BIBI - CHAPTER 14

 

****

Dear Reader,

I hope that you’ll pardon my long silence and absence on this blog. Did I tell you that I did a cross-country move recently? It was hectic but I’m super grateful for all the support that I got.

I am much settled now and have been writing a little bit here and there in the last two weeks. My writing muse was beckoning on me and because life had gotten so busy, I couldn’t heed its call. Guess what happened? It went away. Every time I thought about going ahead with this story, it felt as though I was going on a wild goose chase. Well, in the end, I got my muse back and I hope to never let it go again. 😊

Thank you for your patience so far. I’m here now and on a mission to continue writing this story and see it to the finish line.

How have you been? What have you been up to? I trust that you’ve been very well, maximizing the moment and living life to the fullest.

Okay, it’s time to read the latest chapter of Bibi. I hope you enjoy it.

Cheerio!!

****

When their plane landed at the George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas, Bibi breathed a sigh of relief. Bade looked at her and smiled. Deciding to leave for Houston had been a hard decision to make for them but she’d thought things through. Though being with her parents while Bade recovered had been good for her mental health, she knew that a change of scenery would be good for them.

Tunlewa, Bade’s cousin was on his way to pick them up. They had spoken with him before they boarded the plane in Chicago.

The wheelchair assistant helped them with moving Bade around the airport. They had made reservations for wheelchair assistance before they left Chicago.

Thirty minutes later, they were at the arrival gate waiting for Tunlewa to pick them up. Ireti dialed his number and he answered almost immediately.

“I’m here ma. I should be with you in about five minutes.” Tunlewa stated.

“Tunlewa says he’s five minutes away.” Ireti said to Bade and Bibi.

“Oh, good,” Bade responded.

Bibi rubbed her tummy. It was a habit she had developed recently. Her phone vibrated and she saw messages on the group chat with Caroline, Peju and Sade. She put her phone in silent mode. She would look at the messages later.

Bade sat up in his wheelchair anticipating his cousin’s arrival. He folded his hands on his lap. He had fought through many negative emotions recently. Bitterness at his situation sometimes tried to engulf him but each time, he reminded himself that he was lucky to still be alive. He could be six feet under, never getting to see his child ever! He gazed at Bibi. Her tummy was starting to get big. Pregnancy suited her. She had this glow about her despite everything they had been through.

A black Range Rover Sports SUV suddenly pulled up in front of them and the driver alighted. He chuckled when he saw that it was Tunlewa. He hadn’t seen him in a long time.

“Bro!” Tunlewa bent to hug him. Bade admired his cousin who looked dapper in a green tee-shirt worn over blue jeans and a navy-blue cap. “So glad to see you.” Tunlewa’s eyes misted a little.

To think that Bade could have died in the macabre accident gave him chills.

“Good afternoon ma.” He prostrated to greet Ireti.

She patted him on the back. “Tunlewa dear, thank you so much for making time to pick us up. I know you should be at work now.”

“Ma, you know that I’ll do anything for you.” He responded.

“Dearest SIL,” He turned to hug Bibi. “I hope the flight wasn’t too stressful for you?” His eyes roved over her form. He had heard that she was with child.

“Not at all.” Bibi smiled at him.

Tunlewa reached for their suitcases and placed them in the car trunk, then he helped to move Bade into the car.

Bibi blinked back a tear. She wasn’t sure if it was pregnancy hormones but almost everything made her tearful these days. Bade had never been one to depend on people to get things done. His therapy sessions included helping him to be independent but there were still many things that he couldn’t do on his own and required other people to assist him.

The guilty feelings she had earlier subsided a little.

“The weather is so beautiful out here,” Bibi commented. “I could hardly tell that it’s Spring in Chicago.”

“Ha! You guys are coming from the windy city!” Tunlewa laughed. “Welcome to Houston. Enjoy the weather until it’s summer when it gets brutal.” He said with an American drawl.

“We’ll be aight!” Bade chuckled.

“Yea!” Tunlewa responded, tapping on the steering wheel. Tiwa Savage’s ‘Somebody’s son’ played softly in the car.

Bibi gazed around, warmth filling her heart. The sun was out in all its glory while the air conditioning in the car cuddled her skin. She was looking forward to better days.

Bade arched a brow when Tunlewa drove into Sugarland an hour later and saw several cars around his parents' home. “It's become quite busy around here.”

“Yeah, the new neighbors keep the area busy,” Tunlewa answered.

“I see,” Bade muttered.

They got all the suitcases from the car trunk and Bade was assisted into his wheelchair. Bibi combed through her hair with the tip of her fingers. She hadn't been to the family home in Houston before. Some youngsters rode their bicycles around and Bibi could picture her children doing similar things. Her face broke into a smile.

****

Adesua got off at the Sloane Square Underground Station. It was just a few minutes past 3 pm but she was dog tired. She had woken up early to get Tonye ready for school and drop him off before heading to the London College of Fashion where she was taking classes in Fashion design and pattern cutting. Thoughts about Wole fleeted into her mind and she smiled. The way he loved her, and Tonye made her want to do a breakdance on the streets. Tonye had been enrolled at Chesterton School, which was one of the best schools in Chelsea where they were currently living. Chelsea was known for being affluent, sophisticated, and easy on the eyes. Wole lived in a 4-bedroom condominium, and she had fallen in love with the house and neighborhood. Brick buildings mostly dominated the architectural landscape of Chelsea.

The air felt cold, and she wore her light tweed jacket over her short-sleeved striped shirt worn over jeans. She had taken off her braids and straightened her hair. It sat in a half parting and hung on her shoulders. She walked briskly to catch the bus to Carlyle Square. Tonye’s pick-up time was at 3:45 pm.

She had gotten in touch with her parents after months of silence and made them promise not to let Pere know that she was in London. Her parents argued with her but eventually gave in after threatening to never call them again. Her father had been displeased at her remark. Oh well! She wasn’t going back to Pere. She didn’t love him. She’d never really loved him but had gone ahead with the relationship because he had been persistent. He also seemed to care about her a lot. He was responsible and drop-dead gorgeous, so she had convinced herself that she loved him and had gone ahead to marry him.

He had shown her such love and devotion after their marriage that she’d begun to think that she loved him, and they could make their marriage work. All that changed after his business had taken a hit at the hands of fraudsters and he could no longer provide for them like he used to. What was a woman to do? She wanted nothing but the very best for her son. She loved the good life too.

“Mum. Tonye ran towards her with his bag and lunch box in his hand.”

“Hey, baby.” She crouched to hug him.

“Hello, Ms Adesua.” Tonye’s teacher smiled at her.

“Good afternoon.” Adesua greeted her with a smile. “I hope Tonye’s been a good boy all day?”

“Oh yes. He’s been such a good boy.” His teacher, Miss O’Sullivan answered.

“Good.” Adesua ruffled Tonye’s hair. “Let’s go, baby. Say goodbye to Miss O’Sullivan.”

“Goodbye Miss O’Sully…...”

Adesua stifled a chuckle on their way out. “It’s Miss O’Sullivan, Tonye,” Adesua whispered in his ears once they were no longer within earshot.

"Miss O'Sully....." Tonye attempted to correct himself.

"You'll get it right soon." Adesua said,ruffling his hair.

****

Lara was hunched over her computer. She had a migraine from hours and hours of researching and going through the company’s sales figures in the past four years. She needed to analyze the sales trends and identify patterns that would help in formulating a concrete marketing plan. The goal of any company was to be profitable and remain relevant in a competitive world. She was a skilled marketing executive, and her goal right now was to know which digital marketing strategies needed to be deployed for Broadstone Communications.

“Working too hard?” Lara heard a voice say. She frowned and continued pouring through the data that was before her.

“Hi, Lara.” She raised her head and saw Foluso, the head of digital technologies gazing at her with a glint in his eyes.

“Working hard?” He repeated when he was sure that he’d had her attention.

“Yeah. There’s work to be done.” Lara stated as a matter of fact.

“You should hang out with me one of these evenings,” Foluso said grinning. “This café just opened on Oyin Jolayemi. You’ll love the music there. It’s out of this world. Asa was there to perform the other night.”

“Asa like Asa the musician?”

“Yep.”

“Nice. Has Angelique Kidjo been there too?”

Foluso laughed. “Not yet. Maybe she will one of these days.” He added. “I can make it happen if you promise to come along with me one of these evenings.” Foluso winked. “They serve great food too. Chef Fregz is on their board. He makes sure nothing, but the best meals get served.”

“You make the place sound awesome.” Lara chuckled.

“It is an awesome place! So, is that a yes. Will you come along with me?” Foluso was thrilled that he had been able to get her to let her hair down a little. She looked uptight when he’d walked up to her workspace.

Jimmy’s image popped up in her head. He had ghosted her in the worst way possible. That served her right for letting down her guard. He made the phrase ‘men are scum’ real.

“Okay, I’ll come with you,” He wasn’t asking her out. He was her colleague, inviting her to a café. No harm in that! Lara chastised herself.

“Yaaay!” Foluso threw his hand in the air. “So, do you wanna come with me on Friday evening?”

“Sure,” Lara responded.

“Perfect! It’s a date then.”

Lara rolled her eyes and Foluso laughed. “See you around, Lara.”

“See ya.” She replied. The café sounded like somewhere she’d like to be. She was looking forward to good music and good food in a relaxed atmosphere. She’d been so stressed lately. She was stressed mentally, emotionally, and physically! Most of the stress was from Bade’s accident.

“Stress, it’s a killer!” She heard the voice of Bartok from the animated film, Anastasia, say to Rasputin in her head.

****

Pere's car suddenly stopped around Obalende. He had a meeting in Victoria Island and to say that he was in a rush was putting it mildly. 

“Oh boy!!!”­­­ Of all places for his car to stop working. He got out of his car and opened the car bonnet doing the necessary checks. He tried to start his car without any luck. What was this? On such an important day? He should have driven to Victoria Island instead of stopping over at Obalende to see his friend, Gbolade. 

He picked up his phone and did the only thing that came to his mind considering the street urchins called 'Agbero Boys' were already starting to gather around his car. 

“Alaye, leave this car for us. We go fix am.” One of them said to him aggressively.

Pere looked away from him. “Hey, Gbolade. Pere here. I need your help.” He explained his predicament to his friend and Gbolade assured him that he’d be sending someone to assist him shortly.

“Thanks, man. Appreciate your help.”

The mechanic joined him thirty minutes later. “You be oga Pere?”

“I am. And you are?”

“I am Rashid. Oga Gbolade say may I come help you with the car.”

“Ah, I’m so thankful you’re here now.” Pere handed him his car key. “I have to leave now. My meeting is in thirty minutes.” He dipped his hand into his pocket and gave the mechanic some of the cash on him. 

“Abeg, come help me push the car.” The mechanic called out to some of the guys around.

“How much?” They asked him.

“Just come, I go settle you,” Rashid assured them.

“Add it to my Bill,” Pere said. 

The Uber he had requested arrived shortly.

“Okay, Rashid,” I'll see you later. 

“Bye Oga Pere.”

****

When the Uber dropped him off at Adeola Odeku, Pere was thankful that he’d made it just in the nick of time.
He introduced himself at the reception and was directed to the fifth floor where he was meeting with Sir Emeka Odili, who was the Chairman of Sapphire Investments and Properties.

Once he had been ushered into the meeting room, he made himself comfortable, pulling out his laptop and turning it on.

Two people walked in a few minutes later. They introduced themselves as Directors of the company.

“A pleasure meeting you Mr Irabor and Ms Dike. I am Pere Brisibe.”

He was in the middle of a conversation with the directors when a floral and fresh smell suddenly filled the room. It was a smell that seemed familiar to him.

He nearly did a double-take at the sight in front of him. How did she get in here? Had she been trailing him? Was she some sort of mammy water on his trail? Gazillions of questions flooded his mind.

Nneoma walked into the conference room with her head held high. She was dressed in a red cape jacket and a black pencil skirt that accentuated her curves. God had indeed made her wonderfully. He scolded himself and remained composed in his seat. He saw the shock on her face when her eyes rested on his face. That shock was quickly replaced by an aloofness. He deserved it. He had avoided her calls since the last time they’d been together at the hotel in Eko Atlantic.  He had woken up before her and left when she was still sound asleep. There was so much going on in his life and the last thing he needed was to complicate it further. Beside her was a tall and dignified-looking man that he guessed was Chief Odili. His heart did a flip. He distracted himself by looking at Sir Odili who was impeccably dressed in a navy-blue striped suit and crisp white shirt.

“Mr. Pere, meet our CEO, Sir Emeka Odili.” Mr Dike announced.

Pere stood and held out his hand for a handshake with the illustrious entrepreneur and serial investor. “Such a pleasure meeting you Sir.”

 Sir Odili smiled. “The pleasure's all mine.”

“Pere, meet my oldest daughter, Nneoma. She is our CFO.  I am grooming her to take over Sapphire Holdings when I retire.”

Had he heard right? He quickly replaced the shock on his face with a smile. 

“Hello, Miss Odili.” When his hand gripped hers in a handshake, her hands felt so soft that they conjured images in his mind.

“So, tell me what you need from Sapphire Holdings.” Sir Odili stated when they were all seated.

Pere delved into his presentation articulating what his company was looking seeking from an investment perspective.

“I'm impressed.” Sir Odili said after Pere's outstanding presentation. “You answered my questions intelligently and provided all the facts and figures that I need to make an informed decision. As you know, I am a businessman and I invest only in businesses that I am convinced will be profitable. Nneoma will reach out to you regarding my decision and what my terms and conditions will be if this company decides to partner with yours.”

Pere nodded. “Thank you, Sir.” That went well. He thought inwardly. When the crew at Sapphire Investments were about to exit the room, Pere cleared his throat. He needed to speak with Nneoma. “Miss Odili, can I speak with you please?” Nneoma turned and looked at him coldly. Again, he deserved her awkward behavior towards him. She gave Uju and Mark a stiff smile. They took her cue and walked out of the conference room. 

“How may I help you, Pere?”

“I'm sorry,” Pere said.

“What for?” Nneoma crossed her arms. Her body language was warding him off without her saying a word.

“For not picking up your calls.” He expressed regrettably.  

“Interesting,” Nneoma answered. “I must have called your phone about a million times, and you didn't think that I deserved a reply?”

 Pere sighed. “Can you forgive me? It's got nothing to do with you. I told you everything about me the other night….” He ran his hand through his hair. 

Nneoma exhaled. She understood that he was hurting from his wife's betrayal. That was one of the reasons why she had been trying to reach out to him. To find out how he was doing. She understood the fact that he was emotionally available now. 

“How have you been?” Pere asked. He looked at her and found it difficult to take his eyes off her beautiful face.

“I've been well. I've been incredibly busy as you can see.”

Pere nodded. “I'm sure.”

When silence threatened to engulf the room, Pere spoke up. “Would you like to hang out with me sometime? Can I call you tonight?” Nneoma wanted to tell him that he had no right to call her after the way he had treated her. Something about his countenance softened her heart. There was a contriteness in his posture. "Sure." She answered fiddling with her wristwatch. 

Pere’s gaze on her lingered. He had a thousand words on his mind but couldn’t get any of them out.

"Okay,” he said in his baritone voice. “I’ll be on my way. Talk to you soon." 

“Yeah. Bye.” Nneoma replied. She watched his back as he exited the room. He was an attractive man, and she was drawn to him so much so that it surprised her, considering his behavior lately. She had been caught off guard when she'd seen him. Quite frankly, she didn't think that she would set her eyes on him ever again. She had to tread gently. He was an emotionally unavailable man. She knew that after the long conversation that they’d had the other day.

****

Bibi washed some fruits and cut them up before she threw them into the Ninja Smoothie blender that she’d just bought. She had a craving for sweet things these days. Her doctor had recommended taking lots of fruits lately. Eating fruits helped with her sugar cravings.

She heard movements in the kitchen and turned to see her mother-in-law.

“Good morning mum.” Bibi greeted.

“Darling, did you sleep well?” Ireti responded.

“Yes, I did.” Bibi smiled.

“Did she behave?” Ireti asked referring to the baby in Bibi’s womb.

Bibi chuckled. “Yes, she did. It was as though she knew that I needed a good night’s rest last night.”

“Wonderful. I love a considerate child.” Ireti tittered. “Is Bade awake?”

“No, he was snoring when I left the room now.” Bibi giggled, pouring the blended smoothie into a big jug. She added some ice to it.

Tunlewa and the rest of their family members and a small circle of close friends in Houston had thrown a surprise welcome party for them the day before. They were thankful that Bade had not lost his life in the accident. Some of her friends had had different reactions when she mentioned the party to them. If Bade had been upset, then she might have been too but he seemed cool with it. She knew that they hadn’t meant any harm and it was all coming from a good place.

“Care for some yam porridge with spinach and gizzard sauce this morning?” Ireti asked.

“Uhmm.That sounds yummy.”

“Good. The twins told me that they got a box of yam from the farmer’s market. If I remember correctly, they said everything we need is in the pantry so let me check.” Ireti said, walking in the direction of the pantry. The twins, Osaro and Osaretin were Bade’s cousins.

“I found them,” Ireti announced, carrying a long tuber of yam in her hand.

“Can I cut them up for you?” Bibi asked.

“Thanks, but no dear. These hands are quite strong enough.” She smiled at Bibi. “I noticed your feet are swollen. Go and wake Bade up. Let him massage those legs for you.”

Bade was on the bed reading a magazine when Bibi walked into the room.

“Good morning,” Bibi said to him.

“Good morning.” Bade answered. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I did. What about you?” Bibi asked.

“I slept well too. I felt so drained after everyone left yesterday.”

“I know,” Bibi responded, settling into the sofa in the room. She kneaded her feet.

“Does that ache?” Bade asked.

“What?” Bibi replied.

“I see you’re kneading your feet. Does it ache?”

“Not really….”

Bade raised a brow. He knew when she was in pain.

“Okay, yeah… It kinda hurts me.”

Bade looked at his wife. He needed to get through to her and break the emotional walls that she had set up lately.

He wanted to say something, but words failed him. “Have you had breakfast?”

“Not yet. I just made this smoothie. Would you like to have some? Mum is making breakfast.”

“What is she making?” He probed.

“Yam porridge and spinach. One of your favorites.”

Bade nodded. “Come here.”

Bibi looked up slowly and squinted at him.

“Come here, baby.” He said to her. He was determined to get through to her otherwise the chasm between them would continue to get wider. He had had enough of her distancing herself emotionally from him.

“Sit.” He motioned for her to join him on the bed. Bibi looked like she was about to protest, and he had a smart answer for her. He was crippled in the legs and not his entire body.  He reached for her leg and stretched it out. When he began to massage her feet softly, Bibi moaned. “Hmmm…Uhm. This feels so good.”

Bade smiled. He had always loved performing acts of service for her and pleasing her in every way.

“Woman wrapper! The same acts of service that got you in the mess you are currently in.” A voice in his head taunted.

****

The week passed by in a blur. Lara and Segun sat at the dining table feasting on a delicious meal of pancakes, crepes and French toast with sausages, eggs and freshly squeezed orange juice.

“This is a lot of food, Omolara. You know I’m an old man now. My body cannot process food the way it used to.” Segun Fernandez joked.

“Eat what you can dad. The chef in me was looking for expression this morning and voila! Here we are!”

Segun smiled. “How’s work?” Saturday mornings were their catch-up times since she usually left the house early in the morning and came back tired since she started at Broadstone Communications.

“Work’s been a little hectic, but I am loving it,” Lara said, cutting up a piece of sausage with her fork.

“That’s good but take it easy.” Segun admonished.

“I spoke with Bade and Bibi yesterday. I’m glad Bade is doing much better.”

“I’m glad too. These past months have been the toughest in our lives.” Segun answered.

“I agree. You can say that again dad.”

“But you know, God is faithful. He never gives us more than we can bear at any point in time.” Segun stated.

Lara shrugged. That’s what the good book said, but it didn’t seem like that sometimes. She had gone through some periods where she felt like all hell was breaking loose!

“How is that fine guy who came here the other day?” There was a glint in her father’s eyes.

“Are you referring to Jimi?”
“The one that came here around Christmas time. Yeah.” Segun affirmed.

“I guess he’s fine.”

“I haven’t seen him around since then. Did something happen between you both?” Segun probed.

Lara chewed her food slowly. She poured some of the orange juice into a glass and drank some of it.

“He wasn’t the person I thought he was. He just disappeared into thin air like that.”

“He ghosted you?” Segun asked.

Lara squirmed. “Dad! How do you even know what ghosting is?”

Segun laughed. “You young’uns always think that you’re the only cool ones around. Well, if you must know young lady, I happen to read a lot. That’s what retirees like me spend most of the time doing.

“Dad! Did you just call yourself a retiree?” Lara laughed. “You spend most of the day working! How are you even retired?”

Segun winked at her and Lara chuckled. She was glad that she had this bonding time with her father. She was glad that she was home in Nigeria to be with him during this time. While her father loved traveling, he usually became bored after a while. Nigeria would always be home to him. He was a Lagosian through and through.

She cleared the dishes after breakfast and was watering her flowers in the garden when she remembered that she wanted to call Stella Maris. She walked into the kitchen and picked up her cell phone on the table.

Stella Maris picked up the call on the fifth ring. “Hey, Lara.”

“Hiya! Been wanting to call you all week but you know this Lagos hustle now!”

Stella Maris broke into a cough on the other end of the call.

“Stella, are you okay?” Lara asked when she heard what sounded like a wheezing sound.

“I am.” Stella Maris said and broke into more fits of cough.

“Oh, dear! You sound quite sick. You know what, I’m coming over to your house.” Lara said, making a mental note of the things she had lined up for the day.

“Tha … Tha..nk you.” Stella Maris managed to say.

Two hours later, Lara parked her car on the street by Stella Maris’ house. A wave of nostalgia suddenly hit her. Bade’s house was close by, and it made her remember the last time she was at his home. He and Bibi made getting married a sweet delight. Their home had been filled with so much love and warmth. She hoped that it stayed that way regardless of current circumstances, but her mind told her otherwise.

She walked to the door and pressed the bell. The door opened a few minutes later and she was face to face with Stella Maris’ obnoxious brother, Kevin. Towering over her small frame, he gave her a once-over and she suddenly felt small like something that the cat had just dragged in.

“Hi, Kevin. I’m here to see your sister.”

Kevin smirked and Lara held her tongue from saying something impolite to him.

He held the door open for her and walked away. Lara shook her head. The guy was so not a gentleman! Anyway, she had known that from the first day she’d met him.

Lara looked around the house briefly. She’d never been to Stella Maris’ home but was impressed by everything that she was seeing now. Stella had told her some time ago that the house was Kevin’s.

The guy has good taste. She thought.

Jazz music filtered in slowly from a nearby room.

“Stella’s room is upstairs. It’s the room on the left.” Kevin said offhandedly before disappearing into one of the rooms.

When Lara got to the top of the stairs, she saw a room to her left and walked towards it. She opened the door slowly and saw her friend in a fetal position on the bed.

“Stella…” Lara called to her softly, sitting on the side of her bed.

“Lara... You made it.” Stella managed a smile before breaking into fits of coughs again. 

Lara touched her forehead and neck. “My goodness, you are burning up! You should be in the hospital!”

“I’m fine.” Stella struggled to get the words out.

“No, you are not! You need to be in a hospital!”

When Stella Maris began to wheeze again, Lara knew that she’d had enough. She ran out of the room and headed for the stairs.

“Kevin! Kevin” she yelled! “Your sister is sick.” She blurted once he was out of the man cave, he’d been hiding in. “Stella Maris needs to be in the hospital, not holed up in the room.”

“How so?” Kevin crossed his arms and smirked again.

Lara wanted to slap the smirk off his face. “Stella can barely speak without coughing. I don’t think she should be at home. She needs medical attention.”

“My sister’s going to be fine,” Kevin said coolly. “It’s bronchitis and she’s seen the doctor. She’s been placed on several medications and I’m seeing to it that she takes them at the right time.”

Lara felt silly. “Oh, I wasn’t aware.”

Kevin raised a brow. “By the way, she’s no longer contagious so you don’t have anything to be worried about.”

 Well, that’s if you were worried….” He added.

“Agbaya!” Lara muttered under her breath and headed for the stairs.