She is Gentle but Definitely Not Stupid

Chapter Six: The immorality of the man

Ogeh woke up early on that fateful Saturday morning with joy in her heart. She quickly did her chores and made breakfast because for the first time after many months, Ken has agreed to take her to one of his friend's birthday party. She took out the attire she wanted to wear and Kelly's own too. Then she woke them up. Ken was shaving when his phone rang and Ogeh took it to him. She didn't check the caller but just handed the phone to him. He took it and said,

" Hello.....what is it?....are you also going?......Haaaa.........you didn't tell me.......when?.....yes, she's coming.......no, I can't do that......no problem.....we will meet there. Bye"

Ogeh was waiting to collect the phone back because he was charging it in the living room and she heard his side of the conversation.

Ogeh: Who was that? Was it Mr Julius? What happened?

Ken: No... Nothing happened. Just go and charge my phone back.

Ogeh: Then who? I heard you say I'm going to the party, so it must be someone I know. Who is going?

Ken: Look here woman, don't question me. Leave me alone and stop pestering me. You know what? Don't even go with me again if you are going to be questioning my conversations with people. Leave me in peace and let me live my life. What is it? Must you know who I talk to? Do you know all my friends? Please, just go.

Ogeh: Why, my love. I only asked an harmless question. It should not get to this level. Okay I'm sorry. I won't ask again. Let me go and charge your phone back and go get Kelly ready.

She took the phone back and on impulse, she checked the call log and saw the last caller's name, Abi. She put the phone back and went to prepare Kelly.

Kelly: Mama, what's wrong? You look sad. Has dada started again? Did he scold you? Did he shout at you? Tell me now, l will go to scold him back. I don't like to see you look sad.

Ogeh: ( smiled at her) Nothing my love, I'm just tired.

Kelly: Hush, hush mama. If dada hear you, he might say we shouldn't go again. Cheer up so we won't give him opportunity to ask us not to go with him again. You know him ooo.

Ogeh: ( laughed) ha ha..... don't I know that? Let's hurry, so we can have breakfast. I won't give him the opportunity, my love. And I know you are dying to go out with your papa, right?

Kelly: Not to go out with him only, as I know it will be boring. But it gives me the thrill to go out with you both. I will cherish today for the rest of my life. How I wish this kind of day comes regularly.....

Ken overheard this part of her conversation and said,

" This kind of day can come regularly if your mama can keep shut her dirty mouth and stop asking stupid question from that stupid mouth of hers... Maybe she should just stay at home today so as not to go create problem and embarrass me there. It's going to be a big party and if not that the host asked me to bring her, I would not have asked her to go . It would have been only you, my darling daughter and I...."

Kelly: But dada, you know you are not fun to be with... So, it's better mama is going with us. Don't worry, she will not cause you any embarrassment.... I am her guardian angel... I will put her in check.... I promise..

( And they all laughed)

They had breakfast, dressed and went to the party.

On getting there, Ogeh saw some of Ken's friends' wives that she hasn't seen in awhile and she went to join them when Ken went with his friends.

The children were taken to the play house prepared for them while the parents were in the main house.

There was more than enough food and drinks. Ogeh was with the wives while Ken was having a conversation with some of his friends, when the MC announced that it was time for couples' dance.

The women moved to where their husbands were but before Ogeh got to where ken was, a lady appeared and gave him a hug from the back. He turned, smiled and started dancing with her.

Ogeh was devastated and she went back to her seat. A woman walked up to her and insisted that she should go to her husband. She walked up to him and asked the lady to excuse her, that she would like to have a dance with her husband. And Ken said,

" Which dance? ...with that big stomach? How will I hold you? Please, go sit and rest."

And he turned back to the lady.

Ogeh went back to her seat and smiled at every one that greeted her. Then she stood, to visit the ladies. That was when Ken came and threw his jacket at her, saying she should hold unto it for him. In annoyance, she dropped the jacket on the table and left.

When she came out, she decided to go for a stroll in the park, then she went to check on her daughter, Kelly. But as she about to enter the play house area, she tripped and she found herself in the arms of a man.

Man: My, my, my.......a Cinderella fell into my arms....

Ogeh: I'm so sorry....I was deep in thought and wasn't looking at the floor. Thank you so much for saving me. If not for you, that fall would have been catastrophic.

Man: It's okay madam. Just be careful. Landing on your stomach in this your condition will not be good at all. Anyway, it's a pleasure to save a beautiful damsel like you. I'm Akin Johnson.......( He extended his hand in greeting)

Ogeh: I'm Mrs Ogeh Safure. Thanks once again, I'm really grateful

Akin: Don't mention. So, are you friends with Julius?..... Stupid me......of course, you would be..... since you are here at his party

Ogeh: ( she smiled ) Actually, Julius and my husband went to the same University and we became family friends when we got married. So, you can say we are friends in a way. And how did you know Julius?

Akin: I'm......hmmmm.... I'm his colleague, so to say...in a way..

Ogeh: Men!!!....you don't always answer a straight question.... especially when you have something to hide

Akin: ( he laughed)....hide? Me? What do I need to hide? I was just thinking of the word to use. We work together but I wanted to impress you with big word. So I stammered...

Ogeh: ( she laughed too).. impress me? Which big word? Colleague? You are a funny man. Excuse me, I want to check on my daughter inside.

Akin: Okay.

And she went in.

Kelly was greatly having fun with her new friends and when Oge asked her to step out with her for some time, she refused. So, she left her inside and went outside.

As she stepped out, she noticed that Akin was on call with his back to her. She stood and really looked at him. She noticed how neat and handsome he looked. She saw a gold wristlet on his hand and concluded that he must be really rich. "Good for him and his wife. He is just nice and friendly. Definitely he can't be into me and if he is, I have to tell him to back off. His wife must be wondering where he is. That reminds me, Ken must be looking for me by now", she soliloquize. She was about turning to go into the main party arena when Akin turned towards her and smiled.

Akin: Hey, guess your daughter didn't want to be disturbed..

Ogeh: Hm, you can say that again. She is having fun with her friends and see me as a distraction, so had to leave. And what are you doing outside here? Won't you be missed in the party?

Akin: I came to check on my boys but they sent me outside.( He laughed). Obviously, they are having so much fun that they don't need me. So I decided to enjoy the fresh air outside.

Oge: Children....once they are together like that, they don't want interruptions from adults. Anyway, it's nice meeting you. I'm going in now...my husband might be looking for me...

Akin: My pleasure, Cinderella. Can I have your digits?

Ogeh: Digits?

Akin: cellphone number.... which century do you live in? ( And he laughed at her)

Ogeh: that's your problem...and no, can't give you. I am happily married and lack nothing. Thank you

Akin: Do you think I am hitting on you? I am just asking... Just as a friend. Will I ask you out when it is clear you have a family? I just like your personality and want to be your friend..

Ogeh: That is one thing about you men. Can one give you an inch without you taking extra mile? Men!!! Full of deceit and immorality...

Akin: What happened? I was just playing... Why so serious?

Ogeh: Just go your way. Can a man just be friends with a woman? To think I am beginning to think that you are different....

And she walked away

Akin: (Shouted after her)... I only want to be a friend... nothing more. Madam, I am not like other men. I respect women a lot...

Ogeh continued walking and went inside the house. She looked for her husband and saw him drinking with the lady. She went to him and he said,

" Thought you had gone home. Anyway, go and sit I'm coming. You can see I am busy"

She turned back with tears in her eyes and virtually ran outside, straight into a familiar chest with hands steadying her. She then looked up at the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.