What happens when your carefully planned life comes crumbling down? Funmilola Olarenwaju had her life planned out...owner of two orphanages and a top class restaurant; single and NOT AVAILABLE!!! Brought up in a Christian home with God's love in her...
Funmi and Antonio arrived at Lovely Garden Orphanage to see six year old Judith. Upon their arrival, it was clear by the silence that engulfed the three floor estate that most of the sixty-five children were already asleep. Funmi walked into the reception with concern written on her face but she planned to chastise Judith for the trouble that she was putting their caregivers. She asked the receptionist where to find Mrs. Nwosu and she was told by the young woman by the desk that she was in the dormitory for the primary school level girls.
Antonio followed her silently as she finally walked up an exquisite staircase to the first floor that contains the rooms that housed the younger children. The walls were painted a bright yellow decorated with beautifully painted flowers of different colours and types depicting an image of a colourful and living flower garden. The first floor has two wings; the right wing for the boys and the left wing for the girls. Antonio was blown away at how much money invested in the project. He wondered how she managed to source fund for it.
Seeing the confusion in his eyes as she turned around to make sure he was following her, Funmi offered to explain.
"I inherited this mansion from Dad's father. Dad was furious of course! He wanted it for himself or at least for one of his sons but not a daughter because she would eventually get married and leave the family. But a will is a will and it must be obeyed."
"Wow!" Antonio muttered as they continued the journey to Mrs. Nwosu's office. They passed about five doors before finally getting to an opened door leading to a large office. Upon seeing them, a tall and slim older woman stood up to welcome them and sitting on a sofa in the large office was the most beautiful child Antonio ever saw.
Judith has fluffy blonde hair, big brown eyes and very pale skin. She was an albino.
Judith smiled happily and ran to hug Funmi. The latter got on her knees to receive the hug that almost knocked them both down.
"Good night Mama. I missed you a lot and wanted to see you. Since you came back from China, you left forever." She sobbed.
Funmi's heart melted and broke at the child's confession.
"I'm here now Jude." Funmi called her by their nickname for her. "I'm sorry, go to sleep now okay."
They broke the hug and Judith looked at Antonio with curious eyes.
"You are welcome to our home Mr. Babalola or can I call him Daddy?"
Mrs. Nwosu busted into laughter and Funmi joined in too.
Antonio didn't know what possessed him but all he saw was his legs carrying out their own orders and bending towards the little girl.
"Daddy? That is not a bad thing at all."
"High five?" Judith called out.
Antonio obeyed and soon were hugging each other.
Funmi watched the scene in wonder and folded her arms across her chest, trying to figure out why the cold Antonio was bonding with one of her children.
*******************
Funmi and Antonio left after Judith went to bed with a happy heart. Antonio was smitten by the bond between the child and his wife and wondered if he would make a good father someday, with Sharon of course.
Funmi off loaded the picnic basket, washed the dishes and decided to go to bed. She yawned and got a glass of water from the tap. When she was done drinking the water, she turned off the kitchen lights and walked out. She was about to climb the stairs when Antonio's voice stopped her.
"Thanks for today Funmi. You really went out of your way to make it a successful one." He said with a genuine smile. "I enjoyed myself Saint Funmi."
Funmi laughed at the last part. "Stop calling me that."
"Isn't it true? You put up with my cruel ways and stopped fighting me, that is commendable."
She smiled and said, "Thank you for not hurting me anymore." Antonio walked towards her, took her by the hand and slowly led her to the living room. They sat down next to each other and boy did it feel terribly awkward.
"I never hated you Funmi. You were like an impostor in my life and I felt I needed to get you out. I made a promise to you on our wedding day and I didn't keep it. You don't love me but you kept the promise and tried to be civil in our marriage."
Funmi was slightly touched and decided to open up a bit too. She looked up at him because she had been staring at the floor the entire time he was talking.
"It was hard for me at the beginning and I wanted to get rid of you too but I was reminded of my promise to God and realised I did wrong not working towards fulfilling it." She sighed and then looked him in the eye.
"I'll be honest with you, I don't think I will ever break it. I am sorry Antonio," Funmi stood up to leave. "Goodnight." She said and left.
Antonio punched the sofa's armrest angrily. "I won't give up on Sharon! Never!"
The next morning...
Funmi thought about her life as she prepares for church. She came to the conclusion that her marriage of convenience for her parents was rather an inconvenience, for her anyway. She dusted her face with powder, applied a watermelon flavoured lip gloss, took her handbag and walked to the bathroom door. She turned around and glanced at her image in the mirror,
"I am wonderfully and fearfully made." She smiled and left her room. She looked simple but lovely in a knee length red dress and a white short sleeved jacket. As she got down the stairs to leave she was surprised to find Antonio dressed up and seated. She had thought he left the house per his normal Sunday routine. He was well dressed in a cream suit and black pants. Funmi wanted to express so many emotions all at once but couldn't decide which one to show.
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He is surely a metrosexual.
"Morning Sunshine! Can we head to church now?" He asked.
Funmi was too shocked to even find a simple "yes" in her vocabulary to respond. But finally, she sent her own question.
"Where are we going?" She asked softly.
"Where else? Church of course! It is time I meet your church family or brethren, right?"
Funmi couldn't respond.
"Too shocked to speak?" Her mind could not process what he was saying. She had sighed in defeat last night when she saw him punch the armrest and now here he was acting like he was not offended.
Antonio took his car keys from the coffee table, stood up and smiled.
"You want to follow me to church?" She finally managed to ask the correct question.
"Sure! Is there a problem with that?"
"Oh no! Are you ready to go?"
What a silly question.
"Sure."
Her eyes danced with happiness and relief as they finally left the house for fellowship.
