Babe, Emika called out, holding the wrench. Remind me again, do we have enough crayfish? Ngozi smiled. Yes, it’s in the blue container, second shelf.
He laughed. You’ve organized this kitchen like a chemist lab. They both chuckled.
There was peace in that home. It wasn’t built with gold. But it was rich in joy.
As they sat to eat later that night, one of the triplets suddenly said, Mommy, when we grow up, will we also be famous like you? Ngozi laughed. Who said I’m famous? Everyone was shouting your name on the internet. The second boy added, licking soup from his fingers.
Ngozi looked at Emika and smiled. You’ll grow up knowing your story, she said. But more than that, you’ll grow up knowing your worth.
Emika nodded in agreement. And knowing how strong your mother is. A few days later, Ngozi got a letter delivered to her new restaurant…
She opened it slowly. It was short, typed, and signed at the bottom by Chaik. Ngozi, asterisk thank you for your strength.
Thank you for your forgiveness. You taught me a lesson I will never forget. I lost a good woman.
And I hope one day, your sons will know how proud they should be. I wish you peace. Chaik, asterisk.
She folded the letter and placed it in her drawer. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t sad.
She was simply at peace. Back in Chaik’s compound, his neighbors now looked at him differently. Some pitted him.
Some laughed behind his back. The gardener didn’t greet him with the same cheer. The security man no longer rushed to open the gate with excitement.
He had truly become the disgraced groom. One evening, he stood in front of his mirror and stared at himself. Who are you now? He whispered.
What did your pride gain you? No answer. He looked out the window, far away, and finally said out loud. I destroyed the woman who loved me.
And now, I’m alone. But far away, the woman he once broke, was whole again. She had found joy.
She had found love. She had found purpose. And she had three little reminders that what others called barrenness, God had turned into overflow.
