrs Sharon wanted to stop talking, it seems like she remembered something and so she blurted out…
“….Lest I forget, the deportation band on you has been lifted. Here is a formal letter for you Kasarachi Arinze. You’ve been invited to come to Canada so you will receive an official apology from the court and even the school authorities as well. So Kasarachi….you’re as free as a bird to return to Canada whenever you desire!” Mrs Sharon said smiling as she stretched out an envelope for me to collect it.
“Hmmm. I respect you very much Mrs Sharon but you see…..I don’t think I will ever come back to Canada except of course….it will be to visit you and your family. I have found a purpose in my country which is Nigeria and so I intend to stay there so I will be close to my family”
“I understand you Kasarachi and it’s okay….you are a married woman now and so it’s only natural to put your husband into consideration when making decisions. Also, God gave you such a caring and attentive man as a husband!” Mrs Sharon calmly said and I smiled as I nodded in affirmation.
“Yes he is caring and attentive to my needs and feelings Mrs Sharon. And I must confess that aside from my mother and siblings….Alex is the best thing that happened to me in Nigeria. He keeps surprising me. Somehow, I am still perplexed about how Alex got you here Mrs Sharon because he is yet to even know about my past in Canada that involves you”
“Well, I think he knows everything now. You see, when I came to Nigeria to look for you about three days ago….I saw pictures of your traditional marriage on national news. I was wowed but then I knew God had already ordained you for greatness so it didn’t shock me much….” Mrs Sharon said and paused to exhale before continuing
I felt like my heart would burst open as I listened to Mrs Sharon speak
God indeed makes things beautiful at his own time.
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH’S HEART stories)
