Susan ekerete - S02 E12

3 years ago

Susan ekerete - S02 E12

Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 12

Season Final.

Susan had known being a single mother came with numerous challenges that the society she lived in would throw at her. She had managed to thrive despite the stigma that came with being a divorcee with a young daughter to care for. Her child had grown up loved and confident and able to handle the difference in her family status, compared to that of her schoolmates and friends. But Susan was about to face her biggest test and as she stood behind her daughter, brushing the girls hair into a neat bun, she prayed for the wisdom to handle the situation in the best way.

Cherish stared into the mirror in front of which she sat, wincing slightly whenever the comb her mother was wielding went through her hair, but the discomfort didn’t deter her from what she wanted to know. She kept her eyes on her mother’s face as she finally asked the question that had been plaguing her for over three months.

“So my Daddy is a criminal, right?”

The combing motion faltered for a moment, but Susan did not stop her task as she responded. “Yes, dear. He has to be in prison for a while because he committed several crimes. And like I have always told you, when people break the law they get punished for it.”

Cherish chewed on her lower lip for a moment, frowning, then asked in a lowered voice. “Are you sure they won’t shoot him?”

Susan gasped and dropped the comb. “Of course not, Cherish! Why would you think that?”

The little girl lowered her gaze away from her mother’s in the mirror. “A boy in school said the police shoot criminals in the leg, so they can’t escape from prison.”

Susan’s heart sank. She had known that the story of Asuquo’s imprisonment had reached her daughter’s school and although she had toyed with the idea of withdrawing the girl from the establishment, she had decided she could not start teaching her daughter to run away from problems. Cherish had seemed to be handling the unwelcome notoriety her father’s crimes had given her well, but the sadness in her voice was heart-breaking. The girl loved her father, despite his crimes and dishonesty.

Susan leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the seated girl. “Oh my darling, no one will hurt your father. He has shown remorse for what he did and the police assured me he is one of the most well behaved prisoners they have. He has returned most of the money he took from people and will only be in prison for a few more months, I heard.”

Cherish’s eyes lit up. “Really? I thought I would never see him again!”

Susan smiled sadly and hugged her daughter before sitting up and resuming the hair grooming. “Of course you will. I think some time to think over what he did wrong will help him become a better man and a better father.”

“So, it’s like being sent to the naughty corner for a few months?”

Susan laughed at the girl’s innocent comparison of prison with school punishment, and then nodded in agreement. There was no need to burst her bubble. “Yes, baby. Something like that.”

Cherish nodded. “When I go back to school, I will tell that boy to stop spreading lies about the police. My teacher says the police is your friend.”

Susan hid a grimace. As a dyed-in-the-wool Nigerian, it was a sentiment she found hard to agree with, but she smiled as she remembered Inspector Samson Udofia and the effort he had put into trying to help her get her daughter back safe and sound. Although Michael and Eka insisted the policeman had been that diligent because he found her attractive, she was willing to ignore that possibility and admit that the police had indeed been very helpful.

“Yes, cherish, the police is your friend.” She smiled as she brushed the last few strands of her daughter’s hair in place and dropped the comb on the dresser.

Cherish turned her head from side to side, pretty face glowing as she beamed. “Oh, mummy, my hair is pretty! I like the white ribbons. And my lovely blue dress! Thank you! But why can’t I get make-up like you?”

Susan threw back her head and laughed. The sunlight streaming in through the windows of the hotel room twinkled off the jewelled stubs in her ears and the glittering chain around her neck. She admired her own face one more time. Her make-up was light and effortless, but she knew she looked stunning, which was only proper. On a day as auspicious as this, every woman should feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

She stood up and smoothed down the simple ivory coloured dress sheathing her curvy hips. “That’s because I’m the one getting married today, my baby. Not you. You have years of make-up ahead of you, so be patient.”

Cherish rolled her eyes dramatically and laughed. “I can’t wait till I’m sixteen.”

“Eighteen.” Susan corrected, fixing a small veil to her upswept hair. “This is not America, young lady. I swear you watch that Disney Channel too much.

When she stood in front of the minster and exchanged vows with Michael about one hour later, her heart was filled with joy. The occasion was small and tasteful, just as she had always dreamed of, and she was surrounded by few family and friends.

Michael never took his enraptured gaze off her face as she repeated the promises of everlasting companionship after him and tears of happiness prickled in her eyes as he slid the simple gold band onto her finger. She knew she had found in him a good lover, friend and father figure for her daughter. They would not have to hide their love for each other anymore. Their affection was no longer something they could indulge in after the books were put away; every moment was theirs to explore.

When the minister announced their official union and they kissed each other in the presence of family and friends, she could hear her daughter’s dramatic ‘ewwww’ over the frenzied clapping that filled the small hall.

Life with her daughter was bound to never have a dull moment and with Michael at her side, she had nothing but such moments to look forward to every day. Cherish had brought them together and together, they would give her the best kind of life and opportunities available.

Their forever after had just begun.

THE END....