Divepen1:
Do avoid mentioning names the way you're doing...

Will take note. Thanks.

Episode 5 Indomie vs Jollof Rice


Seyifunmi put on her car radio and tuned in to her favorite show, not just because she wanted to catch up on the show, but also to drown out the noise of the men in her back seat arguing who was better- Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The woman in the passenger seat smiled at her and mouthed, "Thank you."

Adekunle Gold's Sade filled the car and soon the argument died.

"My babe loves this song and I don't understand why!" One of the men, Victor, said. "What is even so special about this Adekunle Gold guy?!"

"Ehn!" The lady in front shouted and turned in her seat to face the shell shocked man.

"Abeg, no talk am again. Don't. Just don't. You can say Real Madrid is the only club in La Liga but don't come near my AG. I take God beg you!"

Seyifunmi and the other man burst into laughter.

"Pat, na so you like AG reach?" The second man, Usman, said.

"I love am, no be like!" The lady said and turned to face the windshield.

Seyifunmi's giggled and continued driving.

"Seyifunmi, do you share the same sentiments?" Victor asked.

Seyifunmi shrugged. "I just like his music. I'm no stan like Pattie."

Pattie hissed, "Na una sabi."

The other three burst into laughter and enjoyed the song. The song came to a slow end as Seyifunmi drove into a standstill on the Third Mainland Bridge.

She sighed as her mind returned to the incident that happened over the weekend and she tuned out her colleagues.

She'd hoped Dele would propose but apparently, he didn't. And to make matters worse, her mother called and gave her another tongue-lashing this morning. Was Dele just playing with her? In another three months, their relationship would be four years, if she started counting from the day they met and the time they spent apart.

Was she a joke to him?

"Welcome back to your favorite relationship show, Lara and Tara Show, where we give you advice no one else can give you-" one of the OAPs started and snapped Seyifunmi out of her thoughts.

"And tell it to you like no one else can," the other continued.

"So, we have two more messages to answer. But before we get to that, this is African Queen by 2face, as requested by Reyhan for his lovely Iman. Iman, this is for you." The first lady said.

"We'll be right back. This is Lara"

"And Tara." The first lady said.

"And this is Kiss FM. We'll be right back."

African Queen played with Pattie singing along. Seyifunmi wondered if she could ask Lara and Tara for advice. She shook her head. Maybe she was just blowing things out of proportion. Besides, Sister Liza, her immediate older sister, dated her husband for six years before he proposed.

"So, now, we have a message from Wonuola from Lere and her message goes thus," Lara began, "'L and T, how are you doing? I love your show and I love you too'"

"We love you more, babe!" Tara replied. "XXXXX and plenty Os too"

"'I'm in a big dilemma and I need your advice. My husband cheated on me-" Lara continued.

"Gbam!" Tara commented.

The car went into utter silence as they listened in rapt attention.

"With his secretary!" Lara read out in an exaggerated sigh.

Pattie hissed.

"'He claims it was an accident!" Lara read out.

"Accident ko, accident ni!" Pattie commented.

"Make we hear na!" Usman said as Lara continued to read.

"He says it was a mistake, happened once when he went to eat in her house while I was on a six month refresher course-"

"Wetin he find go im secretary house?" Pattie asked and Seyifunmi and Victor shushed her.

"He confessed to me. Should I forgive him?" Lara finished.

"Before!" Tara commented. "Babes, it's obvious your man loves you. I mean he confessed. That should count for something. Forgive him."


"Babe, you were away on a six month refresher course. Body no be firewood nau and he came clean. He deserves a second chance." Lara said.

"My area sis used to say, ' Cook for your husband, because once he starts eating from another woman's cooking pot, it's only a matter of time before he starts eating from her honeypot as well.'" Tara said and everyone in the car burst into laughter.

"We are not excusing or justifying cheating. Wonuola, we are not. But let's be factual-" Lara started but Tara cut her short.

"This is why women should teach their son's how to cook. I mean, if men knew how to cook then this problem of she enticed me with food will not be there."

"I was just about to say that, Tara. Really, I don't get why women don't teach their sons how to cook. I honestly don't get it!" Lara emphasized with her voice strained.

The two ladies went on about the sexism in homes and later reiterated their advise to Wonuola to forgive her husband.

"Lastly, we have Imogen from Ibeju-Lekki." Lara read out. "Lara, Tara, I need your advice. I'm crying in pain as I write this."

"Wetin happen?" Tara asked in concern.

"I've been living in with my boyfriend for the past five years. More like he was living with me in my apartment. His uncle kicked him out from his house where he was squatting here in Lagos. He said he loved me and we would get married. I fed this guy for the years he was jobless till he got a job with NNPC. I thought once he got financially stable, we'd get married. He's earning more than I do but he did not proposed. I went to work one day and I came back to meet an empty apartment. He'd moved out. He refused to pick my calls or reply to my messages. And now, I heard he's taken another lady to meet his parents and they're getting married next week. Lara and Tara,I had four abortions for this guy-"

"Ahh!" Everybody in the car shouted.

"He called me and just broke up with me. No explanations. No apologies. What should I do?" Lara said.

"He he he!" Tara laughed clapping, "Wonders shall never end. Babe, there are two possible things to do. Number one. Gate-crash that wedding, make a scene he and his wife will never forget. Even till their fiftieth wedding anniversary. That is if they last that long. After that hook up with one of his friends or better yet rivals."

Lara giggled and said, "Number two. You can first go to MFM for deliverance or any church where they will wash your head well. Maybe they can deliver you from lust, blind love and stupidity. Babe, four abortions? We don't judge but really? If not for anything, first go and ask God for forgiveness. Next, after you've completed the deliverance, go and buy yourself Steve Harvey's Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man and Sherry Argov's Why Men Love Bitches and Why Men Marry Bitches. Read them. Digest them. Let them be ingrained in your consciousness. Then maybe move to a different state and then, you can start afresh."

"And when you start that new relationship, be celibate and sincere with him. Let him know your past once he proves himself and earns your trust." Tara added.

"So, Imogen, you'll be alright. The heartbreak will hurt like a bitch at first but you'll get through." Lara added.

"So, that's all for today. Before we go, we have to announce the winners of our Twitter contest." Tara chimed in a singsong manner.

Seyifunmi crossed her fingers hoping she won.

"Surprisingly, they are both guys" Lara announced and Seyifunmi groaned.

Another contest she didn't win.

"So, Isaac Samson from Omole and Charles Idowu from Okota, congratulations. You both won copies of John Gray's The Sacred Marriage and Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. You can redeem your prizes at our office here at Jibowu, Lagos." Tara announced.

"Today is Matchmaking Monday." Lara said and Tara burst into applause. "That means one lucky guy got hooked up by yours truly with one lucky girl and they both won an expense paid movie at Genesis Cinema. Proudly sponsored by the new dating app in town Linx XOXO."

"So, today, our winners are Chelsea Sunday and William Agbakogba." Tara announced.

"Interesting surname." Lara said

"I was thinking the same thing."

"Anyway, that's a wrap for today. You know the drill. If you want to be match made by the relationship experts-"

"That's us." Lara interjected.

"Send us an email at landtrelationshipadvice@kissfm.com. You can catch us same time, same station, next week. Until then,"

"Bye." The two ladies sang together.

An advert came on air and Seyifunmi reduced the volume. Pattie tsked and shook her head.

"Men can be wicked at times!" She sighed.

Seyifunmi raised her brow and started her vehicle, thankful the standstill had started moving.

If she was being candid,the girl was at fault.

"Woman!" Usman commented. "She has started generalizing.

Pattie turned in her seat to face Usman. "Is it not true? How can a man string a lady on for five years, have her abort four times for him and not still marry her?"

Victor cleared his throat and said, "Let's be factual. The girl is stupid. How will you abort up to four times for a man who shows no signs of seriousness? After the first one, you kept sleeping with him till he got you pregnant four times in five years? The guy wash her head!"

"I don't understand how people will be having sex outside marriage. Especially ladies. I mean I married as a virgin." Pattie commented and sat back in her seat.

Seyifunmi turned to look at her.

"Yes!" Pattie affirmed. "And because I told my husband there was going to be no show till he put a ring on it and walked me down the aisle and we said our vows, he got his head on straight. After a year of dating, sharpsharp, he proposed, we did intromimo, before six months, I was already his legally married wife."

Really? That got her married?

"I mean, if you're giving a man free food, he will most definitely not want to pay for it!" Pattie continued.

Was that why Dele was hesitant to propose? Because they had sex regularly?

"Sister Pattie, I want to grab your logic," Victor teased laughing, "So this our brother that was getting free food for five years, why e kon go pay for food?"

"Abeg, if somebody dey give you free Indomie and you kon see better party jollof wey you fit afford, you no go buy am?" Pattie said and the men burst into laughter, much to Seyifunmi's horror.

Was Dele going to leave her for a better party jollof rice?

Was she going to be his left over Indomie?

No, seyi, you're not a left over. Just hold on 4 some time. Please.

Seyi be calming down johr, if you weren't snooping, I'm sure Dele wont have changed his order

millieademi:



Some people put hardboiled eggs in salads. My mum does and I totally love it.


As per ship names, bring them on, cause I don't know what to name their ship.

I was going with DeMi.

Anyhow sha

I was already thinking of coleslaw's sha, hard boiled eggs isn't a bad idea at all
DeMi is really nice actually but there's also #DeYi #LeSe #DeFu sounds weird, I think I'll just settle with #DeMi

Had to go back to Greek mythology small during Seyi and Ro's banter in the kitchen chapter
All in all, you're doing well, ooiiinn
ಠ ೧ ಠ

Thanks for the mention love. I'm well seated!

Ann2012:
FantasticJ Prudysara Culin Emex100 Tweetyyy join the train oooo

Episode 6 - This ship must put to sea

Dele frowned, puzzled as he read Seyifunmi's text. He had been worried sick when he got home last night and didn't meet her. He tried calling her, but she didn't pick up her calls. He resorted to calling Rosanna, who told him Seyifunmi had been working late and came in around after eleven.

He'd been expecting her to call him this morning. He only got a lousy text from her around after one in the afternoon, saying she would not be coming over that weekend.

He dialed her number and he waited for her to pick up. If she would.

"Hello." She said.

"Hello." He waited for her to apologise or say something but the line was quiet as she kept mute. Irritation revved up within him.

Calm down, Dele. Just be calm.

"How are you doing?"

"Good. You?"

"I'm not good. I was worried sick. I thought something had happened to you. Why didn't you text me or something?" He stated, trying not to sound edgy.

"I was busy. Sorry."

"To send a text to your boyfriend?"

"Look, Dele, now's not a good time. I'm in a terrible mood and I want to be alone. Let's talk later." Seyifunmi said and hung up.

Dele pulled the phone away in shock. What was wrong with her? Why was she so saucy?

He shrugged. He didn't do anything wrong. Maybe she got irritated at work and needed to cool off.

"Dele, let's go!" Tinu said as she walked up to him.

He had come with her to inspect some of the property Chris left her. The rundown resort, part of the chain of hotels and restaurants Chris owned, was making more loss than gain, and Tinu was considering selling it off.

He doubted anyone would see the place as a fixer-upper. It would take lots of funds to get it up and running again.

He nodded and they walked together to the parking lot. Tinu pulled down her shades propped up in her hair as the sun shine over them. He wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. The heat sizzled the back of his neck.

This Badagry sun get as e be.

"So, I need a favor to ask you." Dele said.

"What is it?" She stopped and asked.

"I've figured out how to propose to Seyifunmi."

Tinu squealed and hugged him. He cringed and realized where Tomini got it from.

"So what are you going to do?" She asked and linked their arms together and led him to the car.

"It's a secret for now but I need your interior decorating skills. Figured I should take advantage now, before your company registration is complete." Dele said laughing.

She eyed him and said, "Cheapskate. Anyway, for the DeMi ship, I'll do it without professional charges."

"Wow. Thanks."

"You deserve to be happy, Dele." She said as they got to their car. He opened the passenger door for her and she slipped in. She stopped him from closing it and said, "Really."

He smiled and said, "Thank you."

He shut the door and rushed to enter his car. He started the vehicle and put the AC on full blast.

*******
Dele stood patiently as he heard the shuffling of feet. The door swung open and he heard a soft gasp of surprise as his eyes met hers.

"Dele, what are you doing here?" She asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

Two weekends had gone by and she didn't come over. After not seeing each other for two weeks, this was not the reaction he was expecting.

"Can I at least come in?" He asked and sighed. "Please."

She pursed her lips and nodded. She stepped aside and he walked in. He walked to the nearest sofa and took a seat.

"Why are you here?" Seyifunmi asked as she locked the door.

"Because I feel like there's an ish between us and we haven't settled it. Ever since I showed you the gift I bought my mum, you've acting weird. Is there something I did wrong?" He stated.

Her blank eyes looked down and she shook her head. She looked up and opened her mouth. She stopped.

"Dele, I'm sorry. It's just I'm having a lot of issues at work. Damilola and her cronies are making work a living hell. I just lashed out and on the wrong person. For that, I'm sorry." She apologized with tears in her eyes.

His brows furrowed as he stood to hug her. Her tears fell faster and she sobbed in his arms.

Was it that bad?

"It's okay." Dele pacified.

She shook her head with her hands clutching his shirt.

"No, it's not. I can't take it anymore. It's so tough waiting. And soon I'll become the junk nobody wants-"

Junk?

"What are you talking about?" He asked as he tried to pull away.

Her breath caught and she held him tighter.

"Don't leave me!" Seyifunmi said. "Please."

"Seyifunmi, you're scaring me. You're not coherent. Isn't this about Damilola and your job?" He asked.

She sniffled and pulled away.

"Sorry. It must be my period driving me crazy." She said and wiped her tears.

"Seyifunmi, are you okay?"

She nodded and smiled. "Are you hungry? I made jollof rice."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

She nodded.

"If you are sure, then I believe you."

She smiled and said, "You care for rice?"

"Yes , please."

Her smile widened and she pulled his hand to lead him to the dining.

Oya pass the jollof

Jollof on the net.... She wants to be the party jollof and not the left over indomie...



Great work!!

Episode 7 - Cooking pots and Honeypots Part 1


Dele rolled over and reached out to hold Seyifunmi. His hands caught empty space. He palmed the bed for her only touched the cotton sheets. His lids flew open as he mentally counted what day it was.

A sigh of relief left him as he remembered it was still Saturday. He still had two days with her before she was gone for the week. The door of his en suite opened and Seyifunmi stepped out wearing work clothes. He sat up and counted the days again.

It was still Saturday.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

She smirked and said, "What am I going to do with your short term memory? Today's my promotion interview."

"Oh!"

She shook her head. " I can't believe you forgot." She walked to the vanity. She stared at her reflection and adjusted the puffs from where her brown, brocade patterned chiffon blouse was tucked into her black, tube skirt. She patted her weave which was pulled back into a French twist. She picked up a vial of perfume oil and rolled it on her wrists, neck and behind her ears. She dropped the bottle in her black, quilted saddlebag and turned around to face him.

"How do I look?"

He smiled as he assessed her from head to toe.

"Like you're gonna kill that interview." He said and she grinned.

"I have to get going. I've already placed the fried rice on the counter in the kitchen," she said as she placed the gold chain strap of her bag on her shoulder, "Warm it in the microwave."

"Okay." He said as he reached for his phone.

She pursed her lips and said, "Dele, if you don't want to eat the rice, don't let my food waste. Put it back in the freezer."

He groaned, "I said okay, na!"

She shrugged and said, "You were the one who asked me to bring it. Sha, don't let it waste."

He rolled his eyes. "I've heard you. I will warm it after bathing."

"KK. Bye." She said and walked to the door.

"No goodbye kiss?" He asked her back.

"Bye." She reiterated and closed the door behind her.

He chuckled and switched on his phone. After replying a couple of messages and emails, a call from Tinu came in. He tapped the green button to accept the call.

"Hello, Tinu. What's up?" He greeted.

"Dele, good morning." She replied.

"Good morning. Are you okay?" He asked, noting the edge in her voice.

"Yeah. Um, I got an email from the children's school yesterday. They sent the reminder for the school fees payment. I was wondering why they sent the reminder for fees payment, so I called the bursary. I was told their fees hadn't been paid. I called Stellar Wealth Managers. They told me you instructed them not to pay yet. What's going on, Dele?" She asked.

"Is it possible-" He was interrupted by crying from her own side of the line.

"Tomini, if I get a hold of you, you will see stars. I said you should pack your sister's hair not pull it." Tinu shouted.

"Sorry about that." She apologized. "What were you saying?"

"Can we see? It's not something to talk about over the phone." He said.

"Okay. I'm not going out today." Tinu responded.

"I'll be there in an hour." Dele answered.


******
"I'll get it." Tinu said, motioning Grace to sit. She dropped the jug of water on the table and walked towards the door.

The doorbell rang again and she walked after, only to stumble over a toy truck.

"Ahh!" She hissed. She turned back to her children on the dining table. "I thought I told you three to pack your toys."

"We did." Temi and Tomini answered looking down at their plates.

"And I'm the one that this one here, abi?" She shouted. "Eyi te mase ti e o ni fi wo TV leni, leti se yen." (You won't watch TV today because of this.)

She hissed and walked to the door. Who knew raising kids would be this hard? She knew it wasn't a walk in the park but it was exhausting. Especially when they didn't do as they were told.

She'd been up since five, preparing their luggage back to Abuja, washing clothes and cleaning the apartment. She'd sent Grace to the market, and when she'd returned, she got to cooking. In between all that, she had to call suppliers to make sure her clients' orders were ready.

She unlocked the door and opened it. She gave Dele a weak smile and moved aside to let him in. Her eyes took him in. He looked spruce in his white, guinea native blouse and dark pants. His cologne hit her nostrils and she swallowed back bile.

Oud.

She hated it. It was just too irritating for her.

"Hi." She greeted and locked the door.

"Hey." He stated and pulled her into a side hug. "Bawo ni?" (How are you)

"Mo wa." She said and pulled away. She led the way to the dining.(I'm fine.)

".D!" The children shouted, with their face animated. Tinu couldn't help the joy that stroked her heart as she watched Dele fistbump the children's left hands.

"Good morning, sir." Grace greeted.

"Morning, Grace. How far?" Dele replied. Grace smiled in response and continued eating.

"E ma n gbadun." Dele called as he watched the children eat their brunch of Lafun and Ogbono soup.(You're enjoying yourselves.)

"Mummy made Lafun and Ogbono with chevon." Temi announced.

Dele turned to Tinu with a confused smile on his face. "Ewo tun ni chevon sin?"(What is chevon?)

"Don't mind them. It's goat meat." Tinu said giggling.

"Ehen, so it's goat meat you people are calling chevon?" Dele asked with mock amusement.

".D., don't you know it's called chevon or cabretto if it's an adult goat or natale or capretto, if it's a kid?" Temi quipped smiling.

"It's on Google,you know." Tomini said and put a morsel of Lafun in her mouth.

Tinu burst into laughter and Dele shook his head.

"I don't blame you. I did not go to a big school like yours."

"S'oma jeun?" Tinu asked. (Will you eat?)

Dele shook his head and said, "Thank you. I'll just wait in the living room."

"Daddy, na, eat." Tomini whined. "Mummy can cook very well and the food is delicious."

"Yes, Daddy eat!" Temi whined and soon Chris and Regina joined the plea chants.

He sighed and threw his hands up in surrender, "Fine, I'll eat." He took a seat beside Chris and Tinu set a plate before him. He dropped his phone and keys on the table and waited as she dished out the cassava flour meal from the warmer on the table.

"Daddy, what's your favorite food?" Chris asked. "I like Chinese rice and sweet and sour sauce."

"Ehen!" Dele called in wonderment.

"Mine is Plantain and fried egg." Temi shouted just as Tomini announced hers was fried rice and chicken and salad."

"Wow!" He cried in excitement. "What about you, Reggie? What food do you love most?"

The girl looked up from her bowl of cereal and said, "Pancake."

"Aunty Grace, you nko?" Dele asked smiling. The lady blushed and shook her head.

"I don't have any."

"What about you, Iyabeji?" Dele asked Tinu, who held out a bowl for him to wash his hands. He muttered his thanks as he rinsed his hands.

"Mummy's favorite food is beans and potato." Chris shouted.

"No, it's rice and stew!" Temi shouted back.

"Stop shouting! I don't have a favorite food either." Tinu scolded as she took the bowl of water away.

"Daddy, you didn't tell us what your favorite food is." Tomini said.

"Well, as for me, I love Amala, Ewedu and pork stew." Dele announced proudly.

"Ewww!" The children shouted.

"You like pig meat?" Temi asked and scrunched up his face in disgust. Tomini and Chris too had their faces rumpled with disgust.

"See these ones, o," Dele said laughing, "something that is very delicious."

"But pigs are dirty." Chris said.

"Uncle pigs are dirty, the bacon you people love comes from pigs." Tinu said as she sat at the head of the table.

"Really?" The three children shouted.

"You see!" Dele announced laughing.

"Oya, enough talking. Let's eat."


*****

Dele handed his used napkin to Grace and muttered his thanks. The meal had been quite filling and as Tomini said, delicious. He waited for Tinu to finish her call as he thought of how to convince her to stay in Lagos.

"Daddy twins, how far?" Tinu jibbed, smiling and took a seat opposite him.

He smiled, knowing he had started the name calling.

"I dey."

"So what happened? Why did you instruct them not to pay the school fees?" Tinu asked with her smile slowly fading into a frown.

He sighed and said, "I've been thinking for a while and I decided that it will be most irresponsible of me if I let a man in the grave still be performing my duties as a father."

Tinu's frown deepened and she squinted her eyes.

"I'm not sure I get you."

"What I'm trying to say is that from now on, I want to be the one taking care of Temi and Tomini's needs. From their fees to anything else they need. They are my children, regardless of whose last name they bear and I want to be a father to them not in name only,but also in deed." He answered.

Tinu pursed her lips and sighed.

"Dele-"

He could see the wheels turning in her eyes.

"Please, Tinu," He said shaking his head, "don't deny me my right to be a father to my children."

She heaved a heavy sigh and shrugged. "Okay. If you want to take care of their needs, then you can."

He smiled and said, "Thank you. I'll make the payments on Monday."

She nodded and made to leave. "If that's all-"

"No, it's not. I have something to ask you."

She sat back down.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if you and the kids could move to Lagos permanently."

"What?!" She cried out. She chuckled and shook her head. "Dele, my life's in Abuja. The children's schools are in Abuja. They practically grew up there and…"

She trailed off and shook her head. "Dele, we can't."

"Please, think about it. This shuttling between Lagos and Abuja is neither safe, convenient nor cheap. If you all move here, the kids and I can bond better over weekends and who knows, Seyifunmi and I can take them off your hands for a whole week. You'd get to relax, work. It'll be a win-win for everyone." He persuaded.

He hoped she'd give in as she scratched the back of her neck. He could her double mind in her eyes and knew he only had to nudge a little further.

"Dele, I don't know. What if something happens to them while they're in school and-" Tinu started.

"Tinu, there are good schools in Lagos. We could transfer them." Dele said.

Tinu shook her head. "The kids won't like it. Their friends are in Abuja. My friends are in Abuja. You're asking me to move my life down here for you."

She stood and said, "I'm sorry. I can't."

He stood and said, "I know I'm being a bit selfish but it took me eight years to hear my kids call me daddy. I don't want to lose the relationship I have with them. Who knows? By the time they come on Christmas holiday, I might have lost my allure to them-"

"Dele, you won't. The kids love you." Tinu said.

"But out of sight is out of mind," Dele whined and reached for her hands, "Tinu, please. From one parent to another. I beg you."

"Dele-"

"Please." He begged and she stamped her feet grumbling softly.

"Fine." She groaned.

"Yes!" He shouted. "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet," Tinu said frowning, "We'll move here on two conditions."

"Okay." He nodded, grinning.

"One, you help me find a new school." She dictated and crossed her arms over her chest.

That was easy. Teni could get him a list of schools in a day and within a week, they could go check them out.

"Done."

"Two, you'll explain to them the reason for the move." She said and narrowed her eyes.

"Easy-peasy." He said, chuckling.

"If you say so." She said, shrugging. "I have laundry to finish."

The dial tone was beginning grate Seyifunmi's nerves. It soon gave way to what was already annoying her - the female, automated operator voice saying, ' the subscriber you are trying to call is not answering.' She hung up and tried to video call him again. The call was picked on the second ring. Her relief and joy at the call being picked gave way to surprise and mild irritation.

"Hi, Seyifunmi," Tinu greeted with a cheery smile.

"Hi, Tinu," Seyifunmi answered with mock excitement. She wasn't exactly glad to see Tinu now. Not when she had been dialing Délé's numbers for close to a quarter hour. Apparently, he was too busy to pick her call himself.

And…

Seyifunmi's eyes strained at the phone.

Were those Tinu's nipples straining through her camisole?

Horror filled Seyifunmi's mind as she wondered if Tinu strutted around braless with Dele around.

"How are you doing?" Tinu asked as she slid off the bed.

She was on the bed? Somebody kill me!

Seyifunmi swallowed the bile in her throat and the real response she wanted to give to that question. She widened her smile and said, "I'm fine. How about you the kids?"

"We're all fine."

The sound of Délé's laughter and groans filled the background.

"Surrender!" She heard her boyfriend's voice call in a playful baritone.

"Never," The children chorused their groan.

A pang of jealousy bit her. She had been trying to get through to him for the past quarter hour and he didn't pick her calls because he was playing with his children. Didn't he even care that she might have been in trouble or in desperate need of his help?

Evidently, she faded into the background when it came to his children.

"Seems y'all are having fun there." She said, trying to mask her jealousy.

Tinu's laughter was followed by a feminine squeal, most likely from Tomini.

"Dele, don't wound my children for me." Tinu turned to yell at Dele.

"Mummy, come and help us defeat D.D." Tomini squealed, laughing.

In that moment, Seyifunmi felt like an outsider, an interloper, the third leg and an intruder into a happy family.

"Dele, come and take o. Seyifunmi is on the line." Tinu said and handed the phone over to Dele.

Seyifunmi didn't know which razed her anger more, seeing Tinu braless or seeing Dele topless and sweaty in Tinu's home.

"Hello, my love. What's up? How did the interview go?"

She opened her mouth to speak when the screen of her phone faded into black with the message 'Call Ended' blinking on the screen. She voice called him but his phone was switched off.

She groaned and tossed her phone on her desk. So much for her promotion. Ever since she became a HOD, she got to spend less time with Dele. It didn't seem to be a problem until Tinu came on summer holiday with the kids to Lagos. Now,Dele spent every spare second of his free time with the kids and invariably, Tinu.

Eighteen minutes ago, she had been glad when her boss informed her of her promotion to the head of their new campus ethical hacking hub. Now, she was wary of the promotion. It meant even less time with Dele, which equaled more time for Dele to spend with Tinu.

This was a battle she was ill-advantaged for. In Tinu's corner was the fact she was the mother of his two children, their history, and their friendship. In her corner, she was only the girlfriend with great cooking skills and maybe, a sex goddess in bed. Everyone knows great food and explosive sex does not keep a man.

Tinu had all the ammo to win this battle and Al the reinforcements to tie Dele down, if she wanted. And add, the fact that Délé's mum loved Tinu to the list of things Tinu had going for her. The woman adored Tinu. On the other hand, the woman saw her as a swearing slut. She cringed as she remembered Délé's birthday. The woman's judgy eyes were engraved to her memory. Whereas the woman's eyes held immense love for Tinu.

She turned around in her swivel chair to face the window as a thought flew into her head. She could get off her birth control pills. If she got pregnant, certainly Dele would be tied to her and maybe finally propose. She sighed. Even Dele aside, she couldn't imagine the shame if her plan didn't work out and Dele left her. It would all have been for nothing.

What do they even see in Tinu? A voice in her head asked.

The first time she met Tinu was during her trial days. Then, she was gaunt, emaciated, but still easy on the eyes. Now, she had filled out, and if she was being honest with herself, Tinu was gorgeous. She had a figure that turned heads and a stunning face.

She was totally out-matched, but she wouldn't give up without a fight.

And Tinu probably didn't know: it wasn't about the size of the woman in the fight, but the size of the fight in the woman.



*******

"I thought you were charging the phone na." Dele whined as his phone went black.

"Sorry, my charger shakes. I even wanted to get a new one today." Tinu said and rubbed her eyes. She hadn't even been able to sleep for ten minutes when Délé's phone began vibrating on her bedside table. She'd picked up the phone thinking it was a call, only to find they were receipt notifications for WhatsApp messenges.

She had gone back to sleep, forcing herself to ignore the vibration. When it persisted for close to fifteen minutes, she decided to check if they were calls. She met an incoming video call from Seyifunmi.

Délé's eyes skimmed her over and she crossed her arms over chest.

She should have grabbed a robe.

"I guess I better get on my way. Maybe Seyifunmi forgot her keys." Dele said and averted his gaze. "Is my shirt dry?"

"Oh, right!" She turned towards the kitchen.

Chris had stained Délé's shirt with soup while eating and she had washed it and hung it behind the fridge to dry. She hoped Seyifunmi wouldn't get the wrong idea, seeing her in a camisole and Dele shirtless.

Tinu shook her head and berated herself.

Tinu, not everybody has a wild mind like you.

She grabbed his shirt from behind the fridge and returned to Dele in the living room.

"Here it is." She said as she removed it from the hanger.

"Thanks." Dele said and pulled on the blouse.

"Daddy, are you going already?" Tomini said as she walked up to them.

Temi and Chris stopped playing and turned to look at him.

"Yes. I have to get home. Aunty Seyifunmi is locked outside." Dele explained.

"But can't you stay ten more minutes?" Temi asked.

Dele chuckled and shook his head.

"Don't worry. Mummy is bringing you guys over next week. And we'll enjoy ourselves." Dele pacified.

The children murmured and grumbled.

He pulled Tomini in for a hug and kissed her head.

"Don't worry. You'll have me all to yourself from Thursday next week. I won't even go to work because of you." Dele said, holding his daughter.

"Really?" They asked.

He nodded and they roared their cheers. Tinu shushed them and they quieted down.

"I'll be going now. Take care of yourselves and listen to your mom." Dele said and pulled away from Tomini.

They waved him bye as he walked to the door and left the house.

Enjoy!!!!

And don't forget to drop your comments.

Thanks for the update

Seyifunmi, you're on your way out! Tinu has taken over!

Episode 8 - Cooking pots and Honeypots Part 2


Seyifunmi dug her fingers into her palms as thoughts of what happened last week danced into her mind again like they had been doing for the past two hours. She looked at the seven lines of codes on her screen.

She'd been trying to work on a honeypot to entrap some students who had been using their University's Campus Connect WiFi for cyberbullying and fraud of fellow students. She was supposed to have it ready by the evening but all she could think of was Tinu in a camisole and shirtless Dele and the food she'd made that had gone to waste.

She couldn't believe Dele left her food to go and eat at Tinu's place. If he knew he wasn't going to eat it, why didn't he put it back in the freezer?

She had gone to the market after a stressful day at work, bought ingredients, returned to her place to prepare fried rice and then headed back to Délé's place.

Why?

All because he said he was craving fried rice.

After all her stress, Dele still didn't eat the rice when he got back from work, saying he had grabbed a bite to eat on his way back. Like the good girlfriend she was, she stored it in the freezer and brought it out to defrost the following day.

Was it a crime to be caring? Was it because he knew she loved him, he took her for granted?

It wasn't fair.

And he knew just how much she hated wasting food. He knew it was a deal breaker for her and yet he did it anyway. And he didn't see it as a big deal and her annoyance as an overreaction.

She shook her head and pursed her lips.

Seyifunmi Aladesuyi, get your head in the game. A man isn't worth you slacking on the job.

She cracked her knuckles and got back to working on her honeypot.

She had written a few lines when hands wrapped themselves around her and a kiss got planted on her cheek.

She shivered at the feel of his cool hands. He probably just took his bath. She shrugged them off and continued her work.

"What are you working on?" Dele said as he took a seat beside her at the table.

"A honeypot." She said still coding, letting him feel how angry she still was.

"Ooh! How wet is it?" He jived.

Seyifunmi looked up to see a smirk on his face. Her burrowed brows framed her rolling eyes and she shook her head.

"Get your dirty mind out of the gutter." She said and bent her head again.

"I know you love my dirty mind." He drawled in that sexy baritone she loved. Her toes curled and her loins quivered and her fingers slowed.

She knew exactly what his dirty mind was capable of and her body knew it too.

She bit her lips to shock herself out of lusty haze.

"Whatever you want to believe, Dele." She muttered.

A few seconds passed, then Dele asked, "What are we having for dinner?"

Her brow shot up as she looked up at him with her lips curled in anger.

"What did you say?" She asked.

"What are we having for dinner?" He repeated. "I went to the kitchen and saw nothing. Only an empty pot of Indomie."

Did he think she was going to cook for him again? After what he did? And not apologising?

"Dinner ko, dinner ni." She quipped. "If you're hungry, you can go and make Indomie for yourself. Or better yet, go and buy yourself some food. I'm not cooking anything in this house."

Dele chuckled. "Oya. I'm sorry. Shebi, you want me to apologise for what happened yesterday? I'm sorry. It won't repeat itself again."

She eyed him and said, "Of course, it won't repeat itself, because I'm not cooking anything for you again."

"Oya nau, I'm sorry." He repeated.

"Dele, look, I don't want to be rude or anything. I'm not cooking. If you want to eat, go out or cook for yourself. At least, when I'm not here, you make your own food." Seyifunmi snapped.

"Ahan!" Dele said. "How will I be cooking when you're here!"

"Then ebi o ti pa e. T'ebi ba ti pa e, wa lo s'ounje." Seyifunmi said and snapped her laptop close. (Then, you're not hungry. If you're hungry, you'll go and cook.)

Dele frowned. "What's the meaning of this? I already apologized. Why are you overreacting? Is it more than a plate of fried rice?"

"Really?" She turned to face him. "You're unbelievable."

She shook her head and stood.

"I'm not cooking. If you want, cook. If you like, starve. I don't care, because the last time I checked," She said and raised her left hand, "I am not your wife. I owe no obligation to cook for you. Do you understand?"

Just then the doorbell rang and Dele turned his glare away from her. He walked to the door, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath.

She hissed and sat back in her seat and kicked the chair he sat in in anger.

He just had to ruin her mood to work.


"Daddy!" She heard a female voice squeal.

Tomini? What did Tinu want this evening?

She craned her neck and saw Tomini hug her father. She rolled her eyes.

"How's my baby?" Dele asked and kissed her cheeks. "You're looking good. I love your hair by the way."

"You see. I told you your hair is fine." Tinu said as Dele shut the door behind them.

"Tinu, bawo ni." Dele said and gave her a brief hug.

"I'm good." She replied and flipped her long, straight weave over her shoulder.

Seyifunmi felt a beast rear its head within her. Was Tinu trying to flirt with her man?

"Aunty Seyifunmi, good evening!" Tomini chippered waving.

Seyifunmi grinned widely and waved back, putting on a mask of excitement.

"Tomini, how are you? Tinu, good evening." Seyifunmi hollered.

"Good evening, Seyifunmi." Tinu greeted, smiling.

"So, what brings you too over here?" Dele asked and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Well, since you left yesterday, the kids have been clamoring for pork. So this morning before church, I had Grace go to the market to get some. Tomini, here, said we should have your favorite food for lunch and we should bring you some," Tinu explained and held out the wedding souvenir tote, "so we brought you your favorite. Amala, ewedu and pork stew."

Are you kidding me?

Seyifunmi stood and walked to the living room to make sure her ears were tuning into another conversation.

Délé's eyes widened and he scoffed in shock. Seyifunmi's heart pounded as she hoped she was wrong.

"Are you serious?" Dele asked chuckling lightly.

Tomini nodded. "We made it for you with extra love. And we all helped out. Temi washed the tomatoes, I blended them in the blender and Chris peeled the Maggi cubes. Reggie, well, she just sat in her chair and did nothing." Tomini listed.

God no. Seyifunmi thought as her stomach turned queasy.

"Really?" Dele asked as he collected the bag and checked its contents.

My area sis used to say, ' Cook for your husband, because once he starts eating from another woman's cooking pot, it's only a matter of time before he starts eating from her honeypot as well.

Tara's words replayed in her head, and the reality of Tinu's stratagem to win Dele dawned on her.
Walking around the house braless, bringing food over.

Seyifunmi thought she was imagining Tinu's subterfuge, but now she could see it clearly.

This lady is not fighting fair at all. Using the children? I couldn't have been more cunning.

"Seyifunmi, are you okay?" Tinu asked with her brows furrowed in concern.

You can take your fake concern and shove it up your pretentious ass, bi*tch. There is no fu*cking way, I'm losing Dele to you.

Seyifunmi beamed at her and said, "I'm perfect."

Dele turned to look at her and wagged his brows in derision.

What she had failed to do, Tinu had done it.

God. I have done myself.

"Anyway, we have to leave now, before Mumsy sues my daughter for hogging her husband." Tinu jived.

Dele chuckled and said, "Okay."

"Bye, Daddy." Tomini said and hugged Dele. "I love you."

"I love you too, princess." Dele said and kissed her forehead.

"Dele, Seyifunmi, take care." Tinu greeted.

"Take care." They both responded, Dele meaning and Seyifunmi hoping Tinu would turn ugly overnight.

They left and Dele proceeded to lock the door. After locking it, he turned to her and smiled.

"I serve a very big God, nla nla. He's always by my side. A very big God o. By my side, by my side," he sang and laughed in her face.

He walked away towards the kitchen.

She ran after him and held his hand.

"What are you going to do?" She asked.

He stared at her as if she asked if he was a man. "Seyifunmi, I thought you're smart. I'm going to heat the food up and eat it."

"You can't." She blurted out in frustration.

"I can and I will."

"I don't want you to."

He chortled so loudly and she felt like a fool.

He raised his left hand up and wiggled his fingers and said, "Seyifunmi, last time I checked, I am not your husband. I am not obligated to eat only meals prepared by you."

She shrank at his words and tears pooled in her eyes.

He walked into the kitchen and she stood in the hallway, listening the opening of cabinets, the clicking of flatware, and the beeping of the microwave as Dele set the timer.

"Me, I no go suffer. I no go beg for bread." Dele sang to spite her and her tears fell.

"Father, I thank you for my daughter. She's not even grown yet and mo ti n jeun omo. Father, bless her and her siblings for me." Dele prayed out loud.

She chewed on her lips and walked back to the dining to continue her work.

Bravo millie
Best update so far
Seyifunmi sha

haaaaaaaaA...... deleooooo. ojeun ti da ile re run........ seyifunmi needs godly wisdom to make d relationship works @ dis point..with patience... carry on... millieademi

All I can say is Wow

Seyi, no go use ur hand spoil ur own o. thanks millie

thanks for the update... Seyi's hating on Tinu will be 99%

On the verge of war...

Seyifunmi pls calm down

Seriously I don't blame her though with all the talks everywhere of dumping possibility
She really needs wisdom

Abeg don't let any chemistry happen between Tinu and Dele oo

Dacaller:
haaaaaaaaA...... deleooooo. ojeun ti da ile re run........ seyifunmi needs godly wisdom to make d relationship works @ dis point..with patience... carry on... millieademi

You get am

This Seyi's jealousy is getting out of hand and setting her off the edge. Communication is key in every relationship. If you have issues, talk about it without holding anything back. She should simply talk about her fears and doubts with Dele na

lol, Dele is so mean

Patience is all Seyifunmi needs, it’s not easy though after spending 3-4years in a relationship and no proposal yet...
Thanks for the update

Right from Genesis Dele has not shown any kind of respect to Seyifunmi.
Sex/lust is the only thing binding them both.
His treatment of her is disgusting to me.

Jeez.. Bamidele, kilode? Why are you so insensitive? You've lived with seyi for so long and you can't even notice hurt in her voice. You can't communicate her feeling. Some one who's always been cooking for you just said. 'i am not your wife' and you stand here to tell her 'i am not your husband'. Do you even ever consider her? I mean, you have kids, she doesn't. You live in nigeria, you should have an idea, of what our mums do here. Why acting oblivious of the fact that she might be under pressure?. Dele, it's been 3yrs+. She's stood beside you all this while, even when you were in dark moments. Yet, you get her this pained. No, am asking again, what sort of statement is 'i am not your husband'? You berra briddle your yeye tongue and do the need full.
seyi, tinu's not your enemy sha o.
millieademi, please tell temi and tomini not to ask dele to move in with their mum. Please, don't even let any flame spark between tinu nd dele. Make e end for friend zone. Thankyou.

Oh you noticed it?

Josipov:
Right from Genesis Dele has not shown any kind of respect to Seyifunmi.
Sex/lust is the only thing binding them both.
His treatment of her is disgusting to me.

Seyifunmi has already lost to a battle that has not begun, yet! Well, given her condition of almost 4years of dating a guy and also in her 30s, I think its normal to start behaving the way she does. Dele on the other hand is blind and insensitive towards SEYI, hence her aggravated hurt!
I love this story, well captured! Its just exactly how things work in the real life!
Thanks Milleademi! Jah bless you with inspiration and reward ur efforts abundantly!

Khriztarl:
Oh you noticed it?

Yeah

Josipov:
Right from Genesis Dele has not shown any kind of respect to Seyifunmi.
Sex/lust is the only thing binding them both.
His treatment of her is disgusting to me.

You deserve pizza for this!

Although he respects her as a person! But relationship wise, yet to see it, just lust

Thanks for the update
Dele self

Seyifunmi, we be her own undoing.....

So much insecurities backed up with poor communication.

@millieademi, nice work you're doing here, God continue to bless you. Also, you stopped updating DIVIDE, Please, I'm really loving it, why did you stop nah? Please.