“Good afternoon, sir. This is Azuka.”
Chibuike’s face changed immediately. He almost stopped the message, almost blocked the number, but he stayed still and listened.
Azuka continued, “I know you may never want to speak to me again, and I understand, but I need to tell you something about Muna.”
Chibuike’s hand paused on the phone. He listened more carefully now.
Azuka went on. “Did Muna ever tell you she has a daughter?”
Chibuike froze.
“A daughter?” he whispered.
The voice message continued.
“She has a little girl about 5 years old. Chibuike sat back slowly. His eyes did not leave the screen. When I first stayed with Muna, the child was living with her. Later she said she sent the child to her parents.”
Then she added, “You may not believe me, but I have proof.”
A moment later, files came in. Pictures, screenshots, short videos. Chibuike started opening them one by one. One picture showed Muna holding a little girl in her arms. The child smiled. They looked very much alike. Another picture showed the little girl with Muna and her parents in the same photo.
Then he saw a post, a birthday post of the same girl in a screenshot of Muna’s WhatsApp status. The caption read, “I love you so much, my baby, my angel.”
Chibuike stared at it. He did not blink for a moment. More images came in. More videos. The more he saw, the more real it started to feel. His heart felt heavy. He leaned back in his chair. Everything inside him started to break slowly.
He had already fallen deeply for Muna. He trusted her. But now his mind was full of questions.
Why did she never tell me?
Why hide something like this?
He felt hurt. Deeply hurt. In that moment of pain and confusion, he made a decision he did not think through. He picked up his phone. He blocked Muna. Then he blocked every way she could reach him.
Later that evening, he left his office. As his car reached the company gate, he stopped. He called the security guards. His voice was cold.
“From today, do not allow Muna into this company. Not even once.”
The guards looked surprised, but they replied quickly.
“Yes, sir.”
The car drove away.
That night, Muna waited. She kept checking her phone, but Chibuike did not come. Not even a message. Something felt wrong, very wrong. And she did not yet know that her world was about to change again.
The next morning, Muna picked up her phone. She dialed Chibuike’s number, but it did not go through. She tried again. Still nothing. She opened WhatsApp. She sent him a message. It did not deliver. She stared at her phone for a long time.
Something felt wrong. Her chest became tight. She tried to calm herself.
“Maybe he is busy,” she thought. “Maybe he is just in a meeting.”
But deep inside, she was not sure.
At work, Muna could not focus. She kept checking her phone again and again. No message, no call, nothing. Hours passed like that. By evening, she was already tired in her mind. Still, there was no word from him.
As she closed from work, she walked slowly out of the supermarket. Then she saw something. Chibuike’s car. It was driving out of the company gate. Her heart jumped. She quickly raised her hand and tried to wave.
“Chibuike,” she called out softly.
But the car did not stop. It kept moving and then it was gone. Muna stood still. Confusion filled her face.
“Why didn’t he stop?” she asked herself.
She started walking home slowly. Different thoughts came into her mind.
Did I do something wrong?
Did I say something bad?
Why is he avoiding me?
She could not find any answer.
That night, Muna lay on her bed, but she did not sleep. She kept turning from side to side. Her phone stayed in her hand, but there was still no message.
Across the room, Azuka lay quietly on her own bed. She had been watching Muna all day. She noticed the sadness. She noticed the silence. And inside her, something strange happened. A small smile formed on her face.
“So it is working,” she whispered to herself.
She turned away slowly, pretending to sleep. But inside her heart, she felt happy.
Muna lay awake the whole night. Her eyes stayed open. Her mind stayed heavy, and somewhere far away, Chibuike had already made a decision that would change everything.
The next morning, Muna was already on her way to work. Azuka had left the house earlier. In the past, they used to talk a lot. They used to share literally everything, but now everything had changed. They barely spoke to each other anymore.
As Muna walked, her mind was heavy. She kept thinking about Chibuike.
Why is he avoiding me?
She kept asking herself.
When she reached near the company building, she slowed down. She looked across the road. The big company gate was right there. The security man was standing by the gate. Muna stopped for a moment. Then she made a decision.
“I will go and see him,” she said softly to herself.
She crossed the road and walked to the gate. The security man saw her coming. He stepped forward quickly.
“Stop there,” he said.
Muna paused.
“I want to see Chibuike,” she said.
The guard shook his head.
“You cannot enter. I was instructed not to let you in.”
Muna looked confused.
“Who told you that?”
The guard replied, “I’m only following orders.”
Muna tried again. “Please, I just need to speak with him.”
But the guard stood firm. He did not allow her inside. Muna stood there confused and worried.
Just then, a car came toward the gate. The horn sounded. The guard turned quickly. Muna also turned. Her eyes widened. It was Chibuike. He was the one driving. The gate opened immediately. The car entered. Muna raised her hand fast.
“Chibuike,” she called out.
But the car did not stop. It passed right in front of her. He did not even look at her. Not even once.
Muna stood still. She could see his face clearly through the glass. Cold. No emotion, no reaction. He parked the car, got out, and walked straight into the building.
Muna felt something break inside her.
She whispered, “What’s going on?”
Slowly, she turned and walked back. Her steps were slow. Her mind was full. When she got to the supermarket, the manager was waiting at the door.
“You’re late,” the manager said sharply.
Muna quickly looked at her watch. Her eyes widened. She did not even realize the time.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry, ma,” she said quickly. “I lost track of time.”
The manager was not impressed.
“You will be punished,” she said.
That day, part of Muna’s salary was deducted, but Muna did not even argue. Her mind was somewhere else. Chibuike, his silence, his cold eyes. That was all she could think about.
That night, she lay on her bed, but sleep did not come. Across the room, Azuka lay quietly, but she was not asleep. She had seen everything, and slowly a small smile formed on her face.
“It is working,” she whispered to herself.
Outside, the night stayed quiet. But inside Muna’s heart, something was starting to fall apart.
The next morning, she made a decision.
“I will go early,” she said softly. “I will wait for him outside the company until he talks to me.”
The next morning, Muna woke up very early. She got ready quickly and left for the company. It was so early that the sun had not come out yet. Muna walked fast. She did not want to miss Chibuike.
When she reached the company gate, she sat on the curb outside. She kept waiting. After a while, the security man noticed her. He walked out.
“Remember, you’re not allowed into the company premises,” he said.
Muna looked at him calmly.
“I know,” she replied.
The man looked at her for a moment, but said nothing more. Time passed slowly. Then a car drove toward the gate. Muna stood up immediately. Her heartbeat faster. It was Chibuike. Before the car could pass, she ran in front of it and blocked the gate.
The car stopped suddenly. The horn sounded again and again, but Muna did not move.
“Chibuike, please talk to me,” she shouted. “Tell me what I did wrong.”
Her voice carried across the gate. The security man rushed forward.
“Move,” he said, trying to pull her away.
But Muna sat down on the ground.
“I will not move until he talks to me,” she said loudly.
Inside the car, Chibuike stayed silent for a moment. Then he rolled down the window.
“Let her in,” he said coldly.
The security man quickly opened the gate. Muna stood up and ran in behind the car. Chibuike parked and stepped out. Without looking at her, he walked straight into the building. Muna quickly followed him.
“Chibuike, please wait,” she called.
They entered his office. He pointed to a chair.
“Sit,” he said.
Muna shook her head.
“No, I will stand. Just tell me what I did.”
Chibuike looked at her for a long time. Then he picked up his phone. He showed her pictures, videos, screenshots. Muna looked at them. Her face changed. Then Chibuike said, “Why didn’t you tell me you have a daughter? I trusted you.”
Muna stared at him. Then she suddenly let out a breath.
“Wait, is this why you have been acting like this?”
Chibuike frowned. “What do you mean?”
Muna looked at the phone again.
“Where did you get this from?”
Chibuike replied, “Your roommate.”
Muna closed her eyes for a moment. Then she spoke calmly.
“That is not my daughter.”
Chibuike froze. He did not speak. Muna continued.
“She is my brother’s child.”
Chibuike listened closely now. Muna explained everything slowly.
“My brother went abroad years ago. The family helped him go. But when he got there, life was not easy for him. His girlfriend discovered she was pregnant for him just as he left. When the baby was born, she could not take care of her alone.
“She struggled with the child for about a year. Then one morning, she brought the child to my parents. She said she could no longer feed herself and the child. My brother was still struggling abroad at the time.”
Muna’s voice stayed steady.
“I became very close to her. She felt like my own child because I cared for her every day. That is why people think she is mine.”
She looked at Chibuike.
“But she is not my daughter.”
Silence filled the room. Chibuike looked down for a moment, then back at her. Muna continued.
“Most people never even asked me. They just assumed. And Azuka, she never asked too. She just guessed.”
Chibuike stayed still. Slowly, everything started making sense to him.
Muna stepped closer.
“I would never hide something like that from you,” she said. “If I had a child, I would tell you.”
Her eyes became a little wet.
“I was hurting when you ignored me. I did not understand why you suddenly changed.”
Chibuike closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his voice was low.
“I’m sorry. I should have asked you directly.”
Muna stayed quiet. Then she said, “It hurt me, but I understand now.”
Chibuike looked at her.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
He kept repeating it. After a while, Muna finally spoke.
“I forgive you.”
Chibuike relaxed a little. Then he said, “But you cannot stay in that house anymore.”
Muna looked surprised. “What?”
He continued, “It is not safe for you there anymore. If Azuka could plan this against you, then you can never tell what her next plan would be.”
He paused.
“After work today, wait for me. I have something for you.”
Muna looked confused. “What is it?”
Chibuike smiled slightly. “You will see.”
Muna left the office slowly, still thinking about his words. That day at work, she could not stop smiling. Even while working, she kept thinking about him.
In the evening, Chibuike came to pick her up. When Azuka saw them together again, her face changed. She could not believe it. They were close again and happy. But she said nothing. She only watched.
Later, Chibuike drove Muna to one of his company estates. He stopped in front of a beautiful apartment building. Muna looked confused.
“Where are we?” she asked.
Chibuike stepped out and walked to her side. Then he handed her a key. Muna froze.
“What is this?” she asked softly.
“This is your new home,” he said.
Muna could not speak for a moment. She looked at the building, then at him, then back at the key.
“This is for me?” she finally asked.
“Yes,” he said.
Tears filled her eyes. She hugged him tightly.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Chibuike smiled.
“You deserve safety,” he said, “not stress.”
They walked inside together. The apartment was beautiful, clean, fully furnished. Everything was already arranged. Even new clothes that Chibuike had bought for her were inside the wardrobe.
Muna covered her mouth in shock. She could not believe it.
That night, Chibuike drove her back to the old apartment so she could pack her things. When they entered, Azuka was sitting inside. She saw them. She saw the bags. She saw Muna packing, but she said nothing. She just sat there quietly, watching.
Muna did not argue. She did not shout. She simply packed her things. Then she looked at Azuka one last time and walked out. Azuka stayed silent.
On the way to the new apartment, Chibuike spoke.
“I will get you a better job soon,” he said. “At the new headquarters. For now, just rest.”
Muna smiled softly. “Thank you,” she said.
That night, Muna lay in her new room. The bed was soft. The room was quiet. No stress, no fear. For the first time in days, she slept peacefully.
From that night onward, everything changed for Muna and Chibuike. They became very close. Not just close, but deeply connected. They spent more time together. They went out together. They talked about everything. Slowly, Chibuike began to know Muna more and more. And Muna also started to understand him better.
One weekend, they visited Muna’s parents. It was there Chibuike finally saw the little girl properly. He smiled when he saw her. The child was happy to see Muna too. After that day, nothing stood between them again.
Chibuike kept his promise. He gave Muna a good job at the company headquarters. Now they saw each other even more. Every day felt better than the last.
But one evening, something different happened. Chibuike called Muna out for dinner again, just like always. Nothing looked strange. They sat at their reserved table. They ate together. They talked. They laughed softly. But then Chibuike went quiet.
