₦airaland Forum

Nice one.

Ann2012:
Well done OP

Thanks.

“You can marry her if you desire. However, if you don’t marry her, know that you can’t marry any other lady.”

I blinked rapidly. What did I just hear? “Sir?”

He looked at me intently.

“You and the lady are bound together, forever. You will remain in relationship with her until death separates you, no matter what happens to her. You can frolic around with other lades, but you can’t marry any of them. No matter what happens, you can’t abandon or neglect your lady.”

He smiled. “Once again, congratulations.”

I nodded dumbly. “Thank you, sir.”

Kay stood up. I took the cue. We bowed to him and left. I left the place a happy man although I was puzzled by the declaration that if I could not marry Bukky, then I would not be able to marry any other lady. That was a bit extremist, wasn’t it?

Kay drove me to the big store he was in charge of at Ojuelegba.

“Now, you’re part of the business,” he said. “Once again, let me inform you that we deal only in wholesale. The cosmetics are all imported and we have a warehouse in Apapa.

"We also have wholesale stores in different parts of Lagos state. Tomorrow, we will drive to the warehouse in Apapa. You will be getting your own share of the profits, weekly or monthly – as you wish.”

I looked at the arrays of cartons of cosmetics and allied products piled up in the large store. The sales attendant was at hand, doing her work.

I nodded, impressed. “Ah, thanks, Kay. I appreciate all you have done.”

“You’re welcome, pal. Now, there’s need to celebrate your new status. Let’s go and have a nice time.”

“Sure.”

He drove to the Exquisite Hotel at Ogunlana Drive. We went to the bar where he ordered for sharwama and beer. He also called a lady to join us.

“Bring a friend a long,” he said on the phone. “I have a friend here who also needs company.”

He winked at me as he ended the conversation. About twenty minutes later, two ladies came to join us.

“This is my good friend, Tony,” Kay said. “Tony, meet Rose and Vivian.”

I extended my hand to the two ladies. “I’m pleased to meet you, Rose. How do you do, Vivian?”

The two ladies nodded and smiled. They joined us in the merriment. Kay ordered for more drinks and sharwama.

It was obvious Kay’s choice was Rose. Vivian was the lady for me. She was a pretty, bosomy lady that should be about my age.

I remembered Bukky and grinned. Well, I would not abandon her as I had been directed, but for now, I could as well enjoy myself with Vivian.

Emma replied, "She's a good girl. Bukky's our baby and all the boys think of her as their daughter, I think, because they are much older than she. They are very protective of her and our family is very close."

"I'd expect that. I was an only child due to my mummy's health issues. She tells me you named her after a title song."

"Yes, we did. Ruth and I went to several of his concerts and loved the song."

"So did my parents."

Emma replied, "I'll be damned. Is that right? What a small world." All the guys laughed.
Bade asked, "What happened to your wife?"

Tade took a deep breath and a long draw on his beer while deciding what to say.

"While I was in the North, she started hanging out with the wrong crowd and got hooked on drugs. She was involved in a terrible auto accident and never really recovered from her drug addiction following her treatment. One day, she disappeared. The police couldn't find her. After more than two years, I assumed she was dead and got full custody of Vivian. We heard this week that she has come back and is at her parent's house since last Saturday."

"Man, that's a tough one. How old was Vivian when she left?" Kashi asked.

"Only a year old. My parents kept her while I finished my tour and got a discharge. They still keep her when I'm in school or working.'

The morning went fast with Vivian wanting to play games the cousins showed her the previous afternoon. Bukky and her mummy had fixed meatball sandwiches with homemade sauce for lunch.

As soon as Vivian went down for her nap, Tade decided to go get it over with at Deola's house.

"Do you want rolls?"

"Yes."

"Mummy is making some. They're great but so are her rolls."

"Has she shown you how to make them?"

"Of course. We must stay home sometime and let me cook real food for you."

"Well, wish me luck. I'll go over and see Deola and be back as soon as I can." Bukky gave him a tight hug and a long kiss.

Tade felt like he'd rather take a beating than to see her again. The drive over was on autopilot as all his thoughts were on her and the last time he saw her. She was in a drug-induced stupor when he took her to the emergency room.

Three days later he took her home and was out grocery shopping when she left and never came back. Obviously, someone helped her leave because her car was left behind. Now she's back.
Uche and Tergar lived in a very nice part of Sagamu in a beautiful brick three-story attached home.

Tergar was a successful criminal lawyer and now a federal Justice so money was not an issue for them. Tade found a parking spot nearby and walked to the door.

Deola was evidently watching for him and opened the door as he approached. She smiled and said, "Tade, you look great. Please come in."
Tade replied, "You also look great, Deola. Thanks."

She really did look fine. The dress she wore was lovely on her and the makeup was perfect. She had aged and looked at least five years older than she was. Otherwise, she appeared very much like the old Deola he once loved.

He walked into the sitting room as Deola followed.

"May I get you something to drink?"

"A beer would be good."

"That does sound good. I'll be right back."

Tade could tell from the silence in the house that Uche and Tergar weren't home. Deola returned with a beer and a bottle of water.

"I've given up all alcohol and am drinking lots of water."

"That's good."

"How's Vivian?"

"She's doing great. I brought a DVD for you to see."

"Can I watch it now?"

"Sure."

"Let me get the laptop." She went upstairs and returned in a moment . She sat next to Tade and put the DVD in. For the next 15 minutes, she watched every second of the video and cried the entire time. Tade handed her his handkerchief but dared not hold her.

"She's beautiful. I was a total fool and I hurt you so much. I am so sorry, Tade."

He was silent but tears were beginning to well.
She continued, "Thank you for coming. You didn't have to. I know my actions killed our relationship and I'm so very sorry I did what I did."

"Why did you do it?"

"Tade, anything I say will be an excuse. I let your absence be an excuse for me to party with friends. One thing led to another; and I was offered and accepted cocaine for the first time in my life. That drug gradually became my god in a few months. Over time, Vivian came second and you were not even in the picture. I lost all sense of reality and my self-respect."

"When I brought you home from the hospital, why did you leave?"

"I was out of coke and heroin and I had to get it. I called up an old friend and he came for me. I was so hooked and in so much pain that I'd have sold my soul to the devil for a fix."


https://okadabooks.com/book/about/scents-of-lust/30175

He nodded. “Kay told me you’ve accomplished the task.”

“Yes, sir.”

He stretched out his hand. “Where is the ring?”

I removed the envelope from my pocket, removed the ring and handed it over to him.

He nodded. “Very good,” he said.

He brought out a white handkerchief and spread it on the table. He then placed the ring at the center of it.

He closed his hands and spread his hands about ten inches over the ring. The ring suddenly glistered and disappeared.

I was awed. Without doubt, everything about the ring was mysterious.

The man opened his eyes and smiled.

“Congratulations, Tony. You’re now a member of the brotherhood.”

He extended his hand for a handshake. I took it with a bow. Kay also extended his hand.

“Congrats, Tony. Now, you’re one of us.”

“Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.”

The man nodded. “Good. Now listen. At this point, there’re certain things you need to know, although you’ll be learning more as time goes on.”

I nodded and listened expectantly.

“Tony will take you through the business aspect while I coordinate the spiritual aspect.” He paused to ascertain my attentiveness and he could see that I was very attentive.

“Let me tell you this. All that has happened concerning the ring must remain a high secret. You must never reveal it to anybody, dead or alive. You are in covenant with us. The day you reveal the secret is the day you will run mad.”

I nodded grimly. I had expected him to say something like that.

He went on: “That lady you used for this purpose must not be abandoned. You must always try to please her.”

I nodded again. “That will be no problem.”

“You can marry her if you desire. However, if you don’t marry her, know that you can’t marry any other lady.”

I blinked rapidly. What did I just hear? “Sir?”

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update

Donsmart124:
Welldone boss

Lakesc:
Thanks boss

You are welcome.

I grinned again. “Don’t mind that one. Just believe what I tell you because it’s from my heart. I love you the way I’ve never loved any lady in my life.”

She seemed to be satisfied with what I said, for she lessened her hold on the organ.

“I think we can eat now,” I said. She seemed reluctant to accept that our passion would not go beyond mere caresses. I put her clothes back in place and sat up on the bed.

“Do you want me to carry you to the couch?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

I lifted her and took her to the couch. Then, I went on to switch on the light.

She looked cool.

“Do you believe all that I told you?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, then, cheer up. As long as the sun rises from the east, I will fulfil all I’ve said.”

That one brightened her. She served the bread and opened the sardine, and we ate.

“Once again, sorry I could not give you proper food,” she offered.

“Oh, this is okay. I perfectly understand.”

After the meal, I gave her money to buy drinks for us. While she went to get them, I removed the ring from my finger, put it inside the small envelope, folded the envelope and put it in one of my pockets. Without doubt, I knew that the ring would fulfil its purpose.

She came with the drinks and we drank. It was already few minutes after nine in the evening. Soon, I would be taking my leave.

“Can’t you sleep over here tonight?” she asked.

Hmn, sleep overnight?” I shook my head. “Not tonight. Some other day,” I said.

“Why not tonight? Are you scared of your mum?” she smiled mockingly.

I chuckled. I wasn’t scared of anyone. All the same, I knew it would be inappropriate to just sleep over like that.

“Don’t worry, my darling,” I said. “Very soon, I’ll stay with you forever, if that’s what you want.”

About ten p.m., I stood up to go.

“So soon?” she said.

“Oh, my baby, don’t worry. As I said, we’ll be together for as long as you want, soon. For now, it’s already ten o’clock and I’ve got to go.”

I kissed her goodnight. She accompanied me half of the way and I had to gently insist that she should return to her house before she did.

* * *

By eight a.m. on Friday, dad and mum had long gone to work. Mum went to the National Stadium where she worked at the National Sports Commission while dad went to Apapa Wharf. I was thinking of calling Kay when Bukky’s call came through.

“Hello, my darling,” I greeted. “How was your night?”

“It was lovely. I dreamt of you.”

I smiled. “Really, what did you dream of me?”

“I dreamt that you’re my husband and we live in a magnificent mansion.”

“Hmn.” That was not a bad dream, was it? “That was a lovely dream, my dear.”

“Yes. You’re at home, right? I want to come over there.”

My heart started beating fast. “Em, I’m actually about to go out. I want to see a friend; that my friend. It’s about hustling, you know. Man must hustle. I’ll call you as soon as I return.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Yes, my dear. And I’ll buy a little something for you when I’m coming.”

“Okay, love.”

I disconnected the line. What a dream! I shrugged. Nothing was bad in dreaming. I then called Kay.

“Good morning, Kay.”

“Good morning, Tony. How far?”

“So far, so good. I’ve used that ring.”

“Oh, that’s good. I was going to call you that midnight of today is the deadline. You’ve done well, Tony boy. Let’s meet at that supermarket in,” he paused, “in twenty minutes’ time.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll be there.”

I dressed up in my simple jeans and t-shirt and left the house. I was there before him, but I didn’t mind that. When he came, he parked by the roadside. I went to join him in the car.

“Let’s get going,” he said and engaged the gear of the car. In a couple of minutes, the car was parked at the duplex where the ‘Holy One’ lived.

This time around, we had to wait for him in the sitting-room. After about ten minutes, he came to join us. Kay stood up to greet him and I copied him.

“Good morning, Holy One,” Kay greeted.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” he greeted us briskly in smiles. He seemed to be in good mood.

“Good morning, sir,” I said.

He nodded. “Kay told me you’ve accomplished the task.”

“Yes, sir.”

He stretched out his hand. “Where is the ring?”