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"There will be no need for that, Cynthia."

She went to apologize for all that she did and said. As usual, the devil was blamed for it.

"Please, find a place in your heart to forgive me," she said.

I appeared thoughtful. "Alright, Cynthia, we all make errors. You're forgiven."

"Oh, Richard. I know you will not let me down."

She came to hug me on my seat, squeezing me like her life depended on it.

"It's okay, Cynthia. Now, sin no more."

We talked about what we had missed between each other. The schism in our relationship came about over what she called my obstinate stand on abstinence. Yes, I make bold to say that I believed and still believe in sexual abstinence. Even at my youthful exuberant age, I could admire or desire beautiful ladies, but the feelings would be asexual. That was the grouse Cynthia had with me and called me names.

Some few minutes later, mum came in.

"Ah, my future daughter-in-law is around," she said jokingly.

"Welcome ma," Cynthia replied, gushing. "I must say you look ravishingly beautiful as ever."

Cynthia was right. Mum was forty-two and still very beautiful. She had me, her only child, when she was seventeen and just out of secondary school.

"Thanks, Cynthia. I'm happy you and Richard have made up and are back together again."

Mum soon left us for the bedroom. Some minutes later, Cynthia stood up to go.

"We'll be seeing again, later," she told me. "Thanks for having me back."

She came to give me a slight kiss and I saw her off.

Mum was in the kitchen when I came back. I went to join her there.

"I'm preparing fried plantain and fried eggs for dinner," she said. "Hope that's okay by you."

"Sure mum."

She sliced the peeled plantain and started to fry them into chips.

"I'm glad you and Cynthia have reconciled," she said. "Cynthia is a good girl for you."

I nodded. "She was the one that broke up with me,' I said. I had told mummy this when she asked what was the problem between Cynthia and I.

"She told me a lot of things," mum went on. "For example, she told me you were always cold towards her."

I was surprised. "Cold to her? How?"

Mum sighed. "Don't worry, we'll talk about that later. How was school?"

I told her school was fine and I was having a good time. Several minutes later, we sat down in the sitting-room to eat.

"Tomorrow is Saturday and I have a wedding to attend," she said. "I will like you to come with me."

"No problem, mum."

Sometimes, she would ask me to accompany her to an event. I always gladly accepted. After our meal, we lounged in the sitting-room watching television. By few minutes to eleven, she started dozing.

"Are you enjoying the t.v or can we talk now?" She got up and made to go to her bedroom. That meant we would talk in her room. That habit was usual. I switched off the television and followed her.

Her room was always tidy. I sat on the chair facing her dressing table while she lied on the bed.

"Cynthia told me certain things and I need to find out," mum said, adjusting the pillow so that she would be half sitting up.

I was all curious. "What did Cynthia say?"

What did Cynthia want now? I wondered.

"Cynthia, is that you?" I asked to confirm.

"Of course, it's me, dear. I know I have a lot of plea to make. Can I come around to see you?"

I was surprised. "How did you know I'm at home?"

"I just called your mum and she told me you were around. Can I come over there?"

Now, wait a minute, what made Cynthia think I would just accept her back, just like that? What if I had moved on and I had another lover?


"See, Richard," she quickly went on. "I know I've offended you and I'm so sorry. Really, Richard, I'm sorry. It's now I realize that you are a gem. Let me just come over there and let's talk things over."

I paused for some seconds. "What's the guarantee that you're not coming to insult me again."

"Never, Richard. Never will that happen again. I will be in your place in about twenty minutes. See you."

Before I could say anything further, she cut the line. Phew! So, Cynthia wanted to come back. How whimsical she was. I shrugged it off and went back to my food. Truly, about an hour later, Cynthia breezed inside the apartment. She was a pretty twenty-two year old (about my age) I had met about a year ago and we had become intimate friends. She was a an undergraduate too, but in a federal university.

Since she lived not to far from our street, it was easy to arrive under twenty minutes.

"Hello, handsome," she greeted as soon as I opened the door for her.

"Hello, Cynthia."

"You look good as usual," she commented.

"Thank you. You look good too."

We sat in the sitting-room.

"Should I go on my knees, Richard? I'm ready to do just that."

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