I opened my eyes briefly and
checked the time. It was some minutes past ten. Stretching on my bed, I dragged
myself up yawning. I was adjusting gradually to the change of environment .I
strolled around the house in my pyjamas. Aunty good morning, wetin you wan make
I prepare for you? I smiled at the house help, Belema. How now? I replied her
in Pidgin English. That was the best way our house keeper could express
herself. Nothing for now dear, I’ll let
you know later. I sat on the fluffy sofa I had loved as a child and flipped the
cable channels looking for something nice to watch. Belema was a nice girl. My
mother rarely had complaints about her. A program on MNET caught my attention. It
was titled TINSEL. Hmmm, interesting. So for the next twenty minutes or so, I
sat glued to my sit watching Tinsel. Aunty, u ready to eat? I turned my head
and looked at Belema smiling. Okay, I’m ready. Make me yam and fish stew. Fish
dey for fridge? Yes aunty, we get small. Oya, do quick quick. Okay aunty,
Belema hurried in the direction of the kitchen to fix me breakfast. It was only
in Nigeria one had the luxury of a house help. Except you were an extremely
rich person abroad, you might as well forget the services of a housekeeper. I
remembered my first time in the United States, my uncle Osaze had laughed when
I’d put some water in a bowl for him to wash his hands while he was about to
eat his pounded yam and vegetable soup. He’d laughed and laughed at me. Aduke,
we don’t do that here o. When he was done eating, I scrambled on my feet to
take his dishes to the kitchen and wash them but he stopped me. I watched in
utter dismay as my uncle carried his dishes to the kitchen to wash them
himself. His wife sat down laughing at me. America is not Nigeria o. Things are
done differently out here. I laughed out loudly as I remembered that particular
episode. I scanned the name of the Tinsel crew when the soap ended. Funlola
Aofiyebi was a real good actress. I had loved her from the days of Palace where
she played the role of daughter to the rich and affluent Bakers.
Deremi had called to say that
he would be coming to see me after work.
I was dying to see him. I called up a few of my friends and they were
extremely delighted to know that I was back in the country. A few minutes
later, my cell phone rang. Hello, I answered. Hi there, my name is Sola Majin,
can I speak with Aduke Ikomi. Oh dear, I was more than pleased to hear from one
of my funniest friends. I spent a long time on the phone with my dear friend
catching up on many things. Sola was engaged to be married soon. That was
extremely good news. She and her fiancé were coming to see me over the weekend.
Nice, I thought to myself. I got a text from my mum asking to know whether I
was alright. I sent her a text to let her know that I was as comfortable as she
could imagine. Deremi would be around anytime soon. I did a few dance steps. I
was so full of joy. Excited was the word. Just then, channel O played R.Kelly’s
step in the name of love. What a perfect timing. I danced to the song. Aunty, you can dance o.
Belema uttered laughing when she saw me dancing. Thank you o. I answered her as
I hurried to my room to take my bath and freshen up. Deremi was going to be
around anytime soon and boy, he wasn’t going to see me in some dingy pyjamas.
An hour and half later, I heard
the horn of a car. My heart did a flip flop and butterflies danced in my
stomach. Deremi! I thought to myself. Peeping through the window in my room, I
squinted, trying to get a glimpse of him. I saw him then. He had a little afro
on. His glasses looked like they had been framed just for his face. He was
taking out two big bags from the back of his car. Oh, Deremi! My heart welled
with love for him.
Look who we have here, I
blurted when I got to him. He smiled at me, and at that moment, I thought my
heart was going to melt. Hey pretty! I’ve missed you like crazy. I like the
haircut; he told me, putting his hands in my hair and ruffling them. Holding me
in his arms, he gave me a brief and sweet kiss. These are for you. He handed me
two beautiful gift bags. I could tell he had bought me some really lovely
stuff.
Rankadede Oga. Abu, the gateman
greeted Deremi. Abu was part of our family in every way. He had served the
family for more than fifteen years. Deremi counted some money and handed it
over to the gateman. Thank you oga, he greeted Deremi with a big smile on his
face.
I served Deremi one of his best
dishes. After a hard day’s work, he was craving amala and okro soup with cat
fish. While he ate, I talked about my stay abroad, my experiences, my plans for
the future, countries I wanted us to visit together. I talked about everything
from A to Z. Honey; do you think I’ve become a chatter box? I asked Deremi,
with a mischievous look on my face. Good Lord, why would you say that? If you
knew how badly I’ve missed you, how badly I’ve missed talking with you this
way, you wouldn’t say that. I smiled and rambled on about this and that. Just
then, Koku’s face popped on my mind. I had to let Deremi know about my planned
trip. But I had to let him finish his meal first. Besides, we were having so
much fun. I didn’t want to spoil the magic of the moment.
Why didn’t you consult with me
on this matter before jumping at the offer of making someone’s mother
happy? My boyfriend paced
around our sitting room angrily unable to sit. Who is Koku Mensah and why in
God’s name did he put you up to this? Deremi hurled the words at me. I hadn’t
seen my wonderful boyfriend in a long while, and I had been eagerly looking
forward to seeing him. Deremi, don’t be
absurd. I know this doesn’t sound so well to you at the moment, but believe me,
everything will be fine. We’ll be fine. Listen to yourself Aduke. I took a look at Deremi and he was so angry
words couldn’t seem to come out of his mouth. I’m sorry love. I really am. You
should have seen the way Koku was when he pleaded with me to go with him to
Ghana. He’s been such a good friend and I couldn’t turn him down. What? You
couldn’t turn him down? My words angered Deremi the more. Aduke Ikomi, I’m so
disappointed in you. I really am. I would have bought you a ticket and paid all
the bills if you’d told me you were itching so badly to visit Ghana.
Suddenly, my knees felt weak
and I sank in the chair closest to me. I placed my hands on my knees and buried
my head in them blaming myself for my stupidity. Koku’s request hadn’t seemed
like such a big deal and all I wanted was to help him out. Look where it had
gotten me. Your flight is for Friday ain’t it? Raising my head, I answered his
question. Yes it is. Call him and cancel the trip, Deremi said to me as a
matter of fact. I’ll see you after work on Friday. Picking his car keys where he
left them on the table, I watched as he strolled out of the house.
Mustering some courage, I ran
after him. Let’s not fight over this. Please. I’m sorry for my indiscretion.
Deremi nodded and headed for his car. You are still angry, I said grabbing him
by the hand. I have a right to be, don’t I? Haba! But I’ve said I’m sorry.
Apology accepted, just make sure you call him and tell him you’re not going to
be involved in his silly little game. He stepped into his car after planting a
peck on my cheek.
As I walked back into the
house, I tried to think of an excuse. How was I going to tell Koku I was no
longer interested in travelling with him? My emotions were mixed up. I picked
up my phone and called Koku to let him know that I wasn’t going to be able to
travel with him. Please babe, don’t do this to me. Everyone is expecting you in
Ghana. My mother is really looking forward to meeting you. If I tell her that
you are no longer coming, it would break her heart. Then find another woman
who’ll be willing to go along with your plan. I’m out. I loved Deremi with all
of my heart. I didn’t want to lose him simply because of an indiscretion on my
part. Koku pleaded with me over and over again, but I bluntly refused. After a
while begging me over the phone, he hung up. I felt like a betrayer.
It had been my brother’s
graduation at the University of Edinburgh. My sister and I, along with our
parents were in Europe to be a part of my brother’s big day. Some friends of
the family had also travelled with us. My dad was a well connected guy who knew
people in high places. He was a jovial man and people couldn’t help loving him.
My aunty Sumbo who lived in Cambridge had informed us about the party she had
been planning which was to hold on the eve of Ilemakin’s graduation. I remembered
the morning she called the house. She and my mum had chatted for close to an
hour when she suddenly asked about me and told my mother to give me the phone.
Hello aunty, good afternoon, I greeted her trying my best to sound pleasant.
Aunty Sumbo was a no nonsense woman whom I had feared as a child. She was quick
to notice whether you served her anything with your left or right hand. If you
served her with your left hand, you were in for some reprimanding and serious
trouble. She scolded us more than our
parents ever did. Nonetheless, she was still my aunty Sumbo and I loved her.
Aduke, do you have a boyfriend now? I shifted in my chair not knowing how to
answer her. Emm, aunty, no I don’t. Why
don’t you have a boyfriend? She probed me further. Well, aunty, I’m hoping and
praying for the best. I replied her. Anyways, Denrele will be bringing some of
his friends to the party. Maybe you can hook up with one of them. Thank you
aunty, I said to her in a small voice. Alright Aduke, let me talk to your mum.
I stood from where I’d been sitting and gave the phone to my mother. I hadn’t
seen Denrele in years. Adenrele was aunty Sumbo’s son. He was one of my
favorite cousins, but I got tired of him sometimes. He loved teasing me and
giving me so much trouble whenever we were together.
Ilemakin, the first child and
only son of our parents was a wonderful sibling to have. He made me laugh,
scolded me when I was wrong and spoilt me silly from time to time. He seemed to
always do that for me. My younger sister, Adunola had always been jealous of
the relationship which Ilemakin and I shared. Ilemakin and I had each other and
she had mum and dad. It was three against two.
The party held for my brother
at the Royal Cambridge Hotel, had been well attended and fun. Denrele and his
friends were a humorous pack who told stories while we supped at the dinner
table. Everyone laughed. It was obvious people were having a really good time.
I noticed that one of them had been quiet and seemed to be looking my way,
though I wasn’t so sure, I just had a feeling. I looked in the way of the young
man at the end of the dinner table and he smiled at me. I didn’t know what to
think of him. Flirt, player, a guy who was just out to be a friend. I shrugged.
It was time for speech to be made in honor of the graduand. Mum and dad each
said beautiful things about Ilemakin. I was so proud of him. Aunty Sumbo called
me next for my speech. I got up from my seat and made my own little speech. I
wasn’t much of a talker, so I made my speech brief. Everyone applauded me
thereafter. I loved my brother dearly and I was very proud of him.
I was soaked in the music being
played. Before long, I wandered outside the hall. I was on the stairway when
someone tapped my back. I turned to look at whoever did that. Recognition
struck. Adeline! She had been one of my very good friends back in Primary
School. Adeline Davis! I tried my best not to scream. Yeah baby, it’s me. Oh my
goodness, I said, covering my mouth with my hands. We hugged each other, and
walked all the way down to the lounge on the first floor. Dressed in a
flattering single strap red cocktail gown, Christian Loubotin black open lipped
satin pumps and a black John Lewis satin evening purse to match my shoes,I
looked every inch a beauty. Adeline my friend looked stunning. We had been
chatting for about five minutes when three young men walked into the lounge and
looked our way. I spotted him then. I shifted my gaze off him, and I continued
the conversation with my friend. The sound from Adeline’s phone interrupted us.
Oh my! My friend uttered. I need to be at the hospital now. One of my friends
has just been rushed to St Joseph’s hospital. Aww, I’m sorry about this. Do you
have to take the train or something, I asked her. No, she replied me, rising
from her chair. I came with mum’s car. Okay, good then. I pray your friend will
be alright. I hope so. Adeline looked at me with a sad look on her face. I
accompanied her to the parking lot and bade her goodnight, giving her a big
hug. I’ll give you a call soon. Take care of you. I had been walking towards
the hotel building when I bumped into someone. Oh, I’m sorry, I said aloud. I
looked up, as whoever it was I’d bumped into was way taller than I was. Are you
alright, the young man asked me. It was the same guy who had been glancing my
way all night. Yes I am, I said, straightening my gown. Hi, he stretched out
his hands to shake me. My name is Deremi Odulaja. I know you are Ilemakin’s
sister. Yup, I answered him, shaking his hands. I’m Aduke Ikomi. I do know you.
I’ve known you for a long time now. Denrele and I have been friends for as long
as I can remember. Deremi explained to me. I liked the way he gesticulated with
his hands. We got talking there and then. He was in his late twenties, and in
the middle of his doctoral studies in industrial chemistry. He was the fourth
child of his parents and he had four other siblings. So, how about you, he’d
asked me. What’s up with you? I told him about me. I was the second child among
three siblings. My parents moved back to Nigeria about three years ago after
spending years in the United States. The company my dad worked with had
transferred him to the New York City when I was in my third year in high
school. My mother had been more than thrilled at the idea. So, we had moved to
New York City and made it home. I was studying to become a medical doctor at
Columbia University. We talked for a while after the basic introductions.
Aduke, can I see you soon? Sure, I told him. I liked him, I liked his
personality and there was no need for unnecessary drama. Where have you been?
My sister Adunola walked up to us eyeing Deremi. Everyone has been asking after
you. Downstairs, I told her, introducing Deremi. Lovely tux, Adunola exclaimed.
Thanks. Deremi answered her smiling. Hmmm, he did have a charming smile, and I
was captivated by that smile of his. We spent the rest of the evening dancing.He got my phone number before
leaving the party that night. From that day, we became two inseparable friends.
Our friendship had blossomed into something special. Sometimes, it was tough
dealing with a long distance relationship but, we had learnt to deal with it.
Hey baby, my sister’s voice
brought me to the present. Adun, as we called her had a good job with one of
the big consulting firms around. She was witty and funny. I like your hair, I
told her. I got bored with my present hairstyle so I decided to go over to Hair
Strands after work. You know, Aduke. Hair Strands is the best hair salon around
now. I took in my sister’s well manicured hands. We had that in common. Lemme
go get something to eat, Adun said loudly standing from where she had been
sitting beside me. You smell nice Adun. Take it easy sis, too many nice
comments about me all at the same time makes my head swell. I laughed. I had a
crazy sister.
The doorbell got my attention,
and I walked towards the door to open it. It had to be mum. She had just sent
me a message to let me know that she would be home soon. Belema was in the
kitchen preparing everyone’s dinner. Mummy, I….. My voice trailed off as I
gazed at the person in front of me. Holy Mary!
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