Blind Pact – Chapter 12

Gboyega leaves Akure excited. After the call with Bola two days ago, he had been so unsettled that he made up his mind to visit Akure and discuss with her face to face. He was supposed to leave the office on Friday to visit some sites but he left Shagamu early and did the site monitoring on phone. As he sits in the bus taking him back to Shagamu, he smiles at the thought of her. Bola meant everything to him and being around her made him happy. This fuelled his decision to get an apartment and move to Akure after his one year National Youth Service. Right now, he wished the months would hasten up so he could be done with it.

He arrives home late in the evening tired and hungry. He pulls out the key to his room from his pocket, inserts it into the key hole as he turns the key. The door opens on its own accord without a release of its lock. He stops and wonders. I couldn’t have forgotten to lock my door before leaving yesterday. He steps into the dark room, closes the door behind him and inserts his key into the keyhole. He feels the wall blindly for the light switch as he drops his knapsack on the reading table by the door. He hits the switch and he is suddenly startled.

Kofo is lying down on a chaise lounge in his room dressed in flimsy underwear that barely provide cover and high-heeled pumps. One of her legs is thrown over the arm of the chaise lounge while the other rests on the chair. She has a champagne flute in her hands which is filled to the brim while another filled flute and the bottle of champagne sits by her on the floor. She looks up at Gboyega and smiles. “I’ve been waiting.”

Gboyega is too shocked to speak as he looks round his room. An entertainment music gadget sits under his TV. The curtains have been changed from the drab one he left there yesterday morning to classy day blinds. He takes in his environment before his gaze finally settles on Kofo.

“You like it, don’t you?” She asks winking at him.

Gboyega breathes deeply as he shakes his head vigorously. “Kofo, what do you think you are doing?” He asks in frustration.

She stands up from the chaise lounge, holding her champagne flute gingerly in her hand. As she walks towards the door, she brushes her fingers seductively over his lower anterior. She locks the door and puts the key inside her bosom. Gboyega who is still in a state of shock does not realize what she has just done. She passes by him again as she walks back to the chair wriggling her hips. She is wearing a thong and her butt dances to each footstep.

“Hey, sit down.” She says tapping a spot beside her. “Let’s talk.”

“How did you even get into my room?”

Kofo feigns a surprise. “Don’t tell me you can’t remember how to pick a lock. Or do you need me to juggle your memory? We could retake those classes, you know? She says shrugging her shoulders.

“Kofo, please let me go. Please, I don’t want to do this anymore.” Gboyega pleads.

“But you know that ain’t possible.”

“Don’t you get it? I can’t be with you any longer.” Gboyega says raising his voice.

“Oh yes, you can. Gbosgaga, you give me joy and pleasure. How do you expect me to survive without you warming my bed? Since this is how you want it, I decided to make this place…” She says as she looks round the room. “….Comfy and homely for us.”

Gboyega walks towards his reading table and pulls out the travelling bag under it. He begins to throw in some shirts and trousers from his clothes rack. Kofo laughs as she realizes what he is doing.

“Where do you think you are going?” She asks.

“Anywhere. As long as it is away from you.”

“You know you have to get by me before you leave this room?” Kofo says as she downs the champagne in her glass.

“Watch me!”

Kofo begins to laugh hysterically.

Gboyega ignores her. He zips up the travel bag, slings it across his shoulders and walks towards the door. When he gets there, he stands before it, shocked. The key is not on the door lock. He looks back at Kofo who is still laughing as he walks to the bathroom. He puts his hand on the window sill as he moves his fingers slowly hoping to find what he had kept there. After a fruitless search, he walks back to the room.

“Were you looking for this?” Kofo asks as she dangles a single spare key before him.

He walks towards her to grab it but she quickly puts it back into her buxom bust as she lifts up her assets jiggling them in the process. “Not so fast boyfriend. You should say thank you to me for teaching you all these tricks.” She smiles. “You need to relax. Sit down.” She reiterates as she taps the lounge by her side.

“I don’t want to sit down. Please just let me out of the room.”

Kofo drops her champagne flute on the floor and stands up. She meets Gboyega eye to eye as she places her right hand on his chest. “I’m sure you don’t want to mess with me. Be nice unless you want to have it the hard way.” She threatens him.

Gboyega understands her threat perfectly. A man who had once manhandled her at a night club had paid with his life. Gboyega had warned the man to get his hands off Kofo but the man was drunk and he groped her annoyingly. Only a flash of steel was seen and the man had slumped; his throat slit. Gboyega had been dumbfounded. It had happened so fast and he was too shocked to utter a word. Kofo had dragged him out of the night club before they were noticed.

He tries to imagine where she would have kept either her gun or jackknife since she was half-nude. It had to be somewhere close to her, probably tucked inside the chaise lounge. If he decides to take his chances, will he be fast enough? He knows Kofo would not hurt him but what if he was wrong? What if he had pushed her to the height of desperation? He was not ready to find out. He reconsiders his decision immediately.

“What do you want?” He asks with a straight face.

“Now, you are talking.” She answers smiling. She walks to the music system and presses the start button. Soft music begins to play. She takes his hands and puts it around her bare butt. She begins to sway to the music as she rocks their bodies together.

Gboyega takes his hands off but Kofo slaps them back on her butt. Gboyega wonders if he would be able to overcome this temptation. He shuts his eyes as he forces himself to think of something else. He decides to take his mind far away from his current environment. He thinks about his parents and the torture he had to go through to identify their bodies. This causes him pain in his heart and he moves his mind away from the image. He thinks about his brothers and how their lives have panned out. A drunk, a drug dealer, a womanizer, a petty thief. The youngest two who were still in their teens were also beginning to exhibit criminal traits and he became saddened and grieved for them because he was unable to control his brothers or have a positive impact on their lives. He is pained by these thoughts and he forces his mind to change direction again. He smiles as he thinks about Bola. She was the only one who brought a smile to his face nowadays. He remembers her smiles and her frowns and laughter builds in his throat. How he wished he could be with her right now.

Kofo looks at Gboyega’s face and smiles. His eyes are tightly shut and there’s a smile on his lips. She is glad that he is back where he is meant to be. She begins to stroke his body as she unbuttons his shirt slowly. She traces her fingers lightly through the whole length of his body teasing his sensitive spots. Gboyega’s body warms and he opens his eyes. Kofo looks at him lovingly. He realizes that she is still as beautiful as the first time he met her. She pulls him closer to her body as she caresses his lips slowly and passionately.

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Gboyega tries to pull away from her but his body has been awakened and begins to seek expression. Months of not being with a woman begins to take its effect on him and his will falters. Every decision he made to stay clean crashes down like a pack of badly arranged cards. Kofo, understanding every part of his body continues to work her lips and hands on his body steadily building and fanning the fire of passion in him as she undresses him.

In minutes, the will to be free from her is lost and his only desire is to take charge and possess her. Every member of his body is fully awake and excited. He moans as Kofo unleashes the beast in him as she handles his nether region with dexterity. He tears away her flimsy underwear and the sight of her voluptuous bust being released from their previous hold takes over his mind and ignites his body. Everything and everyone he had thought about some minutes ago take a backseat. His spirit takes a flight as his mind takes full control of every organ of his body prompting it to fulfil its pleasure and have its fill.

The night is still and quiet and the only sounds heard are that of the soft music from the music player and the guttural voices of the bodies in the throes of passion. The night goes to sleep with Kofo gratified roughly just the way she loves it.

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

*****

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Blind Pact – Chapter 11

It is Friday and Bola has lectures in school. She bids her mother, who is also getting prepared for work, farewell as she leaves the house early in the morning. After classes, she goes straight to her hostel and finds her roommates getting ready for another gig. She sits down on her bed and watches them as they slather make-up on their faces.

“How was home?” Nekpen asks.

“Okay. Mum is fine.” Bola answers.

“We were kinda worried when we did not see you yesterday.” Eseosa says.

Bola shrugs. “I just wanted to have some time alone.”

Halima looks at her. “Have you heard from Gboyega?”

Bola exhales. “Yes, I have.”

Eseosa is standing in front of a wall mirror. She stops applying her make-up as she looks back at Bola. “That sigh says a lot, Bola. What’s the problem?”

Bola fakes a smile. “Nothing.” She could not bring herself to tell them that Miriam had been right. Tears build up in her eyes again and she looks away and tries to get herself together.

“Is this about Gboyega?” Halima asks as she sits by her side.

Bola nods unable to say a word. She does not trust that she won’t break down into tears.

“Gboyega is a changed man, Bola. Whatever it is you and your fellowship did to him changed his life. Look at some of his friends who moved around with him when he was on campus. Most of them are in their final year now. Bola, you know them ‘cos they attend your fellowship. Gboyega’s turnaround touched their lives. He was the last person anyone could imagine will become a church boy.” Halima says as she tries to convince her.

“I think you should listen to Halima.” Nekpen says matter-of-factly. “Me wey dey look for person wey go love me the way Gboyega dey show love for you. Babes, open your eyes.”

“Abeg, abeg, which one com be all the tory this night nau? Wetin? If she no open her eyes, which one com be una own nau? Shior! Make we go where we dey go jor. Leave this born-again people make dem dey do love in Tokyo wey no consine us.” Miriam hisses as she rolls her eyes.

“Aunty, you fit waka your own oh. Nobody say you must waka with us.” Nekpen replies Miriam in anger as she points her finger at her.

Miriam grunts. “Hmm….sorry oh, no vex. But what time we go comot nau?”

There is a knock on the door and Miriam walks to the door to open it. She is still for some seconds, shock registering on her face. She suddenly hisses and walks back into the room. The others look up wondering who the visitor is and the reason for Miriam’s hiss. Their jaws drop as they look behind Miriam.

“Hello ladies.” Gboyega says as he walks into the room. He gives Miriam a confused look wondering why she hissed on seeing him.

The other girls look at each other’s faces with surprise.

“Hi Gboyega.” Nekpen answers breaking the awkward silence.

Bola is too shocked to speak. She can’t believe that Gboyega is right here in her room at this time of the night.

“I’m sorry I hope I am not intruding. I can wait outside while you…..” Gboyega is saying before Miriam interrupts.

“Yes, pls. You can stay…..” Miriam gesticulates towards the door before she is also cut short.

Nekpen clears her throat as she looks at Miriam with scorn. Her face immediately turns into a smile as she looks at Gboyega. “We were actually on our way out. You are free to stay.” She looks at Bola. “Bola, take care and have fun. See you in the morning.” She smiles as she winks at her. She nods towards Miriam and points to the door. Miriam hisses again as she heads forward and the girls file out of the room behind her.

Bola could not help but smile as Nekpen herded her roommates out of the room. Even though she did not share Bola’s faith, she had proved to be a friend that Bola could count on. She sighs as she looks at Gboyega. He walks up to her bed and kneels before her as he holds her hands. “Bola, I came to apologize to you.”

Bola shakes her head. “What are you sorry for? Your past?”

“What would you have me do?”

“I don’t know Gboyega. Sincerely, I don’t know.”

“Please give me a chance.”

Bola stands up. “Your past is too much for me to bear. Don’t you understand?”

“But I am no longer that man.” He stands up from his kneeling position and holds her by the shoulders. “I want to create a future with you.”

The tears she had held back some moments ago fill her eyes again and threaten to make their way down her cheeks. She opens her mouth to say something but closes it again as her voice has become raspy.

Gboyega looks into her eyes and realizes that she loves him but he also sees fear and he is determined to wipe away any doubts that she has about him. He pulls her into a hug and her tears eventually burst forth like a tap that has just been opened. He rocks her like a baby as she sobs into his chest. When she is spent from her sobs, Gboyega cradles her face in his palms and looks straight into her soul. “I will never do anything to hurt you. I love you too much to let anyone harm you.” He longs to take her lips in his but he fights the temptation and pulls her into a hug again.

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His past must remain in the past and with Bola, he is determined to start their relationship on a clean slate. Bola hugs him tightly and she unknowingly fans the embers of passion in him. Gboyega feels warm as heat courses through his veins seeping into every pore of his skin and threatening to awaken his once asleep body. He pushes Bola back gently. She looks at him in confusion unaware of the feelings she has triggered in him. He caresses her face with his fingers and smiles. “Let’s take a walk.” Bola nods and Gboyega interlocks his fingers with hers as they walk out of the room.

They stroll lazily round the campus like two love-birds. Gboyega talks about his job in the construction company and his desire to come back to settle down in Akure after his National Youth Service. Bola is surprised and asks why he would leave his house in Lagos to start afresh in Akure. He tells her that Lagos has too many bad memories and he would rather start a new life filled with promises in Akure. He also mentions that he does not want to be far away from her.

They sit down on a bench outside one of the campus halls enjoying the coolness of the night breeze. They lose track of time while talking and by the time Gboyega looks at his wrist watch, he realizes they have been out of her hostel for almost two hours.

“What time is it?” Bola asks when she sees Gboyega looking at his wrist watch.

“Almost 9.00p.m.”

“You are sleeping in the boys’ hostel this night, right?”

“Yes, since that is the only way I get to see you tomorrow.” Gboyega replies with a smile.

Bola blushes. She stands up and holds his hands trying to pull him up.

Gboyega laughs. “You know I can lift you off the floor with just one hand.”

Bola drops his hands. He tries to hold her but she swats his hand and begins to walk away frowning.

He reaches her in two steps and holds her by the waist. “Hey, I was just joking.” He says laughing. “Even when you are frowning, you are still beautiful.”

“It’s late.”

“Yeah, I know. I wish the night could remain young.”

They walk back to her hostel and Gboyega plants a kiss on her cheeks as he wishes her good night.

 

Bola lies on her bed unable to sleep. She cuddles her pillow smiling. She feels butterflies in her stomach and she knows that this can only be love. Gboyega had come all the way from Shagamu to Akure just to be with her. She felt silly that she had condemned him because of his past. Yes, it was sordid. And there was still a lot of work getting used to it but she knew that the love they had for each other was going to create a better future.

She falls asleep hours later dreaming about Gboyega and the bright future ahead of them.

——–

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 10

Gboyega sighs deeply as he thinks about Kofo. He wishes he could erase his past with her. She was the reason why he continuously asked God daily for forgiveness. He wasn’t proud of his past and he found it difficult to discuss it with Bola. Now that Bola was aware, he had to come out clean with her.

He smiled. Thoughts of her always brought a smile to his face. She had given him a reason to look forward to a bright future. The text message she sent last night had endeared her more to him. He loved her and he was ready to protect her from Kofo.

He gets to the bus-stop and waits for a bus that will call his destination. He remembers when he only transported through taxis. He once asked Kofo to get him a car. Her response had been that if he needed one, then he needed to steal one. He had been shocked at her response but that was the last time he ever asked her. She was satisfied with paying for his taxi trips to their rendezvous. She would cringe now if she saw him in a public bus. But that was all in the past now.

He decides to ring Bola. Right now, she was all that mattered. Bola picks up on the second ring. “Hey beautiful.” He crooned into her ears.

“Hi.” She replies groggily.

“Looks like I woke you up.” He says laughing.

“Yes, you did.”

“No lectures this morning?”

“No. Besides, I’m not on campus. I’m home.” Bola replies.

Gboyega is surprised. “Are you okay? Is there a problem?”

Bola sits up on her bed. “I’m fine. I had missed home and just wanted to see my mum.”

“How is she?” Gboyega asks smiling.

“She’s good.”

Gboyega sighs. “About Kofo?”

“Kofo?” Bola asks confused.

“Yes, the lady that came over to your hostel. I am sorry I haven’t talked about my past but it is because I am not proud of it.”

Bola listens quietly.

“I used to be her boyfriend.” Gboyega breathes deeply. “Actually, I was her toy boy. A lover who warmed her bed for pecuniary gains. I won’t say she seduced me because I made a choice to continue with the relationship. I was getting paid for laying her and I guess the pay became too attractive for me to look the other way.”

Bola sighs.

“But, I am not that man anymore. I have left my past behind. I even decided to change my mobile number so she would not be able to reach me any longer. You are everything I need now and I mean every word when I tell you that I love you.”

Bola takes a deep breath. “Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me about your past. But it is a lot to comprehend right now, Gboyega.”

“I understand. Life has not been fair. I know it is not an excuse and I accept responsibility for all my actions. I just couldn’t get myself to tell you about my sordid past. I assumed the time was never going to be right. I never wanted you to find out this way.” Gboyega says soberly.

“I just…I just wish things were different.”

“I don’t understand.” Gboyega says confused.

“We can’t toe the same path, Gboyega. We are poles apart.” Bola says as hot tears sting her eyes.

Gboyega feels like his heart is being ripped apart. “Bola, please, don’t break my heart. I love you and need you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. I can’t change my past but I can recreate my future.”

“We can’t have a future together.” Bola says as the thought of what she just said stabs her in the heart and she breaks down into tears. She had fallen in love with Gboyega but his past was too tainted for her to ignore. She could not imagine being with him anymore. “Good bye Gboyega.” She says as she cuts the call.

Gboyega tries to call her back but she refuses to pick up. He looks around him and realizes he is still at the bus-stop. A look at his wristwatch shows that he is already behind time and he is definitely going to be late to the office today. He sighs as the next bus that approaches calls his destination. He flags it down and enters it. He tries to call Bola again but her phone rings out. “Bola, please don’t do this to me.” He begins to type. “I love you.”

He sighs deeply as he lays his head on the head rest in the public bus. Today is already turning out wrong for him. He is going to be late to work. The two ladies in his life have placed a huge burden on his heart. One he has rejected and who wants him back at all costs and another who he loves but has rejected him.

********

Bola sobs quietly after she cuts the call. Gboyega keeps calling her but she refuses to pick up his calls. She reads the text message from him and that brings more tears. She suddenly wishes she had not heard about his past. She only wants to retain sweet memories of him. Memories of them in fellowship worshipping God, memories of them sharing the word, memories of his graduation when she was the only one by his side.

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She stands up from her bed and picks up her school bag lying on her reading table. She opens the bag and takes out their picture together. Tears roll down her cheeks as she looks at him. He had captured her heart. And now, she had to let him go. She lay on her bed and curled into a fetal position holding the picture to her bosom. Why did I have to fall in love with him?

She wipes her tears as she determines in her heart. This is the end of the road for Gboyega and her. Her roommate Miriam, had been right after all. He was a toy boy. It was difficult to comprehend how a lady as sophisticated as Kofo could have Gboyega as a boyfriend. He was just a student and the lady standing before them that day oozed class from every pore of her skin.

I have to let him go. But the thought of that action tore her heart into shreds and she started sobbing again until she fell asleep.

——–

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 9

Kofo eased into her car in anger. No one had ever crossed her path and gone scot free. Gboyega was crossing her path and he was doing it without giving a hoot. She had travelled out of the country for about three months and by the time she came back, so many things had changed. She tried ringing him but his number was unreachable. She began to wonder what the problem could be. Since he had graduated from school, going to campus to check on him had not been an option. She had never bothered to know where he lived. Their rendezvous had always been at places she chose. She got her informant to get her all the details she needed and she had been shocked to hear that Gboyega had dropped her for a school girl. What was he thinking? She made more inquiries and found out who the girl really was. A church girl. She had been surprised when she found out.

She smirked as she tapped the steering wheel. Gbosgaga, a Christian? She laughed derisively and shook her head as she thought about him. So far, he had been the only source of happiness in her life and she could not let him go. No, not now. Not ever. He was hers and hers alone. No one else could have him. She hoped Bola would heed to her threat to stay away. She had been nice to her when she visited her room. Her next encounter with her may not be pleasurable if she refused to keep her hands off Gbosgaga.

Her happiness started and ended with him and she was ready to go into the deep recesses of her heart to wake up her past life in a bid to hold on to him. Kofo grew up in one of the slums of Calabar with her prostitute mother. She never knew who her father was. Every night, her mother locked her up in her room while she went out for her business. Unknown to her mother, one of the neighbours in their face-to-face abode had made a spare key to their room. While her mother went out to service her clients, the man came in with the spare key and serviced himself with Kofo. He was a young man of about twenty-two who lived with his parents who were drunks. He had no source of living and he hung around the house every day making a nuisance of himself.

She was just eight when he initially forced himself on her. She had cried all through till morning. He had warned her never to mention it to anyone; as that would result in her death and that of her mother. She had been too scared to tell her mother and she lived with that fear until she ran away from home at the age of thirteen. At thirteen, she had become fully matured and well-rounded and could pass for a twenty-one year old. Even though, her mother did not lock her in any longer whenever she went for her business, her abuser still visited their room every night to fulfill his pleasure.

The night she ran away, the man had come into her mother’s room as usual but this time, he came with three of his friends. He had smiled wickedly as he caressed her body and told her she was going to enjoy this session specially. She nodded as her soul died that night. The men had been excited as they groped her. Her abuser had proudly told his friends that he was only giving them this opportunity as she solely belonged to him. He told them to take their turns as he was having her the whole night. He beat his chest as he told them that he had made Kofo capable of going many rounds. His friends had been a little envious and each of them had tried to woo her with sweet words.

The three friends got down on her; each unable to hold his urge. Every opening in her body became a tool of abuse. Her abuser stood by her watching his friends as he excited himself, caressing her bust and awaiting his turn. Kofo continued to endure the abuse waiting for the right time to strike. When she noticed that their pleasure was hitting a crescendo, in the heat of their passion, she pulled out the chopping knife she had kept under the single mattress in the room and sliced each one of them wherever she deemed fit. Shock registered on their faces and before they could get a hold of themselves, she hit the knife on the head of her main abuser, opened the door and bolted out.

She never went back home. She picked a top and a trouser spread on the line outside the house and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. The night was eerie and she was covered in its darkness. She had stolen a few cash from her mother’s underwear bag and as she got dressed in an uncompleted building, she hid the cash inside her brassiere. She took a bus to Lagos that night. She did not care where she was going. She just wanted to be far away from home. The bus was carrying goods but she had begged the driver to allow her ride with him to wherever he was going. She could barely stretch her limbs in the crammed bus but she hadn’t been bothered. As long as she left the city, she was ready to bear anything.

She had arrived in Lagos as a newbie to street life. She slept in parks with a jackknife in her pocket and used it freely on anyone who tried to take advantage of her. She was quickly noticed by the men of the underworld and they saw her as an asset. She was used as a bait to lure men before they were robbed and she got her share of every operation the men handled.

 

During one of their operations, she had pretended to be in distress and knocked continuously on the door of an apartment. A man asked who was at the door and she had answered that she needed help. The man had opened the door and her two-man gang had pushed the man inside holding a gun to his head. They asked the man to bring out every cash he had and also asked his wife to handover all her jewelry.

After robbing them, one of her gang members looked at the man’s daughter as he licked his lips. The girl was about Kofo’s age. He asked the girl to lead him to her room and her father knowing what was about to happen began to plead with him. The man pointed his gun at the girl’s father and told him to shut his mouth. The girl started crying as she was rough-handled by the gang member.

As he was about leaving for the girl’s room, Kofo called him and asked him not to touch her. He got angry and told Kofo that if she had allowed them to have their way with her, he wouldn’t have to look for pleasure somewhere else. If she would not allow them to touch her, then he could touch anyone he wished without her consent. The second gang-member laughed and told Kofo he was going to have his turn after his friend. Kofo warned them a second time to leave the girl alone as their mission was to rob and not to rape but the men only laughed her to scorn.

As one of the men carried the girl like a sack, she screamed and memories of Kofo’s past came rushing back to her. Kofo put her palms over her ears trying to block out the screams but they only grew louder. She opened her eyes and saw the girl’s parents sobbing. She became enraged and walked into the girl’s room. Her hands had been tied and they were raised above her head. Her legs were also tied to the sides of her bed post. Her night gown had been torn and it lay on the floor by the bed. She lay on the bed naked and helpless. Tears streamed down the girl’s cheeks and Kofo saw fear in her eyes. The men smiled when she walked in and urged her to watch and enjoy their romp. They were both half-naked.

As the first man moved towards the girl, she screamed again and he slapped her hard in the face. Kofo felt the sting of the slap on her own face. The man grabbed the girl by the neck and was about to force himself on her when Kofo pulled out her gun and shot both of them point blank in a fit of fury. She walked out of the house alone with their booty and decided she was through with men of the underworld.

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She moved on to become a pimp for politicians and this became the source of her wealth.

Gboyega had to come back to her. She did not care about his new love for Christianity. He belonged to her and she was going to have him back by all means.

——-
Photo Credit: http://www.123rf.com

Blind Pact – Chapter 8

Kofo had noticed him standing on the patio. She had watched him for about ten minutes before she decided to walk up to him. His frame had been her attraction. He had well-built, toned muscles and she was a sucker for such. She had thrown the party because she knew there would be an abundance of young men. She only needed to find the one she needed. Apart from her political associates at the party, most people did not know that she owned the house. The young men in the living room were all stoned. They were obviously not disciplined. She had scanned the house looking for someone of interest when she found him alone with a glass of wine in his hand. He was lost in thought as he looked at the lagoon.

When he looked at her, she almost felt him caressing her body with his look. She could see that he was bored but he refused to say so. He hadn’t even asked the school she attended when she talked about campus life. He was a mystery and she longed to unravel him. She noticed that he left before the party ended and this further piqued her interest. As she lay on her bed in the early hours of the morning, she took out her tablet, opened Facebook and searched him by his first name.

He had to be on Facebook. Most of the students she knew could not do without social media. If he was one of such, she knew she would find him. She imagined it could take some time before she found him but she was ready for the search. Luck however smiled on her as she saw a profile picture of him after scanning through about ten names. She clicked on his photos and heat flowed through her as she looked at a picture of him bare chested. She had to have him. He was what she wanted.

She picked up her phone and dialed his number. He picked up after three rings. “Hi.” She said almost in a whisper.

“Hello.”

“I guess you were really bored last night.”

“Who am I speaking with?” Gboyega asked.

“Kofo.”

“Oh, hi. I’m sorry I did not realize you were the one.”

Kofo smiled. “That means you did not bother to save my number.”

“I’m sorry. I would save it now. So what time did you leave the party?” Gboyega asked.

“Sometime this morning and I just decided to check up on you.”

“Thanks.”

Kofo made it a duty to call him every morning and evening. She was intent on getting under his skin pretty fast. Every night, she imagined what it would feel like to have him in her bed. She bought him expensive boxers, belts and wristwatches and had them delivered by courier to him in school. His roommates began to tease him about how sophisticated and wealthy his new catch was. It had only been two weeks ago he met her and she was already making an impression on him. He wondered how she was able to afford all the expensive gifts as a student. Her parents must be wealthy. He thought.

His birthday was a Saturday and he had nothing scheduled for the day. He had planned to just lie in bed and do nothing. His mum had called him as early as 6.00am to wish him happy birthday. His brothers and his father sent text messages and he acknowledged all. He was about to go back to sleep at about 7.00am when Kofo’s call came through. He picked up her call and was surprised when she wished him a happy birthday. “How did you know?” He asked.

“Let’s take it as my little secret.” She said laughing. “So, what are you doing today?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing. No way! It’s your birthday and we have to celebrate it.” She said.

“I haven’t made any plans for the day.”

“Well, I have.”

“You did?”

“Yep! Meet me at the Red Inn at 10.00am.” She said.

“Okay?”

“It’s not nice to keep a lady waiting.”

“10 for 10.” Gboyega said before cutting the call.

 

As he got dressed, he wondered what Kofo had planned. They had met in Lagos and now she was asking him out in Akure. Did that mean she lived in Akure and just came to Lagos to attend the party just like he had? He put on a navy blue polo tee shirt she had bought for him recently. As he stepped out of campus and took a bus to the Red Inn, different thoughts filtered into his mind. “Who was Kofo?” He had asked about her school and she had said she attended a university abroad and was on holiday in Nigeria. He had grown fond of her over the last three weeks with her constant calls morning and night. She was the first voice he heard in the morning and also the last when he hit his bed. She spoke in soft whispers at night and he began to look forward to her calls. When he tried to call her, she always asked that he dropped the call, so she could do the calling.

He walked into the Red Inn at 9.55am. He was glad he was able to make it before 10.00am. He took a seat at a corner in the lounge and made sure he was positioned where he could see her when she walked in. At 10.00am on the dot, Kofo walked into the inn. She was looking prettier than she was the last time they met. Her weaves fell on her shoulders and she walked with majestic gait. She was wearing a plunging V-cut black short dress which hugged her body in all the right places and Gboyega couldn’t help being captivated by her beauty. The inn was quiet and empty, making it easy for Kofo to quickly spot him.

As she slid into the booth and sat beside him, she gave him a light kiss on his cheeks and wished him a happy birthday. “We should make today special.” She said smiling. “Let’s go order breakfast.”

She stood up and held his hand as she led him to the restaurant. As Gboyega walked behind her like a sheep led to a slaughter house, Kofo swayed her hips with every step she took causing blood to flow through Gboyega as his whole being warmed from looking at her backside. He looked away and tried to concentrate on the restaurant ahead. She was beginning to mess with his mind.

They served themselves from the buffet arrayed in the restaurant and Kofo made sure her fingers brushed Gboyega’s at intervals. She sat across him at the table and as she adjusted her dress to make herself comfortable, Gboyega could not help noticing her buxom bust which looked like they needed to be free from the bondage she put them. Kofo smiled as she caught Gboyega staring at her assets. Every move and every step she took had been intentional. And she was happy that her plan seemed to be working so far.

They made little talk as they ate breakfast, Kofo leaning over the table once to get crumbs of bread off Gboyega’s mouth. As she caressed his mouth with her fingers in a bid to take off the crumbs, her bust stared in his face. Gboyega knew he could not handle the gestures anymore and he struggled to keep his little member in check.

When they were through with breakfast, Kofo took Gboyega by the hand and led him towards the rooms. Gboyega followed quietly without saying a word. She pulled out a key card from her bag and stopped before a room. She inserted the card into the keyhole and the door opened. As she slid the card into its slot by the door, the lights and the air conditioning in the room powered on. Gboyega walked in, closed the door behind him and stood with his back to the door. Kofo dropped her handbag on the floor and as she moved towards him to kiss him, Gboyega pulled her close to him and ravaged her lips with a hungry passion. She had it coming and she savoured every bit of it returning passion for passion.

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Gboyega’s body was on fire and he hungered for a release of the tension already built by Kofo. But she was not ready to give in easily to him. She was determined to test his endurance. She undressed him slowly as she teased his body with her mouth, her body and her fingers. She caressed every part of his body causing him to shiver under her touch. Gboyega dropped her dress from her shoulders and he was surprised that she wore no underwear. Kofo continued to push him to the limit until he could no longer restrain the tension.

He dragged her by the waist as he moaned in ecstasy. Standing right there by the door, he lifted her off the floor easily and they gave themselves wholly to each other. When Gboyega had satisfied Kofo’s pleasures, he carried her in his arms and gently dropped her on the bed. She smiled as she looked at him. He had even been better than she had imagined. Gboyega sat on the chair opposite the bed and looked at her.

“I guess that was what you wanted.” Gboyega said.

“No.”

“So, what do you want?”

“I want you for keeps.”

“I can’t sustain you. That is obvious, right?” Gboyega said as he looked round the room.

“I don’t need you to. Come over here.” Kofo said as she tapped the bed.

Gboyega stood up but did not move. “So, what am I to you, then?”

Kofo tapped her forefinger on her nose. “Hmm….let’s just say, you are my boyfriend.”

“A boyfriend that cannot cater for the needs of his girl?” Gboyega asked raising a brow.

“You ask too many questions, Gboyega. I did not come all the way from Lagos to answer questions.” Kofo said as she stood up from the bed. She walked towards him and began to caress his body again, kissing him as she did. She was determined to reawaken his little member. In a few minutes, they became entwined in each other’s arms again; panting from another bout.

Kofo refused to let Gboyega out of her sight the whole day. She made him pleasure her again and again and Gboyega had been up to the task. She ordered room service and they stayed in each other’s arms. By evening, they were both worn out. Kofo dropped Gboyega on campus with her sports car and he officially became Kofo’s toy boy.

——

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 7

Gboyega is upset and angry after Bola’s call. He had not envisaged Kofo will go looking for Bola in school. He wondered how she found out about her; but knowing who Kofo was, she always had her way with information. It was over between them. Why was she refusing to understand? He had the mind of calling her this night but he had changed his phone number simply because he did not want to have anything to do with her again. Calling her now, was exposing himself to her whims once more. Since he changed his number, he had had a bit of respite from her incessant calls. Should I call her to warn her or ignore her threats to Bola? He ruminated over his decision over and over as he lay on his bed till he dozed off.

The next morning, Gboyega gets up early to prepare for the day’s job. He is just coming out of the bathroom when his doorbell chimes. Who could be looking for me this early? He quickly gets into his trousers, wears his shirt leaving the buttons undone and walks towards the door to see the early visitor. He opens the door and standing right before him is Kofo. She puts her hand on the door lintel and as usual is chewing a gum. The expression on Gboyega’s face is that of surprise and then anger.

“What are you….?” Gboyega is asking before he is hushed with a wave of Kofo’s hand.

“Shhh…It is too early. You would wake the neighbours.” She says placing her forefinger on her lips.

Gboyega refuses to be hushed and asks through clenched teeth. “What do you want from me?”

Kofo pushes him aside as she walks into his room. A mattress lies to the right corner of the room, a wooden chair and table on the left and a small LED TV hangs on the wall.

Gboyega closes the door behind him and faces her. “Kofo, what do you want from me? Why won’t you leave me alone?”

Kofo bursts into laughter. She walks towards the table and drops her handbag on it. “Leave you alone. C’mon Gbosgaga, you can run but you can’t hide. You know that, don’t you?”

“Kofo, I am through with you. Don’t you get it?”

“Through with me? Through with me? And you leave me for mummy’s girl.” Kofo shouts at him.

“Leave Bola out of this. She has nothing to do with the relationship we had.”

Kofo is sober. “Then why did you leave me? Why did you change your phone number? Why have you refused to warm my bed? My body has been panting for you. I have missed your touch, Gbosgaga.” She says in a whisper.

She moves towards Gboyega and places her hands on his chest. She traces a finger on his toned chest, circles it up his neck and to his lips. Gboyega closes his eyes and savours the feel of her fingers on him. His mind transports back in time to when Kofo meant everything to him; when satisfying her pleasures was his only reason for living tomorrow. He remembers when the world stopped at her feet; when he lived for her. It was not a life he had wanted but he had enjoyed every bit of it while it lasted.

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It has been a long time since he was with a woman and Kofo knew what to do to trigger every hormone in his body. Kofo’s finger draws doodles on his body and as she gets to his pelvis, he catches his breath. Blood was beginning to seep into his nether region and he was getting to a place of no return. He suddenly shakes his head and opens his eyes as if a jinx over him has been broken. He holds her two hands and steps away from her. “No, Kofo. I am through with you. Through with being your…your…” He found himself unable to complete his sentence. He hated the word he was meant to use.

“My boyfriend?” Kofo completes his sentence.

“Yes, your boyfriend.” He is thankful she had not mentioned the word but it did not change the fact that that was who he was to her.

“Why?” Kofo asks in confusion. “What do you want that I haven’t been able to give you?”

“It is not about what I need, Kofo. I am now a Christian.”

Kofo looks at Gboyega with shock then begins to laugh derisively. “You, Gbosgaga? A Christian? No, tell me that’s a joke.”

Gboyega looks at her without saying a word.

“Weren’t you a Christian when you lost your parents? Where was your God then? Where was He when you needed money to bury them? Hmm…tell me.”

Gboyega turns away from her.

Kofo walks towards him and pulls him by the shirt turning him to face her. “Answer me Gboyega. Where was He when you were in need? When you couldn’t pay your school fees or take care of your younger ones? And now, you have the guts to stand here and open your mouth and tell me “I am now a Christian?” She mimics him. “Rejecting me for that…that bitch, you call Bola?”

Gboyega looks at her, anger seeping into his veins. “Kofo, any word from you again and you will have yourself to blame.”

Kofo claps her hands. “Right? He’s got guts now.” She fakes a shiver. “I’m scared.”

“Kofo, please I beg you in the name of those you hold dear, leave Bola alone.” Gboyega pleads.

Kofo raises her chin with pride. “And you?”

Gboyega refuses to answer and begins to button his shirt. He sits down on his bed, picks up his socks and wears it.

Kofo sneers. “I thought as much.” She picks up her bag from the table. “You have not heard the last of me.” She says as she storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Gboyega raises up his head from the trainers he is lacing as the door slams. He looks upwards. “God, I thought I was through with this.” He picks up his knapsack, slings it over his shoulder and walks out of his room. As he strolls towards the bus-stop, he remembers how Kofo had waltzed into his life over three years ago.

School had been on vacation when he got invited to a high-profile party somewhere in Lagos. It was a house party and according to his friend, the party was going to be attended by the who’s who in town. His friend told him that the party was strictly by invitation, so he should consider it a priviledge that he was attending.

Gboyega had been mesmerized by the beauty of the house. It was a duplex with ten rooms, all en-suite. The ground floor had two large living rooms, a ballroom and a lounge for receiving visitors. At the entrance of the house, there was a massive Olympic sized pool. Scantily dressed ladies hung around the pool with pot-bellied men. Every furniture in the house screamed class and Gboyega wondered which politician owned the house. His friend had his arms around a girl’s waist as he handed him a drink, encouraged him to have fun and disappeared. Sweaty bodies danced in the ballroom, one of the living rooms had young guys and girls already stoned on marijuana while the bedrooms had pot-bellied men making out with girls old enough to be their daughters. He moved around the house like a lost child and at a point he got bored. He walked up to the patio overlooking the lagoon and stood there to take in the freshness of the night breeze.

He had been lost in his own world when a lady walked up to him breaking into his thoughts. “Hello handsome, need company?”

He looked at the lady standing before him. She was beautiful and towered a few inches above him. Her eyes sparkled from the reflection of the water and her teeth shone bright when she smiled. The breeze blew her weaves and they slapped her face in a carefree manner. He shrugged in response to her question.

“Looks like you ain’t enjoying the party.” She said.

He wasn’t sure who she was and he did not want to sound rude. “I just needed to get some fresh air.” He responded.

They both stood on the patio looking at the water. Different colours of light from the house illuminated it revealing a picturesque environment. She asked what he did for a living and he said he was still a student. She began to talk about campus life and lecturers and he assumed she was also a student invited to the party. They exchanged numbers, introduced themselves to each other and then she left him to his solitude.

Hours later, when Gboyega could no longer contain his boredom, he left the mansion without his friend.

——-

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 6

After one week, Gboyega leaves for his place of primary assignment. He has been posted to a construction firm and the pay is beyond what he imagined he would be paid as a youth corper. He is delighted and calls Bola to give her the good news. She is happy to hear that he is settled down. They call each other every day and Bola begins to grow fond of him. She begins to look forward to their calls every morning and evening. Her roommates notice and also begin to tease her. They ask her if they are officially dating and she responds in the negative. They are surprised and wonder why she is not dating him. She looks at each one of them as they advise her on relationships. She nods as if listening to them but her mind is faraway. They cannot understand. My heart is still broken by daddy’s death. I am scared of letting go.

 

One cool evening, Bola and her room mates are chatting in the room. They have all arrived from lectures and are idling on their beds. A knock on the door breaks into their chatter. “Yes, come in”. One of the girls call out.

A tall, light skinned lady walks into the room. Her gait is confident and she chews on a gum with reckless abandon. She takes a look round the room with disdain before settling her eyes on Bola. Bola’s roommates look at her in confusion. They wonder who she is and are curious of her commanding presence.

“Hello, can we help you?” One of the roommates, Eseosa asks as she looks at the strange lady cautiously.

The lady sizes up the roommate who has spoken and eyes her. “No, you cannot help me.”

Another roommate, Halima speaks up. “Who are you and what do you want?”

The lady smiles broadly displaying a set of teeth that look like they have just been whitened. She looks at Bola who is watching the display and fires at her. “I came to warn you to stay away from my boyfriend.”

Bola is dumbfounded. She looks around her in confusion. She wonders if the lady is referring to her or someone else.

Bola’s roommates look at her and also at the lady. They wonder who she is talking about; their eyes questioning.

“I’m sorry.” Bola says finding her voice. “Are you referring to me?” She queries as she places a hand on her chest.

“Do I look like an idiot to you?” The strange lady retorts.

“I haven’t said that ma. I am confused. I don’t know who you are referring to.”

The lady laughs hysterically as she points a finger at her. “Stay-away-from-Gboyega.”

Bola’s roommates immediately understand the situation. They get up from their beds coming to Bola’s defence. Nekpen stands in front of the lady and gesticulates with her hands. “Look here, madam whatever. We don’t care who you are. You don’t barge into people’s rooms handing out threats like you run this place. If you have a problem with your so called boyfriend, why don’t you go solve it instead of forming big madam here?”

“Watch your tongue, girl. You don’t want to hit on the wrong nerve, I assure you.” The lady warns.

Bola stands up from her bed to say something but Halima steps in front of her. “Please leave our room, madam. You have done enough damage.”

The lady smirks as she looks at Bola. “I am sure I have made myself clear, right?” She looks at each of the girls with condescending eyes before walking out of the room.

Bola breaks down into tears as she sits down on her bed. Nekpen and Halima sit on each side and comfort her. “Hey, it is okay. He obviously left her and she wants to fight back.” Halima says.

Nekpen rubs her back. “This is normal, Bola. I know you love him. So you need to fight for him.”

Bola looks at both of them. “I never knew Gboyega had a girlfriend. She looks so….so…sophisticated.”

“C’mon, I am sure the lady was just tripping. Don’t believe everything you hear. You need to talk to him first.” Eseosa who had been watching from her bed speaks up.

Another roommate, Miriam, who had been sitting quietly on her bed hisses. “Hmm….I thought you said he is born-again. This one that madam the madam is calling him her boyfriend. This one pass boyfriend mata oh. E be like say na toy boy.”

Nekpen looks up at Miriam, her eyes spitting fire.

“I’m sorry oh, Bola. I did not mean it in a bad way oh. I was just saying my own. Abeg, no vex.” Miriam immediately recants.

Bola looks at Nekpen and Halima as tears stream down her cheeks. “Do you think he has been lying to me?”

Halima smiles. “I don’t think so, Bola. Gboyega has truly changed. Those who knew him before can attest to it.”

“Besides, what matters is that he loves you.” Nekpen adds.

 

Later that evening, Gboyega calls Bola and she decides to take the call outside her room. As she walks out of the hostel, she narrates the incident of the day. Gboyega is quiet and does not say a word.

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“Who is she?” Bola asks.

Gboyega takes a deep breath. “She is my past.”

“Gboyega, she threatened me.” Bola cries. “We are not even dating and your ex-girlfriend threatens me?”

“Bola, please listen. I have left my past behind. Don’t let this affect our relationship, please. I love you and you are all that matter to me now.”

“I can’t deal with this, Gboyega. I can’t.” She says as her lip quivers and her voice breaks with emotion.

“You are breaking my heart, Bola. Please stop crying. I will talk to her and warn her if that would make you feel better.” Gboyega pleads.

“Good night Gboyega.” Bola says as she ends the call.

***********

The next day, Bola finds a hard time concentrating in class. The incident of last night bothers her the whole day. She thinks about discussing it with her assistant pastor, but would she understand? Besides, she is wary of discussing her private life with others. The only confidant she has right now is her mum. She decides to leave campus after lectures.

As she lets herself into the house, she rings her mum to let her know she is home and if she can prepare dinner for her.

“You are home? I hope you are okay.” Her mum asks.

“Yes mum, I am. I missed you and decided to come home.”

“Okay. I should be home for 9.00pm.”

“Should I make dinner?” Bola asks.

“No, it’s fine. Dinner will be too late by then. I will get some fruits on my way home.”

“Okay mum. See you later in the evening then.”

“Thank you dear.” Banke is about to cut the call when she calls her daughter – “Bola?”

“Yes mum.”

“I’m glad you are home.”

Bola smiles in spite of the turmoil in her heart. “Me too.”

 

Banke drives into her garage at 8.30pm. She eases out of the car with a shopping bag filled with fruits. Bola meets her at the door kneeling down to greet her. “How was your day?” She asks collecting the bag of fruits from her.

“Tiring.” Banke replies as she walks in and slumps into a settee.

Bola drops the shopping bag on the centre table. “Mum?”

“Yes dear.” She looks at her daughter and sees that her face is serious. She sits up immediately. “Is something wrong?”

“I came home because I needed to talk to you.”

Banke makes herself comfortable. “I’m all ears.”

“Do you remember the guy I was talking to the night you walked into my room?”

“Yes, the guy you called your friend.”

“Yes mum. His name is Gboyega.” Bola says.

“Okay? What about him?”

“A lady came to my room yesterday warning me to stay away from him.”

Banke looks at her confused. “Stay away from him? I don’t understand. I thought you said he was just a friend.”

Bola looks at her fingers and takes a deep breath. “He has been asking to date me for a while.”

“Oh!” Banke exclaims.

Bola looks up at her mum. “I am not dating him, mum.”

“Okay. You are not dating but a lady comes to you asking that you stay away from him. The only reason why she would do that is because she assumes that you are dating.”

“Exactly mum. Gboyega never told me he had a girlfriend.”

Banke shakes her head and her forefinger. “Hmm…hmm, don’t get it wrong? Did the lady mention that Gboyega was her boyfriend?”

“Yes mum. She did.”

“And have you spoken to him?”

“He says she is his past.”

“You don’t believe him?” Banke squints as she looks at her daughter.

“I don’t know what to believe, mum. I am confused.”

“You are in love with him.”

Bola shakes her head.

“I think you are. Is he a Christian?”

“Yes mum. We attended the same fellowship till he left school.”

Banke holds her daughter’s hands. “You know you can’t judge anyone by their past. Everyone should be given an opportunity to create a future; their past notwithstanding.”

Bola retires to her bedroom after the pep talk with her mum a little relieved. She is still finding it hard to understand the whole situation but with her mum’s encouragement, she is willing to give Gboyega a benefit of doubt.

As she lies down, she opens her bag lying on the floor beside her bed. She takes out the only picture she has of him, tracing his face with her forefinger. She smiles as she picks up her phone. She types a text message. “I believe you.” She hits the send button and goes to bed with a smile on her face.

——

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 5

School closes a few weeks later and Bola leaves for home on a Friday. Her mum is delighted to see her when she gets back from work in the evening. Since Bola has her own key to the house, she had let herself in earlier in the day and prepared dinner for her mum. They both sit at the dining table and talk about school, work and other matters. After clearing out the dishes and the kitchen, Bola retires to bed and decides to call Gboyega. It has been a week since she last heard from him and she was beginning to get worried.

“Hi”. She says as he picks up on the first ring.

“Hey you. How are you doing?”

“I’m good. I was wondering why I had not heard from you in a while.”

“I’m sorry. I have actually been busy.” Gboyega apologizes.

“Wow! Too busy to talk to a friend?”

“No way! I apologize.”

Bola smiles. “Hmm, so what have you been up to?”

The door to Bola’s room opens and her mum peeps in. She sees her talking on the phone and turns back.

“Trying to raise chicks.”

“What?”

Gboyega laughs. “You heard me right. I bought a few chicks and have been breeding them. Something to keep me busy till I go for my NYSC orientation programme.”

“That’s nice.”

“I need to start making money so you can take me serious.” Gboyega teases.

“Serious?”

“Yes, Bola. Serious about dating you.”

Bola exhales. She stands up from her bed and walks towards her reading table. She picks up his graduation picture and goes back to lie on her bed.

“Bola, are you still there?” Gboyega asks as she has been quiet for too long.

“Yes, I am.”

“The only picture I have of you is the one from my graduation. But your face is ingrained in my memory. And the truth is, I’m in love with you. I remember our gists, our bible sessions and the look on your face when you pretend to be angry.” He laughs.

Bola takes a deep breath.

“Please give me a chance.” He pleads.

“Can we talk about this some other time?”

“Bola, you keep on pushing this. Are you scared that I will hurt you?”

“I really can’t talk about this right now.”

“Okay. If you say so. It’s late. You should go to bed now.” Gboyega concludes.

Even though Bola still wishes they could talk some more, she willingly accepts to end the call. “Good night Gboyega.”

“Good night Bola. I love you.”

*********

The next day, Bola is up early. She goes to the kitchen to make breakfast for herself and her mum. She sets the table for two and calls on her mum when she is through.

As Banke walks towards the dining table, Bola kneels to greet her. “Good morning, mum.”

“Good morning, darling. You are up pretty early.” Banke says hugging her daughter.

“Yes, mum. I wake up early to read. Since I’m home and not reading, I decided to make breakfast.”

They both sit at the table to eat.

“So, who’s the young man you were chatting with last night?” Banke asks.

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Bola looks at her mum from the corner of her eyes. “Mum? Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?”

Banke puts her hand on her chest faking a hurt. “Eavesdropping on you? Why would I?”

“Just asking.”

“You haven’t answered my question.” Banke says as she butters a slice of bread.

“He’s just a friend.” Bola says without looking at her mum.

“Hmm, just a friend.”

“Yes mum. Just a friend.” Bola emphasizes.

“It did not seem like you were talking to just a friend.” Her mum says eyeing her.

Bola looks up at her mum.

“You were all smiles. And even giggling.”

“Mummy?”

Banke raises up her hands and nods. “Okay, okay. He’s just a friend.”

 

Throughout Bola’s vacation, she and Gboyega keep in touch calling each other every other day. Bola steers clear of discussions relating to dating or relationships. Anytime, Gboyega brings it up, she immediately changes the topic of discussion. In a few weeks, she is back to school and Gboyega also prepares to go for his National Youth Service Orientation Programme.

Three weeks later, Gboyega returns from Ogun state after a grueling orientation programme. He drops his travel bag at home and takes a quick shower. He knows he should wait till the next day before embarking on a trip to Akure, but he has missed Bola so much that he would rather see her today. He gets to the bus garage at about noon. In five hours, all things being equal, he should be in Akure.

 

Bola is walking towards her hostel when she sees a silhouette like Gboyega’s from afar. She stops and squints. No, it must be my imagination. What would Gboyega be doing in Akure at this time of the evening? She turns back and begins to walk away. She gets to her room and meet her roommates all crouched on a bed watching a movie on a laptop. They look up briefly from their movie to acknowledge her presence. She lies on her bed and faces the wall. The person she saw from afar has brought thoughts of Gboyega and she realizes that she misses him. They haven’t spoken in a week now. He was supposed to be through with his National Youth Service Orientation Programme. She knows she should call him at least to find out how he is doing but she does not want to. She does not trust her feelings any longer.

She is lost in her own world and does not hear the door open. Her roommate taps her and as she turns her head, she sees Gboyega standing before her. Her jaw drops as she rubs her eyes to be sure she is not dreaming. He smiles at her and takes her hand. She lifts herself from the bed and instinctively hugs him. Gboyega leads her out of the room before her roommates decide to have a field day feasting on them.

“You looked like you saw a ghost in there.” Gboyega says laughing.

“I thought I saw someone that looked like you earlier on campus. I imagined my mind was playing tricks on me.”

“I would take that to mean you missed me.”

“Well, I think I did.” Bola smiles.

“You think? You are not sure?” Gboyega teases her.

Bola hits him playfully. “Hey, stop! Whatever!”

They walk towards the campus gate.

Bola looks at her wristwatch. It is almost 5.00pm. “When did you come back from camp? I hope you ain’t going back to Lagos today.”

“I came back today. And I am going back to Lagos today.”

Bola stops walking. “But it is late.”

“I know. I just had to see you today. Now, that I have, I can have a good night’s sleep.”

Bola blushes. “Gboyega, you could have waited till tomorrow. Now, that you are here, why don’t you sleep with a friend in the hostel.”

“Nah, I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.” He says shaking his head.

“Please?”

Gboyega winks at her as he smiles. “Under one condition?”

“And that is?”

“I get to see you before I leave for Lagos tomorrow.”

Bola smiles. “Definitely.”

 

Bola sees Gboyega off to the bus garage the next morning. Before he leaves, he asks her one more time if she has given their relationship a thought. She shakes her head. She tells him that she loves the relationship they have together now. She does not want to get her heart involved. Gboyega holds her hands as they sit in a corner at the garage. “Bola, I love you. Don’t you understand?”

“Please give me more time. I am scared of getting into a relationship.”

“I would never hurt you, Bola. You have given me a reason to look to the future.” Gboyega says.

Bola sighs. “Give me some time, please.”

“Okay. I will.” He says. He wonders how long he would have to wait but he will, if that is what it takes.

———

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 4

Gboyega looks on as Bola walks away. He had noticed her when she came into school as a fresher and he had felt there was something strange about her. He knew it was beyond being just a girl studying Civil Engineering. There was more to her and he had been curious to find out. He watched her from afar hoping to understand her peculiar personality. When he found out that her life revolved around school, fellowship and the hostel, he had smiled. One of those born-again chicks. They had always being a mystery to him. There was something about them that he just did not understand.

His parents were not religious. They attended church whenever they felt like it. And their kids, all seven boys always stayed away on such days. His parents were secondary school teachers who believed that as long as their kids were morally upright, they were fine. The boys however, all engaged in one vice or the other without the knowledge of their parents.

Two years ago, he lost them on a trip back from their hometown. They had travelled home to attend the burial of a family friend who had died of a heart failure. The bus conveying them had somersaulted a number of times after a burst tyre. The bus had been mangled and bodies were thrown out during the mishap. There were no survivors.

Gboyega suddenly became an orphan with six younger brothers to take care of. He tried to keep his brothers as one family but they all rebelled. Family members deserted them and life became tough. This further hardened the boys and the centre of their family could no longer hold. Each went his own way taking his destiny into his hands and struggling to chart the course of his life.

It had been a sober day for him during one of the crusades organized by a church close to his house. He had been loitering around thinking about what had become of his life and that of his siblings when he felt a strong urge to go into the crusade ground. He looked around and saw joy radiating as the people danced and worshipped God.

When the pastor started preaching, he looked around wondering if anyone had mentioned his travails to the pastor. The pastor kept on talking as if he was referring directly to him. He stood up in annoyance thinking someone was playing pranks on him. But as he was about to leave the crusade ground, right before his presence, he saw flashes of his life before him. He saw himself struggling in vain to come out of a dark pit. The pit was deep and hollow. He looked up and there was bright light at the top of the pit. He cried out but no one heard him. His voice bounced back to him in deafening echoes. All of a sudden, he started to sink. He stretched out his hand for a lifeline but there was nothing to hold on to. The more he struggled, the more he sank deeper. He was neck deep in the bog and was about to be enveloped in the darkness of the pit when he suddenly came to himself and realized that he was still standing in front of the crusade ground. He turned back and right there on his seat, he called on God to save him. He could not boast of his past and he was haunted daily by a past misdeed. He continuously prayed every day that God will forgive him for all the wrongs he had done in the past.

Gboyega becomes a regular in the fellowship longing to know more about God. His lifestyle changes and he garners a lot of whispers within campus. His close friends notice his turnaround and they are surprised. He moves close to Bola trying to learn more about God from her. When he is confused about a scripture, he calls on her to expatiate which she gladly does. At other times, she refers him to the pastor of the fellowship. His changed life has an effect on a few of his friends and some also turn a new leaf.

A few days to his graduation, Gboyega attends his last fellowship meeting. After the service, he walks up to Bola and asks if he can accompany her to her hostel.

“Okay.” She replies.

“I want to thank you for being a good friend and helping me in getting grounded in Christ.”

“Oh don’t mention. What are we friends for?”

Gboyega stops and holds Bola by the hand. “Bola, I want us to be more than friends.”

Bola looks at him confused. “I don’t understand.”

“I mean, am I allowed to date you?”

“Date me?” She looks at him, shock written on her face. “I see you as an elder brother.”

“But I am not.”

“I’m sorry Gboyega, I can’t date you.” Bola says as she starts walking ahead. She looks back at him. “Thanks for walking me to my hostel.”

Gboyega stands still at the spot where he had stopped Bola. She walks away without a second look at him. Their friendship had grown over the past months and he saw her beyond being friends. He had fallen in love with her. He had tried to lighten his proposition by telling her he wanted to date her. What he actually wanted was to spend a lifetime with her. But he had been unable to bring himself to tell her. She would have thought he had gone bonkers. She was so different. He had had his fair share of ladies in the past but Bola was nothing compared to them. He hadn’t planned on falling in love with her. But it had happened and he could not deny it. He was leaving school in a few days; and in about two months, he would be going for the compulsory National Youth Service. He did not want to leave without declaring his feelings for her.

As he turned to walk back to his hostel, he thought. “How am I supposed to tell that I love her if she won’t let me?”

**********

Bola walks into her room tired. Her room is empty. As usual, her roommates have gone for either a party or hangout. Sometimes, she wonders how she copes living with such roommates. They all lived for the moment. They knew Bola’s stance and tried as much as possible to respect her. One of them had actually confided in her once about changing her lifestyle. She said not having enough to spend had pushed her to hang out with the others. She wanted to be seen as one of the happening girls on campus. Bola had smiled and asked her if that was her main purpose in school. She had been sober but it had lasted only for a day. The next day, she was back in the company of the others. She did not want to be seen as a living the life of a bore.

Bola had gone straight from lectures to fellowship. She was hoping no one would try to make small talk with her as she sneaked away after the service was over. She was therefore surprised that Gboyega had still found her. His question about dating her had come as a shock. She was not interested in dating anyone much less someone she took as an elder brother. Yes, he was not her brother but he could pass for one. She had a lot ahead of her and a relationship was not part of what she saw right now. She pushes away thoughts of him and lies on her bed. In a few minutes, she drifts off into deep sleep.

Gboyega’s graduation day is here and he has no one to invite. He asks Bola if she would be his guest and she obliges. When it is time to take pictures, she looks around wondering where his family members are but sees no one. After the event, he asks her to walk with him to his hostel to pick his luggage. “How come no one came for your graduation? I thought you would have invited your family.” Bola asks.

“I don’t have a family.”

Bola stops short. A confused look on her face. “You don’t have a family? How is that possible?”

Gboyega smiles as he holds her hand so she can continue walking. “I lost my parents two years ago. We have been deserted by family. My six brothers all live their lives the way they deem fit.”

“I’m….I’m so sorry. I did not know that.” Bola says sadly.

“I know. I don’t like talking about my past.”

They walk silently for some minutes; each lost in his own thoughts. When they get to the boys hostel, Bola tells him she would rather wait outside. Gboyega nods and goes inside alone. A few minutes later, he emerges with two travel bags and a knapsack on his back. Bola asks if she can help him with his knapsack and he takes it off his back, balancing it squarely on hers. They proceed and walk towards the campus gate.

“Where is home?” Bola asks.

“Lagos.”

“Okay. And where were you were posted to?”

“I was posted to Ogun state.”

Bola smiles. “That’s nice. At least, you were not thrown into a bush where you would have to go in search of network to receive calls.”

“Does that mean I should expect your calls?”

“Would you rather I don’t call?” Bola teases.

“I would love to hear your voice every day and today’s pictures would remind me of you even when I am far away.”

Bola looks away. “Abeg, don’t start oh. What’s with all the ‘mushy mushy’ talk?”

“I meant what I said the last time and much more.” Gboyega stops walking.

Bola also stops and looks up at him. “And I also meant what I said as well. Sincerely, Gboyega, can we just remain friends and leave a relationship out of this?”

Gboyega shrugs. “Okay. If that’s how you want it.”

“Thank you.” Bola replies as they resume walking again.

They arrive at the garage some few minutes later and Gboyega loads his luggage into the next public bus on queue. Since it is going to take a while to fill up, Bola decides to hang around with him till the bus moves. They find a comfortable place to sit down and order two cold bottles of coke from a food vendor.

“So, I have never asked about your family as well?” Gboyega asks.

“I lost my dad two years ago as well. My family is just me and my mum. I am an only child.”

“I’m sorry about your dad.” Gboyega says looking at her. “What does it feel like to be an only child?”

Bola shrugs. “Sometimes, it feels lonely. No one to talk to or confide in. But mum tries her best to fill in the gap.” She says staring at the bottle of coke in her hand.

“I feel that way too sometimes. Lonely. Since my parents’ death, everything has been in disarray. My brothers don’t care about each other. I have tried to bring them together but nothing seems to work. I guess the rejection by family members worsened it. I once thought about ending it all….”

Bola raises up her head in shock.

“I was just tired. It was the same day I walked into a crusade ground and everything changed from then.” He says smiling.

“I’m glad that happened.”

“Me too.” Gboyega says as he holds her hand.

The bus fills up and Bola nudges him gently. “You should go now.”

Gboyega gets up still holding on to her hand. Bola becomes uncomfortable and tries to remove her hand from Gboyega’s hold. He looks at her straight in the eyes and smiles as he drops her hand gently.

They hand over their empty bottles to the food vendor and Gboyega takes his seat in front beside the driver. “I will miss you.” He says as Bola stands by his side.

Bola looks away and does not respond.

The bus drives off before Bola decides to leave for campus.

As she walks back to her hostel, she pulls out her copy of Gboyega’s graduation picture from an envelope. Even though he is smiling, his eyes are sad. She remembers what he said about his family and brothers. How sad that no family member had been there to share in his joy. She put the picture back into the envelope and sighs. At least, she had her mother, Gboyega had no one.

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——–

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

Blind Pact – Chapter 3

Femi and Banke became instant friends. They rode on the same staff bus as they lived on the same route; Banke dropping off first before Femi. They discussed on their way to work and back home every day. In a short while, love found them and they became an item. They however had a dilemma. The bank frowned at couples working together. Femi needed the job if Banke was going to get married to him and start a family. He also felt it would be unfair for Banke to resign and become jobless just because she was getting married.

He thought about this situation for days and could only come up with one option. He reckoned that the option he envisaged was risky and could as well cost him his job, but he was ready to make an effort than sit and wait for whatever will be, will be.

During one of his lunch breaks, he walked up to Banke’s boss and asked for an audience with him. The man was in his late 40s and was known to be tough on his reports. Banke, however, never had any issues with him. If anything, he liked Banke and took her like a daughter. The man looked at Femi over the rim of his glasses and decided to oblige him. Even though within the four walls of the bank, Femi and Banke’s relationship was very official, her boss had taken note of her smiles reaching her eyes anytime they talked to each other. He knew there had to be more to their friendship but since they were aware that the bank frowned at couples working together, he had kept mute.

Banke’s boss asked Femi to sit down and state his mission. Femi went straight to the point telling Banke’s boss that he was about to propose to Banke and he needed a favour from him. Her boss had been shocked wondering how their personal lives was any of his business. Femi pleaded that he wanted Banke transferred to another branch of the bank. He had read up the company policy and found out that as long as couples did not work in the same branch, they could get married. He went ahead to mention that he knew that her boss considered Banke as his daughter and would be grateful if he could grant them that favour. Banke’s boss had been angry that Femi had such guts to discuss his personal problems with him. He therefore walked Femi out of his office.

Femi went home downcast. Was this going to be the end of their relationship? If he took the risk and resigned, he knew chances of getting another job was slim. Some of his friends were still jobless after two years of service to the nation. He decided to delay on his proposal to Banke until he was sure of what step to take.

Two days later, Banke was summoned into her boss’s office. He handed her a letter of transfer to a branch closer to her home. She had been both happy and sad. Happy because it meant she was closer home; but sad because it meant she would longer see Femi everyday as she currently did. She had no idea what had transpired between her boss and Femi. When she told Femi about the letter, he walked up to her boss and told him “Thank you”. He got a grunt in response and Femi wondered why the man put up such a hard stance when he was actually soft-hearted.

Months later, Banke became Mrs. Davies. Bola was born a year later and Banke got another job in a different bank just after her maternity leave.

*******

Bola returns to school and prepares for her forthcoming exams. Her dad is gone and crying continuously was not going to bring him back. She decides to put her best into her exams as she wants to make him proud of her. And so, she did. Her results are the best in the school having straight A’s in all subjects.

Her mum advises her to choose the Federal University of Technology, Akure for her university education. It had been previously agreed that Bola would attend a private university but with Femi’s death, Banke did not think she could afford to bear the cost alone. They were relying solely on her salary. She also wanted her daughter closer home. They had just each other and needed to be there for the other. Most private universities were far away, so the University in Akure was the best option.

Even though Bola is not exactly happy about the decision to study at the Federal University, she acknowledges that it will be unfair to insist that she attends a private University. Besides, the death of her father had brought her and her mum closer and she was beginning to appreciate the relationship.

Bola gains admission into the Federal University of Technology, Akure to read Civil Engineering. She quickly becomes popular as they are just two ladies in the class of fifty students. A lot of guys try to befriend her but she busies herself with her academics and keeps them all at arm’s length. Her life becomes a triangle. When she is not in class receiving lectures, she is either among her co-members in fellowship or in her hostel reading. Her life revolves around school, church fellowship and hostel.

In her second year in school, she is walking out of the hall where students have gathered for fellowship one day when a guy walks up to her. “Hi Bola, my name is Gboyega”. He says extending his hand.

She looks at him and shakes his hand. “Hi”.

“I just joined the fellowship today”. Gboyega says. “I was looking around for a familiar face and I saw you”.

A group of girls walk by and wave at Bola. She returns the gesture with a smile.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I know you, though. But I hope you enjoyed the service”. She says as she apologizes for the little distraction.

Gboyega smiles. “Yes, I did. We are in the same department. 500 level”.

“Oh. I don’t think I know anyone in final year”.

Two guys walk by and call Bola. She waves to them.

“I understand”. Gboyega says. “Looks like you have been a member of the fellowship for a while, everyone seems to know you”.

Bola laughs. “I joined immediately I came into school, so it’s not like I have been here forever”.

blind-pact-3

The last group of members are about leaving the hall and Bola decides it is best she leaves with them. She does not want to be left alone with a stranger. “I need to leave now. I hope you will be here next week”. She says as she walks forward.

Gboyega steps in line with her and replies. “Definitely. Now that I know there is a familiar face, I will be more comfortable”.

Banke laughs heartily as she gesticulates. “No one is going to bite you. You should be comfortable in the presence of the Lord”.

“Yes ma’am”. Gboyega says with a slight nod of his head. “It was nice meeting you”.

“Also a pleasure”. She says as she quickly joins the last group of fellowship members leaving Gboyega behind. They walk away together as they chat to their respective hostels.

——

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