We arrived at the hospital and I had my doctor check me. He treated the bruises and prescribed some drugs for the pain. Richard arrived a short while later. He was so sad and worried and angry at the same time. He vowed that she would pay for her actions because he would take the case to court. I managed to persuade him not to do so. "It's not worth it" I told him. We left the hospital in the evening.
When we reached home, Richard fired the security man at the gate. He warned the second guard not to allow any stranger into the house without asking first. I thought he was overreacting.
Richie was in the living room watching TV when I entered the house. When he saw me his mouth went wide open in surprise.
"What happened to you? Were you involved in an accident?" he asked. I quickly answered. "Yes" I didn't want him to know his mother was here.
He was very sympathetic. He told me how his day was at school. He said he really loved his new school.
That week went by peacefully and I got better. The bruises were healing gradually. Delilah came to check on me often. Everything was normal for a while, no news of Blessing but I kept having nightmares. When I got better I decided to go and see the psychiatrist.
I booked a session with her a week after the incident with Blessing. I told her everything that has happened to me so far. She listened attentively then she recommended that I should stop Overthinking things and I should do a lot more exercise. Talking to her actually made me feel better. The nightmares were less frequent and less gruesome.
A week later, a publication came out in the newspaper that shocked Richard and I. Delilah was the first to tell me about it. She called me that morning and asked me to check out today's paper. I laughed.
"You know I don't read newspapers. What's in it?" I asked her.
"Just check" she told me and hung up. I quickly picked up my ipad and logged into the news app. The first headline read: "THE TRUTH UNCOVERED: Richard Davies' illegitimate son". Richard was so angry when he read it. It pissed me off too. The article was a mixture of truth and lies. I was sure Blessing was behind it.
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The story of Richard's background was explicitly written in full details. He was even accused of raping Blessing. In my part of the story, I was portrayed as a fruitless woman, and opportunist who wanted to take away Blessing's son forcefully because I was jealous that I could not have my own. It was all an intricate Web of lies. I was sure the public would believe it.Anywhere we went, people were talking about it. Even at the office they gossipped about it in hushed tones.
months passed and the rumour subsided. I stopped having nightmares and Richie was doing excellent in school. He had just concluded ss2. I had his room set up upstairs and the other room was transformed into his game room. Richard once suggested that I was over pampering him but I didn't care. He was a good boy and he deserved all the care in this world. He had made friends already. The best among them were 2, a girl named Nana whom he told me was fortunate to be in their school on scholarship and the other was Roy, the only son of senator Abraham. I met them a couple of times. Nana was a beautiful smart girl. She was decent and respectful. I was happy Richie had her as a friend and from all indication he was having a crush on her. Roy on the other hand was spoilt and dull in school, I feared he might be a bad influence on Richie but I still let them hang out hoping that Richie's good traits would influence Roy instead.
It was 10th December, a week to Richie's birthday when we heard from Blessing again, through a lawyer. Prior to that, Richie had stopped asking about her and he didn't try to establish contact, not that I knew of. I was planning the biggest, most amazing birthday party a teenage boy would ever want. I wanted to make Richie happy.
The lawyer came to the office and served Richard and I a subpoena requiring our presence in court. The proceeding was to hold on 13th December. I was afraid it'll affect Richie's party. I contacted Tony, much to Richard's discontent and decided to hire him as our lawyer. The custody battle began on the 13th.
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Blessing appeared in court smiling gleefully. She was obviously happy about it, not caring how much it would cost her or what it would mean if she lost the case. It turned out the man she came with to harrass me was her lawyer. We found out she was living in a dingy apartment in a place called suleja, with her boyfriend who was a construction worker.
The trial was over in 3 days and we won the custody of Richie. Tony was an excellent lawyer, very smart. He used all the evidence they had against them. He managed to convince the judge that Blessing was emotionally and mentally unstable, therefore unfit to raise a child. He also pointed out that she had no employment and accommodation therefore she would not be able to cater for him. Her lawyer countered that she is well and able to take care of Richie as she had done in the past years. Tony then pointed out that it was because of her inability to take care of him that she brought him back to his father in the first place. Pictures of the injury she inflicted on me were presented as evidence, and finally Richie was called to the stand. He was asked a few questions.
"How would you describe your stay here in abuja and how your life was in Benin?"
"I am very happy to be here and My needs are being provided for." he replied calmly avoiding contact with his mother who was glaring at him. I smiled to myself.
"Do you miss your mother?" he was asked.
"Yes I do" he replied.
"Do you want to go back to living with her?" Richie kept quiet and looked at me and Richard, then Blessing. He kept quiet. He was asked 3 more times but he didn't answer.
"No more questions"
"Case dismissed. The boy shall remain in the custody of his father, but his mother has the right to supervised visits once in a month." the judge pronounced and hit the gavel.
When we left the court I was overjoyed. Blessing had a murderous look in her eyes but I didn't care. She was no longer a threat to me. Richie was now legally his father's responsibility. My colleagues heard about the outcome of the trial and congratuled me. I decided we should celebrate the success with Richie's birthday party which was to be the next day. The invitation cards had been sent out to our few friends and colleagues. I also extended one to Blessing, out of courtesy. Richie was also happy and excited.
We rented a big hall. It was beautifully decorated. I had the best designer design Richard and Richie's suits. I was happier than I was at my own wedding. There was food drinks and music. I invited all of Richie's friends. The party was to be a surprise to Richie because I didn't tell him about it. I told him we were going to have a quiet family dinner. I couldn't wait to see his expression.
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By 4pm, all the invited guests were already at the venue waiting for the celebrant. I decided I would drive Richie myself. He was in his room playing video games. I had already worn my dress. When he saw me he smiled. "You look beautiful mum. What's the occasion?" he asked. M
"Thanks and Happy birthday once again darling. Put this on we're going out" I replied as I handed him his clothes. He was ready in 5minutes and we drove off. When we got to the venue, I parked and gave him a blindfold to cover his eyes. He obliged but not before asking me questions. I had already told the event planner that we were on our way. She suggested they would dim all the lights and then put them back on when we were in.
I led him to the doorway then removed his blindfold. Everybody was quiet. He couldn't make out their figures.
"Mum I can't see a thing. Where are we?" he asked confused. At that moment the lights came on and I shouted "surprise!" and everyone burst out singing "Happy birthday to you..." his father came forward and hugged him.
I could tell he was very happy by the look on his face. He hugged me and thanked me. We all shed tears of joy. All his friends wished him happy birthday. We ate and danced. It was a merry event. As expected, Blessing didn't show up. Richie didn't even ask of her.
At the end of the party, we prepared Richie for his dad's big surprise. We all went to the parking lot with Richie blindfolded. As Richie's eyes were opened he exclaimed. "Oh my God! Is this for me? I love you guys. You're the best!" he hugged us both. Richard had bought him a car. A ferrari spyder. He was elated. We asked him to go for a ride with his friends, but he shouldn't stay out late. he had already learnt how to drive. He left with Nana and Roy. Richard and I left for home and the guests departed.
*******************************************
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Things were peaceful for a while. Richie was in ss3, his second term. He was still a good boy, or so I thought. I thought getting him a car would make him careless and reckless but it didn't change him. He was still the same. He had time for studying and time for hanging out with friends and time for hanging out with family. Also, there was no news of Blessing or her whereabouts.
One day I came home early from work because I was feeling tired. Richie was already back from school. I changed into top and leggings. As I passed Richie's room I perceived a strange smell. I knocked. "Richie I'm home" I said. I tried opening the door but it was locked.
"Hang on mum I'll be right out" he replied from inside. His voice was husky.
"Richie open the door" I heard movement inside. Few minutes later he opened the door.
"Welcome back" he said drowsily. I peeped into the room. It was thick with smoke.
"Where's all this smoke coming from?" I demanded. He kept quiet.
I saw a wrap on his dresser.
"Jesus! Richie were you smoking?" I confronted him. He still kept mute.
"Answer me damn you!" I was getting angry.
"It was just a wrap. I swear it's my first time. I just wanted to try it" he replied in a shaky voice. Calm down. It's not as bad as you think it is, I said to myself. I moved in and opened the windows to let in air. I sat down on his bed. He was still standing by the door with his hands in his pockets.
"Richie come over here and sit down" I said to him and motioned him to sit beside me. He sat down.
"I want you to listen to me and listen carefully. This weed life isn't for you. Whoever is encouraging you doesn't want you to succeed in life. You have a bright future ahead of you. I don't want you to make mistakes. You're old enough to know what's good for you now. Please make wise decisions. I'll let this one go, but next time I won't be so forgiving. I won't even tell your dad. Please Richie continue being the good boy I know you are and face your studies. By next year you'll be in the university. Be good okay?" when I finished he nodded. I asked him to go shower before Richard came home.
He came home just in time for dinner. I cooked basmati rice and cabbage sauce. We ate quietly. After dinner I took Richie out to let him know I've let go of what happened during the day.
We went to the cinema and watched a movie. By the time we got back around 10pm, Richard was already asleep. Richie also went to bed before 11pm. I stayed up late watching television till 1am.
The next day was Tuesday. There was to be a socialisation meeting at Richie's school for Teachers and parents by 12pm. It went well. I met Richie's class teacher. She complained to me that Richie was losing concentration in class.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"I mean he's fond of distracting the class when lessons are going on and he skips classes sometimes. You should talk to him so that it won't affect his performance in the upcoming SAT exams." she replied.
"Thanks for telling me. I'll talk to him" I was surprised at what she told me.
When I went home I scolded him but I still didn't tell his dad. His dad never asked how he was faring in school. Richie promised me he would work hard. I couldn't understand why he was changing so suddenly. I had a long talk with him, trying to talk sense into his head but I barely got a response. I hoped it had gotten to him.
The following week they were given brochures in school for various universities across the globe. We sat down and discussed over dinner. Finally, we decided he should apply for University of southern california where I graduated from. It was very expensive but we could afford it and I wanted the best for him.
His SAT's came up the following month. He studied hard in order to pass well. I was so proud of him. We started preparation for his graduation dinner/prom. I asked him who he was taking to prom. I didn't get the reply I was expecting.
"I'm not going to prom" he said.
"What? Why? You must be joking" I laughed.
"No I'm serious. I intended to go with Nana as my date but she's not going. She has to travel to Lagos for a scholarship exam. Her parents can't afford to send her abroad so the scholarship is her only chance." he said. I felt bad for her.
"Well in that case, you can go to the prom then when she's done with the exam we'll throw you a house party. It'll be cool. Just you and your friends" I told him.
"Oh wow cool. Alright then. Thanks mum" he hugged me. I smiled and kissed his forehead.
To be continued 18th Jan 2018......
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By: Marsy
Aadammaryam95@gmail.com
What is little Richie turning into? Let's hear your thoughts and comments as you anticipate subsequent episodes.
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