Good story.

It was several minutes past nine when he got home. Yeni was listening to the local news on the television when he stepped inside the sitting-room. He was later than his normal late normal late time, she pointed out as soon as he had given her the customary kiss.

Jide already had a lie ready. He ran into an old friend who had just come England and who had invited him for a drink at a post hotel, he said glibly.

He went on to change his clothes and to take a shower.

‘I’ve something very important to tell you,’ she began, once he returned to the sitting-room.

‘I hope it’s not so serious.’

‘I really don’t know.’ She shrugged. ‘The fact is I’m confused.’

Jide became confused too. He knew her to be strong and looking ruffled as she did, meant something was indeed wrong somewhere. She was always a cool one who seldom let the vagaries of life bother her, at least on the surface. If she looked ruffled, then it meant she was really ruffled.

‘Tell me.’ He pulled her close to him on the sofa.

‘Well, it’s ….’ The words faded off. She was angry with herself. Why was she finding it so difficult to say? Was it a crime to have an ex-lover?

She told him everything, from when she first met Biyi at the university to the time when he left the country for South Africa with his crazy, passionate vow.

Now, he had made a sudden, dramatic return and he was asking for something, which was ridiculous to say the least. He had been pestering her with phone calls, she said, and she was becoming seriously harassed by his actions.

Jide was rapt in attention as he listened. He allowed her to finish the story before he ventured asking anything.

‘How come you’ve never mentioned him before now? How come you’ve even for once talked about him?’ he demanded.

Yeni was full of apologies. ‘I never thought I would be bothered by him again. I had thought he had gone for good and had found love in another lady.’

‘And how did he get your number?’

‘Only God knows,’ she answered honestly.

There was a moment of silence.

‘Did he tell you where he’s staying right now? Do you know?’

‘I don’t know. The hotel where I met him this morning was Accordia Hotel at Ikeja, but I can’t be sure that he lodges there.’

‘I will need to have the number which he used to call you.’

She nodded. ‘That will be no problem.’

He was thoughtful for a while.

‘Next time he calls, try to find out where he stays. I’ll see what I can do about him, but you be very careful.’

Biyi must be out of his mind, she thought later as she tried to sleep over Jide’s assurances. She felt confidence over her hubby’s words. After all, what are husbands for, if not to stand by spouse when the need arises?

She mustn’t be bothered, Jide had said.

Tomorrow, he had said he would do something about it. She chose to believe him. That night, she had a not so good dream about a vindictive lover.


* * *


Around ten o’clock the following morning, after Jide had long gone to work with more assurance about taking care of her and warding off any miscreant, Yeni received a package brought by an express courier firm. She took it to the bedroom, wondering where the package had come from.

Gingerly, she unwrapped it. There was a box with another attractive colorful wrapping papers. When she finally opened the box, it contained two smaller ones that bore the name, Cartier, on them.

There was a ring and a twelve-carat gold wristwatch. There was also a very short not handwritten: With Love from Biyi.

Yeni was perplexed. For some seconds, her mind was blank as she didn’t know what to make of what she had just received. She left everything on the center rug in the bedroom and went downstairs to the dinning-room.

A kettle of hot water and a pack of coffee were waiting for her. She took the coffee with little milk and no sugar, allowing the hot drink to clear her thinking. It was only after some minutes that her mind returned to Biyi and his crazy pranks.


You can get full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/above_the_shadows/29529

Biyi, leave Yeni oooo
Jide get his problem for body

Thanks for the update

Thanks for the update .

Ann2012:
Biyi, leave Yeni oooo
Jide get his problem for body

Thanks for the update

Jide don even try sef, if it's some jealous men, immediately she made mention of visiting her ex in a hotel pim, fight don start!

Aunty Yeni, please just return the box to the sender and get a restraining order. If he wants to be mad, show him that madness does not run in his family alone.

Don't open your eyes and let one South Africa returned exlover to pour sand inside your garri.

As for brother Jide, may the Almighty God grant you sense and contentment. I don't know if they are doing you or you are doing yourself.


Takes a deep breath and puts on a Bree Van de Kamp smile.


Well done, Wura Serano. I'm enjoying this work. I would have loved to purchase your work but mama is on holiday and cash flow has ceased. I guess I just have to wait for the small small appetizers you're giving us.


Lovely job, b.

izaray:

Jide don even try sef, if it's some jealous men, immediately she made mention of visiting her ex in a hotel pim, fight don start!

Actually. I was already afraid he would make a mountain out of it

millieademi:
Aunty Yeni, please just return the box to the sender and get a restraining order. If he wants to be mad, show him that madness does not run in his family alone.

Don't open your eyes and let one South Africa returned exlover to pour sand inside your garri.

As for brother Jide, may the Almighty God grant you sense and contentment. I don't know if they are doing you or you are doing yourself.


Takes a deep breath and puts on a Bree Van de Kamp smile.


Well done, Wura Serano. I'm enjoying this work. I would have loved to purchase your work but mama is on holiday and cash flow has ceased. I guess I just have to wait for the small small appetizers you're giving us.


Lovely job, b.

Many thanks, dear, for your interest. Your comments go a long way to encourage. �

Nice story.

Around ten o’clock the following morning, after Jide had long gone to work with more assurance about taking care of her and warding off any miscreant, Yeni received a package brought by an express courier firm. She took it to the bedroom, wondering where the package had come from.

Gingerly, she unwrapped it. There was a box with another attractive colorful wrapping papers. When she finally opened the box, it contained two smaller ones that bore the name, Cartier, on them.

There was a ring and a twelve-carat gold wristwatch. There was also a very short not handwritten: With Love from Biyi.

Yeni was perplexed. For some seconds, her mind was blank as she didn’t know what to make of what she had just received. She left everything on the center rug in the bedroom and went downstairs to the dinning-room.

A kettle of hot water and a pack of coffee were waiting for her. She took the coffee with little milk and no sugar, allowing the hot drink to clear her thinking. It was only after some minutes that her mind returned to Biyi and his crazy pranks.

She was convinced that he was crazy to be doing all these. This was a case of obsession, wasn’t it? She had only read about such a thing in novels and magazines, and watched them in movies.

Now, it appeared that fantasy was translating into reality – some odious reality for her.

After taking her coffee, she returned to the bedroom, picked up the unwanted gifts and examined them one after the other. The box that bore them contained no address as the sender’s own.

The products were genuine and exotic and they must have caused the buyer some fortune. Did he really expect her to accept these – gifts that were, in her opinion, worse than Greek gifts? Must Biyi taunt her this way?

She was suddenly afraid that he might be up to some terrible mischief if he carried on with his desire of possessing her.

She cringed at the thought of the word, possess. She wasn’t a property and nobody was going to stampede her into any passionate submission, old lover or not.

She put the ring and the wristwatch back inside the box and dropped the box on the bedside table.

Just for some seconds, she allowed her mind to think up agreeing with him. That meant divorcing and leaving Jide to face an uncertain future in South Africa. Intuitively, she scoffed at the absurdity.

Four years ago, going with Biyi would have been the most sensible thing to do. Then, it would have been perceived as an exhilarating experience to travel with him and play the role of glamorous and alluring Princess.

Three years ago, it would have been such a pleasant relief that he had come for her.
But now, things had totally changed and rather than being an attractive desire, it was repelling.

She had started another course of life for about two years now and nobody was going to deviate her from the course she was charting. Her telephone started to ring.

She allowed it to do so. But, maybe she should check the caller first. It was her husband.

‘Hello, darling,’ he greeted. ‘Hope no problem. How’s everything?’

‘There’s no problem,’ she replied. ‘How’s everything over there?’

‘Well, all is well. There’s no problem at all.’

‘Oh, good to hear that.’

‘Has that guy called you again?’

‘No, but there’s another development.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Just some moments ago, I received a parcel through a courier service. It contained a precious gold wristwatch and a ring. It was a gift from him. He put his name there but no address.’

There was silence from the end of the line.
‘Hello?’ Yeni prompted.

‘Wow. You mean he sent that to you? The guy is really a nut case.’

‘Sure, you’re right.’

‘And he’s daring. He not only has your number; he also knows your residence address.’

‘Yes, it’s serious.’

There was another pause. ‘Well, I still think there’s nothing to worry about,’ he said.

‘There’s no need you fret yourself over nothing. He’s only playing some practical jokes. I’m sure he’ll only harass you a bit and give up the pranks.’

She nodded agreement and wished she could totally believe him. If Biyi was his old self, it would not be easy.

She however kept these lurid thoughts to herself and allowed herself to believe what her husband was saying.

‘Just ignore him. Cut him off completely and don’t do anything as silly as seeing him again. I think very soon, he’ll come to his senses.’

Again she nodded. ‘Yes,’ she muttered.


You can download full story from:
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Thanks for the update.

Thanks for the update

Biyi should be kept at arms length

Nice story.

Good story.

Nice one. Thanks

She nodded agreement and wished she could totally believe him. If Biyi was his old self, it would not be easy. She however kept these lurid thoughts to herself and allowed herself to believe what her husband was saying.

‘Just ignore him. Cut him off completely and don’t do anything as silly as seeing him again. I think very soon, he’ll come to his senses.’

Again she nodded. ‘Yes,’ she muttered.
‘Well, I just called to know if everything is well. Stay cool and don’t be unnecessarily disturbed.’

She mumbled her thanks and the line was disengaged. Thereafter, she occupied herself by reading and trying to shut Biyi out of her mind, at least for now.


* * *

The only truth about what Biyi said was that he was in the Republic of South Africa. There was no truth whatsoever in his claim that he had been a student and that he had undergone a tough time in combining being a student with doing shift jobs.

When he claimed he was in Johannesburg, he was actually in Soweto. The fact was he had done some jobs including cab driving.

Life had been quite tough and he was beginning to have some disillusionment about coming to R.S.A. like several other foreigners who found themselves in similar situation, he tried to make the best out of the odds and oddity.

He wasn’t making much headway, or so it appeared. The discontentment led to one thing and the other, and before he knew it, he was enmeshed in big time fraud.

He became a member of a syndicate that specialized in credit and internet fraud. It was a bit-time fraud for them and it brought massive lucre. For about three years now, he had been living large and having the fun of his life.

He however knew that he must be very cautious. The long hands of the law were always to be wary of.

Some weeks ago, things had become really hot for him. Apart from the looming fears of xenophobia, his syndicate had really come under the klieg light, so he had to be on the move.

He had come to Nigeria to ‘cool off his feet.’ He remembered his old love, Yeni, made some discreet findings and had contacted her.

Crazy as hell was how some of his associates used to describe him. The situation, really, wasn’t getting any better.

Years of flirting with diabolism were certainly bringing the worst out of him as a virtuous – a deadly one with sickened mind.
For the past one week, he had arrived Lagos and had been putting up in a suite at the Accordia Hotel.

None of his relatives actually knew that he was around, and apart from making contacts with some reliable old friends, he had largely kept to himself. This was apart from the ladies he had been keeping for the nights.

Tonight, he had another plan to pick up a girl. He had picked the last one at Maryland, and that one had proved to be damned good in bed. He wasn’t exactly lustful today. He had some other plans for the lady he would pick up later in the day.


You can get the full download at: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/above_the_shadows/29529

Well done OP

Nice story

Nice story.

I knew this Biyi guy was bad news.

Aunty Wura, this is not fair o. Such a short update.

Loved it nonetheless. I hope Jide doesn't push Yeni into the hands of the chupacabra.

Ann2012:
Well done OP

Thanks for your interest

millieademi:
I knew this Biyi guy was bad news.

Aunty Wura, this is not fair o. Such a short update.

Loved it nonetheless. I hope Jide doesn't push Yeni into the hands of the chupacabra.

Ann2012:
Well done OP

Thanks for your interest. God bless .

Many hours later, the sitting-room and his bedroom were furnished and decorated. It wasn’t really lavish but it was nice and comfortable. He loved to get things done, and he was getting things done.

That was what really mattered. His next plan was to look for a good eatery around and have a good meal. After that, he would look for a girl. Yes, he needed a girl, before his next move.

* * *

Roli came in to see her good friend, Yeni, around seven o’clock in the evening. They were intimate friends and often confided in each other.

They had been friends since their undergraduate days and they were still friends. Together with Nike, Yeni and Roli made a striking trio. Still, it could be observed that Yeni and Roli were closer.

‘You’ve been avoiding our house,’ Roli said as soon as she settled down. She and Yeni were in the living-room where the latter had been since afternoon lounging and watching the movies channel.

‘You must pardon me,’ Yeni returned. ‘It’s as a result of this and that.’

‘Ah, this and that. I think I understand.’

‘Don’t be mischievous. What will you have? Your usual?’

‘Of course.’

That usual was a bottle of malt. Yeni also asked the maid to bring a bottle of peanuts. As Roli sipped her drinks, the cool, old music of Seal’s A kiss of the Rose was played on the Akai CD sound system.

‘Can you please increase the volume of the music. I very much like the track,’ Roli said.

Yeni nodded and increased the volume through the remote control.

‘So, how is your husband and the family?’

Yeni asked. ‘How’s little Sharon?’

Sharon was the only child that Roli had, so far.

‘They are all fine, we thank God. And how’s Jide?’

Yeni smiled. ‘He’s fine. Everything would have been very fine, except for this little problem.’

Roli put the bottle of the drinks on the stool. ‘Problem? What problem is that?’

Yeni allowed a meaningful pause. ‘Do you remember Biyi?’

Roli made a scowl. ‘Biyi, your former lover? Who would forget him?’

‘Well, he has come back.’

‘Come back from where?’

‘He has returned from his trip to South Africa. He’s now making the queer request that I marry him.’

‘What!’ Roli could not mask her astonishment. ‘Well, didn’t you tell him? Didn’t you tell him that you’re married?’

Yeni sighed. ‘I told him. I let him know that I’m now happily married, but he remains adamant. He said he has come to take me away as his lovingly wedded wife and I should divorce Jide.’

‘He must be crazy. So, after making you wait for him for years, and after the disappointment, he has the gut to come around now and still claim that he wants to marry you. Can’t he realize that it’s too late for that?’

‘I wonder o. His case tires me.’

Roli took more from her drinks. ‘So, what are you going to do now? By the way, has Jide known about all this?’

Yeni nodded meaningfully. ‘Yes, he knows. I had to tell him everything. As for what I will do, what else will I do other than tell Biyi to go to hell.’

It was Roli’s turn to nod. ‘You’re right. You have done the right thing. If I were in your position, I would not only tell him to go to hell, I would give him a dirty slap for daring to make me wait and for keeping me in the lurch. That’s what a guy like him deserves.’

Yeni chuckled. It was comical to hear Roli say what she had just said. She knew Roli very well.

Roli once had a break up with Alfred, her love. She was so miffed about his behavior that she vowed never to take him back.

Alfred only made a phone call to apologize for the misdemeanor, and Roli warmly welcomed him back. But maybe that was a different case.

The two friends remained together for another thirty minutes before Roli stood up to go.

‘Thanks for coming, Roli. It’s always a pleasure to have you around. This weekend, Jide and I will likely pay you a visit.’

‘It’s okay, o. You people are always welcome, anytime, any day.’

Yeni accompanied her to her car parked in the lot. Roli slid behind the wheel of the Toyota Corolla car and kicked the engine to life.

‘Drive carefully, dear,’ Yeni said. ‘Remember not to over-speed.’

Roli nearly winced. How could she ever over-speed? Since she learnt how to drive, she was always doing so at snail speed.

Audu opened the gate for her. Slowly, she drove out of the house.


* * *

An hour after Roli had gone, Jide came home. He looked tired and not totally unruffled. Yeni was quick to notice his state.

‘The day must have been very tedious, darling, she commented.

‘You can say that again. Everything happened in such a robotic way.’

He changed from his office wears to casuals. Soon, he was taking his dinner of fried rice and fried plantain. Thereafter, the couple retired to their bedroom. There were many things nagging at his mind and he felt he must unburden them, at least some of them.

‘Biyi didn’t call again?’ he asked

‘No. Maybe he has called off his sentimental and crazy bluff.’

He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’

She turned to stare at him. ‘Why did you say that?’

‘I think that guy is even crazier than we think. I received my own courier mail from him in the office this afternoon. The guy even knows my office address! He sent an express letter in which he thanked me for taking care of his wife all the while; and in which he wanted me to hand off you.’

Yeni was genuinely surprised. ‘He did that?’

"Yes, dear.’

She felt an involuntary shake. ‘My God, what do we do?’

‘Nothing, for now.’ He held her and soothed her body. ‘But, I need to know some things. I need to know if there’s anything else between the two of you, which you haven’t told me. It might have been an oversight, or whatever. Is there anything else?’

She shook her head miserably. What else could she say now? What kind of additional information did he want? She was confused.

‘Were you ever engaged to him?’ he continued. ‘Were you ever married to him, perhaps in the traditional way?’


You can get full download from: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/above_the_shadows/29529

Aunty Wura, this is no love or war and this is most definitely unfair. Cutting it short at the juiciest part.

I enjoyed it nonetheless. Can't wait for the next update.

The suspense is killing

Thanks for the update

millieademi:
Aunty Wura, this is no love or war and this is most definitely unfair. Cutting it short at the juiciest part.

I enjoyed it nonetheless. Can't wait for the next update.

Thanks so much for your interest.

izaray:
The suspense is killing

Thanks for the update

Biyi is so annoying

Thanks for the update

A nice story you have here.

CasNova:
A nice story you have here.

Agreed.

‘Drive carefully, dear,’ Yeni said. ‘Remember not to over-speed.’

Roli nearly winced. How could she ever over-speed? Since she learnt how to drive, she was always doing so at snail speed.

Audu opened the gate for her. Slowly, she drove out of the house.


* * *

An hour after Roli had gone, Jide came home. He looked tired and not totally unruffled. Yeni was quick to notice his state.

‘The day must have been very tedious, darling, she commented.

‘You can say that again. Everything happened in such a robotic way.’

He changed from his office wears to casuals. Soon, he was taking his dinner of fried rice and fried plantain.

Thereafter, the couple retired to their bedroom. There were many things nagging at his mind and he felt he must unburden them, at least some of them.

‘Biyi didn’t call again?’ he asked.

‘No. Maybe he has called off his sentimental and crazy bluff.’

He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’

She turned to stare at him. ‘Why did you say that?’

‘I think that guy is even crazier than we think. I received my own courier mail from him in the office this afternoon. The guy even knows my office address! He sent an express letter in which he thanked me for taking care of his wife all the while; and in which he wanted me to hand off you.’

Yeni was genuinely surprised. ‘He did that?’

‘Yes, dear.’

She felt an involuntary shake. ‘My God, what do we do?’

‘Nothing, for now.’ He held her and soothed her body. ‘But, I need to know some things. I need to know if there’s anything else between the two of you, which you haven’t told me. It might have been an oversight, or whatever. Is there anything else?’

She shook her head miserably. What else could she say now? What kind of additional information did he want? She was confused.

‘Were you ever engaged to him?’ he continued.

‘Were you ever married to him, perhaps in the traditional way?’

‘No, no, no.’ The tears came and she was weeping uncontrollably. Must passion always bring with it dejections and heartaches?

Jide soothed her again. ‘I’m sorry I asked. I felt at this point, I needed to know the absolute truth.’

She nodded without saying a word. It was right of him to grill her with questions now. That was all right. The problem with it was that it brought sad and unwanted memories.

She felt stupid about Biyi; she felt she had largely been behaving like a fool.

There was enough handwriting on the wall to call it quit with him when she had discovered that he was a member of a secret cult in the university.

She should have been bold enough that time to call off the relationship, she reasoned. Rather, she tagged along with him.

Then, he had been rusticated over his utterly unruly behavior. Even then, Yeni still believed him and still thought all was for love.

If Biyi had loved her as he professed, would he have gone to S.A and forgotten her close to four years, would he still have come back only to give nothing but headache and distress?

Bah! She had been silly. Perhaps. It was youthful exuberance. Anyway, all those things had gone now and she had to face the challenges of life ahead. She had to face the future.

‘I’m sorry. Darling,’ she said. ‘It’s so unfair to put you in this mess.’

He smiled wanly and squeezed her in a loving and assuring manner. ‘It’s alright. It’s one of those things. Don’t worry.’

‘You won’t be so mad with as to leave, will you?’ she felt it was the most absurd question to ask and she felt silly.

Jide laughed mirthlessly. ‘I should be the one to ask if you now want to leave me for him. As for me, there can’t be such a thing. Why should I leave you to an unfeeling, selfish guy?’

She hugged him as if her life depended on it. ‘Oh, Jide, I love you so much. I don’t ever – ever – want to lose you.’

‘I’m for you for better or for worse,’ he reassured.

They were still entangled. She felt vulnerable, with things around, but not with Jide. He made the difference.

He would still her love and he would never abandon her. He would love her until the end. Her sleep that night was blissful.


You can download full story at: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/above_the_shadows/29529

It's has been a while. Welcome back.

Thanks for the update

Interesting.