W17b. A Slight Change of Plans

Suni collapsed on the toilet. Tears were running down her face, but she wasn't even crying... I picked up the test and as much as I dreaded, but now expected. There was a there was an extra faded red line.

I really didn't know what to say. I hugged her as she...just sat. Me I started crying. God knows why tears started running down MY cheeks. I felt...weird. Some next level kind of mixture of feelings like this. Like I was happy, but sad, but confused, but scared, but feeling for Suni. I don't even know if she was happy or not.

We were in the stall for a bit. Another lady came into the washroom,saw us and.... left.

"Suni...stand up..." she was still silently crying..."Stand up...Let's go..." She didn't argue, she didn't agree. She just let me pull her up and we walked out. From the washroom, to the exit.

Screw breakfast.

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We had been driving around for about an hour? maybe more... my cellphone rang.

"Good or bad news?" it was Shafa.

"I don't even know myself...." I looked over at Suni, she was still staring into space. She had stopped crying, but she still hadn't said a word. "I don't even know..."

"Hm....I'm going to run some errands for a bit. Are you coming back home soon?" I caught that.

"No, I don't think I'll be back for a while...."

"K see you when you get back. Hug Suni for me...."

"K..." My tank was on E...gas station o..."Shafa says to hug you." the silence hadn't been bothering me for the past hour or so that we'd been driving, but now that I had finally spoken..(to someone) It just felt weird.

"Suni..I don't know how to feel now cause I don't even know how you feel. Are you sad? Or....Like...is this a... totally catastrophic thing?" She moved, adjusted her seat. At least I got something. "Like...I mean.. you love... at least that's what you told me....you love him. Right?" Nothing. "Maybe you jumped the gun here, but at least its not with a total douche...he's an OOOOKKK person.." she laughed. a dead laugh... but one nonetheless. "I just wish you'd say something. I'm really at a loss here"

"I'm confused as hell Yale." Her voice sounded weird now that she had finally spoken. It sounded different. "I've just gone from yay to...huh?????" I crawled into a gas station that I spotted, but just parked on the side. "I don't know how Toba is going to take this. I don't know how I'M going to take this. I'm not ready for a child..........not now."

"You know we have to go to the doctors to confirm right?"

"2 stripes, doctors note. Same difference."

"Suni, for real, some of these tests are faulty."

"You're right...."

"This doesn't have to be a bad thing-"

"But it's not the right time." her voice cracked. "I CANNOT take care of a baby right now, so either way its has to..."

Excuse me??? "Has to what?" I did NOT like that tone.

"Either ways I can't do it Yale." She ran her hands over her face and looked up to the roof. She was crying again....she tried opening the door. it Was locked... she started struggling with it...

"Wait relax jo..." I undid the safety lock "I'm unsure of where you're getting at..."

"I'M SAYING IF IT IS FOR REAL I CANNOT GO THROUGH WITH IT. IT HAS TO GO." She opened the door and got out.

I didn't even follow her. I felt like she had just thrown cold water in my face to wake me up. Go where? Is this girl on crack? Suni and I had talked about this before... way back in Uni. We had had the pro-life, pro-choice argument time and time again. She was pro-choice, I was pro-life. I was simply not able to comprehend the idea of playing God. She had understood that, or so she claimed. I remember, I always said, "let's just hope we don't find ourselves in that situation."

She was considering abortion. Because of what? She CAN'T do it? BECAUSE OF FLIPPING WHAT?

I got out of the car.

"You must be insane Suni." She was sitting on the sidewalk. "If you can give me 3 valid reasons for considering such a... such a..." I couldn't even find the word. This girl had NO GOOD reason. not a SINGLE one... to consider abortion.

"I'm not ready." she used her fingers to count. "I can GUARANTEE you Toba isn't either " she counted number two on her hand. "and I AM NOT READY" Finger number three.

"Wow... you mean our selfishness has reached this level?"

"Please Yale, don't start with your mother Theresa talks-"

"I shouldn't start? You think you have not caused enough stress? You now want to go and endanger you life because of some selfish streak you refuse to curb?"

"What stress am I causing?"

"Are you kidding me right now Suni?"

"No enlighten me, miss I am perfect I can do no wrong."

"Oh wow."

"Yes now... shebi you're the one that has to make "ethical" decisions, you're the one who's faced with this problem and can make REASONABLE decisions" she stood up "Oya. Tell me the stress I'm causing for you!!"

How pointless was this? I'm here trying to talk sense and she's here trying to turn the whole thing around. How is it that she can stand here and say I'm being unethical when I say considering abortion is selfish. Because I'm not in that situation? What STUPID nonsense is that? Its just like asking me how do I know fire can burn me when I haven't stood inside?

"You know what. Never mind... we need gas."

"No now.... talk? Cause I'm confused as to how you're so sure I might be making a wrong decision"

"Abeg enter the car let's go. I'm tired." I walked back to the car.

"That's what I thought." She followed.
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"Don't tell Shafa....." We hadnt said anything to each other from the gas station. We were at her house now.

"He's going to ask me."

"Well don't say anything."

"I'll tell him you said that." I turned into her drive way. she paused before she got out.

"Yale, I didn't say I'm going to do it, but I have to think. I can't just accept this without weighing my options."

"It's not just YOUR option anymore...." She didn't say anything. "If you need anything call me k?" She nodded and started to get out of the car. "Don't forget to make an appointment." She nodded again. "Like NOW!"

"Yes mommy."

W17a. A Slight Change of Plans

Should I pick up one on the way? Like me I personally don't like suspense, fine she may be scared, in denial, but all this "Yeee, ohhhh, howww?" can be eliminated sharply. Ah screw it I'm getting one.

I dropped by the drug mart near Suni's, got the goodies and a tub of Häagen-Daz.....it was on sale jo!!

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"I'm outside o...."

She was already coming out even before she answered, she was probably waiting by the window.
"Yea yea..."

She was wearing a huge sweater and baggy pants. It was obvious she hadn't slept much.

"So, because you think you are prego, you now want to be dressing like a couch slug? Your ensemble is pre-tty ba..."

"Abeg drive jo, who ask you?" She slouched so far down the chair, if you were looking from outside you wouldn't know someone was in the passengers seat. She spotted the Daz. "Ozimmmeeeeee darling! Ah!" she lounged for it.... and I stepped on the brakes. I didn't even bother parking, we were in the middle of the street, but there was NO way I would let her attack the Daz .... trust me, it would be empty before I could say Huckleberry Finn! This ice-cream was our savior...I'm telling you there are answers to every life problem at the bottom of that tub, you just have to get there!

"Suni, if I box your tummy ehn!!" I slapped her hand.

"Ohhhh-hhhhh! We are going to be nabbed o! Just drive, I promise I wont eat.... all." I boxed her! "Ouuchh, stop now... ok ok ok" her grip loosened on the bag "I just want to....you know.... admire the box!!!"

I snatched the bag anyways and put it between mine so that if she had to take it away, ehen.. na to crash the whole vehicle now. "Gredger."

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We ended up at the Denny's* on the outskirts of town. I'm sure we both mentally wanted to keep the random bump in's with whoever to the extreme minimum. We settled down and made our orders...

"You bought it. Thanks..." I guess she was referring to the home test. "Mennn............"

"Ok, you know me I don't like stress, so before we get into..."I paused to find the right word.."whatever we get into, lets do this." I nodded towards the bathroom.

She nodded back and led the way, she looked so scared.

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"How long are we meant to wait for?" She was speaking from the stall, her voice shook a bit.

"I don't know..." then it occurred to me to look at the box "it says 5 minutes...."

She didn't answer. I hadn't heard her pee (grossss-sss). "Suni, have you even peed on it?"

"No....." Ok?

"Er, you may want to do that first......"

"Oh shattap. I know..."

"Sorry."

There was shuffling, a woman walked in... I hid the box in my bag. Fronted like I was applying makeup with an invisible brush. She entered the stall beside Suni's.

I finally heard peeing. I doubt it was Suni's though, but I still got happy that progress MIGHT be being made. Flush. Lady comes out. So much for progress.
"Suni......"

"Yale! Please!"

"Sorry.... ok ok, do you want me to wait-"

"No!....No...please..." The lady refuses to go o. It's like she's finding gist. Amebor!! Hew! See her eyyyesss. Gist monger. Wash hand dey go jo! I don't know when washing hand became a life time commitment."Stay here k. I'll do it now."

I heard ruffling so I assumed she was preparing to take the pee of her life. Lady walks ever so slowly to the dryer. It came on just as Suni started doing her business. I didn't even try to hide the cut eye I was giving the woman. She knewwww she was waiting for gist. Dryer finished. Lady still dey inspect hand. Ah Ah.

I was about to ask her if everything was ok when she turned to me and was like "Wish her luck, its a good thing anyways" And walked away. Hia! Who made her oracle now?

"Suni.....are you ok?" she didn't answer me. I guess she was waiting on the picture. or sign or whatever. I started sweating too. See if Suni was preggo it is going to be so life changing and altering that... Man. Ok let's just see. I walked to her stall and stood close to the door. "You're going to grow gray hair standing and waiting for that thing to show something... come out jo so that time can pass faster." Still no answer...screw it i knelt down and peeked under the stall. Suni was gripping onto this thing like it was her lifeline. "Suni you're going to be fine!" she jumped.

"Ew Yale... gettup, that's just nasty!" she opened the stall door.

"Just for you..." I hugged her...."How long has it been...?

She looked at the stick as she said "Long enough" Suni's mouth dropped. Along with home pregnancy test.

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W16. The Patient Dog...

"You wanted to leave me alone with HER...." he was till leaning against the door as if he didn't trust his lock.

"I CAN NOT be-lieve yo just did that Shafa...." I was still in shock.

"Some things need to be taken by the horns..."

"Let me aaww--wttt" Beans!

I sat down on the steps. It was kind of cold, and because of our dear drunken friend, we were stuck outside. Hiss.... insolence. I must have shivered because Shafa was right beside me in second. He put his arms around me and pulled me close while rubbing my shoulders.

"Thanks..."

"The cab said 10 minutes...."

"We'd be Popsicle's by then...."

"Lai lai...." He held me closer. I think Jackie must have passed out or something, cause it was quieter. We both realized this at the same time cause we looked at each other and laughed.

"Thank your lucky stars shes not puking her pretty insides by your door..."

"You think shes pretty?"

I looked at him to see if he was trying to play that mind game. He just had curiosity in his eyes.

"I think she's pretty..." He just said hmn. Whether he was concurring o, I don't know. I didn't want to know somehow though. Like if he thought she was pretty ehen? Like... does it even matter, there really wasn't any point in knowing his stance when it came to her. "Do you think she'd pretty?"

He looked at me for a moment smiling. "You really want to know what I think?"

"No.... but It'd be nice too..?"

"I think, I prefer your face." Oh.... see this bobo....

"Sure Shafa....you dint answer the question."

"Yea... she's pretty."

"Oh..."

"Happy now?"

"I'm indifferent..."

"Riaaghhtt" a cab slowly pulled up in front of the house, Shafa waved... "Let's get rid of our pretty friend.."

"YOUR's....not mine... I choose MY friends wisely...."

He got got up to open the door and I immediately felt ice cold again...so I got up too...just to get out of the way. God knows if Jackie was going to bolt, throw up or stumble on the way out, either ways I didn't want to be in her way.

Shafa emerged with Jackie clinging on to him again, but I think she was asleep or subconscious or something....alcohol ehn!!Chei...the babe just looked OUDDIE...I laughed.

Shafa struggled to get her to the cab and I saw him talking with the man , cabbie didn't look too pleased at whatever Shafa was saying, I laughed again and went inside... I wasn't going to leave after all.

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I was flipping through channels when he came in. He looked tired, disappointed maybe, but tired for sure.

"Anything good?" He dropped into the spot beside me and I swear I gravitated towards his body. He held me.

"Nyope...." I turned off the TV. Didn't move though. The house seemed so silent now that Jackie was gone. "I hope she gets home safe..."

He laughed, "She'd be fine"

"How do you know?"

"The way the cab driver was doing, I doubt he wants her in his car for long....." he adjusted himself so he was facing me more, I looked up at him. "Plus I tipped him so... he better do his job."

That was Shafa just being Shafa, I don't know how deep his relationship was with Jackie, but he cared easily, like who does that? Average naija boy will just kick you out and lock HIS door, whether or not you get home, is your own cup of tea... but not Shafa....it was a very VERY attractive trait....

"Why are you staring? Bad manners...." he smiled. He had perfect teeth, white, full and obviously healthy. And his lips were very...what word can I use now? Very.... lovely?

"You're a nice guy you know ba...."

"Before nko?"

I don't know if he dipped or I tipped, but somehow sha.... we kissed.

It was like the first time since our last time how ever long ago.... I forget.
I REALLY forgot how much I forget when this man kissed me.......


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"I.'.m. .a. .w.e.e.k. .l.a.t.e."








This was what I woke up to. Or wait no... I woke up to Shafa's smell and body heat. Which was good and nice and it made me smile, but it was my phone's ringing that woke me up... this text wiped the smile from my face FAST.

"A.s .i.n.?" I texted back...then it occurred to me texting was on a long tin. So I called. "I'm a little bit lost here....as per.......? I didn't even know what to say.

"There's nothing, Yale...." she wasn't crying. I don't know if that was a good thing. "I thought it was because of stress, but man.... a week?" I heard small echo's so I figured she was in a bathroom somewhere.

"Are you home?" I slipped out from Shafa's hold, he was fast asleep.....I walked to the living room.

"Ya...I'm in the closet in my room."

"Suni, really....?"

"Mom is here o, can't take any chances..." I heard some ruffling, like she was rubbing her head or something "I.... I'm kinda scared."

"I know.....maybe IT IS stress.... I mean with all this stuff going on, shit I'd not show up if I were the period sef!"

She giggled small.... this was weird, cause normally , well this isn't normal, but the Suni I know would be freaking the hell out. "It's been crazy o... I'd gist you what went down when you left.. long story short, Toba's dad wants to see my dad"

"Ah."

"Yea...mom wasn't too thrilled......I think Toba's dad......"she paused, I waited...."I think his dad doesn't have very long." Oh.

"Are you serious....damn, what's..." this phone conversation would not work... as usual "...look, I'm coming to get you, we are going for....Iono anything, get dressed"

"Yea, I concur."

I slipped back into the room and tried to be real quiet, but it didn't really work. Shafa was awake, like his eyes were open, just watching me.

"Sorry didn't mean to wake you..." I went to sit on the bed beside him.

"You didn't, I woke up when the phone rang. Suni?" Wow. this man was hella sexy. The whole morning voice, sleepy eyes, ugh........what a sight to behold.

"Yea.... I need to go and meet her now, she's a bit distressed..."

"Yesterday's runs? "

"Yea....I guess..." I looked away as if looking for something. It wasn't ENTIRELY a LIE!

"Or not...." he knew I wasn't saying the entire truth. "Are you coming back?"

I looked at him again "If you're not busy I will...except..." I wasn't sure what he was gunning at.

"Nah, it's fine....I'm gonna be home working." there was something in his eyes... questions?? I had this feeling it was about last night. But why would it be bothering him NOW? this wasn't new...Like..

"Are you ok?"

He tried puckering up, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course! Oya gimme some shuga" he puckered those his God sent lips...how could I resist?

I freshened up (aka brushed my teeth and washed my face. Moochi central!) and headed for Suni's.

W15. Tonights Gonna Be a....

I washed my kinky twists....cleaned them out NIIICEEE!!
I was clean cut....in all the right places. Not that I was expecting anything..........
I wore my pajamas, the casual sexy ones. Cotton yellow comfy somethings like this. Soft kinda yellow...with happy teddy's with red ribbons tied around their necks sprinkled all over the fabric. Loose but snug. Perfect.

I had on my over-sized blue cardigan but underneath was the matching tank top for the pants. I liked this ensemble, because... well he liked it. He had told me before that it made me look innocently sexy. Imagine. Only Shafa would think of that.

I was ready. It only took me one hour. Hopefully the boy is not asleep. Even if sef? Ehen? Hmn!! Today na today...you no go escape... I go put u for corner....heheheheh!

I called to find out anyways...

"Are you asleep?"

"Ah... I thought they kidnapped you on the way, I was about calling sef... What happened? " I guess he WAS still awake! Mmmmhhmmnnn!

"Sorry.... I had to get some work done quickly.. don't worry I have enough gist for you!" Sure....

"You better....because its up against the sleep I'm missing now......"

"Oh quit complaining, I'm coming....."

"You are?" he snickered his evil laugh! The bastard!

"Shafa, only God will deliver that dirty mind of yours....."

"Hurry sha, I'm falling asleep...."

I turned off all my lights, picked up my overnight bag that was packed....yels... and was out!

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"Wow" was all he said when I walked in. It sounded like a good "wow". Dass riighhhh...

"Please tell me you have food.... of some sort....?"I dropped my bag and made my way to the kitchen, I really was hungry... to an extent. Besides he WAS looking good enough to eat... which only reminded me more, how I hungry I was... like the real hunger? for food.. like real food? Ohh!

He stopped me. Like grabbed my arm before I could enter the kitchen...

"Can I at least have a hug before you empty my fridge?" He hugged me.
It felt intimate, but it was really just a friendly hug. Maybe the intimacy came from his eyes....?

"Your now calling me a gredger? Because I've come to see you?" we both kinda laughed but settled into the hug.

See I liked it here. I could feel his heart beat (and nice body), but I felt connected to him when we hugged like this, it was like.... even tho we were sometimes detached from each other, we somehow connected on a surreal level when we did finally touch.

We stood there like that for like... I dunno... sometime sha.

"Ok!" he broke the hug like he realized something....

"Ok....?"

"OK!" He shouted again... this is how madness starts. Shu-oh!I made sure the awkward look I gave him entered. Then I turned around to go and find some grub. I think he followed me after a moment because when I open the fridge, scanned it and brought out the butter and jam, he was right there in the kitchen getting saucers. He handed one to me...

"Thanks..." I might as well get out night started, as much as I wanted to be with Shafa, the main reason for this visit was to kind of share my...burdened heart. "Men...... you would NOT believe the kind of thing that happened today Shafa o"

I got out the knife, he brought out the bread and we commenced the task of making buttered jam sandwiches.

"What happened?"

"Soooooooo, before I start sha! Let me just state it is not entirely my fault!"

"When you say that Yale, it means it is...." I used the end of the knife to poke him. "Ouch!....it's true now... OK report yourself..."

So I did. I told him everything. From the call, to the decision, to the hotel, to Suni's house... to everything. Empty saucers, Filled stomachs and 2 hours later, I had downloaded the whole shenanigans to him.

"Mennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!" was all he said...

"For real eh! I just hope they haven't killed themselves in that house..." My hands felt idle.... and you know what they say about idle hands.... abi minds....idle body parts!! So I started stacking the saucers to take to the kitchen. He stopped me... again.

"Relax small..." he pulled me back...to him "the saucers aren't going anywhere..."

The way he was seated through the gist was in a relaxed sitting down-lying down manner.... like he was on resting his back on the arm rest of one end of the couch with one of his legs stretched somewhat out on the couch, I was at the other end cross-legged, he took up 3/4's of the couch, I took up the remaining, so when he pulled me back....I fell on him.

"I'm relaxed...." Considering this is what I had wanted since ...you know.. I idnt even struggle. I settled down nicely. He rubbed my back. Very therapeutic something like this. Better than a massage!

"You know...I'm glad you came by tonight..." he was still rubbing my back.

"Me too... thanks for listening." He used his finger to lift u my head so I was looking at him. He was going to kiss me. Finally. My heart was smiling o!

He was giving me ample time to say no or turn my head away but how can I? Ehn? Look at those lips! The boy wasn't making a move, so I took the initiative.

Oh yes.

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His phone was ringing.

"Are you going to get that?"

"Because of why....?" he nuzzled my neck. For SURE I had a hickey.

"Because the person has rang back like 10 times, could be urgent..." he seemed to consider that fact. He kissed my shoulder then turned to find his phone.

"Hello?" I could hear his voice rumble in his chest... I had my ear to it.

It sounded far of and a bit jumbled but if i wasn't mistaken there was laughter and ruckus coming from wherever. It sounded like the person was in a party.

"No.. I'm home tonight.." he increased his voice, probably so the other person could hear, I lifted my head to look up at him. I mouthed "who's it?"

"Jack-ie" he mouthed back.

You have got to be kidding me. I looked to the clock on the wall and saw it was 2:30am...I looked back at him with the..."are you kidding me" glare.

"Nah.. I'm tired just want to stay home today" he paused for a moment "No.. No..wait.. Jackie...Jackie seriously don't I'm tired and want to sleep...." pause again...."For real.. Jac-" his jaw clenched. He looked at the phone with disgust. I'm assuming she just hung up on him. Well oh well.... I readjusted myself.

"Jackie is coming over." Really.

"Oh....k!" I was tempted to leave. Go home.... "Er...." I looked around for my bag.

"Yale...." I looked at him, I was approaching anger mode very fast for whatever reason. "Don't go...." I was approaching calmness VERY fast for that reason. "She's drunk so....but I'd get rid of her quickly.... just please...don't go."

The flesh is very weak.

"Ok" I feel like I just agreed to something very stupid. I saw the remote and grabbed it. I need to keep myself occupied.

Shafa went to find a t-shirt.

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The door bell rang. Shafa was in washroom.
"I should open the door and insult the babe......"

Shafa came out and walked to the door. I watched him... he winked at me.

"Heyyyyy sexxyyyyyyyyyyyy" there was stumble, she was probably tripping over herself.

"Er...Jackie... did you drive?" He was practically carrying her into the living room...Jealous Yale started to break through.

She threw her hand to her chest as though she was appalled by the idea. "Of course not!" she clung on to him so tight......like a parasite. Her drunken beady eyes were so stuck on Shafa she still hadn't noticed I was sitting right there. "But.....I came to see you anyways. You should have come out. Shouldn't be keeping all this..." she ran her hands down his chest. I shivered...with irritation "to yourself..." She ran them back up and cupped his face...OK! That was enough!

*cough* "Hey Jackie."

She slow motion swooned towards me. Kai..alcohol is a helluva drink.

"Er....." she squinted. I waited for some of the alcohol to clear so she could register my face in her head. "...hi!" She kind of awkwardly fell out, stepped out of Shafa's grip. Like she wanted to stand straight to face me. "I'm Jacqueline!" She thrust her hand out at me. The babe did NOT recognize me. Na wa o.

"I know.... I'm Yale....you kind of know me" Light bulb moment.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Yaaahhh-leee!" She broke out into drunken laughter ofcourse turning to find Shafa as her 'ohmigodthisistoofunnyihavetoslapyou' partner. "You look so differentttttt" Sure I do. "What are you doing here soooo late...." She waved her finger at Shafa..."and in your PJ'ssss!!!" Hm, so she still has some sense left. "I hope its not....."Her presence was annoying me big time.

"Well I'm sure even in your state you -"

"Ok! Jackie....." Shafa jumped in to cut me short. "Come and sit.. let me call you a cab..."

"If I wanted a cab Shafs I'd have gotten one. I didn't come here to be driven home." She sat down anyways. "Sit down..."she patted the spot beside her.

Was this... heifer actually disregarding my presence? I looked at Shafa...he looked kinda irritated too. Well I don't know about you "shafs", but I have low tolerance for crap like this. Disrespectful nonsense, who does that? Waltz into someones house at odd hours and totally start... Hissss. Abeg. I started to leave.

He stopped me again...."Please...don't leave me by myself..." he was whispering... I looked back at Jackie, she looked like she was about to doze...but she seemed determined to hook Shafa today.

"You're on your own o... me I cant do this..."

"Please now..."

"What are you guys saying about me? Shafa come here noowwww...... Pleaseeeeeeee" she pouted and waved him in like a baby. I was reallly getting grossed out.

He started making a move. See shock. what the hell...he moved past her though, to the phone. "I'm calling you a cab Jackie... you kinda barged in on me....I'm busy."

"I cant believe you want to send me home because of her." The way she said it just set off sparks. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Men...... Ye!! This girl ahhhh..... Jesus take the wheel. I will BRUSH this girl o.. drunk or not.

"My name is Yale...."

"Of course...." she dint even turn to acknowledge the mistake....hiaaa! "Babe... don't call a cab...." she stretched over the couch to stop him from dialing. But instead of stopping him... she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her.

"AH AH! Jackie...!" Shafa was now on the couch. Jackie was laughing like a mad woman and I was standing on the side. Like a fool.

Film trick? Like play like play this babe came in, in her drunken state and literally TOOK Shafa. Hew! I've suffered in this world... I'm not the violent type... but I WILL hurt this b-..Oh!!! I wont be insulted like this. Over my dead body!

I turned and went into the kitchen, my bag was still on the side....

"Yale...." from what I was hearing, Shafa must've been struggling to get out of Jackies grip. "Yale wait....Jackie STOP IT!"

I picked up my bag and headed towards the door. He got there before me.

"Oh let her go.... we need alone time......." she continued laughing.

"Yale....No. See I'm calling a cab for her...." he had the phone in his hand and he was dialing. Jackie was stil laughing. He was using his other hand to shield me from going past him to the door.

"Shafa it's cool... really. Just let me go to the peace and quiet of my OWN house....I've been insulted enough today."

"Wait now...er hi can I get a cab to 57 Lakeshore Drive?..

"Nooooo" that was Jackie from the living room...

"Please hurry.. thanks.." he clicked off. We heard Jackie trying to get up again..

Shafa grabbed my hand, opened the door and dragged me out, he turned and shut the door really fast. What the? Then he LOCKED it...!

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.