TOLANI
EPISODE 9
When Chimaobi had left, it got to me harder that I began to sob the more.
My eyes got swollen immediately.
In not less than 2 minutes as I cried, Chimaobi cracked open the door and stepped into the room, looking at me for some seconds as he walked towards where I was seated on the bed,
“ Stop na, stop crying. I didn’t mean it. I just wanted you to lower your voice because of my parent. It was disrespectful for you to tell me to get out, okay?” He said, gently, stroking my head as I nodded my head.
“Stop crying, you know I hate to see you cry. I should have listened to you. I’m so sorry. He apologized as he placed my head on his laps, patting me, singing gently.
Saturday morning, I woke up next to Chimaobi, surprisingly.
We had slept off from there.
I looked at the time, it was almost 9 in the morning. We had slept late.
I tapped immediately.
“You slept here? Come and go before your parent wake up.”
He jolted and stood up immediately, wiping his sleepy eyes.
While he wore his footwear, his mother’s voice came.
“Chimaobi, where are you?”
Our eyes met, and he rushed into the bathroom, came back again and picked his shirt.
His mom came knocking at my door.
“Tolani, my child.” She knocked at the door, I first, looked around to clear any trace of Chimaobi, before I jumped out from the bed.
“I’m here, mom.” I said, walking up to the door.
“Good morning, mom,” I greeted her as she hugged me.
“How was your night rest, child?”
“It was fine…”
“Where’s Chimaobi? He is not in his room.” She asked, and I could hear myself stutter.
“He should be at the backyard. I have not seen him this morning.” I lied.
“It’s alright. You should come down and take your breakfast.”
“Okay, ma.” I responded as she turned around and walked away.
I shut the door immediately, gasping for breath as I rushed to the bathroom, whispering.
“Oya, be going. She has left.” I said to him, slapping his head.
“Aewsh!” He held his head, looked at me and grabbed my arms, turning it around, as I cried out.
“No, no, no… Babe, my hand, my hand.”
“Next time, don’t hit an old man on the head.” He let go my hands and touched my cheeks.
“You will look for trouble and still frown the face. Let me go, o?” He tiptoed to the door, looking around like a thief as his buttocks shook like pap inside his pyjamas that I had to laugh.
“Ogbeni, watch out well. I told her you should be at the backyard. Arrange your lie to tally with mine. I said to him and he chuckled.
“Bad girl! You sabi all the bad things.” He said before he left.
Afterwards, I brushed my teeth and went down to help my supposed mother-in-law in the kitchen.
Mom was preparing noodles. I helped her in the kitchen and had breakfast served on the dinning table.
Chimaobi and his dad were already seated, I led the prayer, reached out and clasped my hands in the bowl of water after everyone had washed their hands.
Dipping my fork into the plate, I scooped up an unreasonable amount of noodles. I ate silently, feeling wistful. I wasn’t used to them. I didn’t know what would be a turn-off to his parent.
“I can’t wait to leave here. I feel so shy. “ I resonated within when Chimaobi’s dad call out to me
“Tolani, tell us more about you and your family.”
“What does your father do?” He continued as I responded to each of his questions.
I could see an impressive look written all over his face after each answer.
I stood at my room window, staring at the Mango tree close to my window at the backyard, glaring at the seeds that hung lazily on the tree. I pressed my forehead against the window and closed my eyes.
“How would dad feel about all this?” I thought about this, thinking of my brothers too. Mom wasn’t much an issue for me at that point.
Deep in thoughts, Chimaobi came into the room, held me by the waist from the back, and kissed my neck.
“We are leaving tomorrow’s morning because of your lectures on Monday. But I feel I should show you around Abuja today. What do you think.” He said, turning me around, moving away the hair that tugged at my face.
“Perfect! I can’t wait.” I said to him.
“You look beautiful this afternoon.” He kissed my forehead, held my hands as he walked to the bed, sat down and tapped his laps, indicating I should sit down.
I sat down, and he wrapped his arms around me and I wrapped mine around him.
“What is on your mind? A kobo for your thought?” He asked me, looking into my eyes.
“Are you bothered about anything?”
“No, babe. I am just nervous and excited at the same time.
“You don’t have to be. My parents are good with you. I’ve been discussing with Dad. He suggests I meet your parents as soon as possible. I am happy you will begin exams in the next one month. So, I will visit your parents when you go for holidays. Are you okay with that?” He asked.
“It’s alright. I am good with the arrangement. I asked my mom yesterday if she wouldn’t mind if I choose to get married any time soon.”
“What was her response?” He asked, quizzically.
“Nothing, she said, in as much as she would want me to get married on time. She is also not in a haste to give me out. I should take my time.” I responded.
“Tolani” he held me tightly, resting his head on my chest.
“But, do you think you are ready for this marriage stuff?” He asked.
“Obi, can we just enjoy this moment? You’ve asked me this a hundred times. I have been with you before I got admission. This is our 3rd year together. I would not still be with you if I do not intend to have you in my future.”
“Is that a full yes from you?” He smiled.
“No, Obi. You will officially have to propose.” I said, displaying my fingers, which got him laughing.
“You know I can overdo myself. Just watch out.” He said, kissing my forehead again.
“Come here” he held me as he removed his footwear, laid on the bed and asked me to rest my head on his chest and my legs on his body.
“I love it when you lie on my chest.” He said, gently stroking my hair in a smooth motion.
We stayed this way, talking about the matters of the heart.
About 2:36pm, Chimaobi and I left for Blucabana lounge in Abuja, Nigeria.
The sight of this place was magnificent. The Blucabana lounge is one of the most beautiful and popular relaxation spots in Abuja. With a restaurant, a spa, gym, swimming pool and club, the lounge offers its multi-hospitality range of services in a very safe and secure location away from all the hustle of the city.
We walked elegantly passed a garden, to the verandah that led to the main building.
We walked into the building talking and were laughing.
Immediately we sat down, A waitress came forward to take orders.
Chimaobi turned to me, asking,
“Babe, what will you take? “ He said smiling” “A glass of milk (yughort), isiewu,” I said, and he began to laugh so hard, that the waitress became confused.
“Babe, would you stop laughing. Yeye boy. You wan run me mad that day.” We both laughed.
A few minutes later, our orders were neatly placed on the table.
After we had finished eating, we got into the car and Chimaobi took me for shopping.
Chimaobi wouldn’t pass a dress without asking me to pick it.
“It will suit you. It’s your colour, let’s pick it.” This he continued to say.
Afterwards, my shopping bag doubled my main wardrobe. I had to drag him to the countertop because he wasn’t ready to leave.
While Chimaobi made payments, a voice called out thrice to me, so loudly. He had removed his debit card, slotting it into a payment device, when the voice came again.
“Tolani!” And my heart skipped,
“Who knows me in Abuja. I have never been to Abuja.” My heart pounded hard as I turned around to see who was calling me.
“Who’s that?” Chimaobi asked me, looking at me.
“TOLANI!” The voice came again, coming closer to where we were standing.
At that point, my feet lost its strength. My legs became extremely feeble that I could feel a line of sweat running through my spines.
All I wanted was for the ground to open, so I could fall in.
To be continued. Please, engage by liking, commenting and sharing your thoughts in the comment section.
Hhhmm! Who could be this person calling Tolani? Hehehe… Wahala de oo…
©️ Esther Charles (The Storytelling Diva)
