Chapter 31—A Playboy’s Gambit?

"Before we go in, Mide, I want you to promise me one thing," Esther said to Mide just as she was about to knock on Korede's parents’ front door.

"Okay…"

"Swear to me that all of this isn't just a joke to you and that you truly believe in what you're about to do with Korede."

"What are you saying? I don't understand," Mide said as he cast a puzzled look at her.

"I know your type very well. You're a playboy, and anyone can see it in your eyes. Promise me you're not just toying with my friend's heart."

"Man, I'm so sick of people not believing that I have changed. What more do you want from me?" He gesticulated with his arms out wide. "I'm frigging getting married in four days. Shouldn't that be enough to show you how serious I am?"

Esther forced a weak smile. "I guess you are right. I'm sorry…Let's go in."

** ** **

The cold air from the air conditioner compensated for weak rotation of the ceiling fan Korede and her mother sat directly under as Korede's mother took her spot on a small stool, gently braiding Korede's hair while Korede sat on the floor.

As the two of them enjoyed their little moment of mother-daughter bonding time, Maami couldn't help but wonder why her daughter's visit was beginning to seem more frequent. More importantly, she wondered why Korede always seemed to be gloomy each time she came home.

Maami knew quite well that Korede was the kind of person who was always cagy about her emotions, and she understood that there wouldn't be a greater opportunity to find out what was going on from her daughter.

"How is Mide?"

"He's fine Maami," Korede answered straight away, as if waiting for the question.

"I'm not asking about his wellbeing. I'm sure he is fine. I'm asking about your relationship with him," Maami, said pulling a few tangled strands of Korede's hair with her comb so hard that Korede winced in pain.

"Ouch!" Korede turned her neck as she groaned. "Why is everybody quick to assume something is up each time I come home?"

"I remember quite well that nobody forced you to leave the house. It was your decision," Maami pulled her hair again.

"Maami, that hurts!" Korede squirmed in pain, but her mother completely ignored her plea.

"Lately, you keep coming home so frequently, and as your mother, I am worried. Is there anything you are not telling me?"

Korede scoffed. "Relax, mum. Nothing is going on. Trust me," she said, then drifted off in her thoughts as soon as she spoke.

She felt her heart tear at not being totally honest with her mother, but she knew that going with the truth would stir up questions deep enough to hurt her worse than lying ever could—questions that she wasn't ready to answer.

"Alright, then. If you say so," Maami said before they heard a tap on the door.

"Korede, it's me," Esther said before they could ask who was at the door.

Korede cast a questioning gaze at her mother, wondering if she had a hand in one of her best friends showing up at her doorstep. Maami replied with a smile, then shook her head sideways. Korede sat up straight before she spoke. "Uhm, come in," she stuttered.

"Hey, babe," Esther said as she walked in. "Good afternoon, ma." She knelt down as she greeted Maami.

“Good afternoon, my child. How are you doing?” Maami asked.

“I’m fine, ma,” Esther answered as she took her spot on the bed. “And you?”

“I’m okay. Thanks for asking. I know you’re to see Korede, so I’ll give you girls some space,” Maami packed her comb and her hair cream together as she spoke.

“No, that’s okay. You don’t have to leave because of me,” Esther urged.

“Nonsense, I’m done braiding her hair anyway,” Maami said as she picked up her stool. “It’s nice seeing your face after a long time, Esther,” she added finally before exiting the room.

“Same here, ma.” Esther beamed a smile in a similar manner to Korede’s mother. As soon as they were alone, she turned to Korede. “So this is where you have been hiding all these while.”

Korede chuckled as she crawled from the floor to the bed.

“Why haven’t you been picking your calls?” Esther asked with a more serious tone.

“If I say I’ve been busy, will you let it go?” Korede pleaded with her eyes half shut in an expectation that she knew was hopeless.

“Come on, you know I’m not going to buy that crap, so you’re going to have to do better.”

Korede moaned a groan in frustration. Knowing Esther, she knew they weren’t going to leave the room until she opened up.

“You sure my mum didn’t put you up to this? That woman is old, but she can be sly sometimes,” she muttered.

“No, jor, just spill. What’s going on?”

Korede heaved a sigh. “Fine. I’ve been ignoring you girls because a lot has been on my mind lately.”

“Mhmm, is this about the wedding?” Esther asked.

“No…and yes.”

“So you’re having second thoughts about the wedding?” Esther’s eyes went wide.

“Of course not! I still want to get married to Mide,” Korede objected.

“Then what is it?”

Korede heaved another sigh. A part of her was tired of keeping her issues with David to herself. Maybe if she told Esther, she would be finally relieved, she thought.

“Can I be honest with you?” she asked with a sincere stare.

Esther edged a bit closer and put a hand on Korede’s as a warm smile emerged from her lips. “I’m here for you, babe.”

The warm look on Esther’s face was enough assurance for Korede. She gave a slight nod.

“Alright, so these past two weeks have been kind of a rollercoaster. I mean, all of this is supposed to lead to the happiest day of my life right? So shouldn’t it at least be filled with good tidings and pack of smaller joys that would unveil a much bigger joy on the big day? But no. Rather, it brought a lot of drama with David and Mide and Mide’s aunt that is driving me literally crazy. I don’t know what to think anymore, Esther…and last night I…” Korede fell silent as she wondered why she couldn’t find the words to tell Esther that she kissed David. It wasn’t hard. It was just three words: I kissed David.

So why couldn’t she say it?

Korede soon became aware that tears were beginning to drip from her eyes onto the bed sheet. She quickly shielded her lips as with a hand as she broke into loud sobs and sniffles.

“Come here,” Esther said, bringing Korede into her embrace. “It’s okay,” she added, rubbing Korede’s back lightly.

“I’m sorry,” Korede whimpered.

“It’s alright, Korede. You don’t have to say anymore. I understand you. And you know what makes it even better? Mide understands you too.”

“Huh?” Korede gaped at Esther.

“Uhm, I think Mide can explain better,” Esther answered. “He is the one here to give a big speech, not me. Mide, you can come in now,” she bellowed at the door.

Korede was still trying to make sense of Esther’s words when Mide walked in. The realization of the situation had dawned on her as soon her gaze locked into his.

It wasn’t my mother who put Esther up to come visit me, it was Mide.

“Hey, baby.” Mide’s smile was a dashing as ever, but it seemed to be to the least of the things on Korede’s mind at that moment.

“We-were you listening in on us all along?”

"Yes, but it wasn't for too long…I was having a talk with your dad,"

Korede felt a huge sense of relief that she hadn't said anything about the kiss with David.

"But I get it, Korede, I do," he said, taking a knee beside her. "Everything seems overwhelming to you, and it's all because of me. I brought up the idea of us hiring David, ignoring your wants in the first place, and then I got jealous when I heard the two of you were hanging together instead of trusting you…I’m so sorry for how I treated you these past two weeks, babe."

Korede's eyes were filled with tears as she fixed her gaze on his. Mide held both her hands tightly, melting her heart with each word he spoke. She tried to turn her face away to control her emotions, but she couldn't.

"Babe," she whispered.

"I love you so much, Korede, and I need you in my life. I promise we will fight whatever comes together. Just please come back to me. Come back home, babe," Mide said finally.

Korede didn't respond.

"Come on, Korede, are you going to keep him on in his knees for the rest of the day?" Esther grinned. "Say something."

Korede glanced at her and chuckled. "I love you too, baby." She helped Mide up as she spoke but met his stance halfway with a deep kiss that Mide gladly returned, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her up to him. Esther watched from the side where she rested her back on the wall and smiled at the duo. Mission accomplished, she thought.