Chapter 77

Jadesola Coker

"Babe, how far now. I've been trying your line since. Where did you put your phone?"

I yawned. It was Kemi. After I met with Gori, I branched the nearest market to get some little food stuffs, and provisions I was going to take to school. I never really cooked during exam time, but I needed to have something that would support me in case I wanted to taste something of my own. By the time I was back, I was too tired and slept off. "Sorry dear. I was sleeping, and decided to put my phone on silent."

"So, how was it, or you are not planning to gist me," she teased.

I smiled to myself. "I was going to call you after I wake up. But since you've called, I will tell you how it went."

"Oshey!" She sounded excited. "Jade, I can feel it that you are smiling. Oya, I can't wait. Was he happy to see you?

Do you think he really misses you like he said."

I laughed. You know that kind of friend that says almost everything before you are able start the gist at all. Now that I was home, and was on phone with my friend, I felt a lot better. After how smoothly the talk went, I felt a lot more better, and talking about it now with Kemi wasn't a big deal because we've had more conversation about her man too. I wonder why we girls enjoy a gist like that. Is just so thrilling hearing about our men though, so if I was going to talk about mine, I would like to say how cute, caring, and romantic he is to me, and not how he hurt me with words, or throw my mistakes to my face.

Girls just wanna say that about their men, and smile silly whenever they get to say it. Is that too much to ask for?

But then, I didn't want Kemi stretching the thing, and thinking something else because the fact that I still like him doesn't mean I want to get back with him. I was scared of another pain. It might never go well if I try it again. But I wasn't that dumb, the guy I met doesn't just want the baby, but wanted more. What would happen if I give in this time again? I never wanted to dwell on that.

"So..." Kemi dragged.

"Well, I bought this random shades on my way cause I really didn't want to make eye contact with him. I just did not trust my eyes cause I wouldn't want to see him catch me watching him."

"Ehh, ehhh!" Kemi laughed. "My Jade, Jade."

I chuckled silently. I had not even started, and Kemi wouldn't let me speak. "Kemi calm down. I've not even started yet."

"You say what! My airtime is from life time insurance babe. I die on this gist."

We both laughed as I continued from where I stopped. "So, we met at this restaurant beside G. Adams hotel."

"That's his hotel. Don't know about the restaurant, but he should owns that too. There is also one here at Abuja too." Kemi said. That was my thought too, because everything he owned started with the first letter of his name.

He was really investing so much, and I was proud of him. The hotel was one of the exclusive hotels. The last time my Dad travelled to Abuja, he told me he and his friends were lodged to the same hotel he owned in Abuja too. I didn't even know he had a hotel in Lagos before he was back because I have no business lodging at one. When my Dad started talking about him, I felt like he was proud of him more than his own daughter.

"So, did you open up to him about Arabella?"

"Yes, I did. I couldn't even believe I was able to pour out my mind like that. I feel at peace now. I'm just a little bit worried on how I will talk to Arabella. I find it hard on how to explain she has another Dad, and my Dad is not her

Dad. She knows Dad is my real Dad, but her thinking he's her Dad too worries me. And the fact that she has met Goriola before again. Ahh! Girl, I'm in a thinking mood."

"It's okay. Arabella will understand. Trust me, she will be thrilled to know your dad is not her Dad, and that she has her own Dad too. She will be full of joy to feel the love of her real dad, and have him in her life. My elder sister went through a similar case like this, but hers was during her final year in university, and this guy denied it because he said they didn't plan for it, accusing my elder sister of trying to hold him down. But a year after, he came back to his senses, and came looking for my sis.

Even though I don't like this guy one bit, I just couldn't do anything because my sis still loves him. Women sha! But I'm glad they are together now because my niece is four now, and there is nothing as adorable as seeing their family together as they get stronger and stronger in their love."

Of course, Kemi never told me about her sister even though I knew about her. I never knew her sister also went through something similar too, but then it wouldn't have been as bad as that of a sixteen years old girl.

"So, Jade don't think so much about it. Make her understand, and let her get to meet him. She doesn't have any idea about him yet. So, this is the time you can make up a story of how he travelled, and was always asking about her, and now he's back. Just tell her something, something. That he loves her so much, and I'm so much sure he would start from now on."

A smile graced my lips. "What will I do without you Kemi."

She laughed. "You gonna still be a better person without me. So, you did not tell me what I want to ear. Did he try to kiss you, you know now, they always want that any time they have a chance with you. And with that slow voice like they've been on a sick bed for ages, you will start hearing... Babe, just one kiss okay, and I will be fine. Were they not fine before!"

Now it was turn to laugh. "Kemi o! Please don't start okay. I wouldn't have allowed him kiss me in the first place.

But I sense he was looking at me though. I felt like he wasn't really comfortable."

"Girl, na that thing under that duve (duvet) dey rise. They no dey get themselve. If na the same body you carry for that stage you take go meet him, next time, my friend, please drop your hope at home."

It was still my turn to laugh again. Kemi was cracking me up so badly. "Kemi, I don't think he's like that. He didn't make any approach like that."

"Okay now. I'm still here. But Jade," her voice became serious. "He's a guy, and he wouldn't mind getting down freely with you again. He wouldn't stop you, or say no to it, but remember you can't let that happen again. If he wants anything with you, boy will have to try harder this time. If he's not getting serious, then he's not getting anything!"

"Yes ma!" We both laughed. "Thanks for everything Kemi. I love you."

"My love is fatter than yours," she boasted, and I smiled for feeling more better talking to her. Who doesn't want a friend like Kemi?

"Mom have been listening to your laughter since. Who are you talking to?" It was Arabella questioning me with a look of Mom, have been suspecting you these days. Kemi laughed. "That's my team mehn! We don't want anybody calling our mommy any how. Give it to her."

"Take, is aunty Kemi."

Her formal look disappeared as she became excited. "Aunty Kemi I'm fine. When are you coming to Lagos? Have missed you so much. My mom is not taking me out."

"Abeg, I have exam." I said before Kemi starts suggesting anything.

"Yes ma." Bella's smile widened, and she bursted out laughing. "Buy something for mom and I. Including Daddy and grandma. Thank you ma." She gave the phone back to me, and joined me on the bed, putting her head on my laps as she played with the beads around my waist. "Okay bye," I said to Kemi and the call ended.