W14. Sometimes Sweet Mother

I think I blacked out.

No I didn't black out... I.. tuned out. I swear all I was seeing was Suni's mouth saying something, Mommy just staring, De' just looking torn.

What sort of...of...of....hiss. Wo.... I'm too young for heart attack

"Well Suni your mother has to sit down now, so....."
Mommy trailed off, what was she even saying sef? Like ok De' has to sit down, but WHERE? I doubt the woman can handle sitting next to the man that supposedly murdered her husbands brother. Like this is some real.... bastardized pack of nonsense.

Toba finally snapped out of his own shock... me I was still dulling in mine.
"Please excuse me..." Yes Toba, smart move you dumb ass, leave your poor supposedly fiance to deal with what to do with her mother, where is the bofun running to now?

Suni looked lost too. "Mommy come and seat down please..." she took her mothers hands and started her towards the kitchen. See error.

"AKUSUNI O!!!!HEW!" De' broke down in tears again. I felt like huddling in the corner and just disappearing. "AKUUUSUNI! YOU HAVE KILLED ME!!" She hit her chest so hard when she said that I flinched. "SO IT IS NOW THE KITCHEN YOU WANT TO DEPOSIT ME IN!! AHHHH!!" De' was wailing. " ADA HEAR THIS O!" She held on to my mom as if asking her how she could witness the disrespect and remain calm!

Toba came running back. "What happened?" he looked ruffled. I almost laughed.

"Mommy No... As in..." Suni used that moment to look in my direction. I looked away fast. What could I do now?

"Aunty please...." Toba tried to touch her...

"Wehhhh!!!" that was like the expression for "OVER MY DEAD BODY!"
De' recoiled as if Toba was the devil.

Suni jumped in again to try and take over "Toba please let me handle this.... I-I can handle this..." she started crying.

I seemed to snap out of my frozen state at the point. I literally brought on this calamity by simple NOT warning Suni about this. I had to at least do something. Anything?

"Mommy please take De' in the kitchen..." Mommy shot me a deadly look "...for now. Until things are settled. Pleasee...." I shoved mommy towards De' and expected her to start making moves. Trust, she delivered.

I took Suni by the arm and dragged her towards her room. Of course we had to pass the opening for the living room in order to get there. I tried not to look in. I really did not want to face Toba's father now. Not that he knew me.

"Wh-what are you doing.. Mommy....Yale.." she was babbling because she was confused.

"Shuttup and enter now!" I was pointing into her room. I think she needed the solace too because she didn't argue. Before I closed the door, I saw Toba looking on. Daft-master. He should go and fend for himself. Shebi its his father, everyone has been assigned a senior.... or in my case a ..... I dunno. anyways.. All man for himself. Good luck Tobasco!

Even over Suni's sobbing I could still hear De's shouting. She had calmed down small, God knows what story mommy was telling her.

"This is disastrous...." Suni was lamenting into her hands on the bed. She looked defeated.

"I know.... I know.... we need a plan." I wasn't about to tell her NOW I was at fault.....besides, she was too distraught to remember I was the one who had brought her mother. She won't pursue the whole thing now....

"Plan? PLAN??Yale PLEASE TELL ME THE KIND OF PLAN YOU WOULD LIKE TO IMPLEMENT NOW!!! MY MOTHER IS BRINGING DOWN THE FUCKING ROOF!!!!" She had gotten up now.

"Well... we have to go back out there sometime Suni..." I jabbed at the door like I hated it."... and when we do, we need a plan. A darn good one!"

Suni knew I was right...she collapsed back onto the bed and continue sobbing.

There was a knock at the door.

Father God... make this all end now! PLEASE!

I was closest to it, so I opened it.. well cracked it open so I could see who it was.

"Yo let me in!"

Toba. Running away again are we?

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"Man, we are screwed!" he flopped down beside Suni and held her. The gesture was so natural. "Babe.....stop please. Crying is not gonna solve the issue at hand... please"

Even though he was whispering, I could hear him. I felt awkward watching them.

"It's just so....this is horrible...."

"I know I know, but we gotta do something we can only hide in here for so long."

"I'm scared babes..."

"I know.. I'm kinda worried myself, I don't know what to do.. but we'd figure it out...It's us remember..." He raised her chin so she was looking at him. "We GAT this!" then he smiled at her and she seemed to calm. He wiped her tears... and I felt.... I felt not so mad a him anymore. He didn't seem like such a bad guy.... or maybe his juju was working on me now??????????

"Yale..." I jumped.

"Ehen?" He looked at me awkwardly. As usual. The guy must think I'm not all there upstairs...

"I'm gonna take my dad out, he said he wanted to go back to the hotel anyways. But.. I'm kind of scared to let him through that corridor. Cause...." he looked at Suni..." Suni's mom.. you know.."

Suni smacked his arm. "My mother is not crazy Toba..."

"No.. She's not... of course.. not!" he looked at me for reassurance. Oh boy no include me o! "But she's upset now you know..."

As if on cue we heard some angered movement of furniture from the kitchen area.

"No Ada! I WANT TO SEE HIM!"

All three of us lounged for the door.

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She was staring at him.

He was staring back.

It was as though time had stopped. I was in shock myself. Toba's dad was in a wheelchair. And he didn't look too good. He looked nothing like the fetish man I had imagined.He looked frail. Weak.

De' finally spoke, it was barely a whisper. "You...." you could hear the shock she tried to mask when she spoke. She wanted it to be angry and harsh, but 'm sure she didn't expect him t be in this condition.

Toba's dad's jaws clenched, like he was uncomfortable. "Hadiza..."

Mommy poked me hard. Was I staring? I looked at her, she gestured to me to come with her.
Ohhhhh-hhh now? She gave me the "Better MOVE your ass NOW!" look...
I tapped Suni to let her know I was leaving with mom. She nodded then latched on to Toba. He held her close. I couldn't help but feel she was in good hands.

They are going to have to fend the ship together anyways. This was family business now.

Mommy and I left.

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I had dropped off Mom at the hotel. And after today's wahala, I was just drained.

I wanted nothing more than to get home, soak in a nice shower and....sleep. On Shafa.

I decided to call him. Seeing Toba and Suni today holding on to each other like they were all they got made me want that kind of love. And I know its there some where with what me and Shafa have. I think I finally want to just take things easy, not think things too deeply and let nature take its course. If I let me and Shafa's relationship grow, without being on its day and night, we'd do fine. So many times I messed things up by just thinking abut the intricacies and the details too uch and by not just letting them BE. It's about time I let things BE.

"Shafa...."

"Yale..." God I loved his voice. "Wassup?"

"Are you home? Busy?"

"Yes...." I felt deflated. "I'm home, just resting tho, so I can't say I'm busy....why?" Hope.

"I'm coming over.....?" I waited for him to respond...nothing. Was he with someone? "Er.... hello?"

He laughed. "Are you telling me .... or are you asking me?"

"Can I?"

"Ya....I'm waiting..."

I guess tonight might be a good good night after all.

W13. Moment of Truth

"So... what you are trying to tell me here Mr.." I had to squint to see the name on his tag "...Mr Seth, is that I have to pay you $400 extra just to upgrade from the 2 single rooms to the 2 bedroom suite? You have to be kidding me!"

"Ma'am the suite you're requesting for is a luxuriou-"

"Luxurious my ass! I know the suite your talking about so don't tell me its luxurious! That small place?" The hiss I let loose ehn, even I felt bad! "See Mr Seth, I'm a valued customer here, Look up my name , Miss Y. Dairo, so I expect to receive a proper discount."

The boy looked scared, he was young couldn't be more than 19. "Ma'am the best I can do for you is offer you the referral discount of $50 off, but you would have to give me details on the referrer..." I was insulted, $50 off a grand is still a grand to me sha! Obviously this boy didn't know who he was messing with.

"Look is Robert around?" He looked lost. See his head, like a fish! "Robert McIntyre? Your boss, the head manager?"

A light bulb seemed to have flashed in his narrow head, I felt bad abusing the boy, it was not his fault, but $400 for what? I would fight you o! I was cheap like that.

"Oh no ma'am Mr McIntyre is gone for the day...." you could see that it registered in his brain that I knew people around here...on a FIRST name basis...So... he had better recognize o!

Truth is I knew Robert McIntyre very randomly. He was a close friend of my boss at work, so we had met several times at the office. He knew me I knew him, but we weren't padi's like that, but I just had to throw out his name so this boy knew I knew people...lol... in high places.

"Well..." I pulled out my cellphone and started muttering to myself "I told Rob that this was going to happen, but No-o he wont listen. I hate being inconvenienced like this..."

My dear friend Seth's face went from white to..white-ER! " Er Ma'am..." I paused "I'm sure there are other discounts available if you just give me a moment..." That's what I thought! I put my cellphone back and waited. Seth got clicking away.

"Hehehehehehehhehehehhhehehehe you're not serious!" No.... it can't be.
"Gosh...you're going to give me ab's by force o Shafa!" It flipping IS!!!

I stood up so straight and so suddenly that Seth looked up, awkwardly for that matter, at me. Looku Looku Lucozade! My friend face front!! Why was that girl always so loud? Must the whole world know your getting ab's exercise.

I heard Shafa's voice, a bit at least he was smart enough to understand the acoustics of this place and NOT shout? He was probably telling her he wasn't that much of a clown or something because loud mouth Jackie went on to announce to us that

"Yes you are!! In fact you should consider stand up" If that was her attempt at being counter-funny, hia!

I stood VERY still hoping they carried their comedy act outside fast. I wanted Seth to hurry up but I was to scared to voice my urgency, being that every voice can be heard....Why was I even being like this sef? I might have enjoyed some recent days with Shafa and I might be thinking that maybe...we might e making progress back to being ...oh I don't know!! Either way, somehow, I still had the unconscious will to just be unseen by him while he frolicked with his new admirer.

"Ah! Miss Diaro I found it!" Oh father in heaven above us all! Why was the boy shouting now?? I just stared at the boy, I should probably be smiling back at the fact that he has done his work well and gotten me a worthy (had better be) discount, but the FISH HEAD just probably casted me now.

"I- ..." he seemed unsure of my stance. He looked around him at God knows what. "I was able to get you the suite on a 50% discount ma'am, b-but" he looked around again, trying not keep eye contact, my frozen glare must really be creeping him out, but I cant help it! "you would have to pay the whole fee no..ww..." I meant to say thank you out loud...but I was still standing very still and staring at him like he didn't just get me a VERY juicy deal....I heard footsteps and heels walking my way. Would it be to late to hope that the people approaching weren't Shafa and his new play thing?

"Yale...."
"Oh, it's Yahhliiiii" Loudspeaker! Who asked you?

I snapped out my frozen state "Thanks Seth, that sounds perfect!"
I flashed Mr. Seth a warm smile, he had indeed done a good job! I turned around to acknowledge our visitors.

"Hey-yyyyy Shafa...." I smiled like I only just noticed him! After I hugged him I turned to face madam. "Er..." I snapped my fingers like I was trying to recall a name that was JUSST at the tip of my mind "Jessi....No...Jamie?" the babe actually looked hurt, Shafa just smiled.

"Jackie! Jacqueline...? Remember we met at..."

"Oh Yea yeaaa! Jackie!!" I gave her a hug. To outside onlookers it was warm. From over her shoulder, I could tell that Shafa knew my mind.

"We are ready to receive payment Ms Diaro.." Sethy Seth Seth! Number one Fish head! Thank you for the interruption sha.

"Thank you... Sorry excuse me let me quickly clear this" that was to Shafa and his babe.
I signed the receipt, and Seth started rambling on about the policies and checking in and out times.

"Yes I know! Trust Me...." I smiled and thanked my paled face now turning red friend . Myself Shafa and Jackie started walking towards the door.

"I see you got the suite..." Sherlock Holmes! Of course he would SEE... I smile..

"Amebo, how did you know..."

"I knowww ayy....hmn Shaferr!!!" Youuuuuu who asked you? Like seriously Jackie this is an A - B conversation! Ah Ahn!

He laughed. "So......what's the plan, special night?" He put his hands in his pockets. When Shafa put's his hands in his pockets, he is uncomfortable. The possibility of me booking a suite for a rendezvous is making him uncomfortable...hehehe Score!

"And it concerns you....how?" I was smiling devilishly at him.

"Really Shafa, it's none of your business the reason shes booking the suite..." Jackie, I don't know if it was a whisper attempt, but we all know the girl's volume cannot go below high.

"Relax jo, it's not that serious... My mom's is coming in this weekend."
We had reached outside and it was time to split up.

Shafa took his hands out of his pocket "Oh really? Visiting?"

"Something like that, you know my moms"
Shafa had met her a couple of times, she was fond of him to an extent until lately, no one hurts her baby and goes un-disliked!

We smiled at each other for a silent moment. It would have been comfortable silence if Jackie all of a sudden disappeared. But No-o, she was here and VERY uncomfortable.

*cough cough* "Remember the Dowe's meeting Shafa..." She looked at us like she was sorry to have broken something, binch. She tapped her watch "...Time...gotta go"

"Oh ya! Yale we'll yann later for sure yea?"

I had already started walking backwards towards my car "Yea for sure..." I smiled. "See you later Jamie!"

I turned around and fast walked to my car, but I still caught the annoyed look on Jackie's face. Hehehehe! I had gotten an awesome deal from the hotel, and I just pissed off Jackie, all in all my day wasn't going too bad!

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De'Hadiza had lost weight. Big time.

She used to be full, like full and healthy and always laughing, but she looked drained. And thinner. I hugged her first even before mommy!

"De'....." She always smelled on point though. Some expensive scent like this.

"Yah-le " when De' said my name it was like she was had the hiccups."How are you my baby ?"

"I'm fine aunty..." I turned to mommy "Mommyyy!!!" I hugged her hard, it doesn't matter that I'm almost a quarter century old, I still miss my mommy and want to be babied by her when I see her.

"Ozime" she hugged me back warmly..gosh I missed feeling this loved.

"Let's go drop off your baggage, have you eaten?"

"Honestly Yah-le, I just want you to take me to Suni's place now."

"De' you really should rest first..." Why was I stalling again? Maybe the guilt trip of having to explain to Suni what her mother is and MY mother are doing on her front step.

"Yah'le please..."She looked too tired to argue "I have to see Suni now. My mind is not at peace."

I was powerless, De'Hadiza looked pained and...I just had to oblige. "Ok...."

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"Suni.. where are you?"

"I'm home o, wassup?"

"Ok I'm coming by now..."

"Wait..."

"Yea?"

"Er......like now now?"

"No-o like next year....I mean now... it's quite... urgent."

"Well it's just that..." she hesitated...were she and Toba getting it on? she had better get her act together because...ah.. she cannot kill her mother!

"See Suni, if you're doing the do, round up because I'll be at your door in 15minutes!" I had to whisper small so that De' and Mommy didn't hear me.

"Ok Ok.. but er.. ya, any ways you'd see when you get here"

"See what?" I head Toba's voice in the background but couldn't make out what he was saying.

"Oh I have to go now... see you in a bit!" she sounded excited? Hmm...

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I rang the door bell, my heart was beating so fast.

I stood well in front of the peep hole so that if she or Toba looked through it it's my face they'd see. I heard footsteps approaching the door.

Moment of Truth.

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"YALEEE YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHO'Sss......"Suni's voice trailed off when she saw her mother's face. She dark, but I swear she paled. "Mommy....?"

"Akusuni....Akusuni.... Akusunii" De' had already pushed me aside to hug Suni. She was crying.

I stepped back, behind mommy, I so didn't want to be here now. Suni was staring at me the whole time her mother was bathing her with tears. She looked stunned and hurt.

I felt like SHIT to say the least.

"Mo-mo...mommy what are you doing here..." She tried to hold her mother back so she could look at her face.

"To come and see for myself. You're killing us from here Aku...You're killing ME!"

Mommy took the initiative to start hoarding them into the house before neighbors started to look outside their windows. Suni seemed reluctant to enter.

"No wait we-"

"Aku baby, we cannot have this outside, let's go inside" That was mommy trying to keep things under control.

Once we got into the house and I closed the door, I knew something was up.

Toba had come to see what the commotion was about. His face was now ash too.

"G-good evening.....Ma" he seemed unsure of what to call the two older women standing in his girlfriend's house. He had better be smart and notice the uncanny resemblance between Suni and her mother. He did the doh-bah le that boy's do.

I was still hesitant to make a move, but I heard movement in the living room so I knew someone was here.

Mommy picked up on it too... "Oh.. it seems you have visitors..."

Toba and Suni looked at each other.
I looked at them.
Mommy looked at me.
De' Hadiza stopped crying.

"Yes Aunty... To-Toba's Dad is here"





Gbeske!

W12. Silence

"Suni...." my heart was racing. "Its you..." Whew!
She was standing at the door with the blanket wrapped around her like ojuju.

"Yes, it's me...." she yawned and shuffled towards the bed. "What are you looking for...?" She flopped down on the bed with the blanket completely covering her from head to toe. I abruptly turned around to stare at the black bag again.What the hell was that?

"Suni.... what the HELL is this? And why the HELL is it stashed at the back of your drawer?" I was pointing at the bag.

Suni lifted her head small and peaked through the covers. "I can't see what you're pointing at, move" I moved, still pointing.

She must've still not seen what I was looking at clearly because she sat up and removed the covers from over her head. I was still waiting for my answer.

"I dunno o..." she furrowed her eyebrows. "Did you open it to check? Maybe old jewellry or some-"

"Akusuni, there is NO WAY I am touching that, it looks...." I stared at the bag again and shivered..." it looks very dodgy"

She rolled her eyes..." It's probably jewlwlly.." She got up fro the bed and walked over to where I was..."What you think it's juju..." hisssssss. She reached out to pick it up and ou of reflex I slapped her hand. "Ouuuccchhhh!!!"

"Don't touch it, if you cannot remember what it is......"

"Oh please Yale!" She slapped me back, out of spite.

"I'm telling you jo....do YOU know what is inside???"

"No... I can't remember....hence why I want to CHECK?"

"Can you remember putting it there?"

"No....again...another reason to ch-"

"Where did you even get black leda from?"

"Yale." She gave me a stern look and the warning finger."Please move jo"In the process of stopping her from touching this bag I had jumped in front of her.

"No..Suni.. dont touch that ish man! for real...."

"If I sound you ehn..." She reached under my shoulder and grabbed the bag. "It feels like stones..." She had already started unravelling the ribbon.

"Why the hell is the ribbon red????" That's the thing that really bothered me. Who ties leda bag with ribbon? Red one for that matter.

"Maybe I had no other color of string left"

"Hmmmmm...Hmmmmmmm....Hmmmmmmmmm!"

She was having problem unravelling the ribbon, so she now wanted to use her teeth to untie what ever knot she encountered. I lounged to slap her mouth!

"Are you on crack????? You don't even know what is inside and you want to use you're mouth!"

The door bell rang.

She dropped the black bag and stood up to go and answer the door like it was normal.

"It's not even 6am!" I watched her in astonishment! She just rolled her eyes at me and made her way to the door. "It's Toba jo... relax yourself"

"Wait...wait...." She turned around impatiently.

"What?"

"Er...." She gave me the "I'm waiting" look. "Er... you guys should just stay in the living room, I want to start getting ready for work. You know so showering and all..."

"Sure..." she turned and quickly headed for the door because Toba rang the bell again.

I quickly found a pair of slippers and picked up the bag from the bed. Straight to the dozbin.
I was really curious to know what was inside though, but my fear that it was what I thought it was was stronger than my curiosity.

I heard Toba's voice through the door and quickly entered Suni's bathroom to start getting ready for the day.

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"They were just precious stones Yale"

It was after work and I had come back to get my stuff. Suni was home, Toba was out and I was in a rush.

"So you went rummaging through the garbage to find it?" I didn't even wait for her to answer "It's alright. stones from WHERE?"

"I don't really know, but they were nice sha." She continued stirring the pasta she was preparing. I had gathered my stuff and was now really just waiting for her to finish this food so I could back some home. Cooking was on a long thing tonight. "Toba didn't like them though..." that caught my attention. "Said they were one kind..." she gave me the "can you believe that" look.
Yes o, I can believe it VERY much Suni. I can soo believe it.

"Na wa o, but I just don't understand why "precious stones" would be tied in black leda bag with red ribbon then now HIDDEN at the back of a drawer you OBVIOUSLY don't even look into." Suni laughed, I didn't. " Very sketchy to me sha."

"I shouldn't have told you about the Toba family story, you're all spooked out now. Everything is sketchy to you" She took the pot off the cooker I got the strainer ready.

"Suni, do you SERIOUSLY think Toba is like.. not involved in anything shady? Like He's really not a cult boy because, I won't lie I find it weird that you120% believe that he's not..." I used my free hand to gesticulate.

She literally banged the pot on the counter and looked at me.

"You're not marrying him Yale. You haven't been in a relationship with him, you don't know him. " Ah! sorry o....."Like stop all this I'm tired. I just need to find a way to get my parents not to disown me. I'm past all this 'is Toba right for me'!" she walked out.

Wow.

I strained the pasta and packed some with some stew. Washed the dishes. Turned off the lights and let myself out.

This thing don dey begin to tiya me sef.

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"Mommy, I'm in no position to tell Suni what she can and cannot do, I am not her mother."

My mom had called to give me wahala about this Suni trouble. Apparently her mom had vented to her an was expecting something to be done. This is what I don't understand. People misconstrue the power of friendships or the complexity of it. Or maybe it's just me who doesn't understand how to work them. I mean, I love Suni like a sister but there is only so much I can do. This is not just a simple thing like buying a car or choosing a university to go to. This is marriage. You don't want to ruin someones life because of something.

"Yes you can o, Yes you can! Ozime you know you can do something. That boy she is about to marry is disaster."

"I know -"

"And you just stand there and watch?"

"I cannot- I've tried- I am TRYING to get Suni to reconsider her decision mommy, believe me. It's not easy"

We had been going back and forth on my effort to change Suni's mind and its possibility for the past one hour.

"Anyways De'Hadiza" Suni's mom liked to be called De'Hadiza instead of aunt Hadiza or just plain Hadiza "and I are planning on coming down this weekend"

"Whoa...! Really?"

"Yes o! Ozime these things require more than simple talk on the phone."

"I dunno o mom....I don't think Suni is ready to face her folks"

"Who is asking for her readiness?" she hissed loudly. "Anyways here is the plan. I need you to reserve 2 rooms at a hotel for us tommorow. I will send you the itinerary now -"

"You bought the ticket already?"

"Look at you? We have to act fast here! Reserve those rooms and don't BREATHE a word about us coming. Akusuni cannot know of our plans."

"Woow you are putting me in a very tight situation here mom..."

"Helping a friend the right way always puts you in a bind, the real challenge is accepting the bind. Ozime De'Hadiza is in a horrible state now with this news of Akunsuni. As a friend to her, I cannot let this happen. I can only imagine if the situation was ours. I would expect her to do the same. Telling Suni right now is dangerous. She seems to have the tendency to elope. That will just kill her parents. So please help us ok?"

This was very rough..... very rough.

"Yes mom..."

"See you soon ehn?"

"Men..."

"See you soon. God bless"

And she clicked off.

See me thnking things were hot...Hmm! With this now, things are about to get intense!!!!!

W11. Skeletons in the closet.

Men. Suni is really making my life interesting sha.

"Are you kidding me??"

"Nooo..." she started whimpering again and I knew the tears would start running again. So I hugged her. I needed time for this one to marinate. As Suni was bawling, I was thinking.

I know how grimy and dangerous Nigerian politics can get so this whole idea of Toba's dad being responsible for Suni uncle's death was really not far fetched. An I'm sorry, not that I'm being biased or anything, but Ronke planted enough reason in my subconscious for me to even believe this jara. Now the question is, so if Toba is a cult boy, or even better still, the son of a cult boy. Why is Suni still hanging around? What is holding her there? From what she has told me, she KNOWS his involvement and yet she still stays. Another reason for me to believe even more this Olode Boy's effect. Suni, on a normal day, or in this case, a normal 6-months, is usually rational. She's a practical woman, she may be very happy-go-lucky, it's all about living life, but when push comes to shove, she looks at things logically and makes the best decision. How she chose this path to be the right decision beats me. I can understand her not letting me on all this since the moment it might have started, cause she knows I would have beat her. As in... serious brushing.
Except....she still doesn't think there is anything wrong with this picture. Like she feels there is no reason to make rational decisions yet. Heeeww! This is very one kind o.

"Sorry....Sorrry." I rubbed her shuddering shoulders so she could calm down, she was relaxing small. "It's ok.. we'll figure this out...." Somehow.

We sat there for the next 30 minutes. We didn't say anything to each other. I guess our company was enough. When it's silent like this, I withdraw far into my mind. Right now I was back in first year university when I met Suni. She had walked into our Psychology class (the one that every one has to take regardless of your major... yes that one..) with a bag that was bigger than her body. Fresh from Naija. I could tell from her braids. Nobody on this side of the planet can do braids that sleek. She had spotted me, not because she was good like that but because I was the only other black person. Automatically her seat was beside me. That's just how it worked. That class we didn't really listen to the teacher. It was beginning of of semester anyways so the lecture wasnt that intense. We had laughed on how awkward it was being the only black people in class and made plans on how we could use it to our advantage. By the end of the class we were best of friends.

See I'm not the kind of person who has many friends, I know alot of people, a lot of people know me but I could count the number of real friends I had/have on my right hand only, and thats just talking from my point of view. My mom always said "Yale, you only know those YOU love....Now, whether they love you back..."

She never finished it and it used to confuse me at first, but as time went on and I grew older, I understood the how that phrase worked. It was that it was incomplete, it was its incompletion that actually completed the sentence. Whether they love you back is really and unknown, but it doesnt mean that they can't or they won't.

After that first Psychology class Suni and I spent most of our time together. We found out our rooms on campus were in the same building, on the same floor. See recipe for trouble ehn! We were a nice duo though! the good time were constantly rolling. I cannot even lie, Suni made my university experience worthwhile! Suni is the kind of girl that cannot comprehend the word "bored". Like she cannot bring herself to say she's bored. She always will find SOMETHING to do. If it's not designing, then it's cooking if its not cooking then its partying if its not partying then its organnizisng if its not organizing then it's SOMETHING... it was fun sha.

So seeing Suni like this was very unnerving cause I really am used to her being all bubbly....
Hmm it was quiet. I looked down and saw that she had slept. See what crying can do. I shifted her off my shoulder so she was now lying down on the couch and went to go get a blanket from her room.

Suni's house is architectured a bit like mine only that the orientation of things are different., but her room is still at the end of the corridor like in mine.I drag her blanket off her bed and go bakcto the living room to voer her. Ofcourse she hasnt moved a muscle. I cover her and make sure she's ok before I retire into the kitchen for quick cup of hot chocolate. It's already quater to 5. I had work at 8. Hmm I better go and find something to wear from this babe's closet. I quickly fixed up a cup and rush back to her room. I really would like, like 30 more minutes of shuteye before I start the day.

Come and see baffs o! Ehn, we know you're a fashion designer Suni, but seriously... wheere are you're normal clothes? I closed the closet door and went to the drawers at the other side of the room, she should at least have dress pants in there somewhere. I started rummageing through the first drawer.

Open. Nothing but underwear. My eyes caught a bright red thing, I pulled it out to see more closely what it was. Hmmmm!! See sexy lingerie sha... some complex thing like this. String here, clip there. Wo, I did'nt know wearing lingerie was now an acqured skill. Close.

Second drawer, Oh tops... regular tops! Black, Red, button ups, tie-tie, tee's. It was a nice selction. I settled on a teal wrap around blouse.

Third drawer, lucky me. There were corporate stuff in here. Like suit skirts and pants. Proably ones that didnt have matches or something. I try and dig deeper to see if I can pull any from the back of the drawer like I did my teal blouse but my had brushes on something...that is obviously not a skirt, or a blouse or pants. Felt like bag that had stones or something inside. What's this one hiding now?

I pull out the thing and lo and behold, it is a bag. One of those black plastic bags (leda) that we used to use in nigeria in the market. Ah! Warning bells start ringing BIG time in my head. What's freaking me out is that its tied with red ribbon. I drop it on the drawer top fast.

What the...?

"What in the world are you doing Yale?" I almost fainted from the fear.

W10. Family Feuds

I know I'm being too uptight about this, but I really all of a sudden felt very uncomfortable telling Shafa this gist.

"Nothing much, she just kept on saying over and over again how it was a bad idea...." I averted my gaze... "I just found it weird you know..." I found solace behind my glass of water.

"Really." He sat back and studied me, he sounded and looked very sarcastic. I guess I wasn't selling my story well.

We were silent for a minute, me thinking on my sudden change of mind in telling and Shafa watching me like he was wondering why I wasn't telling him something.

"Well!"
He said it so loud, I kind of jumped. "Ah... sorry oh!"

"You hit the table noww!"

"I guess we are going to be playing cat and mouse on this subject forever if I let you, but here's the deal. I.." he paused for emphasis as he pointed to himself "...personally think it IS weird that they are trying to get hitched so fast, are you sure Suni is not pregnant?"

I had thought about it too, but I remembered our conversation before she sprang all this information on me and I had blatantly asked her and she had said no....and Suni is NOT a good liar.. especially to me. So....

"No... I doubt it. I would have known"

"Hmmmmmm..."

"What again? Why? You think she is?.." I was sure she wasn't... like 70% sure.

"I dunno men, why else would they be rushing?" Ask me o!

"She says they ...and I quote, "don't want to waste time"" I gave him the can-you-believe-that-shit look.

"Stooo-oooo-oooo-rrryy"

We both burst out laughing.


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*brrrrrr brrrr*

My phone was already beside my ear because I had slept on it. Shafa and I were kind of talking till late and -

*brrr brrr*

"Hello...?" I was half asleep but I still subconsciously hoped to hear his voice.

"Y-yale....Ya-ya-leeee?" Suni sounded like she was about to choke. She was crying. Hardddd! My eyes cleared fast. I sat up quickly.

"Ah Ah! Suns, What is it? What happened?" I stretched to turn on the side lamp, the bright red numbers from my side table clock read 3:30am. What the hell is going on? "Suniiii, WHAT is going on?"

She managed to take a breath through her sniffling. "Everything Yale o! Everythingggg is the fucking problemm!!!"

"Ok, Suni, I'm still lost, what exactly happened. And please stop crying before you choke!!" She was still hiccuping and trying to breathe at the same time.

"I told them.."

"Told who what? What are you talking about?"

"I told my parents o ...I told themmmm.." Oh, boy!

"And..."

"Well, of course they weren't pleased, but that's the small part." I threw the covers back and went in search of my shoes. I sensed pone talk might not be enough tonight.

"Ehen...?" Quick run to the washroom. Mouthwash... I'm sorry but I'm sure even in her state she would appreciate favorable breath!

"Well, you know my mom, she said over her dead body, but it was daddy. He said...H-He -he said..." she started bawling uncontrollably again.

Phone conversation would definitely not work.

"Ok calm down Suni, you're at home right?"

Hiccup. Sniffle.Wail. Wail. Hiccup. "Yes...."

"I'm on my way....open the door abeg."

I turned off the lights, locked my door and broke city laws with my speeding.
Let me see the NFA cop that would try and stop me now.

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A normal 20minute drive took me 8.

"Wow....did you fly??" Her eyes were bloodshot. She looked horrible!

"Men Suni, you DO NOT look bonz right about now..." I hugged her because, that's the first thing to be done. Hugs do a whole lot I tell you. Where words fail you... you hug.

"Trust me, I look beautiful compared to how I feel."

We walked to the living room where I saw a mountain of Kleenex tissues. This crying had apparently been going on for a while, or she just liked to waste tissue.

"So what did your dad say?"

She took a deep breath. "Not only is it over my dead body that you would marry that evil child, but I will first of all KILL him before he comes near my family!"

"Whoa!" Ok, that was a bit much, I mean I can understand not being happy because of hastened marital plans, but killing again.. habba.

"I know, I was kind of shocked too, like I didn't understand...." She attacked her box of tissue again because tears started falling. I waited for her to explain more. "Toba's family is very sketchy." Uh oh. "Like he used to tell me some real scary stories of like family fights and all that. Like his mom is the 3rd wife or so, but he's the first son. And just funny funny stuff..." I still didn't get....FULLY. "His dad is like very... fetish..." I guess the apple didn't fall too far from the tree! "But because of the way he treats Toba's mom, like verbal and physical abuse and stuff, Toba is not very fond of him and he feels he can't like do anything. His mom sef makes matters worse, because she encourages him to stand up against his dad and she's always suggesting verryyy weird methods. Its a long story men...."

I must have had my WTF face on because she quickly went on "No No, Toba is the good guy here. He doesn't want to be a part of all this charade, that's why he wants to just make his own family here and just like....leave. Like he doesn't want to have to deal with all the nonsense drama anymore."

"For real?" And I meant that in not a curious way. But I guess Suni didn't catch on.

"Yea... now the painful part. Remember when my Uncle Hassan died?"

I recalled the time quite vividly. Uncle Hassan is Suni's dad's twin brother. He had been running for a Senate seat at the time. Suni had had to go back home because it had apparently been a huge scandal. He had died quite a horrible death. They had found him in his trunk with vital parts of him missing. I can definitely remember the time.

"Yea....?

"Well. Dad believes it was Toba's father that was responsible for Uncle Hassan's death."

W9. Hot-Cold-Hot

"Shha-a-afffaaaaaaaaaa" her voice pierced through the phone once he picked up. She sounded distressed. He gave me the "just a minute" finger and turned to walk in the other direction, the direction of my room.

"Jackie what is it?" It irritated me to hear small concern in his voice. I walked back into the living room. I kind of felt better. From this evening that is. Unfortunately, Shafa's visit was/is the reason.

Ugghhhh! What kind of nonsense is this now. Life was so much simpler this past few months when I didn't have to deal with emotions like jealousy. Shit eats at you man. I pick up his glass and coaster and made my way back to the kitchen to drop it off. The walls of my house are thin enough for me to hear Shafa's voice in the hallway on the other side. So he didn't enter my room....I smile.

"Wow, Jackie that's screwed up.." there was a pause, I guess he was listening to her reply. " Word should naturally have auto recovery. It's weird that it didn't work for you..."

I'm no psychic, but I already knew the issue and I'm no fortune teller, but I already knew what was going to happen. Shafa was going to have to go her house, or wherever the hell she was. I mean, if that wasn't the plan she wouldn't be "Shafaaaa"ing like Shafa is her personal computer fixer. Ugh! Women.

I turned to face the sink again and rinse out his cup so I could put it in the dishwasher. Then it occurred to me that that was just plain laziness, so I washed it.

"Fine, I'm coming, I have the first part saved on my USB so we can restart from there. This sucks big time. It's at 9 tomorrow." I heard his footsteps walking back. I dried the glass and walked back out of the kitchen. He was standing in the living room his back to me. "K, see you in a bit" Pause. "Yea, it's fine. My neck is on the line too here so..." Pause. "Bye." He ended the call and stood there for a bit. He ran his hand over his head, I guess in frustration? I dunno, I couldn't see his face. He turned around. "Oh, there you are.."

I walked towards him. I don't know why, maybe because I didn't want him walking towards me.
"Gotta dip?" It wasn't really a question. He smiled a tired smile. But I was still jealous.

"Jackie has some com-"

"Yea, I figured. I've used that tone on my computer guy before sooo, I know the feeling." I felt bad immediately I said that.

"Right."

"No, I didn't mean you were -"

"It's cool Yale, I know" He looked at me awkwardly for a moment then started his way towards the door again. I felt really bad now. I followed him. He turned around to face me again when he got to the door, but because I was feeling so bad and walking behind him like a scolded child with my head down, I kind of, sort of bumped into him.

"Oumph!" that's me bumping into him.

"Whoa there!" he steadied me. But , no sir! Shafa CANNOT be holding me. I'm in a very delicate mental situation right now menn! I CANNOT have physical contact!! No 0!

The way I jumped 2 steps back, you would think he was the devil or something.

"Sorry, wasn't looking where I was going" Kai, that was close. Wow, the boy has a grip, I kind of forgot how strong-

"It would be a good idea..."

"Good idea for what?" It came out sharp. Can you see why Shafa touching me is a bad idea?

"Looking where you're going?" He seemed amused.

"Yea, yea... I'm just tired." Even me sef, I didn't believe me.

"Well..." he unlocked and opened the door "Thanks for letting me in..." I could tell he meant that in more than just the literary sense. I smiled. I was a bit grateful. "Can we do lunch tomorrow? I really want to get to know what's wrong with you and if possible help out" Awww, he looked sincere.

"If I'm not too busy, sure." He walked out to the porch. "Thanks for coming even though you know I didn't want to talk to you. I actually feel a bit better."

"I know..." Confident bastard.

We looked at each other for a bit, until it got awkward. He opened his hands. "O ya, hug daddy."
Fool! I had to hit him first though. But I hugged him. And it felt good. Too good. So I broke the hug. I had to remember, minimal contact o. Things have NOT changed from 2 minutes ago.

"See you tomorrow" he said as he walked to his car.

"Maybe"

"I like Maybe..." he waved and got into his car. I waited for him to drive off before I went back inside.

Talk about an eventful day.

At least now I can sleep.

I had to smile.

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It was a good day. I had woken up early today to spazz up my presentation. I had killed it and work was just flowing. You know those kind of days when by noon, you already feel fulfilled? Yes, today was that kind of day. And I was kind of excited. I mean, it was a good day and I kind of wanted to see Shafa for Lunch. Ride off my good luck today.

I buzzed Rita.

"Rita..."

"Yes Ma'am"

"I think I'm going to take the rest of the afternoon off. I need to run some errands. If Boss man summons, just pin me."

"Okie doke, have a great day then!" And again, she clicks off before I reply.

I wrap things off and text Shafa. "I'm free now, if you're hungry." Hmm, with Shafa you have to be specific. Back Space, back space...Delete. "Wanna have lunch?" Send.


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"I still don't understand the concept of fake nails sha" He looked really confused sha. How did we even get on this topic? After we had linked up in the parking lot of Kelsey's, we had come in ordered, eaten and were now just talking. Yea, he was mentioning how a lady at work went on some mega tripping because she broke a nail, and apparently, this nail was not even real. The way he was mimicking her actions, my tummy ehn? It feel so good to laugh. Real, belly, from-deep-in-my-core laugh.

"You're not serious" My laughter slowly dieing off.

"So...what was eating you yesterday?" He had leaned back into his chair and wasn't really smiling anymore. I won't lie I had thought of Suni's issue very little today. But now, it started settling in again.

"It's just, a complicated situation I'm in" I didn't think he was going drop te issue, but I wasn't going to just tell him like that. I did want to talk to him though.

"Complexity is relative."

I reached over to take my glass for a sip of water. "Trust me, this one is complex from any angle" Sip........sip. I put the glass back down because the water wasn't ice cold anymore, kind of gross.

"What happened?" he sat forward as if he was more interested, like that was even possible. Ha.

I went through a speedy pro and con's list of sharing this burden with Shafa.

Pro's:

1. Well, he IS a good listener.
2. He would have some kind of solution.
3. He seems to genuinely care.
4. I actually WANT to talk to him.
5. Talking with him WOULD make me feel better.

Ok 5's good, now Con's...

*Blank*

Con's...con's.... Wow.
We'll this is a no-brainer.

"I guess I'm going to grow old waiting..."

That snapped me out. "No... no, just thinking of how I'd phrase it..."

"Just say it how your thinking of it now..."

Haha...true.

"Suni is getting married." I waited for a reaction. I got a brow raise. Fair enough. "In 2 weeks"
Double brow raise and a jaw drop. Booyah! "Mhmm"

"Wow...." He sat back again. I knew he was going to ask about where the complication so I answered anyways.

"The whole idea was very sketchy to me so I went fishing, a bit...for information. Ronke told me some very interesting things." He rolled his eyes at the mention of Ronke's name. Shafa does NOT like the girl.

"Seriously, Yale."

"Yo her gist was something to think about Shafa... it definitely got me worried."

"I don't ever know about Ronke's gist. Like, don't be loosing sleep over what the girl has said."

"No-o its not-"

"For real Yale...Ok see here's the thing." Huh? "I knew about the plans for a wedding..." Oh Wow."But I didn't know it was in 2 weeks."

"Wow...."

"Yea, he mentioned it to one of my boys a few weeks ago....wait, what kind of BS did Ronke fill you in with exactly." He was watching me closely, as if he expected me to know something.

I avoided the question. " Your boy...." he nodded. "Did he know Toba from like back in the day?"

"Yea, they went to the same university. They are quite close apparently." Sure they are. "Yale, what did Ronke say...?"

I don't know why I was so uncomfortable telling Shafa what Ronke said, I mean a few minutes a go I was ready to tell him everything. Maybe it's the way he was asking these questions, like he was worried I knew something I shouldn't know.

Something like what Ronke told me.