Chapter 18

Karma and the Truth

Jennifer stretched and woke up. She felt a little pang at the back of her neck. She turned her head a little and felt her neck make a small crackling sound.

She had not slept properly. Her neck had been badly positioned. 
She twisted her head. Her neck adjusted and she felt a quick relief.

“Helen, Helen” She called out to her friend.

She got up from the bed and went to the fridge to get some water. She imagined her friend was in the bathroom.

“Helen, Helen” She called out again. She walked to the mirror to look at her face.

The swell had gone down considerably. It looked very small now. She smiled.

“Helen, Helen, where you dey na?”

She drank from the water she was holding and went into the bathroom to check.

“Helen, wetin dey do you naaa?”

Her friend was not there.

Then she went back to the room. She noticed that things were unturned at different places. Then, her mind jolted. She dropped the water she was holding and went for the bag.

She pushed the bed a little bit to reveal the small space underneath where she had kept the bag.

It was not there.

She pushed the bed aside. Still the bag was not there.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.  She got up and started pushing things aside. Her clothes, her shoe rack, her bag closet. Everything she overturned. Still the money was not there.

It was at that point that she noticed a small piece of paper on the reading table.

She walked to it and picked it up.

Hello Jenny,

I’m sure after you read this, you will want to kill me. But that is if you can find me. Anyway, I did not trust you and I never have. Don’t bother looking for the money. I have helped you with it.

With love.

Helen J

Jennifer collapsed on her bed. She could not believe what she had just seen. She started breathing heavily. She picked the note and read it again. And again.

She began to pace the room. She was mad. She began tossing things at the wall.

“Helen, Helen, God will punish you. I will kill you. I will destroy your family… Na me you do this kind thing? Ha!!!” She cursed under her breathe.

She picked up her phone and dialed Helen’s number.

It rang.

But no reply.

She dialed the number again. But no reply still.

She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and to rinse her face.

She got into some slacks and a hooded sweater. She adjusted her hair in the mirror. Her face still looked funny.

She rushed out of her room hurriedly. She left the door unlocked.

She walked towards the elevator. 
There were two men waiting. They looked at her. One of them looked away. The other watched her as she walked towards them. When she got close, he winked at her.

She pulled on the hood of her sweater to avoid his glare.

“Good morning.” The man said.

Jennifer did not reply.

The other man was pulling on his friend to back off.

But he did not bulge. Instead, he shrugged off his friend’s grip.

“Hello, pretty, I was just being polite…”

Jennifer did not reply. She was toying with her phone.

“Don’t mind him.” The other man said to her.

“What’s your problem Fela, can’t a man be nice to a lady again…?” The scrawny one said to his friend.

Fela kept quiet.

“So I was talking to you…”

“Fuck off!” She yelled at him.

“Oh ok, this one is hot headed.” The man said. “Anyway, if you must know, my name is Jay. From Jacob.”

Jennifer did not even flinch.

“Jay, leave this girl alone. She is not interested…”

“Fela, this is none of your business…”

The elevator opened. A young couple stepped out.

“Good morning.” They greeted.

“Good morning.” The two replied except Jennifer.

The young couples walked on.

The three stepped into the elevator.

“Ground floor?” Fela asked Jennifer.

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Oh so she can be polite…?” Jacob teased.

“You are such a pest, Jay. The girl no give you eye free am na…”

“Shut up Fela!” Jacob yelled at his friend.

He moved closer to Jennifer. She was a really beautiful girl. And she looked lost or worried.

“So what’s on your mind, you look worried…”

“I said, fuck off! Which part of it don’t you get? Or are you so retarded?”

“Hey, calm down. Did your boyfriend piss you off?”

Jennifer ignored him.

“Whatever is bothering you, you can share… you just never know…”

The elevator opened and almost immediately, Jennifer stepped out.

Jacob followed her. Fela followed them.

Jennifer saw one of her friends amongst the security. She walked up to him.

“Hello John, this nuisance has been stalking me. Please get rid of him.”

John stepped between Jennifer and Jacob.

“Hello, chairman, can you please move on…?” John asked Jacob.

“It’s none of your business. Stay out of this.”

“I will ask you politely one more time, can you please move on…”
John was bigger and taller than Jacob.

“And what are you going to do? Harass you customer uh? You will just loose your job for no reason.”

John did not as much as flinch.

Fela grabbed Jacob's arm and pulled him away.

“Guy, don’t disgrace us here now. Many other fine chicks dey this place. Abeg make we dey go.”

Jacob snarled at the security guard and blew Jennifer a kiss.

“I will surely see you again, sweetheart.”

He then turned and walked away with his friend.

“Thank you.”

“It’s no problem. What happened to your face.” He asked.

“I fell down. No biggie. I’m fine. By the way, did you see my friend?”

“Helen you mean?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Yeah, I saw her this morning. She was in a hurry. I tried to help her with her luggage but she said not to worry. I helped her to get a cab. This is the one thousand Naira she gave me afterwards.”

John reached into his pocket and brought out a one thousand Naira note.

“I asked her where you were and she said you were still sleeping.”

“Yeah.”

“Hope no problem…?”

“Did she tell you where she was going?”

“No she didn’t but I heard her telling the taxi man about some car park.”

“What?!”

“She said something about a car park. I did not hear where exactly. But I heard car park. I think she wants to travel. Didn’t she tell you?”

“No. Maybe she did because I was tired last night and went to sleep.”

Jennifer turned away from John and bit her finger nail. 
This bitch is traveling with my money!

“Did she do anything?” John asked. 
He was concerned. She was one of his biggest tippers. So being warm and compassionate came naturally.

“She has taken something that belongs to me…”

“Have you called her?”

“She's not picking my calls”

“Osanobua. Did she steal your money?”

“I think so…” She bit her finger again.

“Wow... Maybe we can find out where she went to…”

“How?” Jennig=fer asked with a surprised expression.

“I know the taxi driver. He is one of my clients…”

“Oh really?” Her expression lightened up with hope.

“Yes. I have many taximen who are my clients.”

“Please can you call him now?”

“I don’t have credit oo”

“See use my phone…” She gave him her phone.

He dialed the number and waited.

The first attempt did not make a connection.

He tried again.

This time, it made a connection but there was no response from the other end.

He tried a third time.

“Hello who be this?” The taxi driver asked.

“Oga na me John. John for Crème Hotel..”

“Oh ok. You don get another customer for me?”

“Yes. I for like see you now ooo. Where you dey?”

“I dey carry one customer go Intercontinental Hotel.”

“Abeg when you finish, one customer dey wey wan make you carry am go airport. Hurry ooo. This customer get money well well.”

“How much you tell am?”

“I tell am say e money na ten thousand naira.”

“And e say e go pay?”

“Yes na. He dey wait you. Abeg hurry.”

“No worry. I go dey there. Give me like 10minutes.”

“Ok.”

“Abeg no give am to another person ooo. I dey come now.”

“Ok. The customer dey wait you. I go tell am say you talk say you go dey here in ten minutes. If you no show in fifteen minutes time, I go give another person ooo.”

“I go show.”

“Ok.”

John ends the call.

“So what did he say?” Jennifer asked. She was restless.

“He said he’d be back in ten minutes time.”

“Ten minutes… ”

“Yes.” John nodded.
She looked at the clock on the wall. It registered 11:34am.

“Ok, I will wait for him at the lobby.”

She walked past John and went to sit at the lobby.

The young couple she saw earlier at the elevator were sitting close to where she sat. They were newlyweds. It was obvious--the way the held each other and cuddled. 

She picked up a magazine and ignored them.

Some minutes later, the young wife said to her husband, “Have you noticed something?”

“What?” He replied. He was playing with his phone.

“Look over there and there. I have noticed some men have been approaching the security.”

“Maybe it’s just protocol…” He replied without raising his head.

“Maybe…” She responded.

After a moment, she said again, “It doesn’t look like protocol to me...”

“Why?”

“See… over there” She said pointing.

The husband followed her direction to see two men with one security.

“And over there…” She pointed in another direction.

There were two men also talking to another security guard. One of the men was handing some card to the security. The security guard was scrutinizing it.

After a few seconds, the security handed the card back to the men. He shook his head. He probably did not know what was in the card that was handed to him.

“Maybe they are looking for something…” The husband commented.

“Or maybe looking for someone.”

“Maybe.” The husband shrugged and went back to his phone.

Jennifer was not following their conversation. The magazine had her full attention.

*        *        *

The Baale’s house was big. It looked like the only building in the community that had received paint recently. Not freshly painted, but most of the paint on it still looked better than most.

There were lots of children running around the big compound. There were also women in the place. The Baale had a big family.

There were also young girls of Christine’s age in the house.

They greeted as many people as they could.

When they got into the Baale’s house, they were amazed.

The inside of the house was very modern. The furniture was beautiful. The interior work done was almost breath taking.

They sat down on one of the large sofas.

The Baale sat on one of the chairs adjacent to them.

“Beatrice, Beatrice …” He called out.

“Sir.“ Came a response from inside one of the rooms.

A young lady showed up. She greeted the guests and walked up to her father.

“Which of the drivers dey?”

“Pitan dey. He dey wash the Toyota outside.” The young Beatrice replied.

“Ok, when he finish, tell am say I wan see am.”

“Ok sir.” She replied.

When she turned to leave, the Baale asked, “Wetin una cook for house?”

“Semo.”

“Ok, carry come give dis people make them chop…”

“No sir don’t worry. We are not hungry.” Francis said.

“Since wey una don dey this place una never chop. Abi una no look time?”

“Bring some for them make them chop. Abi una dey fear ni?”

“No sir. We just no dey hungry.”

“Ok then una dey drink alcohol?”

“No sir.”

The Baale smiled.

“Ok Beatrice bring Malta Guiness. Cold one. Two. And glass cups. Two.”

“Ok sir.” Beatrice disappeared behind the curtains.

“Thank you sir.” They said together.

“No problem.”

The Baale got up and went into his room.

Five minutes later, Beatrice appeared with two bottles of Malta Guinness and two glass cups.

“Thank you.” Frank said.

“No problem.” Beatrice replied.

The Baale appeared with a big glass in his hand. The content in the glass looked yellowish brown. Almost golden and white at the top.

He took his seat and placed the cup on the stool close to him.

Francis opened one of the bottles and handed it to his sister.

He opened the other one and poured it into one of the glass cups. His sister did the same.

When they had had their first gulp, the Baale said, “So, this thing wey una do, make una no try am again. If to say I don travel and I no dey, they for beat you and come rape your sister. People for this place no well ooo. Walahi. Even me the Baale I dey watch myself very well.”

He took his cup and drank from it.

“That Yetunde wey una go her shop, na mad woman she be.”

They were listening to him attentively.

“So you say she work for una mama abi?”

“Yes sir.” Christine replied.”

“So how una come take know say na she thief una mama things…?”

“Thank you sir.” Francis said. “That woman na she be number two to our mama when she still dey alive for her restaurant. If our mama no dey, na she dey dey in charge. So when she die, we say ok make we try run am so that at least we go take see something to take chop. Na I’m we go check the restaurant. Many things don miss inside. And na only Aunty Yetunde get key to the place.”

“Ok na only she get key to the place?”

“Yes sir.”

“Why una no go meet police?”

“We say make we come ask her first…”

“Ok.” The Baale replied drinking from his cup.

 “At first we come meet her make she help us manage the restaurant so that all three of us go dey work there but na she go dey show us wetin we go do. But na when we reach her shop we come begin see our mama property. Na after that time the fight come start.”

“I see. So wetin be your name?” He was referring to Christine.

“Christine sir.”

“Ok. Christine. Una papa don die too?”

“No. But we no sabi where e dey.”

“Na wa. So na only two of una dey…?”

“Yes sir.”

“Una get where una dey live?”

“Yes sir.”

“Ok my driver go go drop una for una house. No worry, I go handle Yetunde by myself.”

“Ok sir thank you sir.”

The Baale was looking a Christine. He obviously admired her. 
That made her uneasy.

Francis tried to come to her rescue.

“Sir, we are very grateful for wetin you dey do for us…”

A lady entered the room. She looked across at Francis and Christine but did not greet them.

“Daddy, I am going to school in five today ooo.”

“Really?”

“Yes now. I told you four days ago.”

“But you know say I be old man. Na everyday you suppose dey tell me.”

“Ok I don remind you now ooo.”

“No problem.”

She looked at Christine and then at Francis and then back to Christine. Then to her shoes. She said nothing and left them.

“Na my nineth child be that. Na twelve children I get. And I send all of them go school. E no easy.“

Francis just smiled in respect.

The Baale’s gaze went back to Christine.

“How old you be?” He asked her.

She looked at him in amazement.

“Why you dey look me like that? I just wan know how old you be?”

“I’m sorry sir. I can’t tell you that.”

“Wetin you dey think? You think say I wan befriend you…?”

“No sir. No be so…”

“So wetin?”

She shrugged.

Another one of his daughters entered.

“Daddy, can Uncle Pitan drive me to the market?” She asked.

“Which market you dey go? No be yesterday your mama go market? You wan go see that your useless boy abi?”

“Daddy now… How can you say that?”

She was wearing a pair of black denim jeans that cleaved to her and a light blue polo t-shirt. Her hair was packed in a ponytail and she was wearing makeup. Her father was obviously not convinced that that was a way to dress to the market.

“Pitan wan do something for me. I wan make he help me drop this people for their house. So you no dey go any market.”

The young lady knelt down and laid her head on her father’s chest “Daddy please now…”

She raised her head and looked at his face. Then into his eyes.

“Daddy please.”

“Ok so where you dey go gangan?”

“I’m going to Remi’s birthday party…”

“Na wetin you for talk be that. Where?”

“Surulere.”

“Surulere? That place far na…”

“Uncle Pitan would drop me off. Daddy please… I promised her I will come.”

“Ok, he go drop you after he don drop this people. And latest by 7pm, you must come back to this house. You hear me?”

“No problem. Thank you daddy.”

She kissed him on his cheeks and then on his forehead.

“You are the best daddy in the world.” She said with a childish smile crossing her face.

“Yeye…” He smiled at his daughter.

She turned to Christine and smiled. “Hi”

Christine smiled back. “Hello.”

She went off.

“See me with my father wahala. Too much wife and children no good ooo. E dey sweet when you dey born dem but to raise them no be small thing.”

Francis just smiled. But said nothing.

One of the wives entered the room where they were. She was wearing a long red gown.

She nodded at Francis and his sister.

Then she looked at her husband.

“Joan say you say you go carry am go the party…?”

“So wetin happen?”

“She no dey go anywhere. That girl go carry belle come this house one day and me I no want. ”

“So how that one come be my own responsibility? No be your daughter she be? No be you go tell am say make she do this make she no do that…?”

“Na so…?”

“How many of una pikin I wan follow talk. Una wan kill me before my time abi…”

Joan joined them.

“You no dey go anywhere. You hear me so…?” Her mother yelled at her almost immediately.

“But mummy, daddy said I can go now…”

“I say you no dey go anywhere…” Her mother said again.

She walked up to her father, “Daddy please talk to mummy for me…”

“She be your mama, na wetin she talk you go do.”

“Haba! Daddy, are you changing your mind now?”

She stormed out of the room angry.

Her mother followed after her calling out to her, “Joan, Joan, Joan… Joan, you dey hear me abi… Joan…”

The Baale shaked his head.

“Please make una no do mistake get big family ooo. Polygamy na wahala. To dey follow woman sleep e sweet but wetin go come after go clear your eyes. See me now.. twelve children, eight girls and four boys. That woman wey just comot now na my last wife.”

He drank from his cup again. The glass was almost empty.

He stood up for a refill.

When he had left the room, Christine said, “I don’t like this man.”

“I know.”

“Did you notice the way he was looking at me…?”

“Yes I did. But let’s just stay calm until we leave this place. He is our ticket.”

“I understand…”

The Baale returned with a full glass.

He smiled at them.

He sat down and placed his drink down as well.

A matured man entered the house. His sleeves and trousers were rolled up.

“How far?” The Baale said to him.

“Oga I don finish.”

“Be like say na trailer you wash. Since morning.”

“Oga, I clean the car inside well well. That car need cleaning na im I say make I clean am today as you no tell me say you dey comot today.”

“Beatrice don tell you abi?”

“Yes sir.” He looked in the direction of Francis and Christine.

“You don ready?”

“Yes sir.”

“Ok.”

Francis and Christine got up. The Baale followed suit. He had his glass in his hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some new bills. He handed it to Christine.

“Don't worry sir…”

“Common, take am jhoor. Una go need money at least for sometime.”

“Thank you sir.” Christine collected the money and knelt down in appreciation.

“No be big money like that. Pitan go give you my number so that una go fit call me if una need me… Abeg stand up.”
Christine got back up to her feet.

“Thank you sir.” Francis replied making a short bow.

The Baale followed them to the car. He did not take his eyes off Christine. She was a beautiful lady. She was prettier than all his wives put together.

When they got into the car, Joan rushed up and pulled the door beside Christine open.

“Please move a little.” She begged Christine.

Startled Christine move to the other end.

“Joan.. Joan.. come back here” Her mother called.

The Baale was laughing.

“You this girl you stubborn ooo.”

“If you carry belle come this house, walahi na me go kill you by myself.”

“Shut up! E don do. Haba. See as you dey shout everybody dey hear you.” The Baale yelled at his youngest wife.

He leaned over the open window close to where Joan sat and said, “7pm, you hear me…?”

“Yes sir.” She nodded. She was fond of her father.
He was fond of her too. She was the smartest and brightest among all his daughters.

The driver pulled the car out of the compound and drove off.

The Baale returned to his house. His glass was almost empty at this time.

He looked at the worried face of his youngest wife and smiled.

She hissed and went back into the house.

“Bring food for me make I chop. Hungry dey catch me.” He called out behind her.

She turned to look at him and said, “You wan marry that girl too abi?”

“Wetin dey worry you sef…”

“I see the way you dey look her back. You think I no know wetin you dey think…?”

“Go bring me food. Na you sabi.”
He smiled. 

*        *        *

He picked up his writing pad and began to write.

This first time that I saw you

You made my heart go boom boom

She shines bright like a real star

So what’s up senorita

You’re pretty like a diamond

You’re giving me impression

I wanna be your maga

With you I’d be a rockstar

Do anything you want me

I mean these words…

He had struggled with finishing the next verse.

He dropped the pad and wore his headphones.

Wole entered his room.

“Hey.., Hey Sukanmi…”

He tapped his brother on the shoulder.

Sukanmi paused his music and looked at his brother.

“What is wrong with you? I thought you promised me the last time you will face your studies…”

Sukanmi looked down at his shoes. His brother was right. He had made a promise two days ago.

Wole sat down on his bed.

“Now listen Sukanmi, do you know how many broken dreams are all over this street alone? I told you to face your studies, finish and graduate then, you can do whatever you want to. Because there is money in entertainment now doesn’t mean everyone who is a rich artist today will always remain that way. Education will make the difference. Because when you are educated no one can tell you rubbish…”

“I have tried hard to stop this music but I just can’t.”

Wole smiled. “That’s so cliché.”

“Bro Wole, I’m serious. I have tried so many times but it’s the only thing I think about…”

“You understand I’m paying you through school and your school fees is not cheap. If I had known this what you will end up doing, I would have left you off in federal university.”

“Bro Wole, I’m so sorry. I just want you to know, I will graduate… I just need to keep my music going…”

“How long have you been on this thing…?”

“Three years now...”

“Three years. And it’s not time for you think that this thing is not working for you. It’s not in your destiny bro. Wake up.”

Sukanmi sighed. His brother was obviously not in support of his new career but it was his life.

“This is my final year. I will graduate. I will.”

“If you had only focused on your studies, you would have been the best in your class.”

“I wish I could get this music out of my system but I can’t.”

“You need to grow up Sukanmi. I won’t always continue to feed you. The time will come when you have to go and fend for yourself. And that will be soon.”

“I know. I’m working really hard and I’m praying too.”

Wole looked at his younger brother another time. Then he stood up to leave the room.

“Think about what I just told you. You will have to own up for yourself very soon. Will this music pay off then? Think about it.”

He left the room.

Sukanmi picked up his writing pad and slammed it against the wall. He brought out his CDs from the drawer and started tossing them against the wall. He was angry.

Wole sat outside on the balcony and started to ponder on what the doctor had told him two days ago.

Marriage is not for you. How? It is about the person you marry. It is about your future. It is about your children. You are not the center of your marriage. The woman you want to marry has a purpose in your life. When you find your own purpose, then you will find out what purpose she will come to fill.

He thought about Bolaji. Then he thought about Fatima. Then Kemi, then Doris, then Bukky, then Oyin, then Susan.

He smiled at himself. He stood up and went into his room. There was a sign on a small box on his table that read, if you know what to do, pray. If you don’t know what to do, pray. Just keep praying.
He pondered on those words for a moment.

Then he went on his knees and prayed.

Dear Lord, I have not spoken to you in a very long time but I need your help. I do not deserve it but please help me because I don’t know what to do. I am confused. I am disturbed. And I need help.

You are the One who created me and You know why you brought me here. You know what I’m supposed to be doing and what kind of wife I need. Please help me to see the way and the woman meant for me. I’m sorry for all the hearts that I broke and for all the wrong things I have done. Please forgive me and help me. Please help me God. Let me find my purpose and also find my wife.

Thank you Lord for helping me in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

He stood up and sat on his bed.

His phone rang. It was Paul calling him.
“Hello Paul. How far?”

“Been doing great.”

“And the family?”

“We thank God. I have not heard from you ever since that day you left Felix’s place. He said you were supposed to return with some answers…”

“Yeah, I don’t have my answers yet.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Yeah. I don’t have my answers and that is why I have not gone to see him.”

“So what’s the delay?”

“I don’t know… maybe I’m expecting too much or my desires are misguided. I just need a clear head.”

“Ok. I just called to check on you. My wife and kids have been asking after you.”

“Eyah. Tell them I will come soon.”

“Will you come and celebrate Christmas with us?”

“Not sure yet. Let's see sha.”

“Come now… Haba.”

“I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.”

“Ok. Take all the time you need and be very certain of your decision. I know it’s not going to be easy but just pray and meditate on God’s word. It will help you clear your head. It works.”

“Yeah.”

“Ok bro. Take care.”

“Send your family my love.”

“I will.”

The call ended.

“Bro Wole…”

Wole looked at his brother who had been standing at the door.

“What do you want?”

“I heard you praying…”

“Ok…”

“Will you pray for me…?”

Wole was surprised. He raised his eyebrow and smiled.

“I’m not a pastor. You too can pray by yourself.”

“I know… But it’s not working. Maybe if you pray for me, it will work this time.”

“How do you want me to pray for you on something I don’t support?”

“Just pray for whatever you want me to do…”

He looked at his younger brother.

“Ok come let’s pray together.”

*        *        *

“Common Doris, why are you doing this to me?” Jide looked like he was going to cry.

“I’m sorry Jide, I can’t date you. You are my elder brother’s friend and he had told me a lot about you.”

“And do you believe everything he told you?”

“I see things myself…”

“I won’t deny it. I have made mistakes in the past. But that’s why good girls like you were made. You were made to show bad boys like us the right way.”

“Really?” She smiled.

“Yes really.”

She smiled.

“I still can’t go out with you. And by all means, I’m not the only good girl in this neighborhood.”

“But you are the only one that I see…”

“Jide please respect yourself and leave me alone.”

He continued to follow her.

“Please Doris think about it. Do you want me to continue to suffer because I love you?”

She did not reply.

“I can change for you, Doris. I can. Your brother would obviously not like the idea of you going out with me but you can prove him wrong that I could be a good boy afterall.”

She crossed the road to the other side.

He followed her.

She started to pick her pace. He followed suit.

“I will not leave you alone until you tell me something…”

“Leave me alone.”

Jide did not detour.

“Everytime I look at myself in the mirror and I think about you, I see a different person.”

She smiled. “You obviously are crazy.”

“Yes. Crazy and madly in love with you.”

She stopped and faced him.

“Jide I know what you want. You want to have sex with me then use me as one of your medals, right? You guys sometimes think every girl is gullible. On the contrary, you guys are the stupid ones.”

“Yes we are. Love makes us stupid. And I’m not looking to have sex with you. No not me. Your brother will kill me.”

“So what do you want?”

“Just go out with me. Be my girlfriend. I will be a gentleman. I promise you. I will not ask you for sex… No not me. I can change for you Doris… Please think about it.”

When he noticed she was approaching her house, he stopped and turned the other way.

“I will dream about you tonight Doris. I’m in love with you till you say yes, I will not give up.”

She ignored him and kept walking home.

She was smiling as she walked.

Jide turned and walked back home.

His phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Where are you?” A female voice replied.

“Sorry who is this?”

“It’s me Bimpe…”

“Oh sweetheart. Why are you not calling with your number?”

“My phone fell inside water this morning. So I sent my brother to help me fix it. He gave his phone. I don’t even know how to operate it sef.”

“Oh ok. Eyah, sorry…”

“So where are you?”

“I was just taking a walk.”

“Ok. I wanted to come to your place today but because of my phone I wouldn’t be able to make it. I want to sit and watch them fix it. You know how funny these people could be attimes..”

“Aaaaaaw. So painful. It would have been so great to have you around. This boy is lonely…”

“Eyah. I actually wanted to surprise you but…”

“That’s fine. I’m sure another opportunity will come.”

“Yeah hopefully.”

“How’s mum and dad?”

“They are fine. Mumsy even asked when you are coming to see them?”

“Yes, I should come ooo. You know how my work is...”

“Yeah, I told them the same thing. But mumsy is always all over me. She’s always asking when we were planning to get married and all that. I told her we have just been dating for 4 months now and all that…”

“Yeah. Tell her I’m working towards it.”

“Interesting. How so…?”

“Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us lately and I thought it won’t be a bad idea that we start talking about settling down.”

He could hear her giggle.

“That’s interesting.”

“Everything is interesting to you sha… but that’s the truth. I think its time a brother settles down and decide what needs to be done.”

“Hmmm…”

“Yeah. So when would you be coming over?”

“I’m not sure yet but I’d let you know.”

“Alright. Can’t wait to see you.”

“Same here.”

“Ok, I will call you later then.”

“Ok.”

“Take care. Love you.”

“Take care of you too. Love you too.”

He ended the call.

The door of his apartment was not locked. He wondered if he had left the door opened. He pulled the knob and pushed.

Bimpe was sitting in the living room.

Jide was thrown aback when he saw her.

She smiled.

“Lord, you are amazing…”

He walked up to her and they both hugged.

“So you were in my house when you made the call?”

“Yeah.”

“So where is your phone?”

She brought her phone out of her bag.

“Here it is.” She smiled.

“Naughty you.”

“So how long have you being here?”

“Not too long ago…”

He sat beside her.

She was looking into his eyes.

“Ok. Have you had anything to eat?” He asked.

“No not yet.”

“Did not know you will be coming. I don’t have anything at home…”

“I know. Mr Bachelor. I checked your fridge. It’s just water in there.”

“Na so ooo.”

She pulled out a box and handed it over to him. It was wrapped.

“What’s this…?” He collected the box.

“Open it.”

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CHAPTER 19 Coming Soon

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