Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Love to faults is always blind, always is to joy inclined. Lawless, winged, and unconfined, and breaks all chains from every mind.

William Shakespeare

I was in a very tight place; I can’t move forward neither can I go backward. Life kept evolving around me but I was stagnant. Is this what it felt like to be dead hopeless? Gbenga asked for the impossible. I couldn’t give him and I couldn’t have another relationship that would jeopardize someone’s life. Sentencing an innocent man to his death would be too much for my conscience to bear. From the rumours I heard about Gbenga’s escapade, he wasn’t bluffing when he said, “don’t get someone killed”.

I had become a shadow of myself, no longer smiled the way I used to and I kept my distance as much as possible. Some people were beginning to have various misconceits about my sudden change of attitude, from drugs to lesbianism and other conspiracy theory they could come up with to explain my sudden aloofness. At some point, I thought about getting back together with Gbenga, but there was no love left in me for him only fear and more fear.

My schedule had become monotonous, hostel, class, and hostel. I was sitting on my reading chair staring at a page for about 30 minutes, the words turning blur and sharp when I blinked then blur again. A hand suddenly appeared before my eyes and shut the book. “What is your problem?” Sholape asked. “You were not sentence to prison, stop acting like a prisoner”. “Tell her o” I heard Rahamat say though I didn’t know when she came in. “It feels like it” I said raising my head to look at them. Sholape shook her head gently obviously feeling sorry for me. “You are taking things too far. Gbenga is out there enjoying himself with who knows. He didn’t say you can’t spend quality time with your girls. Now put on a nice dress I’m taking you out for a treat”. Sholape said in a motherly manner that indicated no wouldn’t be taking for an answer. “Are you coming with us” She asked Rahamat. “Hmmm I actually have some things to take care of, I’m sorry” Rahamat replied looking at me regretfully. “Try to make yourself useful by cooking something for us then” Sholape told Rahamat in a tone madam would use for her house help. Rahamat scowled. “You see that your lace material mouth ehn, I will find something to do with it very soon perhaps cut and sew it for life” she said jokingly.

We went to an eatery outside the campus. Sholape ordered fried rice and chicken for me but I told her I didn’t feel like eating food. Of course she didn’t agree, after much convincing she allowed me to order snacks and drink and requested for same.

Sholape started going on and on about some ridiculous dates she had in the past with men. I wasn’t particularly paying attention to her rattling, except to chip in one word comments like yes, sure, seriously, at intervals out of courtesy. But there was one of her experience that got my attention. “Na so this guy ask me out o, I think say na better person” Sholape code-switch to pidgin English making her sound more relatable. “We got to the eatery and guy man ordered for food. Why can’t men come up with a different venue to ask a lady out apart from eatery? Are we always hungry? I still dey research how food take relate with love talk but I managed to eat the food sha, make the thing no go waste” she said laughing and I also cracked a smile. “Then he started to talk about how pious he had been, how he prayed to God to grant him someone as pious as him for a wife. And I just sat there nodding my head like pastor preach on. When he wanted to scatter matter he asked me if I was a virgin. I wanted to ask if he was kidding, I mean who looked for a virgin in a 23 year old lady in this modern age” Sholape said incredulously. “But I changed my mind at the last minute and asked if he was looking for a virgin like the Virgin Mary. The idiot did not even realize I was making fun of him. He said “Yes Yes” and I told him that I’m a virgin like the Virgin Mary. You needed to see his expression.” Sholape concluded laughing and I couldn’t help laughing too. I wondered what she would say if I told her I’m a real virgin.

While Sholape was talking to me, I noticed a middle aged man sitting two tables away from us had been stealing glances at me. I told Sholape whose back was towards where he sat. And I wanted to add that she shouldn’t look at him, but it was too late, she already turned to take a look. It took less than five minutes before he rose from his seat and headed our way. “He is coming” I muttered, “you shouldn’t have looked at him” I said anxiously. Sholape smirked at me. “Seriously! Comport yourself and stop acting like a teenager” she cautioned. I was staring at the floor when he got to our table,the first thing I saw were his shinning bronze leather shoe, and a well tailored trouser that reached the heels of his shoe kissing the ground. “Hello ladies!” he greeted. “Hi!” Sholape replied enthusiastically, “what is wrong with her, she shouldn’t be encouraging him to stay longer with me” I thought. “Do you mind if I join you” he asked. “Sorry we are about to leave” I said eyeing Sholape to stand up. He looked at Sholape for confirmation and she shrugged pitifully. The waiter came over for our payment but he told him to put it on his bill. He returned his gaze to me. “I’m Abdulrauf. Can I know your name at least, perhaps we can hang out some other time” He said and I looked away. Sholape quickly offered her hand. “I’m Sholape, thanks for paying for our food” she said in an attempt to downplay the awkwardness. He smiled at her. “it’s nothing really, please let me have your contact, I would love to see you both again” he said not minding my rudeness. I stared intently at Sholape not to give him her number but she ignored me. He handed her his phone and she punched her number into it. He dialed it immediately and it rang. “Thanks I will call you” he said, I didn’t wait to hear Sholape’s reply before taking my leave.

I wasn’t angry with Sholape for being polite with Mr Abdulrauf, I was just scared for his safety. And I thought his tuxedo looked really nice on him. Apart from his slightly bugging stomach which was not a characteristic I liked in men, he looked okay for a man in his forties. “Wait for me now” Sholape called behind me. I slowed down for her to catch up. “What is that about?” I asked as soon as she joined me. “Calm down Aisha, like I said you are being too hard on yourself, look at the brighter side of things”. “I have no idea of the brighter side you are talking about” I said curtly. “Okay, let me explain.” “I’m listening” I replied indifferently. “That man is your ticket out of this mess. I mean his appearance suggested he is wealthy, I’m sure he would be some CEO somewhere. The best part, he is technically out of Gbenga’s reach”. Sholape said smiling at the idea that had started to formulate in her head. “I still don’t see how his wealth and out of reach would help me” I said staring at her blankly. “Common! Gbenga is graduating this year. By now he had realized you don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore. He’s hopping you will dance to his tune if you don’t have any other choice, and he can’t force you because he wanted you to love him not fear him”. She paused to assess my expression if what she said made sense to me before she continued. “This is what you are going to do. You will strike a bargain with him by asking him to name his price for freeing you. Of course he will name a price he knows you can’t afford, but Mr Abdulrauf will provide the money” she concluded smiling triumphantly. I thought about what she said for some minutes. “Gbenga is from a rich home and money was never his problem. What if he laughed at me and insisted on his request to birth him a child” I asked. “He is from a rich home means someone is providing for him, trust me he wanted more money. The real joker is that he doesn’t expect you to afford the ransom. Trust me he will fall for it” Sholape said with assurance. I sighed. “So I will marry Mr Abdulrauf to show my appreciation” I inquired. Sholape smiled shrewdly. “You don’t have to, date him for a while and kick him out after he has served his purpose. He is probably looking for a side chick too.” I was dumbfounded; I couldn’t imagine how she arrived at this plan within the short duration of time. I shook my head severally to clear it. “He is going to call and ask for you, should I give him your number?” Sholape asked. “Let me think about it” I replied still processing the idea.

Three days later my phone rang, the call was from a strange number. I picked up. “Hello!” “Good afternoon” the voice on the other end replied. “Please who am I speaking with?” “Abdulrauf, Sholape gave me your number”. “Oh! Good afternoon” I said nervously remembering what Sholape said about kicking him out after using him. “How are you today” he asked. “I’m okay”. “I was happy when Sholape told me you have agreed to speak to me and texted me your number” he said. I remained silent not knowing what he expected me to say. “Can I meet you one on one” he asked. “It’s okay but I will pick the spot”. “That’s fine” he agreed. “Alright, I will text you the time and place later”. “Thank you” he said and I dropped the call.

I was getting ready to meet Abdulrauf at the park where I texted him. And Sholape was at hand supervising my dressing, telling me not to wear this, that colour looks odd, too light, doesn’t bring out your complexion until she turned me to a replica of herself. I stood before a standing mirror but the person staring back at me was alien. “Rahamat! How do I look?” She looked up from the beans she was picking and grimaced. “Is it that bad?” I asked. “You didn’t look like you” she replied. “Don’t mind her she is fashion blind” Sholape said scowling at Rahamat. “I’m not comfortable let me mix it up a bit” I pleaded, “Abdulrauf is not a young guy; I presume he wouldn’t like me looking like this.” Sholape reluctantly agreed. I removed my eyelashes and wipe small make up off my face; she shook her head sadly like I just destroyed her archetype of a beauty queen. I kicked off the heels. “Noooo! Not the shoes” she yelled. “I can’t walk in them” I complained. “What am I going to do with you? You are a lady for crying out loud. Fashion is pain!” she said it like I’ve just violated the most important rule of ladyship. Sholape redid my makeup making it light. The gown I wore could barely let me breathe and the wig was itchy but I can’t dare to complain, Sholape would lose it totally and give up on me. When I was ready to go Rahamat looked at me sadly. “I read one hadith, the prophet peace be upon him said one of the sign of end time was that ladies will put on cloth, but they will appear naked. He said this set of ladies will not perceive the fragrance of paradise”. “Mtcheeww!” Sholape hissed. “Allah will have mercy on me” I told her. “The prophet also said………” “We have heard!” Sholape shouted and cut Rahamat short, “since you have suddenly become Alhaja we will not hear any other thing in this house except prophet said, e pele o”. “I wasn’t talking to you,” Rahamat said angrily, “If you are sick of my opinion, then get well soon”. It was the first time I saw Rahamat got angry or stood up to anyone. “It is alright girls,” I intervened, “don’t make this an issue please. Are we cool?” I asked glancing at them. Sholape shrugged. “Fine” Rahamat retorted and returned to picking her beans. I signaled to Sholape to apologize to her. “Rahamotallah! So you can get angry. Oya no vex, na play I dey follow you play now”. “No follow me play that kind play again” Rahamat said raising her voice. “I’m sorry” Sholape said, “let me help you with the remaining beans”. “Rahamat she is sorry let’s make it a bygone okay” I added and Sholape joined her to pick the beans. “If you turn my room to a boxing ring before I come back, both of you will sleep outside tonight” I joked turning back to look at them one last time before stepping out of the room. “Aye captain!” Sholape chukled and did a military salute. “Go and get him” she said as a departing token and even Rahamat smiled a little.

Mr Abdurauf was at the park when I arrived; “you look gorgeous” he complemented and led me to a sitting arrangement. He waited for me to take my sit before sitting down. “I didn’t get a formal introduction the last time we met” he asked almost shyly. “My name is Aisha” I replied. “That’s a really nice name” he said. “Thanks” I replied adjusting my weight on the chair. I didn’t know how to behave, sit or talk in front of this man, I felt like I’m in front of father and he is about to give me an earful for doing something wrong. “Are you okay” Abdurauf asked. “Yeah I’m fine” I lied. He crossed his arms on the table maintaining eye contact with me, this made me very uncomfortable but I forced myself not to lower my gaze. “I have been thinking about you since I set my eyes on you. I will like to know you more” he said. “What else do you wish to know about me” I replied automatically, the confidence in my voice startling me a little bit. He asked for my hometown, about my parent, the course I’m studying, my education level, and my relationship status in a very artful way of seeking information without prying. I answered his questions truthfully but gave him partial information about my parents and relationship status. “Aisha you are from a good home. It explains why you are not totally convenient talking to me. I can bet you don’t have many experiences in relationship” he paused checking my countenance. “I have a wife; I know you have probably guessed that part. I wanted to be straight with you. My plan is to make you my second wife”. I dropped my gaze to the table. “Do you think your wife would like that?” I asked without thinking, the only way to interact with him was to obey my instinct. “Don’t worry about that, I will take care of her” he said with authority dripping from his words. I risked a glance at his face. “I know this is much for you to break down right now, you can take all the time you need to think about it, I’m not in a hurry” he said. We digressed to other topics about life. In our conversation I got to know he was the owner of a multibillion naira company that produce plastics, beverages and snack food. He had no soft spot for politics and his opinion was judgmental. “As far as politics in Nigeria is concerned, the devil and his advocates are the players” he said and I laughed although I didn’t totally agree with him. “There are few good heads in government; they are just too few to make real impact. Plato said those who are too smart to engage in politics are being punished by being governed by those who are dumber” I told him. “If good people like you can run for office perhaps things will get better, because the only thing necessary for evil to prevail is that good people do nothing.” He nodded his head thoughtfully. “You are not just a beauty but one with a brain” he complemented smiling appreciatively at me. Blood rushes to my cheeks and I quickly dropped my gaze to the table.

After we left the park Abdulrauf volunteered to buy some things for me but I declined. “If you don’t want anything, I owe Sholape more than I can pay back, let me get some things for her” he insisted. We branched at a shopping mall and I ended up looking like a mother Christmas when I got home. Sholape quickly called to thank him for the provisions he bought for her before drilling me with questions. I told her he wanted me for a second wife. “Seriously!” she exclaimed, “Our man has his head over his heels for you babe; we will deal with that later. Second wife my foot! Are we in the nineties?” she said laughing sarcastically. Rahamat looked at Sholape briefly and averted her eyes, I could tell she had something to say that deferred from Sholape’s opinion but decided to let it go. I divided my provisions into two equal halves and gave Rahamat the other half.

The bond between Abdulrauf and I was getting stronger every day, and I decided it was time to tell him about my situation with Gbenga. I told him everything that transpired between us and he handled the news maturely. “Do what you have to do and call me if you need anything” he said. It had been over a week since Gbenga last call me, I realized the timing was perfect to reach out to him and set a meeting. I scrolled down my contact list and dialed the number with the caption “unwanted” smiling to myself; renaming his contact has been my only way to exert revenge. He picked up after the second ring, “Aslamleikum” he greeted. I didn’t bother to correct his pronunciation like I used to do; I had bigger fish to fry than mispronounced word. “Good afternoon” I replied. “My queen, this one that you called me, do you have good news for me?” “I need to talk to you” I said with a business like tone. “At last you finally come to papa. Okay I’m listening” he said arrogantly. “It is not something we can discuss on phone; I want to meet you personally”. “Come to my house then” he said frankly. “I would prefer a private spot, your house is always crawling with your friends” I said in a bid to prevent going to his place. “Where do you have in mind?” he asked. “Let’s meet at the Pepsi village inside the campus by 5, o clock in the evening” I replied. “Okay! Make sure the meeting is worth my time. You know what I want from you,” he said and hung up -- the first time he would be the one to disconnect our call.

I got to the destination and waited but he didn’t show up. I was about to give up and return to my hostel when his car nudged its nose into the park. He got down and told the two guys that followed him to wait in the car. The first thing I noticed was his dreaded hair dyed to a colour between brown and burnt orange, his black T-shirt had inscription all over it and his jean trouser was tore in many places. He has changed completely from the last time I saw him, his frail stature suggested he had been drinking and smoking too much lately. I felt sympathy; my first instinct was to talk some senses into him, but I quickly controlled my emotion and reminded myself to stay on track with what I came to do. “My queen” he said in a manner of greeting and sat across the table facing me. “How are you doing Gbenga” I asked genuinely. “I’m okay, life has been a little rough since you sidelined me though” he said and I could see the weakness behind his tough exterior. “I need you back Aisha” he said holding my gaze. “Gbenga I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I’m sorry if you are going through a hard time because of me. Our relationship wouldn’t have end in marriage, my father gave me strict warning not to bring a Christian home as my fiancée. I hope maybe, just maybe I could change his mind. But when I caught you with that girl, it destroyed the little hope I have that things might work out between us. I don’t love you anymore, I only fear you now and you can’t reverse it. I’m broken”. Gbenga hit the table with his hand suddenly. “Bullshit!” he exclaimed his eyes pulsating like brimstone. “Please Gbenga I need you to understand, things can never be the same between us if you force me to stay in this relationship. I’m ready to pay you to get out if I must”. He laughed hysterically and whenever I thought he had stopped, he would look at me and began another round of laughter. I could see some heads turning our way. “Gbenga you are embarrassing me” I said in a low tone. “Sorry” he said in between chuckles and stopped. “You said you will pay me,” he grinned. “Technically you are asking me to name my price” He said skeptically. “Yes if it means you will stop stalking, and threatening my life and that of my friends” I said and he gave me a wicked grin. “Okay! 3 million naira.” “3 million what!” I exclaimed incredulously. He smirked at me. “I guess you can’t pay that amount. If you want to be free that’s my price. Pay up in 3 days, your time starts now.” I sat down looking at him with uncertainty. He stood up, made his way back to his car and left.

I told Sholape when I got home. “He must be crazy”, she cried, “3 million in 3 days. Is he kidding?” I shook my head. “What are you going to do now” she asked. I shrugged. “I don’t have another option than to tell Abdulrauf. If he can’t give me the money, I will be at Gbenga’s mercy for life. Sholape exhaled deeply. “I wish you best of luck, to cough out 3 million naira in this recession period, no be small thing o”. Rahamat entered; “who is looking for 3 million” she asked not particularly paying attention to us. “Never mind I will explain to you later” I said. She stopped to look at me for some seconds before resuming to undress herself.

I called Abdurauf in the evening, not particularly sure of how to ask him for 3 million naira to settle my disgruntled boyfriend. He didn’t pick up after two attempts, and I opted to send him a text message which was my preferred medium to make my ridiculous request. He called me the next day and apologized for missing my call. “I saw a message from you that you needed 3 million naira for what you discussed with me” he said. “Do you have an account that can hold such amount?” I was tongue-tied; I wasn’t expecting him to give in like that without question or explanation. “Are you there?” he asked. “Yeah yeah” I replied. “You mean you operate a standard account?” “I mean no; I’m using a student account. But I think Sholape operates current account” I said. “Alright, find out and get back to me” he said. “Thank you very much” I said with a mixture of surprise and happiness. When I got to the hostel I asked Sholape for the status of her bank account and luckily it was current. I sent her account details to Abdulrauf, 5 minutes later Sholape’s phone beeped. “It’s a lie, 3 million naira just like that!” she exclaimed.

Abdulrauf called me to confirm the transaction and I can’t seem to find the right word to express my appreciation. “I owe you. Ask for anything you want?” I said finally. Sholape was silently cautioning me but I ignored her. “I want you to marry me” he said. “Done, I will marry you” I replied. Sholape opened her mouth widely out of surprise. When I dropped the call, Rahamat told me to be careful of making promises in moments of happiness, because it mostly turns out bad if we can’t keep them. “I’m going to keep it” I said dismissively. “Try to add In Sha Allah-- by God’s grace next time” she said. “I have heard Alhaja” I said curtly. “I think she’s right Aisha,” Sholape said. “You too!” I exclaimed. “Okay I’ve heard o.” I said waving my arms in surrender.

I called Gbenga to meet me at the spot we met the last time. He sounded cocky telling me not to waste his time because he had a lot to attend to. I wanted to ask if he had found something better to do with his time other than drinking, smoking and womanizing but I quickly decided against it. I shouldn’t be pushing my already slim luck.

I waited more than I did the first time before he came around. I asked for his account details, he smirked but gave it to me. I did the transfer immediately and he received the alert. He was stunned when he checked his phone. I figured it was my turn to get some few words out. “That’s the worth of the love you claimed to have for me isn’t it? Enjoy your miserable life.” I stood up while he was sitting transfixed. I never knew I was seeing him for the last time.

I went home early for the session break. I was watching TV when breaking news came up that there was a cult group clash at the campus. Sholape called the next day to tell me Gbenga was killed by rival gang in his hostel the night of his convocation. The news saddened me for weeks. I was bent on getting my life back that I didn’t try to save him from himself, I wondered if it made me a bad person.