The organisers held a meeting the following week. It was headed by the vice chancellor, Tobi Akindele. He used the opportunity to thank everyone at the university who dedicated their time and effort to seeing the success of the event held. According to their report, this year’s fundraiser generated twice the revenue of the last. That made it the most successful they have had since they started. It was an excellent step in the right direction for the university.Being part of the movement gave me a sense of pride, and knowing I helped make education easier for someone made me happy.My joy, however, decreased when I learnt the largest donor for the night was Mr Aaron Hart, with over $200,000. This also differed from his other pledges during the many events that took place.I saw everyone cheer, and though I felt happy because this was something good for the university, it wasn’t good for me. I knew who Aaron was, and I knew what his presence meant, so even while others cheered and clapp

There was silence in the few weeks that followed. I had initially thought Aaron’s presence at the fundraiser or the university would turn my world upside down, but as it turned out, it didn’t. I saw him a few times after that day, but only in professional settings, which came as a relief to me.Still, I couldn’t take chances. Diya made a schedule for picking Zion up from school, and in the last few weeks, we have all stuck to it. From Mondays through Fridays, each person was assigned to pick him up and take him to their place until the evening, and I’d go over to pick him up and bring him home. The only days I had to pick him up were Fridays because both Diya and her parents were busy that day. Lionel got discharged from the rehabilitation hospital last week, and he was slowly getting back into the outside world. Although I could fit him into this schedule, I knew it was best to leave him out for now.With Aaron being out of the picture for the last few weeks, I could conclude that he

He stood in a blue shirt and trousers with his back to the car and his arms crossed over his chest, and I knew he was waiting for me.This was the wrongest time to meet up and the worst place to meet because things were beyond my control.My heart squeezed in my chest at the sight of him, and our eyes locked. He had the same formal and blank look he’d had on his face when we interacted with each other at the university a few days ago.After almost a minute of a locked gaze, his eyes wandered from mine, travelling down to Zion, whose small hand I held onto. I could see the flicker of emotions in Aaron’s eyes at the sight of him. These emotions ranged from surprise to confusion, a bit of pain, and then anger. His teeth clenched, and his breathing grew laboured.I knew he knew at this moment that Zion, my son, was his.It wasn’t hard to guess. Zion was his father’s son and had all his features, from his eyes to his smile and his face. My son barely looked like me, and I knew Aaron’s reali

“He said what?” Diya exclaimed in a tone of disbelief.“He offered to take over eighty per cent, Diya. That was his most generous offer to me for hiding his son from him for over four years.” I answered, watching her pace around my room as if it were her world that had just caught fire.As soon as I left the restaurant, I called Diya because I felt trapped and couldn’t go home. It was past ten at night, but she answered the call, and when I told her where I was, she came to get me.I couldn’t even call and tell Daniel anything because I didn’t know where to begin. Daniel usually had a handful of troubles to deal with, and I couldn’t add to them. I knew I’d have to soon, but for now, I needed Diya more.She brought me home and tried to console me while I sobbed my eyes out. She kept consoling me despite not knowing what had happened. After I calmed down, she called Greg and told him she wouldn’t come back home because she needed to be with me. Greg must have given in because she ended t

“Zera,” Diya called from behind, and I spun around to see her holding onto Zion’s hand while they both stared at us.She released his hand, and he walked over to me with slow steps. I stooped and stroked his hair down his face tenderly before standing up and stepping out of the way so he could meet his father.He took his step carefully, and I watched Aaron’s agitated look as he waited for Zion to meet up with him. He stooped down when Zion reached him, and they came to almost the same height.“You have the same eyes as me,” Zion said, his tone coming off as shy.Aaron laughed, and my stomach fluttered at how amazing it still sounded after many years. “Yes, I do. And you have the same dimple I have,” he pointed out.Zion bit his lips and nodded, “Yes, I do.” Then he asked, “My favourite colour is blue. What is yours?”“Also blue.” I turned away from them to Diya, my heart aching in my chest and my eyes glassy. Aaron looked so good with Zion, and they clicked so well, as if they had al