Chapter Nine
They spent most of the weekend together. Oladipupo was called just once to the hospital for an emergency situation. It was a Sunday. The call came in while they were lying in bed. Dipo was lying on his side, propped on his elbow, head in his hand tracing Tunmise's spine with his other hand. Dipo picked. "Hello. Yes. No don't worry about that." He was already getting off the bed. Tunmise's heart sank. "What are his vital signs?" He asked as he pulled a shirt off its hanger from the closet. "Shit. Where is Dr Lawal?" "Who did he tell?" He was frantic. He got down on his fours by the bed searching for something. He obviously found it cause he raised his head and pecked Tunmise catching her unaware. "I will be there in fifteen minutes. Hold this line. I'm going to take you through some steps before I get there. Tell Dr Lawal I said he is fired if that patient dies. I don't even want to see him if I get there before him." He mouthed 'I love you' to Tunmise and rushed out of the house. Soon she heard his car zoom off. Everywhere suddenly became desolate. She laid down for about ten minutes before a thought occurred to her. She could tour! The first time she had been here was in the wee hours of the morning. She couldn't wait to fall into his bed. This was her second chance. She was so grabbing it. 
She was in the sixth bedroom when her phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hello. Is this Tunmise?"
"Yes."
"Okay. This is Akinola."
Guilt. "Oh! Akinola, how are you? I'm sorry about the party. Didn't say goodbye like I promised."
"Yeah. It's alright. My dad dropped some documents for you with me. He gave me your number. When will you be free to come collect them?"
"Oh the Balogun case." She hit her forehead. "The thing is I don't even know when I will be free." She thought for a while. "Can I call you back? I have no idea." She didn't want to leave Dipo's house without telling him and she didn't want to call him because she suspected strongly that he would be in surgery. What to do?
"Well, I'm going out. I thought you would be available to come get them."
"Oh. When are you going out?" 
"In the evening. Say around five."
"Oh." She relaxed a bit. "Maybe I would be free before then." She hoped Dipo would be home before then. He left around eight am. He should be. 
"Okay, good. Take care." He hung up.
Tunmise stared at the phone for a minute. Weird dude.
4:35pm
"Hello." 
"Hello. It's Akin. I just wanted to let you know I'm on my way out. Where are you? Maybe I can drop it off on my way."
"Oh." It was a good idea but she wasn't sure Dipo would be comfortable. Weren't they friends? "Sure." She gave him Dipo's address.
"Oh. That's close by. Be there in fifteen."
5:03pm 
"I'm sorry I'm late. I was held in traffic." He looked around. "Nice place"
"Thanks. It's Dipo's" 
"Oh. Where is he?"
"He is at the hospital."
"So it's only you at home?"
"Yeah." She suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Make yourself comfortable. Would you like anything?"
"Yeah. Something cold, please." He took his seat.
"Be right back." 
Few minutes later...
"Here." She placed a tray in front if him which contained a glass cup and a carton of orange juice. "Thanks for helping with this." She pointed to the documénts.
"It's no problem. It's you Tunmise." He laughed. "My high school crush."
She sat across from him. "What?" She laughed nervously. "So not true."
"You don't believe me?" 
"I do not."
"Well, it's true. "
"Just so you kñow, you were mine too." Why did she say that? He raised an eyebrow. She felt uncomfortable. "I thought you were going somewhere?"
"Hahaha. I just wanted to visit friends. I consider you as a friend." More discomfort. 
"How is your fiancée?" When is he leaving?
"She is fine. Thanks."
They heard a car honk. Tunmise crossed over to the window and looked out. It was Dipo. "I will be right back."
She walked out just as Dipo's gateman let him in. He alighted. He smiled as he saw her. "I'm so sorry dear." He pulled her into his arms.
"No problem. How was it?"
"It was fine. How was your day?"
"Well..." She hesitated. He walked ahead of her
"Babe, I'm so tired. I just want to crawl into bed."
When she heard his car honk, she felt it was a saving grace but now she wasn't so sure. She thought they were good friends but Akinola didn't even know Dipo's place and Dipo didn't recognize Akinola's car that was parked outside his gate. She walked into a wall. Only it wasn't a wall but the ramrod straight back of Dipo.
~**~
Her feeling of nervousness intensified. 
"Hey, Dipo! How are you?"
"I'm fine. Good evening." 
What was happening here?
He couldn't believe his eyes. He kept staring. Akinola in his sitting room? On his sofa? He collected his thought and schooled his expression. "What a surprise, Akinola. Didn't know you knew my place." He was still in the doorway trapping Tunmise out.
"I didn't. It's a nice place."
"You came to see me?" He walked in followed by Tunmise.
"No. Tunmise." Dipo stiffened. "I came to drop some files off with her for my father."
Tunmise looked at his face. Something akin to jealousy was written all over it. 
"Oh. I will leave you two then." He walked up the stairs and soon they heard the shower.
"Whoo! That was intense. Dipo is a totally changed person. I can't believe that's the same guy I had ten years with. His parents' death must have hit him worse than I thought. "
As much as Tunmise wanted to listen to the story, the time wasn't right. "Thanks for stopping by Akinola but you really need to start going." She hoped he didn't take an offense.
He didnt. "I know, right? Will see you some other time."
"Yeah. Let me see you out." Afterall, the guy was a huge help. It was no one's fault Dipo didnt feel that way.
"Thanks, dear."
"I'm serious about what I told you earlier." They were outside by his car..
"What?" Tunmise asked.
"Don't worry. See you later." He hopped into his car. She was too distracted to push. She watched his car pull away absentmindedly.
She kept her cool till she was in the house. Then she rested lightly on the door. One hand on the jamb while the other was on her chest.
Why was her heart beating so fast? It's not even like she did anything wrong. She didn't see his face when he saw Akinola but she felt him tense up. What was it with these two? Sigh. She took a deep breath and strained for him. Nothing. She went to his room to check the adjoining bathroom. Nothing. Where could he be? She listened again. No sound. She went to his other room. Clay, metals and wood but no Dipo. She was on the fourth room when she heard him curse. Kitchen? Kitchen.
She stood by the door watching him as he searched for something in the top cupboard. He turned and dunked a teabag in a cup of hot water. She stepped into the kitchen. He moved over to the central island and leaned against it. He frowned into his cup of tea. He had changed into a white sweater and gray pajama bottoms. His eyes met hers accusatively.
"Before you say anything, I thought you were good friends with him. The document was important." Tunmise tried to explain.
"Do you have feelings for him?" He asked unable to keep jealousy out of his voice.
"What?"
"You heard me"
"No."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"What was he doing in my house? Tunmise you know I am a private person."
"I'm sorry."
He dumped the content of his cup in the sink and walked out of the kitchen.
She followed him out.
"When do you resume work?"
Seriously? "Eight am."
"I will drop you off."
She stopped him by pulling at his forearm. He turned to look at her. "I love you so much. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you deliberately." She pleaded.
"Ouch, Tunmise." He winced.
She didn't even know she was gripping him so hard. She released his arm "I'm sorry."
Not missing the double entendre. "You're forgiven." He dropped his forehead to hers. She raised her eyes to meet his. 'Don't try that shit again. I almost had a heart attack in my own doorway. "
She chuckled. "I love you silly."
"Ditto." He used his forehead to hit hers and grinned. Then, he resumed walking pulling her along.
"He said something about your parents."
He stopped, stiffening. "What did he say about them?" He asked without looking back.
"That they were dead." Her tone portraying uncertainty.
"That's correct." They were at the door to his room.
"Do you want to talk about it?
"Someday"
"Why not now?"
"Too painful."
She touched her chest with the pads of her fingers. "I understand. Let me tell you about the death of my parent and the maiming of the other. Maybe you can tell me yours afterwards."
He tilted his head, waiting.
"Let's sit." They moved over to his bed and sat.
She told him the story. How sometime in July, her parents went to pick her husband from the airport and they had an automobile accident. How she waited hours hoping fervently that they were held up in traffic. How some people called her the next day to tell her both her parents and husband were at the hospital recuperating. She got there to find the opposite. Her husband and her father were dead. Her mother, crippled. A tear escaped. He held her close. "According to the witness, they were hit by a speeding vehicle. Said whoever it was, hesitated for only a moment before he or she sped off. She felt him stiffen but he didn't utter a word. She continued. "Folorunsho was born that day."
His arms wrapped around her, surrounding her with warmth and strength that filled her with both yearning and hope. She placed her palms against his chest and felt his incredible muscles and warmth through the soft sweater. "Your turn." She whispered.
~**~
"Is that Dipo?" It was monday morning at Tunmise's law firm. Melody was trying to catch a glimpse of Dipo who had driven off. Melody was on her toes as much as her heels would let her, looking over Tunmise's shoulders. "I feel so frustrated."
"I will show you his picture when we get inside."
"Really? Yes! Let's go." She dragged Tunmise towards the office entrance.
{***}
"He is soooo handsome." Melody cooed as she scrolled through his pictures on Tunmise's phone.
Tunmise felt a surge of possessiveness. He is mine, b**ch. Back off! "I know, right? I love him from my skin to my bones."
"Eewww! Oh my God. Who could have thought?"
Tunmise smiled. Melody shook her head. "See you at lunch. One more minute of mushy Tunmise, I'm going to puke"
Tunmise sighed as Melody left her office. She leaned back in her seat and thought of the previous night. Dipo Jealous, Dipo angry, Dipo listening, Dipo talking. So many parts to her beautiful enigma who wasn't as mysterious from the previous day's talk. Talk that cast light on what seemed like a lonely life, making her understand that he sincerely wanted to call her immediately he got her number but the thought of letting her love him terrified him so much. She didn't understand why he thinks he doesn't deserve something good when she was even thinking he deserved so much more. She was going to find out the reason someday. She just hoped it wasn't as terrible as he made it seem. She wasn't totally there yet but at least now she had a better grasp on things. She couldn't wait to get home. She missed her baby. Folorunsho.
~**~
The thought of Tunmise with another man especially Akinola in a room alone for a period of time however short irked him. He wanted to throw tantrum. He felt like tearing the room apart. He didn't trust Akinola as far as he could throw him. Akinola could mess with a relationship just for the fun of it. He used to think it was funny then but not so anymore. He was going to make it clear to Tunmise that she was not to be in a room with him without audience. He wasn't going to act so maturely if it ever repeated itself. He knew he forgave her so easily. He should have made her stew a bit but he couldn't resist the look in her eyes when she held on to him. It made him feel... Weird? Like the same feeling he had when he was working on a patient. Like he has the key that made everything fall in place. He had to forgive her so he could see her smile again. No one has to tell him he has been pussywhipped which was why he almost told her everything. How he met Akinola; the things that happened after; How his parents died but not what happened after. Thank goodness he didn't. He would eventually tell her but it was too early. Before she was in his life, his feelings were hollow. Something akin to being a zombie but now? He had never felt more alive. He wasn't ready to lose that. He remembered vividly how he felt when he heard Akinola say he came to visit Tunmise in exact details. He wasn't keen on feeling that way anytime soon.
He would tell her when he got back from London. The truth was that he wasn't going for any month course. Rather, he was going to escape from this needling period around the corner. His parents' death and everything that came after. Already, he felt suffocated. He loosened his tie a bit. All people saw was the shell of a man but they would never know. He heard the little celebration going on outside his office. They were celebrating yet another successful surgery . Atleast that part of his life was going great even though everything outside was white noise, he had a satisfied smirk on his face till a knock came on. His countenance changed. He knew what was coming.  
Or who.
{***}
"Good evening, sir."
"Dr Lawal."
"You wanted to see me sir."
"Yes. come in please and have a seat."
"Sir, I just want to apologise . I'm very sorry. I had to..."
"Save it Dr Lawal. I am a person with not so many principles but there is something I always ask employees I personally interview. Their view on human life. You left your post for God knows what to a much younger medical officer."
"I'm sorry sir."
"You are sorry? Well, I'm sorry but I have to let you go."
"Sir?"
"You heard me. Please tender your resignation before I leave my office today. Goodday, Dr Lawal."
"Sir?"
He knew Dr Lawal didn't have it as easy as Tunmise did. It wasn't because Tunmise was his girlfriend. He had always stressed to them how saving lives was to him. If anyone was going to die in his hospital, they would have died anywhere. He always forgave people easily because he knew he wanted the same for himself. He needed forgiveness but when it came to people's lives?
Hell no.
Forgiving Dr Lawal was against everything he stood for.
~**~

Chapter Eight
A week later...
Oladipupo was seeing a patient but his mind kept drifting back to Tunmise. He missed her terribly. He knew he hasn't given himself totally to love. There is no way you can give your all when the past keeps haunting you. He dreaded the day he would have to tell her his secret. How do you tell someone you loved so much the dirtiest, deepest secret ever. A part you wished you never had. How do you tell someone you loved that you...
"Are you alright, doctor?" A concerned patient asked, staring at Dipo.
"Yes." He smiled. "Sorry about that. You said you get easily tired?"
"Yeah and I hear the beat of my heart."
"When did this start? Which one started first?" He inquired
"The fatigue. It started about six months ago." answered the patient.
"Oh. Okay." He scribbled some things down. "Did your Doctor tell you why she referred you here?" He asked further.
"Yeah. She told me I have a heart condition and I was going to have to undergo a surgery." The lady replied calmly.
"Oh kay. I was afraid she didn't warn you of the implications and possibilities of this surgery, as I noticed you are pretty calm about the whole situation. Do you understand what you are about to go through?"
"Yes I do. I also understand you're the one performing the surgery." 
"Ah!" He exclaimed. "Nothing in life is certain, madam. I don't want to scare you. I just want you to be prepared for this." He wrote down on some papers.
"I can do that." She replied easily.
"Good. Take these." He passed the papers to her. "Please do those investigations."
"Thanks." She took them and walked to the door.
Someone came in just as she let herself out.
~**~
"Look who has been keeping secrets!"
"Tunmise? What a pleasant surprise." He stood up, courteous as ever.
She walked to his side of the desk and pushed him back to his seat. "Did you miss me? 'Cause I did." She said; slowly sitting on his thighs.
He touched her face gently. "I love you." He kissed her deeply.
"I love your suit." She buried her hands inside his jacket. "You didn't tell me you were a big deal. I mean I suspected. You are like a magic surgeon. Whatever that means... Freak." She grins playfully.
He swiveled his chair such that its back is resting against his desk. He pushed her off his thighs and made her stand in between them. "I see you've done some research."
She stared guiltily. "Well, you can't blame me." She replied. I didn't know anything substantial about you."
"Now you do."
"...And I was amazed. To think you never lost a patient under your knife. Wow. That's unbelievable." She talked excitedly.
"...but true." He completed.
"I missed you." He veered off topic.
"Come home with me tonight."
"Okay."
He glanced at his wristwatch. "Did google tell you my lunch hour too?" He squinted his eyes dramatically.
"Is it time?" She asked. He smiled in response. "Let's go then!" She grabbed his hand.
~**~
After lunch, Tunmise waited in his clinic quarters till he was through with the day. Thank God she didn't have much workload that day. God knows she tried to keep away from him but she couldn't. She feared for a second that he would not be pleased if she just showed up in his office without prior notice but that thought flew out the window when she saw his face light up as she entered. She thanked God for the day she met him. She felt guilty for googling about him but he was like an enigma. Somehow, she couldn't help thinking he was bottling something up. She didn't even find a thing about his parents. He never talked about them. Or even some siblings. Was she cursed to always fall in love with men with no families. Deolu was an orphan. He never knew his parents. She thought of her own parents. A feeling of sadness swept through her. She lost her father and almost lost her mother June six years ago. The month had always depressed her ever since. Even her daughter stayed with her mother during that time of the year.Talk about a terrible month. She sighed deeply. She wanted to share all this with Dipo so terribly but then he dropped the news on her. She didn't want to appear needy. She wished she could just sleep through the next month. A tear escaped as the day appeared vividly in her head.
Flashback...
June fourteen, six years ago.
It was the day Deolu was to return finally to Nigeria after going to study for his Masters degree in the United States of America. 
"Tunmise how many times do I have to tell you that you are going sit this one out yet you are still standing on my neck." Nana scolded.
"Muuumm!" She whined, near tears.
"What? You heard what the doctor said about your condition. I'm not taking any chances. Daddy Tunmise, you better talk to your daughter."
Chief Ogundipe placed his newspaper gently beside him and removed his reading glasses. "Tunmise listen to your mother. She and I will go pick your husband from the airport. It's better that way."   
"Plus you are heavily pregnant." Nana chimed in. Tunmise rubbed her round belly. "You pee like very two minutes. Who is going to be stopping for you on the road, ehn"
"But mum. It's not fair. I shouldn't be home alone." Tunmise pouted.
"Who says it has to be fair. It just has to be reasonable. Dayo will be home with you. You know I would have gladly stayed at home with you but I have been postponing going to the airport to rectify the issues with my travel documents. This is a case of killing two birds with one stone. "
Dayo was their live in maid. "Pa?" She turned to her father hoping he would change his mind. He always did. One of the perks of being their only child.
He didn't this time though. "Your mother is right this time..." Over protectiveness, one of the drawbacks of being an only child.
"Wait! What?! This time?!" Nana interjected.
"This isn't about you, Bisola. It's about our daughter." 
Tunmise slipped between her parents on the large sofa in a bid to stop their infamous banter. Her father pulled her close. "I would have stayed at home with you but Taju had other ideas. He called in sick this morning. He would have been the perfect person to drive your mother to the airport."
"Okay. I will stay at home." She finally yielded in.
"That's my girl." Her father kissed her forehead. Tunmise grinned and turned to her mother who was still sulking. She tickled her mother, grinning. Her mother grinned back. The three of them embraced each other. Tunmise felt a stirring in her womb.
Present day
Another tear dropped then several others.
"Baby please don't cry. I won't be gone for long." When did he enter? She hadn't even noticed. He sat down beside her and wiped her tear streaked face with the pad of his thumb. He reclined, pulling her along with him. He put her head on his chest. They stayed together like that for all of ten minutes staring into space. Each to his or her thought.
"Let's go home." Dipo said breaking the silence.
"Okay." Tunmise said, standing up. She righted her dress and picked up her purse. Dipo picked some things, grabbed her hand and led off down the passage. He did all these while calling. "Hello, Bayo. Bring my car to the front." He disengaged and shove the phone into his pocket. He saw a nurse pass by and called to her. "Nurse Bola, the patient in surgery ward three needs extra monitoring. Please I'm putting you in charge."
"Okay. No problem, sir. Are you traveling this year?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact I will be leaving in two weeks. I will announce at the meeting on Monday morning."
"Okay sir. Bring something for us ooo." She grinned.
"Will do." 
Nurse Bola acknowledged Tunmise with a nod and pranced away. Tunmise rolled her eyes. Throughout the discussion, she watched as the nurse kept giving Dipo moon eyes while giving her the go and die look.
"Why are you rolling your eyes?" Dipo asks.
"Please let's just go home. I'm too tired." Tunmise says trying to avoid the conversation.
"Jealous chicken"
 "Who is jealous? Please please please. Abeg" She hissed and walked off.
He caught up with her easily. "Just for the record, you have nothing to worry about. It was just a month fling." She glared at him. "I was just kidding." He laughed.
"Very funny." She stormed off.
He caught up with her again and grabbed her hand. He didn't let go till they got to his car. Bayo handed the keys to Dipo. "Good evening, ma." Tunmise replied with a nod. She was obviously still furious. "Boss, I have gained admission into the university to study mass com."
"Wow. Nice. I thought you were a science student?"
"My dad is late so now I can study what I want." He answered, a bit solemn.
"So, how are you going to cope?"
"I may have studied science. However, I read all the literary text."
"I meant financially. When are you leaving?"
"I have an elder brother. Next week Sunday."
"That's just a few days from today. Anyway, come see me in my office tomorrow. I will work up something for you. Congrats."
"Alright, sir. Thank you, sir. Goodbye, ma."
"Wait, Bayo. All of a sudden you are speaking good English?" He opened the car door for Tunmise and walked back to his side of the car.
"Oga." He scratched his head.
Dipo waved him off, got into his car and zoomed off.
"We are here." Dipo pinched Tunmise on the arm. He had just pulled up in front of his house. Tunmise rubbed her arm and got down from the car. Dipo got down too, walked to her side and held her. "You were silent throughout the ride. Don't tell me you are still angry." She looked away trying to hide the tears that were threatening. He pushed her gently against the car and trapped her with his body. She felt a bulge against her belly and smiled unwillingly. He redirected her gaze with her chin and smiled back. 
"I'm not angry. I just have so many emotions running through me." Her tone had lost some of its anger. He kissed her deeply. She felt him grow larger. Her heartbeat went faster. Everything feminine in her trembled with longing. 
"Come. Let me show you something I do when I'm in an emotional turmoil." His voice was husky.
"What?" She raised her eyebrow and laughed nervously.
~**~
The room was a large one. She looked around. Different sculptures- Clay, wood and metal.
"One thing you can't find on the Internet." He was at the door, lightly resting on its jamb. His arms and legs crossed.
"You amaze me. Are these yours?"
"Yes." He said simply.
"Where do you find the time?"
"I create time." He walked into the room.
She thought back to when she met him and was wondering how someone with coarse hands was a medical doctor. He stopped in front of her and dropped his forehead to hers. He held her waist just as he put his lips to hers. She smiled through the kiss. His grip firmed as he smiled back. "Let me show you something." He reached behind her. She tried to look but he pulled her face back to his. Looking into her eyes as he withdrew whatever it was from the clay oven. Then he showed her.
She gasped. 
In his hands was a clay model of a hand holding a mirror with a face in it. Hers.
"I don't know what it is. I didn't when I was making it and I still don't know but of one thing i'm certain, it's something I cherish."
"It's beautiful" she said through tears.
"I'm glad you think so." He said then kissed her into a wall.
TGIF.
~**~

TIRED OF WAITING FOR WEEKLY POSTS? GO TO OKADABOOKS APP AND GET A FULLER VERSION FOR NOTHING. PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.CIAO!

Chapter Seven
It just didn't feel right. 
They were on their way to the dance. Tunmise didn't know exactly where it was but Oladipupo seemed super excited about it and she trusted him. She looked at him. Her heart was filled with love for him. Maybe he felt her look or maybe it was just kismet, but at that moment he turned and looked into her eyes. She felt the air sizzle around them. She hoped he felt it too. He must have cause he immediately felt for her hand rubbing her fingers. She shivered. "Let's turn back."
He looked at her. "Whoa! Trust me, I'd love to go back but this dance is important. Besides, dancing is also..."
She hit him playfully. "I didn't mean that!" She laughed. She sighed. "I forgot something" 
"No, you didn't. You are good to go." He kept looking at her, intermittently. She sighed. "Is what you forgot going to remove this gloomy look off your face?"
She smiled. "It will."
"Okay then." Dipo made a u-turn. He knew he would gladly give his soul to watch her smile like that. He hated to be late for anything but she was worth it.
Twenty minutes later...
Their hands were still tightly interlocked. "Dipo?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you." The 'you' came out upturned making the statement sound like a question.
He looked at her with a hint of something indescribable. He leaned over to steal a quick kiss. 
Few minutes later, he was stopping. Tunmise looked up and saw they were at her place. She sighed. She hoped with all her heart that he was the man she thought him to be. A man that wouldn't have her choose between them.
"Are you okay? We could postpone it if you are not feeling up to it today." Worry etched his face.
She looked at him. "I'm just alright." She summoned a smile.
"Well, you have been sitting there for like five minutes just staring into space."
"Let's go in." She said with false enthusiasm and reached for the door.
He grabbed her hand. "Sure you are okay?" She nodded unable to get words past the big lump in her throat. He kissed her fingers and then released her hand. "Let's go in!"
~**~
Oladipupo didn't understand the sudden mood change but then again who understood the mind of a woman. He watched her as she pressed the bell. He watched her as she waited a bit nervously for someone to come to the door. He watched her as a girl of about sixteen opened the door and stepped out. He was jarred back when she talked. "Aunty Tunmise. Did you forget something?"  
"Yes"
Carol stepped aside as Tunmise walked in. She turned to Dipo. "Good evening, sir." He smiled at her and returned her greeting. Her eyes widened and then she blushed. He walked past her into the house. The house had an antique feeling to it. Like it was built several years ago. He looked at the large wall clock resting against the pale cream wallpaper. The time grabbed and kept his attention. 6:52pm. "Tunmise!" He called. "Time." Within minutes, he heard two sets of footsteps. One light and fast while the other was totally the opposite. Soon, a small version of Tunmise skipped down the stairs and stopped about fifteen feet from him. He stared. Tunmise came out from behind her and stood beside her daughter. "Dipo, this is my..."
"Daughter." He finished for her.

{***}
Dipo breathed in and out. "Please please please don't tell me you are married."
"I'm not." She said incredulous.
"Oh thank God" he breathed in relief and flopped down. 
Tunmise came to sit beside him.
"Who is he?" Folorunsho asked looking at her mom.
"How old is she?"
"She is six. Folorunsho go to your room." 
"No. Leave her. Folorunsho how are you?"
"I'm fine. Thank you. What is your name?"
"Dipo"
"That's uncle Dipo to you, Folorunsho." Tunmise stated.
Dipo smiled, scrunched up his nose and winked at her. Folorunsho could tell she would like this man already! They were going to be friends. "Okay, mum." She skipped to her room.
"She is lovely."
"Thanks." Tunmise smiled in gratitude.
"Was she the reason you were upset?" She nodded. "You didn't have to be. She is adorable." She grinned widely. "Plus look at that" he gestured at her. "She had your smile. How could I have resisted?"
She grinned more widely. "Thanks, Dipo. For being so cool about this." She leaned in for a brief hug but he didn't release her. "Dipo?" He bit her earlobe. "Dipo!"she chuckled.
Dipo released her a bit just so he could get access to her face. "Hmm?" The kiss that followed the sound might be chaste but his eyes sure were clouded.
Tunmise felt drawn in. 
"Tell me about her father."
~**~
Her face became clouded."There really isn't much to say."
"Common." He prodded.  "A jealous guy wants to know."
"Well, a jealous guy I will tell." She smiled.
"I'm listening." 
"Be warned. It is a sad story and I'm not going to tell you everything today but I promise I will eventually delve into it someday." She trailed off. 
He touched her chin. "Where did you go?"
"Hmm?"
"In your mind. You left me for a sec."
"Oh. Sorry about that." She breathed deeply. "Where do I start from?"
"How about the beginning?"
"Well, I met her father in college. I was twenty one. He was the coolest dude ever." She smiled. "Trust me, I was the total opposite." She scoffed. "Won't bore you with the details. One thing led to the other, we got pregnant. He proposed. We had a quick wedding. He travelled out for his masters. He died on his way back."
"Plane crash?"
"No. Road traffic accident." She started to weep.
"Come here." He held her against his chest. He kissed her head. She wept louder. "I'm sorry." He held her till she exhausted her tear duct.
"I'm so stupid." She inhaled deeply.
"No you're not."
"I guess we can't go anywhere anymore." 
Dipo looked out. It was already dark. "Doesn't change a thing. We may not be able to go to the dance anymore but we can still make it to Comedry's performance."
"I don't feel like it anymore." 
"You have to. I will be very busy the next few weeks. I want to spend this free time with you. Go freshen up."
"I guess I need to lift my spirit."
"Atta girl." He pushed her up and hit her buttocks. "Off you go."
{***}
Comedry was a comedian whose joke was never funny. He would come on stage and say something utterly ridiculously unfunny and then laugh contagiously. He made more money than the funny ones. Funny world.
~**~
Her face became clouded."There really isn't much to say."
"Common." He prodded. "A jealous guy wants to know."
"Well, a jealous guy I will tell." She smiled.
"I'm listening." 
"Be warned. It is a sad story and I'm not going to tell you everything today but I promise I will eventually delve into it someday." She trailed off. 
He touched her chin. "Where did you go?"
"Hmm?"
"In your mind. You left me for a sec."
"Oh. Sorry about that." She breathed deeply. "Where do I start from?"
"How about the beginning?"
"Well, I met her father in college. I was twenty one. He was the coolest dude ever." She smiled. "Trust me, I was the total opposite." She scoffed. "Won't bore you with the details. One thing led to the other, we got pregnant. He proposed. We had a quick wedding. He travelled out for his masters. He died on his way back."
"Plane crash?"
"No. Road traffic accident." She started to weep.
"Come here." He held her against his chest. He kissed her head. She wept louder. "I'm sorry." He held her till she exhausted her tear duct.
"I'm so stupid." She inhaled deeply.
"No you're not."
"I guess we can't go anywhere anymore." 
Dipo looked out. It was already dark. "Doesn't change a thing. We may not be able to go to the dance anymore but we can still make it to Comedry's performance."
"I don't feel like it anymore." 
"You have to. I will be very busy the next few weeks. I want to spend this free time with you. Go freshen up."
"I guess I need to lift my spirit."
"Atta girl." He pushed her up and hit her buttocks. "Off you go."
{***}
Comedry was a comedian whose joke was never funny. He would come on stage and say something utterly ridiculously unfunny and then laugh contagiously. He made more money than the funny ones. Funny world.
~**~
Comedry had just finished one of his jokes. People were waiting for the punch line- his laughter. 
Oladipupo and Tunmise were seated at the center of Keneji hall. They were dressed casually. Tunmise coughed out the stick meat she put in her mouth just as Comedry's infamous laughter rang out. What the...
"First time?" Dipo asked, deadpan.
"Yeah" She said between fits. 
"Sorry. Take this" He passed her a glass of water.
She put it to her lips. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." He rested his forearms on their table and leaned slightly forwards. "I'm going to be busy for a couple of weeks. I have a lot of surgeries scheduled during that time. Some of which I don't have any experience. I will also attend some conferences at that time. Man, I'm going to miss you." He stretched his hands holding hers.
"So we aren't going to see each other for like two weeks?" She removed her hands.
"I dunno. Maybe?"
"You seem okay with the arrangement." She looked away.
"Don't be silly. Of course not. We will see each other once in a while but talk every night."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He leaned in for a kiss. "Just one more thing."
"What?"
"After the two busy weeks and the free week after, I will be traveling to London for a short course. It's for a month."
Tunmise wasn't very happy about the situation but she also knew enough about him to understand. He rarely loosened up but when he did, he blew her mind. She suspected he used to be a regular guy and her instinct never failed her. Maybe he was hurt terribly by someone or something. He didn't look like someone that would be like this for a woman. She looked at him. He had on a solemn expression. Her heart stirred. If he needed time, she was going to give him. Besides, July was a month she didn't want him to see her in yet. "Promise to call everyday?"
"You can bet your top dollar."
They went back to his place that night. Their lovemaking was filled with both sadness and passion. Bittersweet
~**~

Chapter  Six
Tunmise was curled up in her huge bed the morning after the date. She had on a baby blue cashmere that was two times her size and was thinking about the previous night. Dipo looked dashing. She was glad she came home from work to freshen up before going for the date. They talked late into the night like they did at Akinola's party. Tunmise was sure Dipo could write a book about her now. They were the last patrons to leave Effie's. The barmaid just kept giving them the look. Poor lady. If she didn't know better, she would think the lady was Dipo's lover or something. When they couldn't ignore her anymore, they left laughing like teens. She hugged herself tight. Hmm. She smiled. She wished she could lay in bed all morning and think about the previous night but she was never late for work and wasn't about to start. Her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and smiled. "Hello." She said.
"Hello sweet. How was your night?" He asked.
"Or morning? It was fine. Did you sleep well?" She asked.
"Not really. I was thinking." He said.
"Of what?" She asked.
"Or of who?" He asked
"Hmmm."
"Listen, may I call you later? I see my other phone blink. It is specifically for the hospital so.." He trailed off.
"Oh I understand. I have to get ready for work too." She said.
"Will call you as soon as I can." He promised.
"Okay." She said.
"Later then." He said.
"Yup." She said.
"Bye." He said.
"Bye" She said.
"Disengage." He said.
"Oh. Aiit." Tunmise said and cut the call. She put the phone to her lips. A foolish smile on her face. She sighed. She pulled off the cashmere and went to the bathroom. She looked into the mirror and smiled. All she saw was Dipo's face. There was something about him that got her shaken. She filled her tub and slipped inside.
{***}
"Good morning, coworkers!" Tunmise called out as she passed rows of cubicles to her office.
"Did she get laid?" Someone whispered. She ignored him and continued on to her office. 
"Ooh. He got me good." She was seated behind her desk. Her neck on the top rail of her chair. Her eyes closed.
"He called." Melody was just in the door. Her arms folded. A huge grin on her face.
"I dunno what you are talking about." Tunmise winked. Melody walked in and closed the door behind her. 
"So what was his excuse?"
"He wanted to be sure."
"For real?"
"I know, right?"
"So, did you guys?"
"No. We talked till like 4am this morning then we drove to my place in our cars. He was behind me all the way. When we got to my place, he gave me a good night kiss. Made sure I was tucked in safely and drove to his place."
"Just that and you were all lighted up this morning?" Tunmise grinned. "Wow. When am I going to meet him?"
"All in due time"
"Okay. Cool."
"Stop looking at me like that, Melody"
"Like what?"
"Like that." Tunmise said and pointed.
"I will let you get back to work."
"Later dear. Close the door behind you."
~**~
He dropped the call and walked to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. He didn't want this feeling. He didn't deserve it. Neither did she but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had strong feelings. Nothing was going to mess with that. Not even Akinola. He padded back into his room and picked up his phone. He stared at it for all of a minute. He dropped it and padded back into the bathroom. Nothing was going to spoil his morning.
Few days later...
"Yo! Wassup man." 
What was Akinola doing in his hospital in the wee hours of the morning?
"Don't you have a job you need to be getting to?" Oladipupo threw the question at him as he passed him at the lobby. He was dressed in white flannel shirt and grey pant trousers. He had spectacles on. His briefcase was in his right hand. He had reached the stairs and was starting up.
"I'm right here, man." Akinola spread his arms. He was on black turtle neck cashmere sweater and jeans.
Oladipupo laughed drily. "Yeah I see that. How can I not?" He said.
"Yeah but you just walked past me like you didn't." He said.
Oladipupo walked back down the stairs. "Akin. What do you want, man?" Dipo asked, resignedly.
Akinola looked at him like stop-asking-you're-making-this-awkward.
 Oladipupo shook his head like he was fed up. He started back up. Akinola followed up the stairs.
Oladipupo opened his office and stepped inside. He switched it on. The cleaning crew hadn't come in yet. He crossed over to his window and drew the binds. He gazed out. It was chilly outside. He lived in London for ten years and Estonia for another three. Nigerian cold got nothing on him. He threw open the windows and turned to face his nemesis. "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to tell me what you are doing in my office at half past five?
"What is wrong with you, man? We were friends for over a decade. What changed?" Akinola was furious. "I know you. I know I must have hurt you terribly but you don't get to talk to me like that."
"Oh wow" Oladipupo rubbed his palm on his face, nodded, dragged his chair and sat. "Okay. I'm listening."
Akinola sat down too "We were best friends and the next thing I knew I got a call that you were coming back to Nigeria then nothing. I understand if you shut every other person out but not me. I thought we were more than that."
"We were."
"I don't think so. It was so easy for you to shut me out. We were better than blood brothers. We leaned on each other yet you could let go so fucking easily."
"You think it was easy for me?" Oladipupo asked, clearly agitated. "I woke up one beautiful morning and got a phone call that changed everything. I felt like I should go back to sleep. Maybe it would have tided over by the time I woke up." He stood up, upsetting his chair and started pacing. "I wasn't so lucky, man. My father was dying. At the moment, I realised I was a failed son. It was after I got to Nigeria, I realised I was also a failed doctor. My father died of meningitis, man. Something antibiotics would take care of? Do you know how it feels when someone you love dearly takes the fall for your negligence? I loved that man dearly but I never got a chance to say goodbye. I will always regret that every single day. I'm sorry if I shut you out or anything. It wasn't deliberate. I'm going through a lot of stuff in my life. You were a great friend to me and I appreciate that."
Akinola stopped listening after 'negligence'. "So that is what this is all about? You think I'm responsible for your negligence. Maybe you are sorta blaming me for the death of your father?"
"I guess I did. Now I just don't care."
"Wait let me get this straight? You think because I..." Akinola faltered. "There is no getting this straight. What about your mom? How is she? How did she take it?"
"She died three days later. Turned out she had a heart condition" Oladipupo was standing by his window and gazing out. 
"Awwww man." Akinola stood up, walked over to Oladipupo and held his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea." He sympathized.
"It's alright. I made myself strong again somehow." Dipo said, grim-faced.
Akinola squeezed. "I see what you are going through. I am sorry."
Oladipupo looked at Akinola's face and saw pity written all over it. He shrugged Akinola's hand off. "You know, I resented you. I felt like you were the one that hated your father. Why did mine have to die? I don't know. I think it went beyond resentment. It was a strong emotion though. I blamed you for the death of my parents. I thought if I didn't neglect them, maybe they would still be alive. "
"It's called envy. " Akinola punched his arm lightly and went back to sit.
Oladipupo rubbed his arm. "Yeah I guess so. What do you call it? Irony? That my mother died of a heart condition. My mother. One of the best cardiac surgeons in the world." Oladipupo sat back down. He shook his head. "What a shame."
"I understand. I get where you are coming from but you have to let go of the past."
"It's easier for you to say."
"What's up with you and Tunmise? You guys dating now?" Akinola asked.
"Yup" Dipo replied simply.
"Okay. Treat her right." Akinola stood up. "Can I have the number that you do use for friends?"
It wasn't like Oladipupo didn't miss Akinola. It was just that whenever he saw Akinola, he was reminded of the past. A past he was trying so hard to keep buried. A past that made him feel as if he didn't deserve any happiness whatsoever. He knew he had grown cold over the years; growing accustomed to only his work life. He guessed it was time to let go of the past even if he knew in his heart that it couldn't totally happen. He still felt his control slipping away. It was easy to hate Akinola when he was far away and to blame him for his parents death but not when he was up in his face every now and then. "I hope history won't repeat itself."
~**~
Saturday, 12pm.
"You look amazing." Tunmise's daughter, Folorunsho was seated on her mother's large bed.
"You sure? Don't you think I should wear red shoes with this?" Tunmise was standing in front of her wall-to-wall-ceiling-to-floor mirror. She was turning this way and that. "Or I could wear the lemon?" Tunmise walked into her closet.
Folorunsho breathed in and out. "For the umpteenth time, you are good to go"
"Don't use that tone with me, young woman." She scolded and turned to her daughter. Her arms akimbo, a stern look on her face. 
"I'm sorry, mum. It's just if you don't trust me, maybe you should get aunt Melody to do stuff like this." She said and inclined backwards.
Tunmise crossed the expanse of her room and sat beside her daughter. "I trust you dear." She gave her a big peck. "And I love you." She kissed her forehead and wrapped her arms round her daughter's neck. No one could guess the depth of love she had for her daughter. The only person that could come close was Oladipupo. She smiled as his face crossed her mind. She was a bit surprised when he called her earlier that day that they were going dancing. There were going to be a lot of surprises from this taciturn man. Who would have thought he was a romantic at heart? Guess he also enjoyed their time together. She wanted to tell him about her daughter but she thought better. It wasn't something to be discussed over the phone. She was going to tell him this evening at the dance. She only hoped that he would accept both of them. She had read somewhere that most men are not comfortable with their wives or girlfriends having kids from previous marriages or relationships. That the child end up neglected. She would die before anything like that happened to Folorunsho on her watch. She could only wish he accepted both of them. 
"Mum? Could you let go now?" 
Tunmise pulled her nose and stood up. "Maybe I will just go with the blue!" She quipped.
~**~
Saturday, 5pm.
He was getting too used to being with her. Look at him. Who would have thought, huh? He looked at the piece of paper in his hand again. It contained Tunmise's home address. Tonight was the night he planned to do it right. Better than the previous. This was an official date. Only God knew how long ago he was on a date. Just when he thought he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Life had a way of throwing things at you. Things you thought you couldn't have... 
He compared the address on the piece of paper to the street sign. Yep. This was it. Now he just had to slowly drive through so he didn't miss the house Tunmise described. He didn't have to do that for long. Tunmise was standing on the curb, waving frantically. It was a wonderful feeling knowing he was the cause of her excitement. He waved back. He parked beside her and got down "Wow. Look at you."She turned this way and that and then curtsyed. He laughed and opened the car door for her. 
"Where is the other car?" Tunmise said, getting in.
 He rounded the hood of the car, got in and slid the key into the ignition. "It's at home."
"Oh, okay. I like this one better." She said, settling in and he smiled modestly.
He pulled the car into reverse and then zoomed off.
{***}
Folorunsho and their live-in maid, Caroline watched from the window. 
"She seems happy." 
"Yeah. You needed to see how anxious she was."
Caroline sighed. "I'm jealous."
"Me too." Folorunsho pouted.
"Yeah we are jealous for different reasons though." Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. You are jealous of my mum while I'm jealous of the man."
"Well, no one could blame me. That man is fine as hell."
"Carol."
"Yup?"
"I'm six years old."
"Yeah, sometimes I forget."
"I'm going to tell mum you cussed." She stuck out her tongue and ran away kicking everything in her path.
"Come back here, Fo'!"
"I'm going to tell her you also called me a fool!" She shouted from wherever she was in the large house.
Carol put her right hand to her forehead, her left on her waist. It was going to be a long night.
~**~
[b][/b]Buy the eBook directly from me into your inbox for #500 or from okadabooks app for just #400. Grab offer while it lasts...

Chapter  Six
Tunmise was curled up in her huge bed the morning after the date. She had on a baby blue cashmere that was two times her size and was thinking about the previous night. Dipo looked dashing. She was glad she came home from work to freshen up before going for the date. They talked late into the night like they did at Akinola's party. Tunmise was sure Dipo could write a book about her now. They were the last patrons to leave Effie's. The barmaid just kept giving them the look. Poor lady. If she didn't know better, she would think the lady was Dipo's lover or something. When they couldn't ignore her anymore, they left laughing like teens. She hugged herself tight. Hmm. She smiled. She wished she could lay in bed all morning and think about the previous night but she was never late for work and wasn't about to start. Her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and smiled. "Hello." She said.
"Hello sweet. How was your night?" He asked.
"Or morning? It was fine. Did you sleep well?" She asked.
"Not really. I was thinking." He said.
"Of what?" She asked.
"Or of who?" He asked
"Hmmm."
"Listen, may I call you later? I see my other phone blink. It is specifically for the hospital so.." He trailed off.
"Oh I understand. I have to get ready for work too." She said.
"Will call you as soon as I can." He promised.
"Okay." She said.
"Later then." He said.
"Yup." She said.
"Bye." He said.
"Bye" She said.
"Disengage." He said.
"Oh. Aiit." Tunmise said and cut the call. She put the phone to her lips. A foolish smile on her face. She sighed. She pulled off the cashmere and went to the bathroom. She looked into the mirror and smiled. All she saw was Dipo's face. There was something about him that got her shaken. She filled her tub and slipped inside.
{***}
"Good morning, coworkers!" Tunmise called out as she passed rows of cubicles to her office.
"Did she get laid?" Someone whispered. She ignored him and continued on to her office. 
"Ooh. He got me good." She was seated behind her desk. Her neck on the top rail of her chair. Her eyes closed.
"He called." Melody was just in the door. Her arms folded. A huge grin on her face.
"I dunno what you are talking about." Tunmise winked. Melody walked in and closed the door behind her. 
"So what was his excuse?"
"He wanted to be sure."
"For real?"
"I know, right?"
"So, did you guys?"
"No. We talked till like 4am this morning then we drove to my place in our cars. He was behind me all the way. When we got to my place, he gave me a good night kiss. Made sure I was tucked in safely and drove to his place."
"Just that and you were all lighted up this morning?" Tunmise grinned. "Wow. When am I going to meet him?"
"All in due time"
"Okay. Cool."
"Stop looking at me like that, Melody"
"Like what?"
"Like that." Tunmise said and pointed.
"I will let you get back to work."
"Later dear. Close the door behind you."
~**~
He dropped the call and walked to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. He didn't want this feeling. He didn't deserve it. Neither did she but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had strong feelings. Nothing was going to mess with that. Not even Akinola. He padded back into his room and picked up his phone. He stared at it for all of a minute. He dropped it and padded back into the bathroom. Nothing was going to spoil his morning.
Few days later...
"Yo! Wassup man." 
What was Akinola doing in his hospital in the wee hours of the morning?
"Don't you have a job you need to be getting to?" Oladipupo threw the question at him as he passed him at the lobby. He was dressed in white flannel shirt and grey pant trousers. He had spectacles on. His briefcase was in his right hand. He had reached the stairs and was starting up.
"I'm right here, man." Akinola spread his arms. He was on black turtle neck cashmere sweater and jeans.
Oladipupo laughed drily. "Yeah I see that. How can I not?" He said.
"Yeah but you just walked past me like you didn't." He said.
Oladipupo walked back down the stairs. "Akin. What do you want, man?" Dipo asked, resignedly.
Akinola looked at him like stop-asking-you're-making-this-awkward.
 Oladipupo shook his head like he was fed up. He started back up. Akinola followed up the stairs.
Oladipupo opened his office and stepped inside. He switched it on. The cleaning crew hadn't come in yet. He crossed over to his window and drew the binds. He gazed out. It was chilly outside. He lived in London for ten years and Estonia for another three. Nigerian cold got nothing on him. He threw open the windows and turned to face his nemesis. "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to tell me what you are doing in my office at half past five?
"What is wrong with you, man? We were friends for over a decade. What changed?" Akinola was furious. "I know you. I know I must have hurt you terribly but you don't get to talk to me like that."
"Oh wow" Oladipupo rubbed his palm on his face, nodded, dragged his chair and sat. "Okay. I'm listening."
Akinola sat down too "We were best friends and the next thing I knew I got a call that you were coming back to Nigeria then nothing. I understand if you shut every other person out but not me. I thought we were more than that."
"We were."
"I don't think so. It was so easy for you to shut me out. We were better than blood brothers. We leaned on each other yet you could let go so fucking easily."
"You think it was easy for me?" Oladipupo asked, clearly agitated. "I woke up one beautiful morning and got a phone call that changed everything. I felt like I should go back to sleep. Maybe it would have tided over by the time I woke up." He stood up, upsetting his chair and started pacing. "I wasn't so lucky, man. My father was dying. At the moment, I realised I was a failed son. It was after I got to Nigeria, I realised I was also a failed doctor. My father died of meningitis, man. Something antibiotics would take care of? Do you know how it feels when someone you love dearly takes the fall for your negligence? I loved that man dearly but I never got a chance to say goodbye. I will always regret that every single day. I'm sorry if I shut you out or anything. It wasn't deliberate. I'm going through a lot of stuff in my life. You were a great friend to me and I appreciate that."
Akinola stopped listening after 'negligence'. "So that is what this is all about? You think I'm responsible for your negligence. Maybe you are sorta blaming me for the death of your father?"
"I guess I did. Now I just don't care."
"Wait let me get this straight? You think because I..." Akinola faltered. "There is no getting this straight. What about your mom? How is she? How did she take it?"
"She died three days later. Turned out she had a heart condition" Oladipupo was standing by his window and gazing out. 
"Awwww man." Akinola stood up, walked over to Oladipupo and held his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea." He sympathized.
"It's alright. I made myself strong again somehow." Dipo said, grim-faced.
Akinola squeezed. "I see what you are going through. I am sorry."
Oladipupo looked at Akinola's face and saw pity written all over it. He shrugged Akinola's hand off. "You know, I resented you. I felt like you were the one that hated your father. Why did mine have to die? I don't know. I think it went beyond resentment. It was a strong emotion though. I blamed you for the death of my parents. I thought if I didn't neglect them, maybe they would still be alive. "
"It's called envy. " Akinola punched his arm lightly and went back to sit.
Oladipupo rubbed his arm. "Yeah I guess so. What do you call it? Irony? That my mother died of a heart condition. My mother. One of the best cardiac surgeons in the world." Oladipupo sat back down. He shook his head. "What a shame."
"I understand. I get where you are coming from but you have to let go of the past."
"It's easier for you to say."
"What's up with you and Tunmise? You guys dating now?" Akinola asked.
"Yup" Dipo replied simply.
"Okay. Treat her right." Akinola stood up. "Can I have the number that you do use for friends?"
It wasn't like Oladipupo didn't miss Akinola. It was just that whenever he saw Akinola, he was reminded of the past. A past he was trying so hard to keep buried. A past that made him feel as if he didn't deserve any happiness whatsoever. He knew he had grown cold over the years; growing accustomed to only his work life. He guessed it was time to let go of the past even if he knew in his heart that it couldn't totally happen. He still felt his control slipping away. It was easy to hate Akinola when he was far away and to blame him for his parents death but not when he was up in his face every now and then. "I hope history won't repeat itself."
~**~
Saturday, 12pm.
"You look amazing." Tunmise's daughter, Folorunsho was seated on her mother's large bed.
"You sure? Don't you think I should wear red shoes with this?" Tunmise was standing in front of her wall-to-wall-ceiling-to-floor mirror. She was turning this way and that. "Or I could wear the lemon?" Tunmise walked into her closet.
Folorunsho breathed in and out. "For the umpteenth time, you are good to go"
"Don't use that tone with me, young woman." She scolded and turned to her daughter. Her arms akimbo, a stern look on her face. 
"I'm sorry, mum. It's just if you don't trust me, maybe you should get aunt Melody to do stuff like this." She said and inclined backwards.
Tunmise crossed the expanse of her room and sat beside her daughter. "I trust you dear." She gave her a big peck. "And I love you." She kissed her forehead and wrapped her arms round her daughter's neck. No one could guess the depth of love she had for her daughter. The only person that could come close was Oladipupo. She smiled as his face crossed her mind. She was a bit surprised when he called her earlier that day that they were going dancing. There were going to be a lot of surprises from this taciturn man. Who would have thought he was a romantic at heart? Guess he also enjoyed their time together. She wanted to tell him about her daughter but she thought better. It wasn't something to be discussed over the phone. She was going to tell him this evening at the dance. She only hoped that he would accept both of them. She had read somewhere that most men are not comfortable with their wives or girlfriends having kids from previous marriages or relationships. That the child end up neglected. She would die before anything like that happened to Folorunsho on her watch. She could only wish he accepted both of them. 
"Mum? Could you let go now?" 
Tunmise pulled her nose and stood up. "Maybe I will just go with the blue!" She quipped.
~**~
Saturday, 5pm.
He was getting too used to being with her. Look at him. Who would have thought, huh? He looked at the piece of paper in his hand again. It contained Tunmise's home address. Tonight was the night he planned to do it right. Better than the previous. This was an official date. Only God knew how long ago he was on a date. Just when he thought he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. Life had a way of throwing things at you. Things you thought you couldn't have... 
He compared the address on the piece of paper to the street sign. Yep. This was it. Now he just had to slowly drive through so he didn't miss the house Tunmise described. He didn't have to do that for long. Tunmise was standing on the curb, waving frantically. It was a wonderful feeling knowing he was the cause of her excitement. He waved back. He parked beside her and got down "Wow. Look at you."She turned this way and that and then curtsyed. He laughed and opened the car door for her. 
"Where is the other car?" Tunmise said, getting in.
 He rounded the hood of the car, got in and slid the key into the ignition. "It's at home."
"Oh, okay. I like this one better." She said, settling in and he smiled modestly.
He pulled the car into reverse and then zoomed off.
{***}
Folorunsho and their live-in maid, Caroline watched from the window. 
"She seems happy." 
"Yeah. You needed to see how anxious she was."
Caroline sighed. "I'm jealous."
"Me too." Folorunsho pouted.
"Yeah we are jealous for different reasons though." Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Yeah. You are jealous of my mum while I'm jealous of the man."
"Well, no one could blame me. That man is fine as hell."
"Carol."
"Yup?"
"I'm six years old."
"Yeah, sometimes I forget."
"I'm going to tell mum you cussed." She stuck out her tongue and ran away kicking everything in her path.
"Come back here, Fo'!"
"I'm going to tell her you also called me a fool!" She shouted from wherever she was in the large house.
Carol put her right hand to her forehead, her left on her waist. It was going to be a long night.
~**~
[b][/b]sorry it took so long to post this chapter. Been swamped. remember, it is presently being sold on the okadabooks app for just Four hundred naira.

Chapter five
"I can't believe you stopped taking alcohol, man" Akinola said and laughed. Disbelief written all over his face. They were at a pricey exclusive bar in the ritzier part of Ikeja.
"I'm a surgeon, Akin. I can be called at anytime to operate on a patient. I don't want that moment to meet me drunk. Besides, I never really liked it." Dipo asked.
"Hmmm" Akinola raised his glass to his lips. "So does that mean you haven't been in a bar for a while?" He asked.
"You could say that." Dipo replied.
"Hmmm"
"Would you say anything else?" Dipo slightly demanded.
"We could have chosen somewhere else you know." Akinola said and idly glanced around.
"Where else can two men hang out together without looking curious?" Dipo asked.
"You sorta have a point. What about the women in your life?" Akinola asked.
"Congrats on your engagement." 
Akinola looked into his drink, swirling it. "Thanks, man"
"I'm kinda chilling for now. If the right woman presents herself, I would settle down. Till then? I'm chilling."
"It's funny how time flies."
Yeah it was. Dipo remembered how it was back then. Memories he kept tightly locked for years began escaping but he shook it off. He knew it was best to concentrate on the now. 
"I want to say something and I dunno how stupid it may sound to you. Or how odd for that matter. Can we just be cool again? We were the best of friends."
"I met a lady at your party. You guys went to high school together." 
"Really? Who?" Akinola acted like he didn't see them together. 
"Her name is Tunmise."
"Oh! Yeah I remember I saw her briefly." Dipo waited as if for him to say more. Akinola shrugged like 'what do you want to hear?'.
"You know what? Forget it. Dunno what I was looking for." Dipo nursed his drink.
"No problem." Akinola sipped his.
"Listen man, it's getting late. I have to be on my way. It was nice doing whatever this was" It was obvious Oladipupo was getting riled. He reached for his wallet.
"Oh no. Tonight's on me."
"What makes you think there is going to be another night?" Oladipupo raised his right eyebrow.
Akinola shrugged.
Oladipupo stormed out of the bar. He was half way home before he remembered that his car was their source of transportation.
~**~

"He hasn't called yet." Melody said as Tunmise passed her on her way to her office. The fact that it was posed as a statement not a question made Tunmise see red. A purse in her left hand and a cup of coffee in her right.
"Nope." Tunmise closed her office door behind her. Melody was torn between following her friend and dropping files on her father/boss's office.
"There is a word called boundary. Go find a dictionary." Tunmise said without looking up from the file that was in her left hand. Her morning cup of coffee was still in her right hand. She was perched on the edge of her desk. She was dressed in the white and black trademark known to her profession. This was the Tunmise the world could relate to.
"How do you feel?" Tunmise looked up. Melody almost looked worried. Tunmise said nothing. She just sipped her coffee and continued perusing the file.
"Tunmise?! Talk to me." 
"What can I say? I thought there was something but there wasn't. I have moved on." Tunmise winked.
Melody visibly relaxed. "We'll do lunch together?"
"Don't we always." Tunmise sipped her coffee.
"Oh kay." Tunmise was scaring Melody. Melody made to leave.
"Just one thing." 
"What?"
"Don't bring up this topic again. You and Nana are working my nerves."
"We are just worried about you."
"I think you are just curious about who Iron Lady fell in love with..." Melody started to talk. Tunmise raised her hand to hold her off. "...And Nana on the other hand is in love with him. Maybe I should just tell you guys where he works so you can leave me the hell out of it." Melody didn't try to stop her. Tunmise rolled her eyes and sighed. "He works at Redeem hospital. Doctor Badmus." 
"It's not like I would put that in my head." Melody couldn't sound less convincing if she tried. Tunmise adopted a bored expression. "Preposterous, right?"
~**~
"Hello." It was Thursday morning. Oladipupo finally gave in to his demons. He thought it had to do with the way Akinola responded when he broached the topic with him. He wasn't really sure but he hoped he wasn't acting brashly. 
"Hello. Who am I speaking with?" A slight pause. No reply. "Dr Badmus." She stated quite calmly.
"Yes. I thought we were past formalities." His voice came through.
"I wouldn't know." Tunmise said.
"So..Errmm"
"I have work. Would you say something?" She snapped. She was waiting for him to call all this while but now that he was, she was becoming impatient.
"You are making this harder than it already is." He said, exasperatedly.
"Okay. I'm listening." She said with a placating tone.
"I enjoyed saturday night. Would you wanna meet this night?" He said in a rush.
"I dunno..." She pretended to think.
"We could just grab a quick bite and..." He suggested.
"Alright" she agreed.
"8pm alright with you?" He asked.
"8pm it is." She said.
"I will come pick you." He said.
"Just tell me where to meet." She said.
"Anywhere comfortable for you." He said.
"Effie's" She suggested.
"It's a date." He said.
Is it?
~**~

Oladipupo sat in his car for over thirty minutes staring at 'Effie's's neon sign. Why did this feel so right? Why? He took a deep breath. His thumb and fore finger rested on his eyes "What am I doing?" He checked his watch. 8:05pm. He adjusted his tie. He was wearing a charcoal grey suit, white shirt and Italian shoes. He contemplated removing his tie. No. He got down from his car and jogged across the street. It was starting to rain. As soon as he entered Effie's, he felt the blast of air condition. The place was dark even though there were multiple coloured bulbs hanging from the ceiling. People could easily be seen. Faces? Not so easy except the person was close enough. There were seats arranged beautifully. There were beautiful waitresses traipsing about. The bar station was to a corner. It was well stocked with a beautiful lady manning it. He walked towards them. The barmaid smiled at him. He smiled back and asked for something soft. She raised her eyebrow.Was he flirting? He told her he meant soft drink. She smiled and passed him one with her phone number. He took it, put the paper in his pocket, went to his table and poured his drink. He checked the time. 08:15pm.
"Dr Badmus." Tunmise said.
He looked up into her eyes. "For a minute there, I thought you wouldn't make it. No one could blame you though." He said.
"I'm sorry I'm late. Something came up. Just before we start discussing, a little question. Did Melody put you up to this?" She asked
"Who?" He asked.
"A tall, fair lady?" She described.
"No. Put me up to what?" He asked, bewildered.
"I guess she didn't then. " she sighed then smiled. She looked beautiful. She was on a yellow mini gown which complimented her skin and carried a sky blue purse. She looked wonderful.
 He stood up and pulled out a chair. He caught the barmaid making faces. Tunmise sat down in it. He went to his seat. "What do you want?" He asked as he hailed a waitress.
"Orange juice" She replied.
"To eat?" He asked.
"Chicken salad." She replied.
"Okay. No dirty martini?" Dipo asked, playfully.
She smiled. "I have work tomorrow."
He smiled. "Aha!" 
"Why didn't you call earlier?" She asked.
"You look beautiful, Miss Tunmise." He complimented.
"Thank you, Dr Badmus" She said, coyly.
"Why you're welcome Barrister Ogundipe." He grinned showing his even white teeth.
Tunmise held her right forefinger with her left hand and was using her right thumb to hit it rhythmically. A sign of nervousness.
Oladipupo grabbed it. "I wanted to call you so badly. I just wanted to be sure first."
"What does that even mean? Two unattached people meet and are attracted to each other, they do something about it." She said.
"Trust me, I wish life was as simple." He said as he winked and relaxed back in his seat
Tunmise smiled. "Are you sure now?" He winked again. "I take that as a yes." 
He smiled. "Let's just see where this takes us. Hmm?"
"I'm twenty eight. I don't have time for that..."
"You..."
"...but I will make an exception for you."
They enjoyed the rest of the evening in the company of each other.

~**~
If you have an impatient soul like me, you can go and read the full ebook on okadabooks app. Just search for stakes.

Chapter four
"Tell me, tell me, tell me!" It was Monday morning at the office. Tunmise had just walked into her office when Melody barged in. "What happened? How did it go? Did you dance with him? Tell me!" She demanded.
"What game is it this time?" Tunmise asked and Melody raised her eyebrows. "Are we playing twenty questions?" Tunmise continued. Melody shook her head like really, we are going to do this? but Tunmise enjoyed taunting Melody. It had been like that with them for years. "Cause we played hide and seek yesterday where you called me like seventy times even though I didn't pick up. Didn't you know my Sundays are my sabbath days" Tunmise dropped her purse, hung her jacket and sat in her chair.
"Sabbath days. Which part? The rest or the keeping it holy?" She remarked snidely, rolling eyes set in a pretty fair head with perfectly arched brow. Melody sat at the other side of the table.
"Both. Please leave me. Some of us have work to do." Tunmise said resignedly.
"After I went through that crazy shopping with you, you want to hold out on me? You had better start talking." She retorted, petulantly.
"Nope." Tunmise was adamant.
Melody started jumping up and down in her stilettos. Tunmise didn't understand how she could do that. She was worried. "Please don't make a hole in my carpet" What? She had just gotten the carpet fitted into her office barely a month ago. What was a girl to do? "Please take your jiggling elsewhere." She said but Melody continued, ignoring her.
"Okay! Sit down. I will tell you. You are thirty years old, woman." Tunmise said, giving up.
"I'm twenty two." Melody corrected.
"You're thirty." Tunmise stated.
"Twenty six." Melody compromised.
"Thirty." Tunmise said adamantly.
"Twenty eight. Deal." Melody said like she had just brokered a huge business deal. Tunmise rolled her eyes. "So how was the partay?"
"I was wet." 
"The devil is a liar!" Melody's face was a display of shock.
"Oh no, Melody. When I said wet, I didn't mean that I had drink spilled on me or there was tears in my eyes but was I wet?" She looked down with meaning.
"Oh! Oh oh. You are impossible." Melody laughed. "I wouldn't expect less. I googled him out. I didn't know Judge Williams had such a fine son. I still shiver from the pictures I saw."
"Wait who?" Tunmise wasn't sure they were on the same page.
"Akinola?"
"Oh" Akinola. She totally forgot him. She was supposed to see him before leaving. Melody was looking at her expectantly. Worry written all over her face. Maybe she was scared her heart got broken. "We just didn't click."
"Really? Just like that?" Melody was confused. Tunmise nodded. "So you don't mind if I go after him?" Melody asked, grinning mischievously.
"I hate to disappoint you but he is engaged"
"Awww. Now I see." Melody stood up and went to Tunmise's side of the table. "Come here." She said as she attempted to envelop her in a big hug. "That son of a..."
"Please don't." Tunmise pushed Melody's arms away. "How do I drive it in that we didn't feel anything for each other. At least I know I didn't. I'm sure he didn't too. I'm just embarassed about the week." She said and made Melody go back to her seat.
"So all our 'prepping' went to waste?" Melody asked, deflated.
"Not exactly. I met someone else." Tunmise said.
"Really? Who?" Melody asked and dragged her seat closer.
"I promise I will tell you everything but I have carry overs from last week's folly." Tunmise said.
"Okay." Melody agreed, a bit sad.
"Thanks, sugar"
"I will call you for lunch break. See ya!" Melody said and walked out.
~**~
Oladipupo thought back to Saturday night. It was everything and more. He still couldn't believe it. He knew she enjoyed herself as much as he did but he also knew she got angry about something. He just couldn't place it. He knew he should have just used the opportunity as a way out for himself. Forget the whole episode but his body was doing the total opposite of what his brain was telling him throughout that night. It was like he was under some spell. When she had to leave, he felt like someone pulled out his gut and twisted it then placed it back in him. He felt like he swallowed rocks. He was suddenly depressed. It was true what they said. If you haven't experienced sorrow, you wouldn't appreciate joy and vice versa. He wanted very much to be with her. He had never felt like that. He knew he was falling fast. He already couldn't control himself around her. When he remembered he hadn't collected her numbers, several emotions passed through him. He felt uncertain because he wasn't sure if collecting her number was what he needed. Worry because he felt they both didn't deserve what he had to put in a relationship. Fear of the unknown. Fear that maybe she didn't really like him as much as he did her. Fear that she would leave him alone when he was in too deeply and she found out about the real him. He was scared of everything. Then he looked into her eyes and all those fear disappeared. All that came to mind was that she was worth the risk. Then, came the firm resolve. He was going to do this. He asked for her number and watched her barely concealed joyful face. He felt a flutter in his heart. He was glad he made that choice. He would be the luckiest man on earth if she felt half of what he was feeling. All that happened Saturday night. This was Monday morning and he was feeling all those emotions again. It was like a bittersweet cycle. He knew he shouldn't want to be with her but what could he do when he was thinking of her every minute of the day. How could this be happening? He should be able to control this. Focus, Oladipupo. Focus! He should call her. He hadn't called her since Saturday. This was Monday. He patted his back for his control though he was losing it gradually with each passing day. His phone rang.
"Hello." He said into it.
"Hello. You want to hang out?" Akinola asked.
"Akinola? How did you get my number?" Oladipupo asked, perplexed.
"The receptionist. You know how it is when I turn on my charm." He replied.
It was a pity that lady was soon going to be out of a job. She knew better than to give anyone his number. She knew that number was for days when he was MIA. He always left the line open so they could reach him from the hospital if there was an emergency or a hospital situation. Was she clueless or just plain stupid? "I'm so busy." He said.
"You are not. Your schedule for today is nil." Akinola said. She let him check his schedule? Ohohoh. "If you don't want to hang out with me, just say it. Don't give me false excuses."
Akinola wasn't perfect but hey no one was and besides, he wasn't the devil. Moreover, maybe it will help put his mind off Tunmise for a while. "Alright. Give me a minute." He said.
"Yeah!" 
Wassup with this dude?
 Oladipupo called human resources.
~**~
"Lunch break!" She heard Melody's voice before seeing her. She groaned inwardly."Already?" Melody was by her desk, tapping her fingers impatiently on Tunmise's desk.
"Yes." Melody said, excitedly. Melody was a thirty year old woman who looked younger than her age and acted like she was. She had pulled off the red blazer she wore over her sky blue camisole in the morning. She was leaning against the side of Tunmise's desk. Her long black hair swept to one side of her face lightly caressing her shoulders. She was not on the slim side neither was she on the thick side. She had round eyes which were presently laced with kohl and her lips were full and plummy with red Mac lipstick which complimented her fair complexion.
"Alright, give me a minute." Tunmise packed files into a folders, shut down her laptop, retouched her make up and grabbed her purse.
**************
"So?" Melody prompted. They were at their usual place for lunch at the office.
"I met Akinola but didn't feel anything." Tunmise started.
"You said so earlier. Can we get to the juicy part already?" Melody asked.
"I met another man. Equally handsome if not more. Handsome in a different way. His name is Dipo. He was good friends with Akinola in school. He is soooo hot." Tunmise said.
"Do you have a picture?" Melody asked.
"No." Tunmise replied.
"Describe him then. Is he like Akinola fine or what?" Melody asked.
"No. He isn't like Akinola fine. Akinola has a boyish playboy look. Dipo is manly." Tunmise asked.
"Hmmm. Manly. Just describe him." Melody said.
"The usual?" It was the waiter asking for their order.
"Yes. Plus iced tea." Melody answered. The waiter left their table
"Okay. He is dark chocolatey. He is tall, strong, fit. You know." Tunmise attempted.
"Hmm hmmm." Melody wiggled her eyebrows.
"He has this smile." Tunmise smiled, encouraged. "He has this rugged features. He is a very handsome man, Melody and he seems nice too though he seemed like a person that is not so happy with life. I dunno maybe it's just my imagination. Did I tell you he is a doctor?"
Melody dropped her napkin "You my friend are a goner." She stated.
"I know, right. It feels like I have been waiting for him all my life but I dunno, It feels like he doesn't like me the way I do him. It hurts." Tunmise said.
"He has to be a blind fool not to fall in love with you. Look at you. You are beautiful, you are smart, you are not so kind. The list goes on and on." Melody said, ticking off her fingers.
Tunmise laughed. "He is a doctor, Melody. He is smart and kind. I can bet my bottom dollar you will find he is handsome. Did you know he said that my laughter was melodious?"
"Whoa! Melodious? He just fell into my good grace." Melody said between fits of laughter. "Melodious, indeed."
"Yeah. We talked for quite a while. Talked about everything and anything." Tunmise sighed. 
Melody reached out and grabbed Tunmise's clenched fist. "In all the years I have known you, nothing has ever shaken you this way. If he is meant for you, nothing will take him away."
"I wish you could see him. I fear I'm going to love that man too much." Melody's hand tightened around Tunmise's, offering comfort. Tunmise's laughter came out strained "I'm so stupid. To think I just met him technically two days ago."
"What do you mean by technically?" Melody asked. Leave it to her to catch every word.
"I met him last week Monday but it was very brief. I didn't even remember." Tunmise said trying to evade. She didn't tell anyone about the accident.
"So how did you know?" Melody asked.
"He reminded me." She replied.
"Did he meet your mum?" She asked.
"Yes. I'm going to put that woman up for sale." Tunmise said.
"I will tell you right here and now that woman is priceless, but if you do put her up for sale, I'm up for grabs"
"Trust me, it's easier to love her from a distance." Tunmise said and relayed the encounter.
"Your mum though." Melody said and they laughed hard.
"He hasn't called me." Tunmise said suddenly.
"I hope he does but if he doesn't.." Tunmise winced. Melody rubbed her knuckles "I say he is just a flame."
"I hope for his sake, he calls 'cause if he doesn't, I'm going to hit him with a brick when next I see him."
"And she's sorta back..." Melody said, grinning.
~**~
Akinola was seated at the lobby of Redeem hospital. The walls were painted white and the floor was made of marble. It was very large with the receptionist's station just right at the entrance and the seating area just to the left which contained several rows of green lounge chairs. The lobby led off to a hall and a flight of stairs which led up to the second floor. Oladipupo was jogging down the stairs. For a minute, Akinola pretended that he was just as excited as him to hang out but he knew better. Sigh. It wasn't like everything was his fault. He knew he almost ruined Oladipupo's life. They were both young and dumb. To be honest, he really liked Oladipupo. Dipo was that friend everyone wanted which was why even though he knew it was a slim chance they could be as they were before, he wasn't totally ready to let go of their friendship. They met at college during freshman year. He was smart if not even smarter than his father but he didn't want to study law. In fact he didn't want to go to college at all so he became the bad son of a hotshot lawyer that didn't want to go to college while Dipo was the not so bad son of a prominent business man who loved to be in college. Who could blame Dipo? He was a genius. He didn't have to work as hard as anyone to get the results they got. He became a full scholarship student the year they got in. They clung to each other like a life line immediately they met. They were in a foreign land. Dipo clung more because it was his first time in the United Kingdom. Akinola had family he used to visit so he practically was at home excluding the college factor. They became the very best of friends. They were thick as thieves. Then midway into their second year, he noticed Dipo was becoming rebellious too. Those days, he would not speak with his father for months. He wouldn't call him; he wouldn't pick his calls. He became estranged. He was living his life. He had a lot of money and little sense at his disposal. Plus he was cute. A very dangerous combination. He was living large. He was managing average grades. He would sneak out of school any chance he got. It was later he realised he was just a spoilt entitled ungrateful little brat.
"Akinola, let's get out of here." Oladipupo said while loosening his navy blue tie. His black suit jacket rested carelessly on his left forearm. His shirt was pristine white even though it was 6pm. He was playing with his key fob.
"Alright, Outré. Any place on your mind?" He asked but Dipo was already a few steps away.
"Good afternoon, sir." It was the receptionist greeting Dipo who nodded in response just as the landline on her desk rang. She picked it up. Akinola waved to her but she was so engrossed in the phone discussion. Her face was crest fallen like she had just received a bad news. Akinola hoped it wasn't very bad. "Your receptionist seems sad."
"She just got fired." Dipo said.
"What? C'mon man. Don't do this." Akinola said.
"I just did." Dipo said and faced Akinola as if to ask if he got a problem with how he ran his hospital.
"It wasn't her fault. I lied to her. I told her I was your cousin that just got back from the states and wanted to surprise you on your birthday. She meant well." Akinola explained.
"Do you want to hang out or not? If she wasn't so dense, she would realize any cousin of mine wouldn't be asking a receptionist for my number." He said.
"So, you aren't going to reinstate her? You are going to put her too on my conscience?" Akinola asked.
"I don't want to go there. Please don't. Let's just enjoy this evening." Dipo said.
Even though Akinola wanted to press the matter, he couldn't. His friend not only agreed to hang out, he planned to enjoy the evening. Maybe the receptionist really was stupid. He didn't want to think about her further "Okay man. Whose car are we taking?"
"Mine." Dipo pressed a button in his key fob.
"Sweet."
~**~

Chapter 3
"Dipo, I'm so glad you are here. I understand you are a very busy person." It was the evening of the said Saturday. They were in the best event hall in the city. The hall was big enough to seat two thousand people comfortably. Looking around, one wouldn't believe it was just for a reunion. The hall was lavishly decorated and everyone was looking smashing in their expensive formal attires.
"I'm glad I'm here too." Dipo said, a bit forcibly.
"Dipo" Akinola said. "You don't have to lie to me."
"Okay, good. I should not be here. I have people counting on my presence." Dipo said, relieved that he didn't have to put up appearances.
"Dipo, I know you. Have fun tonight. Where is your date?" Akinola inquired.
Dipo shifted uncomfortably.
"Diiipppooo!" Akinola reproved.
"What?!" He answered equally reprovingly.
"Don't tell me you didn't bring a date." Akinola laughed. "Are you kidding me? I know you, Dipo. What's happening? How long will you allow whatever this is to continue controlling your life, eh?" Akinola asked.
"Don't pretend like you know me that way, Akinola. It's been what? Five years? Besides, Whatever it is, It is doing a pretty good job." Dipo said and looked away.
"Take it easy, man. If we stopped been close, it wasn't my fault. You were my best person." Akinola said.
"Yeah. Things happen; people change." Dipo said, avoiding Akinola's gaze.
"Badmus." Someone said behind Dipo.
Dipo adjusted his tie and turned around. "Judge Williams." He said.
Judge Williams was a man in his late fifties though he didn't look it. He was as handsome as his son. 
"Hmmm. How are you?" Judge Williams asked.
"Very well, sir." Dipo replied.
"Good. Where is your wife?" He asked.
Dipo looked embarrassed. "I'm not married, sir." He replied.
"Why not? You certainly are old enough." Judge Williams inquired.
"All in due time, sir." He said.
Judge Dipo smiled. "It was nice seeing you again, Badmus. You don't mind if I steal this son of mine for a second, do you? All these people are here to see him." He said.
"Sure sir." He replied.
He watched Judge Williams and his younger version leave his presence. An odd feeling passed through him. He suddenly became more uncomfortable.
What was he doing here? Sh*t. He had to leave this place. This was a bad idea. He needed a drink. No. Scratch that, he just wanted a drink. He couldn't though. He needed an escape. He turned towards the door and he found it. The lady from Monday was in the foyer with another woman who was in a wheel chair. He looked at her. His heart leaped into his throat. What was this woman doing to him? She was in a sexy burgundy dress. Her hair was made in a different style. She had strapped on heels. On Monday, he couldn't really look at her under the circumstances but today, he had no such 'luck'. He had a chance to really look. He willed his heart to be still. She was chocolate brown, probably five feet some inches, her face was oval, with such pretty almond shaped eyes that would lead you into temptation with just a blink. He couldn't tell if she had hair. She had extension on. He liked a woman with hair but he had a feeling that if this woman was a bald banshee, he would still want her. She had curves. She was just the right size. Oh my. Right there and then, he wanted to know her- pun intended. Who was this woman awakening these feelings in him? What was she doing here? He didn't know whether to approach her.
He wasn't sure he was ready for this yet.
~**~
"Splendid." Nana said as they entered the hall. She was dressed in her expensive but slightly inappropriate traditional attire. These Nigerian women. They can show up at top business meetings in their traditional attires.Tunmise looked around the expensively decorated hall and smiled. "Indeed. You just didn't tell me it was his wedding ceremony."
Nana rolled her eyes. "How was I supposed to know Andrew would go all out for his son like this? Thank God I am all dressed up." Nana said as she adjusted her aso-Oke. "Let's get out of the doorway please. We are starting to look like untried teens."
Tunmise tried to push her mum's wheelchair but it didn't budge. She couldn't explain it. The only possible reason could be her mum was adding weight though she didn't see it. "Mum, you should lose some weight."
"Well, if you had been a good daughter and stayed by your mama's side, you would know that my wheelchair is electronic and I can make it do whatever I liked by just pushing any of these buttons." Nana replied.
Tunmise looked to where her mum's hand was resting. "Oh." She said, dumbly.
"Yeah, Oh." Nana said, sarcastically.
"Eerrm, mum..." Tunmise floundered.
"We are here to have fun." Nana interrupted obviously not wanting to spoil the night. "Go on and don't worry about me. I pray some responsible man at this party sweeps you off your feet. Bye." She said and pushed Tunmise away and went towards the other direction.
All of a sudden, Tunmise felt alone. What was she doing? This was the height of it. Was she so desperate that she would come to a party with her mum? Kids above five don't even do that anymore and she was what? Twenty eight? Where the hell was Akinola anyways? He better be worth all this trouble now that she was regretting it.
"Tunmise?" Someone asked a bit unsurely above her head.
Yeah this was Akinola's party anyway. People from her high school were bound to come and they would recognize her. She looked up. "Akinola?" She asked, uncertainly.
"My my. It's really you." He said and swooped in for a hug. "Look at you. Wow. I can't believe this. You look gorgeous." He complimented.
She just kept staring at his smiling face with this dead weight in her stomach. Aaawwwww man. Nothing. Bleh. No spark. No interest. None whatsoever. All she felt was a friendly feeling like when you see an old classmate. Nooooo! With all she went through with Melody. Something had to be wrong with her. There sure was nothing wrong with Akinola. He was even more handsome in a cute way. Sigh. Oh how she wished. Maybe she was a lesbian? 
"Hello?" He was giving her this cocky look. He must have thought she was dazed by his handsomeness. Dude couldn't be more wrong.
"Oh sorry." She smiled. "You took me by surprise is all." She explained
"Surprise? This is my party." He said. She hated the way he said it like he was talking to a mentally retarded person.
"Yeah I know." She said and smiled more like gritted her teeth. "I just didn't expect to bump into you at that moment." She said, ostentatiously calmly.
"Oh. Alright. Listen, we need to catch up on a lot of things. I'm so glad you are here. Would love to stay and chat but I see my unbelievably late date has finally arrived." He said and hugged her again. "Don't leave without saying goodbye." He called over his shoulder as he strutted away.
Tunmise was both relieved and worried.
She had to enjoy this party. That would serve as a compensation for all the stress she went through getting a dress and getting all made up. She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing server.
"Good evening." For the second time that night, she looked up into the eyes of one of the sexiest men alive and she wasn't exaggerating. Only difference? This time, instead of a dead weight, it was a fluttering her stomach. She gulped her champagne once and grabbed another one.
"Whoa! Slow down." The stranger scolded, playfully. "You look amazing." He complimented.
She felt good and satisfied that all her efforts didn't go to waste. She looked properly at him and smiled. When she thought about it, his face was familiar. Hmmm. "Do I know you?" She asked.
"Wow. I guess it's my luck I met you in an unsuitable situations." He said and smiled shyly.
"So, we have met. Sorry, I can't remember though." She said, apologetic.
"Ouch." He said and touched his chest.
"I'm sorry." She said and smiled. "I bet if I thought harder, I would remember but I'm not in the mood. Please humor me."
"We met at my hospital on Monday. You brought someone in." He explained trying to jug her memory.
"Oh!" She said and hit her forehead with her palm. "Yeah. I'm so sorry about the other day. I was so frightened for the man and..." 
"Nothing to be sorry about. I'm so glad you brought him in. We need more good samaritans in this country. The receptionist told us of how he was found by the road by you and you helped him. You even paid his medical bills. You are a nice person." Something passed across his face but then it was flitting. He smiled.
"Big deal." She shrugged and gulped down her second glass of wine, uncomfortably. He didn't know the half of it.
"You seem nervous. I would love to think it was because of me but I know better." He said and smiled strainedly.
Freaking unbelievable. Did this man think he wasn't goodlooking or something? Someone should buy him a mirror. She was practically melting here. If not for her little white lie about being a Good Samaritan, she should be getting a chunk out of this hunk. My my. "How is he?" She asked about the old man.
"He is recuperating." He answered.
"I'm Tunmise." She introduced and extended her hand to him. 
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Dipo. Oladipupo Badmus." He shook it.  
His grip was firm. He had callused hands. Wasn't he a medical doctor? Where did he get callused hands from? He was releasing her hand. No, don't take it away. "Errmm." She looked up into his slightly puzzled slightly amused face. He looked even more handsome. Get a hold on yourself, Tunmise.
"What was that?" He asked, still amused
She couldn't believe she said that aloud.
~**~
He could love her. Could. He knew he didn't deserve love though. He knew something as good as this shouldn't be happening to him but it was. He wished the night would never end.He wished all night was like this. Within the very short time they were together, they had talked about everything they loved doing in their very rare spare time. He felt like he knew her. He kept memorizing the features of her face when she smiled, when she laughed out loud. For once, he was glad he decided to honor the invitation.
"...and so I found out that the man I was defending was the murderer. Shocker?" He smiled in response. "I'm sorry. I'm such a chatterbox." She looked slightly embarrassed.
 "Oh no no no. I just got carried away. You are beautiful. I should be the one apologizing." He said.
"You already did. You said I was beautiful." She smiled.
"That you are." He took her hand. She shivered. "Are you cold?" He asked, rubbing it.
"No!" She said, flushed. "The night is getting chilly though." She removed her hand from his and rubbed her arms.
He looked at his watch. Whoa! Where did all the time go? "Wow. We've being talking for hours. Felt like minutes." He said.
"I know, right?" She shivered again.
"Here. Take this." He handed his flute to her and shrugged out of his suit jacket. He place it on her shoulders in that romantic way ladies loved. She looked at him in a mischievous way. Like she was going to do something naughty. "What?" He asked, wary. She took a sip out of the content of his flute. 
"Eeeww. Disgusting." She said and handed his flute back to him with her face twisted and her tongue darting in and out like she was trying to expel the taste from her tongue. "That wasn't alcohol. What is that?" 
"Sour grapes." He said with double meaning.
"Awww c'mon, man. This night was going so well." She said and both of them burst into fits of laughter.
"How do you know the Williams?" He asked after they've had their fill.
"My parents' house isn't far from theirs. We used to go to school together. Literally." She said and pulled his suit closer enjoying the musky scent of his perfume.
"Oh! How come I never met you? I studied at Oxford too." He wondered out loud.
 "Oh no. I meant high school." She corrected.
 "Really? Hmm." He said.
"Whaaatt?" She asked catching the undertone beneath the sound 'hmm'.
"So you guys were high school sweethearts?" He ventured.
"No. So you guys attended the same university. Hmmm. Oxford. I'm impressed." She said enviously.
"Don't be. Things aren't always how they are cut out to be. Don't get me wrong, the institution is the best." He said proudly and Tunmise rolled her eyes. "It is." He said assuringly.
"I understand. Everyone is biased about stuff like that." Tunmise grinned.
He scoffed. "I'll have you know..." He started to say but someone was clinking a fork against a champagne flute. Everyone turned towards the sound.
"Good evening, everyone." It was Judge Williams. He was beaming like someone that had just achieved the greatest thing of all. "I just want to give a short speech and then I will let you get back to the merriment." He promised.
Really? A speech now? Six hours in? 

"I know what most of you must think." He beamed again. These men do take their time. "That why didn't he make his announcement earlier? I'm sorry about that. I'm happy today. My son Akinola has decided to heed the call of his father and come to Nigeria after a very long time. I won't bore you with the details." Everyone laughed. "Akinola come here." Akinola walked over with his date. "Akinola has made me doubly happy. He has come home to see his aging father and this evening, he surprised me with news of his engagement to the lovely lady beside him." People cheered to which he nodded, still smiling. Then he continued. "You can't imagine how glad this has made me. Most of you might wonder why my daughter isn't here to share in this glad tidings. My daughter, Omowunmi had a set of twins this week. I guess you people are starting to realize how this week has been for me. Thank you, everyone for being here to share in this. I pray that the Lord keeps you as happy as I am. To happiness." He raised his glass and everyone followed. "To happiness." They cheered.
"Wow. Who would have guessed?" Disbelief etched Dipo's face as he talked.
"Guessed what?" Tunmise asked.
"That Akinola would commit before me." Dipo said and laughed.
Tunmise laughed. "Does it matter?"
"No. I guess not." He said and smiled. He took her hand, looking into her face. "I want to see you again." He stated.
"Good 'cause we have developed the habit of always bumping into each other." She said.
"Twice doesn't make it 'always'. Besides, I want it to be planned this time." He said.
Tunmise looked at him with renewed respect. "Hmm. Mr Oladipupo Badmus, are you asking for my phone number?"
He knew he should say no. He knew he should just mumble some apology and leave but his heart had started betraying his brain since he met Tunmise. "Yes. Yes, I would love that." He conceded.
Tunmise laughed.
He didn't know why she laughed but he sure as hell wasn't going to stop her. "I like it when you laugh. Has a melodious ring to it."
"Dude is smitten." Tunmise said as she rolled her eyes and laughed. Oladipupo joined her.
~**~
"I'm so glad I came out tonight." Tunmise said, watching for the reaction on his face. It was a positive one.
"Same here. To think I decided to come at the last minute." He said.
"Oh not me. Don't ask me why but I was dreaming of this since I heard of it even though I almost copped out at the last minute." She said.
"Funny." Dipo said just before an awkward silence. "I guess it's time for power shots." Dipo said and nodded towards her back.
She turned to see that people had started gathering round to take pictures with important people. Senators, Judges, celebrities. Basically, anyone with power or money or both.
"Yeah I guess so." She said and turned to look at him.
What? Had they run out of things to say to each other? Why was he staring at her like that? Were they having a stare down? No, she couldn't. She looked away just in time to see Nana wheeling towards her.
"Nana." She acknowledged.
"Tunmise, I'm getting tired. Let's go home, shall we?" Nana said.
Both Tunmise and Oladipupo felt a heaviness in their heart at that moment.
"Okay, mum." She said shrugging out of Oladipupo's suit jacket.
"Now, hold on. Aren't you going to introduce me to this man that has kept you beside him all night long discouraging other men from venturing closer." She asked, turning to Oladipupo.
Tunmise looked embarrassed. "My bad. Mum, this is Dr Oladipupo Badmus." She turned to Dipo, " and this is my favourite mother in the world, Mrs Ogundipe. My best mom." She introduced.
"I'm your only mother." Nana said and they laughed obviously sharing a private joke. "It is nice meeting you, Dr Badmus." She said and extended her hand for a shake.
"Same here. Please call me Dipo." He said as he took it.
"Okay." She agreed removing her hand from his. "Call me Mrs Ogundipe." She demanded and placed her hands gently on her thighs.
Dipo laughed. "I see where Tunmise gets her beauty and wit from." He complimented.
Nana preened and smiled. "Okay, you can call me Nana. I hope I see you again." She invited.
Dipo smiled. "I hope so too." He said,
"Go on, mum. I will be there in a sec." Tunmise said.
"Oh kay." Nana said but didn't move an inch. In fact, the only thing that happened was the huge grin plastered on her face.
"Mum?" Tunmise prompted.
"Alright alright." She said, grudgingly. She waited till she was a few feet away before yelling "Goodnight, 'son'. See you soon!"
Tunmise gasped and felt her face heat up. "Mothers." She said and sighed. She looked up into Oladipupo's face to check his expression. He was loving every moment of it evidenced by the huge grin on his face. Men. She rolled her eyes.
"What? I think I'm in love with your mother." He grinned.
"Here I was, worried sick that you might have felt uncomfortable by all her antics but you were enjoying it all along." Her tone conveyed mock accusation.
"Let's get you to the car, shall we?" He suggested evasively.
"Now you can't wait to get rid of me" She said.
"Your mom's waiting outside, dear." Dipo explained.
"Okay. Bye." She pecked him and waltzed off but she grinded to a halt as she felt his hand on her arm. "Not so fast. Let me walk you to your car." He said.
"I know the way to my own car and there is hardly a boogeyman around here." Tunmise said and watched different emotions flit across his face. Uncertainty, fear, worry, intrepidness, firm resolve. Maybe he wasn't sure? . "You haven't given me your number." He whipped out his phone. 
 "Oh. 081..."
PS: 'Sour grapes was used both literally and figuratively. (Meriam-Webster dictionary) 
~**~

Chapter 2
Three days later.
In the morning...
Tunmise had not even switched off the ignition before Folorunsho jumped out of car. The girl needed to learn.
"Nana!" Folorunsho said as she excitedly ran into her grandma's arms. They were finally here. Tunmishe hoped her mum would be content for a while. The woman was insatiable.
"Hello, my darling!" Nana said equally excited. Tunmise looked on as they hugged each other tightly. "I missed you, Ayinke. Look how tall you have become. I almost didn't recognize you. You are almost as tall as your grandma." Nana said with tears in her eyes.
"That's because you are in a wheel chair, Nana." Folorunsho said and Tunmise winced.
"Ah! She's astute too." Her mum tried to hide the pain those words evoked but Tunmise could see right through it because they were in it together.
"Let's go in. Shall we?" Her mum suggested.
{***}
 "Tunmise." Nana said.
"Yes ma'am?" Tunmise replied. They were seated at the dining area of the house which was more like a mansion. The dining area was made to serve fifteen people but only three people were seated there. Nana, Tunmise and Folorunsho.
"What of that man you used to date? What was his name again?" Nana inquired.
"David?" Tunmise asked.
"Yeah David. How is he?" Nana asked.
"He is fine." Tunmise replied.
"Oh good good. When are you guys going to make me a grandson? Hope you are having regular sex?" Nana asked.
Tunmise winced for the umpteenth time. "Muuuummmmmm!!! My daughter is right here." She said.
"Oh I'm sorry. I forgot. I'm getting old. I need to spoil a grandson rotten before I join your father. God rest his soul." She turned to Folorunsho and asked "Or doncha want a baby brother?"
"I want! I want a baby brother with blue eyes and pink toes with a blue ribbon on his head." Folorunsho said in all her childish charm.
"The child wants a toy." Nana stage whispered.
"You are encouraging her. I broke up with David anyways." Tunmise said.
"Oh thank God! I didn't like him. I mean I tried to like him but the guy gave me creeps." She shivered dramatically.
Tunmise rolled her eyes. Bless mama's little heart.
"Which reminds me. This Judge Williams' son is back in Nigeria. I saw him and it reminded me of those days when he used to come here and both of you would ride to school together. Carpooling eh?" She wriggled her eyebrow suggestively.
Hmmm. Akinola Williams! Hmmm hmmm hmmm. That guy was fine as they come. Oh how she remembered those days. She still shivered with goosebumps over from remembering. "Good for him." Tunmise said plainly like she just wasn't thinking those hot thoughts.
"That's all you are going to say?" Nana raised her eyebrow, adjusted her seating position dramatically and scoffed. "Anyways, his father invited me to the prodigal son's party. Lots of fat cows and green vegetables, eh?"
Tunmise didn't even bother her head with the last question. "So when is this party?" She asked.
"You were not invited." Nana stated.
"You are my mother." Tunmise cajoled.
"Well, when you say it like that..." Nana conceded.
~**~
"Why am I looking at this case file?" Dr Badmus asked. He was seated behind his desk. A case file was spread out in front of him. His hands were splayed beneath the case file, a serious look on his face. A pretty nurse was standing beside the desk, bent over the desk. A not so serious look on her face.
"I just thought that as a cardiac surgeon, you could look at his case..." She was saying.
"Isn't there a physician assigned to this case?" He asked, impatiently.
"Yes there is but..." The nurse tried to explain.
"I'm sure if there is need for me to interfere, they would let me know. Officially." He interrupted stressing the last word.
She looked chided. "Okay sir." She made to leave. He felt uneasy. 
"Nurse Funmi." He called.
"Yes sir?" She answered,
"You did a good thing bringing this to my notice. We just have to let the doctor in charge make the decision which I'm sure he will make soon. I don't want him to feel upstaged. Hmm?" He attempted to pacify.
"Okay sir." She smiled.
"Thank you. Please close the door behind you." He said.
He sighed. When would he stop being an ass to everybody? He knew it was some sort of defense. Didn't want anyone close. He couldn't believe he had turned into someone that couldn't even have a normal conversation with a lady. He remembered those days, just a few years back, when he was still in the game with his friends. It was a pity he had lost contact with them but he knew that was how it should be. They would hang out together, drink, flirt with women, steal women right out of their lovers' arms, get beaten, get thrown out of clubs and start the cycle again. He smiled. Good ole days. He especially remembered his friend who was more like a wingman. They would help each other get girls. It was fun. He smiled again remembering one of those times...
"Hi there." They were at one of their most frequented bars. It was his night to get a girl for his friend. Infact, he was halfway into the mission. The first half was approaching the girl.
"Hello." She smiled and seemed interested. He knew he was easy on the eyes but he also knew he was no Apollo. Apollo was seating right...
"You see that guy seating right there?" He pointed towards his friend. The lighting at that side was dim but you could still see the beauty of the guy seating at the table. He looked at the face of the lady. She seemed awestruck. He felt a tinge of jealousy but then...
"Yes I do. If he is the one interested in me, tell him I don't like men that can't take what they want themselves." She said and turned away.
Whoa.
He contemplated walking back to where his friend was seating but it was too much trouble because the bar was full tonight so he did the next best thing.
"Hello? The lady doesn't like shy guys. Get your ass over here." He cut the line and looked up. She was looking at him again. This time with disbelief. He shrugged.
"Hello."
She turned towards the new voice. First, there was disbelief on her face which gave way to appreciation. He had such brilliantly white teeth and a shy disarming smile.
"I'm Akinola Williams. I hear you love go-getters..."
~**~
"I love shopping!" Melody squealed as they raced down the highway on their way to where her source of joy laid. Melody was Tunmise's friend of four years and the only person real close to a best friend. She was a pretty fair lady with a charming character. She was probably five foot three but one could never know with her ever present heels. She was someone you could call a fashion aficionado which probably made Tunmise take her along for the shopping.
" Yeah whatever." Tunmishe looked uninterested hiding behind her rayban. 
"Hmmmm hmm" Melody was giving her a disbelieving stare.
"What?" Tunmise asked, incredulous.
"I know a facade when I see one. You aren't fooling anyone. I know you are just as excited as I am. Maybe a little bit anxious too."
"You are entitled to your opinion, man. I just want me some slinky black gown and some hot-as-hell-sin-inducing stiletto." She said, deadpan.
"Whoa! Who are you and what have you done to my buttoned up, uptight friend?" Melody asked.
"That loser is dead for a week." Tunmise stated.
"Wow. I want to meet whoever is making you this way. It has got to be a man. Tell me!" Melody demanded.
"I'm driving." She evaded.
"Ooh huh. That cool, huh?" Melody asked genially.
"Here we are!" Tunmise exclaimed with false enthusiasm, evadingly.
 Melody squinted her eyes like I-know-wha-you're-doing.
City mall was like the biggest and happening thing in Lagos. You could get anything you wanted. It was Melody's favorite place. They were going to shop till they drop.
"Oo oh I'm excited!" Melody squealed again. "We should do this more."
"Tell me something I don't know. " Tunmise looked at her friend warily. "I should have just shopped online. Save me some stress. We are here." Tunmise said as she pulled up in the lot.
"I know right? Let's do this!" Melody said.
"Yeah!" Tunmise said equally, unable to hide her feelings anymore.
"So who is this guy?" Melody asked. They were in the third shop and still Melody hadn't seen a gown that was going to work. Tunmise had seen a hundred.
"Please let's take this one already." Tunmise was starting to regret the idea. 
"Hmmmm." Melody was inspecting the dress thoughtfully. "Not so bad..."
Tunmise sighed with relief. "Finally!"
"... For a funeral"
"What?!" Tunmise flopped to the ground. "You've literally dragged me through different shops and clothes. I'm tired." She complained and Melody laughed. "What's so funny?" She asked, stung.
"Aawww don't mind me. It's just... It's just that if anyone saw you, they wouldn't believe this was Barrister Ogundipe." She said and laughed again, enjoying her private joke.
"Haha! Very funny. Just so you know, this is the last place. We don't get anything here? I'm going home." Tunmise stated.
"Whatever, man." Melody rolled her eyes. "Who is this person self? Really?" She asked.
"What person?" Tunmise asked, pretending not to understand the question.
"Don't play games with me. You know who I'm talking about. The guy you are trying to get fancy for and don't tell me there is no guy. You are working on my nerves, girl." Melody whined.
"You are seriously not going to leave this alone?" Tunmise asked, jadedly.
"You know me better than that." Melody stated.
"Sadly, I do." Tunmise agreed.
"So?" Melody prompted.
"Well, it's not a big deal. His name is Akinola Williams. He was a childhood acquaintance. He is back in Nigeria and I didnt want him meeting me after all these years as.... You know..." Tunmise trailed off tactfully.
"Wait. What? You mean the same Williams?" Melody asked.
"Yeah" Tunmise replied.
"I understand you now. We need to look good for this party." Melody said.
"What's this 'we' thing I'm hearing?" Tunmise asked.
"Well, you are not planning to go partying without your best buddy now, are you?" Melody asked.
"Huh, yeah I am. You weren't invited." Tunmise stated.
"I hate chu" Melody said
"Join the queue." Tunmise riposted and laughed.
~**~
"Why is she staring?" Dipo mumbled to himself and frowned. He was at the hospital cafeteria. He had being there for like thirty minutes- yeah try eating when someone was staring at you so - right from a ten-hour straight surgery. He couldn't fathom why anyone would be giving him a sheepish look. He was in one of his lowest moments in the 'looks department'. He chanced a glance. Yep. Still staring.
What could a man do to get a decent meal around here?
"Dipo?" Someone asked above him.
Dipo stiffened. It's been long but it was a voice he couldn't ever forget. He looked up from his food "Akinola." He said.
"I thought that was you." Akinola said, excitedly.
"When did you get back?" Dipo asked.
"This week." He replied and smiled.
"So what are you doing here? Any problem?" Dipo looked concerned as he asked.
"Oh! No no. My sister just had a baby so..." He trailed off.
"Okay. Congrats." Dipo said.
"Yeah." Akinola replied. Awkward silence.
"Well, I have to..." Dipo started to say.
"We have to..." Akinola started to say too at the same time.
Awkward silence..
"You go ahead." Akinola said.
"No, please do." Dipo countered.
"Okay." He smiled. "I just wanted to suggest we meet some time. You know. Hang out; catch up on old times."
"I don't think that's a good idea..." Dipo started to excuse himself.
"There is a party for me on Saturday. You should come." Akinola was adamant.
"I'm busy at work..." Dipo said,
"I know you can make it if you really wanted to." Awkward silence. "So..." Awkward. "I guess I will see you on Saturday?" Akinola asked, hopefully.
"Saturday like next tomorrow?" Dipo asked.
"Yeah. I will see you then." Akinola said, leaving no room for excuses.
"I guess." Dipo said, noncommittally.
"You still use your email address?" Akinola probed.
"Yup." Dipo answered.
"Cool. I will send you the details. I sincerely hope I see you. Take care of yourself." Akinola said and walked off.
"Hmmm" Dipo gave a noncommittal nod. That was so uncomfortable. He couldn't believe he just agreed to a party with Akinola. What had he gotten himself into? He rolled his eyes. His life was falling apart again. There was this encounter with an old friend, impertinence from the staff (just because he didn't act it didn't mean he wasn't the owner of the hospital.), and there was the beautiful woman he met and actually acknowledged. God. What was happening? Walls he painstakingly built crumbles down in a week? Hell no. Three out of four of his resolutions were already being tampered with. He wasn't going survive the fourth one. He wasn't...
Beep beep beep
"Yup? Yeah. Hmm hmm. Hmmm hmm. I'm on my way." He said into the phone and ran like his whole existence depended on it after dropping the call. It actually did. A patient he had just operated on was deteriorating rapidly. His last resolution was falling down the pits.
{***}
"Why did you let him leave like that? If e nor pay, na you go pay because na so so look you dey look am since morin like you never see man before." It was one of the cafeteria attendants accusing the other one that attended to Dipo in Nigerian local vernacular.
"He paid na. Haba. Don't you know him?" The sheep eyed lady from earlier asked.
"Know who? Sheybi na doctor for this hospital. So?" She continued saying in vernacular trying to look indifferent.
The sheep eyed girl looked about ready to burst. "You see as this hospital big reach?" The girl asked also in vernacular.
"Ehn" she twitched her nose in that typical way especially known to Nigerians and hissed.
"Na him get am!" She exclaimed telling the other girl that the 'doctor' was actually the owner of the hospital.
Uninterest changed to disbelief. She hit the sheep eyed girl impatiently. "Na lie!"
"Why you dey beat me Na? Sheybi na gist I dey gist you? Hian!" Didn't Ada know that her hand was painful? She hissed.
"Ehn Bose. No wonder! I sha dey look you as you dey look am. Ashawo." The girl said finally understanding her friend's obsession with the man.
"Nawao." She said and rolled her eyes. "Person no fit appreciate fine thing for this canteen."
"Fine thing plus money." The other girl said and chuckled,
"Na you sabi. Who no like better thing?" The sheep eyed girl asked rhetorically.
~**~

[b][/b]This is a new romance series that would be posted weekly. Enjoy and feedback!
Chapter 1
Being at the peak of an astonishingly successful career, Oladipupo Badmus is the envy of all professionals and experts in the delicate world of surgery. Every aspiring surgeon wanted to be him when they grew up. He was a heart surgeon, a renowned specialist with the gifted hands. He, a miracle in itself. He is strong, young, very good looking and extremely successful. Successful not because he was wealthy- though he was very- but essentially because he had one hundred percent success rate in surgeries he has handled. It was unbelievable- but true . Over hundred heart surgeries and all his patients had come out alive. In fact, to the world, Oladipupo's parents must have pleased God exceedingly to have a son so gifted- helping hopeless people get a second chance at life. He was famous in the society amongst the young and the old, the rich and peasant, the sick and the healthy, his story is one that is impossible to ignore, the media devour him and are relentless in broadcasting news about him. Parents always referred to him when they wanted to encourage their children to be better. As he had many fans-both young and old- he had many haters carrying different rumours about how he went to India to do 'juju' or how he wasn't human but extraterrestrial. As he was saving lives through numerous heart surgeries, he was also a philanthropist but none of these mattered. All that mattered was that if any of these people -both fans and haters- looked through the window of Oladipupo's office, they wouldn't believe it was the same man with such reputation. He was sitting on his well woven thick cream carpet, one leg outstretched, the other drawn toward his chest so that the front of his thigh is in contact with his chest. His back was resting against the side of his large mahogany desk, his tie was askew, his elbow on his raised knee with his arm dangling on its side. His eyes were puffy and red. He looked defeated and miserable. He looked nothing like Oladipupo Badmus but he truly was. Seeing him like that, one would think he lost a lover and was bankrupt at the same. Unfortunately, it wasn't that. Unfortunately because what turned him to a shell of the man he was five years ago was worse. Far worse. He watched the light passing beneath his door into his office from the hallway go out. It was 11pm. He stood up and switched on the light in his office. He checked his large brown wall clock designed like a log of wood. Yep. 11pm. His security guard, Pat was as punctual as they came. You could set your time by what Pat was doing. It was that bad. He was that good. He walked accross his office to his window and looked out. It didn't look like it was even 11pm at all. As people were still moving around, with the usual activities typical at 8am in the morning. He shook his head. City that never sleeps. Many of his mates would be out now in a club or beer parlor dancing the night away with a lady or two. He sighed. He focused on the lights shining brilliantly along the expressway but it wasn't the lights he was thinking of...
"Oga, I think say you don go o." Pat shouted from downstairs. He must have noticed the light from his office. 
"I'm about to. Please tell Bayo to bring my car to the front. Thanks." He said.
He walked back to his desk and started shoving documents into his briefcase.  He heard his car honk and rushed out of his office.
"Goodnight sir." Bayo finished his secondary school education three years ago but hadn't gotten admission into the University. He was his hospital's valet till something comes up.
"Yeah, Goodnight" He said abruptly.
 Bayo was already out of the car and was holding the keys out to Oladipupo who collected it and hopped into the car.
He pressed down on his car's horn. His gateman was as inefficient as his security guard was efficient. He pressed down again. 
"Oga take am easy o." Bayo said. Oladipupo tensed. "This one wey your eye red like this." He said trying to infuse his voice with play but his eyes betrayed him.
"Bayo?" Oladipupo asked for his attention.
"Sir."He replied.
"If I ever need your advice, I would let you know." He stated.
His gateman was finally around and was opening the gate. As soon as it was wide enough, he zoomed out.
~**~
Tunmise Ogundipe was singing along with P!nk as crystal ball seeped melodiously out of her car's stereo. She was in such a good mood today. In fact if anyone slapped her, she would just stand back and walk out unlike days when she would slap, blow and kick. She didn't know where she got her nature and she didn't care. It rocked. Her mother was a coolheaded, turn the right cheek kind of woman. She didn't understand why everyone wasn't like her. Why would you watch someone mess with you and let them get away with it? In the university then, she was known for her temper; a force to reckon with when pushed too far; no one messed with her. Part of the attributes that attracted Deolu to her; her husband, the father of their child. He was the exact opposite of her, he her yang, she his yin.
Their child, Folorunsho was just like her- beautiful and feisty. No one could bully her. Even when she was still in diapers. That girl was going to be great. It wasn't the sentiments of a mother. It was her intuition. Intuition which has never failed her, it brought her to the level she was. She remembered how she started but look at her now. She was a well respected lawyer. She had even been featured in several magazines. Woman of Substance, Everywoman Boss, and even in Incarcerators. She was doing excellently well. Her phone rang, bringing her out of her reverie. She turned down the volume of her stereo, picked up her phone and checked the caller ID.
"Hello, mum." She said as soon as she connected.
"Don't hello mum me!" Her mum shouted making Tunmishe wince. "It's when you know you have offended someone that you will start acting nice. You haven't come to visit in months. If you don't come visit with Folorunsho soon, mo ma ko e lomo ni! You know if I wasn't in this condition, this wouldn't be happening." Her mum continued and had started crying.
"Mum, you know I get upset when you get like this." She attempted to pacify.
"I get like this when I'm upset." She riposted.
Well, it was a relief that her mum's wit was still alive. Even If most other things were dead. She sighed. 
"Mum, Folorunsho and I will..." She intended to promise.
WHAM!!!
It was the impact of another car on Tunmishe's. "What the..." She unbuckled her seat belt and let it slip into its retractor as she opened her door. She skirted the hood of her car heading straight for the driver side of the other car. Ooh! Someone was going to get it. She just knew that someone would be a young kid or drunk.  It had to be. The person was not even concerned that she was almost killed. To think he or she wasn't even getting down. It definitely was a kid or a drunk.
It wasn't.
PS: mo ma ko e lomo ni means I will disown you.
~**~
Oladipupo Badmus loved Mondays. The start of another work week If that could be said for Medical practitioners. Today was going to be hectic, which was good. It would help keep his mind away from the past, the thinking. If he wasn't so anti drug...
His landline rang.
"Yes?" He said into the phone
"We are ready for you, sir." A female voice came through.
"Okay. I'm on my way" It was his scrub nurse telling him the theater was ready. He was to operate on a young lady who had a hole in her heart. It was a big deal for him because her parents were wealthy enough to fly her to the moon but they chose to trust him to do the surgery. It wasn't by small means though. He had made a name for himself but he was still a bit on shaky grounds. He had been mentally, physically and cognitively preparing himself. This was big for him. He stood up from his desk, picked up few things and headed for the theater.
He was about five steps from the door when he felt someone's hand around his arm pulling him to the opposite direction. He turned to look at the face of the owner of the offending hand.
"Doctor!!!  Pls help me. Someone is dying downstairs!" It was a lady and she was screaming.
"Madam wait I have a patient I need to..." He tried to explain.
"Is your patient dying? Cause this one is." She interrupted. 
They were already by the stairs leading to the ground floor.
"Not exactly but ..." He tried to explain again but apparently, she was having none of that.
"No buts. This man is dying. Please do something." She was hysterically dragging him down the stairs.
"Ma'am I'm sure some doctor is attending to him right now. If you would just let go of my arm and check." The look of fear on her face was in contrast to her appearance and carriage. She was in her work clothes and was sporting diamond earrings- Sophisticated.
She seemed to collect herself. She released his arm. "Oh. Okay. I will go now." She said.
"Please do." He said and smiled reassuringly and watched her smile back. His breath caught. 
She was beautiful.
~**~
Tunmise Ogundipe stood by the door as she watched the doctors work on him.
Maybe if someone had done this a few years back, she wouldn't feel as desolate. Maybe her husband wouldn't be dead now. She touched the earrings Deolu gave her when he found out about the pregnancy. Such wonderful memories. She sighed. If only. She shook off the emotion. Today was going to be a long day. Tunmise looked through the door at the old man on the hospital bed. Doctors swarming around him to save his life. Just as the fine doctor from the second floor had told her. To think she had thought the driver that hit her was a drunk or a youngster which was all that was going through her mind as she got out of her car while the poor old man was having a heart attack. All she could do was shout for help. It was nice to know there were still some good people in the world.
{***}
"Ma'am!!!" 
Someone was shaking her awake. A lady's face appeared in front of her as she opened her eyes. "Would you like anything?" The lady asked.
She was lying on the couch in the waiting area. How did she get there? "No." She replied and smiled. "Thanks though." She added as an afterthought.
"Okay ma. I'm right there if you need anything." She pointed towards her station. Oh, the receptionist.  The lady made to leave. "Excuse me." Tunmise said.
The receptionist smiled. "Yes ma'am?." She asked.
"Please where is the man I brought in?" Tunmise asked.
"He is in a private room upstairs, ma like you requested. You can ask the nurses for directions when you get there." She replied and smiled again.
"Oh. Okay. How long have I been out?" Tunmise asked,
The receptionist smiled indulgently. "Maybe three hours. I'm not sure." She replied.
"What?!" She exclaimed and stood up abruptly. "I have to go!" She announced.
"But ma who is going to stay with your father?" The receptionist asked.
"He isn't my father. I'm just a good samaritan. I have paid all his medical bills. I will go back to his car and check if there is anything that would help with locating his family." Tunmise said. Good Samaritan, indeed. What is a little white lie in the grand scheme of things, anyway?
"Okay ma'am. We would love to send a hospital staff with you so as to contact his family fast. We thought you were family." The receptionist said.
"I'm not and thanks. I would love it if someone could follow me. It would save me double trips. Thanks." Tunmise said.
~**~