Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Tunde came through as promised; he brought me to work. He dropped me in front of the work building. He explained he had a meeting to attend so he drove off as I went in.

I had carried home some materials for the bridal train and worked on it overnight. It was a miracle that I still had energy to continue working in the shop. I thought of bringing the electric machine at home to the shop, but the news of robbery around the environment discouraged me each time .

I was still working on the dresses when Aku came in. "Aunty, there's a man that is looking for you outside."

"Yes." I nodded.

I was certain, it would not be Tunde because she already knew Tunde by his name and Tunde now just walked in without warning.

I stood up from the seat and slipped my feet into my flat shoes before hurrying outside the shop.

Ike was standing outside. Surprised, I laughed. When we spoke he never mentioned he was coming. He spread out his arms and I walked in, hitting his chest.

"You did not tell me you were coming," I murmured against his chest.

"I wanted to be your surprise package, " He said, laughing.

I led him inside the shop and he stood at the window just like Tunde used to but he was not looking outside, he was looking at me.

I bent down to my machine, and began working the thread through the needle hole.

" I have missed you, " He said.

I looked up, smiling. "Me too."

He moved from the window and sat on the cushion where I could no more see him unless I turned around.

" We have started the burial arrangements . I brought the materials for the girls, " He said, causing me to turn around and face him. "The demand from the village is just something else. I don't know if they understand that we're not celebrating this loss. We're grieving."

I nodded in agreement. The few times I spoke to Wisdom, he was always shouting as if I was one of the elders in the village that wanted to be settled like they were the guards of Hades.

There was silence before I asked, "you are fine right? "

He nodded then tilted his head to one side. "Do we need to talk? "

It was my turn to tilt my head. "I don't think so but maybe you want to. "

In truth, I wanted to say something; how difficult it was for me to come to terms with our new relationship, how I could not feel some things I needed to feel, how I did not think I was ready to date anyone yet. I did not even feel committed.

He came to where I sat, rubbed his hand down my hair. "I have missed you solemnly, that's what I want to say."

That brought a small smile to my lips and he was quick to see it. Feeling encouraged, he continued, "I'll be going to my mother's house. Do I come and pick you after work? "

"No, I'm working late."

"My lady, I'm leaving the town tomorrow. Should I come over then? "

"To my house? "

He laughed, squeezing my hands which seemed so little in his.

"Yes," he replied.

"Your first visit to my house, " I commented, smiling up at him.

"Sorry it took me so long."

I laughed then fixed my eyes to the door as Tunde came in.

He clasped hands with Ike and they greeted each other like they had known themselves all their lives. His eyes wandered to my hand in Ike's hand before he said, "They are collecting the dues for NEPA light."

"I'll come down later and pay up," I said.

"How much is it? "Ike asked.

I watched as Tunde told him the amount and he gave me the money to give to Tunde.

"Alright, see you guys later," he said before leaving.

I don't know if Ike knew, but I knew  Tunde did not come for my own contribution of NEPA bill. He never collected it.

"I did not know you guys worked in the same place, " Ike said.

"Yeah, we do and I think I have mentioned it before. "

"Maybe. But he mentioned moving out right? "

"That's what he said. "

"Okay. Good, good, " he replied, squeezing my hand one more time.

As we waited for the gate to be opened at Mrs Idika's place, I couldn't help feeling like I was making a mistake. I was sure I liked Ike but was 'like' enough for a mother's approval? I knew like was not enough basis to meet this woman whom  wanted to set me up with the son at first.

The gate opened and the feeling that crept in got my heart hanging- it was that feeling I used to have growing up when I was asked to address a crowd or when it was time for Mama to return from work. My heart beat erratically before it dumped itself into the depths of my stomach.

The car rolled into the compound.  Mrs Idika was seated at the balcony upstairs- her usual position.

"I don't know how I feel right now, " Ike said once he stopped the car.

"I could stay back in the car while you meet her or _ I don't know, " I offered quickly and gladly.

He laughed, then reached out for my hand. "I'm not afraid and I'm not backing out right now. I have never brought a woman home to her, that's just it. "

"Never? "

"Never. "

I could have asked how he was once engaged and they never got to the introduction stage but I knew first hand. I was once there.

Mrs Idika was at the door when we came down from the car. She  must have also been caught off guard. I don't think he called to inform her that we were coming.

"You could just say we're friends, " I hurriedly said as we approached his mum.

After the exchange of greetings, there was no need for an introduction or explaining our relationship. She seemed more than happy to receive us.

"Are you people staying for dinner? " she asked. I was about to answer, she said, "yes, you are. "

We both laughed as we marched after her into the house.

"I'm sure you already knew she gets whatever she wants," Ike whispered.

I helped her in the kitchen while Ike busied himself with the television.

She already had cooked soup in the freezer. All there was to do was make the eba, which she did not allow me to do so I just stood in a corner, doing nothing and hoping to be useful. Grateful when she said, "Please set the plates."

I found a tray in the rack and began lining the plates.

"You finally met him," she said, bringing out the bowl of soup from the microwave.

I smiled and said nothing, though she was not looking at me.

"Did you tell him about that night? " now she stopped what she was doing and waited for my reply.

"Yes," I replied.

She nodded. "Has he stopped?"

I shrugged and sighed. "I really think so."

She spooned Ukazi soup into the last bowl plate then asked for an extra one for the gateman.

I carried the food to the dining while she followed behind me.

"Go and call Madu to come carry his food, " she said to Ike. Ike went out obediently.

"Do you like him? " she asked, changing the channel from the wrestling Ike was watching.

"I do," I replied sincerely.

"but _ Is there a but? "

" It's just_I don't really know, " I said reluctantly, afraid to hurt her.

Ike came in then and they both joined me at the dining.

There were no interrogatory sessions like eating with my Auntie Maimah. The only time Mrs Idika spoke was to talk about the dresses I made for her and advertising me as a wonderful fashion designer to Ike.

Ike offered to drive me home after dinner. It was a few minutes to nine. He told her to lock up incase he did not come home that night.

"I will lock up," Mrs Idika said.

She nodded to me, smiling like she knew something. Her smile was always beautiful, so full of life that it made her eyes glisten.

Ike drove into my compound and I directed him to park where my car was formerly parked.

"You have a wonderful place, " he said once he stepped into the house.

"That, Mister is an archaic line."

He laughed. "Lets try, you are more beautiful than your house."

"You know you mustn't compliment right? " I asked, clearing off the makeup tools I left on the glass centre table before leaving for work.

I felt his arms around my waist.

"I love it. It's beautiful."

"Thank you," I replied, then turned, standing on tiptoe to peck him.

He came in from the shower with just my blue towel around his waist. I could see the whole outline of his body. The towel covered his lower body but from where the towel rested, riding low on his waist, I could already imagine what lay beneath there. I immediately hopped out of bed and gave him one of the big polos, I usually wore as gown  so he did not go about in just boxers.

When I came in from shower, he seemed to be sleeping, soft snores were coming from his side. I wore an oversized pyjamas- My attempt at being unseductive. His arm found its way to me once I climbed into the bed and he pulled me closer to his chest. I took the offer and placed my head on his chest.

"You took so long," he murmured into my hair.

I didn't reply, just lay silently with my arm around his belly.

My phone started to ring. I held his arm around me tighter, planning to call whoever it was in the morning .

He was closer to the night stand. Without raising my head, I said, "Please, Silence my phone. "

He moved and the phone started to ring again. He just let it.

"It's your neighbor. Answer it," He said.

"Tunde? " I asked, rising but the call had already ended.

"Call him back, " Ike said, "and put it on speaker."

I was about dozing off but sleep instantly left my eyes. "What was that? "

We stared at each other - hard, long .

"Don't worry. Let's sleep, " Ike said, breaking the staring contest.

He attempted to hold me again.  I shrugged him off then climbed over him to reach the night stand where my phone was.

"I said, you should leave it," He said, dragging the phone but I held on tightly to it.

"Leave the phone. I just want to return a call  I missed, " I said in a voice elevated from anger.

He left the phone and I kept it back on the stool. I was angry, I was hurt and I knew I could not do anything about it. Ike was insecure - that night was a proof. Amanda must have made him that way and I knew I might never be able to make him trust me. All I would do is to hurt him. He was looking for someone to love him and I was looking for someone to love me enough that I would love back. Everything was an excuse. The one true thing was that I finally saw a reason to leave.

"Please lie down, my lady," he said, touching me.

I did not move. I then felt him nuzzle my neck. "I'm sorry," He said into my neck.

I turned and pushed him away then went back to lie down now backing him.

"I'm sorry, " He kept saying as he planted kisses from my neck, to my shoulder and then down my arms.

I just lay in silence. My treacherous body enjoyed what he was doing. He returned to my shoulder again and licked it this time while playing with my ear.

"Ike, leave me alone, " I said, quietly.

He did not. He laughed like he knew I did not want to be left alone, then  wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me closer to his body. With all the will in me, I hit his hand off.

"Ike, leave me alone, " I said more sternly. He withdrew his arms but remained right behind me, his arousal even pressing against my butt.

"You are backing me," He commented.

"I know, " I replied.

I felt him move then his arm wound around my waist and his breath fanned against the back of my neck.

"Ike, we can't work," I said, "I can't try anymore."

He said nothing, I did not turn to look at his face. He pulled away. I could imagine him, lying in a prone position with his hand beneath his head,  staring up to the roof. I was tempted to turn around but I hugged myself and prayed for sleep to come.

"Good night, " I said.

"Good night," he replied, stiffly.