LOVE YOU ANOTHER DAY - Episode 6

The remaining hours of work that day was mostly spent thinking aloud. Ola found it difficult getting over the incident in the elevator. He was convinced something had to be done fast before he got himself enmeshed in a mess. How did he get himself in such position? Only a fool would do that. And what a fool he had made of himself. He should have been man enough to resist the temptation Bukky posed. Yes, it was true Bukky was vulnerable, no doubt, but he should not be preying on that. And besides, it would be madness to cheat on Kemi. The only one way out would be to put a stop to the web of craziness he was beginning to spin. What he started had to be nipped in the bud! 

The havoc that rejection could do to a woman's pride was not lost on Ola either. He knew he had to be careful about how he handled Bukky, otherwise he would end up making an enemy out of a friend. But how he would go about clearing the mess he had started remained unfathomed. Working out a way was proving as elusive as sitting his dead mother down for a chat. 

He could not even concentrate on his work. He picked up his phone to call Kemi, talking to her might help him clear his head. But he cut the line almost as soon as he dialed her number. He could feel a pang of guilt within. He was not sure his voice would not betray him, if he went ahead with the call. He decided it would be wiser, if he waited until after clearing the air with Bukky before talking to Kemi. But still he needed a distraction away from his thoughts, in the meantime. So, he got to his feet and crossed to the toilet. Some splashes of water on his face just might help. 

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Kemi meanwhile was seated at a table in Browns Café & Restaurant at Ikeja GRA. Unknown to her, the one little weakness, or sickness, which she thought she had overcome would rear its ugly head again that day. A friend had invited her over for lunch, when informed she was around in Lagos. But it was not until Kemi got to the venue that she realised the meeting was more than just a lunch, it was a matchmaking lunch arrangement.

At first, Kemi had her reservation about playing along with the game plan the first time Miriam suggested she would like her to meet a cousin of hers. All her plea that she was seeing someone already could not sway Miriam who countered that the introduction should necessarily not lead to anything. She claimed she was only doing it to get her cousin off her neck, as he had been disturbing her since the first day he saw Kemi’s picture on her phone.

But all Kemi’s resistance melted off the moment she set her eyes on Dave. She had a weakness for tall athletic handsome men. She could not help running her eyes all over him when he joined them at the table. 

Dave Adeyemi was truly a hunk. He had a hint of masculinity written all over him. He had these big competent-looking arms that made him look like he could rough-handle the fiercest of lions, with his bare hand. He had a beautiful head that sat on wonderful shoulders, and his eyes were so expressive when they rested on any object of interest. And those eyes were firmly riveted on Kemi as Miriam got on with the introduction.

Kemi could feel Dave’s eyes searching into her mind. That was no doubt a proof of his interest in her, as far as she was concerned. And how she loved it when a man made her his object of attraction. She wasted no time engaging Dave in conversation much to Miriam’s surprise. And Kemi would soon realise that Dave’s looks was well matched by his suave confidence in handling a woman even on a blind date. Kemi even hinted it as a joke, but it was a joke she meant, when she stated that Dave was in the wrong profession when he mentioned he was a practicing lawyer. She reckoned that his good looks and suaveness belonged rather in the Nollywood than in the courtroom. 

Miriam Adeyemi had known Kemi for four years. Their friendship dated back to when they met at the University of Ibadan. Though she had not seen Kemi for almost a year, but she could tell that her friend had not changed much, if at all she had. She was aware of how Kemi loved to be the centre of attention in every gathering. She almost felt a pang of jealousy at the way all Dave's attention was focused on Kemi, with the two parties at the table with her chatting away as if she was not present. Well, it was good she had played her part. These two could go on talking for as long as they wanted while she devoured the culinary endeavour Dave had ordered. 

The lunch served the purpose it was meant for. 

Miriam got treated to the exquisite sumptuous meal she had been promised. And besides that, she had fulfilled her end of the deal. The game was all Dave's henceforth.

For Dave, it was good relief meeting the woman he had wanted to meet for some time. He never liked the idea of a woman breaking into his thoughts intermittently, much so a woman he had never met. And as he sat staring into Kemi's eyes, he could tell she would not need too much persuasion to get involved with. He could easily tell a willing woman. And this lady who was intently staring back at him was not too far from one.

Kemi on her part was having difficulty shaking off the thought of rolling back the years. She knew where this lunch would lead. It was only a matter of time before Dave would get the words out. But what she could not tell was what her own final position would be when the words dropped.

You May Yet Read The Previous Episode: Love You Another Day Episode 5 (You don't want to miss anything)

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But as Ola drove on with Bukky beside him, he was having difficulty deciding how best it would be to present his case. His mind was practically befuddled. He could not just think straight for once. Striking up a conversation with Bukky was not easier either. His resolve while in the office was proving tougher than he had imagined. Worse still, he was having trouble looking straight into Bukky’s eyes. And yet he could not figure out what he was scared of. So, the drive to Bukky’s house in Surulere was reduced to occasional moments of which way to head as Bukky gave directions. He could tell that Bukky too was going through some motions of her own as she sat looking straight ahead. If only he could have a peep at what was going on in her mind, he thought as he let out a sigh. There would be a lot to talk about when the time came, though he had no doubt what his own resolve would be; that kiss in the elevator would be a one-off!

Ola was partly relieved when Bukky announced they were finally home. And momentarily, he forgot all about his worries as the gateman and he helped in taking the fridge into Bukky’s apartment. Bukky prevailed on him to have his seat at least for five minutes before hitting the road. A little girl walked in from the room and Ola watched all Bukky’s attention immediately switched to her. He needed no one to tell him who she was, as she was Bukky’s spitting image. He could tell instantly what a smart kid she was as he listened to the conversation between mother and daughter.

“Welcome home, mum. How was your day at work?”

“My day was great, thanks. And yours at school, my angel?”

“It was cool, mum except that the school bus had some fault on our way home. So, I was a bit late to arrive home. Aunty Jane said she was just about to call you when the school bus got here.”

“Oh sorry, dear. But hope you are all good.”

“Yes mum. And I’ve done my homework.”

“That’s my angel, I trust you.”

“Thanks mum. Do I get you a glass of water?”

“No thanks, dear. Mummy’s alright for now.”

“What about you sir?” The little said girl looking in Ola’s direction.

Ola did not realise immediately the question was meant for him until she repeated herself.

“Do you care for some water, sir?

“Oh thanks, Temilade. I’m okay.”

“How did you know my name, sir?” she queried with a surprise look on her face.

“Maybe your mum told me.”

Ola could not help but smile at the disapproving look Temilade gave her mother.

“Yes, I did. Don’t worry, angel, Mr. Johnson is mummy’s friend. We work in the same office. So, if I tell him your name, it’s because I trust him to know your name. Is that OK?”

“It’s OK, mum,” Temilade replied as smiles returned to her face. And facing Ola, she said, “Mr. Johnson, is that your name?”

“Yes.”

“And hope you’re not like the Mr. Johnson in my…”

“Temi…!” Bukky interrupted. “I think that’s enough,” Bukky continued in her bid to stop Temilade from saying what she knew was coming.

“OK mum”

Ola could sense the move was not alright with Temilade, so he gestured to Bukky to let her be.

“Temilade, come and tell me about that Mr. Johnson. I want to be sure I’m not like him.”

Temilade looked at her mother for reassurance. She didn’t take a step until her mother told her it was okay before she crossed to sit beside Ola on the couch.

“Now tell me about him. He’s in your school, right?”

Ola listened as attentively as possible as Temilade recounted Mr. Johnson’s apparent sin of being nice in one moment and going harsh the next. He tried his best to allay Temilade’s dislike for the teacher by advising that Mr. Johnson was only doing that to ensure that his pupils learn well and become better pupils. But he could tell his conclusion was not convincing enough to Temilade who surprised him yet with another question.

“Are you like that too? Do you get harsh when correcting people?”

“Em, em… I don’t think I’m like that. But I’m not a teacher too.” Ola managed to get out.

“I don’t think Mr. Johnson is harsh because he’s a teacher. People are not harsh because they are teachers, are they? He’s not the only teacher. He’s just harsh because he’s like that.”

Ola could not believe the wisdom with which Temilade spoke. Her reasoning was way higher than that of a seven-year old. He looked across the room at Bukky with a gaze that said, “What a hell of a kid you are raising!”. Ola knew he had to change the subject of discussion as quickly as possible.

“Now, are you going to tell me what class you are?” Ola said for want of what to say.

“You haven’t asked me that before, have you?” Temilade said defensively.

“No, I haven’t. So tell me now that I’ve asked.”

“I’m in Grade 4. Grade 4 Pearl.” The manner she stressed the word ‘Pearl’ suggested she loved it.

“That’s good, Temilade. I think it’s time I took my leave. I still have some way to go,” Ola said rising to his feet.

“Okay Mr. Johnson”

Bukky called out to Temilade to join Jane, her house-help, in the room. The little girl rose immediately to heed her mother’s instruction. But then she stopped in her track as if she remembered something all of a sudden.

“Goodbye Mr. Johnson. But will I see you again?”

Ola with a smile walked up to her and lowered himself to meet her at same eye level.

“Maybe you will, but that too will depend on your mum.”

Temilade looked away from Ola to her mother and then back to Ola.

“I know mum will let you, if you want to.”

“Really?” And Temilade nodded in the affirmative. “Okay, we’ll see how it gets. Happy now?”

“Yes. You know what, I can’t remember mum ever calling any man her friend. She doesn’t have…”

Bukky was convinced she had to step in right away.

“Temilade, that’s okay. You can go to your room now. Mr. Johnson has to get going. You remember him saying he still had some way to go.”

“Okay mum. Nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson.”

“Nice to meet you, Temilade.” Ola watched on with admiration until Temilade disappeared into the room.

“That’s some girl you have here,” he said once alone with Bukky.

“What have you seen? She can be a real handful to engage in conversation. Sometimes I wonder if I didn’t give birth to someone who’s way older than I am.”

“But I like it. I love intelligent kids. And there’s no denying she’s one. And by the way, perhaps she takes just after you. Who knew what you were as a kid!”

“Hmm… so is that saying I might be at fault after all?”

“No. I said that as a compliment. Isn’t it just natural that intelligent women would give birth to awesome kids?”

“And there he goes again… but when will you stop teasing me?”Bukky asked rhetorically before adding, “Anyway, thanks for the compliment.

It was not until they were outside and beside his car that Ola remembered that there was still an issue to be ironed out. And instantly, the gravity of it all again weighed in on him. But what must be done had to be done, he concluded philosophically. He had to do it somehow.

“Bukky…” he began “…I believe there’s something we’ve left unspoken about for the best part of the day.”

“What?”

He needed no one to tell him that Bukky was merely feigning ignorant of what he was driving at. He took a deep breath in before saying,

“Maybe you should get in the car while we talk about it.”

N.B: I really am sorry for the long wait I've subjected you to since the publication of the last episode. I regret this, even though it wasn't intended. I can promise a break this long won't repeat itself again.
 

Would Ola be able to sway Bukky's obsession for him? Would Kemi give in to the temptation that was staring at her in the face? Would love conquer all? To know the answers to these posers, make next Saturday another date on LOVE YOU ANOTHER DAY!

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