SONIA
I had gone home early the next day, my thoughts racing faster than my steps as I hurried through my front door. I needed time—time to prepare Tracy's welcome meal, and time to figure out how I was going to break that news.
Fred.
Back.
Alive, present, and ready to meet Tracy.
The thought alone made my chest tighten. I inhaled deeply and tied my apron before getting to work.
In the kitchen, the aroma of fried yam filled the air as I flipped each golden strip with mechanical precision. On the other burner, the egg sauce simmered—rich, colorful, dotted with diced peppers and onions. On the counter, the diced chicken breast rested on a bed of fresh salad, sprinkled with just enough seasoning to make Tracy hum with approval.
My heart, however, wasn't humming. It was heavy. Heavier than the pan in my hand.
I reached for a bottle of wine, poured it into my favorite curved glass, and without waiting to breathe in the scent, I leaned my head back and gulped everything down. The glass landed on the counter with a thud louder than I intended.
Fred's face flashed in my mind again, then dissolved into another face—Kelvin.
My jaw tightened.
Kelvin, my boyfriend... or the man I used to think was my boyfriend. I had suspected he was cheating again. The same pattern. The same shift in behavior. The same disappearing acts.
I shook my head in disappointment, letting out a slow breath.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... apparently, shame on me, I thought bitterly.
I couldn't believe I'd actually taken him back after the first betrayal. I regretted it now. And worse, I had spent days pretending in his house—smiling, acting normal, pretending not to know what I knew. Pretending I didn't hear the late-night whispers on the phone. Pretending I didn't see the messages pop up on his screen, and the floral scent on his pillow when I sniffed it.
I'd wanted to catch him red-handed before saying a word. Evidence. That was my plan.
I poured myself another glass of wine, drank it almost instantly, and forced my mind to shift.
Tracy.
I packed the dishes into a fancy set of serving bowls, arranging everything like it was a photo shoot for a food magazine. Then I headed out of the kitchen, set the dishes on the dining table, and went straight to my bedroom.
The cold shower was supposed to reset me, but the water only washed the surface. The emotions underneath still burned. Even so, I composed myself. I couldn't dump Kelvin's drama on Tracy—not today. Not when Tracy would be returning from a beautiful trip.
No.
I would keep it to myself awhile longer. Confirm everything first.
No need to spill half-baked heartbreak.
When I finished showering and dressed into something comfortable, I walked out of my room. Immediately a knock came on the door.
Then—Ding-dong! The door bell rang.
I froze for a moment, then hurried to the door. Then swung it open.
Tracy stood there, suitcase by her side, cheeks glowing from sun and sea breeze, smiling like she had just won a trip around the world.
"SONIAAAA!" she squealed.
My eyes flicked over Tracy's shoulder just in time to catch a car driving away.
Eli.
Of course.
Tracy dropped her luggage and threw her arms around me, almost lifting me off the ground.
"You're back!" I laughed, hugging her tightly.
"And glowing!" Tracy replied, striking a pose and flipping her hair like a runway model.
*******
Later—inside the living room
Tracy kicked off her sneakers dramatically, heading straight to the dinning table. Then I returned from the kitchen with a bottle of wine and two glass cups.
"You made my favorite? Fried yam? Egg sauce? Chicken salad? Who died and replaced you with a personal chef?" Tracy gasped.
"Shut up and eat your food," I laughed, rolling my eyes.
Tracy took one bite of the yam. Instantly her eyes widened.
"Oh my God... this... THIS is what Jesus meant in the Bible when he said 'taste and see that the Lord is good.' Sonia, who hurt you? This meal is emotionally motivated!"
I choked on my laughter. "Just eat, jare."
Tracy stuffed her cheeks and spoke with her mouth full. "So—let me gist you. Maldives was an absolute dream. Like, Sonia, when I tell you Eli treats me like a queen, I mean QUEEN. Q-U-E-E—"
"N," I cut in.
"Whatever. The point is, the man carried me on his back—his BACK—through the water because I said my feet were cold! Do you know how much i weigh?"
"Tracy, please, you don't weigh much."
"Girl, I am emotionally heavy, spiritually heavy, financially heavy, and physically—"
"You're ridiculous."
Tracy burst out laughing. "Okay, okay. But for real, Eli is unbelievable. On the second night, he rented an entire rooftop for just the two of us. Candlelight. Jazz music. Breeze blowing my wig but I acted classy. Do you know I almost cried?"
"You?" I raised a brow.
"Okay maybe I didn't cry, but I sniffed small."
I shook my head, smiling for the first time that day. "You're insane."
"Wait!" Tracy pointed a fork. "Let me tell you about the dolphins—"
"You saw dolphins?"
"Yes! And Sonia, when they jumped, I screamed, 'Yaaaaas queen!' Eli was like, 'Tracy please stop embarrassing me.' But I couldn't help it, they were so graceful! Like... like me!"
I burst into genuine laughter this time.
Tracy leaned closer, lowering her voice mischievously.
"And then... guess what happened on our last night?"
"What?" I asked, raising my brows.
"Eli tried to teach me how to swim."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes. Let's just say... if he didn't hold me, I would currently be talking to you as a ghost."
I shook my head. "I warned you to practice before traveling."
"I did practice! In the bathtub. That counts."
"No, Tracy, it really doesn't."
Tracy giggled. Then suddenly she gasped dramatically.
"Oh! Sonia wait... what's with you? You look tired. Stressed. Your eyes look like someone that just saw a ghost or a very ugly man."
I blinked quickly. "Me? No oh, I'm fine. Maybe just tired."
"Lie." Tracy narrowed her eyes. "Your face—your aura—your spirit—something is off. Spill."
I swallowed hard.
This was the moment I had dreaded.
Fred.
Kelvin.
Everything.
But I forced a smile.
"Let's just say a lot happened while you were gone."
Tracy leaned in, eyes wide.
"Sonia. Don't tease me. Tell me EVERYTHING. I am ready. My chest is open.
"Finish your food first," I insisted, folding my arms.
Tracy squinted at me. "Soniaaaa don't do me like this. My chest is open, my soul is ready!"
"Eat. First," I repeated, pointing at the remaining yam.
Tracy groaned dramatically, grabbed her fork like she was about to fight someone, and stuffed the rest of the food into her mouth at record speed.
Done, she dropped the fork. "Oya. Talk."
Instead of talking, I stood up, grabbed Tracy's suitcase and began rolling it toward the bedroom.
Tracy jumped up. "Ah! Sonia! Sonia, come back here! Don't be doing mystery woman for me. I don finish my food, abeg spill it!"
But I didn't say a word rather, walked straight into Tracy's room and sat on the edge of the bed, arms folded and eyes distant.
Tracy hovered at the door, confused.
"Soniaaaaaa," she dragged the name, "my friend, my dear, my sugar... talk oh!"
I looked up slowly.
"I'll tell you later, Tracy. Just unpack your things. And bring the things you bought for me. Or you no carry anything come for me?"
Tracy gasped dramatically. "Why not baby? I got a LOT of stuffs for you!"
Despite being worried about my attitude, she kept calm. Tracy knelt by her suitcase and began unpacking with excitement bubbling around her.
"Okay," Tracy said, unzipping the luggage. "Gift number one!"
She pulled out a silky turquoise scarf.
"This," she said with princess-like elegance, "is for your neck. Because you're always complaining about AC chilling you like beef in freezer."
I cracked a smile. "It's pretty."
"Pretty? This thing is gorgeous," Tracy corrected, draping it around my neck. "You will slay with it."
Next, she lifted a small box.
"Gift number two—perfume. Eli chose this one. He said, and I quote: 'Get something soft but dangerous... like Sonia.'"
I blinked. "He said that?"
"Word for word." Tracy sprayed it in the air. "Smell it! Sweet but will finish a man's destiny. Perfect for you."
I laughed softly.
"Gift number three!" Tracy dug deeper. "A new pair of slippers because the one you're wearing is crying for retirement."
"Wow. Insult as a gift. Thank you."
"No problem," Tracy giggled.
Then she pulled out a cute dress—a pastel pink sundress.
"I saw this and I screamed, 'Sonia!' It literally looks like you. Try it on later."
I held the dress lovingly. "This is really beautiful, Trace."
"And last but not least..." Tracy grinned wickedly. "Lip gloss. Because your lips remain the only part of you that behaves."
I burst out laughing. "You're stupid."
"I know," Tracy bowed. "You're welcome."
We both laughed, the tension melting slightly.
After spreading all the gifts on the bed like treasures, Tracy turned to me.
"Oya, talk. Spill or keep it to yourself. Choose."
I inhaled sharply.
"Okay. Let me start."
I sat up straight.
"So... Tracy... while you were gone... something happened."
Tracy's smile faded. "What happened?"
"You remember Tolu?"
"Uhh... the club guy?"
"Yes. He came over at Kelvin's house yesterday—when everything happened."
Tracy nodded. "You were with Kelvin throughout my journey right?"
I nodded.
"Tolu came and told us something. Something big. Something about... Fred."
Tracy froze. "Fred...who's Fred?"
Sonia whispered. "Your Fred. Your long-lost Romeo from uni. The one you saw through your window, the one you've been longing for."
Tracy blinked. "That's unbelievable. Stop joking."
"I'm not. He's back. He's in town. And... he wants to see you."
Tracy let out a long, strange laugh—almost painful.
Then the laugh slowly died.
Her knees buckled and she slumped onto the bed.
I grabbed her quickly. "Tracy! Hey! Hey! Calm down!"
But Tracy shook uncontrollably, eyes wide.
"Why now?" she cried. "Why NOW, Sonia? Why?!"
I held her tighter. "Hey, breathe."
"I've already fallen for Eli," Tracy whispered, tears welling. "I like him. A lot."
"I know."
"And you said Fred wants to see me?"
I nodded slowly.
Tracy dragged a hand down her face. She looked like she was seeing ghosts.
"This is madness," she whispered.
"Let's talk," I said gently.
Tracy sighed shakily. "Okay. Okay... where do we start?"
"He said he wants to meet. Tolu sounded very serious when he said that."
Tracy leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"So... Fred just returned out of nowhere? After all these years? After disappearing like Thanos?"
"He didn't disappear intentionally," I said softly. "Tolu explained everything. He... he went through a lot. His family too. Long story."
"And he wants to see me?" Tracy asked again, voice tiny.
"Yes."
Tracy laughed bitterly. "Wow. My own love life is a Nollywood movie."
I touched her hand. "Trace... you don't have to decide anything now."
"But I want to see him," Tracy said suddenly. "At least to understand what happened. Why he vanished. Why he never came back until now."
"That's fair."
"But I also don't want to hurt Eli Sonia... that man is good. He is so good to me."
I nodded. "Yes. I can see it. He's a good guy."
"So what do I do?" Tracy asked, voice trembling. "I have two men now? One from the past, one from the present? My heart is confused."
"Let's break it down," I said. "Fred is your unfinished story... Eli is your current story."
"And I can't mix both stories, abi?"
"No."
Tracy groaned. "This is too much."
"We'll take it step by step," I said. "First—meet Fred. Hear him out. No pressure. No decision. Just closure."
"And Eli?"
"Be honest... but not yet. One thing at a time."
Tracy nodded slowly, thinking.
"This is insane," she whispered again. "Fred. My Romeo. After all these years..."
She suddenly turned to me.
"How did he even know to look for me?"
"Oh!" Sonia perked up. "That's the wild part."
"I'm listening."
"You remember that night at Quilox? When you shook hands with someone before walking off?"
Tracy blinked. "Yes...?"
"That was him."
"WHAT?!"
"Yes!"
"My God." Tracy grabbed my hand. "He shook my hand! And I didn't even know?!"
"Yes! Tolu said he recognized you instantly but panicked."
Tracy stared into space, stunned.
"I'm going insane," she whispered. "Eli just took me to Maldives. I held dolphins! I danced on water! How will I tell this man, 'Oh hey, by the way my lost university Romeo has reappeared!"
"You won't tell him yet," I repeated calmly. "Just focus on yourself first. Breathe."
Tracy exhaled shakily.
"Okay... okay. One step at a time."
"Exactly."
There was a long pause.
Then Tracy whispered, "Sonia... thank you."
"For what?"
"For telling me. And for being here. Even though you look stressed as... I don't know... like you have an issue with Kelvin again."
I chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Tracy narrowed her eyes. "Your own gist is still pending oh."
"Later," I said quickly.
"No wahala. For now... help me survive this love triangle."
I laughed. "I will."
Tracy flopped back dramatically onto the bed.
"God," she muttered. "What kind of romantic apocalypse is this?"
I lay beside her.
"The kind you'll survive."