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CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The Phillips sat in the sitting room watching their favourite television programme, Super Story. The door-bell rang, but, they all remained seated. It rang again and again. The couple exchanged glances then turned to their daughters who were seated on the rugged floor.

“Someone is at the door,” Remi addressed the girls.

None of them moved.

“Won’t you go and get the door?” Baba shouted at them.

Lola and Kemi exchanged glances.

“Go and see who it is?” Lola tapped her sister on the lap.

Kemi eyed her, “Why me? Don’t you have legs?”

“I am your elder sister,” Lola stated as a matter of fact.

“Senior ko, junior ni,” She eyed her again, “We are just two years apart. It doesn’t count.”

“You are mad. Something is wrong with your brain,” she glared at her.

“And you are a fool. Instead of you to get married, you are lounging in your father’s house.”

“Is it me you are talking to like that?”

Kemi hissed, “No, it is your shadow I am talking to.”

“I have been warning you,” she poked her on the head with her finger, “Mind the way you talk to me. I am not your mate.”

“Abeg park well.”

Lola slapped her sister, “You are very silly.”

Kemi held the side of her face, “Oloriburuku ni ota e ni?”

Her elder sister slapped her again, “You are still talking.”

Kemi cried out in pain and lurched her weight at her sister. They both exchanged slaps and blows.

Remi pulled off her leather slippers and threw it at the girls.

“Ah! Maami…” Lola let go of her sister, jumped to her feet and held her head.

“Daddy…” Kemi turned to her father, holding her stomach.

“If you come near me, I will slap you,” Baba eyed her.

Kemi hissed and folded her arms across her chest.

Lola stumped her feet on the floor and slow walked towards the door. She turned the key and yanked the door open.

Her heart missed a beat when she found her elder brother standing by the doorway, “Brother!” she looked him up and down. He stood there in
a black short-sleeve tee-shirt and jeans with a blue knap-sack hanging on his shoulder. His face was lean and pale, he looked thin and malnourished and was no different from the kidnapped victims auctioned at the slave market in the movies she watched recently.

Gbemiga limped into the flat and settled on the chair closest to the door. He was so tired and hungry.

Remi and Baba jumped to their feet when they saw their son. He was a shadow of himself.

“Gbemiga,” she rushed to his side.

“Where have you been?” his father seized him up. He barely recognized the boy.

“What happened to you?” Remi didn’t like the way he looked.

“You and Abisoye just disappeared just like that. You were both supposed to come home for your traditional and church wedding,” Baba glared at him.

“Gbemiga,” Remi placed a hand on his forehead. His temperature was a little bit higher than normal.

“We called the Da Silvas and they claimed that they haven’t heard from both of you. Hope both of you didn’t elope to get married. Why would
you do such a thing in the first place when you have the backing of both families?”

He raised his head and stared at his father.

“Explain yourself. This is September. You were supposed to be married in August.”

He dropped his gaze and met his mother’s questioning stare. “Just thank God that I am alive,” his voice sounded hoarse.

Lola and Kemi drew close to their brother. They didn’t like the way he was looking. Where were his luggages?

“What happened to you?” Remi looked into his sad eyes.

“I have been in the police’s net since the second week of July.”

Silence filled the room.

“I was whisked out of my apartment, locked up in a hole in the police station, questioned and tortured for a crime I didn’t commit,” tears
glistered in his eyes.

“What are you talking about?” Baba seized up the boy.

“I almost died,” he looked from his mother to his father.

“Why did they arrest you?” Remi held back the tears threatening to spill all over her face. It was hard to believe that their son had been
suffering while they thought he was enjoying himself in Abuja.

“Abisoye stole a hundred and fifty thousand dollars from USAID and they thought I was involved.”

Remi placed both hands on her head, “Mo gbe, mo gbe, mo gbe ooooooo!” she went on her knees and began to weep.

“She defrauded the agency and disappeared. No one knows where she is, not even her family.”

Baba blinked back the tears gathering in his sad old eyes. He couldn’t imagine what his son must have gone through.

“When they discovered that I was innocent, the agency dropped the case against me. I was released, but, I lost my job. My bank accounts
are frozen; they took everything from me.”

Baba sat beside his son, “But, why? If they found out that you were innocent, why punish you? What’s wrong with all these foreigners in our country?”

He turned to his father, “My association with Abisoye cost me everything. They… they took all I had. Everything I worked for… at least, I am alive,” he started to cry.

“Ahhhhhh! God punish all my enemies! Evil people! Enemies of progress! They must all die by fire!” Remi rolled on the floor, screaming and crying.

Lola and Kemi sat on the floor and started to cry too.

“You mean Abisoye is a thief?”

Gbemiga nodded and looked at his distraught father.

“How come you didn’t know?” he eyed the boy.

He sighed heavily and wiped his wet face with the back of his hand.

“You should have been sensitive enough to know the kind of woman you were getting married to. I thought you were a strong Christian. Look
at the kind of trouble you have brought on us all.”

He folded his arms across his chest. How was he supposed to know? Was he a magician or a wizard? He didn’t know and his ignorance had cost him everything. How was he supposed to take care of his family now? Where was he going to start from? He looked up at the ceiling and sighed heavily.

God where are you?

“What about my sister?”

He glanced at his father, “She was the one that paid for my bail at the police station.”

Baba sighed with relief.

“She… she said she has washed her hands off my case,” his voice trembled.

“What nonsense?!” he became infuriated.

“She said I have shamed the family. She called uncle Tayo and uncle Korede. Both of them said that they can no longer sponsor my Masters program.”

“What have gotten into them?”

Gbemiga shrugged and sighed heavily. He was still trying to wrap his mind around everything that happened to him.

“They can’t do this. A promise is a promise. They must follow through on their agreement. They can’t just back out. Are they saying that you
are guilty?”

He looked at his father. The man’s anger was understandable. He had also been upset when his aunt and uncles dissolved the promise they made to him during the family meeting. He came to a conclusion after many nights of restless sleep. It was only God that would stand by him and see him through the thick and the thin. No man would.

“I must speak to my sister…” Baba got up, “Where is my phone?” he looked around.

“Daddy… daddy, leave her. Leave them. Let them go.”

Baba glanced at the boy.

“They are not worth it.”

He sighed heavily and sat back on the chair, “What they did is unacceptable.”

Gbemiga nodded in agreement, “It is well. Let’s just thank God that I am alive.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Gbemiga returned home from work tired and hungry. He had a cold bath, changed into a sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts, and went to the kitchen to make himself a meal. About twenty minutes later, he strode into the sitting room carrying a plate of noodles, fried eggs and plantain with a large piece of smoked Tilapia fish. He settled on the only chair in the room, a brown three seater leather chair. He hoped to get the rest of the furniture he needed before his wedding day. He had been given a two-bedroom flat like every other staff in USAID and the only thing he had been able to buy was a bed, a chair and a television. He had used most of his money to move his family into a new accommodation during the festive period. He also had a wedding to prepare for and it was draining his account. He didn’t know that couples spent so much on so little just for a one-day event.

The traditional and church wedding had been fixed on the same week, the last week of August. It was less than six weeks away. He prayed that God would finance both events. Although his family had promised to help, from both his father’s and mother’s side, he didn’t want to put his hope on anyone.

The Da Silvas were also moving mountains on their side. Abisoye was very special to them and they wanted the wedding to be memorable.
He finished the meal, dropped the plate on the rugged floor and stretched out on the chair. He picked up the remote and flipped through the DSTV channels and settled on the Sports channel. He began to doze off moments later, but, the loud bangs on his door woke him up. He jumped down from the chair and looked around.

Who was knocking at his door like that? He glanced at the wall clock. It was past nine. The bangs persisted. He frowned and marched towards the front door. He drew the latch, opened the door and came face to face with six hefty men. They were all in Police uniforms and they were armed.

“Are you Mr. Oluwagbemiga Phillips?” one of them asked.

He nodded and stared back at them.

“Do you work at USAID?”

He nodded again, his heart beat had quickened.

“Do you know Miss. Abisoye Da Silva?”

He blinked and nodded again.

“Who is she to you?”

“My… my fiancée.”

The men exchanged glances.

“Where is she?”

He swallowed hard, “I think… I think she should be home. I saw her this morning at work. She left around noon on an official assignment. She didn’t return.”

The men exchanged glances again.

“What is this about? What is going on?”

“Mr. Phillips, you need to come with us to the station.”

He frowned, “Why?”

The man who seemed to be the leader of the group stared at him sternly, “Come with us in peace. If you resist, we will drag you to the station like a dog.”

Gbemiga stared back at the man and swallowed hard.

“Let us go,” the man beckoned at him.

“I… I am not properly…”

“Let us go!”

“Like this?” he glared at the man.

The man signaled to the others. They grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him towards the exit.

“Wait… I cannot go like this. At least, let me put on something decent!” he cried out.

No one paid attention to him. He was dragged out of the building and thrown into the black vehicle parked outside the gate.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, Gbemiga was dragged into the police station. He was taken to a room illuminated by a very small dim bulb. He was made to sit on a chair, hands tied behind him, legs tied to the chair. The men left. He noticed a tall dark figure standing a stone throw away from him. He couldn’t make out the face of the man, but, something about him made fear to crawl all over him.

“Mr. Oluwagbemiga Phillips, you have two options. One, tell me the truth. Then we will take it from there. Two, lie and I get the truth out of you.”

Gbemiga swallowed hard. What was he doing in a police station? What crime did he commit?

“How long have you been working for USAID?”

“Em… About two, three months.”

“Good,” the man came forward. He was about six feet tall, all muscled and stern looking. His dark eyes were cold and emotionless and his bare arms were covered with ugly scars. “Who is Miss. Abisoye Da Siva to you?”

He swallowed hard, “My… my fiancée.”

The man grinned. His teeth were charcoal black. Gbemiga turned away. Irritation made him nauseated.

“When was the last time you saw her?”

“This… this morning.”

“Where is she now?”

He gave a shake of head, “Honestly, I don’t know.”

The man’s bushy brows creased in a frown, “You truly want me to believe that you do not know where your fiancée is.”

“I… I think she is home.”

The man marched towards him and stared down at him, “I can start with your genitals and believe you, me, you won’t live to father a child in this life or the next.”

Gbemiga felt a pressure below his abdomen. He was about to pee on himself. “Sir, I… I don’t know where she is.”

Unexpectedly, the man hit him across the face thrice. His vision went dark for about a minute. The only thing he saw were dozens of little shiny stars. The pain came, spreading around his cheek bone, then down his jawline. He tasted blood in his mouth. Was he bleeding?

“Where is Abisoye D Silva?!” the man bellowed. The man’s voice echoed through the walls.

Gbemiga felt his ears throbbing. He knew he was in trouble. Who was going to rescue him? He raised his head and stared at the ceiling. The small dim bulb stared back at him.

God please help me.

The man started to laugh, “Are you praying?”

He dropped his head and looked at the man.

“Are you claiming to be one of those fanatic church goers?” the man snarled at him.

“I am a born-again Christian,” he mumbled. It hurt to talk. His face was on fire.

The man laughed again. “If truly you serve a pure and holy God, why did you plan with your lover to defraud the agency you work for?”

His eyes widened in shock.

“Abisoye served in the Accounting department and when she was retained, she remained in that department.”

Gbemiga nodded quickly.

“All through her service year she redrew money from the agency’s account in piece meal and transferred it to an offshore account. She was so good with what she did that no one knew until a few days ago.”

He began to tremble. He was really in trouble. He had no idea that his fiancée had been stealing from the international agency.

“In total, she siphoned the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

Tears brewed in his eyes. His head began to ache and he felt very dizzy. Was he going to pass out?

“We have been monitoring her movements. She was supposed to report to her boss this evening, but, she is nowhere to be found. She is not in her apartment. She is not in yours. She is not home in Ibadan, neither is she in her uncle’s place in Lagos. Where is she Gbemiga?”

He shook his head again.

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know sir,” tears clouded his vision.

“Did you both plan this? Are you her accomplice?”

“No sir,” he shook visibly.

“Where is your rendezvous point?”

“I don’t…”

“Paris? U.K? Where?!”

“I don’t know… I don’t know anything,” he started to sob.

The man spat on him and backed away. “You are in soup young man. Your fiancée is a professional thief and she is wanted in Nigeria and abroad. The Interpol are looking for her as we speak. You are her fiancé and you must be in on it. I don’t believe that you are innocent.”

Gbemiga raised his head. The hate in the man’s eyes saddened him.

“Start talking or I will break every single bone in your body. When I am done with you, you will pray for death, but, it will not come.”

“I had no idea…”

“Stop lying and talk to me!”

“I don’t know… I didn’t know that she… I had no idea… “

The man dashed towards him, lifted him with the chair, and threw them against the wall. Gbemiga collapsed on the cold floor, bleeding and
unconscious.

ChiomaMee:
So, this is my first story. I've been trying to put my imagination into writing for a long time and here it is. Your comments will ginger my swagger to write more. More comments, more update. I hope you enjoy it. By the grade of the almighty God, I'll update as soon as possible. May the Holy spirit, the source of all inspiration help me. Amen.

Who do I call

Obinnau, Divepen1, Shalomdee, Zuby77, Evajael, Marianneada, Apollux, LarrySun, Shewrites, SurestG, Chumzypinky, Maybelconor, Royver.

Thanks for inviting me.

i am hooked already *winks*

muyinet:
It's a masterpiece.

*bows* thanks. I am honoured.

Precial419:
I so much love ur wrk she writes . It is inspirationally moral.

Awwww.... thanksss

queenitee:
Sis mii shewrites, sorry I went off.
Abisoye ko Abisola ni. Bukky jare my love no mind that Gbemiga o, Chike is coming

lol... welcome back. Missed yah *hugs*

vickyviolet:
ma dis story is wonderful

Thanks *hugs*

Emeraldz:
Shewrites great job. This story kept me glued to my seat. Thanks for writing and sharing

Thanks. So glad you enjoyed it.

Ehi07:
Ghost mode deactivated.... Damn! She Writes you are good. Just when I think i have got the story all figured out, more twists & turn come in. Tori gbosa for you dear

Thanks.

Thanks everyone *hugs*

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Mid-May, the Phillips travelled to Ibadan to meet with the Da Silvas for the introduction ceremony of their children, Abisoye and Gbemiga. They arrived a day before the D-day and lodged in a hotel close to Abisoye’s parents’ bungalow.

Gbemiga called his fiancée and informed her that they were around. She promised to come over later that evening. He left his hotel room and checked up on his parents, siblings, uncles and aunties. He advised them all to sleep early so that they would be refreshed and ready for the occasion the next day. When he returned to his hotel room, he met his fiancée waiting for him at the door.

“Sweet heart,” he beamed.

“Honey,” she ran towards him and flew into his arms.

He held her close and sighed with relief. “It is so good to see you.”

She giggled. “We saw each other in Lagos a few days ago.”

He released her, “It feels like a million years ago.”

“Gbemiga!” she started to laugh.

“How is Mr. and Mrs. Da Silva?” he unlocked the door.

“They are in good health,” she followed him into the spacious room.

“Do you mind a drink or something to eat? I heard the hotel Chef is very good.”

She smiled and settled on the bed, “I am full. My mum has been forcing me to eat every single thing cooked in that house since I arrived.”

He chuckled and sat beside her, “I can imagine. She hasn’t seen you in a while. What did you expect?”

“That doesn’t mean that she should fattened me up like a cow.”

He started to laugh.

“That’s one of the reasons why I don’t come home often. I always end up with extra weight.”

“Aww… mummy’s baby,” he pulled her cheek softly.

“How was your journey?”

“A bit stressful, but, here we are.”

“Your parents, sisters?”

He smiled, “They are all here.”

“What about your aunt in Abuja?”

“She flew in last night. She was the one who booked this hotel for all of us.”

“Nice. My other aunts and uncles from both sides of the family are here too.”

Her eyes grew wide.

“I am the first son of my parents. Everyone is being supportive.”

She nodded with understanding, “I like your family.”

“Thanks.”

She stared at him intensely, “I have really missed you.”

“Me too darling,” he reached out for her hands.

She leaned forward and kissed him.

He drew her close and kissed her back.

She wrapped her hands around his neck and pressed her chest against him. He groaned inwardly and tore his lips away from hers.

“What is it?” she looked into his eyes.

He cleared his throat twice, “Let’s don’t start what we can’t finish.”

She smiled at him, “Who says we can’t finish it?”

He raised an eyebrow and stared back at her. Since they started going out, the least they do was to kiss and in heated moments, they played around a bit, but, that was all. Nothing ever happened.

“What are you saying?”

She reached out for his hands, “We are going to get married. There is no reason why I can’t give you my body.”

He blinked, not sure if he heard her right. They had both agreed to keep sex out of their relationship. Why was she changing her mind?

“We are not married yet.”

“But, we will be, in August.”

“That’s about three months away.”

“Exactly,” she slipped her hands under his tee-shirt and played with the hair on his chest, “It is okay for us to consummate our relationship. We have waited long enough.”

He began to shake his head, “We can wait till August darling.”

“I have seen the way you look at me. I know you want me as much as I want you.”

He swallowed hard. It had been difficult and hard to restrain himself and keep in check his desires while they courted, but, he was happy that he had been able to exercise self-control in the relationship.

“Honey, I want you to take me now,” she pulled off his shirt.

“Ah!” he became alarmed. He could see the passion in her eyes. How was he going to dissuade her?

She unbuttoned her red short-sleeve cotton shirt and pulled it off. “It is time for us to get to know each other intimately.”

His throat went dry. The sight of her bare bosom made his head to expand.

“It is okay…” she tried to assure him.

“Abisoye…” his eyes flew back to her welcoming ones.

“It is okay…” she pushed him back on the bed and mounted him.

He swallowed spittle. He knew he had to stop her. He wanted to stop her, but, he couldn’t will himself to do it. He just lay there, till she had removed every clothing on him.

“God will understand,” she winked at him and threw their clothes on the floor.

He stared back at her. He wasn’t sure about that. The moment she guided herself to accommodate his manliness, his thoughts became clouded
with the erotic feelings produced by her movements. She rode him like a horse and didn’t stop until they were both screaming at the top of their lungs and gasping for air.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Bukky and her aunt sat on a long bench outside the two-bedroom flat picking beans. The twins ran in circles playing a game of ‘tag’, locally known as ‘Catch-you’. Out of boredom, she decided to spend some time with her aunt. She would have gone to Ikorodu to visit her parents, but, they were always asking after Chike. She didn’t want anyone to remind her how much she missed him.

“You two better go inside, if you come near me again, I will spank your bum-bum!”

The twins stopped running, glanced at their mother and started to run again, in a zig-zag pattern.

“I am warning you,” Kike threatened them.

Her niece laughed quietly.

She eyed the younger woman, “Wait till you give birth to yours.”

Bukky smiled and held her tongue. She knew her little cousins were trouble with a capital ‘T’. The last time they came to the shop, they turned the whole place upside down. Her aunt swore never to bring them to the shop again.

Her phone began to ring. She picked it up and grinned when she saw the caller ID. It was her fiancé. She had not spoken to him in a while. He had been so busy that their Skype nightly hook-up had been suspended for a while. His chats on BBM were also short. His calls always made up for the inconsistent communication.

She placed the tray of beans on the bench and picked the call, “My love.”

“My baby…”

The sound of his voice felt like a soothing balm on her lonely heart, “How are you?”

Kike glanced at her niece and smiled. She hoped the girl’s fiancé would come home soonest and marry her. How long does it take to complete the Masters programme? She heard it was eighteen months, but, it depended on the curriculum of some tertiary institutions.

“I am lonely. I can’t wait to return home to my love.”

She sighed heavily, got up and strode towards the side of the building, “How many months more?”

“Come December this year, I will be home.”

“Plus or minus, nine, ten months, you will be home.”

“Exactly.”

She leaned against the wall. “I have seen my JAMB result.”

“How was it?” he sounded excited.

She scratched her scalp, “My score was below two hundred.”

“I see. Will you be able to use it?”

She shook her head, “No, it is below 150.”

“Bukky! How low is your score?”

“Very low,” she sounded sad.

“Tell me.”

“No, I feel ashamed.”

“Come on love. It is your first JAMB.”

“I thought I studied hard.”

“Have you heard of people who wrote the examination ten times?”

She frowned, “I do not want that to be my story.”

“It wouldn’t, but, the point is that they never gave up until they passed.”

She sighed, “I won’t give up.”

“Good. Don’t worry. We will study together when I get home.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Me neither. Send me your recent pictures.”

She blinked, “I sent one this morning.”

“Send more. I want you in different attires, postures, environment…”

“What are you using my pictures for?”

“It keeps me sane and away from the likes of Beyonce, Shakira and who else now?”

She started to laugh. “Okay, I will send you more pictures.”

“Good girl.”

“I miss your sweet kisses.”

“Hmmm…”

“I wish I can fly to you right now.”

“Nine months more love.”

“And we will be together.”

“Forever.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Same here. I got to go.”

“Come me later.”

“Okay love. Maybe we can Skype tonight.”

“I will love that.”

“Later love.”

“Later.”

The line went off. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. A tear drop rolled down her dark smooth face. She sniffled, opened her eyes and cleaned her face with the back of her hand.

“Bukky!”

She heard her aunt’s husband’s voice.

“Sir…” she hurried into the flat. She found him seated in the sitting room, watching the television.

“Please, help me to buy MTN and GLO credit at the kiosk down the street.”

“Okay sir,” she collected the money from him and counted it. It was three thousand five hundred naira.

“MTN one-five, GLO one-five. Use the change to buy yourself credit too.”

She beamed, “Thank you sir,” she walked out of the flat and met her aunt scolding and spanking the twins. She shook her head and walked
towards the gate.

The kiosk was four houses away. The lady that owned the place sold provisions, drinks and snacks. She would use the change to buy a set of cupcakes. There were six in a pack, small, but, totally delicious. One bite and it would melt in your mouth.

“Bukky…”

She heard her name and looked around. She saw a tall, dark young man walking towards her. It was her ex-boyfriend.

“Gbemiga?” she stared at him in surprise.

“How now?” he smiled at her.

“Am good.”

“What are you doing in this area?” he seized her up. He liked the way the blue short-sleeve knee length fish-tail chiffon dress cradled her curvy
frame.

“My aunt lives on this street.”

“How is aunt Kike and the twins?” he observed her smooth dark face.

“They are fine.”

“A friend of mine lives on this street. We served together in Abuja.”

“Oh…” she looked towards the Kiosk. There were a group of girls seated under the big umbrella outside the store.

“We are done with our service year.”

“Oh really…” her eyes flew back to his happy face.

“Yes o. Thank God for us.”

“Hmm… congrats.”

“I was retained at USAID.”

“Wow!” shocked.

“My parents, siblings, the whole family have been jubilating since I got back.”

She nodded with understanding, “I can imagine. I am happy for you.”

He looked straight into her eyes, “Thank you,” he noticed how pretty she looked. Her relaxed black hair was in a pony-tail behind her neck. Her
chest seemed fuller and her backside was bigger than the last time he saw her.

“I am running an errand for my brother in-law,” the way he was looking at her made her uneasy.

“Oh…” his gaze flew back to her face, “Okay. Em… I am relocating to Abuja next month, after my introduction.”

She blinked.

“I am dating a wonderful girl and we will be getting married in August.”

She remembered the lady his sisters brought to her place. “Congrats.”

“It would have been you,” he eyed her.

She shook her head, “You and I know that, that is impossible. Your family won’t allow it.”

He dipped both hands into his pockets, “You don’t know that.”

She looked towards the Kiosk again, “I wish you all the best. Take care,” she brushed past him and hurried towards the store.

He watched her till she went into the kiosk. He turned around and walked on. He was getting married to a prettier girl. She was a born-again Christian, an educated and responsible girl from a good family who was head over heels in love with him. He had been able to love again and move on. Everything was working out for his good. What more could he ask for?

Nevertheless, a part of him would have wanted it to be Bukky Folorunsho. If only wishes were horses.

My favorite peeeps.... I would have updated tonight but i was in town for a meeting.

Got home an hour and half ago.

My bones ache *yawns*

Hopefully before dinner time tomorrow or Tuesday.

Sweet dreams *winks*

SurestG:
Even if Chike and Bukky doesn't end up together, the fact remains that it was he who made illiteracy become an history in Bukky's life, something Gbemiga didn't do. Even if she will later be literate it wouldn't be as fast as this. Gbemiga may be a good man but his parents and sisters are gullible. I really do hope Bukky and Chike get married because I don't think the Phillips will ever accept Bukky no matter how successful she may become in future. Whatsoever that happens I just wish for Bukky to be a better person. God bless you Shewrites for this work.

*hugs*

Matrycx:
wow! dis is a masterpiece from shewrites. may ur ink neva go dry
mak i comment my own observation
firstly frm d start i am *teamgbemiga* bt his family are d real illiterate in ds story. wat if all deir children had gone to d uni den dey wuld av seen demselves as god., mak i leave dem for now.
chike chike chike dis is d guy i fear most in ds story so far, how can a guy b dis good and has no flaws. even prophets have deir own flaws, if i shuld av such friend i am gona stay away frm him coz u might not know d suprise dat awaits u in future. some ladies wildlife b like dis is d kind of guy i want, i pray u get it.
bukky bukola oluwabukola hmmmm even frm d start u av always wanted dis chike. gbemiga just gave u d perfect excuse.
bak to my man gbenga gbemiga oluwagbemiga i like your spirit u embrace ur flaws and u tried ur best to avoid makin dat mistake d 3rd tym (kudos) bt d deed is already done. i just hope you dont make anoda stupid decision. because judgin by d prolugue of dis masterpiece you and bukky stil has a big part to play *drops pen*
madam shewrites tanx for dis wonderful work. may d lord continue to bless your home
PLEEEEEEASE DONT BASH ME TOO MUCH O!!!!!!!!

Muuuaaah!

damsel14:
.......



So wats Ur name pls or shld I put shewrites

Serah Iyare

Njokunonsochukwu:
Before I start, I will like to call on some people whom I did learn one or two things from, to come to the VIP section.


Hadampson Nastynic Nkemdave queengolden Jupitre Homorbolanle Michelle55 SPDAZZY Azeequeen Yewandequeen Dasilver20 Dapo97 Yinks89 Queenitee Oly23 Rachaelfst Cerowo Olatex25 Adesina12 Angelinastto Lankyannie Skillful01 Blissfuljeff Chizzymaris Lovelygurl Everton4life Wizsolzy youngtemy Ikombe Mynd44 Divepen1 Forzarush Seun Obinnau Kimberlywest Slimhan Evajael Jane12348 Kayo80 shewrites Ayoomodaddy surestG larrysun tiffanyj stevenbright kinwanye shalomdee Biafrabushboy foxyflow Oyinprince Blezzzed theblessedMAN therock5555 Apollux Darkcrisp Marianneada PamelB Alexblazzzer18 candy lilyjoe567 bibi294 Royver ghostwritter Kimkardashain Chipapii Ozila Ishilove Hinky Sleeqiam

Welcome my superiors, am Loyal!!!

Please I will be Posting 2 WIPs everyday, stay with me,!!!


The Story is now Officially Open!!!

Present!

Hope i am not late *winks*

damsel14:
Ma baby shewrites well done.... But m surprised how re u able to update like dat well muah..... More strength to Ur elbows.....



Shewrites I ve a favor to ask u can I post Ur story on my page or timeline... Ur name nd will be written on each episode

Yesssss... go ahead darling

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Gbemiga returned home for the Christmas holiday and moved his family into a three-bedroom apartment in the same area. The Phillips’ family were joyous. They thanked God for surprising them and bringing their dreams into fruition. They loved their new apartment. His parents took over the master bedroom, his sisters shared a room, while the last room was turned into a guest room.

On Christmas day, they organized a get-together party and invited their relatives and close friends. Everyone liked their new accommodation. During the party, the lady Gbemiga was dating showed up and he introduced her to his family. Abisoye Da Silva was also serving in USAID.
She informed them that her parents and siblings were home in Ibadan, and she had been living with her uncle in Ikoyi since she got admission into Yabatech. She would have gone home for the holiday, but, she wanted to meet the family of her boyfriend.

Gbemiga’s parents and sisters liked the tall fair skinned and curvy lady. They were happy that he brought an educated girl. They believed that she was from a good family.

Remi convinced her to spend the night with them instead of returning to her uncle’s place on the Island.

The next day, Lola and Kemi took a walk with their brother’s new girlfriend. Their mother had been able to convince her to spend the Boxing Day with them. They stopped when they passed in front of their brother’s ex-girlfriend’s place.

“We need to tell you something,” Lola and her sister giggled.

Abisoye stared at them with curiousity.

“Our brother used to date a girl that lives here,” Kemi pointed at the building.

“Our parents didn’t approve of the relationship,” Lola added quickly.

Abisoye looked at the building, “Why?”

“She was a common illiterate who wanted to reap where she had not sown,” Lola muttered with disdain.

Abisoye narrowed her gaze in wonder, “What was Gbemiga doing with such a person?”

“I think she charmed him,” Kemi snarled.

“Yes, some love portion immersed in her akara,” Lola chipped in.

She looked from one sister to the other, “Akara?”

“She sells akara,” Lola informed her.

Abisoye raised an eyebrow, “What was Gbemiga doing with an akara seller?”

Lola clapped her hands, “Hmmm… we don’t know.”

“If you ask me, na who I go ask?” Kemi placed her hands on her hips.

Abisoye smiled and looked at the house again. She couldn’t imagine her boyfriend with such a low class girl.

“Our parents take no nonsense. They were able to deliver him from her witchcraft sharp, sharp,” Kemi beamed proudly.

“I see,” Abisoye noticed someone coming out through the gate.

“Talk of the devil, that is the witch,” Lola gritted her teeth.

“Bukky alakara,” kemi hissed again and again.

The sisters glared at her.

Abisoye seized up the pretty dark skinned curvy average height lady stepping out of the compound. She halted the moment she saw them.

“Egbere…”

“Ashawo!”

Bukky eyed Gbemiga’s sisters. It had been a while since she had seen them around. What were they doing outside her house? She noticed the tall fair skinned lady in a pink blouse and blue jeans standing beside them. Who was she? Why was she staring at her like that?

“God has given our brother a better wife. An educated and beautiful woman,” Lola raised her voice.

“Meet Abisoye Da Silva, Gbemiga’s princess,” Kemi said proudly.

Bukky stared at the lady. If her ex-boyfriend was dating again, that was a relief. That means he won’t disturb her again.

“Your spell and charm has been broken. You cannot lay a finger on him anymore.”

She hissed, lifted the basket in her hand and threw the dirt into the big black drum at the gate. “Both of you are jobless,” she eyed Gbemiga’s sisters. “Good luck,” she glanced at the lady and went back into the house.

“So, that is Gbemiga’s ex?”

The girls nodded.

“She doesn’t look or sound like an illiterate,” Abisoye turned to her boyfriend’s sisters.

“Don’t mind her. She is just pretending.”

“She copies everything she watches on the television.”

“I see,” Abisoye raised an eyebrow. The girl was very pretty, but, she believed that she was prettier.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” Lola grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

Kemi hurried after them.

Xxxxxx

Bukky dropped the basket in the kitchen. She was upset that Gbemiga’s sisters brought his new girlfriend to her house. What were they thinking? What was her business if her ex-boyfriend was now in a new relationship? They didn’t need to rub it in her face. Those girls needed to be spanked. She hissed and walked out of the kitchen. She sat on the bed and picked up her phone. She clicked on the BBM app and saw several pings from her fiancé. She smiled and pinged him back. She lay on the bed and chatted with him.

She missed him. She wished he was around. It’s being six months since he left the country. By next year Christmas, he would be home finally and they could get on with their lives. If wishes were horses, she would have loved to join him in the U.K. she didn’t fancy been away from him. She doesn’t know how she was going to cope for the next one year.

She informed him that she did very well in her GCE. She C’s in all the relevant subjects. She had already enrolled for a JAMB class and she believed that she was going to pass the examination. Her first and second school of choice was going to be Unilag. She doesn’t want to go anywhere else.

Xxxxxx

At about six in the evening, Gbemiga saw his girlfriend off to the bus-stop. He was happy that she was able to spend time with his family. He was also glad that they really liked her. His parents were proud of him and his sisters believed that they had found a new friend.

“I want you to come to my uncle’s place on New Year day. He organizes a party on the first day of every new year.”

“Okay. I will be there.”

“He likes to meet the guys I go out with. I guess he is kind of protective.”

He placed a hand around her and smiled, “No wahala. I want to meet your uncle and his family too.”

She grinned from ear to ear, “Thanks. Most of the guys I dated in the past always dread meeting him.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

She shrugged, “I guess they were scared.”

“I see.”

“I have already told them about you.”

“Good. What kind of gift can I bring?”

“Hmmm… my uncle and his wife like fruits a lot. Their kids, my cousins are sweet-tooths.”

He chuckled, “You are the queen of sweet-tooths.”

She started to laugh.

“I will come with a basket of assorted fruits for your uncle and his wife and foreign biscuits, chocolates and candies for your cousins.”

“Cool. They like cake and ice-cream too.”

“Who doesn’t?”

She laughed quietly.

“Okay, cake and ice-cream are on the list.”

“Yipee!” she squeaked.

He gave a shake of head. He hailed a cab, bargain with the driver, once they agreed on a price, he beckoned at his girlfriend.

“See you soon lovely,” he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

“Call me tonight,” she climbed into the vehicle.

“I will,” he waved at her.

The cab nosed back into the busy road.

Gbemiga turned around and headed home feeling happy.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Gbemiga’s parents and his siblings gathered around him in their self-contain apartment. He was home for a few days and they listened as he narrated his camp experience. He met young people from different parts of the country. He made new friends and went on a tour in the capital city. He visited places he didn’t go to the last time he was in Abuja and he had a lot of fun.

He also intimated them on how his aunt influenced his positing. He was currently serving in USAID. He was given an accommodation, a four-bedroom bungalow which he shared with three other male Corpers. Aside from their Federal Government allowance, the foreign agency gave them a weekly allowance. If he was lucky enough, he might be retained. He prayed and hoped that he would work at the agency immediately after his service year. He heard that the staff were well taken care of and they were paid in dollars. Many of them were transferred abroad after a few years in the agency. It was his dream to tour the world and he believed working in USAID would make his dreams come true.

He informed his family that he was already saving and would be able to move them into a two-bedroom flat before the Christmas holiday.

The Phillips were very excited. They prayed that everything would work out for their good. Baba called his younger sister in Abuja and thanked her for helping his son. He would be eternally grateful to her.

Remi basked in the good news. Her first child and only son was serving in Abuja and working for an international agency. Their hopes and dreams had finally materialized. She and her husband were going to enjoy the fruit of their labour sooner than they expected. The family was going to be the talk of the neighbourhood. From grass to grace, that was their story. She prayed that the agency would employ him after his service year. When that happened, she would stop working at the paper factory. She might open a provision store or a gift shop or whatever business she could figure out. Her husband was also tired of his security guard job. He would definitely resign too and go into any business he fancied. Their daughters would also stop working and enjoy their brother’s wealth. Their new status would definitely attract responsible suitors who would take care of them.

Lola and Kemi were very excited. If their brother was retained in the foreign agency, he would be earning a lot of money. He would be able to take care of the family and if possible, they might be able to go back to school. They were not getting younger and a few suitors had come to ask for their hands in marriage. They didn’t want to make any mistake and were willing to be very careful before they chose their husbands-to-be.

Gbemiga watched his father as he spoke to his aunt in Abuja on the phone. He looked excited and pleased. His gaze flew to his mother and sisters. They were equally smiling and happiness radiated on their faces. He thanked God for creating the opportunity needed to bring his family completely out of poverty. They had all suffered enough. It was time for them to sit back and enjoy the goodness of the Lord.

Thoughts of Bukky drifted into his mind. He would never forget the day she screamed at him, raising an alarm that could have alerted her neighbours. If he had remained in her place, he would have been mobbed and beaten up. It hurt him that she would do that kind of thing to him, after everything they had been through. She wanted him to leave her alone. He might do just that. After all, she wasn’t the only girl in the whole wide world. It was time he gave his heart the freedom to love again. There were several pretty girls at his place of work. He would get to know them, befriend them and choose who he would date. Some of them were already giving him the green light. It was time to move on.

Xxxxxx

It was the Introduction ceremony of her elder sister and her sweet heart. Bukky and her sister’s friends helped the caterer to serve the food and drinks to the guests. Family, friends, neighbours and well -wishers came to celebrate with the Folorunsho family and the groom-to-be’s family. It was a day of joy and fulfilled dreams.

She was happy for her sister who would be having her traditional and church wedding that same week, during the weekend. It was like a double celebration because her sister had also gained admission into the University of Lagos to study Sociology. She wondered how she was going to cope. Her husband-to-be lived in Maryland and the school was in Akoka. She reasoned that being married and schooling at the same time was going to be stressful. She prayed to God to give her sister the wisdom she needed to keep her marriage and get educated at the same time.

She began to daydream of the day she would also get married to the love of her life; Chike. How was it going to be like? He promised to buy her wedding dress, shoes and jewelry in U.K along with his suit and shoes. She had already made a list on whom she wanted her chief bride’s maid to be, the bride’s maids, the flower girls and the little bride. She was going to pick from both the Folorunsho and the Nwosu families. She wondered who he was going to pick as his best man and grooms men. She had met a few of his friends. They were all educated, spirit filled and humorous guys. She liked the kind of people he moved with.

She missed him so much. Although they communicated every night on Skype and chatted on BBM during the day, it was different from seeing him one on one. She remembered his kisses and blushed. He would say, ‘Where is my sweet kiss?’ She laughed and smiled to herself. She missed everything about him. The last time they spoke, he told her that he was now had a part-time job. He advised her to prepare for her GCE and promised to send her somethings before the Christmas holiday. He wasn’t sure of he would be coming home for Christmas.

She hoped he would come home. She wanted them to spend the holiday together. She wondered if he had gained weight. The last time he was out of the country, he came home resembling the Wrestle Mania wrestlers. She laughed again and smiled.

Oh Chike. My love. Come home soon.



Xxxxxx

The ringing of her phone woke her up. She turned on her side, looked for the Blackberry phone and found it on the floor. She sat up, sandwiched between two of her sisters’ friends. None of them returned home after the introduction ceremony. They needed to help the bride prepare for her wedding. She climbed down from the bed, walked out of the room and picked the call.

“Hello…”

“My love.”

She recognized her fiance’s voice, “Chike,” she sighed with relief. She had been expecting his call since midnight. She gave up and slept off over an hour ago.

“How is the bride to be?”

Bukky smiled, “She is fine,” she tip-toed across the sitting room. Her brothers and some of their relatives were sleeping on the chairs and mats.
She went into the bathroom and locked the door.

“And the groom?”

“He is okay. The traditional wedding is next tomorrow and the church wedding is on Saturday.”

“Nice. I wish I was there.”

She smiled and leaned against the tiled wall, “Me too.”

“I got the pictures you sent.”

“Okay. I will send more, after each party.”

“Okay, Mrs. Photographer.”

She started to laugh.

“How is my baby doing?”

“Am good.”

“Hope you are ready for the GCE.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good to know.”

“I miss you,” she cooed.

“I miss you more. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Where is my sweet kiss?”

She started to laugh. She covered her mouth with a hand to stiffen the noise.

“Bukky alakara…”

“Hmm…”

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” she sighed with relief.

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Me too.”

“I am going to devour you on our wedding night.”

She giggled.

“I can’t wait.”

“I can’t wait either.”

“What’s the time over there?”

“I think it’s almost three.”

“Okay, go back to bed. You have a wedding to prepare for.”

“How is your schooling and part-time work?”

“I will gist you tomorrow. Sweet dreams love.”

“Sweet dreams.”

“I am blowing you a zillion sweet kisses.”

“I am catching it rush, rush…” she grabbed imaginary kisses with her hand mid-air.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The line went static. She sighed heavily and wrapped her arms around her curvy frame.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Chike lay stretched out on the bed in his boxers, scrolling through his Blackberry Passport phone. He opened his numerous emails one after the other. He replied some and deleted the rest. Most of them were junk mails. While he browsed, a new email came in. It was from one of the Universities he applied to for a scholarship. His uncle made sure that he filled several master program application forms before he left the United Kingdom. He had not heard from this particular school since he submitted his application letter and other necessary documents. Others had replied him, except this one. He opened the mail and read it thrice. He was finding it hard to believe the content. He called the toll free number in other to confirm what he had read. The letter stated that his application had been approved and he had been given a full scholarship. He was expected to resume in the first week of June. The unexpected news was too good to be true.

He would have to decline the job offers he had gotten in Jos and Lagos. He needed to prepare to travel back to U.K as soon as possible. He had less than three weeks before the resumption date of the school. He would need to notify his uncle and intimate his parents. They would be so happy for him.

Thoughts of Bukky clouded his mind. She had been so excited when he told her parents to go ahead with the wedding plans. They would have to put the whole thing on hold till he returned. He sat up quickly and glanced at the wall clock. He hoped his fiancée was still awake. He wanted to share the news with her so that they could plan together.

“Hello…”

“Hello…” the British accent of the lady on the phone made him smile.

Xxxxxx

The persistent knocks on the door woke her up. She yawned, stretched out and sat up slowly. Who was at her door? She picked up her phone which was lying at the edge of the bed and checked the time. It was past eleven. She frowned. If it was one of her neighbours, the person should leave her alone and wait for morning to come. What if it was an emergency? She groaned.

“Who is it?”

“My love it is me.”

Her heart missed a beat. She recognized her fiance’s voice. What was he doing at her doorstep? Why didn’t he call her? She hoped he was all right. She jumped down from the bed and rushed to the door. She turned the keys and opened the door.

“Chike…” she seized him up. He was in his boxers and a red short-sleeve tee-shirt.

“Did I wake you?” he stepped into the semi-dark room. The room was illuminated by the light coming from the bathroom.

“Yes,” she shut the door and yawned again.

“Sorry love,” he went to sit on the bed.

She scratched a spot on her elbow and yawned again.

He looked her up and down. She was in a white sleeveless satin knee length night-wear. “Come and sit down,” he patted the space beside him.

She sauntered to his side and sat down.

“I got a mail.”

She blinked and stared at him.

“My master program is starting in June, the first week of June. I was given a full scholarship. I need to leave for U.K latest the end of this month.”

The new information processed on her mind. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“God has done it. Hopefully, by Christmas, next year, I will be done with the program, then we can have a Christmas wedding.”

She swallowed hard. “You are going to leave me again,” her eyes stung with unshed tears.

He reached out for her hands, “Baby no… the program is for a year and half. I will be home before you know it.”

“A year and six months? You will be far away in the U.K.”

“Bukky…”

“Why can’t we get married and go together?”

He blinked, then smiled, “That would have been wonderful, but, we can’t.”

“Why?” she eyed him.

“Can we prepare for both our traditional and church wedding in just three weeks? What is the possibility that your visa to the U.K will be ready in three weeks? Do you even have an international passport?”

She shook her head.

“We don’t have the time.”

She pulled away from him. Tears slid down her face. It had been a bit difficult for her while he was away in Jos during his service year. She feared that she might go crazy without him for a year and half. How was she supposed to cope? They were supposed to be preparing for their wedding, now, they would need to postpone it.

“My love,” he moved closer, “Don’t cry. This is good news.”

“I know,” she turned to look at him. “Congratulations,” she tried to smile.

“Thank you my baby,” he wiped her wet face with the back of his hand.

“A year and six months is a long time.”

“I know, please, endure and wait for me, please,” he reached out for her hands again.

She sighed heavily and dropped her gaze, “Okay.”

“I will leave my laptop with you. We can Skype on a daily basis.”

She lifted her head, “Skype?”

He chuckled, “I will teach you. We will be able to see each other via webcam, talk and chat daily.”

She sighed again, “Okay.”

“We can also communicate on BBM, Facebook, Twitter, and other social handles, okay?”

She nodded, “Okay.”

“If it is possible, I will try and come home for the Christmas holiday, but, if I can’t, I won’t be home until I complete the program.”

Her eyes glistered with tears. How was she going to cope? They have never been apart for that long before.

“I am going to miss you every single day.”

She burst into tears.

“Baby…” he pulled her into his arms.

She sobbed and trembled against him.

“My love…” his heart ached as she wept. He didn’t want to be away from her either. If it were possible, he would have wanted her to come along.

“I will wait for you,” she whimpered.

“I won’t look at another woman until I come home to you.”

She laughed. “That’s not possible.”

“Okay, fine, I might see them, I might look at them, but, that’s how far it will go. No one can steal me away from you.”

She raised her head to look at him, “What if you meet the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna or Shakira?”

He shrugged, “There is no other woman like you Oluwabukola Folorunsho. No one compares to you. I don’t want to be with anyone but you.”

His words warmed her heart. Her confidence in him multiplied.

“I love you and you alone complete me. There will be no other,” his intense gaze remained on her smiling face.

“I love you too Chike Nwosu. I remain yours this day and forever more. My heart belongs to you and no other. No one can steal me away from
you. They can try, but, they will never, ever succeed.”

Her words assured him, “Perfect.”

She sighed again. “I am so going to miss you.”

“Same here,” he drew her closer and kissed her.

My people *hugs* update will resume this weekend.

Thanks for being patient.

Have a fun filled weekend.

Mmuuuaaaah!

Rasmodox101:
Dis is one of d most breath-taking stories i've ever read. . . . . . . Indeed #Shewrites u are a great wonder. . . . More ink 2 ur pen ma'am attentively following. . . I'm so loving this!

Thanks. Am glad that u are enjoying yourself

VLongstrider:
clears throat clearly.....
I read this story till 2am today...KANU believe that? even Nwankwo Kanu wouldn't.
OK,I stumbled on this thread less than 24hrs ago and it's been fun non stop.
Gbemiga is fast becoming a terrible lover. Even a good player knows when to advance,when to withdraw and when to quit. Shewrites, you're such a beautiful raconteur. I doff my hat!

Thank you so much

CHAPTER FORTY

Bukky sat on her neighbour’s car, outside the gate and watched a bunch of kids running around in circles, screaming and hitting one another on the head. It seemed they were playing a sort of game, but, a few of them were already getting irritable. She sensed a fight coming up.

“Hello…”

She turned her head and saw her ex-boyfriend standing by the car in a long sleeve tee-shirt and a pair of shorts. She groaned inwardly. What does he want now?

“Hi…” she turned her attention back to the kids. They were screaming insults at one another and a minor brawl had ensued.

“I got my call up letter a few days ago.”

She sighed heavily. She wasn’t interested in knowing anything about him.

“I was posted to Abuja,” he grinned with pride.

Bukky rolled her eyes. She was sure that his aunt worked the posting for him. She would definitely make sure that he served either in a Federal Government parastatal, or in a reputable firm. Good luck to him, she scoffed.

“I will be traveling next week, my aunt paid for a plane ticket for me, I will be…”

“Gbemiga please!”

His smile faded. Her countenance saddened him.

“For the love of God, leave me alone.”

He blinked, “I…I just wanted you to know.”

She shook her head, “I don’t want to know. We are not together anymore. Live your life and I will live mine.”

“But… but, we are friends.”

“No!” she jumped down from the car. She adjusted her pink sleeveless blouse.

His sad gaze ran over her. He liked the way the blue knee-length short outlined her hips and her backside was bigger than he remembered. The thought of grabbing and squeezing it consumed his mind.

“Look, I told you once before. I don’t want to be your friend.”

“Why?”

“Stay away from me, I have warned you,” she walked back into the house. When she got to her door, she noticed that he was following her.

“Was wrong with you?” she stood akimbo.

“I miss you.”

She started to laugh.

“I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have broken up with you. I now realize that I should have stood my ground when my family was pressuring me to
break up with you.”

She clapped her hands together, “It is too late now. I will be getting married before this year runs out. I love Chike, I have completely gotten over you.”

“Bukky please,” he went on his knees. The thought of losing her suffocated him.

“Even if I wasn’t dating Chike, I will never, ever go back to you. You are like a pendulum bob, unstable, indecisive and easily manipulated. There
is no future with you.”

He shook his head vigorously and got up, “No, that’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. Gbemiga, it is over.”

“It doesn’t have to be. Give me another chance, let me prove to you…”

“There is nothing to prove!” she snapped.

He closed the gap between them, “Do you honestly want me to believe that you have indeed gotten over me?”

“Yes.”

“I was your first love; I was the man that deflowered you.”

She eyed him, “So?”

“Who gets over that?”

“I did. Deal with it,” she opened her door and walked in.

“Wait…” he stepped into her apartment before she could close the door.

“What is the meaning of this?” she glared at him, “Out!”

“Hear me out,” he pleaded.

“No! I am done talking to you.”

“Bukky… please…”

“If you don’t go, I will scream. Most of my neighbours are men, bachelors, they live in twos and threes. When they come out, they will beat you into a pulp and your family will find it hard to recognize you.”

“You won’t.”

“Dare me.”

Their gazes locked.

“E gba mi oooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!”

Fear gripped him. He had seen how people in the area deal with thieves, rapists and the likes. No one bothered to confirm if what you were being accused of was true or false. The thought of been mobbed clouded his mind and he fled.

Bukky slammed her door and locked it. She heard her phone ringing. She hurried to the bed and picked it up.

“Hello…”

“Baby, where have you been? I have called thrice?”

The sound of his voice felt like a soothing balm to her fried nerves. “My love,” she sat on the bed.

“Why did you abandon your phone?”

“I was outside.”

“You should have taken your phone with you.”

“I miss you,” she lay back on the bed and propped her head with a pillow.

“I miss you more.”

“I miss you, miss you, miss you.”

He laughed, “You won’t have to anymore, I am almost home.”

She sat up quickly, “What?!”

“I am in a taxi conveying my bags and baggage.”

Her heart thudded loudly against her chest.

“Service year over baby.”

“Halleluyah!” she jumped to her feet. The thought of seeing him again flooded her mind.

“I can’t wait to see you girl. I need your sweet kisses like… like a drug.”

She bubbled with laughter and sat back on the bed.

“Girls over here tortured me ehn…”

“Seriously?”

“It was so bad that many of them sent me their nude pictures.”

“Enemies of progress!”

The sound of his laughter echoed in her ears.

“Serious temptation.”

“I can imagine.”

“If not for God ehn…if not for the love I have for you, babe, it is not easy.”

“I am glad that you were able to stand your ground,” she lay back on the bed.

“Now, we can finally get married.”

“I can’t wait,” she began to imagine how her wedding day would be.

“I don’t know if I will be retained in this company, but, anyhow, I have other offers from two oil companies. One here in Jos and another in Port
Harcourt.”

“Interesting.”

“I am almost a married man. I need to prepare to take care of my brand new family.”

She sighed in relief, “Wherever you are employed, I will re-start my bean cake business.”

“I will invest in your business. I have plans. We will design your shop and make it look like an eatery.”

“An eatery?”

“Yes, an eatery serving akara and bread, puff-puff, buns, corn pap, and whatever you can come up with.”

She smiled in excitement, “I like your plans.”

“I am home.”

“Where are you?” she sat up.

“I am outside my house. The taxi driver is helping me to move my bags into the apartment.”

Bukky hung up and ran out. She locked the door, and ran all the way to her fiance’s place. She found him waiting for her at the door.

“Chike! Chike!”

“My baby…” he stretched out his hands.

She flew into his arms.

“My love,” he held her tightly and closed his eyes.

“Please don’t ever me again.”

“Baby, I am not going anywhere.”

She raised her head and looked into his warm eyes.

“Where is my sweet kiss?”

She giggled and leaned forward. She tip-toed and planted a kiss on his lips.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Bukky got down from the motorcycle and paid the bike driver. She closed her hand bag and walked into the compound through the opened gate. It was three days to Christmas. Three was no sign of her fiancé and she wasn’t even sure if he would be coming to Lagos for the holidays. She missed him so much. It would be terrible if she ended up alone during the festive season. Maybe she might visit her aunt, play with the twins, spend a weekend with her parents in Ikorodu, then join her elder sister on the Island with her friends. Or maybe she might visit her in-laws in Owerri or fly down to Jos and surprise her fiancé. She fished for her keys in the bag and strode into the building.

Chike where are you?

She made her way to her doorstep and froze when she got close. There was someone standing by the door. He had on a pair of blue jeans and white body hugging short-sleeve tee-shirt. He looked exactly like Chike, but, the person had on a pair of dark fashionable glasses. She wasn’t sure if he was really her fiancé.

“Chike…” she narrowed her eyes.

The person smiled and removed the dark glasses.

“Chike!” it was her fiancé.

“My love…” he beamed.

She leapt towards him and flew into his arms.

“Hey… you have added weight again,” he staggered a bit.

She started to laugh.

“That doesn’t mean I can’t carry you,” he lifted her up in his arms.

She squealed in excitement, “Put me down, biko, Iron man, Captain America.”

“I am practicing for our wedding day.”

She giggled and held unto him.

“Babe, I have seriously missed you,” he let her down gently.

“I missed you more.”

“Open your door, let’s go inside.”

She hurried to the door and unlocked it. They both went in. The room was dark. She shut the door and reached out for the light switch behind the door. The bulb in the middle of the room came on.

“My sweet baby. Come to daddy,” Chike stretched out his hands.

Bukky ran into his arms and held him tight.

“Hey… don’t suffocate me.”

She laughed lightly and held unto him. It felt so good being in his arms.

“I have missed you so much. Many times I almost got on a bus heading to Lagos.”

She raised her head and looked into his passionate eyes.

“I actually went to the bus park one morning and I almost bought a ticket. Na so love dey shack person?”

She smiled and just stared at him.

“Assuming the oil company I work for came up with an excuse to keep us in Jos, I told myself that I will buy a ticket straight to Lagos and damn
the consequences.”

She sighed, “Is it that bad?”

“Those people are workaholics. Be it a Corper or a full time staff, we were all given the same duties and deadline.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Hope they are paying you all the same salary.”

He chuckled, “Don’t mind them. No salaries for corpers, but, the kind of allowance we are getting is triple what the federal government is paying.”

“Nice,” she grinned with relief.

“We also have welfare packages. We were given a furnished one-bedroom apartment each, we don’t pay electrical, water or security bills. We eat free food at a restaurant, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have unlimited access to the internet, weekly airtime vouchers, we are living like kings.”

“I am impressed, no wonder you don’t want to come home,” she eyed him.

“Hey, baby, not so. With all these freebies, they are using us like Jackals. We resume at six each day and close no later than ten.”

Eyes widened, “What?”

“Anyhow, here I am, home with my baby,” he drew her closer.

“I am so happy to see you.”

“I am thrilled to see you. Where did you go? I have been waiting out there for more than twenty minutes.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

He grinned, “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You did. When I saw you, I was like… oh my God!”

He laughed, leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. She responded, matching his intensity, fire for fire.

“Okay, okay,” he pulled away quickly, “That’s enough. Let’s don’t start what we can’t finish,” he led her to the settee, “So, tell me, what’s being going on?”

“I kind of passed my waec.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Kind of?”

“I have five ‘D’s and three ‘E’s.”

His dark brown eyes grew big.

“My tutors at the lecture center say that I will need to prepare for the GCE next year. They said I need to put in a lot of effort in order to pass the examinations. They said I need a total of six ‘C’s in relevant subjects in order to be able to take JAMB and get admitted into the University.”

He swallowed hard and nodded.

“Say something,” she looked into his eyes.

He reached out for her hands, “For someone who didn’t see the four walls of a Primary or Secondary school, you’ve done quite well. In less than three years, you have been able to acquire your First School Leaving Certificate and your Junior Secondary School Certificate. I am impressed.”

She sighed with relief. She had been terrified that he might see her as a failure.

“I believe that you will pass your GCE with flying colours next year. My baby is an intelligent girl.”

She blushed and dropped her gave.

He pecked her on the forehead, “Be at peace. Everything will work out for our good.”

“Thank you,” she raised her head, “Thank you for being by my side all through the years. You’ve been a very good friend.”

“Hmmm… friend abi? And I was dying in silence loving you, hoping that someday you will be mine, while you go about with Gbemiga claiming love.”

She giggled.

“This girl, you suffered me o.”

“Haba Chike.”

“Haba what? Do you know how many times I cried because of you?”

She blinked, “You? Cry?”

He eyed her, “Yes. Me, cried.”

“No way,” she observed his serious face.

“Yes way.”

She chuckled and stared at him long and hard.

“But, now that you are mine, nothing short of a nuclear warhead will take you away from me.”

She smiled broadly.

“I heard your ex-boyfriend graduated with a first class degree in Economics and Statistics.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know.”

She shook her head.

“I was far away in Jos and I heard. You are here in Lagos and you didn’t hear,” he seized her up.

“I have deleted him from my life. News of him are like viruses in my system. I am immune to it.”

He clapped his hands in excitement, “Hey… this babe don finish me. See lyrics. See how you take ICT finish your ex. I hail o,” he bowed comically.

“Stop it jor,” she punched him on the shoulder.

“Wetin you get for this house sef?” he looked around.

She scratched her head, “I have not cooked.”

He eyed her, “As in?”

“I have not gone to the market.”

“So, what have you been eating?” he looked her up and down, “See flesh everywhere.”

She crossed her arms against her chest, “I am not fat.”

“Keep deceiving yourself. I know you are way past size 10 by now.”

“No o!”

“See chest, see backside, see hands, see thighs, see everywhere. Your body has expanded in weight and mass.”

“I am a big 10.”

He hissed, “Please, just don’t turn shapeless, I have warned you.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t lose shape in my family.”

He sighed, “It is true. I have seen your mum and your elder sister. They are not fat, but, big in all the right places.”

“You see.”

He eyed her.

“Don’t worry love. I will stay in shape for you, before and after childbirth, I promise.”

“I hear you. What am I going to eat now?” he rubbed his tummy.

She bit at her lower lip, “Let’s eat out.”

“See your mouth. Oya let’s go, I am hungry.”

“Eureka!” she jumped to her feet and started to dance.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Bukky dropped the text-book on the chair and yawned. She was tired of studying. She wished the SSCE examination would come and go with the speed of light. She missed her fiancé. Assuming he was around, he would have revised with her. He didn’t come home for Easter, but he promised to make it up to her. She yawned again and stretched out her hands. She hoped to pass her examinations, even if she had six C’s in relevant subjects, she didn’t mind. She wasn’t aiming for A’s or B’s. She just wanted to pass so that she could start preparing for the JAMB examinations. If all worked out well for her, she might get admitted into the higher institution the following year. She leaned against the chair and smiled broadly. She was no longer an illiterate. She was now an educated young woman.

She had come a long way, spent so much money, but, it all paid out in the end. It was worth it after all. She thanked God for strengthening her, especially in moments she felt like giving up. She began to dream and imagine how it would be when she finally got admitted into the university.

xxxxxx

Kike and her husband took several pictures with their one-year-old twin toddlers. It was the kids’ birthday party and they had invited family, friends and the people living in their area. The way guests turned up with their children that afternoon, the couple began to fear that the food and drinks might not be enough.
Bukky joined her family under the canopy. Her parents, brothers and elder sister were seated at the same table. She had just sent her fiancé pictures of the celebrant. He sent a text in response. He wished he was around.

“How is Chike?” her mother smiled at her.

“He is okay,” she smiled back at her.

“I heard he was posted to Plateau state,” her elder sister directed her curious gaze at her.

She nodded in affirmation, “Yes, he was. He has been posted to Glaxco oil company in Jos.”

Her parents exchanged glances.

“I have never heard of that company,” her father sipped at his drink.

Bukky smiled, “There are so many oil companies in this country dad. We are all used to the popular ones.”

“But, do they pay well, like Chevron, Shell and Texaco?” her mother’s inquisitive gaze stayed glued to her face.

She shrugged, “I don’t know. But, he is lucky to have been posted there. Most of the people he is serving with were posted to government schools.”

“Bad luck,” her elder sister cried out in disdain.

“But, hope they gave him where to stay.”

Bukky glanced at her mother, “Yes, they did.”

“Good. Hope, aside his regular NYSC allowance, the company will also give him something.”

She shrugged, “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Her parents exchanged glances.

“I am sure the company will pay him,” her elder sister interjected.

“When is he coming home?”

She looked at her mother, “I guess December.”

“Aww… you must be missing him.”

She sighed heavily, “Yes. I am. If it is up to me, I will be with him right now.”

Her elder sister laughed, “Aunty Kike will not allow you to abandon the shop and flee. She is rarely there and you two want to disappear.”

Bukky laughed lightly. She believed that her aunt would be able to cope without her, especially now that they had four sales girls. She began to imagine that if her fiancé was retained in the oil company in Jos, they would both need to relocate. She would be able to re-start her akara business in the new environment.

xxxxxx

At half-past six in the evening, she heard knocks on her door. She reduced the volume of the T.V set and got to her feet. She re-tied the wrapper around her waist and adjusted her blouse. She walked to the door, unlocked and opened it.

“Hi…”

She blinked, then frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Gbemiga smiled at her, “Today was my convocation. We just got back from my school.”

She placed both hands on her hips. “What do you want?”

He eyed her, “Can’t you even congratulate me?”

She hissed and eyed him, “Gbemiga, what do you want?”

“I brought some of the food and drinks we took to my school.”

She noticed the big black bagco bag on the ground. “Thanks, but, no thanks. I don’t want.”

He paled, “Celebrate with me now. Why are you behaving like this?”

She glared at him, “Behaving like how? I told you to stop bothering me. What is wrong with you? What part of leave me alone don’t you
understand?”

He stared at her long and hard. What if she had completely gotten over him? What if her feelings for him had died? What if she doesn’t love him anymore? Was that even possible? He was her first love. There was a connection between them. That kind of thing doesn’t just evaporate. Or does it?

“Look, I am engaged. My fiancé won’t tolerate this nonsense. Please stop coming here,” she stepped back into the apartment and tried to close the door.

“Bukky! Wait…” he held unto the door.

“Please go.”

“I will go, but, please, collect this food and drinks. My mother and sisters cooked it so that I could share it with my friends. Even if you don’t think so, I still consider you as a friend.”

She hissed, “There is no need. If I collect it, I will throw it away. Go and give someone else.”

He felt hurt at her attitude, “Why are doing this to me?”

She looked up and sighed, “God, God, what kind of wahala is this, this evening?”

“Have you forgotten how things were between us?”

“That was a very long time ago. You do not exist in my world anymore. It is over between us Gbemiga, deal with it,” she forced the door close
and returned to the settee.

Gbemiga pressed his lips together and turned around. He had been trying to find a way to befriend her, but, it seemed that it wasn’t going to be an easy task. He needed to get her back, before Chike paid her bride price. He wasn’t ready to lose her, even if he wasn’t sure what the future would be like. Regardless, he was hopeful. He realized that he had made a terrible mistake. He shouldn’t have broken up with her. He should have just convinced her to keep their relationship a secret. That way, he would still get sponsorship for his education and she would still be by his side.

He picked up the bagco bag and headed home. He needed a better plan. How was he going to win his ex-girlfriend’s love again?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

She wiped her wet hands with the towel, dropped it on the sink and walked out of the kitchen. The knocks on the door persisted.

“Hold on…” she sauntered to the door and unlocked it.

Chike stood outside in his singlet and boxers, “Where you sleeping?”

She shook her head and looked him up and down. She was surprised that he left his house like that. Why didn’t he put on a tee-shirt at least?

“I just got my call up letter,” the excitement in his voice made her smile.

“Thank God,” she backed into the apartment. Her fiancé had been expecting it for several weeks.

He followed her in, “Guess where I am posted.”

“Hmmm…” she settled on the bed, “Abuja?”

He shook his head and sat beside her, “Try again.”

“Port Harcourt?” she grinned.

“I wish.”

She frowned, “So where did they post you? Hope it’s not in Kaduna or Kano or one northern state.”

He chuckled, “Calm down, it is in the north.”

“Eeeeh!” she placed her hands on her head, fear in her eyes.

“But, it is still okay.”

“Like seriously,” she eyed him, wondering why he wasn’t panicking.

“I was posted to Plateau state.”

“Plateau… but, they fight there too. Is that not where Jos is?”

He nodded and smiled.

“I heard that the Christians and Muslims live in separate communities.”

“Calm down love,” he reached out for her hands, “The God who has protected me all through the days of my life will not abandon me in Plateau state. He will be with me wherever I go.”

She observed his peaceful face, then sighed with relief. He was right. God was in control.

“I have to be at the camp first week of March.”

She calculated the dates in her mind. “That’s three weeks from now.”

He nodded, “Less than three weeks actually.”

She sighed heavily. “I am going to miss you.”

He brushed a hand over her face, “I am not gone yet.”

“You won’t be here to help me prepare for my SSCE examinations,” she paled.

“Don’t worry. Jesus is here with you. I will be back in Lagos for Easter, we can do a quick revision before I return to Plateau, okay?”

She smiled with relief, “Okay.”

He noticed that she was in her night-wear, a pink sleeveless satin dress which exposed her cleavage and her soft smooth thighs. He cleared his
throat thrice and made up his mind to leave immediately. It wasn’t wise for him to stay, but, he couldn’t will himself to stand.

“A least, come next year March, you will be done with your NYSC program, then we can get married.”

“Absolutely,” his eyes fell on her lips.

She noticed his intense stare. Her throat went dry and her heart beat accelerated. “Chike…”

“Hmm…”

“I think you should leave.”

“I can’t get up.”

Their gazes met and locked.

“You have to go now.”

“I know. I will.”

He moved closer to her side and claimed her lips. She trembled against him as his hands swept over her. He lay on the bed, pulling her along with him. Crushed under her light weight, he grabbed her buttocks and squeezed hard.

Bukky gasped and her breath quickened. Lying against him, she could feel his hardening groin. The pressure stirred her up, making her want him.

He slipped his hands under her dress, running his fingers along her raw flesh. The desire to be one with her consumed him. He rolled over and buried his face in her chest.

She moaned. The erotic feelings building up within her made her to shiver with desire.

“Oh my love…” he gritted his teeth, “I want you so much…” he looked into her eyes.

“I want you too.”

“I promised to wait. I am going to keep that promise.”

“Okay…” she steadied her breathing.

“You better be prepared on our wedding night; I am going to devour you.”

She started to laugh.

“I am going to eat you up,” he growled.

“I am not scared.”

“We shall see.”

“I am a Tigress; I will tear you into pieces on that day.”

“Eeeeh!”

She started to laugh again.

“Now, I have to go,” he pulled his weigh up.

“Yes, you do,” she sat up.

He got down from the bed and glanced at her, “Sweet dreams baby,” he blew her a kiss.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispered and watched him leave.

Chike left in a hurry and ran all the way home.

Bukky lay back on the bed, curled into a ball and wrapped her arms around her tensed body. If her fiancé had tried to sleep with her that night, she wouldn’t have been able to stop him. She needed to work on her ability to say no and stop things from getting too far. He might be strong now, what of the day when he would be weak? What was she going to do?

God help us.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga smiled when he saw his ex-girlfriend walking down the street. He quickened his steps and caught up with her.

“Hello…”

She turned and saw her ex-boyfriend. “Hi. When did you get back?”

“Some days ago.”

“How is school?”

“Great. I am done with my project. Unlike some of my course mates, I won’t be distracted during the second semester. Some of them are still
tying and re-writing. God gave me a level-headed Supervisor. Some people are crying because their Supervisors are giving them problems.”

“Hmmm…” she wasn’t interested in what he was saying.

“Where are you off to?” he liked the way the black and white short-sleeve blouse cradled her body. His gaze seized her up. Her curvy hips
seemed to have expanded and her behind was larger than he remembered. He gave a shake of head and tried not to whistle. Jealousy filled his mind. The thought that Chike was in possession of what used to be his made him angry.

“I am going to the saloon.”

“Okay. I heard about your introduction,” the thought that she might be getting married soon didn’t sit well with him.

She looked up at him. Who told him? She didn’t invite anyone in the area, except a few close frineds.

“You didn’t even bother to tell me,” he eyed her.

“There is nothing to tell. You broke up with me, remember?”

“So? Does that make us enemies?”

She turned away.

“We are not enemies.”

“Neither are we friends.”

“Come on.”

She halted, “We used to be lovers. Friendship is a very bad idea.”

“Why? What are you scared of?”

“Nothing.”

He smiled, “Or are you scared that you might find out that you still love me? You might have a new boyfriend, but, I am your first love.”

She started to laugh, “You don’t know what you are talking about.”

“We can start dating again.”

She eyed him, “That is totally impossible.”

“No,” he gave a shake of head, “I believe that by the time I am done with my masters, my family will come around.”

She clapped her hands and laughed, sickened by his outrageous idea.

“They won’t have any say in our lives then,” he tried to convince her.

“Do you think I am stupid?” she began to feel very angry.

“No…”

“Why will I resume a dead relationship with you? You want me to sit back, fold my arms, hoping that your family will allow us to get married in the
future.”

“I believe that they won’t be able to stop us.”

“If they can stop us now, they can stop us in twenty years’ time. You allowed them to bully you into breaking up with me. What makes you think they can’t do it again?”

“Listen to me…”

“Have you been drinking?!”

He blinked, “No…”

“Are you on drugs, some sort of medication that has messed up your mental faculties?”

He frowned, sensing her annoyance.

“Gbemiga Phillips, stop bothering me. Find yourself someone that your family validates. I am not the one.”

“Look, I know you are finding it hard to comprehend my plan…”

“I have warned you, stay away from me,” she waved a finger at him and strode off.

“Bukky!”

He believed that if he could convince her, if she could just listen to him, they might be able to work it out.

sweetdude001:
For nairaland everybody holy, my question is n I need sincere answers, do u think Gbemi d have done the same chike did for bukky if his parents were supporting and he is as financially capable as Chike, he loves bukky u can't take that away, yea he thinks with his dick sometimes but that does not make him a bad person, I think he did great by coming clean so she won't have to wait for nothing, some suggested he had a secret affair behind his parents hoping they come around, what if they Neva did? Bukky loses out, no chike no Gbemi.
He did them both a favour,he still loves her that's why he does not wanna let go. Shewrites I sense you trying to please some people good work but note this. Bukky with Chike good story
Bukky with Gbemi great story

Sweet heart, thanks.

Hmmm... i am pleasing no one ooooo.

I have already completed this story before posting it.

As i edit it chapter by chapter, i update.

Although sometimes, i am tempted to deviate from the original script, but, i can't and i won't because i love the ending.

Enjoy *winks*

Missmossy:
Finally! I'm here such a beautiful piece SheWrites, filled with lot of morals too. You didn't ask of me all these while, been off NL... I have vex for you. Happy for Bukky, ko easy after all she went through. Chike is equally patient, guys i know lack that. As for Gbenga youthful exuberance affected him a lot. Plus selfishness too on his part, love isn't selfish. Lemme stop here, i have missed my wonderful stories. NYSC camp didn't try sha keep it coming dear.

Sweet heart no vex. glad to have you back. mwwwaooooh!

Gideon16:
Ghost mood deactivated. Finally i catch up with the story. Shewrites, u are the best.

You are welcome to our story land

Morning every one.

Hope you all had a restful holiday.

I will update today. Before dinner time.

Love yah!