“Jeez! You made this for me?” Imade asked in amidst the amazement.

She couldn’t believe it. She just couldn’t believe Dele had boiled yam and pounded it all by himself. The soft round shaped food was in front of her.
Looking at it made Imade’s mouth water. Well, she’d prepared the soup before his arrival so...

“C’mon, wash your hands and eat. He persuaded.

“Yeah, sure!” Imade replied him, impatiently.

She just couldn’t wait. Taking a potion from it, it felt so smooth and fluffy.

She deepened it into the egusi soup. “hmm... It tastes like heaven.”

“Come and join me. C’mon, wash your hands and let’s eat together.”

“No, don’t worry. He muttered. I’ve had enough at home before bringing yours.”

“Awwwwn... Won’t you eat with your wife? Take...” She tried to feed him, but he told her he’s satisfied.

Imade ate till her fill. She loved how everything went. It’s just too good to have a guy like Dele around. No worries, no stress. If he wasn’t here, most times, she would forget to have lunch or other times, she buy snacks just to fill up her stomach.

Well, Dele packed the plates back home and cleaned everything. More customers came while Imade attended to them. She made about three more styles for her customers before closing the shop. It was just 6:00 p.m.

“I’m so tired Imade. I really wish we could stroll.”

“Stroll.” she repeated, as if she was trying to digest the word, mentally.

“Yes. Just to know Iloka, at least. We’ve been in a shop since morning.” He said, looking a little sad.

“Awwwwn... Lagos man. I see you’re already missing Lagos.” She smirked at him, rolling her eyes as if she was trying to mock him.

“Whatever! If you go to Lagos, you’d never want to leave.”

“And why won’t I want to leave?” She asked, curiosity laced her voice. Because of the hustling and bustling over there. Life in Lagos is sweet, my dear. You’ve got friends everywhere and there’s always a hangout with my friends almost every night. It’s always fun, Imade. I can’t wait to take you around. You know, visit beautiful places like Lekki Conservation Centre where you’ll witness nature and wildlife. There’s Turkwa Bay Beach, Elegushi beach, Klakuta Republic Museum and freedom park. Have you ever been to Lekki Market?"

She nodded her head negatively at his question, looking a little confused. It was her first time hearing the name of these places, but definitely, she must have missed a lot. Imade knew that already.

“Omg! I can’t wait to take you round Lekki Market and Ikeja City Mall.”

“Awwwwn... I really wish to visit there, Dele. Would you take me to all these places?” She asked innocently.

“Yes, sure! Why not?!” He answered excitedly. “Do you know the third mainland bridge is the longest bridge in Nigeria and the second longest in the whole of Africa?”

“Really?” she asked in disbelief.

“Yes! These places are just amazingly outstanding. I’m going to spoil you whenever we get to Lagos. It’s just a heaven on earth.”

“Awwwwn.. that’s lovely. But Iloka too is a beautiful place. I mean... We have beautiful sights, too.”

Dele looked away as if he didn’t hear.

“Oh! You don’t believe? Let me take you round and you’d forget about a place called Lagos.” She wanted to joke, but the words came out as a serious expression on her face.

Dele couldn’t help but to laugh out loud. The way she said it sounded funny to him.

“And how do you want me to believe that?”

“Seeing is believing, right? C’mon, let’s go.”

Imade cleared her shop for tomorrow and locked the door and windows. She held Bamidele by his arm as they walked side by side, going eastwards.

Normally, Imade would close by 7:00 p.m. But not today. It was just about sunset. The sky was bright yellow, mixed with orange, and baby blue, like that in a painting. The evening was quite cold. Come of the passengers watched the two love birds while passing. A couple of children were playing with old, dirty, motorcycle tires- chasing it around with tiny sticks and making a ‘vooooom!’ Sound with it. It looked funny to Dele, and he clearly remembered his childhood days.

One could instantly love the sounds of the chuckles and gigglings from the kids as they played on the ground in the evening dust. The way they played by the side of the road and in front of their houses brought memories to Dele. He just smiled. One could fall in love with the teenage girls braiding their hair in a local twist, adimole.

The black beauties that were chatting under an enormous mango tree surrounded by the smell of dried, rotten mangoes tossed by the side of the road too, was a pretty sight indeed. What wasn’t lovable? Although Dele decided not to take pictures, he just had to. He planned not to keep any memories of Imade or anything related to her. He took the pictures and then, delete them later. Probably after his mission. Well, what was in mind was in mind, but the eyes sees and what we see is what we remember. Dele was in thoughts, thinking about how he breaks his own rule. His own plan, but love is worth it. His love for Imade is growing every second of the day; so is hers for him.

“This used to be my class teacher’s house, but she died last year. We used to be very close and I visit her every weekend just like family. In fact, she was closer to me than my mother.” Imade explain as she walked alongside, noticed he was off minded.

“Darling!” she called as he finally turned to her.
“What are you think of? Is everyone alright?”

“Y.. yes! I mean, yes, my love. It’s just that this place reminds me a lot about my childhood.”

“Walk faster, my love. Let’s go.” She dragged him as they approached a path. Walking through, they got to a part of the thick forest that carpeted the uplands. A certain coldness welcomed them as they walked further.
“Where are we going?” Dele asked, rather impatiently.
“Just keep on moving honey, stop whining like a baby.”

“I’m scared.” He suddenly stops, squirting to the ground and hunched into a ball, with his knees tight against his chest.

“What are you doing?” Imade frowned.

“I’m scared. You’re taking me deep into the forest. Somewhere I don’t know.”

“Come on, dele, stop murmuring like a hungry child. It’s almost dusk already, I want to show you sunset before it clocks 7:00 p.m.” she grabbed his built arm, trying to raise him up but she couldn’t. He smiled at her and suddenly stands up.

“Is there a river here? It’s getting cold.” He uttered as they walked further. The path looked narrow and Ricky defile.

“You’re such a drama king!” Imade rolled her eyes and hissed at him.

“Whatever! I can’t wait to see the river.” He started running and yelling, “Follow me!” But Imade couldn’t run quick. Some girls coming from the path watched them both with the ‘God-when’ kind of look. They couldn’t help but to snicker that the adults that were playing like two chickens.
‘What a perfect love story?’
Some girls uttered while another hissed. They started gossiping about the fact that Imade isn’t married yet and who is that guy? Another girl came to join the talk saying, “I heard he’s living with her? Who does that?”

Whatever they were saying or whining about wasn’t Imade’s business. She cared less about others and turned deaf ears to their rubbish talks.

However, Imade ran to meet her with her new lover. He double back, carried her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

“Light as a feather!” He chipped while Imade squealed like a girlie girl in the spire of herself.

“Be careful, dear! There’s a river out there!!”

“I can see it, darling. Woah!” He wondered, dropping Imade on her feet.
“This is heaven!” He whispered. So shocked at what stands before him.

Imade adjusts the short gown as she started at him with a smile across her pretty face.

“I told you...”

“Yeah, you sure did.”

I front of them was an oxbow lake.

***

Words and Translations

-Love wan tintin : Eternal Love

-Vooooom: Sound of a moving car (immetated by the village children.)

-Adimole: A special style of hair braiding

***

Lol! My translation might be funny o buh, I sha try.😏

Don't forget to vote, comment and share. Next week would be so much fun I tell you, interesting updates loading. Well, I hope to complete this novel pretty soon. I think we have 3 more chapters to go.

Or more....
Love y'all! You're chewgum writer😜😜😜

12.03.2021.