Episode 9
UNMARRIED AT THIRTY
Kolawale popular known in the neighborhood as D-law was in his bow and tie as he closed from the office few minutes ago. He works in the DE-ULTIMATE LAW FIRM, he was very good at what he does and had built a relatively stable reputation for himself. Kolawale got married two years ago to a colleague of his at the office, he had a son from the marriage already. Kolawale had a Lexus car he newly bought, at the bus station not far from his office, he stumbled upon one of his school mate who knew about him and Toluwani love expedition. “Wow!! Is that you Jude!! It has been a very long time. It’s been years” Kolawale said as they exchanged pleasantries uproariously. ” Ah i can see you’re emitting out fluid of good living” Jude said as he hooped into the car. He had stood under the sun for too long and the trickles of sweat around his forehead was a testimony.
Life sometimes tend to add extra dose of unfairness to some people compared to others. Since Jude graduated, he had searched heaven and earth for a good paying job but to no fruitful ends. Few months ago, Jude’s girlfriend who had shouldered the responsibility of feeding him had suggested he learnt a handiworks instead of stagnantly waiting for some white collar jobs. “baby we’re not getting any younger, you have searched for a job for over four years but you’re yet to secured a befitting position. I suggest you learn something, even barbing is okay” Sofia had suggested but it wasn’t an easy decision for Jude to make.
A graduate of law from a reputable university learning haircutting because he couldn’t get a job was a little embarrassing but he trashed away his pride and obeyed his girlfriend after all she had stayed with him for three years already. Throughout those years, Jude had not spent more than the words of his tongue on her but Sofia never disrespected him. She had been giving him stipends anytime he had financial difficulties.
“Oh Jude my guy, where have you been all this while?” Kolawale asked. Jude wished he could avoid the question but he forced himself to answer.
“my guy, i have been in the dark side of the world. Since graduation, i have labouriously hunted for jobs through the nook and cranny of the society but i have failed to gained one. Omo last six months i decided to learn the act of haircutting, i just finished the training” Jude said.
“So sorry about this but bro, barbing is a good venture and you can achieve success in the most unexpected area of life too. What’s your plan about setting up your own barbing saloon?”.
“I have that plan but right now I’m hard on cash. But my guy what about your wife Toluwani?.
That name brought memories from the past back to Kolawale. “We’re not together anymore and I’m married with a child already”.
“Oh Mr lover boy, this life, nobody knows tomorrow. If someone had told me you and Toluwani wasn’t going to get married i would have doubted with my life on the line. Kolawale you’re a knavery person.
After catching up on all their missed times, Kolawale had transferred the sum of 185k to Jude to set up his barbing saloon. His joy knew no bounds.
“Good evening ma”. Yinka greeted as Toluwani returned from school. “How are you doing Yinka?”. “I’m fine. Erm ma, someone came to look for you, she said her name was Titilayo Fakunle”. It took a while for Toluwani to reconnect the name with her formal best friend.
Tolu had a cook who comes only twice a week to make soups and store in the fridge. That evening after she came back from work, she took her bath and prepared some food. At the dining table as she swallowed pieces of eba, she worried if Yinka had eaten. She stood up and dished egusi soup and meats in a sizable plate. “Yinka, i thought you would need this”. “Thank you madam”. When Yinka opened the plate after she left, smile of happiness bathed his eyes.
After dinner, Tolu sauntered to the bedroom, she stretched her body leisurely as she stared at herself through the mirror. Tolu had a habit which i don’t know if it was a good habit or a bad one. She always stay before the mirror without clothes. That night she had done the same thing but this time she only praised herself. After a while she retired to the bed, she brought out her phone and browsed through the photos Yinka had took of her at the beach.
When she scrolled to the ones she snapped together with Yinka she pulsed and stared intensely at each one of them. Toluwani felt some strange hormones ravaging her brain each time she looked at Yinka and her in the picture. They was this meteoric short pleasurable desire she felt everytime she came close to Yinka. She had dismissed this feelings adamantly without consideration everytime. What was even there to consider, Yinka was just a security guard who was a year younger than her. How could it be sensible that she had such thoughts about her security guard. What would the people say?. They d’ say all manner of things, they d’ say she was an unmarketable old hag who out of desperation leeched onto her security guard. No!! Could Tolu handle such derogatory remarks. This was why she fought hard to nib such feelings at the bud. Her mind was congested with this uninvited thoughts of Yinka, she stood up from the bed and pootle to the kitchen and drank some water
TBC
I’m Victor Your Local Writer
ยฉOinu2023
**** It is highly erroneous and misleading to tell people not to give heed to what people says. When people talk about you, take a minute and scrutinized what you’re doing. Ask yourself if you’re really on the right path, check if you’re not hurting others or sowing discords between others. If after regurgitating about what you’re doing and you’re very sure you’re doing it right then go ahead and do it without minding what the people says.
If after thinking and you found out what the people are saying is true and you were wrong, take a step backward and stop doing such things. Remember that it’s selfishness to think life is all about your happiness alone even at the detriment of others..
