SIX
The morning was bright. A faint sun smiled out weakly from the clouds. Fresh morning breezes whistled and sway the trees, trashing the softness of the morning and sweeping everywhere. It was what people call the harmattan breeze.People began to rush out to their places of work. Loud hooting and whirring of vehicles had begun to wear out the morning.
Nkiru woke early as usual to make the breakfast. She could hardly forget the last night s*x with Kola. It was a bomb! She wished she could have that over and over again. Kola had woken early to wash his car. He had had his shower, got dressed now waiting for breakfast. His face was glowing under a patch of cream and powder. Nkiru brought out a plate of toast bread with coffee. She found Kola already seated at the table. She smiled.
“So early of you baby. You really seem to be hungry.” Nkiru intoned with a smile.
“Yes I am hungry. Beside I will like to drive you to office then come back in the noon to take you out for lunch.
“Really!” Nkiru’s eyes widened in surprise as she placed the food on the table.
“When was the last time they had a date? “She thought. She had lost count. Kola began to eat and Nkiru rushed into the bathroom, had her shower and got dressed. She spent a good time trying to make up her face and hair. It had been a long time she did that. She didn’t bother about lateness. Kola was not in a hurry. He was busy reading a paper at the dining after his breakfast. He was dressed in a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt that brought out the structure of his body over a tight-fitted pair of jeans. Kola had added flesh over the years. That could be read from his large tummy and broad shoulders. Kola loved to wear casuals. That was the one of the reasons he chose to run his own business. He didn’t want to be under someone’s rule of what to wear and how to look to work. Nkiru also loved to see him in jeans and polo shirts. It often brought out the structure of his body and Nkiru loved that.
Nkiru was finally ready. She hung her handbag across an arm and dug her legs in her flat cover shoes. She was in a blue-striped shirt over a black fitted skirt. She looked beautiful in it that Kola couldnt help pulling her closer. He had a look that said “So my wife is this beautiful” .He held her tight and they began to kiss.
“You are going to spoil my make-up, especially, my lipstick.” Nkiru said softly.
“I don’t care. I am ready to share in the lipstick.” Kola said and they both laughed. They began to kiss and fondle themselves again.
“I was looking for you in bed this morning so that we can have that hot s*x we had last night” Kola said as he unglued his lips from hers.
“I had to make breakfast.” Nkiru eyed him and smiled.
“Sometimes I get tired of this your breakfast. ” Kola said and raised an eyebrow. “Sometimes it should be s*x before breakfast. Don’t you think?
“I hear.” Nkiru sneered. “Please I need to go, if not I will be late.”
“Yes” Kola agreed and they untied themselves from the hug. “I will drop you off” Kola said again and began to fondle for his car key in his pocket. He later found it on the dining and they left.
The road was busy as usual. Cars and lorries had begun to snake down the road. Loud hooting and whirring of vehicles still rented the air. Kola careered the car off the road and meandered into the highway, snailing at each space like the other cars. The other lanes were faster. He hissed and tried to to wriggle his way in. The driver in the approaching vehicle was a commercial driver. He shook his head at Kola’s attempt as a pity to how he would later find the state of his car. Kola raised an arm as a sign of plea. He defied it and nudged further.
“So you think you fit enter like that.!” The driver cursed, laughing at Kola.”You be JJC for Lagos”
Kola didn’t reply. Nkiru began to laugh. The driver stared at her and slowed. Kola sailed in gently.
“I allow you because of your wife o.” The driver said. “You better dey carry her everywhere u dey go. See as she fine like mango.” The driver concluded and laughed, showing a set of kola-stained teeth.
“Me mango” Nkiru thought and smiled at herself. Kola hissed at that and snailed to the end of the road before he later raced of when the road was finally free. He tore down the road and meandered his way into the bank. He careered the car to a halt and Nkiru ducked out proudly. She wished her colleagues were all outside to see her husband drop her off at work. They would have agreed things had really begun to change in her marriage. She gave Kola a kiss while Adamu watched jealously. He reversed and disappeared into the road.
“I wish Nkiru had had a son for me.” Kola thought as he was driving. “Lara has really been a nuisance. Oh God please give me a child. What will Nkiru do if she finds out I have a son? She has really been a good wife. How long will I hide the fact that I have a son with another woman from her?” Kola thought. He was really worried. He drove into a phone store and made a bargain for an iPhone. He bought one finally and drove off to Lara’s hostel. He would need to get her a phone if he would want to talk to his son. He thought. Kola parked by the gate and dialed Lara’s number. It rang for a while and stopped. Kola wondered if she had got a phone herself after all. He got out of the car with the phone wrapped in a bag in his hand and walked into Lara’s compound. He met a guy with dreads on his head and an earring dug into an ear, coming out of Lara’s room. “Who could this be?” Kola thought. ” Is he one of her friends in school?” Kola didn’t understand. He stared at the young man till he was out of sight. Kola came to the door and knocked. A voice answered him and it was Lara. There was a few minutes of delay before the door was opened
The room was engulfed in heat and odour that suggested a lot to Kola. He peeped into the room and realized it was hurriedly made.
“Morning babe!” Lara greeted smiling. I was in the bath when you called.”
“Morning.” Kola greeted and went in. He sat with a feeling of suspicion and uncertainty in his eyes.
“Who was that young man that came out of your room?” Kola asked worriedly.
“Oh! Okay! That was Tony. He is my course mate. He is the one that helps me with some of my difficult courses.”
“That guy that looked like a Gangstar? Are you sure that one has anything upstairs to offer you academically?”
“That is the way he loved to dress and I don’t see anything wrong about that.”
Lara replied. Kola could only sigh. He had a feeling Lara was cheating on him but he didn’t want to press that further.
“Well I didn’t come here to ask you questions.” Kola said and threw the phone he bought into her bed.
“That is your phone. I didn’t buy the phone because of you. I bought it because of my son.”
“I am sorry about the last time baby.” Lara begged. Her face enveloped with excitement as she held the phone, examining it. “I was not feeling fine.”
“It is not today I have known you. Just go to your mum’s place tomorrow so that I can talk with my son. I will credit your account before noon for your t-fare.” Kola rose.
“Are you leaving so soon?” Lara asked, worried.
“Yes. I have a lot to do in office.”
“No now. I want you here with me.” Lara begged. She went closer to him and hugged him tightly.
“I can’t.” Kola spoke softly. “You can have the company of your male friends.”
“Can’t you just forget about Tony?” Lara asked worriedly.
“I didn’t mention anyone.” Kola said. He untied himself from her grip and walked out of the room. Lara was behind.
“Thanks baby for the phone.” Lara said and rubbed her hands on Kola’s shoulders.
“I will call you later.” Kola told her and gave her a kiss. He opened the door of his car and dropped in. He later hummed the car to life and zoomed off. He knew with the way things were going between Lara, Nkiru and him, he was just between the devil and the deep sea.
To be continued……….
ยฉ Emmanuel Erondu, 2019
