The lush three-bedroom penthouse apartment belonged to Audrey. It was one of the few things gifted to her father. Audrey slept in the master bedroom, the second room was an extension of her closet and the smallest of the rooms was Funlolaβs. Dele had talked, more like coerced Audrey, into letting Funlola stay with her; claiming that Funlola needed a closer place to her work and school than coming all the way from Mushin. Deleβs initial plan was for her to live with him, but Funlola had objected to that. She didnβt want him breathing down her neck whenever she came late from partying or doing whatever she liked.
Funlola walked over to the spacious, modern kitchen and pulled open the fridge. There was no left-over food to eat. It wasnβt like any of them knew how to cook or do any house-hold chores, they usually bought take-out and had a cleaner who came twice a week to clean the house and do the laundry. Gosh, I should have just bought take-out, she thought to herself. But then the traffic had been horrendous! She was more bothered about getting home than stopping at an eatery or local joint to get food.
She took out the large plastic bowl of ice-cream and shut the fridge. Picking up a spoon from the plate-rack close to the sink, she went back to the living-room and propped her legs on a pouffe as she took her seat. She thought back to Deleβs wedding proposal.
He had spoilt her silly with gift and taken her to Protea Hotel for their six-month anniversary. She hadnβt known the last gift would be a proposal. After dinner he had dropped on one knee and opened the purple, jewellery box he had kept hidden throughout the evening, to reveal the solitaire diamond ring. She had looked at him in shock. She didnβt need to be a seer to know some people were staring in their direction. Waiting for her response, but she was not ready to give him a yes.
βErm . . . Dele I would think about it.β
The smile on his face disappeared instantly, his face becoming scrunched up in confusion. βWhy? Whatβs there to think about? I thought you loved what we had.β
Funlola grabbed her glass and took a sip of the white wine and dropped it back on the table, wishing he would get up and stop making a spectacle of himself. βItβs not that. I do . . . But baby we never spoke about marriage. Weβre still getting to know each-other. . .β
Dele placed the velvet box on the table. βThere are people who get married with only knowing each-other for a mere five weeks or ten weeks, and their marriages last. Funlola I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Do you feel the same way?β
One million dollar question. βDele, you know I do.β Lie lie. βBut I donβt want us to rush this. Please get up and letβs talk it out.β
He got up and she could hear the βawwsβ and βEh-yasβ in the room. Na dem sabi. She avoided looking at any of them. Later on in the evening she had made it up to Dele by giving him a crazy night in bed. She had not spoken to him since that day. She avoided his calls and didnβt read his BBM messages. She was still thinking about it. She scooped a little ice-cream and popped it in her mouth; the vanilla melting on her tongue and causing her to sigh.
Dele wasnβt a bad guy. He was extremely good-looking with his perfectly shaped side-burns and little moustache. Tall and lean, fair-complexioned. His beautiful body and what he did with her made her have goosebumps just thinking about him. He was clearly crazy about her. Asides all that they had a thing or two in common. They both wanted to travel the world, they both loved partying and having fun, they enjoyed each-otherβs company in bed, but . . . She sighed. There was no but. She just wasnβt sure if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Marriage just wasnβt her thing, especially when she remembered her childhood.
Funlola shook her head. She didnβt want to remember it. Not now. She released a deep sigh. Throwing caution to the wind she picked up her phone and ignored the alerts on social media. She called Dele and he answered on the first ring.
βHi Dele. How have you been?β
βFunlola what games are you playing?! You know Iβve been calling you like crazy for a couple of days. You donβt answer my pings and you just happen to not always be at home when I come over!β
She closed her eyes as he ranted and took a scoop of ice-cream. When he was done she said in her baby voice she knew he couldnβt resist, βIβm sorry baby. Iβve been busy nau. You know Iβm rounding off my courses at Business school. And then thereβs work. Itβs been hectic.β
She heard him sigh and knew she had victory.
βOkay. How are you? Are you free now?β
βYes, I am. You want to hang out at Purple Lake tonight?β
βDo you need to ask? Bae, Iβm here for you. Itβs like youβve forgotten I want to marry you. . .β
She rolled her eyes. He better get this idea of marriage off his mind.
***
Adesewa took the laptop off her laps and placed it on her bed. She rubbed her eyes tiredly; fatigue wrapping itβs arms around her petite frame. She yawned and dropped her feet on the floor. She picked up her phone and her eyes widened when she saw fourteen missed calls. She had placed it on silent because she didnβt want anyone disturbing her work. It wasnβt a known number and her TrueCaller App revealed nothing βcause her data was off.
She got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom to ease herself while dialling the number. The person picked on the third ring.
βHello, erm – good evening. This number called me a couple of times.β
βHi Ade. Itβs Daniel.β
Her heart skipped a beat. She licked her lips. βDaniel?β She had waited all the while for him to call her and had grown restless waiting for him. She suddenly felt irritated. βSorry, which Daniel am I speaking with?β
He gave a nervous laugh. βWow! Are there so many men like me that have the same voice you love?β
Adesewa hissed and cut the call on him.
βIf this is how he wants to bridge the gap between us then heβs off to a rough start.β She muttered to herself.
She went to bed that night with thoughts of him on her mind. She recalled when they were still together. A particular day bringing a smile on her lips . . . When she was cooking for him and had asked him to perform the little task of putting salt in the rice; he had ended up putting detergent soap. Dinner that night had been disastrous; throwing up the contents in their stomach. Adesewa chuckled. But the smile on her face soon fell from her lips. She doubted if they could ever get back to their old love. It hurt her deeply to find out what he did. Efeβs text-message to him about her pregnancy revealing the truth to her.
She had confronted him but he denied it. Telling her he could never cheat on her. That he loved her and wanted to marry her. She had taken his words, but in her heart she didnβt believe him. She had been torn in-between asking Efe and keep pressing Daniel for the truth. Later she didnβt need to do that, he came on his own and confessed. Telling her his weakness had provoked him. That he couldnβt help himself. Shock and rage had enveloped her. She slapped him. Kicked him. But nothing took the pain in her heart. Then he told her he was being forced to marry her. That was Danielβs last blow to her as she packed her things and got herself transferred to Abuja. The chairman of the company being her Late fatherβs friend. Now . . . Now she was back in Lagos.
After she got back from Abuja she had told her friends to keep quiet about her being back. Audrey was his cousin and she could spill the news to him. But now was it fate or God that had brought them back together? Or was it best nothing happened between them again? Adesewa shoved the thoughts from her mind and forced herself to sleep.
***
Purple Lake was a high-class nightclub in Lagos where most of the elites went. The clubβs signature cock-tail purple in colour and had a distinct taste that couldnβt be found elsewhere. But that wasnβt what drew people to the club. It was the people who frequented it and the ambience of the club; classy and exciting. The multi-coloured flashing lights on the dance-floor. The dim Β lighting on other parts of the club which gave room for obscenities. The DJ was on point; spinning different genres of music like he was born to do it. The waiters and waitresses in the club were equally efficient. That was why people spent a lot of money just to hangout there.
Ebuka swirled his drink and took a sip of it. The hot liquid going straight to his head and warmed his entire body. He leaned on the bar and scanned the room. He made eye-contact with a babe and looked away. She looked wasted. Desperate. Her dressing screamed that she needed a husband. Even if he was wrong, he didnβt go for such women. He looked to the other side of the room to see guys and girls grinding each-other on the dance-floor. Jarring his attention from the scene, he felt his cell-phone vibrate in his pocket. He dug it out from the front pocket of his jeans trousers.
He stared at the screen. There was no use picking the call. He wouldnβt hear her in the first place and asides that he wasnβt in the mood to talk to her. He cut the call and looked up just in time to see Dele walk in with his woman. Oh no . . .
Funlola was looking beautiful in black jeans trouser and a gold sequinned top. Simple yet elegant. He wondered how his friend had managed to hook such a beauty when it was the both of them that had sighted her at the same time; Dele had been the lucky one. But Ebuka was cool with it. He shared a secret with Funlola that on one knew about. Dele spotted him and led his girlfriend in his direction
βHi Ebuka!β
She shouted over the music; greeting him with a smile. She leaned in and pecked him on both cheeks and moved back. Her perfume intoxicating. βItβs good to see you!β
He simpered. βYou know I canβt say the same thing about you!β
A smirk on her face she said, βNa wa for you sha! Even in the new year youβre still the same! Donβt you ever change?β
βYou guys better not start tonight! Ebuka you know sheβs the woman Iβm getting married to!β
Ebuka watched as Funlolaβs countenance suddenly changed form confident to looking uncomfortable at the mention of marriage. He smiled and shook his head at her. He knew her type. Ashewo propa!
Dele ordered a drink for each of them. Afterwards he took her hand and led her to a seat at a private corner. Minutes later he saw the both of them on the dance floor digging it with each-other. Ebuka was feeling Funlolaβs moves and could imagine dancing with her to a slow jam. He shook his head and looked away from the both of them. He downed the last of his drink and faced the bar man.
βAnother round.β
***
John blew his nose on his handkerchief, then he grabbed the glass of water in-front of him and took a sip.
βI told you to always wear a jacket. It seems the cold gets to you too much.β Stephanie chided him and forked a slice of chicken into her mouth.
He coughed into his handkerchief and said, βI donβt know jare. You know the heat is just too much and I canβt help but use the A.C . I donβt know how you manage with just putting on that.β He motioned to the armless peach gown she wore. Her fair skin glowing like she had just rubbed oil on it.
βOh really? I didnβt think you noticed Pastor John.β
He chuckled.
βBut seriously you need to take better care of yourself. . .β
βI agree.β He wasnβt up to eating. He just needed to sleep. βSo can we close the deal on the house soonest?β
She quirked her brow. βAhn-ahn. Why the hurry?β
He shrugged. βNothing major. Just want to have my own place and from there I can think of settling down. Iβm taking it one step at a time.β
βOh, I see. Any girl in mind?β
He coughed and smiled a little. βNo, not yet. But I have the need to set things ready.β
βHmm . . . Okay then. I would work out the remaining details and finish up the paperwork.β
βThanks dear. Iβve to get going. Need to get some rest.β
βMake sure you get something for that cold.β
βYes ma.β
He signalled for the waiter to bring the bill and within minutes he sorted everything out and he was walking Stephanie out to their cars.
βThanks for lunch. Would call you later.β She waved at him and drove off. John got into his car and headed to his parentsβ place.
Traffic was a killer and he moved along the road slowly while he hummed to the tunes of Donnie Mcclurkin over the speakers in his car. He thought of Godβs faithfulness in his life and how far He had brought him. Despite the ridicules in his life because of his sexual state and girls doubting if he was truly heterosexual.
He chuckled. He remembered when had been so frustrated and pushed to the wall to prove them wrong, but he hadnβt. Every-time he was pushed to the edge, God was always there to catch him and lead back on the right path. There was nothing he could do but leave them to their own thoughts and come to their own conclusions. He knew deep within him he was doing what was right. And now, he was looking forward to settling down with the right person. The woman God had in mind for him.
He abstained from any relationship until he got clearance from God that she was the one he would settle down with. Unfortunately, despite seeing so many single ladies in church, none was for him. In the meantime, while he was still single, he had his ministry and import business to occupy him. For now . . . That was enough for him.
***
Zainab adjusted the screen so they could see her properly. She wore a wig to cover-up the hair disaster she had going on. Not like she wasnβt free with her girl-friends, but she didnβt need them over-worrying about her hair loss.
βYou did what?β Audrey asked and pushed her phone to one corner to hear gist. Chai! The girl too like aproko.
βShe said she cut the call on him. When in actual fact she was holding herself back from begging him to come over.β
Zainab winked at her friend over the Skype video call.
Adesewa folded her arms and looked away from the screen and Zainabβs probing gaze. βYou girls donβt understand. He wasnβt acting like he wanted to be forgiven. He was being all comfy and intimate like what happened two years ago was just a figment of my imagination.β
βBut you should give him a chance. He probably knows youβre going to make it too hard for him to make amends.β
Adesewa hissed and looked at Audrey. βAmends canβt be made when he has a child and a woman heβs getting married to.β
βDo you know if they are still getting married? Gosh . . . why do you behave as if youβre one of those characters in those stupid soap operas that lack sense to take action and cry when itβs too late to fix things. Would you rather talk to him when heβs married?β Audrey snapped.
Adesewaβs laptop faced both Adesewa and Audrey, so she could see Audreyβs weird reaction. Zainab and Adesewa looked at each-other and at Audrey.
βBabe are you on?β Zainab asked.
Audrey gave a half-shrug. She picked her phone up and tapped on it. βHave cramps.β
βEh-ya pele. Have you taken anything for it?β Adesewa was concerned.
βNo – do you have any drugs?β
βYeah, itβs in my bathroom in the cabinet above the sink.β
Audrey got up and walked out of the room. Both girls bust into laughter.
βPoor girl. The thing is making her act like a -β
βBitch?β Zainab Interjected.
βHaba, thatβs too harsh! You know those things make our hormones sky-rocket. . .β
βWhatever. So as we were saying, I think you should give the guy a chance. Especially since you are not yet over him.β
Adesewaβs smiling face turned to a frown. βI am.β
Zainab scratched her bum and pinched a small pimple. βNo, youβre not.β She rubbed her hand on her bare lap.
βI have moved on with my life. Iβm currently seeing someone.β
βAkin?β Audrey said and took her seat next to Adesewa again. βThatβs not serious.β
Zainab watched as her friendβs face squeezed-up like it did whenever she got angry. βAre you girls al-right at all?! Why are you all of a sudden telling me to give Daniel a chance? Have you forgotten what happened between us? Who said he wonβt do the same thing again?β
βAde youβre so uptight!β
βMy brother is not a bad catch. You know my mum likes you.β Audrey winked at Adesewa and she cringed.
βYour brother? God forbid!β Β
βHey!β
βFirst your cousin and now your brother? Are you thinking well at all?β
Zainab rolled her eyes at the both of them.
βI heard Dele proposed to Fu-fu.β Audrey said out of nowhere.
βWhy do you always call her that?β Zainab directed the question at Audrey. She hated the name.
βI like it.β
βIt sounds like youβre referring to a little white hairy dog.β Zainab said.
βWell maybe she is if she sleeps around as much as you say she does.β Adesewa said. Zainab knew she didnβt like Funlola for anything. According to her she was too βsomehowβ. βHow can Dele want to marry her?β
βWhatβs that saying? That sheeps of the same flock . . .β
Ade laughed. βMumu . . . Birds of the same feather!β
Audrey hit her arm. βYou sha get what I mean.β
βDo you guys realize you have digressed again from Daniel. I will end it.β Zainab looked pointedly at Adesewa. βAde you donβt know how much that guy suffered after you left. Remember Audrey didnβt let us rest with all the details. So you are going to call Daniel back and listen to what he has to say.β
βI concur.β Audrey said.
Adesewa looked at the both of them, hissed and walked out of the room.
***
Efe leaned against the wall and faced the concrete floor as she held her tummy for dear life. She grimaced and dropped her hand-bag on the floor. She had been feeling sharp pains in her stomach for the past couple of days.
βAre you okay?β
She nodded but didnβt look up. The pain was subsiding. βYes, Iβm fine.β
βI donβt think you are.β
She looked up to see her lecturer with a concerned look on his face. βOh . . . Mr Ben-β
βChukwuemeka.β He corrected.
Efe ignored his correction. βI didnβt know it was you.β
βDoes that mean you wouldnβt have lied if you knew it was me? Me being a lecturer that is . . .β
The smirk on his face revealed the dimple he had. Efe looked away from the small hollow and back at him. βNo. Iβm okay.β She stood up straight. She took a deep breath and looked at him as if to say βsee, Iβm fine.β
βHmm . . . Okay. Take care of yourself then.β
βThank you sir.β
He nodded and walked away from her. Efe picked her bag from the floor. She hung it on her shoulder and went on her way to the cafeteria to get dinner and go back to her room to rest.
Once in her room she decided to call Daniel. Her room-mate, Chinyere, wasnβt around, so she could make her phone call comfortably. She had called him yesterday but his phone was switched off. Today she dialled his number three times before he picked it up.
βHello,β
At the sound of his deep voice her heart leaped. She took a deep breath.
βHi Danny!β
βHey Efe howβs it going? Howβs school?β
βFine thanks. Howβs Eduwa?β Efe preferred calling her daughter Eduwa. It was her daughterβs Edo name. It was also Efeβs late motherβs name.
βSheβs great. Mum took her home last week and sheβs been there for a while now.β
Efe gave a light chuckle and rested her head on her pillow. βIβm sure sheβs having fun. Your mum likes spoiling her.β
βYeah. Her youngest grand-baby.β
βI tried calling you earlier but couldnβt reach you.β
βSorry jere. Itβs work ish. Whatβs up?β
Efe took a deep breath and told him the little she and her dad had discussed. After she was done she heard Daniel sigh.
βEfe I would call you back later on and we can talk about it. Is that okay?β
She nodded. βYes, itβs fine.β
βBye dear. Take care of yourself.β
βThanks. Bye.β She ended the call and dropped the phone on the bed. She was disappointed in how the conversation had gone. It wasnβt like she was expecting him to be jovial about their upcoming wedding. She knew he didnβt love her as she loved him. He didnβt look at her the way she saw him; as the only one she would ever want to spend the rest of her life with. If it was up to her she wouldnβt marry Daniel. She wouldnβt marry someone who didnβt love her. God wanted so much for her. He wanted her to be loved and cared for . . . Why couldnβt her father see it that way and stop insisting for them to be married?
Efe found herself going back to that night of her first sexual encounter with Daniel. Everyone had wondered how the good, pastor girl could commit such a sin and have sex before marriage. Now that was a story all wanted to hear . . .
NEXT . . .
She checked the time. It was a quarter past six and he was late! He knew she hated tardiness. Daniel had requested, no . . . Pleaded, to see her and she had agreed to it. He had asked to meet her at a classy restaurant at Victoria Island. Her friends cajoling her to meet up with him and hear him out. To her it was a waste of her money. Time was money. Though she couldnβt deny that she was also looking forward to seeing him. That information was best kept to herself or her friends would finish her with endless teases.
βMissing me?β
She looked up to see Daniel towering over her. She swallowed hard. God, you just had to make him handsome to taunt me . . . βWho said so?β
βWell, the frown on your face lets me know youβre pissed I came late βcause you hate tardiness. And when youβre angry you begin to think of all the reasons you love me and get excited about seeing me. Right?β
I hate this guy! They both knew he was right. βWrong! Stop acting like you know me.β
He nodded. βIβm sorry. The Ade I knew way back used to love me before I was a prick and messed up the beautiful thing we had going.β
He dropped to his knees. βAde, baby Iβm sorry. Wonβt you forgive me?β
Daniel is a classical Ode
Lol Tomii…I agree. Let’s see what happens next. Thanks for reading.
I love the story. I really do. I just wish u had introduced the characters more slowly. It’s the 3rd episode and I’m still trying to figure out who is who. But the story seems veery nice. I’m looking forward to the rest of the story. I love that the episodes are long. I’m a sucker for long episodes.Thumbs up
Sorry for the confusion tedypine… I guess as you read on everything would make more sense. @ long episodes… thought they were too long sef. Thanks for reading π
I really love this story, nice one Temi
Thanks Nene
Nice one buh am still tryna figure out who is who buh I think am wrapping my head around it… See ya” on thurz
Lol… okay. See you this Thursday π
Daniel is a typical Playboy, too bad for Efe and Adesewa
Hmmm… let’s see how the story unfolds. Thanks for reading Adefunke
I get confused by d characters but it’s a good story u have thr. I’d say Adesuwa is my fav character ???
Beautiful story u have here. Thumbs up?
Oh … sorry Carah. Hope it makes good sense soon . π Thanks for reading. See you this Thursday.
Aww i dont think Daniel is a player. Let’s just say destiny happened. I feel sorry for efe though ?
@ Phatyma… destiny? Hmm… Let’s see what happens.
I love the story and I know am going to learn a lot, but dear I still don’t feel connected and I think it lacks structure and no suspense at all. thanks for the long episodes
Hey Tessy. Thanks for reading. Sorry about that. Just keep reading.. I’m sure the connection would come.
Thanks for this.
Lengthy and interesting isn’t a common combo. More ink…
Thanks Atoba. See you this Thursday.
I finally got round to finish this and I await the next episode tomorrow. I guess something will bring the different characters together soon.
Well done Temitope
It’s an interesting read. Don’t be discouraged about the characters being too much or not as some say, to me its ok and once u follow it, you’ll understand. Welldone
Great read. characters still confuse me though.
You might want to review for grammatical clarity. second sentence of paragraph one not clear.
Nice, am getting to understand each characters, it’s really enjoyable. Thanks T-Babe
Just enjoying your writing style! Keep it up!