She is Gentle but Definitely Not Stupid

Chapter Seven: The Confrontation

Ogeh looked into the most amazing and beautiful eyes she had ever seen. The eyes of Akin. She wondered why she didn't look at his face properly when they were talking earlier. She realized he was really handsome but had playboy appearance. She quickly composed herself and struggled in his arms so he can release her.

Akin: Hey!!..... I am not biting you nordo I have any intention of eating you.... calm and settle down. But then, and again, the dashing prince came to the rescue of a beautiful damsel. It is becoming an habit for me to be saving you. I guess I should just apply to be your body guard. I am enjoying it, anyway.

Ogeh: Please, leave me alone. Just go. You men are the same. Go away. Deceiving and conniving. Uncaring and unloving. Unfaithful and dishonest.....

Akin: Hah.... What happened? What did I do to get all these unpleasant accolades from you? Don't you have better adjectives to qualify me? You can use handsome, caring, ...

Ogeh: Just keep quiet and leave me alone. You all are the same. Leave me alone, Mr Man!!! Just get the hell out of my sight!!!!

And she moved towards the garden, crying. He was surprised and alarmed but didn't say anything. He walked behind her in silence and when she sat on a bench there, he sat opposite her, still not talking.

She bursted into tears, crying profusely. He allowed her to cry, gave her his handkerchief to wipe her tears and sat in silence. She cried for almost fifteen minutes before she stopped. It was after she stopped crying that he got up to leave.

Ogeh: Please don't go. I don't want to be left alone. Please, stay with me and keep me company. Please?.... Oh , I am sorry...what am I saying? You can go, I do not have the power to stop you.... Please, go.....

Akin: Go where? I am not going. I can not leave you like this...in this state of mind.. I just want to go and get a bottle of water for you and tissue. Have you eaten?

Ogeh: ( then, she remembered that she hasn't really eaten since they got to the party ). No, I have not. I just realized that I am hungry, infact, I am famished. Thank you. I will just appreciate finger food.

Akin: No junk for you, but don't worry, I will get you something to eat. You are careless. Do you not know that you should take care of yourself especially in this condition? ( And slowly to himself, "Careless woman.... To think that you used bad adjectives to describe me the other time..ha..ha...ha)

Ogeh: I did not get what you said.

Akin: Nothing, I only said you should take care of yourself more.

( He chuckled)

And he left.

Ogeh:( Soliloquizing) hmmmm....see a man, so caring and understanding. His wife is so lucky. I am sure he will behave better with his wife. Ken was like that, but changed all of a sudden. I still do not know why he changed. I pray that this man will not change towards his wife. See the way he's treating me, a stranger. As if he has known me for long. If not that I am pregnant, I would have said he is flirting with me. But then, is he flirting? He is acting like a normal gentleman. Let me see how long he will keep up acting before showing his true character just like Ken. Men. Hmmm. It is well.

( And she took out her phone to browse the internet)

Akin returned with a server, who carried a big tray. He set it on the bench and went to get a table. The server bowed to Akin and left.

Ogeh: ( exclaimed) Akin!!! who do you expect to eat all these? Am I an elephant? Just because I am pregnant does not mean I should eat for 5 people..... besides, I told you finger foods... What are these? I know your plan.... You want me to be too full that I won't be able to get up, so you can mock me, right?

Akin: ( laughed) what is there? Just a little bit of everything inside. And we can share the food. But first, drink water.

( She drank water)

" Next, take the soup".

( And she did. To her surprise, it was delicious and she felt good)

" Now, eat".

And she ate and ate and just kept eating while Akin was just looking at her.

She didn't believe that she could finish all the food on the tray. She belched loudly which caused Akin to laugh heartily. She raised her head to see Akin looking and laughing at her.

Ogeh: What is it? Won't you eat? I tell you, that was satisfying and for the first time in years, I was served and I ate to my heart's content. Thank you. Come and eat.

Akin: Eat what? Did you take a look at the tray? And do not worry about being served, you can employ me to be your chef at home. ( And he laughed again)

Oge: ( She noticed she has virtually finished everything on the tray) God, did I eat all that? ( She laughed)... I'm so sorry,... I didn't know you were not eating....I was so lost in thought.... I'm very sorry.....that was so selfish of me... And talking about chef.... My husband will never agree .. I do all the chores at home including cooking, though I enjoy it, it is tiring most times especially at this stage. But what can I do? Anyway, since I have finished the food, should I get some for you? I am so sorry once again for finishing the food....

Akin: Hey, what are you apologizing for? I have taken something earlier. All these types of food are not my style. Do you need more? Hope you are okay now? I can call for more....

Oge: Yes, I am okay... thank you so much. More? You want my stomach to burst? No....no...no.... I am okay and I am so so grateful. By the way, won't you be missed inside?... I mean, you have spent about an hour outside, what about your wife? Won't she be wondering where you are? Please, go in to meet her. It is not nice to leave your woman hanging..... Nice meeting you and thank you once again.

Akin: I am okay here and for your information, there is no woman waiting for me, inside. I don't abandon my women. Do you want to go inside? I can take you so that you will not trip and fall again.

Oge: No, I will stay outside till my husband is ready to go home. And you came here with only your kids? Leaving your wife at home? Or where is she?

Akin: I understand the fact that you want to stay outside. It is a good decision.

Oge: Understand what? Which decision? What are you saying?

Akin: I saw what happened earlier with your husband. You are too gentle and naive. Not many women will take what you took. I salute your love, submission and courage.

Ogeh: Men!!! So you took pity on me, right? (She stood up) I now understand..... that's why you have been so nice to me....I actually thought you were different..... naturally nice....but no, just like all other men, you want to take advantage of a vulnerable woman.... nonsense... I know your type... For the record, I am happily married with a kid and another one on the way. Why can't men just be nice for being nice sake? Hah!!

And she angrily left Akin

Akin:(called after her) Ogeh, it's not like that at all. I'm sorry, let me explain. I am not taking advantage of your vulnerability. In fact, I admire your attitude and composure.

Ogeh did not respond but rather went to the car park and leaned on the boot of their vehicle ,crying. After a while, she cleaned up her face and went to the play house to stay with Kelly.

As she passed by the garden, she saw Akin, seated on the same bench, staring into space. She walked past him but he did not see her and went inside. She stayed there until Ken came to tell them it was time to go.

As they were going to the car park, Ogeh noticed that Akin was still in the same position on the bench. She perceived something was off with the way he was sitting pitifully, but she could not go to him because she knows her husband is very jealous.

As they got to the car and were about to open the door, Abilam, came to meet them. ( the lady that was glued to Ken's side throughout the party.)

Abilam: oh, so this is your wife..... I finally meet you today. Ken, you should introduced me to your wife.

Ken: I'm sorry. Ogeh, meet Abilam my friend and Abil, my wife Ogeh.

Ogeh:( within herself) hmmm so this is Abil.....no wonder.....okay....no problem... The truth will be known today..

If she had known where her confrontation will lead to, she would have kept quiet as usual.

Ogeh: Oh...nice to have finally met you....you look too nice to have spoken like that to me on phone the other day...

Abilam: ( shouting )Excuse me? Are you confusing me with someone else? How did I talk to you? Where did I talk to you? When did I talk to you? I wanted to speak to Ken and when you picked, I didn't say anything.... no, no, madam... don't embarrass nor lie against me. I am just meeting and talking to you today yet you are already targeting me.

Ken: What's wrong with you, Ogeh? I just introduced someone to you and you are already picking up a fight with her. Can you not just be polite? You behave like a thug and yet appear to be innocent. If you can not respond to a simple greeting, just keep quiet and get into the car.

Kelly: Dada, please don't start. We are in a public place. Auntie, please go. Do not cause issues here....

Ken: Kelly, will you keep shut? How dare you talk to her like that? If you say one more word, I will slap you so hard you will not remember your name again. You can not talk to your mother to stop her unruly behavior. She just insulted my friend, right in my presence. What rubbish?

Abilam: Oh... Mother and daughter want to beat me, right? You want to g**g up against me. Ken, you can not blame the little girl. Definitely, it was what her mother told her to do..

Kelly: That is a lie....my mama did not tell me anything about you. Do we even know you? It is clear now that you just want disturb the peace in our home.

( Ken moved forward to hit Kelly but she ran away from him and hid behind her mother.)

Akin was watching the scene from he was sitting and was already rushing forward when Ken tried to hit Kelly but Ogeh signalled to him to stop. So he went to call his children to prepare to go home.

Ogeh: Ken, listen to me .. I'm not picking up a fight with her. Do you know she called me after that day you went to her place? She told me to leave you for her, that you guys have been together since school. Will you also deny now that you didn't pick my call to Ken, when I wanted to ask for his car keys. Did you not tell me that Ken was sleeping and did not want to be disturbed? Answer me, did you not?

( Instead of answering, Abilam started crying and held unto Ken's hands )