It's been three years since Ezinma traveled to the US. She had no plans of coming back until one day when her best friend Nkechi called to tell her that she was getting married.
“You’re getting married?!" She shouted when she heard the news.
“Yes, and I’m so excited,” Nkechi squealed. “But you’ve only known this man for just six months. Don’t you think it’s too soon?"
"No, I don’t. Ben is the best thing to have happened to me in some time now. He treats me well, makes me happy, and we love each other."
“You do sound happy.”
“Because I am.”
“Okay, ooo. So, will you be able to make it for the wedding?”
“Ahn ahn, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said, and Nkechi smiled. They’ve been best friends for over fifteen years, a friendship that started in their hostel toilet at the university.
Nkechi had rushed to the toilet to urinate and had barged in without knocking, opening the door of the toilet. Ezinma screamed at her to get out, and she apologized and closed the door but had already seen what Ezinma was trying to hide: a pregnancy test kit.
After Ezinma came out, she saw Nkechi standing by the door. “Are you okay?” Nkechi asked.
“It’s none of your business,” she said, walking away, and Nkechi followed. “Sorry, I saw it, I didn’t mean to barge in.”
“Sure. Your eyes are red, were you crying? You’re pregnant, abi?”
“Shut up,” she said, turned to Nkechi, “do you want the whole world to hear you? I’m sorry, but are you okay? Why do you care?” She asked, and Nkechi shrugged.
“I understand how you feel… not really sha but I can imagine. I have you have someone to talk to,” she said then smiled at her before walking away. Ezinma didn’t have anyone to talk to; her parents were the last people she could tell.
So, in that vulnerable moment, she rushed to Nkechi, tapped her, and said, “I don’t.”
“You don’t what? I don’t have anyone to talk to, and I’m really scared.” Nkechi held her hand, smiled at her, and said, “It’s okay, now you do.”
They got to Nkechi's room and sat down together on her bed. She offered her food, but Ezinma refused. Before she could offer her something else, she blurted out, “I was raped.”
It was her boyfriend, Alex, a final year student who went to a different university. She had threatened to break up with him, and before she could leave, he pinned her down to the bed and raped her.
Nkechi had suggested she tell her parents, but she refused and made her decision to abort it. Ezinma made her swear never to tell anyone, and she promised. Since that day, they have become inseparable.
Ezinma often wondered how she managed to open up to a total stranger, but she was glad she did. The day after Ezinma got back from the US, she went to visit Nkechi at her apartment.
The moment they saw each other, they ran to hug one another like a long-separated couple in love.
“Oh Ezinma, you look so good,” Nkechi said after pulling out of the hug.
"And you too. See how you’re shining; this guy must be really taking care of you."
“Oh, he is,” she said proudly, and then they laughed.
“So, where is our husband?”
“He stepped out but he will soon be back.”
“Okay, o,” she said, and they went inside.
They sat down and talked about their lives since they last saw each other while sipping wine. In the middle of their conversation, they heard a knock on the door.
“It should be him,” Nkechi stood up to get the door. It was Ben. He kissed her on her lips.
“There’s someone I want you to see,” she said and walked with him to the living room.
He got there and saw Ezinma sitting with a glass of wine in her hand. She stood to look at him properly, and as she came close, she froze. He was handsome and had a full beard that covered his face and made his lips look small.
He wore glasses that made him look serious but gentle. But no matter how different he now looked, she recognized him. It was Alex. Alex, who God knows how, is now Ben to my best friend.
To be continued.
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