Shalewa drove home with Akin tailing behind. All through the journey home, she smiled as she kept her eyes on the rear mirror. She still could not believe that Akin, her first love was back in town. Oh Akin, how much I longed for you all these years. And now, you waltz back into my life at this time; when all hope is lost. She shook her head as she sighed. Why did you have to wait this long? She soliloquized.
She drove into her residence and asked the gateman to allow Akin in as well. As she eased out of her car, she waited for Akin. Akin got out of his car and strolled towards her. As he got to her, he held her hand and kissed it with a smile on his face. They both proceeded to walk towards the main door hand in hand. As they were about stepping into the main house, Akin whispered something into Shalewa’s ears and she burst out into laughter.
Funke looked up from the fashion magazine she was browsing through when she heard Shalewa’s laughter. Shalewa walked up to her mum and bent halfway to kiss her on the cheeks. She dropped her handbag on the couch as Funke picked up her glasses from the side stool. She put it on to have a good look at the person walking in behind Shalewa. As she recognized him, Akin smiled as he touched the floor in a half prostrate.
“Good evening ma.” He said.
Funke stood up to give him a hug. “Ah..ah, Akin!!!” She exclaimed.
“Yes ma.”
“Wow! It’s been how many years?”
“Fifteen years ma.” He replied grinning.
“How are your parents?”
“They are fine thank you, ma. I spoke to them on the drive down here and they asked me to send their greetings.”
Shalewa beamed with smiles as she looked at her mum and Akin.
“When did you arrive? It is so nice seeing you again.”
Akin smiled. “I arrived a few weeks ago.”
“Ah…ah, Akin!” Funke said stressing his name. “You have grown into a fine young man. Please sit down, my dear. What do we offer you?”
“I am okay ma. Shalewa and I had some drinks before coming. I just wanted to stop by to say hi after a long time. I have missed you and daddy a lot.”
“Oh, thank you. That is nice of you but he is not home yet.” Funke said.
“No worries ma. Since I have seen you, I have seen daddy.” Akin said as they all burst into laughter. “I should take my leave now. Thank you for taking very good care of Shalewa.”
Shalewa blushed as she looked at her mum. “Ah, do I have a choice?” Funke asked as she raised her palms heavenwards.
“Let me walk you out.” Shalewa said to Akin.
Akin did another bow towards Shalewa’s mother as he stretched forth his hand towards Shalewa. Shalewa immediately took his hand and they walked out of the living room smiling.
Akin eased into his car still holding Shalewa’s hand. He started the ignition and looked lovingly into her eyes.
“I almost feel like you shouldn’t leave.” Shalewa said.
Akin smiled. “I don’t want to as well but you know I have to go.”
“Yeah, I know.” Shalewa said looking downcast.
Akin pulled her closer as he raised up her chin and planted a kiss on her forehead. He caressed her face with his thumb and smiled.
Shalewa smiled back. The unspoken feelings between them saying a thousand words with their eyes.
“Give me your phone.”
“It’s in my handbag. I dropped it in the living room.” Shalewa replied.
Akin picked up his phone from the passenger seat and handed it over to her. She typed in her number immediately.
“Expect my call.” Akin said as he saved the number.
“Definitely.”
Akin engaged the gear and drove towards the gate. The gateman opened up and he drove out of the Samuel’s residence.
Shalewa walked into the house smiling to herself. She met her mum shutting the window blinds as she sauntered into the living room. Funke sighed as Shalewa walked in.
“Mum?” Shalewa said as she gave her mother a curious look.
Funke sat down and tapped the couch. “Please sit down.”
Shalewa obeyed as she sat beside her mum. “Is anything the matter?”
“Yes. I watched the display between you and Akin.” Shalewa’s smile faded immediately. “I don’t think it is right considering that you are getting married very soon.”
“Is that all you have to say, mum?” Shalewa asked beginning to get upset.
“Omoshalewa, listen to me. Tunde loves you….”
“And Akin doesn’t?” Shalewa asked cutting her mother short.
“Shalewa!!! You should concentrate on your wedding preparations.” Her mother said scolding her.
“I have had enough of this, mum. Can I leave now?” Shalewa asked as she picked up her bag from the couch and stood up in anger.
Funke looked at her daughter as she sighed deeply.
Without another word from her mother, Shalewa stormed to her bedroom slamming the door shut.
Shalewa’s phone began to ring. She had been lying down on her bed fully clothed the last one hour. She stood up and walked towards her mini-library where she had dropped her handbag in anger. She took out her phone, looked at the caller ID, hissed and flung the phone on her bed. The phone rang three more times but she refused to pick up the call.
Ten minutes later, her mum tapped on her door once and walked in. Shalewa’s back was turned to the door. “Yes mum.”
“Tunde has been trying to reach you. He says your phone keeps ringing out. He was worried and called me to ask if you were okay.”
“I’m okay.” Shalewa said; not turning back to look at her mum.
“Don’t you think you should pick up his call or at least return the call to let him know that?”
“I’m not interested. If he calls back, you can tell him I am fine.”
“But not interested in picking his call?”
Shalewa turned to look at her mum. “Mum, I really want to be alone. Please can you do that?”
Funke shrugged and sighed as she walked out of her daughter’s room.
*******
Shalewa was beginning to doze off when her phone began to ring again. “Oh goodness.” She said as she picked up the phone in anger. She was about to switch off the phone when the Truecaller app on it brought up a name. She rose up immediately and picked the call.
“Hey.”
“Sounds like you were not expecting my call.”
“I was.”
“Maybe your heart was but your body wasn’t.”
Shalewa smiled. Even though they were apart, he still noticed the seemingly minute details. “I did not realize I had dozed off.”
“I should allow you rest then. You are probably tired.”
“No, no, please.” Shalewa said with a tone of urgency. “I really want to talk to you.”
“How are you doing?”
Shalewa sighed. “Akin, I really can’t say I am doing fine.”
“So what happened between when I left your place and now?”
“It’s mummy. She won’t let me rest.”
Akin laughed. “Let you rest? I don’t understand.”
“It’s about my wedding to Tunde.”
“Okay, so what about it? I remember you said you were not in love with him?” Akin asked chuckling.
“Akin, this ain’t funny. I’m not in love with him but why is it so difficult for everyone to understand?” Shalewa asked irritated.
“Everyone except me.”
“I don’t know what to do, Akin. I am confused.”
“That is because you haven’t told them what you want.”
“But I have, they just won’t listen.”
“Then make them listen.” Akin said matter-of-factly.
Shalewa was quiet for a few seconds. She nodded her head and said; “Right? I think I know what to do.”
“That’s my Shally babe.” Akin said laughing.
Shalewa smiled as she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of Akin’s laughter. Fifteen years had not changed anything between them.
They chatted for another two hours moving from one topic of discussion to another until they both began to yawn continuously into each other’s ears. They laughed over that as well before they bade each other good night.
——-
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