DIARIES OF A NEW YORKER IV

Emma Cole stared at the spreadsheet in front of her. Most of the figures didn’t make much sense to her this morning. At 29 years, she was a chartered accountant who had earned her MBA in Accounting from the prestigious Lagos Business School. She loved her work as senior auditor at Bartels and Gallagher LLC. Life had been very rough growing up as the first child among four children. Her father had walked away while she was in primary school. Eight years old to be precise. Her mother had done the best she could to raise her and her siblings. If they ate two full meals in a day, they danced and sang their praises to God at night. Going to school had been tough and many times they were sent home for not paying their school fees. At first, she would weep from shame when she got home after having being sent home. As time went on, it became a normal part of her life. 

The sound of her office door opening jolted her from her thoughts. Hello Missy, Ibinabo walked in smiling. Ibinabo was a project manager who had a reputation for excellence. Average height, with light skinned that glowed, she could easily have her pick of men. Not once, not twice had Emma caught men gazing in awe whenever Ibinabo was close by. Dressed in army green skirt suit and lovely shoes, she looked even more beautiful. It’s a beautiful day isn’t it? Ibinabo said, walking towards her friend. Ibinabo looked at her friend’s face and she knew something was wrong. The light which always shined in Emma’s eyes was gone. Nothing, dear. I was only admiring you, Emma voiced out wearing a plastic smile. Emma, we’ve been friends for how many years now? Ten years, from our days in secondary school to be precise. Emma did her best not to break down weeping. I can’t just take it anymore. I am tired of being single. No husband, no children…….. Do me a favor,Ibinabo said interrupting her. Come with me to a program this weekend. You won’t regret it.  If it’s one of those singles program IB, I really am not interested in going. Emma replied her friend trying not to sound frustrated. She had attended countless singles programs but she hardly got a man for keeps at the end of the day. Ibinabo, abeg, I’d rather just lie on my bed sleeping all day this weekend or something. Her friend smiled. Please Emma, just one more time .Okay just this once IB. Thank you, Ibinabo grinned. What’s in it for you? Emma asked with a mischievous look. 1k per person you recruit to the program? Madam business! Whatever, Ibinabo blurted out laughing and giving her friend the talk to the hands sign as she walked out of her office.

Rising from her chair to take a look at the rest of her Lagos from her 14^thfloor office .Emma let her thoughts wander again. She had been head over heels in love with the Executive Director of the International Business Unit at Bartels and Gallagher, Koku Mensah when she had first met him. In the beginning she had paid him attention and carried on like a love struck puppy but that love hadn’t been reciprocated. As far as she was concerned, she did not exist in Koku Mensah’s world. He rarely returned her smiles. One day he had told her to forget about it all. He wasn’t interested and he didn’t want to be involved in her silly love games. It had taken all she had not to break apart the day he’d said that to her. Her self-esteem was badly dented, and her love had been thrown right back in her face. Meanwhile, there were dozens of guys who had been asking her out but she’d avoided them. For some reasons she found it difficult to date any guy she wasn’t drawn to and she rarely gave them a chance. She’d dated a couple of guys in the past. Nothing serious, but that had been a while ago. The last relationship she was in had left her scarred.

Returning to her desk, she threw herself into the work that lay before her. Oh well, one day, e go better.

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I think the address is plot 256, Bisola Durosimi Etti drive. I looked at Deremi’s face awaiting his confirmation of our family friends, Yetunde and Faramade Soares’, house address. I’m not quite sure. Deremi replied me while reaching for the phone in his pocket. Here, he gave me his cell phone. Call Yetunde. The Soares’ were throwing a barbecue and pool party on a sunny Sunday afternoon and we were already on their street. The phone rang and I heard Yetunde’s voice on the other end. Aduke Ikomi, I said giggling. Hey darling, we’re over here expecting you and boo boo. I laughed out loudly. What’s the plot number?  It’s 256, Yetunde said. I could hear loud music in the background. Thanks Yettie. You’re welcome I heard Yetunde say just as I clicked the phone. 256, it is, I told Deremi nibbling at his ears. Slow your roll babes. Deremi looked at me lovingly, laughing.

Look at you! Yetunde exclaimed hugging Deremi and I ten minutes later. I took a look at Deremi, and my heart melted with love for him.  We both chose to wear yellow Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirts.  Deremi was dressed in a yellow Abercrombie and Fitch polo shirt brown khaki shorts, and brown moccasins, I was proud to have him at my side. His cologne kissed my nostrils. I couldn’t wait to be his Mrs. My boyfriend always knew whenever I was admiring him. He took my hands in his and brushed them lightly. Faramade is busy with the barbecue. Yetunde led us to the pool side of the house. Deremi carried the bags with our swimming trunks. I wasn’t sure I was going to wear the swimming trunk at all but it was always best to be prepared.

I walked around, saying hello to the folks I knew, and introduced myself to all those I hadn’t met before. Nice party, I told Faramade when we finally got to him. Hey!! Look who's here. Faramade exclaimed. You look really good, I couldn't help remarking. All thanks to me, Yetunde   said standing beside her husband. Thanks Aduke, Faramade said to me with a wide grin.Hey man,Mr Aderemi Odulaja, mover and shaker of Nigerian business. Faramade said to my boyfriend, shaking his hands in a boyish way. Me ke? Deremi exclaimed. I'm a doctoral student oh! Of course, you are, Yetunde stated , laughing.
Minutes later, ladies were busy dancing to celebrate good times. The MC in the house  called all the ladies to the dance floor with a special  gift for the woman who happened to the best dancer. I digged it on the dance floor  with the rest of the women. Life can't be more beautiful I thought.  I looked around for Deremi. He hadn't seen me dance in a long while.
I noticed some ladies chatting with him. I trusted, and had a lot of respect for my boyfriend. He wasn't one who chased after women.I had many friends, and all through my stay abroad, none of them ever had a cause to say anything negative about him. He was a responsible young man, and he was respected for that. He visited my parents from time to time, and everyone in my family who had met him loved him like he was part of the family already. I thought about the incident with Koku even as I popped grilled chicken and barbecue sauce into my mouth. My indiscretion, had resulted in a heated argument with Deremi for a while, but we had put that behind us. Not looking at where I was heading, I bumped into someone!  Trying my best not to stain the shirt of whoever it was that towered over me, I said sorry and was about to move away when I heard the deep rich baritone voice. I knew who it belonged to.

I took a glance at Deremi. The ladies were still with him. Business connections, I said to myself. Deremi knew people. He had helped quite a number of people to land fantastic jobs. Koku walked by my side  chatting. I did the introductions when we got to where Deremi and the ladies stood laughing and talking. The men exchanged pleasantries and I excused myself for a few minutes.

Where is my ball? I heard one kid yell to the other as I went to get myself some more chicken. Over here. A little boy told the other child who was clearly distressed. No, mine is red. That’s yellow. He burst into tears. I went over to pacify the child and looked for a red ball for him. And what do you say? I said to him after I’d given him the ball. Thank you. I gave him a big smile while he ran off to play. Someday, I hoped to give birth to beautiful children. Deremi’s I thought with a smile on my face.

The rest of the evening was very enjoyable. Faramade and Yetunde were the perfect host. Seemed Deremi and Koku had gotten along quite well!!

Hours later, Deremi and I said our good byes to everyone and thanked the Soares for a beautiful evening. I need to hand you over to mum and dad before I take my leave he said to me. Oh please, I gave him a light punch on his arm while he tried to park the car in my parent's compound. You sound as though I’m some teenager. Just joking of course, Deremi told me with a mischievous grin on his face. I have something to tell you Deremi said to me as soon as we got out of the car. I looked at my boyfriend confused. He smiled at me. I thought I’d wait to do this some other time, but I really can’t wait anymore. It has to be now. A number of thoughts ran through my mind. What was Deremi up to? Dipping his hands into his pocket, he went down on one knee before me. I looked at him clearly dazed. Aduke Ikomi, will you marry me? I stared at the man before me dumbstuck. Yes, I heard myself utter the words. He slipped the ring on my finger and time stood still.