****Three years later****
“And the overall best graduating student and winner of this year’s $100,000 scholarship grant is Arielle Meyers!”
I gasped at the announcement, unable to believe the event anchor’s words. It was not only after the hall erupted in applause, and people were glancing at me that I realized that it was indeed my name that was called.
I stood up from my seat, my heart racing with excitement as I walked through the rows of seats, making my way up to the elevated podium.
As I reached the stage, I was met with a warm smile by the organizer, who handed me the award and shook my hand. “Congratulations, Arielle!”
I scanned the crowd, locking eyes with my mother and Ashley, who were grinning wildly. They had flown in the previous day to witness my graduation. I smiled back at them, my gaze shifting to my three-year-old son, Maverick, waving excitedly on the lap of his nanny. “Mommy’s won!” I mouthed, waving at him.
As I returned my gaze to the stage, Dwayne was standing beside me smiling. He was called up by the organizers as the second runner-up. I smiled back, no one would have owned that spot better. “Congratulations, Arielle You deserved it!”
“Thanks,” I responded, my eyes gleaming with happiness. “You deserve yours too.”
He chuckled. “I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. We make a great team, don’t we?”
I flushed slightly, nodding in agreement. Over the years, our friendship had blossomed as he had been relentless in his pursuit of me.
Even though, after that day at the hospital, he had not directly told me he loved me or wanted me to be his girlfriend, I could tell from the lovey-dovey gestures men did for women that he liked me.
I, on my part, had been forcing myself to ignore him since I wanted to focus solely on my child. But still, he has become an integral part of my life, as well as my son’s and I don’t take it with levity.
As I walked down the stage with Dwayne, diploma and award in hand, I was accosted by congratulations from my mother, Ashley, and Maverick.
“Congratulations, sweetie!” My Mom exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. “We’re so proud of you.”
“I knew you could do it, girl!” Ashley added, handing me a beautifully wrapped gift box. “You’re such an inspiration.”
Maverick, not wanting to be left out, yelled,” Yay, Mommy! You won!” and flung his arms around my neck.
After the congratulations and pleasantries, we all headed out to eat and celebrate at a popular Italian restaurant. Over the meal, my mom and Ashley won’t stop fussing about my achievement.
“I always knew you had it in you,” Mom said, patting my hand “You’ve worked so hard for all you have now.”
“Nana, carry me,” Maverick whined, getting on her lap. My mom found out about his existence after I gave birth to him, and she flew over to see him and take care of me for the first three months. Although angry, I didn’t tell her about his conception; just the sight of him had flushed every iota of anger from her system.
They had bonded so well, and Maverick always looked forward to her visits and this time was not an exception.
“Of course, I’ll carry you, my beautiful grandchild,” my mom said, letting him get comfortable. She liked to call him beautiful because she thought he had the beauty of a woman. “No one has the right to be this good-looking,” in her words.
With raven dark curly hair that I had to trim regularly to avoid getting in his eyes way, deep blue eyes, almond-shaped eyes housing long dark lashes, full warm lips, a firmly pointed nose, and a proud well, curved chin, I couldn’t agree less with mother. My son was handsome, and it saddens me sometimes that when I looked at him, I also saw his father.
You’re zoning off again, get a grip on yourself, I chide bringing my thoughts back before they wandered to the past.
At the end of the day, Ashley and
Mom returned to the hotel they were booked in, as the house I stayed in wasnot spacious enough too accommodate them.
Dwayne dropped Maverick and me off at home, and I invited him in for coffee.
“Thanks for being present all these years, Dwayne,” I said as we sipped the coffee in the living room.
Maverick was fast asleep in his cot after his nanny left, hence there was no distraction.
“Anytime, Ari,” he murmured.
As we sipped our coffee, time blurred, and our conversations flowed effortlessly. We reminisced about our time in the academy, sharing laughter and stories
“I’m so glad we made it through,” Dwayne said, smiling.
“Me too,” I agreed. “It wasn’t easy, but we did it.’
And then Dwayne’s expression turned serious. “What are your plans now that we’ve graduated, Ari?”
I paused, considering my response. But before I could answer, a small voice interrupted us.
“Mama?”
We turned to see Maverick standing at the doorway, looking groggy.
“Baby, you’re awake?” I asked, surprised. I looked up at the clock and saw that it had been two hours already since Dwayne, and I started talking. Maverick nodded and rubbed his eyes.
“Come here, sweetie,” I beckoned him.
But instead of coming to me, he walked over to Dwayne and climbed onto his lap.
Dwayne’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Hey, little champ!”
He tickled Maverick, who giggled and snuggled into his chest.
I watched, touched by the tender moment.
Then Maverick faced me, his expression and tone serious.
“Mama?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Uncle Dwayne?”
Dwayne’s eyes met mine, curiosity vivid in them.
“Yes, baby?” I encouraged.
Maverick’s voice was smaller, but clear now. “I want Uncle Dwayne to be my daddy…”