FARIDA

Touchdown Florida.

It's winter so everywhere is chilled. Madam Yeni already made arrangements for a driver to pick me up when I get here.

"Hello, ma'am. Welcome to America. The name is Jared." I smile at the man and nod before responding.

"Thank you, Jared. Please, call me Farida." Smiling, I enter the car and shut the door behind me.

Once he's settled, we start the drive to Tobi's. It's night here. The timer says 10pm. I really need to rest but most importantly, see Tobi.

By the time we get to his house, Jared punches in the security code and gains us access into the living space. It's beautiful, I must say. Well, he has always had the touch. Neutral colors that have life in them by virtue of accessories used to decorate.

According to Jared, Tobi is not around so I would have to take my rest.

While it is a little difficult to sleep, I know I have to force myself to. I barely slept before this trip, same happened during the trip. If anything, it's in my favour that he is out now. I need to catch some sleep myself because I'd need to be in the best of health to have the talk with him tomorrow.

After giving me a mini tour of the house, it's time for him to return to his boss. He had to sneak out for a while.

"Goodnight, and thank you." Deciding to take my bath, I head to the bathroom, run some water and peel my clothes off my skin.

For some reason, I was very cautious and tried not to make noise, even though I am the only person here.

After freshening up, I check for anything to eat and stumble on some snacks. By the time I'm done munching on them, I'm also yawning.

Well, guess the fatigue finally won because in a second, my eyes start to flutter and sleep engulfs my being.

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TOBI

Saturdays, I just stay in, starting my day with a recap of the world's oil and gas news. After that, I take a long rest before doing some light work out.

When reading the news, I hear some movement behind me. I must be halucinating.

"Tobi." A voice calls out, making me startled. This woman has finally gotten into my head. I drop my phone and rest my head on the sofa, closing my eyes to take in a deep breath. It might help.

It is when a hand taps my shoulder that I am startled. Abruptly opening my eyes, I am met with a pair of browns. My eyes move to the nose before I take in the whole face. Farida. It must be the hallucination at work, because it can't possibly be.

I immediately shut my eyes again, opening it in a nano-second. She's no longer there. I sigh in relief but gasp when I see her standing in front of me.

"It's me, Tobi. It's Farida." She says. I still can't believe my eyes!

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FARIDA

"Who let you in? And what the fuck are you doing in my apartment? What the fuck are you doing in America?" He seethed. Tobi is not pleased to see me at all and it's entirely my fault.

I close my eyes as a deep breath escapes my nostrils. His sight is doing something to me. I miss this man so much that it hurts seeing him and not being able to at least touch him.

"I'm sorry, Tobi." He lets out a very sardonic laughter, shaking his head repeatedly.

Picking up his phone, he dials a number and places it above his ears, eyeing my figure.

"Hello, mum. I know you are the one that let her here." He hisses as he listens to her response.

"You, more than anyone, should know that I don't want to see her." His words shoot through me like a bullet. It weakens my confidence but I make an effort to stand still.

"I don't know her. She is a stranger.  Please, I want her out of here."

"Alright. Thank you." After dropping the call, he focuses his attention back on me.

"Please, pack your bags. I don't want you here." I knew I had lost this battle.

"Tobi, I know I have no right to be here. I'm sorry for invading your privacy. Please, just listen to my own explanation and I promise to leave afterwards."

"You're 4 months late, Farida. Four whole months! Remember I asked you why. Remember! What was the flimsy excuse you gave me again?" He places his thumb against his beards as he shoots daggers at me.

"Oh. I remember now. You did not want to reject me publicly. The irony of it all. You did not even love me!" He fumes.

"I love you, Tobi. I do! I am sorry. Please, just hear me out." This time, I could not hold it. A sob escapes my mouth because of fear. Fear that I have finally messed up the one good thing to have happened to me in this life. Fear that he'll never look back on our relationship.

I deserve this, because who breaks off an engagement barely 24 hours after without a concrete reason?  If I could turn back the hands of time, I wouldn't have made that mistake our of self doubt. Tobi is furious and I need to find a way to explain myself.

"Jared will be here to get you in the next 1 hour." He waves off his hand in a dismissive manner.

"I am pregnant with your child, Tobi." A bitter smile is plastered on his face as he glares at me.

"Oh. So, that's why you came here. For child support. A leopard never changes its spots, huh?" What does he mean by that? Have I ever asked him for money?

"I have never asked you for money, and you know that!" I shoot back.

"Tell me, would you have come back if you weren't pregnant?" He asks.

"Yes! Yes, I would have." He scoffs at my response.

"Look, I am over you, Farida. I have moved on and I will advice you do the same." Tears slip down my face at his very cold tone.

"If this child is truly mine as you say, then I'll arrange for child support to be made available to you." He states.

"I don't want child support! I want you!" I finally scream.

"Stop screaming like a patient in a mental asylum, your screams are deafening to the ears. You see, woman. Unfortunately, you can't have me." He says with a glare.

"I was engaged to be married before. On the day of the wedding, John left me at the alter. He didn't even have the decency to tell me why. He just sent a rumpled note with the words 'I'm sorry' written on it." Tobi rolls his eyes when I say that.

"You see, I have been terribly hurt before. Twice. The fiasco with John was the second. The first is why I don't talk to my family any longer." I ramble on. Even though I know he is unfazed by my story, I really needed to let this out, once and for all.

So, I tell him the whole story. How my parents seemed unbothered when Tabitha got pregnant by my boyfriend and how their only concern was saving face and not being humiliated in the community. I told him about the lies they told me regarding my dad's death.

I poured out everything to him. How lonely I felt in those days. How the whole thing pushed me to build my confidence but at the same time, also fuelled my self doubt.

I apologised for what I did and how I wish that ugly decision never crossed my thoughts.

"Oh. I already know about your failed relationships. They're in your file."

"What file?" I ask, shocked.

"I had you looked up when I just came. Didn't bother to check it out until you rejected me." What???

"I know you're angry but please forgive me." I plead.

"Jared will be here soon. Pack your bags." With that, he finally walks out, leaving me all by myself.

It's at this point that I finally break into tears. I cry uncontrollably, wallowing in self pity as sobs escape my mouth. I let my past get into the way. Now the price I have to pay for it is child support from the man I love so much. So, what now happens when he falls in love again and marries another woman. The thought alone makes my heart squueze in pain.

When I'm done beating up myself, I get off the floor and freshen up. Jared soon arrives and takes me to the Tarmac.

Well, I guess it's final goodbye to Tobi.

When we arrive at the airport, Jared helps me with my bags and another staff retrieves it from him.

"Welcome, ma'am." The crew welcome me as I climb onboard.

"Thank you." I give them a forced smile before getting settled in.

"Welcome onboard, ma'am. I am Hector, your pilot. We will be flying to Nigeria soon. There has been a little delay due to weather abnormalities. We would have to wait till the coast is clear before we take off." He states.

I have all the time in the world. It's not like I am in a hurry. When I get back, I have to restructure my life.

'Soon' becomes one hour and that one hour gradually starts approaching two. We're still here, not on air. I guess I would just have to be patient. This PJ gives me so much memories. Ones that would be difficult to forget. Henceforth, I would just have to focus on the positives.

"Sorry for the wait, ma'am. We will be flying now." The engine roars to life and I sigh. So, this is it. Why does my life feel like it is over? Taking a gulp of the water in my hand, I chuckle bitterly.

"How do you fly without the owner of the jet?" I gasp in shock. My gaze lock with that of Tobi, who is standing at the entrance.

"Hello, baby girl." A smile graces his lips and at this very moment, I burst into tears.

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