EvaJael:
You've got me. Lemme call my people.
Queenitee...I reach here before u
Hadampson
Mhizgap
Lilyjoe567
Holuwanoisy111
Akinwale14
Jane1234f
Mhizdherbee
Ifecoded

Evajael has glued me. What more can I say? Pls don't obstruct our view o. Association of Late Comers (ALC).
Somebori shud read the attendance please

Ifecoded:

Evajael has glued me. What more can I say? Pls don't obstruct our view o. Association of Late Comers (ALC).
Somebori shud read the attendance please

Lol...I'm proud of myself

awesome..


following....

CHAPTER THREE
The 17th of December 2014 was a big day in Jane’s family. Her two cousins Esther and Rachel were around. The house was boisterous and bubbly as Jane, her cousins and her aunt prepared to go for the wedding of Rahila Dung. Jane’s mother, Caro Dung was dressed and waited for the rest of them to finish so they could all go to the church. She had come with her old Peugeot 504 to convey them to the venue. She was dressed sophisticated with a sunshade and high heels to go. Her pink lipstick matched with the colour of the asebi and her eyebrows were finely shaped. She looked 10 years younger and her grandson, Isaac, could not keep his eyes off her tall aligogoro as the two of them sat and waited in the living room.

Caro’s eyes shifted uncomfortably. She was tense at the sight of Isaac. Ever since her daughter had brought him to her house a year ago, she had only seen him on two occasions. She was still not settled with the fact that her daughter had a child and found it somewhat distressing. She did not know how to behave towards this child that looked so much like the man that brought shame to her family. Both of them sat opposite each other in silence stealing glances at each other.

Minutes later, Aunt Gloria walked into the sitting room dressed the same way as her sister-in-law, though her aligogoro was not as tall. She held a much bigger purse and she was looking through it as she entered.

“I see you have finished,” Caro said.

“Yes, I have, except for...yes yes yes... my perfume.” She went back to her room.

The room fell silent once again and their eyes met each other briefly. Jane entered this time around, the gown she wore was tight fitting and stopped at her knees. She was a pretty sight to behold. Caro smiled at her daughter. “Omo ge!” She hailed.

Jane smiled and went to her son. She buttoned his shirt properly and tucked it again in the chinos he wore. He looked like one of those rich kids that posed as models on blogs. His hairy eyebrows, long eyelashes and full hair gave him a supposedly handsome look. Luckily, he took half of his mother’s look so he could pass for a handsome kid.

“Stand upright”, Jane said to Isaac in a tutor’s voice.

Isaac stood up at once. Jane bent down and straightened up his socks so that he looked like a schoolboy. Esther and Rachel entered the sitting room looking more fashionable and elegant them all of them. They had done a lot of make up and the artificial hair they had plaited was reaching up to their waists. Their heights were intimidating because of the high heels they wore and they carried blue and white attractive purses. In contrast they had an air of superiority around them, while simplicity and neatness was all over Jane. She was adorned only with a simple gold earring and her face was powdered and instead of lipstick she had put on lip gloss. Her hair was plaited with black wool and it was packed in a doughnut style.

“Mhmm, fine boy.” She said to Isaac when she was through with dressing him up.

He smiled broadly revealing incomplete but white set of teeth.

“Let us go, oya, maza maza. Let us not be late, I want us to sit in front and get the programmes.” Aunt Gloria said as she came out of her room.

In the car, Caro handed over some chocolate bars and biscuits she had bought in the supermarket to Isaac. “Here you go dear,” she said giving him.

Isaac collected it fixing his eyes on her till his mum interposed.

“Sweetheart, say thank you to Granny”.

“Ank you... Gwanny”.

“Welcome dear”, Caro said and started the car as Isaac got immersed in eating his chocolates.

They arrived COCIN LCC, the church where the wedding was taking place, it was located in the suburb of Rayfield. The church was a grand building with cream painted walls and stained glass. The fence of the building was coloured an impressive white with red bougainvillea hanging proudly. Cars were already parked outside the building and it took some difficulty before they found a parking space.

They found empty seats in the middle of the hall and sat down. Jane watched with keenness the proceedings of the wedding. She felt butterflies in her stomach when Uncle Davou entered hand in hand with Rahila. She looked more pleasant than Jane had imagined her to be. Her white wedding gown sparkled with fluorescence and her steps were measured and calculated with the sort of magnificence the Queen of England would walk with. The sleeves of the wedding gown reached to her wrists, the gown itself was tight fitting and it exposed her cleavages- typical of modern wedding gowns. The veil on her head had golden fastenings and behind the veil her fair beautiful face radiated.
Like a dream unfolding, the wedding played before her misty eyes. She could not suppress herself from feeling lachrymose. Her thoughts wandered to Lafia and back to the wedding.

“We don’t need a big wedding, just something small.” She remembered saying to Pamshak. “I just want us to be married formally”.

“Yes, big weddings are a total waste of money, it’s only a show off. We will have a court wedding.”

“A court wedding? I was thinking we should first have a church wedding.”

Pamshak sniggered sarcastically, “a church wedding? Who will agree to wed us both in church? No such thing as holy wedlock for us babe..”

Shalomdee Weldon

Thank you Akinwale14, welcome Ifecoded and talk2saintify
I will update tomorrow again

Tomorrow? No choice but to wait

queenitee:
Tomorrow? No choice but to wait

I appreciate your interest sincerely.

Tanks 4 Updating, Really Anticipating 4 More.

Shalomdee:
Thank you Akinwale14, welcome Ifecoded and talk2saintify
I will update tomorrow again

Ok no p we are waiting.

Shalomdee:


I appreciate your interest sincerely.

The story is wow I have no choice but to be interested

CHAPTER THREE continued

It was soon time for the vows to be taken. The tall priest with his black soutane spoke the nuptial oaths while they repeated after him, each when it was his or her turn. It was then Jane took notice of her cousin-in law. He was light skinned, not like his bride was, but his complexion resembled that of Easterners. He was tall and huge, one would be tempted to say he was plump, but chubby would be the right adjective. He had a round face and a neatly trimmed beard. His hair was clipped short and he had big eyeballs that roamed the room like The All Seeing Eyes. He reminded Jane of Emeka, her classmate in Secondary school who gave her a hard time. She soon found that her regretful thoughts had transcended to admiration.

“Is he from this state?” She asked her mother.

Her mother looked from the podium to her programme. “No”, came her curt reply.

Jane carefully collected the program and studied it. Rachel was holding Isaac who was still engrossed with his chocolate bars. She read the names on the programme, The Family of Paul Davou Dung and Anthony Ezekwelisi Okorokwo... Rahila Cynthia Dung and Lancelot Okafor Okorokwo. So her guess was right after all, he was from the east. She tried to guess again how both of them had met, he was one the patients she had treated in Airforce Hospital, he was rich and was the CEO of a big company, he had fallen in love with her after she had taken care of him in the hospital and they had exchanged numbers after which communication between them had become serious, blah blah blah, then he proposed marriage to her during one of their dates at Ostrich Bakery. She had said yes and back where her friends were she flashed the diamond engagement ring before their eyes while they looked on with envy. Why did ladies wish for their own weddings so much?
The church wedding soon ended shortly after Rahila and Lancelot were pronounced man and wife. The congregation had made a loud exhilarating sound to cheer them. Jane had expected the kissing part, the interlocking of their lips to produce a beautiful chuck sound, unfortunately kissing was not a part of the church’s rules. They proceeded outside the church for the wedding pictures.

Outside the church, the newly wedded couple comported themselves like celebrities, everyone was trying to hug them, shake hands with them or take pictures with them while they stood wearing smiles as if all the noise, shuffling and racket made no difference to them. Their hands were clasped and a lot of people had gathered around them to take a picture.

“The Couple and the Dung family!” The photographer announced; aunts, uncles, first cousins and second cousins that Jane had forgotten about gathered round.

Esther pulled at her, “Let’s go snap”.

Jane was nervous, what will she say to Rahila? They had never really been close cousins and now with her marriage she felt they were further alienated. Their eyes finally met.

“Congrats Sister”, Jane said to her before she would take off her eyes.

Rahila looked at her like she did not recognize her. Jane’s mother came to her rescue. “Rahila, this is your cousin Jane, remember? She came to stay in your house one holiday in 2011”.

There was a lot of clatter and shoving but the bride managed to smile and hug Jane. “You look big now, I heard you were back, doo, happy to see you.”

Jane smiled broadly, she had not expected a warm hug from her cousin and the thought of a hug from her majestic cousin who acted when they had been together like the world was in her palm, sent those pleasurable electric shocks to her brain. Her cousin was a good lady, no doubt, she was only raised up to believe she was royalty.

“Say CHEESE”, the photographer said and the camera clicked.

Jane felt all of a sudden her world was missing, “Isaac!” She shrieked.

“Mummy”, her two year old smiling son with a mouth stained with chocolate answered from behind. He was being held by one of her male relative whose relationship she could not quite understand. “My Uncle Daddy carry me”.

“Hi Pretty”, Haruna said.

“Hello Haruna, where did you meet this one?”

“Your cousin Rachel handed him over to me, she has gone to meet one of her boyfriends who came for the wedding. You look good.”

“Thanks, you don’t look bad yourself”.

He did not. He was wearing a black blazer with a white shirt and a white trouser to match. He had black and white designer shoes on and wore black sunshades.

“I’m glad to see you Jane.”

They stood quietly facing each other thinking of something else to say. Isaac observed the awkwardness and decided to say something.
“Daddy, my Gwanny give me chocoyate and I eat it”.

Jane sighed abashed. She had scolded and even beat Isaac several times to dissuade him from calling men who came close to her Daddy, he did not seem to know that it embarrassed her every time. Haruna did not seem to mind. “Really, where did you put the rest? You ate them all? Don’t you know it will give you stomach ache?”

They walked to the venue of the reception. It was a vast field that had a nicely cut lawn and a shrubbery of trees- neem trees providing little shade, frangipanis with creamy flowers and cashew tress with places to sit on.

“The last time we saw, you were through with your SSCE exams and had come to spend the weekend at my aunt’s place”. Haruna said.

“Yes”, she answered and tried to remember exactly how both of them were related. She had seen him many occasions with Aunt Regina, her late father’s first cousin, but she could not quite place him in the family.

“What about Isaac’s real dad? Where is he now?” He asked.

“In Lafia I guess.”

“Have you thought about what you will do if he comes back for you?”

“Come back for me? He dare not. If he tries to harass me I will report him to the police.”

Haruna fixed his gaze on her so that she found herself wondering if it was the proper thing to do. He digressed from the topic and asked her what she planned to study in the University.

“Medicine if I have my way.”


“Medicine is too stressful.”
“Is there a course in this world that is not stressful?”

He laughed, a deep cackle like the shifting of metals. “Medicine is stressful like no man’s business, many students get withdrawn on the way. If your passion is not truly on medicine, I advise you to pick another course that you will be able to cope with.”

Jane fell silent and thought about what he had said. Medicine or Nursing had been the course her aunt wanted her to study saying it suited her since she was neat and smart. She had not really reflected on her passion for the course. They got to third canopy that had been set up, it was coloured gold and white and BECKY’S EVENTS was written broadly on it. The ushers were busy arranging the chairs. Some of them were setting up the table for the cake while others were still decorating the couple’s stage with pink, white and gold embroidery.

They sat in the front row. Jane felt free now that she was not being disturbed and irritated by Isaac. He felt happy and at ease in the arms of Haruna who was carrying him for the first time. Haruna, after admiring the ambiance of the reception, broached into chatting about his own course of study in the University. He told her he was studying English Language in the University of Jos. His best poet was Dennis Osadebay, he argued with her that no other Nigerian poet surpassed him, not even Soyinka. He asked what books she read for pleasure. She told him she read novels mostly by female writers: Buchi Emecheta was on the list, including Flora Nwapa, Zainab Alkali, Bessie Head and Chimamanda Adichie.

“Oow”, he sounded like he were purring. “I could die for Chimamanda, her writing style is out of this world.”

Jane nodded gently, “that I have to agree with”.

“Bessie Head writes as if to mystify, I don’t quite enjoy her narration”.

“You will if you studied more of her work. I like female writers a lot, I admire their art”. Jane crooned.

“I hope you are not a feminist?” Haruna said suddenly as if feminists were leprous people.

Jane lifted her eyes and looked into his in a way that showed she was ready to defend feminists with all she had left.

“What is wrong with feminists, Mr Classical Literature?”

“I find them most annoying, all that bullshit about men doing the dishes”

Jane twittered, she was not sure feminists advocated for such unreasonable things.

In a few minutes, the reception ground had been transformed to a Disney Palace. Balloons, flowers and colourful dresses of pink and gold adorned the event in a way a tiara adorns the head. The event started soon after the MC, who declared himself to be MC Born Again, announced the reception had started and ordered the DJ to play music for the couple and their train to dance in.

A popular song played and the couple danced in with the groom’s men and bride’s maids behind them. They danced so well and in tune Jane knew they had rehearsed so many times. “What a beautiful couple”, she stated.

Haruna smiled and reached out to hold her hands. She felt uneasy but assured herself that nothing otherwise was going on. She looked around for her cousins, aunt and mother. She saw her mother and aunt in a different canopy that seemed to be majorly for the elderly and respected people in the family. They were caught up in some heated discussion that she was sure was unrelated to the event on going. Her cousins were filming and taking pictures of the couple.

Hey guys, Entangled has been updated:
EvaJael- didn't know you were a star writer, I'm enjoying your Hidden Diamonds
holuwanoisy111
queenitee- continuation is ready Ma
Lilyjoe567
Akinwale14- you patiently waited now you have it
hormobolanle- hope you are still following?
Ifecoded- please make yourself comfortable
Ayoomolabake
Chumzypinky
talk2saintify
mhizgap

and others who I could not mention but have been following the story, thanks for support.

I am looking at this Haruna fellow...I don't want to like him just yet. Shalomdee carry on

Shalomdee:
Hey guys, Entangled has been updated:
EvaJael- didn't know you were a star writer, I'm enjoying your Hidden Diamonds
holuwanoisy111
queenitee- continuation is ready Ma
Lilyjoe567
Akinwale14- you patiently waited now you have it
hormobolanle- hope you are still following?
Ifecoded- please make yourself comfortable
Ayoomolabake
Chumzypinky
talk2saintify
mhizgap

and others who I could not mention but have been following the story, thanks for support.

Star writer?...#smiles. Thanks dear

Shalomdee:
Hey guys, Entangled has been updated:
EvaJael- didn't know you were a star writer, I'm enjoying your Hidden Diamonds
holuwanoisy111
queenitee- continuation is ready Ma
Lilyjoe567
Akinwale14- you patiently waited now you have it
hormobolanle- hope you are still following?
Ifecoded- please make yourself comfortable
Ayoomolabake
Chumzypinky
talk2saintify
mhizgap

and others who I could not mention but have been following the story, thanks for support.

Thanks for the wonderful story keep it up and weldon,God bless u..

shalomdee tanks for d mention
d story is making sense Abi....... haruna is interested in after1 ni

Shalomdee:
Hey guys, Entangled has been updated:
EvaJael- didn't know you were a star writer, I'm enjoying your Hidden Diamonds
holuwanoisy111
queenitee- continuation is ready Ma
Lilyjoe567
Akinwale14- you patiently waited now you have it
hormobolanle- hope you are still following?
Ifecoded- please make yourself comfortable
Ayoomolabake
Chumzypinky
talk2saintify
mhizgap

and others who I could not mention but have been
following the story, thanks for support.

I don arrive, thanks

Is something going on? Haruna and Jane

Shalomdee:
Hey guys, Entangled has been updated:
EvaJael- didn't know you were a star writer, I'm enjoying your Hidden Diamonds
holuwanoisy111
queenitee- continuation is ready Ma
Lilyjoe567
Akinwale14- you patiently waited now you have it
hormobolanle- hope you are still following?
Ifecoded- please make yourself comfortable
Ayoomolabake
Chumzypinky
talk2saintify
mhizgap

and others who I could not mention but have been following the story, thanks for support.

Thanks

Haruna and Jane another lawv stowy on the way



But ah tot haruna was a girls name it sounds really girlish....

Hey guys, so sowie I could not update early, will drop another one soon. And about an impending love between Haruna and Jane, I say you guys have not guessed well. Keep reading though. talk2saintify, Haruna is the Hausa name for Aaron, which is a male name.

CHAPTER THREE continued
Except for the time Isaac asked to be taken to urinate, Jane gave her full attention to the wedding. Unlike most people who looked for things to complain about, Jane was absorbed in admiration of the couple. Tall and huge Lancelot held her slim and fair cousin and they were interlocked in each other’s arms. Rahila wore a thoughtful smile that made Jane wonder what she must really be thinking. Was she really just glad to finally be the wife of this handsome fellow or was there something else she was worried about amidst all the glamour.

She looked at the programme of the wedding which held the picture of Lancelot and Rahila dressed in white about to kiss, she held the programme close to her chest and became lost in the world of imagination. She did not even notice when Haruna collected the drinks and handed one to her.




CHAPTER FOUR
The Okafor house was a three bedroom flat painted red and white with a black gate. Inside the house were valuable and colourful pieces of furniture positioned at the right spots and nice abstract paintings hanging on the wall. Their church wedding picture hung at the centre just above the big L.G home theatre. From all indications, Lancelot Okafor Okoronkwo was a lover of beauty, art, and the aesthetics. A huge chandelier hung on the ceiling from which different colourful bulbs shone. Bordering the dining table was a finely built rectangular bar where expensive non-alcoholic wine were stored. Opposite the bar stood a huge shelf with a glass opening, there stood books about Medicine, history, philosophy, Christian faith and classic Nigerian novels. Upon entering, one would think the house was a grand photo studio. Lancelot had gotten his exquisite taste in design from one of his Senagalese friends who he shared a room with in his days at medical school. The five years he had spent with Ousman in the campuses of UNIBEN had left in him an imprint for artistic works, coupled with that he was a man who believed in impressing others.

Rahila for instance had been impressed the moment she had entered his flat just a few streets away from the Central hospital at Gwagwalada, a district in Abuja. His multicoloured upholstery, emerald design centre table and adorable stuffed animals had warmed her heart. She was a lady who had been brought up in money, but when she saw anything close to wealth, she recognized it. Then he was aware that he was competing for her love alongside Pam, a member of Plateau state house of representatives whose father was a national figure. Lancelot doubted at that time that she would accept his marriage proposal, however she did and he was forced to believe it was God’s intervention.
It was now six months after their glamorous wedding. Their honey moon had been abrupt, she had to resume at the private hospital in Abuja which had accepted her application while he had to resume his duties at the Central Hospital Gwagwalada. It was because they had this fact in their minds that they had to spend their honeymoon in Akwa Ibom and not South Africa or Kenya as he had once imagined it will be. Akwa Ibom though had been quite an adventure, they had taken their time to visit all the interesting places and dine in the classiest restaurants.
His mind now went to their first night together at the Olives Hotel, it was nothing more than her coyness that had made it worthwhile. Twice she had locked the bathroom on entering and had forgotten to dress up in the night dress her best friend had made sure to get for her. Now, it longer mattered. They were no longer the latest couple. Still, every day was new and exciting to both of them because their friendship was as strong as their love.

Lancelot was proud though that he never allowed any intimate activity between them during their dating and courtship period. He followed his Pastor’s advice strictly by not allowing her sleep at his place no matter the reason and limiting the time they spent alone. There was a time she had almost slept at his house, not out of any mischievous motive but because they had lost track of time and the night was far spent.
“I will sleep in the living room,” she said not reading his mind.

“Oh no, you can’t, how do you expect me to be able to sleep in my room when someone as lovely as yourself will be in my living room? It may be late, but I must drop you off at your best friend’s place.” He had said with a bright smile hoping she will not be offended. But she wasn’t, she agreed with almost anything he said, another trait that made her a wife material.

He remembered how eager his mother was about him getting married to Rahila. “I have not seen any other girl as gentle and easy going as she is. She will be good for you.” His mother said to him six months after he had introduced Rahila to his family. His father had nothing to say to him about Rahila, as a matter of fact he hardly had anything to say to anyone concerning any matter. His dementia made it hard for him to articulate his thoughts and say something useful. Yet it was he who had ingrained manly virtues and character into Lancelot. Had it not been for his father, he would probably be a wayward son without any principles and respect for the opposite sex.

Rahila was a favourite in his family, they all thought her to be a saint; perfect and spotless. He alone was aware of her little shortcomings. One of them was the fact that she was a very bad cook. She had confessed this to him during their courtship. She did not know how to make jollof rice taste better than the gruesome stuff a ten year old will cook and her soups and stews were almost always sour.

Now that they were married, he tried to give her a helping hand sometimes and he got her cook books on various Nigerian dishes. The fact that she was a nurse did little to help because when she was in the house she always complained that she was tired. Lancelot got to know she could not cook well because her parents employed the service of maids: kitchen maids, cleaning maids and laundry maids. The house was full of them. He found it surprising though that she was neat to a fault, but her training in Nursing school could take credit for that. Still, he wished she would upgrade her culinary skills.

He hated having to eat in the hospital canteen. As a bachelor, he had imagined eating his wife’s meals during free time from a food flask but he knew now that it was impossible considering her job and the fact that she could not cook well. “Let’s bring someone over to help you.” He suggested to her recently after an uninteresting meal of beans and yam- the beans had been undercooked.

“So early after our wedding?” She sounded unhappy, “that will not be ideal. I don’t even have any children yet. Apart from that fact, nowadays there is a lot of nasty reports about house maids on the social media, I don’t want to take the risk.”

Then learn how to cook. He almost told her aloud. He did not say anything more about the topic but he was sure she would think about it.
Today was special, they had to host the Sojis in their home. Mr Bankole Soji was a colleague of his at the hospital. He worked along with Lancelot in the Pediatrics ward though he was more advanced in years and had more experience. The wife, Mrs Bankole Soji was a seamstress who owned a big tailoring outfit in Lugbe. They were coming along with their three kids to spend the Sunday evening with them in their house.
Rahila was at loss on what to cook and how to cook it. There were vegetables in the refrigerator which she could use to garnish fried rice with, but the problem was she had never made it and was sure it will be a mess. Then there was flour and eggs in the store and she had an excellent idea to make sponge cake for dessert but she was afraid that will also turn out bad even if she followed the recipe. She was not just good with recipes. The only thing she had done so far was to cook goat meat pepper soup under the supervision of her husband and that had turned out good. She decided that will be appetizer. But Lancelot was away to buy ice-cream for the children and left her to take care of the other preparations. Then the thought came to her to call Angela to come over. Angela was not on duty this afternoon and may be available to help her, but what if she refused.

She left the kitchen and came to the dining table where her phone was placed, her long green chiffon skirt sweeping the tiles as she paced. Lancelot had forbade trousers and shorts for her. He told her he will not have his wife wear things that will draw men’s attention to the shape of her bottom.

The phone rang, Angela’s voice spoke on the other line. “Hello Freno.”

“Hello Dearie, do you have chance to come and help me out?”

“I do, but not so much time, I have fellowship to get to by five p.m.”

Rahila checked her white coloured wrist watch that her husband was crazy about her wearing.

“Babe, it’s 1p.m na. Surely you could assist me for some hours.”

“Food matter abi?”

“Guessed right. Please be here ASAP, no time left.”

“Kay, I’m on my way.”

Rahila danced around briefly and made her way to the refrigerator to remove the carrots, peas and green beans she had bought. Then she threw them in the sink and ran water on them before putting them in her green bowl for vegetables. She went to the store to fetch another bowl and ended up staring at all the gifts that were still partially wrapped. These were kitchen utensils that were not needed at the moment: ceramic plates, cups, glass bowls, plastic bowls, baking pans, manual blenders, electric blenders, an electric kettle and so many others.
There were other gifts still wrapped lying in the guest room, there had been so much gifts that the couple had grown tired and bored of opening. The most useful of them which were 2 gas ovens and a freezer had been opened as soon as they were brought. Pam had sent a Toyata Camry to her after their honey moon. She had been so shocked and disturbed while Lancelot had simply been flabbergasted.
There was a knock at the door, she opened and Angela came in wearing a silly smile. She was putting on a sky green blouse that was so tight fitting and old looking jeans that was ripped on the knee area. On her hair was a blue bandanna. Rahila had never seen her rugged looking before. All nurses she knew wore smart and pretty looking clothes.

Rahila led the way to the kitchen and tried to show her everything they were to use but Angela seemed to know better. “That pot is too small for the food to go inside, we are cooking for seven mouths you say? And don’t forget I have to eat as well.” She bluntly told Rahila. “These seasoning cubes will not be sufficient, the secret to a tasty food is less salt and more seasoning... Don’t tell me you forgot to buy the thyme, just rush and get it before it is late... Add more butter to this mixture, I will teach you how to make tasty scones... Where is the liver? Fried rice without liver is not fried rice at all.”

By the time they were through with the baking and the cooking, Rahila was glad she had come to help, she let Angela dish as much fried rice as she wanted and take out as many scones as she could. Her husband entered just then, he was shocked to see another woman coming out of the kitchen.

“You remember Angela don’t you? My colleague.” Rahila addressed Lancelot.
“Oh, of course.” He said waving his hands by way of greeting and quickly turned his eyes away and went about placing the things he bought in the refrigerator.

A wry smile played on Angela’s face. All these Mountain on Fire men, behaving as if they don’t see other women. Now that his wife can’t cook, he is sure to see me in his house more often, then we’ll see how he will avoid contact with me. She thought.

“Thank you so much Angela, you saved the day.” Rahila gushed.

“Ki ni kon? What’s that? E jare, any time you need help feel free to call me. I have to go now, fellowship will soon start. We’ll see at the hospital.”

“Oh, let me walk you.”

“Ah, no. Your visitors will soon come, set the house in order. Bye.”

“Bye, thanks.”

Lancelot finished arranging the things and looked at his wife. She was looking so pleased. He knew the lady who had just walked out had come to help with the cooking. He did not like her but he could not blame his wife.

“Is everything ready, dear?” He asked.

“Yes, every single thing. I just need to clear up a few plates, I don’t want Mrs Soji coming in to see dirty plates in my sink.”

She made to pass him and enter the kitchen but he held her close to him and pecked her on the forehead. They stayed that way for seconds, he sniffing the sweet scent of her hair and she enjoying the warmth that emanated from him so close to her. Finally they got disentangled and she entered the kitchen. He watched interestingly as she walked, taking one step after the other like a peacock on his display walk, shoulders straight and head erect. She walked like a princess in a movie, in a manner that made one think she had not the slightest worry on earth.

I think I love Rahlia

queenitee:
I think I love Rahlia

She's lovable, more to come

Shalomdee:

She's lovable, more to come

That one that can't cook...I'm waiting to see.

CHAPTER FOUR continued

By 5:30 p.m, the Sojis were in their house chatting and joking. The men talked about politics, how President Goodluck was failing and the scandal of missing oil funds. The women were discussing the stress involved in their work. Mrs Soji was anxious to brag how much work she did especially with her three children.

The three kids; two boys and a girl were having fun watching cartoon on Disney Junior channel. The girl was the youngest and as she watched, she held tightly one of the stuffed animals; a grizzly bear the size of a six month old child. The other two boys were partly engrossed in the cartoon and partly entertaining themselves with a pinching game. The episode of the cartoon ended and the little girl stood up and went to meet the women who were having a good laugh over some joke.

“Aunty, what about your children?” She asked in the most petite voice looking at Rahila.

Rahila looked at her and for a moment was disconcerted.

“Prisca, Aunty does not have children yet,” Mrs Soji answered on Rahila’s behalf. “When you come next year you will meet a tiny baby like this bear you are holding.”

Prisca nodded her head and went back to sit on the rug.
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Jane was asleep on the couch in the sitting room. She was sprawled with her legs on the arm of the seat and her hands touching the carpet. The shop was closed and she was tired from all the work she had done at home. Isaac was on the other end of the room settled on his plastic table and chair. He was drawing and did it with uttermost seriousness. He drew an image he imagined was his mother in a sleeping position and he was perfecting the shape of the couch on which she slept. This is harder than I pictured, he thought.

There came a knock at the door. Isaac looked up from his drawing and wondered who could be knocking. His two and half year old mind told him to sit glued and not make a sound because if he did, his mother would say he woke her up despite her warning and he would get a good beating.
The knock persisted till Jane woke up herself and opened the door. It was Aunt Fatuh. Fortunately for Isaac his mother did not blame him for her waking and sent him to the room to call Mama.

“My sister!” Aunt Gloria hailed upon seeing her sister-in law. They hugged each other for some time before sitting down. Aunt Gloria wondered why Aunt Fatuh of all people had decided to visit her today. It had been a decade since Fatuh and Davou came to her house for a visit. They considered themselves de la crème in society and did not want to associate with commoners like herself.

They exchanged pleasantries and asked about each other’s welfare. Jane brought Fayrouz drink and a glass tumbler and set it before Aunt Fatuh. “Thank you.” Aunt Fatuh thanked her with a smile.

Jane, considering she would not be needed again went into the room she shared with her son and laid down on the bed to continue her sleep. Isaac by now had dumped his drawing and was singing a nursery rhyme in a very low tune.

When it was 7:00 p.m Aunt Gloria woke her up. She got up slowly and tried to look as bright as possible.

“You are still feeling sleepy I can see.” Aunt Gloria said.

Jane nodded.

“I hope you are not ill?”

Jane made a grunting noise that symbolized no.

“Very well then.” She took a seat beside Jane on the bed. “Aunt Fatuh’s visit today was about you.” She paused and watched Jane’s reaction before going on. “It seems your cousin is finding it difficult to cope with the house work in her husband’s house.”

Jane looked up, “is she pregnant?”

“No. But you know all these rich children; she is not used to doing a lot of work in the house. Besides that she has a busy career.” Her aunt waited again for the message to get to Jane.

Jane connected the dots quickly. They wanted her to go to Abuja to help her cousin. She quickly thought about her cousin’s husband, the strange way she had felt glad to have Lancelot as her cousin-in law, the way she had treasured their wedding programme and looked upon their picture every evening before retiring to bed. And in bed she would dream she met a man exactly like Lancelot who wanted to get married to her. Of course those dreams remained a secret, she was sure her aunt would disapprove of such dreams and advice her to be delivered. Now they wanted her in their house, was she ready for this?

Today's update was short but I am working hard on the story, please enjoy. And I will appreciate constructive criticisms, thanks.

Ghen ghen. Somebody is in love not with another person o but with this story

crislyn:

That one that can't cook...I'm waiting to see.

Crislyn na so u bad?