Last updated on October 17th, 2025 at 02:29 pm
I eventually find the courage to check my WhatsApp after two days of deliberately avoiding the App. Yes, on Valentine’s Day, I posted a picture of my son, Eliam, and me. Honestly, it felt good to be able to do that. We were twinning and he looked handsome and hopeful and enthusiastic, and I just…melted. There’s a part of me that’s always been a little bit concerned that he might have gotten his father’s lackadaisical attitude, but frankly, Eliam’s almost the complete opposite of Tochi. The ensuing guilt after our mother-son date was almost crippling. I felt like I haven’t tried enough, even though my son’s almost five.
When we got back home, my mum gave me a nod and I had to call her this morning to get her take. I explained the guilt, then asked her if her nod implied what I assumed. She confirmed that the nod was indeed an approval and that though they were very okay with taking care of Eliam and felt blessed regardless of the circumstance around his conception, they knew that I was withholding quite a bit and hoped fervently that I’d come around. She said that from the moment I called and told Eliam to prepare for the date, she knew that I already reflected and as expected, change was coming.
Talking to her helped me feel better. It also helped that she announced to me that Eliam has been telling everyone that his mum was his Valentine. It was what I needed to hear, considering that he rarely acknowledges me as his mum. To be fair, before now, I wouldn’t have been fine with him telling everyone. The date with him and the subsequent daily calls have emphasised what I’ve been missing—Eliam’s intelligence and observance.
As I scroll through my messages on WhatsApp, seeing that nothing stands out, I breathe. That is, until I see Joe’s message. I immediately start to sweat and my heartbeat speeds up. He is the last person I expected to chat with me. I drop my phone and take a deep breath, then open his message. It’s very simple.
Angela! It’s been ages.
Yet I somehow panic. This isn’t my first post since I’ve unblocked him. For him to have replied to this… Is it possible that he has noticed something? I think of what to do and it’s easy to leave the message without a reply but I want to reply. Joe is an unfinished chapter of my life, I should reply to him and so I do.
Joe! Wow! Too stunned to think properly. I send, which is in fact true. What I don’t expect is an immediate reply but sure enough, like the old days, Joe answers.
Yeah, I’ve been told I have that effect on women, sorry people. Nothing has changed. I find my lips spreading into a smile as I hover my fingers on my phone screen.
Really? Still haven’t changed.
I can’t help it 😊
—
“Sister Angela,” Zabby calls as I’m leaving the kitchen, my head buried in my phone as it’s been recently.
“Yes? What’s up?” I ask, automatically hiding my phone behind my back. She doesn’t miss it as her eyes briefly follow my hand movement and then go back to my face.
“You’ve been very busy with your phone of late,” she says, pointing her chin towards my hand.
“Okay?” I ask, playing along. She catches on and smiles.
“So, if I reach for your phone now, you won’t scream?”
“Ahnahn, are we kids or something?” I answer and turn to leave, but not without seeing her come after me. I burst into laughter as I run down the corridor into my room and lock it just before she gets to my door.
“I knew it! I know you. Very soon, we’ll know the truth.” She says, laughing as she leaves my entrance.
