Amarachi my Sunshine

On a normal day, Amarachi would never purchase a local newspaper. She would peruse through the latest news and gist of town through her incomparable iPad. But this time, her curiosity was triggered beyond control. The familiar name she spotted on the newspaper that a middle - aged man was holding provoked her to pay the vendor 100 naira instantly. Without hesitation, she took the newspaper and ran to her car. She turned on the AC and anxiously searched for the page in question. And there it was. The name of her ex was occupying the headline. 

 ‘‘ENGINEER NONSO ADEOGWU HAS BEEN DECLARED AS THE GREATEST LANDLORD IN ENUGU!’’

After the comments that followed, there was a picture of him handshaking the state governor. She was enmeshed in shock. How could a struggling typist turn out to be not just a landlord but the Greatest Landlord in the state? His sudden progress in life made her rethink her past decision for a second. But she didn't have time for doubts. She had to attend a neighbor's wedding and look stunning as always. She gave her designer's dress a last check, adjusted her wig made of Peruvian hair, powdered her nose and wore her Armani perfume one more time. She zoomed off and was ready to slay. 

 The wedding ceremony seemed boring. The peach and cream colors of the décor clothed the hall into a warm and cozy garden. But still, the lukewarm jokes of the MC turned her off. She enjoyed the attention of the male guests that were staring shamelessly more than the food being served. She decided not to join the invitees in faking laughters just to support the MC and took selfies. 

Then the MC announced : ''Ladies and gents, let's give Engineer Nonso Adegwu a round of applause for the 6 - digit donation inrespect to the school owned by the newest couple.We need noble men like this in our community. Please let's clap''. The crowd was clapping in awe for the kind gesture that was tagged as wedding gift. ''What on earth is he doing here? How is he the VIP of the wedding and a millionaire at the same time,'' she would think. She was enmeshed with surprise. Her used-to-be die-hard admirer was around but she wasn't even emotionally prepared. She found herself looking around the hall to see if she can spot him. She tried to comport herself in order not to look desperate. ''Can he see me ?'' she thought. She brought out her pocket mirror to ensure that her looks are still ravishing. She smiled more just in case Nonso stared. But her tummy had created an unexpected tie.

 The wedding was over. As she stepped out of the hall, he saw him. Her legs were shaking uncontrollably. Her heels almost failed her. She wanted to exchange pleasantries with him. It was a hard move to make. She could remember the last time she called Nonso. '' Don't ever call this line again. I am not your pet'' , he said. His last words were piercing and the pain was still fresh. Yet she was attracted to the way people around him offered their respect. She could sense their silent obeisance to him. So she mustered up the courage to meet him. ''A 'hi' wouldn't cause any harm'', she would think. She still desired to ascertain whether that she had an influence on him. 

She approached him while he was receiving blessings and wishes from elderly people. Amarachi uttered ''Hi''. Nonso turned and said ''Hey, Long time! How are you doing''? ''I am fine'', Amarachi said relieved. ''You seem to be doing well for yourself.'' Amarachi wondered. '' Yes! I thank God for resilience, discipline and faith. Business has been thriving and family has been lovely.'' Nonso replied. Amarachi listened attentively while he was speaking. She was enamored by his sense of expensiveness. He looked expensive, sounded expensive and smelled expensive. His purple attire matched his caramel-skinned color perfectly. His golden watch and his wedding ring gave his gestures another dimension. He had that subtle humility that a wealthy man would have to make his audience feel at home. He sounded collected and educated. She missed his aura of knowledge. 

She travelled down the memory lane for a moment when a chocolate skinnned, beautiful woman stepped in between them. ''Ijeoma my sunshine, are you ready'', Nonso said as he kissed her forehead.'' Yes Obim, I saw a relative and conversed with him for a while. Who is this?'' Ijeoma asked all smiley and polite. ''Oh my manners. Ijeoma, this is Amarachi. Amarachi, this is Ijeoma, my beloved wife'', Nonso introduced. Amarachi swiftly examined Ijeoma and was about to reciprocate Ijeoma's extended hand with a handshake when two little adorable girls ran into Nonso's open arms, ''Daddy, Daddy, Daddy'' they shouted. Amarachi had an elated family before her very eyes. She could tell how joyous they were. ''These are my daughters, Ugechi and Nkechi. Girls, meet auntie Amarachi'', Nonso said. ''Good afternoon, Auntie Amarachi'', they both shouted in chorus. Amarachi couldn't help but smile back. ''Amarachi it was nice catching up with you, Nonso exclaimed as he escorted his family to his Range Rover. 

 As Amarachi drove home, moments of that last scene were circling her thoughts. ''He used to call me his sunshine. When did she give birth to these girls? How did she have him so effortlessly?'' 

 After a hot bath, she took a glass of wine, sat on the couch and uploaded her selfies on Instagram. She absorbed all the comments that her numerous followers posted. While reading, she burst into tears. Inwardly she was expecting only one person's comment. One particular person's applause. Nonso's. But he didn't comment. He hasn't commented on her post for the past 4 years and six months. Nonso had moved on. 


 Was Nonso harsh? Was Amarachi at fault? Was there a past ? Let's find out next week. 

 Stay faithful. Elite Africa