I sat at the dining table putting some of the wedding lists together. Planning a Nigerian Wedding was no little task. The halls around Victoria Island were as expensive as hell! Left to me, I’d be cool with a white wedding somewhere in the country side in the U.S. It would be a low key, simple and classy wedding. But trust my family! My parents would hear of no such thing. The first daughter of Toritseju and Tara Ikomi wasn’t going to have no low key wedding. My father didn’t even want to hear about it. The thought was dismissed the first day I laid it on the table. Aunty Sumbo had been livid when she had heard. Aduke, no way!!! You are going to have a huge society wedding and that’s that! My mother had agreed with aunty Sumbo instantly.
Aduke Oritsetimeyin Ikomi!!! Aduke oooo!!!! The sound of two ladies screaming my name made me stop what I was doing. It had to be those cousins of mine. Look at you Lape!!!!! I hugged my big cousin. Lape, how did you get so skinny??? Oh my days!!! You look fabulous. Someone cleared her throat. Yemisi, I’m so sorry. I turned to hug my younger cousin. Yemisi, ahh, I have missed you oh!! I hugged both my cousins, delighted to see them. When did you guys come to town?? Oh, we flew in two nights ago. Aren’t you jet lagged? I asked them. It’s been two whole days!!! Lape exclaimed. We were bored in the house and decided to drive down here to see the soon to be bride. The latest bride on earth. Oh please, I chuckled. What can I get you girls? Aduke, don’t bother. We came to drag you along. Yemisi winked at me with a mischievous grin on her face. I was two years older than Yemisi. We had been very close growing up but in the last couple of years, we had grown apart with the rigors of schooling and also being in different countries. We ain’t sitting in the house. Yemisi insisted. After the wedding, we’ll be leaving for Canada almost immediately, so we want to enjoy ourselves as much as we can. I laughed. Sure, why not? Okay, sit, lemme have a quick bath. Maybe we can go to The Palms. Yes, we’d love to, Lape answered examining the artwork in the hallway which featured mother and child. Are you ladies sure you don’t want anything to drink? No o, we’ll be fine. Just go and have your bath. I ran off to the bathroom.
Hello Ibinabo, Koku walked up to Emma’s friend’s desk. Hey, Mr Mensah, how’s it going? Not bad. I haven’t seen Emma for some time now. Koku asked scratching his well trimmed beard. Did she resign or something? No, Ibinabo shook her head. She’s been ill. She just had surgery and she’s recuperating at the moment. I guess she’ll be back next week. Hmm, can I have her cell phone number please? Raising her eye brow, Ibinabo scribbled Emma’s number on a post –it sticker and handed it to him. Thank you IB. He gave her a wink, and walked away. Ibinabo stared long and hard at his back. For as long as she had known, Koku had always given Emma a tough time. The two barely even spoke to each other. Emma said she disliked him with a passion. His leadership also leaved a lot to be desired according to her. Ibinabo smiled and continued her analysis. Koku wasn’t a bad person. She actually thought he was charming with excellent managerial skills but Emma thought otherwise.
Hello Emma, this is Koku. Get well soon…. Koku fiddled with his touch screen not knowing what to type. He hadn’t exactly been nice to Emma since he had known her. He thought sending her a get well text message seemed awkward. Was it? He rephrased the words. No, he said to himself. It would be best if he went to see her wherever she was. He could get some flowers, card and groceries on his way. Damn!! He was confused. A part of him liked Emma and he was concerned she was ill. He knew what to do.
Hello Mrs Odulaja, hey Mr Mensah, Aduke laughed. What’s going on? Koku could hear a lot of noise in the background. Aduke I do need your advice on a matter. Let’s hear you out Aduke replied him. After about two minutes rattling on the phone, he kept quiet. Okay, so thank God you are interested in someone after all these while. I don’t think sending her a text is out of line. I also don’t think going to check on her is a bad idea. Just be discreet about things you know… Koku smiled relieved. Adviser to the President on women affairs, thanks a lot!!!!! Anytime Koku, take care.
Relieved, Koku went back to work.
Emma Cole’s eye lids flew open on hearing her phone ring. She had been lying on the couch in her sitting room. It had been days since she had been operated on for acute appendicitis. While she had begun moving around and doing things for herself, the surgical area was still very tender so she was taking things really easy. IB was on the phone. She informed her that she was on the way to her house with Koku. But, why Koku? They barely tolerated each other. Her sitting room which was always spic and span wasn’t too tidy now. She moved some things around, and quickly changed into something more presentable. Oh, why did Ibinabo insist on bringing him to her house?
The doorbell rang and her heart skipped a beat. She gazed briefly at her wall clock. The time was some minutes past 8. Opening the door, she was soon gathered into the arms of Ibinabo. She looked at Koku. Hi, she said to him. Her guests stepped into her home. Sorry, my house isn’t too tidy at the moment. She gesticulated for them to sit down. Emma, Ibinabo told me you had been ill for some time. Koku explained looking at her tenderly. He was fidgeting with his tie. Quite unlike him! She looked at him closely and noticed there were a couple of things with him. Ibinabo took them from him and set them on her center table. These are yours courtesy of Mr Mensah here. Thank you Mr Mensah. Oh please, Koku laughed. My first name will do.
Nice place, Koku remarked.Thank you. Emma answered. After about ten minutes of chatting, Ibinabo stood up, informing them of her departure. Hell no ! Did she plan on leaving her alone with Koku? No way!!! Good night Emma, get well soon, she kissed her friend on the cheek. I’ll see you tomorrow Koku, and with that Ibinabo headed for the door.
Would you like some juice? Emma said to Koku. There’s food in the kitchen but I need to warm it up. Not to worry Emma, I’m fine. Would you at least have some juice? Since Emma was going to all that trouble, Koku didn’t want to turn her away. Yes, please he said to her. She returned with two glasses and a bottle of orange juice. Thank you for the gifts and grocery Koku. You really didn’t have to go to all that length. Please, Koku said to her. It was nothing. I realize I’ve always been a complete ass to you, so allow me to apologize for that and make up for my bad attitude. Emma looked at him dazed. Why? He didn’t have to apologize. Guys like Koku didn’t apologize. I’d like for us to be friends. Do we have a deal? He looked at her pleadingly. Emma laughed. Sure, she said to him. After showing him her family album, Koku stood up to leave. I enjoyed every bit of the time I spent here. Please take things easy. I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night. She watched him get into his car and drive off.
Emma could swear she could hear butterflies singing and dancing in her stomach. She had liked this guy ever since she set her eyes on him and had gone to great lengths to get his attention. But she had given the whole game up and decided to get on with her life. Maybe love wasn't meant for people like her. Getting a man wasn’t the end of the world. She wanted to be single, sassy and satisfied. Though it had been quite a journey getting to that point, she had gotten there nonetheless. Did she need a man in her life? A part of her said yes. Smiling, she went back to sit on the couch after making sure all the doors were locked. She went into her bedroom, flicked the light on, and tucked herself in bed. She was looking forward to her mum’s delicious cooking the next day.
Deremi Odulaja sat at Golden Gate waiting for his beloved Aduke. Lately, they hadn’t been spending quality time together. There was so much going on. The wedding planning was taking a huge chunk of Aduke's time. Work and his Phd thesis made his life harder. He looked at his watch, it was almost 8 o’clock. Aduke should be here anytime, he told himself. While he sipped from his glass of red wine, Deremi allowed the soft music playing in the restaurant to soothe his soul. He thought about the episode with Solabomi and wondered whether it was worth mentioning it to Aduke. No, he convinced himself. No need bringing it up.
If it isn’t my beloved Aderemi. I wrapped my arms around my fiance planting a kiss on his cheeks and sat opposite him. Deremi took in my appearance. My dress was one of those shiny metallic gold and black types. I knew I looked stunning. I couldn’t wait to become Mrs Odulaja. I miss you, Me too, I said to Deremi . We had both been busy with this and that. The waiter came around to get our order. I’d like some shrimp fried rice with broccoli and whole fish in sweet and sour sauce, I told the waiter. The waiter looked at Deremi waiting for his order. Actually, I’ll have some white rice with chicken teriyaki and shrimps. Add green tea to the list, Deremi told him. We can share the whole fish, can’t we? I made a face at him. No, we can’t. I laughed. Of course we can, I know the fish here is huge.
Delicious food, very delicious, I said, wiping my mouth. Oh! Deremi, you have made me gain five pounds more.
Ahhh, Aduke Oritsetimeyin!!!!! After clearing your entire plate, you accuse me of making you gain five pounds more . Am I your mouth? Whatever, go jooor. Deremi looked into my eyes. I love you Aduke Ikomi, I love your sense of humour... your childlike abandon... I will continue to love you with my heart, my soul…….. Shhhh, I placed a finger on his lips. And I love you too my darling, my beloved.
I was home in a bit, going through articles on pediatrics. It felt so good! In some months time, I would be writing my board exams to become a pediatrician. I loved children so much and I couldn’t have chosen a better area of specialization. I spent the next hour or so going through my books.
Looking at the wall clock briefly, I saw that the time was some minutes past twelve. I didn’t feel like taking a shower. My room felt cold from the air conditioner which was blowing so my body felt very relaxed. I thought about my conversation with Koku. I was happy he had found someone. Hopefully, things would work out well between them. A man needed a good woman by his side.
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