“THE WEEKEND”
By Sokes Naths Allamogu
EPISODE THREE
WEDNESDAY 9:10 PM
“Working late?” Max inquired as Isaac joined him and Victor at their usual spot.
“Nope!” Isaac shook hands with both of them before taking his seat. “I went to visit Adewale at home.”
“He’s not coming? I thought he said he’d be here every other day,” Max expressed his disappointment at not seeing Adewale tonight.
“But did any of you check on him since that day?” Isaac questioned.
“You all know Adewale doesn’t pick up my calls since the bad investment I made,” Victor offered as his excuse.
“You should have at least sent him a message. What about you, Max?” Isaac asked.
“No, I thought he was going to be here today,” Max admitted.
“Come on, guys, we need to do better than just meeting here and drinking away the hours. We have to be there for each other when needed,” Isaac emphasized.
Max sighed. “So, how is he doing?”
“Good! I met him helping his kids with their homework,” Isaac shared.
“That’s what I’m not ready for… children,” Max and Isaac ignored Victor’s comment.
“How is Eugenia doing?” Max asked.
“She’s fine. Adewale is planning to change her school if the bullying doesn’t stop,” Isaac explained.
“Hmm, is Adewale ready for his nagging wife? Because soon she will drive him out of the house again,” Victor voiced his thoughts.
“For your information, she has stopped nagging,” Isaac replied.
“How is that even possible? Once a nagging wife, always a nagging wife. I don’t believe she has stopped,” Victor insisted.
“Adewale is helping with raising the children, and he is spending quality time with his wife and kids. These were the issues that caused her nagging,” Isaac explained.
“Is raising children, not a woman’s job?” Victor questioned.
“For the children, they both had together, you are unbelievable, Victor,” Max retorted.
“Max, are you ready for this thing called marriage? You need to think about it very well before you propose,” Victor warned.
“Propose?” Isaac asked, staring at Max.
spills
“Yes, our friend here is planning to propose to Chidera this weekend,” Victor spills the secret.
“Why am I just hearing this? Is that true, Max?”
“Yeah!” That was all Max could utter, but he was irritated as he turned his gaze at Victor, giving him a straight look to shut his loud mouth.
“Wow! What change? After all these years,” Isaac remarked.
“Hmmm… maybe I’m ready to settle down now,” Max responded.
“Max! Max!! You! Settling down, it’s because you don’t want her to go to London,” Victor laughed, but Max wasn’t finding it amusing.
“I don’t understand,” Isaac looked lost.
“Her company recently opened a new branch in London, and she’s among the team that will be sent there,” Victor explained.
“Victor! Will you shut your mouth and stay out of my business!” Max yelled at him.
“Come on, Max. It’s the same thing you did to her last year when she wanted to pursue her master’s degree. You threatened to end the relationship,” Isaac expressed concern for Chidera and how Max was treating her.
“This is different. I’m proposing to her. I’m sure she would prefer that to anything in this world,” Max bragged about his plan.
“You can propose and still let her go to London. You two can agree…” Isaac started to suggest as Max interrupted him.
“No! She’s not going.”
“But why?” Victor asked.
“Mind your own business. After all these years, I don’t want to lose her. And how am I supposed to watch her in London?” Max justified his decision.
“Come on, guy, she has eyes only for you. Sweet Chidera is the only girl who has stuck with you for this long,” Victor remarked.
“Victor! Stay out of my business!” Max was vexed.
“Oh, okay. I’ll zip my mouth,” Victor gestured, using his hand to mimic zipping his mouth.
“So, how are you planning to propose?” Isaac decided to smooth the angry Max with his next question.
“Nothing dramatic, just dinner, just the two of us.” Max was trying to calm down and not show how angry he was.
“Have you gotten the ring yet?”
“No, but I will have it before Saturday,” Max sighed.
“Good one, bro. Let me know if you need any help.” Isaac shook Max’s hand.
“Thanks, my guy.” Max sighed and smiled back.
While shaking hands, Isaac’s phone rang; it was an unknown number. He stared at it for a few seconds before answering. “Hello, who is this? Rose! Oh my God, where have you been?” Isaac got up and walked away to get privacy.
“Could that be the same Rose?” Victor asked. Max didn’t answer but kept his gaze on Isaac as he walked away. “Isaac will not leave this married woman alone.” He giggled. “Anyway, Max, are you still in for the investment? We are cashing out this weekend again. Any amount from five million Naira upward will be doubled. I’ve already cashed out twice, and you also…”
“NO!” Max didn’t allow him to finish his sentence before snapping at him.
“Okay, I can see that you’re still angry. I’ll go get myself another drink.” Victor got up and walked away.
Thanks, to be continued…
Jumie Naths
