Mended Hearts – Episode 3

Mended Hearts – Episode 3

© Jennifer Godwin

Amarachi Sonia Johnson, Mara heard her name and she already knows who that person is, but she still turned around to be sure because she actually spoke with the young lady two days ago and she did not speak of coming back.

Oh my world Stephanie, when did you get back? You witch and you didn’t tell me you were coming back soon, Mara said hugging her best friend right from the university.

Stephanie Eze is the third child and the only daughter of Mr Cletus Eze and Mrs Catherine Eze, she has been friends with Mara right from their 100 level till date and they were equally roommates throughout their stay in school. After graduating she decided to further her education abroad, her two elder brothers were all married and living in different states, the first son Kingsley Eze is a doctor staying in Lagos with his family, while the second one George Eze is managing one of their father’s petrol station in Abuja.

It is good to be home finally Mara, she exclaimed taking her seat after hugging Mara’s soul out of her body, wow I have missed Africa, I have missed Nigeria, I have missed Owerri and I have missed my dear friend she said going for a hug again.

The next time you want to surprise me can you give me a head’s up? Mara asked, oh no Mara that is why it is called a surprise, am not supposed to give you any head’s up she rolled her eyes. America treated you fine steph, Mara exclaimed, yea baby but am back home now where I belong. I know I have missed a lot my dear friend, please start vomiting everything that has happened and don’t even leave any part out she said sitting comfortably to hear her very well. Aaah aaah steph you just came back na chill, we will discuss about everything later, okay? Mara exclaimed, okay ooo if you say so.

Wow this place is not little at all, you know when you told that you have started a very small business, I was actually expecting to see an empty shop with few things inside but meeehhhn babe this place is huge, am so proud of you sweetheart, she smiled. We have God to thank for that Mara said, what should I offer you? I can’t believe I forgot that, just get me a chilled Fanta and I will be okay, “alright am coming”. As she came back with the drink Stephanie was already standing admiring her shop, she even has a 20 inches flat screen television with a Gotv decoder, the other end was where she packed her bags of wool while she hung attachments on nails hit on different woods, wigs hung on opposite direction and a ceiling fan up giving them air, two sofas and one plastic chair wow she exclaimed again this place is really huge.

When you are done admiring my shop you can take your drink Mara said sitting down, you know babe am actually happy for you, am happy that you fulfilled your dream of becoming your own boss, and am actually regretting the fact that I didn’t see reasons with you and tried talking you into handling one of my father’s petrol station! Am sorry babe she apologised, common steph, you are my best friend and you did what every other friend would have done, now take your drink.

What of Obinna? Am sure you guys will be planning on walking down the aisle very soon, you didn’t talk about him the last time we spoke on phone, Stephanie happily asked, there will be no wedding Mara said coldly, wait you guys want to do it the traditional way? No problem as long as am going to be the maid of honour, she said nonchalantly sipping her drink, there will be no traditional marriage either, Mara answered again nervously brushing her hair aside, what do you mean? You prefer court marriage to the others? No, there will be no wedding of any kind, it’s over between us now and I have moved on, Mara said getting tired of Obinna been their topic of discussion, Mara you know that you can’t crack a better joke that can make somebody laugh because what you told me is not funny at all, the Obinna I know loves you very much and can’t leave you. Well he did, am not lying steph, he broke up with me, he found someone richer that got him a car, fixed him up and he left me, she has started sobbing again, it is okay bestie, you are not alone in this, you have me, she said hugging her, thank you so much steph, thank you.

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Mara has been checking out all the clothes in her wardrobe but to her, none of them is good to wear for Stephanie’s welcome home party, she does not have any dinner gown, not even a single one she sighed heavily lying down on the mattress, she heard that rich and renowned business men will be there and she doesn’t want to be left out, what would she wear now, she could actually call Stephanie to cancel but she wouldn’t do that to her best friend, she was still rummaging through her wardrobe when her mom came in with a package.

Mrs agnes Johnson is a woman in her late fifties but looks younger than her age, she has been catering for her daughters since her husband left them without a reason, where are you Jay she asked absent mindedly? Mom what is that you are carrying? She asked startling her mother, oh my dear Stephanie’s driver dropped it a while ago, he said you should get dressed in an hour time because he will be back to pick you up for the party. Let me see what is in the box she said taking it from her mom, wow Stephanie brought me a dress, she just saved my a$$ right now she said bringing out the dress to check it out fully.

I will be heading out Mara, take your time and dress, thanks mom she replied, she was still admiring the dress when she saw a note inside the box

” witch I know that you don’t have any dress, you never liked dinner gowns anyway that’s why I sent this particular one to you with the shoe and purse to match, please Mara make sure you wear the dress, don’t go and do your own ooo, and please don’t waste the driver’s time, bye see you later.

Steph”

Mara couldn’t help but laugh, if there is anyone that knows her inside and out it will be Stephanie, she smiled she loves her best friend for sure, she looked at the gown in her hand, it is a blue knee length flay gown, with an opening at the back, simple and fine, she looked at the red stiletto heels and the red purse to match, she looked at herself in the mirror, let’s go rock the party Mara she giggled

Stephanie stood at the door looking aimlessly towards the entrance, what is keeping her friend? She wondered, she is the only person she invited herself, other people were invited by her Dad, his business partners, she hissed and rolled her eyes at the same time, she can only be comfortable when Mara gets here, she has been calling her number but she has not been answering, did something bad happen? She brought out her phone deciding to call the driver when she saw Mara walking towards her.

Oh my god Mara, what kept you so long, I have been waiting for quite sometime now, my dear the traffic was something else, but thank God am here now Mara said, alright let’s go in then, let’s go meet my father and other important people, and by the way you look breathtaking who knows you might get someone to replace Obinna Stephanie said all at once, Mara chuckled you are not serious steph, am here to enjoy myself and not to look at any guy, well let’s see how it goes Mara, Stephanie winked.

Mara wowed at the kind of people that turned up for the party, Mr Eze really spent money on this welcome back party, their large sitting room was designed and decorated beautifully.

Who do we have here? Mara, how are you? Mr Eze asked, am fine sir what of you? Am fine my dear and your mom? She is fine sir, she is busy that’s why she didn’t come with me, oh no problem at all my regards to her, he said, alright sir thanks.

Mara was talking with Stephanie when Mr Eze came with a young man of about 27 years old who he introduced to them as Kenny Williams the C.E.O of DALENA company, wait, did I just hear him say DALENA the company Obinna is working with now, the C.E.O is a Young guy? Unbelievable, she was brought back to reality when Stephanie nudged her shoulder making her startle, she realized that three pair of eyes were looking at her as if expecting her to talk, what? She asked Stephanie confused, Stephanie rolled her eyes at her, then faced Kenny, she is my best friend right from the university days and her name is Mara, she said covering up for her friend.

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Kenny has been standing at a place for some minutes now, what kind of boring party is this? Parties are not his thing though but this is the worst so far, what kind of party does the celebrant leave her guests? He hissed, he just wasted his precious time coming to this place, if not for Mr Eze he wouldn’t be here at all, all he wants now is to see the celebrant, congratulate her and then go home, he hissed again deciding to get along with business men in the house maybe he will get clients and partners, he touched his pocket just to be sure that his complimentary cards are intact, life of a business man, he smiled.

He was already moving towards the bar where he sighted Mr wale a business man when Mr Eze called back his attention, Mr Williams come let me introduce you to my daughter he announced, finally the celebrant showed up, he scoffed following him to see the person that has kept everyone waiting. His heart melted when he saw a lady on a blue gown, it is simple and fine with a red coloured shoe and a red coloured purse to match, she is beautiful he exclaimed, her face can lighten a troubled heart and brighten someone’s face, who is this lady? He must find out.

He was admiring her and didn’t notice that they stopped in front of the beautiful lady until he heard Mr Eze introduce him to them, he watched the surprised look on her face as she kept on starring, yes he is handsome and he knows, he gets stares from ladies whenever he goes out, but no this is not that kind of look, she was not ogling him rather she was distant from them, she was thinking about something and her mind far away. He heard the celebrant mumble something but didn’t make out something from what she said, he watched the celebrant nudge her shoulder and saw the look of embarrassment on her face, how can she switch mood perfectly like that? He wondered, the celebrant mumbled something again and he heard her this time around.

She is my best friend right from the university days and her name is Mara, he heard her say, Mara? What a beautiful name for a beautiful lady, she shifted her gaze towards the entrance and paled at the sight of a couple that just entered holding hands, why did she pale he wondered, he followed her gaze and saw kasie and the guy she brought the other day to his office, why did she pale on seeing them? Is something going on between her and the guy? He saw the look of hurt and betrayal in her eyes, there are many questions he has to ask her he concluded.

He watched her drag the celebrant aside discussing something with her, damn he needs to stop calling her the celebrant but he didn’t hear when she introduced herself, the only thing he heard was Mara she smiled. Mr Williams, can you take my friend home? She is not feeling too well, our driver is not anywhere in sight and you are the only person I can tell, he heard the celebrant speak, oh okay, no problem then I need to get going as well he said smiling inwardly, he will have time alone with her and he will ask her all the questions bothering him. Yes, he smiled again.

To be continued

 

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