As Bisi drew my face closer to hers and moved her lips towards mine, my heart sunk. Was I about to start dating a woman after I have been dumped by her husband? What if she asks that I become her girlfriend or I go back to jail? Ene what have you gotten yourself into?I shivered slightly and just then, her lips landed on my cheeks.
Bisi seemed to have read my mind. She went into a fit laughter. “ no, I am not about to kiss you Ene or ask you to be mine, I am only comforting you”. She eased herself back to her chair.
“I wanted to be a nun so bad, but my Father forced me to marry Ola. The only thing that keeps Ola and I, are the children. My father would not hear of a divorce. I am in a loveless marriage”. Bisi spoke casually and I wondered how she was able to reveal her hurts without tears. “Ola is too focused on pleasing my father. All he does, is to get an approving nod from my father. Even if it means staying put in a marriage that is devoid of love”.
I proceeded to tell her all my frustrations and past heartbreaks. I spoke in between sobs as Bisi passed me Face napkins to wipe my face.
Bisi Empathized with me. “Ene, if you know how very beautiful you are, you would not settle for less. You are only in your early thirties. Look at me, I am married, I look happy to the outside world, many young girls wish they had my marriage without even knowing that I hate the very fact that I am caged to Ola. Dust yourself up. I’ll help you get back on your feet. I promise”.
The dinner was delicious and I had take outs packaged for me on Bisi’s instructions. She gave me a ride home and dropped wads of cash in my handbag before I could protest.
As I walked to my apartment, I saw heads peeking out of windows. Nosy neighbors. Especially that Folake that lived at the flat opposite mine. She is the nosiest of all.
The dust in my room was sliceable. I could smell it too. I locked my door, dropped the take out in my refrigerator and sunk into my dusty sofa. I dozed off.
Loud knocks woke me up the next morning. My neighbors had come to pay me a visit. Baba Mariam and My landlady led the way. As soon as I opened the door, They trooped in.
I got hugs, stares and Sneers. I even heard a snigger or two.
“welcome, I heard a lot about you, we are all glad that you are fine”. A Tall, Dark Athletic Male with the voice of Thor, announced.
I was taken aback. I didn’t know him.
I smiled weakly. Every one gathered around me. My landlady offered prayers and brought breakfast.
After 30 minutes of rigorous pseudo interrogations. They all left. I set out to arrange my apartment. I took off my clothes as I had slept in them. I checked my dusty wardrobe for a house wear. My skimpy playsuit was close by. I set out cleaning.
My door bell rang. I tiredly dragged my feet to the door. The Athletic guy was at the door. “I am sorry if I was rude earlier. My name is Obinna. I moved in the week it happened. The landlady said you had some issues with the EFCC”.
I could not help but laugh. My landlady sure knows how to invent situations.
“Mind if I help you clean”? He didn’t wait for a reply as he took the cleaning napkin from me.
He had this air of confidence that was annoying yet seductive. He was even more handsome than all the men I have known.
I kept my self in check. “Ene! Behave!! You just got out of a messy relationship”. I cleared my throat, locked my door and walked towards him. He was already cleaning out my settee.
I decided to arrange my window blinds. I missed a step and fell with a thud on the floor and let out a scream.
Like a flash, Obinna ran to me, carried me off the floor like a toddler and placed me on a sofa.
“you need to rest. Let me give you a massage”.
I could not protest. For some reason, I lost my will-power. I tried to adjust on the sofa, then my butt brushed against his groins and for some reason I felt a rock.
I turned and caught his gaze and our eyes locked…
To be continued…
