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Naija Heels On Cobbled Streets #10 By Olajumoke Omisore

Sade slipped into the shopping centre, her bag in one hand and the other hand pressing her phone to her ear. She knew her smile was too wide but Peju happened to be on the other end and the lady was as vocal as usual.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” Peju was asking. “I opened the door to your flat and my brother-in-law was standing right there…starkers. He had nothing on. Sade are you still there? Why didn’t you tell me he was there when I text you to say I was going round to yours? Enh? And why was he walking around your flat naked? The last time we talked you said you haven’t seen him…”

“Did you get the atarodo you wanted?” Sade interrupted.

“What?” Peju squealed. “You expect me to still go into your kitchen and retrieve what I wanted after seeing Big Bro in all his glory? Girlfriend, I saw him with my korokoro eyes.”

Sade had forgotten that he was at her flat when Peju asked if she could go round to hers to pick up some scotch bonnets she wanted for her cooking. She guessed he had been on his way to the bathroom when her friend let herself in.

Niyi had turned up in the middle of the night after weeks of avoiding her as if she was carrying an infectious disease. She had seen him only once since he got back from Nigeria: at little Koye’s birthday party. Although, his tone had a genuine ring to it every time he called to say he was busy at work in London, she knew he could have come down if he really wanted to see her.

“Did he sleep in your bed?” Peju’s asked, giggling.

“He slept in the baby’s room. He is here to finish putting the cot together, the shelves and to sort the room in general.”

“You should talk to him whilst he is here, ore. You need to sort things out. This coming and going will confuse the child. I know I wasn’t supportive before about you and him but you have a child to consider now. What happens when Big Bro meets a girl like Clara in London? One of those desperados that will get pregy with triplets before they go on a second date…”

“Let me call you later please.” Sade cut the connection when a familiar figure in a short black dress stopped in front of her. She had spotted Clara walking out of Boots earlier and hoped the latter wouldn’t see her to avoid this awkwardness. What were they supposed to say to each other?

She took her time locking her phone and putting it in her bag.

Clara looked slimmer. Her make-up had been perfectly etched on. A smile that Sade didn’t doubt its genuineness played on the edges of her mouth but her eyes spoke of a different emotion. One that Sade couldn’t name.

“Sade, so it is true you are pregnant?” Clara’s tone didn’t ring with its familiar brashness. “I called your phone several times. I sent text messages. Did you get my Christmas card?”

Sade felt the urge to wrap her bump with something. To protect her baby from this woman. Her eyes gazed ahead, past the heads of busy shoppers in the mall.

“Are you still angry with me? Please babe mi, I never planned to hurt you. Niyi was harassing me and it slipped out…”

“What about Peju? Did you plan to take Koye and Kunmi’s dad away from her?”

Aah. Did Femi move in with me? Shebi, he was only with me to get what his wife wasn’t giving him regularly. Peju deserved what she got if you ask me. But you … I never set out to hurt you. I remember how you were there for me when I gave my son to my mother. You didn’t judge me like Peju. Please Sade baby, you know I hate begging.”

“Forget it Clara. You did me and Niyi a favour anyway. I can’t really talk now sha. I’m in a rush to get back.”

“Sweetie, we should meet up, I have missed you. You know you miss those buttery cakes we used to get at Snackies. I miss our chats.” Clara pouted “Do you remember James that I was seeing some months back? His wife is our new director.”

“James? The Igbo one or the Urhobo one?”

Sade knew which James her friend was talking about. Yes, Clara had dated a few James’ and many more Johns but only James Addo’s wife had a career in finance management.

“My James from Accra,” Clara lowered her voice as she moved out of the way of a group of school girls chattering animatedly. “His wife is making my life a misery, girl. That woman treats me like a door mat, sending me on errands to the coffee place and soup shop. Right now, I’m on my way back to work to finish the stupid unnecessary report she asked me for in multiple copies. Babe, we need to meet to talk. I need to offload.”

“You will be fine. See you later Clara.” Sade headed towards the alleyway entrance of the mall carrying her weight with the sort of speed that disappeared with her first trimester.

Trust Clara to seek forgiveness and friendship for her own benefit. She had seen her friend since Niyi found out, thanks to the mouth that wouldn’t hold back. Once, on a cold day on her way from work when the struggles of morning sickness, seasonal flu and a broken heart – that reeked of permanence – curved her back low. Clara had driven her Toyota Camry past her. The woman had no work worries that needed offloading on her mind then so there had been no reason for her to stop and offer her a lift.

***

She headed straight to her bedroom to get changed into her nightdress as soon as she got in, even though she could hear the soft drilling from the baby’s room. She trudged to the lounge afterwards and sat on the sofa sideways, resting her legs in front of her.

Niyi walked in not long after, dressed in sky blue jeans and a blue vintage tee-shirt. “Why didn’t you call me to come and get you?”

“I got a taxi from the mall.” Sade said, remembering why she had gone to the mall in the first place. “Oh Niyi, I forgot the hard dough bread you wanted.”

“I have eaten babe. Your freezer is stocked. Anyone would think you are preparing to host a pack of starving teenagers.” He sidled in beside her, lifting her feet up to rest them on his thighs. “Do you want me to warm up something for you?”

Sade shook her head. He raised an eyebrow because a big smile was spreading across her face.

“Peju called me to tell me what she saw.”

“I blame you woman. Why didn’t you text me to say she was coming round? I was in the shower when I realised I didn’t have my shaving foam. I walked out of the bathroom to get it and found her in the hallway, mouth wide open. I didn’t even know she has a key…”

“Sorry.”

“She just stood there staring at me. I had to cover my junk with my hands, babe. Why does she even have a key to your flat?”

“I gave her a spare key because you did your disappearing act…”

His mouth opened to interrupt her. She noticed the way his head tilted backwards like someone accused of a serious crime they hadn’t committed.

“Yes, I know your work is very demanding. I just don’t want to push this baby into the world without any painkillers, abeg. That is what will happen if we go with your plan to call you at work. By the time you get here, the baby would have started walking.”

Niyi rubbed her feet. “Relax, it won’t hurt that much.”

“I will listen to you when you experience labour.”

“It won’t be that bad if you continue with gentle exercise. Even the ones that you have closed the door to. I’m advising you as a doctor babe.” He lowered his gaze to her legs and winked.

“Do you expect me to be dating around with this huge belly?”

“Who said anything about dating around? You better not let any man near my child. Don’t try it.” He rubbed his hands. “If you ask me nicely, I will willingly volunteer my services ma’am.”

She ignored the twinkling of his eyes. He started to massage her feet. His hands hiked up her lower legs, sending exhilarating sensations to parts of her that had laid dormant these past months.

“Is the pretty nurse that you are messing with refusing to be serviced?”

“What nurse?” Niyi grinned. “Looks like Femi is telling tales again. I think he heard me telling Andy about the young student that keeps bringing me coffee. He probably didn’t tell you she happens to be my boss’ daughter and she was probably in her mother’s stomach when I was in med school.”

“Keep your hands to yourself then.”

“Are you jealous?” Niyi traced one of her legs with his middle finger, going slightly underneath her nightdress this time.

She cooked up a frown stern enough to stop him from playing with her. Both the physical and mental games. “I’m only worried about your job.”

“Cater to me then.”

“What?”

 

“You can’t push me away and expect me to be good.” With one swift movement, he was astride her, holding the edge of the sofa to stop his bulk from resting on her. Her breasts had swelled with pregnancy, pushing firmly against her night dress. He couldn’t wait to take off the transparent fabric and touch her. He couldn’t wait to be inside her. But above all of these, he needed to look into her eyes and make her see how much he wanted her.

“I have missed you.”

She didn’t respond.

“Did you hear me, babe?”

She tried to look away.

“Look at me and tell me you haven’t missed me.”

“I haven’t.”

“Your eyes tell me you have.”

Niyi saw the way her eyes held his and the way her body slid down to fit neatly underneath him. He took that as an invitation to kiss her.

***

 

Sade woke up to find herself alone on her bed. The excuse in the note on the pillow next to hers broke her into equal halves.

Sorry. Gone to play golf with Andy.

The note read.

 

She got out of bed and covered herself with her dressing gown as the reason why she had woken up became clear: gentle knocks coming from the front door. She hurried to the door, hoping it would be him there.

Her smile disappeared and morphed into a polite expression when she opened the door to Andrew.

“Did I wake you?” Andrew asked. He looked immaculate in a tailored baby-blue suit that didn’t look like his golfing kit.

“No Andy. Good morning.” Sade greeted.

The awkward silence between them forced her to say something quickly. “Niyi is on his way to your house.”

“I thought he was here.” Andrew told her. “I’m sure he said you would be at work today.”

Yes, Sade was supposed to go to the surgery to help the practice manager with the filing system but Niyi had persuaded her to send a text to say she couldn’t go in last night.

“Has he finished the baby’s bedroom? I was here yesterday for a while.”

She stepped out of the way and invited Andrew in. Perhaps because his announcement had forced a lump down her throat. Or perhaps because the gel in his air and the gloss on his lips made her uncomfortable. It wouldn’t have mattered if he hadn’t come down to see her man – alone – dressed in a suit that would attract the most heterosexual male.

She told herself off for going down that path again. And as Andrew gushed about the arty wallpapers on the wall and the cuddly toys in the cot, she allowed her shoulders to relax.

“I think you are amazing, you know.” Andrew turned to her, flushed. “The way you have accepted Niyi’s orientation is amazing.”

“I don’t understand.”

He put his hands in his trousers’ pockets and shrugged. “I’m surprised you are fine with his bisexuality. Clearly, you adore him.”

That was the last sentence she heard before Andrew gave her a quick hug and left.

By that evening, the heat in her room had maximised. At the same time she felt cold. Her eyes refused to shed tears that threatened to come when she called Peju lamenting about her life spiralling out of control.

Although Peju was in Birmingham at a cousin’s wedding, she had tried to get her to tell her what was going on. “Is this because of Big Bro Sade? Please don’t kill yourself because of a man. That child you are carrying is worth a thousand of him.”

The things she wanted to tell her friend had weighed so much on her tongue that she’d chosen to go to bed instead. Her body was freezing, so she’d turned the central heating on to the maximum. But now she had started to feel dizzy too.

***

Her eyes flickered open when she felt someone touch her face. Even though the room had been thrown into utter darkness, she could make out his familiar features.

He had a cup in his hand. “Get up. Drink this.”

The anger in his tone startled her. She tried to sit up and found that her vision was blurry. He helped her into a sitting position with his free hand. Sade could smell drink on him. Smoke too.

“Peju called me. You switched off your phone, so I came down. Why the hell are you endangering my child’s life?”

She couldn’t believe she had heard him correctly.

“Your blood sugar must be low, babe. Starving yourself is not good for the baby. Drink this.”

Niyi held the drink close to her mouth. She swung the drink away from her face with her left hand. He moved back but not in time to avoid getting drenched by the drink.

“What is wrong with you?”

He peeled off his shirt and dropped it on the floor. Sade had turned her back to him.

“Is this because I left this morning? You are doing this because I didn’t stay to cuddle you or something?”

She craned her neck towards him, so that he had no choice but to put some distance between them.

“Don’t flatter yourself. I couldn’t care less if you left straight after. I’m mad at you because you lied to me.”

Niyi got on the bed next to her and placed one hand on her right one slowly. “I have never lied to you…Well, not on purpose.”

“I can’t believe I let you put me at risk. You took me to bed knowing what you’ve been doing behind closed doors. If you have infected me, I swear you will regret doing this to me.”

“What the hell are you talking about? What did I infect you with? A cold?”

“Andrew told me that you are bisexual.” She yelled so hard that she felt something tug inside her.

Niyi stayed quiet. His quietness added to her grief. The tears started gushing now.

“We have had this discussion before.” He said finally. “Quit acting crazy, it doesn’t suit you.”

The bitterness in his voice sprung higher with each word. She struck his face with her hand. He grabbed her hands as she started to tussle with him.

“I know you’ve slept with men. Admit it. That’s all I want.”

“Yes, I have.” He said, matching her tone. “Three men. In Portugal. Are you happy now?”

He didn’t let go, although she had stopped trying to free herself.

“I don’t understand,” she panted. “You said you are not… like that. I don’t understand. You promised. You said…”

He pulled her body closer and held her. It was good timing. She had felt herself slipping off the bed.

“I never said it was consensual, Sade.”

“You are saying that you were…”

Sade knew what he was saying. Rape was the word that her head searched for but her mouth couldn’t say it.

 

Olajumoke Omisore

Olajumoke Omisore lives in Lancashire. She grew up in London and Abeokuta.

Her writing has appeared in The Kalahari Review, African Writer, Naija Stories, Tales

from the Other Side anthology, TNC and elsewhere. Her flash story, Ochuga’s Girl

was longlisted for the Minority Contest.

You can read her other series Playing the Game and Losing Hope on Aideyarn.com

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25 Comments

  1. slimshawty says:

    Wow more dark secrets looming out 4 Niyi o…

    1. Olajumoke says:

      Big time secrets. Many thanks for reading Slimshawty.

  2. anita says:

    Hmmm niyi u sure knw how to wine sade to ur specifics? Nice one thete

  3. Olajumoke says:

    Thanks Anita.

  4. Niyi and his trillions of skeletons and closets!!
    Gud job JMK

    1. Olajumoke says:

      His middle name should be Secrets?. Thanks Tomii.

  5. Tolu says:

    Sighs. Lost of words

    1. Olajumoke says:

      Thanks for reading.

  6. iyanu says:

    Too many skeletons in Niyi’s closet….

    1. Olajumoke says:

      Thanks Iyanu. Sorry for replying to your comment late.

  7. Adeleke Julianah says:

    In fact!
    Me tire for all dis pipu o!
    Just got dis mail.
    The rest were in spam.
    Thanks for this wonderful piece Lady Olajumoke.
    Thanks for sharing Lady Sally…

    1. Olajumoke says:

      I should be the one thanking you for reading and commenting. Have a fabulous week.

  8. No wonder niyi has demons. And Andrew is a real fool

    1. Olajumoke says:

      No wonder. Thanks Mamie.

  9. Bee says:

    Na wa o!!! Don’t even know where to start from, Niyi, Clara or Andrew??

    Uncle Niyi, How can you be forming annoyance with Sade for having a fling with your brother when you have more skeletons in your closet than Eminem?

    Andrew, I used to think you were the only sane one in this series…..guess I was wrong!

    Sister Clara, the thunder that is going to strike you is still doing press up…..Your torment hasn’t began yet!

    Wonderful story Jumoke!!
    Thanks a lot Sally for sharing.
    Happy new year to you both. XOXO

    1. Olajumoke says:

      Lol, I like the way you tagged him as uncle. Sorry for responding late. Work et al kept me. Thanks and Happy New Year to you too.

  10. Seye says:

    Ohhhhhh, Andrew takes on the role of whistle-blower. And like I always ask/say, for what reason? What is his motive for revealing Niyi’s sexual orientation. Why did he assume it was his duty to make the revelation? If only wanna be convinced he’s not being sinister.
    Meanwhile, egbon Niyi has Sade’s mumu button sha. He just finds a way to wriggle out, always. Let’s see his explanation this time, and see if it’s convincing.
    Ohhh Clara…that one matter just got me seated and looking what she’ll make of her life
    Big ups Jumoke. This is getting more interesting.

    1. Olajumoke says:

      I love your very insightful comments. I really do. Many thanks Seye.

  11. toyenlon says:

    Wow! Drama upon drama with sade & Niyi. Nice one

    1. Olajumoke says:

      Yes, Toyenlon. These two are always at it. Thanks for reading. Have a fab week.

  12. Tobislim says:

    Ajumjum. Welldone dear. Loving ur oda story on 360nobs too. Xoxoxo

  13. Tobislim says:

    #playing the game

  14. Getting more interesting, keep it up, Jummy

  15. Niyi is a baddoski!

  16. kalliboom says:

    Hmm niyi nawao bisexual? Sade don enter wahala ooh more secrets unfolding. Tnx JMK and happy new year to you!

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