Different Worlds

Chapter Fifty-five

Ijeoma's POV

I smoothened out my gown with my fingers as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. It was a navy blue gown made with a heavily embroidered chord lace material. The gown hugged my body, accentuating whatever curves I had, then flared out from my knee and pooled around my feet.

Noah and I were hosting a church thanksgiving. There was so much to be thankful for, one of them being, getting Zozo back in our lives.

After we had gotten the bribery transaction documents from the PI, Aunt Chisom took over. She sent the documents over to the court of appeal, that they revoke the previous verdict on the grounds of a misconduct.

Once we sent the documents, we got a response a day after. We had no idea as to why the court was so quick to respond. It was probably out of the fear that we could go public with our case against a 'reputable' Judge which we weren't. I loved my small, private life just as it was.

Like a quick passing gust of wind, the new court date approached and we were back at the dreaded courthouse. It was safe to say that I had developed an aversion for anything concerning courts. Unlike the other times I had been to court, I was more confident this time around because we had the upper hand.

At the end of the day, we were given back custody of Zozo and the judge along with Kunle's mother were given community service and were asked to pay a large sum of money as punishment. The punishments were nowhere near befitting but what can we say, this is Nigeria where the rich get off with a pat on the back for their wrongdoings and ordinary people suffer larger consequences.

Noah and I didn't care much for the punishments they got. As long as we had our daughter back and Kunle's family didn't have visitation rights to see her, we were good. Surprisingly, after Zozo had finally returned to her home with us, Kunle's mother contacted me.

She apologized for taking Zozo away through malicious means and tried to persuade me to allow her visit Zozo from time to time. From the looks of it, she was the one who wanted to be In Zozo's life because Kunle didn't seem to care.

I obviously refused her. I didn't want my child anywhere near that family. If Zozo wanted to know more about her biological father's family when she's older, I wouldn't hold her back. By that time, she would be old enough to decide for herself.

That aside, I was thankful for the opportunity to get my life back on track. When I got the news of the JAMB result being out, I developed a sudden sense of panic. I knew that I had done quite well in the exam and I didn't find it hard but I was still nervous to check.

I made Noah check the result on my behalf because I just didn't have it in me to check. I stayed upstairs with Zozo in her room, slowly losing my mind. Zozo was oblivious of my slightly panicked and anxious state as she went on play with her teddy bears without a care in the world.

Noah walked in on me pacing mindlessly around the room. He held a blank expression and somehow, I felt both relieved and panicked at the same time.

"How was it?" I asked bracing myself

He broke into a wide smile. "You passed"

"Oh my God! Are you serious?" I squealed

"Yeah" he nodded as he walked towards me arms wide spread.

"Oh my God" I squealed excitedly and jumped into his arms

"What did I score?" I asked

"295" he said grinning

"Issa lie" I gasped. "You're joking"