Ajoke sat in the taxi taking her back to the village. She put her hand on her chest willing her heart to slow down to its normal rhythm. She wasn’t sure whether it was the sight of Kokumo after ten years or the hope that she was going to see him that evening that made her heart beat faster; but it did. He hadn’t changed much and seeing him again had awoken feelings in her that she thought were dead. She sighed as she closed her eyes. Is he married? He hadn’t mentioned anything about a wife. If he was, he would not have asked me to see him in the evening.
She remembered his question about when she intended to go back to school and she suddenly became upset. What guts did he have to ask me about that? He had had it relatively easy for him. His dream had always been to be a graduate. And now he even worked in a bank with his certificate. She hissed as she thought of her life. Her dream of ever going to the university had been truncated by her father the day he gave her hand in marriage to Adejoro. Adejoro had been more bothered about his own education. Hers was a distraction to the marriage as far as he was concerned. As long as he provided for her and their kids, she did not need to worry herself about an education; he had told her. If only I knew Adejoro would leave and abandon me in the cold. How selfish of him! Now that the sole responsibility of taking care of her children rested on her shoulders, Kokumo had the effrontery to talk her into getting a university education. She hissed again as she looked out of the window. She had promised to see him at 7.30; she would keep to her promise.
*
She closed from her shop about thirty minutes earlier, so she could make an early dinner for her children. Once dinner had been served, she told them she wanted to see a friend in town and would be back before their bedtime.
She boarded a danfo into town and hoped to be back early enough. Different thoughts ran through her mind as she sat in the bus taking her to the home of her beloved. If Baami hadn’t given me out in marriage to Adejoro, maybe I would also be working in a reputable organization like Kokumo. We would have gotten married, have children and live in a fine house in town. She sighed. Other passengers in the bus chatted non-stop but her mind was faraway. She hardly heard a word discussed in the noisy danfo.
As she walked the distance from the bus-stop to Kokumo’s house, she took a look at the dress she was wearing. She had changed into a dress from the blouse and wrapper she was wearing in the morning. She had made an extra effort to look better than she did in the morning. Not that it mattered anyway, she doubted Kokumo still found her attractive. She was no longer the young, slim and beautiful Ajoke he fell in love with. She had filled out in every aspect of her body. Her bust and hips were a size bigger. Her arms had become flabby with extra layers of flesh. Her skin had aged beyond their years from seasons of hardship and labour. There was nothing attractive about her; she told herself.
******
Kokumo couldn’t sit still. He had paced his living room more times than he could remember. Is Ajoke going to honour my invitation? Am I doing the right thing by inviting her to my house? He hadn’t even considered her children when he had asked her to meet him. How selfish of me? He blew out air through his mouth and rubbed his temples. He had missed her so much. He had tried unsuccessfully to forget about her throughout his stay in the university. He had buried himself in his books in a bid to get her off his mind. It worked but only for short periods. He refused to read her letters because he imagined reading them would reopen his wounds which were still fresh. His mother had also steered clear of talking about any woman as she noticed that anytime she asked if he was considering marriage after his education, he flared up and got upset.
He had graduated from the university with a First class and proceeded on the compulsory National Youth Service programme in Anambra state. All through, he had avoided intimate relationships like a plague. On his return from his youth service, his mother began to question him about marriage. She was worried that no woman visited and she voiced out her concerns. When he could no longer bear his mother’s questions, he moved out and got an apartment in town. Besides, it was easier for him to get to work from town than while living with his mother in the village. He had gotten her a mobile phone and taught her how to use it. Two months ago, he was transferred to the branch close to his house.
He thought about Adunni as he sat down on the couch in his living room. He had met her during his Youth Service in Anambra state. She was beautiful and fun to be with. Even though, she had wanted more from their friendship, he had made it clear to her that he was not interested in a relationship. She had been disappointed but had gotten over it quickly. She was free-spirited and he loved that about her. She held no grudges and saw the bright side of every situation.
After their Youth Service, they had kept in touch by calling each other once in a few weeks. She had gotten a job in a telecommunications company and lived with her parents on the other side of town. His last visit to his mother had not been pleasant. She had grumbled throughout his stay in her house. He had heard an earful from her. She had been upset about his inability to settle down. She had asked him what he was waiting for. He had said he wanted to be a graduate. He had said he needed a good job. He had gotten both but had still refused to settle down. She reminded him of all his friends who already had children and told him she was not ready to go down to her grave without seeing her grandchildren. That was six months ago.
He had left his mother’s house the next day and she had made him promise to settle down quickly. On his way home, he had thought over his mother’s request. She was right that he had to settle down but he couldn’t think of anyone who suited or complemented him. While he deliberated on what to do, Adunni had called him to tell him she was visiting an aunt around his vicinity and would not mind visiting him as well. He had gladly accepted her invitation. Out of all his female friends, she had remained a constant in his life.
He had told her that evening that he was willing to take their friendship a step further. Adunni had shrugged. If it worked out between them, it was fine. If it didn’t, she was willing to move on. She had told him. He had felt relieved that she had seen their relationship in that light.
******
The doorbell chimed bringing him out of his reverie. He looked at his wristwatch. It was 7.30pm. He stood up and walked to the door. As he opened the door, he smiled and let Ajoke in. Ajoke walked in with an expressionless face. Kokumo wondered what was on her mind. He observed her change of clothes and appreciated that she still looked as beautiful as she was in her teens. Even though she had filled out, she was still a beauty to behold. He imagined she would still be getting stares of admiration from men in her village. Ajoke! My love!
“Please sit down.” He said. “Have you had dinner? I bought some food at the eatery down the road just in case you hadn’t had dinner.”
“I’m fine.” Ajoke replied as she sat down. “You wanted to see me.”
Kokumo exhaled. He was hoping Ajoke would loosen up with him but it seemed she was bent on being uptight. He wanted the old Ajoke back. The Ajoke he had fallen in love with. The Ajoke that walked and danced with him on the road on their way back from secondary school. The Ajoke who never complained when her parents did not have enough to give her. The Ajoke he shared his heart and dreams with. He walked towards her, knelt on one knee before her as he took her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and deep into her soul. “Ajoke, please I said I am sorry. You are still upset with me.”
Ajoke had not expected his action and it had caught her by surprise. Ajoke looked at him and was about to speak but words failed her. She closed her eyes trying to stop the tears that were beginning to gather at the corner of her eyes. She had promised herself not to breakdown in Kokumo’s house or in his presence but her strength and resolve was failing her. I shouldn’t have come. I can’t keep still in Kokumo’s presence with my hands in his.
“Ajoke, please talk to me.” Kokumo said. “I love you and will always do.”
The words were the trigger Ajoke needed and she broke down into tears.
Kokumo stood up from his kneeling position and pulled Ajoke up. He hugged her tightly as she sobbed on his shoulders. He was in love with her and he could not deny it. The truth was that he never stopped loving her, but life had been unfair to them, throwing a curve in their lives. He wished there was something he could do to ease the pain they both felt. He wished there was something he could do to erase the last ten years and have them start their lives all over again. Ajoke’s tears were breaking his heart; the way they did ten years ago when he had told her goodbye to a life she detested. No one could match the love he had for her; not even Adunni. Adunni? Kokumo sighed. She does not matter now. Ajoke is who I want and need right now.
He raised her head as his lips found hers and he kissed her gently. Ajoke resisted as she put her hands on Kokumo’s chest and pushed him back. Kokumo stepped back and looked at her lovingly as he held on to her hands. The only source of light in his living room was from the television he had muted before Ajoke walked in. He used his thumb to wipe the tears on her cheeks which glowed in the dark. “You are still beautiful”; he whispered. A smile lifted the corner of Ajoke’s lips as she thought about her insecurities just a few moments ago. She sighed as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to savour his touch. She had longed for his touch. She had wanted his love, his kiss and his caress even when she lay beside Adejoro. Now he stands before me giving me all I ever wanted; all I craved for.
Kokumo pulled her closer and kissed her again; slowly and passionately. This time, Ajoke did not push him away. He had kindled a fire within her and her body which was long dead lit up with passion. She kissed him back with a hunger that had been buried for ten years as she held on tightly to him and refused to let go. She was in the arms of her beloved. The one who gave her tingly feelings with his kisses in her teens. She shuddered with every touch and every caress. Nothing mattered to her now – all she wanted was to be consumed by the love of her beloved. In a few minutes, both of them were caught in the frenzy of the moment and they tore at each other’s clothing thirsty with the desire they longed for. The desire they had been denied of – the desire Ajoke almost had ten years ago when she lay by the stream a week to her wedding to another man. As their naked bodies entwined on the seven seater couch in Kokumo’s living room, Ajoke’s body throbbed with passion and expectation. She had not been touched by any man in the past seven years and her body came alive. She screamed in ecstasy as she dug her fingers into Kokumo’s back and cried in fulfillment; her whole body trembling as he made her a woman to be loved again and a body to be relished without caution.
——-
The story continues…
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