THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Chapter One

  Dara's POV                                                                             
  I looked at myself in the mirror for the last time before I carried my handbag and laptop, then left my bedroom for the dining where I quickly prepared tea and ate two slices of bread for breakfast. Well, you know my mom do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped for any reason. She would make sure dad and I eat something before leaving the house everyday and this has become a habit of mine even though I had moved out of the house to a two bedroom apartment in Ogba. I love my mom from the moon to the back but she can be handful at times...

  I smiled as I remember a day dad had to leave as early as 4am so as not to be late for his breakfast meeting with a client by 7am in Eko Hotel Suites. Mom prepared tea, toast bread and scrambled eggs for him, whereas he wasn't planning on eating before leaving for work. Unknowingly to him that she had locked the door and wouldn't budge unless he eats his breakfast. I had just finished my vigil when I heard their voices, I went downstairs and when dad told me what happened, I laughed and laughed till I couldn't laugh anymore without tears coming out of my eyes. After fifteen minutes of mom not budging, dad shakes his head, sat down and had his breakfast. Thank God, he didn't miss his breakfast meeting because if he did, he would be so mad at mom even though he loves her and like he do say "I don't regret ever asking you to marry me "

  I checked the wall clock and I realized I need to leave so as not to be caught up in traffic but not before putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I locked the door, entered my car and drove off. Mom had talked to dad about getting me a driver and a maid to take care of the apartment but I had declined. The reason being that I love doing things myself and besides, driving helps me clear my mind. And you know this believe that young ladies should not be allowed to drive so as not to become proud and also to get husband on time. Well, they are not talking to me. Driving doesn't make you proud unless you have pride in you. And talking of marriage, one shouldn't be pressured into getting married. Husband will come at the appropriate time. It is just a matter of getting our priorities right and besides, life is not all about marriage.
  
  Marriage is good, yes, have seen mom and dad doing lovey dovey in the house and to be truthful I envy them but I know marriage is not for all. You get married or not, doesn't change who God is.

Ooooops!!! Am super late. I quickly find a space to park my car,on doing that I carried my bag and laptop and entered the building. I greeted everyone I met on the way . I entered what I do call my personal space with Sarah my friend /secretary on my trail. Let me tell you a little bit about Sarah...

I met her in my university days through a friend who thought I could assist her then. Her mother is a petty trader whose total sales for a day is not even upto two thousand naira. Her father who was the bread winner of the family, had an accident and died. Our first semester 300l examination is on the way and all students are advised to pay their school fees because defaulters will not be allowed in the examination hall.

  She wanted to drop out but Cynthia advised her not to and they came to me for assistance. Thank God I had not given the money I have in my account to Bisade who I know wouldn't spend it on something valuable. I transferred the money into her account, told her to pay her fees and use the remaining to buy foodstuffs and after the exam we would find a way to sort out her mother and two younger ones.

After our exam she came back and I gave her the money I had been saving up for my NGO. I told her to pay her younger ones school fees and her mother to use the rest to start a business in order to sustain their family. The clothing store now has three other branches in Nigeria. When we finished our service, she applied here as a secretary to the finance department but on seeing me she changed her mind to become my secretary in the HR department and luckily, I was looking for a secretary. 

"You're super, super and super late. And morning to you madam "she said with a frown on her face

"Babes, where is the GOOD of the morning and what's up with the frown on your face "I replied

"Well if you had answered your phone when I called and checked your mail, you would remember you have a presentation with other heads of department and you're... twenty minutes late "she said as she checked her wristwatch

"What!!! How could I have forgotten? But babes you know my phone is always on silent when am driving" I said

"You can ask me that once again and concerning the phone of a thing, I've told you countless times to only do that on weekends" she said with a frown

"Am sorry... Please where are the files I need, I need to go as in NOW NOW" I shouted the last part

"Abeg, calm down and you shout too much for my liking. The things you need are already inside the conference room" she replied

I danced in my head and thanked Sarah

"What would I do without you?" I asked as I hugged her 

"Everything and much more sis" she replied with a smile

"I owe you big this time around " I said to her

"Well for the owing part, you can get me the handbag I saw the last time we went shopping, take me to a spa and afterwards drive me home because I didn't bring my car today" she said with all smiles

"That's too small for God to do and besides what are sisters for. You just do me a favour by finishing your work before 2pm and meet me at the car park ,then we'll spend the day as you wish" I replied with a smile

Words can't comprehend how much I love this girl...

"Your wish is my command ma'am" she said and she bowed her head dramatically to emphasize her point

"As much as I'd love to continue with you, I have to go. I love you babes" I said to her

"I love you too. Now shuuuuuuuuuuuuu" she replied and used her hand in gesture for me to go

How could I have forgotten..... Oh Dara, you are too forgetful, I said as I knocked myself on the head. It is well with your soul o, I said as I knocked on the conference door, opened the door and entered.

The meeting ended by 1pm. I quickly went into my office and worked on the files I met on my table. By the time I was done and checked the time on my wristwatch, I know I am in for the talk of my life. I packed my things and went into the elevator. On getting to the car park, Sarah was already there, who on seeing me, gave me the eyes and started the talk.

"You are seven minutes late, what is wrong with you and lateness today, blah blah blah blah..."

We spent two hours in the shopping mall with Sarah trying on everything that catches her interest, parading in and out as if she's doing a beauty contest. At last she bought the handbag, few dresses and a pointed heels (Only God knows how she puts on those. I said to myself). Since I didn't feel like shopping, I bought a bracelet and we left for the spa where we spent an hour.

With shopping bags and ice cream which we later bought in hand, we gist, laugh and have fun. Later in the evening, I drove her to her apartment which is luckily on the way to mine. After dropping her off, I went grocery shopping and by the time I got home, I was so tired.

  I dropped my things which includes the heels have taken off after grocery shopping into the sitting room, went into the kitchen, placed the things I bought in their respective places and prepare noodles which I know wouldn't require too much of my energy and time. After eating, I shower, read a little bit, pray and retire for the night.