Chapter 1

Last we heard was that Hannah was now very much in love with Chike and all the good things he stands to offer, such that she was desperately looking to get rid of Jonas permanently. This problem was one she set all her efforts to solve. New plans were thought up and subsequently trashed and she was getting frustrated, but one airy afternoon, while sitting just outside their house, she hit on a new idea that was easy, safe and less-risky. She would write a letter to Jonas, urging him to forget her and move on if he had not already done so. At least, before he comes back, Chike and I would be inseparable and even out of here, she thought. Dashing into the house, she quickly fetched a clean blank sheet and fell to work immediately. Hannah always kept her own counsel and she never told anyone her secrets, so it never crossed her mind to ask for opinions about this little venture of hers. Concentrating properly, she authored the letter as best she could, leaving no stone unturned. Starting with a cheerful but distant salutation and introduction, she slowly dropped the bomb the only way a woman knew how to. First, she playfully chided him for not getting in touch with her, then she went ahead to make him relaxed by assuring him that she was by no means angry with him. Next, she revealed her ripened discomfort about the mediocrity and lack of maturity of their relationship so far, emphasizing the fact that it was no fault of his and absolving him of any moral or other obligation he must feel toward her. Lastly, she intimated to him the imminent need for them to break up and move on, expressing her deepest regrets at the current state of affairs and wished him success in his future endeavour.

She was so engrossed in crafting the letter to Jonas that she did not notice her father's approach.

"Ahem," he coughed.

"Ah Papa," she started, quickly folding up the paper and forcing a smile to her face. "You're back. Eh... how was your journey? Le... Let me go and get you something to eat."

She had been scratching her hair and shifting from one foot to the other while her father watched her like an enthusiast watching fishes in the aquarium. She knew there would be lightning and thunderstorm if her father read her letter to Jonas, so she was in no small hurry to get inside the house and hide it.

"Eh... wait," he called out as she started running inside.

"What is it, Papa?" She asked, still smiling winningly.

"Is everything Okay?"

"Of course, Papa," she laughed. "Why do you ask?"

"This one that you're smiling and looking happy to see me and eager to prepare food for me... I hope all is well?"

"Ah Papa. You. Why won't all be well, eh? It's the breeze that's making me feel good. You know that inside is very hot and I hate heat."

"Okay," her father sighed, taking the seat she just left. "But what were you doing as I came?"

"Ahaha," she laughed. "Nothing... just eh... writing down some things I need."

"Ehen that's good. Bring it let me see."

"Eh... no, Papa. You don't need to worry about these ones. I don't need them immediately. In fact, I have just started writing, when I finish, I will let you know. Let me go and get food for you, you must be very hungry."

With that, she ran into the house, going straight to hide the letter at the bottom of her bag after which she breathed a deep sigh of relief and crossed herself in the Catholic manner. She then went to organize something for her father to eat.

The letter had been completed and sent through an intermediary to Jonas and Hannah felt happy and free. If there was any lingering problem, it would be her father, but she was confident that with time, she'd win him over or he'd be forced to align with her. Either way, she would be with Chike and they would live happily ever after in paradise. He had since declared his undying love for her and had expressed the wish to take her to his mansion any time her father was absent, but the old man seemed unready to leave the comfort of his little home even for an hour. One quiet evening, after he had taken his supper, he called his daughter and asked her to sit with him.

"Hannah, how is Jonas?" He asked.

"I don't know, Papa," she shrugged carelessly. "He has not contacted me up till now."

"Do you even care to know?" He asked again.

"Hmm..." She sighed. "I don't know whether I care, Papa. For all I know, he's with some other woman and has forgotten me completely."

"So is that why you're going about with this boy, Chike or whatever?"

"Eh?" She started. "I did not go out with anybody. Who told you that, Papa?"

"So you thought I wouldn't know?" He asked, slowly shaking his head.

"So who's he, this Chike?"

"Em..." She hesitated. "He's a friend bu... but I don't go out with him."

"I hope you're not dropping Jonas and going for Chike, eh Hannah?"

"Papa I'm not dropping anybody or taking anybody. Not that it will be my fault anyway. Since Jonas has forgotten me, who can blame me if I forget him too."

"Ah Hannah! Hannah!! Hannah!!! How many times did I call you?"

"I don't know, Papa. I did not count."

"Okay. Keep jumping like a grasshopper. Patience and loyalty are important virtues. You must be patient and loyal till the end, so that others will not desert you in your time of need instead of decamping unnecessarily because you think the grass is green on the other side. For all you know, Jonas may be unable to contact you and for all anybody knows, that Chike of a personality may be a ritualist. Be careful, Hannah. I will not cry with you tomorrow if you make stupid decisions today, so be careful."

"Hmm," she sighed, rising to her feet. "Okay, Papa. I have heard you. I'm going to sleep. Good night."

Like a basket, all her father's words drained through her, but unlike a basket, not one drop was left behind to add traces of moisture to the basket material. By the time she left the parlour and stepped into the room, she had already forgotten all about his lecture. She was in love with Chike and he loved her too. Whatever anyone thought about it was least her concern.