Ann2012:
Interesting OP

Thank you.

Ann tapped softly at the door of the room she had been directed to go. The door was opened to reveal Beke's face.

'There you are.' He broke into an easy smile. 'Come in, my darling.'

Without hesitation, Ann accepted the offer. Of course, he was expecting her and she had come to see him. On the centre table were bottles of wine and glasses. They sat on the two-seater sofa. He uncorked one of the bottles and poured drinks into the glasses. He handed her one of the glasses.

'What're we celebrating?' she asked.

His smile widened. 'You. A beautiful woman like you should be celebrated.'

Ann was pleased by that and she giggled. 'Thanks for the compliment.'

'You're welcome.'

They raised the glasses up and clinked them.

'To a great relationship. Cheers.'

'Cheers,' she responded.

He sipped the wine, savouring the taste. She did the same. Some moments later, the stage was set for a very romantic moment.

Beke removed her top and other wears. She was ready for him too, as she goaded him on. The fantasy became a reality. A trip to the land of sexual bliss always looks like that which will last for ever, but paradoxically only lasts in the ephemeral way. Even when the action was backed up elixir, at best it becomes a prolonged ephemeral thing.

Beke was able to prolong the act. By the time he reached the apex point, he felt like a spent force. He rolled on his back and tried to recover some breath.

'Wow,' he said under his breath. 'That was really fantastic.'

His eyes were still closed. What a great moment! It was really a long time ago that he could go extra mile in sexual exploits as he had just done. After several seconds, he opened his eyes and patted her thigh.

'That was fantastic, dear Ann. The action was really fantanstic today, or don't you think so?'

There was no response from her. He quickly looked at her closely and just then, he could that she had remained still.

Yetunde felt like she would swoon and pass out any moment.

Deji, her husband, would not be returning from work until nine o'clock or thereabout. They were still savouring their wedding bliss, and she wistfully hoped the joy would be forever. He had almost adored her. He was always all over her, kissing, caressing and generally making fuses.

Beyond Temptation

by Toyin Olorunsola

Dedication
This story is dedicated to almighty God.

Rita left the residence of the prophet a more confused person. What was all these talks about hibernation? Where exactly was Dave? What was happening to him? How would she go back to tell Amanda that Dave was only in hibernation? How would that console her, or erase the fact that the proposed wedding was a fiasco? It was obvious that Rita was as distressed as her Friend, Amanda.


During another rendexvous that Beke had with Ann, he decided to be circumspect. The last one he had with her had ended in a mess. Ann's hubby had appeared at the scene and had created a lot of scene, and if not for the interference of some people, somebody's head would have been broken.

After that incident, Beke wanted to put an end to the relationship, but Ann persuaded him otherwise. She said all they needed to do was to be more discrete. He allowed himself to be goaded on, so the illicit relationship continued.

Today, they had decided to meet at a small hotel. It was far from where she lived and she believed she had escaped from any prying eyes. Any scene of embarrassment must be avoided henceforth.

Beke was already in the hotel room by the time Ann got there. At the reception, the lady behind the large desk called to inform him that he had a female visitor. Ann was asked to go up the first floor to his room.

It was about seven p.m. when Rita got to the prophet's house. There were some people waiting to see the man of God, so Rita had to wait for her turn.

She waited for almost thirty minutes. When she finally saw the man one-on-one, she told him all that had happened that day. Of course, the prophet remembered Rita and her friend, and why they had sought his help. He also vividly remembered the very help he had rendered.

After Rita had finished the narration, there was silence for some moments. The prophet closed his eyes. He appeared to be lost in meditation. He finally opened his eyes and stared at Rita.
'Your friend, Amanda should not despair. Things like this happens sometime. That her man will come back to meet her. He is only in a state of hibernation.'

'Hibernation? But what exactly is happening to him? Why did he not turn up for his wedding? Where is he right now?'

The prophet smiled. 'I can understand your despair. Tell your friend not to worry. He did not run away. He is only in a state of hibernation. Soon, you will see him again. See, some forces do not want that wedding to be. They want to stop it. But tell her not to worry. She will soon see her beloved.'

Amanda was in a great distress. She was in a terrible mood. It was already eleven in the morning, and she was yet to hear that Dave was alreadt in the church. She too had been trying his number to no avail. Where was he? What could have happened to him? Why were his lines not going?
Her wedding gown was on. She looked bewitching in it. The guests were already seated in the church, awaiting the groom and the commencent of the wedding. Alas, the groom was nowhere to be found.
When it was twelve noon, some of the guests, looking so baffled, started to depart. Alfred decided to take a bike to Dave's house, hoping he would somehow see him along the way, or he would get to know what had happened to him. He neither came across Dave, nor saw him when he got to his residence.
What would he do now?


Rita was as agitated as her friend. She could feel the anguish and dejection Amanda was going through. It was a terrible moment for Amanda. It was a terrible moment for anyone in her situation. Thank God Amanda's parents and some relatives were around to calm her down and to ensure she did no harm to herself.
When it was five p.m and Dave had not been seen, Rita decided there must be a way to unravel the mystery. On behalf of her good friend, Rita decided to consult the Prophet at Ikorodu and find out what was happening.

Alred called Dave's line again, but none of the lines could get through. He was worried. Dave was not someone who was not conscious of time, even on a normal day. How much more on his wedding day, a very special day!
The aspect that was more worrisome was that he could not reach Dave on the phone. So, what could have happened? Alfred sighted Ortega, one of Dave's cousins around. He beckoned at him.
'What's happening? Why is Dave not here by now?' Alfred asked. He could not conceal his ruffled countenance.
Ortega shrugged. 'I too wonder why he's not here.'
'The worst part is that I've been trying all his lines, but couldn't get through,' Alfred said further.
For the umpteeth time, he tried Dave's numbers again, but it was the same result.
'Perhaps, his car broke down on the way here,' Alfred tried to deduce.
'No. I drove his car here', Ortega returned. 'I drove his parents and some relatives here in his car. He said he would come by a cab.'
'A cab?' Alfred was surprised. 'But even at that, he should here by now.' He checked his watch. 'This is quarter past ten. But, why are his numbers not going, for Christ sake?'
it was a question which nobody around could answer.

Her make up was modest, but even without them, Amanda looked beautiful and exotic. She was set for her grand wedding. The plan was that she would remain in the house until a few minutes to ten in the morning when the wedding service would start before the bridal train would move to the church. Since the church was a stone throw distance from her residence, there would be no problem, even if she left her house exactly ten a.m. Besides, the bridal train and vehicles were all standing by.
Expectedly, Dave and his groomsmen should be in the church before ten o'clock. That was the plan.
That was what Alfred, Dave's best man had in mind too. As early as few minutes past nine. Alfred was already in the church, suited up. When it was quarter to ten and he had not seen Dave, he decided to call his number.
A surprise awaited Alfred as none of the Dave' numbers he knew could get through. He waited for a couple of minutes - by then, the guests had almost filled up the church - and called his numbers again. It was the same result.
It was now five minutes to ten. The service was set to start. The choir was ready. One of the officiating ministers approached Alfred and asked him if he was the prospective groom. He replied that he was not and that he had actually been trying the groom's number, but to no avail. This made them to become worried.
A lady in the choir, Betty, who was well acquainted with Amanda called Amanda to let her know that the groom-to-be had not arrived in the church. She was not the first to do that as one of Amanda's cousins had also called her to report the same thing.

Dave's medical reports also showed cheering contents. He was HIV negative while his genotype was AS. Amanda was clearly happy over the outcome. The coast was now clear for her and Dave to do the wedding.


On Saturday of their wedding day, Amanda woke up five a.m. The truth was she barely slept that night. She was in a frenzzied state and fantasied about her imminent change of status.
By seven in the morning, her chief bridesmaid was there tto assist in getting things done the way they should. Of course, this was no other person than Amanda's good friend, Rita.
Amanda's apartment was brimming with activies. A couple of days ago, her parents had already arrived from Warri. Some other relatives were around too. Undoubtedly, they were all prepared for the great occaasion.
The service at the church was billed to start at ten in the morning. After that, a large multi-purpose event centre would host the reception. One of her bridemaids helped her to wear the gown. It was a little bit tight at the waist, but it suited her perfectly.

At the parish where Amanda worshipped, it was customary for the church to direct that intending couples should do HIV test, genotype test and pregnancy test before solemnization of any union, just weeks before the wedding ceremony.
Amanda took Dave to her parish pastor and they were instructed to go for the tests. Being a medical doctor, Dave believed it was no big deal. At first, Amanda was scared of the tests, especially the HIV test. With bated breath, she read the reports. It was such a big relief that she was negative on HIV and pregnancy tests. She haboured no fear about her genetype as previous test had shown that she was AA.
So, there was no problem about the results of her tests, but what about Dave's own?

Rita said the mood indeed called for celebration, and Amanda could not agree less.


A couple of weeks after Amanda and Dave started making wedding preparations, Amanda continued to be in a very happy mood. She had started doing some shopping for what she would need for her wedding.
She decided that the ceremony would be grand. All her friends, including those outside Lagos, were intimated and invited. Dave too was leaving no stone unturned in his preparation. All his friends and colleagues were happy for him and eagerly awaited the d-day.
For the traditional wedding, they travelled down to Warri. Dave fulfilled all the tradional rites that he should fulfil. They were soon back in Lagos.
It was now a couple of weeks to the wedding. Dave would go for a black suit, a white shirt and a red bow tie, while Amanda opted for a hand-made white wedding card. Amanda was indeed happy. Soon, she decided, she would forever say goodbye to being a spinster and join the league of happily married women. That was her thought.

'Dave, you're not serious, are you? Joy asked, still looking confused.
'Of course, I - we - are serious. For real, we'll soon be getting married.'
Joy raved, but it was obvious she was at the losing end. The anger she felt was still on her face when she stormed out of the place, promising that they had not seen the last of her .


Rita poured the champagne to the brim of the glasses. Her friend, Amanda was in the former's apartment, and it was apparent they were in a celebration mood.
'Cheers!' Amanda said.
'Cheers!'
They clinked the glasses.
'I must really thank you,' Amanda was saying. 'You're really instrumental to my achieving my goal.'
'Oh, don't mention, my friend. What are friends for?'
'You are indeed a friend in need who is a friend indeed.'
They sipped their drinks. 'So, what's the next plan?' Rita asked.
'The next plan is that we will fix a date for the introduction, the engagement and the proper wedding. No time to waste again.'
'Oh, I'm so happy for you, Amanda. Congratulations in advance.'
'Thank you. And need I remind you that you'll be my maid of honour?'
Rita laughed delightedly.
'With all pleasure, my friend, my friend. With all pleasure.'

'And what's all this noise about, Dave darling?' Amanda asked.
Joy glared at her. She pointed at Amanda menacingly. 'So, it's because of this... this thing that you refused to pick my call.'
'Mind what you say, lady,' Dave said belligerently.
'And if I don't, what will you do?' Joy did not disguise her contempt and petulance. 'What will you do?'
Amanda quickly intervened. 'There is no need for saucy words.' She turned to squarely look at Joy. Your have used up all the time that you should use with him. Please kindly go and don't come back.'
Joy flared up. 'And who the hell are you to tell me that? Anyway, I know this is all a joke.' She faced Dave. 'Tell me, this is all a joke, right? You are not dumping me for this, this one, are you?'
Dave smiled and moved to where Amanda was standing. 'No one is joking here. Everything is for real.' He wrapped his left hand round Amanda's shoulders. 'Just like my darling has said. Your time with me has elapsed. Please, don't you ever come to this house again.

Amanda was pleasantly surprised by Dave's action. She looked intently at him and she could see the zeal in his eyes. It also looked like his eyes were pleading with her not to disappoint him. Disappoint him? Never! How would she ever disappoint him when this was what she had been craving to experience?
'Wil you, please, marry me?' he asked again.
It was like a scene of a movie she had watched - an American movie. It was unAfrican for a man to propose this way, but things were changing fast. The influence of the West had alwayys been like a rampaging fire.
'Yes,' she said with mist in her eyes. 'The answer is yes.'
He stood up with his hands throwm wide open, ready for a hug. She stood up too and there was a bear hug.
After dinner, he took her to his his house. They did not waste time as they made the bedroom their ultimate destination. Almost in a frenzy, he undressed her and undressed himself. They went on a wild trip that sapped their pent-up passion and energy. Thereafter, they lay in each other's arms.
'We must not waste further time,' Dave said. 'It's high time we started planning our wedding. Don't you think so?'
Amanda nodded. 'Of course no need to waste time.'
He drew his mouth to hers and planted a kiss. 'Thank God I have you back in my life.'
Amanda nodded without a word. Just then, the bell to his apartment rang. He wanted to ignore it, but it kept ringing persistently.
'Shouldn't you go and see who's at the door?' Amanda suggested.
He sighed, put on his boxer and threw his t-shirt on. When he opened the entrance door to the sitting-room, Dave was surprised to see Joy standing there.
'Dave, what is all this?' Joy hollered. 'Why is it that since morning, I was calling your line and you did not pick it?'
'Hey, calmn down,' he chided her. 'You're not going to announce your agitation to the whole world, are you?'
'Let the whole world hear, I don't care!' She stormed inside the sitting-room. 'I demand an explanation,' she said, brimming with anger. 'And it must be a very good one.'
Just then, the curtain at the door leading the interior passageway was ruffled and Amanda emerged from the bedroom.

Unforgettable by Toyin Olorunsola

This is a story of love, hope, faith and suspense.
It is a Christian romance story about a lady that has to contend against many forces begore she could break a jinx on the children of the wealthy family.
Check it out at www.okadabooks.com/ serach/ unforgettable
it costs only N100.

Happy reading.