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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

On her way home from the Adult Education Centre, while waiting for a bus, a car honked and stop by her side. She raised an eyebrow. If it was one of those jobless men that felt they could just honk and flash leering smiles, hoping that they had caught a big fish, then the person should think again. She made it a policy not to accept rides from strangers, especially men. She had heard enough stories that touched. She doesn’t want to end up robbed, raped or worse, cooking in an herbalist black pot.

She bent her head a bit to see who the driver was. Chike’s smiling dark brown eye stared back at her. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock.

“Are you going home?” he grinned from ear to ear.

She nodded in affirmative, unable to utter a word.

“Hop in, I am going home too.”

She opened the side door and climbed in, still dazed that it was Chike, her friend.

“It is me. I am not a ghost,” he sensed her state of mind.

She blinked and just stared at him.

He smiled and stirred the green Toyota Corrolla back to the busy road.

“Where have you been?” she found her voice.

His smiling eyes remained on the road.

“You just disappeared. I couldn’t reach you, your neighbours didn’t even know where you were, I was worried. What happened?” she noticed how
fresh he looked, like a baby who had just been bathed, creamed and powered up. His brown skin had a certain glow, his shoulder muscles were broader, and the blue short-sleeve tee-shirt on him made him look boyishly cute.

“I have been in the U.K.”

“What?!” her eyes grew big.

“My uncle arranged my Industrial Training in his place of work over there.”

She blinked, trying to comprehend everything he was saying.

“The company my uncle worked for had a policy of including foreign students and graduates in their employment scheme. Be it Industrial Training,
Part-time or Full time jobs. It is a yearly thing.”

She nodded, still trying to grasp what he was telling her.

“Although they have a fixed number they approve yearly. My uncle was able to speak with one of his bosses and my name was added to the list.”

“I see. You were lucky.”

“Benefits of being the child of God,” he winked at her, “I got back some days ago. I went to Owerri first, to give my parents and siblings the things I bought for them, then I came back to Lagos. Your things are in my apartment.”

She just stared at him.

“I went on a shopping spree and got you nice things.”

‘’Th-thank you.”

“You are welcome my friend,” he stressed the last word.

She sighed with relief. Her friend was back.

“How is your aunt?”

“She got married a few weekends ago.”

“Waow!”

“She lives in Yaba now with her husband.”

“Nice,” he glanced at her.

“We both share a shop, a sort of partnership thing. I sell my akara and bread, with corn pap and she sells her fried yam and plantain.”

“Wow! So while I was MIA, you guys went gaga with your business.”

She grinned from ear to ear.

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Their gazes locked.

“I have also been given my Junior WAEC certificate.”

He nodded with smiles and looked back at the road.

“I have my own apartment now, similar to yours.”

He kept on smiling, “All your customers for area go vex o.”

She chuckled, “Some of them come all the way to Yaba market.”

“See hunger!”

She started to laugh.

“How is your boyfriend?”

Her smiles faded instantly. “We… we broke up.”

Silence engulfed the vehicle.

“What happened this time around?” he felt a bit angry.

“His family pulled a Jack Bauer stunt on us. They came out openly, disapproving the relationship, called a family meeting and killed the
relationship.”

He glanced at her, “So, you mean he just allowed them to do all that? Is he a weakling? Why didn’t he face them squarely and fight for what he loves or loved or… does he even, really, I mean, does he love you?”

She looked away and sighed heavily.

He shook his head, fighting the urge not to say ‘I told you so’.

“Gbemiga and I are finally and completely over.”

He raised an eyebrow in doubt.

“He chose the sponsorship of his education over me, over us, over everything we stood for.”

“He did what?” he shot her a stunned stare and glanced back at the road.

“His aunt and uncles promised to sponsor him if he broke up with me.”

He cursed under his breath.

“It’s good to know I am worth nothing to him,” her eyes glistered with unshed tears.

The sadness in her voice made his heart to ache.

She looked out of the window.

“Please accept my sympathy,” he caught a glimpse of her. He saw her wet eyes.

“Thanks,” she glanced at him.

He returned his attention to the road.

“So, you are graduating this year, how do you feel?” she wiped her wet face with the back of her hand.

“Relieved.”

She started to laugh.

“What? Wait till you go through the system, you will understand.”

She smiled, “I am looking forward to it.”

“What are you planning to study?”

“Business Administration.”

Eyes widened, “Hmmm…”

“What?”

“You like money.”

“Who doesn’t?” she started to laugh.

Their gazes met and locked.

“I am so glad that you are back. I have really missed you.”

He turned away, “Me too.”

The car halted in front of her house.

“Thank you for the ride. I will come and get my gifts later.”

“Okay. Anytime you are free.”

She climbed out of the car and shut the door. He waved at her and drove off. She waved back and watched, till the car faded out of her line of sight.

Drinokrane:
Iyare SheWrites continue.

you were trying to mail me.

You can reach me on iyareserah@gmail.com

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Bukky lay on the bed and wept. It hurt that her boyfriend’s parents felt that he was too good for her because he was in the university and she wasn’t. She wished she had told them that she was no longer an illiterate. She now has her Junior waec certificate. Soon, she would be equal to every other person who graduated from the Senior Secondary school.

Did she make a mistake by giving Gbemiga a second chance? He was planning to marry her, but, his family were prepared to fight their union. What were they going to do? Maybe if they prayed and fasted, God might make a way for them, after all, the heart of Kings were in his hands.
She wished Chike was available. She needed a good friend to confide in. His door was always locked whenever she visited. Even his neighbours were not sure of his whereabouts. It scared her to think that he might have moved out. His phone lines were not even going through and his social media handles were static. No updates. She missed him.

If she confided in her aunt, she might advise her to give up on Gbemiga and move on. She didn’t want to lose faith. She was determined to be hopeful. She believed that God would turn their situation around for good.

xxxxxx

Kike and her niece moved to their new shop in Yaba market. It was sandwich between a provision store and a soft drink depot. The space was very tiny, but, convenient. They fried the akara, yam and plantain outside the shop under a canopy attached to the front of the shop, while seats and tables were arranged inside the shop so that people could sit and eat. They were patronized by different sets of people, aside from the traders in the market place, people going to work, students going to school, motor drivers and conductors queued at their shop to buy their wares.

Kike’s fiancé also had a shop in the same market. He repaired phones, tablets, laptops and desktops. Whenever they were done for the day, she goes to her fiancé’s shop and stay there till he was ready to go home. That way, they were able to spend time with each other.

Bukky envied their relationship. She wished hers was trouble free. It had been three days since she spoke with her boyfriend via phone call. He was equally frustrated by his family’s unwavering stance. He was willing to pray and fast, hoping that God would turn and change their hearts towards his girlfriend.

She hasn’t heard from Chike. She remembered that he told her that he would be going for his Industrial training after the Easter period. Has he gone? She wondered if he had started working for his uncle in Owerri, or maybe he got a better offer in an oil company. Regardless of their disagreement, he should have honoured their friendship and not leave her out of his plans.

xxxxxx

A week before her twentieth birthday, Bukky’s aunt got married. She met her parents and siblings at the reception. They were all happy to see her. She was informed that her parents had been able to rent an apartment in Ikorodu and her younger brothers had moved in with them. The boys had also been enrolled into a Secondary school in the area. Her mother now sold fresh pepper and vegetables in the local market, while her father worked as a security guard in a Private school. Her elder sister was presently living with a friend on the island and was working in a Law firm as an Office Assistant. The pay was okay and she was able to enroll in a lecture centre in preparation for the G.C.E examinations. She was glad that every one of her siblings were getting the education they all deserved. No one would be able to bad mouth them and call them illiterates d any longer. She thanked God that each and every person in her family was doing well. God had indeed answered her prayers.

xxxxxx

Bukky returned home from the wedding party and met Gbemiga outside her apartment. She was surprised to see him, but, glad that he had returned home from school. He helped her with her bags filled with take-aways and souvenirs and they went into the apartment together.

“Should I dish some food for you? There is jollof and fried rice, yam porridge, semolina, pounded yam with vegetable soup and ogbonna soup.”

He shook his head and sat on the two settee.

She carried the polythene bags into the kitchen and came back to sit beside him. She noticed that he had a sad expression on his face.

“Is everything okay?”

He shook his head and stared at her, “My parents called a family meeting.”

She sighed heavily. She had a feeling that their relationship was the topic of discuss.

“They involved my aunties and uncles, even distant relatives.”

She dropped her jaw in amazement.

“My parents told them all that I am dating an illiterate, a common bean cake seller, a nobody.”

She closed her mouth. The words used to describe her made her feel angry and gloomy at the same time. She couldn’t understand his folks dislike for her. What did she ever do to warrant their hatred?

“One of my aunt has decided to sponsor my tertiary education till I graduate, on the condition that I break up with you.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

“Two of my uncles are ready to sponsor me whenever and wherever I want to do my Masters program.”

She swallowed hard and stared back at him. Where were they when her boyfriend was looking for money to pay his school fees? She had been the one supporting him financially.

“But, on one condition, I must break up with you.”

Suddenly, a chill crawled all over her, making her to shudder in anguish.

“I will graduate in less than two years, I am not even sure where or when I want to take my Masters program. It will be unfair for me to ask you to wait for me. I don’t know what the future holds for us. I am not sure if our relationship will survive this year, talk about next year.”

She blinked back the tears threatening to spill all over her face. She couldn’t believe that he was considering his relatives’ offer. She concluded that he didn’t try to defend their relationship during the meeting. His body language said it all.

“Bukky,” he reached out for her hands, but she pulled away immediately.

“I can’t believe that you are giving up on us so easily,” her voice shook. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

“No… no, I am not giving up on us,” he tried to convince her.

“I can’t believe that you are allowing them to bully you into… into breaking up with me,” she looked straight at him through blurred vision.

“No, they are not… I am not…”

“You can’t even stand on your words. You said things will be different for us this time around.”

“Yes, but…”

“Don’t you have a say in your own life? You are twenty-two for heaven’s sake. Are you going to allow your family to dictate the direction your life should go? I can’t believe this,” she placed a hand on her forehead.

“Look, it’s not like that,” the disappointment and hurt in her eyes made his chest to tighten in pain.

“Then how is it? Ehn? Explain,” she eyed him.

“Just imagine, my parents won’t need to bother about my education again. I am going to get sponsored.”

“I see. So, you are trading me for the educational sponsorship you are not even sure you are going to get?” a tear dropped from her eye.

“No… see… I can’t ask you to wait for me. I need to complete my education first. This is an opportunity I can’t just pass off. I will also be able to do my Masters. Just imagine, when I am done, I will get a wonderful job and give my family the life they deserve.”

“Where does that leave me?” she eyed him again.

“Em… if you are still single, we can get married then.”

“So, you want me to wait, for how long? While you date every Nkechi, Ibinabo and Hauwa?’

He sighed, exasperated.

“Do you even love me?” she directed her pale eyes at him,

“Bukky,” his pleading eyes observed her, “Of course I do.”

“Then why aren’t you fighting for that love? Why are you letting them to quench the flame of our love? Why are you letting them to split us, tear us apart? Why? Gbeniga why?” tears slipped down her dark oval face.

He remained quiet, lost for words. He had been thinking about the whole thing since the meeting ended. He thought he was taking the right decisions, but, it was clear she didn’t think so.

“Just go…”

“Bukky…”

“Go to them, go to your family. I believe they will end up choosing your wife too.”

“Bukky…”

“Go!” she screamed at him.

He got up slowly.

She covered her face with her hands and began to cry.

Gbemiga walked away, opened the door and stepped out. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. What had he done? He closed his eyes momentarily, then opened it. He hoped she would be able to see reasons and forgive him in time. Maybe, just maybe, they might eventually end up together as man and wife. He was hopeful. He breathed out loudly, stepped away from the door and headed home.

Okay... let the story continue...

bimberry1307:
shewrites love, come and update nau! please.. oya come, you go drink tea? yes? OK, I'll do you tea, but update first. you hear?

Very milky and sugary tea.

I like it hot *winks*

dominique:
Nice story @SheWrites. Can't wait to see how it ends. I've gone to download one of your stories (winds of fate) on okadabooks. I intend to download more once I've recharged my account. I suggest litreaturelanders should do same by supporting their favourite authors. It's not only by posting accolades, appreciate them by buying their works. It's not easy to pen down a story.

If you have the okadabooks app on your device, search for Serah Iyare to get her works. Just N250

Thank u soooooo much *hugs&kisses*

Sparkling2:
aunty shewrites tnx for d update...i so much love love love dis story

*winks*

holuwaseunpat:
thumps up sis.....u are doing a great job.

*hugs*

www.nairaland.com/3787993/bukky-alakara

Bukky Folorunsho had to move in with her aunt due to the challenges her parents were facing. She had no formal education and the search for her daily bread was nightmarish.

Gbemiga Phillips was the first child and only son of his parents. His family believed that he was destined to bring them out of poverty.

Like ripples, the different seasons they encountered in their lives spun several unstoppable events that led to a cascading end.

Bukky Alakara by SheWrites

My favourite people, thanks for all the sincere appreciations.

You shall all be celebrated in Jesus name.

The story continues...

Am not promising tonight o.

Probably tomorrow or wednesday sha...

Love u all *kisses*

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Kike came home with a man who she introduced to her niece as her fiancé. Bukky recognized him. he was one of the Assistant Pastors in the church they both attended. She now understood why her aunt was always going out. Her relationship with the man took all her time. Or rather, she gave all her time and attention to the relationship. No wonder they were now engaged. They informed her that the introduction, traditional and white wedding would be taking place that Summer. Bukky was very happy for her aunt who was in her late thirties.
The man shared his plans of opening a shop for her aunt in Yaba, so that she wouldn’t be too far from home. He lived in the area. That way, after marriage, she would be able to continue the fried yam and plantain business. Kike wanted her niece to join her. They made a very good team. Bukky was a bit worried about their customers in their present area, but, her aunt’s fiancé convinced her that they would have better and richer customers in Yaba. Their business would blow up if they put their heart to it.

Bukky promised to speak to their sales girls and find out if they would be willing to work with them in the new environment. When the man took his leave, Kike discussed the kind of Aso ebi she wanted for her wedding. Bukky volunteered to go to the market to make the enquires, so that the bride to be could focus on other things.

Kike called her elder sister and intimated her of her plans. Bukky’s mother was thrilled with the goodnews. She had been praying that God should give her younger sister a good man to marry and her prayer had been answered. She promised to notify the elders in the family and get back to her asap.

Bukky began to daydream of the day she and her boyfriend would also get married. It would be the happiest day in her life.

xxxxxx

The day before Gbemiga returned to school, his girlfriend visited. She came along with foodstuff and cash. He thanked God for bringing a special girl his way. He let her into the room and closed the door.

“Where is everyone?” It was her first time in the Phillips’ room. Most times when she visited, she sit outside, but, that day, he invited her in.

“They went to celebrate with one of our church members who just moved into his own house.”

“God will do our own too.”

“Amen.” He switched on the big black box television on the wooden table.

Bukky looked around her. There was a big bed at a corner, and a bunk bed adjacent to it. A big wardrobe stood at the other side, and the sitting area took the remaining space. She had no idea how they lived in the cramped room with little or no ventilation.

“My family are looking up to me to move them out of this hell hole,” he noticed her scrutiny.

“It is well.”

“My father’s salary, in combination with what my mother and sisters earn at the paper factory is used to pay the rent, electrical, water, security and other bills. Feeding, clothing, etcetera, the money is swallowed up monthly with no room for saving.”

“I understand.”

“I pray I get a good job when I graduate. They have suffered enough.”

“I believe that God will perfect all that concerns us with time.”

“I believe so too,” he tried to smile.

“Everything is going to work out for our good,” she encouraged him.

He nodded and drew her close, “I know. I wish I don’t have to go back to school.”

She chuckled.

“I don’t like being away from you.”

“Me neither,” she looked up at him.

He dropped his head and kissed her. She placed her hands on his shoulders and responded. His lips trailed her neckline, sending shivers down her spine. She buried her face in his chest and tried to breathe steadily.

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

“I want you so much, but, I already promised you and God that I won’t sleep with you again until our wedding night.”

She raised her head and saw the desire in his eyes.

“I am willing to keep that promise.”

She smiled and sighed with relief.

He kissed her again. The door swung open. They pulled apart and saw his parents standing by the door, staring at them in shock. His sisters
stood behind them, seething.

“What is the meaning of this?” Baba thundered and marched into the room, “Do you mean that after we have warned you, you are still dating this girl and you have the guts to bring her into our home?” he glared at his son.

“You!” Remi approached her, “You don’t want to leave my son alone. Is it by force? Is he the only man on earth?”

“Instead of you to concentrate on your studies, you are wasting your time with this illiterate.Can’t you date someone else? At least, an educated girl from a reputable home.”

“Dad,” he stared at the man.

“Shut up!” the man shouted, “I don’t want to hear a single word from you.”

“Ashawo!” Remi clapped in her face, “Look here, if you get pregnant, you are on your own. We will not accept your bastard. You better receive brain.”

Bukky stared at the woman. She didn’t understand why she didn’t like her.

“Eh! You!” Baba barked at her, “Get out of my house!”

Bukky looked back at him, then at her boyfriend. His face was saddened.

“I said out!” Baba approached her.

Bukky backed away, brushed past his sisters and fled.

“Gbemiga! Gbemiga! Gbemiga! Break up with this girl before trouble start to knock on your door,” his mother stood toe to toe with him.

“I love her,” he took some steps back, “And I am going to marry her.”

They all stared at him as if he had lost his marbles.

“Nobody can stop me,” he looked back at them, determined.

“You have gone mad! If you think we will allow you to marry that girl, then, you are dreaming,” Baba glared at him, frustrated by the boy’s
stubbornness.

“Over my dead body! You can never marry her. We will never support you. No one in the Phillips family will support you, I will make sure of that,” Remi warned him.

Gbemiga stared at her with disgust. It became clear to him that his parents would go to any length to sabotage his plans.

“I don’t care if she has charmed you. You better receive sense and break up with her. The sooner, the better,” Baba settled on the long chair. He felt suddenly tired.

“Bukky is a good girl…”

“Shut up! What is good about her?” his mother hissed.

“I love her,” his voice wobbled with emotion.

His parents started to laugh.

“This boy will not kill me,” Remi joined her husband on the chair.

Gbemiga brushed past his angry looking sisters and walked out of the room. He went straight to the back of the house, and sat on the bare ground behind the kitchen. What was he going to do? Who would follow him to go and meet Bukky’s parents? His own parents were against their union. Maybe he could talk to his uncles. But, his mother had already threatened that no one in the Phillips family would support him. It became clear to him that they would never support the relationship. He placed his hands on his head. What was the assurance that they would change their minds when he graduated? Tears slipped down his dark face. How was he supposed to convince and assure Bukky that things would go according to their plans? He wasn’t prepared to let her go without a fight. There must be a way out of their situation.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Chike got a call from his uncle in the United Kingdom. The man wanted him to come over for his Industrial Training. His uncle believed that it would pave a way for him by the time he graduated and he would be able to apply to any University in the U.K for his masters. When he called and spoke with His parents, they informed him that his papers had already been processed and he would be joining his uncle as soon as he completed his first semester examination. He was over-joyed. He had always wanted to travel abroad. Many of his course-mates do not even know where they would be taking their Industrial Training. Some have started lobbing to get into oil companies. He would have been part of these ones, but, God had other fantastic plans for him.

He checked the time on his phone. It was past six. Bukky would have started frying akara and her aunt would have put yam and plantain in the hot oil. He was hungry, but, he wasn’t sure if he was ready to see her. He had been avoiding her since the last time they spoke. It hurt that she belonged to someone else. He thought of how close he had gotten to almost dating her.
His Industrial Training in the U.K would give him the time he needed to kill his feelings for her. Six months was a long time. He might be able to get over her completely, before returning home in September for the new session at school. He just couldn’t fathom how he had fallen in love with someone he wasn’t even going out with. God help him.

He decided to make oatmeal and boiled eggs for breakfast before heading for school. He would have preferred bread and fried eggs, but, he ate the last loaf of bread two days ago.

xxxxxx

Bukky stood at the gate of her new compound on the look-out for her boyfriend. He called some minutes ago that he had just returned home from school. It was a good thing that they were no longer living in the same house. It would have been hard to spend time with each other, especially with angry frowns from his family. The Phillips do not patronize them anymore and she and her aunt didn’t care. They had better customers. She broke into a smile when she saw a tall lanky dark figure in a red short-sleeve tee-shirt and brown khaki shorts, strolling towards her.

“Look at my pretty sweet heart.”

She blushed and her smile broadened.

“Na wa o, you have added weight again,” he seized her up.

He was right. She noticed some weeks ago that her clothes do not fit anymore. She had jumped from size 8 to 10.

“You look good,” desire welled up inside him.

“Thanks, but, you look thinner,” she looked him up and down.

“Don’t join my mother. She is also complaining.”

She took him by the hand and led him into the building, “Let’s go inside.”

“Is your aunt in?”

“No, she has gone to church.”

They went into the apartment. He looked around him and settled on the two settee.

“I hope to move my family into a place like this.”

She shook her head, “You need a better place.”

He grinned, “True.”

“What can I offer you?”

“Come and sit down first. I am not a visitor.”

“Okay,” she settled on the chair beside him, “We have soft drinks, Malt, melon soup, okro soup, meat and fish stew…”

“Okay, okay, I hear you. I will eat later,” he cupped her oval face in his palms, “I just want to look at you. I have really, really, really missed
you.”

She giggled, “Assuming you have a camera phone, I would have been able to send you pictures.”

He eyed her, “So, you bought yourself a camera phone and you didn’t get one for me.”

“It is not like that.”

He dropped his hands, “I hear you,” he leaned against the chair.

“This phone is a birthday gift,” she picked up the Nokia Express phone on the table.

He raised an eyebrow, “From whom?’

“Chike.”

His brows came together in a frown, “This is a very expensive phone. Are you sure he doesn’t have a sinister motive.”

She started to laugh.

“This is not funny,” he eyed the phone.

“Relax, Chike is just a friend.”

He folded his arms across his chest, “Is he around?”

She shrugged, “I am not sure. I have not seen him in a long while. Maybe he travelled home for the Easter holiday.”

He felt relieved, “Good, I want you all to myself, no distractions.”

She started to laugh.

Gbemiga leaned forward and kissed her lightly, “I love you. Much more than the whole wide world combined.”

“I love you too,” her pretty dark eyes twinkled.

“You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Once I am in my fourth year, I want us to have our introduction ceremony and
get married as soon as I am done with my service year.”

His plans sounded good to her ears.

“I will like to meet your family very soon.”

She sighed loudly, “Meeting my family is not the problem. Your family…”

“Don’t worry about my family,” he cut in quickly,“I am the first son. I am their only son. They have no choice but to want what I want.”

“Okay, okay.”

He held her hands, “Don’t be afraid. God is on our side.”

Her face lit up with a happy smile.

“When is your next examination?”

“Immediately after Easter. My centre have been attached to a Secondary School in Yaba by the Ministry of Education. You know the owner of the center has connections. We will be able to take both the Junior and Senior waec with ease.”

He nodded with excitement, “That’s good. When you pass the Junior waec, you will be one step away from completing the secondary school education.”

She beamed, “True. I believe God will see me through.”

“Do you know that you can get a job with your certificate?”

She shook her head.

“That’s the beauty of getting educated. I am glad that you did not give up.”

“Me too.”

“You need to come to my school and see things for yourself,” he brushed a hand over her dark smooth face.

She laughed lightly.

“Have you thought of a course to study?”

“Yes. Business Administration.”

“Interesting, you like business,” he played with a strand of her braided hair.

“I am a business woman.”

“Of course, I know, cash madam.”

She started to laugh.

“Now, I am ready to eat.”

“What should I prepare?”

“Hmmm… Semolina with melon soup will be nice.”

“Fine choice.”

He grinned and looked deep into her eyes. Since they re-started their relationship, they have not gone beyond kissing. He was determined not to touch her again, in other not to ruin the whole thing.No matter how much he yearned for her, he would rather burn than lose her again.

“The food will be ready in a jiffy,” she jumped to her feet and hurried into the kitchen.

He breathed out loudly. It would take God and all the angels in heaven for him to be able to control himself and refrain from touching her intimately. He placed a hand on his head. With God, all things are possible.

Kimkardashain:
i dnt want to talk to u sef.after making chike suffer.u wnt me to talk abi?
bt wait,is dat kiss also 4 me? or is it just 4 my sister queenitee

Oya u too take muuuaaahhh!

Drinokrane:
SheWrites
Nyc work

Would love to copy this Tori and publish m for my blog..

No wahala. Go ahead.

queenitee:
Lol, I know jhor. You are the God of this story and your wish is my command

Mwuuuaaah!

xamiel4:
I feel for Chike. this bukky wan friendzone the guy till eternity nii? abeg chike move on


Aunty she writes, just finished reading deep as the sea. You are officailly my best writer on Nairaland. Thumbs up

*hugs&kisses*

queenitee:
But why am I having this feeling Gebmiga would go back to his old ways?
Why do I feel like begging shewrites to make Gbemiga and Bulky perfect? I feel like begging you to make Gbemiga Bukky's Mr right

Sweet heart, honey bunch,sugar plum, I don finish d story o. Na editing and finishing touches I dey do o.

I dont want to tamper with d original scripts.

petux:
But what kind of guy feels good when a girl you are older than send you money? I really feel for chike I swear...I go move on quickly ....girls and fish brain sha.... shewrites, you are the bomb!! much love sis!!

*winks*

Lordshola:
Hmmm, Bukky want to eat her cake and have it back. Abeg Chike move forward. Weldone shewrites, more grace.

*winks*

Favour222:
hmmmmm......,weldone ma

Thanks

etzskillz:
nice one aunty shewrites

Thanks

RolaDiva:
Hmmmmm
I can't date a guy his family don't approve our love o.

Awwwnn chike..... I understand you.
It really hurt to love someone that loves another.
Time will tell sha

You doing a great job ma

* hugs*

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Chike knocked on the door. he was eager to see the woman his heart yearned for. He wished she followed him to Owerri for the Christmas holiday. He missed her so much. He planned to take her out that evening and ask her out. He was beyond confident that she was going to say yes. He was excited that after waiting for a long time, she was finally going to be his.
The door opened. Kike smiled when she saw her niece’s friend, “Chike, is this your face? How are you?”

“I am fine ma,” he smiled back at her.

“When did you return?”

“Last night.”

“Welcome. It’s good to see you.”

“And you too ma.”

“Your friend has gone to the saloon to make her hair.”

“Oh… okay. Is it Iya ibeji’s place?”

She nodded in affirmation.

“I will go and meet her there,” he was familiar with the route that led to the local hair stylist wooden shop.

“All right,” she stepped back into the room.

He turned around and headed out of the building.

“Chike!” Bukky halted at the side of the road when she saw her friend coming out of the house.

“My pretty baby,” he beamed and walked up to her. The plaited hair made her look like an African Princess. He liked it.

“When did you arrive?” she was very happy to see him.

“Last night,” he seized her up. She seemed to have added a little weight. Her hips were curvier and her chest was fuller.

“Welcome back. Happy New Year in advance.”

“Same to you,” he smiled at her.

She smiled back at him, “Let’s go inside.”

“No, I want to take you out.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” he beamed.

“Okay,” she looked at her toe-length blue chiffon gown.

“You look great. Let’s go,” he took her by the hand and led her down the street.

“How are your parents and siblings?”

“You should have followed me to Owerri,” he eyed her.

She rolled her eyes.

“Has your ex gone back to school?”

Her heart missed a beat. She hasn’t told him that she had given her ex another chance. Whenever he called while he was away, she always avoided talking about Gbemiga. She cleared her throat thrice and glanced at him.

“What?” he sensed her jittery composure.

“He has returned to school, but…”

“Now what?”

“He, we… em… he asked me to forgive him.”

He halted and stared at her with full concentration. She avoided his intense gaze and tried to still her racing heartbeat.

“I… I …em… I forgave him. We… we have started over.”

Chike let go of her hand. Pain seared his heart. The sudden news paralyzed his mobility and made his head dizzy.

“He… he has changed,” she looked up at him. The pain in his eyes gnawed at her. “Gbemiga is different and I think things might work out for us this time around.”

What did he expect? The guy was her first love. He was the one that deflowered her. Of course, he had a lot of influence over her emotions and self-will. She had definitely not gotten over him.

“What about us?”

She swallowed hard.

“I have been waiting for you to get over him, but, you went behind my back and… and gave him another chance,” he shook his head in disappointment, “Don’t come running to me when he hurts you again. This time around, leave me out of it.”

“He… he has changed,” she tried to convince him.

He eyed her. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe she didn’t like him as much as he thought. Maybe whatever she felt for him couldn’t withstand the enormous affection she had for her ex, now her boyfriend.

“It is your life. You can do whatever you want. After all, you are a big girl and you are not a baby.”

“Chike…”

“You have made your choice. I will not stand in your way,” his voice trembled with emotion.

“Chike…” she tried to hold his hand, but, he stepped away quickly.

“I planned to ask you out tonight.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. She would have said yes. She would have loved to date him. If Gbemiga had not asked for a second chance,
Chike was the man she would rather be with.

“There is no need for that anymore.”

“Chike, I am so sorry.”

“I wish both of you well.”

“Chike…”

“Have a lovely evening,” he started to walk away.

“Chike!” she wrapped her arms around her body. Her eyes brewed with unshed tears. She hoped she wasn’t going to lose him. She wasn’t sure
if he would remain her friend after that day, but, she hoped and prayed that he wouldn’t let her go.

He didn’t respond. He kept on walking. Hot tears streamed down his round brown face. His chest burned and he was finding it hard to breathe. It hurt that she had chosen her ex over him. it hurt that he had lost her, just when she almost became his. He hated the way he was feeling. He decided not to allow such circumstance to befell him ever again.

xxxxxx

Bukky paid a year rent for the self-contain apartment which was four houses away from their former accommodation. Her aunt had been ecstatic and overjoyed when she informed her that the money for their rent was complete. They moved in, in less than 72 hours. It was a relief that they wouldn’t be sharing kitchen, toilet and bathroom with dozens of people. They had been able to get permission from their new landlord to construct a shed outside the compound and sell their wares. Many of their customers liked the new place. Some say it was bigger and others liked the cleaner environment.

When she called Gbemiga to inform him, he rejoiced with her and thanked her for the money she paid into his account. He was happy that he wouldn’t need to disturb his parents for funds.

Her junior waec exam was around the corner. Although she was a bit scared, she believed that God would see her through. If Chike hadn’t made himself scarce, he would have helped her to revise and prepare, like the last time. He seldom came to their shed to buy akara and bread or fried yam with plantain. He rarely picked her calls or returned her text messages. Whenever she visited him, he was never home. She had a feeling that he was avoiding her. She missed him. She knew that her decision to go back to Gbemiga had hurt him badly. She felt she was doing the right thing. More so, she still loved Gbemiga and he had turned a new leaf.

She hoped Chike would find it in his heart to forgive her. She didn’t want to lose him as a friend.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Bukky came out of the bathroom dripping wet, a wrapper was tied around her chest, a pink shower cap covered her hair, she held her sponge-case in one hand and her bucket in the other hand. She halted when she saw Lola and Kemi standing outside. She tried to walk past them, but, they restrained her.

“Wait!” Lola held her by the elbow.

“We are not going to warn you again. Stay away from Gbemiga,” Kemi poked her on the forehead with a finger.

Bukky looked from one to the other. She had been excited when Gbemiga told her that he had already informed his family about their relationship. But, when she got home, her aunt told her to be careful. Now his sisters were warning her.

“You are not in our level at all.”

“When he graduates, do you think he will end up with a common illiterate like you?”

“Stay away from him, or else, you will regret it for the rest of your life.”

They hissed, eyed her and walked away. Bukky sighed out loud. Their words felt like salt on an open wound. She found her way back to the room and met her aunt fully dressed. Kike doesn’t go to the market anymore to hustle. She fries and sells fried yam and plantain under her niece’s shed. The joint business brought them more customers.

“Get dressed fast. Those sales girls of yours are too lazy for my liking,” Kike walked out of the room.

Bukky dropped her sponge-case in the bucket, placed it behind the door and sat on the bed. Several thoughts ran through her jittery mind.
She didn’t want to have problems with the Phillips. She had no idea that they would fight against her relationship with their son. She thought they would accept her, after all, they all lived in the same compound and they knew the kind of girl she was. She looked heavenwards and prayed to God to help them all.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga helped his girlfriend and her aunt to clear the shed once they were done for the day. Bukky was impressed. It was the first time he was helping them out. She was glad that their relationship was no longer a secret. The two love birds sat on a long bench outside the house.

“I cannot believe that I am sweating like this,” he stared at his drenched tee-shirt.

Bukky started to laugh.

“I had no idea how tedious your work was until today.”

She kept on laughing.

“When we get married, I won’t allow you to work anymore. I will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

“Hmmm… wishful thinking.”

“Come on. Don’t you trust me,” he feigned offence.

“Abeg, let me hear word.”

Gbemiga started to laugh. Kemi came out of the house, saw her brother seated with Bukky and ran back in.

“You need to trust me,” he looked into her eyes.

“Seeing is believing,” she stared back at him.

Remi and her daughters came out of the house in a hurry.

“Why are you bent on disgracing this family?” Remi accused her son, “Why are you seated here, talking to this thing?” she pointed at her neighbour’s niece.

Bukky bowed her head in sadness.

“Mum, please…” he looked around, hoping that they won’t draw attention.

“Bukky, I am warning you, leave my son alone!” Remi clapped into her face.

She covered her face with her hands, feeling embarrassed.

Gbemiga got up, pulling his girlfriend after him, “Mum, stop all this nonsense.”

“Leave our brother alone! He is not in your level at all,” Lola and Kemi shouted in her face.

Bukky stood behind her boyfriend and wished the ground would open and swallow her up.

“The sooner you all accept the fact that I love her, the better for us all.”

“Eeeeeh! Which love? You must vomit the love portion she has given you to eat,” Remi stood toe to toe with her son. She strained to meet his angry stare, he was about three inches taller than she was.

Kike ran out of the house. Her niece’s sales girls had just informed her that the Phillips were harassing Bukky.

“Mama Gbemiga, what is all this rubbish?” she approached them, red eyes, nose flared.

The woman turned towards her, “I warning the both of you. Leave my son alone!” Remi shouted at her.

“Leave our brother alone!” Lola and Kemi clapped into Bukky’s face.

Gbemiga protected his girlfriend and shielded her. He noticed that some people living in their compound had gathered around.

“Is your son the President’s child? What is so special about him?” Kike eyed her neighbor, “Bukky is worth a thousand of your son.”

“Eeeeeh! You lie!” Remi faced Kike.

“Leave these children alone. We are not in the stone age. You cannot choose who they should be with.”

“Speak for yourself! Do you have a child of your own? Old cargo,” Remi glared at her.

Her eyes turned gloomy, “I don’t to have children of my own before I can…”

“Please, please, jor, jor, jor, save your advice for the people who need it,” she looked at her with disdain.

Gbemiga held his girlfriend’s hand and walked away.

“Gbemiga! Gbemiga!” Remi called out to her son, but, he did not respond.

“Look at her, broomstick!” Lola shouted after their brother’s girlfriend.

“Egbere!” Kemi added.

“This is not over! By the time I am through with you, you will know that God doesn’t have tribal marks,” Remi beat her hand against her chest.

Kike shook her head in pity, hissed thrice and returned to the house.

xxxxxx

Gbemiga and Bukky sat in a Sweet Sensation outlet, eating from a big bowl of vanilla and strawberry ice-cream on New Year day.

“I will be leaving for school before the resumption date,” he announced and watched her smiling face turn pale.

“Why?” the cold sweet creamy substance melted in her mouth.

“Our class rep sent a text message to us that one of our lecturers is planning to give us a test on the very day we resume.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“The man is an unrepentant sadist. The annoying thing is that he only gives one test for the whole semester. The test is thirty marks, attendance is ten marks, that makes a total of forty marks.”

She shook her head in disbelief.

“If you miss his test, no one can plead on your behalf. He listens to no one and he won’t allow you to retake the test.”

“Why are some people that cruel?”

He shrugged, “He isn’t the only one. There are others like him.”

Fear filled her mind. She hoped she wouldn’t encounter such lecturers when she got admitted into the university.

“While I am gone, just ignore my parents and siblings. No one can stop me from dating you.”

She dropped her gaze. Living with the Phillips had become a nightmare. They were constantly looking for every opportunity to insult, argue and quarrel her and her aunt wasn’t left out. Everyone living in the area had also gotten wind of their relationship and his family’s disapproval. Her aunt was ready to move out, but, the rent of the new place they liked was thrice what they were paying in their present accommodation. She was saving towards it, but, by the time she gives her boyfriend some money when he was ready to leave for school, she would be left with almost nothing and it would take four or more weeks to raise the money again. She didn’t mind. She loved him. She would do anything to help him.

“I love you, you love me, nothing else matters.”

She lifted her eyes and met his passionate gaze. Maybe things might work out for them this time around. Maybe someday soon, his family would accept their relationship.

“Everything is going to work out for our good,” he reached out for her hand across the table.

The confidence in his eyes assured her. She smiled back at him and thank God for a second chance with him.

angelliza:
I added You on Facebook Ma you are looking beautiful God bless U and your family

Amen thanks love

My people, its raining heavily.

If I can't update tonight, then I will, before dinner time tomorrow.

Love u all *hugs*

queenitee:
But shewrites, why nah? Why are you this good? Why? OMG, you are wow

Na the gift of God sweet heart. *hugs*

Temtopy:
shewrites u rock

*hugs*

dejavuh0007:
Lol.. Were/are u a lausite? Just wanted to know what prompted u to use my skul

I was an Akokite.

I have friends in Lasu

dejavuh0007:
Shewrites av bin trying to locate this gbemiga in school o coz am also a lasuite, faculty of education

Lol...

He is there, keep searching.

etzskillz:
dear shewrites I don't knw if u will allow me copy dis story on a FB groupie

You can go ahead, as long as you include 'written by Serah Iyare'