“IN LOVE WITH MY BROTHER’S FRIEND”
Chapter 12
Shalewa took a detour to Kemi’s room.
“Hi, Kemi. I wanted to check on you to make sure you are okay.”
“Please come in.”
“Where is Leke?”
“He left. Where did you find him?”
“He came to the party asking for you, so I thought to bring him to you. I had no idea the timing was wrong.”
“He came to propose.”
“I’m sorry, Kemi.”
“It’s fine. My answer would have been no. I relocated to New York after completing my studies in the UK because I couldn’t bear Remi treating me like a child. I’m a grown woman, and I’ve been independent for many years now. Every time he would show up, trying to run my life, acting like he was my father.”
“You know he does all this because he cares deeply about you.”
“Then if he truly cares, he should let me be with whoever I want, regardless of his relationship with the person. I’m tired of his interference.”
“Listen, Kemi, it’s a guy thing. It may sound unreasonable, but that’s how they feel. He doesn’t want you to join Babs’ list of conquests. Even now that Babs is a Pastor, he still hasn’t come to terms with that fact. But then Babs is committed to his parents’ church. He is their oldest and, therefore, expected to take over from their father. He is duty-bound, and he needs a woman like Derin. Are you ready to be a pastor’s wife?”
“As long as I am with Babs, I’m fine,” Kemi said.
“That was how I felt about Remi when we first met. I knew I wanted to be with him, even though his reputation preceded him. I didn’t mind; I was willing to give it a try. But the moment I noticed he wasn’t committed to the relationship, I left, and he didn’t come after me. But when we met again last year, he was the one who did all the chasing, and I made sure to give him a hard time. My advice to you is to let Babs go. If it’s God’s plan for you two to be together, you will find each other.”
Kemi listened attentively to Shalewa’s words.
“I understand that it’s challenging, Kemi. Love can be messy, and sometimes, we have to make tough choices. Remi may seem overbearing, but his intentions are good. As for Babs, he has his own set of responsibilities and expectations.”
Kemi sighed, wrestling with the weight of the decisions ahead. “I don’t want to let Babs go, Shalewa. I love him.”
“I know you do. And love is a powerful force. But sometimes, we have to consider the bigger picture and whether the timing is right. It might not be the end, just a pause in your journey.”
As Kemi absorbed Shalewa’s advice, love, family, and personal aspirations were intertwined, and the choices she made would shape her future in ways she couldn’t fully foresee.
Remi rapped on Babs’s door. Hearing the knock, Babs initially ignored it, wanting to be left alone. However, as the person persisted, he reluctantly opened the door. To his surprise, Remi stood there. “What do you want?” Babs inquired.
“Can we talk?”
“You and I have nothing to say to each other. I didn’t do anything with your sister, you can ask her.”
“I just need to talk, can I come in.”
Babs ushered him in, and Remi headed to the bar, pouring himself a drink. “I need you to answer a question for me. Are you in love with my sister?” Remi demanded.
Babs hesitated, not knowing if it was a trap question. “It doesn’t matter, Derin and I are getting married, and I don’t want any distractions.”
“Answer my question, damn it!” Remi shouted.
“Yes, I am, ok.”
“Since when?”
“I don’t know. Initially, it was just a feeling that she was special. I can’t pinpoint when that feeling changed, but when she was seventeen, I knew I felt something strong for her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Are you crazy? To tell you I had feelings for her when you already made it clear what you would do to anyone who tried it. Besides, you’re my friend; I couldn’t betray you like that.”
“You know the age difference between Kemi and me, and because of that, I always felt protective of her. Also, considering the kind of life we were living, I just didn’t want my sister to get hurt. Over the years, I just continued to be like that. It’s Emeka who made me see reasons tonight. I apologize for hitting you and making it seem like you are not good enough for her.”
Babs, nodded, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.
“I understand, your concerns for her, and your desire to protective her. It’s not easy to navigate these feelings, especially considering our friendship and your family ties. I knew things were complicated and I tried to stay away from her. But she is an Olafusi, when you guys want something, you go after it. That’s why you guys are so successful in business and career.”
Babs sighed, and continued, “It was so easy to fall in love with her. I remember how she used to wrap us around her little finger when she was younger. But in many ways, you two are alike, strong-headed and very daring,” Remi chuckled.
“Do you know I married Lara, my late wife because she reminded me in so many ways of Kemi? I knew I could never have her, so I had to settle for someone like her. Even though Lara was cool, she wasn’t Kemi. When she passed on, I attempted to see Kemi, thinking maybe there could be a way for us to be together, but she refused to see me. She was angry at me.”
“What happened the night before her trip?”
“She came to my room and tried to kiss me.”
“So, she was the one in the room that night? Let me guess, she was hiding in the toilet.”
Babs chuckled “Yes, she was. But I had already asked her to leave; she was just a child, and you are my best friend.”
Remi sighed. “Do you love Derin?”
“I’m marrying Derin out of duty. My parents believed I needed a strong woman by my side when the time came for me to take over the church. I need a believing wife.”
“Kemi is a believer; she was going to church religiously a few years ago.”
“She said that. Can you believe that?”
“Yeah, Kemi would probably argue her point of view with Jesus if He were to be in the same room with her.”
They both laughed.
“I’m sorry, Babs, and I want you to know if there is anything I can do to get you and Kemi together, I will do it.”
“What did you just say?” Babs asked incredulously.
“You have my blessing to be with my sister.”
Babs was grinning, but after a while, his countenance became sad. “Thanks, man, but it’s too late.”
“Never say never,” Remi replied.
Jumie Nath
