Read Previous Episodes Of Always One More Time
She walked into the hospital and took off her sun-glasses while taking in a deep breath. This was it. The hour she had been waiting for. To find out the news; good or bad. She showed her card to the nurse and was asked to wait to see the doctor.
She toyed with her phone, while chatting with a few people on it. Her hands shook as she did so. She was too nervous.
βExcuse me ma.β
Is she talking to me? She looked up.
βThe doctor would see you now.β
She nodded and picked up the designer bag she had recently purchased, in an effort to lift her spirits, and followed the nurse down the corridor to the doctorβs office. The nurse opened the door for her to go in and flashed a warm smile towards her..
βGood day,β
She acknowledged the doctorβs greeting with a nod.
βI have received your results and Iβm afraid the -β
She cut him off. βHow much time do I have left?β She didnβt need the unnecessary preamble.
With a sombre expression he said, βThe cancer has spread and thereβs really nothing we can do. You have a month.β
She gasped.
βIt would be better for you to have your family with you. It would help . . .β
βThank you.β She got up and left the office.
As she drove home she knew she had no one. No one knew her predicament. She couldnβt tell them. She avoided pity at all cost. She was all alone. She willed for tears to come but they wouldnβt, she couldnβt force them down. She popped Adeleβs CD in the CD-Player and listened to the slow number that filled her car as she drove home. . .
***
Efe got out of the taxi and paid the taxi-driver his fee. Her father didnβt know she had left Ibadan to meet up with Daniel. It wasnβt like Daniel was also expecting her. She had planned a surprise visit so she could sort out what was happening between them. The awkwardness building up between them was unbearable for her. She adjusted her trousers and knocked on his gate. It was seven in the evening and he should be back home from work.
βGood eve-nin ma.β The security guard greeted her.
Smiling at him she said, βGood evening Solomon. Daniel dey?β
He nodded and wanted to help out with her handbag but she declined. She climbed the stairs up to his apartment on the second floor. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door. She hoped within her that he didnβt have any visitor. I should have asked So-lo.
βWhoβs that?β He called out behind the door.
βDaniel itβs me. Efe.β
βEfe?β
She heard footsteps approaching the door and she quickly swiped the sweat from her forehead as the door opened.
βEfe? Wh- What are you doing here?β
Efe eyes fell on his hairy, bare chest as he put on his shirt. She quickly looked up. βI – I came to see you.β
His face let on a worried look. βHope no problem?β
βNo. Thereβs no problem.β
He must have realized she was still standing outside and he suddenly shifted his large frame to the side to let her in. His apartment was still as she remembered it. A bachelor pad; black leather sofas, a huge plasma TV with a home theater system, walls painted off-white. Β
Not much had changed, except for the dΓ©cor and sitting arrangements. She took a seat on the soft leather couch. She spotted the take-out bowl on his centre-table and the wraps of paper that had probably held a large amount of Suya in it. He took his seat opposite her.
βYou were having dinner?β
βJust finished.β
βOh okay.β
βHowβs school?β
βGreat. I have this new lecturer though and loads of work . . . Really stressful.β
βThatβs school for you babe.β
She chuckled. βYeah . . .β She took a deep breath. βSo I came over βcause Iβve been trying to reach you for some couple of days now. Itβs either your phone is off or itβs busy or itβs just ringi-β
βEfe you know Iβm working. I have a lot to do. I donβt have time to have any conversation about marriage or whatever.β
βRight . . .β
She looked down at her bag and willed the tears to stay back. She heard him sigh. Gosh why am I so emotional?
βEffy Iβm sorry.β
Hearing the nick-name he used to call her didnβt lessen the pain from the way he had just snapped at her.
βIβm just tensed. Iβm looking after Ulunma and working-β
She looked at him. βI thought you said she was with your mum. What happened?β
βLong story. But anyway I just got a nanny that comes in the morning and leaves when I get back from work. So far thereβs been no issue.β
I wonder if sheβs pretty. Efe closed her eyes and chided herself of thinking of such nonsense.
βIβm balancing it all now.β Daniel said.
βOkay. Is she sleeping? Can I see her?β
βSee question! Of-course nau, no bi your pikin?β
Efe chuckled and rose up. He led her down to his bedroom where she was sleeping in her cradle.
βAwww, she looks so cute. Iβve missed her. How long has she been asleep?β She whispered.
βNot too long . . .β
Efe was disappointed. She would have loved to play with her.
βDonβt worry she doesnβt sleep for long. She would be awake before you know it and you would be begging her to fall back to sleep.β
Efe nodded. It hurt that he knew a lot more than her about their daughter; only because she was in school and couldnβt look after her at the moment. Even though Danielβs mother filled her in regularly on what was happening, it still wasnβt nearly enough. She had decided not to worry over it too much, knowing she would be done with school soon and hopefully she would serve in Lagos during N.Y.S.C.
They walked out of the room as quietly as they came in.
βHave you eaten? I think I have some noodles at home.β
βOh? Thatβs why the packs you have are disappearing fast fast.β
He chuckled and rubbed his chest. βI need a woman to take care of me.β
There was an awkward silence in the room but Efe was quick to break it. βI would check the noodles out.β
She hurried off to the kitchen.
***
Why did I have to say that?
Daniel chided himself. He smacked his forehead. He walked over to the kitchen and watched as she busied herself with making the noodles. Presently, she was dicing onions and red pepper; humming to a tune as she did the little task. She looked comfortable . . . And he felt she looked cool in that setting.
She would make a good wife, Daniel thought. But definitely not for him. He couldnβt let his parents force a marriage neither of them wanted. He knew they would regret it for the rest of their lives.
He heard his phone ring in the living room and hurried back. He picked the phone.
βAce how far?β
βGuy are we hanging out tonight?β
Daniel saw Efe busying herself and not eaves-dropping on his conversation. βNo, I dey with Efe.β
βAhn-ahn! Kong man!β Ebuka hailed him. βYou are so confused. You guys getting down tonight?β
βYou dey craze? No jor! Babe just show with no prior notice. I guess she wants to talk about the wedding.β
βChai! Does she know her rival is back?β
βNo, but It doesnβt really matter. There wonβt be any wedding.β
βOkay. Let me know how it goes sha. Bye bro.β
βYeah, later.β
He dropped the phone on the centre table. Ever since he became a father, his late nights out had reduced dramatically. The whole being a father thing was taking a toll on his social life, and now he was going to get married? He shook his head and walked back into the kitchen.
βEfe do you really want us to get married?β
She turned to look at him. Shock written all over her face. He dropped the question without waiting to think about it. He needed answers. He needed a way out of this predicament. If they were united in their decision not to get married they may have a fighting chance to get out of the situation their fathers were putting them through.
βElm . . . I told my father we didnβt need to get married.β
That was all he needed to hear. βGreat! Together we can form an alliance and get ourselves out of this mess.β
She nodded and went back to what she was doing.
He heard her sniff.
βBabe you okay?β
βYeah, itβs just the onions.β
Daniel nodded absent-mindedly, another question on the fore-front of his mind. βAre you spending the night?β
βNo, Iβm heading over to a friendβs place. Iβm still here βcause I want to see Eduwa.β
Thank God. βAlright.β
Daniel walked back to the living-room and put on the T.V to watch a crime series. He thought back to the kisses he gave Ade and the time he spent with her. He smiled. It was just like old times. He missed her and wanted to spend more time with her. He sighed. But sheβs so stubborn! She wasnβt picking his calls and he had no way of reaching her. He had been so busy at work he couldnβt drop at her place. He would find time to go over to her place.
***
βYou like it?β
βI love it!β
Zainab smiled at another satisfied customer through the mirror. The woman was strange.
Her phone rang then and she picked it from the table. She moved to a corner of the room and picked the call.
βHello?β
ββyata. Yaya dai?β
βIβm fine mum. And you?β
βIβm doing great. Iβve missed my daughter and decided to call her since sheβs too busy to pick up the phone to call me.β
Zainab rolled her eyes.
βI have been really busy mum. Iβm sorry.β
βItβs fine. Just make sure you come over this evening. I want to see you.β
Zainab noticed the woman was staring at her unashamedly. It unnerved her. She had to send her out.
βIβll try my best mum. Take care.β
βIna son ki.β
βI love you too.β
She dropped the call and turned to meet the woman. βSo you can transfer the money to my account. Iβm sorry I have somewhere else to be.β
The woman nodded. βOkay, I would do just that.β She rose from the seat. βYou do great work. I would refer you to other ladies.β
βThatβs much appreciated.β Zainab said, all business-like.
The woman picked up her bag from her seat. βI would call you later.β
Zainab released a sigh when she left. She had planned to meet up with I.K but with her mum calling her she had to cancel her plans with him. She had been looking forward to the joint he had for her.
Zainabβs mother was a very composed and beautiful woman. Zainab knew she had some of her motherβs features. Her high cheekbones. Chocolate complexion. Her slim, tall figure. The rest of her features were from the father she had never known. The father that had abandoned her when she was a baby. A man her mother never liked to talk about whenever Zainab had broached the topic years back.
βGood afternoon mum.β
Her mother smiled widely. Happy to see her. βMy baby.β She opened her arms wide as she sat on the long couch. βCome and give me a hug.β
Zainab rolled her eyes and ambled over to her mum, embracing her briefly before settling down on a couch next to her.
βSo how are you? Howβs your business?β
βFine.β Zainab got out her phone from her purse and tapped on it. I.K was pouring out his annoyance on her through texts for cancelling on him.
βKa ki yi rashin kunya. (Donβt be rude). You should put that phone away and talk to me.β
She quickly typed out sorry and a sad smiley and sent it to him before dropping the phone and focusing her attention on her mother.
βSee how skinny you are. Arenβt you eating?β
βMum whatβs up with the twenty-one questions? Iβm eating. Iβm not watching my weight at all. I want to be slim and in shape; is that bad?β
Her mother looked at her closely, studying her.
Zainab shifted on the couch, uncomfortable. βWhat about Amina and Yusuf?β She asked after her step sister and brother.
βThey have gone for lessons.β
Zainab nodded.
βYou have been using those drugs.β It wasnβt a question but a statement. Her mother had caught her once when she was still living in the house. It was one of the reasons she had left the house. She wanted to live her own life without her mother breathing down her neck and telling her the adverse effects of marijuana.
βMum, Iβm not using any drugs.β
βYouβre lying.β
Zainab smacked her hand on her forehead and stood up.
βWhere are you going?β
βI donβt need you making me feel this way mum. Making me feel inconsequential and all.β
βHow am I doing that? I asked a question -β
βAnd I answered.β
Her mother raised her palms up to her head. βOkay, Iβm sorry. Please sit down.β
Zainab sat back down and crossed her legs.
βWhat would you like to eat?β
βPancakes and scrambled eggs.β
Her mother quirked her brow, an amused look on her face. βIsnβt that for breakfast?β
She shrugged. βIβve missed your pancakes. Thereβs this way you make them, with -β
βLittle chocolate inside.β Her mother rose up. βLetβs head over to the kitchen. Weβll catch up and you would learn how to do it.β
βWho said I donβt know how to do it?β Zainab smirked, glad that the previous tension was gone.
βWill you do this one now?β
She raised her hands. βI will watch. After this one I would do it for the both of us.β
Her mother threw her head back and laughed. Zainab smiled at her. Even if she had a step-father who didnβt care too much about her, step-siblings who never got along with her . . . She had her mother. Zainab knew she would always have her mother. As for her father, years of not having him around was proof she didnβt need him in her life.
***
Audrey wanted him to pick her up so they could go to their cousinβs birthday party together. He wondered why she couldnβt drive herself there. She had given him a more or less silly reply. I just had my nails done and Iβm not up to driving. John rolled his eyes. Women! He knew though that not all women were materialistic like his sister and her room-mate.
He got out his phone from the cup-holder and speed-dialled his sisterβs number. She didnβt answer. He tried it again and this time she picked.
βIβm almost at your place so letβs start going.β
βYou didnβt tell me you wanted to go out with me. But I like this your approach sha.β
He raised his brow as he turned to his sisterβs street. βFunlola?β
She chuckled. βSorry, Audrey just got into the bathroom. She said you could come in and wait for her.β
John rolled his eyes. βThanks.β
He parked his car in-front of the apartment building, got out and went straight to their apartment. He knocked on the door and Funlola shouted for him to come in. The place smelled of perfume and sweat. He turned to the living-room. His eyes widened.
βHey PJ!β Funlola greeted. She was clad in a work-out outfit that was tight enough for him to decipher her body shape with no stress. He looked away immediately.
βFunlola what are you doing?β
βSee question! Exercise nau.β
He could hear a ladies voice on the T.V instructing her on what to do. βNow lie flat on your tummy and squeeze your bum tight . . . Raise your arms -β
Oh Lord . . .
John quickly said, βLet me wait outside . . .β
βNo need. Iβm already done. Let me quickly change before you lose your mental virginity.β She laughed and walked out of the living room.
Mental virginity? Is this babe okay? He was getting tired of her games.
John took his seat at the dining table. It would be easy for him to run out if she came out in another scandalous attire. Just because he hadnβt been with any woman yet didnβt make him less of a man and not able to get turned on. He let out a breath.
Funlola came out in a pair of jeans trouser and a loose white blouse. John had to admit she looked beautiful without make-up. Her hair packed up in a pony-tail. He liked the new hair-colour she had on.
βPJ you should have seen how scared you looked when you saw me. Havenβt you seen a woman in exercise clothing before?β She walked into the kitchen.
John opened his mouth to speak but closed it. Never in his life had he met a woman like her before. She came back out with an apple in hand and a bottle of water in the other.
βYou look really handsome in your Trad. The colour suits you well.β He had on a deep blue guinea brocade.
βThank you.β
βYouβre welcome.β
βSo whatβs mental virginity?β
βOh! It means I didnβt want your mind being corrupted. You being PJ and all.β She winked at him.
He chuckled. βYou do exercise like this everyday?β
She shook her head. βOnly when I feel like and notice when Iβm getting out of shape.β
And you just had to do it when you knew I was coming . . . He thought.
She looked pointedly at him and took a bite of her apple. βTell me the truth . . . β She licked her lips. βYou think Iβm trying to seduce you ?β
His phone rang then and he excused himself to pick it up. It was Stephanie. She had finally found a place for him and he could check it out on Monday. He thanked her. Funlola was still waiting for his answer. He had a question of his own.
βWhy havenβt you accepted Deleβs proposal?β
She shrugged. βStill thinking about it.β
βCome on Funlola. What exactly are you thinking about?β
βWhether I want to get married to him. This is a huge step and I have to be completely sure.β
John raised his brow, surprise etched on his face. βOkay, fair enough. But I feel you should give him an answer sooner rather than later. We guys arenβt too patient, βspecially if thereβs another babe lurking around the corner.β
Her eyes sparkled. βBut you arenβt like other guys PJ. Thanks for the unsolicited advice.β
John chuckled.
Audrey came out then much to Johnβs relief. He didnβt want Funlola to ask another question.
βI see you guys are getting well-acquainted. Sha donβt get too acquainted o.β
Funlola snorted.
John also didnβt see that happening. He rose to his feet. βThanks for keeping me company Funlola. Take care.β
She waved at them with her free hand. βHave fun twin-ies!β
John shook his head in amusement as he walked out.
***
Her conversation with Zainab had eased her pains considerably. Her advice to move on made a lot of sense. If he was really meant for her he would fight to have her in his life. Babe, you have to let him prove how much he wants you in his life. If you think he sounds confused then give him some space. Free the guy. And that was what she had done. She had given him space. No matter how much it hurt to see his phone-calls and not pick them, she wasnβt going to give him access to her life so easily. But now she couldnβt avoid him when he made an appearance at her door-step.
Audrey is so going to pay for this . . . Adesewa knew Audrey had told Daniel where she lived. Zainab would never have betrayed her trust.
βWhy havenβt you been picking my calls?β He asked.
She gave a half shrug. βIβve been busy.β
βCome on Ade . . . Too busy to pick a phone call?β
Adesewa clenched her teeth. She hated when he sounded like that; making her look like she was at fault when it was his. βDaniel please why are you here?β She raised her hand to the back of her neck and massaged it.
βI came to see you. After the other night you just went AWOL. Did I do something wrong?β
She eyed him. What a stupid question! βWhat kind of question is that? Did I say you did something? You didnβt do anything wrong. I was just tired. That was what I told you nau.β
He moved towards her but she moved back. She didnβt want him close. She didnβt think she could handle it.
He stopped in his tracks.
βWhy are you running away from me Ade? I told you Iβm sorry. I want us back. I love you. Iβm not getting married to Efe. We both donβt want to get married.β
She raised her brow. She found that hard to believe. βReally? I thought she had always had a crush on you for years. Why would she all of a sudden not be interested in getting married to you?β
Daniel spread his arms wide. βI donβt get Ade! You want Efe and I to get married? I donβt want that and neither does she! You donβt want to be with me? Then tell me and I wonβt disturb you any-more. Iβve been begging you for over a year now, let me know your decision.β
Adesewa folded her arms and looked away from him. She said nothing.
βAde answer me!β
βDaniel please leave me alone!β She unfolded her arms and pointed to the door. βGo away. I havenβt asked you to come. I havenβt disturbed you since I got back from Abuja. Doesnβt that pass across a message or youβre too dumb to figure it out?β
Adesewa bit her inner cheek at the harshness of her words.
βOh. Right. I would leave you alone. I wonβt be back.β
He turned and walked towards the door. She bit her lip. His back turned to her she could imagine him walking away from her life forever. She didnβt want that. As his hand reached out to the handle of the door she barely whispered, βDaniel wait . . . Please.β
He turned and looked at her. βDid you say something?β
Yeye. Like you didnβt hear me. βY-yes. I said wait. Please.β
He moved a little into the room and stopped a few feet from her. βOkay? Iβm here.β
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. βI donβt want you to go.β
He didnβt say anything, waiting for her to continue.
She ran her hand down her hair. βI spent most of my days in Abuja thinking about you. Despite Zainab trying to hook me up with other guys,β His raised his brow at that but still said nothing, βbut it didnβt work out.β Adesewa remembered her last relationship with Akin and how silly it was.
Adesewa closed the gap between them. βI- I still love you.β
His lips curled up in a smile. βOh really?β He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. βYou want to say that with your lips brushed against mine?β
She giggled. She stood on tip-toes to kiss him but he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her lightly and looked into her eyes.
βDid you really miss me?β
He nodded. βI love you Ade. I really do.β
She tilted her head to one side, an idea coming to mind. He would have to show how much he had missed her. βWould you show me how much?β
Letting out a sigh he said, βBaby I would love to do that bu-β
βDaniel please. Just this once. Donβt deny me this.β
She had missed him too much and her ego couldnβt take this rejection.
She looked into his eyes. She could sense the inner battle with in and was surprised, but glad, when he said, βLead the way . . .β
She smiled and gave him directions to her room.
***
βImagine a husband leaving his wife for a prostitute. . . β
βThatβs a weird scenario.β
βBut not impossible. Look at the world you live in, it happens. My people leave Me for mundane things. . . They behave like whores.β
John shifted on his seat. For the last couple of weeks he had been having the same pattern of conversation with God and he didnβt understand why. The last scenario was of the woman at the well who had five ex-husbands and a lover who was living with her. It was a little bible study, where God was the teacher and John the student. So far he had gotten to understand a bit more of the woman at the well than most times when he just read through the passage. The Samaritan woman had been passed on from one man to the other. Men who either divorced her or died . . . Though the bible didnβt specify, John knew such a woman wouldnβt have much self-worth.
He had jotted a lot of things down. Four pages of eye-opening revelation of one chapter in the bible . . . And he still had more to learn. He didnβt know what, but he felt something huge was going to happen in the next couple of weeks. John felt it so strongly within him, that God would teach him many more wonderful things along the way.
Wow. John is really Spirit led. please dont let him be distracted.
Love must prevail in Dan and Ade’s case o
and may Efe find love too
Abeg who get cancer?
We’ll see what happens π We would find out who has cancer soon.. Thanks for reading
Yaaaaaay??Ade and Daniel???
Who has cancer pls??
Efe and John shd start dating already pls!!!
I suspect it is Zainab’s mum that has cancer but I wouldn’t put it past Temitope to give us more twists and turns. Oh Lord!! I hope it is not Dan’s mum that has cancer…….
Thanks for sucking us in Temitope – looking forward to the next episode……
Lol! Thanks Calabar gal π
Carah you are rooting for Efe and John? Y na…
Wow
π
I want more and I mean a loooooooonnnnnng episode more, though this wasn’t short either… I think zainab’s mom is dE cancer patient…. Can we get and extra episode Please… ThumbsUp
More is coming up today… π Thanks for reading.
I want more and I mean a loooooooonnnnnng episode more, though this wasn’t short either… I think zainab’s mom is dE cancer patient…. Can we get an extra episode Please… ThumbsUp
Nice story
Thank you.. π
I have a feeling that zainab is the one with cancer.. Esp with her exess marijuana intake.
Lol @ excess marijuana ntake
Getting more and more interesting, kudos
Thanks π
Hmmmmmm interesting mehn, Zainab with cancer…..gosh next episode do come quickly oh.
Thanks Sally n Temitope.
Zainab with cancer?Hmm.. Not a bad idea…
Thanks for reading π
Hmmm, enjoying this story more. Looking forward to more unraveling.
Thanks Kemi π
Smh that Bible chapter will lead John straight to Funlola.
I just hope all this revelation John is having will not lead to Funlola o.. John deserves better i beg. Nice story.looking forward to more episode.
I’m getting hooked o!