WHAT LIES BENEATH
Episode 24
By AMAH’S HEART.
Eziaku was gone that early morning, I checked her immediately after waking up to apologise for my outburst of anger and to let her know that such will not repeat itself.
But she was gone and so was all her luggage.
She left without saying goodbye or even knocking on my room door to let me know that she was leaving.
I sat on her bed which was properly made and everything in the room was arranged.
I sat there trying to figure out what next?
I later stood and left the guest room. I dressed up for work and left.
There was no appetite for breakfast but when Angela asked me if I will like her to get lunch in the afternoon. I was glad she asked.
I try to get busy with work and channel my mind and energy to it as the days go.
It wasn’t easy doing that without thinking of Eziaku but I had no choice than to move on.
I come home without the usual presence of Eziaku.
It was saddening but yet I have to get used to it.
I miss her so much and wish to hear her voice but is better I stay off anything concerning her so that I can be able to really move on.
She can’t be mine, Eziaku belongs to another. A guy that was good to me in the past.
That alone will discourage me if I intended having a thing for Ezi again.
She made it very clear and I will be very stupid to still want to have anything with her after knowing her stand.
First, she will never give me a chance
Secondly, is a waste of time, just like chasing a shadow.
I will get more hurt and I wouldn’t want that.
I knew I overreacted towards her, I wasn’t thinking straight.
When she rejected me, it felt like everything was against me
I was even against myself. I felt so unfortunate.
I’m growing older, I’m not a kid anymore.
I need to settle down.
Chuka’s wife is expecting baby number two.
And I’m yet to get a nice woman to settle with.
My mistake maybe wanting a village kind of girl, whom I thought was filled with innocence and good upbringing.
I was ready to give her the best of everything but got the worst disappointment of my life. Oby was neither cool headed and no iota of innocence in her.
After getting over with Oby, I should stick to my words and not ever have anything to do with another village girl
But I fell and another disappointment greeted me.
Enough lessons learnt already, is time to redirect my heart to an entire different view.
That Saturday, i closed early and drove to the airport to pick Stella.
Her flight landed exactly 4:35pm and I was at the airport by 4pm and waited untill her airplane landed.
I waited for her until she came into view.
I was waving my hand when she saw me
She left her box, ran like a deer and threw her whole body on me.
Thank God for my good balance skill and size, if not we will both go crashing on the ground.
She released me and said
“I have missed you…I miss you so much biggy…
“I miss you more sweetie… you have added extra weight. Looking all pretty and classy. Lagos looks good on you…
She laughed out loudly.
I walked past her to retrieve her boxes before leaving for the car.
“You’re equally looking good, Abuja is doing you well. Mum and Dad especially mummy want to know the woman keeping you very busy down here and when you will be introducing her to us.
“That won’t be soon because I don’t have any … Stella, your brother haven’t been lucky with women.
I replied while focusing and speeding down the express road.
“Awww, I’m sorry biggy. Without going into details I feel the sadness from your eyes and voice. You’re still one of the hottest bachelor… handsome, brilliant and doing well for yourself…
I scoffed at her
“Thanks for the flatter, you will need to work harder if you want to give me hope…”
I said smiling.
She laughed and continued talking.
“I’m done with medical school, it was the longest five years of my life. Mum and Dad are making arrangements… I’m traveling out of the country for my master degree program and PhD. I have a long list of schools I applied for the programs. Until next year before I will start getting a feedback… after then you can boldly address me as Doctor Stella.
I was grinning with the way she went on and on narrating the schools she applied and her struggle back in the university.
I adore my little sister, she reminds me of Eziaku.
Very expressive and interactive too.
Eziaku, who knows what she will be doing right now.
I really miss her but I will be alright, maybe with time.
“…I have a friend, she will be getting married next week Saturday right here in Abuja. I will like us to attend together… please biggy?
Stella said
I looked over at her before refocusing on the road.
“Your coming to Abuja, is it to visit me or to attend your friend’s wedding? I asked calmly.
“Is for the both. Is been long I saw you.. we’re only talking on video calls and phone. I wanted to come visiting…I truly miss you biggy. While preparing to come, I learnt that Katrin is based in Abuja and will be getting married. This is like using a stone to kill two birds…
She continued talking while I chirped in ones in a while and laughed more at her jokes.
Stella had grown to a full woman.
She is twenty three years. The same age with Oby.
I used ten years for her. I was around nine when my Mom whom everyone thought has closed childbearing chapter after two boys. She gave birth to Stella and I have loved her ever since then.
She calls me biggy right from when she was a little girl. I’m used to the name.
Stella is closer to me than with my elder brother in abroad.
We finally got home and she settles in.
We had a lot of catching up to do as I briefed her on the lady that used to stay in the room but left a week ago due to some misunderstanding.
Stella and I went to this her friend’s wedding.
It was glamorous and she also introduced me to Bukky another of her friend who attended the wedding and was among the bridesmaids.
Bukky is tall and beautiful with fine body shape.
She likes me from the instant she asked Stella who I was and Stella told her that I was her elder brother.
She was always looking towards my direction until it was time for the reception and she came to my seat and we went talking.
She also finished from the same university as Stella and read account.
She was free spirited and we even exchanged numbers.
Bukky may help me move on, she may turn out to be the woman for me.
Within the week she came visiting and even stayed the weekend.
the following weekend again she came
Bukky stays in Stella’s room which is the guest room.
While Stella sleeps at night, Bukky sneak into my room one night and I couldn’t resist the urge of being with her.
But I was careful enough to use protection during our intimacy.
I like her alot but she does not have the vibe and uniqueness like Eziaku has.
But she was helping me to move on and that’s a good thing.
One day, Stella talked about making her air which she will carry and travel back to Lagos and she did not want to go far.
She asked if there is a salon around or any of my friends into salon business that can do home service.
I told her that I don’t know of any.
Immediately after saying that I thought of Eziaku.
She was into hair business and should be able to either make Stella’s hair or know someone that can do that.
I decided to give her a call, this was after a whole month of not hearing anything from her.
She picked my call on the first ring, it was as if she has been expecting my calls.
“Hello, Good afternoon sir…
“Hello Eziaku…” I managed to say.
“How are you doing sir, how’s work and everything…? Hope you are eating well and not over stressing yourself…?
I can sense smile in her voice. She always had this sweet aura around her.
I felt it from my end and began grinning.
I told her that I was alright, I asked how she was doing and she assured me that she was equally fine.
I wondered why I have not been able to call her after all this while.
Many times I have thought of calling but will later have a change of mind.
Talking with her makes it seems we are cool and she holds no grudge against me.
I told her about my sister and how she wish to get a home service.
Eziaku without hesitating said she was coming over that weekend.
Deep down I was pleased, I will get to see her again despite that Bukky also said she will be coming around before traveling to her state to see her retired parents.
“Sir, can I cook for you when I come?…I can buy food stuffs and bring down please… don’t say no… please…
“Ehmmm…” Okay… that’s alright Ezi. Thanks.
I managed to say. She was very happy and thanked me for not refusing her request.
Between Eziaku and Bukky, I can’t help but looked forward to seeing one person than the other. And that’s Eziaku
Her sweet presence will warm me up.
She has a boyfriend and I haven’t forgotten that.
I have Bukky, that is kind of a soothing balm on my wounded heart.
Nevertheless, I still looked forward to seeing Eziaku.
I just hope that her coming and cooking for me will not cause any issue with Bukky.
