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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 20

Alex picked up his luggage from the airport baggage carousel. He looked around and smiled; it was good to be home. He rolled his luggage beside him and walked out of the airport. He hailed an airport taxi and reeled out the address of the Airport hotel.

‘No worry, Oga. I know where you dey go.’ The cab driver said as he stepped out of the car. He opened his boot quickly and dumped Alex’s luggage into it. ‘Go sit inside moto, Oga.’

Alex eased into the car deciding to ride shotgun. He was fascinated by the high rise buildings and he nodded and smiled.

‘Oga, na your first time be dis?’

‘Yes, it is.’ Alex smiled as he looked at the driver.

‘Ah, Oga. This our country na fine country. Just that our leaders no good.’

‘Hmm…’ Alex nodded.

‘We don reach the hotel.’ The driver pointed as he collected a parking tag from the security at the gate. The gate bars were lifted and he drove to the front porch of the hotel. ‘Make I give you my number. Just call me anytime you wan go out. I go come carry you.’

‘Okay?’

The driver reeled out his number and Alex punched it into his phone. He had bought a sim at the airport and he decided to test it. He dialed the number given to him and the driver showed it to him. ‘I don see your number, Oga. Quick quick, you don collect naija number.’ He said excitedly.

‘Yes, I got it at the airport. How much is my bill?’

‘Na just 5k sir.’

‘Wow, isn’t that a lot of money for a short journey?’

‘Ha Oga!’ The driver laughed. ‘Na airport taxi oh. Instead make you just dey waka waka inside airport, na premium service I give you wey I come carry you for front of arrival terminal with car wey get AC. You know you no suppose feel our naija heat.’

‘Hmm…’ Alex grunted as he pulled out his wallet, took out some five hundred and one thousand naira notes and scrutinized them.

‘Na that one wey dey your right hand be one thousand naira. The one wey dey your left na five hundred naira.’

Alex looked at the driver and smiled his thanks. He pulled out four more pieces of the one thousand naira notes from his wallet. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Jide.’

‘Okay Je-day. Thank you.’ Alex said as he handed over the cash to him.

A porter was already waiting to receive Alex’s luggage. Jide pocketed the cash and eased out of the car quickly to open the booth. He took out the boxes and handed them over to the porter.

‘Thank you Oga. No forget to call me oh.’ Jide called out as Alex eased out of the car and walked into the hotel.

******

‘Where you wan go, Oga?’ Jide asked Alex as he sat in the taxi the next morning.

‘I just want to go sight-seeing. I don’t have any place in mind.’ Alex replied.

‘Hmm….make I carry you go beach. We get fine beach for Lagos and maybe you go even try our food sef. You fit chop pepper?’

‘A little.’

‘Correct!’ Jide laughed as he drove out of the hotel premises. ‘I go carry you go chop. You go chop pepper soup, correct buka iyan with efo elemi meje, nkwobi, suya……

‘Am I eating all this today?’ Alex asked cutting him short.

‘Ha, if your stomok fit carry all, why not?’

‘We’ll see when we get there.’ Alex said as he took out his camera and started capturing shots of the city.

*

The traffic on Ikorodu road was a long stretch and Jide decided to take a shorter route. ‘I wan pass inside Yaba. Dem don talk am for radio this morning dat traffic dey third mainland bridge. I no even understand wetin dey cause traffic for this Lagos. You go reach front, you no go see anything.’

‘Is that right?’

‘Yes oh. Nothing go dey front, meanwhile traffic go dey. Lagos traffic no dey get sense.’

Alex laughed. ‘Is that a University?’ He asked pointing when he saw students walking in and out of a campus.

‘Yes, na Unilag be dat?’

‘Wow! Can I have a look?’

‘You wan make we go inside?’

‘Yeah, I just want to have a look and see how a University in Nigeria looks like.’ Alex shrugged.

‘Okay.’ Jide replied as he did a detour and faced the University of Lagos.

As they drove in, Alex picked up his camera and began to take pictures. He asked Jide to drive slowly so he could capture the beauty of the environment.

‘Wow, look at that.’ Alex said as he pointed to the area overlooking the lagoon. ‘I want to go there.’

‘We no go reach beach today oh, Oga.’

‘Don’t worry, we will. Park here.’ Alex instructed. He eased out of the car, walked towards the seating area and starting taking shots.

He was about walking back to the car when he saw some students performing a drama at a corner. He noticed they were oblivious of his presence so he decided to watch them and capture a few shots.

‘Okay guys.’ Let’s call it a day and meet tomorrow same time. The guy dressed in a black tee-shirt on a pair of washed jeans who seemed like their leader spoke. He shook the hands of the guys and gave the ladies a high-five. The three guys who had been acting plus their leader dispersed in groups of twos in different directions, leaving three girls behind.

The girls chatted excitedly and Alex smiled. He was about to walk away when one of the girls looked in his direction. He was immediately struck by her beauty. He looked at his wrist watch. The time read 3:30pm. He shrugged as he decided to walk towards them. If he couldn’t make it to the beach today, he would go tomorrow.

‘Hi.’ Alex said as he got to where the girls were seated.

‘Hello.’ The girl who had looked in his direction responded.

‘I was watching you all and I must say I loved the acting. It was beautiful.’

‘Thank you.’ Another girl responded.

‘My name is Alex.’ He said as he stretched out his hand. ‘I am visiting Nigeria for the first time.’

The girls looked at each other. ‘My name is Ayotunde. Welcome to Nigeria, Alex.’

‘Thank you. Ayot…’ Alex hesitated.

Ayotunde laughed. ‘Ayo is fine.’

Alex smiled and looked at the others.

‘I’m Samantha.’ The second girl stretched her hand as she smiled at Alex. Her friends looked at her with shock on their faces.

Alex took her hand. ‘Hi Samantha. You act good.’

‘Thank you.’ She replied as she held on to his hand.

Alex looked at the third girl and tried to pull his hand from Samantha’s grip. Ayotunde noticed and jabbed her with her elbow. Samantha faked a laugh as she dropped Alex’s hand.

Alex stretched out his hand.

‘I’m Grace.’

‘Grace. That is a beautiful name.’

‘Thank you.’ Grace replied.

‘I hope you are having fun in Nigeria. Where have you been to? Which country are you from? You look Nigerian.’ Samantha bombarded Alex with questions.

Alex laughed as he looked at her. ‘Hey, one question at a time.’

‘Okay. We are all ears.’ Samantha gesticulated.

‘I just got in yesterday and was actually on my way to the beach.’

‘Nice. Do you have company?’ Samantha asked.

Ayotunde and Grace shared a glance.

‘No, I don’t have company. The taxi driver decided to take me there.’

‘Can we join you?’

‘Chinwe!!!’ Ayotunde and Grace shouted at the same time.

‘Chinwe? Is that also your name?’ Alex asked as he looked at Samantha.

‘Yeah, kind of but I don’t really use that name. It’s just on my birth certificate. Everyone calls me Samantha. Sam for short, if you like.’ She laughed as she touched Alex gingerly on the arm.

Ayotunde rolled her eyes while Grace hissed.

‘I don’t mind the company though. Someone else apart from Je-day to show me around.’

‘Who is Je-day?’ Grace asked.

‘Oh, the taxi driver who picked me at the airport yesterday. He is waiting around the corner. I told him I just wanted to capture some shots.’

Grace smiled. ‘I’m sure his name is Jide, not Je-day.’

‘Ji-de.’ Alex tried to pronounce the name just like Grace.

‘Yeah, better.’ She laughed.

‘So are we coming with you?’ Chinwe asked.

Ayotunde stood up. ‘It was nice meeting you Alex. I’m sure you would have fun in Nigeria.’

Grace stood up and picked up her bag. ‘Welcome to Nigeria, Alex.’

‘Ahn…ahn…are you girls going?’ Chinwe asked.

‘Erm…..Ayotunde and I have something to do in our room.’ Grace replied.

‘Yeah. Besides, I only came to watch your show. I have work to do and lectures later today.’ Ayotunde replied. ‘Goodbye Alex.’ She said as she waved at him.

‘Can I at least have your number? I understand if you girls are busy.’ Alex asked trying to fall in line with the duo who were already walking away.

Grace looked at Ayotunde. Alex stretched out his phone and Ayotunde collected it, punched in her number and handed the phone back to Alex.

He dialed the number, tapped the red button and stretched the phone to Grace. ‘Yours too, please?’

Grace did same as Ayotunde and handed the phone back to Alex.

‘Thank you ladies. I appreciate.’

Chinwe was already by his side. ‘I’m ready. She said as she flicked her weaves.’

‘That’s fine. The taxi is somewhere around.’ Alex said as she looked at the two girls walking away.

*****

‘When did she become Samantha?’ Grace asked Ayotunde as they walked towards the cafeteria.

Ayotunde stopped walking and looked at her friend. ‘Ask her nau, sebi she is your friend?’

Grace stopped walking. ‘She is not my friend. She is my course mate. Understood?’

The two girls looked at each other with serious faces and suddenly burst out into laughter.

‘Just see the way she was shaking like someone wey neva see man before.’ Ayotunde shook her body like someone who had a fever.

‘As in, Samantha nko, Samanja ni.’ Grace laughed. ‘I almost didn’t believe it was the same Chin-we, Chin-we.’ She said stressing the name.

……….

The story continues…

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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.

blind-pact-8

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

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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

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Blind Pact – Prologue

“Lord, what have I done wrong? Why is this happening to me? Where did I miss it? I need your help, Lord. Please strengthen me”.

Prologue

Banke looks at her daughter helplessly. Tears pool in her eyes as she sees her hurting. “Bola, I understand how you feel. But you cannot continue to beat yourself over this”. Banke says holding her daughter’s hands as she struggles to put her own emotions in check. She wishes she could erase the pain her daughter is going through. How did the course of their lives suddenly go downhill?

Bola looks at her mum but sees no one. Her mind is faraway. Tears stream down her cheeks and her mother looks away trying to hide her own tears which were beginning to make its way down her face. I have to be strong for her. I cannot breakdown. Oh Lord, please help her ease her pain. She closes her eyes as she does a little prayer within the confines of her heart.

Bola kneels down in a bid to pray but breaks down into uncontrollable tears. “Oh God, why-why do I have-have to suffer this-this way?” She struggles to say in between body wracking sobs.

If only the last few days of her life could be erased. If only destiny would allow her remake the turn of events in her life. If only her life could go back to being perfect the way it was about three years ago.

********

Three years ago, Bola attended an upscale secondary school in Lagos state. She was in Grade 12 and was preparing to write her certificate exams in a few months. Being the only child of her parents, they doted on her and gave her all she desired. She lacked nothing and in return, she ensured that her parents were never disappointed. She gave her best in her academics and stood out among her peers. She was the typical well-behaved, obedient and good child.

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

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Second Chances – Episode 2

Kunbi arrives Lagos Sunday evening. She is tired from her trip and saunters into the apartment she and Wale share. She drops her weekend bag and slumps into a settee. Wale who is watching a football match in the living room looks up and smiles. “How was your trip?”

“Hectic”. She yawns.

“Mumsie and your boyfriend?” He asks as he pauses the match with a remote.

“They are both fine”.

“I suppose he has warned you stay away from me”. He says giving her a mischievous look”.

Kunbi eyes him but refuses to respond.

“What? He asks, pretending to be surprised. “I only made a statement. It is an assumption which means no harm”. He chuckles.

“Wales, please, I am not…..

The doorbell rings and Kunbi points to him. “Saved by the bell. I’ll get it”.

She opens the door and meets Sola, who is looking casual in a blue polo Tee-shirt and faded jeans. He just got his beard shaved and he is looking younger and very handsome. Kunbi suddenly feels like a shy school girl in his presence. He smiles at her and she notices his perfect dentition again. She is embarrassed at her attraction to him and wonders why she is so jittery in his presence.

“Hi, when did you arrive?” He says breaking into her thoughts.

“Hi…I arrived some minutes ago”. She steps aside. “Please come in”.

“So, how’s your mum and boyfriend?”

Kunbi turns to look at him with surprise and gives Wale a quick glance.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No. I’m just surprised that I have been a topic of discussion at a round table conference”.

Sola laughs. “Guilty as charged”.

“Sola, just ignore her. Please sit down”. Wale says laughing.

“Actually, I came to see Kunbi”.

Kunbi is shocked. “Me?”

“Of course. I want to take you out”.

“I…em…you know I just came back. I’m really….” She stammers with embarrassment.

“Please don’t say no. Pleaseeee”. He stresses.

“But you know….”

“Just a drink. Cross my heart”. He smiles as he puts his right hand on his chest.

Kunbi is confused and she looks at Wale who nods signifying his answer.

“Oh well! Okay. Let me change into something else”. She shrugs.

As she walks towards her room, Sola rubs his palms together and grins at Wale. “Thanks, man”.

“Be careful and don’t forget what I said”.

“I promise, I would never hurt her. You have my word”.

 

She has a quick shower and wonders what to wear. A simple dress should do just fine. There is no reason to go overboard with my appearance. She was unsure of Sola’s intentions but the earlier she drew boundaries for them, the better for her. She smiled as she sat in front of her dressing mirror and applied light make-up. He is handsome, no doubt. Get him off your mind. She shook her head to dispel her attraction to him. She was committed to Ola and he meant the world to her. His behaviour of recent was however a source of concern. She sighed as she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. I am sure I am just being apprehensive over nothing.

2nd Chances 2

“I’m ready”. She says as she walks into the living room where the men are engrossed in the football match paused earlier on.

Sola is speechless as she looks at her.

“Are we ready?” She asks when she notices he is just staring at her.

“You are beautiful”.

“Thank you. Wales does not like me getting home too late”. She says trying to steer the conversation away from her looks.

“Take your time”. Wale smiles.

“Thanks man”. Sola stands up as he stretches his hand to Wale for a handshake.

 

As they get into Sola’s car, Kunbi tries to start a little conversation to quell her anxiety. “Wale says you were course mates in school”.

“Yes, he was one of the brilliant ones. First class in Architecture is no mean feat”.

She smiles. “Wales has always been a book worm. I remember him coaching me on science subjects when I was about to write my final exams in Secondary school”.

“He is very fond of you”.

She shrugs.

They arrive at a bar in less than fifteen minutes. As they walk into the bar, Sola acknowledges the greeting of the doorman with a smile. He takes note of a table for two at a corner and walks towards it leading Kunbi.

Kunbi orders a glass of chapman and Sola decides to do same just to give her a sense of safety on the drive back home.

“I guess you are wondering what this outing is all about.” Sola asks.

“Of course. I am”.

“I know you are hooked”. He smiles. “I just want to….”

She raises her brow and he starts laughing.

“What?” She asks surprised.

“You need to see the expression on your face”.

She relaxes and smiles. “Really?”

“Yeah. You had this look of disbelief as if you thought I was going to tell a lie”.

“I did not intend to be rude”. She apologizes. “I wanted to be sure you meant what you were about to say”.

“I know about Ola. I don’t think it should stop us from being in the friend zone”.

“Friend zone or Friends without benefits?”

“Friends without benefits. I stand by my word”. He says smiling.

They talk for about an hour on various issues relating to work, politics and family and are relaxed as they laugh.

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Sola begins to pick up Kunbi every day during lunch hour. They vary their lunch venues from time to time depending on Kunbi’s choice. Sola is insistent on paying for their lunch each time even though Kunbi kicks against it. She decides to start getting him groceries in return, dropping them in his car during their lunch dates and he is appreciative of her kind gesture. Even though he had stated right from the start that he would remain a friend without benefits, he sometimes wished they could take it a step further. He had given his word and he was not going to break his promise. Many nights, alone on his bed, he wondered if Ola was truly worthy of her love. It was evident she was committed to him. She spent her weekends with him in Ibadan and he felt a tinge of jealousy. He loved her but realized quickly that it was not mutual or was it?

His parents had died in a car accident when he was just four and it was a miracle that he had survived. The car seat in which he was strapped had been his saving grace. His cries had alerted rescuers who got him out of the mangled car and took him to the hospital after informing the police.

Weeks after he was discharged, he was handed over to his aunt, his mum’s younger sister. She was a single mother with a son she doted on. She had been physically abused in her marriage and recently left her husband to save her life and retain her sanity. He had grown up with his cousin and his aunt only as she refused to remarry. She was scared and felt marriage was not worth trying again. She had shown him much love and he had never lacked. His aunt’s idea about marriage and relationships however rubbed off on him. Memories of his parents’ marriage was a distant past and he had no idea if marriage was worth anything to them. He therefore steered clear of serious relationships preferring to remain a friend. He was scared of commitment. Quite a number of ladies he liked in the past noticed his aversion for commitment and eventually got into serious relationships with other men and got married. He was such a cool guy and many could not understand his fear of commitment. At forty, he was still single. He found it difficult to rise above his fear of marriage. Could it be different with Kunbi if he was given a chance? Was marriage truly worth it? He thought.

2nd Chances 2b

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