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Second anniversary of “To Love and to Hold”

It has been a few weeks of preparation towards the second anniversary of my debut novel; To Love and to Hold.

To Love and to Hold will be two years on the 24th of October and we are in celebration mode🍾🍾

To mark this milestone, we are offering up to 20% discount off the purchase of my books for a week. Yes, you read that right. A whole week! 💃💃💃

The gates of discounts have been officially opened today, the 22nd of October and will run till the 28th of October 2021.

The offers are thus:

Buy 2 books – One copy of To Love and to Hold and one copy of any of my other books (Jollof Palava or Tears, Blood and Death) and get 10% off.

Buy 3 books – One copy of To Love and to Hold and one copy each of my other books and get 15% off.

Buy multiples of all of books and get 20% off.

Each book costs N2500 (Two thousand, five hundred naira); delivery charges applicable.

So go ahead and place your orders by sending an email to me on naomie2debra@live.com

Tell your friends and family; this is an opportunity you do not want to miss. Everyone sure loves a good discount.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Yours in writing ✍

Olubukola

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Have you seen your Jollof?

This news is coming many weeks late and I apologize 🙏

You would agree with me, however, that it is better late than never.

Have you seen your Jollof? 😁

Jollof Palava & Other stories has been published in print form 💃💃💃

And guess what, it is a double double thing.

Tears, Blood, and Death is also available in print.

So dearly beloved readers who love to have their books in their hands, your books are waiting patiently to be picked up 😁

To purchase copies of Jollof Palava or Tears, Blood, and Death;

📌 Send me an email on naomie2debra@live.com to have an autographed copy delivered to you.

📌 The books are also available at the following bookstores;

* Rovingheights; 28 Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos

* Lumbooksnigeria; 11B, First Floor, View Point plaza, Nepa Road, Lapai close, Ajah. Lagos

* Booksellersng; 52, Magazine Road, Ibadan, Oyo.

* Bookpeddlerng; Lagos; 0902 686 9272

* Order online at Loftystepsconsults

Reviews have already started dropping. I would also love to read yours.

Feel free to drop them in the comment section or shoot me an email on naomie2debra@live.com

Till we talk again; enjoy your Jollof

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Yours in writing ✍

Olubukola

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The Wait – The story continues

Hi,

Keep calm; The Wait isn’t over yet 😁

I am glad you have followed this story thus far. This is Olúbùkólá saying thank you 🙏

I am sure you are eager to know what became of Ajoke after Kokumo put an end to their whirlwind romance 😉

I am also excited to let you read the full story 💃💃🕺🕺

The Wait has been published and you can purchase a copy on the Okadabooks app or on Amazon kindle.

Please click the icons below and you would be automatically directed to the book on either site.


If you have enjoyed this story, please drop a comment. Your reviews either positive or negative, keeps me writing and also helps me know where I should improve on.

I would love to hear from you.

***

Are you wondering what I have been blabbing about? 🤔

Yes? It means you are new here 🤸‍♀️🤸

Thank you for stopping by. Please don’t leave in a hurry.

Read up on any of my stories, remember to subscribe and drop comments for me 🤗

Until when we talk/read again; please use a face mask 😷 and stay safe 🙏



Yours in writing ✍

Olúbùkólá

Posted on

The Wait – Chapter 15

Ajoke resumed in school weeks later to study Law. She recruited a maid who helped her with the cleaning of the house, picked up her kids from school and made lunch for them, while they awaited Ajoke’s return in the evening. She decided to visit her parents two days before she was to resume school. As she walked the journey from the bus-stop to her father’s house, different thoughts ran through her mind. If not for Kokumo, I would not step into Baami’s house to give him this news. They don’t deserve to share in this joy that Kokumo has brought into my life. This celebration is meant to be for Kokumo and I alone. What would I do without you Kokumo? Life has new meaning to me all because of you. Kokumo! My one and only true love. I know you have constantly preached forgiveness; I will forgive my parents but it will take some time. How do you just expect me to forgive Baami just like that for throwing away my youth? Even if he could not send me to the University, he did not have to marry me off to Adejoro for his own benefit and ego. Ten years of my life crumpled and thrown away like a piece of paper? The only joy I have derived from the ten years are my children. Ajoke smiled as she thought about them. Despite the turmoil in her heart, her children meant the world to her.

**

Iya Ajoke was bent over a tray of garri. She tied a faded blue Adire scarf loosely over her head. Even from a distance, Ajoke noticed her mother looked tired. She remembered the blue Adire blouse and wrapper she was wearing. It had been one of the attires her father had included in the list given to Adejoro’s family during the preparation for her engagement. Her father had insisted every item on the list must be bought. She looked at her mother as the blouse hung loosely on her neck. The fabric had lost its luster and beauty. Just like I lost mine but regained it when Kokumo walked back into my life. Ajoke moved closer to her mother and greeted. Iya Ajoke looked up from her tray and covered it up in a hurry. She stretched her hands to welcome her daughter as Ajoke knelt.

“Ëkú’ròlé Màámi.”
“Good evening my mother.”

“Àjoké ömö mi. Sé daadaa lë wà?” Iya Ajoke pulled her daughter up as she held her hands.
“Ajoke, my daughter. How are you doing?”

“Adúpé Màámi.”
“We thank God.”

Iya Ajoke looked behind Ajoke.

“Àwön ömö mi nkó? O ò kó wön wá rí mi ni?”
“Where are my children? You did not come with them to visit me?

“Rárá mà. Wón ti lö sí school.”
“No ma. They have gone to school.”

“Ó da béè.” Iya Ajoke nodded. “Jé ka wö inú ilé.”
“That’s fine. Let us go inside.”

Iya Ajoke asked her daughter what meal she could prepare for her but Ajoke declined and told her she only had a few minutes. She informed them that she had been admitted into the University to study Law and that she was resuming in two days. Her mother was excited and shocked. She asked how long Ajoke had been preparing and planning; Ajoke told her for a few months. Baba Ajoke could not utter a word. He bowed his head in shame; he knew he had failed his daughter. First, denying her the education she desired and secondly, sealing her fate with a man who had abandoned her and made her a single mother prematurely. He prayed for Ajoke and asked God to distinguish her in her studies. As he prayed, his voice broke and Ajoke stood up from her kneeling position and hugged her father. He may not be the greatest father but she forgave him; he did what he thought was best for his family at the time.

*****

Ajoke’s first year on campus went by smoothly. Kokumo was always available to assist her financially. Even though Ajoke began to kick against it, Kokumo did not relent. He told her the proceeds from her salon were not enough to sustain her family and education. He therefore transferred money into her account with his bank at the end of every month.

After Ajoke’s second semester exams in her third year, Kokumo called her and asked that she stopped by his house on her way home. She packed up her travel bag and flagged down a taxi to take her to Kokumo’s house. She had taken up a short-term accommodation so she could concentrate on her exams. She had also gotten her mother to stay with the kids and the maid; so she could keep an eye on them in her absence. Kokumo met her at the door and planted a kiss on her lips. “I have missed you.” He said.

“You don’t know how much I have.” Ajoke replied as she hugged him tight.

Kokumo collected her travel bag from her and dropped it on a single couch. He smiled as he held her hand. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I had lunch just before leaving school. So what’s up? How was work today?” Ajoke asked as she sat down and made herself comfortable.

“Work was fine. I came in a few minutes ago. How were your exams?”

Ajoke rolled her eyes. “Hectic. I’m glad it is over so I can sleep better.”

“I wanted you to come here before going home so we could talk.”

Ajoke smiled. “What’s the gist? I have all evening.”

Kokumo cleared his throat and sat down a little away from Ajoke.

“Erm….I……I’m…..”Kokumo stammered as he avoided Ajoke’s eyes.

Ajoke looked at Kokumo. She was surprised he was at a loss of what to say. She scooted closer to him and held his hands. “Kokumo, what’s wrong?”

Kokumo took a deep breath.

“Is this something I need to be scared about?” Ajoke asked as she searched his face.

“I don’t know….erm….I don’t know…how…..how to say…erm….”

“You don’t know….Kokumo, what is going on?”

“I’m getting married.” Kokumo blurted out.

“You are what?” Ajoke screamed as she dropped his hands and stood up.

Kokumo looked at her. He knew it was going to be difficult but he had to tell her. The pressure from his mother had increased and Adunni was also beginning to feel that he wasn’t committed to her. She had visited him unannounced two weeks ago and asked him what his plans were. She said she needed to know so she could move on. He asked her for time to think about it but Adunni had said she wanted an answer right away. She told him she found out he had been seeing an old flame for about two years but had decided to be quiet about it. Adunni said she had left him alone because she thought he would come to his senses. She told him she had given him enough time to consider and decide between her and Ajoke but since it seemed he was bent on continuing his relationship with Ajoke, there was no point holding on to him. Adunni said she wanted to move on and stop wasting her time with him if Ajoke was his future. She said she had given him a long rope to frolic with his girlfriend and it was time for her to know where she stood. If you are getting married to her, then stop holding on to me. Let me go; Adunni had concluded.

Kokumo had been lost for words. He hadn’t imagined that Adunni would find out about Ajoke. He thought he had been very careful and discreet about his relationship with her. He was more shocked that even though Adunni had found out about his dalliance with her, she chose to remain silent. Adunni had a beautiful soul and he couldn’t afford to lose her. He was also in love with Ajoke but life had taken them through different paths. He could not have his cake and eat it at the same time. He needed to make a decision.

He closed his eyes as he thought about all the good times he had spent with Ajoke. Their renewed love and the dreams she had shared with him during their intimate moments. He thought about the joy and fulfillment he had whenever they shared their bodies and soul. He thought about the laughter her kids brought into his life whenever he took them out. He knew all that would make no meaning if her husband decided to come back home someday. Ajoke is still married to Adejoro. It is time to move on.

Right there, he apologized to Adunni for his past attitude towards her and told her he was ready to take their relationship serious. He sought her forgiveness for taking her for granted and he promised to end his relationship with Ajoke. The next weekend, he took her to see his mother. Iya Kokumo was overjoyed and treated Adunni like a queen. She asked her if she and Kokumo had picked a date for their wedding and Adunni had laughed.

**

Ajoke’s sobs brought Kokumo out of his reverie. Ajoke wasn’t the only one heartbroken; he was as well. But he had decided to take what life had given him and make the best use of it. He needed to convince Ajoke to do the same. He stood up and walked towards her. Her back was turned to him and he prayed in his heart that she would listen to him.

“Ajoke, please don’t do this.” He said turning her by the shoulders to face him.

Ajoke’s body shook as she cried uncontrollably.

Kokumo took her in his arms and hugged her tight. “Ajoke, please stop crying.” He said.

“What….what….did….I….I ever do….do to deserve this?”

“Nothing my love. Absolutely nothing. Life has been unfair but we can’t continue to live in the mistakes of the past. Let go Ajoke and make the best use of what life has given you.” Kokumo said as he cupped her face in his hands.

“I love you Kokumo.”

“I know Ajoke. I never stopped loving you too but we have to move on.”

“I don’t want to; can’t you understand?” Ajoke cried.

“It would be unfair to you and to those we love if we keep our lives at a standstill. Please don’t do this to us.”

Ajoke looked up at Kokumo as she broke down again into sobs. This life means nothing to me without Kokumo. How am I supposed to live without him? God, what kind of curse have you placed on me? Why did you let him walk back into my life so you could yank him away from me again? A second time? Ha! My joy is taken away from me a second time. Kokumo held her and rocked her till her sobs subsided. Ajoke wiped her tears as she looked at him. “So this is it? Another goodbye from you just like you did years ago?”

Kokumo nodded sadly.

Ajoke sighed as she shook her head. She felt sorry for herself and wondered why she had to suffer so much for love. She raised her head and held Kokumo’s hands. “Thank you.” She said. She walked towards her travel bag and was about picking it up when Kokumo reached her in two steps and held her up to face him. He kissed her passionately and Ajoke returned his kiss with the same passion. They ravaged each other’s lips desperately as they steadily built up and fanned the embers of passion in their bodies. Right there in Kokumo’s living room, he once again took Ajoke into the throes of passion as both of them cried out and moaned in satisfaction and fulfillment. As they lay side by side, arms around each other in the still and quiet living room, they both shed tears – tears of a lost love.

**

Kokumo dropped Ajoke at home hours later. As she eased out of his car, she refused to look back to say goodbye to him as she did not want to break down again. Her mother and her kids welcomed her home and she faked a smile – which was obvious – as she told her mother she needed to be alone. She lied that she was tired and stressed from her exams. Her mother urged her to take a bath and go to bed.

As Ajoke stepped under the shower and opened the tap, she sat on the floor and burst into tears again. She hugged herself and cried. What kind of life is this? Why am I so unfortunate? Kokumo, I knew you had a girlfriend but I really wanted you to be mine forever. We were meant to be together. Why would you do this to me again? Why would you kill the joy I had being with you? She bit her finger, shook her head, and almost cursed her father. Baami, this is all your fault. She gritted her teeth to stop herself from screaming. When she was spent from her tears, she walked out of the bathroom thirty minutes later and flopped on the bed. She hugged her pillow as the day took its toll on her. She slept off thinking about Kokumo, regretting the life she lived and thinking about the life she could have had but lost as a result of her parent’s choices.
—–

The story continues…

Photo Credit: http://www.shutterstock.com

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The Wait – Chapter 14

Ajoke sat down on her bed after ensuring her children were in bed. The gifts from Kokumo lay beside her as she sighed. What does Kokumo want from me? Is it possible he is doing all these to gain nothing like he said? I remember we had dreams. Oh! We had a lot of big dreams. Dreams that after Kokumo’s University education, we would get married – and then I would also go to the University as well. Dreams that got shattered by Baami. Dreams that made no sense to Adejoro. Kokumo always wanted me to go to the University even though Baami could not afford it. Wasn’t it even a struggle to finish from secondary school? Hmmm….Kokumo!!! You have come back into my life ten years after and the first thing you are bothered about is that dream I always had – my dream to be a lawyer. Oh how I love you so much! How I wish we could pick up our lives from where we left and continue from there. But I know you have a woman in your life; my instincts tell me so.

She took out the GCE forms from the envelope which Kokumo had given to her and began to fill them carefully. When she was done, she put it aside with the textbooks and looked at the clothes and shoes in the bag. She smiled as she held each dress to her chest and stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom. She took out the shoes and counted; four flat shoes. She put them on and strutted round her room. When was the last time I ever got a gift or bought something for myself? My life has revolved round my children all through the years. She put the shoes by a corner of her bed and took out the mobile phone. Me? A new phone? Her eyes filled with tears as she opened the box carefully making sure not to tamper with the edges so she could keep it. Two hours later, Ajoke went to bed; all her gifts lying beside her at the corner where her husband, Adejoro would have laid.

Ajoke called Kokumo the next day to inform him that she had filled the forms. He promised to pick them up in a day’s time. Ajoke began to study for the forthcoming exams; leaving her salon earlier than she usually would. Kokumo picked up the forms as promised and submitted them. He made it a duty to call her every morning and night to know how she was faring and to encourage her in her pursuit. He also shopped for her children buying them clothes, shoes and toys befitting for their ages. He handed the gifts to Ajoke as he wasn’t sure if the children were ready to meet him.

*****

A week after Ajoke’s visit to the bank, Adunni called Kokumo. She wondered why she hadn’t heard from him and he told her he had been busy with work. “But you have always been busy, Lekan.” She said; calling him by his second name. He had dropped his first name after graduation from the University and picked up his second name.

“Yeah, I know. I have had a lot on my plate in the last one week but I would make it up to you.”

“Hmm…..” Adunni said. “Are you coming over to my place this weekend or do you want me to come over?” She asked.

“No, no. Don’t come. I will come over.” He said quickly. He did not want to risk Ajoke meeting with Adunni should she decide to visit. Even though, she had not mentioned that she would see him that weekend, he preferred to play safe.

Ajoke buried her head in her books for the next few months. She did not want to disappoint Kokumo so she put in extra hours of study staying up very late sometimes to read. Her exam date drew near and she became apprehensive. She hadn’t written an exam in ten years and she feared she may be incapable.

***

Two days before her exams were to start, Kokumo gave Ajoke a surprise visit at home during the weekend. She had been elated to see him and she introduced him to her children as her best friend. Her children had laughed saying they did not realize adults also had best friends. They welcomed him into their home and he made small talk with them before Ajoke shooed them out of the house so she could discuss with Kokumo alone.

Ajoke looked at Kokumo as she voiced out her concerns about the exams. “I’m scared. I don’t know if I am capable of doing this.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Kokumo, do you know how long ago I wrote an exam?”

Kokumo laughed. “I believe in you and it doesn’t matter how long ago you have written one.”

Ajoke sighed.

“You can do this, trust me. Remember the goal ahead?”

Ajoke nodded.

“Let it push you to accomplish your heart desire.”

Kokumo left hours later and Ajoke felt like a huge load had been lifted off her chest. Kokumo had given her relief and a reason to continue to push till the end.

*****

While Ajoke wrote her exams, Kokumo frequented Ajoke’s home with dinner for the children and Ajoke. In other instances, he went to Ajoke’s house and prepared their meals. He made it a duty to keep the children engaged, sometimes taking them out while their mother studied. Ajoke’s children began to look forward to Uncle Kokumo’s visit and meals. On the days he took them out, they came back excited as they told their mum, tales of places they visited, games they played and all kinds of interesting food they had eaten. Ajoke smiled and her heart fluttered as she watched her children. She had never seen them that happy and their excitement was contagious filling the air in her home and making it a place of love, joy and fulfillment.

By the time Ajoke was through with her GCE exams, Kokumo had started discussing about the forthcoming Jamb registration. He purchased the Jamb form in the first quarter of the next year when it was released and Ajoke burnt the midnight candle again taking only a short breather. By August of that year, Ajoke received her admission letter to study for a Law degree at the Lagos State University. She was overjoyed. As she walked out of the campus premises, she dialed Kokumo’s number.

“I made it. I got my admission letter.” She screamed into the phone when Kokumo picked up.

“Ajoke!!! Oh my God! This calls for a celebration.”

Ajoke smiled as she put the admission letter to her chest and looked up to the heavens.

“Don’t bother with dinner. I am bringing dinner over.”

“Okay.” Ajoke laughed. “I am just leaving campus.”

“That’s fine. I will meet you at home once I close for the day.”

The rest of the day, Kokumo sat in his office grinning from ear to ear. He was proud of Ajoke and the tenacity she put into making her dreams come true.

After work, Kokumo drove to Ajoke’s house with dinner for the children and a gift for Ajoke. The children were excited seeing him and they thanked him for the dinner. He told them he was taking their mother out and that they would be back before their bedtime. They laughed as they gave him a go-ahead. They were also thrilled to know that their mum had gained admission into the University. Ajoke smiled as she got dressed in the simple red gown which Kokumo had bought for her as a celebration gift. As she stood looking at herself in the mirror, it looked surreal that everything was falling in place for her. Her dreams were getting fulfilled right before her eyes. In a few years, I would also be a graduate; thanks to Kokumo. What would I have done without him? Where would I be if he did not walk back into my life? In such a short time, he has brought me hope, love, joy and fulfillment. I should not keep him waiting. She walked out of her bedroom without applying any make-up. Kokumo smiled as he admired her and he reckoned that even without the make-up, she looked beautiful.

Kokumo drove into town and took her to a bar. He walked in with his hand on the small of her back. The bar was dimly lit and the atmosphere was electrifying. Smooth jazz played in the background while couples cocooned themselves in corner tables eating, laughing and clinking glasses. He took a corner table as he guided Ajoke to sit opposite. A waiter came to take their orders and in less than fifteen minutes, they were served finger food and mocktails. They made small talk over their meal after which Kokumo raised his glass and gave a toast to her future.

“I really can’t thank you enough, Kokumo. You have been more than a friend.”

Kokumo laughed. “Have you told your parents?”

Ajoke’s smile faded. “No, I haven’t. I will tell them at the right time.”

Kokumo held her hand on the table and looked at her straight in the face. “You are yet to forgive them.”

Ajoke removed her hand from Kokumo’s. “Let’s not spoil the night, please. I came to have fun with you, not to discuss about my relationship with them.”

Kokumo shrugged. “Okay. We would revisit this discussion some other time.”

Ajoke nodded and her demeanor changed as she started talking about her children and their antics.

After dinner, Kokumo took Ajoke home. The kids were still awake and they asked their mum if she enjoyed her dinner. She responded in the affirmative as she looked at Kokumo lovingly. She asked Kokumo to wait so she could see her children to bed. Kokumo nodded and sat in the living room. After Ajoke had put them to bed, she came back to the living room and sat beside Kokumo.

“Thank you for the dinner and the dress.” She said as she looked at him. “Thank you for everything. For believing in me.”

Kokumo rubbed his thumb on her cheeks. “Thank you for allowing me.” He looked straight into her eyes as he smiled. ‘I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

Ajoke hugged Kokumo as she spoke; “You don’t know the extent of what you have done for me, Kokumo.” She said sighing. She lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes. This is a dream come true.

“I may not know the extent but I have an idea.” Kokumo replied as he pulled her hair away from her face. “I have never felt this kind of fulfillment all my life.”

Ajoke eased away from Kokumo as she planted a kiss on his lips. Desire rose in Kokumo and he held Ajoke as she was about pulling away from him. He kissed her passionately and she responded. “You don’t know the extent of my love for you.” Kokumo whispered as he breathed into her neck. He eased back and cradled her face in his hands. Ajoke closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Kokumo knew that her sigh was pregnant with meaning. Today was a day of celebration and he was committed to making it end as such. He closed the space between them intent on making Ajoke forget her sorrows. He never wanted her to think about the past again – the years she had lost. Her life was starting all over and it was a new dawn. He was determined to create a new future for her. He took her lips in his, kissing her slowly and passionately. The events of the day had set the tone and soon, they both kissed with wild desire.

Kokumo stood up and lifted Ajoke from her feet as he nodded towards the rooms. Ajoke pointed towards the direction of her bedroom. Kokumo walked towards the room, opened the door and locked it behind with Ajoke still in his arms. He dropped her gently on the bed as he teased her sensitive spots with kisses and undressed her. Ajoke shivered as a cold chill ran down her spine. She hurriedly undressed Kokumo and like a ravaging storm, they danced to the rhythm of their bodies delighting in the pleasure of the moment.

Ajoke woke up at about midnight and looked at Kokumo sleeping peacefully. There was a smile on his face. She sat at the edge of her bed and wondered. What exactly am I doing with Kokumo? I have betrayed Adejoro again and I can’t seem to tear myself away from this temptation. She sighed as she thought about how her life had panned out. She wouldn’t be in this mess if her parents hadn’t turned her life into a pawn on a chess board. She knew she should stay away from Kokumo but the more she thought about it, the more her heart broke. He was yet to mention having a girlfriend but she knew he had one. He had once ignored a call in her presence. A lady’s image had appeared on his phone while it rang. Even though, she had urged him to pick up the call, he had refused, saying he would call her later. For how long would we continue with this? Do I have a future with Kokumo? Is he willing to have me back into his life?

Kokumo opened his eyes and saw Ajoke staring at him. She almost felt as if he knew she watched him as he slept. He smiled as he pulled her down to lie beside him. He hugged her close as he kissed her cheeks. Ajoke tilted her head to look at him. “What exactly are we doing? Where are we going with this?”

Kokumo raised himself up and sighed. “I wish I knew Ajoke. I just want to be with you but sincerely I know it is not possible.”

“Why is it impossible?”

“You are still married, Ajoke. Don’t forget that.”

“You know I really hate it when you rub that in my face.” Ajoke said getting upset. “Married to who, please? A man who has abandoned me and my children?”

Kokumo pulled her closer to himself and held her. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I am just stating a fact. I know I am selfish for wanting you so badly but I can’t help it.”

“Do you realize how much I also want you?”

“I won’t deceive you Ajoke. We both long for each other but the circumstances in which we find ourselves is beyond our control. Let’s enjoy the moments and leave things as they are.” He said as he kissed her head.

“I wish……”

“Shhh…..” Kokumo put his fore finger on her lips. “We take it one day at a time.”

“Okay.” Ajoke said resigning.

“School starts in a few weeks, right?”

“Yes. I should have started my search for a maid.”

“A live-in?”

Ajoke shook her head. “No, I don’t want a live-in.”

Kokumo and Ajoke talked about so many issues till the early hours of the morning when Kokumo got dressed and left at about 4.30a.m.

——

The story continues…

Photo Credit: http://www.wikihow.com

Posted on

The Wait – Chapter 13

Ajoke eased into Kokumo’s car after his insistence to drop her at home. It was 9p.m and he did not want to risk letting her go home alone at that time of the night. There was still a lot to be discussed between them but this night was not the night. His heart was joyful and troubled at the same time. He had poured out all his feelings of the last ten years into the intimate moment with her. His heart had burst forth with joy and the ten-year burden on his soul had felt lighter with Ajoke in his arms. After their intimacy, they had stayed locked in each other’s embrace for some minutes; none said a word. Their naked bodies and their hearts had spoken. If he had his way, she would not leave his side again and forever. He held her hand as he drove with the other. “I don’t know if we should have done what we did in there.” He said looking at her. “I’m sorry.”

Ajoke shook her head as she sighed. “There is nothing to be sorry about, Kokumo. We both longed for it and I do not regret my actions.”

Kokumo took a deep breath. He also did not regret the moment they had together but he still felt culpable. The love he had for Ajoke was deeply buried in his heart and it only took seeing her again to awaken the love which still breathed. Ajoke is still married; I should have restrained myself. He sighed. “Ajoke, I want you to go back to school.”

“Why?” Ajoke asked as she looked at him.

“It was your dream to be educated even though your parents could not afford it. What is stopping you now?”

“I don’t know.”

“I will get you a GCE form so that you can write the next exams in October. I will also get you the syllabus compilations for all the subjects you will need.”

“But you don’t have to do this. You don’t owe me anything.” Ajoke said.

“I don’t owe you anything, Ajoke. You seem to forget that we shared our dreams years ago. I have achieved mine and I want you to achieve yours as well. You can still become that lawyer you always wanted to be. And as long as I have breath in me, I would do anything within my power to help you fulfill your dreams.”

“Thank you but I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

Kokumo looked at her. “Ajoke, you can’t and will never be a burden to me. You underestimate the love I have for you.”

Ajoke looked away as she sighed.

In a few minutes, Kokumo parked his car in front of Ajoke’s house. He smiled as he looked at her and traced her lips with his fingers. Ajoke closed her eyes expecting Kokumo to kiss her but he did not. He was in front of her house and her kids could be watching. He did not want to give anyone a reason to question her. He took her hand and squeezed it. “I will get the forms and the books tomorrow as discussed. Let me have your phone so I can save my number on it.”

Ajoke opened her handbag and brought out her phone. The phone had been held together by cello tapes in various areas. Kokumo collected the phone from her without saying a word. He typed his number on it and saved it before handing the phone back to her.

“Thank you for everything.” Ajoke said.

“Thank you for making my evening pleasant.” Kokumo responded.

Ajoke opened the door and eased out of the car. She walked to the front of her door and turned back. Kokumo had started the car but was still waiting. Ajoke waved as she opened the door to her house and Kokumo drove away after ensuring her door was closed.

******

Kokumo got home and sat on the sofa in the living room where he and Ajoke had been intimate some hours ago. He closed his eyes as he reminisced on their time together. Ajoke’s responses to his touch had been electrifying and he wondered if she had been touched by any man since her husband left. Knowing who Ajoke was, he reckoned she would have kept herself all these years. What exactly am I doing with her? He had no intentions of getting married to her while she was still married to another. What if her husband decides to come home? What if he had issues in the U.K that warranted the seven-year silence from him? Hmm….Ajoke!!! Kokumo could not deny the fact that he loved her and wished to make her happy; married to another man or not. He would go to the ends of the earth to make her dreams come true; even though those dreams were not inclusive of him anymore. He looked at the table clock on the credenza. It read 10.30pm. He needed to sleep to be refreshed for work tomorrow. He stretched out on the sofa and closed his eyes. Soon, he was fast asleep with all his thoughts on Ajoke.

The next day during his lunch break, Kokumo purchased the GCE forms, the textbooks and a mobile phone. He also went to a boutique and shopped for a few clothes and shoes. He went back to his office, happy with his purchases. When he closed at 6.00pm, he stopped at an eatery to buy food and drove towards Ajoke’s house. He parked some metres away from her house and placed a call to her.

Ajoke was in her shop when Kokumo’s call came through. She stepped out of her shop to receive the call as she did not want either her girls or her customers eavesdropping on her conversation.

“Hello.” Ajoke said.

“Hi Ajoke. How are you doing?”

“I’m well.”

“I am very close to your house. Are you at home or at your salon?”

“I’m at the salon.” Ajoke said. “What are you doing around here?”

Kokumo smiled. “I came to pick you up.”

“To where?”

“I don’t know. We can go anywhere around or just sit in my car and talk. Can we do that?” Kokumo asked hoping her response would be positive.

Ajoke sighed. “Okay. Where exactly are you?”

Kokumo gave his location and Ajoke went inside her shop instructing her girls on what to do for the rest of the day. She had gone home earlier to prepare lunch for her kids and she thought about calling Kokumo to inform him that she had to go and prepare dinner. She would let him know he may have to wait a while; she thought as she walked towards his location.

Kokumo watched Ajoke as she approached his car. She was wearing an Ankara blouse and wrapper. His heart fluttered at the sight of her. She is beautiful. Ajoke got to the car and Kokumo eased out and gave her a half-hug. “How is your day going?” He asked.

“Good.” Ajoke said. “I may have to take some of your time. I need to go prepare dinner for my children first.” She continued.

“Don’t worry about that.” Kokumo said as he stretched his hand towards the back seat of his car and picked out the plastic bags containing food. He handed it to her. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to leave without dinner prepared so I decided to bring dinner.”

Ajoke looked at Kokumo with surprise.

“Hey, I’m sure the children will be getting hungry. It is almost 7.00pm.” He said; stretching the bags towards her when he noticed she just stood looking at him.

Ajoke nodded, collected the bags and walked home.

Kokumo rested his back on the car as he watched her walking away. “Hmm Ajoke.” He said as he shook his head. He hadn’t called Adunni since he met Ajoke yesterday and he wasn’t sure if what he was doing made any sense. Ajoke was all that mattered to him now.

*

Ajoke was out of her house in ten minutes. She had changed into a long flowing dress and she looked even more beautiful. Kokumo did a quick mental check of where they could hang out without any disturbance. The village did not have any eateries around. He concluded he may have to drive back to town.

They hit the road and Kokumo asked after Ajoke’s children. She seemed happier talking about her children and he reveled in her joy as she gesticulated and made funny faces. They drove to an eatery on the outskirts of the village and he walked in holding her hand. He asked her if she wanted to eat but she took a rain check. He told her he had gotten the forms and the textbooks and that they were in the car. Ajoke smiled her thanks and he discussed her next plan which should be passing the exams, sitting for the next Jamb examinations and getting into school to study Law. He asked how she intended to take care of her kids once she was in school and she replied that she would employ a maid to assist her. He told her he was available and willing during the weekends to help her if she had any issues with any of the subjects.

Ajoke was grateful for everything and she told him so. Kokumo also handed over the plastic bag containing the mobile phone, clothes and shoes to her. Ajoke was shocked beyond words. She looked at Kokumo as they sat in the car after leaving the eatery. “What do you stand to gain in all this?” She asked.

“Nothing Ajoke. Absolutely nothing.”

Ajoke exhaled. “I really don’t know how to say thank you.”

Kokumo smiled. “You don’t have to. Can I take you home now?” He asked. “The children would be waiting.”

“Yes please.” Ajoke said.

They drove back to the village in silence. Kokumo parked at the same spot he had parked earlier on in the day. He switched off the ignition and looked at Ajoke. “If you can, please fill the forms this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest.” He said.

“I will.”

“Take care of you.”

Ajoke suddenly felt unhappy that she was leaving. She wished she could stay back. His presence in her life was like a soothing balm calming her soul. She removed her seat belt and stretched across her seat. She kissed Kokumo slowly and he returned her kiss. When she eased away, she smiled, bid him good night and stepped out of his car. Kokumo watched her till she had closed the door of her house before starting the engine and driving away.

——-

The story continues…

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Posted on

The Wait – Chapter 12

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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Posted on

The Wait – Chapter 11

Ajoke walked to the bus-stop and was about to flag down a yellow danfo. She was still in shock as she thought about the customer service manager standing before her in the banking hall. Because of his sudden lack of composure, he had gone back to his office mumbling to his report as he walked away. He told her he would call her later as he had to attend to something urgent. Ajoke had refused to look up from the form she was filling till she was done. When she handed over the form to the customer service personnel, the lady had looked at her strangely. “Are you okay, madam?” She had asked.

“I am fine.” Ajoke had said as she faked a smile with trembling lips. The lady shrugged as she received the filled form from Ajoke and put it into a lever arch file on her desk which had “processing” boldly written on it.

The conductor stood and hung gingerly on the door of the bus shouting her destination. Ajoke waved her right hand to signal the bus to a halt to convey her back to the village when a grey Honda Accord parked in front of her. She took a few steps backward so she could get on the danfo which was about to park when she heard her name. She looked in the direction of the Honda Accord and saw the customer service manager stepping out of the car. She stood still as she looked at him.

“Ajoke, please come into the car.”

“What do you want from me?” Ajoke asked.

“Can we talk about this somewhere else please?” He pleaded. “Come into the car.”

The conductor who had tapped the top of the bus, signaling the driver to step on the brakes looked at her. “Are you a go?”

Ajoke shook her head and the conductor hissed.

“Kò lö jàre. Ó ti bá ökùnrin lö. Non-sense!”
“She isn’t going. She has decided to go with a man.”

:

Ajoke walked towards the Honda Accord like someone in a trance. The customer service manager opened the passenger door for her and closed it carefully after Ajoke eased in. He then jogged over to the driver’s side. He put the car in drive and eased into the main road. None of them spoke to each other during the drive – each one lost in thought. Ajoke hid her hands in her laps and refused to look up throughout the journey. In five minutes, they were parked in front of an apartment within town. The area was quiet and the array of townhouses and modest cars showed that the houses were residences to average middle-class individuals. The manager got out of the car, turned round to open Ajoke’s door as he held her hand and led her towards his apartment. He brought out a bunch of keys from his pocket and opened the door leading Ajoke in.

“Please sit down.” He said.

“Are you not supposed to be at work?” Ajoke asked; suddenly finding her voice.

“I have a one-hour lunch break. Since I stay close, I usually come home for lunch.”

Ajoke nodded but remained standing refusing to make eye contact.

“Ajoke, I need you to sit down. I can’t talk to you this way. I wanted us to talk in a relaxed environment; that’s why I brought you here.”

Ajoke sighed as she sat on the edge of the couch closest to the door of the living room. She looked round at her environment for the first time since coming in and noted that the furnishings were simple but screamed class. There was a brown seven-seater leather couch to her right. Fluffy pillows lined the couch like children on an assembly ground. A dark brown glass centre table sat in the middle of the living room. A small round dining table stood to her left surrounded by four chairs. Opposite her was a large television ten times bigger than what she had in her living room. From her sitting position, she could see two doors, one to the left and another to the right. She assumed they were probably the doors to the bedrooms. She sighed again as the manager broke into her thoughts.

“Ajoke, I know I have hurt you but I want you to hear me out. I’m sorry I stopped responding to your letters. So many things were happening at the same time and I felt like you were putting me under pressure.”

Ajoke looked at him intently without uttering a word.

“How have you been doing?”

“Did you think I was suddenly going to forget about our love?”

Kokumo breathed deeply. “No. But you belonged to another man and the hurt I went through was unbearable. My heart was sore and broken.”

“And you thought I would cope better by refusing to have anything to do with me, right? Or you thought your heart was the only one being trampled upon?”

“No Ajoke, but there wasn’t much I could do.”

“You could have at least responded to my letters.” Ajoke spat.

“I am sorry, Ajoke. I don’t know how many times I would have to say it. Sincerely, I am. I couldn’t even read the letters. I did not have the courage to. Seeing your handwriting on those envelopes reopened my wounds every time I received a letter from you. I wanted to move on but my heart refused to. When you stopped writing, I thought it was all over. I picked out all the letters when I was about graduating and read all of them one by one. I’m sorry I never wrote back. I felt you still wanted me to remain a part of your life. You wrote about how unhappy you were and wrote when you had your son and your daughter. They were six letters in all and I cried the day I read them all. I realized I was still heartbroken even after three years.”

“I did not stop writing Kokumo. I knew you would be graduating and there was no way my letters would get delivered to you anymore. Since you never bothered to reply any of the letters and I did not have any forwarding address for you, there was no point writing a letter that would go undelivered. There was no one to ask and no one to talk to.”

Kokumo moved close to Ajoke and sat down beside her. He held her hands. “Please forgive me.”

Ajoke looked away as she spoke. “Adejoro travelled abroad on a scholarship seven years ago. His course was supposed to be for twenty-four months. He never came back. He left me and the kids to start another life in the UK.”

Kokumo shook his head as he realized Ajoke must have had it rough; having to cater for herself and two young kids alone. “I’m so sorry, Ajoke. I did not know that. I would have reached out to you.” He said as he covered her hands in his. “How have you been coping?”

Ajoke shrugged without looking at him. “I started weaving hair for little girls in the vicinity, and then their mothers patronized me after a while before I was able to set up a salon. I have used that to keep body and soul together. My kids and I are not hungry.”

Kokumo smiled despite the situation. The Ajoke he fell in love with years ago was still the same Ajoke sitting before him. The years of their separation had not changed her positive attitude one bit.

“Broda Adisa advised that I open an account to save for the rainy day. There’s no bank in the village yet so I had to come to town.”

“How are your parents and your brothers?”

“My parents are fine. All my brothers are now happily married.”

Kokumo thought about Ajoke’s statement and her emphasis on the word “happily married”. It was a pity that she was the married and abandoned one for no fault of hers. He wished he could turn back the hands of time. He wished life hadn’t been so cruel to their love. He sighed as he looked at his wrist watch. His lunch break was almost over and he had to get back to work. He wished he did not have to. He wanted to know everything that had taken place in Ajoke’s life since the last time they saw; when he had walked her home from the stream and parted ways with her. Even though it was ten years ago, it felt like yesterday to him. He remembered the look of despair on her face when he left her. He remembered her plea to him that they run away from the village to create the future they desired.

“I need to get back to work.” He said standing up.

Ajoke stood up as well. “No problem. I should also take my leave now. I need to get back to my shop and my kids.”

Kokumo moved closer to Ajoke as he held her hand again. “I wish I did not have to go back to work but.….” He stopped and sighed. “When can I see you again?”

Ajoke shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Okay, when do you intend to go back to school?”

Ajoke gave him a surprised look.

“You always wanted to go to the university. It is not too late, Ajoke.”

Ajoke removed her hands from Kokumo’s. “You know what. I think you should get back to work.” She said as she started walking towards the door.

Kokumo got to her in two steps and held her hand. “Did I say something wrong?” He asked looking confused. “I thought that was your dream.”

Ajoke looked away. “Let me go Kokumo.”

Kokumo refused to let her go. “Okay, I’m sorry. Please I apologize if I said something wrong. I don’t want you to leave in anger and I really want to see you again. I close from work at 6pm and I am usually home by 7.”

Ajoke looked at him without uttering a word.

“Please, can I see you later today?”

Even though Ajoke would rather not, a part of her heart longed to come back. She had endured ten years of pain and heartache without her first love. After his refusal to respond to all her letters, she had mourned her loss and never thought she would see him again. She was angry that all her letters to him were unanswered. She was also hurt and pained like he was and she refused to understand why he would turn his back on her and on their young love. He hadn’t changed much – he had only grown older and bulkier. Hearing his voice in the banking hall had struck a chord in her heart. She would recognize the voice of her beloved in the midst of a crowd. Even though her encounter with him had reopened the pain and hurt she had felt when she lost him, it also built up a longing in her heart to be with him again. She wanted to know more. She needed to know more. Ten years! She breathed deeply. “I’ll be here at 7.30.”

“Thank you.” Kokumo smiled. He opened the door and they both walked out of the house.

Kokumo drove Ajoke back to the bus-stop and flagged down a taxi. Ajoke objected as she told him she would rather go back in a bus just like she had come to town but Kokumo refused to listen to her. He paid for the taxi and watched the car drive off to her destination before driving back to his office.

He wasn’t sure how he got to his office. Everything he did after his encounter with Ajoke; including the drive back was on autopilot. The hunger he would have experienced on usual days was non-existent. The sight of Ajoke had filled him up. He was unable to concentrate on his job the rest of the day. He looked at the table clock on his desk almost every ten minutes. He wished close of business would come early.
——–

The story continues….

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Posted on

The Wait – Chapter 10

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. With each passing month, Ajoke’s hope of receiving a letter from Adejoro dimmed. Initially, his mother frequented their home assuring her that he would be back soon but Ajoke was not sure who to believe; his friend or his mother. Adejoro’s mother gave no indication that her son had deserted his wife and Ajoke became more confused. She wondered a few times if Akanbi had mentioned her husband’s refusal to write back to spite her for refusing to sleep with him or if he meant what he had said. But she was unable to ask anyone. The only close friend Adejoro had was Akanbi and her elder brother and she was not sure if it was worth asking her brother, Adisa. Each day became a wait in expectation of a hope that was non-existent.

Six months after Adejoro’s scheduled return, Ajoke decided to go to her father’s house to talk to her brother. She reckoned that she was better off knowing if a calamity had befallen her husband than waiting expectantly for a letter that wasn’t forthcoming. She told Adisa about Akanbi’s statement carefully avoiding to discuss her encounter in his house. Even if her brother would forgive her for longing to be touched after years of abstinence, she was sure he would never forgive Akanbi for trying to take advantage of his sister. She knew her brother would head straight to Akanbi’s house and the consequences of his action could be fatal.

Adisa had been surprised by her revelation; and told Ajoke he was not aware Adejoro did not contact her anymore. He was even more shocked that he had stopped sending her a monthly stipend and wondered how his sister had coped the past six months with two extra mouths to feed. He scolded her for not confiding in him earlier but was glad that she sought his help now. He told her he was going to make sure he got to the root of the matter and find out exactly what the situation was.

Ajoke thanked him and Adisa gave her some money to take care of herself and her kids. Her mother also packed some foodstuff for her and Ajoke went home with her heart less burdened. The wait for word on her husband continued; albeit with support from her family. Three months after, Adisa sent an errand to Ajoke to come home. She wondered why Adisa would call for her as it was unusual. She hoped her parents were doing fine. She woke up early the next day, made food for her kids and got them prepared to visit her father’s house. She met her parents and her six brothers seated discussing when she walked in. The discussion stopped as soon as she stepped in and Ajoke felt uneasy. She looked at her father and her mother – they both looked well. Whatever had called for a family meeting must be very important; she reckoned.

Ajoke was asked to sit down and her mother took her grandchildren away, leaving Ajoke alone with her father and elder brothers. Adisa started by asking how she was faring and how she coped taking care of the children alone. Ajoke knew her brother was beating around the bush and she held her breath as she awaited the news from him that had made him call for a family meeting. Adisa eventually broke the bad news to Ajoke. Akanbi had been right – Adejoro had been enticed by the desire to live permanently abroad. He had therefore deserted her to build another home in the United Kingdom. Ajoke looked at her father’s face and shook her head in despair. Her father’s face mirrored her misery. He bowed his head and slumped his shoulders. This was not the desire he had for his only daughter. Ajoke’s face was resolute as she looked at the faces of each of her brothers. No tears escaped her eyes. She was only sad that she had become a single mother with no source of income.

She thanked her brother, Adisa and asked for her children. One of her brothers stood up to call for their mother. Ajoke’s mother came in with her grandchildren. She had tears in her eyes as she looked at Ajoke. She encouraged her daughter to stay the night but Ajoke refused; saying she was going back to her husband’s house – the house of the man she and her husband gave her out in marriage to. Iya Ajoke held her daughter’s hand as she begged her to forgive them. The tears threatening to spill came down Iya Ajoke’s cheeks in streams. She cried while Ajoke looked at her unflinching. They never imagined Adejoro would do this to them, Iya Ajoke said. She cursed the company that gave her son-in-law a scholarship and made her daughter a young single mother in her prime. She regretted the day she agreed to give out her daughter in marriage. She put her hands on her head as she grieved that her grandchildren would grow up without a father. Ajoke looked at her mother and sighed. There was no point lamenting, she told her mother. The deed had been done. The past couldn’t be erased. Ajoke walked out of her father’s house with her kids in tow.

When she got home, Ajoke sat down and looked around her. She needed a clear head and she pushed all thoughts of what could have been aside. The house she lived in had been built by Adejoro and she was glad she had no reason to worry about rent. She had never worked while she was married to Adejoro as he had seen no reason for her to. With two children in quick succession immediately after her marriage, she had had no opportunity to do any other thing but stay home and take care of her children. She thought of what she could do to earn a living so that she and her kids would not suffer. She remembered that when she was in the secondary school, a lot of her friends came to her house to get their hair weaved because most of them could not afford to pay a hairdresser. She stepped out of her house and looked around the vicinity. She saw a small carton lying on the ground; probably abandoned by some children who played around. She picked it up and took it into her house. She strapped her daughter on her back and held her son’s hand as she walked towards a primary school not too far from her house. Used pieces of chalk were strewn all over the floor and Ajoke picked up a few. She wrote on the carton with a piece of chalk advertising that a hairdresser lived within. She found a used rag and tore it into two, then used it to hang the carton on the tree in front of her house. She went back into her house to prepare a meal for her kids and awaited her first client.

Within a short while, word spread round that Iyawo Engineer weaved hair better than most of the other hairdressers in the vicinity. Ajoke’s house became a mecca of sorts for children and her weekends turned out to be her most busy period. She had mothers knocking on her door very early on Saturday morning to plait their daughter’s hair as they did not want to be caught up in long queues later in the day. Those who couldn’t deal with the long queues on Saturdays brought their daughters on Sundays. Ajoke hardly had time for a breather during the weekends.

She enrolled her kids in the nearby primary school and life took a new turn for her. Soon, the mothers who dropped their daughters also needed her services to get their own hair done and Ajoke became busier by the day. Her days became filled with work and soon the mothers had to book appointments. She no longer thought about what to eat and how to survive. She had just enough to feed herself and her kids.

The years rolled by and Ajoke forgot about her husband. His mother still visited her once in a while to see how her grand-children were faring in light of their father’s absence. By an unspoken agreement, Ajoke and her mother-in-law never discussed Adejoro. His mother could visit whenever she deemed fit but Ajoke demonstrated to her husband’s mother that she had no need for their family. Iya Ajoke also visited her grand-children but the relationship between mother and daughter was strained. Iya Ajoke tried to lighten her daughter’s burden by visiting with foodstuffs and buying gifts for her grand-children. Ajoke performed her duties to her parents but it was not done out of love but out of obligation. Her elder brothers all got married and had successful marriages.

*****

Seven years after Adejoro abandoned Ajoke, she rented a shop close to her house and opened a small salon with the proceeds of her business, establishing a name in the village as one of the foremost hairdressers. She recruited two girls who helped her in her salon and business went smoothly. Her brother, Adisa was happy that she was doing well and on one of his visits to her house, he advised that she opened a bank account so she could have some money saved for the rainy day.

Ajoke heeded her brother’s advice and took a bus to the nearest town the next day to open an account. She walked into the bank feeling a little strange as it was her first time in a banking hall. She had previously kept the proceeds of her business in a bag which she kept under her bed. The spacious banking hall was filled with the young and the old all waiting to be attended to. Even with the air-conditioning at full blast, the banking hall was stuffy with the smell of fish and raw beef mixed with sawdust and cement. Ajoke stood in queue by the customer service corner of the hall and awaited her turn. The lady at the customer service desk smiled at her as she asked Ajoke to sit down and gave her an account opening form to fill.

As Ajoke bent her head to fill the form, a man walked out of his office and called the attention of the customer service staff to a form in his hand. Ajoke froze as she heard the voice of the man who she assumed was the lady’s boss. She held on to the pen in her hand mid-air as the questions on the form became confusing – her mind went blank. She was scared to look up to identify the person who had just spoken. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know but she also needed to know. The manager walked to the customer service desk and stood beside his report requesting for more information regarding a customer’s form in his hands. As he spoke to her, Ajoke summoned up courage to lift her head. She met the manager’s eyes and the expression on the faces of both was shock. Ajoke could not believe her eyes. Her jaw dropped as she looked at him. The manager was stunned that he couldn’t finish his sentence. He started to stammer as his mind refused to process the information he was passing across to his report. He stood there looking at Ajoke; confusion and shock stamped on his face. The customer service staff noticed her boss was a little disoriented and asked him if he was okay. She wondered what had suddenly caught her boss’ attention and looked at Ajoke.

Ajoke had however, turned her attention back to the form she was filling. She could not fill the form any longer as the letters danced before her eyes. She held on to her pen refusing to look up as her eyes filled with tears. She could not afford to break down here in the presence of strangers. She bit her lower lip as she blew air through her mouth in a bid to subdue the tears. Life had been unfair to her. She quickly filled the form and handed it over to the lady before rushing out of the bank in a hurry.

———

The story continues…..

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The Wait – Chapter 9

Kokumo was in the faculty building when he was told by the secretary that he had a letter. He wondered who could have written him a letter as he had only previously received letters from Ajoke. As he collected the letter from the secretary, he looked at it and immediately recognized Ajoke’s handwriting. He sighed as he put it into his folder. Why is she writing me a letter? Is it to inform me about how she enjoyed her married life or what? His demeanour changed and he got angry – and just like the anger came suddenly, it was replaced by rejuvenated tender feelings for Ajoke. He wasn’t sure he wanted to read the letter. It would only open his heart to another round of hurt and he was trying to get over her. He made up his mind not to read the letter. He got to his room later in the day and flung the letter into his travel bag.

*

Ajoke wondered why she did not receive a response to her letter. Even though her husband tried to make her happy, she remained an unhappy woman. She did her wifely duties as she should but found no joy in her home or her husband. She thought about Kokumo day and night and sometimes imagined he would pay her a visit. She longed for his hugs, his kisses and his caresses and cried herself to sleep most nights after intimacy with her husband.

Adejoro’s pride had gone a notch up when he realized he made Ajoke a woman on the night of their traditional wedding. He had showered her with kisses and whispered into her ears endlessly that he loved her; always had and always will. Ajoke’s heart had been broken that night – the gift she had kept for Kokumo had been taken away from her and she mourned the loss of her priced possession to a man she had no feelings for.

Ajoke lived with her husband in a decent self-contained apartment within the averagely expensive part of town. All her friends who had gotten married earlier envied her. None of their husbands could afford to raise a family in that area of the town. Adejoro continued to work hard and he did his best to take care of his wife. However, Ajoke’s heart still longed for Kokumo, despite the fact that she knew his goodbye behind her house on the day he arrived from school had been final. Four weeks after her first letter, she wrote another one. She longed to hear from him. She wanted to know if he still thought about her. She needed to know if the love he had for her had grown cold. She wanted to know if he still missed her or if he had moved on and thrown her into the dustbin of history.

Kokumo received the second letter six weeks after the first. He was on the verge of opening it when he shook his head and flung it into his travel bag. No! He wasn’t going to read any letters from Ajoke again. He did not want to know how her husband made her a woman. He did not want to know how she melted under his touch. He was not interested in the pride she felt being married to one of the most sought out bachelors in her town. He did not need her to tell him to move on. In a few days, he sat for his exams and was through in another three weeks. He packed his few clothing into his travel bag and prepared to go home.

*****

Three months after Ajoke’s wedding to Adejoro, she found out she was pregnant. She knew she was supposed to be happy at the life growing inside her but it only made her more sorrowful. She endured every night attending to the needs of her husband and the consequences lay inside of her. Adejoro had been elated when he found out his wife was carrying his first child. He immediately registered her in a Primary health care centre and ensured she got enough rest.

Six months later, Ajoke delivered a baby boy after an easy labour. Her mother praised her for her bravery and was thankful to God for giving her a grandson. Adejoro’s mother moved in with them to assist Ajoke with taking care of the child. Adejoro converted his self-contained apartment into a two-bed so he could accommodate his mother. She stayed with Ajoke for a month before leaving and Ajoke’s mother moved in to continue from where she stopped. Iya Ajoke stayed for six weeks. When she was sure her daughter was strong enough to handle the job of taking care of her home and her son, she returned to her husband’s house.

With a baby to take care of, Ajoke’s mind became occupied and thoughts of Kokumo were quickly replaced. She however wrote him another letter to inform him that she now had a son which she would have loved to be his. Six months after she had her son, she found out she was pregnant again and was even three months gone. Adejoro was ecstatic. Everything seemed to be working in his favour. His family was doing well and he was never short of sub-contracted jobs to handle. In a few months, he would be through with the technical college and he knew that while his friends would be roaming around looking for jobs, he already had jobs waiting for him to handle. Life couldn’t be better for him and Ajoke.

Ajoke had a baby girl six months later. Her mother-in-law and her mother took turns to take care of her daughter as they previously did. Iya Ajoke told her daughter how proud of her she was; having two children of different sexes in quick successions. She also never failed to praise her daughter’s husband, Adejoro for taking good care of Ajoke. Life was good to them all and she was a fulfilled grandmother of two children. Ajoke’s father was also happy with the decision they had taken to give out their daughter in marriage to a good man. He imagined how envious his friends would be of him. Adejoro was making them proud with a good name, a good job and a great family.

Ajoke’s children were aged eighteen months and six months when Adejoro came home one evening excited. He sauntered into their apartment singing and dancing. He swung his legs to the left and to the right in a manner that thrilled his children. Ajoke wondered what the jubilation was about as she looked at him with confusion. Adejoro informed his wife that one of the companies he sub-contracted for was offering him a scholarship to further his education in the United Kingdom. Ajoke looked at her husband as if he spoke in another language.

Adejoro continued to sing and dance, praising God and oblivious to Ajoke’s demeanour.

“You can’t be serious.” Ajoke shouted when she found her voice. Adejoro stopped dancing and looked at his wife.

Ajoke’s daughter, Adebola began to cry; startled by her mother’s sudden outburst. Ajoke scooped her daughter up immediately and strapped her to the back as she patted her bum to stop her from crying.

“It is just for a few months, Ajoke. Before you know it, I will be back.” Adejoro said after his daughter’s cries subsided.

Ajoke harrumphed.

“Ajoke try to understand. I may never get this opportunity. Don’t deny me of this, please.” Adejoro pleaded.

“How long is a few months?” Ajoke asked as she sighed deeply.

“Twenty-four months.”

Ajoke’s jaw dropped. “And you call two years just a few months?” She asked in anger.

“Ajoke!!!” Adejoro called as he stressed her name.

Ajoke clapped her palms sideways and opened them facing upwards. “Okay oh, I have heard you Adejoro.  I don’t want you to say later that I denied you of progressing in life; God forbid.” She said as she snapped her fingers backwards over her head.  “You are free to go.” She continued.

“Thank you.” Adejoro said as he moved closer to his wife and gave her a hug.

“When are you leaving?”

“In two weeks’ time. I will make sure I send money to you monthly through one of my friends for your upkeep.”

Ajoke shook her head as she thought about her children. How am I going to cope in the next two years?

*****

Two weeks later, Adejoro travelled out of the country leaving Ajoke in the care of his mother. Even though Ajoke was yet to fall in love with her husband after over two years of marriage, she had grown fond of him and thought maybe she would eventually forget about Kokumo.

Adejoro’s mother moved in with Ajoke immediately after her son’s departure to spend time with her. Since Ajoke wasn’t working as advised by her husband, she woke up each day with a single mission – to take care of her children and her home. Adejoro’s mother did her best to keep her daughter-in-law company. She acknowledged that things were a little different without her son but she looked forward with hope that in twenty-four months, her son would be back and his family would be together again. She stayed with Ajoke for six months and left after her grand-daughter clocked one.

Even though Adejoro was on a scholarship, the company paid him a monthly stipend to keep body and soul together. He therefore kept his promise by sending Ajoke a portion of his monthly stipend through his friend, Akanbi. He also wrote letters to her to keep her informed of the progress of his education and life as a married bachelor, while Ajoke replied with pictures of his children.

Twenty-four months came quickly and Ajoke looked forward to her husband coming back home. She wrote him a letter in the twenty-third month to let him know that she and the kids were eager to have him back and expected a response from him. Four weeks passed by and she did not receive a response from her husband. She kept on going to the post office every day to check her box wondering why she was yet to receive a letter. By the twenty-fifth month, she became worried when she did not hear from her husband. She wondered what could have gone wrong and decided to go to his friend’s house on the other side of town.

*****

Akanbi was about stepping out of his house when Ajoke arrived there with her kids in tow. She decided to visit early before the morning sun was out. Her daughter was strapped to her back while she held her son’s hand. Akanbi was surprised to see her; it was Ajoke’s first time in his house. Her monthly upkeep from her husband had always been delivered to her at her house and he wondered what had brought her to his house this early. He welcomed her in and told her to make herself comfortable. Ajoke unstrapped her daughter and put her on the floor so she could play with her elder brother. She sat in the cane chair in Akanbi’s house favouring it for the couch in the living room. Akanbi brought some biscuits for the kids and a cup of cold water for Ajoke. He then asked her if he could be of any help.

Ajoke told him she was wondering why she had not heard from her husband. He was meant to return to the country after two years and it was a full month after the agreed time. She asked him if there had been any change in the terms of his scholarship and if he had an idea why Adejoro had not responded to her letter. Akanbi smiled as he stood up from the couch he was seated on and walked towards Ajoke. He sighed deeply as he took her hand and kissed it. Ajoke stood up abruptly, yanking her hand from him. She was shocked at Akanbi’s attitude and she wondered what had come over him.

“What do you think you are doing?” She asked.

Akanbi stepped towards her as Ajoke backed away. “You know Ajoke, you are still very beautiful even after all these years of not having a man to warm your bed.” He said smiling.

“Akanbi, I respect you a lot as my husband’s friend. I only came here to find out what is wrong with my husband.”

“Give me a chance to take care of you, Ajoke.” Akanbi said.

Ajoke looked at him as if she had just been punched in the face.

“Are you surprised?” Akanbi asked her as he moved towards her. Ajoke continued to back away from him till her back touched the wall.

Akanbi smiled knowing that he had her cornered. He moved close to her pinning her to the wall with his body. He traced his fingers over her bare arms sending Ajoke into a shiver. “I have always liked you but Adejoro was faster than I was. Beautiful Ajoke, the darling of many Ipaja young men.” He said as he moved his fingers up and down her collar bone, his breath on her face.

Ajoke held her breath as her heartbeat increased. She closed her eyes and bit her lips. She had not been touched in two years and her body was sore with desire. She longed to be kissed and caressed and a shiver ran up the length and breadth of her body as Akanbi kissed her shoulder and the nape of her neck. She did not push him back and Akanbi took this as his cue. The thought of Ajoke gracing his bed excited him and he was quickly aroused. Blood seeped into every part of his body stimulating his senses and heating up his body. The Ankara sokoto he was wearing became uncomfortable as he sought a release of the sexual tension built up. He slipped his hand under Ajoke’s dress lifting it up as he glided and pressed his excited lower torso to hers and hugged her tightly at the waist. His action made Ajoke tremble causing a gasp to escape her lips as her body warmed and craved a man’s touch.

Akanbi’s excitement increased as he realized he had broken her will and she ached to have him. Ajoke’s eyes were still closed and he noticed how she took in a deep breath when he caressed her bust. He wished he had invited her towards the couch but that could wait. He reckoned he could lift her easily. Next time, he would make sure their intimacy was on the couch which would be more comfortable for him. He struggled to take off her underskirt with one hand while he tried to untie the rope on his sokoto with the other hand.

Suddenly, Ajoke’s daughter started to cry. Ajoke heard Adebola’s cry but it seemed like it was coming from a faraway distance. Akanbi looked at Adebola briefly before successfully sliding down Ajoke’s underskirt from her body. He wasn’t going to let the cry of the little child abort his mission. He untied his sokoto in a hurry with one hand as the other hand went under Ajoke’s dress to caress her thighs. Adebola’s cries grew louder while Akanbi’s hand moved faster between Ajoke’s thighs. He struggled to step out of his sokoto as the urge to accomplish his mission grew. Ajoke wondered why her daughter was crying as beams of passion shot through her body.

Ajoke began to hear her daughter’s cries come closer and she shook and came out of her reverie. She saw her daughter crawling towards where she stood and looked at Akanbi. Her underskirt was on the floor and Akanbi groped her. He had taken off his underpants and was about to lift her off the floor when she pushed him back. He staggered backward, surprised at the sudden change of behaviour.

“What is wrong with you?” He asked in a low voice as he moved towards her.

“Don’t come near me.” Ajoke shouted.

Akanbi laughed. “What will you do?”

Ajoke started sobbing. “Why would you do this to your friend’s wife? He trusted you.” She said as she picked up her underskirt from the floor and put it back on.

Ajoke’s tears shocked Akanbi and he stammered. “But…but…Ajoke, you also want this. I know you do. Your body longs for a man. Just once won’t hurt. No one will know, I promise you.” He said as he stepped forward and tried to touch her.

Ajoke knew she had failed her husband and she felt sorry. She shouldn’t have come here in the first place. She hit Akanbi’s hand away as she picked up her crying daughter, put her on her back while Akanbi watched confused.

“Ajoke, please don’t go. I will take care of you.” He said.

“I don’t need you to take care of me. I just want to know when my husband is coming back.” Ajoke cried.

“Your husband is never coming back.” Akanbi spat.

Ajoke looked at Akanbi with shock. “What did you say?” She asked as she held on to her son’s hand.

“You heard me. Adejoro is never coming back. He is dating someone else who he plans to get married to.”

Ajoke shook her head vigorously. “No, no, stop lying against my husband.”

“So why hasn’t he responded to your letter? Why hasn’t he told you anything about his return?”

Ajoke burst into tears as she carried her son, opened the door in a hurry and ran out of Akanbi’s house.

——-

The story continues…..

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