Some resolutions were made to be broken. That was Mike’s conclusion barely twenty-four hours of checking in into Ocean-View Hotel. He could not contain the excitement that was brewing in him. He could feel real happiness deep down in his heart. It was a feeling that was not alien but one he had not felt in long years. And it was real and strong enough to make him want out of the hotel earlier than he had planned. If he had to face his destiny, he resolved it would be better to do that as soon as possible. He checked out at 12:30 and headed straight home.
Once inside the house, he played back the answering machine to listen to his messages. Tunde had tried to reach him on three occasions. He was back in the country. His troubled mind had made him forget he was supposed to return the previous day. Well, it was good thing. There was someone to share his mind with. An aunt had also called to remind him of the burial programme of her late husband. A call from an associate who wanted him to reach out as soon as he got the message had completed the list of missed calls. But no call from Ifeoma. He was a bit disappointed even though he knew he had told her not to bother to reach him, as he would be unavailable. He would have loved to hear her voice. He resisted the urge to call her, at least not until the next day.
He called the associate first, and arranged a meeting for the following day. Then he put a call through to Tunde who informed him he’d had to travel to Ibadan earlier that day but would be back later in the evening. He did not realize when in his excitement he told Tunde there was a lot to share. He decided against calling his aunt. He knew what to expect; more than thirty minutes on the phone discussing nothing. He was just not ready for that at that moment. He crossed into the room to change his clothes.
* * *
Tunde’s mouth was left hanging wide open by the time Mike was through with the story of his life. He just couldn’t believe how little he seemed to know about his best friend’s personal life. Even though he had always suspected Mike was using women, he was in practical shock learning the extent to which Mike had wreaked havoc on the poor hearts of his victims of love.
He was moved by the tears that had welled up in Mike’s eyes. He made to say something, but his voice failed him. He kept on staring at his friend across the table wondering what changed things for him.
N.B: Please note that in order to wrap up 'Not Safe To Be Loved...' this year, I'll be doing an update to the story on Wednesday 24th December, 2014. Let's keep it a date!
Once inside the house, he played back the answering machine to listen to his messages. Tunde had tried to reach him on three occasions. He was back in the country. His troubled mind had made him forget he was supposed to return the previous day. Well, it was good thing. There was someone to share his mind with. An aunt had also called to remind him of the burial programme of her late husband. A call from an associate who wanted him to reach out as soon as he got the message had completed the list of missed calls. But no call from Ifeoma. He was a bit disappointed even though he knew he had told her not to bother to reach him, as he would be unavailable. He would have loved to hear her voice. He resisted the urge to call her, at least not until the next day.
He called the associate first, and arranged a meeting for the following day. Then he put a call through to Tunde who informed him he’d had to travel to Ibadan earlier that day but would be back later in the evening. He did not realize when in his excitement he told Tunde there was a lot to share. He decided against calling his aunt. He knew what to expect; more than thirty minutes on the phone discussing nothing. He was just not ready for that at that moment. He crossed into the room to change his clothes.
* * *
Tunde’s mouth was left hanging wide open by the time Mike was through with the story of his life. He just couldn’t believe how little he seemed to know about his best friend’s personal life. Even though he had always suspected Mike was using women, he was in practical shock learning the extent to which Mike had wreaked havoc on the poor hearts of his victims of love.
He was moved by the tears that had welled up in Mike’s eyes. He made to say something, but his voice failed him. He kept on staring at his friend across the table wondering what changed things for him.
“But I think I’m fine now.” Mike said dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief, “I feel so deep inside of me.”
“And this woman who brought about the change of scene?”
“I met her about three months ago. Funny enough, I met her the same day you told me of that dream you had about me. If you still remember, you know I was late to meet you up that day, she was the reason I arrived late. We met in one of those bizarre circumstances. I actually had other plans for her at that time, but things changed for me in the course of time. What about her made me feel this way, I can’t even say precisely.”
“That’s a proof that your feeling for her isn’t superficial” Tunde chipped in. “One more thing, does she know about it yet, I mean what you feel for her?”
“We have never got around to discuss stuffs like that. If anything, she must see us as friends with benefits.”
“So, what d’you intend to do about it?”
“I’m prepared to bare my feelings.”
“And I’ll also suggest you should try to meet with all those ladies. The previous ones”
“Why?”
“You’d need to ask for their forgiveness to rid your conscience of every feeling of guilt.”
“You think I need that?”Tunde nodded his head in affirmation. He reassured Mike that he was doing the right thing and that everything would turn out fine. He felt a deep pity for Mike as he tried to imagine all he must have put himself through over the years. The anger, the hatred, the unhappiness, the pain and the emotional trauma that had almost turned him to a beast. He silently wished Mike was over all these for good.
N.B: Please note that in order to wrap up 'Not Safe To Be Loved...' this year, I'll be doing an update to the story on Wednesday 24th December, 2014. Let's keep it a date!
