“You got my address so easily.” She muttered. “How was the journey?”

“Fine, thank you. Is anything wrong?” He asked, rather impatiently.

“No... N..nothing. Nothing is wrong. It’s just that I never imagined you’ll come so early.”

“Really? But we concluded on meeting last night, right? Or aren’t you happy to have me?” He quirked an eyebrow, looking so disappointed.

“No, it’s that.” She smiled.
“Umm... have a seat. I’ll be back, okay?”

“Wait! Where are you going?” He held her back. Her whole body trembled to his single touch.
“Ummm... You must be tired. I need to get you a drink.”

***

The Next Morning...

Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!

Someone hit the wooden door thrice. Abruptly, Dele slowly opened his eyes to the sound at the door and stands up from the sleeping beauty who was still sound asleep in front of him.

Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!

The person knocked again. Dele immediately reached for the door’s knob to check who it was. Imade turned as he watched her. She was still sound asleep, so he didn’t want to wake her either.

It was Cynthia Olasefunmi, Imade’s distant cousin, that lives in another village. Opening the door, it surprised her to see a stranger in Imade’s room. Her tiny eyes raked through his strong, masculine body, but he greeted her respectfully even though they’ve never met.

“Good morning sister, how may I help you?” Dele started.

“Good morning...” she replied, still staring at him dramatically. “I’m looking for my cousin, Imade.”

“Oh! She’s sleeping.”

“Okay... Umm... Can you help me wake her up?” She asked. “Why I came is quite important.”

“Okay, give me a minute, please.” He uttered, gently closing the door beside him- the way he opened it earlier.

Cynthia couldn’t help but to smirk and wonder. ‘A guy in Imade’s room? What’s she now? A prostitute? And who’s this guy? Well, he’s looking so hot. She has great taste in guys, anyway. I can’t wait to know...’

“Honey,” he whispered and slightly placed his lips on hers as she woke with a smile. “My love.” Dele muttered again to caress her hair romantically. “Your cousin is looking for you.”

“My cousin?” She rubbed her eyes and stretched her body. “Where’s she?”

“She’s outside. It seems she came for something urgent.” He reported, sitting close to her on the edge of her bed. “She seemed surprised when she saw me, though. I think you should check on her.”

“Okay...” Imade stands up, tying her wrapper on her chest.

She opened the door and peeps out before finally stepping outside of the room, closing the door gently beside her.

Cynthia is three years younger than Imade but she married a village schoolteacher who lives in Omou, a neighboring town and she’s blessed with four children.

“Good morning sister Imade.” She greeted.

“Good morning. How are you?”

“Fine.” She smiled. “It’s been a while so, I came and check on you.”

“So you came all the way from Omou to check on me this early morning?” Imade wondered.

“No, oo... It’s not like that, actually. I came to buy some stuff in Iloka market yesterday so I spent the night with your mum.”

“Really?” Imade wore an ‘i-don’t-care‘ look.

Umm... She told me about the guy staying with you. Sister, I know it’s none of my business, but who is he exactly?”

“And why do you ask?” Imade rolled her eyes at her.

“Nothing o. I just want to know.”

“Cynthia! What is your own now? Is it you they send to me this early morning? I must not have rest of mind in my own house again or what?!”

“No, sister Imade. It’s not like that... I mean-“

“Pele o, madam asking.” Imade hissed and cut into her words.
“As if you’re not having problems with your own marriage. Face your business and leave me to face mine! If I like, I’ll get married and leave this village. It’s none of your business! Ah! It remains small. Tiny like this. All of you that’s having hand in my matter!” Imade spit angrily. “God will expose you one after the other!”

She felt terrible because her mother actually told her cousin about Dele. As if it would ever change her love for him.

“No o.. Sister Imade, I’m not against you getting married o. In fact, that’s what I want, but...”

“But what?! Or you want to come and join us together abi?!”

“No...It’s just that my countenance evinced something unusual about you. That’s why I actually came.” Cynthia moved closer. It’s been a couple of days now and I’ve been having nightmares about you.

“Nightmares?”

“Yes. As if you’re lost in an unknown forest and a spirit is chasing after you. Sometimes, it’s a dark, faceless person all dressed in red trying to strangle you and you’re helpless. I still remember that terrible dream from last night. It’s unbearable. That’s why I came and check on you..”

Dele was eavesdropping into their conversation. He was getting pissed up, but he didn’t want to intrude; so he kept quiet for a while, listening to what the sisters were saying. What Cynthia was bringing up and how Imade was replying to her. And just at that moment, any thoughts roam through his mid mind.

‘This Cynthia of a lady must be a very dangerous person. She must be a witch to have known these. I must stop her conversation.’ A voice in his head whispered to him. He quickly arranged the bed and started sweeping the room. He swept the room out and it surprised Cynthia to see him sweep.

“Wow! He sweeps for you?”
She changed the conversation, not wanting him to hear about the negative things she’s said earlier.

Imade laughs and nodded her head positively. “Are you surprised he’s different from Tobi, your husband, that barely feeds his family?”

“Come on, Sister Imade. Don’t talk about Daddy Pelumi like that. Perhaps he’s still my husband.” Cynthia defended.

“Hmm... Mummy Pelumi. I’ve heard you.” She hissed at her once again before turning to Dele

“My sweetheart here does all the house chores for me without complaining. He has just spent a day o, but it’s like I’ve known him for long. I mean... Dele is just simple.” She bragged.

“Wow! Really?”

“Yes o. In fact, I’m indeed lucky to have him.”

“You’re so lucky. I mean... It’s very rare to meet guys like these, especially these days, except they want something from you. You know, nothing goes for nothing. Guys these days want something in return.”

“Something like what?”

“Ah! Me I don’t know o... I’m just saying my own.” Cynthia shirked.

She dragged her away from Dele’s sweeping and took her to a corner outside as if she wanted to tell her a secret.
“Look here, this Dele that you’re seeing is a very rich guy. He’s very hard-working doctor in Lagos and he owns a house there. I’ll be going to visit him in Lagos soon and we’ll be planning our engagement and wedding maybe before March of next year.

“Wow! That means you’ll be married in 2021?! Oh my God! I’m so impressed!”

“We just met, so we’re trying to take things slowly as for now. Especially from him.”

“Praise God! This is good news, I mean... This means a lot! Why haven’t you introduced him to mama now abi, what’s holding you?”

“Don’t mind mama. She hasn’t even met him o. Just because she heard about him from outside, she’s already misinterpreting things. And she wants me to marry Baba Fegbemi that’s why.”

“Habaa! No o.. He’s a good man, but he doesn’t fit your status.” Cynthia muttered and let out a heavy breath. “I pray Jesus bless this relationship and you both would get married soon o... because I can’t wait till then.”

“Amen ooo, Mummy Pelumi.”

“I’ll be on my way now. I’ll see you later. Just take care of yourself, sister.”

“Okay, I’ve heard you. Imade smiled and accompanied her outside the compound.

When she came back, Dele had put water in the pot and light the firewood.

She met him bleeding from the fire to catch when she came back. She rubbed her hands on his shoulders as if it meant anything important...

“What’s her name? Dele asked. She’s Cynthia, my distant cousin, but I have a close relationship. We’re more like sisters anyway...I think she just came to check on me.”

“Hmm...” Dele muttered, wearing a funny look like that of a hungry rat peeping from its hole.

“What’s it darling? What’s that look for?” She couldn’t help but to burst out into an uncontrollable laughter. “What’s it Dele? Why the funny face?”

“I don’t know o. But I think your cousin talks a lot.”

“Awwwwn... Don’t mind her. That’s how she is.” Imade joked and enter inside. Dele prepared rice and stew, they eat together that morning before going to the saloon.

19.02.2021