“For a lot of people, divorce is an incredibly healthy move to make in their life.” — Adam Scott

Dimmed eyes traced the figures of the outside world as the vehicle veered down the highway. Lines creased Dora’s forehead as she got buried in thoughts.

Her body jerked as the taxi crossed over one of the many potholes on the road.

Her frown deepened as her mind became muddled with thoughts about what could happen when she reached her destination. 

The car lurched to a stop as the traffic light turned red. Just then, her eyes stopped on something.

Her eyes zoomed on the smiling faces of a middle-aged couple that walked out of a shop holding hands. 

She watched a look of affection cross their faces when they looked at each other. Her eyes followed them until they disappeared from sight. A sigh of envy escaped her lips. 

That was the life she wanted. A sense of nostalgia rose in her chest as she reminisced about the dreams she had for her married life.

She wanted a loving husband and a doting father for her children. Her throat clogged up as her present situation glared at her. 

“Are you okay, ma’am?” A voice broke through the fog.

“Pardon?” Her eyes drifted from the window to the face of the taxi driver.

“You are crying!” A frown appeared on his face. 

“Oh?” She blinked and touched her cheeks. Wetness seeped onto her palm as she rubbed her cheeks. 

She forced out a smile and whispered, “I am fine. Don’t worry.” 

The taxi driver nodded and turned back to the road. 

Dora returned to her musings but struggled to be alert to her present surrounding.

After a few minutes of driving, the car screeched to a halt.

“We have arrived, ma’am!” The driver announced. 

Dora nodded and pushed the door open. She stepped out and crossed over to the open car window. 

“Thank you!” She smiled and handed him the fare.

He nodded and drove off. Dora sighed and turned to face the two-story cream-colored building. 

She read out the silver-coated words, “Obi and Cole Law Firm.” 

Her skirt whipped at her skin as the wind picked up. The distant clap of thunder sounded in her ears. 

Her shoulders slumped, and her heartbeats increased their tempo. 

She glanced at the sky and heaved a sigh. Dark clouds covered the sky.
A storm was brewing and she would do everything to protect herself from it.

Her heels clicked on the tiles as she climbed up the steps. She exchanged pleasantries with the security officer that swung the door open for her.

A gust of wind from the air conditioner blew on her and caused a chill to wash over her.

Dora followed the direction to the reception stand. 

“Good morning, ma’am!” The beaming face of the young receptionist greeted her. “How may I help you?”

“Good morning! I have an appointment with Mrs. Obi at 10:15 AM,” Dora said with a smile. 

The lady smiled and looked through her laptop for confirmation. “Please take the elevator to the next level and when you get there, turn right. The first door is Mrs. Obi’s.”

“Thank you!” Dora smiled and sauntered off. 

A few minutes later, Dora stared at a huge oak door. Her stomach squeezed in anxiety and her hands shook.

Whatever happened behind the door would change the course of her life. 

After getting a rein on her emotions, she placed her hand on the cold metal doorknob and pushed the door open. 

The formidable portrait of Lady Justice welcomed her. Her eyes fell on a bookshelf filled with large-sized books.

“Good morning, Kemi!” She stepped in and shut the door.

The person sitting behind the desk looked up and a grin split on her face. “Oh my, Adaora, it is so good to see you.” she rose and came round the table.

Dora drew closer with a smile, and the two women embraced each other. 

“Oh my, you have changed a lot since college,” Kemi said as she pulled back. 

Heat rose to Dora’s cheeks, and she grew uncomfortable for some unexplainable reason. 

“Anyway, please have your seat.” The lady walked back to her seat 

Dora took a seat on the black leather chair placed in front of the desk. Her shoulders stiffened, and she fumbled with her fingers. 

Her eyes connected with the cheerful face of her friend and her ex-roommate of four years.

“It’s been so long! How have you been doing?” Kemi asked with a smile.

Dora broke eye contact and looked down. She struggled to form the right answer. 

A forced smile appeared on her lips. “I have been surviving.” She glanced at her friend. “And how have you been doing?” 

Kemi gave a short laugh. “I have been hustling.” The women smiled at each other as their eyes spoke of stories untold.

Kemi’s eyes darted away as she heaved a sigh. “We have so much to say.” She paused and looked back up with a smile. “But I guess it is best if we get down to business.” 

Dora jerked her head in agreement. She stilled as a sensation roiled in her chest. 

Kemi gave another smile and pulled out a file from a stack of files. She looked at Dora and declared, “I guess you will be glad to hear that the court has verified the divorce petition.” She smiled and opened the file. 

Her words drummed in Dora’s head. The tension on Dora’s shoulders slowly eased, and she exhaled a sigh of relief. “That’s great!” she said and gave a small smile. 

“Yes, it is! The court will send the court summons to Ayodeji. He needs to give a response within 30 days.” 

Dora nodded and fiddled with her fingers. 

However, she stiffened when Ayodeji’s angry-filled eyes flashed in her mind. 

His angry face faded away and a loud clap of thunder sounded.

She trembled at the foreboding torrents of the storm that were drawing nearer. Her vision blurred and her heart pulsed harder. 

“Are you okay?” An anxious voice broke through the haze in her head. 

She blinked, and her vision cleared. The worried face of her friend welcomed her. 

“Are you alright?” Kemi leaned over with furrowed brows. 

NO! Dora wanted to cry out. 

But she said, “Yes, I am.” She swallowed hard to moisten her suddenly dry throat. 

“Okay, if you say so.” Kemi sent her a smile and leaned back. “Anyway, have this. It is your copy of the petition.”

Dora collected the file and scanned it. Her hands shook as she read the printed words. Reality stared her in the face. 

“Can I say something?” Her friend’s voice drew her attention.

Dora looked up and nodded. “Yes, please go ahead.” She closed the file and straightened her position.

She watched her friend’s eyes furrowed as she drummed on the table. 

Apprehension climbed up Dora’s spine at Kemi’s silence and behavior. 

Kemi heaved a sigh and faced her. “It quite surprised me when I got a call from you three weeks ago and you said you wanted to file for divorce.” She paused and curiosity shone in her eyes. “I mean, you and Ayodeji were quite smitten with each other when I attended your wedding. ” She stared at Dora with uncertainty. 

Dora stilled and released a breath as she struggled to form her words.

Finally, she gave a sad smile. “It is a long story. All I would say is that Ayodeji showed me that appearance can be deceiving.” Pain graced her eyes.

Kemi sent her a comforting smile. “I am so sorry about everything you went through.” Compassion gleamed in her eyes. 

Dora smiled. “Thank you! God is healing my wounds.”

Kemi grinned at her. “I am glad to hear that. By the stripes of Jesus, you are healed!” 

Dora smiled in response and darted her eyes to the window. Her smile slipped off her face as she watched the dark clouds move closer. 

She sighed. “When is everything going to end?” she blurted out. 

“Pardon?” Kemi said

Her eyes flickered to her friend, whose brows scrunched in confusion. 

“Sorry! I mean, when will the divorce be completed?”

Kemi leaned back and flexed her fingers. “I can’t say for sure. It depends on how complex the case is.” She stopped and a thoughtful look crossed her face. “But if everything goes well, it would take 3 to 6 months.”

Dora’s shoulder slumped. She offered a prayer for strength to endure the upcoming stormy months.

“Can I ask you something?” 

Dora nodded and stiffened. She clasped her hands in her lap. 

Kemi leaned forward and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want any form of compensation or alimony from him?” A puzzled look dotted her face.  

Dora nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, I am very sure.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I don’t want his money. I only want my freedom.” Tears rose in her eyes. 

She watched as an understanding look appeared on Kemi’s face. “That’s understandable. I apologize if I offended you.” 

Dora shook her head. “No! You did nothing of the sort.” She sighed. “My emotions have just been loose lately.” She gave a tight-lipped smile.

“Yeah, I understand! Divorce is hard for many people! But the Lord is your strength.” She sent her an encouraging smile.

Dora released a smile. “I should be going.” She rose to her feet. 

“Aww, not yet! Stay back for a while and let’s catch up!” Kemi said with an enthusiastic grin.

Dora shook her head. “I wish I could.” She clutched the file. “But I told Tara I would be back home by a certain time.” 

“Oh okay! That’s fair!” Kemi’s face fell. “However, tell her I said she should take care of you in this tough situation.”

Dora nodded and bit her lips and she clutched the file tighter. “She doesn’t know I have filed for divorce,” she blurted.  

“Oh? Why is it that?” Her friend's face was etched with a frown.

She heaved a sigh and muttered, “Because I don’t want her to worry about me.” Her eyes dimmed in sadness.

“But she deserves to know her parents are divorcing.”

“I know! I will tell her.” Dora swallowed. “But she has been going through a lot of stress.”

Kemi heaved a resigned sigh. “I believe you should tell her sooner rather than later.” 

Dora nodded in agreement. "I will."

The squeaking sound of a chair echoed throughout the office. Dora watched her friend get up and come to meet her.

The two women wrapped their arms around each other.

“It was nice to see you after so many years,” Dora said as she pulled back. 

“Likewise.” Kemi smiled. “And I hope after everything is done, we would keep in touch.”

“I will definitely love that!” Dora declared with a smile. “Bye!” She stepped back. 

“Bye! Take care of yourself.” Kemi gave a slight wave. 

Dora walked out the door and didn’t stop until she got outside of the building. 

She gave a shaky breath and inhaled the cool air and then her journey began. She walked off into the midst of trembling trees, howling winds, and a threatening storm.

                        ★★★★★★

Phew! Here we have it! 

Dora is getting a divorce! 

What do you all think about that?

I can’t think of questions today🙃

So Our Question Of The Chapter is:

What do you think will happen next?

Will Ayodeji give in easily, or will he kick up a fuss? 

As the writer, I have to remain silent 😂

But please don’t. Dump all your opinions in the comments section. XD.

And I am proud to say that with two more chapters, the journey of Healing Wounds will end! 😁

Don’t forget to vote and comment! 

Thank you for reading!

Until next time, keep dreaming ❤