something in them.Not fear.
Not exactly.Something like… tired truth.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Talk to me,” I added, stepping closer.
She opened her mouth.
“Madam, I—”
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
We both froze.The knock came again.Louder this time.
“Who is that?” I shouted, irritated.
“It’s me na, Sandra!” Ngozi’s voice came from outside.
Blessing stepped back immediately.
Like someone who had just been caught doing something wrong.
“Go and open the door,” I said.
She nodded quickly and rushed out.I stood there for a few seconds.Waiting.Thinking.
But by the time I stepped into the sitting room…
Everything had changed.Ngozi was already seated.Laughing.Relaxed.
“See your face,” she said. “You look like someone that saw a ghost.”
I forced a smile.
“Nothing like that.”
But my mind was not there.Not at all.Because one question kept ringing…What was she about to say?I looked at Blessing.She avoided my eyes completely.That night…I wanted to call her again.Ask her.Push her to speak.But I didn’t.Because somehow…I was afraid of the answer.And slowly…Life continued.Or at least…
That’s what I told myself.Few days later…We went out.
Me.
My husband.
My child.
And Blessing.
A small family outing.
Or at least…That’s what it looked like from outside.We entered the restaurant.Sat down.
Ordered food.Blessing stood behind me quietly.
“Madam… where should I sit?” she asked softly.
I didn’t even look at her.
“Go and stand there.”
She hesitated.
“Madam…?”
I turned sharply.
“Did you not hear me?”
She swallowed.
“Okay, ma.”
She moved to one corner.Not far.But not with us.Close enough to see everything.Far enough to not belong.Food came.We started eating.
Laughing.Talking.Like a normal family.Except…
She wasn’t part of it.I noticed her once.Standing there.Watching.Her eyes moved from the food…
To my child…
