I finished typing the SMS and sent it. I
felt a bit relieved after that. I only hoped that Femi was with his phone and
had gotten my text. I decided to wait a while, maybe he’d reply the text to let
me know he was coming. While waiting, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror
and examined my face, I looked terrible. I hadn’t slept well in two days and it
showed. Tomorrow was another work day albeit the beginning of the weekend.
Thinking of my office reminded me of the incident that had taken place earlier
that day...I almost shuddered at the thought of it. What would happen if Chief
Odeniran found out this latest development? I had promised not to step an inch
towards his daughter. But I had kept my promise! I protested to myself. She had
come looking for me, not the other way round. A nagging voice at the back of my
mind told me that the excuse would not hold water in front of the Chief. If she
had come looking for me, I could have simply run in the opposite direction.
Well, that wasn’t as easy as it sounded, especially not when you have a threat
hanging over your head.
I
rinsed my face and gargled water in my mouth. How long was this going to go on?
I asked myself.
As though on cue,
there was a loud rap on the door, and I heard her voice above the din of the
rushing water.
“Jake?... Aren’t
you done yet?”
I knew my time was
up. I couldn’t keep her waiting for too long. I took one last look at my cell
phone and checked to make sure my message had been delivered, it had. I sighed
with relief... then all I had to do was wait and pray that my fish-brained
friend would come to my rescue soon.
I unlocked the door
and stepped out of the bathroom, she was leaning against the wall.
“You really took a
bath?” She asked, following me into the room
I
nodded.
“That’s so
sweet.... I had no idea you were such a neat freak.” She linked her arm through
mine. “Makes you sexier”
I guess I was
supposed to acknowledge that compliment, so I did...with a small smile.
We got to the bed,
and sat down. She looked so eager and I almost pitied her. What on earth could
drive a young, beautiful lady like Sonia to do all this? I mean, she could have
any man she wanted, so why me? Why was she so intent on having me? It was no
use deceiving myself that I was that good- looking. I mean, I know I was
handsome, but not that handsome to warrant all this attention from a
lady of Sonia’s calibre. There had to be something else.
“So... what do you wanna
do first?” She asked softly
“Well, now that you
ask... why don’t we talk a bit” I know how lame that must have sounded, but it
was the best I could do on such short notice. I had to keep stalling.
“Talk?” She asked
incredulously
“Yes dear.” I took
her hands in mine. “You said you wanted our first time to be special, right?”
She nodded
“Well...I don’t
just want to jump into bed with you like some common lady...I want to know how
to...satisfy you. Tell me what you like so I can make those fantasies come
true.” I sounded phony, and if it had been another woman, she might have known
I was lying and acting. How Sonia never guessed, I wonder. Making the switch
from an unwilling man to a ready lover had been too quick but somehow I think
she was too taken with me that she never stopped to think. This was definitely
not standard behaviour for a normal woman.
She was gazing at
me like I was some god, her eyes told me everything I needed to know... and I
began to believe that maybe she was indeed in love with me.
“You’re so...
thoughtful, Jake” She was saying.
I stroked her face
gently, empathy welling up in me. I found myself wondering what it’d be like to
kiss her. The spell was instantly broken by a knock on the door and I thanked
my stars. Help at last!
“Who is it?” She
asked, going to the door.
“Room service” The
person replied
Room service? Seriously?
Femi had brains after all! He was actually faking room service... just like in
the movies! I almost laughed. I braced myself as she opened the door and let
the person in.
I had never been so
disappointed in my life! It wasn’t Femi at all. It was an actual waitress with
uniform and all....wheeling in a table. I groaned inwardly. Where was Femi for
Chrissakes?
“Hope you don’t
mind, darling” Sonia said as soon as the waitress left. “I took the liberty of
ordering dinner, since you’ll most likely spend the night.”
Dinner?! Was it
night already? How had time passed so fast? I glanced at my wrist watch... it
was a few minutes past eight.
“Er... that’s fine.
In fact, I just realised I’m a bit hungry.” I said
She frowned at me,
obviously not happy with this new development.
“Let’s eat first... we’ll have all the time to
ourselves later” To drive away her suspicions, I leaned forward and kissed her
lightly on the cheek.
It was like the sun
instantly rose on her face. She gave me a smile so wide I thought her lips were
actually going to tear. Just for a small peck? I wondered.
She had ordered a
full spread, fried rice, salad and peppered chicken. We both sat down to eat,
she brought the bottle of wine and opened it.
“To a new
beginning” She said raising her glass in a toast
I responded in
kind.
And just then there
was another knock on the door. This time I knew it was Femi, but just to make
sure, I asked;
“Another room
service?”
“I have no idea.
Didn’t order any” She replied, then stood to get the door.
She didn’t come back quickly, and I heard what
sounded like a heated conversation in low voices going on outside.
I went to the door
and opened it, and sure enough there stood my one- man cavalry. Femi.
“What’s going on
here?” I asked feigning ignorance
Sonia turned to me
“He says he has to see you...but he won’t tell me why”
“Okay.” I said
playing mediator. “So...I’m here. What can I do for you?”
Femi looked at me,
without twitching an eyelid. But that guy can act sha. I didn’t know he
had a hidden talent.
“Its your mother...
she’s been rushed to the hospital. You’ve been sent for” He said matter- of
–factly.
“My mother?” I
asked
*FOR PREVIOUS AND FURTHER EPISODES OF THIS STORY PLEASE VISIT NAIJA STORIES OR CONTACT THE WRITER ON krystallemimi@gmail.com
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