She rolled off the bed and wore her flip flops. She was wearing
her pyjamas which was decent enough. She ran her hands through her hair and
patted it. Opening the door quietly so as not to wake Bade up, she walked down
the stairs and into the sitting room. Their four-bedroom duplex had been a
wedding gift from their parents. It had been a pleasant surprise.
She peeked through the hole in the door. “Look who we have here.” She said to herself. She
threw the door open and before her stood Bade’s parents and his only sibling
who lived in the UK. “Oh my goodness!” Bibi threw her arms around her
sister-in-law. “But sister Lara, this is such a surprise. No one mentioned you
were coming to Nigeria.”
Bibi turned to Bade’s parents and curtsied to greet them.
“I told her to keep her coming home a secret.” Ireti chuckled.
“Where is Bade?” Segun Fernandez asked.
“Upstairs sleeping,” Bibi replied him smiling.
“Go and wake the sleepyhead up,” Lara said giggling.
“Well, there’s no need for that.” A deep male voice answered. Bibi
spun around and saw her husband standing behind her in a green T-shirt and grey shorts.
He walked towards his sister and gave her a big hug. “Lara, it’s
good to have you home after five years. When did you come into the country?”
“Let’s go in.” He motioned for them to go into the sitting room.
“I arrived three days ago,” Lara responded.
“Oh, your house is lovely. I love the décor in here.” Lara
remarked. “Beautiful furnishings too. Did you guys get an interior decorator to
do all of this for you?”
“Nope. It’s all the work of my amazing wife. She’s a combination
of many talents.”
“I try,” Bibi commented.
“Well, I wish I was that talented!" Lara ran her hands through her braided hair.
“C’mmon! Lara, we all know you are an overachiever. What other
talent do you need?” Bade retorted.
Bibi’s gaze swept over Lara, her sister-in-law. She couldn’t be
more than 5ft 5inches tall but had been gifted with an hourglass figure. Her
figure was what they called ‘thick’ these days.
“I wonder.” Ireti chipped in and jolted Bibi from her reverie. “Anyway, we brought breakfast. It’s in the car
if one of you would like to go pick it up.”
“Oh mum, you shouldn’t have bothered,” Bade responded.
“It’s just moin-moin. Eight pieces or so.” Ireti replied.
“Well, I have been wanting to eat that. Thank you mum.” Bibi stood
to go get the food in the car.
“Bibiire, you are welcome.”
“You are welcome too Bade.” Ireti turned to look at her son.
“Sorry, mum. Thank you.”
“The car keys please,” Bibi asked.
“The driver is in the car,” Segun answered in a raspy voice. He was 65 years old and didn't feel as strong as he used to feel these days. His doctor had prescribed him a list of vitamins. He hated taking tablets of any kind but Ireti made sure he didn't default on taking his various medications.
“Oh… I didn’t notice
him.” Bibi nodded, wondering why she hadn’t seen him. It must have been the surprise at seeing Lara.
“Your house is huge,” Lara said while examining the different wall
arts.
“I don’t agree,” Bade responded. “I think it’s just okay.”
“Well, I mean it’s huge considering it’s just both of you living
here.”
“Not for long,” Ireti remarked. “Abi, Bade. We are
expecting the sound of children to fill everywhere. I can’t wait to carry you
and Bibi’s children in my arms.”
“Soon, mum.” Bade smiled at his mum with warmth in his eyes.
“I only have you and your sister. Since Lara has refused to settle
down, what can we do?” Ireti shrugged.
“Mum!” Lara said awkwardly.
Ireti rolled her eyes. “Don’t mum me! Do you think we don’t know
that you have been hiding in London? Come home so you can meet a good man and settle down but you won’t answer! At 36, what is
holding you back? Career, you have. Stability… you have.”
“Mum!” Bade said sharply. “I don’t think this is a good time for
this discussion.”
“When will it ever be a good time?” Ireti questioned.
“Mum, there are men in the UK. Why do I have to come to Nigeria to
come to find a husband?”
“Then why haven't you married if there’s an abundance of men in
the UK?” Ireti spat
“Dear...” Segun tried to intervene.
“How can I give birth to someone as beautiful as this and she'll
still be single at 36?”
“Well, I hear stories about the so-called men here! Aren't they
all cheats and liars?”
“I beg your pardon. I am a man and I live in Nigeria.” Bade
replied with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Well, I wasn't talking about men your ilk.” Lara countered.
“Pure unadulterated horse manure! Is that what your friends abroad
are telling you?” Ireti adjusted her blouse.
“Mum, I hear stories all the time. Instablog Nigeria and all the
blogs have these stories on them.”
“Insta what?” Ireti asked clapping her hands in a typical Yoruba
woman fashion. “Bade, can you hear how ridiculous your sister sounds right
now?”
“Do you want me to go back? If I’m not wanted here, I can take
the next flight back to where I’m coming from.” Lara scolded.
Ireti shook her head. “Segun, you see what living abroad has
turned Lara into? See how she's thinking like a crab!”
Lara couldn't help bursting into laughter at her mother's remark.
“I'm glad you are laughing at yourself. Rada rada!” Ireti
hissed.
“I’ll be right back. Excuse me please.” Bibi grabbed the food
basket and walked hurriedly to the kitchen. The ongoing conversation made her
feel uncomfortable.
“So, Oyebade, what’s the latest scoop on the real estate business
partnership you were considering?” Segun tried to steer the conversation in a
different direction.
“Dad, I thought things through and I decided I’ll be partnering
with George and co.”
“You can’t go wrong with investing in real estate,” Segun
answered.
“Well, I have some reservations. One of the guys was swindled
recently. It was terrible. They took everything away from him.”
“What?” Segun looked dazed.
“Yeah, dad. It was one of those online scams. He transferred the
amount requested by the so-called business partners and that was it.”
“Oh my goodness! Didn’t he vet them?” Ireti asked.
“Mum, it’s a long story.”
“Shouldn’t you be wary of going into business with someone who
could be so easily swindled?”
“It’s not as simple as it sounds. But we’ll be putting checks in
place so that something like that never happens in this new business.”
“Do you guys need the services of a security specialist? I have a
friend I can recommend.” Lara chimed.
“We got someone already. Thanks, sis.” Bade smiled at his sister.
“Where is Bibi?” Segun remarked.
“In the kitchen I guess..” Bade answered. “So Lara, how long are
you home for?”
“She has come to stay,” Ireti answered.
Lara shook her head. “Bade don't mind mum. I'm still thinking
about it.”
“As surely as the Lord lives, you'll stay so you can meet a great
guy.”
“Dear, let's not make any rash decision. Lara is doing well in the
UK.” Segun said thoughtfully.
“She's doing well living in a fine house all by herself? Is she doing
well?”
“Errrm. Bade where is the kitchen? By the way, I'll be staying
here for a few days. I brought my overnight bag.”
Bade winked at her. She was trying to avoid their mother. Though
she was a darling, their mum could be difficult sometimes.
“You'll chase the girl away with your constant harassment.” Segun
cautioned his wife.
“I just want the best for her.”
“Then keep praying for her and don't put so much pressure on her
that she falls into the hands of a con guy!”
Ireti lowered her gaze. She was suddenly ashamed of the way she
had been at loggerheads with Lara, someone she only had the privilege of seeing
once in a while.
“I agree with dad,” Bade said quietly.
****
“Why is Bade yelling?” Lara picked up the TV remote control and
increased the TV volume. She was watching a show and Bade shouting every ten
minutes was distracting.
Bibi laughed. “He’s watching basketball and I think his favourite
team is playing.”
“Interesting. I didn’t know Bade was into basketball.” Lara
crossed her leg and adjusted her dress. Bibi excused herself and went to check
the food she was making.
The smell of fried plantain and chicken danced in Lara’s nostrils.
Her stomach suddenly growled and she remembered that she hadn’t eaten all day. She
stood to go help Bibi in the kitchen.
"Everything smells delicious in here."
Bibi giggled. “Thanks, Sister Lara.”
“Is there anything I can help you with? Sorry I got carried away
by the show I’m watching.”
“Sis, please go and enjoy what you’re watching. I’m almost done
here. I just need to dice the vegetables and lunch will be served.”
“Perfect, thank you. I just realized I haven’t eaten all day.”
“You don’t mean it”. Bibi exclaimed. “Please take anything you
want here. The fried rice will be ready in a jiffy.”
Lara took a small dish and put some pieces of meat and chicken in
it. “This should keep me occupied in the meantime.”
“No sweat,” Bibi answered, wiping her hands on the apron.
“I’m meeting some people at Ikoyi Club this evening. Do you ladies
want to come?”
“Oh, you startled me. I didn’t know you were downstairs already.”
Bibi tossed one fried plantain in her mouth.
“Yeah, be prepared for the coming of the Lord. It’ll sneak up on
you like a thief in the night.”
“You are not Jesus!” Lara simpered.
Bade burst into laughter.
“You know I’m always down for Ikoyi Club, Bade. Sister Lara, what do
you say?”
“Of course, I’d love to come along. I haven’t been there in ages.”
“Hmm.. Fried goat meat. Yummy!” Bade reached for a piece of meat
and Bibi grabbed his hand.
“I thought you were on a diet?” Bibi arched her brows.
“What diet?” Bade spread his palms feigning ignorance.
When Bibi turned to stir the rice in the pot, Bade ran out of the
kitchen with the meat.
“Bibi zero, Bade one! Nicely played!” Bibi clapped her hands and
Lara doubled over laughing.
She had observed the friendly rapport between her brother and his wife.
She could only admire them and pray that she’d have such when and if she
eventually settled down.
Lunch was served shortly and Lara relished every bite. She wasn’t
much of a cook. While she could throw some things together in a pot when the
need arose, she usually just ordered catered meals back in the UK or ate out. Her
mother did the cooking whenever she came to visit.
“ I can’t believe it’s been more than four years since I last
visited Lagos. Everything looks different.” Lara stated on their way to Ikoyi
Club.
“Sis, I don’t think Lagos has changed much in the last four years.
Well, our last Governor tried to give Lagos a makeover but that’s been a while
now. You know Nigerians and our culture of maintenance. The current government
is trying the little they can but a lot still needs to be done.”
“I agree with Bade.” Bibi chimed.
“We are here!” Bade announced when they got to the club.
“Wow! Everything sure looks different around here. I don’t think I’ve
been here in over ten years.”
Bade wore his sunglasses once he was out of the car. He looked
around trying to locate the people he was meeting with. “Ah, I see them now.” Bibi and Lara turned to look in the direction
in which he was pointing.
“Pere. This is my sister, Lara and my wife Bibi.”
“Nice to meet you, Lara. You and Bade look alike.”
“Everyone says that. I’m only a shorter version.” Lara replied and
Pere laughed.
When his gaze fell on Bibi, his breath hitched as though he knew
her from a past life. She was dressed in a pink and navy polo shirt and jeans
trousers. Her sneakers looked comfortable and expensive. A band held her hair
in place.
“Hi, Bibi. I’m Pere. Have we met before?” His eyes bore into hers.
Her eyes were shaped like almonds. What a beauty! When he realized that he was
still holding her hands, he quickly let go of it as though something had burned
him. Why was he acting weird? He hoped Bade hadn’t noticed his awkwardness.
“No, I don’t think so,” Bibi answered.
Pere noticed her pearly whites. Were those real or did she have
dental work done? Veneers perhaps?
“Pardon me. Your face looks familiar.” He said indifferently so he
wouldn’t seem so weird.
Bade introduced George and their latest partner, Seyi.
“Excuse us please.” Bade said to Bibi and Lara. “Business convo.”
He whispered.
“Go on.” Bibi smiled at him.
“You can order anything you want.”
“Not me! I feel so stuffed after all the food I ate at home. Bibi,
I didn’t know you were such a great cook. I sure could learn one or two things
from you.”
“Anytime,” Bibi replied, smoothing a tendril on her forehead. A cool
breeze was blowing.
“That guy was staring at you as though you were some kind of
apparition.”
“I realized. Maybe I look like someone he knows. That’s what he
said.” Bibi shrugged.
“Do you want to play any sports? I feel like playing Badminton.”
Bibi stated.
“I would have loved to go swimming but I didn’t bring my swimsuit.”
“That’s not a problem. They sell them here.” Bibi replied.
“It’s okay. I’ll just come along and watch you play Badminton.”
Lara adjusted her wristwatch.
Pere turned to look in Bibi’s direction. She and her sister-in-law
were headed towards the sports section.
What a beautiful lady. He thought! He managed to look away from
Bibi and focused on the ongoing conversation. He hoped that Bade hadn’t noticed
that he was ogling his wife.
Pere, focus! He said to himself.
He took a sip of his ginger-ale drink. When he looked up, he noticed
that George was staring at him strangely. His eyes held questions. Thankfully,
Bade was engrossed in the conversation and didn’t seem to be paying him any
particular attention.
****
Adesua gazed at the time. She was almost at Perry’s Plaza where Wole
had asked to meet with her. She recalled her last conversation with Pere and
her blood boiled again. He had told her that he couldn’t afford Daffodil school anymore and they’d just have to find a cheaper school for Tonye. She
could take everything else but not have her child go to the school of her choice. The Daffodil school was where her friend’s children went to. It was the school of
choice of the people that mattered in the Lagos social scene. The children got
quality education thanks to the foreign teachers who taught the children there.
The teachers were mostly British trained. She heard stories about how the kids
there passed their Cambridge A levels exams excellently while the ones that
chose to do the American SATs also passed in flying colours. So many of them
had gotten admission into Ivy League Universities in the US and top schools in
the UK like Cambridge, Oxford, the London School of Economics, etc. The school was a big deal. She wanted Tonye to mix with the right children and have
good exposure. She hit her hands on the steering wheel. This had been her dream
and Pere knew it. Tears flowed down her face. For the first time, she wished
she had things going for herself. She was going to have to go meet family members
and ask them for a bailout.
She drove into the parking lot at the Plaza and parked her car.
The sun was blazing hot. Thank goodness she was wearing sunscreen. She removed the
sunglasses on her head and wore them over her eyes. She had chosen to wear a yellow
jumpsuit and black mules with silver stripes. She adjusted her channel crossbody
bag.
“Hey!” Wole waved when he saw her.
“Hey, you!” She waved in return. “You know what, you have been
slowly creeping into my time and space.”
Wole laughed. “Is that a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” Adesua laughed. Wole stared at her red lips. He had to admit that she was still very
beautiful.
“So, what was it that was so important that you couldn’t take a no
for an answer? I thought you said that you had some business meeting to attend
today?”
“Well, yes but that was in the morning.”
“I see,” Adesua responded.
“Can we grab a bite?” Wole asked scratching his stubble slightly.
“Got anything in mind?” Adesua replied.
“You know it’s bad to answer a question with a question.” Wole
chuckled.
“Says who?” Adesua retorted.
“Says the good book of grammar,” Wole answered.
Adesua giggled.
“I heard there’s this place here where they have this fine
cuisine. Ilemakin told me they serve shawarma,
chicken suya, small chops and all the hearty delights.”
“Who is Ilemakin?” Adesua asked slightly raising a brow.
“Oh, that’s my cousin. He’s a foodie.”
Adesua giggled. “What a way to describe someone!”
They found the much talked about restaurant and placed their
orders for food. Their drinks were served afterwards.
“Your wristwatch. It’s beautiful”. Adesua said on spotting Wole’s
wristwatch. It looked expensive.
“Oh, thanks,” Wole responded.
"It looks like one of those Patek Philippe watches I was admiring
the other day in Switzerland."
Wole looked at her and snickered. “Wow, you are weird!”
“Why am I weird?” Adesua asked.
“Well, because you are right. I am wearing a Patek Philippe watch.”
“Wow!” Adesua exclaimed. “I also know that they are not cheap.”
Wole nodded and winked at her.
Their food was served several minutes later. As usual, the
restaurant was cozy and beautiful. Adesua couldn’t deny the fact that Wole had
great taste. Why had she walked away from him in the past? She could have
married him and been enjoying the good life. Tonye’s image suddenly flashed in
her mind. If she had married Wole, she wouldn’t have had Tonye. Her sweet boy.
She would never trade him for anything in the world. She suddenly felt sad that
she would not be able to give him the kind of life that she truly desired.
Wole had been watching her and he noticed that she was playing
around with the food on her plate.
“Don’t you like the food?”
Adesua looked up when she realized that he was speaking to her. “I
do. It’s delicious. I’m just worried about something else.”
“Penny for your thoughts? Wole asked, squinting.
Adesua hesitated. The last thing she wanted him to know was the fact that they were broke. Would he gloat? She stared at him for a few seconds trying to judge his reaction.
“You know you can spill what’s on your mind you know?”
She thought about it and decided she wasn’t going to tell him what
was bothering her.
“It’s nothing.”
“Hmm... I don’t believe you. Your face tells a different story.”
“Well…” She stuttered.
“Well maybe you should just open up to me.”
“Would you gloat? Afterall, I walked away from you back then.”
“I promise I won’t.” Wole smiled reassuringly and she couldn’t
help herself. She poured out her heart while he listened.
“I’m sorry you have been going through such rough times.” Wole
leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. “How much school fees are we
talking about?”
She told him and he stared at her pointedly. “Let’s go to my car
when you’re done eating.”
“I’m stuffed already. I can’t eat anything else.” She thanked him
for the food and Wole acknowledged, smiling.
He opened the car doors and gestured for her to sit at the
passenger seat beside him. He reached into a compartment in the car and brought
out his cheque book.
He wrote in it and tore the slip once he was done writing in it.
He handed it to her. “Will this cover it?”
Adesua stared at the cheque and gasped. It was half a million
Naira more than she had indicated.
“Wole! Oh, my goodness. I didn’t think… You know I….”
“Adesua, it’s okay,” Wole said holding her hands.
“By when would you like me to repay you?” She asked.
“Babe, it’s okay.” He hushed her. “You don’t need to pay me.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you for your kindness.”
When Wole leaned in to kiss her on the lips, she did not have it in her to resist him. His
cologne smelled like a mix of amber and sandalwood and it caressed her senses.
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