Chapter 2

Kike and Bisola tried their very best to console Fortunate but she was disconsolated. "Babe I'm not telling you to cheer up, I'm telling you to be strong" Bisola, being a more mature than her advised.
"Strong how? How will I tell his mother about this"

"The doctor said he had an heart attack. That's what you'll say"

"Heart attack" Fortunate scoffed.

"Am I lying? Shea I heard when the doctor said it with his mouth?" She asked and Fortunate shook her head.

"I'll turn myself In"

"What's this one saying?" Bisola hissed alongside Kike.

"Instead of us putting our heads together to find a way out of this, this one is saying she'll turn herself in"

"Girls what am I supposed to do? I just killed a man I was supposed to get married to"
"Babe," Kike glanced at Bisola, "Is is that Miracle is deaf or she didn't hear when the doctor said, it was an heart attack"
"He was just thirty years old"

"And so? Ehn, may you not be unfortunate in life." she added, "I'm already unfortunate! This is the fifth man this is happening to, it's like I'm cursed! I can't do this any longer"

"You're not even happy the doctor ruled it out to be a heart attack. What if it was something else. People would have said you killed him"

"I killed him!"

"Shut up!" Bisola snapped looking around to see if anyone heard them.

"Why are you speaking without caution?"

"I don't care about anything any longer"

"Kike has a point, you're supposed to be grateful. This shit you're saying about turning yourself in, It's not necessary. I was talking to my friend about you. I didn't make it so obvious that you were the one I was talking about oh. She said she knows this place we could go to. It's a place where we can find out what's going on with you"
"We've been going to different places Bisola! It's not working"
"Maybe it's Magun" Bisola suggested, "I'm out of ideas, but I'm suspecting Magun oh, maybe your first boyfriend has done some strong charm on you"
"If it's Magun, wouldn't those prophet and herbalist have informed her?" kike asked turning towards Fortunate who was giving Bisola's opinion a thought.

She couldn't wrap her head round why her first boyfriend, Felix would have her charmed with Magun. He clearly broke up with her for reasons only known to himself.

"He was the one who broke up with me, it doesn't make sense for him to...."  she sniffled.

"You don't know men! Don't let them deceive you oh. Maybe you should speak to him"
"Maybe I should" Fortunate agreed and Kike kicked against the idea.

"Why would you want to speak to the idiot?"

"Do you have any reason why I shouldn't?" Fortunate retorted and Kike scoffed.

"That guy was a fool, still is a fool. He broke up with you for no reason. You can't possibly go and meet him, what if he thinks you're coming to beg him or something" she answered and Fortunate rolled her eyes.

"Are you listening to yourself? You sound stupid"

"Bisola, tell her I'm right"

"Mimi is right, you sound stupid"
Bisola preferred calling her Mimi, a nickname from 'Miracle' and Fortunate preferred being called Miracle or 'Mimi'.

The only people who ever call her 'Fortunate' were her parents. As each day passes, she despises the name the more.

"Well if only you guys are seeing it from my perspective, you'll know how wrong it is" Kike flipped her hair then she hissed.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Miracle" Kwame's best friend, David advised Fortunate who now sitting somewhere on the hospital floor.

He joined her on the floor and she scoffed.

"I feel like I killed him" she whispered to him and he scoffed.
"Not like he died when you two were having sex or did he?" He asked and she glared at him.

"Of course not!"

"You see my point? You didn't kill Kwame, I know for sure that you two loved each other. I already informed his mom"

"And how did she take it?" Fortunate asked and David raised a brow at her.

"What did you expect?"

After leaving the hospital, Fortunate called her parents who resided in Ile-Ife to inform them about the tragic incident.
Her mom, Mama Orji grabbed the phone from her husband immediately.

"That is what happens when you don't tell your parents things about your life"

"Mom I'm saying one thing and you're saying another"

"We are on the same page my dear, don't make me sound stupid. This is the fifth relationship that's going bad. I hope you know I'm counting for you"
"Mom" Fortunate muttered.

"Come to Ife so I can take you to meet my Pastor"

Fortunate rolled her eyes.
"For the Million times, I'm not coming."

"What are you even enjoying in that Lagos that you're in? Traffic everywhere!"

"And the traffic is not also in Ife"
"It's a better life here
"
"What better life Mom? It's not even where you come from. Should I remind you that you're an igbo woman, I don't see what you like in Ife. Move to Enugu for a change and I'll move with you"

"And leave my house, and my tenants. Fortunate"

"Mom I called because I needed to be consoled by my own parents, I don't need this right now"

"Fortunate" Her mother called out and she rolled her eyes again.
"I already transferred some money to Dad, good bye" she snapped ending the call.

Then she swiped through her contacts in searched of Felix's number.

She dialed it on seeing it.  She hoped for the number to be very much available.

When it rang her heart raced faster, she started to think of what to say and how she'll put those words together.

Felix who was in his office raised his brow in shock on seeing a call from her. It was more like a call from a ghost from the past.
"Miracle?" He asked on picking the call and she could clearly hear the shock in his tone.
"Yes it's me, how did you...?" She was shocked he still had her number.

"I didn't exactly delete you number. I guess you didn't too"

Fortunate chuckled nervously, "Well..." She cleared her throat completely blank on what to say next.
"How are you?" 

"I'm fine and you?"

"I'm super good, how..." Felix scratched his head.
"How have you been doing?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Well... I've been fine, I've been great." She answered then she shut her eyes feeling really uncomfortable.

"Okay... So, I was wondering if...." She stammered through, there was definitely no less awkward way to say it.

"If?" He asked and she paced left and right in her room.

"If you'll be free tomorrow so we can eat out maybe"
"Ish ... I'm sorry, I'll be really busy. I promised...."

"It's okay" Fortunate cut in before her could complete his sentence.

"You can meet me at home, I'll be at home working"

"Oh" she rolled her eyes. Great! Just what she was trying to avoid.

"Um... Are you sure?" She asked, "If you're not convenient with it, you can"

"Can you send me an address?"
She asked.

What could go wrong?

"Yes I will"

The following morning, which was on a Saturday, Fortunate wore a free Ankara gown then she dashed out of the house with no make up on.

She was still mourning the love of her life.

She got to a gate then she knocked on it.  A dog barked then she moved away from it.
What's it with people and dogs? She asked herself, can't they just keep rabbits at home? Why must it be snarling looking dogs?
She knocked again and the barking sounds became louder. Just when she picked up her phone to call Felix, she saw the gate open and he got out.
She sighed.

"Thank God! I was even about to call you"

"The door was opened"
"Yeah.... I noticed but..." She trailed off and Felix laughed.
"Wait.... You're still scared of dogs?"

"I've never liked those creatures. They're only sweet in the pot" she answered and Felix almost puked.

The grimace on his face made her laugh.

"You're not joking are you?" "I ate it during my service year in Uyo."

"That's disgusting"

"It's actually sweet and juicy by the way. I know of this 504 spit where we can eat it" she answered and he shook his head.
"I think I'll pass" he answered and they both walked into the compound.

The dog kept on barking and Fortunate held Felix's hands tightly.

"His name is Winner, he doesn't really trust visitors."

"I see. Can't you just keep Rabbits instead?" Fortunate stared at the dog who was still barking and Felix laughed.

"Good to know you still have that humor. He's not mine, it's the neighbor's dog" he commented then he pointed at the lower floor.

"That's where I lived" he announced and they both walked in.

The sweet smell of fried fish filled the sitting room.

"Someone finally learned how to cook" she pinched his belly and he laughed.

"That's not me. I'm still a lousy cook, that's my wife" he answered and Fortunate opened her mouth in surprise.

She wasn't expecting to hear that.
"You got married?"

"You didn't hear?"

"I didn't. You didn't exactly send me invites"

"I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't be here"

"It's fine. I already told my wife, she's cool with it"

Fortunate rolled her eyes.

"Really?"

When was it ever cool for a woman to visit his exes' marital home?

"I don't think it is"

"You called me out of the blues, it had to be important right?"

"Yes it was" Fortunate answered then she saw two boys in the sitting room watching PJ masks on Disney Junior.

The oldest was four years old and the other was two years of age.
"Aunty good morning!" They both greeted and she forced a smile.

"Good morning boys" she answered then she turned towards him, "You have two boys?"

"More like soldiers. We're aiming at finally having a girl soon" Felix's wife, Esthy answered and Fortunate's eyes became fixed at her eight months gone belly bump.

"Wow" she muttered unconsciously.

"Hey. I'm Esther" she stretched her hands.

"I'm Fortunate Miracle" they shook hands and Fortunate felt when weirder.

"I've heard a lot about you" Esthy chipped in.

"I'm pretty sure they're horrible things"

"No. My husband says the sweetest things about you. I was cooking inside. I didn't want to seem rude not coming out to greet my husband's visitor. It's nice to meet you dear, I was cooking rice and fish stew. I hope you'll love it"
"Yum. I won't be staying for so long"
"Rubbish, you're staying and you're eating even if I have to force you" Esthy answered firmly then she left.
Fortunate laughed.
"Esthy can be that way sha" Felix answered and they both moved to the dinning room to discuss because of the noise from the cartoon.

"How have you been doing?" Felix asked and I exhaled.

"I've been great, fine, wonderful" her voice became hoarsy as though the words got stucked in her throat.

Then she cleared her throat
There was a long silence that lasted about five minutes.

"How about you?"

"I've been giving birth" he replied and she raised a brow at him.

Can it get more awkward than this?

"Really?"

"What did you expect me to say? I've been fine. How's the nursing job?"

"I left... I left the job"

"Why?"

"I found better opportunities. I'm a Keke driver now" she answered and Felix laughed.

"Oh wait... You're serious"

"Is it funny?"

"It is... When you said better opportunities, I was hoping..."
"It's a better choice than giving injection shots everytime and checking up on patients. I had better ideas and being a nurse was covering my potential. I had to come out of that shell"

"You sound like a motivational speaker right now"

"Of course I am"

"You gotta be kidding me" he laughed again.

"What?"

"It suits you"

"Thank you. I now control a network called FM cycle, Fortunate Miracle cycle. You'll call and demand for a ride and we'll meet you there"

"Like Uber and Opay"

"Exactly but we just started and there are a few people doing it. We're hoping to go beyond this"
"I know you will. You always get whatever you set your heart on. What are you here for Miracle? I'm curious"
Fortunate heaved a sigh then she blinked the tears that were beginning to build up.

"I've been in four relationships after you. You were my first, you know that."

"I know"

"They always go bad and I just lost my boyfrien. I woke up and  he was dead in bed. He died after proposing to me"

"I'm really sorry"

"Felix, are you doing this?" She asked and he shook his head, disappointed she even thought of something that reprobative.

"What?"

"Did you put some kind of Magun in me"

"No! No way! I was never the diabolic kind. You know that, Miracle I'm sorry about everything that has been going on in your life but it's not caused by me"

"Oh God" she cried with her palm plastered on my face.

"I'm sorry"

Two months later

"That my friend said this Woli is the real deal. He's a healer" Bisola announced while Fortunate grated pepper she wanted to use in cooking.

"Who said I'm in need of healing?" Fortunate asked,  "I do!" Bisola answered. 

"Look at you! You're hurting inside yet you're acting like everything's okay. It's not cause I want to attend my bestie's wedding. I want to rejoice in her happiness? I want her to see the joy of marriage like I am"

"And who said I'm not happy? I'm doing what I love the most so I'm happy"

"Please don't give me that motivational bullshit! Kilode na? Forget all this 'happiness is free' crap. You're a motivational speaker who pretends like her life is perfect. Heck! People wish to have your life when in reality you're a mess! A bloody damn mess! Eléyìí ti kọjá òye ẹ̀dá o!! (This situation is beyond human comprehension) Ah! Babe, even a blind man will know that this is not ordinary"

"Kini o fẹ ki n ṣe n'sin? (What do you want me to do now?)"
"I want you to try to be interested in getting help. We might have gone to some fake places but we have to keep trying"

Fortunate sighed, Bisola had managed to convince her. 

The Prophet Bisola's friend recommended stared vaguely at Fortunate, then he demanded to be alone with Fortunate. 
She suddenly became worried. Do they have to go? She almost asked.

It was the first time prophet would request speaking to her alone.

She blinked her eyes severally at Kike and Bisola so they stay back but they didn't. Their conversation ensued in Yoruba.

"Don't be scared" he whispered and Fortunate scratched her arm. "You need to be purified, that's all you need. Your life has been preserved for someone"
"Like a spirit husband?"

"Something close"

"Can you be specific? What should I do? Is there any solution?"

He shut his eyes, he had just received an information.

"Does Ile-Ife ring a bell to you?" He asked and Fortunate gritted her teeth angrily.

She hope to God the solution doesn't have to deal with Ife.
"Yes"

"You'll have to go back there"

"Why? I can't"

"Why are you running away from the truth?"

"Cause I've always felt tied to the place, like I'm meant to be there but I'm an Enugu girl! That's my state, I don't know why my parents decided to live in Ife" she answered.

"I don't like the aura I get there. It's like something is always calling my name there, like I'm supposed to be there and it's scary. It scares me" she confessed in tears.

"Is there no other way?"

"There is. We'll go to the mountain and fast for twenty days then we'll cleanse you" He stated.

Fortunate cleaned her tears with an handkerchief, "Great, sounds perfect. I'll do it" she sniffled.

"But you won't stop, you can't afford to stop the fast until it's completed"

"Fine"

Two months after Mide and Ebun started dating, Mide they went on several dates but the outcome was always disappointing.

They were yet to get intimate.
Apart from the kiss, the rest was boring and routinized. They must have broken the friend zone by dating, but they we're obviously still affected by it.
Chances of them having sex seemed Impossible. She did several research on it and found out it was totally normal.

This particular night was different. After Mide dropped Ebun off at her house, they both kissed goodbye. It suddenly got intensed.

Ebun's tongue slicked over his passionately and demandingly then he stopped.

"Good night" he kissed him quickly and she gave a gentle knock.

"Good night" she answered watching him leave then she shut her eyes in disappointment.

She went into the bathroom to take a cold shower to get the horniness off.

She got out fifteen minutes later in a pink bathroom robe.

She glanced at her phone which was on the bed, she didn't know whether to give Mide a call to know if he had gotten home.
She sat on the bed then speed dailed his number.

"Hello" he answered, "Are you okay?" He added and she nodded.

"Yes. I just wanted to know if you've gotten home already?"

"No. I haven't left your place since" he confessed to my amazement.

"Why?" She asked, then he requested for her to open the front door and she did.

"Why are you still here?" She asked still on a call with him and he ended the call.

"You should be home resting by now"

"I didn't feel like going" he answered and Ebun moved closer to him biting her lower lips.

"Well I didn't want you to go either"  she confessed dragging him in by his shirt and he kissed me.

He locked the door with the keys in the key hole. Then he turned his face back to me and we resumed kissing.
Our bodies grinded against each other, and his hands ran all over my body.

"What changed your mind?" I asked and he chuckled. "I don't understand"

"I meant the whole awkward, no-sex routine you've been making" she answered and he laughed.

"I was beginning to think you didn't find me attractive"

"Bullshit! You're the most attractive woman I've ever met" he brushed his lips against hers and she sucked it in.

"I was just being unnecessarily scared. You're my best friend, you're still my friend and lover" 
"You're talking too much" she kissed him and he chuckled.

"I didn't leave cause i realized how badly I wanted to make love to you" he answered and his warm fingers grasped her waist, pulling her even closer still.
They both moved into the bedroom where Ebun pushed him to the bed then she mounted on him removing her robe.

The following morning while Ebun slept, Mide laid in bed staring at the ring in his hands then his eyes lingered on what seemed like a birth mark on the left part of Ebun's back.

He touched it, it felt like it was carved. It was his first time seeing it.

Just when he noticed her squirm, he planted a light kiss on her nape then he nibbled on her ears and she giggled.

She turned towards him with a big smile on her face. "Good morning" she greeted and Mide responded with a kiss on her lips, "Good morning My love, I hope you slept well"

"I guess the question answera itself" she chuckled and he brushed his hands through her hair.

"I'm so lucky to be in love with my best friend. You're the best man for me, you're one of the good ones"

"All these compliments for one man?"

"You're amazing man Mide, the most honest person I've ever met."
Mide suddenly felt guilty.

"I'm not the most honest person"

"Oh please! There's nothing I don't know about you Ayomide Adeoye" she answered and he laughed nervously.

"I never knew you had a birth mark"

"Oh" she chuckled.

"I was born that way" she added, and he showed her the ring.

"Where did that come from?"

"Your hair, it was supposed to he magic trick"

"I want to crown our relationship, tightened our bond. Will you be my wife?"

"You've had that with you all night?"

"Yes"

"I'll be a honour to be a wife to an amazing man like you"

Mide called his best friend Jim in Ife to inform him about the engagement.
"Soon I'll welcome you to the club of the married men"

"Thank you. Ebun said I'm the best thing that has ever happened to her. I was overwhelmed with guilt when she said so"

"Wait... You haven't told her yet?"

"I don't want to"

"Well you're going to have to one way or the other. Won't you introduce her to your parents?"

After Mide informed his parents, they requested to meet Ebun and she agreed even though it was a tough decision.
She would be going against her parent's warning.

Ebun thought of calling her mother to inform her that she would be going to Ile-ife but she couldn't really bring herself to do it. She definitely would not let her go!

She decided she'll call her whenever she gets there.
She became so curious, she wanted to know what all that Ile-ife had to offer.

The fear gradually faded away.
She started to think of the great Ile-ife and the great stories that I've been told of it.

She tried to remembered her earliest memories and the only thing she could remember was faint.

It was about a girl she met in a hospital after she feel ill.
She fainted in school and she woke up in the hospital, feeling all weak, she couldn't move her legs too.

She felt life slowly drifting away from her.

Severally she would hear drums, like the sound of 'bata' being played. She remembered her moments with a girl called 'Ebube', she was never able to pronounce her full name.

"Idiebube" Ebun would call out when they're alone and five years old Ebube would laugh at her.

"It's Oruebube, but you yoruba pupu always spoil my name so I'm used to it"

"What's wrong with you? My mom and I had to take you to the hospital. It's as if it's bad"

"I don't know. This my third time this month" Ebun answered and a worried a look spread through her face.

"Are you dying?" She asked then she busted into tears.

They only just met but she was so compassionate and full of care. Perhaps, that was why she never forgot those moments with her.
Oruebube came by everyday with her mother until she got discharged from the hospital.

Ebun and Mide step out of the plane with luggages.
Ebun suddenly heard sounds of drums playing and she wondered where it was playing from.

She walked forward completely drawn by the sound and Mide held her hands.

"Are you okay?" He asked and she got drawn out from being sunk in by the tempting music.

"Didn't you hear that?" Ebun asked and his tried to listen.

"No. What exactly?" He asked and she noticed the drumming had stopped.

"Nothing, sorry. Maybe it's in my head.  Forget about it" she smiled looking around, "Finally" she whispered to herself.

Mide's eyes scattered around in search of a driver that had been sent to pick them up. 

He couldn't find Gbenga so he decided to put a call through to him.

He quickly walked up to a man who had a native on, "My Prince" Gbenga called out bowing his head and Mide turn back at Ebun who coming their direction.

"Ok let's make a quick deal, don't add the title to my name till I ask you to"

"Ah.... O ma le die (that will be a bit hard)"

"Call me Prince and I'll have you fired"

"Hello" Ebun waved at Gbenga and Mide faked a smile.

"Iyawo Oga kekere" he called out and Mide faked a smile.

"My love, meet Gbenga, he has been our driver for years"

The drive was a fun one as Gbenga's behavior reminded Ebun of the popular 'Saka' the comic actor.

The car drove into a beautiful house and Lady Adebimpe rose up from the chair where she was discussing with her husband and Durojaiye, the husband's nephew.

Then she looked out the window. "They're here" she said with a classy and pristine diction.

"Let me go and say hi to our son and our daughter-in-law"

"Wait for them to come"

"You might not be as excited but I am and I'm going out to welcome them"

"I'll go with you Ma'am" Jaiye grinned following her out of the house.

Ebun got out of the car while Gbenga opened the truck to remove the luggages.

Two maids dressed in the same rushed towards them. "Good afternoon Ma" they greeted her and Mide walked up to them.

"That's Wosi and Bisi"

"Good afternoon Prince Ayomide" they both greeted and Ebun turned towards Mide.

"What?" She asked and he sighed.
How was he going to start explaining himself?

"If it isn't the beautiful Ebun" Lady Adebimpe stretched her arms wide at her and Ebun moved back shaking her head.

"I'm sorry Ma"

"What happened?" She asked dropping her hands.

"Is there some sort of mix up or something? These ladies just referred to Mide as Prince"

"No. There isn't.." Mide answered and Lady Adebimpe rolled her eyes. She didn't need a transcript to interpret what had happened.
Knowing her son so well, it was damn easy for her to make a guess.

"You're a Prince?"

"Not entirely! It's a title for"

"I know what it means! I've read all there is to read about Ife! Why didn't you tell me?" She asked and Mide turned towards the maid and Gbenga who were still staring.

"Don't you all have things to do?" Lady Adebimpe yelled and they all left.

"You didn't tell your fiance who you were" Jaiye asked then he scoffed.

"Interesting" he added and Mide scoffed too and Ebun walked away.

"Please who invited this one here?" He snapped and Lady Adebimpe rolled her eyes. "He came here to welcome you"

"I'm pretty sure he came here to see if I brought someone ugly home"

"Oh please Mide, get a grip of yourself! You have a more pressing situation before you. Your fiance is leaving" he pointed towards Ebun who was heading towards the gate and Mide ran to her.

"My love!" He held her back, "if you touch me"

"I'm sorry"

"What did you expect? That'll fine out and be cool with it? I trusted you, you were my best friend and you couldn't even tell me this one secret"

"I'm sorry"

"I need some air, this place is congested"

"Ebun" he called out and she heard the sound of Bata drum being played again. This time around it wasn't low, it was so loud being skillfully and passionately played.

It was quite welcoming, she walked towards the sound and Mide held her back.

"Can't you hear that?"

"What?"

"Drums, it's playing"

"I can't hear anything"

Ebun staggered and Mide caught her in his arms then she fainted.