SILVER LININGS (Christian Romance)

21

One year later.

They sat near the lawn tennis court of the University of Portharcourt where the windy harmattan blew their skins dry and left their throats parched. Emeka had emaciated and his beards which were always neatly shaven was overgrown.

Jane peered further, his skin was scaly and his lips parched. He licked them at intervals to keep them moist but they were cracked with the harmattan wind and bled.

He had been saying something before she zoned out and now, she could only recall parts of the words he had said.

“I am sterile. I can't father a child, I've had untreated gonorrhea and it has made me infertile. That is the reason I badly wanted Junior.”

Jane shifted uncomfortably. Her legs were nestled against each other and she pulled them back, away from Emeka.  He had called her here because he wanted to talk to her, wanted to clear things up and after several pleading and calls from him and his father, she had obliged. She had obliged because of God and his father, and because Phoebe had accepted to come with her.

She gulped and allowed him to continue talking. Phoebe patted her back.

“After I left for Russia, I spent the next years as an undergrad getting wild with girls. I attended every party, dated and slept with almost every girl I met.”

Jane listened raptly. He had left a string of broken hearts and now, karma was happening. She steeled herself against the rage that was quickly building in her system–she wanted to slap him, she wanted to cuss him but she held herself. She hadn't come this far in her faith to get carried away with anger.

Emeka swallowed hard and his eyes burned with hot tears. “The doctor said I can't father a child, no matter how hard I try.” he spoke as someone who the realization just dawned on him.

Jane subconsciously fiddled with the hem of her blouse. The harsh breeze whooshed by, caressing her skin. She stopped and looked at Emeka and slowly, in place of the rage was pity. She pitied the life that lay ahead of him. But she could not do anything, he had made his decisions. So to say, dug his grave.

She cleared her throat and began to speak. “I am here because of God Emeka. Secondly, I'm here because your father literally begged me to hear you out.” she revealed, watching his reaction and when she got none, she continued.

“After I got pregnant, I prayed everyday for death when I saw opportunities I'd have gotten if I did not get pregnant. I went through intense pain Emeka abd I cussed you all day.”

Emeka bowed his head and said nothing.

“Listen carefully, I have listened to your father decided to give you a chance in Junior’s life. I will not stop you from being near my son but you can't take him to stay with you and anytime you decide to see him, I will be there. Understood?”

He nodded in affirmation.

“Good. Do not go behind my back to see him. You're free to cater for his needs if you want to but that should be through me. Noted?”

“Yes,” Emeka replied, nodding aggressively.

“You should not pressurize him or convince him to come with you any day, of course I'll be present with both of you always. When he is of age, he'll decide what do do with you.” she said, observing him. His eyes were teary and he was trying so hard to keep them at bay.

She continued. “Finally, everything I've said here today will be codified into a document by a lawyer and signed by you as evidence. The moment you violate any, legal action will be taken against you. Do you understand?”