Chapter 58: Give room for a second chance

For the things that give you joy, give room for a second chance.

The next day, Tacha walked to the dinning and took a seat next to her girl who had chosen to be quiet and calm.

“Daddy came over yesterday.” She spread the butter in her spoon on her bread. "It was very late when he came."

Anna had a bit of look that got her Mum worried since she woke up. Tacha wanted herself to believe her daughter was having one of her quiet moments, but her eyes couldn't control itself since she saw Anna in the morning. Was it her left hand that was swollen all of a sudden? Or her temperature that had gone up more than usual. Tacha's announcement came out as a whisper, but that was loud enough to make Anna drop her spoon.

Her dull expression was instantly replaced.

From… I'm tired… to… where is he? Where is my Daddy?

Of course, for a child who had never set her eyes on her father since she was given birth to, it was expected of her to be extremely happy than ever! Her eyes anxiously waiting to see her beloved Daddy appeared like a spider man.

Her wide smile exposed her beautiful set of milk teeth that had cold cereal stuck in them, looking forward to hear her Mum continue or bring her Dad to her. She didn't mind that she splashed some of the cereal on her face and dress while dropping her spoon.

“Mummy, when is he coming again?” She decided to make her curiosity known.

A chuckle escaped from Tacha's lips, fascinated by her daughter's smile. Tacha's smile spread gradually as she reached out far from the table to pick something her daughter's eyes was missing. “Daddy brought you this.”

There was a pause.

The small, beautiful looking eyes scrutinized Tacha's hands. And happiness jumped into them.

“Wow! My Daddy?” It was more like Anna wanted to re-confirm if they were still talking about her Dad. “It's from my Daddy.”

Tacha couldn't hold her chuckle. “Yes, your Daddy. You were in your dream land when he came.”

“Mummy, next time, wake me up okay. Make sure you wake me up from dream land.”

Tacha held her laughter. Anna couldn't be that serious with that. But she was, with the way her voice was clear and her eyes directed to hers, clearly telling her what she should have done.

“Mummy, what's that?”

“A letter from Daddy.”

Anna's eyes shone brighter. A letter from her Dad seemed to be the happiest discussion she had ever had with her daughter. She moved her small buttocks on the dining chair. Her hand moving up to pack the beads added to her base, ensuring nothing was disturbing her from seeing her mother well. The letter she held in her hand to be precise. And maybe to listen a hundred percent well.

'Dear Anna, my sweet girl. How have you been? I can't wait to be part of your next birthdays, your Sunday activities, vacation with daddy on your holidays, and be there to say goodnight with kisses every night. You are the most precious thing Dad was ever gifted. I love you. I can't wait to hang out with you once I'm back’.

“Wow! That's from my Daddy.”

Tacha had to nod because her laughter could escape her mouth any moment if she replied to Anna's comment. However, before she knew what was going on, Anna had grabbed the paper from her hand as if she could read the words she was deeply staring at.

With a smile on her face, Anna said again. “My Daddy.”

The chuckle that came out of Tacha couldn't be held back. She was short of words. Could there be anything she can come up with that would make her daughter move on from…this my Daddy, that my Daddy.

“Mummy pack my bags okay.”

“For what?” Tacha do not seem to understand what was going on.

“You know he is coming back. So we can leave with my Daddy okay.”

Wahala!!

Tacha stood up with a nod and the laughter she had been holding on to for ages escaped from her mouth when she saw her daughter about to open her mouth again. The opening was starting to form a shape of someone trying to call Da… She decided to leave her daughter to enjoy her moment. Then for another time she can't remember, Tacha unwrapped her own letter after eating the remaining bread in her hand.

“I wish time would freeze so you wouldn't even have to read this. But I guess it didn't. Asking for a whole day would have been too much. Some time with you again would be enough. To know our daughter well. You get to choose the day. Thank you for tonight.”

Tacha's mouth switched into a light smile. He wasn't even asking her. Something about him that seemed not to have changed. Tacha didn't realize the push she gave her door until the loud noise vibrated all over her body. If the door could talk, it would be.. don't play with me girl. Carry your cross without transferring aggression.

“ouch!” Tacha squeezed her brows at the terrible noise the door gave, then went ahead to undress herself.

Today, she was going to be visiting Maria to take her bridesmaids' measurements.

••••••

Tacha came back to the dinning wearing a black jean with a white round neck top. She knew her earrings would gain someone's attention, and she didn't even make it to the empty plate on the dinning table yet.

“Mummy, did you buy like my earrings.”

Thank gawd! Daddy's era had passed.

Tacha grinned. She didn't know what Kenny was thinking when she gave her daughter the two pieces of gold earrings that were size of an adult. They were real Gold. They were one of the expensive Brown's collections. Too pretty to leave them taking the cold breeze. She understood her friend was so kind to her daughter for gifting her something that could attach her to her father.

Facing Anna, Tacha smiled, then shook her head to have the earrings bounce. “Have you forgotten that whatever you have is Mummy's. And whatever Mummy has is yours. And no, I didn’t buy one for myself.”

“Really!” The answer brought Tacha at alert, moving her head back to stare at her daughter. That response was too short and dangerous at the same time. But Anna didn't even wait for a minute incase her Mum decided to change her mind. “Can I use your phone Mummy to call my Daddy?”

Heavenly Lord! I thought we are done with My Daddy! My Daddy! Tacha said to herself.

The sound that came up next made Tacha successfully avoid answering her daughter's question.

What a good time for her Mum's phone to ring.

“Grandma don't want to pick it.” Anna said before placing her cup of water in her mouth.

Tacha picked up her Mum's phone. The name was familiar. It was the same man who had kept her Mum's company on phonecall for months.

Tacha clearly knew this man was interested in her Mum and no woman would have given such attention back if not because she wanted the same thing. So, why was her Mum avoiding him? Tacha might not have met the man yet, but he seemed like a responsible man she could trust her Mum with.

Obviously, her Mum didn't want to commit to anyone. And no sane man of her age would see her and not be drawn to her Mum. For she was not only endowed but ageless. A smooth and Farer skin without even a skin care. But her desire to keep a fine boy who doesn't know how to provide for his family took her whole life from her and any one could see she was scared of risking anything at all again.

At this point, Tacha knew she wouldn't need to wait till she has all the money she wanted to start a business for her Mum as she had planned.

The last time she talked her Mum taking her previous relationship serious, she realised her Mum ended the relationship after finding out the man had a young girlfriend he hid from her. And since then, she lamented on how old she was. For someone in her late fifties, she believed she could no longer desire anything than take care of her grandchildren.

"Mummy, someone is at the door."

Tacha couldn't have been so lost in her thoughts not to have heard the knock on the door which wasn't far from where she was. And her phone vibrating for what seemed like a few seconds. But she was, worried for nothing again.

'At the door please '.

Tacha's heart skipped a beat. It was a message from Nathan. She was yet to get over how good looking this guy was last night. How intoxicated she was by his smell. How he overpowered her with his gorgeous voice. His charisma was magnetic. His stares were still the same feeling her body recognised, and insanely dealt with her all through the night, yearning for him like they never separated. Like he never stopped talking to her. Like he never walked away from her. Like he never moved on. Like he never stopped caring for her. Like she was never mad at him and felt like lashing out to his face.

Tacha flung the door open. "I thought you were tra-"

"Mr Nathan wants me to deliver a Range Rover to you and Anna. Here is the key, Miss Tacha. And the documents to this house."

Tacha stared at the man at her doorstep, deeply confused.

"Where are my manners?" The tall, slim guy with a black face cap realised the shock expression on Tacha's face. "Good morning, Miss. My name is Tunde, your new driver. And the house has been bought in Anna's name. Mr. Nathan wants me to deliver them to you."