BIBI - CHAPTER 9

Dear Reader,

I hope that your day has been fabulously fabulous. Pardon my tautology as I am learning the proper use of English grammar. Lol.

If you have been following this story, I sincerely apologize for the bi-weekly posting cadence as that was not my intent. Thank you for your patience as I continue writing this story.

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Now to the story......

****

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant

****

Lara walked into Fit sport and health club in Magodo Estate where Bade lived. Bibi had gotten her a week pass at the club.

“Good morning Ms Fernandez.”  One of the customer service reps greeted her. After verifying her pass, he ran through the list of classes that were currently in progress and handed her a small book for reference.

“Thank you.” She gave him a warm smile before heading toward the Zumba class. She carried most of her weight around her hips and couldn’t wait to be trim.

The facilities were much better than she’d imagined. They had a sauna which was even more exciting.

She walked to the women’s changing room and opened one of the lockers. When she opened her bag and took out her phone, She saw that she’d had three missed calls from an unknown number. A text message popped up on her phone just then.

“Lara, it’s me, Fadeke Keshinro. Call me when you get a chance.”

That would have to be after the class. It was already in progress.

The instructor, a lady with a body like Serena Williams moved to the rhythm of the song playing. It was R Kelly's fiesta from ages past. She motioned for her to join them. There were about 15 other ladies in the class. She saw some guys afar off lifting weights, doing the most. She giggled. She wasn’t about to break her back.

Forty minutes later, she was drenched in sweat and resting in the women’s changing room when one of the ladies from the Zumba class walked towards her.

“Hi. Are you new around here? Been coming here for quite some time now and I’ve never seen you around.”

“Yeah…” Lara answered. “I’m visiting family. I don’t live around here.”

‘Oh, nice. I’m Stella Maris by the way. I live about ten minutes away.”

“Cool,” Lara responded. “My brother’s house is only about ten minutes’ walk away.”

“I can walk you home if you don’t mind. It’s perfect weather for walking. Don’t you think so?” Stella Maris asked, smiling.

Lara glanced at her. “Yeah, sure. Let’s walk.”

“So, are you one of those IJGBs? Your accent is very Britico.” Stella Maris remarked.

Lara chuckled. “IJJB means what?”

“It’s IJGB and it stands for I Just Got Back. You know like, you just got back from the abroad.”

Lara giggled. “I need to catch up with all the cool words you guys here say these days.”

“I’m sure you will. How long are you here for?”

“One week,” Lara replied.

“You mean you’re going back so soon?”

“I mean I’m here in Magodo for only a week.”

“Oh, why? I thought you’d be around for much longer.”

Lara shrugged. “Well, maybe. Depends.”

“Depends on?”  Stella Maris probed.

This Stella Maris girl seemed friendly but forward. Did she think she’d get to know all about her in ten minutes? Besides, who bore the name Stella Maris these days?

“That’s my brother’s house right there.” Lara pointed.

“Wow! I live in the building across from you.” Stella Maris said excitedly.

“You don’t mean it!” Lara smiled. She suddenly felt a headache coming on and she still hadn’t called Fadeke.

“A pleasure meeting you, Stella Maris. I need to go now. Hope to see you around soon.”

“You will since we are neighbours.”

“Right. Lara smiled. Sorry, I need to call a friend back.”

“No worries. Let me let you go. We’ll catch up later.”

“Sure,” Lara answered wondering if she really wanted to catch up later with her.

 

****

Two months later…

Pere whistled as he walked into the building that housed their office. He, Akin, George, Bade and Siji their newest partner had come together to start a real estate company. They had work cut out for them. The core of their business was going to be real estate development. They had pooled money together and bought hectares of land which would be used to build a commercial centre. They needed funds to get it going. For now, he decided to do some real estate agent work on the side. The other partners had full-time jobs.

Today, he had an appointment at the Ministry of Works and Housing to speak with some senior officials on a couple of contracts and housing projects which they were targeting. Things were looking brighter. The only issue was that he still had limited funds. His friends had been helpful, supporting him financially from time to time.

Adesua had raised the funds for Tonye's school fees. She said that she had gone to family members to ask for money. His pride had been hurt but it was all well and good. He wanted her to be happy. She seemed happier these days anyway and he knew that the smiles on her face were not brought on by him. She seldom fought him these days but the chasm between them had gotten larger than he could deal with. At least, she didn't fight him. Neither did she call him names. He didn't know whether to be grateful for that. She replied to him in monosyllables whenever he spoke to her. His marriage had hit the rocks and he didn't know what to do. He knew Adesua for who she was, yet he'd gone ahead and gotten married to her. He sighed, shoving his thoughts aside. He couldn't dwell on them. Now he knew that being married to a beauty queen and the daughter of wealthy parents didn’t mean that he’d have the great marriage he always thought that he would have. While he had been enamoured by her beauty, call it lust or whatever, he knew that Adesua wasn’t head over in heels in love with him. He had married her with the hopes that love would grow between them. What a fool he had been.

“Koye, could you please print two copies of the letter which we just drafted for the meeting with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing?”

“Okay, Sir.” Koye, their newly hired assistant answered him. Koye was a cool-headed guy and that was one thing Pere liked about him. He came highly recommended by one of George’s friends.

His phone rang interrupting his thoughts. He glanced at the screen. It was one of his friends that he hadn’t been in contact with in a long time.

“Hey, my man! Been a minute. How’s the family?” His friend, Kufre asked laughing.

“Bro, I’m here trying to do my best.”

“Good. I heard you’re back in the real estate business. I think that’s great. Let me know if there’s anything that I can do to help. I have a few contacts. They can pull some strings here and there.” Kufre stated.

“Appreciate it. I’ll give you a call. Trying to prepare for this meeting with some folks”

“Let me not keep you then. Talk to you later.” Kufre said before he hung up.

Pere was grateful for the blessings that came these days in the form of friends who cared genuinely about him and wanted to see him succeed. He couldn’t understand those who went about their lives acting like they didn’t need anyone. Thank goodness he hadn’t let his ego get in the way of his reaching out for help.

****

“I hear you’re being seen around town these days with Wole Adefarati. Something going on that I should know about?” Her friend Lanre probed.

“Where did you hear all that from?” Adesua asked her closest male friend, Lanre Odutola.

“Walls have ears you know, Adesua. Tell me, is there something I should know considering you both have a history?”

“Nothing, Lanre. Besides, my husband should be the one asking all these questions.”

“I bet he isn’t asking because he hasn’t heard the news.”

Adesua stopped digging into her pistachio and vanilla ice cream. “How did you even get to know this?”

“You forget we have the same circle of friends. Let me jog up your memory, Adesua Brisibe.”

Adesua bit her lips. She couldn’t believe people were already gossiping about her after only a few dates with Wole.

“You look guilty.” Lanre’s eyes bore into hers. “What? Do you think I don’t know when something makes you feel guilty? It’s written all over your face.”

Adesua smirked and looked away. “Well, Lanre. Like I said you’re not my husband.”

He looked at her and decided to let the matter rest. He didn’t want to make her angry. Besides, he hadn’t seen her in a while. “Sorry. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

Adesua bit her lips and nodded her head. The truth was that she didn’t know what to call what she had going on with Wole these days.

“So, how have you been?” Lanre asked biting into his waffle-coned ice cream.

“Good.” She answered.

“How’s Pere?”

“Pere is fine. He’s quite busy these days.”

“I see. How’s Tonye? You should bring him over to my house one of these weekends. Tola and Tayo have been asking after him. They turn 5 in a few months and we’re thinking of having a small party for them to celebrate.”

“Oh cool. You know Tonye turned five a few months back.”

“Oh really? I would have known if you had thrown a party.”

Adesua smiled. She hadn’t told him how things had been rough lately. “Sorry, we didn’t have a party this time around Mister.”

“Why not?” Lanre frowned.

“Well, because… because. Pere and I had a lot on our plate. We’ll celebrate next year.” Adesua stuttered.

Lanre raised his brows. He knew Adesua. She wasn’t one to miss a chance to have a get-together inviting her high society friends. “Are you sure everything is okay? Something about you seems off.” Concern laced his voice.

“Yeah, all is well. I’m just stressed. It’s been super busy lately. That’s all.” Adesua played around with the spoon in the ice cream cup.

“Take it easy. Problem no dey finish. You know you can always reach out to me if you need to talk or vent. I won't spill your secrets." 

Adesua smiled slightly. “Thanks, Lanruze!” Lanruze was the nickname she'd called him since she could remember.

“Lanre.” Adesua cleared her throat. “I have been thinking about starting a business. You know, like a small business.”

Lanre sat up in his chair. “Say what?” He burst into laughter.

Adesua rolled her eyes. “I’m not kidding.”

“What’s motivating this? I know you always wanted to be a stay-at-home mum, taking care of the children and the home front. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Some children go astray because their parents are too busy to pay them any attention.” Lanre elucidated.

Adesua adjusted the silver bracelet on her wrist. It had been a gift from Pere during their courtship years. “Frankly, I’m bored and I’ve been thinking that there’s got to be more to life. I’ve always dreamt of being a big-time fashion designer making clothes for models, celebrities...”  Her voice trailed off. While she wasn’t telling Lanre the whole truth about how broke she and Pere were, it was true that she’d begun to have the nagging feeling inside her that there had to be more to life. That her life was supposed to matter and count for something. Her recent experience had humbled her, but she didn’t know where to start from.

Lanre crossed his arms. “So, first things first would be to train to be a fashion designer.”

“Yes, but I don’t want to study fashion designing here.”

“Italy is a fashion centre. You already know that. But I think London is the heart of the fashion world and home to many famous fashion schools.”

Adesua eyes roved over Lanre’s face. “How do you know this?”

Lanre laughed. “I happen to be educated. Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

Adesua chuckled. “I’ll check out the schools when I get home.”

“Fantastic. I wish you well. Hopefully, Pere will let you out of his sight.” Lanre winked.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. He doesn’t have a choice.” Adesua shrugged.

“I better get going now. I’m meeting with a client around here in thirty minutes.”

“Ah, don’t let me keep you. It’s been fun hanging with you after such a long time.” Adesua stood to hug him.

“Are you sure? I feel like I got under your skin what with all the discussions about Wole.” Lanre stated, pulling her into an embrace.

“It’s okay. You were in the right to ask.” Adesua couldn’t help chuckling at Lanre’s contrite tone.

“Thanks. Don’t be a stranger. I’m only a call away.”

“Awww. Ain’t you sweet?”

Lanre picked his phone on the table and gave her his usual playful wink before walking away.

****

Her conscience tugged at her as she walked into the large and beautiful lounge at Pearl Suites in Opebi,

a busy area in Lagos mainland. 

She and Wole had been meeting there several times a week in the last one month. Wole had chosen the hotel because it was where he mostly had his business meetings and because it was far from the Island where she lived. It would be difficult for those who knew her to easily spot her. 

What she was doing felt wrong and then it felt right at the same time. Why was she so conflicted?

“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

That was a verse of the scriptures which she had memorized as a child before she decided that the concept that there was a God somewhere was a scam! Every man was the driver of his own destiny and things happened according to how the universe wanted it to be.

So why was that scripture coming to her now? She frowned even as she headed towards the elevators. It suddenly dawned on her. She was trying to hide her adulterous acts from everyone, but God could see all that she was up to. She couldn’t hide any details of her life from him.

“So, what? Am I supposed to tremble?” She hissed before pressing the button that would take her to the fourth floor where she and Wole met.

The elevator stopped on the second floor and a man entered. He gave her a once over before saying hello. She was beautiful and she knew it. Men often gawked when they saw her.

She flipped the card by the detector on the door and pulled it open. Wole usually booked the deluxe suite for them. She could hear his voice on the phone. He came around and signaled with his hands.

“Five minutes.”

She nodded and giggled. She gazed at him in  a crisp white shirt and blue slacks. His back was to her and she admired his form. His five minutes usually turned to twenty. She would see if today would be different.

She kicked off her four inched pumps and kneaded her feet before sitting on the plush bed.

“Hi Sugar.” Wole said to her in his deep baritone voice.

“Babe. That was a quick call. A first, I must say.”

“How is that a first? C’mmon bella!”

“Ha! So, I’m exaggerating? Wole, you know your five minutes always turn into twenty or thirty minutes.”

“Okay, okay… I agree.” Wole lifted his hands in surrender.

“Perfect!” Adesua snickered.

“Care for a drink or would you prefer food instead?”

“I can do a drink for starters. Food can come later.”

“You mean you want me later, not now?” Touché. Wole placed his hands over his chest.

“Go away.” She pretended to shoo him away.

 "Whisky or Irish cream?" Wole asked.

"Irish cream of course."

"He handed her the drink and sat on the bed beside her."

"So how is my baby girl doing?" He reached to caress her face.

"Fine, I guess." She answered.

"What’s wrong?"

“I want to go back to school. I’ve been feeling like there’s so much more that I can do with my life.”

“Hmmm… Since when have you been feeling this way?” Wole asked thoughtfully.

“For a while now but I always shoved the thought aside.

She told him about wanting to go to Fashion school abroad and not having enough funds to do so.

“Is that why your face is so long?” Wole teased. “You don’t know much I’m worth, do you?” He raised her chin with the tip of his finger. “Come with me to the UK. You’ll be well taken care of. You can go to any fashion school you like in London or anywhere else in the world.

“What about my son? I can’t leave him behind.” Adesua stated.

“What’s yours is mine. I’ll love him like my own son.”

“Aww… Wole. This means much to me. You're so kind."

"Is there something else bothering you? Why do I feel like you haven't spilled everything on your chest?" Wole probed.

"I don’t know. I keep having this gnawing feeling that I’m not doing right by Pere.”

“Can you not mention his name when we’re together?” Wole spat, sounding angry.

Adesua frowned but she didn’t say anything. Wole was becoming increasingly jealous these days. He never used to have problems with her mentioning her husband’s name during conversations.  

“Babe. You know I don’t like you being like this.” His lips covered hers. Oh, she couldn’t deny the fact that he was a good kisser. He made her feel all the things that Pere didn’t make her feel. Wole was caring, loving, and generous to a fault. Butterflies danced in her stomach as his hands roamed her body.

One by one they slowly peeled each other’s clothes as passion engulfed them.

****

Bibi sat on one of the chairs around the island in their kitchen. She cut up an apple and chomped it piece by piece.

“How did your day go?” Bade asked as he opened one of the cupboards and reached for a drinking glass.

“Pretty okay.” She responded.

“Details please,” Bade pulled the seat beside her. Bibi went on and on about how her day went.

“Anyway, enough about me. How is the new business going with George and co?”

“We aren’t making any money yet. That’s for sure. We are just putting structures in place here and there.”

"We'll make money at some point though."

"I know," Bibi remarked. “Anything my husband touches turns to gold so it’s only a matter of time.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Sister Lara called me today. She wants to come and spend some time with us. I told her it was okay.”

“I hope mum isn’t bothering her. I do want her to stay back in Nigeria for a while and explore the opportunities here. I am also hoping that she’ll meet a cool dude and get married.”

“We all want that too. Everyone is praying for her. Perhaps we should pray some more.” Bibi said thoughtfully.

“One thing I know is that the big guy up there isn’t deaf. Bibi, do you think Lara should try online dating?”

“Well, that’s if she isn’t already trying online dating.”

“True.” Bade tapped his fingers on the island’s marble top.

“I made pasta and shrimp sauce for dinner.” Bibi announced after minutes of silence.

“Dear wife, you’re not helping my ministry.”

“Feel free to eat a small portion.” Bibi stuck out her tongue because she knew that Bade loved his pasta.

“Joker.” He watched as Bibi served his food. “Bibi, you do realize that I’m not a kitten. More please.”

“I thought you were trying to be fit?”

“Then don’t cook pasta next time.” Bade rolled his eyes.

“Wow! It’s a cold world out here.” Bibi mocked.  “You are as fit as a fiddle. I wonder why you’re stressing.”

“Says the person who tells me she’ll no longer look my way once I develop a pot belly,” Bade smirked.

They burst into laughter at the same time.

“Chef Bibi, you’ve outdone yourself again.”

“Thank you, thank you, husband, of mine.” Whenever she cooked and Bade commented on how good it tasted, she felt elated.

****

 When Adesua got home later that night, only Agnes was home. She dropped her keys on the centre table in the sitting room.

“Madam welcome.” Agnes greeted.

“Where’s everyone? Daddy never come back? Tonye don sleep?”

“Madam, Tonye started throwing up this evening. Oga don carry am go hospital.”

“You say? Oh, my goodness! My son! Why didn’t Pere call me?”

“He was calling you. You no pick.”

Adesua rummaged through her bag for her phone. She saw all the missed calls from Pere.”

Her stomach cramped suddenly. She had kept her phone on silent the whole time she was with Wole.

She dialled Pere’s number. 

"Hello Adesua."

“Pere, I just got home and Agnes told me Tonye is sick.” Her voice sounded muffled.

“Yes. We are at the hospital. He was running a fever when I got home.” He answered coolly.

“I called you.”

“Sorry, I was stuck in traffic and my phone was in silent mode,” Adesua replied.

“Liar!” A voice in her head said.

“So, are you at Sacred Hearts?" Sacred Hearts was their family hospital.

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to come over? Are they keeping him for the night?”

“Don’t worry about it. Tonye is asleep now. He’s getting an IV drip. We’ll head home when we get discharged. The doctor said in a few hours.”

Adesua paced up and down the sitting room. She sat for a while and stood again.

Agnes was observing her from where she sat. “Madam don’t worry. Tonye go dey okay. By the grace of God.”
Adesua sniffed. “Thank you, Agnes.” Guilt was tearing at her insides. She felt like crap.

She turned on the TV to keep herself from going crazy with worry. Grey’s Anatomy was showing on MNET and while she gazed at the pictures on the screen, her mind was far away.

Her phone vibrated. Wole was calling her. He probably wanted to make sure that she’d gotten home. She let the call ring out. She was in no mood for chatting.