******I sit in the canteen behind the department with Jude, chatting about small stuff, family and everything in-between. Jude is a tall, light skinned man; he is sincere and smiles a lot, one of his outstanding charm. He is welcoming and basically the only person who don’t see me as his rival in the department.Ever since Miss. Adeyemi Rotimi Smith announced the privileges attached to our department, everyone has taken it as a competition and has seen each other as rivals. Especially Miss. Abike. Her father happens to be the C.E.O of a five star hotel in Ikoyi. She looks down on everyone just because she was born with a silver spoon. Mrs. Edward, an unfortunate woman who had a bicker with Miss. Abike, might have sat quietly and listened to Abike run her mouth but not me. I’m just waiting for the day she will try it with me. Not that I’m beefing or anything, I mean, I’m just saying.“I hope there wasn’t any complication?” Jude ask me as I put a straw inside my bottle of Fanta.“Not
******WALE POVI let out a rumble laughter after dropping the call with Eno. Lost in the thought of her that I'm oblivious to when Yinka, my cousin stepped into the room.Letting the smile linger on my lips, I sit up from the couch when I hear him clear his throat. He gives me that amusing stare then laughs while sitting on the brown leather couch across from mine in my living room.My cousin has been living with me since he returned to Nigeria, feeling reluctant to go home because aunty never stops her quest of finding a suitable wife for him. Just like me, he feels the pressure but doesn't want to get his own apartment because hes barely in the country. And now, I have no choice but to accommodate him.“My boy has found himself a girl that makes him smile.” He mocks me, laughing and watching my brightened up face.“Well, you can say that again.” “So, did she agree to meet you?” He curiously asks.“She can't resist me even if she tries.” Still in my happy mood, I stand and move to
******ENO POV “I was starting to think you won’t show up and I’ll have leave here heartbroken” Wale says, giving those sexy smiles. He sure knows how to enthuse a lady.I smile in my mind, feeling a little uneasy. I sit on the high stool close to his, in front of the bar counter.“I’m here aren’t i? Can I have my bangle, please?” I ask, trying to be polite. I don’t want to cause a scene in front of the busy bar-man.“Not yet, honey you—““Honey?” I snigger.“What?” He raise an eye brow at me, drawing closer to me, causing that hot rush on my cheek.He’s close, too close. I open my mouth trying to at least stammer a word but it stayed open. “He’s smooth. Wake up Eno.” I yell at myself, using my indoor voice.“Why am I here?” I ask quickly, smiling at the bar man who places our drinks in front of us.“You didn’t believe me when I said You enchanted me?” He asks back.“Please wake up this isn’t disney? Neither are we children. But of course, it’s true what they say.”“What who say?” he
*******The thought of Wale kept me awake all through the night. He hunted my dreams and wouldn’t leave my head. It’s a pity; I have to hurry off to Peace estate at second Rainbow in Festac Town where I work part-time as a cook for Mr. and Mrs. Oke.“At least the place is not far.” I say to myself as I pack my bag.I lock my front door when Omoh comes out of her own apartment“Going out so early?” she asks, yawning. It seems she's just waking up.“Good morning, I can see you slept well too.” I say to her, smiling.“I’m sorry.” She apologizes when she recall she hadn't said good morning.“It’s fine, I’ll be back soon. I hope you brought those novels?” I ask to be sure. They were some romance novels Omoh had back home. I got a good look at one when I joined her on a visit to her parents home and begged her to bring some for me.“Yes.” she replies.“Good, love you, see you soon.” I yell as I hurry down the stairs.“Yeah, love you too.” I hear her yell back. Her voice echo downstairs as
*****One month after intensive lecturers, we get to do our first practical. Our instructor request we prepare one traditional food from our tribe.This is exciting news because I really appreciate my tribal dish. I choose Afang soup not because I wanted it but because Omoh made sure. I plan to prepare white soup or apangkukwo but Omoh says Afang soup is well presentable and very rich. To me, my choice is also presentable and rich but, since Afang is a popular dish, I get her point.Omoh followed me to school today, which is of good advantage because she volunteer to help me carry my extra bags. I know her sudden kindness has a motive which is to not miss out on the soup.She is not allowed into the hall since she is not a student so, I ask her to wait for me at the canteen behind my department promising to call her as soon as I’m done.I walk straight to my table, drop my bag at the side of it on the floor and wear my apron.“Good morning chefs.” The instructor in charge of the pract
******“This is the most mouthwatering dish I’ve eaten all day.” Omoh says a she pounce on the plate of Semo and Afang soup not minding the people around, looking at her.I join my friend, Omoh at the canteen where she had been waiting for me after the practical as over. I previously thought we would eat the rest of the food when we are comfortable at home but, my dear friend is very impatient to wait.“You think so?” I ask doubtfully at her comment.“Unless the judges have no taste buds.” She manage to say, swallowing a large chunk of semo.“I just hope it is good enough, I need to pass.” I tell her.“And you will.” She stops her eating and give me a heart warming smile.I feel a little at ease as I smile back at her.“Hurry up with that, I need to rest.” I hasten to her.flashing her my tired look but Omoh pays no attention to me. I rest my back on the backrest of the chair and wait patiently for her to finish devouring the meat.Suddenly, I feel a hand rest on my shoulder “Eno, you
*******“I did my best” I can hear a student say inside the hall and I swear her voice sounds very familiar.I peek through the slightly open door and my guess was right. Not to my surprise anyway, I mean, there is only one person in this department with a penetrating voice like that. Who else can it be? If not the proud, miss perfect, millionaire’s daughter. Abike.“I shouldn’t be doing this.” I reprimand myself, but securing my feet on the ground, not moving an inch.“I expected you to do better!” I can hear the chef yell “What will I say to your dad, huh?” He asks angrily.“Who is this chef to Abike?” I soliloquize, asking a curious question which answer interested me to hear.“Tell him whatever you like I don’t care. All I care about is how you are going to help me win that trip to California.” She assert with so much confidence.“Mr. Collins is so wrong, it’s not just an Exam, as far as there is a reward attached to it, it is a bloody competition.” I say, heatedly. Confirming my
*******Abike stamps her feet and as she walks toward the door where I stood, i quickly opt out of my position, putting a fine distance between myself and the door.She hits the door hard, forcing open the door. Her gazes instantly met mine then, she walks towards me.“Hi.” I dare say, watching her draw closer.“Save it.” She shuts me up rudely, but before walking pass me she gives me the weirdest stare.I chuckle “What’s her deal.” Not my cup of tea.I walk towards the door again. Just as I am about holding the door knob, the door swings open, almost causing me to trip.“Oh dear, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you coming.” Chef Chris apologize politely.He is a fair skinned, average height man. His hair is cut very low at the sides and carved neatly and his face has no trace of hair on it. His wearing a black polo with Greg institute written at the back and left breast of the shirt on a pair of black trouser. He smiled warmly at me, but it didn't do justice to the frustration hidden in his
******UNWANA p. o. vI want to be like my mom when I grow up. Looking at her as we walk out of the airport, holding the hands of her husband, my father and holding me on my shoulder while we enter into the limousine sent from the GREG RESORT to pick us up to our new house in California. She I my role model, she’s strong, focus and has a good eye for men. I like my dad, Mr. Adewale Rotimi Smith far more than uncle Chidi, my mom’s ex. My mother had a sad beginning and now she is laughing at last and has also made me laugh.Now I don’t have to continue at command secondary school anymore, daddy said I will finish my education here. I’ll miss my friends but please, I’ll make new ones.I almost forgot, I’ll soon be a big sister. #smiles#The End
*****My heart beats faster and my legs wiggles weakly. The silent treatment is killing me slowly and I find my self saying;“Please Wale, can I at least see you one last time.” I plead, still standing by the door.Yet, he says nothing. I turn and rest my back on the door while I squat down “I’m sorry I didn’t fully trust you. I’m sorry I compared you to the past men in my life, I’m sorry I gave you the impression that I didn’t love you, I’m sorry I doubted your love.” I speak, fighting the tears wrestling to pour “Ever since Ubong left me with Unwana, my daughter, in my womb, Living had been very hard. Some days when the humiliation grew worst, I attempt aborting my child and every time, I failed. If not for my Parent’s undying love, who knows if I would have been alive today.” I converse as tears floods my eyes and my beating heart threatens to stop.“I hated Ubong with my life, then a day came, I gave birth to my Bright star and from the first day I laid eyes on her, I found hope.
********I get down from the Taxi in front of Wale's gate then, I pay the driver before he drives off. I stand a while facing the large, black gate while trying to rehearse what to say when i go in and see him.“Uhm, uhm,” I clear my throat “Your sister is worried about you so she ask me to check on you to see how you are doing.” No, it doesn’t sound right, why should I be the one Tessy sends.I try another one “Baby, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have held back that kind of important part of my life from you.” That’s if I get the opportunity to speak.“Honey, you can hate me all you want but I will not leave here until you forgive me or at least hear me out.” How pitiful. He can as well call the police on my ass and they will just bundle me out.“Uh,” I sigh “Darling remember the fun time we had, remember you said you don’t care what circumstances have to offer, as far as you have me.” Ah, I’m so desperate.“Calling him all the sweet pet name in the world’s list doesn’t guarantee me earning
********It’s been two weeks since I last heard from Wale, he also has been avoiding my calls. And right now, I’m so worried about him, what a twist. First, men leave me when I tell them about my other half and when I thought concealing that information was best, I lose the love of my life.Life is good, fair, unbalanced and cruel at the same time and I just stand alone at the receiving end. Is there even an atom of love left somewhere for me?I can feel my head spinning out of control, my eyes bulging out and I look so tired.I stare at the lecturer without hearing a word of what he’s saying and the harder I stare, the more the face of the lecturer turns into the face of Wale. I’m losing my mind.“Are you ok.” Jude's voice brings me back to class the moment the lecturer left the classroom.“Yes, I’m fine. Just having a little headache.” I say, using my left hand to rub my head. My head had start to hurt from much thinking and I feel miserable. I just need to lay on my bed and cry but
*******Wale Laughs suspiciously at my expression.“Eno, is this you?” She asks on her feet, taking a good look at me to be sure with an identical surprise expression as mine.“Yes, it’s me.” i laugh, not trying to contain my surprise.She makes her way to where I stand and hugs me warmly “I can’t believe this. So you are the Eno my brother has been talking about.” She remarks, ending the hug and looking at me again “I know only one Eno which is you but I never suspected he was talking about the one I know.”“Miss Adeyemi, I’m as stun as you are.” I say smiling.“The title. Please, call my Tessy.” She tells me, taking my hands “Come, sit, I’m so happy to see you.”“Thanks.” I reply following her to the executive booth.It will sound weird calling Miss Adeyemi, Tessy. She and I have become closer in school and she has helped me a lot to become one of the best at school. As a nutritionist, her advice has placed me on the right track.“Meet my fiancé, Gabriel.” She introduce me to the ha
******Omoh and I stayed home all afternoon watching into the badlands with a bowl of popcorn in-between us. And at the end of the seventh episode of the first season, she turns to me and says “I believe you haven’t told him yet.” Reducing the volume of my T.V set.“Told him what?” I ask as if unacquainted with what she’s talking about.“Eno!” She calls out.“What?”“You know he has the right to know.” She declares, with worrying look on he pretty face.“I know and I will tell him.” I tell her “I plan on telling him tonight.” “You are going on a date with him tonight, and you are supposed to meet his sister too. When will you have the time to tell him?”Omoh is right; I may not have the time to tell him. I might be carried away, who knows. I don’t know how to answer her question; I just need to ponder on how to create a right opportunity.“Why haven’t you told him before now?” She asks again.I return my gaze to Omoh “I wanted to be sure. I don’t want to bring another man into my da
*****What can make a girl happier than being with a guy she loves? Wale indeed, is the best boyfriend ever.I’m not saying I regret my previous boyfriends, no, what I’m saying is, they have taught me the different perception of relationships.It’s been a month since Wale and I have been dating, he’s been so caring, loving, possessive, romantic, and Jealous even. I love the fact that he is this way, it make me feel less alone. He makes me laugh always, he hates my genre of movies, he loves singing in the shower and he respects me a lot and that’s my best part.Unlike the previous men in my life, Wale professes his love for me at any given opportunity, he kisses me every time we see no matter the place, he calls me and show up when he says he will. He always keeps to his word.A part of me feels that he’s just being the way he is because our relationship is still fresh. I know it is wrong to compare him with the past men in my life but a part of me still cautions me to be careful, tha
******“You are homely, that’s one attribute I look forward to see in my woman.” Wale compliments, spreading himself comfortably on the couch.And instead of being happy, I only get more confused. “Your woman!” I repeat quite ridiculously.He sniggers “You still haven’t given me an answer to my question.” Wale says. This time, adjusting himself on the couch and facing me fully with his eyes hooded eyes locking me strongly in my position.“What question?” I ask, baffle. Pretending not to recall. But I remember vividly of the night in his car, in front of my house when he asked me if he was my type of man. But the question I failed to ask him was, if he wasn't my type, will he be willing to change for me?He exhales deeply “Eno, I know you know what I mean. Is that why you ignore my calls?” I hear is question come out with an air of depression.“You are getting me more confused here.” I tell him instead.“The last time you said you are not my type of woman but then, and even now I’m ask
*******I stand speechless in front Wale while my brain makes effort to suggest what I should say. In the meantime, I stare at his dimpled smile still dumbfounded. Unexpectedly, he places his right hand on my arm, moving it lightly. Feeling the chills down my spine, I quickly move back, putting a fine distance between us.He smiles widely, aware of reason for resisting his touch “Are you shy?” He inquires.“No, I’m sweaty.” I reply with a good enough excuse.I watch him laugh hysterically, enjoying himself. I won't lie, I like the sound of his laughter but I manage my composure and tell him plainly “I need to get out of this sweaty cloths, I’m not comfortable in it.” I can’t say for certain what I’m not comfortable in anymore. Is it really the sweaty clothes or his piercing stare.“I’ll wait.” He finally says.“You’ll wait, where?” I puff.“My car is very comfortable.” wearing a serious face, he tells me.“Is he planning on waiting in his car? I thought he will leave, why isn’t he l