It's Another Novocaine Saturday

It’s Another Novocaine Saturday #23

This post is dedicated to Mariam and Cheyi, two beautiful mothers who just recently had their babies.

Congratulations, mamas!

โ€œTola, can you concentrate and start pushing?โ€

Doctor Omotola Adeniyi Onuora is officially the most annoying patient Iโ€™ve ever had to deal with. And I canโ€™t show my annoyance because family.

She is about to have her baby and some members of the family are here. Tola invited them and others for the birth of her son. Even some strange faces I have never seen before are present. She says they are her cousins. Thereโ€™s one wearing a white garment, going about and sprinkling some weird water around the VIP birthing unit. I have had to send everyone out, leaving Nne and Elsie with us. Without them, I would have lost my mind.

โ€œTola, stop cussing and push this boy out nau.โ€

โ€œJidenna, take it easy,โ€ my mom chides me gently. Iโ€™m also mad at her. Sheโ€™s the reason Iโ€™m here. It is she who drags me from my house to this place to poke my fingers into my brotherโ€™s wifeโ€™s vagina, a place I said Iโ€™d never go into again even if a gun is put to my head.

Rewind to three hours ago. Iโ€™m just returning home from work and Iโ€™m accosted by Honey at the door as she asks me who Amata is. The question shocks me but I present a confused face.

โ€œAmata?โ€ I ask.

She folds her arms. Her eyes have gone crazy like that time she went on a punishment spree.

โ€œWho told you about Amata?โ€

โ€œIt doesnโ€™t matter.โ€

I snort. โ€œAmata doesnโ€™t matter then.โ€

I move and Honey blocks me. โ€œWhoโ€™s playing with you, Onuora?โ€

โ€œHian. You want to fight me?โ€

โ€œYou have no idea what youโ€™ve done, have you?โ€

I drop my gaze on Honeyโ€™s breasts, bursting out from the cleavage of her negligee. I find pointed nipples pushing forward. I donโ€™t plan to get distracted but I do.

โ€œAmata is the chick I slept with in Zanzibar. Satisfied?โ€ I lift my eyes to look into hers.

โ€œIs that all?โ€

โ€œWe had a condom malfunction and I sort of came inside her.โ€

โ€œSort of?โ€

โ€œI came inside her.โ€

โ€œIs that all?โ€

โ€œAnd I forgot about it until she showed up from nowhere with a baby that looks like Jiney. I was worried that she could be mine, so I begged her to let us do a DNA test on the baby, which she agreed to and we did a couple of days back. The result comes out tomorrow.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s all?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s all.โ€

Honey flashes her phone in my face, showing me pictures of a house that has clothes and boxes strewn outside it. The last picture is of Amataโ€™s baby, sitting on an infant mattress surrounded by the clothes.

โ€œWhatโ€™s this?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m not done.โ€

Honey shows me a series of chat messages she had with Amata which basically corroborates my version of the story but the following lines get me:

-Someone in that hospital that knows me saw me and went to tell my husband that I came for a DNA test with another man

-Now Iโ€™m kicked out of my house. My marriage is finished. Jide has finished me

I go weak and slump down on the armrest of one of the couches.

โ€œShe called me this afternoon and told me everything. She was crying on the phone, Jide. She said you wouldnโ€™t pick her calls or answer her messages.โ€

โ€œFuck.โ€

โ€œWhy did you do this? Why did you sleep with her in the first place? Why have you destroyed her marriage?โ€

Honey is crying. I would hold and comfort her if my thought faculties are alright. But right now, I donโ€™t even know how to start processing the many different thoughts in my head.

I want to defend my actions. I want to tell Honey Iโ€™m sorry. I want to express how much I regret that stupid night in Zanzibar. I want to call Amata and make things right with her. I want to slap myself a thousand times.

โ€œSheโ€™s in the guestroom, staying for the night. Tomorrow, Iโ€™ll put her in a hotel. Well done, Jideofor.โ€ Honey begins to walk away but stops. โ€œTry not to fuck her while youโ€™re at it.โ€

I keep my eyes on her until she disappears. I sit in the living room, thinking of a million ways to say Iโ€™m sorry. But none of them looks easy. I stand up, eventually, and walk to the guestroom and knock at the door.

โ€œCome in.โ€

I enter. Amata is seated on a couch resting underneath one of the windows. Her baby is asleep on the bed. Her belongings are arranged before the wardrobe. I see a tray of untouched food on the floor.

โ€œWhatever it is you want to say that cannot undo my husband kicking me out and calling me a whore, please keep it to yourself.โ€

โ€œAmata, Iโ€™m so sorry.โ€

โ€œI begged you, Jide. I begged you.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m sorry.โ€

โ€œHe said that even if the DNA proves that Angel is his baby, heโ€™s not taking me back. That he would divorce me and still take her.โ€

Amata starts to weep. The sound is heart-wrenching. I remain by the door and try to soothe her with words.

โ€œI will fix this, Amata. I promise you. I will.โ€

โ€œYou canโ€™t. You have no idea how wicked my husband can be. No idea. He can even stab you if you go near him.โ€

โ€œCan I have his number?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s never going to happen.โ€

โ€œAmata, please. I need to fix this.โ€

She looks at me for the first time since I walked in. โ€œMy marriage is not a broken TV that you unscrew and fix! Itโ€™s over for me! Youโ€™ve ruined everything!โ€

โ€œAmata, thereโ€™s still a way out. Just give me his number.โ€

โ€œGoodnight, Jide.โ€

โ€œAmata, pleaseโ€ฆโ€

โ€œGoodnight.โ€

I step outside.

โ€œI just want to let you know, thoughโ€ฆโ€

I stop.

โ€œYour wife loves you and you owe her a huge one. I told her everything about us, in detail, just to hurt her, to make her feel the pain I was feeling. You know what she said to me? She said, โ€˜I already forgave him.โ€™ And she added, โ€˜his problem is now my problem and weโ€™ll get you out of thisโ€™. You owe her your life, Jide. Make things right with her.โ€

I leave the room and go to Honey. I see her popping a mood stabilizer, something she hasnโ€™t done in a long time. I take her hand, drag her to the bed, sit her down, and on my knees I beg her.

She cries dejectedly until my eyes fill with tears. โ€œIโ€™ve already forgiven you, Jide. But why didnโ€™t you just let the past remain where it was? Why dig it up? Why bring back painful memories?โ€

โ€œI was restless.โ€

โ€œThat child doesnโ€™t look like Jiney! She is not yours, Jideofor! Sheโ€™s not yours!โ€

โ€œI only wanted to be sure.โ€

โ€œAre you happy now? Are you happy that I have details of how you and Amata had sex? How you did the same things to her you used to do to me?โ€

I bend my head in shame. Obviously, Amata missed out the part where I kept calling her โ€˜Honโ€™. But none of that matters right now. Whatโ€™s important is this woman before me.

I rise up and sit beside her to put my arms around her.

โ€œYou know I love you, right?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s why itโ€™s so hard. I know you love me. If you didnโ€™t, Iโ€™d take back my forgiveness and let you suffer alone for your foolishness.โ€

โ€œIโ€™ve done so many stupid things in this life but none as stupid as that night in Zanzibar. I will spend forever making it up to you.โ€

โ€œLetโ€™s just find a way to get Amata back to her husband, then we can talk about forever.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m thinking up a fast planโ€ฆโ€

She interrupts me. โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you tell me about the DNA test, though?โ€

โ€œI didnโ€™t want to upset you.โ€

โ€œBut did you think of what would have happened if it turned out that the baby was yours?โ€

I have no answer for her.

โ€œAnd if she wasnโ€™t yours, you would have just quietly continued living your life as my husband abi?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m sorry.โ€

โ€œI am highly disappointed, Jideofor. I feel like walking out of this door and leaving you but God will not let me.โ€

I sigh.

โ€œLetโ€™s just handle this first and Iโ€™ll face you.โ€

โ€œI tried to get Amataโ€™s husbandโ€™s number from her but she wonโ€™t let me. Iโ€™ll call her sisterโ€ฆโ€

โ€œI have the number.โ€

Honey pushes her phone towards me.

โ€œHow did you get it?โ€

โ€œJust know that I can do anything I want to and leave no trace. Youโ€™re not the only cruel person in this relationship.โ€ She stands. โ€œIโ€™ve had a long day. Iโ€™m going to shower.โ€

Once sheโ€™s out of earshot, I type out Amataโ€™s husbandโ€™s number on my phone and dial it. The man answers immediately.

โ€œHello Mr. Onuora.โ€

Sometimes I just hate Truecaller.

โ€œGood evening, Mr. Bassey.โ€

โ€œI have been expecting your call.โ€

Basseyโ€™s voice is menacing. I donโ€™t know if itโ€™s natural or heโ€™s just trying too hard.

โ€œAnd I know why youโ€™re calling,โ€ he continues. โ€œYouโ€™re trying to speak on behalf of that dirty prostitute who calls herself my wife.โ€

โ€œAmata, you mean?โ€

โ€œBy the way, is the DNA result out yet?โ€

โ€œNo, itโ€™s not out yet. But before it comes out, I would like to fix an appointment with you for tomorrow. Any time you feel would be convenient for you.โ€

โ€œThis is the only convenient time for me, sir. And I have one simple message for you. Actually, a simple solution to all of this.โ€ He laughs and it irks me.

โ€œWhatโ€™s the solution?โ€

โ€œI will take Amata back, whether the baby is mine or not, only under one condition.โ€

โ€œWhat condition?โ€

โ€œA night with your beautiful wife.โ€

I squint in instant anger.

โ€œJust so that we are even.โ€

โ€œAre you out of your mind?โ€ I retort.

He laughs again. โ€œThatโ€™s the condition. I do to you as you did to me.โ€

โ€œI did not sleep with your wife. Amata was single, as I was, when we metโ€ฆโ€

โ€œKeep preaching to the choir, oga.โ€

I cut him off and fling the phone on the bed. I go for a can of beer in the kitchen where I stay and ponder on other options that can get Amata out of her mess.

I chug down the can of beer and pick another. I walk back to the room just as Honey is stepping into it from the bathroom.

โ€œYou called him?โ€ she asks, drying her body with a towel.

โ€œYeah.โ€

โ€œWhat did he say?โ€

โ€œWeโ€™ll have a meeting tomorrow and iron things out.โ€

Thereโ€™s no way I can repeat the words he told me to her. I canโ€™t stand to see her cry again.

โ€œLetโ€™s go to bed.โ€

I stretch my hand to her. She comes to me and I wrap her in the towel until sheโ€™s dry.

โ€œI donโ€™t want you to worry about this issue, sugar lips.โ€

โ€œHow can you say that?โ€

โ€œJust do me a favor and concentrate on your work at the office and on Jiney. This is my mess and I will clean it up. Please, trust me.โ€

She nods slowly. Her mood stabilizer has kicked in, leaving her drowsy. I try to kiss her but she wonโ€™t let me. I tuck her in bed and just as her eyes are shutting, her phone rings.

She groans. โ€œAn Onuora is calling.โ€

Honey is the only one I know who assigns ringtones for different groups of people.

โ€œPlease, pass the phone.โ€

I reach for the distracting device on the nightstand and pass it to her.

โ€œItโ€™s Tola.โ€

She taps on the answer button. โ€œTola, itโ€™s 11pm,โ€ she grumbles.

I hear Tola faintly in the background.

โ€œAre you serious?โ€ Honey sits up. โ€œYouโ€™re in labor right now?โ€

I frown, sensing where this conversation is heading.

โ€œHold on, let me put Jide on.โ€

I shake my head vehemently at Honey.

โ€œDede?โ€ Tolaโ€™s voice comes on.

โ€œHey, Tola.โ€

โ€œI need you.โ€

I eye Honey.

โ€œYou need me? I donโ€™t do dirty talk.โ€

โ€œDede, Iโ€™m in labor and Doctor Freeman who is handling me has mysteriously disappeared. Please, come and help me get this baby out of my vagina. I feel like dying!โ€ She moans.

โ€œTola, Hauwa is on the night shiftโ€ฆโ€

โ€œI donโ€™t want Hauwa!โ€ she screams.

โ€œOkay, easy there. Just breathe and try not to think evil thoughts. Everything is going to be fine. There are three other professional midwives in that hospitalโ€ฆโ€

โ€œJide, pleaseโ€ฆโ€

โ€œNo, Tola. The reason I refused to handle your antenatal is the same reason I will not assist your birth. Youโ€™re on your own.โ€

She starts to cry and the next thing I hear is Nneโ€™s voice.

โ€œItโ€™s as if something is wrong with your head, Jidechi,โ€ she says in Igbo.

Fuck.

โ€œGet up from that bed and rush down here before I lose my temper.โ€

โ€œYes, ma.โ€

I hang up and give Honey an apologetic smile.

โ€œNaa, Tolaโ€™s family. Please, go. And tell her Iโ€™m too tired. Iโ€™ll see her in the morning. Take pictures too.โ€

Iโ€™m permitted to sneak in a little kiss before I leave. I head straight to the hospital in a bad mood that worsens when I meet a frustrating Tola who refuses to cooperate with the midwife who is handling her.

โ€œPutting an IV line was hell, she screams every time I try to do a pelvic sweep, she uses swear words, she has threatened to fire me three times now, after sending away every nurse that comes to check on her. She even vomited on me!โ€

The woman is close to tears.

โ€œJust get someone to assist me,โ€ I say to her. โ€œIโ€™m taking over. You can go home.โ€

โ€œThank you, sir.โ€ She curtsies, handing me Tolaโ€™s chart.

The moment I make my entrance into the VIP birthing unit of the hospital, I tell myself I am ready for whatever. But an hour later, with a cussing pregzilla who keeps screaming at me, I feel myself losing my mind.

โ€œOmotola, push my baby out nau,โ€ Nne begs.

โ€œNne, itโ€™s too painful! Jesus!โ€

I breathe out in frustration before deciding to deactivate my brother-in-law mode and take her on as I would any other patient.

โ€œLook at me, Tola.โ€

โ€œMex is not here!โ€ she cries.

โ€œHe traveled. You know that. Now, stop crying and look at me. Itโ€™s Jide talking to you.โ€

She sniffles, simmering down.

โ€œI know it hurts and I know youโ€™re aware of how big this baby is…โ€

โ€œI shouldnโ€™t have eaten so much. Doctor Freeman warned me.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s fine. Itโ€™s fine. I just want you to also know that you can do this. Okay?โ€

โ€œArgh!โ€ She pushes without me prompting. Itโ€™s not like she can help it. The baby is bearing down already.

โ€œFuck! It hurts! I canโ€™t! I canโ€™t! I canโ€™tโ€ฆโ€

โ€œYou can.โ€

I give her a break and urge her to push again. She screams out and the babyโ€™s head comes out.

โ€œThank you, Jesus,โ€ Nne sighs.

โ€œNow, one last push.โ€

โ€œOkay, okay.โ€ She holds Elsie tightly on one hand and the assisting midwife on the other and gives it a try.

I feel my tummy toss. Things donโ€™t look good for the baby; his shoulders are stuck and thereโ€™s no amount of regular pushing that will get him out. I note the time as I place my hand beneath his head and call the midwife over. She gives it a look and diagnoses Shoulder Dystocia, verifying my analysis.

โ€œWhatโ€™s the matter?โ€ Tola probes. I whisper into the nurseโ€™s ear to get in an emergency team.

โ€œDede?โ€ Tola calls as the nurse hurries away.

โ€œMom, Elsie, please wait outside.โ€

โ€œIs everything okay?โ€ Nne asks.

โ€œWhy wonโ€™t my baby come out, Jide?โ€

I gesture to my mom and Elsie to leave. They promptly obey as Hauwa bursts in.

โ€œDystocia?โ€ she asks as she comes forward.

โ€œYeah.โ€

โ€œDystocia?! Oh God! Oh God!โ€ Tola wails.

โ€œMcRoberts or Gaskin?โ€ Hauwa hurriedly wears gloves.

โ€œWeโ€™ll do Gaskin.โ€

โ€œMcRoberts, please!โ€ Tola begs.

Like the typical doctor she is, she chooses a more scientifically tested method to get stuck babies out. But Hauwa and I were educated by an American midwife who trained directly under Ina May Gaskin, a renowned midwife in the United States whose work gives pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding a soulful, spiritual point of view, different from the norm which is rather clinical. But she is most notable for using the Gaskin method to handle Shoulder Dystocia by having the mother go on all fours so that the shape of the pelvis changes and the stuck baby becomes easier to birth.

In my experience, though, sometimes all the mother needs is a little movement from either of her legs and the baby becomes unstuck. This is why I use the Gaskin method as it gets the mother off her ass and in a different position to speeds things up. Time is always of the essence. If the baby stays longer than five minutes, there is risk of brain damage; and this is why I have called for an emergency team. Cases like this can go from okay to fatal in seconds.

Tola is on all fours by now, helped by Hauwa.

โ€œGod! It hurts!โ€ She lets out a scream. โ€œDonโ€™t let anything happen to my baby, Jide!โ€

โ€œNothing will happen to him, Tola. Itโ€™s going to be over soon,โ€ I assure her. โ€œThink of Majekodunmi. Youโ€™re doing this for him. Both of you saved my life and Iโ€™m not leaving this room until youโ€™re both okay.โ€

As I speak to her, I deliver the babyโ€™s posterior shoulder without much stress.

โ€œThat stupid Doctor Freeman just abandoned me! Argh! God will judge him!โ€

I smile. Doctor Freeman is her late fatherโ€™s partner and joint owner of the hospital. He is one of the best OBGYNs we have in Nigeria, but also a regular asshole. He has never liked Tola and Iโ€™m not surprised that he handled her antenatal and left her when she needed him the most. He is known to be that imbecilic.

โ€œOkay Mrs. Onuora,โ€ I say, โ€œhere comes your baby.โ€

The position Tolaโ€™s in has encouraged a downward traction, helping me pull out the rest of the baby. He is birthed into the world, looking like a fatter version of Fumnanya.

The medical team I had called for bursts in just in time. An obstetrician takes over from me while a pediatrician handles the baby. Tola remains panicky as the babyโ€™s general status is uncertain. He is alive but he has to be checked for any form of injuries and brain damage. As they rush him out to the neonatal unit next door, I liaise with the doctor and Hauwa to ensure Tola is well-attended to.

In the duration of an hour, after she has showered and changed into comfy clothes, ready to receive guests, her newborn is brought to her โ€“ a perfect bundle of joy with no health complications.

Tola cradles him. โ€œAkintunde,โ€ she coos, kissing his fingers. โ€œYouโ€™re so beautiful. They didnโ€™t want you to come to this world but God is awesome.โ€

I take pictures of them for my blog and Instagram. My mood has been lifted and I find myself falling for Akintunde. The medical team and I watch Tola pray and speak prophetic words to him. Itโ€™s a bit of an emotional scene. Emeka wouldnโ€™t have missed this for the world. He is expected back tomorrow. I know heโ€™ll be kicking himself wherever he is.

โ€œDede, thank you.โ€

I nod.

โ€œGod will remove every complication in your life as you have done for me today. Nothing will take your joy away. God will bless you and Honey and Jiney and all the other babies youโ€™ll have. Honey will not pass through the pain I went through.โ€

Thereโ€™s a loud chorus of โ€˜amenโ€™ from my colleagues. I give Tola a kiss on the forehead and also leave one for Akintunde. As I turn away, I hear her apologizing to those she had been nasty to earlier. When I step out, I throw open the doors for my family and hers to throng in.

I feel exhausted, so I sit on a waiting bench outside the unit to resume pondering on how to handle the Amata situation. Just as I sit, Emeka comes dashing in like heโ€™s been running the Lagos marathon.

โ€œGuy, how far? Progress?โ€ he inquires.

I smile. โ€œTime of birth 12:18am. Weight 4.3kg. Mother and child are doing fine.โ€

He breathes out. I give him some seconds to relax and collect himself.

โ€œI was in PH when she called and said she was in labor. Right in the middle of a meeting. Omo, I gas leave there go airport. They said no flight. I had to take a bus, man. Whereโ€™s everyone?โ€

I point to the birthing suite.

โ€œYou were in charge?โ€

I nod.

โ€œThanks, man.โ€

โ€œNo wahala.โ€

He dashes in. I remain on the bench until one after the other, everyone leaves. Tola and Akintunde are now asleep and Emeka joins me outside. We go from discussing the birth of Akintunde to family responsibilities and how far we have come from being the teenage boys that loved to steal our momโ€™s car to sneak out to parties at night. We also reminisce on our bachelor days and how reckless we used to be.

โ€œI was just thinking the other day how easily I could have gotten something worse than claudia. I could caught HIV,โ€ Emeka recalls, rubbing his beard.

โ€œOr ended up being shot by somebodyโ€™s husband.โ€

He shakes his head in a laugh. โ€œKai!โ€

โ€œMans don grow up sha. We did enough damage.โ€

โ€œYes o. Na to dey watch our children now.โ€

โ€œThe way I will close-mark Fumnanya ehn!โ€

โ€œForget it. She go still spoil if she wan spoil.โ€

I eye him, and in doing so, I spot Kalu coming towards us. In his manner of having a concentrated look on his face as if always ready for a serious talk, he looks up and smiles without showing teeth.

โ€œIs our baby here yet?โ€ he asks.

โ€œYes o,โ€ Emeka answers.

โ€œCongratulations.โ€

We shake hands and he goes in to see Elsie who is watching Tola. And as if prompted, Oba also shows up too.

โ€œDonโ€™t you people sleep in this family?โ€ I ask, checking the time. โ€œItโ€™s past three.โ€

โ€œNne woke me up.โ€ Oba hisses. โ€œHow are Aunty Tola and the baby sha?โ€

โ€œGood.โ€

โ€œCongrats.โ€

โ€œThanks,โ€ Emeka answers.

โ€œCan I go in and see them?โ€

โ€œTheyโ€™re sleeping.โ€

He dumps his weight in the space between us and keeps an ear to our conversation as we continue talking about our lives.

โ€œI have a confession to make,โ€ he cuts us off at some point, โ€œbut let me stand up first before Jide kills me.โ€ He jumps off the bench and faces us. Just as heโ€™s about to speak, Kalu steps out. He nods a greeting in his direction. Kalu nods back.

โ€œYour confession?โ€ I stare at him. He stares at Kalu.

โ€œAm I supposed to go away?โ€ Kalu questions.

โ€œYeah. This is not a spiritual confession.โ€

โ€œOkay.โ€ Kalu leaves his spot and takes Obaโ€™s space on the bench. โ€œNgwanu.โ€

Oba rubs his hands together a couple of times, winches up his jeans, moves his weight from one foot to the other, clears his throat three times, straightens out his shirtโ€ฆ

โ€œCan you just get on with the fucking confession?โ€ Emeka demands.

โ€œDidi and I had sex.โ€

โ€œWhat!โ€ Kalu exclaims. Thereโ€™s brief silence and then Emeka bursts out laughing; and itโ€™s not a funny laugh. Itโ€™s an โ€˜I canโ€™t believe youโ€™re my brotherโ€™ laugh. On my end, I show no reaction. Iโ€™m not surprised at the news.

โ€œWhen did this happen?โ€ Kalu asks.

โ€œYesterday.โ€

โ€œYou disvirgined her?โ€

โ€œNo. No, I did not. Her ex did. I just sort of, tried to pick up from where the guy left off.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re a disgrace,โ€ Kalu says.

โ€œSee why I didnโ€™t want you here?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m disappointed,โ€ I add.

โ€œEven you?โ€

โ€œYou dey mad.โ€

โ€œShe wanted it. I didnโ€™t force her.โ€

โ€œSo how did it go?โ€ Emeka asks. Kalu and I shoot him sharp looks.

โ€œJust asking.โ€

โ€œTerrible,โ€ Oba answers. โ€œThatโ€™s why Iโ€™m giving you the gist.โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t you have any morals at all, young man?โ€ Kalu scolds him. โ€œNdidiamaka is your sister.โ€

โ€œShe is not. And Iโ€™ve been mad stupid for her from the first day she came into my life.โ€

โ€œNo, youโ€™re just stupid. If you felt anything for her, you wouldnโ€™t have defiled her.โ€

โ€œDefiled?โ€ Oba makes a face. โ€œWhatโ€™s this guy talking about? De, what era are you coming from sef?โ€

โ€œIf you ask me that question again, youโ€™ll get a dirty slap.โ€

โ€œSo, how did it go?โ€ Emeka throws out his question again. โ€œOn the scale of one to tenโ€ฆ?โ€

โ€œTwo minutes.โ€

โ€œTwo?โ€ Emeka lifts up two fingers in the air and gawps at them as if theyโ€™re strangers on his hand. โ€œYou lasted two minutes?โ€

โ€œOr less sef. I donโ€™t even know if it was up to. I go in there and next thing, Iโ€™m nutting as fast as 911 answers to a call in a white neighborhood.โ€

I donโ€™t want to laugh. I really donโ€™t want to but this shameless boy will not kill me. Emeka is already in stitches and Kalu has this look of amusement on his face. I donโ€™t know when I let go. Oba, clearly, doesnโ€™t think itโ€™s hilarious. He continues.

โ€œSo, Iโ€™m like okay, itโ€™s probably โ€˜cause it was the first round. I take a break, she goes for a shower. She comes back and we try it a second time andโ€ฆโ€

โ€œThe same thing happens,โ€ Mex concludes. We fall apart in laughter again.

โ€œDo you have premature ejaculation problem?โ€ Kalu probes.

โ€œNo, I donโ€™t have PE. Iโ€™ve never experienced it before.โ€

โ€œHow is she taking it?โ€ Mex asks.

โ€œSheโ€™s acting like everythingโ€™s cool but my rep is blown. I donโ€™t know what happened. I am not a one-minute guy. All the girls Iโ€™ve been with can testify.โ€

โ€œHallelujah!โ€ Emeka howls. Kalu shakes his head.

โ€œI really donโ€™t know how I screwed things up.โ€

โ€œYou want me to weigh in on this?โ€ Kalu swings back to his serious face.

Oba shrugs.

โ€œFirst of all, youโ€™re not supposed to be doing any of that nonsense until you get married.โ€

โ€œAre you for real?โ€

โ€œSecond, not to Ndidiamaka. Thatโ€™s too close for comfort.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m crazy about the chick. Why doesnโ€™t anyone want to understand?โ€

โ€œBecause weโ€™re all protective of her,โ€ I respond. โ€œWe know that once you hit it, youโ€™ll dump her.โ€

โ€œWhy are you talking like this nau, De Jide? I really like her.โ€

Kalu cuts in. โ€œAnd thatโ€™s my third point. Itโ€™s probably because of what you feel for her that you messed up. Iโ€™m guessing the other girls youโ€™ve been with were not romantically involved with you?โ€

โ€œNo. Apart from my secondary school babe, Didi is like the first real thing Iโ€™m feeling.โ€

โ€œAnd you felt you needed to impress her?โ€

โ€œYes. And can you guys stop judging me and help me out here?โ€

โ€œGive your life to Jesus, face your career, get married and have legal sex.โ€ Kalu stands. โ€œSee you boys later.โ€

As he walks off, Oba reclaims his space on the bench.

โ€œIโ€™m not going to give you tips just so you can mess with Didiโ€™s life,โ€ I make it clear.

โ€œIโ€™m not trying to hit and run, Jide.โ€

I see that heโ€™s getting frustrated.

โ€œJust get sex off your mind for now. You were too quick to impress. Keep sex on the burner and bond on a platonic level.โ€

โ€œBut weโ€™ll eventually do it.โ€

โ€œYes you will. When the time comes, Iโ€™m sure it wonโ€™t repeat itself but just to be sure it doesnโ€™t, use a condom. Did you use a condom?โ€

He shakes his head. Emeka smacks it. โ€œAre you a fool? You wan give the girl belle ni?โ€

โ€œWe didnโ€™t have condoms with us.โ€

โ€œThen donโ€™t knack!โ€

โ€œGot that. Jide, you were saying?โ€

โ€œUse the start and stop method. Think of other things while doing it. Just generally have fun. If you get your mind off sex when youโ€™re with her and just simply enjoy her company, the sex will be great eventually.โ€

โ€œNow, itโ€™s how to face her again. I dey shame.โ€

โ€œSheโ€™s probably not taking it as seriously as you are,โ€ Emeka tells him. โ€œJust do as you were doing before. Donโ€™t talk about it unless she wants to. And if she does, then you shouldnโ€™t act like itโ€™s a big deal. Tell her itโ€™s never happened before and the only reason it did was because she was special.โ€

Oba nods.

โ€œObasi,โ€ I call, โ€œyou and Ndidi are adults. I respect that. You can do whatever. Iโ€™ve lifted your hands off your matter but I beg of you, for the longest time, please keep whatever is going between you two away from Nne. If she catches headache because of it, youโ€™ll have me to face.โ€

He nods. I stand up. โ€œI don tire. I dey go house.โ€

I shake hands with them and leave the hospital. Honey is still asleep when I get home. I slip in beside her, careful not to wake her up, but in habit, she turns around and snuggles into me. I stay awake, thinking of how Iโ€™m going to spend my entire life, protecting her from hurt. I say an amen to Tolaโ€™s prayer and shut my eyes.

โˆžโˆžโˆžโˆžย  โˆžโˆžโˆžโˆžย  โˆžโˆžโˆžโˆž

I get a Whatsapp message from Oba as early as 6am, informing me that Aunty Tola has had her baby. Akintunde, he calls him. I also get a picture that leaves me โ€˜awwwingโ€™.

โ€œHeโ€™s so cute,โ€ I show the picture to the guy I spent the night with. Heโ€™s lying face down on a couch, shirtless in taut muscles.

โ€œMmm,โ€ he mumbles and turns his head away. I tap him.

โ€œOya get up. Time to go.โ€

โ€œHaba nau.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s morning.โ€

He lifts his head. โ€œItโ€™s still dark.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s going to be dark until seven oโ€™clock, uncle. Come and be going abeg.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™re cold o. We had a fabulous night but you kick me out the morning after without flinching.โ€

I pick his shirt and fling it at him. He dumps the shirt back on the floor. I donโ€™t have energy for any drama. I leave him in the living room and respond to the call of nature in my bathroom. When I come back some thirty minutes later, he is awake and set to go. At the same time, someone is knocking on the door.

Iโ€™m thinking that maybe itโ€™s Ehi or one of the other housemates who didnโ€™t spend the night in the house. But when I open the door, I see Oba standing outside, holding a single rose, his face and nose hidden behind it.

โ€œIs it too early for Valentineโ€™s?โ€

I think he looks cute. The white t-shirt he has on, like every other white thing he wears, gives him this boyish appearance. And it seems Iโ€™m totally into boys these days.

I take the rose from him. He moves forward, making to lean over and kiss me, but my companion for the night comes into view. Bare-chested, he pulls me into a squeezing hug, sighs a little and thanks me for last night.

With his shirt slung over his shoulder, he walks away, leaving Oba stunned.

โ€œWho was that?โ€ he demands.

I donโ€™t give an answer immediately, but ย the guy that just left is Kadiri or Kadi as we call him in the office. He works in the dรฉcor department and we have been occupied with putting together dรฉcor details for Lexus Ditorusinโ€™s wedding. Last night, I took him out for a drink because it was his birthday and having recently been dumped by his girlfriend, he had no one to celebrate with. He had too much to drink, so I brought him over to mine. The cab driver had to literally carry him and dump him on the couch while I enjoyed my bed alone.

I should tell Oba all of this but I get some perverse pleasure seeing him jealous.

โ€œThatโ€™s Kadi. We work together.โ€

โ€œHe slept here?โ€

โ€œYeah.โ€

โ€œHe spent the night with you?โ€

โ€œYeah.โ€

โ€œJust like that?โ€

โ€œWhy are you asking me all these questions, Nasty?โ€

โ€œSo because yesterday was awful, you hopped on the next guy?โ€

I laugh. Oba has a way of getting angry too fast and diving headlong into conclusions. But thatโ€™s just one of his few flaws. He has a sweet side, a side Iโ€™ve slowly grown to like over the past weeks. It is what partly pushed me to decide to give him the goods yesterday. That, and the fact that Nne has been on our case lately. Actually, that was the main reason.

Have you ever done something youโ€™d rather not out of spite? Like, letโ€™s say, you have sex just because you have been accused of doing it already, so, you go โ€˜whateverโ€™ and just do the darn thing?

Story of how my dysfunctional sex life with Oba begins.

It starts when we both get mad at Nne for accusing us of having sex in the family house because I spent the night there. I donโ€™t shout back at her as Oba does. I simply apologize and leave the house. Minutes later, Oba pulls up beside me on the road. We drive to the Ditorusins where we convert all that anger into passion and have sex on one of the couches in the living room of the guesthouse.

Sex that doesnโ€™t last more than two minutes before Oba cums.

โ€œShit,โ€ he mutters. Being a novice in sexual matters, I donโ€™t know what has just happened.

โ€œWhatโ€™s wrong? Why did you stop?โ€

He is quiet. I begin to feel him slip out of me and then it hits me. โ€œDid you just cum?โ€

Embarrassed, he moves away.

โ€œNasty?โ€

โ€œI came.โ€ He forces on a smile. โ€œNot how I planned it. I guess Iโ€™ve been sex-starved for too long. And youโ€™re tight as fuck too.โ€

I blush. โ€œItโ€™s not a big deal,โ€ I tell him, although I had expected more than this. In fact, with the way he had gone on about his piping skills, I was hoping to experience my first ever orgasm from a man. I am disappointed.

He walks to the kitchen and returns with a bottle of water as I go to use the bathroom. I can tell that heโ€™s still embarrassed. I am more concerned over the fact that we didnโ€™t use a condom. I am sure of my health status. I donโ€™t know about his.

I have a shower and step out to find him on my bed, occupied with his phone. This is the first time he is quiet in my presence.

โ€œNasty?โ€

โ€œHmm?โ€ He looks at me shyly. Another first.

โ€œWhat happened was not that serious na. Get your mind off it.โ€

โ€œI have. That first time was just me warming up, and being that itโ€™s been quite a while, I got really excited. Right now, Iโ€™m pumped for Round Two.โ€

I relax. Beyond what just happened, thereโ€™s something special about the way he kisses and touches me. Over the past few weeks we have developed a bond that has been watered by long walks, deep conversations and intense make-out sessions. Like I explained, I have discovered a soft and sensitive side of him that hardly shows. I have also come to accept the asshole in him, as there is no Oba without the nastiness. I canโ€™t say we are exclusive and Iโ€™m not really looking to have him as a boyfriend, but heโ€™s someone I want to be intimate with. Heโ€™s the only guy I trust.

โ€œCome here,โ€ he calls me over. I walk to him and he drops my towel, exposing my nudity, stretchmarks, flabs, cellulite and all. He adores me as if Iโ€™m the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He pulls me to the bed where he lays over me and engages me in passionate foreplay. When he finally parts my legs open and enters me, it is because I beg for it and I feel like I am about to erupt. His strokes are deep and hard and it doesnโ€™t take long for me to begin to shake. I feel an orgasm coming. My excitement canโ€™t be contained. This would be the first of orgasms I would have via penetration. I feel blessed. I know that few women hardly ever get this.

And hence, I squeeze shut my eyes and wait for it to come. But without warning, Oba pulls out of me and clamps his hand on his dick.

I lift myself and rest my weight on my elbows. Again, I have no idea what is happening until he cusses and dashes into the bathroom. I slump back in frustration.

He returns to me shortly. โ€œDidi, Iโ€™m so sorry. What just happened has never ever happened to me before. Iโ€™m shocked. I am not a one-minute guy. I swear. Even my first time was not this bad. I donโ€™t know what went wrong. My ex must have sworn for me.โ€

I feel sorry for him. I am double-disappointed but I tell myself itโ€™s fine.

โ€œYou believe me, right?โ€

โ€œI do.โ€

โ€œI have mad piping skills, I swear.โ€

โ€œCan you stop swearing?โ€

โ€œItโ€™s on your face. You think I suck.โ€

I donโ€™t refute his words.

โ€œYouโ€™re silent. Thatโ€™s even worse.โ€

โ€œOba, itโ€™s okay. I guess we were both overly excited. We should just cool off sex for a while and hang out.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m tired of hanging out. I want to smash.โ€

I get off the bed. โ€œWell, thatโ€™s not working out well right now.โ€

โ€œOkay. So, can I give you head?โ€

โ€œNo.โ€

โ€œPlease?โ€

โ€œNo, Obasi.โ€

I pick a dress from my wardrobe. โ€œLetโ€™s just not think about sex for now. And I think that maybe you should go to work. Donโ€™t be lazy like me.โ€

I see hurt in his eyes. He walks to the bed and picks his clothes. Thereโ€™s awkward silence as he dresses up and I watch him. After heโ€™s through, he tells me heโ€™s leaving. I go over to him. He holds me tightly.

โ€œDonโ€™t dump me. Please.โ€

I pull back. โ€œIโ€™m not your girlfriend, Oba.โ€

โ€œOh?โ€

I look away.

โ€œAiit. See you later.โ€

I feel terrible for my words but the truth is we havenโ€™t officially spelled out what it is we have. I donโ€™t want to commit myself to someone on the basis of sex alone. Sex that is not even good.

I walk him to the door and he leaves. We donโ€™t even hug.

And here we are again โ€“ him being upset over a baseless insinuation and me laughing inside my head because I enjoy seeing him jealous.

He is glaring at me hard as we stand facing each other at the door. And I’m just there,ย thirst-trapping him with my body.

โ€œSo, Kadi fucked you well, right?โ€

โ€œCan you just stop talking, Obasi?โ€

โ€œLook at how youโ€™re dressed. Thereโ€™s no difference between you and all those skanky, horny-as-fuck Lagos girls that jump from dick to dick.โ€

โ€œStop talking.โ€

โ€œFuck you.โ€

He turns around and marches off. I watch him leave. It would be good to call him back and correct his thinking with a slap and a kiss but the boy is too infantile and Iโ€™m going to sit this one out until he calms down and retraces his steps back to me.

Iโ€™m going to enjoying playing with him. I just hope he doesnโ€™t go and do something stupid to prove a point.

ยฉSally @moskedapages

 

Images:ย Indiana Public Media, paulateles,ย Dissolve,ย BabyGaga.com

Sally

Author. Screenwriter. Blogger

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40 Comments

  1. Thanks Sally for this amazing val gift and new week tonic

    1. Sally says:

      It is my pleasure, Willy

  2. Rida says:

    Jidenna, didn’t we warn you! Didn’t we warn you
    I swear, I hate the way he makes Honey cry. But at the same time no one loves her like he does. Their love is so strong, that’s why it’ll last.
    God give me the heart to love my future husband like Honey
    Thank you Sally
    Happy Valentines ?????

    1. Sally says:

      Happy Vals to you too, Rida
      My love to your future hubby ๐Ÿ˜€

  3. Cheyi says:

    Congrats to Tola! Thanking God for the bundle of joy! Kindly tell mr bassey to respect himself and hope the DNA tests is negative. Thanks madam Sally for this episode mwah

    1. Sally says:

      I hope so too, Cheyi
      Thank you

  4. zeeniey says:

    Honey n jide.. Aw aw… Thanks Sal

    1. Sally says:

      You’re welcome, dear

  5. MRS TONY says:

    Obasi and ndidi premarital sex is a sin and punishable by death. Stop it. Well done Sally, My regards to ur family….

    1. Sally says:

      lol! @punishable by death

      My regards to your family as well, Mrs Tony

  6. bi says:

    Yeeehhh Sally, so worth the wait Congrats to Tola and Welcome baby Akintunde am glad things went good. Hhhmmmmmmmm Oba & Didi l knew they will be this naughty as Oba had been going about the starved sex hope they use their heads on time b/4 it’s late. Jidechi Will solve his issue out but wonder why Honey should be aware of this mess. Thanks Sally for this Selfless love ??????

    1. Sally says:

      Always my pleasure, Bi

      Jide messed up. Sometimes it’s good to let sleeping dogs lie. He has gone to step on the cobra’s tail

  7. Just Dotun says:

    Umm. Obasi better calm dowm, your rep is still at stake here.
    What makes Mr bassey think Honey will agree.
    Weldone jare Sally.

    1. Sally says:

      Thank you, Dotun
      Happy Vals!

  8. Jumai says:

    Interesting?….thanks Sally

  9. Thanks Sally, it was an interesting read. Happy Val to you.

  10. calabar gal says:

    Thank you Sally – this was really nice and interesting with loads of twists and turns – as u do!! Looking forward to the next episode.

  11. adebayo says:

    Jide just had to ruin everything. Mr Bassey isnt a serious man. Oba and Didi shouldnt be together…..they are still siblings in my head.

    thank you Sal. Happy valentine

  12. Aibee says:

    Oh dear Sally, the doctor in me is very pleased with this episode. But 4.3kg?? Choi!

  13. Mariam says:

    Awwwww Sally thanks a lot for the shout out. You already know I have mad love for you????? your attention to details amazes me. The authority you have on certain subjects you write about blows my mind. I guess that’s what makes you truly exceptional. Learnt a think or two from today’s episode *wink!

  14. hacolyte says:

    Congratulation Tola on ur bundle of joy. Jideofor, plz find a way of clearing ur mess n do straighten Amata life o cos u don pour san san inside her garri o. N I do hoped u wud stop making Honey unhappy. Obasi n his Ndidi wif dia childishness n I prayed dat Obasi wud stop been nasty n focused ahead of himsef. Tanks Sally

  15. Deyrinsola says:

    Uncle olajideofor see what you haff caused now but i know you will do something about, congrats to tola. Thanks mam sally

  16. Folakemi says:

    Thanks Sally for this amazing episode
    Much love

  17. Rikitava says:

    Akintunde ??? aw will Jideofor get out of this now? I’m just so glad I dnt have to wait so long ???

  18. Honey says:

    She has done it again!!!! oya let me come and go and read now …… God bless Sally 4 me.

  19. Zainab says:

    So worth the wait. I can’t understand this Oba and Didi’s thingy. Mr Bassey please right your brain okay. Thanks Sally.

  20. Reni says:

    Aunty Sally, I was the one asking u on twitter if you had moved to another site o… but this episode was totally worth the wait

    Jideofor Onuora #WehdoneSir ? trouble dey sleep, yanga go wake am ?

    I really love the attention to details in this episode coz I’m a doctor….good job on that. ?

    I’m not even going to comment on Didi and Oba coz since their play play started, I figured it was a bad idea…..it’s too close for comfort…if it ends badly, it puts a strain on an already strained relationship.

    once again, thank you Sally ?

  21. Adeshina omotayo says:

    I know sally to be a kind person, i hate to see mu jideofor in a mess, and i mean it

  22. Vikki says:

    Aunty Sally tenkiu very much for this wanderful vals special gift, I appreciate ma…Jideofor wehdone sir, congrats Tola. Obasi n Ndidi wehdone wehdone.

  23. Biodun says:

    Actually, I love Oba and Didi. I don’t know what everyone else is sayibg
    Every couple in this series seems to get it right, especially with maturity but Oba and Didi are Unapologetically immature and that’s different. The problem with that is not the sibling thing. They never had that going on. Didi has it with Jide, not Oba. Their problem is that they are both afraid to fail in love and i think Jides advice will work for them. They should have fun and forget sex
    Congrats to tola, Maryam and cheyi
    Sally you rock

  24. Kemi says:

    Congratulations to all the new Mothers, Maryam, Cheyi and our Darling Fictitious Mrs. Emeka Onuora.

    Jide, when you didnt let the sleeping dog to lie, you see yourself. Causing Honey to remember the past and also causing Amata pain. I wish i can whoop your butt but I hope you find a way around this mess.

    I believe strongly that Honey will be the one to resolve this and perchance be a friend to Amata. Honey has earned a big respect from me for even housing Amata, how many Women can allow this, not me i know.
    I don’t mind Didi and Oba sincerely and like Jide advised, they should work towards building their friendship and leave sex for now.
    Looking forward to Hauwa and Seyi, Ekene and Mary, Genesis and D Dom himself, Wura and Mymood, Lexus and Kasi. Infact all of them must show face in this Valentine special edition for today.
    Thank you Sally,my very personal person.
    Happy Valentines Day to you Sal and all Moskedapages fans.

  25. Seye says:

    Thank you for this episode Sally. Thank you for Sunday’s post too, for letting our fans know we’re still alive ๐Ÿ˜€

    Jide effed up big time. I always say people are watching. No matter how much you’ve coded, someone has seen you and the day of reckoning cometh. See as he put Amata in trouble. I really hope this can be settled. One’s calmness in the face of some situations proves a lot about one. I like how Honey handled the issue. Sally sha dey give Honey top marks.

    Great to have Tola deliver safely. That delivery portion was really educative. Thanks for that.

    Oba and Ndidi ehn! Me I’m not bothered about how the big head did the thing. The fact that they didn’t use protection is the ish. What if Didi’s report card shows positive at the end of the day? The thing is a bit complicated jare.

    Thanks once again Sally, happy Val’s day

  26. Toyenlon says:

    Congrats Tola, she finally has her baby. Very interesting episode, thanks and happy Val.

  27. Funmilola Adekola says:

    Wow, Sally you leave me gobsmacked all the time. I love you.

  28. Tolu says:

    bless you for this Sally. Truth is, even though it takes a while to deliver (reasons already explained) you always deliver lengthy and perfect piece. God bless the works of thy hands

    1. Sally says:

      Amen!
      Thanks!

  29. Calliboom says:

    wow! am so happy for tola what a bundle of joy and happiness, hmm as for jide be careful how you cause honey pain oh… then oba am beginning to think that Didi is his real sister oh, dis kind of one minute sex.. i just hope my instincts isn’t right oh.. thanks Sally… i enjoyed the reading…. God bless you always….

  30. Oba – not my favourite character (I’m fact, I think he’s a piece of shit), but I’m interested to see how this plays out. Oh, the dreaded one minute performance *shivers*

  31. Olajumoke Jeremiah says:

    I am just reading this Sally, trust me if i had read before i would have commented.

    This episode had me laffing my boxers out in this danfo that i am in right now. I send anybody? Sally cracks me up anyday anytime.

    4.3 kg no be small o. I hope Tola does kegels before Mex would now be complaining that the cookie isnt sweet again.

    Jidenna, nothing can stop you am all the way up! Since you have Honey support, this ish would solve itself out. The fact that your woman chose to stay by you even in your fuckup shows you have hope.

    Oba and Didi, continiu! There is God. Pastor Rev Kalu would join you together in holy matrimony.

    Amata presents a real life scenario in present naija. I hope the best happens. She can be more with or without her agbero husband jare.

    Finally, Sally, more grease to your elbow. I hope i didnt write an epistle. Toodles

  32. AOS says:

    Sally thank you for yet another interesting episode. How are your kids doing? Do take care alright.

Comments are closed.