Single and 30 - Episode 12

 

The two women stare at each other, one with accusing eyes and the other with awe and regrets.
The atmosphere is thick with tension.
Jeremiah had earlier met up with Doyin and told her about her mother.
The older woman averts her eyes. "I'm sorry for all the pain, I caused you, my child".
Doyin bits her lips. She looked at the woman who claimed to be her mother.
"I did not want to meet you but someone convinced me to do otherwise . I would love to know the reason why you abandoned me".
Aishat George, Doyin's mother looked downwards.
"Your father and I were married", she started.
Doyin was puzzled. She thought her mother was a victim of teenage pregnancy or something. "So why?" She asked.
"He died", Aishat answered. "After his death, his sister was after my life. She wanted my late husband's for herself and her son". She looked up.
Doyin felt a brief flash of pain. Even if she had thought the worst of her father, it feels bad to know he is dead.
"We were living in Delta, but I ran away to Ondo where I had you". Aishat recollects that night of terror.
"Then one day I sighted some men I suspected where sent by her. Out of fear I dropped you at the orphanage

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. I thought they would get me, but I managed to evade them. I escaped to the north. I came back to find you, but the orphanage had become a bar........ I asked questions but was pushed out". She paused to drink water.
"I later got married to business man in the north. I have two kids with him. He was the one who hired the private investigator who traced you from former orphanage to the last one you were and to that couple".
Silence. Doyin breaks it, "Now that you have found me. Tell me, what do you want from me?"
Aishat held her daughter's hand and stares into her eyes. "I would love us to start out as friends if not family", she said.
Doyin looked away. "I would love to try, but I tell you it's not going to be easy. I never thought the best of you while growing up".
Aishat smiled. "Thank you so much. You trying, means everything to me", she puts in.
Doyin smiled back. "Is that wicked woman still looking for you?" She asked her mother.
"No. I think she gave up, but I found her. She has to give up what's is rightly yours as the heiress", Aishat replied with the determined expression.
"I don't want anything. I have enough", Doyin said waving her hands in protest.
"I know you are well- to- do, but what is rightly yours is yours. I suspect she killed my husband. And the holy book said there is no peace for the wicked".

*****
Author's POV
Jeremy's new restaurant is very busy. Doyin with her production crew are trying to gather video clippings for a TV advert for the restaurant.
Photographers were busy taking pictures of chefs cooking in the kitchen.
Some.camera men were busy taking a video of everything.
Guests who were invited to the official opening of Honey J's restaurants were sampling the various delicacies.
Food critics, competitors, friends, family and well wishers were in the building.

Read " A Bride For The Dumji Prince " by the same author ( Queen )

. Even members of the press filled the hall ready to interview  after his speech.
"Once again I thank God and all those who made today possible", Jeremiah said finishing his speech.
Questions started coming in.
"Why did you decide to build a restaurant?"
Jeremiah smiled. "I love to see the smile on people's faces when they eat food made from my recipes".
"I also want to contribute to the economic growth of this country", he added.
He continued after a short pause, "how? you might ask. Apart from paying tax, Honey J is here to empower youths who are interested in the culinary business. We would make sure they get skills that will make them unique. Not only that, we ensure they learn from the best and help them set up their own businesses.
The audience gave him a round of applause.
Another press man threw him a question. "Do you think it will be easy for Honey J to compete with other classic restaurant?"
Jeremiah got closer to the microphone. "We would do well. We have all it takes to be the best and we plan to be the best not only in Nigeria but in this continent".
The audience clapped for him again.
"Why did you name it Honey J?" A stout built reporter wearing glasses asked him.
Jeremiah smiled. "It's gotten from wealth becomes honey. In Yoruba Oladoyin, while J is from my name, Jeremiah". He caught Doyin's eyes on him.
"Who is this Oladoyin?" The same reporter asked.
Jeremy answered, "the love of my life".

#I want to know your thoughts on this episode.