The street was quieter and no one else was waiting in line. “Madame Gozi,” he said, reading her name from the small sign on the stand. “Do you rest at all? You’ve been here since morning.” Goi wiped her hands on her apron. “I rest when I get home.” Emma frowned. “You shouldn’t work this hard alone. Do you have any help?” No, she replied, but I’m used to it.
There was silence for a moment. Then he spoke again. If I’m being too forward, forgive me. But are you married? Go’s heart skipped. She looked away. I was, she said quietly. Emma nodded slowly. Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful. Goi sighed. It’s not your fault. He stood quietly for a few seconds, then cleared his throat.
Well, just know you seem like someone with a good heart. Strong, too. I admire that. Then he smiled, waved, and walked off. That night, Amaka noticed something. “Who’s the man that always comes to buy food?” she asked, her eyes full of mischief. Goi shook her head. “He’s just a customer.” “Are you sure?” Amarka smiled because the way he looks at you.
Goi rolled her eyes. Don’t start. But a marker wasn’t wrong. Over the next few weeks, Emma didn’t just come for rice. He brought gifts. Plantin, onions, sometimes bottled water. He said it was to support the business. And slowly Goi started to talk more. She told him about her food journey, about how she learned to cook from her mother, about how she used to dream of opening a restaurant.
One afternoon, Emma sat on a plastic chair beside her stall. “Noi,” he said. “Forgive me again if I’m overstepping, but I see something special in you.” N Goi looked down, unsure of what to say. “I was married, too,” Emma said. “Years ago, my wife died in a car crash. I haven’t tried to love anyone since until recently.
Go’s eyes widened. You remind me what peace looks like, he continued. Not the loud, flashy kind, but the quiet one that sits in your chest and makes you feel at home. I don’t want to rush you. I just wanted you to know. Goi didn’t reply for a long time. She looked at her hands, then at the pot of rice, then at him. I’m scared, she whispered.
I know, Emma said gently. But I’m not chike. I won’t break your heart. It took months, but eventually Gozi said yes to coffee. Then to dinner, then to long walks on Sunday evenings. And one day, as they sat under a tree near the park, she looked at him and asked, “Why me? You could have chosen anyone.” Emma smiled.
Because you are the most real person I’ve met. You carry pain, but you still smile. You were broken, but you didn’t stay down. That’s the kind of woman I want beside me. Go’s eyes filled with tears. She reached for his hand and held it tightly. Then I want to try too, she said. They got married 6 months later.
A small quiet ceremony. No big cake, no music, just a few close friends and family. Amaka was the loudest one there, dancing like she had just won the lottery. I told you, she shouted. I told you good things will still come. Their new life was peaceful. Emma was soft with her. He made her laugh. He listened to her stories.
He helped her expand her food business into a proper shop. Every morning before work, he kissed her forehead and said, “I love you, my queen.” For the first time in years, felt safe. And then the unexpected happened. One morning, she woke up feeling strange. Her body was weak. She couldn’t stand for too long. The smell of stew made her sick. She brushed it off.
Maybe it was malaria. But when it continued for 2 weeks, Emma said, “Let’s go to thehospital.” At the clinic, they ran tests. She waited on the bench, biting her nails. The nurse returned with a wide smile. “Congratulations, madam,” she said. “You’re pregnant?” N Goi froze. “Pregnant?” “Yes.” The nurse nodded.
“3 weeks?” N Goi covered her mouth, tears pouring from her eyes. Emma jumped to his feet. “Pregnant? Are you serious?” The nurse laughed. “Very serious?” He turned to Goi, pulled her up, and hugged her tightly. “You’re going to be a mother,” he whispered. “We’re going to be parents.” Goi couldn’t stop crying. The joy was too much.
She held his shirt and cried like a baby. The months that followed were full of excitement, but the biggest surprise came during her scan. As the doctor moved the probe over her belly, his eyes widened. “Madam, there are three heartbeats.” Goi sat up. Three. Yes, the doctor said. You’re carrying triplets. She screamed. The whole hospital probably heard her.
When they got home, Emma knelt and cried. God, you’ve done too much. Three children at once. This is more than I asked for. They prepared carefully. Emma built a nursery. A marker came to help. The neighbors brought gifts. And on a calm Saturday morning, Goi gave birth to three healthy boys. Tears flowed freely.
