It's Another Novocaine Saturday

It’s Another Novocaine Saturday #15

Here’s an announcement to new readers!

It’s Another Novociane Saturday is a combination of two separate stories. One of them voted as the best series on Moskedapages by my fans. You would enjoy this sequel better if you start the stories from the beginning.

Catch up with It’s Another Saturday here 

&

Novocaine Knights here

God bless you!

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Honey’s call meets me in the middle of a birth. My colleague holds my phone to my ear while I’m severing an umbilical cord. Honey wants to know if I can do dinner at theirs. I reply that I’m up to it. She tells me to wear a nice dress. There would be guests. Okay, I reply, thinking about the little red dress I bought off a colleague last week just to butter up to her and her gang of bitchy nurses. They still hate me for being close to Jide.

Honey hangs up, I go back to my patient. Hours pass, darkness comes and I am still at work. I have totally forgotten that I have to do dinner at the Onuoras. Honey calls again. This time my hand holds the phone. The first thing I say to her is β€œshit!”

β€œYou totally forgot.”

β€œI am so sorry.”

β€œPlease hurry over. Our guests just arrived.”

After she’s off the line, I dash out of the hospital like the mad woman I am. I don’t even have time to change from my scrubs. Thank God it’s a Sunday or I would have encountered some bad traffic on the way.

I smell my armpits. Not so fresh. I have been at the hospital since last night and haven’t had time for a shower today. I wonder if I can dash home, do a quick one, change and meet up on time.

I hiss, suddenly annoyed for agreeing to the dinner. Knowing how tired I am, I should have declined Honey’s invitation. But you see the thing about Honey is that she is so sweet that you can’t say no to her. I can understand why Jide is constantly smitten. She has charm, even over the phone.

β€œOlodo!” My head is sticking out of a window to insult a keke driver who thinks this is a good time to try to scratch my car. β€œYou wan die, abi?!”

The guy rains abuses on me in Yoruba as he squeezes between my car and a trailer, barely missing my side mirror. I shake my head and ask myself for the zillionth time why I made this bold move to relocate to Lagos.

I blame my mom.

β€œGo to Lagos,” she said. β€œPlenty of men there. You’ll find a husband.”

As if there is a large sea of husbands here just waiting to be fished out and married. To her – and everybody else in my family who is married, finding a life partner is as easy as breathing and yet when I ask them to give me a husband they keep bringing me trash.

My dad believes my standards are too high, and that one day I will come down to earth. But I am already at that point where I don’t need love again. Let me just marry and get everyone off my back. I know the danger in this. My friend did it and she is now stuck in an impossible situation in the name of marriage. But I know there are men out there who are mature enough to stay civil in a marriage that is not built on emotions and unnecessary romance. The problem is that such men are an endangered species. Everyone else is a dick these days.

I hiss again. To drown disturbing thoughts, I turn on the radio to Cool FM. I don’t know what is playing but it sounds nice and makes me start to bump my head. I love music. I can’t sing. I can’t dance. I don’t know who sings half of the songs on my playlist but I just love music. In fact, if I hear a song I like for the first time, I will sing along to it, chopping my mouth and shouting when I get the lyrics right – just like I’m doing right now and drawing the attention of people in a yellow, rickety bus.

Whatever. They can stare on. Who gives a rat’s ass? My house is just around the corner, anyways. I keep singing and thumping on my steering wheel until I make the turn to my street. I drive past the Onuoras’ residence on my way home. When I arrive at mine, I rush into the shower and step out five minutes later. And this is not because I am in a hurry. I have never understood why people spend forever in the bathroom. Once my body parts are thoroughly washed and rinsed, what else is there to do?

After drying my body, I slip into a thong. No time to rub any type of cream. I brush my hair up in a bun, put on minimal makeup, a pair of diamond studded earrings and matching necklace…and oh, before I forget, I douse my armpits with some deodorant.

I stare in the mirror. I look good to go. A pair of flats compliments the look and finally some spurts of my favorite Victoria’s Secret perfume.

By now Honey is calling. I choose to ignore the call. When I leave the house, I hop on a commercial bike that takes me to theirs. A feeling of relief washes over me the moment I knock on the front door. Honey is there in a flash. When she opens the door, her face lights up in an approving smile.

β€œHauwa, you look dashing. Where on earth do you get your dresses from?”

We hug and I walk in.

β€œWell, I shop here and there,” I answer, my ears picking voices coming from the dining area. β€œHow many people?” I whisper in her ear.

β€œJust three,” she answers. β€œCome.”

As I follow her, it occurs to me that I have no idea what this dinner is about. I shrug. I’m hungry, so whatever.

β€œLook who the cat dragged in,” Honey announces the moment we get to the dining area. I quickly pick out the faces of Jide, Genesis and her husband. There’s a third guy there and I have no idea who he is, although I think I recall seeing him at the appreciation party Honey dragged me to on Friday.

β€œHuawei,” Jide greets, calling me a name that sounds nothing like mine. I forgive him for it like the million other times I forgave him.

β€œGood evening,” I greet. Genesis and her husband respond but the guy doesn’t. He simply keeps his stare on me and it is rather uncomfortable. Honey makes things bumpier by placing me directly opposite him.

β€œEveryone, I want to introduce you to one of my closest friends,” Jide says. β€œShe took care of me like a sister would her brother at a point in my life when I was kind of discovering myself.”

I snort. I don’t mean to but Jide is quite an idiot. Discovering himself? Who is he kidding? He was a dog on heat, and he could have easily smashed me if I gave him as much as a wayward wink. Discovering himself, my ass.

I notice everyone is watching me. Am I supposed to be saying something?

β€œNice to meet you all,” I mutter.

Genesis smiles and that beautiful dimple of hers gets my eye. A fancy plate is put before me flanked by impressive stainless steel cutlery and I am asked to feel free to serve myself. There are three dishes and all of them look mouthwatering. I am at a loss on what to choose.

β€œTry the pasta,” the strange man facing me says. Jide had mentioned his name but I hadn’t caught it. β€œEverything is awesome but the pasta is a hit.”

Only I hear him speak. Jide is saying something which they are all laughing to.

β€œOr you could do a buffet of everything,” the guy goes on. I am forced to look at him now. On his face I find a thin, pointed nose that is just like his thin frame. His eyes are like black seeds – dark and cryptic, like the well-groomed beard that stands out from the beards of the other men at the table. These days, men are going full on their stubbles but this particular man keeps it simple, giving him a much younger look. I easily conclude that he is in his forties. There’s a certain poise and calm that come with men his age, just like Genesis’ husband who is seated beside me.

β€œYou want me to help?” he asks.

β€œSure.” I smile and watch him begin to bless my plate with pasta, a potato meal that is unfamiliar to me and some rice that is rich with vegetables and bits of beef.

β€œThank you,” I smile at him.

He smiles back. My eyes settle on his lips. They seem to belong to someone else and not him. Someone more rascally.

β€œSo Hauwa, Jide tells us you’re a midwife as well,” Genesis’ husband, whose name I just remember as Dominic, speaks. His voice is raspy.

β€œYeah, we work in the same hospital,” I reply.

β€œSo where are you from?” Genesis asks as she rests her hand on her chin.

β€œI’m from Gombe state.”

β€œYou’re a Muslim?”

β€œNo.”

β€œForgive my ignorance but I just automatically assumed you were a Muslim because of the name.”

I tell her that I understand. People from the south naturally conclude that everyone who comes from the north is a Muslim especially when they bear the same type of names the Muslims bear.

β€œSo you’re Hausa?”

I excuse her ignorance again with a patient smile. β€œNo, I’m not.”

β€œFulani?”

β€œNo.”

β€œOh. Seyi’s half-Fulani, half- Yoruba,” she informs me. I store the name in my head. Seyi. He doesn’t look like a Seyi to me. He looks more like someone who would fit in nicely at my hometown.

β€œYou’re from Kwara state?” I ask him.

β€œYeah.” I see a little surprise on his face. β€œHow did you guess?”

β€œIt’s obvious.”

β€œI think you should eat. You haven’t touched your food.”

I lower my eyes to my meal and begin eating. Everything is delicious, I say to Honey. She grins in appreciation.

β€œI can’t believe you only started cooking recently,” Genesis comments. β€œI might soon come to you for lessons.”

β€œMe too,” I add.

Honey is blushing. Jide is proud. Dinner goes on. There’s small talk and big talk and small talk again as we move on to dessert. Honey doesn’t let me leave the table to clear the dishes. She and Jide gladly do the job and return with chocolate cake and ice-cream.

dessert2

By its name and appearance, the taste is orgasmic. When it comes to food, especially sweet things, I am quite expressive. And it is no wonder I let out a moan at the first taste of the ice-cream. There is silence and then laughter follows. I open my eyes which have been shut and stare at everyone shyly.

β€œI’m so sorry but I can’t help it. This is good,” I compliment.

β€œThank you,” Honey responds. Dominic mentions something about ice-creams and they fall back into conversation once more. Seyi joins them this time. For the rest of the dinner, I am ignored by him. Maybe the way I moaned over that ice-cream turned him off. I know his type – the proper gentleman who likes well-behaved women that are about decorum and comportment and all those dainty things stuck-up rich people do.

But why should I even care what he thinks about me? I don’t know anything about him, not even his surname. So, I pretend he is not there as I direct remarks to everyone else but him. Anytime Honey tries to lump us together in a comment or question, I subtly remove him from it. And in that manner the night wears on until they announce that they are ready to leave. I also make known that it’s way past my bedtime.

β€œYou’re leaving too?” Honey links her arm in mine. I am seated in-between her and Jide.

β€œIt’s past ten, Honey.”

β€œIt is, isn’t it? Well, you guys, thank you for coming over,” she says, rising up, after her guests stand to their feet. Hugs and handshakes are shared. I insist that I have to leave as we all walk outside.

β€œGenesis, do me a favor and take Hauwa home,” Honey requests. β€œYou do remember her house, don’t you?”

β€œI do. But Seyi came with his car. Maybe she can join him and she’ll give him directions?”

My stare passes from Honey to Genesis and my dumb brain finally registers that the whole dinner has been about getting Seyi and I together. Why didn’t anyone pre-inform me?

β€œIt’ll be my pleasure to take you home, Hauwa,” Seyi states. β€œIf it’s okay with you?”

β€œIt’s fine.” I smile.

He leads the way to his car, and as I predict, it’s a luxurious beast of metal, manly and fitting for his person. His perfume is stimulating but not in an intrusive manner. The way it blends with the leather smell of the car’s interior reminds me of a warm night in a deluxe hotel suite in some European country during winter, where one is lost in the arms of a lover, binging on kisses and sparkling red wine.

β€œSo, which way?”

He has just driven out of the Onuora compound. The direction to my house is on our right but I have every intention of derailing him just to soak up the posh scent of him. The man already has my weakness.

β€œTurn left,” I direct. The car swerves to the left and goes on a slow cruise. No intruding vehicles or unnecessary pedestrians in our way. I breathe in and get in more of Seyi who remains quiet all through the ride. This time, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable. In fact, if he speaks, it will ruin the perfectness of the moment. And it’s as if he knows this. He turns on some music that sounds like a mix of soul and jazz. I don’t ask him who is singing; I just let the moment take me.

β€œWhich way?” he asks again. We are at a junction. To connect back to my house, we can either take left or right but neither of them seem like an option I want to consider.

Just take me away already, Seyi.

β€œKeep driving.”

He doesn’t say a word. The only time he speaks is when a call comes in and he has to respond to it. After that, he continues on until we get to yet another junction.

β€œAre you sure we’re not going off your route? I thought you lived near Honey.”

β€œUm…you can make a U-turn now.”

He gives me a questioning frown that doesn’t last on his face. But again, he is silent. On, we drive, all the way back to my street. We finally come to my house and I ask him to stop.

β€œYou live here?” His head is angled to have a good look at my house which bears a large, black gate and high fence. I live with just one other tenant, who is residing in the apartment upstairs.

β€œYes. This is where I live.”

β€œCool. So, can I walk you in, just to be sure you get in safely?”

I think of the mess that is my living room and the junk I have in my verandah which I haven’t had time to stash away in its proper place. I will not disgrace my ancestors this night.

β€œNo, it’s fine. Thank you for the ride.”

β€œDo you mind if I get your number, call you tomorrow or next or maybe when I get home?”

Oh, wow. Call me tonight? Dude wants to get laid badly.

β€œWell…”

β€œIf you wouldn’t mind, of course.”

I mind. I actually do. In fact, when a guy I meet for the first time asks for my number on that same day, I never pick his calls. They only want one thing from me and I stopped giving it a long time ago, hoping to find the one right man that truly deserves it. So far, no man has been worthy. I am not surprised that Seyi is no different. But curiously, I give him every single digit of my cell phone number. I get a call from him immediately while we both sit there, listening to who I don’t know is singing.

β€œGoodnight, Seyi.”

β€œHave a lovely night, Hauwa.”

The way he pronounces my name is beautiful. Not the way they all do it here, ignoring that it has a β€˜U’.

I step down from the car and walk home, forcing myself not to look back. But when I make it through the gate, I find a crack between the wall and peep out to see him driving away. I continue to my front door, insert my key in and only then do I realize that I had actually forgotten to wear a bra.

Crap!

Who the hell forgets to wear a bra?!

∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞

β€œI can’t believe she left her house without a bra.”

My laughter is loud at Jide’s statement. I have seen all sorts of crazy but Hauwa tonight, with her affronting nipples, takes the cake.

β€œIs she always that crazy?” I ask him as I walk around our bedroom with Jiney resting on my shoulder. She is having a restless night.

β€œHuawa has always been like that. She’s stylish and gorgeous from afar but when you get to know her, she’s a walking disaster. She sometimes reminds me of that Susan character in Desperate Housewives.”

β€œYou used to watch Desperate Housewives?”

β€œAnd Telemundo. When you’re with a woman for hours who is in labor, you have to do everything to entertain her.”

β€œAnd Zee World?”

β€œNah! I drew the line there.”

I laugh again. Marriage is sometimes beautiful. You discover new things about your partner every day. Last week I found out that Jide eats only the hard core of pineapples and never the juicier parts. Before then, I had never noticed it. Two days ago, he discovered that I have a birthmark behind my right ear.

β€œSo about Didi…” he says, walking towards me. My light mood dies and I exhale heavily. A short while ago, after our guests left, Jide shared with me details of the conversation he had with Oba about Didi and the auctioning of her virginity.

Weird.

And disheartening. I had high hopes for her. And I still do. I don’t intend to leave this matter as is.

β€œLet’s talk to her,” I suggest.

β€œSame thought here.”

We put Jiney to sleep.

Didi is in the living room, watching E! and having a bowl of my chocolate ice-cream.

β€œI took what’s left. It was little,” she tells me.

β€œIt’s fine. I’ve had too much. My boobs will leak if I take more. Enjoy.”

β€œThank you.”

We watch TV with her for a while and then I tell her we want to have a talk. She doesn’t object. Jide speaks, asking her is she registered online to have her virginity auctioned. She darts her eyes around before admitting that she had plans to give herself to the highest bidder. But only for fun.

β€œI was curious. I just wanted to know if it was for real. I promise you, nothing to it.” She says this, giggling and bouncing her chubby body on the sofa.

β€œYou’re sure it was just for the kicks?” Jide probes.

β€œHa-ahn, Uncle Jide, I’m not that stupid.”

β€œBut what if one day, this gets exposed online?” I ask. β€œWhat will you do? It’s the same thing as prostitution. You are selling your body.”

β€œI was only kidding, Aunty Honey. I didn’t mean anything by it. If I did, I wouldn’t have done it with Oba’s knowledge. Think about it.”

I do. I think about it and maybe, she is telling the truth. The set jawline of my husband’s face, however, believes differently.

β€œWell, it’s a good thing you were just goofing around,” he states. β€œWe can’t imagine you doing something so utterly stupid. Popsi would be highly disappointed if he hears about this.”

β€œI know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”

β€œPlease ask them to delete your account from their database.”

β€œI will. Thank you.”

β€œGoodnight.”

Jide walks back to our bedroom while I decide to stop at Yazmin’s. But when I get to her door, I change my mind. I should let her sleep. It’s late, anyway. I join Jide in bed, ready to make love, but he is as tired as I am. We spoon, say a prayer and fall asleep.

When morning comes, I am awoken by the sensation of being filled. I open my eyes and see him on top of me. I respond with an agreeable sigh as my walls slowly stretch to accommodate him. He goes in hard and deep. My body quivers as he begins to grind his body into mine. His movements are fluid and measured, and it’s sweetly torturous. But it’s the sweetest things that don’t last long. Jide soon lets go, just at the moment when I feel like I’m about to have an orgasm.

β€œNoooo!” I cry, slapping his arms for being a sloppy one-minute man this morning.

β€œI’m sorry,” he splutters in laughter.

β€œSo not fair.”

He lowers and gives me kisses all over my face until I forgive him. He then tells me the sweetest things every wife should hear each morning.

β€œI’ll make it up to you, sugams. I promise. Right now, I have to rush to work.”

β€œMe too. But just one more…” I beg. I can feel him already growing hard again.

He shakes his head. β€œNot now.”

Wicked man. I push him away. When he leaves to the bathroom, I throw a bathrobe on and go to Yazmin’s bedroom. I knock on the door. She doesn’t respond. I knock again and wait. Still no response. I turn the key and walk in.

The room is empty. The bed is made, blanket folded, floor spotless. But Yazmin is gone.

β€œYaz?” I push the bathroom door in. She is not there. I leave the room back to mine and pick up my phone to call her. The line rings on the other end. She answers.

β€œYaz, where are you?” I ask like a worried mother.

β€œHoney…” She sighs. β€œI’m on my way to Abuja.”

β€œAbuja? To do what there?”

β€œI have a plane to catch to Texas. I’m going home, Honey.”

My eyes fill with tears. I slowly sit on the bed and listen to her cry on the phone. It’s depressing.

β€œAre you coming back?”

β€œI don’t know. He doesn’t love me, Hon. He never did.”

My face is soaking wet now. β€œAnd the baby? What will you do?”

β€œI’m keeping it.”

β€œThat’s good to hear.”

β€œHoney, I gotta go. I have to check in.”

β€œOkay. Will you call me when you get to Abuja?”

β€œYes.”

β€œI love you, Yaz.”

She is mute. I know she’s still crying.

β€œGive a big kiss to Tobe for me.”

β€œI will.”

She hangs up. I rub my palms over my cheeks to dry my tears. What a sad way to start the day. I so hate Emeka right now and I have to let him know how much. I scroll through my contact list and tap on his name. The line begins to ring.

∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞

I am happy today. After one week of being miserable and talking to a therapist, I wake up on the sunny side this morning. Maybe it’s because my husband is lying beside me and we’re back to our old selves, all fight gone, and a resolution reached on how to handle our marital situation with Yazmin.

Last night, Emeka and I had a talk we had both been avoiding for over a year. After he showed up at Mary’s place drunk and calling me Nicole, I gave him a nasty slap, a cold shower and some time to cool off. Afterwards, we spoke and he was open about his feelings for Yazmin.

β€œI love her, Tola. Maybe not the same way I love you. You’re my best friend but I have deep feelings for Yaz.”

β€œHow deep?”

β€œI’m finding it hard to let her go. She means that much to me.”

My heart broke a million times hearing him say that but since he was only being honest, I took the revelation in bravely.

β€œBut I will let her go if you just say the word, Tols. I can’t lose you for anything.”

β€œI don’t want you to let her go. Yazmin loves you, Mex, and she’s human and has a heart that you keep on breaking. Asides that, what will you do with Tobe if you ask her to leave?”

He was quiet. We were sitting out in the dark, just outside Mary’s kitchen. There was a table before us with dinner we both hadn’t touched.

β€œBut this triangle isn’t working, Omotola.”

β€œIt isn’t working because you keep treating Yazmin less than she deserves. Mex, I’m not in competition with her. I’m holding my place in your life. She should feel secure in hers. If she doesn’t, it’s your fault.”

β€œCan I love you both equally?”

β€œNo one is asking you to. But neither of us should know how you feel about the other. Just make her happy. Is it that hard?”

β€œNo. I’ve just been intentionally indifferent.”

β€œPlease, go and make up with her because we’re all in this together. If one side hurts, the whole body hurts.”

β€œYou’re okay with me spending quality time with her?”

β€œHaven’t we been doing this already, Mex? And it was going smoothly until you screwed it up. Me, I have a hospital to run and very little time to perform any wifely duties. You and Yaz have all the time in the world. Just make sure you’re not exhausted when I want you.”

I could see relief on his face. Dude was actually scared to have this talk. I had avoided it too but my therapist suggested it and I’m glad I listened to her.

He left his chair and came over to mine. Leaning over from behind, he rubbed my belly and was lucky enough to feel the baby kick.

β€œPlease, eat. I made the food just for you,” I told him. He kissed me. It was a beautiful night that stretched into this beautiful morning.

tols2

And now, while he still sleeps, I leave the bed for my daily exercise. I’m a fit mama. I work out every dawn and dusk. Add that to eating the right meals and staying off anything fatty. I intend to have a healthy baby so that the pain of losing Majekodunmi is totally forgotten. Sometimes I remember him and cry. I wish I hadn’t held his underdeveloped body after I birthed him. The image still haunts me. To know that he was part of me and lived in me and yet died in me is not something I can put in words. I used to be an advocate for abortion until Jide handed me his lifeless, little form, wrapped in a blanket on which friends and family wrote out heartfelt messages. It had been hard for me to lay him to rest. I mourned him for a long time without anyone knowing. It was at that time I sought God and begged him to bring him back to me if he still loved me despite all my sins. God answered my prayers, and today I’m carrying another boy. His name is Akintunde, meaning the warrior has come again. It’s also my late father’s name who was born under similar circumstances.

Nobody knows how much this baby means to me and that is why I won’t let anyone, not even Emeka, give me negative aura during this pregnancy.

I pick out the sound of Emeka’s phone ringing. He is still asleep and doesn’t hear it. I go for it and see that it’s Honey calling. I pick the call; before I can say a word, she goes into a tirade, calling Emeka out for being unfeeling towards Yazmin. I tap Emeka awake. He opens an eye and I put Honey on speakerphone.

β€œYou better not let her leave the shores of Nigeria or you’ll lose her!” Honey warns. β€œJust go and bring her back, abeg!”

β€œHoney?” Emeka is confused. Still sleepy. β€œWhat’s going on?”

β€œYazmin is on her way to Abuja. She’s leaving you. Go and bring her back. She’s at the airport. She’s hurting deeply, Mex. Please, go and bring her.”

β€œShit.” Emeka springs up. β€œHoney, let me call you back.”

He ends the call and immediately dials Yazmin’s number. It rings and stops without her answering. Emeka doesn’t wait. He picks his t-shirt, my car key and his phone. I get a kiss before he leaves. I go back to my exercise, mulling over the whole thing. My youngest sister who is in the States is a hardcore feminist and is not talking to me right now because she feels I am being oppressed over my decision to stay married to a man who has another wife. I told her, during our last conversation, that I was okay with the status quo.

β€œPolygamy is patriarchal and it is all about oppressing women!” she had shouted. β€œWill your husband allow you have another husband if the tables were turned?!”

β€œI have no intention of having another husband.”

β€œWhat if you fall in love with another man? Will Emeka let you marry him or have sex with him?”

Her question hit me hard. But the truth was that I was capable of being physical without putting my emotions to it. That was why it was easy to sleep with Jide. Emeka, however, is not that type of person. That is how I know that he loves Yazmin. And it is something I have come to accept. As for how he is able to love two people at the same time, I discovered human beings are capable of doing so, when as a teenager, I found out that my mom was having an emotional affair with our pastor.

My parting word to my sister was that human relationships were complex and Emeka and I were doing fine with our arrangement. Her response to me was, β€œYou’re oppressed, and I am ashamed that you’re my elder sister. Don’t ever call me unless you divorce his ass!”

We haven’t spoken to each other since. I don’t care.

I leave the room to the kitchen for breakfast and to also tell Mary that I have long overstayed my welcome and I’m ready to leave.

I find her and Ekene in the kitchen. They are having a huge fight. I give them some privacy but stay within eye and earshot. Their fight has to do with Ekene’s insistence on not wanting to have a child at this time and Mary doing everything to get pregnant. Unkind words are thrown from both sides. Mary can’t stand the heat and so she leaves the kitchen. Ekene takes a chair. He fiddles with his phone for a while, thumbing over the screen, putting it down, lifting it up and repeating the process a few times. When he stops, he slants his head in my direction.

β€œMrs. Onuora, you can come out now.”

Embarrassed, I step away from the darkness and stroll towards him.

β€œGuess you heard everything.”

β€œJust a little.”

He stands up. He is all dressed to leave the house. His light blue on dark blue attire, complemented by a dark brown tie and matching shoes remind me of how much of the outside world I have missed. I can’t wait to go back to work.

β€œBreakfast?” he offers.

β€œNo, I’m good. I’ll do it myself.”

β€œYou’re my guest. Please, sit.” He rolls up his sleeves. β€œOats? Pap? Rice pudding? Madam made moi-moi.”

β€œOats, please.”

Ekene puts a pot on fire and pours some oat into it, according to my specifications. He adds water and returns to me.

β€œCan you help me talk to your friend?”

β€œWhat’s going on?”

He takes his seat. β€œBefore we got married, I had badly wanted a baby, just to make my mom happy. But she died and Tomiwa and I sat down and decided we would wait two years before we start planning for one. However, three months in, she begins to tell me that she wants to take out her IUD. She wants a baby. I get angry because this is not what we agreed. I scold her, she apologizes and doesn’t bring up the topic for a while but just last month, I stumble across a pregnancy kit she had discarded outside. I ask her about it and she confesses that she had the IUD taken out. I am mad at her. We have a fight and don’t talk to each other for days. Later on, she comes to me and apologizes and tells me how badly she wants a child. But I still don’t want one. Tola, a child changes everything. It changes us, and I’m in this amazing stage with her right now where I’m deeply falling for her.

β€œYou know how our marriage went. It wasn’t really about love. We were both ready and desperate to be married and we did it. Soon after, I really started to fall in love. But all Tomiwa wants from me is a baby. Do you know how that hurts, Tola?”

I nod.

β€œI feel like your friend may never really fall for me.”

β€œDon’t say that. These things take time for some people.”

β€œI’m crazy about Mary. You guys have no idea.”

β€œSo if you love her that much, give her what she wants.”

β€œSo that she’ll push me away? No, thanks. I know how fathers are quickly replaced by their babies. Especially with first time moms. But that’s not what bothers me. I’m afraid that Tomiwa is simply living out a blueprint of how she feels her life ought to go. Find a man, get married and have kids. I don’t think I fit into her grand plan.”

I tell him I think otherwise. Mary doesn’t always talk about him but her feelings are strong. She doesn’t seem like the expressive type.

β€œShe needs time, Kene. And maybe…just maybe a baby will bring you guys together.”

β€œI doubt that it would.”

He stands up to check my oatmeal. Like Tomiwa, Ekene is stubborn.

∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞  ∞∞∞∞

My activities for the day:

>Fight with a bus conductor over fifty naira.

>Insult a man’s entire generation on an ATM line when he tries to jump in front of me from nowhere.

>Get to work and generally ignore everybody. When they try to talk to me, snap at them.

>Get scolded by Wura for my nastiness.

>Enter the bathroom to have a good cry.

>Come back to the office go on Facebook to troll and give all my haters a piece of my mind.

>Return to the bathroom to have another weepy moment when one of them calls me a fat pig and adds a meme to it.

>Sit outside the office in rebellion and decide to do nothing until closing hours.

>Pick up my phone and finally dial the person who is responsible for my anger.

β€œCan you come over to see me at home?”

β€œJide’s place or…?”

β€œNo, the Ditorusin mansion.”

β€œOkay. I’ll be there in a bit.”

I hear him saying something else but I cut the line. I walk back into the office, pick my handbag and close for the day. I avoid the irritating buses I find outside the building for the sake of world peace. I have decided to use an Uber instead. As I wait for one, I rehearse the words I would tell my dumbass younger brother who feels like he has a say in my life and what happens to my vagina. He is so dead today.

My phone rings. I look up and see my Uber waiting. I hurry towards it. When I get in, I go back on Facebook to finish what I started. I can’t overemphasize how angry I am.

I cuss.

The Uber driver, like the million others out there, doesn’t even as much as blink an eye. I keep cussing and hissing until I arrive home. I enter my room and find stupid Oba waiting.

oba

I’ve always considered him the cutest amongst my brothers. It’s about the swag. He reminds me of DJ Kasbi who for reasons known to him abandoned me when the chemistry between us was peaking. I’ll still take him with open arms if he finds his way back to me. He can gladly pop my cherry for no fee at all.

And why on earth do my moralistic brothers find the idea of me auctioning my virginity such a disgusting thing? The average dumb girl will give it freely to a lost soul who would break her heart. If she can make a lot of cash from it, why not?

β€œHey, Di,” Oba greets. I ignore him as I loosen the knot that holds my hair and take off my jacket.

β€œYou won’t talk to me?”

I flash angry eyes at him. He stares back like an innocent child.

β€œGet off my bed!” I hit him with my jacket.

He stands. My hand knocks off his cap.

β€œI told you something in confidence, Obasi. Only you! I even remember telling you not to tell anybody! But you go and run your mouth to Jide and his wife because you feel you have a say over my sex life!”

β€œNo, Di…”

β€œI have not finished talking! Shut up!”

β€œPlease, don’t shout.”

β€œI can shout as much as I want, Obasi because you’re a Judas! I trusted you with my secret but you betrayed me!”

β€œDidi, calm down.” He comes towards me. I move back, repulsed by him. β€œPlease, listen to me…”

I don’t know how it happens but I respond to an instant, thoughtless urge to slap him. My palm meets his face and I feel the sting, even more than he does. There is a fleeting moment of silence between us and then he charges at me, grabs the hand that has hit him, swivel me around like I’m some doll and slams me to the wall.

β€œIf you ever try the nonsense you just did, Ndidi, I will beat you without giving a fuck that you’re a girl.”

β€œObasi! Have you gone mad?! Let me go!”

β€œI’ve endured enough of your nonsense – you ordering me around, using me as a driver, spending my money anyhow and on top of that, having the guts to slap me. If you try it again, you’ll regret what I’ll do to you.”

I am shocked. Oba again? My own baby brother manhandling me? Is this spoilt brat out of his mind or what?

I push back. β€œLeave me alone, Obasi!”

β€œApologize.”

β€œApologize? Oba, what has gotten into you?”

β€œApologize or I’ll not let you go.”

β€œHian!”

I can’t believe this. Somebody tell me this boy is joking.

β€œOba, let me go!”

β€œApologize. It’s simple,” he says into my ear. β€œSay, β€˜I am sorry for how I’ve been treating you.”

I feel hot, painful tears baking my eyes. This boy has gone loco.

β€œI’m waiting.”

I hesitate for a long time but when I see that he is not budging, I give in.

β€œI’m sorry,” I murmur, just to get him off my back – literally.

He releases me. I turn around and slap him again. This assault packs more punch than the first. Oba takes the same hand, pins it above my head on the wall and pushes my back to it. I open my mouth to speak and he covers it with his.

Revulsion hits me as I use all my strength to push him away.

β€œYou did not just kiss me, Oba!” I scream. β€œWhat is wrong with you?!”

We are both heaving as we glare at each other. I’m reeling over what just happened.

β€œI am your sister, Obasi!”

β€œYou’re not my sister,” he replies before I can finish speaking.

β€œWhat is wrong with you?!”

β€œYou are not my sister, Didi! Your mother is not my mother! Your father is not my father! They both lied to you! We, all of us, lied to you!”

I keep breathing like an ox that has just been chased around by a pride of lion. I refuse to believe what I just heard.

β€œMy dad had an affair with your mom in 1995. You were already born then. There was no way he could have been your father.”

β€œBut…”

β€œThey lied to you, Didi. Your real father is probably alive somewhere.”

β€œNo,” I croak.

β€œYes, Didi.”

β€œNo. I’m going to call Jide and ask.”

Oba doesn’t stop me, and the fact that he doesn’t, scares me. I reach for my phone and call Jide. He answers immediately.

β€œHi, Ndidi.”

I bite my lips before I speak. A sniffle escapes.

β€œUncle Jide?”

β€œDidi, are you okay?”

β€œNo, Uncle Jide.”

β€œWhat’s going on? Talk to me.”

I pause. Jide is the sweetest brother on earth. How can he not be related to me?

β€œOba… Oba just told me that daddy is not my biological father. Is it true?”

Jide is silent.

β€œUncle Jide?” my voice breaks.

β€œWhere is that Oba that told you that nonsense?”

β€œIs it true, Uncle Jide? Please, tell me.”

β€œDidi, when you come home, we’ll talk about it. Please, pass the phone to Oba if he’s there.”

I give Oba my phone. He taps the speaker button.

β€œObasi,” Jide calls. β€œLeave where you are to a quiet place so I can insult you right now.”

Oba doesn’t leave. Jide goes ahead with the promised insult but he serves it in Yoruba. I don’t catch a thing he says; however, his reaction to what I told him only confirms what Oba revealed to me. I fall on my bed, my back hitting it hard. As I look up at the ceiling, I begin to cry. My mom, the only person I loved and trusted, lied to me. The man whom I thought was my dad lied to me. My real father must be some scum of the earth, living a terrible life somewhere. What did I do to deserve this, Lord Jesus?

I cover my face with a pillow, praying it chokes me to death. Oba lets me cry for some time but soon I feel him climbing the bed. He kneels astride me and forces the pillow off my face.

β€œPlease, stop crying, Di.”

His voice is gentle, nothing like the Oba who was just rough with me. But his gentleness can’t take away my pain. When his palm tenderly wipes my tears, he finds it a waste of time as his efforts only make me cry more. He keeps begging me to stop but I can’t. The pain is overwhelming. He gives up and lies beside me.

β€œThere’s a silver lining in all of this, though,” he says.

β€œWhat silver lining?” I snivel.

β€œI can make moves on you now that you know we’re not related. We can actually have a thing.”

I lose what little sanity I have left as I let out a miserable wail. This is so not happening to me.

β€œI hate you, Oba!”

He cackles.

Β©Sally@moskedapages

Images: FoodbeastWe Heart It, Angela Simmons

Sally

Author. Screenwriter. Blogger

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47 Comments

  1. Wow so so interesting, hmmmmmmm oba nd didi.OK na LUV in d. air.enjoy

  2. adeola gem says:

    Oh oh! There’s trouble in paradise…kene, take it easy on Mary o. Every woman wants a child. Oh didi, you so have a thing with Oba…u just don’t know. Waiting to see how it goes btw hauwa n Seyi. Thanks Ms Sally, good read.

  3. ola says:

    Uhmmmm

  4. Dotun says:

    Today’s episode was lit!
    First, Hauwa…she’s insane. I always suspected from that canada trip with jide. psyko!
    Tola has a huge heart. Dear lord, give her safe delivery. amen
    Tomiwa and her superman. i love them. but kene should giv her time
    ANd then finally, my couple for the day…okay, maybe not couple yet. the silly brother and sister. i so love oba, the way he handled didi. cool.
    Sally, kisses to you

  5. Damilola says:

    Hmmmmmmmmm Mary Mary come to an agreement with your boo o.
    And honey and jide tho….early morning sex….BAE

  6. Ope says:

    ? ? ? ? Oba is a fool. Mex’s situation is just confusing, I don’t even know what to say. Seyi and Hauwa ??

  7. t4temi says:

    All shades of awesomeness. Dear Sally, I love you too much.

  8. Temmy says:

    This is da bomb, I feel for Didi though. Oba is just too stupid. Tnx sally

  9. Lol. Oba is such a fool ????

  10. Haryoka says:

    Laughing my ass out oba n didi wee not kill me, hauwa tho she’s crazy aw can she forget to wear bra geez crazy girl, a big thumps up for tola she’s the real MPV in btw thanks for this episode you just made my week

  11. Dayo says:

    Today’s episode is whoa, Hauwa is such a crazy gal, i hope it works out with Jide..Emeka complicated married life eh, Tola dey try kan o.Obasi and he mouth eh, i knew he will be d one to tell Didi the truth…thanks sally

  12. adebayo says:

    No comments. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode….oh and yes Oba is a fool..

  13. Jumes says:

    Awwww… Sally thank you for this long episode… Oba can totally make moves on Didi….Hauwa and Seyi pls get-together already. Emeka has to beg Yaz gan o…. Mary and Kene, hmmnnn, Mary pls slow down na. Sally I love this episode.

  14. Sandra says:

    awwwww, this is undeniably my best episode yet in this series.. Thank you Sally. may God give us the wisdom to know when and how to actually communicate our feelings when necessary, cos I can totally relate with Mary and Ekene, in love but unsure of what the other person feels for you so u just remain unexpressive of ur own feelings…. enof of the blabbing… btw Yazmin can go, I really don’t send her and I still feel Onourah is Didis father, he should quit the deception before incest starts happening under his nose.

  15. Sally this one na better Sunday rice you serve us so. Nagode

  16. Sarah says:

    Thank you Sally for this very interesting episode, I was glued to my phone from the moment I started reading this episode… I loved every bit. Well done

  17. Sophia says:

    Poor Yazmin ,I love this episode Aunty Sally.

  18. Olubanky says:

    Oba and Didi…. Nah! Can’t wrap my head around it…. Hauwa…. Crazy Hauwa…. Mr. Ekene which main yawa be dis na, abeg free that thing make you give Mary belle joor… Yaz… Am so feeling ur pain rite now… Mex! U are dead! Sally You are super duper… Love you to the moon and back

  19. hacolyte says:

    Wat an epic episode just don’t know wat to say at all. Seyi n Hauwa, Kene n Mary, Yazmin n Mex, Oba n Ndidi, these love quadruple is really somfin to looked up to. Tanks Sallly ????????????

  20. Dupe says:

    Oba Oba, now your mama will kill you.

  21. Rikitava says:

    I will be back with my comment.. I’m still trebling from the awesomeness of this episode.

  22. ayo says:

    All I can do is give a sweet wide grin for Didi n Oba’s issue and to think Hauwa left her house without a bra, lol… Thanks Sally

  23. Carah? says:

    I really enjoyed the episode. Thanks sally?

  24. Ifeanyi Onochie says:

    Wow! What a delightfully long episode. I thoroughly enjoyed reading as it went on and on and on. I enjoyed Didi’s list of activities.

    The ‘u’ in the pronunciation of ‘Hauwa’ is a revelation. I loved reading about how a woman behaves when she’s crushing madly on someone.

    The love triangle between Yaz, Tola and Emeka? Absolute madness. Tolu can’t be a real woman if she’s actually letting Emeka act on his feelings towards Yaz.

    Next episode, please!

  25. mz eluanza says:

    Av just been laughing…Hauwa chai no wonder seyi was just staring who forgets to wear a bra…emeka is just a nutcase…oba needs my own slp

  26. MissBosola says:

    You rock Sally, enjoyed every bit of it. From Hauwa crazy babe to Oba. Can’t wait for the next episode. Have a great week cheers!

  27. iamhorllamii says:

    Dis episode was mind blowing couldn’t drop ma phn 4 anytin Nt until I finish reading it. Its Ws a hit back 2 bck. Oshhey Sally

  28. gbemmy says:

    *wailing* I love this I love ur brain,hands sally. will u grant me ur heart ?

    no cry didi, oba is crazy for u which was y he did that
    who leaves their house without a bra to a dinner…..hauwa kolo o,wonder how her nipples would have been straining d dress she wore…she even moaned. highest height of erotica ?. Seyi abeg I put hand for this, start already

    sally kudos to you ??

  29. Modupe says:

    This episode is damn full….obasi yaf gone mad again…….

  30. Calliboom says:

    oba has gone nutty, hmmmm feel for Didi

  31. Bman says:

    “Leave where you are to a quiet place so I can insult you right now.” This had me in stitches…Lmao! Lovely episode. Thank you Sally.

  32. Reni says:

    this episode has me ????
    I love when people find love. I really hope Hauwa works out with Seyi…it’s about time those 2 find happiness.
    and to my new favorite couple : Oba and Didi??? looks like they’ll be another ‘Jiney ‘…Aunty Sally??? you too much

  33. Kemi says:

    Hmmm

    This is getting more and more interesting

    I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds

  34. tessy says:

    tanks sal

  35. Biola says:

    Great episode Madam Sally!! I enjoyed every part.
    Ndidiamaka, you need to grow up! Obasi, you don’t manhandle a woman, no matter the provocation.
    Tola, you’re a strong woman o! Emeka doesn’t deserve you at all.
    Seyi and HaUwa, my jury hasn’t decided yet.

  36. Neymar ? says:

    I love i love i love dis. Hoping to see more of seyi n hauwa in next episode . Tanx sally!

    1. Neymar ? says:

      I wish dere is a like button on ur blog like dat of facebook for ghost readers sake who cant comment .

  37. Ella says:

    its another captivating episode. Nice one sally. love how jide and honey are getting more insync.
    pls guys vote for this beautiful piece to win. http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/flash-fiction/voteall.php?id=796
    God bless.

  38. Jehaan says:

    Lol…. I swear the Onuora’s’ are craaaazie! Oba is weird tho am loving his character.
    Sally as usually had fun reading this drama-filled episode. Thanks and thumbs up!

  39. Tosin says:

    Feeling bad for Didi right now, Obasi is one selfish guy, just shattered her heart just like that.
    Tomiwa and Ekene…..take it easy o
    As for Yaz, Tola and Mex, i dont know what to say .
    Thanks Sally for this episode.

  40. Mc Matiki says:

    Jesus ooo!
    I just died.

  41. Toyenlon says:

    Oba gave Didi a heartbreaking news that the father she knows is not her real father and still expects her to be welcome to the idea of him making moves on her at the same time…smh for him. This is a lovely episode, thanks.

  42. Seye says:

    Lovely, lovely episode. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
    These characters are real people to me. I have a friend who’s Hawa personified. A lot of her is in the Hawa character. I really like the mushy way Seyi got her feeling. For someone who’s swagnificient, you don’t get anything less.
    Wura and Ekene, and the rest of us. Shebi he still knew she was trying to get pregnant. Some of the men I know didn’t even get to know until after the 9 month course started. That thing about marriage making people discover some so minute details is so true, I can perfectly relate.
    People whose mouths leak are terrible. You could excuse Obasi for telling Jide stuff because he’s drunk (though I wouldnt), what defence does he have for the revelation to Ndudi if not absolute selfishness.
    Thanks for this wonderful episode Sally. Blessings

  43. Just Dotun says:

    ummm. Seyi and Hauwa…. loving it
    Yazmin my dear, you will be fine. i just hope your papi won’t come to Nigeria to kill Emeka o

  44. Vikki says:

    Fascinating…Thank you so much for this Sally

  45. oba is a dick and probably my least favourite character right now. he could have handled this like a gentleman. Fucking fool.
    And as for yaz, mex and tola, I keep saying it but Sally keeps pretending like she doesn’t read my comments. Those 3 need to have a hot, sweaty threesome sex! I’m not the only one thinking it! Tola has already accepted the marriage. Just bring them closer together once and for all! I won’t stop campaigning for this, Sally

  46. ❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

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