BIBI - CHAPTER 6

Have dinner with me. Pick a day and a time. What do you say?

Yours Truly,

Wole

Adesua read the text message for the umpteenth time. Who gave Wole her cell number for crying out loud? She picked her phone and called Nkem. 

"Nkem, why, why did you give Wole my phone number?"

"Me? I didn't give him o! He asked me and was very relentless but having seen your reaction the other day, I couldn't give it to him!" 

"Hmmm... Nkem. Are you sure?" 

"I cross my heart and hope to..."

"Biko! Don't die Nkem." Adesua cut her off. 

"Why don't you check with Ebika? Maybe she gave him your number?"

"Yes, I gave him your number. You were complaining of hardship the other day and Wole was disturbing me for your number. He said he tried chatting with you at Nkem's party, but you were being standoffish, so I gave him!” Ebika blurted when Adesua confronted her. 

"Ha! You gave him. Just like that? Why, please? You know I'm married Ebika."

"Hian! A marriage in which you've been unhappy for so long. Is that one marriage?" Ebika sneered.

Adesua rolled her eyes. Sometimes this was the problem with airing your dirty laundry in public. Everyone felt like they were entitled to run the affairs of one’s life.

"So, what are you going to do? Ignore the guy?"

Adesua sighed. "He wants to meet with me for dinner." She mumbled. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Why not?" Ebika probed. "It's not like he's going to gobble you up over a harmless plate of a delicious meal?"

"Where would I tell my husband I'm going to?" Adesua asked, rubbing her throbbing temple. What kind of temptation was this? Everyone seemed to be trying to thrust her at Wole.

"Babe, please wise up! Why does Pere have to know where you are every minute? Please cook something up. Tell him you're meeting with me for dinner. In fact, why are you acting like a softie suddenly? You, badass Adesua!"

Adesua chuckled. "I Know... I know...." Yes, she was angry at Pere. She was still angry at him for their current financial situation. What she'd never done was have an affair with anyone. She and Wole had a lot of history between them. This was also coupled with the fact that she couldn't deny the insane attraction she'd felt towards him at Nkem's party. He had metamorphosed from the Wole that she used to know into a fine human being.  She didn't want to play with fire. She couldn't risk being burned!

Tonye ran into her room. "Mummy, I don't feel like going to school tomorrow."

"Why not?’ She probed, gently running her hands through his soft curly hair.

"Because I want to stay home and play with daddy. He doesn't play with me anymore."

"Is that so?" She scooped him into her laps.

“Yes." He nodded. "He doesn't play soccer and monopoly with me these days.”

“Hmmm.” Adesua struggled to find the right words.

“Tonye darling, daddy is very busy now. He's working on a new business that'll bring in more money so we can travel to America, Dubai, London , and wherever you'd love to go.”

“Really?” Tonye asked with his eyes widening like saucers. “I want Leggo toys from America. They are huge. Ropo has the giant ones.” Ropo was their neighbor who lived a few houses away. 

“I want a car too. Ropo's mummy just got him a fancy car. I rode in it the other day.”

“You did?” Adesua questioned tickling him. 

“Mummy...mummy.” He yelled laughing. He rolled off her laps and ran away.

Adesua chuckled. Her son meant the world to her. She was going to get him the toys that he wanted. 

"Ma, would you like me to start cooking the rice now?" Agnes asked.

"Yes. Boil some broccoli and carrots too." She hated eating plain rice and stew. Besides, she was also teaching Tonye to love eating vegetables.

Agnes nodded and walked away. Picking up the TV remote control, she flipped through the channels for something entertaining to watch.

"Boss baby!" Tonye yelled.

"Tonye, keep it down." She said sharply.

“Mum, but I want to watch boss baby. “She rolled her eyes and flipped to the Disney Channel. So much for wanting to watch something entertaining. She would have to make do with Boss Baby. 

Pere walked in an hour later to see Adesua and Tonye snoring softly on the sofa.  Tonye was lying in Adesua's arms. A cartoon was showing on TV. He gazed at his son and chuckled. Scooping him up, he kissed him on the cheek before taking him to his bed. 

Adesua stirred when Pere walked back to the living room. "Hi." She said stretching.

“Hi,” Pere replied. 

“Did you just come in?” Adesua asked.

“Yep. About ten minutes ago.”

“Where is Tonye?” She asked yawning.

“Tonye is in his room. You were both asleep when I walked in.”

“Yeah,” Adesua replied, her voice trailing off. 

“I told Agnes to make dinner.”

“She mentioned,” Pere replied gazing at his wife. 

“Why are you staring at me?” Adesua asked, raising a brow.

“You're beautiful.” Pere blurted. He was sick of fighting with her. He wanted them to mend fences. 

Adesua squinted. “Do you need something?”

It was on the tip of Pere's tongue to say yes, it had been a while since they got together as man and wife. Instead, he held his tongue and nodded. "Nope."

“Okay. I'll tell Agnes to serve you.”

“Thank you,” Pere answered. The fact that Adesua was doing her best to be civil with him these days was a good thing.

His mind roamed to when Dayo had made the proposition to him. He shook his head remembering that conversation. How in all that was holy did Dayo think that he would let him have his wife? He? Perelayefa? 

Well, Adesua had been treating him badly and he'd hated her then. But to use her as a tool to get a loan from the bank? He'd never do that! Adesua would never agree to such a proposition anyway, except the plan was dull her senses so that she was oblivious to anything going on around her.

****

Jazz music played at Rivera Lounge when Bade walked in on a cool Friday evening. Bibi had her friends over at the house. They said they were having Ladies' night. "Gossip night you mean?" He had teased Bibi when she informed him earlier that day. 

“Hey, my man!” His friend Akin stood to shake him. “Mehn! It feels like I haven't seen you in ages. How's everything going? I hear you're making all the money these days!”

“Says who?” Bade asked laughing.

“George, see your friend o! This is how this guy keeps acting like he hasn't arrived. We know how you roll Oyebade Fernandez.”

“Bade Fernandez!” George said loudly.

“Hey George, he greeted. Quite an age! I heard you traveled out of the country for a while.”

“Yeah, I did. You know, my madam wanted to relocate with the children to Canada. She had been raving about it for some time and was giving me real hassles about it. I let her have her way in the end.”

Bade pulled one of the chairs and sat on it. "Hmmm. how are you gonna cope with your new bachelor life in Lagos?"

George shrugged. “Ada made sure that she got me, someone, to help with the household chores before she left.”

“You say?” Akin asked loudly.

“Did she get you a cook too?” Bade chuckled.

George furrowed his brows. "Akin, when will you change? Ada got me a guy to help out with the house chores."

“What about your cook? Isn't it one curvaceous fair-skinned looking lady?” Akin asked, reaching for his glass of beer.

“So, Akin, you noticed his cook's curves?” Bade asked incredulously.

“Well, I ain't blind?” Akin retorted.

“You ain't blind or you ogle her every time you come to my house? You think Ada and I never noticed the particular attention you seemed to give her whenever you came around?”

“Me, ogle a cook? No way! I do not do local girls!”

‘Well, Esiri is not a local girl. She has a bachelor's degree. Why do you think that she no longer works for me?”

“Oh really?” Akin questioned.

“Anyway, can we talk about something else?” George commented.

“How are you adjusting to your family not being with you?” Bade asked thoughtfully.

“Well, the plan is for me to visit them now and then. I have my permanent resident card anyway, so depending on how things go, I may relocate to Canada permanently as well.”

“Makes sense,” Akin said thoughtfully.

“Which brings me to the crux of the matter... There's this friend of mine.... he's going to be joining us soon. His name is Pere Brisibe.”

Bade took in the piece of information which George just detailed. George needed partners for the new housing project he and his friends wanted to work on. “It's all Pere's idea and I figured why not? Real estate is always a good choice in terms of investment.”

Bade munched on peppered goat meat and snails. He was a wealth management advisor who worked with high earners and wealthy clients. “So how may I be of assistance?”

“For one, your wealth of experience in financial management will be invaluable. We are also looking for partners who are willing to invest in our business.” George explained. Bade asked him more questions. He wanted to understand what was at stake and how much investment was required on his part. 

“Give it a thought. Akin persuaded. You're all aware that I know the Lagos State Government's big shots. We'll get big contracts in no time and do big things.”

George chuckled. “Akin, don't you just love talking big?”

“That's because I think big.” Akin countered. 

 

****

Marvin Gaye’s Let’s get it on played loudly in Bibi’s sitting room.

Peju sang the words from the song loudly, moving her hips and swaying to the rhythm of the song.

“Giving yourself to me can never be wrong if the love is true, oh baby...”

Sade shook her head. “Isn’t that what a man will say when he wants to get under your underwear?”

“Sade, must you always be so cynical? It’s just a song. Enjoy it!” Caroline stated with an irritated look on her face. She reached for the tray of appetizers on the table.

“Bibi, have you figured what you’d be wearing to the Sokari wedding since you don’t do Aso Ebi’s?"

“Yeah, I did. My fashion designer, Victoria Adubi is making me this gorgeous dress. I bought this lovely fabric from her friend who sells fabrics from Austria.”

Peju poured more Irish cream into her glass and added some iced cubes to it. “If you were going to buy a fabric, anyway, why didn’t you just get the Aso Ebi for the wedding?”

Bibi picked some suya meat and dipped it into chili sauce. Aso Ebis were popular in Nigerian culture. They mostly came in the form of Ankara or lace fabrics. When people chose them for an occasion, it meant that you would see a good number of people wearing similar fabric but just different styles. She was a non-conformist in that sense. She didn’t like Aso Ebis. She had never liked them.

“Because I simply do not like Aso Ebis! Apart from my family members, did you see anyone wearing it at my wedding? Was it even presented to you my friends for sale?” Her friends kept quiet because they knew that she was being real with them.

“Did you all buy the fabric from Dele?” Bibi asked.

“Yes, we did,” Caroline answered.

“Cool. Who is sewing them? Fade Fashions?” Bibi questioned.

“After seeing what you wore to Denrele’s mother’s burial, we changed our minds.” Peju blurted laughing.

“So, Victoria is making your dresses?” Bibi chuckled.

“Before nko!” Sade answered. “You think you are the only one who likes fine things? Girl, don’t get me started.”

Bibi gazed at Sade.  She had a sharp tongue, but she loved her because she was not one for pretense.

“We should head home soon. It’s almost 9 pm and we know Bade will be home any time soon.” Peju stated. She had danced to all sorts of songs and was sweating now though the air conditioner was turned on.

“He said he’ll be home around 10:30 and it’s only past nine. You still have some time…” Bibi’s words trailed off.

Caroline sat on a sofa near Bibi. “I’ve got good news ladies.”

“What?” Sade reached for her feet where she kept them on the sofa and kneaded it.

“I got an admission to UPenn!” Caroline said smiling.

“What? You got into the University of Pennsylvania?” Bibi questioned.

“I did. I got into their MBA Program.” Caroline said.

Bibi reached for her and hugged her. “Oh my! This is huge Caroline. Why didn’t you let us know before now? This calls for a special celebration.”

Peju and Sade stood to hug her. “Caroline Odeyemi, I am super thrilled for you,” Sade said.

“I know this was a dream for you even before we graduated from Kings College.”

“I got a full scholarship too,” Caroline added.

The ladies gasped and shrieked with excitement. “Aww, many daughters have done well but you excel them all,” Peju responded.

“Preach, Pastor Peju!” Bibi said, laughing.

“Our friend is going to become a CEO. Beauty and brains combined. Has Fola woken up or he’s still friend-zoning you? If he likes, he should not propose now before one fine-looking oyinbo boy sweeps you off your feet in the abroad.” Peju exclaimed. Bibi looked at her friend. Peju was born blunt. She didn’t try to be diplomatic with her words. She said things the way that she saw them.

Caroline looked at the ground before raising her head. Her look was something akin to defeat. “I hear he’s seeing one IJGB girl now. We haven’t been on talking terms in the last three months.”

Bibi squinted. IJGB was short for ‘I Just Got Back’. It was a name given to those who had recently moved back to Nigeria from the western world. The name was also used for Nigerians abroad who came to visit the country, especially during the Christmas season.

“Who is this girl, let me show her the stuff that we are made of. Who she be? Where she dey come from?” Peju broke into pidgin English.

Caroline shook her head. “Don’t worry about it Peju. It’s okay. Fola was never really mine.”

“Lie!” Sade reprimanded. “Lie! Fola and you had been dating for three years. What do you mean he wasn’t yours?”

“I have an idea,” Bibi stated. “We need to find Caroline a guy who can play the role of a boyfriend and take her out on dates etc.”

“Fabulous idea!” Peju hi-fived Bibi. “When do you leave for the USA?”

“In four months,” Caroline stated.

“Good. We have enough time.” Bibi said.

Caroline smiled slightly. She had reservations  about their suggestion.

After spending some more time bantering, the ladies decided that it was time to leave.

Bade arrived home thirty minutes later. 

****

When Wole wouldn’t stop calling her phone, Adesua decided that there was no point in ignoring him so she decided to grant his one request so that he could let her be.

It was a Saturday evening and Pere was out with his so-called business partners. She hoped that this new business he was embarking on would be successful so they could return to life as she knew it. She had been miserable all this while. Tonye was starting school in a few weeks, and she’d been telling Pere about it. His response was the same every time; he was working on it. They didn’t even have money to send Tonye to a cheaper school. She was furious. How could Pere have been so careless with their finances?

Wole Adefarati sat at a table in Odelia’s Kitchen. It was in a high-brow area of Lagos. 

He poured himself a glass of red wine as he eagerly awaited Adesua's arrival. He looked at his wristwatch. Adesua was running late. He tapped his finger on the table.

“Sir, would you like to order any starters now?” 

“No.” He replied firmly. “But a glass of cold water would do.”

“Okay, sir. I'll be right back.” The waiter said to him. 

He gazed at her briefly as she walked away. She couldn’t be more than twenty-five years old. He wondered if this was what she wanted out of life. To wait tables. Maybe she was going to school and doing this on the side? He shrugged. What did he care? His analytical mind was getting the best of him again.

“Here you go, Sir.” The lady placed the glass of water on the table. “Would you like me to get some iced cubes?”

“No, this is okay.” He said with a wave of his hand. 

Ten minutes later, Adesua walked in wearing a pink off-the-shoulder dress that showed her flawless skin. The dress rested on her knee. Her hair was styled to the side and held in place with a large gold clip. She still looked as beautiful as he could remember. She had gained weight in all the right places though.

“Traffic. Bad traffic.” Adesua said, shaking her head. “I had to take the toll gate route.” 

He stood to pull her chair just as she was about to grab it. 

“Oh, thank you.” She said to him.

“You smell nice,” Wole muttered. He had caught the whiff of her perfume the moment that she walked towards him. 

“Care for some wine?” 

“No,” she nodded. Her stomach had become very sensitive, and alcohol irritated her easily. I can do sweet tea, fruit juice, or any other drink that’s not alcoholic.

“Okay,” Wole responded signaling for the waiter to come over. 

“You look amazing, Adesua.”

“Thanks.” She said to him.  She still didn’t know why he wanted to meet with her. They had parted on bad terms.

She looked up and met his gaze. Wole’s eyes bore into hers and she looked away.

Wole bit his lips and smiled. Adesua was still attracted to him. That was a good thing. He thought.

The waiter came back with fruit juice for Adesua.

“Can I take your order now?” She asked them.

“In a minute,” Wole said dismissively. He handed the menu to Adesua. He already knew what he would order. “Adesua, what on the menu would you like for starters?”

She glanced through the menu. ‘I want the Fisherman’s pepper soup.”

Wole took in her well-manicured nails. They were a fiery purple color.

“Great, I’ll do the Oxtail pepper soup.”

Adesua looked around. “Why are there no other people here apart from us?”

“What do you think?” He had a twinkle in his eye when he answered.

Adesua gasped. “Really? Why did you go to that length?”

“Because I wanted to.” Wole retorted.

“I see,” Adesua replied. He was wealthy. He could afford to do what he just did.

Their starters were delivered, and the chef came around shortly after to take their order.

“Wow! Their food is good.” Adesua moaned.

“Glad you like it. First time here?”

“Yeah.” The restaurant was newly opened. Unfortunately, it had been opened during the time she was broke, else she would have visited with Pere or a friend. Possibly Ebika who had a taste for fine cuisine.

“So, why did you ask to meet?” She glanced at him before putting a piece of shrimp in her mouth. “ I said some horrible things to you before we broke up.”

“Well, that’s in the past now. Isn’t it? I wanted to spend some time with you like in old times. I left this country several years ago and it’s funny that our paths never crossed until now. Don’t you think that’s the universe working in our favor?”

“Wole, I’m married. How can the universe be working in our favor?”

Wole reached for the wine glass and sipped some red wine. “I don’t know but I’m a believer in things happening accidentally.”

“Our meeting wasn’t accidental. Nkem told you I was going to be at her party.” Adesua answered.

Wole squinted at her. The woman was a tough nut to crack. “Wow! You sound like you’d rather be anywhere but here tonight. Would you like to leave now? I have the bill sorted already. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Adesua realized that he was angry. Maybe she had pushed things too far. It was dinner after all. He wasn’t asking for anything more. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be difficult. I’ve been stressed about some things lately.”

“Care to share?” Wole asked with concern lacing his voice.

“No…” She answered quickly. She didn’t want him to gloat. After all, she had chosen to marry someone else instead of him, and look where it had gotten her.

Wole held her hands and caressed the back of it. Adesua couldn’t explain the currents running through her body. She had stopped being intimate with Pere. How could they when he had messed up so badly?

She removed her hand from Wole’s and looked away from him. Lionel Richie’s Stuck on You was suddenly playing in the restaurant. That was followed by other romantic songs. The ambiance around the restaurant felt like a set-up. She needed to head home.

“Thanks for the meal, Wole. I need to head home now. It’s almost 9 pm and I probably won’t get home till around 10 pm.”

“Oh, why didn’t you tell me that you live so far?”

“I don’t live that far. It’s all the road construction going on. It’s caused some obstruction.”

“I see. I’m close by.” Wole said.

“Good for you. Let me get going. When do you head back to London?” Adesua quizzed.

“I’ll be here for some months more. I am working on a project.”

“Splendid. Well, enjoy your stay. Thanks for dinner. It was so good.” She smiled at him.

“Anytime Adesua,” Wole responded. “Perhaps we should do this again?”

“Errrm. Maybe…” Adesua shrugged. Being with Wole had felt like she was catching up with an old friend. She’d felt completely at ease with him.

****

Pere paced around the house. “Agnes, where did she say that she was going?”

“Madam said that she was going to see her friend.”

“When did she leave the house?” Pere questioned.

“Oga, around seven-thirty.”

“I see,” Pere responded. It was past ten and it was unlike Adesua to still be out and not tell him about her whereabouts. Well, scratch that! She was like a chameleon these days. It was hard to place her. She was sweet one day and unpredictable the next!

Adesua walked in twenty minutes later. She was all dressed up in a dress that suited her and showed her shapely figure. “You didn’t tell me you were going to a party tonight. I was worried sick about you. You didn’t pick your calls.”

“Low battery,” Adesua answered casually. “Where is Tonye?”

“In our room sleeping,” Pere answered.

“Did he take a shower tonight?”

“Adesua. I’ve been worried about you and all you care about is whether Tonye took a shower or not?”

“Do I act paranoid when you come in late now and then? Do I?” Adesua snapped at him. She walked to the sofa and sat. Her feet suddenly felt achy.

“If you’re tired of this marriage, you can leave!” Pere said heatedly. He was tired of their fights. “You don’t seem to respect me anymore. It’s clear you no longer give a hoot about this family. I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I’m trying my best to turn the situation around.”

“Please, Pere!” Adesua shook her hands. “You wrecked this family financially. Who does that?”

“It’s not my fault that I fell for those scammers. The email was compromised. I fell for it.” Pere stated defensively.

“Oh well, see what that has cost us. Tonye resumes school in a few weeks and Lord knows we can no longer afford Daffodils School. Where will he go? A public school? Not on my watch!” Adesua stated before walking off.

Pere collapsed into a chair and held his head. His head was throbbing. Was Adesua seeing someone else? She was used to the fine things of life. He shook his head. He needed to get that thought out of his mind.