EPISODE EIGHT
Theme: what’s the occasion?
Arike’s POV
"I don't understand why your stubborn boss wants to see you on a Sunday." I grumbled as I helped Busayomi carry her bag to the car.
She planned to leave on Monday morning but then her boss called up to bring some files she picked from the office to his house.
"It's strange how your boss wants to see you. Can't he wait to get the files on Monday?" I continued grumbling.
"I don't know if it's -"
"Arike please my ears are full. I am a secretary more or less like a personal assistant so he can call me up anytime. He's a businessman."
"I don't believe it's just work related. Work on Sunday? Who does that?"
"My boss does that." She replied with a laugh.
"Perhaps are you hiding something from me?"
"Something like what?"
"Anything about -"
She interrupted me sharply. "Hey! Aunty! Stop right now! If you are thinking I am having an affair with my boss then dead that thought!" She eyed me.
"I didn't even say anything." My boss shrugged.
"My boss is a good looking man but I don't like him. And remember I have a boyfriend."
"Which boyfriend?"
"Seyi of course."
I rolled my eyes. Durrrhhhh. "Well I hope your so called boyfriend is able to speak of you like this to his friends and family?"
"It's none of your business."
"Sister mi I don't understand why you'll be dating someone for close to five years now and you don't know his friends or family."
"Arike please let's not go down that lane."
"Your wish." I stepped back from the car so she could close the door.
"Don't forget everything I said to you." I shook my head in understanding. "I will give you a call when I get home."
"Take care of yourself and tell you boss to be careful if he doesn't want me to serve him a court note."
She laughed. "I'll constantly remind him that my baby sister is a lawyer."
We laughed. "Bye bye." I waved and watched her drive out of my compound.
My phone rang as I turned back towards the house. It was a call from Bamidele.
"Hello Damsel."
"Hi Bami."
We exchanged how are you's.
"Are you enjoying your Sunday?" He asked.
"Yeah.."
"Your sister is still around?"
"No, her boss called her up to bring some files to his House."
"Ouch! Now you're home alone."
"Yeah."
"What do you intend to do?"
"Prepare for the new week." I responded.
"And after the preparation?"
"Review a case."
"And?" He asked again.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion as I thought for second. Why was he asking me these questions? But nothing came to my mind.
"What would you do after reviewing the case?" He asked again.
"Probably read a book." I responded.
"Okay..seems you have everything planned so don't let me interrupt your plans."
"What about you?"
"Home alone trying to kill boredom with video games."
"Oh! Okay."
"I'll be stepping out soon to buy dinner, do you want to join me?"
"Me? I have enough food at home."
"Oh! So why don't you invite me for dinner?! Don't be selfish, Arike." He chuckled.
I was taken aback by his words. Should I really invite him over for dinner? I am aware Bamidele can't cook. And he told me that he always eat out or order food whenever he's too stressed to drive out to buy food. Life of a bachelor who can't cook.
"Arike, I was -"
He snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes! What did you say?"
"I was only trying to make a joke about you inviting me for dinner at your place. I mean.. well since you already have plans for today then we can have dinner some other time."
I don't think it's a bad idea to invite him over for dinner. An inner voice said to me.
"I'll talk to you later." He said.
"No! Wait!" I said quickly.
"Yes...."
"I have food...so it's okay for you to come over for dinner."
"No you don't have to do that because it was a joke."
"I am serious. I don't really having anything doing and you are bored too so we can keep each other company till night falls or anytime."
"Okay..okay what time should I come over?"
The time was 4:00pm. "Is 6 okay?" I asked.
"You should be the one to decide since you're the host."
"No..you decide." I said.
"Okay..six is fine by me. It's cool. I'll be there."
"Okay.. I'll text you the address."
"I won't be needing it."
"What?"
"Oh no! I mean -" he paused.
"Hello?"
He sighed. "Arike, we worked together on a case for a long time and you think I won't know where to live?" He asked.
Well I was kinda stupid to hide my place from him when he already knows where I live. At the last dinner when he offered to drive me home I refused and it was obvious that I had pushed him away so he wouldn't know my place. I ordered Uber in place of a free ride. Right now I feel so embarrassed and I don't know what to say.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have found your place without your consent." He apologized.
"No..no.. it's alright."
"Okay....i'll see you later."
"Bye." I disconnected the call.
I set off to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. I decide to cook Rice,turkey stew and catfish pepper soup because these are his best meal.
I finished cooking and cleaning around 5:30pm. Thirty more minutes and Bamidele will be here. I should take a shower because my body stinks from too much sweat from cooking and cleaning.
I didn't take too long in the bathroom,it was like the quickest bathe I have ever had in my life. I was a bit nervous about Bamidele coming over for dinner. I kept thinking if I was doing the right thing. All I truly wanted was distraction from my feelings.
I rushed to my phone when it beeped. A message from Bamidele.
"I am sorry, I will be late for dinner. I have to take my dog to the clinic but I won't take long."
I already set the table. I shook my head in disappointment. I wasn't happy even though he had a good reason for turning up late for dinner.
I shrugged off the feeling of disappointment. "He has to take care of his dog who happens to be his closest friend. He'll be here soon and I hope his dog is fine." I whispered to myself as I sat on my couch and turned on the TV.
Some minutes later the doorbell rang. Who could it be? Bamidele? Perhaps was he playing a prank on me? Silly boy!
I rushed to the door without looking through the small gap on the door.
"Ba -" my intended word was cut off when I saw who was at the door.
My smile dropped. "Oh..Dayo?"
"Were you expecting someone else?"
"Come in," I stepped aside for him to walk in. " You didn't tell me you were coming."
"Sorry about that but I wanted to surprise you." He flashed me his best smile.
"You should have at least send me a text."
"Here." He handed me the paper bag in his hands. "I brought your favorite chocolate."
"Thank you."
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Don't I look happy to you?"
"Okay I know why you're giving me cold attitude. I am sorry."
"About what?"
"Everything..whatever it is that's making you act -" he sniffed the air.
"Are you cooking something?"
"No."
He gave me a wink. "Five star Chef...I can smell something delicious." He sniffed again.
"Wow! Smell like my favorite - catfish pepper soup!" He made an attempt to rush into the kitchen.
"No..I mean..." He stopped at the dinning table.
"Wow! Food?! What's the occasion?" He asked.
I was quick enough to stop in from opening the bowl of pepper soup on the table.
"Arike, what's with all these food on the table?"
"Cover it up before it gets cold."
He obeyed. "You don't eat much but why cook plenty?" He asked. No response came from me.
Dayo didn't tell me he was coming over and Bamidele would be here anytime soon. I don't know what to do to stop these men from seeing each other. Adedayo would be so pissed once I tell him Bamidele is coming over to my place.
EPISODE NINETheme: He is gayArike’s POV“Perhaps are you expecting someone? Oh wait! Lemme guess Busayomi is coming right?" He asked."No, she just left few hours ago." I answered."So why is there so much food on the table?" He asked again. No response.Why am I scared right now?"Did you predicted my visit and cooked my favorite?!" He smiled. "Awnnnn that's so cute. You're such a darling." He patted my head."No Dayo -" I stopped him when he tried to hug me. "I didn't set the table for you.""Okay..." He settled in one of the chairs.I summoned the courage to say the words. He can't kill me but I am just worried about what he would say and how he would react."Bamidele is coming to have dinner with me."He dropped the plate he was holding and looked up at me. "You're kidding right?"
EPISODE TENTheme: Dinner goes wrongArike’s POVMy jaw dropped completely."Do you need a shock absorber?" He grabbed the remote and tuned into a football station.I could hardly believe what Adedayo just said about Bamidele. I bursted into laughter as I settled in one of the couches."What's so funny?" He gritted with a huge frown on his face."Bamidele is gay." I laughed."How can he be gay?""Oh! You think it's funny?" He hissed"Oh course! I know you're just making things up so I would stay away from Bamidele.""Why on earth would I come up with such a thing if it's not true. You should know me better than this, Arike!" He said with annoyance in his tone.I stood up from the couch and went to sit beside him."Ade, are you being serious right now? Like Bamidele
EPISODE ELEVENTheme: Sharp TongueArike’s POV"Is he gone?" Dayo asked.I grabbed a throw pillow and slapped his head from behind."Ouch! Why did you do that?!""That's for being too hard on Bamidele!""Oh now..you're taking sides.""No!""Trying to defend your boyfriend?!"I eyed him. "You were too harsh on him!""Like I care..""One day you'll kill someone with your words.""I wish he had died.""Dayo!""What?!"I shook my head. "You should have allowed him have dinner before talking about him being gay. Now my food is going to waste." I hissed."I will have dinner with you. And if we can't finish it, I'll pay you for the waste." He stood up."And I'm throwing the groceries
EPISODE TWELVETheme: Talk to meArike’s POVA ring on my phone jolted me out of thought. Adedayo was calling again."Hello." I said."Did you get my message?" He asked."So rude, you can't even say Hi!" I hissed."Oh sorry...Hi." he said."Good I got your message.""So should I come over?""No.""Why?" He asked in a surprised tone.I hate to admit it but I think Shalewa was right. I shouldn't give Dayo the chance to be spending the night at my place again. If I don't stop it then I won't he able to prove to Shalewa that Dayo and I aren't having an affair. We are just bestfriends. And if he get married will he be coming to my place?"Arike are you there?""Yes...Yes..I can't have dinner with you anymore.""Why?"
EPISODE THIRTEENTheme: Gay uncleArike's POV"Wait...Arike.." he grabbed my elbow before I reached for the door. I looked down at his hold on me."Bamidele.." I placed my hand on his. "You don't have to open up to me if you don't want to." I said but hoping he would just tell me everything.He shook his head. "I will tell you everything. Please stay with me." His eyes pleaded with me."Okay..okay..let's seat down." I said.He motioned towards the couch to sit down.Bamidele heaved a sigh as he started off. "My parents died in a plane when I was 12.""Oh..I am sorry about that..." I mumbled.He nodded in acknowledgement. "They were out for a vacation out of the country.""You survived the crash?" I asked without thin
EPISODE FOURTEENTheme: Keeping spaceArike’s POVHe gave me a shocked expression. He was taken aback by my expression."I..I...am..sorry. I..I.. didn't mean to raise my voice at you." I apologized to him."It's alright." He mumbled."Look Dayo...we can't do the things we used to do together as best friends anymore." I stuttered."But why?" He asked."You're getting married in few weeks time."He sighed. "That shouldn't affect us.""You should be with your wife to be and not me.""I know Shalewa called you. Tell me what she said to you that made you change towards me?"I shook my head in disagreement. "I am not sharing it with you.""Keeping space between us isn't right...and you know that!""But everything Shalewa said was right. If I were in
EPISODE FIFTEENTheme: ConfessionArike’s POVONE WEEK LATERSo I am going on a date with Bamidele. Hey! I know what you are thinking! Hanging out with an Ex-Gay! Come of it! Bamidele is normal now! Lol! And we've been going out for a while now. We aren't dating yet. No! Let me rephrase it. I am not in a relationship with Bamidele. We are still trying to figure if things can work out between us.My phone beeped as I apply make up to my face. I was kinda excited to see Bamidele. Honestly I enjoy Bamidele's company. And guess what? We have decided to attend Dayo's wedding together. Thank God I won't be alone at the party,just watching my best friend get married."Hello.""Are you ready?" Bamidele asked."Yes...I am ready.""Okay...I am waiting outside your home.""Oh really?!"
EPISODE SIXTEENTheme: Pregnancy TestArike's POVI settled in my bed after taking a hot shower. I grabbed my phone from the drawer next to my bed.(Hi. I have been trying to reach you but you didn't pick my calls. I was hoping that you could help me check out my suit. They delivered it today)Dayo's message popped up as soon as I switched on my data.(I was busy) I replied(Okay, Leo already helped me and it looked good on me)He texted back and before I could type, pictures of himself on suit together with his best man Leo came in.(Wow! The suit looks nice on you,Bes.)(Thanks. I am a bit nervous about the wedding.)(You need to calm down. Let your mind be at peace and prepare for the big day.)(Okay. So wha