₦airaland Forum

sighs - children of these days.
Parents too.
mmmmmh.... (shakes head and sigh once more )

Hahahaha …fasten your seat people. I thinking of giving airtime to one who will predict well but …Let us keep our fingers crossed. Thanks for your 2 kobos.

About Hess parents Dolly, you will understand it better by and by.

(Pass plate around,) It time for 2kobos, Where do you think this is heading? Please comment

Congratulations dear!

pinetulips: u did a good job describing those dudes to the female fans, u better do ur best while describing hester nd ur feminine character, so dat we wldnt start suspectin Ethyl Nd Osas oh....hmnnnnn

Probably when next I feature Hester, I will try describing. Do I need to??

Did you say I should describe myself?

......

'Beg, wetin I wan use am do? Na doe me need.'

'You can't possibly be serious! ' Ethel glared at him, 'not with the money the Kenyan government lavished on you.'

'My guy, leave that matter for Matthias. ' He waved off dismissively.

'One of these days, I will use soap, alum and water to wash your mouth. '

Osagie swung his warning finger with feign seriousness. 'You forget say I no be your mate ba? Na last warning I de give you so, trim all those nonsense wings you de grow.'


Ethel laughed. 'You are so much in the mood for joke and laughter. You are hearty.'

His amusement vanished. 'Is it that obvious? '

'Yes it is.'

Osagie began narrrating.

'Slow down Osaz …' He gave a short laughter. 'It is a joke right? '

'Oooho, I am serious Ethel. When I fetched my handkerchief to wipe her shoe and she retracted …it was then it I became aware. I was like -O boy, wetin? '

'It is hard for me to believe …' He chuckled. 'Osaz you? No o.'

'On a very serious note man, aferall, today is not April fool.'

He regard his friend. 'This is breaking news, tell me, who is this babe? '

Osagie sat back and smiled. 'She is a drop- dead -beauty -queen.' He said rhythmically emphasizing every word.

He peered at his friend. 'I understand now. ' He paused thoughtfully. 'Osaz, I can't remember you giving a powerful one liner description of a babe... is either she is seductive, sexy, attractive or beautiful. '

'A time comes in a man's life when he can't help but change. ' His words were careful and calm.

Ethel clapped his hands humorously. 'There is love in the air, I feel it every where …' He sang.


'Stop it! Stop it now Ethel! ' Osagie interrupted sharply. 'If you don't stop, I will jam my fist into your cheek. '

Ethel raised both hands with open palms. 'Why are you angry now? '

'I am human, I have a right to be angry. '

'I am human, I have a right to express myself and singing is a form of expression.'

'She is canny.'

'As in the true epitome of being canny? 'His brows were raised.

'She is comfortable to be with, shrewd, and so on.'

'She is knowing, skilful, sparing and does not pose a threat and having good omen .'

'God bless your brain!' Osagie exclaimed excited. 'You are so on point! '

'Hmmmm …so there is a lady like that on planet earth?'

'It beat me at first. '



'Curiosity has killed Ethelbert Franklin. Who is she? '

'Her name is talalalaaa …'

'Dadada! Ge ge ge !' Ethel supported.

'She is Hester Douglas.'

'Hester Douglas ?' He narrowed his brows thoughtfully.

'Yes.' He watched the reaction on Ethel's face.

'Hester Douglas …Hester Douglas …' He repeated trying to remember what struck him on hearing the name.

Osagie was thinking of inconsistent beatings to match Ethel's inconsistent rhyme.

He stood slowly. 'She is actually Hester Douglas Tobechukwu.'

'Naw! ' He shook his head. 'Hester Douglas. '

Ethel head for the stairs and mount it in threes.

Osagie shrugged when he disappeared up the stairs. He drained the content of his tumbler and head to the bar for another.

As soon as Osagie was seated, he was back holding five magazines.

He handed him one. 'Is she the one?'

'Yes.' He smiled. Her picture was the only one on the front page and it dominated the entire page. Below it was written -Nigeria Youth Ambassador, representing like never before.

'Men! This girl is Fine! It is like she look more beautiful here.' Osagie beamed.

'She is Hester Tobechukwu Douglas, the CBN governor's daughter. '

'Douglas Tobechukwu.' He muttered as he looked up at Ethel. 'Oh my goodness! How come I never figured this out, she is so humble! '

Ethel sat once more. 'It is not every one that enjoys carrying their parents' banner everywhere they are. I suppose she is not sophisticated like all those c-class girls. She is more responsible and independent. ' He told him reasonably.

'Exactly! ' It dawned on him like a bolt from the blue. 'She is also not like baby president who mistakes stupidity for responsibility. '

They all big boys in the country, because of Oladimeji acts which they disapproved of, there was no love lost in between them, so also, no rapport but they knew one another well.

'Talking about Oladimeji, do you know she is the one that kept Natasha Williams smiling, sent him to the hospital unconscious and retained him there for two months. '

'Oh! Oh! You don't say! Are you telling me she did me the pleasure after a long time of belittling him before the world.'

'When I told you to leave those layouts for a while and get interested in the happenings of your country, you gestured to a seat and asked me to sit. Take a look at this.' Ethel handed him another magazine.

'She look so different here, heavily made up,so unhappy. '

'When Mummy heard about the marriage, she said Hester will never get married to him, that it was a forced marriage, even Daddy affirmed. '

Osagie smiled. 'CBN governor's daughter make the message clear, threw the honours (ring and flower) and dared to send the president son for a painful and lonely mourning mood in the hospital.' He read and burst into laughter. 'She is my heroine. '

Ethel lowered himself beside his friend and relaxed. I have been wanting to meet her.' His voice was calm.

He turned to look at him. 'Because of this? '

'Even before this Osaz. ' He closed his eyes. 'She is my sister's best friend. ' His voice was of pain.

'Victoria's best friend? ' He went wide eyed as he turned fully.

'Yes.' Ethel was the formal president son.


+++++

Ooops! I actually did tried to describe Osagie and Ethelbert, how well did I do. Please your honest opinion matters. Thanks

'Gem, Gem! The Gem! Oh boy yeh! what happens? You look as if two years was knocked off you. '

'Shay that na insult abi na compliment? ' Osaz frowned.


'No, na remedy! '

'Ebi like say wire don de touch for your head. Wetin all that one come mean na, de careful o.'

'You don de scatter yan abi, the day me go use soap and water wash your mouth, e go be you be like film, you go just sitdon, internal cold go catch you, you go just confuse.' He clapped both palms in demonstration.

They both burst into laughter as they embraced each other.

'Gem! ' Ethelbert Franklin Onyemakazi hailed. 'I wouldn't want to believe Kenya did all this to you, you look good.' He smiled revealing immaculate teeth that one could liken to a child's and watched as his best friend settled into his favorite sofa in the sitting wing of his mansion and unbuttoned his blazers. He stood six feet, four inches tall towering Osagie with two inches. He was fair unlike Osagie who was ebony and at a first glance, one could tell he was hairy, his hair was curly which he had to cut every three days, his beards around his face like Rick Ross', he kept very low and trimmed while Osagie preferred his hair like that of Stone cold..
Osagie had the athletic and eager look and smiled easily unlike Ethel who is slim, whose eyes were appeared small, watching him, you would think he was squinting, his smile hardly came but when it did, it was winsome.

They were both thirty two years of age but Osagie was four months and a couple of days older. Both looking handsome in their own unique way.

Osagie stretched out his legs. 'The Don, what do we do when we don't have voice, how can we shout? ' His palms were opened before him.

Ethel chuckled as he poured one of their favorite fruit wine into tumblers. He glanced at his friend from the bar.

'I don't have voice talk more of shouting, 'cause I am in a long thing …' He drawled. ' There is a story to tell.'

He handed him his tumbler and sat on the sofa across.

'Thanks man. How are my pals? ' He was referring to Ethel's aides.

'They've all got their head bowed over one thing or the other,no time to play around .' He took a sip.

'Yeah. Not when the boss still have the target intact. ' Osagie gave his friend a warm smile and took a sip from the tumbler which he allowed to linger in his mouth before swallowing.

'I saw the bridge in a current CNN bulletin, it was spectacular. '

'Thanks Don.'

'Are you going to tell me about the long story or do I have to beg? ' Ethel placed his tumbler on a side table, sat back and studied his friend leisurely.

....

EIGHT

After the embrace, Osaz took her hand in his. 'I am going to miss you.'


'I will also, take good care of yourself. ' Hester smiled

'You too darling, if I intend to stay longer than scheduled, your smile will catapult me back.'


'Do you have to say that, my head is so spinning that I need a spindle machine. '

He grinned. 'Bye for now.'

'Bye.' She squeezed his hand.

His eyes lingered on her before he went to board the private aircraft the Kenyan government had provided.

Every invitation to execute any project in any part of the world entitled him to the best of accommodation, transportation, feeding and the likes.

Hester shivered slightly. She felt lonely.

++++

dolly dolly: Queen dear u are doing a nice job. U actually made my day d minute I stumbled on ur write up on the fp. Kudos to u. N abt critising ur work, u just need to work on ur tenses n always proof read to avoid unnecessary typos. N like d oda lady stated u should also describe the physical attributes of ur characters. D write up is really twisted in a way dat u only understand wen u are gud in easily comprehending articles( I tink dats a good format though).

Sweetie Thanks. "The oblong face, full lips, slender legs "thing is one of my challenge as a writer. I don't mind help. Please who will guide me, Ishilove, Mynd, glowingscenes, someone please help … please. (sobers and sit at a corner )

petersworley: Av bin a silent reader...buh dis last post couldnt stop me frm commenting...queen u r a ranboutious writer...we mite just av our own JK rowlings...

(Runs to get a dictionary , flip through over and over. Moves close to the fan) Nawa o. (narrow brows)

LogoDWhiz: Hmm.. Love is in the air .

Like Christmas is in the air Shay?

April wise, Where have you been? I miss you...

Exhales - what a flash back!

*****

OSAZ looked at the headline bearing his name in capital letters briefly.

'The portrait, it's display, dynamism in construction , the face behind, Osagie Osahon. 'Hester read and gave him a warm smile.

'It has been my passion, the very driving force right from the onset, it made go the extra mile not considering what others thought, not caring if anyone else join the queue. Despite the opposition I have received, it kept me going. It attracted all the prizes, award and recognition I have nationally and globally. It gave my fans more to talk about, it gave my admirers more to cherish, it left my critics with more of positive than negative. It gave me an edge and treatment everytime an invitation comes around. ' He paused to look at her. 'Hester, it means the greatest display of God's embedded gift in me. My dream. '

'I believe you, everything you have said wholeheartedly. Give me an insight Osaz, I'm dying already. ' She raised both arms emphatically.

'My dream is to construct a bridge that will join the countries of the world.' He met her gaze.

She held his gaze. 'Goodness gracious! Osagie that is one of the greatest dream I have ever heard!' Her eyes sparkled in ecstasy.

Taken aback by her reaction, he felt the need to share his mind. 'I thought you will say it is impossible. '

'Impossible?'She narrowed her brows momentarily. 'Oh please, give me a clean break! This is oneness, togetherness, bonding, linking, yoking, uniting, joining and what have you? ' She itemized using her fingers thoughtfully. 'I don't think it is impossible at all, everything considered possible should be used in every possible to make this dream a possible reality. '

He covered the distance between them in a flash, he hugged and pecked her. 'Thank you. It means a lot to me.' He looked into her eyes.

'Woah! ' Hester almost lost balance and then she laughed 'My pleasure. '

'Seriously Hess,' He went back to earlier seat in his study . 'The first thing I get when people hear that is impossible! '

'That means you haven't been telling the right people. '

Osaz winked at her.

Hester chuckled. 'I wouldn't be surprise, I get that a lot too.'

'Do we have something in common? '

Hester shrugged. 'Probably. '

'Tell me about it.'

'I think you will tell me it is impossible. '

'Seriously? '

'Yes.'

'Wow! '

'Are you going to tell me, it is impossible? '

'Hmmm …ummm, I wouldn't know until you tell me.'

'I see.'

'What did you see? '

'I see that you are so charmingly handsome that my heart does a flip flop every time I see you.'

'You said what? Come again? '

'You heard me.'

'No I didn't. '

'Forget it then.'

'If you don't repeat yourself, you will be my business for the eveni... '

She fled.

He pursued.


++++

I saw your comments and your care about my health, Thanks pals.

****

HESTER glanced at him and directed her eyes back to the large plasma screen TV.

'Fine. ' He resolved. 'Will you like to go back to Nigeria with or without me? '

She glanced once one at him and remained mute.


While he anticipated an answer, his breath hung.

'Now? ' She said eventually.

'No, let us say …ummmm …let's say in two weeks time.'


'No? ' He went wide eyed but managed to keep his voice in check. 'Why? '

'I don't want to leave Kenya, at least not yet.' She looked at him hoping to find something from his expression. 'Osagie, when you are through with your contract and you want to return to Nigeria or better still,when your invitation expires, let me know. '

'I don't like that statement, I gave the invitation willingly. ' He was disappointed.

'I am being meaningful Osaz. 'Her voice was calm.'My greatest dream is never to be considered as an inconvenience. '

'You are making me feel like my question was more of an insult.' His look was searching.

'No Osaz, you asked a question and I was giving you all the answer I think you need. ' She smiled.

'Hmmm …okay. ' He smiled too. 'Can we play the scramble game today? '

'No dear, I will like to check my mails.' Hester stood and head for her privacy.

He watched her leave and then exhaled. Her answer had mattered to him more than he thought. He sat back, stretched out both legs, placed both palms behind his head and closed his eyes. His last question had been to change the subject and ease the tension between them. He was glad she choose to walk away because his mind was in turmoil, he wouldn't have played well and she would have noticed.

If she asked him, what would he have said? And to think she had a way of reading people. Mmmmh …would he be able to mouth his feelings. Feelings … his eyes fluttered opened. He had finally admitted to himself.


+++++

pinetulips: good story, lovely, u got me hooked sister



u re a good story teller, i doff my hat pretty sis, dont deny that , i know u look even better than HESTER in looks nd manners.

Sweetie am blushing green and yellow

'I am a medical doctor, when I see cases, I possess the resources to help, I do. Accept the money Hannah, it is freewilled, it is for the safety of your son, to help improve his physical appearance, his happiness and your contentment parri passu …please Hannah. '

Perfect speech! Left to him,he would have needed three minutes to brace up.

Hannah was quiet,.after few seconds, lowered her head.

They watched and waited for her.

She eventually looked up and they saw tears. 'When my husband died, my heart beat stopped but he gave me the pulse …' Her tears flowed. 'I will do anything to keep that pulse going. ' Her voice cracked and she burst into tears. 'Thank you Miss Hester …my God …God will surely reward you and grant all your heart desires. '

'Amen.' Hester stood and went to sit beside her and handed her the cheque.

She gasped when she saw the figures and her tears flowed.

Hester hugged her.'His promises are Yea and Amen. '

Tears formed in Favor eyes. He stood hastily to meet Osaz who encircled him with his arms.

Favor sobbed.

'Hush darling... hush …it is alright. ' Osas soothed.

'I will come with you two to see the orthodontist. ' Hester gave her a complementary card.'Contact me when you have fixed a date.'

'I am grateful. ' Hester beamed and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.


He wrote the amount and tore out the cheque. 'This is my own token.'

Hannah stared at him bewildered.

'Favor you know she accepted Aunty Hester own, now she want to reject my own. You know …' He held his ears dramatising and speaking like a child.'when …when you met us, we were together and we …we came together. ' He wiped an imaginary tear from his eyes. 'Now she is rejecting my own. Is it fair?' He frowned.

Favor regard him thoughtfully.

Hester was on the verge of laughter.

Hannah became bemused.

'I think it is unfair Mum. ' Favor said candidly.

Hannah looked at Hester for help and she nodded. Then she accepted.

Hannah fought back her tears as she look up to the sky.'I couldn't have imagined my blessing could have descended bountifully. I am grateful Sir. More of God's blessing. '

Osaz grinned. 'Thank you.'

The money was a total of 150 thousand in naira, Hester had given hundred thousand naira while he had given half of it.

Since they visited with few fruits and had brought nothing for Favor personally, Osaz had given him an opportunity to chose one of all the tourist attractions.

He jumped all excited, he choose the Nairobi national park which had over four hundred species of bird.

They all entered the car after Favor hardly rushed in to get a notepad and pen.


+++++

[quote author=D.Ella.luv]Wow,finally finally we md it to fp,congrats queen
get well soon[/quote]We did Love!

D9ty7: Sorry dear. Take today off, so you can rest. I dnt want you to breakdown o.

Al right Sweetie

Sorry about the quality of my update today, I don't feel too well.

[quote author=D_Ben]queen u r good sincerely i wldnt mind paying to read ur story ,is very educating,use of english is superb.the moral value in it is wonderful.money and power is not everything.but come oh! is Miss tobechukwu not working as a doctor has she done her internship[/quote]She schooled abroad and was actually working there before she came back.

.....

Hester shifted to the edge of the sofa.

'Don't try to say any convincing words, it won't work. ' Her voice was calm but emphatic. 'I have been praying to God and I believe soon and very soon, things will change for good, isn't it Sweetie? '

'Yes Mummy. '

'I join my faith with Favor 's, can i at least talk based on that? ' Her smile was charming.

Hannah was resolute but she nodded an approval.

'I once read a book that displayed a personal diary, I got a point that says, most times, we do not realise we already have answers to our prayers, we just keep hoping and praying when all we need to do is to claim them. Another says -Most incident that happen to us is for a purpose, they are not mere occurrence. '

Osaz nodded thoughtfully while Favor listened raptly.

'If Favor has just walked past us, we will would have only seen him... ' She glanced at her companion. 'He gave the first compliment, hence we got talking then I noticed his braces. If the answered prayers are not claimed, it would have no recipient, eventually, there is disappointment. We will Never be here if we were not attracted to him. ' Her expression became imploring. 'I am a medical doctor, amidst cases Where I see the need to help, if I have the needed finance I help.

D9ty7: My Queen i knw u must be mad at me for not greeting u concerning ur fp sucess. I just subscribed my phone now even tho i saw the story on fp.
But wait o did you say am your publicist? Dats nice to hear.
Congrats dear.
Signed:
d9ty7(Queen's Publicist)

congratulations to us darling .

Flakkydagirl( f ): Quote Post
Hmmm,nice story line u've got
here,buttttt,its just that u're not killing
it very well.....
And for some typos,tenses and grammer
that could be overlooked....
All in all,u're doing a good job.

Noted. Thanks.

Psalmsonny3 ( m): Quote Post
wow this is great, I have to wait till I
read the last page to comment. Arrange
my sit am following...................
Welcome dear.

****

'God.' Hannah exhaled. 'He loved me very much and I …love him dearly. His death was a bombshell, it was …Oh this life has deprived me.' She muttered. 'I can never find the right words, the right adjectives to qualify that moment of my life, I … I lost me. Divine Favor was only a baby, he was 5 months old. I was devastated. I didn't know how to go about moving on. He had a career that could support us, he never approved me working. '

Hester watched and listened intently, though there were no tears, little shakiness in the voice, based on her experience, she saw the long time wound, she saw the scar.

He ensured when he was alive that he made provision for insurance, life assurance, investment …' Hannah nodded slowly. 'It was okay, it was fine until the crisis, the opposition, the bomb, the fire, it ended it all in a swift.

Hester looked up at the largest portrait in the room, it was taken on their wedding day. The background, their appearances, their smile gave her much information of their happiness. It flashed back her memories which she shut out.

Osaz closed his eyes briefly.

'Every heart has a memory of that event. Ours is kind of better. I have seen a lot and that is my assurance. '

'You are strong woman, for you to go through all those and still have faith. ' Osagie commented.

'I admire you a lot, your resolution in spite all. You ensured your son have the best. His manners can't be pass up, he is intelligent and brilliant. ' Hester added.

'Hannah beamed. 'I will do anything for him, thank you very much.'

Hester nudged Favor close. 'After his exceptional qualities, the second thing that attracted me to him was his braces.'

'Yes.' She became sad. 'I am working myself to my bones to save for that. Things are pretty difficult, after meeting our basic needs, there are hardly anything left to save. I am very worried …' She exhaled. ' Before Favor used to tell me of how the kids in school make jest and insult him based on that, it breaks my heart everytime. Knowing the extent of our helplessness, he now keep those to himself and bares responsibility.

Osaz smiled remembering Favor 's responsibility statement.


Favor looked like his mother taken aback by her statement of truth.

'I am here to help. After everything we have shared, I am more willing to help Favor and relief you of your worries. ' Hester opened her her hand bag and fetched a cheque.

Osaz looked at her with little of expectation mixed with bewilderment. She had in no way made her intentions known to him.

'No way, I won't accept it, no way.' Hannah shook her head, giving them no iota of unbelief.

Hester shifted to the edge of the sofa.

....

kingphilip: hi my queen congrats on the fp btw i can see the story is going on very well wishing u da very best

We did it dear.

bquin2all: Stumbled upon dis story on FP.
Nice story yhu gat coming.
More MB to U̶̲̥̅̊Я phone (abi SIM card)

Hahahaha...

Hmmm... (Cross legs and sip water )

Huh?

Sike: WoW! What an Interesting story. Awesome. Keep it up dear.

I will