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Best Man Duty #12

Previous episodes of Best Man Duty

Time was favourable when I locked eyes with Cynthia at the wedding reception. It however stopped being my friend when she came back to sit and chat with me. I really cannot remember how long ago I thoroughly enjoyed time with someone; I mean time enough to shut the whole world out.

As I reminisced on the outing, and our first serious interaction after Sam’s wedding, I knew I had been struck by an arrow. We went straight to be with The Clan at The Meeting Point for the rest of that Saturday evening.

The boys noticed my unusual quiet and asked to know what was going on. The idiot that knew just told them β€œhe’s tired, emotionally and mentally” and his fellow fools started laughing. I did not bother to dignify them with any response. I just continued with my chicken and chips and a bottle of water, no alcohol. While that was going on Cynthia’s face, her voice, her gait, her charming smile, her giggles and laughter were all replaying in my head while I sat with my friends. Our conversation on different facets of life conveniently ranks as the best I have had with a female in a while. Intelligent, humorous and factual while our flirting moved beyond the words we typed while chatting to body language: the light touches on the shoulder, the wink and needless smiles, the playful beatings…it felt like something absolutely new, and fresh, and different.

At home that night, I lay on the plush rug in my living room, refusing to switch on any bulb or electric appliance. Of a truth, I was not sure if it was real tiredness or the fact that I missed and desired what her company offered, or the secret desire that Queen could make me feel like a starry eyed teenager that was just crushing and having a very interesting emotional attachment to someone, the way Best Girl was making me feel.I knew I would not cook dinner again so on my way from the wedding, I bought sharwama. You would never find me mulling on Saturday evenings but I could not decipher what came over me.

β€œYou had fun with that girl Dot, you sure did”
β€œI did man. I wish Queen can just gimme back the Queen I used to have”
β€œThat’s yours to decide”
β€œHmmmm”

Much as it seems crazy that I get to converse with my subconscious, it actually is fun. If you don’t try it, you will never know how interesting it is. He it was that reminded me of every detail of the interaction with Cynthia. How she smiled and grinned at every word I said, even those that did not sound funny to me; how she made sure talks in our pending chats came up; how she made sure our talk tended towards relationships and how she got me singing like a canary about my life.

I would be lying if I refuse to admit her superiority in maturity compared to Queen. Best Girl would relate without getting unnecessarily angry. She would not take out her annoyance and frustration with her daily life on me. Humility, modesty and a sense of calmness are all written on her features. What makes her trump Queen through and through is the fact that she would never dwell on her good looks. I teased her many times with β€œsee fine girl” or β€œthis pic of you is cute” or something more gratifying. She would merely respond with a smile or a simple β€œthank you sir”. I appreciate a sense of modesty and humility, calmness and level headedness in people, and Cynthia displays that on a daily basis.

Her sense of humour ranks where it really rocks. She would crack jokes, jibe at me and not flinch when I do the same. She would ask how my day was, my state of health, present activity and all of that. The minor details mattered. Femi once snooped in on my chat with her and told me what it meant to have this kind of calm girl as a partner.

β€œDot, remember I told you Queen is in trouble? This your BG is really giving it a go man. Is she dating anyone?”

β€œBro, she told me at the wedding that she’s seeing someone o. I really don’t know what she wants my brother”

β€œShe’s seeing someone and is still getting so attached to you?”

β€œWho tells you I’m not equally attached to her”

My friend burst out laughing so hard. β€œWhen the koko master fall in love, nahin be say water don pass gari”

β€œOde ni e jor. Did I tell you I’m in love with her? I am attached!”

β€œPele o, stay there and be living in denial; be rationalizing. My own be say if she’s calm enough and would give you what you don’t have with the fine for nothing Queen, no dull”

β€œHaba! No dey abuse Queen nah. My mind dey with her through and through o, and I will fight for what we have”

I knew I was not so sure of what I told him. I was in a fix, the whole woman matter had of recent been a straight one between Queen and Cynthia. The other ones still found a way to stay in touch but I was hooked on Cynthia and Queen, or Queen and Cynthia, in order of reality.

***************************************

The approaching festive period meant I had to start planning what to give to a few people. Top on the list of course was my share of the money to be paid into the joint purse with my siblings. It had become a ritual of sorts to make sure we buy something for our parents every year and my position as the first son of the family meant I had a major role to play in deciding.

My two elder sisters had done what was expected of women of their ages. The first lives in Abuja with her hubby and two kids while the one that always said β€œI won’t live in Naija for anything” was based where she wanted to be, outside Nigerian shores. Kid brother lived with mom and dad in Ibadan, only visiting me in Lagos occasionally.

It was while I was thinking of what to suggest that we buy for our parents as Christmas gift that my mobile rang. It turned out to be my cousin.

β€œHeyyyy. How e be nah”

β€œMe? Bone you? Na you no dey relate like before nah”

β€œNo o, sister didn’t tell me anything o”

β€œWedding? When? This December ke? Where? Ib? Toh, I’ll get back to you”

He was calling to inform me of his wedding ceremony. My head flew, here’s Tokunbo who is barely a year older than me getting married while I was still picking and sorting. To make it all interesting, he wanted me to be his Best Man because the friend that was penciled down to take the role was on official training abroad, and the training would not have finished by the time the wedding would take place. I knew I could not refuse him but the first thing that rang in my head was the financial commitment.

β€œFor God’s sake, December is a couple of weeks away now”
β€œRelax jor. God weydey cook never comot kitchen”
β€œYou go dey ginger person with rugged faith as if you’ll come out of hiding to work with me”
β€œYou want people to see double Dotun? I’m where I’m supposed to be, and you know it”
β€œIf you say so sha. You better let’s pray together. At least you can stay in me where you are, and join the me everyone sees in prayer”
β€œNow yaaa talking, big head”

I just laughed, wishing I could walk side by side with the man in me with whom I always conversed. Next stop was The Meeting Point.

β€œI’ll call Tokunbo later”, I said in soliloquy as I locked the door of my apartment and made for my car.

********************************

Communication between me and Queen was thinning and we both knew it. Chats were few and far between, phone calls were not even the way they used to be, text messages seemed to be ages ago. The dangerous signal was that I felt no guilt and that was because I could not adduce any reasonable cause for the fights.

Sam it was that hit the nail on the head and brought me out of the denial in which I was living. He was Queen’s number one supporter, the one I always called β€œfront row seat ticket holder” at her show. It all happened one evening during our chat when he asked after Cynthia.

β€œI see say you and Best Girl don dey carry one another put for DP”, he started. He was referring to the day Cynthia put me up as her Blackberry Messenger Display Picture with β€œWhere’s my Johnny” as her Personal Message. I had not noticed because my Blackberry was switched off due to the fact that I was preparing a business proposal for a client.

β€œHow you take sabi that 1, monitoring spirit?”
β€œYou forgot she’s my wife’s friend shey”
β€œSo na DorDor been tell u”
β€œNo ode, na my second wife”
β€œThere you go mr married friend. Wetin call for abuse nah?”
β€œThe silly question wen u ask nko? Who else for tell me?”
β€œStill that 1 nor give u ryt to use your hand type nonsense nah, big head”
β€œMak I tell u true, the babe get bobo o”
β€œInformation Minister, I know. Me and am jus dey reason 1 anoda ni. Thanks for the breaking news”
β€œSee idiot. I dey glean info for u, u dey abuse me. I’ll call your terrorist 4 u now”
β€œEffoff! Terrorist ko, shekau ni”
β€œTo be serious, I dey try ask Dorothy if Cynthia’s in a serious relationship”
β€œOkay?”
β€œShe said she’s dating but she can’t say how serious the relationship is”
β€œShe told me too. But I’m not sure of the status. She sef nor sure”
β€œWe’ll know soon. It would be a perfect love story if she manages to wrest your mumu button from Queen sha”
β€œYou go talk one sense, then display your madness almost immediately”
β€œStating the obvious Dot”
β€œNa u sabi”

We went on and on, moving into our business dealings after he made his point about Cynthia. I spared it a thought before he said it in his chat too. The possibility of me and Cynthia getting married would be a very good thing for love really, a perfect love story. The whole thing was however beyond me.

I had hardly ended the chat with Dotun when Queen’s phone call came in. considering how badly our communication had waned, it was a very welcome one. I keep saying there is something creepy about her. You talk about her, she calls; you are on a p-setting and she sends in a really romantic message. That is the hallmark of winshy winshy people. It was a short call to inform me she wanted to pick some stuff at mine in some days. Much as I tried to be yummy with her, she sounded so formal. A man would only try but when egos stand on the way of all efforts, there is very little one can do.

I could not remember having any disagreement to warrant Queen acting all formal but her mood issues are well documented so I let it slide.

β€œYou guys promised so much and are delivering so little. I hope you won’t appreciate one another when this is over”

β€œI know right. You can attest to the fact that I am trying mate. I wish we just find a common ground. I wish things go the way they should, I wish…”

β€œStop venting lover boy, que sera sera”

β€œAnd I don’t wanna give up without fighting”

β€œRelax man, just do what you know you should”

************************************

The day started on the most unexpected note ever. An early call from Sam informed me I had to face Port Harcourt in the next two days to tie some loose ends in our deal with one of our clients. The next thing that came to mind was not the business, it was Cynthia. I was going to Port Harcourt; I was going to Cynthia’s zone. All these things are falling into place at a time Queen was doing needless yanga for me. That was no good sign for us because the more time I spent with Cynthia on the phone and physically, the more attached I was sure going to become.Things were not looking up between Queen and me despite my many efforts and I was already in thoughts as to not push Cynthia away for Queen like I had done with others who seemingly were better than her.

β€œDon’t mull too much Dot. Enjoy the present with Cynthia and let things play out the way they have been destined to”

That was the assurance I needed. He knew how to tell me the right thing to do, and always did it the right way. Worrying would not have taken me out of the woods but I did not want to start running from what I should confront.

β€œStill go and enjoy your PH trip first. Business, see your BG, and we take it up from there”

With that, I picked up my phone and dialed Cynthia’s number. It rang off the hook, something unlike her. I did the second time and got the same result. That was when I remembered that her duty roster, which I had become so familiar with, meant she would be at work at the time I placed the call to her. Next thing to do was to drop her a message on Blackberry messenger.

β€œMy turn to be in your city BG. Due in the Garden City in 48”

Her response was instant, and led to the day’s conversation.

β€œDot be serious. You’re telling me this because I missed your calls ehn?”
β€œNaaah.Im coming to tidy up another deal.Your prayers r workin, clients are doin well”
β€œReally? Am all shades of excited right now”
β€œYou don’t wanna know how I feel now, very giddy”
β€œI’m off duty day after tmrw”
β€œI know, that’s why I’m telling. Just so u keep d day free for me”
β€œSee u. pray there’s no emergency o. cos if there is, I may be called over”
β€œMake dem no do any ruff play o. I gotta c my BG again. Spend time with her, and have her mind druggin effect on me all over again”
β€œWashhhhhhh”
β€œI don’t do wash pretty, and u know that”
β€œWe’ll see. Time will tell”
β€œYeah exactly”
β€œLet me know how your movement goes”
β€œYou’re gon’ b d 1
st 2 kno, trust me”
β€œBrb”

That parole was setting itself already. The possibility of seeing a few weeks after the last meet-up was tantalizing. It was barely a month that we had a very memorable time at her friend’s wedding, and out of the blues another chance to meet up came.

I looked forward to the trip eagerly. There was the case of an almost closed business deal that needed just to be rubberstamped and of course, the meet with Cynthia to talk over lunch. That was an opportunity I would never allow to pass me by.

Sam it was that dropped me at the airport and waited till my flight was called. Big head gave me his parting words, a jibe.

β€œFeel free to see Best Girl after the deal has been sealed. Not before o”

β€œRepeat after me β€˜I be mooo-mooo’”

β€œDotun na mumu”

β€œShame. I thought you’d have been treated by Dor Dor. Cynthia’s picking me at the airport you idiot. Oya begin go make I enter my bird abeg, you be bad market around here”

β€œAnyone can pick you like a lost pin in a haystack. Mine is that you should come back to Lagos with good news. Gaskiya”

We laughed, bumped fists and hugged the guy way. Each turned and went his way. I entered the plane and sat. Other co-passengers were settling in when my Blackberry vibrated and my heart skipped a beat knowing only a few, none of which I was in the right frame of mind to relate with, started their convo with me that way.

β€œWia r u? I wan pick d stuff I told u abt doda time”
β€œYou have the keys babe. Go pick β€˜em things”
β€œDoes dtansa d question?”
β€œwhat ?Be quick about this Queen”
β€œWia u dey?Why d rush”
β€œI’m not home”
β€œI kno. I’m not wif my key and I nid u to come open d door”
β€œI’m outta town Queen, due bk this evng or tmrw”
β€œHmmmmmm”
β€œWhat?”
β€œNothing o. Shebi those babes wey u leave me dey run after can sha kno your movement”
β€œI’m not up for this convo sweets. Na u dey avoid me, dey sound cold, dey do like say I no matter. Everything arnd me don’t matter. I took a cue and started living d way u want”
β€œHmmmm. Ok o. I no ask u to preach or explain how u dey live sha.Na my credentials I wan come carry”
β€œOk mami. Ttyl before u begin rain insults for my head”
β€œU mean bizness o. u dey discharge me”

I chose not to read that last message and switched off my phones in readiness for the flight.

β€œYou guys will sort whatever she wants when you’re back. For now, don’t let her prey on your mind. Go on your journey, make it a success in all ways”

β€œYou rock man. Key word β€˜all ways’ shey”

β€œYou gerrit man”

β€œGimme high five”

He spoke from where he lives inside me again, and he did it right. In my mind, I reclined and let the journey happen.

β€œGarden City here I come, Best Girl here I come”

Seye Babalola

Seye Babalola is an Animal Scientist with voracious appetite for reading, and some writing. He started writing with poetry, and BEST MAN DUTY is his first attempt at prose. He is active on social media and can be engaged on different platforms

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24 Comments

  1. Sophia says:

    Hmmmm ….OK!

  2. Folakemi says:

    Carry go jare Dot
    Queen can go and hug transformer

  3. Jumes says:

    Can Queen just jump off a cllff or something… Dotun and Cynthia please start dating already… What Dotun and Queen have has been over teytey….

  4. slimshawty says:

    Why do I feel there is dz part of Dotun dt still wants Queen back in all shades of love… I wouldn’t bet on Cynthia and Dotun 2geda, coz Dotun is not sure on where he’ll go yet.
    Hmmm!!! #mumu button

  5. Amina says:

    I DON’T KNOW IF ITS LOVE HE FEELS FOR QUEEN OR HE IS MERELY SO ATTACHED TO HER, BUT I SENSE SOMETHING REALLY OFF ABOUT BEST GIRL. WE GIRLS SEEMS SO PERFECT UNTIL THE RACE IS IN MOTION. DOT SHOULD WATCH.
    QUEEN HAS HER WAYS BUT DOT IS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO HER MADNESS.

    1. I photocopy you jare…no strength to type,,lazy much….heehehhehehe

    2. Nechi says:

      Sister your head is there. Dot will be there forming that he doesn’t know why Queen is the way she is when he is contributing heavily to her insecurities. I was about to ask someone to dash him slap in my behalf for his silliness. I pray bg shows him pepper

  6. Queen is an irritant, Grade one…*long hiss*
    Dot oya gba isakoso every every(take charge)..dont u dare give Queen face,hehehe
    That Cynthia had better leave that her bobo oo,,gaskiya!!!!!

    Seye, Oga agba, mo kan Sara siyin sir, e ku ise takun takun na.

  7. olabisi says:

    I don’t like dotun tho

  8. Tobbie says:

    Please who are all these haters on DOT……Queeen is a time-bomb ready to explode….
    Will u marry trouble cos of love? Biko, somethings are not worth it jare.
    BG….Cynty Baby……better be all shades of perfection as u av been portrayed oo…iffahear sey u get baggage….the BG from his Cousin’s wedding will take ur role…….

  9. adebayo says:

    Hmmm…..I like Cythia, I really do but…..
    We will get to know Cynthia well as time goes on.

    Nice one Seye.

  10. gbemmy says:

    why do I have this feeling Cynthia is a fruad, timing herself till when she can show her true self. at least we all know who Queen really is
    Queen might be better than d calm sweet BG

  11. Ifeanyi Onochie says:

    Best Girl is still looking too good to be true. Well, at least, Queen is getting what she deserves after acting like her man isn’t important.

  12. Rikitava says:

    The ultimate dilemma……you meet the right person at the wrong time. I hope time favours em and things really fall into place for Dot and BG. Queen is just a drama queen ? or maybe she dsnt want Dot again.

  13. jacy says:

    hmmm..the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know ooo…..dot man tread with caution…
    .
    but queen what ya prob self….trying to push ur man into the hands of another woman..
    you are beginning to act annoying.
    nice one seye…..more inspiration dear

  14. Ritzy says:

    That Queen girl is all shades of annoying. Dotun should dump her already and move on.

  15. Ifeanyi Onochie says:

    It seems almost like Best Girl is up to something, I can’t say what. But the banter they have is good. Queen had better sit up or she’s out the door.

  16. iamhorllamii says:

    I agree wiv gbemmy, she Av said it all. Dot b careful dnt allow BG fall ur hand ooooo nd Queen Shuld berra sit up nd knw aw 2 treat her man. Ase gan no ogbeni Seye

  17. Funmilola Adekola says:

    Fly high guy! Queen dey wait you for ground!

  18. Hahaha! So funny I forgot how to laugh. Dotun craves perfection which is not humanly possible. Queen is his type of crazy and that is why he had been with her for long. Seye please show us that part of cinthia which will shock us all coz up until now, she has been perfect. So always a nice read

  19. Toyenlon says:

    I still believe that Dotun contributed to Queen’s craziness, no lady will be happy to see her guy jumping from one lady to another. Dotun is growing attached to Cynthia by the day, let’s see how it goes.

  20. Bola says:

    Really nice…. Sooooo perfect especially *length wise *

  21. Faithy says:

    Some guys like their women crazy… Keyword Crazy’.Dot doesn’t know what he wants but I think he likes his women crazy and at the same time calm esp when he wants them to. In order words, he’s looking for a perfect woman and we all know that she doesn’t exist. Cynthia, though she’s calm but she also has a bad side that Dot will soon find out in time and then he will want the crazy Queen but I hope it won’t be too late. Thumbs up! Seye

  22. Akua says:

    Most people thinks Cynthia is too cool to be true but her calmness may be what Dot needs to pin him down. Cynthia’s said boo I think could be her fantasy ( Dot). If he existed surely her friend will know his name.

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