Tales of A Single Mum

Episode Fifteen

...I had lunch with my friend Sally Balarabe in Lagos today. Sitting across from me she stared at me from the top of the menu she was holding.

“So how are you holding up?” She asked

“I’m fine o.” I said smiling.

“Hmmm hope that bastard is not trying to track you down?

I don’t know, but I’m no longer afraid of him. The court process is over so there’s absolutely no need for contact.

“Ohoo she said to buttress my words. Let’s hope he can read the court document.” She said sipping from her wine glass.

“And how about you? How are things with Mr A?”

I asked her in return, sipping from my glass as well. It had been ages since I had a glass of wine. I was relishing every drop.

“Better than ever.” She said fiddling with her hair. To me she seemed unsure. I said nothing and allowed her to finish “Things are really good now but I don’t think he’s going to pop the question any time soon. To be honest Mags, do I really want to marry this guy? I mean what he wants to do from sun up to sun down is party. How can someone live like that?” She asked me rhetorically.

“It comes with wealth and privilege Hun. He doesn’t have to work a day in his life if he doesn’t want to. You should enjoy the privileges.” I replied smiling and folding my hands.

‘’I do. But I also want a house with the proverbial white picket fence and cute babies. My ovaries have been jumping about lately’’

“I more than anyone can understand that. But doesn’t he want those things to? I asked. The waiter arrived to take our orders interrupting us. We placed them and he walked away quietly.

“I don’t know.” Sally continued. “I’ve never asked. I guess the privileges have sealed my lips.” We both laughed as the food arrived. And talk turned to me again.

“How do you survive in that village babes?” Sally asked without looking up from her food.

“I do my best not to think about the environment. I usually fail woefully.” I replied with a mouthful of lettuce.

My friend dropped her fork and reached over to hold my hand.

“Well you know u can always come to me if you’re cash strapped. What’s the use of dating Mr A if I can’t help out my best friend? I smiled and squeezed her hand.

Sally got the bill and our lunch date was over. Mr A was meeting her up at the mall nearby. I knew I had to leave if I was going to get back to Itoki early enough. Soon a black sedan pulled up in front of us and I made to hug my friend to leave but she stopped me.

“Oh don’t be such a wet blanket. Let’s go somewhere else. The days is still young. “

“Yes, and so are my kids” I replied, clutching my purse and laughing.

“Would you get into the damn car? “She said half shoving me into the back seat like it was a kidnapping. Mr A was in the driver’s seat. He looked back and smiled at me.

“Hello Mr A.” I said, waving as I got in. I silently cursed my lack resolve. I mean I could have put my foot down and gone home. I noticed there was someone else in the front seat. “The someone else” looked back said hello to me. Sally got in the back seat as well. Smiling suspiciously. I suddenly realised what it was. It was a set up and I had fallen right into it. I smiled back at my friend of 20years and gave her the “I will kill you” look she knew so well.

“Mags meet Dehinde. Dehinde this is my bff Margaret, nobody calls her that by the way. Say hello, don’t be rude”

Dehinde extended a hand and I shook it trying not to stare. Sally looked at me amused. Picking up her phone she texted me. Even though I was right there. I KNOW HOW TO PICK THEM, DON’T I? HE’S HOT ABI? her text read. ‘SHUT UP’ I texted back.

She burst out laughing and Mr A asked what the joke was about. I zoned out staring at the road. I hear someone call my name. it was Dehinde looking at me. He asked me a question. I hadn’t heard. I had been too busy daydreaming about how the rest of the evening would go. I responded to Dehinde and relaxed as I allowed myself to be chauffeured off to an unknown destination. ‘Don’t be a wet blanket Mags.’ I scolded myself. Damn, this Dehinde guy is hot!!

Namaste!