HEARTSTRINGS




All rights reserved.
© 2016 Serah Iyare


SYNOPSIS

His world became frozen when his fiancée called off the wedding without giving any explanation.

An act of kindness introduced him to another.

Will she be able to melt the ice-wall around his heart?

Heee!!!
*front seat taken*

HEARTSTRINGS


CHAPTER ONE

The blue sky was clear, cloudless, not entirely, an after effect of the rainstorm early that morning. Cool icy wind blew, hitting the skin with a firm grip. The street was empty. Different colours of houses lined both sides of the road. Some were decorated with palm trees, variety of flowers, plants, while others stood out with artworks on the walls and sculptures. He stopped the car outside the white house with a big black gate and honked thrice. He heard the sound of metal. The security guard in green and white uniform poked his head out. He was a short man in his mid-forties. He retreated into the compound and opened the gate.

“Good morning sir,” the man stood aside and waved.

He waved back in acknowledgement and drove in. He parked the silver Prado jeep alongside three other cars and killed the engine. He picked the black polythene bag on the front seat and alighted from the vehicle. He closed the door and locked it. He sneezed thrice and thought of a hot bath. It would chase the cold away he reasoned. He turned around and headed for the one storey building. A tall slim figure raced out of the ground floor flat towards him.

“Uncle Bassey, Uncle Bassey, welcome…” she tried to collect the bag in his hand, but he wouldn’t let go.

“You can’t carry it. It is heavy. Thank you,” he tried to smile.

“Where did you go this morning? You left while it was raining.”

He kept on walking. Was she monitoring him?

“Did you go to work? I thought you hardly go to work on Saturdays, except when there is an emergency.”

He glanced at her. When did she start to keep tabs on him? Wasn’t she too young to be nosy? The dark skinned eighteen year old girl towered over him with an inch. Her slim frame looked athletic in the blue jeans and red short-sleeve blouse.

“Uncle Bassey, I think I will study Dentistry like you. You make a lot of money. You drive a very expensive car, you are living in a three bedroom posh apartment in Ikeja G.R.A, and you run your own dental clinic. How old are you? You are a rich young man.”

What in the world!

He halted and looked at her closely. Was that how she saw him, a rich young dentist with an expensive car and a posh apartment? It had not always been that way. One doesn’t become successful in a day.

“Young woman, you should really think about what you want to study. Do not use anybody’s success or failure as a yardstick.”

She beamed at him, white teeth, rosy cheek, dove eyes.

Was she even listening to him at all? “Chinyere!”

“Hmmm…” she blinked, all her thoughts cleared.

He shook his head. She had not heard a thing. He walked past her and stepped into the building. She ran after him.

“Uncle Bassey, how old are you?”

He grunted, “None of your business.”

She walked beside him, marching his speed with quick steps of her own, “Come on, we are neighbours. I am… I am like your sister.”

“You are not my sister,” he eyed her and went up the stairway.

“I know. How old are you?” she followed him.

“You are eighteen years old, add seventeen to that.”

She stopped and pondered. Her eyes widened with realization. Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes turned pale. She bit at her lower lip and climbed the stairs to the first floor.

“You are like, almost… twice my age.”

He placed the bag on the floor and fished out the door key from the bunch of keys attached to the key-holder, “I am old enough to be your father.”

“You are not my father!” her dark eyes flashed with anger.

He caught a glimpse of her and opened the door. He lifted the bag and walked in, “Have a superb weekend.”

“Wait…”

He turned around.

“Can I come in?” her pleading eyes held his expressionless ones.

“No.”

She folded her arms across her bosom.

“Go home. You mama needs you.”

She eyed him, “My mama is sleeping.”

“Bye Chinyere,” he shut the door and locked it. He carried the bag into the kitchen and dropped it in the sink. It was a good thing that he had
gone to the abattoir early that morning. He had been able to purchase different parts of cow, goat and ram meat. He would be able to make enough soup and stew that would last him for a week or more.

His work at the dental clinic had taken a demanding turn due to the number of people that patronized the place. He was able to hire a doctor, a dentist by profession, who had been like a pillar of support for him in the past three months. He had also employed another nurse. The work load had taken a bad toll on the only nurse in the clinic. Now, she wasn’t alone again. While working at Lagos University Teaching Hospital a few years back, he had never thought he would set up his own clinic, although it had always been his dream. It was when his parents’ Calabar restaurant boomed and became a household name that the idea really came to life within him. He believed that before the year ran out, he would be able to set up another clinic in Abuja. If Jesus tarries, by the time he was forty; his dental clinics should be all over the country.
The door-bell rang. His thoughts faded. He turned off the tap at the sink and wiped his wet hands with a napkin hanging on the kitchen window. He hoped it wasn’t Chinyere. She could be a pain in the neck at times. He wasn’t expecting anyone that day. The only person that showed up at his place unannounced was his younger sister. If she was the one at the door, he would drive her away. He cannot stress and cook while someone else would devour the whole thing. She loved spending her weekends with him. It had become a routine after his fiancée broke up with him. His sister had taken care of him until he was emotionally ready to return to work. Those six months had been unbearable. If not for her, his apartment would have turned into a pigsty. Nevertheless, it didn’t give her the right to raid his kitchen whenever she visited. He strode out of the kitchen and walked towards the front door. He peeped through the door hole and saw his neighbour’s daughter. His brows came together in a frown. He unlocked the door and opened it.

“What are you still doing here?” his stern voice didn’t dissuade her.

“I want to stay with you.”

“Go home,” he glared at her.

“Uncle, please now,” her eyes became misty.

He hissed, took her by the hand and dragged her towards the stairway.

“Wait!”

He raced down the stairs, pulling her along. She tried to break free from his grip, but he tightened his hold on her. He halted outside her flat and pressed the door bell.

“Let me go!”

He released her and pressed the bell again. The door flew open and a woman in her early forties stepped out.

“Chinyere, where have you been?”

The girl pouted, stamped her feet and went in.

“I have been looking for this girl…” the woman hissed and looked at him, “Good morning doctor.”

“Morning Madam,” he turned around and returned to his flat. He met two of his neighbours at his door. They lived directly opposite his flat. He
groaned and looked heavenwards.

Oh God… not today.

“Good morning doctor,” they chorused.

“Morning,” he feigned a smile.

“Do you have salt?” the darker and taller one grinned.

“Me I need sugar,” the other squeaked.

He had left his door wide open. His neighbour’s daughter was responsible.

That girl.

He walked into his flat with gritted teeth and the ladies scurried after him.

“Men, I like coming to your flat. It is so organized,” she looked around her.

“Organized with class,” the darker one settled on a leather chair facing the 40’ flat screen LG television.

“Anyone that marries you is lucky…” the other danced around the room, touching and sniffing everything.

“Doctor Bassey, you live like a king,” she winked at him and parted her dark long legs. The purple mini skirt she was wearing barely covered
her lumpy thighs. The matching lilac blouse barely covered her chest.

He looked away in disgust. He had no interest in women who lay all their cards out in the open like wares for sale.

“This is my dream house men,” the other sat beside her friend and flashed him a smile. Her shorts which could hardly be called shorts was similar to a granny pantie, but tighter. Her red blouse could hardly carry her heavy chest. Everything was hanging out like over-ripe plantain.
Did he make a mistake by renting the flat? Since the day he moved in, his female neighbours had been after him like flies hovering over faeces. His neighbour’s daughter wouldn’t give him a breathing space and these ones wanted his attention at all cost. He could never date the likes of them.

Heaven forbid!

If his fiancée had not called off the wedding, he would have been happily married by now.

“Halima, Simisola, I am kind of busy right now.”

“Doctor…” Halima cooed, adjusted her blouse and ran her hands over her thighs in a slow motion.

Irritation crawled all over him. He turned away and clenched his teeth.

“Doctor Bassey…” Simisola got up, walked up to him and squeezed her heavy bosom. She smiled and blinked her fake long lashes.

He coughed and held the door knob. The girls exchanged glances and chuckled. They walked sluggishly and blew him kisses before stepping out of the apartment. He kicked the door shut with his leg and returned to the kitchen.

I should have been married by now. All this kind of nonsense would have been avoided. This is torture.

He turned on the tap at the sink and continued to clean the red meat. He switched his thoughts to the kind of soup he wanted to prepare that morning.

@queenitee... hahahah thumbs up.

I love you sis,go on.I'm with you

@queenitee... Love yah too sweet heart *hugs*

I love your descrptive style, following

@skarlett... Thanks *winks*

When I saw this I was like hmmm SheWrites is here again.. Lol. you are doing a great job dear *kisses*

@crislyn... Thanks sweerie *hugs&kisses*

Glued

Nice one dear....

@pweetychyka... Thanks. *winks*
@all... Chapter 2 will be updated tomorrow.

waiting for the next update,lovly rite up keep it up,ur stories are always on point

@clearboos... Thanks.

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER TWO

She powdered her face and stared at her reflection in the hand mirror. Her dark skin looked flawless. Her big dark eyes were similar to that of the ancient Egyptian women, darkened above and below the eyelashes. Her full luscious lips were coated in red. She flashed herself a smile. Her eyes twinkled with pleasure. She liked what she saw.

“Make-up guru,” one of the nurses approached her. She kept the mirror in one of the drawers attached to the desk.

“One needs to look good,” she looked up at the brown skin, tall and plump lady.

“Hmm… I hear you,” the nurse leaned on the high semi-circle desk.

“You know I am the face of this clinic.”

“Face of clinic ko, face of Africa ni,” the newly employed nurse walked up to them.

“I am the one every customer sees before both of you attend to them and transfer them to the doctors.”

Adanne clapped her hands and began to laugh.

“Is Oga around?” Ibinabo stood beside the semi-circle desk.

Sikemi shook her head. Her curly shoulder length braids danced around her face.

“The first time I came here, I thought Doctor Sylvester was the owner of the clinic,” Ibinabo glanced at her colleague.

Adanne shook her head, “He is not. He assists Oga to run the clinic.”

“He is like the second in command,” Sikemi added.

Ibinabo smiled to herself, “Oga is so cute. He is short for a man though.”

“He is not short! I am five feet seven and he is exactly my height,” Adanne eyed her.

“Ehn… okay, fine, he is not short,” Ibinabo looked back at the nurse, wondering while she was upset.

“I am five feet nine inches, I am taller than you,” she pointed at Ibinabo, “But, I don’t mind dating someone like Oga,” her big dark eyes had a dreamy look.

The nurses turned to look at the receptionist.

“He is too slim for my liking,” Ibinabo blinked and turned her head towards the flat screen television on the wall.

Sikemi chuckled, “I like him that way, at least, he has six packs and his cropped curly brown hair makes him look sexy.”

Ibinabo frowned, “You are not his type. You are too tall for him.”

Sikemi eyed her, “Who are you to determine what his type is?”

Adanne grinned, “I am more like his type. I am his height and I am almost as fair as he is.”

They glared at her.

“Doctor Bassey is oyinbo, you are not even close,” Ibinabo hissed.

“Presently, he is single and available,” Sikemi played with a strand of her hair.

Adanne leaned closer to the desk, “I thought he was dating that oyinbo babe, what’s her name now?”

“Lovejoy,” Sikemi chuckled.

“Yes, Lovejoy,” she nodded.

Ibinabo glanced from one to the other.

“The mumu babe called off the wedding,” Sikemi hissed.

“Ah!” Adanne placed a hand over her opened mouth.

“Do you remember those six months that oga didn’t show up at work?” Sikemi tilted her head.

“Yes, doctor Sylvester almost died of frustration,” Adanne looked towards the doctor’s office.

“Exactly! Oga was nursing a broken heart that period,” she hissed again.

“Aww… I wish I knew,” Adanne rubbed her jaw with her fingers.

“I just found out. Anyways, he is back in the market and I am definitely for sale,” Sikemi batted her eyes.

Adanne sighed; she had a lost look on her creamy brown face.

Ibinabo absorbed all the information she had gathered. She drummed her fingers on the desk.

“Good morning nurses,” Bassey walked past them, “Sikemi…” he beckoned at the receptionist.

They froze with shock. The nurses exchanged glances. They didn’t notice when he walked. They hurried to their office and hoped he
wouldn’t query them for gossiping during office hours.

Sikemi sprang to her feet and ran after him. Her high heels made click sounds on the tiled floor.

“Do I have appointments this morning?” he walked into his office and settled behind the mahogany desk.

“No sir,” she followed him in and stood by the large desk, “Doctor Sylvester is attending to the patients that came in this morning.”

“Okay,” he leaned against the chair and pressed his knuckles.

“Can I get you anything sir, tea, coffee, beverage?”

He closed his honey coloured eyes and opened it, “No, thank you.”

She nodded, turned around and walked out. She closed the door behind her and sighed with relief. She had thought he would scold her.
She noticed that the nurses were peeping through the slightly opened office door.

“How far?” Adanne whispered.

“We live to see another day,” she winked at them and cat-walked back to the reception area.

xxxxxx

Bassey shut his eyes and opened it. Was he dreamy? Did he just drive past his ex-fiancée? Was that Lovejoy? It had been almost a year, eleven months to be precise, since she called off the wedding. He could still remember the day he went with his family to see her parents and find out why the wedding preparations were stopped. They received the embarrassment of their lives that day. They were driven out with no explanations. He checked the in-coming traffic and reversed the car. He stopped at the bus-stop and looked out of the window. A fair lady in her late twenties stood among the crowd. He was right. She was the one. He smiled and honked several times. Someone standing beside her tapped her on the shoulder and pointed at his car.
She looked in his direction and a surprised look took over her face. She approached him with steady steps. Her jeans clung to her like a second skin, show-casing a round eye-bulging backside. The white and blue stripe fitted short-sleeve blouse complimented her fair skin and revealed a considerable amount of cleavage. He swallowed hard, she had not changed one bit.

“Hi,” she leaned towards the window.

“Hi… where are you headed?”

“Home.”

“Can I drop you?”

“Yes,” she had been standing at the bus-stop for over thirty minutes. She was on the verge of calling her fiancé and asking him to
come and pick her up.

She opened the door and climbed in. He joined the traffic and changed the direction in which he was headed. She stole a glance at him.

He looked cute as always. She missed playing with his short curly brown hair. She remembered why she broke up with him and frowned. He turned his head when he sensed that she was staring at him. Why was she frowning? He returned his attention to the road and noticed the stand-still ahead. His facial expression indicated anger. He hated been stuck in traffic.

She opened her bag and brought out an invitation card. She threw it on his laps and looked out of the window. He picked it up and glanced at her. He opened it and saw her full name, Lovejoy Idiongho Akpan. He directed his gaze at her again. She was getting married? She had the right to move on, he reasoned.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Who is the lucky man?” he scanned the invitation card again. His heart stopped beating when he saw the man’s name. Stephen Akpos Edet, his childhood friend, his best friend.

She caught a glimpse of him and smiled, “We hooked up months after we… we broke up.”

He glared at her, “You called off our wedding and went after my best friend.”

“It wasn’t like that,” she eyed him up and down.

“Or have you two been… were you cheating on me with him?”

“No!” she felt infuriated by his accusation.

He clicked on the air-conditioner button. The temperature in the car had gone up all of a sudden.

“Stephen and I started dating three months after we broke up,” she tried to clarify his misconception.

“How convenient,” he wished the car in front of him would develop wings and fly.

She folded her arms across her bosom. He could think whatever he wanted. She wasn’t the one at fault.

“Why did you call off our wedding?” the emotion in his voice tugged at her heart.

She darted her gaze towards him and noticed the way his eyes glistered with tears. Hasn’t he gotten over her yet?

“Why didn’t you tell me that you couldn’t father a child?” she confronted him.

He blinked. What was she talking about? “I don’t understand.”

“Your sperms are weak and there is a ninety percent chance that you might not be able to father a child.”

He stared back at her, open-mouthed.

For the love of God, this girl is driving me nuts. This is a plot. This is a plan hatched out from an evil mind. This is wickedness of the highest order.

“You know what I am talking about. You were going to marry me in deceit.”

He shook his head, “Brilliant, this is just brilliant. Is this what you told your parents? So this is what you told everybody…”

“Stephen confirmed it!” she erupted.

“What?!” a million thoughts ran through his mind. What rubbish did his best friend fill her up with?

“He showed me a medical doctor’s report. He spared me a life time of pain and shame,” she eyed him. She was glad that she found out the truth before he ruined her life. She thought he loved her. If he had confided in her in the first place, they might have worked things out.

“And you believed him?” he stared at her in disbelief.

She took her eyes off him and faced the window. She wasn’t in the mood for an argument. She wished she had not gotten into his car.

“You didn’t even bother to ask me… why… why didn’t you ask me first before cancelling our wedding?”

She didn’t respond. He placed a hand on his forehead. He was beginning to feel a headache. It was impossible. His best friend wouldn’t
do such a thing. It was a lie. A doctor’s report? Where did he get that from? Did he really? Could he really? He had known the guy most of his life. What would have been the motive for such an outrageous act?

“You can come to the wedding if you like. I will take a bike home,” she opened the door and got down from the car before he could say
another word.

His heart rate quickened. If what she said was true, his best friend had a lot of explanations to give.

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER THREE

Stephen gave the child a pack of chocolate. He had developed a habit of giving candy and chocolates to every child that visited his dental clinic. It made the child’s experience endurable, regardless of the procedure he or she was brought in for. Most times, it was usually the removal of a bad tooth. It didn’t matter if he was available or not, he had instructed his staff to follow suit. He had been running the clinic since he completed his internship at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He inherited a ten bedroom duplex amongst other things from his late father and had converted the ground floor into a clinic and the upper floor into his living quarters. His patients loved the fact that he was accessible. He had two other dentists working with him, three nurses and a few non-medical staff. He hoped to set up branches of the clinic in different parts of the country at the end of the year and at least three other branches in the West African region.

The mother and child waved goodbye and walked out of his office. His personal assistant came in immediately.

“Sir, there is someone here to see you.”

“Who?” he returned to his seat behind the oval glass desk.

“Doctor Bassey.”

His gaze flew back to her smiling face. He had not seen his childhood friend in a while. It was intentional. He had come up with one
excuse or the other over the past few months. He knew he would have to face him one day, but, was he ready?

“Let him in.”

“Okay sir,” she retreated and closed the door behind her.

Stephene rose the moment the door opened and Bassey walked in, “To what do I owe this impromptu visit?”

“You are the busy one,” Bassey approached the desk.

“Business has been very good,” he circled the table and shook hands with his friend. He towered over him. His six foot figure made him
look like a Greek god.

“At least you have a large staff,” he released his hands.

“Yes, em… what can I offer you?” Stephen placed both hands on his hips.

“Why don’t you explain this?” he brought out the invitation card from his pocket.

“Oh…” he recognized his wedding invitation card. He took a step back and leaned on one of the leather chairs in front of the desk.

“Is this why you have been avoiding me?” Bassey threw the card on the glass desk.

He grinned, “What do you want me to tell you?”

An angry expression took over his fair face, “You stole my fiancée.”

Stephen started to laugh, “Come on man mi. Darn it, she called off the damned wedding.”

“After you brain-washed her.”

He scratched a spot on his eyebrow, “I am going to marry Lovejoy, nothing and no one can stop that from happening.”

Bassey took a closer look at the man he used to call his friend. There was something off about him.

“You have had it good all these years; it is my turn to feast.”

“Feast? On what doesn’t belong to you? What rubbishing are you spouting?”

“Do you think you are the only one that will make it?” his tone raised a pitch.

Bassey watched him with keen interest.

“I am taller than you, much more handsome, broad shouldered and all, compared to your skinny self.”

His friend’s disdainful look astounded him. He was beginning to think that Stephen was jealous of him. He folded his arms across his chest and paid attention.

“I don’t know what babes see in you. They melt at your mere presence and flock around you like bees. Every girl I ever liked was in
love with you,” he pointed an accusing finger at him.

He swallowed hard. His friend had been envious of him all along. How come he didn’t detect it?

“We set up dental clinics around the same time, but, yours picked up faster than mine.”

“What are you talking about? Look at this place, you are more successful,” he looked around him.

“I have always loved Lovejoy. You were going to marry her and I decided to do something about it.”

Bassey shook his head in disbelief.

“I convinced her that you were sterile and eureka! She became mine.”

His eyes became red. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.

“At long last, I have something you can never ever possess in a million years, lucky me,” he winked at him and laughed.

Suddenly his friend attacked him. Both men swerved from one spot to the other, pushing, kicking and hitting each another. They
landed on the tiled floor with a thud.

Stephen pushed him off and sat on the floor, “You are crazy!” his breath came fast and hard.

“You allowed jealousy and envy to ruin our friendship,” he lashed back at him.

“What friendship?” he eyed him.

Bassey shook his head and got up.

“You are invited to the wedding.”

His personal assistant came in, in a hurry. She looked at both men, and then backed out.

“You can have her,” he adjusted his blue checkered long sleeve shirt.

He chuckled, “She is already mine.”

“I don’t want someone who didn’t trust me enough to confront me, regardless of how convincing the evidence against me was.”

“Whatever, your loss, my gain,” he got on his knees and rose.

Bassey took his eyes off him and marched out of the large office.


xxxxxx

The moment she saw the silver car coming through the gate, she sneaked out of the flat and ran to meet him. He staggered out of the car and locked it. He straightened himself and noticed his neighbour’s daughter heading his way. He hissed. He was in no mood for her charade.

“Uncle Bassey, welcome. You are late today. Did you attend to a lot of people? You must be tired,” she tried to pat him on the back,
but, he slapped her hand off. Her shocked gaze lingered on his emotionless face. He strode towards the one storey building and left her standing by the car, wondering what had come over him. He climbed the stairs and met Halima and Simisola at his doorstep.

“Doctor welcome,” they chorused.

He ignored them, unlocked the door and went in. They exchanged glances, wondering what was wrong with him.

Bassey went straight to his room, got out of his clothes and locked himself in the bathroom. He came out an hour later, clad in his boxers, and went straight to bed. He had no appetite. Food was the farthest thing from his turmoil mind. His encounter with Lovejoy and Stephen had been a bad experience. He turned on his side and reached out for his phone. He went through his phone book list and placed his younger brother and sister on a conference call.

“Hello…”

“Hello… Bros you no dey sleep at all?” he heard his younger brother’s voice.

“It is almost midnight for heaven’s sake,” his younger sister complained.

“Shut up, shut up, see this children wey they born yesterday.”

He heard them laughing. Their voices soothed his aching heart.

“When was the last time bros called like this?” Imabong asked.

“That time now,” Eno responded.

“Oh okay, Lovejoy matter,” Imabong whistled.

“Serious matter o,” Eno chimed in.

He listened to their chit-chat and sighed, “I met her today.”

“What?!” Eno exclaimed.

“Who?” Imabong wasn’t sure he heard him clearly.

“Lovejoy now,” his sister answered quickly.

“Ehn-hen… where?” Imabong’s curiousity accelerated.

“She is…” her face flashed through his mind’s eye, “She is getting married to Stephen next month.”

“Wow! She didn’t waste time,” Eno sounded disappointed.

“Which Stephen?” Imabong asked.

“Stephen Edet,” Bassey replied.

There was a moment’s silence.

“Stephen Akpos Edet!” his siblings chorused.

He could discern their surprised state in their voices, “Yes, my childhood friend.”

“This is unbelievable!” Imabong hissed.

“He planned it. He told her something false about me and she called off the wedding.”

“This girl is dumber than I thought,” Eno hissed.

“Why didn’t she ask you?” Imabong felt angered.

“She just believed your friend like that,” Eno hissed again.

“Na so I see am o,” Bassey sighed heavily.

“I can still remember how her parents rained insult on us and called us unprintable names the day we went to their place,” Eno
sounded sad.

“What did he tell her sef?” Imabong’s voice was laced with gloom.

“He convinced her with a fake doctor’s report that I was sterile.”

“Eh! See gbege,” Eno cried out.

“Sharp guy. That your friend messed up. See lie,” Imabong felt distressed.

“Lie from the pit of hell,” his sister added. “I will let dad and mum know.”

“Thanks Eno.”

“Come to think of it, bros you dey sterile?” his younger brother asked.

“Imabong!” they chorused.

“What? I supposed ask now.”

“Where did Stephen get a fake doctor’s report?” Eno wanted to know.

“Beats me,” Bassey couldn’t imagine the length at which his friend went to deceive his ex.

“Bros sorry o.”

“Hang in there.”

“Thanks.”

“Should I come over after work tomorrow?” his sister asked quickly.

He frowned, “No, no, no, Eno thanks. I am fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I said I am fine.”

Imabong’s laughter rang in their ears, “Eno won go clear bros kitchen. Ah… Eno, na wa for you o.”

“Shaarap there.”

“Have a blessed night you two.”

“Goodnight bros,” they chorused.

He hung up and lay on his back. He felt relieved after talking with them. It was therapeutic. His parents would be so disappointed at
Stephen. At least, they would know why Lovejoy called off the wedding. He closed his eyes and said a prayer. He lay all that concerned him at God’s feet.

i like the story. except for the names of the characters used, [b][/b]its hard to keep tab on them all

interesting

Shewrites
more grease to ur elbow....

Waiting for chapter 4

who, am sure dis is going to be another bomb.

She writes again.beware of people like Stephen for dey do nt behave like d Stephen of old who died for christ.

I'm waiting like it's forever,miss shewrites,please update
With everything happening these days,shey one cannot do without having friends ni?
Stephen ma buru oo

@all... Updates resume tomorrow *winks*
May God deliver us from wolves in sheep clothing, e.g, Stephen.

SheWrites:
@all... Updates resume tomorrow *winks*

May God deliver us from wolves in sheep clothing, e.g, Stephen.

Amen ol
Make it early momo tomorrow oo

CHAPTER FOUR

Damilare Peters arranged the pay-slips on the desk. The end of every month felt like a jackpot for him. He had a lot of debts to settle and a few things to purchase. He hoped he would have enough left to get him by before he received another paycheck. He considered himself lucky to have gotten employment in Hopewell Dental Clinic as an Accountant. His paycheck was the double of what his peers earned. The nurses strode into his office without knocking, followed by the receptionist.

“Don’t you girls ever knock?”

“The Accountant,” Adanne sat on his desk.

“Accountant, accountant, how you dey now?” Ibinabo settled on a chair in front of the table while Sikemi took the other seat.

“Where is our pay slip?”

He searched her face. The receptionist never wasted time. She was always direct and straight to the point. He liked her, but his height might be a problem. She was at least three inches taller. He knew several girls who didn’t like dating men shorter than they were. He had seen her ogle at the CEO on more than one occasion. He was shorter than her too. If she liked their boss, maybe she might give him a chance.

Sikemi stared back at him puzzled. His intent gaze made her uneasy. Was he interested in her? He wasn’t that bad. He had a good physique, but too short for her liking. He was from her tribe and that was a plus. She was interested in their boss. If only he would notice her. The man had been acting beside himself lately. She had a feeling that he was sort of depressed. She wished he would confide in her. Who was she anyway? His employee, she wasn’t even his friend.

“Have you noticed Oga’s mood swings?” Adanne tapped her on the shoulder.

She looked up at her and nodded.

“That’s true. He is being kind of cold and unapproachable lately,” Ibinabo chimed in.

“May be he is stressed up,” Adanne reasoned.

“Abeg, abeg, take your pay-slips. Don’t turn my office into a gossip center,” he distributed their slips. The nurses chuckled, collected their slips and headed out.

“Oga has turned to stone cold Steve Austin,” Damilare said casually.

Her confused look made him to laugh, “Who is Steve Austin?”

“Steve Austin now, Wrestle Mania…”

Her clueless gaze remained on his face, “I don’t watch wrestling matches.”

“Like seriously?”

She eyed him and got to her feet.

“Steve Austin is mean, cold, powerful, six feet, broad shouldered, fair, six pack, steel-like stance, emotionless and strong.”

“So, our boss is Stone cold Bassey Etim?”

“Exactly, without the height, muscles and you know.”

She started to laugh.

“I was there when he lashed out at Doctor Sylvester.”

“What happened?” she sat back on the chair, eager for news.

“If words were swords, Dr. Slyvester would have had severe cuts all over him.”

“Ouch!” She placed a hand on her chest.

“A broken heart does nasty things to a man’s mind.”

“But, I thought he was over his ex-girlfriend,” she raised an eye-brow.

He shrugged, “Maybe something or someone re-opened his old wounds.”

“Ouch!”

“I guess we are in for a repeat episode of what happened when they just broke up a year ago.”

“God help us,” she leaned against the chair and folded her arms across her chest.

xxxxxx

He drove homewards, despite the storm; he navigated his way into the Government Residential Area. He thought of eating catfish pepper soup for dinner after taking a hot bath. A hot milky beverage would make him to relax and send him off to Slumber land. He had not been sleeping well and it was affecting him physically and mentally. Two houses away from his place, he saw a group of people gathered at a corner and shouting at a man, a woman and a young lady. They stayed closed together, drenched and shivering. What was going on? Should he find out or head home? He didn’t like getting wet in the rain. He drove off and stopped in front of the white house. He changed his mind and got out of the car. He approached the crowd and recognized many of them. Most of them lived on that particular street.

“Uncle Bassey,” she tapped him on the shoulder.

“What are you doing out here? Don’t you know you can catch a cold?” he eyed his neighbour’s daughter.

She pouted her lips.

“What is going on here?”

She moved closer to him, “This man, his wife and daughter, have been living in that uncompleted building down the street. The people in the area want them to live.”

His brows creased in a frown. What was their business? “Nobody has a say in this matter except the owner of the building.”

“The sister of the land owner is the one leading the protest.”

“Witchcraft,” he said under his breath.

“They said they don’t have anywhere else to go, but, no one is listening.”

He sighed and approached the stranded family.


“Doctor Bassey…” someone called him from the crowd, “Please tell them to leave or else I will call the police.”

He ignored the person and addressed the family, “Good evening.”

They stared back at him blankly and cringed.

“I live in that house over there,” he pointed at the white house, they followed his gaze, “It is raining, let’s go in… least you catch a cold or something worse, then, we can talk.”

They exchanged glances and looked back at him.

“Please come with me,” he beckoned at them.

They followed him immediately, but, with caution. The crowd watched them and dispersed, but, Chinyere followed the doctor and the strange family. He led them into the building and returned to get his car. He parked the car inside the compound and hurried into the building. He met Chinyere by the stairway.

“Uncle…”

“Not now, not now,” he dashed off.

She stamped her feet on the ground and watched him leave. She wanted to know why he took the family home. What he did was very risky. He didn’t know them from Adam and they were inside his house. She decided to confront him in the morning. She dragged her feet and returned to her flat.

xxxxxx

Bassey led the family into one of the guest rooms.

“Do you have anything to change into?”


They shook their heads.

“Okay, I will be right back,” he hurried away and returned with a pile of clothes. He dumped them on the large bed, “This…” he picked up a
tee-shirt and a pair of black trousers, “It belongs to me…” he sized up the man who looked like he was in his fifties, “I think this will suit you,” he gave it to the man, “The blouses and skirts are for my younger sister, she spends her weekends here sometimes,” he looked at the woman in her forties and the young lady in her mid-twenties.

“Thank you,” they chorused.

“When you have all taken a hot bath, please join me at the dining,” he retreated and found his way out.

The man held hands with his wife and daughter. They were grateful to God for rescuing them from the angry crowd. They had been terrified because they had nowhere else to go that night. The uncompleted building had been their abode for several months. God had sent them an angel and they were grateful.

HEARTSTRINGS

CHAPTER FIVE

He dished the hot steaming catfish pepper soup into four different bowls. He placed the bowls on a big stainless steel tray and carried it out of the kitchen, a step at a time. He navigated his way to the dining and placed the tray on the wooden table. He looked sideways. Where were they? He returned to the kitchen and poured hot milky chocolate beverage into four large mugs. He placed the mugs on a plastic tray and carried it to the dining. He arranged each mug beside each bowl and took a seat. Should he go and call them or wait? He raised his head and glanced at the wall clock. It was past eight. He heard footsteps and turned his head. The dark chocolate skin slim elderly man, about five feet seven inches, approached him. He looked better now that he had freshened up. The red tee-shirt and black trousers was a little bit big for him, but, it wasn’t that noticeable. His wife followed. She was darker, shorter, slimmer and the clothes she was putting on made her look like a clown. He averted his eyes and tried not to laugh. Their daughter walked behind them. Her chocolate brown skin was complimented by the brown fitted blouse and white ‘A’ shaped skirt. She was taller than her parents, probably his height.

He lifted his eyes and met her watchful brown gaze. She was pretty. Her straight dark brown hair graced her shoulders. Was it her real hair or a hair-extension? Women and their weave-on were like inseparable twins. He tore his gaze away and leaned against the wooden chair. They all took their place at the dining and started to eat. The hot soup warmed his body and chased the biting cold away.

“My name is Bassey Etim; I am a Christian and a Dentist by profession. Welcome to my home,” he sipped at the hot liquid.

The elderly man cleared his throat twice, “Oluwatomisin Philips is the name. Thank you for…” he coughed and met Bassey’s encouraging gaze,

“Em… we are grateful.”

He nodded with understanding, “You are welcome sir.”

“Jesutofunmi is my name.”

He turned to look at the man’s wife.

“We are strangers, yet… you accommodated us. God will bless you,” her eyes smarted with tears. Her husband reached out for her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“I am Oluwagbemisola.”

He directed his eyes at the young woman.

“I am the only surviving child of my parents. Thank you for helping us.”

“Thank God.”

They ate in silence for a while, each lost in his and her own thoughts.

“I… I was a business man,” Tomisin finished eating and pushed the empty bowl away, “I dealt in the import and sales of exotic cars here in
Lagos. I brought my best friend into the business and…”

Bassey snorted at the sound of the word ‘best friend’. It seemed best friends all over the world were dealing with their friends mercilessly.

Tofunmi noticed the young man’s angry expression. It was truly a wicked world if his best friend had also hurt him too.

“He took over my business in less than a year. He stole all my customers, manipulated my investors and rendered me penniless…” Tomisin had a lost look on his face.

Bassey pushed his plate away and picked up his half-empty mug of milky chocolate drink. He was beginning to feel very irritated. Why were
people so wicked?

“I couldn’t pay the loans I took at the bank. They claimed my houses, cars, properties, everything was taken from me,” Tomisin’s voice shook.

Misi stopped eating. She could still remember everything that happened to her family like yesterday.

“We… no one… not even family… relatives… friends… no one helped, no one came to our rescue,” tears spilled all over Tomisin’s face.

Bassey’s stomach tightened with pain. He placed the empty mug on the table and swallowed hard.

“I… I lost my children. One after the other, to sickness and hunger…” Tomisin began to weep. His wife started to cry too, “Here we are… no way forward…” he sobbed. His daughter covered her face with her hands and cried.

Bassey pressed his lips together. He breathed out loudly and held back the tears threatening to burst out of his eyes.

“Sir…”

Tomisin looked up at the young man through blurred eyes.

“It is going to be all right. God has not forgotten you,” Bassey’s voice turned hoarse.

Tomisin nodded in agreement. He had not lost his faith in God.

“You can all stay in my house for now. We will put our heads together and think of a way forward.”

“Thank you,” Tomisin whispered. His heart swelled with gratitude.

“Thank you sir,” both women chorused. God had sent them help when they least expected it.

Bassey pushed the chair backwards and got up, “Have a goodnight,” he smiled at them and left the room.

Tomisin held his wife and daughter’s hands. They bowed their heads and said a prayer of thanksgiving.


xxxxxx

Bassey could hardly sleep that night. The Philips family situation lingered on his mind. He called his parents and told them about the Philips. They decided to donate their old clothes. They promised to send it through his younger sister the next day. He called his sister the moment they hung up and asked her to sort her wardrobe and bring everything she wasn’t wearing or using to his place the next day. He also called his brother and asked him to start looking for any vacancy in his place of work. He hoped to get Misi somewhere to work before the end of the week. He would also discuss with his parents about employing Tomisin and Tofunmi. They would be able to start afresh and move on with their lives. He had seen the sign board of a two bedroom flat for rent along the street where his clinic was located. He would check out the place on his way back from work the next day. He had learnt early in life that it was good to be good. One never knew when one would also need help. No man was an island. He felt a bit relieved and at peace with all the plans he had made. He turned on his side and closed his eyes.

xxxxxx

Misi leaned over the sink and washed the dishes. Her parents were fast asleep, but, sleep had evaded her. She couldn’t remember the last time they had a decent meal and bathed with clean water. She had thought she would work in her father’s company as an accountant when she graduated from the university, but her dreams ended when his friend hijacked the firm. The thought of how her siblings died one after the other consumed her. Everyone turned their backs on them, even those who had benefited from her father’s wealth. It was exactly a year since they had been living on the street, jumping from one uncompleted building to the other. She didn’t want to think of what would have happened to them if the doctor had not rescued them from the angry crowd.
God I cannot thank you enough. E se baba.

“E se o o o, baba oluwa, e se, e se, baba oluwa, e se baba, baba wa, baba e se…” she started to sing and dance.

Bassey strode into the kitchen and found her washing the dishes, singing and dancing. He leaned over the refrigerator and watched her with a
smile on his face. Her voice sounded nice to his ears. He knew the song she was singing, although he doesn’t know the meaning. He had heard
it in church a number of times. She appeared graceful as she moved left, then right, swirling her hips, lost to the world.
Instinctively, Misi sensed that she wasn’t alone. She turned around and found the doctor in the kitchen watching her. She stood still and heard the throbbing of her heart. The loud thuds echoed in her ears.

He walked over to the cabinet beside the sink and opened one of the drawers. He brought out a tin of Milo and a tin of Dano milk. He set it on the table and reached out for one of the mugs she had just washed.

She returned her attention to the sink. She wanted to finish washing the dishes, but, her hands refused to respond to the message her brain
had passed.

I have made a fool of myself. What does he think of me now? He found a crazy girl dancing in his kitchen. Misi, Misi, Misi oooo!

She exhaled loudly when he left after making himself a hot mug of chocolate drink. She bit at her lower lip and started to rinse the bowls she had washed. His face flashed through her mind’s eyes. She recollected that he was actually smiling when he caught her dancing. She made a sign of relief. He definitely didn’t think she was crazy.

xxxxxx

Bassey emptied the mug and placed it on the bedside drawer. He changed into his boxers and returned to the bed. Misi’s dancing figure flashed through his mind’s eye. He smiled and closed his eyes. He liked it when people knew how to praise their God. A heart full of thanksgiving was much more valuable than gold. He drifted off to sleep and dreamt about a woman singing and dancing. She called his name and asked him to join her.

Friends......... May Hod direct us.

Friends......... May God direct us.

No friend again jareh,no friend,no trust
Thanks sis
Bassey is going to find love again..Hulala

@princessadeola... Amen!
@queenitee... *hugs*

queenitee:
No friend again jareh,no friend,no trust
Thanks sis
Bassey is going to find love again..Hulala

Am Telling You!!!
*(M.T.N-everywhere You Go..) i Don Come Again...Lolz..
Mehn..Shewrites You're The Bomb!!! I Love Your Story Like Say Na Honey... #following This Story Like Mad
*more Ideas To Yah Story..

Such is life the world knows you when you have made it and not when you are struggling. Beautiful piece SheWrites more wisdom to you.