MORENIKEJI Episode 25 – 26 by Amah’s Heart

MORENIKEJI Episode 25 by Amah’s Heart

“I enjoyed every bit of it while it lasted…it was sweet that I wanted more and selfishly refused to let go of you. Every moment with you was memorable. i don’t know if you truly enjoyed anything but as for me, I had the best time. I’m glad you took this ride with me Phil…it was a long sweetest period I have ever experienced. But….here is the ring. I’m returning back to you because I don’t deserve it. I’m sorry for what I made you do or whatever I put you through. You probably hate me because of that. Like I said earlier I had the best moment with you… everyday, every hour and every second with you in it counts for me. I’m sorry for all the wrongs I did. Please forgive me for taking you for granted… you probably sees it that way but in my right senses…I never take anything about you for granted. I adore and respected you Phil. I made mistakes that I wasn’t supposed to make. You tolerated my excessive baggages and never judged or throw shades at me with my horrible past life. I can truly say you have loved me enough and the last hit was difficult for you to handle. I’m only human and I fall every now and then… I’m sorry for every emotional trauma you probably have to go through because of me…

I wiped a tear, cleared my voice and continued staring at the mirror trying to muster courage on how to face Phil and tell him everything I just said.
I tried to put my words in order so that I won’t make any mistake but my emotions always get the best of me.
I took pen and paper, wrote down everything I had wanted to say to his face.
I poured it all out in my letter to him.
I got an envelope and put the letter. I removed my engagement ring which I was very used to already.
I added it into the envelope before sealing it up.
I took a long cold bath. There was no appetit for food so I skipped it.
I wore my Luiston pants trouser with a purple camisol and lilac blazer. Wore a moderated heeled shoe, applied my normal makeup and my perfume oil, lunched my sun shade from my numerous collection.

I know Phil may probably be in the office by then.
Going to the house to wait for him may raise a dust or unwanted sympathy. I’m trying to avoid people like Ijeoma from taking their long awaited glory from my misfortune.

I was fully ready to let go and move on as usual and I don’t want anything that will discourage me from doing that. I want to hand the letter over to him and not to another person.
I don’t know if I can face him neither do I want my emotions to get the best of me again.
I have practiced with my standing mirror for days now and knew is now or never.
I picked up my hand bag and left.

When I got to his office, his personal secretary told me he was in a meeting.
I met two other people with one foreigner waiting for their turn.
I guess they will have to go in before me.

I sat at the reception very close to the secretary desk where I will get to see Phil’s office door very clearly
As I was waiting, I began to get emotional and scared.
I lost the courage that I once had from the house.
I wasn’t sure that I can face Phil.
I was still thinking of what to do when the door to his office opened and he came out laughing and talking with one black man in a grey suit with strange accent.
He was with a fine classic looking lady.
They exchange a hand shake, I noticed the lady was looking at him with smile plastered on her face but Phil was focused on the man speaking to him.

He suddenly noticed me from where I sat and quickly looked in my direction.
I bent my head, thank God for the shade.
After sometime, the man with his female partner left. I looked up and Phil was standing close to his office, staring at me.
Oh my God, he recognized me. I removed the shade and looked up at him
Our eyes met and glued for some seconds.

He looked at my ring finger which no longer holds the engagement ring. He frowned and I looked away.
My legs began to shake and despite the air conditioned office I was sweating.
He went back to his office and the intercom on the secretary desk rang.
She picked and I can only hear her saying “yes sir… okay sir.

She walked up to me and said with a smile that the boss will like to see me.
I couldn’t go, I can’t face Phil. I gave the letter to her and asked her to go straight to his office and give it to him.

She was insisting that her boss wanted to see me face to face but I told her I was running late for another appointment and need to go.
Phil maybe watching from his office monitoring camera. I saw where the CCTV was mounted.

I quickly left, took the elevator down and as I got out i was lucky to see a cab that took me home.

When I got home, I removed the shoes, jacket and pant trouser. I fell face down on my bed breathing hard and playing the whole scene in my head.
I sat up and hugged my pillow very close.

“… I’m sorry God, I can’t do this. Is far too difficult than I thought. You maybe disappointed in me, that’s okay because I’m equally disappointed in myself. I don’t know why Phil loves you this much and refused to bend to the general law on intimacy. He holds everything about you sacred and had fear for you. That’s weird for a man like him, who was born with silver spoon and swims in wealth. This kind of strong belief is mainly for the poor and low class. Home training and God fearing is majorly practice by the middle class, only few rich and powerful acknowledge you. They have money which is like an answered prayer for some of us on the low scale. Phil chose you and I’m glad he did anyway. Help my walk with you from this day forward…I want to discover and know you more. Search through my heart and remove anything that displeases you. Please permit me God…I have only one thing to do before my total new leaf. I need to see Luke one more time. After then… I will be fully ready to walk with you in total submission.

I sat for a long time fuming in anger and allowing the tears run down.
I can cry all I want after all I’m alone and nobody will know what I’m passing through.

Still wondered why I can’t have what I truly wanted. I knew how how much I tried to make sure Philip remains mine.
I guards our relationship jealously and did all I could to be good for him except in the part of getting intimate.
I thought along the line he will loosen up and bend but after five months, six months passed, I became uncomfortable.
I tried to seduce him, talk him into doing it but he finds a way to turn me down with the excuse of he wasn’t ready to displease God and please his flesh.
It was hard for somebody like me who has deeply drank from that cup and gotten used to it.
I still tried to endure and remain patient like Phil wanted but it becomes weighty. Anytime he was close all I think of is him making Love to me. Anytime he touches or kssed me my body yawns for more. I tried to control the urge even after meeting Luke and got entangled r©mantically. Luke was good with his fingers, I melt under his t©uch. His touch, ksses and caressed got me drooling. I wished it was Phil. But I needed to summon courage and stop myself before I regret it and Phil may never forgive me. it was truly unfair to do that to him.
For three days that Lukemon came around. All we did was almost the same thing and never crossed over to the other side. Luke wanted to, I even wanted it more but the fear and respect for Phil kept me bound.
I know I did stuffs with Luke that I have not yet been able to do with Phil, it could have led to sex but i stopped myself.

After Phil found out what I did, he was madly angry. I was able to stop him from leaving that night and almost thought he will finally make love to me.
We have kissed, and little caressed. He held my fake injured side and I totally forgot that I was supposed to be in pain.
I was enjoying his touch, his closeness and warm but he suddenly pause while still holding onto me and panting.

“Do you really want to do this? If you don’t feel right with it please don’t do it…but I… really need you Phil… please touch me a little more, maybe let it be just romance for few more minutes… I enjoys it when you touch me. Will you want that…?

I begged quietly while looking at his eyes.
He sighed and said.
“I don’t know what I want at this moment. I can’t Keji, I will retire to the other room and spend the night there. I can’t do this…if I touch you again I won’t be able to overcome… resist you. Keji, You just messed up my head today. You are not truly feeling any pain… are you? I grabbed your side, the exact spot that you injured and you didn’t seem to wince in pain like earlier. Did you act all of that just to keep me here… And have me where you want… Keji… did you..?

I was speechless at first but later said.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t watch you go…I…I.. needed you to understand me and the reason I got involved with Luke. And it was because of how much I loved you made me not to have sex… with him. Phil, let it all go already, how many sins do you want to hold down my head now? I’m sorry…

He released me from his arms and quietly rose from the bed. He checked the time and it was 1am.
“I can’t still believe this was all your plot to keep me down after trying to guilt trap me. You almost made me fall out of my principles and into your trap as prey. Jesus Christ…! Keji…I believed you totally and thought you were truly in pain. Keji, you are just unbelievable…

He picked his stuffs and went to the next room.
At that moment, I was tired of running after him, tired of explaining myself, tired of saying that I was sorry. I was just tired of everything and have to resigned to my fate.
If he wants to go, he should go.
I know I have been mostly the only one messing up in this relationship and Philip has always overlooked my faults.
He was also tired of my mess. I’m full of mess and he doesn’t deserve somebody like me in his life. Phil is too principled, strict, smart and intelligent. Despite all of this he remains God fearing and caring.

We have attended church together, even though I was absent minded during the sermon, in the begining though but I began to focus whenever I look at Phil paying full attention.
I have seen him pray quietly, I have seen his journal and the verses and other things he wrote in there.
I have watched him try to talk to me about God but I always tell him that I know God enough.
He is obviously running his race and I’m equally running mine. We can’t be on the same lane because even the Bible said the race is not for the swift but is God who shows mercy.

I’m not good enough for him, he has probably realized it now.
.
Ever since he left that early morning before 6am, he haven’t visited.
He haven’t even called or respond to my messages well.
He will reply few words to my long message. Words like “Okay or “I’m busy” or I can’t talk now.

I have taken this long days to know exactly what I wanted to do.
Is not always about me or my selfishness.
Is to let Philip be the man he wants to be.

He was tired of me and my excesses. Who wouldn’t be? I’m also tired of myself too.

I’m not even fighting anymore, I just want to move on and resign to God and fate.
Whatever comes after won’t surprised me because I have seen enough in my lifetime.

Few days, i got ready. I applied little make up on my bare face, wore one of my crazy Jean with a blue polo shirt and a sneaker.
I took the already packed bag containing some of the items meant for Luke.

I really need to pay Lukemon a visit, my whole body yawn to see him maybe for this last time.

I took a cab and went straight to his store. Lucky enough he was around.

He looked up from his glass office and saw me approaching.
He started grinning
I walked in and went straight to him and gave him a heavy resounding slap.

He fell back into his chair with shock written all over him.

“Ke…ji.. what is the meaning of this?

I dumped the bag on his table, right in front of him and said.

“It means congratulations for your foolish and wicked act. congratulations Luke, your wide mouth had finally ruined me…

“I don’t understand what you are talking about Keji…?

He said confused.

“Well, I and Phil are no longer together, we have finally went our separate ways. Engagement broken off because of your careless and unsolicited words. You are a wicked man Luke and God will judge you for every pain you put me through. Remember the reason I broke up with you was due to your uncontrollable purging mouth. You accused me of stealing your jewelries and I told you the truth that I didn’t. You chose not to believe rather used this same mouth of yours to call me different demeaning names. You insulted my every existence and left me. When you later caught the culprit who happens to be your sales girl you came to apologise and wanted me to accept you back but how could I take back a man who did not only accused me wrongly for stealing but also abused me emotionally with his insults. I refused and moved on with my life only for you to resurface when my life was transformed for good, I was happy with the man I love who loved me too, Luke you stepped in and ruined it all. God will judge you that’s all I got to say. In this bag contains all the jewelries that Phil bought for me that day we came shopping and I added some others I had before… take them and give me money. I don’t need this luxury and I only talked Phil into coming here because I wanted you to leave me alone and not spoil the beautiful thing I have going for me. But you destroyed it again…no problem. All this jewelries are worth a million plus. Just give me 900k instead let me get out of here.

He opened the bag and looked into it, stare for some seconds before setting it aside.

“Listen Keji, I never meant for any of what happened to happen. I was kinda angry with you that day… your man obviously wanted to spend more but you kept stopping him. He could have gotten stuffs worth a million plus but you wouldn’t let him. at least for the ones that was bought which is about 800 plus I still smile. You are bringing up the past Keji, I thought you had forgiven? You said you have forgiven and the reason we can’t be together again is because you no longer feel the vibe in the relationship. I’m sorry for my past wrongs…I was only angry and due to the way you have been asking for those particular jewelries that’s worth a fortune and I refused giving it out I thought you were the one that took them. I felt very bad and I’m really sorry for accusing you wrongly and saying stuffs that hurt your feeling. Please, let it all go. I still love you Keji and…

I shunned him and asked of the money for the jewelry so that I can move.

“…I can’t give you 900k for this jewelries. That’s outrageous. That’s not how this business is done. I will take them for 400k without further bargain…

I was mad at the ridiculous price that he called but he wasn’t going to go up. He remains adamant even after I told him to bring 700k.
As I was zipping up the bag to leave he decided to add 50 to the price to make it 450k.

“I won’t even sell at 600k. Keep your money…I will take the jewelry to another store.

I left and did not pay attention to what he was saying.
I went to another big jewelry store but the manager wasn’t on seat.
I decided to go home.

I took days and weeks to tour round and saw a better shop in a nice location. I paid immediately and asked them to commence work on it. The painting, carpentry work, the decorations and everything necessary that needed to make the shop outstanding I did.
I contacted different people to resume working on it.

I planned to travel to see my Mum and by the time I return i want every thing to be set.
The workers assured me that they will give me a great job.
I was around for few more days, monitoring the progress of the work.
I had a caretaker who will foresee things in my absence.
As I was packing my bag to travel the following day. Luke started calling, I refused to pick.
He later sent a message that he was offering 500k if I haven’t sold the jewelries yet. He will transfer the money straight to my account if I agree to the price.
I replied him that I wasn’t going to sell for 600k
But on a second thought, I needed all the money I can gather for my business.
I asked him to transfer 600k after which he will drive down to come and get the jewelries because I won’t waste another transportation coming down to his store.

He later drove down and when i opened the door for him, he quickly said to me that he saw Phil outside the gate.
He said Phil came with a sport car and was on phone when he walked past him and entered.
I ran outside to check but I didn’t see anyone.
Luke described the sport car and he was right. It fit into the description.
Phil probably saw Luke and quickly drove away. Why did I even run out to check for him? He can believe whatever he want to. I have resigned to pursue my dream and forget everything about him.
I’m really tired of men and their different problem.
Luke transferred five hundred and ninety thousand Naira into my account. It wasn’t even upto 600k we initially agreed but I accepted it and told him that he still owes me 10k.

I gave him the jewelries. He checked them one after the other.
He tries to talk to me about love but I opened the door and asked him to run ahead with his deceptive mouth.

I need to get back my life and self esteem again. I didn’t tell any of my friends what happened or any latest update from me.
They still thought that I and Phil were still an item, planning wedding.
I removed my sim card and put a new one.
I have the numbers of the workers renovating my shop and few other people’s number that is necessary.

I traveled very early the following morning.

MORENIKEJI Episode 26 by Amah’s Heart

I sat with my Mum that afternoon, after consuming a full bow of Amala with gbegiri and assorted meat, specially prepared by my younger brother’s wife.
Segun’s down to earth beloved wife was pregnant and still tries to do some of the house chores even in her condition.
I was happy that my brother saw a quality wife material in Adetutu.

Maami smiled as she looked at me. She turned to me and said.

“S’alafia ni?…omo mi daadaa? ( How are you my good daughter)

I told her that I was alright even though I tried to cover up my worries.

“Oju re k’ore lowo… (You don’t look happy)… you try to hide it but is right there in your eyes, staring back at me. Se ko si? (Is there a problem?)

“Kosi wahala maami” (there’s no problem Mum)

There was silent as she pause staring at nothing. She obviously has questions that she want to ask. I was only waiting for her to do so.
And then she asked the heavy questions I dreaded most.

“Nje o ti e ni Okunrin kankan l’ore? ( Is there any man in your life?)

I was silent, while still thinking of my answers, she asked another.

“…Omokunrin yibo to Soro re fun mi lojosi nkan? ( There’s one Igbo man you told me about)
“….Philip… that is his name right? I have spoken with him several through your phone… he is a fine young man. How is he…?

I didn’t respond. I remained silent as I thought of Phil.
“…Nibo lo wa? (What happened to him)
She asked concerned.

“Maami! Ijakule lat’odo awon Okunrin ti to geee! (Mum, men have disappointed me enough)
…Nkan o senu’re laarin emi ati omo yibo yen jare! (Things didn’t work out with the Igbo man)

I breathed deeply. My mum’s head remains bent. I continued

“…Mi o ti e mo boya emi gan ni nkan n se! (I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me)
“….Nigba ki igba to nkan rere ba to nbo loju ona mi,nkan buburu kan a saa sele saa ni! (Whenever good thing is coming my way something bad will happen)

My Mum gasped out and said.
“Ma yo Ara re lenu…(don’t stress yourself)
“….Ojo Ori re nko o,lomi’nu.(I know you are looking at your age)
….”Sugbon, Olorun yoo mu Oko tire wa ni asiko to ye” (God will bring the right man at the right time)
…Se o saa n gbadura? (Hope you are praying)

“Beeni maami” (yes Mum) I replied

My Mum tries to cheer me up by changing the topic.

“Iyawo aburo re ti wa ninu oyun o! (Your younger brother’s wife is heavily pregnant)
…Nje o tie rii rara (have you seen her?)…and her amazing strength. I have told her severally to take rest sometimes but she said the pregnancy is making her super active.. hahahaha.

I smiled as I watch my Mum talking and laughing. She looked forward to meeting her first grandchild and couldn’t hide her excitement.
She looked at me and said with a fat grin.

“Morenikeji, Olorun yoo se eyi to Dara lasiko to Dara….
“…O seun fun awon Owo ti o fi n ranse si wa…
“…Olorun mi yoo si maa bukun fun o,bi o se n fi wa s’okan ni gbogbo igba. (Morenikeji, God will do it in his own time.
Thank you for all the money you have been sending to us.
My God will continue to bless you for having us in mind always.)

“Amin maami” (Amen Mum)

Two days before I travel back to Abuja, I sat outside alone enjoying the uninterrupted fresh breeze not the usual air condition that I was used to.
Segun came out to Join me, we talk about random things.
Same thing the following day.
Before we retire that night, I sat alone outside with Segun, my brother who was lamenting of how his business was doing poorly.
I told him not to worry, if not that I was setting up a big shop that will consume alot of money from my pocket, I could have sent some cash to add to his business. But he shouldn’t worry I will make means to send something for him and his wife, Adetutu who has won the heart of both maami and I with her fine behavior.
Segun was grateful as he thanked me so dearly.
He even went inside to tell his wife and she came to thank me too.
After they went inside maami came out and also said her own thanks.

We began talking as she advised me not to allow anything to stress me. Especially in the aspect of men.

“Maami, E wo Segun,aburo mi,o ti gbe’yawo sile (look at Segun, my younger brother is married)
“….Ko da! Iyawo re ti loyun! (His wife is even pregnant)
“… I’m truly happy for them and they will always be in my prayers. I never thought I will still be single at this age… never.
“….Nigba kan ni mo maa n beru nitori Ojo Ori mi, sugbon bayi,ko ni itumo si mi mo! (I used to be afraid and worry due to age but not again)
“…Mo Fe gba oju mo Olorun mi ati iwe mi (I want to focus on God and business for now)
“…O ti su mi o maami!(I’m tired of everything mum)
“…Boya Olorun ni eto Miran fun mi (maybe God has a different plan)
“….hmmm! Maami…Mo ti jowo gbogbo re sile,fun Oluwa,ko fi mi Dara to wuu! (I have resigned to God to do with me as he pleases)

I was letting it all out. I’m glad that my Mum listened without interrupting untill I was done ranting.

“Beeni Morenikeji,Olorun yoo se eyi to Dara lasiko to Dara. (Yes Morenikeji, God will do it in his own time)

“Amin (Amen)…Ayun re n Yun mi maami (I have missed you Mum)
“…your advice and prayers… I’m very happy that I finally traveled down. I didn’t want to come home as single…I wanted to come with a man asking for my hand in marriage…I was going to bring him to you. I dreaded coming alone but as I have not been lucky with men, I had to come and see you…is really been a while and I will be traveling back tomorrow. I enjoyed my stay and will try and come more often by God’s grace to see you…

Maami laughed and talked about how much she also missed me and have looked forward to having me around. She thanked me all over for always having her and my brother in mind.
She prayed and encouraged me to remain focus in God because only him can do that which no man can.

I traveled back to Abuja the following day and resumed back to business in full.
For almost three weeks that I was gone, I received no phone call in my new line
I was only calling the workers, working on my shop to know how far they have gone with the job.
I inserted back my old line. I had lots of messages and only two from Phil. “Hey” was the first. “Hi, your number isn’t going through. Hope you are fine? This was the second message and only message I got from him.

I didn’t bother replying.

My shop was fully set by the time I returned.
It looks outstanding, very beautiful Job they did.
I got different contacts of suppliers. I needed to purchase every goods in whole sale, Large quantity and I did exactly that.
I employed two shop attendants girls, Juliet and Halima they have both finished secondary school and was working to raise money to further their education.
I employed three cooks, a man and two women. i met them during my caterer days.
I wanted them to be running shift. Which will enable them have time for their own stuffs
I told them I can’t offer them much due to I was just starting business but as the business grow they won’t be left out.
One of them, a female left. She was neither okay with the salary I was offering nor with my kind explanation.

It was fine because I get to cut down cost as I maintained the remaining people who chose to stay.

I was too focused on my business and did not have time for any other thing.

“M’j Eatery” became my approved business name. It was located by the road side that links to two estates before mine.
There was a big sign post outside my shop with a hydro bulb, it shown brightly at night. Attracting customers driving home from work.

I leave house very early in the morning and return late at night.
I sent some money to Segun and also to my Mum.
I didn’t have much left on me but I was able to pay the first and second month salary to my dedicated staffs.
Sylvester is a French guy and a great chef. Mrs Ngozi Ogbonna is both into local dish and continental. She was a great baker too.
Both Sylvester and Mrs Ngozi are jovial, loving soul.
Halima and Juliet are another hardworking girls.
They were all heaven sent to me and we play and work like family.
The first two months we didn’t generate much. There was no serious cash turn up but I remained focus and continued with a strong faith.
I work both on weekends. I attended a church close to my shop and goes to shop after church.
During the week, i leave house early to get some work done before they resume in the morning.
I make sure I open each day with prayer and also close with prayer.
I remained hopeful.
I started meeting different people who became great customer.
Danjuma, the hausa business man who usually visit. He always ordered for pastries and soft drinks and also a takeaway.
I met Ezenkwe who asked to be address as Eze.
He was very igbotic, funny, jovial and friendly. He always tip my staffs whenever he comes.
They even look forward to having him. He enjoys oha soup and white soup well prepared by Mrs Ngozi. They happened to come from the same Abia state.

He introduced several of his friends too.
Eze liked me and did not hide it or delay in telling me of his intentions.
Danjuma too, he was not straight forward like Eze but I knew where he was going with all his kind gestures.
I met Lekan and Ade too. They work in the nearest constructing company close to my shop.
Ade started showing interest with time.

Among all the men, I liked Eze. He was really nice and so friendly aside the local part of him.
He has an aura that announces his presence immediately he stepped into a place.
People easily likes him, like I did but I didn’t want another Igbo man issues. Phil’s own trouble was enough for me which made me to start considering Ade but he lack some qualities I wanted in a man.
I try not to encourage any of the men. I even told them that I was hooked and can’t date them.
But I looked forward to having Eze around. He loves speaking in his dialect local dialect both with Mrs Ngozi who also wanted me to give him a chance and with me who doesn’t understand his dialect.
Eze will say to me.
“Nne, ima ka. (You are beautiful my lady) give me a chance and I will take care of you…ego abughi problem (money is not a problem)
He speaks with pride and his smile was contagious that I will have to laugh out.

I was not going to rush into another relationship because of age or obvious factors on time.
I’m regaining back my confidence. Focusing totally and deeply on God. Also my business comes second after God.

I remained jovial and nice with all my admirers and customers just to have them coming and also introducing others to M’j Eatery.
Danjuma supplied bag of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage and other food stuffs to me without collecting a dime.

He was a young fine man in his early thirties. He was married before but his wife left him for another man and he was looking for a good woman to marry.

Eze was into motor parts and has five shops with over twenty workers on salary.
He drives a small car, one won’t know that he was rich due to his way of life. He tips all the staffs with 2k each and drops a larger amount upto 5k for me most times.

I knew Lekan first before Ade. Ade is a master degree holder and obviously collects fat salary from his company but he looks like a womanizer who loves clubbing but aside that he was super nice.
I have others too but I was close to this ones.
As the business began to boom gradually, I added something more to the staffs salary and they were happy.
They have been there for me and very hardworking too. I can’t be the only one growing, they will have to also grow along.
With time I will employ more staffs, and that time is soon because M’j eatery was growing by the day.

A Lady stopped by one evening and asked for a club sandwich. It was quickly prepared for her by Sylvester my French cook.
She came twice that week, asking for either sandwich, burger, hot dog or other things in the menu.
I got used to her coming around and we got acquainted.
Her name was Kachi, she wore an engagement ring, very beautiful lady with an American accent. She drives a Prado Jeep. She loves the chicken burger more.

She told us she will be coming by weekend and will bring someone special along.
I believe that will be her fiancee. Kachi said her traditional wedding will be coming up soon. She will send the wedding card when next she was coming.
That Sunday, i was setting out money that I will send to bank by Monday when Halima came into my office to inform me that one customer was asking of me.
After describing her, I knew it was Kachi.

I suspended what I was doing and left to greet her, I will also get to meet her man.
There were other customers having one thing or the other on their different tables.
I waved at most of them happily as I walked past.

I saw Kachi sitting with a man. The man looked around the shop with brightened face before returning his look to his phone.
Kachi removed an invisible dirt from his fresh face.
She said something to him, he looked up at her, smiled.
He looked at the big plasma television showing CNN news, another plasma TV was showing “Eat it hot” a food program that many master chef comes to showcase their talent.

I paused when I saw the man. “Philip”
I couldn’t go front or back. Phil was actually Kachi’s husband to be.

Kachi saw me standing and began to wave. Phil looked up from his phone and quickly returned his look back to the phone. He didn’t recognize me at first.

But suddenly, he looked up again, this time putting aside his phone and sitting up properly.

I swallowed heard, summoned courage and went over to their table.
I thought I had overcome the feeling I had for Phil, seeing him again makes me want to run, hide and then cry my eyes out.

“Hi….
Phil was the first to greet. He was looking at me like he just saw a ghost.

“Hi..” I replied. Trying to avoid looking at him. I don’t want to loose a customer like Kachi. Phil has moved on and has even engaged another beautiful Igbo Lady who is obviously not based in Nigeria.
Kachi loves him and did not hide it even in public.

I had this sad feeling that tightened up my belle.
“Do you know each other before now…?

Kachi asked as she looked from her husband to be and back to me.

“Yeah…yes Kachi.This is Keji…

She appeared surprised.

“Keji… wait a minute, Keji..he Lady that you wer…

Phil interrupted her by asking me

“How are you? Hmmm…do you work here now?

I smiled. Looked at Kachi who was speechless and was just staring from her fiancee to me.

“Yea..yes Phil. I also own here now.

He looked at me shocked. Phil began looking around the place again.

“Oh my God… Keji. Are you serious? Is it true…? This place is yours? My goodness. This place is…is spacious and beautiful…

“Yea…I know, it is. All thanks to you…

I said with a smile.
He gasped out and I can see a thousand and one question in his eyes.

“… can I take your orders please…

I said returning my focus to the main business and not letting my emotions lead the way.
Kachi cleared her throat loudly, interrupting Philip who never stopped staring at me.

“Before you take our orders, wait a second. I actually knew that I have seen you before…but I couldn’t place it. I have seen several of your pictures, both the one my brother sent to me when you were both together and the ones in his gallery. Here is my big and only brother… Keji. I don’t joke with him…

She looked up at Phil smiling.
He retuned back the smile.

“Your… your brother…? Ohh.. okay.

That was all I could say.
Philip confirmed it

“Keji, I’m glad you have met Kachi…our baby of the house. She came back early last month for her upcoming wedding. Keji… everyone miss you back home. I…I can’t believe you actually owns this big place. I’m so proud of you…?

I smiled deeply and told him thank you.

Just then Eze came in. He saw me and had this fat grin on his face.
Before he walked past he stopped at where I was and said.

“Nne kedu…(my lady how are you) hope you have my usual dericious ofe nsala… hahahaha….

Eze is very igbotic but he doesn’t care. Instead of delicious, he will always say dericious. I was very used to him and his way of life.

I smile and nodded. He laughed and said while walking to a table

“That’s good…Morunukaji..Kaji Kaji…nwaoma osiso…. hehehe..

I always have reason to laugh whenever Eze comes around. His sense of humour is top notch.
I signalled to Juliet to serve Eze his order, she gladly went to him.
I looked back at Phil and he was still staring at me.
I blushed and looked away.

Why does it feel like we’re just meeting for the very first time.
That was the way he makes it seem.

Kachi told me what she will be taking. Phil wanted only water
I nooded with smile before walking away.

I felt the hair behind my head stood.
I almost looked back because I was certain that Phil was watching me as I walked away and that makes me add more style to my steps.

Gonna those days I used to miss my steps because of him.

Now, I move with confidence of a boss lady

MORENIKEJI
#OpraDre

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