Chapter 11

Nana's father and Linda became very close, they were very happy together. Linda could spend the whole day waiting for Nana's father to come home while Nana's father also couldn't wait to get home. It was love all around. It was a busy time for everybody, Christmas was on its way.

A week before Christmas, Linda had to go to her village. She bought lots of stuff for her family and Nana's father also gave her a lump sum of money to go with. Linda's village was very far from the capital city, it takes like eight hours to drive there.

Nana's father was also very busy at his office, that’s why he was not able to drive Linda to her village; he only dropped her at the bus station on his way to work. He bid her farewell and then he proceeded to work.

Nana's father was home alone; he missed both Linda and Nana. He sometimes passes by his sister's house and spends his evenings with them. One afternoon, he knocks off work early, bought lots of groceries, Christmas presents, and then he drove to his wife and children’s suburb to give his children some Christmas presents and groceries.

The children were happy to see him; they welcomed him with hugs and kisses. He sat in the lounge and they talked for a while. Stepmother was not at home; her sister was the one taking care of the children.

Nana's father and the children unpacked the groceries from Nana’s father's car and he gave his children Christmas presents including the other two who were alleged to belong to another man.

While Nana's father was still enjoying his conversations with the children, stepmother came back from where she was. She was not alone in her car; she was with Nana's father's ex-friend who was alleged to father two of Stepmother's children.

They were shocked to find Nana's father there, stepmother asked him why he came to her house without informing her first. They started arguing, calling each other names. Nana's father asked his ex-friend why he chose to cheat with his wife after he has helped him so much in his life.

Ex-friend just got up from his chair, grabbed Nana's father, and threw him out of the house. The children screamed and cried as they see their uncle dragging their father out of the house. It was a horrible sight for the children. The ex-friend closed the door after throwing him out and he told him to make an appointment the next time he wants to see his children.

Nana's father drove off from stepmother's house with a heavy heart. He saw his children crying when he was thrown out, he couldn't believe that his former friend threw him out in his own house. He was angry; he didn't know what to do. He didn't even remember how he got home; his mind was only focused on his anger.

He parked his car in the garage and went inside his house. He switched on the TV and watched a bit and he then switched it off. He kept on thinking about how to handle his wife and children. He thought of chasing her out of his house but then he wondered what might happen to his children. He tried to sleep but with no luck. He thought about his loving beautiful daughter Nana, he wished to see her; she always knew what to say or do to make him happy.

In the middle of his thoughts, Nana's father grabbed his phone and called Nana's mother. She answered the phone; Nana's father greeted her and asked to speak to Nana. Nana came to the phone, she was so happy to speak to her father.

Father: Hello Nana Nana: Yes father, how have you been? How is Linda? Are you okay? Are you coming over for Christmas?

Father: Nana, calm down my dear, asks me one question at a go, please. Those are too many questions for an old man like me to answer.

Nana: Sorry father, but you are not old Father. How are you, Father?

Father: I'm fine Nana, how are you, hope you are okay and enjoying village life.

Nana: I'm fine Father; my holiday is going on well. I'm having too much fun here father. I'm so happy. How is Linda Father?

Father: Linda was fine but she also went to her village. She had to go see her mother and other family members.

Nana: Oh no, you are alone in the house father? Father, Christmas is in two days and you are alone? Father, what is going to happen to you? Are you going to have Christmas with my siblings and stepmother?

Father: Oh Nana, you are again asking me so many questions at once. Nana, I will be fine, don't worry about me.

Nana: Father, don't you want to have Christmas with us? Please come over for Christmas, it will be the best charismas ever.

Father: Thank you Nana for the invitation but don't worry, I will be fine. Please greet everyone for me. Have a great night Nana; it was nice to hear your voice. Goodbye Nana.

Nana: Bye father, sleep well.

After the phone call, Nana's siblings and mother asked her what the phone call was about. Nana responded by saying that her father was just wishing them a merry Christmas. Nana never discussed her bad relationship with stepmother with her family. She told them that stepmother and her children were very nice people and that they treated her well.

She did not tell them that they even moved out of stepmother's house; she didn't want to create any hostility between the two families. Nana's mother and siblings were so happy to hear that stepmother was such a wonderful person to accept Nana in her home; they were all so happy for Nana. That's why after the phone call with her father, she couldn't tell them that he had called herm because he was feeling lonely in his new house.

On the other hand, Linda was so unhappy with her family in the village and her thoughts were with Nana's father. She couldn't believe that an important man like Nana's father actually loves her and she loves him too.

Linda wondered if by the time she goes back to the capital he will still be waiting for her. She thought that maybe his wife will come and take him away, back to their house; maybe he will go back to Nana’s mother. She had no one to talk to about all her thoughts. She missed Nana a lot; she was worried that maybe Nana will not accept her relationship between Linda and Father. She could hardly sleep, she was soaked in worries.

Linda's family had already promised someone in their village to marry her. This man has been helping Linda's family financially and in return, they promised him, Linda, as his second wife. Linda was shocked by this news and no one ever told her about it. The last time she was in the village, no one told her about that marriage issue; she thought the guy was nice to her family because they were friends.

Linda’s family was busy preparing her arranged marriage which was to happen immediately after Christmas. Linda was so torn about this, she loves Nana's father and she is also used to town life, now her family wants to marry her off to a village champion! He was a well-known farmer in their village. She was not ready to spend her whole life on the farm; she preferred to work in people's houses than marrying that man. She kept on thinking about what to do with her situation.