She Lost Everything When She Least Expected It 

ABUJA BELONGS TO YOU TONIGHT. Tonight only. Please, Abuja pays rent in my name. Somebody hold this woman before she insults THE GOVERNMENT AGAIN. EVERYBODY! THAT’S ZARA. THE ZARA? RELAX. I’m not arresting anybody tonight. That’s Zara. You deserve soft life forever. That sounds expensive. I can afford dangerous decisions.

No. No, this better not be malaria. Madam, where are you? Abuja men are waiting. Jesus, whose house is this? Your house. Oh, even worse. You seriously don’t remember? That answers the question. Where are we brunching? I don’t know yet. Let me first decide which rich man is funding my happiness today.

You’ll never make heaven. Heaven sounds judgemental, honestly. ZARA, DANCE. LET ABUJA KNOW MONEY IS AWAKE. Money has insomnia on me. See life, some of us are dancing for fun. Zara is dancing for national budget. Jealousy does not fit your dress, baby. I’ll buy you another car. Car? I’ll buy her the road.

Gentlemen, please don’t fight. Abuja has enough potholes for everybody. This girl is trouble. Expensive trouble. You and Zara are really close. Close? Please, I’m just managing her noise. But she helps you. Help is help. It doesn’t mean I should worship her. Mimi, were you talking about me? I was saying your hair is fine.

Hm, my spirit’s hurt, mama. Zara, sit down. I want to talk to you. Mama, once you say sit down, I know someone has entered. This life you’re living worries me. Mama, worrying is free. Relax. I’m serious. Can you put the phone down for 10 minutes? 10 minutes? Are we fasting from communication? These men don’t love you.

Love does not buy Lexus. Neither does Lexus hug you when you break down. One day, these friends will disappear. Impossible. They need me. That is the problem. People who need you are not always people who love you. Mama, please. Don’t make my good life sound like crime. Call me when you get home. Yes, mama.

She didn’t hear anything we said. She heard. She just prefers the noise outside. That man owns half of Port Harcourt. Half? I heard three quarters. Hm, finally somebody with infrastructure. Zara, behave. I am behaving expensively. You must be Zara. Depends. Who is asking? Raymond. Just Raymond? For now.

You look expensive. You look more expensive. That’s because inflation is affecting everybody. At least you’re honest about danger. And you like danger. I like luxury. Danger just follows. Pack light. Pack light, Chief. I don’t even travel emotionally light. Dubai for a few days.

A few days with you sounds like a financial decision. Then make a good one. My passport has accepted. Anything you want is yours. Careful, I’m imaginative. Try me. Hm, you’re brave. No, I’m rich. Same thing in many languages. Madam, would you like this in another color, Chief? Take all the colors.

This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs. You are trouble. With receipt. You make me feel young. That sounds medically concerning. I mean it. Chief, don’t start emotional billing. I came for enjoyment. Maybe you need more than enjoyment. Enjoyment has never disappointed me. Why does this still feel empty? You said something? I said Dubai is showing off.

You hide sadness well. I hide everything well. Abuja missed you. Abuja survived somehow. See luggage, Chief tried. Tried? Mimi, the man wrote exam and passed. TELL US ABOUT DUBAI! DUBAI IS HOT, EXPENSIVE, and disrespectfully beautiful. And Chief Raymond? He understands the assignment. Cheers! Zara? I’m fine.

Too much alcohol? Or too much adulthood. Sit down before your enemies say jazz caught you. What is going on with me? Zara, are you vomiting or avoiding Bill? Both are possible. Why do I feel like a government project? Even my legs have resigned. This is not a hangover. Please let it be stress.

 I can negotiate with stress. But this one this one is looking personal. You look like you fought with your destiny. My body is doing a press conference. Maybe one senator finally poisoned you emotionally. Mimi, can you be serious for once? You’re showing signs of pregnancy. What happens if you find out you are pregnant? Ah, why did your spirit leave your body? Pregnant? Please.

 My life is not that disorganized. Zara, what happened here last night? Shut up. MIND YOUR BUSINESS PERMANENTLY. AH, LOOK AT THIS GIRL. I BEG LEAVE ME, JERRY. NAME, PLEASE. Anonymous rich person. Madam, we need your real name. Zara Bello. But if any blogger hears this, I’ll sue the building. Doctor, I have been having nausea, dizziness, tiredness, and disrespect from my stomach.

Have you been under stress lately, or have you felt like this before? My whole life is premium stress. Any chance you could be pregnant? Of course not. Doctor, please don’t threaten me. It cannot be. It cannot be. First time? First time what? Relax. Relaxation has left Nigeria.

Zara, I want you to come back tomorrow morning. Tomorrow? Why? Is today not working? We need to confirm some results. Confirm what exactly? Please don’t delay. Doctor, say malaria first. Even if it’s not malaria, just start with malaria. Congratulations, you are pregnant. Sorry? Pregnant? Yes. No.

 I think the test was somebody else’s womb. The result is yours. Doctor, my lifestyle has betrayed me. That’s impossible. Biology disagrees. Biology should mind its business. You need to begin proper care immediately. Care? Doctor, I don’t even know who to call. Who is the father? All of you were fun until now. Okay, Dubai billionaire, senator, oil guy.

Jesus Christ. Are you investigating murder? Worse, mathematics. Chief Raymond, Senator Kay, oil money, Lexus man. Lexus man? Don’t judge me. He had purpose. Zara, this list is not contacts. It’s national archive. I know. Zara. Chief, I need to tell you something. You sound serious. I’m pregnant.

Pregnant? Yes. Are you sure it’s mine? Wow, you reached there fast. Zara, don’t start something you cannot finish. I’m not starting anything. I’m telling you what happened. This is not my problem until you prove it. So, Dubai had romance but what you have is evidence. Why would you even call me for this kind of thing? This kind of thing? You mean pregnancy? Please don’t say that word loudly.

You were shouting my name in clubs before. Now, pregnancy is where your courage died? Don’t disrespect me. Respect? Sir, you arrived here wearing dark glasses like a kidnapped celebrities. Please don’t involve me in this embarrassment. Embarrassment? I have election coming. Of course.

 God forbid responsibility affects democracy. Hello, baby. I need to tell you something important. You sound like bank loan officer. I’m pregnant. What? There’s a possibility the baby could be yours. No, no, no, no, Zara, please. Don’t bring me into this movie. Movie? You girls always do this. You girls? Don’t call me again.

So, this is how fast people change. Wonderful. Abuja men deserve an award. I was stupid. I thought I was important to them. You’re not drinking. My stomach and alcohol are currently fighting politically. Pregnancy changes people, though. She doesn’t even know who the father is. Are you serious? Soft life has side effects.

I feel bad for her, though. She enjoyed the lifestyle. ABUJA, ARE WE ALIVE TONIGHT? SO, THIS IS FRIENDSHIP. Not one person even cared where I was. All those years, for what? After everything I have done for them, it’s not fair at all. Abuja nightlife queen pregnant for unknown man. Who impregnated Zara? Comment sections don’t explode.

People just take any man. This rumor loud well, well. She was enjoying a soft life before. Now, reality don’t arrive. Check the senator list first. These people are wicked. Mimi, stop calling me. I said leave me alone. Socialite Zara Bello trends online AFTER PREGNANCY RUMORS.

CAN EVERYBODY LEAVE ME ALONE? THIS HOUSE is too big when you’re sad. My daughter. Mama! It’s okay. I’m here, Mia. You’ve been suffering alone. I didn’t know who to call. You should have called home first. You’ve been drowning yourself. I thought I was happy. You were distracted.

You are still my daughter. I am sorry, Mama. I did not listen to you when you were cautioning me about my lifestyle. No, you are alive. That means your story is still moving. Hey, babe. How are you? Can we talk? Wow. So, this is how people behave. I cannot believe what is happening right now. SOFT LIFE ONLY.

INTERESTING. THESE ARE PEOPLE I CALL my friends. They have abandoned me already because something bad happened to me. You’re deleting memories. No, I am deleting illusions. God, please forgive my daughter. Help her find herself again. Sir, she keeps calling. Block the number. Sir, I said block it.

 I don’t want to speak to her. Okay, sir. Who is Zara? She’s nobody. Men only panic like this when nobody is expensive. So, he’s even married. You didn’t know? He told me he was not married. I spent years dating strangers. You were chasing lifestyle, not people. Now I understand. MAMA! ZARA! WHAT HAPPENED? ZARA COLLAPSED.

LET’S TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL NOW. Her blood pressure is too high. Will she be okay? She needs complete rest immediately. You must completely change your lifestyle. No alcohol, no stress, no emotional drama. So basically no Abuja. I’m sorry. I didn’t know how bad things were. I have been a fool all these while.

Who are you and where is Zara? SHE RETIRED. YOU’RE FIGHTING ONIONS PHYSICALLY. WHY do onions hate happiness? Because you’re holding a knife like a night club promoter. First baby? Mhm. You survive. That sounded like a warning. My husband ate my ice cream yesterday.

 I nearly divorced him. Pregnancy anger is spiritual. You ladies are very funny. Baby, I missed you. Interesting. My pregnancy has suddenly curtailed your busy schedule. You know, life has been hectic. Oh, life suddenly became hectic. You still have the Lexus, right? And your Dubai guy still sends money? You came to check my health or my account balance? You know I’m always here for you.

No, you were always there for enjoyment. That’s unfair. No, accurate. You love my lifestyle. Not me. I wish you well, though. No influencers or celebrities? None, but peaceful people were available. Exactly. Family is what matters. So true. We are all here for you, my dear. Oh, these tiny clothes are so precious.

Careful. Don’t cry on the baby socks. These tiny clothes are emotionally manipulative. This shoe is smaller than my future. Package for Zara Bello. Which billionaire remembered us? Oh, wow. These are beautiful. Seriously, who sent them? I know the baby is mine. What happened? And I don’t know who sent the note.

Who knows? I know the baby is mine. Wonderful. My past has started writing letters. This is a serious problem. No address, no phone number, no sender name. So the person has money and drama. This is creepy. My life has graduated from scandal to thriller. Chief Raymond, Senator Adeyemi, oil money, Lexus man.

Lexus man again? Please, don’t judge the filing system. I was on serious. Hello? We need to talk about your baby. Who is this? Even ghosts now have airtime. This is your old lifestyle that needs forensic investigation. I know. Even the FBI will ask for extra allowance. Let’s start with dates.

Dates are disrespectful. They remember everything. Are you laughing or crying? Both. My emotions are doing a joint accounts. I need FBI and deliverance together. Wait. Why did he delete messages around the Dubai trip? He deleted them. This man is hiding something. Chief Raymond has been moving like an expired receipt.

I looked so happy. You looked distracted. There’s a difference. Madam says it’s urgent. Sir. What? I think Chief Raymond’s wife is at your gate. Today is not a good day to die. Madam, I don’t want trouble. Good. I’m tired of trouble, too. That is what people say before slapping starts. I didn’t come to fight you.

I didn’t know he was married. I believe you. Women like you were never the problem. Men like him create rooms full of wounded women. This is not hush money. It’s a hospital contact, a good one. Why are you helping me? Because men disappear fastest during shame. And because the child did nothing wrong. That’s the club girl.

The pregnant one? I can hear them breathing judgment. Don’t look at them. Soft life don’t turn hard life. Abuja has humbled her. Aunty, please pick your own bread and leave my womb alone. Still sharp. Very good. You handled that well. No, I didn’t. I wanted to disappear. They don’t matter. I used to laugh at people, too.

Pain changes your ears. How? You hear cruelty differently when it is your name inside it. That’s just your conscience pricking you. You still hate cooking? Kunle? In the flesh. Slightly older, more tired, less foolish. So, you remembered me today. You look responsible now. Someone had to balance us.

Ouch. No insults, just history. You don’t have to do all this. I know. So, why are you doing it? Because you need help. Must everything have a hidden agenda? Zara, I may not have much, but I’m serious about you. Serious doesn’t pay rent in Abuja. I was cruel to you. You were lost, but I forgive you because you have realized your mistake.

Thanks a lot, Kunle. I really appreciate your forgiveness. Doctor, please. I want to do a DNA test for my unborn child. If the possible fathers cooperate, testing is possible. Doctor, cooperation and Abuja men are not in the same WhatsApp group. We still need formal consent. These men run from responsibility like cardio.

You are not wrong. Can DNA be done through arrogance? Because that one is available in plenty. We need to confirm properly. Please cooperate. Never contact me again. Very mature. Very billionaire. I’m sorry, baby. For what? For bringing you into adult confusion. Don’t worry, we’ll find the truth.

This situation is really frustrating. I understand. What happened to me? I looked alive. I felt alive. I thought I had it all figured out, but I didn’t know it was all emptiness. I was empty. Yes, YOU DIDN’T SAVE ME. YOU DIDN’T LOVE ME. All this noise and I was still alone. Cry, but don’t stay there. Mama, I ruined my life.

 You are still alive. Your life is not totally ruined. Your story is not over yet. I ignored you. I know, but I didn’t stop loving you. Money without purpose destroys people. If your identity is only attention, silence will terrify you. Mhm. That one touched you? It slapped me small. You’re writing plenty.

 I’m trying to rebuild common sense. I misplaced it in VIP section of nightclubs. You’re selling your Chanel bags? My baby cannot eat fashion. Wow. Growth has entered. Don’t clap yet. I still shouted at calculator yesterday. I think I’m scared, but peaceful. You’re smiling.

 I want to be better than who I was. That is how new life feels. This is the quietest I’ve ever seen you. Don’t insult my peace. I’m respecting it. Good. Peace is still new. It’s shy. I nearly poisoned us romantically. Romantically? So, this juice attempted murder? At least I tried. Trying is not seasoning. What if I’m a terrible mother? Bad mothers rarely worry about becoming bad mothers.

That sounded too wise. Are you charging consultation fee? For you, discount. You can cry. I won’t report you. I hate how normal you make kindness feel. It’s supposed to feel normal. Not in my world. Mama! What is it? The baby is coming. COMING WHERE? TO EARTH! WHERE IS THE HOSPITAL BAG? YOU PACKED IT! IF THIS BABY COMES IN THIS HOUSE, ALL OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE! EVERYBODY BREATHE.

EASY FOR YOU. YOUR BODY IS NOT OPENING BRANCH OFFICE. PUSH. MEN ARE WICKED. PUSH AGAIN. AFTER THIS, NOBODY SHOULD CALL ME BABY GIRL AGAIN. YOU CAN DO THIS. MAMA, I’m scared. I know. Push anyway. It’s a beautiful baby girl. My daughter. Thank you, God. She has arrived. What are you thinking about? Yesterday I thought my life was over.

And today? Today feels like the beginning. She looks exactly like you. Poor child. Drama has started early. Can you allow me and your mother would for 10 minutes? I’m just saying this baby already has facial expression. Why is she staring at me like tax officer? Maybe she knows you almost bent to you.

My dear, that matter has been settled. Not by this stew. I don’t know how to do this. Nobody knows at first. What if I make mistakes? You will. Then you will learn. Then I’ll learn fast. Abuja nightlife queen has given birth, but the question remains, who is the father? This gist is not ending anytime soon. The photos are everywhere.

 It’s blowing up. Naija blogs never sleep. More tea incoming. These people don’t rest. Give me that thing before you fight internet inside hospital. Internet people don’t raise children. But they talk like they pay school fees. Let them talk. Your baby needs your peace more than your reply. You see this world? Very noisy.

Don’t worry. I’ll teach you how to ignore nonsense early. Start with yourself. Sir, are you hiding from someone? I don’t want attention. You dress like attention. Nobody must know I came. You entered like thief and opened your mouth like press release. Zara, lower your voice. My voice was lower when you were ignoring my calls.

She’s beautiful. She did not need your approval to arrive fine. I will do the DNA test. Suddenly science is your friend? I deserve certainty. And I deserved honesty. See how everybody is deserving something? Do the test. After that stop entering my life through back door. Madam, tomatoes is expensive today.

How expensive can tomatoes be? Is it imported from heaven? Motherhood will teach you price of everything. Don’t worry. First child will humble you. She has already started. Last night she held meeting from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Welcome to motherhood. Is there exit form? Who trained babies to scream like alarm systems? She is hungry.

She ate 20 minutes ago. Babies don’t respect schedule. She will learn discipline in this house. She has rejected your policy. I brought reinforcements. Kunle, you may enter heaven from here. I also brought plantain. Now you’re showing off. EVERYBODY FREEZE. NOBODY MOVE. SIR, I’M JUST DANCING.

 I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG. DANCE IS STATEMENT ROOM. Put your hands where I can see them. PLEASE, I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING. You will explain inside. Don’t record me. Too late, sister. Several Abuja socialites were questioned last night after a nightclub raid. Aren’t you happy you escaped? You would have been one of them.

No, I am just grateful. That could have been me. But it is not. God dragged me out before I understood danger. You should be grateful to God for saving you. Your watch is suffering. I am not nervous. You wore dark glasses inside clinic. Please rest. Okay, let us proceed. Chief Raymond, you are not the father.

Oh my god. Thank god. Wow. I didn’t mean it like that. No. You meant it exactly like that. At least now we know Chief Raymond is not the baby father. No. We know who it is not. And somehow that hurts, too. Wait. These dates don’t match. What do you mean? You were not with Raymond this week.

Then who was I with? No way. What? There was someone else. Someone serious? The only serious one I didn’t take seriously. You don’t have to perform around me. I don’t know how not to. Then learn slowly. Please still have the same number. I treated him badly. Then start with the truth.

Zara. Toby, thank you for coming. You sounded scared. I am. I was lost. I know. You knew? Sorry, everybody around you was clapping while you were falling. I treated you badly. I am happy you have realized your errors. Hi, little madam. She has your eyes. You don’t even know if she’s yours.

Whatever happens, the child deserves peace. You’re not angry? I am hurt. But anger won’t help the child. I’m not used to men speaking sense under pressure. Then take notes. You’re shaking the table. The table should understand. Are you both ready? No. Yes. Toby is the father. Oh god. I don’t know why I’m crying.

Because you can finally breathe. She’s my daughter. You accepted her before knowing. She was a child before she was a result. Yes, you will make a very good father. I chose wrong for so long. Then choose better now. I want to. I used to think attention was love. I used to think money was peace.

But now I know that attention is not love. Money is not peace. How did you start again after everything? I stopped defending the version of me that was destroying me. That is deep. No, my sister, that one is experience. This house finally has peace. Except when baby starts shouting. She’s my daughter.

 Peace with small drama. Small? I chased the whole world and nearly lost myself. But you brought me home. Soft life is good, but peace is better. Zara once lived for nightlife, fake friends, and luxury lifestyle, but life interrupted her loudly. In the end, she starts to appreciate her family, peace, a second chance, and her little baby who saved her from herself.