UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS6

So you all have been waiting for me ehen?
Lol.. it's been really hectic for me..
Not been able to concentrate..
Working on the part7 for www.naijastories.com
I so hope you get tp appreciate this..
Ugodre.. gimme some days okay?
It part7 would be ready..
Love you all so very much..
Have a splendid weekend!
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Monday afternoon and half way through my shift, my back was already aching from standing and bending over patients performing surgeries; as I walked out to get a drink my phone rang and it was with some slight reservation that I took Amina’s call with a happy ring to her voice;

“Madam,’ sup? You still standing? I’m home with oga , having sweet fun; I dey cook so I was wondering if there was anything you wanted me to prepare for you…when are you getting off exactly?” she asked

“Err…I really don’t know for now; work has chased every feeling of hunger or any imagination of food out of my head; I’m just running on adrenalin, stepping out for a drink, you know how it is na” I replied.

“sha” I continued;

“I’m glad you’re having fun; you need am, your pepper just dey ripe anyhow”
I said in a bid not to make her feel bad about my not wanting her to prepare a meal for me.

“No wahala, we go see later now, abi? When are you getting off?” she asked again.

“That should be 7pm, I’d see you okay? Take care and Mina?

“Huh?” She answered

“Thank you so much for taking me in and being there for me, thank you”

“Oh puu-leez!” She cut in-

“You would do that for me and more in a heartbeat, besides you’re my friend and I trust you with my life if it comes to that okay? So please let’s move on to less emotional topics okay? I really have to go now and so should you, I suppose dear” she said and cut the phone.

I stared at my phone for a few seconds and was reminded by the beep yet again that my short break was over. I gulped down my drink and rushed back to prep for my 3.15pm surgery.
…………………………………………………………………………..

7.00PM

I heaved a huge sigh of relief as I ended my shift and handed to those on for the night shift; with that, I made my way to the gate of the hospital. All my joints in my body were screaming to be relieved in anyway possible and I just couldn’t wait to oblige them when my phone rang; I looked and it was Amina yet again, I took it wondering what it was this time-

“Hi” I said,
I know that I sounded unfriendly but I just couldn’t help it, I wanted to be left alone-

‘Madam, we are at IT ;( A mini bar/restaurant, a huge hangout for a lot of people especially after work) Frank thought we wait for you since you’d soon be done with your shift, so we waited; come straight there” she finished.

“Really? Eh yah…that’s so nice of you both o” I enthused
“I’d be there soonish baby! Thank you so much”.

As I dropped the phone in my bag, I realized that I was seething with anger. I mean, what in the name of every curse I could summon was Frankie up to? Why couldn’t he keep to our agreement, cuddle up with Mina and let me be? Making me seem like one lonely bystander (even if I was) that could not get her fun unless she was included in someone else’s fun; what the hell was that?!

I vowed to have a word with him at the slightest opportunity that we are alone. I wanted Amina to be happy, just that, I hope but not at my expense. I prayed that things do not get out of hand; the scenario was already messy as it is.

Anyway, I got to IT and got ready to face them with a huge fake smile plastered on my face; two could play the game, I mused. I wasn’t about to show Frankie that suggesting to come pick me was getting me all hot and bothered and Amina certainly did not deserve me giving her any nasty attitude.

As I walked in to the restaurant, Frankie was the first to see me because he was facing the entrance to the bar of which the direction led to the restaurant.

“Look who’s here” he said as I got close to them over the music blaring all the while staring intently at me like he was searching for something, if he found what he was looking for or not, that I can’t tell. I handed him a cheery “hi” and a “thank you so much for taking the time to come pick me, you really shouldn’t have”.

Amina had quickly gotten up to give me a hug so she didn’t see the sneer on Frankie’s face as I gave my well rehearsed speech and the daggers my eyes threw at him in response.

“Oh no, it’s nothing” He said;
As Amina and I made to sit;

“We went for some groceries and then I asked if you like had anyone who’d bring you back from work you know? She said no” he continued;

“She said you didn’t even have a boyfriend or something of that sort to look at for you” he finished.
“Don’t mind him” Amina chipped in.

I minded him alright! I mean, what is this? What was he up to really?
Frankie’s smile rose a notch higher but I could see the malicious glee in his eyes; I smiled politely and replied that I hadn’t met anyone worth the stress. He asked me what drink I would have; did I want a drink? I wondered, I would probably choke! I was about to give some sort excuse when I heard this voice behind me:

“It’s you again”.

The voice sounded familiar; haa, yes. It belonged to the guy from the mall yesterday, what was his name again? Yes, I remember now, Fred. No way was I going to forget him in a hurry; fancy meeting him here.

“Hi yourself, and yeah, it is me alright, what did you think?” I asked as we shook hands. I introduced him to Amina and Frankie.

“You still won’t let me have the pleasure of knowing your name” He said.

“She’s Jackie” Mina supplied. I almost killed her with my eyes.

“Oops! I’m sorry, I didn’t know your name was such a secret and I wasn’t allowed to tell” She said with sarcasm that wasn’t lost on me; she was without remorse and was enjoying the whole scenario.

“So you both know each other or something?” Frankie asked indicating Fred and I.

“Yes. Well, err technically” Fred amended from the look on my face.

“I guess you’re done with work?” He asked.

I nodded.

“What say I get you dinner, please?”

Fast guy no be thief, I thought but when ahead to say:

“Err, my friends (gesturing at Mina and Frankie) did come to pick me up from work and I can’t possibly abandon them, you understand? I’m sure there’d be a next time” I said politely.
But Amina waved my excuses away:

“Please please don’t bother on our behalf, it’s perfectly okay, it’s not like we aren’t happy to have you ‘hang’ with us but some ‘couple’ time would be just nice; I hope you don’t mind Jackie? So please go ahead, you both have fun and please get home early enough ‘cause you’ve got work tomorrow’’

I had no ready excuses so I walked away with Fred saying my goodbyes to them and promising Amina to kill her later. Fred took me to a nice restaurant and the menu just about reminded me that I hadn’t eaten any solid food in 48hours; I was famished and Fred’s easy going attitude made it easier for me to settle in to the easy banter that soon, I found myself laughing uncontrollably at his jokes; it was as though we had been friends longer than an hour or maybe it was ‘cause I was tired so I was feeling a bit more receptive.

I was greedy in ordering; I ordered jollof rice, fried plaintain, fresh fish; then I saw garnished chicken and couldn’t resist that too, I had to have it all so that when I was done eating, I found that I couldn’t even breathe easily.

“You got quite a bit of an appetite there and it’s a wonder you don’t add weight; I’m impressed. You eat like you just got in from Somalia; I love your healthy appetite” He remarked as he paid the bill and tipped the waiter.

I smiled guiltily in between trying to apologise and explain my gluttony.

“So what do you do?” he asked as we joined the traffic.

“Me? Oh... aaah, I’m a doctor. A surgeon”

“You sure don’t strike me as one. You’re so young and I don’t know; just don’t seem like one of them” He said disbelievingly.

“I’m taking that as a compliment, so thanks” I retorted.

“No, really, I’m guessing you started quite early”

I shrugged, “I guess so” I said. “What do you do?” I asked.

“Oh, well, I’m in to a lot of things, but basically, I work with money; I’m what can be best described as a ‘financier’.”

“Really?” I asked. “How so?” I continued.

“Well, I bring ailing companies, establishments back to life and resale them or don’t, depends on the situation or terms of the agreement, aside that I’m a banker” he explained.

‘You live with your friend from the bar?” he questioned; I noticed that he had tacitly changed the topic shifting topic back to me.

“Yeah. Actually, I started staying with her yesterday, till I get my place”

“Where were you staying before your friend’s?” he asked.

I could sense the curiosity in his voice and I didn’t like it, I mean, why would I tell a stranger all about me because he had bought me dinner? I made that known to him in no uncertain terms and he immediately apologized.

“I’m so sorry. I just wanted to get to know you. I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you at IT, I like you” he enthused.

“Whoa! Slow down mister! Do you like people this fast? Bet you like every chic you meet. Look, just get me home okay? Please.”

I couldn’t get why I was upset. We were silent till we got to the gate; I thanked him for dinner and got down from his car.

“I hope I get to see you again real soon” He said. I didn’t have anything to say to that so I kept walking.

I had barely knocked when the door opened with such force that I got scared stepping back for a moment till I saw that it was Frankie.


“You scared me” I accused.

“I’m glad” He said with some satisfaction.

I sighed.

“Look, why aren’t you with Mina?” I asked.

“She has work tomorrow, she should sleep and so should you instead of gallivanting round town with men on a week day” he said in a harsh whisper.

Astonished, I looked at him like he going crazy;I asked him:

“Are you kidding me? Really, you’re not serious are you?”

“I’m being as real as I’ve ever been with you and I don’t want this happening anymore” he threatened.

I was livid with anger.

“Or else what? What would you do? You’ve got some real nerve, telling me what to do and not do. I tolerate you because of that wonderful lady in there, God bless her soul, I wonder what she sees in you”

I could barely find the strength to suppress the anger I was feeling;
I pointed a finger at him

“I’d just pretend that you didn’t just say all that to me tonight, but don’t you ever and I repeat EVER do that again and; while we are on the topic, I don’t need you including me in plans involving you and Mina spending time together” I finished walking towards the room.

“That was why you got pregnant” he said.
It did stop me on my tracks.

“What did you say?” I asked staring at him in disbelief

“Your irresponsibility was what got you pregnant in the first place” he replied.

I died and woke up but I didn’t show it; I just started laughing and I didn’t know why but I’m sure he must have seen something scary on my face because he moved back a bit.

I scuffed.

“Then don’t blame me for my actions, it’s your funeral baby” I said as I resumed my walk to the room.

UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS PRT5

I walked towards the gate as Frankie’s voice kept resounding in my subconscious. It was so funny how the one person who I had wanted to see and who had made himself elusive to me was now just a room away from me. It was so crazy! I remember my last encounter with him; or was it really an encounter?

I had gone to his home to see him after he had come to my place and we had a huge fight about the pregnancy and we both exchanged far too many hateful words, so a day later, I thought it was now safe for me to go see him thinking he might have calmed down.

I got to Frankie’s gate and since his maiguard recognized me, I had no trouble with my admittance into the compound and that reassured me in no small way because, I felt that since he hadn’t instructed Joshua to refuse me entry, then we were still good; after all, all we had was a couple’s quarrel right?

I spent the next two hours knocking on his door all the time pressing the door bell. I knew he was home; I know his work schedule; it was also a Sunday and more often than not, he barely went to church. I also called his number and intermittedly sent text messages, informing him that I was at the door and that he should come open up for me but he neither took my calls nor replied my sms.

It wasn’t that I just couldn’t leave the same way I came but, I was too ashamed and embarrassed to move let alone walk back to the gate because, it was obvious to his two other neighbours that I had been refused entry and I was in shock.

Finally, I called a friend of mine, Bisi and she told me to leave with what remaining dignity I had left that I could muster. How I walked out of the gate and took slow steps to the junction feeling different sets of eyes boring holes through my back from the duplex is what I could never, ever fathom.

I felt my heart break to tiny little unmendable pieces; as soon as I hailed a cab and got in, I told the driver where I was headed then I settled in to fully try to understand just what had happened back at Frankie’s and then, I crumbled into tears. Now if it was just tears, it would have been better ‘cause then, I might have felt or gotten better but I just kept sobbing brokenly from my soul as I began to actually realize what mess I had brought upon myself.

The driver kept turning to look at me worriedly but with concern, I’m sure I must have looked bad because he really felt that I would collapse or something of that sort.

Two days later, Frankie called me at night to tell me that all my plans had failed;

“You think you can trap me with that thing you’re carrying huh?” He screamed at me;

“But that wasn’t what we discussed earlier, you said I could keep it and besides, you know I can’t have another D and C, I’m scared! If you didn’t want this why do you always refuse to use protection with me? Please, I can’t do what you want me to do”

I said trying to make sense of it all, to reason with him but he wasn’t in the least bit interested or bothered but he just kept raining abuses on me on how I wanted to cramp his style; he dropped his phone on me. I just cried harder. From thence, my ordeal started.

Night has way of bringing out everyone to relax after a hard day’s work even on a Sunday and it was the sound of music blaring from speakers and different aromas whiffing through my nostrils that brought me out of my reverie.

I stopped to buy suya and then decided to stop at the neighborhood’s shopping mall for some chocolates and biscuits since those are basically what I feed on.
As I walked towards the shop, I promised myself that I would try not to dwell on the past; it wasn’t as though it would make things any better. I walked to the chocolate section and as I browsed through the variety, I felt myself relaxing as I proceeded to pick ones I wanted; I looked forward to munching my Cadbury mint flavour chocolate and just couldn’t wait and just then, a voice said from behind me;

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for the sweet tooth type you know?”

He was so close to me that when I turned to the voice, I bumped into a chest, at least, that was where my eyes was level with; he was way taller than that so I had to raise my eyes to look at the face of the person trying to invade my privacy. It annoyed me that I couldn’t fault the face at all; he wasn’t bad looking; my ideal kind of guy under the right circumstances but of course, I hadn’t had those in a very long while.

Today, I just wasn’t in the mood to be friendly, nice or be receptive towards whatever the usual cliché that guys have up their silly sleeves; I barely acknowledged him as I turned back to the reason I was even in the same vicinity with whoever it was that had barged in on my alone time.

Done with shopping, I went on to pay my bills then I strolled out enjoying the breeze and the night life which was like a soft distant music to my ears when this powerful and sophisticated wheels wheeled to a stop right beside me; I was curious so I slowed my walked; no, I actually stopped to know who it was. The driver got down and it was non other than the intruder of my alone time! He raised his hands in surrender indicating that he had come in peace and introduced himself;

“Hi, my name’s Fred, you didn’t seem much inclined to being even the least bit courteous at the mall and I’m seeing you again, so if it won’t be much of a bother to you, can I drive you to your destination?”

I didn’t want any of that and thankfully, I had gotten to the junction that led to Amina’s street and I was almost home anyway and there honestly wasn’t need for help from this stranger.

“No thanks”

I replied as I kept walking towards the gate and opened it to let myself in. Getting to the front door, I knocked; I didn’t even wait for a bit because Frankie quickly opened up for me.

“You really went shopping for the usual huh? He asked knowingly, “You sure didn’t take time though you know?”

He said in his desperate attempt to strike up conversation, I didn’t even spare him a glance as I continued to the room, my sanctuary.

CHECKING IN +UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS4

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a blessed weekend? Mine was pretty hectic but I had fun! Got to see some people very dear to me and though it was short, I'm still glad to have had such little time..
Do you ever think that way? That even if time is limited, you still make the best of time spent with loved ones? Get to appreciate it?
Someone said I was getting personal on my blog, maybe that's a good thing or not, I still don't know.
All I know right now is that, I am evolving and I just don't know how FREE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS will turn out.
I hope you have been following the series-UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS? Well, I have another episode for you, I sincerely hope you'd enjoy it..
I love you all so very much and urge you to make the best of every minute you spend on this earth. Kisses!

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UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS4

There we both stood facing each other; what I felt at that point? I do not know. It was like I stopped feeling if for a while or maybe I just blanked; is that even possible? I could barely read the expression on his face because I did not care to look at him after the second that I had unlocked the door to let Frankie in; and now it seemed to me that I had let in my worst nightmare; I had let in the epitome of my pain, suffering and misery or at least, half of it all in that second. I just wonder why this all drama was happening to me all at once like there is one grave sin I had to atone for as soon as possible.

I had control over my emotions which was so unlike me and that surprised me; I didn’t utter a word to him but turned and walked in to the sitting room;

“Jackie, it is you; it really is you”

His voice was barely audible and I could hear the shock, wonder and disbelief in his voice. I still wasn’t feeling what I knew I should feel, to me, he still wasn’t existing. I turned to face him and this time, I looked at him, I had a good look at him and I noticed that he had some grays, (I wondered what must have brought that on? His wickedness maybe I thought to myself. All 6ft3 of him, dark and handsome enough to still create havoc for the ladies gullible enough to fall, neither fat nor slim. But I had seen him; I had seen him at his worst, not just seen but experienced it first hand; the nastiness and self centered trait just beneath the suave surface; he could see I was not impressed; I am sure the disdain and disgust I felt for him was firmly etched on my face.

“Let’s get some things straight here, some ground rules” I said stopping him midway- he just nodded.

“I have to tell you that as far as I am concerned, you’re just my friend’s boyfriend who I’m just meeting for the first time; I don’t know you and you don’t know me; during your stay here, try to make yourself scarce when I’m around in anyway you deem fit, I do not care; I don’t even need you to be a pleasant friendly stranger, I am sure you can manage that; me on my part, I’d try to move out of this accommodation as soon as possible, because the sight of you ( I said gesturing at him) isn’t what I care to see often okay? Do we understand each other perfectly?’’ I asked;


“Wisest decision I have ever heard you make” he said derisively.

I ignored him, if he expected me to rise to the bait then too bad for him ‘cause I was way above that; but there still remained one thing and now as I thought of it, I felt bile rise to my throat, but I knew I had to bring it up;

“Haa… Mina said I should get you something to eat; I’m sure you can take care of that yourself huh?”


He laughed at me; a laughter with an underlying sarcasm and I knew I was not going to like what he was going to say next.


“It’s what she told you to do right? So you just do as she says, my woman has spoken; I need my food ASAP; We are strangers so please act nice, I’m hungry; I’d go wash up and be out in a jiffy, let it be ready by then please? Thank you!”

So saying, he walked out on me!

He walked out me? Really? Did he now? I tried not letting that bother me as I had gone through worse situations. I felt the beginnings of a huge headache as I walked to the kitchen.

Amina had everything in full abundant supply; wife material! She had several tubers of yams lined up and it was then that it occurred to me that Frankie’s favourite meal is boiled yam with fried eggs and well garnished at that and then I smiled in satisfaction. After going through all the contents in the fridge and freezer, I brought out the container that seemed like it contained the oldest soup, warmed it up and made eba filled with lumps and set the food for Frankie on the dinning and went back to my room.

I waited for him to call complaining about the food but he didn’t; idiot! The fool, thinking he could order me to cook for him. I was too restless to lie down let alone sleep and I noticed that I was hungry; so I decided to dress up, go out for a walk then get something light to eat. As I made to step out of my room, a call came in on my phone- Amina.

“Babe how you dey? Shebi you don see my fine bobo?”

I rolled my eyes; I had him before you! A voice deep inside of me said and I shrunk that that kind of thought could have emanated from me. The way I replied, it would have been a shock to anyone that my mind was in turmoil

“I don see am oh. You have your job cut out for you oh, how are you? How far? Full house?” (Indicating if we had loads of patients.)

“No be small thing oh, full is an understatement! I hear you have 3 procedures tomorrow; I don’t envy you at all.’’

“Mina, it’s that devil Awolabi that wants to kill me oh, but I don’t mind the work, not like I have anything else doing” I said, while she laughed softly in response.

“Okay oo, give the phone to frank please” she said

“Frank?” I asked blankly

“My bobo na haba!”

“OMG I’m so sorry! I’m in the room, he’s in the sitting room, hold on please’’

“Haba Jackie, you are supposed to keep him company na, you sef! You too do! Try and loosen up. This guy is the love of my life oh so you both should bond oh as you are my best friend”

Oh God...I moaned inwardly, as I shut my eyes briefly. What kind of mess is this? I was just happy that she didn’t notice my lapse. I know Frank as ‘Frankie’ and had forgotten that his name is actually Frank; I was too slow to catch up. Amina is intuitive and I do not need her noticing any underlying currents ‘cause then, I would be done for.

Frankie was in the kitchen, frying eggs; at my voice he turned to me with annoyance, I handed him my phone;

“Mina”, I said explaining my presence.

“Me, how are you? Hope they’re not stressing my baby over there oh, yes, your friend Jacqueline took real good care of me (he said and pointedly ignored my presence); she gave me yam and eggs; I didn’t know you had friends who made sense, I’m missing you crazy; okay, I ‘d see you soon Hun” and handed the phone back to me.

He calls her ‘me’; hmmm such love! Well good for them, they should keep their lovey dovey acts to themselves. And not for the first time did I regret dropping my friends after my episode with Frankie all in a bid to move on… I wished for the umpteenth time that there was someone I could call up to really discuss the current events as they kept unfolding, couldn’t do that with Amina as she had become part of my drama filled life.

“I’m stepping out” I said

“I’d wait for you till you get back” he replied

“And oh, I had fun with the food you served but I wasn’t satisfied so I decided to rustle up something again, I hope you don’t mind?’’

I said nothing as I stepped out and shut the door gently behind me.

My Best Friend-JOBSFORNAIJA- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

With her I found Blogger, with her, I knew life; with her I walked the walk
With her I knew men (lol)
Punch me not..
She's so loyal it puts me to shame..
She's one wonderful person, I really wish you could meet outside of blogger
She's none other than JOBSFORNAIJA!

Yes oh.. I know her; and very well
She's 'mrs private' so I have to stick to that
She one generous humble chic and yes she's as pretty as they come..
You would have heard of her site? No? Yes? the www.jobsfornaija.com
Where you can find any job you're looking for..

Madam,
I just want to appreciate from the depths of my heart,
I love you so much (Even if I don't say it often)
Though we fight, I want you to know that you're always the 'ALL ROUNDER FRIEND'
When I'm overwhelmed I can't fully express myself
I can only celebrate this day with you
And hope that the best in life come to you
That you be happy
That you find fulfillment
That you never lack
That you never get hurt
That, in everything,Life doesn't let you down.

Happy birthday my love!

Pictures are courtesy of GOOGLE IMAGES..

UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS3

Happy new month people! How are we? Hope you had a swell weekend? Not got much time on my hands today and I hope you get to enjoy this episode.. Till the next part comes your way..

I want to be done with UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS 'cause we do have some pressing issues to discuss.. The series would come faster.. I wish you all the very best that this new month has to offer and more.. I love you all to infinity!
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UNFORGIVEN TRESPASS3
“…I would be staying at Amina’s, Infact that is the reason she’s here right now seeing that you’re not eager to take me in” I replied in answer to Sweet’s initial question before I was informed that Amina had come.

“So you would feel better if I said I was going to put up at a hotel?”
I continued whilst making my way down the stairs to see Amina. Sweet didn’t even dignify my question with a response.
When I entered the sitting room, Amina was perched at the edge of the seat looking as uncomfortable as a cat looked when drenched in water with my mum looking at her, her countenance of someone who had perceived a bad smell. It was so funny that I would have laughed under different circumstances.

Amina stood up so fast I knew she couldn’t wait to leave;

“How far? What’s up? Where are your things? I’d soon be on call oh so I have to be on my way to the hospital; Sweet, how are you?”
She said all in one breath; I thanked her for coming then while she and Sweet exchanged pleasantries, I rushed back upstairs to get my belongings and proceeded to struggle them down the stairs with no help from anyone.
No goodbyes from a family I shared blood ties with, not even from my sister or her husband or Uncle Jay; I left with everyone happy to see me leave not minding what was going on in my mind or how I was feeling.

“Madam, what just happened in there?”

Amina asked with curiosity shinning through her eyes as we drove out of my parents’ residence, I could see, the beginnings of a gossip.

“How?” I asked;

“Haba don’t you have disagreements with your family sometimes? That’s what happened with mine na. Everyone needs space and besides like you’ve always been saying how I’m too old to live with my parents, so make I kukuma use this opportunity get my own place, because if I lose this chance, na im be say no more for me oh” I jokingly replied.

“Shebi na now you just dey wake abi? Sha thank God you did, it’s never too late, you’re welcome to stay at my place for as long as you want; why would you want to get a place when we can stay together, we are more out than in, you know the job; besides, I even got a second job where I’d be working 3days of the week too so, it’s not like we’d be in each other’s way”

I did not have a reply to this, it was too early for me to say and I have learnt that a free gift so eagerly given had to be accepted with utmost caution so I merely listened.
When we got to her home, she showed me my room which, thank God was self-contained and meant that my privacy was intact and she said I could help myself to the food in her kitchen and hurriedly rushed off.
I was alone again and had my thoughts to myself; this time, I thought long and hard. I was sad and felt so lost and lonely; how much do I have in my account? I wondered, I should find out tomorrow because, I wasn’t sure. This was a time I needed someone to hold me and say simple words like:
“I am here for you”
Apparently, I didn’t have that, the words, ALONE began to lend a whole new meaning.

I hung my clothes, arranged my cosmetics, footwear, my cds and my laptop, I had my bath and without bothering to eat, I fell in to an exhausted sleep until I was awakened by a rude knock on the door. I cursed inwardly as I struggled to ignore the knock willing it to go away. The knock became more persistent until it was obvious the person won’t let up. I roused myself and dragged myself to the door.

“Who is it?” I asked;

“Open up and you’d see who it is” A man replied.

“If you’re here to see Amina, I’m sorry she’s not in; you can call her or something to reschedule” I said, but he cut me off saying:

“I don’t need to do any of that seeing I’m her boyfriend and I pay the bills around here so please lady, whomever you are, open the door already!” He said with impatience and annoyance in his voice.

What?! Amina had a boyfriend who actually paid her rent and all? Why didn’t she tell me? I wondered; I wouldn’t have asked to stay with her if I had known, and then, there was something about the voice, I just felt I had heard it somewhere, but whatever, my imagination again, I thought; working overtime; I then called her just to make sure:

“Mina, ‘sup? A guy’s at the door oh; he’s actually claiming to be your boyoyo and wants me to open up for him to come in that he pays your bill; that true?”

“Heee, I forgot!”
She exclaimed-

“I meant to tell you but it escaped my mind as I was in a hurry; I didn’t even think he’d come in today; please, abeg eh, let him in and help me give him something to eat please, I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t bother you, but he always wants his food as soon as he comes in.” She pleaded.

I wondered at her not getting upset that the guy had the divulged paying her bills without even meeting me, apparently, he had no respect for her at all; but oh well, what’s my own? I shrugged, mentally dissociating myself from getting involved.

I sighed; so this is how it was going to be eh? I knew it would be too good to be true. I was already shaking my head knowing that I would have to get a new place sooner than I thought amidst the knocks that kept coming from the boyfriend asking why I had not opened the door for him. The guy sure sounded nasty and with little or no manners!

“It’s okay, I’d be glad to help you out, it’s not like there’s anything else I’m doing” I replied with a resigned note in my voice which I was sure she noticed.

“I’m sorry it won’t happen again I promise” Amina said.

I nodded like she could see me and at the same time, moved to open the door, and standing right there in front of me was Frankie, the guy who got me pregnant and denied my existence as well as the pregnancy.