Nice one.

She nodded again.  "When a door closes, another door opens. Cheer up, Rose. You have your life to live." 

Her face brightened up. "I'm happy I came to you. The way you talk has considerably reduced my burden." 

I smiled modestly. "It's okay, to God be the glory."

“I don't think my pastor will do better than what you've done."

 I smiled again. "As I said, to God be the glory." 

There was silence for some seconds.

 "I want to ask you a question," she said. "And I want you to be very sincere with me." 

 "No problem, go ahead." 

There was another pause for several seconds. 

"Could it be that I'm not attractive enough? I mean, why will he dump me just like that?" 

What a question from Rose. 

“I think it's beyond being attractive. Some men are not just satisfied with what they have." 

She stood up. "I agree with what you said. But look at me. Am I really attractive, or not? Be sincere."

 I looked at her as she wanted. 

Her height was average. Her chocolate colour blended with her skin. She had a pretty face. She was on the chubby side, but not fat. Her  chest region showed that she was a bit busty. The rounded breasts appeared to look firm. The waist was slim without visible signs of fat. Her thighs were curvy, down to her knees and legs. 

The bums needed no padding the way they were accentuated by the shorts she was wearing.

“You are beautiful and attractive, Rose," I said and meant it. 

Her next action surprised me. She sat down, covered her face with her palms and started crying.

Interesting update.

😀

I moved to her in concern.

'Sorry, but did I say anything that hurt you?' I asked in concern.

She stopped crying but still continued to snivel.

'If there's anything I've said or done that makes you feel bad, I'm sorry,' I offered.

After some seconds, she stopped the snivelling and raised the edge of the t-shirt she was wearing up to clean her face. If she had raised the cloth further even for half of an inch, I would have seen her breast. Was that act deliberate or coincidental?

'Are you alright?' I asked, not sure of what else to say.

'I'm alright,' she replied wanly and made to go.

But, I could sense that she was not really alright. As she made to pass me on her way out, I held her by the hand.

'I thought you actually came here to open up your mind to me,' I stated. 'You will not be helping yourself if you just walk away without telling me what made you cry.'

She paused and looked uncertainly at me. 'I cried because that was the same thing my boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, told me.'

I sighed. How emotional!

Interesting update.

Her voice became sad again. 

“It's alright, no need to get sad over it. Many other guys will still tell you, because that's what you are - beautiful and attractive. Someone saying that should gladden your heart, not depress it." 

She nodded. "Thanks." 

I held her left hand and gently rubbed the back of her palm. "I have a brotherly view about all this. All I've done so far is to take you like a sister - a senior sister. Is it okay for me to take you as a sister?" 

There was only a brief pause. "It's okay." I smiled at her. "Thanks for granting me that. Believe me, I will be a good brother and friend to you." 

I stopped to study her. She was attentive and sober. 

“As I said, don't let anything or anyone disturb your life or happiness. Whatever happens, we move on." 

She nodded. "Thanks so much, Seyi. I really appreciate." 

I nodded too. "That's the spirit. Now, give me a smile." 

I gently tickled her side. She giggled. I did it a little bit more and she laughed. 

That's the spirit," I repeated. "Thanks a lot. "Your words have really helped." 

She stood up and I followed suit. "Can you give me a hug?" She asked. 

“Why not? With all pleasure." 

I gave her the hug. She clung onto me tightly. It was  the longest hug I had ever had. I could the feel curviness of her body against mine. It was an enthralling scene and moment.

 By providence -yes, by providence - I had learnt not to be swayed by senses. I could conrol how my body reacted to what I saw or felt. 

I was man enough not to capitulate to the desires of the flesh. After what seemed like ages, she finally disengaged from me. 

"Seyi, thank you so much. I'll never forget this." 

I smiled and patted her. "To God be the glory." 

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."

Good read.

👍

Carry on.

She moved to the door.

 "Goodnight, Seyi." I nodded. "Good night, sister."  


*  *   

 I woke up on Thurday morning early as usual. I took my bath and dressed up in one of the clothes bought for me. By eight, Rose came around with a tray containing tea, coffee, fruit juice and digestive. 

"Good morning. Here's light meal for you." 

"Good morning, sister. How was your night?" She smiled. "Fine. Thanks for yesterday." 

"We thank God." 

I took the digestive and the pineapple juice. Many minutes later, she came to take the tray away. Our work-  shop started in earnest. 

The woman that came the previous day was around to present the first paper. This time around, she talked about Work Ethics. 

Thereafter, the routine continued. I noticed that Sharon barely looked at my side. During break when I asked if all was well with her, she answered curtly that there was no problem. 

She also appeared moody during the afternoon session. In the early part of the evening, she did not come around to my room, so I decided to pay her a visit in hers.

 When she saw that I was the one at the door, she neither shoo me off nor invited me inside. I entered nonetheless. 

"Will it not be better if you tell me what's bothering you?" I said gently. 

"Nothing is bothering me," she mumbled. 

"Really? But this is not the same Sharon I knew yesterday." 

She sat on the bed without saying a word. I could see that the room was the size of the one given to me, but the arrangement was different. 

I sighed. "Can we play scrabble?" I asked. 

She shook her head. I chuckled. She obviously  didn't want my company.

 "Okay, I can see that you are not in the mood. See you another time."

 I moved towards the door to take my leave. 

"How was she?" Sharon asked. 

I stopped to turn to her. "How was who?" She snickered.

 "You know who I'm talking about."

 I shook my head vehemently. "No, I don't know who you're talking about."

 She glared at me. "Did you have her all night long? Was Aunty Rose sweet?" 

Now I knew what she was talking about. I opened my mouth in awe.

 "Oh, you're surprised that I knew? Don't be. I came to your room to find the two of you in a love tango, hugging, kissing and romancing each other."

 Wow, so Sharon actually saw something. But then, she missed the point. I shook my head. 

"You're right we hugged, but there was never anything like kissing and romancing her." 

"Tell that to the marines," she scoffed. 

I was exasperated. How could I convince her that Rose was like a sister? How could I ...? 

"Why don't you go and meet her? Why are you here? You call yourself a Christian, but you grabbed  the sexy body of the first woman that threw herself at you."

 I was surprised at the extent of her bitterness. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

I was surprised at the extent of her bitternes. "If you had watched a bit more, you would have seen that the whole thing did not go beyond the hug."

 She looked away. I could see that she did not believe me. 

I had to go. "Okay, Sharon. Goodnight."

 She didn't say a word as I left. I went back to my room. What a day it had been. I tried to put Sharon's tantrums off my mind. How wrong she was. I soon slept off.

 Friday was the third and final day of the workshop. Once again, Rose was nice to me, while Sharon continued to sulk. After the second presentation, we were given certification. 

Rose gave us a valise each to pack our clothes. By four p.m., I was set to leave the place. Despite her reservations, I exchanged telephone numbers with Sharon. 

It had been a worthwhile experience after all. I got back to my residence some minutes past seven p.m. It looked like I had left he house several weeks ago. 

That weekend, I could not visit Precious's mum as I had planned. 

On Monday morning, I started work at FGC headquarters at Ikeja. There, I submitted my letter of acceptance of job offer. I was posted to the Media department while Sharon was posted to the PR department. 

From my first day at work, I could tell that it was going to be a fulfilling work. The official working hours were eight a.m to five p.m. I was punctual to work as usual. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Sharon came to see me in the office I shared with a colleague. It was break hour and the colleague was not in the office. 

"I want to apologize for the way I behaved and talked to you the other time," Sharon said. "I overreacted. Sorry about it." 

I smiled to play it down. "It's okay, we all make mistakes." 

We talked briefly about the challenges of our new work before she left. Later that evening, Rose also called. She wanted to know how I was faring on my new job. 

She still thanked me for the other time and professed that I was a special man. I told her to God be the glory. 

On Saturday, I decided to  rest indoor. 

On instinct, around eleven in the morning, I decided to call Sharon. Her number rang many times before it was finally picked.

 "Hello, Sharon. This is Seyi on the line." 

There was a pause. "Sharon is not around. She just stepped out to buy something but did not take her phone along." 

The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

👍

More...

Next...

The voice sounded like a mature woman's own.

 "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb, madam. I'll call later." 

About thirty minutes later, I called again. 

This time, Sharon picked it. "Big Aunty told me you called minutes ago," she started. "How are you?" 

"Fine. I called to find out how you are too."

 "I'm fine. Thanks for calling." 

We chatted a bit more before cutting the line. My mind went to Precious. Shouldn't I try to see her mother as soon as possible? I could go to their church the following day to worship. 

After the Sunday service, I would see her. That Saturday afternoon, I was watching a live football match when my phone rang. I picked it up almost immediately. 

"Good afternoon," I greeted.

 "Send the account number to me  and send it right away so I can do transfer." 

Before I could say anything, the line was disconnected. I was bemused by the caller. I wasn't expecting any payment from any body, so I ignored the message. 

After about seven minutes, another call came through. 

"What are you waiting for?Why the delay? Send the account number and bank right now." 

It was the same woman.

 "Excuse me ..."

👏

After about seven minutes, another call came through. 

"What are you waiting for?Why the delay? Send the account number and bank right now." 

It was the same woman.

 "Excuse me ..." 

The line was dead before I could finish my sentence. What an impatient woman. I decided to call the number. 

She picked on the second ring.

 "Hello, madam. I think you got the wrong number," I quickly said. 

"But this is the number you gave to me at the supermarket this morning. My ATM had issues, I was short of cash and you bailed me out. Now, I want to pay you back as I promised." 

I shook my head as if she was physically there to see me. 

"There's a mix up, madam. I was not the person. I've not been to any supermarket today."

 "Hmn, some Nigerian men will not stop amazing me," she countered. "Is it that you're so proud you don't want  to receive repayment from a woman or what?" 

I chuckled. "I will gladly receive payment from you if I was the man. But then, I was not the person. Thanks for your time madam." 

There was no further response, so I cut the line. If I thought that was the end of the conversation, I was wrong. 

A couple of minutes later, she called again. 

"Hello, madam," I started.

 "Do you know who's calling?" she asked. 

Again, I was bemused. "Yes, you are the woman who thought I was the man that she met in the supermarket this morning."  

She laughed shortly. 

Was that funny?

Nice update.

Ride on.

Go on.

Ride on.

She laughed shortly. 

Was that funny? 

"That first time I called you, did you recognize my voice? Did you know who was talking?" 

Now, I was quite confused. Did I know her before? 

"I didn' know you and I still don't know you, madam," I said, wondering what she was aiming at. 

"Are you naturally nice or are you just trying to be nice to me?" 

I chuckled. "If you say I'm nice, I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks for the compliment."

 "No wonder, Sharon said so much about you." 

My heartbeat fluttered.   "You know Sharon?" 

She laughed shortly again. "Come on. When you first called her line this morning, I was the one who picked it."

 I was aghast. "You were the aunty?" 

"Yes, I was the one she called Big Aunty. I asked who you are and I was intrigued by what she said."

 "Did you mix my number with the man you met at the supermarket?" 

"No," she answered cooly. "Just as you said,  I too was was not in any supermarket this morning."

 I was perplexed. Why did she go through all that drama?

 "You appear to be an interesting person, and I will like to know you more. You know what? Send me your account details. I will like to send you something for the weekend." 

My heart started beating fast. How could a woman I barely knew be saying this?

 "Seyi, are you doubting my intentions?" she asked.

 She even remembered my name. 

"May be before you take a move, call Sharon and ask of me. You can also confirm this my number from her." 

I wanted to tell her that there would be no need for all that, but she had disconnected the line. I sighed. This woman must be an interesting character. 

Why did she have to make up the story that she met me at supermarket? Now, she was saying she wanted to send something to me for the weekend.

 Just like that! I am not the kind of person who jumps at such an offer, so let me not rush into it. About ten minutes later, my phone rang.

 It was Sharon on the line. 

"Hello, Sharon." 

"Hi, Seyi. Big Aunty just called me now. She said you can ask any question about her and I should give honest answer."

 I was intrigued. "I see. First and foremost, who is she to you?" 

"She's a younger sister to my mum, so she's a maternal aunt."

 I nodded. "I can sense that she wants friendship," I said. "I can easily offer that, but not to a married woman." 

There was a pause. "Big Aunty lost her husband in a U.S hospital about two wears ago." 

 "Hmn, sorry to hear that." 

"Yeah. She has two grown up kids schooling in the U.S. Right now, she's the one managing the estate business which her husband left behind."

 I sighed again. "Thanks  for calling, Sharon. I really appreciate." 

"You are welcome. See you." 

She cut the line.

I sighed again. "Thanks for calling, Sharon. I really appreciate."

"You are welcome. See you."

She cut the line. I thought over the information I just heard and shrugged. Surely, there should be no harm in being friendly with a woman like this.

That very moment, I sent my account details to her. Within a couple of minutes, I got a credit alert.

Twenty thousand naira was a cool amount to me. I immediately put a call to her to thank her. I was surprised that the phone rang on and on, but she did not answer it. Maybe she was busy.

About fifteen minutes later, I called her again. No response. I therefore decided to send a thank-you text message to her. When I called her again, I would give her the gratitude. I decided to go out and treat myself nice.

After all, my income had just been boosted. I would go to the joint down my street. I had been there before. I wore casuals of jeans and t-shirt.

Some guests were there, some watching live football match on the large screen. I sat at one corner. A sales girl came to take my order.

It was a simple one: two bottles of malt drinks and a plate of cat fish pepper soup. I took my drinks and savoured the delicacies.

From the joint, I went to a shop to buy one kilogram of frozen chicken. I also bought a litre of vegetable oil and a bunch of plaintain. I then returned to my mini ftat.

I was in the small kitchen, frying the chicken when some messages came to my Whatsapp. It cointained some pictures. About eight of them had Big Aunty in different clothes, some in formal dresses and some in native attires. I studied her carefully.

This woman should be in her forties, probably mid-forties she was beautiful, no doubt, and she appeared to use minimal make-up. In the picture where she wore a white t-shirt and jeans trousers, her waist looked trim and her figure, fit.

For a woman, she was in-between slimness and sturdiness. There was a picture where she stood in the company of Sharon and two other ladies. In all the pictures, she looked cool, calm and serene.

My phone suddenly rang. She was the one on the line.

"Good evening, madam. I had called you earlier. I appreciate what you sent."

I paused briefly. "Thank you for the pictures you sent. They are beautiful. I didn't realize until now that I've been talking to a very beautiful woman."

"It's okay. Thanks for the compliments. Now, I called because there's one important aspect I ought to have discussed."

I did not wonder what she meant for long. By instinct, I could sense it.

"I think I know the aspect you have in mind, madam."

"Really? Can you tell me what aspect that is?"

I allowed a meaningful silence.

"I think the aspect has to do with platonic clause."

I could hear her catch her breath.

"That is very correct. How did you guess right?"

"As I said, I could sense it."

"Good. That is what it is, that is what it will always be. Do we have a deal? Can we still go on with this?"

"With all pleasure, madam. I can assure that you will not regret meeting me."

"Okay," she said. "Send me your pictures too."

"I will do that." She cut the line. I spent more time studying her pictures before I decided to send five of mine.
We did not communicate again that day. The following day, just as I had planned, I went to Ikeja to attend the church that Precious and her family attended.

Nice update.

Ride on.

Go on.

Saturn101:
Nice update.

Thanks.

We did not communicate again that day. The following day, just as I had planned, I went to Ikeja to attend the church that Precious and her family attended.
The Sunday service had already started by the time I got there. I could see Precious among the choir and though she sighted me, she avoided eye contact with me.
Her father was on the pulpit. After service, I went to greet him.
"Young man, it's quite some time," he responded, offering his hand for a handshake.
Thereafter, I went to see Precious' mother.
Right there in the church auditorium, I told her that her daughter had been avoiding communicating with me for several days and that she should intervene.
"Precious has told me what happened," she said. "She also said categorically that she is no longer interested in the relationship."
I was shocked. "She actually said she is not interested in continueing the relationship?" I asked.
"Yes. At this stage, I will advise that you should move on."
Again, I was greatly surprised. The person I had thought would intervene was the one sounding the death kernel.
I left the place a disappointed man. So, that was the end? Was that really the end of what I had thought was a blossoming relationship?
Time would tell.

* * *
By three p.m, I was back to my residence. I was still thinking about Precious. I should not be totally surprised by what she did. I could have been heartbroken.

Besides, I had always stelled myself against such a possibilty. No problem, I would take my time to decide what next to do.
About four p.m., I called Big Aunty. She picked it at the second ring.
“Good afternoon, madam," I greeted.
“Good afternoon. I've been waiting for your call."
"How is your day?"
"Well, so far, so good. How's yours?"
It had not been a good day, especially from what I heard about Precious. But then, life must go on.
"I thank God for everything, madam."
"Can you come around to my place? I will like to see the physical you."
Would I like to see her? Although things were
going at a fast pace, I would like to see.
"It will be a pleasure, madam. Where do you live?"
She gave me the address. She lived at Ikosi and from my place, it would take about forty minutes.
"I live at Ogba," I said. "Within an hour, I should see you."
"Alright, I'll be waiting."
She disconnected the line. My heart was thumping as I dressed up to go. It was Sunday and the traffic was light. Thirty-five minutes after I had talked to her, I was the gate of her residence. It was a storey building.
A Hausa guard attended to me.
"Who you want see?" he asked.
"Big Aunty."
"Big wetin?"
I suddenly realized that I did not even know her real name. I put a call to her.
"I'm already at the gate of your house," I said.
"Good. Just hold on."
Within a minute, I saw a woman walking towards the gate from the main building.
Big Aunty was the one. I studied her intently. She was wearing jeans trouses and blue t-shirt. She really looked attractive. I hoped the attractiveness would be beyond the looks. I beamed in smile at at her.
"Good evening, madam."
She smiled too. "Good evening, Seyi."
Then, she turned to the guard. "Bashir, you see this man, anytime he comes around, allow him to see me."
The guard bowed slightly. "Yes, oga, madam."
She turned to me. "You are welcome. Please, follow me."
"Yes, ma'am."
I followed her to a side stair case that led to the first floor. There was a short passage that we took to the sitting-room.
"Please sit down and make yourself feel at home."
I nodded. "Thank you, madam."
She left the siting-room. A girl I suspected to be the house-help soon came in with a tray that contained a bottle of peanuts and packets of fruit juice.
"Thank you," I told her.
She courtesied and left. The sitting-room was large and comfortable.
The air-conditioner system was on and I felt cool.
Big Aunty must be living a comfortable life. She soon came to the room and sat on the leather seat opposite me.
She studied me closely.

Nice update.

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Go on.

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