Chapter Two{2}

A young lady is at a corner talking to a boy (The lady is Derricks sister) . 

"You are a very pretty lady oh"Kunle remarks. 

" Thank you." She replies. 

" Why don't you have time for me anymore?" he asks as he folds his hands and looks into her eyes.  

" It's not that I don't have time for you it's just..."She makes to speak but he completes her sentence for her. 

" that you don't have time for small boys like me Abi?" He adds. 

(Abi means right?) 

" No nah.  Haba it is nothing like that." She protests. 

(Nah and haba are words of protest) 

" Then what is it!?.....  Sometimes I even doubt if you still love me." He looks away from her. And wears a fake frown. 

"How can you say that? You know how much you mean to me." She says so lovingly.

" No I do not!. You,  show me what I mean to you." He replies as he looks back into her eyes. 

"Oya how do I prove my love? " she asks him as she throws her hands around his neck. ( oya means okay) 

"That is up to you." He says and looks away from her again. 

" Okay I will fast a whole day for your well-being." She says with all seriousness and Hope to make him laugh. 

"who fasting epp??" 

(who cares about fasting??)  He asks with an alarmed and equally disgusted face. 

And his expression makes the young lady start laughing. 

"No its true nah.... If you want Benz now... Won't you fast and pray? " he says as he pushes her away from him and keeps up his baby act of being angry. 

"Okay what do you want me to do? " she asks and stands with her hands Akimbo(hands on her waist) ... While looking at him... 

"Why don't you come check me in my hotel today? " He cooed into her ear. Which causes her to smile. 

"Today?!, can't it be later.. My brother would be around tonight. " she pleads. 

"Esther!, you see what I am saying??. There is always a reason for you to stay away from me!. " He says.

Annoyance is evident in his voice. 

"Okay,  I'll try... By what time? ".. She submits. 

" 8:00pm would do. "He says whilst smiling. 

"Eight??!... What do you want me to be doing there so late??!!. " she exclaims. 

"Are you not my girlfriend?. I have my reasons. And besides I want to spend quality time with my chick before I go back to Keffi". He replies. 

"Okay, but I will come by seven. " she states.  

"Why?! "He asks in astonishment. 

"So that I would leave early". she replies with an 'isn't it obvious'expression

"Okay. But I would not mind if you stay over night" he says while smirking. 

"I'll try" she replies laughing. 

Her phone rings and her laughter automatically drops when she looks at the screen. 

"It's Derrick. " she informs her boyfriend before taking the call. 

She takes the call and puts it on speaker so her boyfriend could listen. 

"Hello brother. "

"Where are you?! " Derricks voice booms through the speaker.... And Esther silently thanks God that the phone was no where near her ear. 

"Brother,  I am at my course mates house" she replies and her boyfriend looks at her with an amazed expression.

Just then a Dangote trailer passes the road beside them and honks his horn. 

Esthers eyes widen in fear... First from the suddend ear piercing noise. And second, because she knows she is going to have to give a tangible explanation for the sound to her  brother. 

Her boyfriend sees her plight and tries his possible best to stifle his laughter. 

"Ahah.... Shey trailer is inside your friends house ni?? " 

(Really?? so there is a trailler in your friends house?)  Derrick asks sarcastically as he knows His younger sister is lieing to him. 

"No... no.. Brother, their house is close to the road and I just came out of their gate... That is why" she instantly replies as she knows her brother is catching up on her lies.  

Her boyfriends mouth brops open as he looks at her in utter disbelief. He is clearly shocked by his girlfriends lieing talent. 

She silently chuckles and swats his arm to make him stop. 

"Hmmm. Okay ooo.. Oya... Mon reti e ni le o! (I am waiting for you at home o!){Yoruba}... So don't waist my time. "

"Yes sir... Mon bo.... (I'm coming)" {Yoruba} 

Her conversation with her brother keeps going on and her boyfriend looses interest... But is patiently waiting.

He sometimes stares at her and sometimes into the street ahead. Kunle and Esther met at The University Of Lagos an two years ago. When she was still in three hundred level and he in his final year. Their love story begins like most typical ones; two strangers bumping into each other. 

**********

She is pushing her weight from one leg to the other and she seems very uncomfortable with the call. 

She makes silly faces when she lies about her current location and why she's not yet home and many other things. Which makes her boyfriend just takes a quick glance at her whenever she does so. 

She finally ends the call. 

"That was my brother.  He is home,  I really need to go.  Bye talk later." She informs him with a displeased look on her face.

She's about to leave when her boyfriend drags her by the wrist and asks; 

"just like that?! " 

" What? " she asked as puzzled as she can possibly be.

" No goodbye?". He asks while moving closer to her and minimising the space between them.

" But I just said goodbye!" She replies with a questioning look on her face.

" Is that how to bid me Farewell?" He holds her hands and asks her while looking into her eyes.

"Kunle, I really need to get going, what do you want ?"  she is becoming impatient.

" Give me a kiss and I will let you go." He cooed.  

" Is that all?" She asks him. 

"Yes." He replies with a broad smile. 

She throws her hands around his neck and stands on her toes in order to reach his lips. He bends his head a little to the side and puts his hand around her waist all the way to the back. Now she is done but he won't let go off her.

She tries to gently push him away but he won't budge. So she grabs a huge chunk of flesh from his chest and pinches it.

He quickly let's go due to pain and she playfully runs away while laughing at him. 

*************************

Derrick is at home and he is on a call with a lady. 

"Oh baby,  you know I love you.? "   he says into his phone. 

" Derrick,  how much do you love me?" The feminine voice on the other side asks. 

" I love you to the point that I need you." 

"How much do you need me?"she asks

" Lisa, I need you more than oxygen."he replies with a broad smile. 

" Oh really?,  you deserve a reward for that. "

" really?" He asks in excitement. 

" Yes."

  " So what is my reward?"

" Come to my house by 7:00pm and I'll show you. In fact you will not just see it but feel it" Lisa playfully whispers into the speaker. 

"Oh!, that's why I love you" He says. 

The tablet beside him begins to vibrate and; 

  "Baby?, can I call you back?... An office call is coming in." He infroms Lisa. 

" okay baby... I love you"

"love you too honey"

"Bye"

"okay bye love. "

He ends his call on the phone and picks up the tablet to receive the call. 

  " hello Bimpe " he says into the tab with a disgusted expression. 

" hello Derrick? Baby I am missing you oh " a ladies voice says through the tablets speaker. 

" oh my love, indeed you're one of a kind . I was just thinking about you. Baby you are truly the one meant for me " He scrunches his nose and eyes the empty space before him... As if Bimpe was actually there. 

" really?! " The tone of her voice rises. She I happy to hear that. 

" yes. I even said you deserve an award for making me to love you and think about you this much. " He continues with his lies. 

" Awwn. No problem cause I also want to give you a reward. "

" really? What is it?" This makes him excited. 

" baby come to my house by 6:00pm and you will find out " She replies before giggling. 

"please love,  just give me a hint" He pleads. 

  "ok it is your best game and it is played in my room "

" ooh,  is that my reward? . I'm sorry but you have to wait cause I have someone else by....." He quickly takes his tongue between his teeth as he sees he has almost blown his cover. 

  "what?! " she screams into the speaker.

" no... no...no baby that's not what I meant.  I meant I have an appointment with the doctor by 7:00pm as I am not feeling too good at the moment " He  bites his lower lips as he hopes she buys his lie. 

" oh my baby.. I'm sorry to hear that... What's wrong???... Should I come over???." She asks with her voice so low. 

He smirks as he has once again managed to fool poor Bimpe.

" No.. No.. Love... No need to worry... Esther is here to take care of me" He replies smiling as be is proud of his skills. 

  "ooh. Okay love. So what of our wedding plans? "

Derrick... Almost chocking on the wine he is drinking:"What??! " 

"yes now?.. You promised to marry me before taking my virginity.. And now I am asking about the wedding plans" She replies with with questioning tone. 

"oooh that.... Yes.. Y.. I'm still on it. " he replies as he is just remembering that he did tell that lie. 

"oh okay"

"yeah" he replies hoping this is the end of the conversation. 

" so I saw some beautiful wedding dresses online and some killer tuxs.... And I'm sure you would love them... I would wire the pictures to you on WhatsApp and also..... " she continues

" Hello? .. Hello? ... Bimpe?.." He cuts her. 

" yes love? "

" Look,  let's not discuss this now.. I am having serious head ache and you know it's not good to order such things online... So later when I have time.. I would send you money or go with you to buy what you want... Okay?. " he lies agin. 

Goodness knows how many lies lies has told in a life time. 

" okay love.  Anything for you.... Just get some rest.. Okay honey? ". The naive woman reply lovingly. 

"okay"

"okay, I lov.... "

"yes,  yes bye... "he quickly replies as he had had enough of her. 

He ends the call with a disgusted look plastered on hIs face.... And then he starts talking to him self... 

"Marriage kor... Marriage ni... (Its not only marriage) stupid girl.... The marriage i promised her {he says mimicking Bimpe} OMO ode (stupid child){Yoruba} .... Virign my foot!!. She was already vibrating when I tried to come near her... She was forming J. J. C  (new comer) for me... She is very stupid.... Virgin to mo bi won shen give hj ati bj... Awan audio virgin( Virgin that knows how to give a H.J and a B.J... Fake virgin).. OSI(nonsense).... Yes i made her bleed... And so??....  She is now  shoving marriage down my neck!!.... She should better go and look for one Sule(fool)  that she can trap into marrying her cause who I want to marry is already known to me. "

He is still talking to himself when Esther walks In. 

"Brother... Ekasan (brother.. Good afternoon)" she greets as she kneels before her brother. 

" Kasan... Ni bo le lo oo ? (afternoon... Where did you go o) " he questions as he folds his hands across his chest

" But brother I told you over the phone nah.. I went to see my course mate whose mother just passed on" Brother or sister is added before the name of the elder siblings by the younger ones to show respect. Its mostly done by the Yoruba tribe but a few other Nigerian tribes do so as well. 

" Aya!!  You did not tell me that you have now become undertaker that Is helping people to bury their dead. " Derrick reply sarcastically. 

  " Brother, its nothing like that... we are actually very close.. I could Not refuse when she invited me... She was in so much pain"

" Pele(sorry)... Pain killer!!.... So you were helping them to cry over their loss for almost two hours! "

"Sorry brother... I didnt know time had gone so fast. "

" ole mo!!!  to ba ti ri ounje abi okurin... Ara e man  dide ni!! (You can not know!! When ever you see food or men... Your system is never calm) " He scolds. 

" Ema binu sir "(don't be angry sir). 

  "Iwo lo mo(That's your business).... Just go and get me something to eat. " he says with finality in his voice. 

" yes sir" she replies as she heads towards the kitchen. 

*****

Later that day, Mr. Adebayo.... (Derrick and Esthers father) is back from work seated at the dining table. He has a newspaper in his hand and a cup of tea on the dining, with the remote in his other hand. 

He occasionally glances up at the television to see if there is anything exciting happening as he gently sips his hot tea. 

He is an average height man,  fit but has a little pot belly (more like a 2 months old pregnancy). He is bald, uses glasses and has a full moustache with a mixture of both grey and black hair.

He is very fluent in his speech and has a nice and deep bass voice. He does not seem to be someone who partakes in violence. He seems to be very calm and easy going.Looking at him one tends to wonder where Derrick got his character from. 

Esther walks into the living room in a pretty but big dress, she has her hair tied in a scarf and she has an arm bag sitting on her shoulder.  She also has a Bible and a jotter strapped to her chest by her hands. 

Her father takes a quick glance at her and says nothing but rather just turns back to his paper and continues Reading. 

A few seconds later Derrick walks into the living room. He is wearing a blue shirt,  black jeans and a pair of sneakers. 

Their father takes a good look at them one more time and then turns to his papers.

Mr Adebayor finally speaks but does not avert his gaze from his paper 

"are you guys going somewhere? "He asks with his smooth and calm voice. 

" sir, I am but I did not think Esther is "Derrick replies while staring at Esther from head to toe. 

"what do you mean?! Daddy,  I am also going somewhere"Esther protest.. While looking at her brother with wide eyes. 

"where are you going?! . Did you inform me?!  "Derrick scolds. 

"I did not but that is why I am telling daddy. There is no need to scold me. " she spits at him. 

" if you talk to me like that again,  I will make sure you do not step out of this house for a whole month! bet me! "He says almost shouting

" sorry sir. But I am not a baby anymore " she proclaims while folding her hands. 

" will you shut up?! Says who?  to me you are still a baby.  My little sister!  Do you hear?! " he shouts this time. 

"Yes sir" she finally submits.. With distaste written all over her face. 

Their father who seems to be paying no attention to their arguments finally speaks again.

" Esther, where to? "

" daddy,  we have a church vigil  today so I may not be back till 6:00am the next morning "she replies while playing with the zip of her bag. 

" are you and your brother attending different churches? " Mr. Adebayo asks as He senses something fishy. 

" no Daddy we are not "Esther replies... While shaking her head. 

" so why is he not following you? Or is that where you are going Derrick? " He asks Derrick. 

"No sir "Derrick replies sternly. 

"Then do you know anything about this? " he ask Derrick. 

"No sir" Derrick replies. 

"so if you both attend the same church,  how come he does not know? " Mr. Adebayo asks Esther. 

"He did not attend last Sunday service so he missed the announcement " Esther lies through her teeth.

"okay if you say so" Mr. Adebayo... Replies... He knows his daughter is lieing but is not willing to go further. 

He pauses and takes a sip of his tea before  resuming his question and answer session with his children. 

"So young man, where to? " he finally averts his attention to Derrick. 

"Daddy, Dayo is not feeling too well so he said I should come and see him. And if need be... I should take him to the hospital. "Derrick replies... While looking at the floor. 

An act that makes Mr. Adebayo smirk cause he knows Derrick does not look at him when he is telling him lies. But either ways.. He let's it go... For reasons best know to him.

"Okay, but the church is on the way to Dayos house... So why don't you take Esther with and drop her at the church?... I mean, give her a lift. " Mr. Adebayo intentionally asks to pull his children's legs as he knows they are both lieing about where they want to spend the night. 

" Daddy, no need health is wealth.  Let brother Derrick quickly go and I will find my way " Esther immediately protests as she knows her cover is about to be blown. 

" yes sir that sounds nice. Dayo really needs me right away " derrick immediately agrees for he fears the same. 

Besides I am a big girl" she adds while smiling sheepishly.

"yes sir she is " Derrick subconsciously agrees in desperation to cover his tracks and gain permission to go. 

"Derrick said you're a big girl?! " His father asks in astonishment.... While trying to stifle his laughter as he is fully aware of what had been going on. And the bomb he just dropped on his children. 

"Not really sir. I did not say that"... Derrick replies as he sees what he had just done. 

Derrick is not one to refer to his sister as a grown up... To him,  he still has to keep hovering over her like her father to keep her from being around boys or as he puts it... 'To keep her safe"

So his agreement to Esthers statement is very awkward. 

"But you just said that" Mr. Adebayo says whilst laughing. 

"Sorry sir it was a mistake... Sir can we go? "Derrick asks his father as he is becoming impatient. 

"The both of you may go. You can not run from yourselves.I know the both of you too well.Weldone...." He replies half warning them as he laughs... 

Derrick And Esther are left  wondering what their father ment as they walk out of the house.