The kids looked out of the window as we drove into our new compound.

“Our new house is fine mommy.” Teye whispered faintly.

“yes it is.”

I loved that the house was far from the main road. I loved that it was far from all the bright lights and noise, far from anyone who knew David. The estate securities were excitedly sociable.

“Wehcome madam oh….yor shilren are too bitifu.” they said excitedly in different tones as they opened the main

“thank you.” I said calmly.

As we alighted from the car, the sight of our new house was peaceful and fascinating to look at.

The walls were made of brisks. And they were coconut trees flanking on the front yard.

The kids and I began to pack out our boxes and food stuffs from the car.

“mommy, this place is far from school.” Mfon broke the silence.

“You won’t be schooling there anymore. I will register you and your sister at a new school here on the mainland.” I said with a serious face. I didn’t look at their faces.

I knew that they were not happy to leave their former school, but it didn’t matter to me anymore. All I wanted was a private new life.

****

The next morning, I woke up with a headache, and a light fever.

The air conditioner was on but I felt warm and sticky, I was sweating terribly.

Switching on the bedside lamp I looked at the other bed, the kids were sleeping.

I was about to go back to sleep when my phone buzz under the pillow.

I tried to ignore the call and get some more sleep. A sleepy sigh floating up to the ceiling of the bedroom, but the phone rang again, and when I reluctantly check who the caller was, it turned out to be Lizzy.

“Hello?” I said in low tone.

“Ekom, where have you been?”

”I left the Island last evening.”

”oh God. my nurses said you’ve not been coming to the hospital for your antenatal.”

“Well, I was never comfortable coming to your clinic for antenatal, I never want David or anyone who knows me to see me with my baby bump.” I said girlishly.

Lizzy laughed out so loud over the phone.

“Talking of David. He walked into my office with some bunch of holy bishops yesterday and demanded to see you. I told him that I am not your keeper. but he didn’t believe me. He said that he went to the house, and discovered that everywhere was empty and locked up. I never knew you were planning to leave, are you leaving for America soon?

“not so soon. I will be planning for my visa tomorrow. I should be leaving before my third trimester.”

“I will see you before weekend then.”

”okay dear. But please don’t come here with anyone.”

Lizzy laughed and hung up the call.

I couldn’t go back to sleep anymore. I thought of reporting David to the police for publicly harassing me, I wanted him to stay off my life forever………….. To be continued.