Ivie resumed her new private school the following week and Raphael was there the first day to pick her up and take her to school.
Osas decided to clean the house after they left, one of the disadvantages of living in a big house is you spend a longer time cleaning and tidying up
While she was still at it there was a knock on the door, she wasn't expecting anyone but Raphael was the last person she was expecting to see, he just left about an hour ago with Ivie.
"Is everything okay? Did Ivie forget anything...that girl, I warned her to check again if anything was missing before she left"
"No! She didn't forget anything, she's safe and sound in school "
"Oh..Kay"
"I actually came back to talk to you "
"is there a problem "
"No! Not really, can I come in"
"Sure! " she opened the door widely for him to come in although she was all sweaty and sticky in her pajamas
"Would you like something to drink" she wiped her hands on her pants looking for an excuse to quickly change into something decent
"No! Am good, thank you"
"Are you sure coz I can brew coffee or what is it you rich people like to drink"
"No don't worry, I won't be long I have to get to work, this will be quick"
She nodded and sat on the sofa while he took the single sitter next to her
"First of all, I want to appreciate you for everything osas, am truly grateful that you agreed to come to Lagos and for giving me a chance to be part of ivie's life. I cannot thank you enough "
Osas nodded she could tell there was a but coming at the end of that sentence
"The other night I was here and you kicked me out literally and I understand I have to always inform you whenever I want to see her but I think there are better ways to handle it. I am not a total stranger it's not like am going to kidnap my own daughter. I'm just trying my possible best to spend time with her and save up for lost times"
"And whose fault is it " she scoffs
"Huh! Whose fault is it that you have to save up for lost times. Whose fault is it Raphael "
"No one! Until three months ago I didn't know I had a daughter "
"Nor did you welcome her with open arms when I came all the way from Warri so if you're trying to play father of the year you might need to try a little harder "
"Am truly sorry Osas, I cannot apologize enough for my mistakes but you can't keep hanging me on a thread everytime because of my silly mistakes"
"I don't understand what you me to do"
"I want us to figure out the best ways to go parent without disrespecting each other or punishing the other person"
"You think am punishing you" she scoffs
"You're so short sighted Edafe and I don't mean it as an insult but that's just how I can make sense of your behavior and everything that you've done so far.
I literally had to live through hell because of you. When I came to Lagos to search for you I settled for the last possible option I could ever turn to. The one month I stayed with my cousin just so I could track you down was a complete disaster, I slept on the bare floor, shared a disgusting pit latrine with so many people, I got in a fight with a bus conductor and someone publicized it making me lose my job at that time and it went so viral that my mother saw it, as if that wasn't enough I got into another ugly fight...landed in jail, got kicked out by my cousin amongst other things.
I am trying to blame you for what happened to me but if i wasn't trying to find you so badly none of this would have happened, and even when I did it was like all that effort was for nothing. You ridiculed me, didn't even remember me, you called me a gold digger, if it wasn't for your mother we would have gone our separate ways long ago....... So if I wanted to punish you, I wouldn't be here at all, what do I stand to gain by doing that.
even though your apology doesn't quite cut it, I have learnt to focus on the bigger picture and that picture has Ivie in it so i just don't like it when you disregard my role in all of this. I am your child's mother and on some level that should count for something. I too want to be respected, cared for and regarded as such. Not just by your mother or your family Edafe but by you... so before you come here and lay out your co parenting strategies I need you to look within and do better" he fell quiet
YOU ARE READING
Baby Mama
Short StoryA teenage mother loses contact with her baby's father and had to go through an heartbreaking experience on her own. Determined to find the love of her life and reunite her family she kept searching After many years she finally tracked him down but...
