When one door closes....

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“You know, it's funny how I was constantly curving men and then there was Derrick, actively sustaining two relationships.

Only God knows how many of us are out there, how many of us he deceived. Men are wicked Tania, do not ever get married”. Sonia concluded her lamentations and proceeded to drowning herself in the bowl of ice cream before her.

Tania was mute as she could not find the best words to console her older cousin, whose Fiancé of 6 years left for another woman. Just as Tania thought that was enough lamentations for the day, Sonia continued again.

“I mean, what did I not do for Derrick? One minute I'm too fat and dieting to look trim, the next minute I'm too slim and then eating like a thief to beef up.

His rent was always due, his car was always developing faults, Derrick was never having money to take care of his financial mess because I thought he was saving for our fairy tale wedding.

How many suitors came and left Tania, how many? How old am I? I gave Derrick the best years of my life.

I am not in talking terms with my father because I made him loose out on a business deal by not marrying into one of the wealthiest families in the country.

Not only that, but I was ostracized from my family and initially, l felt all that didn't matter."

Sonia forced a laugh laced with tears and then continued, "I had Derrick, I thought it was us against the world. Now my us against the world is in the life of another woman, treating her how he never treated me.”

Sonia paused again, with a spoon full of ice cream raised to her chest level as she stirred at space. She breathed heavily and then continued, “Tania, I became the man in the relationship, I lost myself, my esteem and my self-worth. I…"

“It's ok Sonia, just let it go.” Tania cuts in on Sonia abruptly while lightly rubbing on her back in circular motion, hoping it will calm her down.

“Wait! Tania, are you pitying me? Don't pity me please because I am not hurt.

Do I look hurt? I'm fine, I am only advising you like a younger sister, a beautiful young girl who has her life ahead of her, don't make the same mistake that I did.

You know smart women learn from the mistake of others.”

“I know sist, enough of this Derrick talk, finish your ice cream and let's look for any hangout to party away our grief. You have been through a lot and should not live with what you are going through.” Tania advised Sonia, who was already rooting out her laptop behind her.

“Sorry baby sist, I got to work. Party won't pay the bill.” Sonia responded as she started responding to her work emails.

“In that case, I'll stay here with you.”

“And that's why you are my favorite cousin Tania, always by my side like you are the older one”. Both women hugged tightly and then went about the activities of the night.

The following morning, Tania woke up to a sound sleeping Sonia, not to disturb her, she went on to prepare breakfast and help her sort out her laundry.

Sonia has been a mess since the Derrick incidence, but luckily for her, Tania just graduated from Uni and made it just in time to help her through her grieving stage.

When Tania was done clearing up the house, she took Sonia's gadgets to charge them, but then noticed an open email on Sonia's laptop. As much as she wanted to ignore, the logo on the email looked quite familiar, and she thought to do some snooping.

Later that day, the two ladies were having brunch when Tania cleared her throat to speak.

“Eh ermmm.... Sist, can I talk to you?”

“About what Tania?”

“Eh… ehmmm... ptttt... Hmm.". Tania fiddled with her fork as she made several attempts to get the words out in a communicable manner.

“Cat got your tongue? I hope this is not about Derrick?” Sonia immediately paused on her meal, causing a piercing burst of sound as her cutlery landed on the silverware forcefully.

“No! Not at all sist, it's not at all”. Tania's heart thuds as she defended.

“Ok so out with it Tania”.

“Well… don't get mad, please. The thing is…"

“Tania! Do not waste my time.” Sonia thundered.

“Ok, I accidentally stumbled on a rejection email from Apollo group of companies on your appointment overseas. If you don't mind, I want to help”. Tania spoke hurriedly in fright, after which silence descended in the room.

Sonia picked up her cutlery to continue eating but paused half way, breathing in and exhaling slowly. She spoke to Tania, “You went through my mail?”

“Not intentionally sist, I just plugged your laptop in and the mail popped up”.

Breathing in and exhaling softly again, Sonia questioned, “so how can you help?”

“My boyfriend's dad is Apollo, his name is Arnold and he is next in line for succession. We could email him your documents and the letter of your appointment and….”

“And what Tania? You do realize that project has been flagged off, and I have been replaced?”

“I know sist, but then it would not hurt to give it a try, you need this breakthrough for your career sist. Let me contact Arnold.”

“Hmph… Your boyfriend is Arnold Apollo? Hmm... ok Tania, shock me, get me overseas to join the rest of the team, I give you my permission”.

Silence fell again as both ladies continued their meal.

That evening, Tania spoke with Arnold and all of Sonia's documentation plus appointment letter was forwarded.

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It's been weeks since Sonia's Ordeal, and she was doing everything to get back on track career wise, from getting temporary job gigs, to promoting her résumé across various social media platform.

She has also been contacting some of the companies that she had ignored their invite to work, courtesy of Derrick not wanting a woman that will be too busy to be a wife and a mother.

Her most regret was not honoring the Apollo contract to travel overseas as their HSE supervisor on site. A regret that she will have to live with because Derrick had kicked against it, claiming it will foil their wedding plans.

Sonia wasn't really expecting much from Tania, but she secretly hoped Tania's involvement will pull through.

As she stirred on her inbox as if she were expecting a miracle, the notification bell rang and a new message popped in from Apollo group of companies.

She hurriedly opened the mail and as she read through, she screamed! “Tania come quick…. Your boyfriend did it! You did it! And I'm in baby girl”. Not seeing any trace of Tania, Sonia carried her laptop to Tania's room and met her fast asleep.

In other to get Tania at alert, Sonia screamed at the top of her voice, jumping on Tania as she broke the news to her in excitement. Tania was startled but as she heard Apollo, I'm in from Sonia, she was quickly alerted and all traces of sleep vanished.

“So like this now, I am going abroad?” Sonia questioned in excitement.

“Yes sist! You will be working and overseeing one of the biggest projects in the oil and gas industry.” Tania affirmed.

“Wow! What should we call this? Because some weeks ago, I felt like the most unfortunate person in the entire universe, but today, look at me…. Fortune has smiled on me and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

“We will call it the domino effect sist, that is what we are going to call all what you have been through.” Tania responded to Sonia's question, sharing in her excitement and celebrating her win.