₦airaland Forum

Hmn...

This is serious.

Na wa o. So, who will he work for?

Lord have mercy!

“Look,” she went on, “there’s no need to be anxious over this. Now that someone knows where we meet, the simple way out is to change the venue.”

I was thinking of suspending the affairs, but this her suggestion got me wondering. But maybe she was right. The hotel that served as our meeting point was not too far from my Alapere residence. Perhaps, if we changed the rendezvous to a place far away, things could become safe.

“Are you suggesting another hotel somewhere far off?”

“Something like that, but we don’t even need to use any hotel. Why don’t you come around to our residence?”

I immediately became alarmed. “Your residence at Ikeja? You can’t be serious!”

“Of course, I’m serious,” she replied calmly. “We have our rooms in a detached part of the building, and we have our privacy. It’s not like before when we were in the main building and under watchful eyes. Now, we are a bit detached from the others. That place is the best place for us.”

My heart started thumping. I had been to their house before as their lesson teacher, and to ‘drop’ her at the gate of the house. Now, what would be my reason for going to the house? How would her mother, Madam Clementina, feel?

I shook my head. “Look, I don’t think that will be the best. What about …?”

“It’s the best,” she interjected. “The place offers exclusive privacy, and no spy will see you or report anything.”

My mouth was dry. Should I give it a trial?

“Let’s meet there today. By six p.m., I’ll be at home. Just tell the security guy you have come to see Margaret. See you.”

She cut the line. My mind was busy. After a moment, I shrugged. What would I lose by going to her residence? If I came across her mum, we would simply exchange pleasantries. Maggie was not so young anymore and was old enough to receive a male visitor in the house.

I remained at work till few minutes to six p.m. After closing, I drove straight to Ikeja G.R.A. I parked in front of the second gate, the one I knew was hardly used. Then, I walked to the main gate.

The security man who attended to me was a new face.

“Hello, I’ll like to see Margaret, please.”

“Good day. What’s the name, sir?”

“Mayo Stephen.”

He grinned. “Oh, come in, sir.”

That meant she had already told him a guy by the name Mayo would be coming. I entered through the pedestrian side of the giant gate.

“Please, go to the building behind the main one.” He pointed at the building.

“Okay. Thanks.”

I walked to the building he pointed at. It was a bungalow which looked more like a guest house. It had its own mini gate. I went to it. It was unlocked, so I pushed it in. I went to the main door and rapped on it. Few seconds later, it was opened.

“Hello.” Maggie smiled at me.

“How are you?”

We hugged briefly. I followed her to the living-room, smiling. It was good to live comfortably. At her age, I was still a struggling undergraduate that shared a room with my two brothers any time I came around for holiday. Now, she and her sister had a whole apartment to themselves!

“Please, sit down and feel at home,” my hostess said.

“Thank you.”

I took a seat, sighed and stretched my legs.

“So, what can I offer you?” she asked.

I smiled. “Anything.”

She nodded and retreated. About a minute later, she was back with a tray containing a bottle of pea nuts and cans of energy drinks. I grinned. I could see that she was really gearing up for action.

She came to join me in taking the refreshments.

“How was school?” I asked.

“Fine. I can’t wait to finish my course and be on my own.”

I nodded. “You will soon finish and be on your own.”

She flicked on the large screen and settled for a fashion television.

“You gals are enjoying,” I said. “It’s nice to have a place like this to oneself.”

She grinned without saying a word. Minutes later, we finished our drinks. She stood up.

“Now, let’s play some game,” she announced.

“Game? What kind of game?”