Selah walked into the room and sighed. Her roommate Temitayo was lying unclad on the bed across from hers with not a care in the world. She removed her shoes in the room and stood them against the wall by the door. She picked up her wrapper and threw it on Tayo's back.
"Why?" Tayo asked, turning her body to face Selah. "You don't like what you see? Or don't you have what I have?" she smirked. Selah rolled her eyes.
"When would you understand that I could come back with a friend and your nakedness is not a pleasant sight to see?" Selah retorted.
"Wetin e never see before?" She asked, sitting upright to face her roommate. Selah shook her head, sat on her bed, unbuckled her belt and pulled her wig.
"See babe," Tayo continued, "the weather is hot. If e no hot for your body, e hot for me. So chillax."
Selah pulled her pant trousers and stretched her body on the bed. She had a lot to think about. Shunning Tayo's loud laughter, she turned her body to face the wall and tears rolled from one corner of her eyes down to the pillow. There was always something about her love life that made her unhappy. First, it was Duncan. She thought she had found love with him. He had chased her for two years and when she finally agreed, she was happy. He did everything a partner would do; bought her gifts, and sent her money even when she didn't need it. He'd send her surprise gifts and her birthday was the best she had ever gotten. She trusted him and he in turn showed her what happiness felt like. She closed her eyes tighter to shut out the images of their extensive lovemaking and kisses. Tears dropped into her hair from the corner of her eyes. She was so foolish to think that Duncan could be the one. There was no such thing as the one. She found herself in love again, six months after they broke up. Michael was not like Duncan. He was the opposite. He was always on the receiving end. She loved him but love didn't feel like that to her and she called it off. She sniffed quietly to avoid Tayo asking her what was wrong till she gave in and talked. This was not her business. Only she could do something about her problems.
Tayo's phone rang. She picked up and soon she was giggling. "Okay. I'll be ready by six." The call dropped.
She hissed under her breath. Why was she jealous of Tayo? She knew her roommate did not have a steady relationship and was happy with it. She'll be with one man today and when things went south, she won't be bothered. She often thought if Tayo had the heart to have feelings, then again, she wasn't sure if she had been hurt before to turn her the way she was.
Tayo searched her wardrobe for a dress for her date. She pulled down all the gowns she had in hangers and standing by the mirror, placed them on her body. Selah cleaned her eyes dry with her wrapper and turned to face Tayo.
"Is this gown fine?" she asked, placing it on her body for her roommate to see.
"Is it not too short?"
"Not for me," she smiled.
"You know it will be cold later at night. Wear the green gown with the turtle neck."
"Okay. Let me freshen up and sleep before I step out. Thank you." she added and left the room. Selah turned to face the wall again.
"I don comot babe," Tayo leaned in beside Selah.
"Please close the door when you step out okay? Have fun," she mumbled and adjusted her head on her hand.
"Are you okay?"
The question she had been avoiding came out. She admired Tayo. She always knew when something was amiss with her. When she had her third breakup, her roommate was there for her; advising her, getting angry at the guys and shuffling her cruise life at the same time.
"I am, just tired. That job interview was damn serious but this is not the time for the conversation. When you come back, I will gist you. By the way, buy shawarma for me and say hi to this new person 'cause I've lost count of them," she giggled.
"At least, I know they won't hurt me. Na mumu dey love and I'm not talking about you. You're wonderful and it's their loss. Anyways, I'm leaving. Don't miss me too much."
Selah lay down in the room and the emptiness hit her. Now she could cry out loud without interference. How long did she have to condone silly people coming into her life and walking out with a piece of her? Tayo was right...na mumu dey love. Directly or indirectly, that sentence was stuck with her. Her phone rang and brought her back from her thoughts. She looked at the caller and cleaned her eyes.
"Mummy good afternoon," she tried to hide her clogged voice.
"Good afternoon Ene. How is Lagos? How are you?"
"I'm fine Eka and Lagos is good. Same old traffic nonsense and hustling life but I'm used to it now. How is Daddy, Mfon and Dunamis?"
"We thank God. They have gone back to school and your father has gone to work. You know how this ASUU strike thing is. A child will apply for a four-year course and end up graduating after six years. God will help us."
"I miss all of you. I would have come back for Christmas this year but you know how the road is and I have fear of heights if not what is the flight fare that I cannot pay?"
"My dear, it is well. Ene, this one your voice is sounding like this, nsido mfana?"
"I'm just tired mummy. I went for that job interview I told you about and I waited for five hours before I was called in. I went out by 7:30am and came in by 1:20pm. Nothing is wrong with me o." She hoped that was convincing to her mother. She didn't want to tempt God by lying to her mother. For some reason, her mother knew when something was wrong with her and worst off would ask until she talked. Today was not the day to explain her problems. They talked for a while and when she dropped the phone, all she wanted to do was sleep. She prayed for the interview and a positive result.
The alarm started buzzing at 8:50am. Samuel Barnico groaned and scattered his hand on the table to find the clock. He stopped it and used the pillow to cover his head. The alarm began to buzz again at 8:55am. Sam cursed under his breath and pushed everything on the table down. Lucky ran up to his bed, bouncing up and down with his paws on the pillow. He laid down, wagging his tail and panting.
"Okay. Okay, I'm up. Are you happy now?" He lay down facing the pillow. The clock buzzed again at 9:00am. He sighed and picked it up. Cursing again under his breath, he turned it off. He rubbed Lucky on the head and got up. Doing a routine exercise when he woke up was his first priority but today was different. He had a series of virtual meetings that required his attention by 10:00am. His phone rang and he picked it up with Lucky barking excitedly.
"Hush Lucky," he placed his finger on his lips and the golden retriever sat down with his head on the bed. Returning to the phone, he picked up the call.
"Millie, what do we have?"
"The meeting with the WICK board is set for 10:00am. Then you have another with the legal advisor of Centor Company."
"I did not know about that. Why don't I know about that Millie?"
"It was booked last minute sir. He said it was urgent. I tried to tell him he needed to make an appointment but he wouldn't listen. He's bent on seeing you.
Samuel sighed. He was the president of Barnicos Wines. He was living a carefree life and working his computer cyber tech business online until his father had a heart attack and died. His prodigal sister Debbie came back to get her inheritance and stayed for his funeral, partly because their aunt had begged her not to disgrace the family. When the will was read, Debbie was given one of their father's properties, Winchester in Essex along with the tuition funds he kept to further her studies when she was ready to live that dream again. The funds were to be supervised by their aunt and their father's attorney who read the will. He was left to take charge of Barnicos Wines company, the two houses, Bucklebury and Long Crendon and the farms in Essex.
"Millie, are you still there?"
"Yes sir. What should I tell him?"
"I don't know Millie. There's so much going on in my head. Create time for 11:30am."
"Okay, sir. One more thing," she paused when she heard him groan.
"Go on Millie."
"Ms Denara called," Millie rolled her eyes. She always wondered how their paths crossed but her business was to cater for Mr Barnico's official needs.
"Okay Millie, thank you. Is there any other business I need to know about?"
"None sir."
"I'll see you at work then."
He dialled Katia's number and sat down. Lucky came closer so he could rub his head. He smiled. Lucky had literally brought luck and happiness to him. He saw him through the window at the animal shelter one morning when he had left the hospital after seeing his father. Lucky's whining got to him and he walked into the shelter.
"Such a beautiful dog. He was seen under a trailer, hungry and dirty. We brought him in and we hoped someone lovely would come to pick him up. Here you are," she smiled.
Samuel smiled back. She was beautiful and he felt this connection when he looked at her but his father would not approve. Well, damn his father. He was sick anyways and nothing would matter to him.
"I'll take him on one condition," he leaned on the stile of her office door, "you go on a date with me. One date."
She smiled. "Do you use this line on all the ladies you come across?"
"Only the most beautiful ones and no one has come close to beating you in that record."
She sized him a little. "You flatter me__,"
"Samuel but for you, Sam is fine by me," he responded.
"Okay Samuel," she ignored his raised brow, "You have to bring him back in a few weeks for a checkup. You will have your date if he is in good health. Deal?"
"Deal." He shook her hand and went to the cage the dog was in. He removed the frightened animal and got a name tag from the tag hanger.
"I don't know your name," he turned around when he got to the door.
"You will, soon enough," she smiled rubbing the dog's head and closing the door behind him.
Lucky's bark shook him from his thoughts. Sensing what the animal wanted, he smiled and rubbed his belly. The phone clicked on the other end.
"Hey honey," Katia called him.
"Hey. Millie said you called the office."
"I did. I thought you were in. I wanted to see you and apologize for the other day. I was upset and you know how I get when I'm upset. I miss you, Sam."
"You know better than to call the office line Katia. What happened to mine?"
"I knew you won't pick up. Besides, what happened is in the past babe. Let me treat you to dinner tonight, at my place. Just a little something to say I'm sorry. What do you say?"
Sam sighed. He knew dating Katia was a mistake and one that cost him his chance with Amara. Katia Denara was the only child of business tycoon Leonard Denara. His father and hers had been friends for as long as he knew them. They were set up on a blind date. All Katia ever talked about was spending money which irritated him. His prospect for life and a partner was about growth and sadly, Katia had none of those qualities. Amara was more of his dream woman. He wished he had gone back with Lucky that night. He knew the kind of man Leonard was. He had a share in the Barnicos Wines company and breaking his only daughter's heart spelt doom for him and his employees.
"I'll be working. How about tomorrow? Lunch? My treat."
There was silence. "Fine. As long as I get to see your face babe." She paused, "I love you," she added quietly.
"I've gotta go. I'll be late for work Katia. See you tomorrow."
Tayo walked into the room the following day, giggling and holding two thank-you bags and one with market square written on it. Selah turned her face and a smile broke out as well when she saw the bags of goodies in her hands. She helped Tayo set the bags on the floor. She peered inside and saw a loaf of bread, some skittles, mars, snickers, gummy bears and Toblerone chocolates. She peeped into the thank-you nylon and saw some sachets of pepper and onions tomatoes, three big tins of clappa and st. Rita's tomatoes, groundnut and palm oil, and other food items. She looked at Tayo who pretended not to take notice of her bewilderment and continued giggling on the phone. Inside the last bag were two medium-sized tins of peak milk and milo each, a medium size of mamador butter, peanut butter, Nutella, a medium container of custard and a tin of Quaker Oat. Selah eyed the bags again and looked at Tayo.
"I'll see you later in the evening. Don't be late."
"Where did all these come from?" she asked when Tayo got off the phone. "What price did you pay for this?" She regretted the moment the question left her mouth. She never implied anything about Tayo's behaviour and trusted her to take care of herself. What she felt at that moment was envy and joy, all mixed inside.
"So what are you insinuating? That I do ashawo work?"
"I'm sorry. That's not what I meant__"
Tayo laughed. "Can't somebody play with you again? Calm down jare."
"So you're not upset?"
"Nope." Tayo sighed and sat beside Selah. "Sweety, you can believe what you want. Mine is to be happy, take care of us and mind my business. You on the other hand__" Tayo looked at her with her eyes wide open.
"Should mind my business," she smiled as Tayo conducted the words. Both of them laughed.
"Anyways, I'll go and arrange this in our kitchen," she got up and picked up two of the bags. Selah picked up the market square bag and followed suit.
"So what happened yesterday at the interview?" Tayo asked, spoon in hand with the butter and the bread. She buttered two slices and handed them over to Selah.
"My dear, it was not beans o. I sat down for over one hour before the interview started. They led us to their conference room. I've never felt such fear in a long time. They had mean faces Tayo or what looked like a mean face," she bit her bread.
"Before nkoh? Did you hope that your village people would be part of the interview? They need you to know that they are serious and you should be serious too. That aside; did you nail it? Because after all the noise you made in this room, you must have nailed it." She buttered another bread and ate.
"I hope so too. I did my best, although__" her phone rang. She looked at the screen. It was a number she did not have and true caller hadn't identified the person.
"Hello!" she said to the caller.
"Hey," the caller responded. She froze. Even if she were asleep and was asked if she could recognize the voice, she would.
"Are you there?" the caller asked.
"I'm waiting for what you have to say, that's why I'm quiet," Selah responded and mouthed Duncan to Tayo.
"Can we see this evening? Dinner. My treat."
"I'm occupied this evening and every other evening you have in mind. Why are you really calling Duncan? As far as we're concerned, hanging out and seeing is not possible anymore. You broke up with me."
"This is the ish with you ladies. It is a harmless outing. Besides, this breakup was not supposed to happen if you had just been my girlfriend not my mother," he paused, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said."
"Wow! You really are the man, aren't you? Me, your mother ke? I can never be your mother. So pushing and motivating you to be the best version of yourself is being your mother? You're working at the bank today, aren't you? Your new girlfriend or should I say mother pushed you and you went for it? Jeez. Men are really scum is the word for you."
"I didn't call you for your sarcasm; I don't miss them either. I guess calling was a mistake for both of us." he sighed. "It's fine though."
"That's not my fault Duncan. At least I've got the closure I needed. Don't call my line ever again. It's over means it's over," she gave a note of warning and ended the call. Tayo clapped and commended her friend's courage. Selah smiled but that courage was because of her friend. Deep inside, she was crying. How long did Duncan need to hurt her? She wanted to get rid of his number but the hope that he would come back made her wait. Her hope was wrong. She waited for a year and a few months and eventually told herself it was useless.
"Are you okay?" Tayo asked. The Duncan conversation always left her friend emotionally hurt. It hurt her more because she introduced Duncan to Selah. She was the instigator of their relationship.
"I'll be fine now that I know why he broke up with me. I used to think I did something wrong. It turns out that I was only trying to support him," she smiled at Tayo and a tear dropped. She wiped her cheek with the back of her palm and dropped her phone. Tayo left her bed and went to Selah. She hugged her and Selah broke down.
"Let it all out girl. Cry Duncan away from your heart."
"He took parts of me with him and left me empty. I loved him with all my heart Tayo. What crime did I commit?" she sobbed loudly.
"You are everything except a pushover," she tried to find more things to say but didn't know how to. Truth be told, there was a secret she could not tell Selah. Telling her meant breaking her to pieces and she was not ready to be the bearer of bad news. The news would have to wait till tomorrow; no matter how long tomorrow was.