βIβve told you to stop coming here, and stop bringing food to me as well. Iβm fine, Salma.β
Salma bit her lip. It was hard not to break down at the sight of Maliq. Standing behind the enquiries counter at the police station where he was held, he was all bruised and messed up from the famous brutality of the police. He could barely look at her as both eyes were injured and inflamed. From the moment she led a team of policemen to his house and they bundled him like a criminal to their station, she had regretted her actions. The look in his eyes that day when he stared into hers still haunted her.
βSalma, you know I didnβt steal from you,β he had said as they tried to push him into the police vehicle. βYou know Iβd never hurt you like that.β
But he received a slap at the back of his head from one of the policemen. It had stung so badly he lurched over and his forehead slammed over the hood of the car. Salma squeezed her dress in distress.
βRaji, please, tell them not to hurt him.β
βTheyβre only doing their job, Sal.β
βSalma, I didnβt do it!β Maliq shouted before he was forced into the car. And from then on, Salmaβs nightmare began. She cried for most of the day, refusing to eat anything. By the next morning she was up before the sun appeared. She fixed a meal for him and rushed to the police station, only to be told that he had been moved elsewhere.
βWhere?β
No one had an answer for her. An hour later and she was still told stories. When she reported the matter to Raji, he was casual about it.
βLeave the police to do their job.β
βRaji, I need to know where they took him to.β
βDonβt bother yourself with that. Heβll be fine. He just needs to confess. Relax.β
But she was unable to stay calm. She fretted all through the day and at night, she stayed awake. The following morning, she was back at the police station. After threats, the policemen agreed to give her some information about his whereabouts.
βHe will be here tomorrow,β one of them assured her. Rajiβs cousin who had spearheaded the arrest was not in his office. Salmaβs only option was to take the police by their word. Early the next morning she was there again, but they kept her waiting for a couple of hours before someone brought Maliq to her. She had expected to meet him as she had seen him the day he was arrested, but a brutalized version of him was brought to the counter. At the sight of him she broke down and began to question the police officers, demanding to know why they had laid their hands on him. Their retort was silence, and when one of them spoke, he told her they were doing their job and she was to mind her business.
βI no even understand you sef, madam. Na you accuse am. Na you come dey form concerned person. Which one you dey?β
βNice question,β Maliq said quietly through swollen lips.
βIβll get you out,β she promised.
He rejected the food she brought for him and begged her not to return. Salma left the police station to Covet, bursting into Rajiβs office without being invited. Raji dissolved a small gathering of employees he had with him to attend to her.
βHe didnβt do it. You have to get him out,β she said the instant they were alone.
βSal, you disrupted my meeting just to tell me this nonsense?β
βGet Maliq out of that police station, Raji. Heβs innocent.β
βStop being ridiculous, Sal.β
βTheyβll kill him in there! Get him out!β
βNo. He has to confess.β
βHe didnβt do it, Raji Asepita!β Salma screamed in frustration.
βSalma, donβt cross my wires this morning. Allow the police do what they do best.β
βBeing beasts, you mean? Brutalizing innocent people?β
βHe will confess when they are done with him.β
βSo, youβre not going to help him?β
βNo.β
She stared at him in suspicion. βHow am I sure you didnβt even set him up?β
Rajiβs jaw fell. βAre you serious?β
βYou had the same access to my bedroomβ¦β
βAre you serious right now, Salma?β
βDid you set him up or not?β
Rajiβs head shook in amazement.
βI need to know!β
βI may be many things but I can never stoop so low. Donβt ever accuse me for shit like that again.β
βYouβre still heartless for refusing to help him.β With that, she stormed out of his office. On her way home, she called a lawyer friend and furnished her with details of the case. She begged her to represent Maliq. The woman accepted the job. Later that evening she reached Salma and explained that the police had strong evidence against him. They had found out, from going through his Whatsapp messages, that he had been selling gold to clients over the past year, and even on that morning they had found a chat where he claimed he had new pieces to sell.
βBut he insists that they are not yours,β the lawyer informed Salma. βDo you know anything about him selling gold jewelries?β
βNo. He never mentioned it.β
βAsides that, the police have it in for him. He has been actively involved in the #EndSars campaign on Twitter.β
βOh God. Muyinat, please get him out of there for me. If anything happens to him, I wonβt forgive myself.β
βBut do you really believe he didnβt steal from you, given the new evidence?β
Salma hesitated with her answer.
βSalma?β
βMaliq is not a thief. He didnβt do it.β
Salma had no reason for her conviction, but in her heart, she knew he had been accused wrongly.
βIβll do my best. The police are dragging their feet in charging him to court,β Muyinat told her. βBut have no worries, the case will be tossed away.β
Salma waited with bated breath for Muyinatβs next phone call, but Muyinatβs sick mother had suddenly passed away and she was forced to withdraw from the case, referring Salma to another lawyer who was only going to be available on Thursday. Salma waited impatiently, and on Thursday morning, she drove to see Maliq with the new lawyer. Waiting outside, she got on the phone with Raji.
βCall your cousin to end this. Itβs gone on for too long. If Maliq really had my stuff, donβt you think he would have confessed by now after all the torturing?β
βSalmaβ¦β Raji groaned. He was just stirring from sleep.
βPlease, Raj. Iβm begging you here. Please.β
βFine.β
She didnβt thank him. She felt he didnβt deserve it.
βIβm curious, though. You love him enough to accept that he stole from you and is going to get away with it?β
βYes.β Her reply was to hurt Raji. She was convinced that Maliq was innocent.
βAlright.β
Raji hung up without saying goodbye, which was a first for him. Salma walked back into the police station just as the lawyer was stepping out of it.
βI canβt do anything today. He will be arraigned in court next week. Letβs keep our fingers crossed.β
She thanked the lawyer and escorted him out. On her way back in, a policewoman called her over to the counter.
βOur oga wan see you.β
The βogaβ turned out to be Rajiβs cousin. He questioned her decision to have the case tossed out.
βAre you sure?β he asked.
βYes.β
βThis man is a real, hardened criminal, an enemy of the police, which means he is an enemy of the state.β
Salma was silent.
βEven if I choose to let him go, how about all his hateful speeches on the internet against the police?β
Salma sustained her silence. The man was riled.
βI donβt even know why Raji bothered me with this whole thing. Madam, you can go. We will release him by evening.β
βWhy not now?β
βAre you to tell me how to do my job?β
βIβm sorry, sir.β
βYou can go.β
Salma left his office a little elated. She bore the same joy when she asked to see Maliq. But when he was brought out and she saw fresh wounds on him, tears thronged her eyes. She offered him food. He declined.
βI am so sorry, Maliq.β
βStop apologizing.β
βI wonβt. I shouldnβt have brought you here.β
βYou did what you had to do.β
βWell, I have good news. Youβll be out later today.β
βThey told you that?β
She nodded, wiping her eyes. βSo, please, eat.β
βNo, thanks.β
βMaliqβ¦β
βGo home, Salma.β
He turned away. Salma took the food she had come with and made her exit. She arrived home just in time to dress up for the childrenβs end of year party. Comfort was there with them. She demanded to know why Salma looked depressed. Salma lied, explaining that she had lost a friend.
βEiya. Sorry.β
βThanks.β
βMeanwhile, one alhaja like this came to see you. She said sheβs been calling your line but no answer.β
Salma remembered ignoring the womanβs calls. She hadnβt been in the mood to speak to anybody in days.
βShe told me sheβll come back, that she just wants to pick up a few things at Obalende.β
βI hope weβll be around when she comes back.β
Salma hurriedly showered and changed her clothes. On her way out, the said alhaja came driving into the compound. Salma wasnβt so pleased to see her. She had never liked her. They were acquainted via Rajiβs side of the family. She was one of those overly-loud rich women that did nothing but show off their husbandβs wealth. Even now as she walked towards Salma, she was glittering under the sun like a walking pin board for gold knickknacks. Salma recalled a rather unpleasant encounter with her where she tried to make Salma feel small at an occasion by insinuating that her jewelry was cheap.
βGood morning, Salimot,β Salma greeted. She had also hated the fact that they shared similar names, but she enjoyed addressing her that way, knowing how much she enjoyed the βalhajaβ title better.
βAs-Salam-Alaikum, Salma.β Salimot, for the first time since knowing Salma, didnβt seem to have her usually haughty air.
βHow is the family?β Salma asked.
βAlhamdulillah. Please, can I speak with you privately?β
βI hope all is well?β
βYes. But please, letβs go in and talk.β
When Fahad saw that Salma was retreating to the house, he made a show of impatience.
βComfort, just go with them. Iβll be with you in a bit.β
βOkay.β
Salma led Salimot into the house and offered her a seat and a drink. The woman declined the latter.
βThe thing that brought me here is a very shameful one, Salma.β
Salma watched as she opened her handbag and took out a white polythene bag and spread it before her. All of Salmaβs stolen jewelry was in the bag. Salma gasped.
βWhere did you get this?β
The woman also took out the wad of dollars that had gone missing.
βAllah sarki!β Salma exclaimed. βAlhaja, what is all this? How did you get this?β
βItβs my daughter o. The one that just turned fifteen.β
βFirdaus?β
βNot Firdaus. Falilat. She was here for your childrenβs party. You remember?β
βYes.β
βMe I thought I was bringing a human being to come and enjoy herself with her younger ones here, only for her to disgrace me like this. I didnβt know at all. It was my youngest son who told me just this morning that he saw her counting dollars. I now called her and questioned her and searched her room and found this.β
Salma looked on in shock.
βHer stupid reason was that shaytan deceived her to steal from you. If you see the way I beat that shaytan out of her body this morning ehn! Even her father had to beg me. I cannot have a useless child in my house who is working hand in hand with the devil. God forbid!β
βThis is shocking.β
βI know, my sister. That is why Iβm begging you not to hate my family. You know I am more than this. Is it these jewelries that I cannot buy two times? Why would Falilat disgrace me this way? What does she know about gold and diamonds that she would feel the need to steal them?β
Salmaβs eyes tried hard not to blame Salimot.
βI mean, we try to live modestly. I teach them to be content with what they have.β
βItβs youthful exuberance.β Salma was trying to be kind.
βI wanted to drag her here to apologize in person but her father has taken her to the chemist to treat her.β
βYou beat her that much?β
βI said I wanted to kill her. Itβs better not to have a child than to have a criminal as a child.β
βTake it easy, Salimot.β
βPlease, forgive and forget, my dear. I beg you in the name of Allah.β
βItβs okay, Salimot. Itβs all forgiven. Please, give me a second, let me send a quick text.β
Salma got out her phone, and in the pretense of sending an SMS, she took discreet pictures of Salimot holding the dollars and jewelries. There was no way she was going to convince Maliq, without evidence that he hadnβt been set up. After she was done, she collected her property and bade the alhaja a fine farewell. She was bursting to give the good news to Maliq but her childrenβs school party was of utmost importance. On her way there, she called Rajiβs cousin and explained the latest development to him. He didnβt seem pleased by the news. Salma also informed Maliqβs lawyer, sending him the pictures she had taken. She then permitted herself some laughter and relief after a long week of tears.
The childrenβs end of year party ended in the evening and she left the kids in Comfortβs care. On her way to the police station, she got a distressing call from Maliqβs lawyer. He informed her that Maliq had collapsed and was rushed to a general hospital. When Salma got there, she requested that he be transferred to the family hospital on Victoria Island for better care. She sat by his side for hours until he finally opened his eyes by 1AM.
She was asleep when she felt his hand on her. She jerked up.
βWhat are you doing here?β He rubbed her hand.
βYouβre awake. Are you okay?β she asked.
βIβm good. Just exhausted and really sleepy. Why are you here?β
βWhy shouldnβt I be here?β
βGo home, Salma.β
Salma checked the time. βI canβt. Itβs too late.β
βGo homeβ¦β he said weakly and fell back to sleep again.
Salma returned home only when the sun came up. Comfort was waiting for her, as was Raji.
βI got an alert from the bank this morning,β Raji stated as she walked into the house. “It was from Reddington. I was worried. I thought it was Raheem. I called Comfort and she said he was fine. I came here to look for you because I couldnβt reach your phone and I met Comfort here. Are you okay, Sal?β
Salma ignored him. βGood morning, Commie.β
βI was worried about you last night,β Comfort said. βI didnβt want to call Raji because I thought you wereβ¦β Comfort looked at Raji.
βYou thought she was with a man.β
βAre you okay though?β
βYes,β Salma replied.
βOkay. I just wanted to be sure you were fine. I should be going. The kids are still sleeping.β
βThank you, Commie.β
Salma walked her to the door. When she shut it, she faced Raji. βI had Maliq admitted at the hospital. He passed out due to the cruelty of the police. That was where I spent the night.β
βYouβre joking, right?β
βDid your irritating police cousin tell you that he was innocent? Alhaja Salimotβs teenage daughter was the one that stole from me. Her mother returned everything yesterday. We owe Maliq more than healthcare.β
βOf course, you owe him a lot more.β
βGo to hell, Raji.β
She started towards the stairs.
βSo, you and him are serious?β
Salma stopped and turned. It was just occurring to her that what she had with Maliq was a thing.
βYes. Weβre serious. Youβre still having an issue with that?β
βNo.β
βGood.β
βIβm justβ¦jealous, I guess. I wish youβd defend my honor the way you did his.β
βThose days are gone, Raji.β
She continued up the stairs.
***
At thirty-five Toni didnβt have any particular birthday wish. She had fulfilled all her dreams, none of which included having a man in her life. Hence, she ignored when Leticia whispered in her ear that she should wish for a good husband as she blew the candles on her cake.
If she had considered Leticiaβs suggestion, it would have been easy, but only if her candidate for marriage had been present for her birthday dinner. But he was not. Every other person that mattered in her life apart from her parents was there. Even her younger sister who had flown in from Port Harcourt for a wedding had shown up. Toni was let down by Andreβs absence. Both of them had planned for this day a year ago. He had wanted to fly her to Paris for the weekend. Not like she hadnβt been there before; it was going to be his special treat to her.
As she sat on the long table in the high-class restaurant where her dinner held, surrounded by those who meant the most to her, she reminisced on her last birthday and how Andre had taken her to Greece but she had stayed in all day because of a stomach bug that left her sick. He had worried over her like a mother over a sick child. When she ended up in the emergency room, he was there, holding her hand and telling her a story in French that was partly hilarious and partly annoying. That night, he lay on the hospital bed with her. It was his face she saw first thing in the morning peering into hers worriedly. She had thought it was the most inspiring sight to wake up to. Later that day when they left the hospital, he took her to see the sights to bring the color back to her face. They lounged about lazily, taking pictures and listening to the sea.
He presented her with a single cupcake that evening with a burning candle stuck in it because she couldnβt stand the sight of an entire cake. He asked her to make a wish.
βI donβt have a wish.β
βNone?β He gasped comically, making her laugh.
βNone.β
βNot even to get married to me?β
βNo.β
βThatβs sad.β
She laughed again and felt her lower lip crack.
βJust wish for something.β
βMust I?β
βYes. I donβt know who made the rules, but I think on birthdays, angels are there to make our wishes come true.β
βOkay. I wish for whatever you wish for us.β
She blew the candle. He gave a slow, silent laugh that made him sound like a movie villain.
βWhatβs funny?β
βYou did not just wish for what I constantly wish for us.β
βAnd whatβs that?β
βThat I get you pregnant and put a ring on your finger.β
βGood Lord.β
βBut let it be as you wish. From my heart to yours to Godβs ears.β
βAre you kidding me? I take back the wish.β
βYou canβt. Candle already blown.β
“I won’t get pregnant, Andre.”
“Should we make a bet? I get you pregnant immaculately.”
“What?” Toni laughed and AndreΒ leaned over and kissed her, ignoring her protest over how her mouth tasted like drugs.
βToni!β
Leticiaβs voice sounded like it was coming from afar. Toni straightened up and found two burning candles before her. She looked ahead and saw that everyone on the table was staring.
βDid you just wander off into thinking about Andre right now?β Folarin asked and he got a round of laughter.
βGuilty,β Toni said, smiling, and blew the candles.
βDonβt worry, heβll be here,β Raji assured. βI personally invited him.β
βMe too,β Christie said.
βAnd me.β Khanyi waved a hand.
βSame here,β Folarin added.
βLooks like weβre expecting four Andres,β Toni quipped, making her guests laugh more. It set the tone for the rest of the evening. But none of the Andres invited made an appearance. Toni settled for friendship, jokes, laughter, gifts and well-wishes. She saw each guest to the door and every one of them either had something comforting to say about Andre or had a calming hug to give her. She hated that they had somehow made the end of her special night about him. Still she understood that they simply cared. Christie alone had something different to tell her.
βThirty-five is a good age. Your mom would be proud. Keep slaying, sweetheart.β
Toni hugged her tightly. βHow are you coping with CJ?β she asked.
βWeβre getting by.β
βLily?β
βSheβs depressed mostly. Iβm trying really hard to connect but itβs not working.β
βPace yourself. Donβt force it.β
βIβm more concerned about CJ. He’s too young to be a father.β
βHeβll be fine.β
βAnd the shame of itβ¦β
βShhh. Itβs nobodyβs business.β
βThank you, Toni.β
Christie walked up to Folarin who was waiting. He enwrapped her with his arm and they sauntered to the parking lot. Toni admired their relationship. They were that one couple she always looked up to. Despite what had happened to them, she saw that the love still burned. She wondered if she would ever have the guts to love anyone that way, to plunge her entire self into another human being without looking back now and then. Even after all these years, love still scared her.
She turned her attention to Leticia and Dapo. They were standing beside Leticiaβs car. It had been five days since his great reveal. Leticia had gotten over the shock so quickly that Toni began to worry about her state of mind. Now, she was playing with a smile on her face as she interacted with Dapo.
βSis?β Dapo called, pulling away from her. Toni smiled at him. βGoodnight.β
Unlike Leticia, Toniβs anger at him still festered. But it was her birthday and she was in good spirits. She blew him a kiss as she made for Leticiaβs car. Leticia came to her with a scarf.
βHave you guys reconciled?β Toni asked.
βHas he killed the baby he has with Daisy?β
βTisha?β
βNo, weβve not reconciled. Thatβs by the way. Remember I told you that I had a surprise for you?β
βYeah?β
Leticia folded the scarf in her hands and placed it over Toniβs eyes.
βWhat are you doing?β
She went behind her to secure the scarf.
βTish?β
βRelax. Iβm not going to sell you.β
βYou know I hate being blindfolded.β
βJust relax, birthday girl.β
Leticia held her hand and guided her to the backseat of the car.
βSit here like the queen you are.β Toni heard the door shut and soon another opened. βSit tight.β
βTish, if this whole thing youβre doing involves Andre, just drop me off now-now.β
βShut up and listen to some cool music while I ferry you to your surprise.β
Cool music, according to Leticia, was a playlist of all Rihannaβs songs.
βDo you listen to anything other than Rihanna?β
βRiri heals my broken heart.β
βIβm happy for you.β
And Leticia was inspired to sing along really loudly to Rihannaβs music while Toni sat behind, wishing she had an icepick to stick in her throat. Each time she tried to take the blindfold off, Leticia would screech and instruct her to keep her hands down.
βGreat. An hour has passed on this our surprise journey.β
βDonβt be silly, Toni. Itβs been just about twelve minutes.β
βIt could be the whole day. And listening to you makes it feel like forever.β
βMy voice is sublime. I used to be a chorister back then. Remember?β
βUntil you fucked the choirmaster.β
βNo, he fucked me.β
βWhat difference does it make?β
βHe was the fucker and I was the fuckee. Huge difference.β
βSame difference. The fuckery was out of this world though.β
βDonβt remind me.β
βTish, just get back with Dapo and stop being weird.β
βYes, ma.β
But Leticia kept singing until the car came to a halt.
βCan I take off the blindfold now?β
βNo. Actually, this is the real blindfold moment.β
βThen why was I blindfolded the entire time?β
βI donβt know. But donβt take it off now.β
Toni waited until Leticia helped her out of the car. Leticia left her standing for a bit and returned to her. She hooked her arm in hers and tugged her forward.
βJust follow me carefully. You wonβt fall.β
They stopped after a few steps and Toni heard a door open. Leticia guided her into a place that smelled of oranges and left her to stand on her own. Leticia untied the scarf.
βWeβre here. Ta-da!β
Toni blinked until her eyes came into clarity. They were in a small room that had long couches that leaned on three of the walls. The floor was covered in a fluffy black rug and the only other thing in the room was an air conditioner. There was no television. But there was a hidden sound system that began to play a Sam Smith song as if on cue.
βWhatβs this?β Toni demanded in a frown.
βOh sorry. Wrong room.β
βCome on, Tisha.β
Leticia took her hand and led her through a door that Toni hadnβt noticed. She brought her into a lounge where everyone she had just had dinner with and other friends were waiting in an atmosphere of hazy lighting and serene music. It took Toni a few seconds to realize that it was a surprise party. No one had screamed out the clichΓ© βsurprise!β and this left her curious. But they blessed her with smiles as the DJ steered the party into full revelry mode.
Toni was snatched up by a friend and forced into a hug.
βHappy birthday, Toni.β
βThank you,β Toni answered. The friend let go and Leticia dragged her in for a squeeze.
βI know you said you didnβt want a party, let alone a surprise one. But I couldnβt help it, boo. You havenβt thrown a birthday party in a while. You deserve this. Happy thirty-fifth, bestie.β
Toni hugged her back. βYou know I can never stay mad at you. Thank you, Tish.β
Leticia freed herself from the embrace. βYouβll want to see this.β
Leticia nodded at some guy who in turn nodded at the DJ. The music went down. A screen lit up and on it showed a video of Toni from ten years ago. It was her birthday but in her usual way she was spending it at home dressed in gym shorts and a bra, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of red wine in the other. Striking red eyes with long lashes looked into the camera.
βWhere I want to be in ten years?β she laughed, fluttering her lashes. βI want to be the boss of my own ad agency, I guess. I want to pursue my PhD too. I donβt know about getting married sha. Iβm over men. So, yeah, CEO of an ad agency and my PhD. Letβs start from there.β
Party guests applauded.
βHappy birthday, Toni!β Leticiaβs voice came from behind the camera. The video cut to a black screen on which was written: To Antonia Arinola Braithwaite…Just because youβre phenomenal.
Videos and images of Toni were displayed, gathered from friends and colleagues. Toni laughed through most of them until short clips that were gotten specifically from Andre came on. Toni felt her eyes water.
βIs he here?β she asked Leticia.
βNo. Watch.β
Andreβs face appeared on the screen at the end of his videos. He seemed to be seated in his office. A spotless white shirt, folded at the sleeves, hugged his torso. He scratched his beard and smiled at her.
βMa chatte, I know you didnβt want this. But this is me making up for not taking you to Paris as promised. You deserve to have fun once in a while. Bon anniversaire.β
He winked, the video ended. The music came back on. For a stretch of two hours, Toni was given the time of her life with friends. She danced like she was sixteen again, drank like she had no care in the world. Turned out there was a party host and he entertained with games and giveaways. The party came to a point where ten bottles of champagne were auctioned to raise money for a child that needed an open-heart surgery. The bottles were then emptied on Toni as she shrieked until she lost her voice. Subsequently, Leticia dragged her away from the crowd, soaking wet.
βAre you guys kidding me?β Toni licked her lips, giggling. βI donβt even have a spare dress.β
βHasnβt it yet occurred to you that I got you covered? Shut up and follow me joor.β
Leticia took her through a different exit that led them up a flight of stairs. They came out to a hallway and it was only then Toni realized they were in a hotel. They entered an elevator. Leticia pressed a button with βPβ written on it and they rode up to the last floor. When the door parted, another door was facing the elevator on which was scrawled Penthouse Suite.
βAndre did all this?β Toni asked.
βYes.β
βSo, where is he?β
βI have no idea.β
Leticia unlocked the door to the suite and they got in. Posh settings welcomed them. Toni followed Leticia to the master bedroom. Sprawled on the bed was a dress.
βHe bought that too?β
βYeah.β Leticia unzipped the dress Toni had on. She also took off Toniβs wig.
βItβs just occurring to me why you kept insisting that I shouldnβt make my hair and you bought me this wig instead. You knew Iβd be soaked with champagne. You had this perfectly planned.β
βStop analyzing and shower jare. Enter.β Leticia pointed at the bathroom. Toni obeyed. She stripped off her underwear and got into the shower. She was soon done and stepped out to wrap herself in a towel. She realized Leticia was gone when she walked back to the bedroom; but a distinct male fragrance slowed her movement. She followed her sense of smell to the living room and found Andre leaning on a sofa.
βHappy birthday, Ma Chatte.β
Silence was her response. Calm eyes regarded him. On his face was that composed, overconfident expression she had seen on him the first time they met. It struck nostalgia in her. She was filled with a sudden overpowering desire to kiss him.
But her feet remained rooted to the floor.
βI was asked to wish for something when I was about to blow my birthday cake earlier. Crazy thing, I wished that I could see you tonight. And somehow, youβre here.β
βWishes still come true, Tone.β
βThank you for a great birthday party.β
βYou deserve it.β
βSo how does it work? You throw an expensive party for me, I show gratitude by parting my legs for you and then weβre back to the way we used to be?β
Andre smiled. βIs that how you want it?β
βI just want to know what to expect next.β
Andre dashed towards her so fast she missed a breath. She lifted her eyes up at him, waiting for the kiss she had wanted so badly in recent times. But Andre put his arms around her in a sheltered hug.
βI canβt start telling you how much Iβve missed you, Tone.β
With her ear pressed to his chest, his words seemed like they were being delivered straight to her soul. The familiarity of his touch and sturdy beating of his heart took her to a place of syrupy memories. And for no convincing reason, Toni felt her eyes betray her with tears. She tried to rein her heart in but it handed her over to Andreβs affection. He stroked her back gently.
βIβm so sorry, ma chatte. I was selfish and stupid.β
βIβm sorry I shut you out.β
βI deserved it. I failed to see that the kids meant so much to you, that they were changing you as you were changing them. If only I had been patientβ¦β
βLetβs stop talking about the past, please.β She sniffled. βYouβre here, Iβm hereβ¦ Do you still want to take me to Paris?β
He pulled back and lifted her chin. βIsnβt it too late to catch a flight?β
Toni had a certain twinkle in her wet eyes. βLearn to keep your promises, Frenchman.β
He undid her towel with one tug, sending it to the floor.
βArinolaβ¦β he whirred, eyes worshipping her body. βYou know I canβt cheat on my girlfriend.β
βItβs not cheating if she doesnβt drive you crazy like I do.β
Andre came down on Toniβs lips with a soft kiss that bore more of his breath than his taste. But she didnβt break contact. Her hands reached for his neck to pull him closer. They kissed hungrily, with sighs and feverish urgency.
βItβs not cheating if she would be dumped tomorrow,β Andre said.
Toni giggled and then shrieked as he suddenly picked her off the floor and put her across his shoulder.
βFabrice!β she yelled, laughing. He took her to the bedroom and dumped her on the bed. And then he lay over her.
βMarry me, Arinola. Have my babies. Letβs build our lives together.β
Toni held his face, lost in his eyes. Maybe it was the fact that she was slightly intoxicated, or it might have been that she was too excited to see him that she didnβt think her answer through. But she gave him a quick reply that came in the likes of a gratifying moan, a bop of her head and a word that sounded much like βyesβ.
Andre grinned and sent his lips on a journey to her chatte.
Β©Sally@moskedapages
Β Image: @livinglifesynco
Waoh!
Merry Christmas Darling Sally, thank you for adding spice to my year.
God bless you and yours and the entire fans of Moskedapages.
Merry Christmas Sally. Thank You For always making my day
Merry Christmas Sally
Reading this again and I am just so happy Andre and Toni are back and I hope it’s for good this time, it Is just that Ms. Sally can’t be trusted.
Thank God for Maliq’s innocence o
I am seeing Sally making Andre’s girlfriend pregnant and then Toni will get angry and break up again…sigh
i hope not o
Sigh…… Merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead Sally
Merry Christmas Sally, have been waiting for this all day, thank you for posting. So happy for my namesake and Andre.
Nice one Sally Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance
Love sweet sha especially with d right person.so happy for Toni and her french man Andre. U just made my Christmas sweet, it has been boring all day. Grazie
Damn! One great episode
Merry Christmas Sally.
I just love love. I smiled all through. I hope toni and Andre stay together.
Merry Christmas Sally!!! Thank God Andre&Tone has make up, pls dnt let dem v any issues again, I think Toni too deserves sm sunshine in her life too
Merry Christmas Sally,
Finally!!!!!!! Iβm happy my favourite couples are back together but Iβm sad that this means Dear High Mistress is about to end.
Thanks Sally, God bless you.
Awwww! I love this. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Ms Sally. May God’s blessings and favor continue to be sure on you and yours this Christmas and forever. Ameen.
I thought as much when I didn’t sight you anywhere. Yeah! Nepa issa bitch n petrol is gold now?
I do hope you are better now.
Thank you for this episode. Interesting read as usual. Well done sis
Merry Christmas Sally! Hmmmmnnn Andre and Toni, that was very quick. I wish it was Maliq that stole that jewelry sha, I don’t know why I like Raji………
Merry Christmas
Beautiful episode, just beautiful β€β€β€finally the moment I’ve waited for arrived.
Yah, they are back together.. Merry christmas Sally .
Merry Christmas Sally, and wishing u a most rewarding year ahead. Thanks a million for the read, great job?
awwwww,, what will be will be, toni and andre are meant for each other, thanks sally
Merry Christmas to you and yours Sally thanks for the update.
Merry Christmas Sally and thank you for lighting up my 2017..may God give you joy on everyside.
Merry Christmas Sally, beautifully woven together as usual!
Merry Christmas Mrs. Sally
Thanks for the episode
Tones and Andre…. ? ???
Dear Sally,
They joy you bring to this girl’s heart is indescribable really.
I refreshed everyhour I was awake since the 22nf for an update.
I’m glad it came today, cause this is absolutely the best Christmas gift ever.
I had a stupidly goofy grin on my face when Andre and Toni got back together.
Thank you Boo for being amazingly you.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Waooo. Merry xmas Sally
Merry Xmas sally. Wish u great health
Great job as usual. Team #tondre# Thank you Sally.
Merry Christmas to you
Thanks Sally. The three stories over Christmas were totally worth it. I knew Andre wouldn’t miss the event and that Tish wouldn’t make it so easy for Tobi to have her wish. Nice ending. Am I safe to wonder when the next clog in the wheel of their romance will be? Because I think those two people can’t do without a little friction in their relationship.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thanks for this…..
Thanks Sally, it was an interesting read. Compliment of the season
Happy holidays Salz. Thank you for the great episodes. You never fail to deliver.
Me oooo, I sha don’t want Salma and Maliq together at alllllllll!!!! I wish he were the thief.
So happy for Andre and Tonia. Friends like Leticia are diamonds.
Thanks again Salz
Haaaa, Falila alakoba!!! I am glad everyone came out smelling like roses, Maliq and Raji, no thief, no evil set up, just Falila.
Happy 35th Arinola!!! I hope this reconciliation lasts forever.
Happy Holidays Sally!!!
Raji is that asshole that a girl just loves for no reason. I knew he wouldn’t stoop so low. Every one has an acquaintance like Alhaja.
Salm and Malik…Rihanna’s love in a hopeless place song is for you.
Good to see Commie.
And Yesssssssss Tondre are back and I’m not even scared of them parting anymore because they have finally seen what living without each other is like. If Andre’s rebound refuses to let go, na she go suffer.
Tish is just that friend that you can’t imagine not having.
Sal, please me I’m realm curious about what happens to Ruby.
Khanyi should find love too o abeg. Thank you Sal and compliments of the season. We love you.
I hope you had a great Christmas Sally. Thanks you for this x
Wow!
This is mind blowing. Thanks Sally
Omg!!!! Such an exciting episode ?? thank you Aunt Sally ?β€οΈ Merry Christmas my love to the family ?
Thanks Sal. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the marathon episodes
I don’t know if I dropped my comment the last time out. The wicked people of the world sucked my data as I was reading.
Glad that Malik was finally exonerated.
Shebi Toni and Andre will sha quit their drama now. They should have learnt a few lessons. Sha don’t lemme stall on this, I’m going to read the 16th .
Big ups Sally. Thank you *wheels away to read episode 16*
Happy new year maama
Thank you for letting us into your beautiful mind