Three Years before
Professor Daniel Okon was expecting Estelle. She had written a letter telling him that she would visit in the near future, but the plan was delayed until today.
The reason was simple. Estelle lost her husband. It was only wise that plans to visit Daniel Okon was suspended. A few months later she called to inform Daniel that she had fulfilled the burial rites for her husband and she was ready to visit.
Estelle sat in the back of the black Mercedes she had purchased with funds from her late husband’s estate. His death was sudden, he was poisoned by a member of staff, someone he was having an affair with. He left behind three children for her to nurture all by herself. Before his death, she was a housewife who depended on the monthly allowance she was given by her husband. It took care of groceries, paid the bills and the children’s tuition.
Estelle stepped out of the car with Sheila her first daughter and her younger daughter, Delphine.
“I meet you well,” Estelle said as she elegantly walked towards Professor Okon. She was dressed in a black dress, her hair was hiding under a black beaded turban. The sunglasses hid the dark circles under Estelle’s eyes. She was still in mourning. After forty days, she was allowed to go where she pleased. It was the tradition from her husbands kinsmen that the widow had to stay indoors until after forty days.
Professor Okon hugged Estelle. She still looked incredibly beautiful despite being in mourning. He glanced over at the two girls standing beside her.
“Your girls have grown so much,” he said as he observed them. Sheila held hands with her sister Delphine.
“Yes, they have, that’s Sheila, my oldest daughter and Delphine the one that is the same age as your daughter , Sandra.” Estelle informed him.
“Aha, that’s true, Sandra will be thirteen in October, how time flies,” Professor Okon replied.
“Surely,” Estelle responded.
Daniel Okon led them into his three bedroom house located in the surburbs. He got the house a few years after working for the university.
He gestured for them to sit down. Estelle sat down first and motioned to her daughters to sit beside her.
Sheila and sister Delphine cautiously sat down as they observed their surroundings. They were struck by the less than elegant decor. The brown leather seemed slightly old and worn out, the walls were painted beige. Sheila admired the art on the wall. There were family pictures hung on the wall, the first was his wedding photo, then there were photos of babies, and the babies as they morphed into children in other photos. There was a bookshelf that held both large and small books, they looked like textbooks. The TV and the radio were side by side on a console.
“What would you like to drink?” He asked.
“Water. Please,” Estelle responded.
Sheila and Delphine opted for soda.
A few minutes later, a young girl with a blue apron appeared with a tray holding a glass of water and two cans of soda walked towards them and served them.
“That is Eloise, she is my niece,”Daniel introduced. Eloise was a petite girl who didn’t look a day more than fifteen years old. She was visibly shy.
Eloise greeted the visitors with a warm smile, and Estelle couldn’t help but comment on her beauty as she walked away. “Most definitely,” Daniel agreed, his eyes lingering on Eloise a moment longer before turning back to Estelle.
As they settled into their chairs, Estelle adjusted herself, trying to find a comfortable position. Her daughters, meanwhile, whispered and giggled to each other, their attention seemingly elsewhere. Estelle shot them a stern look, and they immediately fell silent.
“We’re here for a reason,” Estelle began, her voice firm. Daniel listened intently, his eyes never leaving Estelle’s face. Despite the years that had passed, he couldn’t help but admire the graceful way she had aged. She was someone he had once loved, long ago.
Estelle went on to explain that with Nelson dead, she had no male figure in her children’s lives. Her daughter Sheila was set to attend the university where Daniel taught, and Estelle was hoping that he could take her under his wing.
Daniel nodded thoughtfully, considering Estelle’s request. He knew that Sheila would benefit from his guidance, but he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness as he thought about the life that Estelle had led. Her parents had wanted her to marry a wealthy man, and she had ended up a widow before the age of fifty.
As Estelle watched him, she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. She knew that he had a soft spot for her, but she also knew that he was a man of his word. She hoped that he would agree to help Sheila, but she also knew that it was ultimately his decision to make.
His mind drifted back to a time when he had longed for her hand in marriage. She was the epitome of grace and elegance, the most sought-after maiden in all the land. He had thought she loved him too, but fate had not been kind to him back then. His parents had died when he was young, leaving him to live with distant family members who barely took care of him. He had struggled greatly to be where he was today.
“Ah, I see,” he said, as Estelle made her request.
“So here’s the thing, I want Sheila to live with your family while she attends university,” Estelle said, causing Sheila to stare at her mother in shock. This was news to her.
“You want your daughter to live in my house?” Daniel asked, puzzled.
“Yes, please. I’ll be responsible for her upkeep, I just need her to have guidance in her first year,” Estelle replied.
“Why me?” Daniel asked, genuinely curious.
“I trust you. I have no one else. Nelson’s death exposed a lot of people, and I need someone I can count on. Please do this for old times’ sake, I beg you,” Estelle pleaded.
Daniel hesitated for a moment, considering Estelle’s request. It would be a big responsibility, but he couldn’t help feeling a sense of obligation to the woman he had once loved.
Alright, I’ll do it, I just have to run this new development by my wife,”he finally agreed.
Sheila looked on in disbelief as her mother thanked Daniel, feeling as though the world had just been turned upside down.
