Planning a wedding was a family affair. As Gladys’s wedding drew closer, she came to the house more often, meeting with their parents and cousins, especially those she had sent invites to. As a result, Ada found herself seeing her sister far more than usual.

When she got back home from her visit to Ebuka, Gladys was already there. She had bought Richard some snacks, and had drafted him in her wedding plans. In fact, he was the little groom, and she had brought a fashion designer to take his measurements as well. With Richard, Gladys had a special relationship. It was her, she could not stand.

“It’s good you’re here,” their mother said, as soon as Ada entered. “The caterer will be here soon, and I think you should be in the meeting too. Let us know if she is overcharging us, and that the menu makes sense.”

Ada nodded in acceptance and Gladys butted in: “You cannot tell her to supervise a professional. The caterer knows what she is doing. No need to micromanage her.” 

Their mother shook her head, disagreeing with Gladys. “Even a professional needs supervision at a wedding, if you don’t want things to flop.”

“I am staying out of it.” Ada said, and made to leave for her room, but stopped at Gladys’ statement, which was directed at their cousin, Njideka.

“She gets angry at everything, taking it personally, and now we must walk on eggshells because of what she is going through.”

“Your marriage can’t be easy on her, when hers failed.” Njideka replied, sympathetically. 

“You ladies should stop this foolish talk,” their mother warned, trying to avoid a confrontation, but it was as though something sparked in Ada. She usually would walk away from a conversation like this, but her son was here, and hearing comments like this was becoming a little too much for him.

“You can stop talking about my failed marriage as though I have a disease. I made a mistake, but it is not the end of me. I am bouncing back, and things will be better for me, so please let me move on in peace. More importantly, watch what you say in front of Richard. Stop scarring my boy with your thoughtless opinions.” Ada blurted, then pulled her son with her as she walked out of the room.

No one followed her to apologise, they were probably still shocked by her response, and she was grateful. She needed time alone to process something else that had happened earlier this evening, and could not find it in her to dwell on her sister.

A Few Hours Earlier 

When Ada followed Ebuka to deliver his father’s lunch, the man had lit up in excitement at the sight of her, muttering in happiness that he was glad to finally meet his son’s Nkem.

“I am not Nkem sir.” She said politely after greeting the old man. Nkem was probably Ebuka’s girlfriend, a thought that she struggled to note without feeling bad, but it slightly hurt.

“You are my son’s Nkem.” the man  continued to say, and reached out to hold her hands, raining blessings upon her and her union with his son. The man was going on and on, and Ada signalled to Ebuka to correct him, but he simply smiled, as though the situation was amusing. What he said instead, was that she had cooked the pepper soup and had come to serve him by herself, which further warmed the man’s heart.

“Oh Nkem, thank you.” he had said, and Ada resigned to fate. Whatever Ebuka’s father needed to believe to be happy was okay by her. A little role play wasn’t going to hurt her, she thought, then he shocked her further. “So, tell me my daughter, what is your name?”

Ada was confused. He had called her Nkem. Why was he asking for her name? She was so spellbound by his confusion. She stared at him in confusion, not knowing what to say.

“Her name is Ada.” Ebuka said on her behalf, still smiling as though he was coming to a realisation.

“Ada, come and sit here.” the old man said, shifting on his bed to make room for her, and Ebuka pleaded with his eyes that she obliged him.

“Our Nkem, you have made me so happy by coming here today. Now, I can go and rest because you are here…”

Ebuka didn’t let his father finish. At the statement, he quickly came to sit on the other side. 

“Papa, you cannot go and rest yet.” He pleaded, but the old man simply smiled, looking from one person to the other, holding their hands. Suddenly, he did the weirdest thing, putting her hand in Ebuka’s hand.

“Your life is about to begin again. I pray that what you have always wanted from your mother and I, you will get from your wife.” Ebuka’s father said, then he dropped their hands.

“Both of you should leave me alone.” he shooed them away. “I want to enjoy this pepper soup in privacy. You know, the best meals are enjoyed when no one is watching.” he said, and they obliged him.

When they got out of the room, Ada was shaking from the encounter.

“I am sorry.” Ebuka said as they stood at the entrance of his father’s room. Ada failed to meet his eye, he held her hands and raised her face to meet his.

“I hope you don’t feel used. I am really sorry that I could not correct him.” Ebuka apologised further, and finally, she nodded in understanding. 

“I believe he needed that.” Ada said, and Ebuka nodded, glad she understood.

“Yes Nkem, he needed that.” he added and they both burst into laughter till Emeka dropped a bombshell.

“What if this was not a joke? What if it is a prophecy?” Ebuka asked, and Ada dropped her hands sharply.

He was playing with her, planting hope of something that could never be.

“Well, you already know that it can’t be. I am damaged. If you ever felt anything for me that could make this possible, it still won’t be, because… because….” Her voice began shaking, and Ebuka pulled her hand to move her closer to him, holding her waist with his other hand, steading her, his face close to hers. He looked like he wanted to say something reassuring, but instead, he planted a kiss on her cheeks, then pulled back, his hands swiftly going into his pocket, she almost wondered if she imagined the kiss.

However, it wasn’t imagined. Ebuka pecked her, and said nothing. Instead, he directed her towards the door, as they both walked out of the building, towards the car, to be driven away by Alex, whom he told to drop her at home.

She had said that she was damaged, that nothing could possibly happen between them, then he pecked her. Was he trying to tell her something? Was that his way of comforting her? What is all this?

“Mummy, can I go back outside?” Richard asked, breaking into her thoughts. She had completely forgotten that he was there. Just as she gave her nod of approval, Gladys entered the room, but Richard still ran off.

“I came to apologise.” Gladys said, and Ada smiled despite the turmoil going on in her.

“That’s quite the record. Twice in one day.”

Gladys rolled her eyes.

“Don’t make this more difficult than it should be.”

“Sit down,” Ada instructed her younger sister, who did as she was told.

“This awkwardness between us needs to stop. We don’t have to be friends, but we need to be civil and kind towards each other, because deep down, we love one another, and as far as I can remember, nothing happened between us to warrant animosity.”

Gladys nodded.

“It’s largely my fault. Most people can’t tolerate my big mouth, except Ebuka. I will do better.”

It was as though the mention of his name summoned a call from him, because Ada’s phone began to ring, and it was Ebuka calling. Before she could pick the call or mute it, Gladys picked it.

“Why is he calling?” she asked, then hit the receive button.

“Ada, we need to see each other again today. I can’t get you out of my head, and we need to talk about that kiss.” Ebuka blurted out as soon as the line went through.

“You kissed?” Gladys asked in utter shock, and Ebuka went silent on the other end of the line.

“Grace, did you kiss Ebuka?” Gladys directed the question at Ada this time, but Ebuka came to her rescue. He obviously knew that she must be very embarrassed right now.

“I kissed her on the cheek.” Ebuka confessed.

“Ebuka? This is my sister. You can’t play games with her. She has been through a lot. You can’t be messing with her.” Gladys screamed into the phone.

“I am not playing games with her. I… I…” Ebuka said, stuttering.

“Then what are you doing? You think I have not noticed? Gladys accused waiting for an answer, but Ada had gotten over the shock and had enough.

“With all due respect Gladys, this is between Ebuka and I, please stay out of it.”

Gladys was taken aback in shock.

“Oh really? No problem, just don’t come crying to me when you guys get over whatever high you are on right now. Word of advice though, Ebuka is never the heartbroken one.” she said as stormed out of the room.

“I am sorry. I should have warned you.” Ada said into the phone.

“It’s fine. She would have found out anyway.” Ebuka said, trying to sound confident.

Ada sighed.

“She would have found out what?”

“That if you give me a chance in your life, I won’t break your heart.”

“Ebuka!” Ada exclaimed

“I think we need to do this face to face. Can I come?” Ebuka asked.

“How is your father? Is he fine?” Ada wanted to know. The man had sounded like he was about to eat his last meal when she was there earlier.

“The most shocking thing happened Ada. It feels like a miracle, but my father is very well and okay. In fact, I just dropped him off at his place.”

“What!” Ada exclaimed, because it didn’t make sense. 

“He insisted that he was fine, and needed to be in a space he was familiar with, so I let him go, but I will stay there with him tonight, after I am done with you.”

Done with her?

“What are you saying, Ebuka?”

“I am not saying anything more, until we see. Wear something nice, I will pick you up in thirty minutes.” he said, paused a bit to see if she would turn him down, then ended the call.

Ada was dazed.

Ebuka was coming to take her out on a date.

The same Ebuka who never noticed her in secondary school. Ebuka the head boy that everyone wanted. The same Ebuka that was so sweet to her son, who turned his car into a mini supermarket. Ebuka that had given her a second chance at life, an opportunity to send her son back to school; the Ebuka that deserved a better woman, but had chosen her instead.

“Lord, what is happening to me? Am I dreaming?”

Ada was still lost in thought when her mother came in and sat beside her.

“Ah,” she said softly, studying her face. “Why do you look so confused like this? Forgive Gladys. You know how she is.”

Ada nodded. “I know. She means well.”

Her mother tilted her head. “Then why do you look like this?”

Ada hesitated. “It’s not about Gladys, Mummy.”

“Then what is it?” her mother pressed gently. “What is bothering you?”

Ada shook her head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Her mother sighed. “You always say that. You never talk. You never ask for advice. You keep everything inside, and it pains me. Even what happened with your former husband, part of the reason Gladys is still upset is because you didn’t talk to anyone. You shut everyone out just because we cautioned you. Don’t live life in isolation. I am your mother, Ada. Is something wrong with you?”

Ada swallowed. “Nothing is wrong with me. I’m just… confused.”

“About what?”

She stared at the floor for a long moment before speaking.

“I think Ebuka likes me.”

Her mother blinked. “How?”

Ada laughed weakly. “Exactly. I’m confused too. Men like Ebuka don’t just start liking women like me.”

Her mother sat up straighter. “Wait. What are you saying? Why would you think you’re not worthy of him?”

“Mummy—”

“For a long time,” her mother continued, “we thought Ebuka would end up with Gladys, that’s why I am surprised, but that doesn’t mean we ever thought you weren’t good enough.”

Ada shook her head. “Mummy, at this stage of my life, I cannot afford to make another mistake. Do you even know who Ebuka is? Do you know what people say about him? He’s a big man. He rubs shoulders with the biggest people in this state. I know who I am, definitely not his status.”

Her mother looked at her steadily. “You are a big girl too.”

Ada scoffed. “Mummy, I’m not.”

“You’ve been redeemed,” her mother said firmly. “Your story is not as bad as you think. Yes, you made a mistake, but something good came out of it. Do you regret Richard?”

“No,” Ada said immediately. “Never.”

“Then perhaps,” her mother said gently, “what you regret are your choices”. What you need now is to forgive yourself and allow your life to begin again. The Bible says, “there is hope for a tree that has been cut down, it will sprout again.”

Ada didn’t respond.

Her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

So what time should I pick you up? — Ebuka.

Her heart raced. She typed quickly.

Please don’t come.

Her mother saw the message and frowned. “Ada, what is wrong with you?”

“Mummy, please,” Ada said, standing. “Let me process this. I can’t. I just can’t.”

She walked out of the room before her mother could say anything else.

—————————————————————————————————–

Richard saw his mother as she stepped out of the room and immediately ran toward her, tugging at her hand.

“Mummy, come,” he said, pulling her away from the walkway where his ball lay abandoned.

“Richard, where are you taking me?” she asked, smiling.

He led her into the compound and stopped at the wooden bench under the tree. Climbing up first, he patted the space beside him.

She sat.

He studied her face carefully.

“Mummy,” he said, “you’re okay?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Why do you ask?”

He nodded slowly. “Just checking to see if you’re still happy.”

She smiled. “I am.”

“I like it,” he said. “You don’t cry anymore.”

Her chest tightened. “I didn’t cry before.”

Richard shook his head. “You think I don’t see you?” he said. “I see you. When you cry in the night. When you think I’m sleeping.”

She swallowed hard.

“It makes my heart go pee-loo,” he added, pressing his small hand to his chest. “Like it wants to break.”

She pulled him close.

“But now,” he continued, his voice lighter, “I’m happy.”

“Why?” she asked softly.

“Because you’re happy,” he said simply. “And I don’t want anything to make you sad again.”

She smiled through the ache in her throat. “This boy. You’re too young to be worrying about me.”

“I’m not too young,” he said firmly. “You have to choose happy.”

She blinked. “Choose happy?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “You have to make yourself happy.”

She laughed softly. “Since when did you become this wise?”

He grinned. “I heard it in a film yesterday.”

“Ah,” she said, shaking her head. “So that’s it.”

“But you trained me,” he added proudly.

Then he jumped down from the bench, picked up his ball, and ran off.

She stayed seated for a moment, watching him.

“Happiness is a choice,” she murmured.

And for the first time in a long while, the words didn’t feel heavy. They felt possible.

One Week Later

“Ebuka, I’m getting married tomorrow. Can we not do this right now?” Gladys snapped.

She had been avoiding his calls ever since the day she accidentally answered one meant for Ada, but thankfully she picked today, and knowing her, Ebuka knew she needed him for something.

“Stop being dramatic,” Ebuka said calmly. “You’re getting married tomorrow, which gives me a legitimate reason to want to make things right with you. I’m on your train, remember?”

She scoffed. “Of all the women in the world, you chose my sister.”

“And is that a bad thing?” he asked. “I care about her.”

“Care?” Gladys echoed. “And when you stop caring tomorrow, where does that leave her?”

“I won’t stop caring about Ada,” Ebuka said firmly. “I think I’m in love with her. But I can’t even explore it if she won’t give me a chance to date me.”

“You think?” Gladys hissed.

“Why are you so against this?” he asked. “You know me. You know I don’t toy with people. Ada is holding back because she’s afraid, and because of you.”

“She’s right to be afraid,” Gladys said. “After a failed marriage and a child, Ada can’t afford games.”

“I’m not a game,” Ebuka replied quietly. “And I’m not playing one. I want to be with her. Be a friend and help me.”

There was a pause.

“So now because you like my sister, I’m no longer your best friend, abi, I am just a friend?” Gladys asked dryly.

Ebuka smiled. “You’re getting married tomorrow. I’m sure your fiancé has taken that position already.”

Her voice softened. “I really like Chukwudi.”

“I’m glad,” Ebuka said. “I want that kind of certainty too, with Ada.”

“You want to marry Ada?”

“I want to start a relationship,” he corrected. “One step at a time. Let God lead.”

She laughed quietly. “You really like Ada Grace. This isn’t a joke.”

“It isn’t.”

“Okay, Mr Lover Man,” Gladys said at last. “I give up. Be with her if she lets you but I need you today.”

“For?”

“I need to pick up my reception dress from MY Couture before they close.”

“Of course,” he said. “You’re the bride.”

The office door was open, so Ada stepped in.

Ebuka looked up and smiled, motioning for her to sit. Unaware he was on a call, she obeyed, her heart pounding.

“Can I ride with you to Gladys’s wedding?” she asked, the words tumbling out before fear could stop her.

Ebuka froze, then smiled.

“I’ll call you back,” he said into the phone.

Ada jumped up. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise—”

He stood and met her halfway, gently holding her hands.

“I may not need your help after all,” he told Gladys, then he ended the call and dropped the phone on his desk.

“I’m really sorry,” Ada said. “I didn’t know.”

“Why are you always apologising?” he asked softly, guiding her back to the couch.

“You could have finished your call,” she murmured, unable to meet his eyes.

“I was actually learning strategies to win you over,” he said lightly.

She smiled despite herself.

“I’m not asking you out,” she said.

He tilted her chin gently. “If you go with me tomorrow, that’s a date. And if it’s a date, it won’t be the last.”

She nodded, overwhelmed.

“Nkem,” he said quietly. “Do you agree?”

The name stirred something deep within her, his father’s voice, a blessing she once thought impossible.

“I agree,” she whispered.

Ebuka exhaled, relief and gratitude washing over him.

“I still don’t see what you see in me,” Ada said, even as he drew her closer.

“With you,” he replied, resting her hand over his heart, “I see everything. Hope. Peace. A future. I see the woman God says is the one.”

“The one?” she asked softly.

“One and only.”

He kissed her forehead, holding her gently, as though afraid the moment might break.

She is the one.

Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope.

 (Job 11:17–18)

———————————————————————————————————————

Author’s Note

Thank you so much for reading this novella.

This short story was written to capture what second chances truly feel like. Many of us have missed our way at some point, and I felt this was a fitting story to return to. I originally wrote it in 2022, and while I added a few scenes to give it more flesh, it remains a simple story at heart, a reminder that there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again.

As we close one year and step into a new one, I hope your anchor is in this truth: beginning again is possible. And when you choose to begin again, you open yourself up to new possibilities, sometimes quietly, sometimes unexpectedly.

Before I sign off, I also want to share this.

Our heart desire is to print these stories and distribute them freely to schools, to unbelievers, and to Christians who are still growing in their faith. Storytelling is our way of reaching hearts, but we cannot do it alone. Beyond sharing stories on this platform, we need support to do more.

If this story blessed you, please continue to support the work in any way you can.

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Thank you.

With love,

Happy New Year 🤍

Here’s to new beginnings and second chances.