₦airaland Forum

MhizDherbee:
I dint want to comment on this story till the end buh i couldnt contain myself anymore.
Shewrites, you dont need me to tell how you how good you are in this field of yours because its obvious you are well acquinted with that fact. So i'll skip the appraisals annd simply say Wehdon Ma!

As for Gbemiga, i hope you suceed in your quest cuz i dont trust Chike @ all. How can one be without a blemish? How possible is that
Also i believe the saying that goes thus: the devil you know is better than the angel you dont know.
#Myopinion

*kisses*

spiceybae:
If i wea in gbemiga's shoes i wud av done same...lyk seriously such opportunity cannot come twice..bt den he shud leave bukky alone...nice story serah

Thanks

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Chike and Bukky sat at the high table, amidst friends and family. It was their introduction ceremony. His parents and siblings stayed back in Lagos after his convocation, so that they could prepare for the D-day. His younger brother stayed with him in his self-contain apartment, while his parents, his elder brother and his wife stayed in a hotel in the area. A few of his relatives had been able to come all the way from Owerri to Lagos to celebrate with them. They were all happy for him.

A few of his course mates at school were a bit concerned because they thought he was rushing things, but, he found nothing wrong in tying the knot at his age. He was already twenty-seven. By the time he was done with his service year, he would be twenty-eight. Time wait for no man.
While music blasted from the big black speakers, food and drinks were being served. He glanced at his bride-to-be and smiled. He liked the way the make-up on her face glowed. She looked very beautiful in the tradition attire. She had on a green lace blouse and wrapper, supported by a yard of green and silver coloured Aso-oke tied around her waist. Her head-tie was also of the same material. Her silver metallic high heeled sandals and purse glittered like stars in the sky. The way she looked so good at that moment, he wondered how it would be on their traditional wedding day.

“My African Queen.”

She turned to look at her fiancé. The way he was staring at her made her to blush.

“You look like a fairy princess,” he said softly.

She chuckled and smiled.

“I am so happy that things are going according to plan.”

“Me too,” she sighed with relief. She had dreamt about how the day would go. The ceremony was better than she imagined.

“I wish we don’t have to wait till after my service year before completing the marriage rites.”

She giggled and brushed a hand over his face. She wouldn’t mind being married to him earlier than planned.

“I can’t wait to ravish you,” he blew her a kiss and winked.

Her hand flew to her mouth, “Chike Nwosu,” she whispered.

“What? Don’t look so innocent,” he eyed her, “I know that you are thinking exactly the same thing.”

She burst out in laughter. He was right. It wasn’t easy abstaining from sex in their relationship. The physical attraction between them was electrifying and at times, it consumed them. But, they had both promised each other and God that they would wait till their wedding night.

Bukky’s parents could hear their daughter’s laughter from where they were seated. They exchanged glances and smiled. It was obvious to all that the couple were head over heels in love with each other. They thanked God for bringing their daughter a good man to marry.

The Nwosu’ watched the couple from a distance. They were happy that their second son had found a good woman to marry. If it was left to them, they would have made the couple to complete the marriage rites immediately, but, the girl’s parents felt that it was best that their son completes his service year first. That way, the couple could start their lives together without distractions.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga sat outside his room, in the off-campus hostel, washing his clothes. The huge pile of clothes beside the large basin made him to groin inwardly. He had been procrastinating about his laundry for weeks, now that he had nothing to wear except the tee-shirt and khaki shorts on him, he had to do it. He didn’t even go to church that morning. he had the option of wearing what he wore last Sunday but, wasn’t a fan of repeating clothes back to back. Assuming he was home, his younger sisters would have helped him. He basically did nothing at home, except to eat, sleep and watch the television. He missed home.

“Hey… guy, you are washing,” one of his friends approached his door.

“Felix how now?” he raised his head. The brown skin young man was clad in a white long sleeve shirt and a pair of blue trousers. He held a bible in his hand and a bottle of coke.

“How was the service?”

“Okay. The Pastor asked after you. You were on the roaster this morning.”

“Oh…”

Felix sat on the bench beside his friend, “Weren’t you supposed to take the opening prayer this morning?”

Gbemiga returned his attention to his clothes.

“How come you have so much clothes to wash?” Felix eyed the pile of clothes, “Why don’t you call one of those girls or boys that do our laundry?”

His friend shrugged, “I am not ready to part with my hard earned money today.”

Felix started to laugh, “Na so. Which money sef? The one your parents gave you or the I.T allowance that most of us have blown before school resumed?”

Gbemiga decided not to respond. He had used all the money he saved during his Industrial Training to fix their new apartment. Since his aunt and uncles had decided to sponsor his education, they had been sending him monthly stipends. He won’t have to disturb his parents again for anything he needed at school.

“You won’t believe who I saw yesterday.”

He glanced at his friend.

“You know I went to Ikorodu to see my aunt since Friday, after lectures.”

Gbemiga nodded.

“My cousin and I crashed a party. It was the introduction ceremony of a young cute couple.”

“I see,” he picked more clothes and soaked them in the soapy water in the basin.

“I don’t know the guy, but, the bride-to-be, I can swear on my grandfather’s grave that she was the same girl you brought to my birthday party.”

Gbemiga dropped the clothes and met his friend’s excited gaze.

“The girl you paraded at my party as your girlfriend.”

“The dark not too slim chick.”

“Yes, that pretty dark babe.”

“The one everyone wanted to know her name and get her number?”

“Yes, the same one.”

Gbemiga steadied his rasp breath. The only girl he took to his closest friend’s birthday party was Bukky.

“She looked happy. I heard the guy she would be marrying is an Igbo boy.”

He blinked and swallowed hard.

“What happened between you two? I thought you really liked that girl.”

He pressed his lips together and remained quiet. It was hard for him to process the information. If his ex and her new boyfriend just did their introduction, that means that they would be getting married soon enough. He couldn’t believe that he was going to lose her indefinitely.

“The way I saw you two together, I thought you had found the one.”

He cleared his throat twice and continued to wash his clothes.

“Gbemiga…”

“Hmm…”

“What happened?”

“We broke up.”

“Why?”

He coughed and cleared his throat again. How was he going to explain to his friend that the only reason why he broke up with his ex was so that he could finish his tertiary education without hassle and take his master program all-expense paid.

“Gbemi…”

“Felix, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Talk to me man. What are friends for?”

He caught a glimpse of his friend’s concerned look. “I don’t care who Bukky is with right now, all I know is that, our paths will cross again in the nearest future and she will be Mrs. Gbemiga Phillips.”

Felix busted into laughter, “You are on a long thing. She just had her introduction.”

“So, has the guy paid her bride price?”

His friend shook his head.

“The deed is not done yet,” he pushed more clothes into the basin until it was full.

“If you liked her that much, you shouldn’t have let her go in the first place.”

Gbemiga shrugged. He believed that somewhere in Bukky’s heart, she still felt something for him. When the time was right, they would be together again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Bukky and Chike strode bare-footed on the off-white sea sand, holding hands and watching the way the waves rolled over, hitting the rocks, back and forth, non-stop. There were several other people on the beach. Many were seated in groups of twos, three or more, under large umbrellas surrounded by plastic chairs, eating and drinking. Some people stood outside the mini-bars at the far end of the beach, dancing to the music blasted by the loud speakers.

A dark looking man in his late thirties walked up to them, holding about ten pairs of female slippers. He tried to cajole them into patronizing him, but, they were not interested. The moment he walked away, an average height woman, plump, in a blouse and a pair of jeans hurried to their side, waving a set of beaded necklaces, bracelets and ear-rings in their faces.

“No, thank you,” he shook his head at the woman.

She turned to Bukky, but the girl turned away. The woman left them and ran after a group of young women in skimpy outfits, laughing at an inside joke. Lucky for her, they liked her wares and started bargaining for a good price.

“I am beginning to feel cold,” she looked up at him.

He glanced at her, “Why did you leave your jacket in the car?” he liked the way the black sleeveless top hug her body.

She shrugged, “At the time, I was a little bit hot.”

“And now you are feeling cold.”

She nodded and shivered a bit.

He placed a hand around her shoulder, “It’s past seven. The darker it gets, the cooler it becomes.”

She leaned against him, basking in the warmth of his nearness.

“I have been here as late as ten and it wasn’t fun.”

“What were you doing here at that time?”

He grinned, “A course mate had a party here. It was a birthday party. I think we left the beach before midnight. It was freezing by then.”

She trembled against him. She couldn’t imagine how cold it must have been.

“Fun-time over, let’s get you back into the car.”

“Thanks.”

They turned around and headed towards the exit. On their way to the car park, she sighted huge rocks in a long line.

“What are those?”

He followed her gaze, “Oh… those rocks prevent the ocean from flooding the road.”

Her eyes grew big. She thought of the tsunami in Haiti.

“That’s Bar beach, or what is left of it.”

“Bar beach?” her alarmed look made him smile.

“Yes,” he led her towards the car.

“I have been there as a child. What happened?”

“Nature. Water claiming land.”

She waited while he unlocked the vehicle. “Did something like tsunami happen here on the Island?”

He chuckled, “No… not really, but, the incessant flooding of the road and surrounding buildings made the government to take action. Bar beach is
now a shadow of itself. I used to come here as a child back then too.”

She opened the door and got in. “But, do people still go to the beach?”

He climbed in, “Sort of. The place is deserted. Everybody comes to Kuramo beach now.”

“So, Kuramo beach replaced Bar beach?”

“Sort of, kind of… some people prefer Bar beach because it has less crowd now, unlike before. Although I won’t advice a pretty girl like you to take a walk on that beach at night. Touts, thugs and criminals hide on that beach,” he pulled her cheek.

“Hmm… we don’t maintain things in this country,” picked up her jacket and wore it.

“Well, true.”

“We can spend all the money on things, but, we abandon it once the project is done. No maintenance culture.”

“You are right.”

“May God help us.”

“Amen. Hope you had a nice time.”

She met his smiling gaze, “Yes,” she smiled back at him, “I enjoyed our birthday celebration.”

“I had a good time too,” he brushed a hand over her face.

“When do you think we will get home?”

“If we are lucky, before ten.”

“But, if we are not?”

“Maybe sometime before midnight.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, we will be home before you say Jack Robinson.”

“Okay,” she looked out of the closed window.

Chike picked up the paper-bag at the back seat of the car and brought out a small red box.

“Bukky…”

She turned her head and saw the glittering gold ring in the opened small red box. Her astonished dark eyes flew to his excited dark brown ones.

“Today, I ask officially, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?”

She breathed out loudly and looked at the ring. It was beautiful. “Yes, Chike. I will marry you. I will spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Do you even have a choice?”

She started to laugh. He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her lightly.

“The convocation is scheduled for mid-October,” he informed her.

“That means our introduction ceremony will be that same week.”

He nodded with enthusiasm.

“I will let my parents know.”

“Mine are already preparing. They want us married immediately after my service year.”

She smiled broadly, “I will have it no other way.”

“Me neither,” he leaned forward and kissed her again.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga and his friends stood outside the Silverbird Galleria. One of them hailed a cab and tried to bargain on a price. It had been a good day. His friends hosted him in celebration of his twenty-third birthday.

“Guys, let’s go,” the guy who stopped the cab beckoned at them. He had been able to agree on a good price with the taxi-driver.

Gbemiga and the rest of his friends climbed into the vehicle. It was past ten, hopefully, they would get home before midnight.

He looked out of the window and sighed heavily. His Industrial Training at his aunt’s firm in Abuja turned out well. He was able to move his family into a self-contain apartment in the area with some of the money he saved. His parents and sisters had been ecstatic. No more sharing toilet, bathroom and kitchen with dozens of people. No more living in cramped room with little or no ventilation. Their new place was sweet relief. The space was twice the size of their former accommodation and they were able to convert it into a bedroom and sitting area. Although, it wasn’t that conducive for a family of five, it was better than where they were coming from.

His thoughts drifted to his ex. Funny enough, he still had feelings for her. Assuming she wasn’t dating Chike, he might have been able to convince her to go into a secret relationship with him. Maybe in time, his family would finally accept her. During his I.T program, he had gone on a date or two, but, no one compared to Bukky. He missed her. He wondered if she was happy in her new relationship. Thoughts of the day he saw Chike kissing her flashed through his mind’s eye. His brows knitted in a frown. He hoped the guy wasn’t sleeping with her. Images of the times he had slept with Bukky at the back of the kitchen flooded his mind. He groaned in frustration, erased his torturous thoughts, closed his eyes and rested the back of his head on the car seat.

huntsman007:
welldone ma.
Gone tru al ur other stories, and i cud see that they all av a splendid ending... Which gives me the assurance that this one wont be different..

..
..
..
..More ink to ur pen ma'am. Tanks for delivering well.

Thank you so much.

faithfulgrl:
Ghostmode deactivated. I love dis story. More ink to ur pen.more update pls.

Yippee! You welcome *hugs*

charytea:
Can i share on my Facebook page too please

Yes you can darling.

@MilkyGalaxy... you can share the story

Mod I am honoured, thank you.

I will like to say a big thank you to the mod for making this story 'top story of the week'

I am honored and grateful.

Thanks to every one who nominated the story.

Thanks to every one for reading, commenting and appreciating me.

Thanks to all my ghost readers, especially those that deactivated ghost mode.

Thank you all.

It is by the special grace of GOD that I live and write.

Love you all *winks* *hugs* *kisses*

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Bukky and the sales girls locked the shop and headed home. Her aunt had not been coming to work for some time because she was very heavy. She hoped the woman would give birth speedily. The last time she visited her, she was complaining of backaches and pain in her legs. She hoped she wouldn’t go through such stress in her own pregnancy period. She wanted the Hebrew women kind of delivery, short and fast, not like the ones portrayed in Nollywood movies. She had heard testimonies of how some women went through painless labour. She wanted that to be her story. On her way to the bus-stop, she ran into her ex. She had not seen him since she returned to Lagos from Owerri. She thought he had already gone back to school.

“Hey… hi, longest time,” he stood by the roadside and seized her up. He liked the blouse she was putting on. It fitted her perfectly. She looked as if she had added some weight.

“Evening, how is everything.” she feigned a smile.

“Good. Thanks. Happy New Year in advance. How is sales at the shop?”

“Happy New Year. Sales is good. God is faithful. Thanks.” She looked around, searching for an excuse to dismiss him.

“I will be travelling to Abuja after the Easter holiday for my Industrial Training in my aunt’s firm,” he informed her. The proud look in his eyes wasn’t lost to her.

“Congratulations. I wish you good luck.” She couldn’t think of a reason why he was telling her. It was none of her business.

He smiled, “Thanks.”

“I am on my way home, see you around.”

“Wait,” he still wanted to chat with her, for reasons he would rather not decipher. “Em… You and Chike.”

She raised an eyebrow, “What about us?”

“When did you two start dating?” he folded his arms across his chest.

She looked him up and down. Why did he want to know? What business of his was the time frame of her relationship?

“It’s rather sudden and I wanted to know if, you were both together, while we were going out.”

She smiled with understanding. “l never cheated on you. I am a one-man person. I don’t two-time. I despise the very act of jumping from one person to the other.”

He nodded in agreement, “l know, I know. I was just a bit baffled, when I saw you two together. It’s not been too long since we broke up.”

She laughed lightly, “Oh, so, you thought I was going to mourn losing you forever, right?’”

“No, of course not,” he didn’t like the way she was looking at him, like she pitied him.

“I got over you Gbemiga. deal with it.”

He eyed her.

“Remember, you were the one who left me for the promise of sponsorship of your education by your family.”

“Ehn… I know.”

“I have to go. Good luck,” she started to walk away.

“Bukky…” he called out to her, but, she didn’t respond.

He frowned and turned around. He didn’t expect her to disregard him as if he never meant anything to her. Her lackadaisical behavior got to him. After all, he was her first love and her first boyfriend, that should count for something.

xxxxxx

While she ate her dinner, seated in front of the T.V screen, she got a text from her aunt’s husband that she had been delivered of a set of twins, a boy and a girl. She finished her meal in a hurry and called her fiancé. He agreed to drive her to the hospital to see the happy couple and their babies.

She changed into a jeans and a tee-shirt and went to meet him in his place. The hospital was in Yaba, very close to their shop. They got there in less than an hour.

They found kike in the Maternity ward with her husband and the twins in a cradle beside the hospital bed. They were very happy to see them.

“I thought babies were supposed to be fair,” Bukky stared at them wide-eyed.

“These two are so black,” her fiancé stood beside her.

Chike and Bukky carried the babies.

“They resemble their parents. When you give birth to your own, ask God for fair children.” Kike eyed her niece.

“Your fiancé is dark brown, maybe God will have mercy and give you oyinbo children,” her husband chimed in.

Kike and her husband started to laugh.

“Maybe he will,” Bukky kissed the baby in her arms.

“True, you never can tell,” her fiancé added.

“In your dreams,” Kike kept on laughing.

xxxxxx


Baba and Remi adviced their son as he packed his bags and prepared to live for the bus park. He would be staying in his aunt’s place in Wuse, Abuja, while he worked in the company she was a major shareholder of. His six months Industrial Training there would probably create an opportunity for him by the time he graduated the following year.

“Listen to your aunt and do whatever she asks of you,” Remi patted her son on the shoulder.

“You know it is her house, and you are just a visitor, being related to her doesn’t give you the yardstick to misbehave,” his father added.

“I know, I know. I will be a good boy, okay?”

“I don’t just want any complain. You know how our family is, if anything happens, the news will travel far and wide,” his mother shuddered.

“Mum, nothing bad will happen. You should be praying for my success not dreaming up ill-luck.”

She glanced at her husband. He cleared his throat twice.

“You know we only want the best for you.”

“I know dad and I will not disappoint you.”

“Ehn-hen, that is exactly what we want to hear.”

“I am set,” he zipped both bags.

“God will follow you and come back with you.”

“Amen,” Gbemiga closed his eyes.

“You shall be the head and not the tail everywhere you go.”

“Amen.”

They continued to pray for him.

His sisters were exceptionally happy. They planned to brag to all their friends that their brother was now living in the capital city. They would be the envy of everyone till he returned home after the long holiday.

Gbemiga hoped that he would make enough money so as to move his family out of their present accommodation. If Bukky could rent a better place for herself, he should be able to do the same. He and his family would be more comfortable in a self-contain apartment, than where they were at the moment. He was determined to save as much as he could.

“I will call once I get to aunty’s place,” he started towards the door.

“Okay, safe journey,” his parents chorused.

“Keep your money properly.”

His sisters helped him to carry his bags out of the house, to the bus-stop. Several buses halted at the bus-stop and each conductor shouted out their destinations. His sisters waved at him when he got on a bus heading to Yaba and retraced their steps homewards. The conductor arranged his bags with other loads at the back of the bus and informed him that he would pay double fare. They argued for a while and agreed on a price.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Chike and Bukky walked into the large compound, dragging their luggage. A man and a woman in their late fifties came out of the three-bedroom bungalow, stood at the entrance and waved at them smiling. She could tell that they were Chike’s parents. He had a slight resemblance with his mum, but, he was the younger version of his father.

“Dad, mum, evening,” he beamed at them, “I will like you to meet Oluwabukola Folorunsho, the woman I am going to spend the rest of my life with.”

Two pairs of eyes observed her. She felt like a specimen under a microscope.

“Good evening sir, ma,” she spoke politely.

“Evening dear, how are you doing?” his father smiled at her.

“I am fine sir,” she smiled back at him.

“She is so pretty,” she winked at her son and glanced at her, “You are welcome to Owerri.”

“Thank you ma,” their warm reception eased her troubled mind.

“Let’s go in. Your elder brother and his wife are around.”

They followed the elderly couple into the house.

“Where is this boy when you need him?’

Chike chuckled, he could discern that his father was looking for his younger brother. The boy came out of one of the rooms.

“Help your brother and his fiancée with their bags,” the man instructed his youngest son.

Chike and his younger brother shook hands, “Who are you competing with? You are just growing taller each time I see you.”

The boy laughed loudly, picked up the bags and dragged them out of the sitting room.

His younger sister came out of the kitchen and ran to him.

“I thought you were not coming home for Christmas,” she embraced him.

“I had to come, meet my heart beat, Bukky.”

She glanced at her elder brother’s fiancée. “Welcome to our humble home. When you are free, I will tell you all you need to know about my
brother, especially his little secrets.”

Chike eyed her, “Trouble maker.”

Bukky chuckled. She liked the girl. If she wasn’t mistaken, they were age mates.

“Please, come in, sit while I get you something to eat,” his mother led her to a chair.

She sat down and looked around her. The room was large, arranged with brown leather chairs, cream coloured rug, and brown and cream
curtains. A glass table was at the centre of the room, decorated with colourful flowers in a brown vase. A flat screen television was supported by a wooden divider close to the wall and the DVD player and DSTV decoder was placed in front of the television.

“Look who is here,” an older version of her fiancé came into the room, holding the hand of a pretty dark lady. Her baby bump was obvious in the cream short-sleeve feet-length dress.

“Eh bros…” Chike and his elder brother shook hands.

“The Lagos boy.”

“Pretty woman, hope he is taking care of you,” he winked at his brother’s wife.

She smiled, “Yes he is.”

“Come and meet my Queen,” he drew their attention to Bukky who was feeling a bit self-conscious.

“Ah-han, this boy carry eye go market o,” Chike’s elder brother seized her up.

Everyone started to laugh.

“Biko, come and give your brother and his fiancee food to eat,” she addressed her only daughter.

The girl followed her mother into the kitchen. Chike’s father settled on a chair in front of the T.V set.

“How are your parents?” his warm eyes settled on her calm ones.

“They are fine sir.”

Chike’s sister returned carrying a tray of food. His younger brother followed carrying a pack of juice, a bottle of water and two glass cups.

xxxxxx

Chike and Bukky sat on a bench under the mango tree outside the bungalow. The moonlight illuminated the compound.

“My parents like you,” he turned to look at her.

She smiled at him, “I could tell.”

“They are ready to come with me to Lagos to meet your family.”

She sighed with relief.

“We will fix the introduction ceremony for the week of my convocation.”

She nodded in agreement, “Okay. I will convince my parents.”

“I hope they will agree. Nevertheless, I will accept whatever date they set.”

“Don’t worry, my parents will not stress us,” she assured him.

He sighed with relief, “Okay then.”

“I like your siblings.”

He grinned, “They like you too, especially my sister. I think she wants to be your friend, but, she is shy.”

“Oh really? I will like to be her friend too. I don’t really have female friends, aside from the girls I grew up with and some of the girls I met at the Adult Education Center.”

“I know you two will make good friends.”

“Me too.”

“Tomorrow, I am taking you to see my dad’s siblings and my mum’s siblings. They will never forgive me if they hear that I came to Owerri with my wife and I didn’t bring her.”

She smiled, but, felt a bit uneasy. His family might have accepted her, but, she had no idea how his relatives would perceive her.

“Then, I want you to meet my childhood friends. None of them are married and they are going to be green with envy when they see you.”

She shook her head at him.

“What? They say ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it’,” he winked at her.

“So, you want to turn me into a trophy and carry me round the whole town ba?’”

He grinned from ear to ear, “Nothing wrong with that.”

“You are on your own.”

He laughed lightly, “I will also take you to all the fun spots in this town. My friends will bring their girlfriends along and we will all catch fun.”

“Better idea.”

“The thirty-first night in this time is crazy. You need to witness it first-hand,” excitement filled his voice.

“Hope there will be no knock-out wars. I have seen how quickly people get injured while playing around with these things.”

“Don’t worry, I will protect you.”

She eyed him, “That is not comforting.”

“Thank you for coming with me to Owerri,” he changed the subject.

She smiled back at him, “I am glad I came. You have a wonderful family.”

“So do you,” he moved closer and wrapped his arms around her.

Their gazes locked.

“Finally we are together. My waiting paid off.”

She laughed quietly, “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“I didn’t have a choice. My heart chose you. It would have been impossible to love another woman.”

She felt thrilled by his words, “I want a sweet kiss right now.”

“Nice. One sweet kiss coming up,” he kissed her lightly on the lips.

She knotted her hands around his neck and kissed him back.

MackHort:
Posted via http://bazehub.com.ng

Allowed?!!

Yesssssssssssss

Updates commences tonight.

Happy holidays *winks*

huntsman007:
Hmm. Dat moment when a hollywood producer and director decides to use nollywood actors and actressess in their movie.. #Something tells me dat dis story jst got started.
.
.#Nice episodes ma'am, u sure know how to satisfy ur readers.

Thanks *hugs*

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Gbemiga returned home for the Christmas holiday. Breaking up with Bukky had affected him badly. He loved the girl, but, he didn’t want to go against his family’s wishes. Moreover, his uncles and aunt were willing to sponsor his education. He couldn’t forego such opportunity. In the past, he had asked this same people for financial support, but they all turned him down. His parents were relying on him to take up the responsibility as the bread winner in the home. His sisters needed his support and everyone depended on him. If he had continued dating Bukky, it would have been seen as a selfish act and no one would be willing to understand his actions. He had to let her go. Maybe somewhere in the future, their paths might cross again and then, his family might be willing to accept her. He wondered how she was coping without him. he knew how hurt she had been when he left her. He had prayed to God to heal her heart quickly and help her to move on. He decided to visit her and see how she was doing. He wasn’t sure if she would be willing to speak with him. Nevertheless, he would try.

At half past seven, Gbemiga strolled to Bukky’s place. He heard her laughter before he got to her door. Who was she with? Maybe her aunt visited. When he got to the door, he heard a male voice. His tummy turned upside down. Who was she with? Instead of knocking, he went around the house and peeped through her window. He saw her seated on the bed, clad in a sleeveless pink top and a pair of brown black and white shorts. Anger brewed within him when he saw Chike seated beside her. What was he doing in her place at that time of the day? He wanted to speak with her. How was he going to get her so called friend out of the house? It would have been easy if they were still dating, but, he wasn’t her boyfriend anymore and he had no rights over her. He felt sad and angry at the same time.

He opened his mouth in surprise when Chike kissed Bukky. His blood began to boil. He marched towards the door, then halted. He thought they were just friends. That was what she kept saying whenever he stated his concerns about the guy. Did Bukky lie to him? Was she dating the both of them at the same time? He gave a shake of head. She wasn’t that kind of girl. Was it possible that they started dating after he broke up with her? Did she get over him that quickly? The thought made him to grit his teeth. He thought she really loved him. He thought it would take her ages to get over him, but, he was wrong. She had already moved on while he was still pinning for her.

He hissed and marched towards the gate. He wished both of them good luck.

xxxxxx

On her parents’ wedding anniversary, Chike drove her to Ikorodu to celebrate with them. Her elder sister was also around. Her younger brothers were so happy to see her. The last time she saw them was at Kike’s wedding party. She introduced Chike to her family as the man she was going out with. While her father chatted with him in the sitting room to talk, Bukky, her elder sister and her mother talked in the kitchen.

“What happened to Gbemiga? I thought you two were inseparable” her sister teased her.

“He is a lost cause,” she didn’t want to talk about him.

Her mother paid attention to her, “What happened between the two of you?”

“He surrendered to the wills of his family and dumped me.”

Both women stared at her in disbelief. Bukky narrated the events that led to her break-up with her ex.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” her mother was upset.

“You should have told them that you now have a junior waec certificate. You are not an illiterate,” her sister was pissed.

“And the boy couldn’t defend you. The spineless he-goat,” her mother ranted.

Bukky opened her mouth and closed it.

“I hope this ibo boy is a serious somebody?”

She nodded quickly.

“He looks responsible. You said he will be graduating next year, abi?’ her sister asked her.

She nodded again.

“He is better than that… what is his name again?” her mother stared at her.

Her sister laughed, “Maami… see your red eyes.”

“I don’t like when people mistreat my children. If not for the situation of things, both of you should be graduates by now.”

“We know mum. It is well. All things will work out for our good.”

“Is he the owner of that car?’” her mother leaned forward.

“Yes. He bought it when he travelled abroad for his Industrial Training.”

“Eh-hen… better in-law. Not the likes of Gbemiga Phillips,” her mother hissed.

“He must have made quite a large sum,” her sister winked at her.

Bukky just smiled.

“Is He the one that bought the cake and drinks too?’

“Yes.”

“Oya, oya, come and serve your husband food.”

She eyed her mother, “Which husband?’

“Chike of course,” her mother and sister chorused.

She eyed them, “Not until he pays my bride price. He is not my husband.”

“I hear you. Come and give him food. Hope he likes swallow.”

She met her mother’s questioning gaze, “That’s his favourite.”

“Perfect.”

Her mother dished a meal of pounded yam and melon soup in stainless plates, placed it on a tray and handled it over to her daughter who carried
it into the sitting room. She placed it on a stool in front of her boyfriend.

“Thank you,” he grinned at her.

She smiled at him and glanced at her father. He seemed happy. Whatever they discussed must have turned out well. She returned to the kitchen to meet her mother and her sister.

At past seven, they headed back to town. Chike parked in front of her house and discovered that she was sleeping. No wonder she had been quiet. He woke her up and helped her out of the car. He led her to her apartment, sat her down on the bed and pulled off her shoes. She climbed into the bed and started to doze off immediately her head hit the pillow.

“Bukky, I want to leave. Come and lock the door,” he tapped her on the shoulder.

“Use your spare key,” she turned on her side, backing him.

“We are travelling to Owerri on Christmans eve to spend time with my family.”

She opened her eyes.

“I told your father that I am interested in marrying you and he told me to bring my people whenever I am ready.”

Sleep left her eyes. She sat up quickly, “Unbelievable.”

“I want my family to meet you one on one. I have already told them about you.”

She opened her mouth and closed it.

“I am planning our introduction ceremony for a week before or after my convocation. My family will be in Lagos and we will be able to kill two bed with a stone.”

She eyed him, “You have not even proposed to me, you are already planning our wedding.”

“I will propose officially on your twenty first birthday. By then, I would have graduated and I will have all the time in the world to spoil you,” he winked at her.

She smiled back at him.

“I love you Bukky and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Same here.”

“Say it, I want you to say it,” he eyed her.

She laughed quietly, “I love you too Chike and there is no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life with.”

“Perfect,” he learned forward and kissed her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Bukky and her aunt sat inside the shop counting the money they made that day while the sales girls tidied up the place.

“When did you and Chike start dating?”

She raised her head and met her aunt’s excited gaze. “A few weeks ago.”

She grinned, “I knew that both of you will end up together.”

Bukky chuckled and tied the money in her hands with rubber bands.

“You wasted so much time with Gbemiga. I pray that God will pay his family back in their own coin.”

She sighed heavily and held her tongue. The last time she saw her ex, he was leaving for school and she was heading to her lecture center. It was at the bus-stop and they just exchanged greetings, nothing more. She seldom run into his parents or siblings. It was as if they no longer existed, even though they all lived on the same street. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

“Good afternoon ma,” Chike walked in.

Both women raised their heads and grinned at him.

“Chike, omo ibo, omo ina,” Kike teased him.

He chuckled and smiled.

“I got your message. Thanks for the gifts.”

“You are welcome ma.”

“This your abroad I.T did you well o. Your skin looks buttery and posh like those black American actors.”

He started to laugh. Bukky shook her head and smiled.

“Hey you,” he sat beside his girlfriend.

“Hi…” she smiled back at him.

“Are you going to the lecture center today?”

She shook her head.

“Cool. I want to take you to the Lagoon front.”

She beamed. She had been asking him to create time and take her there for as far back as she could remember. Many of her classmates at the center had been there and she was feeling kind of left out.

“I am ready when you are ready,” he announced. He was glad that she was thrilled with his plan.

“Give me a few minutes.”

“Okay,” he leaned against the plastic chair and cross his legs.

“Give me the money with you before you start counting rubbish and start making silly mistakes.”

“Ah-han aunty,” she eyed her aunt.

“Follow your boyfriend and commot for here,” Kike collected the bills from her.

Chike laughed quietly.

“Let me get my bag,” she winked at him and got up.

Fifteen minutes later, they both walked out of the shop and headed to the street the campus shuttles queued. They got into one of the buses at the beginning of the long line with other students, and passengers. Twenty minutes later, they got down from the bus at the last bus-stop. As they walked, Chike pointed out departmental halls, eateries, and other places out to her.

At the Lagoon front, she saw several people, mostly students roaming around. Some were seated on long seats made of concrete, some were in groups and others were in twos and threes. She saw a few lovers in secluded areas, holding hands, hugging and one couple were kissing, lost in their own little world. They found a less crowded place under a tree close to the water.

Bukky noticed two or three canoes afar off. She saw a man casting a large net in the lagoon, while his partner paddled the narrow canoe.

“That is the third mainland bridge.”

Her eyes grew wide. She looked at the bridge and remembered the day she visited her elder sister on the island. There had been traffic on the bridge and most of the vehicles crawled at snail speed.

“If you are game, we can take a canoe ride to the bridge and back.”

She glanced at him, then shook her head. She had never ridden on a canoe before. The narrow and thin way it looked scared the life out of her.
What if they fell off? She doesn’t even know how to swim.

“I am a very good swimmer. I will rescue you if anything happens,” he said quickly, as if reading her thoughts.

“No, thank you,” she shook her head vigorously.

“Where is your faith?”

“Chike, biko, leave me. Go ahead if you want to. I will be right here when you come back.”

He started to laugh and signaled to a lady hawking boiled groundnuts. He bought a few cups and paid her.

Bukky ate the snack with relish. She loved groundnuts and it had been a while since she ate the boiled ones.

“It is a beautiful sight.”

“It used to be nicer.”

She looked around, wondering how the place used to be. The lack of maintenance culture had eaten deep into every sphere of the country.

“Students are no longer allowed to come here at night because of robbers and the likes.”

“Really?”

“I heard rumours that touts sneak in here in the evening, hide and rob students.”

Feared gripped her, “Is there no security in your school?”

He shrugged, saw a boy hawking drinks, called out to him and bought two bottles of soft drinks.

“We will take pictures before we leave.”

“Okay,” she had seen three, four young men hanging around with their cameras at the entrance when they arrived, trying to convince people to snap pictures.

“There is a mini-zoo here too.”

“Really?” eyes shone in excitement.

“I have never been there.”

Narrowed her eyes, “What kind of student are you?’

He shrugged, “We will go see the place together.”

“Can I take pictures?”

“Of course. Let’s see what sort of animals they have.”

She beamed. She might as well sign up for the University of Lagos when it was time to write her JAMB examinations. She liked the school already.

“I will show you around the school some other day. I haven’t really done a tour myself. My nose has been in my books.”

She smiled with understanding, “You might as well graduate with a first class.”

He started to laugh, “Definitely, I will, by God’s grace.”

“Amen to that.”

“How far with your studies?”

“I am no way near writing the S.S.C.E examinations.”

He nodded and placed a hand around her, “Give yourself time, trust in God, study hard and you will be fine.”

She sighed with relief. “Are you through with your project?”

“Nope, but, I am almost done. I hope my supervisor won’t ask me to re-type anything. I am just tired.”

“Awww… my baby,” she pecked him on the cheek.

“Put another one here,” he tapped his lips with a finger.

She eyed him, “Oliver Twist.”

“Oya now, I want a sweet kiss.”

She looked left and right, “We are in public,” she whispered.

“Kiss me. Leave everybody alone.”

“No,” she looked away shyly.

He brushed a hand over her face and turned her head in his direction. “It’s been a while since I kissed you.”

“You said we should take it easy in that department.”

“I know. We are in public. It is impossible for things to get out of hand.”

“True, at least, we are not dogs or those fowls.”

He laughed as he remembered how a cock chased a hen in the area in order to pounce on it.

“Oya, one sweet kiss,” she winked at him.

“Now you are talking.”

She closed her eyes and waited.

“Who asked you to close your eyes?’

She opened her eyes, “They do it in the movies.”

“You and who is acting Hollywood film?’

She started to laugh.

“Oya, let’s act small.”

She continued to laugh.

“I think… I don’t think, I believe I am going to spend the rest of my life with you.”

She observed his confident face. The last person that said the same words to her left her for sponsorship of his education.

“I have found the one,” his eyes twinkled in delight.

His words warmed her heart. Maybe, this time around, things would be different.

“You are my Prince Charming.”

“And you are my Damsel in distress.”

He drew her close and planted a kiss on her ready lips.

huntsman007:
mehn . . Dis story was a ghost mode deactivator... Twas so so real nd morally sound. , thumbs up ma'am shewrites .
Hope dis is not d end ??

Thanksssssssssssssssss. The story continues.

Dessydemmy:
I have went through 1 or 2 of your stories and they were always captivating. God bless you and increase you in wisdom, please update soon dearie.

Thanks.

Asek1:
Ghost reader mode finally deactivated
I doff my hat for you ma'am @Shewrites
You are simply good
Kudos!

You are welcome. Thank you sooooo much.

charytea:
Every story of urs that av read is always inspiring and this is nothing short of it. Am really glued, bt please update cos av been refreshing this page dis evening...

kpele dear. updates resumes today *winks*

icequeeTM:
SheWrites thank you for bringing me out of my ghost mode. Your story line is da bomb, I like how we are able to connect.. It has a fairytale ring to for the hopeless romantics like yours truly. I am now your avid follower. Pls I need your name on facebook and your word press account if you write there. Thanks

Facebook.com/serahiyare.stories

adontcare:
Wow ! Shewrites. Dis story is captivating. I felt4 bukky . I hope she make the right choice in her love life. Well-done for this fantastic, well articulated piece of art. I duff my hat

Thanks

Every one who nominated me- Bukky Alakara, thanks

[quote author=Herdex

post=57745535]nice write up @ shewrite...finally ave meet up withu guyz[/quote]Welcome

Ayoomolabake:
Congrats on making FP

o

*hugs

Divepen1:
Congrats on making FP..

Thanks. Am honoured

dominique:
Ok, now I get it. I read up winds of fate in less than two hours, very lovely and touching story.

*winks*

@dominique ... the federal government scholarship was supposed to cover his tuition fees, accommodation, etc

But the people at the top mismanaged the funds.

His tuition fee is taken care of yearly, but he had to struggle for other things

bimberry1307:
*Sighed heavily* at long last, chike got what he wanted. shewrites love, you are a darling. Thanks for the update. Don't worry, your tea is cooking. lol

Its morrning.

Wheeree is my tea

Promise kept.

I guess am free to go and sleep now.

I need to wake up early so that i can prepare the kids for school.

Sweet dreams everyone. *hugs&kisses*

CHAPTER THIRTY

Chike turned on his side and looked up at the wall clock. It was some minutes past twelve. It was a good thing that he didn’t need to go to school that day. It was a Saturday and he seldom went to the campus, except when he had an upcoming test, a pending assignment or a group reading. He needed to rest. It was his final year and his project was coming up fine. He prayed that he would be able to finish it before the end of the first semester and defend it before the end of his second semester, or else, he won’t be able to concentrate on his final examinations. His Industrial Training in the U.K had paid off well. Aside from the money he made, the firm he worked for created an opportunity for him to come back and work for them, when he goes back for his Master program. Initially, he never thought it was possible for a foreign student to work in such a place abroad, being a non-citizen at that. It would have been wonderful if several other companies also had the same policy.

He hoped to return to the U.K, before or after his NYSC program. He was excited at the turn of events in his life. His family were also happy for him, especially his parents. None of their children had travelled out of the country before. He was the first to go, but, definitely not the last.

Thoughts of Bukky flooded his mind. Despite the fact that he was out of the country for six months, the distance didn’t alienate his feelings for her. He thought of her constantly and the fact that she was with Gbemiga made his nights unbearable. Seeing her again, he felt like a man who had lived in the desert for so long and she represented an ocean. She was available again, free and single. He wasn’t sure if she was completely over her ex. He wasn’t willing to ask her out regardless of how much he loved her. The fear of rejection was greater than what he felt for her.

Maybe he should just move on. He tried going on a few dates with some of his colleagues at work in the U.K, but, he kept comparing them all to her in his frail mind. It was as if she had filled every vacuum in his heart. No space for anyone else. He turned on his belly. What was he going to do now?

He heard knocks on his door. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Maybe it was one of his neighbours. Now that he was back home, they had resumed borrowing cooking ingredients and utensils from him. He climbed down, took the tee-shirt on the leather chair and put it on. He strolled to the door and opened it.

“Hi.”

He blinked and looked her up and down, “Aren’t you supposed to be at your shop?” he noticed that she looked fuller in the white knee length
cap-sleeve A-shaped dress.

“The market officials imposed a sanitation day. They said the surroundings of the market is filthy.”

They both went in. He shut the door and returned to the bed. Bukky settled on the leather chair.

“The officials are right, that market is a pigsty,” he propped his head with two pillows.

“Many of my customers were angry. They were not happy when they found the shop locked this morning.”

He chuckled, “I can imagine.”

“So…” she looked around the room, “Where is my stuff?”

He pointed at a red and green coloured ‘Ghana must go’ bag outside the kitchen. She got up quickly, hurried to the big bag and opened it. Her jaw dropped in astonishment.

“Is everything for me?” she glanced at him.

“Yes,” he smiled at her.

“Thank you,” she searched the bag and found clothes, purses, sandals, perfumes, beverages, candies, assorted biscuits, body lotions, hair products and a black berry phone. “You bought me a phone!” she turned around to look at him.

“What are friends for?” he winked at her.

“It is one of the latest set they just brought out!”

“I know now.”

Her eyes glistered with happy tears. She felt special. “Thank you.”

He cleared his throat, “You are most welcome.”

She dropped the phone in the bag and zipped it.

“What have you been eating?”

She glanced at him, “Hmmm…”

“You look like a size 12 chick.”

She started to laugh quietly.

“See your body, front, back, stomach, hands, everywhere has expanded. Hope you won’t turn into one of those shapeless slay queens out there.”

She placed her hands on her hips, “I am a big 10.”

He eyed her, “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I am a size 10, a big 10.”

“That is in-between size 10 and 12 abi?”

She nodded, “Something like that.”

He began to shake his head.

“I am not slim and I am not fat.”

“Keep deceiving yourself.”

“Any man who marries me will like me for who and what I look like. BIko, free me.”

He started to laugh.

“What about you? You are turning into one of those Wrestle Mania wrestlers.”

He jumped down from the bed. “Check me out,” he turned around, “I am a bloke, a stud, a Prince Charming,” he winked at her.

She hissed.

“I know you are one of those girls that like tall, broad shouldered, all muscled guys like me.”

She hissed again. “Ehn… whatever, I am okay too,” she turned around smiling.

The movement made her backside to swerve in several directions at once. His groin tightened in rebellion. He looked away quickly and cleared his throat.

“Oya, come and start going to your house.”

“Ah-han… but, I just got here.”

“If they send you to me this afternoon, tell them that I am not at home.”

She stared at him, wondering what was wrong with him.

“Oluwabukola, come and start going to your house.”

“What’s doing you sef?” she eyed him.

“I am not Samson, neither are you Delilah,” he glanced back at her.

Confusion was written all over her face. He chuckled and walked up to her.

“This dress, it makes you look very tempting,” his dark brown eyes observed her surprised dark ones.

“Is… is it too tight?” she felt very self-conscious.

“Not really, but, it brings out all your curves and… and the sight of you right now is driving me crazy.”

Her jaw dropped.

“You know that I will never ever touch you except you were mine.”

She nodded her head.

“This is becoming very difficult.”

His confession made her tremble with emotion. It dawned on her that he was still attracted to her and his feelings for her were unwavering.

He closed the gap between them and wrapped his hands around her. She looked up at him and sucked in breath. The passion in his eyes mirrored the battle she fought within.

“Kiss me…” she whispered.

He blinked and stared at her in astonishment.

“I want you to kiss me,” her heart beat accelerated.

“Why?” he looked deep into her eyes.

“I don’t want to wait anymore,” she stared back at him.

“Wait for what?”

“I know you like me. I know you have feelings for me. I know that you are attracted to me. I know that you want to date me. I feel the same way too.”

He swallowed hard. Was he hearing her right?

“I want you too. I like you too. I am attracted to you too. I have feelings for you too. I want to go out with you too,” her soft convincing voice re-echoed in his ears.

“Are you sure?” his heart beat began to hammer against his chest.

She smiled and placed her hands around his neck. “Yes, yes, I am.”

He smiled back at her, leaned forward and kissed her deeply. She responded, matching his eagerness, fire for fire.

“I love you,” he tore his lips away.

Her eyes grew wide.

“This is the happiest day of my life and I don’t want to ruin it. We must leave, now. Let’s go outside, anywhere. If we stay in here, I am going to sleep with you and I doubt if you are emotionally strong enough to stop me.”

She nodded quickly. He was right.

“Let’s get your stuff into the car, drop it in your apartment and look for somewhere public to go to, okay?”

“Yes sir!” she saluted him comically.

“Trouble maker,” he eyed her.

She started to laugh.

He grabbed the Ghana must go bag and pulled it towards the door.