Staying in love for more than 5 years is almost impossible.  Staying in love with the same person for the rest of your life is a miracle.
                          —Unknown

"So tell me about this your friend, Amara." Kemi gazed at her from above the rim of her teacup.

Dora stiffened and gripped her mug. The dreaded moment had arrived.

She took a sip of her coffee and sighed. "What would you like to know?"

"Anything and everything." Kemi chuckled. "Start at the beginning of your friendship. How did you become friends?"

Dora nodded and began. "We were both interns in the same company. During break time one day, we sat at the same table in the cafe. And we hit it right off."

"Interesting! What was she like?"

"I thought her to be the sweetest thing ever. She always wore a smile in every situation. I felt I could confide in her about everything." A dry laugh escaped her lips. "But I was clearly wrong." The handle of her mug pierced her skin and she flinched.

"Oh, really?" Kemi tilted her head to the side. "Tell me about it." She bit in a biscuit. "What ruined your perfect relationship?"

Dora closed her eyes briefly as bittersweet memories flooded her mind.

Her eyes flickered to the windows. And she gazed at the endless blue sky.

She turned back to face her friend who was gazing at her with attentive eyes.

A heavy sigh left her lips.  "So our friendship progressed and my trust in her increased." She clenched her fist. "We got married—she married first and started having children."

Her eyes dimmed and she went silent. The memories of the past buried her in sorrow. Bile rose in her throat and she whispered, "Then my nightmare as Mrs. Ayodeji Bullocks began."

Her eyes drifted shut and the pain and wounds she suffered for over ten years flooded back. Tears burned the back of her eyes.

Her eyes shot open and were met with the compassionate smile of her friend and lawyer.

A shaky breath escaped her lips. "There were only so many wounds I could attend to myself. I needed help." She swallowed to moisten her suddenly dry throat. "And I turned to her because she was the closest person—she was just in the apartment opposite mine."

The compassion and kindness that shone in Kemi's eyes was a balm to her fraying nerves.

Her healed wounds were her strength to keep speaking.

"When the pain and struggle use to get too much, I rushed to her to tend to my wounds."

Images of the days of rushing to Amara's house with bleeding wounds rushed back and Dora's heart tightened.

"Why did you go to her?"

"Because I didn't want to be questioned  unnecessarily in the hospital."

She heaved a tired sigh. "Anyway, years went by and nothing seemed to change. But one thing changed—Tara grew up."

Her eyes drifted down and she stared at the tray of biscuits that lay on the low mahogany table.

"I knew I had to do something. I didn't want my daughter to be a victim as well." Her chest rose and fell and despair filled her face.

She looked to a face that held no pity but kindness and compassion.

"When Ayodeji's violent acts  threatened to place, I sent Tara to Amara to keep her safe." She toyed with the mug. "Maybe I shouldn't have done that," she whispered as tears filled her eyes.

Through blurry eyes, she noticed Kemi"s brows furrow.

"What happened?" Kemi leaned over with curiosity dancing in her eyes.

Dora's eyes flickered shut as the images of what her daughter went through flew back.

Tears slip down her face as the memories poured out.

"She became friends with Amara's daughter, Thelma, and things-s got ruined-d afte-er that."

Her shoulders shook as waves of tears consumed her. Her fingers tremble and the cup she held shook. The liquid sloshed on her hand as she dropped it on the table.

The frown on Kemi's face deepened. "What do you mean by that?" She discarded her empty cup of tea.

Dora sniffled and delved into the story of her past.

With every word she uttered, everything that happened played in her mind.

"Because of her bad influence and cunningness, Tara got into the wrong crowd and almost lost her life as a result." She sniffled.

She couldn't stop the tears that poured out.

"I failed as a mother!" A sob escaped her lips. Her body trembled as waves of tears consumed her.

She stilled and her eyes drifted down as she felt a touch on her hand.

Kemi squeezed her hand in comfort and shook her head. "It was not your fault. How were you supposed to know what was happening? You were in pain as well."

Dora shook her head and sobbed harder as guilt tore through her.

Kemi's eyes shone with empathy. She pulled out a box of tissue and handed it to her.

Dora took one tissue and dabbed her face. She gazed at her friend whose eyes shone with tears and sympathy.

An unsteady breath escaped her lips. Through the fog of the past, Dora remembered something.

Her tears still fell but she gazed at her friend with a new countenance.  "However, God healed our wounds." A smile crept into her face.

She would never forget that, no matter how strong the storm is.

Kemi smiled. "I am glad to hear that!"

Silence filled the room as the women got lost in their thoughts.

Dora's eyes drifted to her abandoned cup of coffee that had turned lukewarm.

Her throat hurt but the thought of drinking it made her stomach turn.

A sigh caught her attention and she looked up.

"I hate to make you relive the past but I would like to know everything." Kemi gave a slight smile.

Dora's shoulders slumped and her eyes drifted to the birds that flew freely in the sky. A sense of longing washed over her.

She turned back to her friend and heaved a sigh. "After everything came to light, I went to confront her; and do you know what?" Dora's eyes narrowed and she clenched her fist.
"She dared to claim that her daughter was not at fault!" Her voice increased at the end. And her fingers dug into her palm.

"What!" Kemi gasped. "That's preposterous!"

Dora nodded and clenched her fists tighter. She took calming breaths to stop the anger boiling in her.

"I will never forget what she did. It is a reminder not to trust people blindly." Her lips formed a thin line. "But I will never forgive myself for not noticing early." Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Don't beat yourself." Kemi sent her a smile. 'I know we should be careful, but some people are good at hiding their true self."

Dora nodded in agreement and gazed at her friend and lawyer. "Thank you so much for understanding me, Kemi." Her eyes shimmered with gratitude.

"Don't mention it." A smile spread on Kemi's face. "However, do you think she will help us?" A thoughtful look cut across her face.

"I don't know," Dora whispered as various thoughts raced in her mind.

"Thought as much! But we could take a chance." A frown appeared on Kemi's face. " Do you know where to find her or how to contact her?"

Dora gave a curt nod as tension climbed up her smile. "I know where she stays but I don't know if she still lives there."

"Great! I guess we know our next course of action."

Dora fiddled with her fingers. Her chest tightened at the thought of bringing her past to the present.

               ★★★★★

Hours later. . .

With a heavy heart and a tired mind, Dora found herself accomplishing one more task.

"We are done for the day," she declared with a smile. "Here is your assignment." She slid a book towards Mide.

She had to fulfill the responsibility of being Mide's home tutor.

The passion she felt to teach gave her the strength to survive the one and a half hours with Mide.

"Thank you, Ms. Dora!" Mide sent her a toothed grin.

"You are welcome, dear! Her lips lifted in a slight smile. "But you must learn the words before I come next." She gave her a stern look.

"I will, Ms. Dora." A glint of determination gleamed in her eyes.

"Good!" Dora sent her a smile. She picked up her bag and rose.

A groan escaped her lips as an ache formed in her lower back and flowed through her legs.

She dismissed it and began her walk out the door.

"Perfect timing!" A voice said as she appeared in the hallway.

Her brows scrunched as Ellie approach her with a grin.

"What do you mean?" She asked as Ellie reached her.

Ellie gave a happy laugh. "Well, you see, my dad is stepping out and he is heading towards your direction, so that means he can drop you." A satisfied grin spread on her face.

A rock landed at the pit of her stomach.

"There is no need for that!" Dora rushed out with wide eyes.

Ellie stalled and stared at her with surprise. "Is something wrong?"

Dora shook her head as she struggled to find the right words.

"I don't want to impose on him." She smiled lightly. "I will take a bus or taxi."

Ellie chuckled with amusement dancing in her eyes. "I am sure dad won't have any problem giving you a ride, right, dad?" Her eyes drifted to something behind Dora.

"No problem at all, dear!" His voice sent shivers down Dora's spine as he came up to them.

Dora's heart sped as their eyes connected before they turned away.

"Yes! I guess it's settled!" Ellie squealed with joy.

Dora's lips puckered as she wanted to oppose Ellie. However, something stopped her.

She sighed in resignation and clutched her bag tighter.

"We should be on our way!" Gerald's voice filled her ears.

She turned to face him but she found him looking at Ellie.

"Yess! You guys should have fun!" Ellie grinned and step to the side for them to pass.

Dora forced her legs to move as Gerald sauntered off.

A few minutes later, they were buckled in Gerald's black Mercedes car.

Dora counted from one to ten to keep her breathing steady.

Beads of sweat formed on her foreheads and her heart constricted.

A panic attack was coming.

Please God, no! She cried out in her mind.

Suddenly, a cold chill washed over her. Her head turned to the side and she noticed the AC was turned on and it was blowing in her direction.

The tightness in her chest eased and her racing heartbeats slowed down. 

She turned to face Gerald who was staring ahead with an expressionless face.

Her eyes turned to the window. An orange glow cast a streak on the glass.
The evening breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees. Birds in troops fled to take shelter for the night.

Dora counted the seconds as they drove down the empty roads.

Suddenly, the car started making thumping sounds.

She frowned and turned to face Gerald whose face was marred with a scowl.

He muttered something under his breath and turned off the car.

"One minute." He whispered and slipped out.

With curious eyes, she watched Gerald go round the car to inspect the tyres. He stopped by the tyre on her side.

Her brows drew together when the frown on Gerald's face deepened as he pulled out his phone and made a call.

A new wave of anxiety washed over her as she gazed at Gerald with attentive eyes.

The space became suffocating and her throat clogged up.

She reached for the handle and pushed the door open and ambled out.

"There's a flat tyre," he said with a scowl. "But don't worry, we are not too far from home. The driver is bringing a new car." His lips curled up into a small smile. "You can wait in the car." He shoved his hands in his pockets.

Dora gripped her bag and shook her head. "I will wait here." She leaned on the bonnet of the car.

And so the wait began.

The wind picked up and whipped at the edge of Dora's skirt.

A feeling of being watched washed over her.

She rubbed her arms as a chill crept up her spine.

She turned to the side and she gazed into the hazel eyes that were watching her with an unreadable expression.

The hard surface of the car bit into her skin and she squirmed in her position and looked away.

"How long is this going to go on?"

She whirled to face him with wide eyes. "What do you mean?"

He gave a low chuckle. "Let's not kid ourselves, you have been avoiding me."

"Because there is nothing to say." She hugged herself. 

"I don't believe that. Your eyes say you want to ask me questions."

Dora huffed and shook her head. "You must be imagining it." Her eyes flickered to his face. "Because I have nothing to say to you." She hardened her jaw.

"Are you sure about that, Adaora?" He tilted his head to the side with a glint of laughter in his eyes.

"I am 100% sure." She tossed him a glare. "Many years have passed, things have changed. What could be said?"

"That's true." He gave a small smile. "But you will be surprised that some things remained the same." An indecipherable look flashed through his eyes.

Dora stiffened and stared at him with confusion. "And what will that be?"

With eyes swirling with gold and brown streaks, he said, "I never stopped loving you."

              ★★★★★★

Whoa, that was an action-filled chapter, don't you think?😂

What do you think about Gerald's declaration of love? 

All I can say is that it will change the course of the story. So stay tuned😁

Well, I don't have much to say today. Christmas preparation is taking a lot from me 🙃

But I am extremely happy to say that we are in the tenth chapter. It still feels surreal 😁

So Our Question of the chapter is: What are your thoughts on the story so far?
I will love to hear what you think so don't hesitate to drop a comment.

For me as the writer, it has been both easy and hard. But I give God the glory in everything. XD

Don't forget to 👇

Until next time, enjoy the season 🎉