'Jane dear,calm down' he said 'Does that mean you're yet to forgive me for making you have your service here in Lagos?' there was concern in his voice.
'Not that,its just that i like Abj,buts that gone.' she said 'what were you saying the other time?'
'I just wanted you to spend your weekend in my place,i'll take you shopping and we can talk better too before you leave.' he said without stopping.
'Am sure you're kidding me right?' Janet asked surprise written all over her voice.
'Does it look like that to you'
'Maybe,it does sounds funny,you know we can do whatever talking we want in my house or anywhere apart from your place.'
'And whats wrong with you coming over to my place? Ever since the first time-which was months ago,you have refused to step your foot here.' Jacob was beginning to get angry.
'How do you expect me to visit the lion's den' she snapped back.
'And who is the Lion?'
Silence
'And am asking who the lion is? My mum?'
Silence
'Its okay,if you dont want to talk to me.' Jacob said accepting defeat.
'No Jacob,maybe we shouldn't discuss this over the phone.' She said,her voice quaked slightly.
'I'll pick you up by 6pm,bye.'
Janet dropped her phone and heaved a sigh.How could Jacob speak like he wasn't aware of his mothers coldness her.The woman had made it that she didn't approve their relationshio.
And the last thing she needed was someone reminding her of her status,it was not even like they couldn't feed,her mother was back on her feet,working hard and she was sure that with that,they could maintain the family.
They were getting too comfortable in Jacobs hand of luxury,she pinched herself,she hoped that one day,he would not wake up and start asking her to pay back,how would she ever repay him for every of his kindness,to her family,and his love for her.
She was about to relax on the bed,when she heard a loud pierceing scream,it came from somewhere in the house......
Adetoun looked at her mother,expecting her to shout or pamper her cheek with a slap,but neither was done.
'Toun get me a plate from the kitchen' she said without shouting.
Adetoun dissappeared into the kitchen and returned with a breakable plate.
'Here it is ma' she courtsied.
Biyisi pointed to the bowl of yam on the table.
'Help yourself with some.' she said.
Adetoun stood rooted to the ground,maybe her ears have started failing her o,what luxury! Help herself to some yam?
Strange things are happening o,She thought.
'Toun,mo ni ko mu isu,take some yam in there.' Biyisi said calmly.
Adetoun stepped forward,and opened the bowl with shaking hands,she picked four slices of yam and added a little stew to it.
She turned to leave.
'Toun,come and eat here now,everyone is at the table,why would you want to eat alone.' Adekunle,the first son and her immediate brother spoke.
'I am not ready to eat now,I still have some things to do' she answered back.
Adekunle was the only one who supported her no matter what their mother did or accused her of.
He'ld sometimes beat Adeola who was the second daughter of the family ordering her to assist Adetoun with the house chores.
Adeola was a spoilt girl even at 15,she couldn't wash nor cook.But who could blame her,she had been trained like that.Adekunle was only wasting his time.
Adetoun and Adekunle talked a lot,this was something Biyisi didn't approve of.
'Sister,come and eat here.' he said again.
'Toun,you can join us at the table.' Biyisi joined in,something was happening o,she thought.
She sat at the far end of the table,when her phone began to ring,she could hear it from her room.
She didn't want to excuse herself from the table.Her mother looked around
'Whose phone is ringing' she asked.
'Mine.' Adetoun answered.
'And who is calling you?its almost 8pm'
'I dnt know yet,let me get it' she made to stand up from the table.
'No,let Adeola get it' Adeola rushed inside to get the phone.
Adetoun knew the caller would be Priye,her boyfriend,whom her mother had ordered her to stop seeing for no reason in particular,she loved Priye and he loved her in return,he had stood by her always.she prayed in her mind that it should be someone else,but she knew better.
Adeola came in,the gleam in her eyes,said it all.
The scream she heard had come from someone in the house,she rushed to the sitting room,
'My leg o ooo ooo......' the voice shouted again.
Biola had rush to Jane's room before hurrying to the sitting room,mother and daughter looked at each other,they both rushed into the kitchen to see Rose on the floor.
'What happened?' Biola asked crouching beside her.
Rose pointed towards the gas cooker,where a frying pan sat with little oil,the oil must have poured on her leg.
Bibi,i think some oil poured on her leg' Jane explained to her mother who poured some cold water on her leg,she also rubbed shea butter on the leg too and Rose had begin to feel better.
Jacob showed up later in the day,he took her out,she had requested for a quiet place not somewhere loud or noisy and he'd taken her to CubiCle,it was a big restaurant for people who had something in their pocket.
Each table looked like a Cubicle,where it was easy for couple or a group to share some quality time without being disturbed by other customers.
They had a quiet dinner and talked at length.Jacob had been very considerate,he'd made her understand that his mother only wanted the best for both of them and he'ld be happy if she could spend the weekend with him.
Spend the weekend with him! Thats was not something she was ready to do.
She could not bear his mothers biting glares even for a day,talkless of three days at a go!
Janet did her best to convince him about it,after so much persuassion ,they'd finally agreed that he'ld take her shopping during the week and Janet will spend the whole of Saturday in his place.
They finished their dinner over a bottle of wine,before he drove her home.
Janet lay in the bathtub,thinking of Jacob,his smiles,his eyes,how she felt each time,he held her hand,the way he spoke with her about their growing love,how he wanted her so much,that he could catch her a grenade at her request,what had really touched her was when he said he could leave his mother to be with her!
How many men would do that for their woman? she'd advised him against such anyway.
Janet cherished every moment with him like there'll be no other again.She closed her eyes allowing the warm water flow into the depth of her very soul.
She looked forward to a beautiful week ahead and how she'll face ''Mother Lion''this time around.
Hannah rushed outside the hostel,Rotimi had probably come here,because she wasn't picking his calls.she had tried his phone now,it was switched off.
The cool night breeze felt cold against her skin,she wished she had put on a thick clothe,she saw people standing in two,threes discussing whatever,that was how people usually fill th outside of the hostel and garden beside it every night,that was none of her business sha,she walked along G3 gardens but couldn't find him,she was about to turn into the garden,when two strong hands rested on her shoulders,she suddenly freezed,she turned to face the owner of the hand,only to see a silly Akinlolu grinning at her.
She was mad with rage and tried to control herself,as she gently removed his hands from her shoulders.Taking a step back she folded her hands under her bosom.
'Good evening,Hanny' he smiled at her.
'Akin,i don't see anything good about this evening' she said,a frown was evident on her face.
'I asked your roommate to call you,i would have called but i had a flat battery' he explained.
So,it was this silly Akin that was calling her,when she had rushed out,thinking it was Rotimi,she hissed in her mind.
'Akin,i am in no mood for any of your foolish talks,i have to go' she walked into the garden without a backward glance at the guy she left behind.
She walked to the far end of the garden,it was a bit dark here,she saw figures standing around in two,some stood,some sat holding hands.
Janet sat on one of the cemented chairs,allowing herself to enjoy the breeze,she stretched her leg and relaxed her body.
She was thinking about Rotimi,when she heard someone moan,she listened carefully,and heard the moan again,whatever! She thought,when she began hearing voices,the couple were a few inches away from her,she had to strain her eyes to see their faces.
She couldn't make out their face,it was dark,soon,they began to talk,she would recognize that voice anywhere,anytime in this world.she listened again,ofcourse she hadn't made a mistake,it was the same person,she saw them smooching,the voice of the lady sounded familiar too.They didn't even notice her prescence,as the pair were touching and caressing in the dark garden.
Blood rushed to her face,as she sat propped on the chair,she was lost,she thought about something to do,she had two options.
1.She was to stand up,walk up to those ,and have them bursted.
2.Stand up,and a take a walk away carefully without being noticed.
She knew the better idea of the two,Her mind was made up as she stood up and...............
.....................................................................
Monday came and went without much fuss,tuesday,wednesday,and finally thursday.Janet had woken up to a warm morning.she lingered in bed till around 8 in the morning,her mother came in to bid her bye,she was off to work.
The morning sun did her good,she stood by her window enjoying,the feel of sunshine on her face,she remembered Jacob telling her that she could compete with the likes of Isabellezza di San Gregorio of Rome,with her beautiful and flawless skin,she smiled deep down in her heart,she sank on the bed again.
Ruffling the duvet with her feet,she wished Jacob was there with her,right in bed with her,she didn't want to think of likely things that could happen,if he was truly here.She longed for the day,he would finally take away her innocence and make her a woman!
It was one thing to look beautiful,its another to know you're beautiful and loved.Walking with an handsome man and a popular figure like Jacob Smith was a privilege anytime,anywhere,Jacob was never short of smile for everyone they met.
Jacob was out of the country on an urgent call he received Monday morning,he had flown to New York and had just returned last night,he had informed her that,they'ld go shopping today,she was so excited about it.
Something she loved about her 4inches Pear heels,was that it allowed her to walk gracefully,her blue chiffon blouse looked beautiful against her skin,what made her stomach yummy was when Jacob said,
'I love your white pant on that heels'
she had blushed,they'ld both enjoyed shopping this afternoon at MaSuShis Supermart.
Jacob had looked a bit tired but his black suit did him good,he'd bought her so many expensive things,she'd been awed when he bought her a N300,000 diamond ear studs,they looked so small yet shiny and beautiful.she couldn't thank him enough.
He'ld taken her for lunch to crown it up,he kept stealing kisses from her once there was a little opportunity,Jane could not contain her joy.He drove her home and before he allowed her to get down from the car,he'ld kissed her senseless making her ask for more,she enjoyed the feel of his lips on hers and lingered in his warm embrace,being in love was so much more than she knew.
Jacob reminded her every minute,of how much he loved her.they had even argued about who loved the other more,Jacob won and demanded that His price was a kiss,Janet gave in without a word since she was enjoying his touches.
Before he left,he reminded her of Saturday,pleading with her to come to his place,she had agreed with much confidence showing on her face.
Jacob returned to work,saying he had much work at the office.
Janet spread all that he bought her on the bed,she marvelled at how much he'd spent on a 2hrs shopping,when all she could give in return was kisses and show of love.
To be continued at 8pm.
