If someone had told me at thirteen that I’d be a single mother at seventeen, I’d have hissed and asked if they were mad. But Life has a way of writing stories you never agreed to.

I was barely out of secondary school when I met Chukwuebuka or Bubu, as I fondly called him. He was serving his Master in Alaba International market. He was learning electronics and how to turn a two thousand phone into a ten thousand naira. He had dreams, swagger, and a smile that could confuse your common sense. And I wasn’t an exception, as I fell for him “yakata”. 

He ticked all my fantasies as a young girl, and in no time we started seeing each other. This love was made in heaven 

I will sneak out of my WAEC extra-moral classes to go see my Bubu.

My partner in crime Stella, knows where to meet us after the class so we can head home together.

Soon, Waec was over while waiting for the results, we had more time to see each other. Meanwhile, in no short time, waec results were ready but I had two results, because I was already pregnant.

I was scared, considering that I was still young to have a child, but I know the first step to take was by telling my Bubu 

When I told him I was pregnant, he went quiet. Then he said, “Ugo, who is the father of this child? Please, I don’t know what you are talking about. 

I remember staring at him like he had slapped me. I expected panic, maybe even shouting. But this calm betrayal? That one hurt.

He left me standing there in a confused state, I didn’t know his address or where to find him. My day turned to night. At this point,I remembered all the time my mom warned me about men and the late night calls I usually engage in, and I wept the more, wondering how my parents would welcome the news if they got to know.

This is a big shame, a very big one.

I went home that day and didn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t muster the courage to do so.

But however, Few months later my mum noticed and conducted pregnancy tests and it was positive. I wasn’t surprised because I already knew. My mom was in shock, I felt so disappointed in myself.

“Who is responsible?”She asked.

I couldn’t reply to her, because how do I start telling her that it was a boi-boi; An apprenticeship that got me pregnant?

Considering I was an only child… my dad will ki!!l me if he gets to know I have a boyfriend and now I’m pregnant.

On getting home she broke the news to my dad.

In his words “Go inside, pack your things and leave my house” . By the time I’m out I don’t want to see you and for your information from now on I’m no longer your father.”

I died at that moment.

All I could tell myself was, “Bubu I thought you loved me, now I’m all alone in our mess.” sweat broke out from my forehead, as I wondered what will be of my life if I’m being thrown out.

My Mum quickly rushed inside to have a word with him.

I couldn’t sleep that night as I could hear my parents in an intense argument over my dad’s decision.

Later that night my mum warned me to stay out of his sight.

So I stayed at home for four good years, but it was like I never existed. Once my Dad was home, I stayed inside the house. He didn’t ever want to see me, I guess because I really hurt him deeply, considering the good relationship I had with him.

Four years. Four whole years I carried that decision like a wounded soldier. Raising Gift alone wasn’t easy. Lagos is not kind to single mothers. My family helped when they could, but I still had to hustle braiding hair under the bridge, hawking second-hand clothes, dodging my friends and dad’s wahala.

Gift was the only thing that made sense. My little madam with cheeks like puff puff and a mouth that didn’t know silence. She looked just like her father unfortunately.

Then, out of nowhere, on a Thursday that started with no light, no water, and no money, there was a knock on my door.

I opened it and nearly choked at the sight I met, at the door.

It was Bubu and Stella

Bubu was Taller, darker, with a patchy beard like it couldn’t decide whether to grow or not. He stood there like a guilty goat, holding a nylon bag with Capri-Sonne, Bread and Gala like it was a golden peace offering.

“Ugo…” he started.

Gift peeked from behind me, squinting at him. “Mummy, who is this man and why is he holding juice like he’s Santa?”

I wanted to laugh, but I held it in. “Go inside, Gift,” I commanded.

“Gift?” He retorted, he was quiet for a while before he said.

“She’s got cute eyes just like me.” Bubu managed to say.

In my mind I was like, “No be only cute eyes.”

“Please… can I come in?” He said with pitiable eyes.

But My dad interrupted immediately, 

“Hello young man, who are you?

And who are you looking for?”

In fear and confusion he responded.

 “I’m Chukwuebuka, and I’m here to see Ugo.”

Immediately my mum saw him, she said,

“This must be gift’s father.” She hasn’t seen him before, but I guess she knew because the resemblance was striking.

“Ugo, I’m sorry for abandoning you the way I did, believe me I was stup!d for betraying you, trust me when I say that, it’s not like I don’t want the baby when you declare it to me, But if word gets out, my master will chase me, and I won’t be settled after my years of service to my master, and this only means, no future. Just shame.”

On hearing this my dad asked him to leave our face his wrath. He didn’t argue and left immediately.

“You covered your shame and left ours open, please leave.” My father ordered as he walked out 

As soon as he left, I noticed a box he left behind. Something in me wanted to burn the box, but my mom opened the box herself .

It was an expensive baby clothes wrappers, with an iPhone. It melted my heart a bit.

The next day, he returned. But this time, with his father.

I still don’t know what shocked me more seeing Baba or watching him kneel in our sitting room.

“Please make una forgive my son,” he said. “Forgive my son. He didn’t abandon your daughter out of wickedness. He was afraid. But he’s ready now. He wants to be a father… and maybe more, if you’ll allow it.” I wasn’t aware until after his settlement.

I stared at Chukwuebuka. His eyes met mine, watery and honest. 

“Ugo, I never stopped thinking about you. I know I messed up. But I’m here for you and for our daughter. Please… give me a chance.”

Gift, the little judge of the matter, finally spoke. “Mummy, are you going to forgive Daddy now or after he gives me more Capri-Sonne?”

We all burst out laughing. Even Baba.

That was the beginning of our second chance.

It wasn’t magic. He had to work to earn our trust especially Gift’s. But slowly, he became her hero. Fixing her toys, teaching her Igbo, taking her to school. And he became mine again too.

One year later, in a small but beautiful ceremony, I became Mrs. Ugochukwu Nwafor.

They say life is unpredictable. I say life is Lagos chaotic, noisy, unfair… but every now and then, it giv

es you a happy ending.

Mine came in the form of a Gift.

 #storytelling #MP #magicpen #story #storytime #writting