TEMPTATIONS IV

Part I
Part II
Part III

Akpos rose, I rose.

With my fakest smile I said “hey Tessie”. She totally ignored me.

“I said what are you doing here? So this is the friend you’re “going out with”?”

“Tessie, can you stop shouting and sit down? Let’s talk about this.”

He was angry but it makes him cuter. The whole incident was becoming funny, albeit in an embarrassing way

“Don’t tell me what to do you idiot”

I glanced at Akpos and said “Did that bitch just call you an idiot?” (With my eyes)

“You know what? You’re a spoilt brat Tess and I am tired of putting up with your rude life and constant drama……………….

I came here to have dinner with a beautiful lady (I blushed) and to tell her she makes all the difference in my life”

Akpos took my hands and said “go home baby (what? Me? Baby?) I’ll call you”

Tessie let out a high pitched scream like a wounded cat and started shouting her head off

I looked at her and felt (fake) sorry for her. Now she was calling names and drawing attention. I picked my purse, walked around the table and kissed Akpos…………straight on the lips (he kissed me back). Then I walked out ………….this time, I remembered my practiced catwalk and side smile; not as if it mattered anyways……………………………………….I was walking on the moon.

*I don't know how to say this, I don't even know what to say.................my heart is heavy and everyday I cry......for those kids, for all the people on that plane, for the people the plane fell on their house(s), for the people that go to church on Sundays and can't make it back home, for the people whose lives are destroyed everyday. I cry for Nigeria.

WEEKENDER

Linda was getting irritated now. She glanced around, checked her watch and pushed her hair from her face. She moved her bag from her left to right shoulder.
It’s been fifteen minutes now and Desmond was not showing up. Today meant a lot to her, that was the only reason she could wake up at 5am, in order to beat traffic and take such time to look good. She wanted to put a face to the name, a personality to the voice she's been hearing for close to one year. She dialed the number again.
"Where are you?"
"conoil"
"I’m actually at conoil"
Linda looked around again. She didn’t see any new or familiar person. Though she has not seen him before, she could tell how he looks.
"I can’t see you"
"which conoil are you?"
"In front of UBTH"
"you passed UNIBEN?"
"Yes"
After a long description, she dropped the call. With the previous night and early morning rain, she was supposed to be cuddled up on her bed still lazying around on a saturday morning but Desmond had asked her to come to Benin so that they can see so she had entered the rain and arrived at Benin.

A car parked in front of her and there he was, smiling at her. She took him in.............white shirt, white smile, cute face, firm build.........that was all she could see. Just her kind of guy. She made a "not bad" mental note and entered the car

Desmond pushed the straying hair from her face and touched her cheek
"I’m glad you came"
"me too"
They were lying face to face on the hotel bed. He has wanted to see this girl; the girl he talks to for minutes everyday, the girl he knows so much without the face. He wanted to see if she’s real or its just some voice over the machine. He tucked back another hair and cuddled her closer.
He had come to Benin for his friend's wedding and asked her to come. He looked at her again and sighed, wishing life was this easy.
"You know I’ll like to kiss you but I don’t want to jump on you"
"yeah, kissing me will really be jumping on me"
They talked late into the night and eventually slept off.
* * * *
The sound of somebody moving woke Linda and she opened her eyes. He was still holding her and he was so close. He hadn’t touched her through out the night, she was surprised.
"Good morning"
"good morning, hope you slept fine"
She moved closer and she could feel his breath on her face. She felt his mouth on hers and she kissed him back. A kiss that left her wanting more.
* * *
"It’s really nice of you to come"
"tanks for a good time"
"so we'll see, we re still in Nigeria"

"Yeah"
"bye" "bye"
Linda entered the cab. She looked back and he had already crossed the road. She closed her eyes and smiled.

Specially dedicated to KAYCEE. Happy birthday dear, thanks for all the joy you brought to my life.

TEMPTATION II

I could tell Akpos was looking at me. Don’t ask me how but his gazes were boring holes in my skin. I suddenly became self conscious, my cloth felt too tight, I dabbed at my face with my handkerchief, I became aware that my hair was falling across my face (which I hadn’t noticed till then) I tucked it back, shifted on my chair and kept watching the movie and making a serious effort not to look Akpos’s way.

Now I’m sure I hate Tessie. She was all over him with: “baby, you want some juice?” “You know I love you” “that’s my sweetheart”. I was boiling and trying so hard to keep it in check at least because of Victor.

At last, after a much failed attempt at conversation, Victor decided we should leave. Tessie still had a stupid grin on her face and I still had an overpowering urge to wipe it off with a slap. I caught Akpos looking at me then and almost missed a step.

“Victor, its really nice you checked on “me” (I noted that………..”me” not “us”), please do it again (a glance at me)….and its nice meeting you emm……..Linda” (of course, the pleasure is all mine)

“Same here” I said taking his hands. He held it a second longer and released it.

Tessie was not hiding her hatred anymore, she barely looked at me, hugged Victor and like a robot, turned and stormed off. Akpos saw us outside and waited while we entered the bus. He patted his friend and gave me a bow and a left eye wink.

I did not talk to Victor throughout the drive; I just told the driver where to drop me (not my house cos the last thing I need is a stalker)

I got down from the taxi and said “bye” “and please, don’t call me that much again” who was I kidding? I was just entering my house when my phone started ringing

“Please Victor, you need to chill”

“I’m sorry, can I call you back?”

“No, you can’t and I’ll appreciate it if you stop calling me”

I dropped the call……………………….I stopped and checked the number…………..08134……that was not Victor’s number. I didn’t save Victor’s number but I know it is 08034…..I hit the redial.

“Sorry, I thought its somebody else and this number is not listed on my phone”

“Yeah, thats because I stole your number”

“Sorry but who are you”

“My name is Akpos, Akpos Ibrahim”