ANIKE: EPISODES 3 - 5
(A STORY BY TOYIN TAIWO)
EPISODE 3: ANIKE
It was a sunny Saturday morning, I and my room mate were busy doing our chores. She already promised Olamilekan we’ll visit him on Saturday. Tinuke reminded me about it.
“When are we leaving for his place” I asked.
“We can leave for 2pm” she replied.
“You and who? Inside this sun! I’m not going anywhere until the sun goes down o” I said frowning.
“If we have lectures for 2pm, won’t you attend” she queried.
“Sure I will, I will attend lectures under the sun or in the rain, that is different and the good news is that I don’t have lectures today.”
“I don’t know why you are even complaining sef, you are sounding like you want to trek to the place, are we not taking cab to the place?”
“Will cab carry us from this room down to his lodge?”
“OK o, we’ll leave by 4pm then” Tinuke said.
“Carry your bed along nau, we are leaving by 5pm” I concluded.
“5pm! Don’t go at all” Tinuke hissed.
“I can decide to stay back o.”
“Anike jokes apart, you know we owe him this visit, he had visited twice fa” she said.
“You really like this guy o and I seriously pity you, because you are playing with fire.”
“You pity me? She said laughing.
“It’s not funny, I just don’t want this guy to come between you and your guy, what if he calls you when we get there, you’ll have to explain to him what you’re doing in a guy’s house?”
“Don’t worry about me, I will switch off my phone.”
“Eh! That’s even worse, see, you are on your own. We are leaving by 5pm, agreed?”
“Na yarda.”
Meaning? I asked.
“I agree” she interpreted.
“Good, that’s my girl” I smiled.
★★★★
From the look of things, I can say that Olamilekan came from a rich family, he could pass for someone who had everything he wants at his disposal. I guessed he doesn’t like an extravagant lifestyle. He lives in a room and a parlour self contained apartment that is tastefully furnished and all electronic gadgets in place. He also has a car parked in his compound, trust Tinuke, she asked him who owns the car. I like this about him, silent rich guy.
Tinuke and I are from rich families too and we maintained our cool, but I doubt if my own father can allow me have my own car, maybe when I get to final year, he can allow me.
Olamilekan welcomed us, he was happy we came by.
“Wow! You live in a palace Olamilekan” Tinuke complimented still admiring the spacious room.
“Nice apartment” I added.
“Thanks" he said.
He asked us what we wanted for refreshments. I told him I don't want anything, Tinuke eyed me and told him she's OK with any drink.
He entertained us with some nice music video collection and served Tinuke juice and assorted Biscuits. Tinuke was about to take her refreshment when her phone rang.
“Why are you staring at your phone? Pick your call nau” I said.
“It’s Sam.”
“I thought you said you’ll switch off your phone when we get here.”
“I forgot” she said and the call disconnected.
“Pick the call, if he calls back.” The phone rang again and she took the call.
“Hello dear…..
“What happened” I asked when the line went off.
“He hung up on me” she replied.
“What are you waiting for, let’s start going or you want him to call back and know you are still here.”
“That won’t solve anything Anike, he’s pissed already.”
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“We have to leave now, we’ll talk to you later” I inform him.
“No problem as long as she’s OK, let me see you off then” he said. He stopped a cab for us that took us to the hostel. He also paid the cab man.
★★★★
We got back to the hostel. I tried to calm my friend because she was worried.
“Tinuke let me talk to him, I think he will listen to me.”
“Don’t bother, trust me he won’t listen to you.”
“Let me try if I can pacify him” she said and dialed his number.
“Hello...”
“Hello I’m listening” he answered rudely.
“Please, I just want to clear the air, the guy we visited is a friend of ours and…..
“Anike can you please mind your business, this is between my girlfriend and I. I’d appreciate if you don’t meddle.”
“Excuse me!” I was shocked at his response.
“You heard me right and I think you are a bad influence on her so please stay away from her” he said and ended the call.
“I warned you, I know he wouldn’t listen, what did he say?” Tinuke asked.
“Nothing” I said with teary eyes, I doubt if I’ve ever been insulted like that all my life.
“Anike are you crying? What did he say to you, did he insult you?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s nothing and you are crying” she took her phone to call Sam but his call came in and she picked it up and put it on speaker.
“Hello what did you say to her” she barked at him.
“She didn’t tell you? Anyway I told her to stay away from you, that she’s a bad influence.”
“You told a girl that doesn’t even have a boyfriend, that she’s a bad influence? You are unbelievable! Congratulations you just succeeded in making her cry, I can take anything from you, even the jealousy but you doing this to a good friend of mine…this is the peak.”
“And whose fault was that? You left your hostel to visit a guy without even informing me.”
“You know what I’m tired of you and your monitoring spirit. I’m sick of this over protectiveness of yours, see, it’s over between us.”
“Seriously!”
“Seriously! she said and hung up on him. She broke down into tears.
“Tinuke please stop crying, you can’t end your relationship with him because of me.
“I’m through with him, I won’t forgive him for what he said to you.”
“Seriously I’m fine, you can’t break up with him because of me, try and resolve with him.”
“That is my problem not yours. I’m very sorry for putting you through this.”
“It's OK” I said with a faint smile.
“Oya go and wash your face” Tinuke said.
“You mean we should wash our faces” I corrected her.
And we both laughed.
... to be Continued.
EPISODE 4: ANIKE
(A STORY BY TOYIN TAIWO)
Olamilekan called me in the evening, but I refused to pick the call, our visit to his house led to all this problem. Tinuke picked the call instead since I refused to pick up.
I heard Tinuke telling the guy that he's free to come to our hostel anytime.
“You invited him over again?” I asked when she ended the call.
“Yes, do you have a problem with that” she said with a straight face.
“No, I just thought that’s the last person you’d want to see, after what your visit to his place caused you.”
“He has nothing to do with what happened today.”
“Tinuke! I can see you badly need a male friend, the one your boyfriend deprived you from having for a very long time now.”
“Whatever” Tinuke gestured with her hand.
Olamilekan came to the hostel on Sunday afternoon. Tinuke told him everything that happened on Saturday, I also informed him that Tinuke broke up with her boyfriend because of me. We both pleaded with Tinuke to make up with her boyfriend.
I couldn’t believe I spoke freely with him this time. He also said it himself before he left that he was so happy that I finally spoke to him freely. He really enjoyed our company and he returned back to his lodge in the evening.
One week was gone already, Tinuke and her boyfriend are still not talking, I was feeling guilty about this, I knew my friend was doing this because of me, this is not their first time of having issues but they always resolve it.
“Friendship, I think you should talk things through with your boyfriend” I adviced.
“Noted, thanks” She responded sharply.
“Tinuke, stop forming super woman, please end this fight for all it worth.”
“Ok.....I’ve heard you. If he calls next time, I’ll pick it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise” she raised her right hand up.”
“Thanks.”
I went to the salon to make my hair, I asked Tinuke to follow me but she said I should go alone that she can’t be following me everywhere so I went alone. I returned to the hostel only to meet her friend crying.
“Tinuke why are you doing this to yourself? I know you miss him but you refuse to pick his calls, he sent several messages which you ignore as well. He even sent you your monthly pocket money which means he’s not fighting you.
I picked my phone and dialed Sam's no.
“Hello please hold on for her I think she’s ready to talk now” I said and passed the Phone to Tinuke. I left the room to give them privacy, clearly I’m still pissed with the guy myself because I did not even allow him talk before I handed the phone to Tinuke.
“Hope you guys have settled” I said as I entered the room.
“Yes we have, nagode (thank you) in fact Sam could not believe you could call him to make us settle our fight. He said he’s really sorry for those hurtful words, he’ll call you himself to apologize” she said with a brightened face.
“That’s not necessary, once you guys are good, then I’m fine.”
“Haba Anike you talked me into forgiving him and you have to do the same too ‘Dan Allah' (please).
Sam called me minutes later but I refused to pick the call. Tinuke told her boyfriend to give me time to come around.
★★★★
Olamilekan and I became good friends. He asked me out but I was concerned about the difference in our level at first. 100 and 400l, he’ll be graduating soon.
But after so much pestering especially from my friend, I agreed to date him. I told Tinuke about it.
“I decided to give the relationship a trial. I told Olamilekan today that I’m in, we are now dating” I informed her.
“I’m happy for you, I really like that guy for you. He’s a nice guy you know. Team Olamilekan any day, anytime.” she screamed.
“And I guess you’ll do thanksgiving in church for this because your wish has finally been fulfilled” I said.
“Yes o, thank God it didn’t take you so long to figure it out, I’ve always known he had eyes for you, I wish you guys the best” she said and hugged me.
Exams started and two weeks later, we were through with our exams and preparing to travel home, we’ve both booked our flight tickets.
“I’m eating dinner tomorrow in my house by God’s grace unlike some people who will eat theirs in their boyfriend’s house” I teased.
“Na you sabi o, I’m spending just two days at his place.
My boyfriend’s call came through. He asked when I was going I told him the next day. He said he'll drop me off at the airport. I told him my flight is 8:45am. So he had to come very early. And he promised to come on time.
“You guys are traveling together, so it’s now association of Lagosians abi? Tinuke asked.
“No o, he just want to drop us off at the airport, he's travelling a day after tommorow. But we’ll see in Lagos.”
“Me! I don’t like that your Lagos for anything.”
“We don’t want you sef, go to that your boring Abuja.”
“At least its better than your noisy Lagos.”
“If I carry you go Banana Island you go love Lagos…o” I sang teasing her with the song.
“See you, you don’t like Pawpaw Island.”
“Thank you…..Eko State! here I come” I said throwing my hands in the air.
... to be Continued.
EPISODE 5: ANIKE
(A STORY BY: TOYIN TAIWO)
The next day Tinuke and I were already waiting for Olamilekan at the common room with our bags. He got there few minutes to 8am and joined us in the common room.
“Hope I’m on time?” he asked.
“You are right on time” I replied.
“Shall we” he said helping us with our bags.
We got to the airport, trust me good bye is the saddest words. Olamilekan watched us with amazement when Tinuke and I was shedding tears when Tinukes flight was announced. I’m sure he was wondering if the semester break has been extended from four weeks to a year. We said our good byes and she left.
I sat down quietly missing my friend already.
“Will you miss me, the way you’ll miss her?” he asked.
“She’s my friend, room mate, course mate, fellowship mate, everything. You should understand. I’ll miss you too. Remember we’ll still see in Lagos unlike he.”
“Sure, but still Anike you need to grow up, you are an undergraduate and not just that ‘Daddy’s little girl.’
“I’m a big girl.”
“Say that to yourself, anyways what are your plans for the break?” He asked.
“Plans! I don’t have any plans, I will spend most of my time at home, I’ll just visit one or two friends in the neighborhood.”
“And you won’t be bored, staying at home alone?”
“No I won’t, I’m an indoor person and I’m used to it. Mum too will be around most time… full house wife” I shrugged.
“Wow! That’s rare this days.”
My flight was announced. We hugged and he kissed me on my forehead before I left the departure.
Home sweet home, it’s so good to be home. I met my mum at home who had prepared delicacies for me. My Dad was so happy to see me when they got back from work. My two siblings were all over me. I’m much older than them. Adekemi is 14 while Okiki the baby of the house and the only male child is 11.
Tinuke had called me earlier when she got to Abuja. I returned Tinuke's call later in the evening and I spoke with Sam as well. She was happy I spoke with her boyfriend. He actually called me back and apologized.
Olamilekan’s call came in immediately, we talked briefly and he promised to Check on me once he’s in Lagos.
Olamilekan payed me a visit some days later when he arrived Lagos. He was dressed in blue jean and grey polo shirt, looking charming as usual. I led him into the house. He met my mum. I introduce him as my friend, then I rushed to my room to change. I wore a knee length Ankara gown, it was Friday.
He stayed for a while before we left for the cinema in his car. We got to the cinema, bought drinks and popcorn and watch an action thriller movie and a romantic comedy.
After seeing the movies we sat in the park discussing the movies we saw and other things. He took me back home in the evening.
Trust my friend she called me immediately I got home, I wondered if she put a tracking device on me to know I was home already.
“Monitoring Spirit! Did you put a tracking device on me? Because I just got home now” I asked playfully.
“I’m monitoring you in spirit ni, hope you had a nice time with him?”
“Yes I did.”
We talked for a while, she asked after my parent, I asked after hers before ending the call.
I started preparing for school. We are to resume the following week. I called Tinuke and we both agreed to return to school on Monday, because in my school some lecturers will go to class on that very resumption day to give lectures and trust me they’ll take attendance if not test.
Olamilekan called and want me to visit him before we resume so I could know his place. He sent his address and I went the following day.
I got to his beautiful abode, I met his younger sister and He introduced us.
I stayed for like 30mins, I already told him I had some errands to run for my mum. We left his house for a nearby eatery.
We chatted while eating, I told him I’m going back to school on Monday. He said he's traveling on Tuesday which means we can’t travel together.
We left the eatery and he drop me off at the bus stop where I took a cab. He gave me #5k for transport.
★★★★
I was so happy to see my friend. ‘Miss' is an understatement, we hugged, pecked and hugged again giggling and smiling.
“You’ve added wait o, see your cheeks” Tinuke said wheeling her box to one side of the room. I smiled at the kettle who’s calling pot black.
I came in earlier, so she met me cleaning the room. So she joined me.
After the cleaning and arranging, we took our bath. We were so exhausted from the enviromental sanitation.
“I’m tired Anike, maybe we should just eat bread this night, I’m so tired to cook and you are tired as well.”
“I brought some soup from home, I already envisaged that we’ll be tired to cook, after the cleanup. I’ll just boil rice” I said.
“Anike you are a life saver, that’s so thoughtful of you, she rushed to the pot of soup and was amazed to see meat, fish and pomo gracing the soup. “This is a good definition of ose igberaga” (week of enjoyment) she said jokingly. We slept immediately after eating.
Olamilekan came to the hostel the next day. He brought a carton of noodles with him and handed it over to me, he said it’s for Tinuke and I. We both thanked him.
I saw him off to the packing lot where he parked his car and handed over the plastic bag I carried to him. It was a gift I bought for him. He thanked me, opened his car and gave a plastic bag also. He also got me a gift too. He entered his car and I watched him zoomed out of the parking lot.
I went to my boyfriend’s lodge on a Saturday after my practical classes. Tinuke did not follow me this time.
I got to his logde and met him watching a movie.
I heard the movie is interesting, I don’t have enough time to watch the movie at his place, so I told him I’ll copy it on my flash drive before leaving.
He cooked for me and I ate to my satisfaction. When I was ready to leave I took his laptop so I could copy the movies. The laptop was passworded, I told him to come enter the password and he said the password is Anike mi. I entered my name and the system came up. I smiled and promise myself to do the same.
I copied the film alongside with the interesting ones he told me to copy. He dropped me off later at the hostel.
... to be Continued.
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Watch out for Episode 6