Enoquin:


Oya send PM. We no want make bad belle people even know the colour of the pant

My pm dey act like mad man most times maybe na because say my account don old dey wear pampers. Try follow back make I try the matter.

Enoquin:
Guy, this ya washing pant proverb no be here oh I laugh sotey I no fit type

but you understand me na. I go like make we talk but no be for here. Bad belle people dey everywhere.

Enoquin:


You no even go with the flow, come dey write english as if na you born Queen Lizzy.
So, wetin you come dey think na?

if I tell you wetin adee think so eh you fit no believam. I no fit dey outside dey wash pant. People eye dey everywhere

HumbledbYGrace:
Your starving us joor, I am not happy at all!

Haha calm down. I will write more soon.

HumbledbYGrace:
Thanks, I am here, I slept online last night, sorry I am late.

It is fine. Tell me what you think.

Twaci:
still reading...

Cool. Don't forget to share your thoughts, it means a lot to me.

Twaci:
Hey hey! Am here

Do you like the story?

MzNelly:


We know.

we'll see.

MzNelly:
I like where this is headed
He know whats up yet he went to meet her

Hmmn

where do you think it is headed?

Cc HumbledbYGrace Chinweblinkz Mznelly Twaci ireneony Cybershow

CHAPTER THREE - ENGLISH ASSENT

I turned to a workaholic for the rest of the week. Esther had to ask me if I was feeling alright occasionally. The answer was always the same; I never felt better. Truth is I indulged in excess work to keep my thoughts from independence. By the time the weekend came I was worn out. I avoided everybody even Obioha. I did tell him about my little chat with my father. He insisted I go have lunch with the old man. What I actually found strange was that in the midst of the excess work I found myself thinking about Chinwe. Of course I always brush that thought aside but it was becoming increasingly annoying.

The weekend is here. Tomorrow is Saturday, I still haven't decided on what to do. I pulled up in front of my apartment, I felt really tired. The thought of climbing stairs wasn't encouraging still, but I needed to be on my bed with the air-conditioning turned up. I looked over at my work bag on the passenger seat and immediately knew I wasn't taking it up with me. I opened the door and came out the car, stretched a little and looked up at my apartment's window. I closed the doors, locked it and made my way to the entrance. I stared at the stairs for awhile and got to climbing. In about a minute or so I was in my apartment. I went straight to my bedroom, switched on the air conditioner and fell on the bed like a tree chain sawed from the bark. My shoes were still on my feet. I had no strength for nothing, absolutely nothing. I just laid there and in seconds I was lost into sweet oblivion.

***
I woke up in the middle of the night. My thoughts must have overwhelmed my mind to waking me up. I sat up on my bed still on my work clothes. I pulled my shoes then my socks. I rubbed my eyes vigorously and looked around. I felt hungry and for the first time I needed to be around people. I looked at the wall clock it was almost 1am. I brought my phone out from my pocket and without thinking I dialed Chinwe. She didn't pick the first time and I dialed again. It was obvious my brain was on vacation. This time around she answered.

" hello, I am really sorry calling you at this time "

" its okay Nnamdi. Are you okay? " she sounded sleepy but calm. That was a surprise.

" I dunno. Are you home? " I thought maybe she could be with her boyfriend.
" yeah..."

I did the Flintstone mid air dance in my mind.

" I am hungry and I could need a little company "

" you could come over. I would make you something. " she was still surprisingly calm

" thanks. On my way " I dropped the call.

I sat there for awhile then got up and pulled my clothes. I headed inside the bathroom for a quick bath. In seconds I was out smelling all fresh. I quickly put on a pair of brown chinos and blue polo. I was thinking this is a bad idea but you know what the hell. I needed to leave my apartment. I'm just going to eat and spend some time with my friends sister. At least, that's what I told myself. I made my way downstairs then outside. My car was still parked at the same spot, was too lazy earlier to bring it inside the compound. In seconds I was on my way to Chinwe's.

The drive was a long one, Chinwe lived on the other side of town. She has a two bedroom flat all to herself. She works as an accountant in a pharmaceutical company. She is quite independent but always appeared very humble. I admired her intelligence and sense of humor which is quite rare among women folks in recent times. The streets were still busy, saw quite a number of cars on the road. Indeed the town never sleeps. I decided to make a quick run to a restaurant and buy take aways didn't feel like stressing Chinwe. It was already bad enough I was crashing her sleep. The food was placed on the back seat as I drove towards Chinwe's place.

I turned my car into the street, driving slowly towards the building Chinwe lived. I stopped in front of the gate and horned. I felt bad for waking the security man but we all got a job to do. The gate swung open after I saw eyes peeping through the security hole. I wasn't a first time visitor, much introductions and explanations weren't needed. I fitted my car into a free slot, offed the engine and took the food off the back seat. I got out the car and made my way to Chinwe's apartment.

Moments later, I was standing in front of Chinwe's door. I gently pressed on the bell located on the right wall. I stood there for some seconds tapping my feet on the floor trying very hard not to think. The door opened up and Chinwe invited me in with a smile. I couldn't help but notice the pink nightie she had on. It gripped every part of her body unceremoniously. Her hair was scattered and for some weird reason it appeared sexy to me. She locked the door then turned and faced me.

" I brought food " I said smiling while slightly raising it up.

" how thoughtful of you but you shouldn't have. I have stew in the freezer "

She was now facing the direction of the light, her skin glowed. I could see her body through the nightie. It was marvelous.

" it's fine. Don't worry about it. That's a little price to pay for crashing your sleep. " I made my way to the nearest sofa and sat down

" We should go to my room and talk there."
Her room? I thought to myself. I haven't seen the inside of her room yet. I always ended up in the sitting room or the guest toilet, you know one of those days I get hammered and take leaks at any available stop. I stood up and waited for her to lead the way. She walked past me and boy does she smell nice. I guess it was my hormones acting up. I quickly followed her and after a turn or two I was inside her room.

Her room looked nice. I could count three giant teddies in her bed. I still couldn't understand the logic behind that but that should be a topic for another day. There was a work table few meters to the bed. The air conditioner was turned on. Her duvet looked Barbie ish in pink. There were several shoe bags hanging on the wall within lied neatly placed shoes. She was sitting on her bed. I walked to the work table, dropped the food on it and pulled out the sit and sat down.

" are you for real? You just going to sit over there? " Chinwe said with a smile

" what? I like it here "

" don't be silly Nnamdi, come sit on the bed with me. You are too far away "

I didn't understand how I was far away. I just sat few inches away. I started all this by coming here. I still needed someone to talk to so I just have to play along. I got up from the sit, put it back properly and sat down beside her on the bed. She still smelled very nice.

" so, what's bothering you? " Chinwe tilted her head in my direction. Her eyes bold with no traces of sleep.

" I don't know for sure. I don't even know if I want to talk about it "

" then why did you come? "

" I just needed the company. "

" the lunch with your father has nothing to do with you looking stressed? How many hours of sleep you've had recently? "

Indeed I looked like a mess. Haven't had much sleep apart from this evening. Didn't even eat much.

" if you don't want to go see your dad its fine but you should make a definite decision cause the way you are handling it presently is really not the best "

" I don't know Chinwe. I really don't know. What if its really important? You know I haven't really forgiven him. " it was more like I was talking to myself than Chinwe cause she has no idea why there is a need for me to forgive my father.

" you can't tell if it's important or not unless you go see him" she deliberately ignored the me forgiving my father part.

" do you think I should go? I understand you not working on much. "

" you've always known what I thought Nnamdi but I'm still gonna say it regardless. I think you should go see your father. I mean how bad can it be and you can always walk away if it gets uncomfortable. "

She was right. I didn't really have nothing to lose and I could always walk away.
" you are right I guess "

She put her right hand across my shoulder and whispered " of course I'm right. "

We just sat like that for a couple of seconds not saying a word. Chinwe broke the silent as she got up.

" we should eat. Let me go get plates, I hate those take away packs. "

I smiled at her as she left the room towards the kitchen. I looked down at my wrist watch, it was past 2am. I felt a bit relieved. I yawned, I was really tired. She came back with two plates and cutleries. She transferred the food to the plates and handed me over a plate.

"okay. Why don't you like talking about your father? " Chinwe said. She was now staring at me.

"because I don't"

" why are you being like this? Is it cause you slept with me? I am just a step sister if that would make you feel better"

I knew she was a step sister but that doesn't make it any better. It was like the alcohol was wearing off, I could see and think more clearly. I needed to get out of here somehow.

" listen, I do not dislike you. I am more comfortable if our relationship goes back to the way it was before the incident" I was still talking in a low voice.

" Okay. But don't bail on me. I know you are thinking it." She said smiling.

The bottle of wine was almost empty. I poured the last glass. As I drank, Chinwe signalled the waiter over and ordered another bottle. She took just two glasses from the first bottle. I wasn't sure what to say but I had to say something.

" are you sure about a second bottle? " I asked

" yes. I didn't really enjoy the first cause someone was busy drinking and not eating " she said with a smile

The waiter walked up and dropped the second bottle with two fresh glasses. He collected the used glasses and left.

" Be a gentleman and unscrew the bottle Nnamdi "

I sighed. I wished silently I could unscrew her like the bottle of wine. I reached for the bottle, unscrewed it and poured both glasses full. She was busy with her food.

" I think Obi dislikes women. I'm really worried about him " Chinwe said without looking up.

I was busy playing with my food and still trying to figure out the best way to bail.

" you are a woman. He doesn't dislike you. " I knew where she headed but at least I could try act ignorant.

" you very well know what I mean Nnamdi. Stop playing around. "

" No. I don't think so. He has dates. Most recently there is Chika" I said while looking into the glass of wine.

" I know that. I'm trying to say he never commits just like you. He hardly lasts in relationships. "

" he's not getting any younger. He needs to get married " she was now staring at me like I was Obioha.

I didn't know what to say. I just wasn't good at talking about my best friend behind his back.

" I will talk to him about your concerns " I said finally.

" Thank you " she said as she picked up her glass of wine.

I quickly glanced at my wrist watch. It wasn't even 8pm yet. Chinwe was Obioha's favorite family member. It was just him and the elder sister before the Mum died. The dad remarried to a widow with a daughter. That daughter is Chinwe. They immediately bonded while growing up and remained so ever since. Obioha threw her a birthday party just last month celebrating her 25th birthday. Of course, I was there. I was even introduced to the boyfriend.

" you seem bored considering you've been playing with your food all this while " Chinwe said.

I looked at her food and noticed she was almost done.

" I'm sorry, I'm not. I'm just distracted. "

" maybe you should drink more? "

I glanced at the bottle, it was half full. I shifted my eyes to my glass, it appeared untouched.

" if you don't drink with me, I would finish the bottle alone. " Chinwe threatened.

She could hold her liquor but not that much liquor. I hated being with drunk women. They tend to get more annoying.

" okay. You win. I will drink. " I sounded a bit frustrated.

" cool " she said wearing her trademark mischievous smile

I picked up my glass and emptied it into my stomach. It was just white wine, I could handle it. My phone vibrated on the table, I looked at the screen. I felt shocked. I couldn't even hide it. The number calling wasn't stored but I could never forget the number no matter how much I tried.

" what is it Nnamdi? " Chinwe said with concern written all over her face.

I barely heard her. I was still trying to make sure the call was real.

" it's my f-father" I said with shock.

" don't you think you should take it. It could be important " she sounded concerned.

"I don't think so. I am going to call him back " I said knowing that would be real difficult for me to do.

" okay. If you say so " she knew better not to push me.

I relaxed a bit on the seat, trying to figure out why my father called. We've not spoken or seen each other for years now. I reached for the bottle and poured my glass full. Chinwe seemed worried about me although she was trying very hard to hide it. The phone vibrated again and again. My father wasn't the type that calls after two rings. I just drank the wine and stared at my phone. Chinwe just stared.

" you should take the call " chinwe said quietly

" it could really be important "

I looked up at her, not sure what to say. Deep down I knew she could be right.

" if the phone rings again I will take the call " I said lifting my glass off the table.

It was like my phone was waiting for me to complete the sentence cause almost immediately my phone rang. I sighed deeply and picked up the phone as I stood up. I needed to move away from the table. I made my way towards the restroom. Chinwe just watched without saying a word. I opened the male restroom, it was empty. I closed the door behind me, locked it and took the call.

" hello? " I said into the mouthpiece

" hello son. How are you? " his voice sounded the same. He always referred to me as "son", rarely called me by my first name. I always believed its because answer the same name. He sounded authoritative and certain. It is my father alright.

" let's skip the pleasantries dad. What do you want " I tried very hard not to sound harsh.

" son , lets have lunch at my office on Saturday. "

" are you being serious dad? You want to have lunch with me? " I found it amusing.

" please son, let's not do this over the phone. It is just lunch. "

I have never heard my dad use the word "please". Something must be wrong.

" I will think about it dad maybe contact you later. Its still a long week. "

" alright son. Hear from you soon " the line went dead.

I removed the phone from my ear. I stared at it for a second or two, shrugged and made my way out of the restroom. Chinwe just sat there sipping on her glass of wine. I walked slowly to the table and sat down. Chinwe gave me that inquisitive look. I just picked up my glass and drank from it.

" spill. " Chinwe said

" there is nothing to spill. "

" come on Nnamdi. We are friends aren't we? "

"yes we are friends but there is really nothing to spill "

" Okay. What did you guys talk about? " Chinwe now had this expectant look on her face

" Lunch. We talked about lunch. "

" wait, you are going to have lunch with your father? Wow "

" I didn't agree to anything. I have the whole week to think about it. "

" I think you should do it. It would be good for both of you psychologically."

" since when did you become a shrink? " I found her statement amusing

" Its not about being a shrink. I just feel it would be good for you. "

I just looked at her.
" you should drink up, lets go. My shoes are killing me. " Chinwe said squeezing her face a little.

I nodded and emptied the contents of the glass in my mouth. We both stood up almost simultaneously. She held my hand as we made for the door. We looked like the perfect couple to the world. We made our way to the car park.

" do you need company for the night? " Chinwe asked gripping my hand a bit harder

" no. I don't. I need to be alone. Besides I have work tomorrow. "

" alright. I am not going to push " Chinwe said with a smile.

We made it to my car, we both got in and I drove off. I dropped her at her apartment. By the time I got home it was past 9pm. I felt really tired. The evening was truly an eventful one. I just got to my bed and passed out.

hilarious story. I love the use of pidgin. You are a good writer and you've got me thinking.

Enoquin:


Were you expecting a rant?

Lol no, not at all. You don't seem like the kinda lady that goes on a ranting spree. Your response was very well thought out, I had no wiggle room. That actually surprised me.

Enoquin:


You are looking at it from wrong angles.

There are long stories that end tragically. The concubine by Elechi Amadi, one of the most gripping Nigerian novels I read in my teens ended tragically. Never will I forget Ihuoma or Ekwueme and Emenike.

Things fall apart? The television series might have held me spell bound but the book did more than that and that was tragic too.

Books that have ended not in the way one expected?
The beautiful ones are not yet born by Ayi Kwei Armah
Weep not child by Ngugi Wa'thiongo
Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
The Sicilian by Mario Puzo etc
That's blowing your first theory off.

These stories aren't new. So, I didn't just sit and work on them now; they were already written and in my completed stories folder. They have even been posted on other forums. True, I have less time but brother I tell you, once a scene needs to be fleshed out to a story, it can be done. Not all stories need to be fleshed out and that's a truth.

Well, I have my lazy days as a writer. I write scribbles that I might not go back to or stumble on and flesh it out or discard it. Before I ever started writing short stories, I started on a long one. I still have my unpublished novel. I only plan to write 3-5 novels in my lifetime, shoot 2 into a movie.

Now to the truth:
I don't like screen reading. I love the paperbacks, the smell of a novel, the writing, the font, the paper used. The screen cannot compensate for half of that feeling so I stay off reading long stuffs online and that accounts for me writing short stuffs

Most Nigerians don't like reading muchless something long

Short stories show how disciplined a writer can be. Because instead of you rambling off, you'd have to get your point/description across with fewer words.

Lastly, when I develop a story. I have to feel what my characters are feeling or it won't pass off as realistic to me. I am my greatest critic. Sometimes, I allow the characters dictate the flow of the story other times, I get a grip on the characters and write it my way. I don't know how else to explain this point.

Now this was an epistle

I understand. Thanks for explaining. Your reasons are logical. Didn't expect logical reasons.