So many people are invested in your marital choice and prayers. In our society, your family wants you to marry from a responsible home, probably to a man or lady who will treat them well and allow you to do the same.

Your friends get invested too, but the surprising class is your workers, the drivers, cleaners, secretaries. In their defense they all have good reason for praying for you to settle down some good or bad.

Obi drove through the ever busy streets of Lagos. His boss, Chris sat at the owners corner and he kept sending glances towards him to make sure he was okay.

Their day was long and exciting he wondered gently if his oga(boss) liked the doctor lady. Obi prayed silently that his Oga will, if he does he'll never get married to Madam Nina whom he really hated.

After much internal debate, he cleared his throat to gain his Boss's attention.

"Erhm Oga," he adjusted his face cap nervously then continued, "Oga what of the aunty wey dey with you." He trained his eyes on the mirror to view Chris's expression.

As usual Chris didn't disappoint him with his tight lipped answer, "She left."

The answer wasn't satisfying but it was all he was going to get. Obi couldn't understand this man, even after being his driver for three years.

Chris doesn't drink, smoke he was sure the Oga doesn't sleep with Chikala's too. He made a quick sign of the cross when the thought of his Oga liking men came to his mind.

"Oga I like that doctor aunty o." Smiling sheepishly.

Chris stared at Obi wondering what his problem was with the little talks tonight, he knew how much he loved his peace and quiet.

You couldn't blame the poor man though for liking her so Chris joked, "Make I give you her number?"

Obi felt uncomfortable so he quickly broke out in Pidgin," Ah Oga, she no be my class o. She get small oyinbo tongue like you too."

Chris smiled at the drivers observation but was shocked when he added, "But Oga, she go fine for you o. As una sit down there together for back una match wella."

Chris couldn't help but laugh after his initial shock. "Obi when did you turn to my matchmaker? My friend please drive."

Yet he couldn't stop wondering about what happened earlier, he felt the need to tear her walls down and deliberately close her off to him.

The way she walked out on him kept playing in his minds eye. He was too stunned that she did not reply while he gave her his analysis of what he thought of her.

It was all a lie though, even though she acted rude and tough her eyes showed softness and kindness which wasn't how self absorbed people behaved, she just took care of a random stranger.

Her dress sense which he berated so much he actually admired. In the midst of immodesty she looked decent.
Pushing her away seems like the better idea. At first, he wanted to get to know her, until she tried to label him or better put until she saw through Chris.

There was pain in her, as she flinched when he described her. It was an old one he could see it easily because she did not try to hide it. The way she picked at the desert when the waiter brought it hurt him he wanted her to eat and be free with him yet he was pushing her away.

Chris knew he should have got up and followed he, but a part of him wouldn't let him.

In reality, Chris was a God person. He loved him with all his heart. It was God who picked up his pieces together and gave him a semblance of peace and hope. He should have just told her that was what the cross represented.

Chris threw his head on the headrest as a weird craving for alcohol hit him. It has been six years of sobriety but today after those doe eyes whose fire and spirit reminded him of Christiana he really wanted alcohol.

His phone vibrated loudly and he pulled it out, already knowing who it was.

"Chris, where you at? You promised to have dinner with me," Nina said in a pitchy whiny voice that put him off.

"On my way home. Sorry, unexpected events came up. I'll see you when I get back from Italy" He massaged his temples gently to quell his head ache.

"Chrrrrisss!" Her singsong voice was loud now.

"Sorry Nina but, I have to go" he replied rudely.

"Wait up, have you closed your deal with that tacky lady, the one with her nose in the air." Nina was giggling, as if what she said was funny.

Chris felt angry on her behalf for someone who just gave a lecture on judgment he wasn't about to listen to this.

A loud long hiss followed her statement from Chris, "Really Niniola! Must you be so self conceited and rude, she dresses the way she wants o be comfortable in and we both know you only make fun of people when you feel threatened by them."

Although she changed her name to Nina, Niniola was her maiden name. Immediately after snapping at her he felt worse, apart from his mum and Christiana who was still in a coma there was nobody else he loved so much.

"Wow! You are raising your voice at me because of her. She isn't your wife or anything. I hope you are not in love with her?" angrily making her thoughts known.

"I don't even know her Nee, how can I be in love with her? My head is aching Nina, I'm sorry I couldn't have dinner with you okay. The deal hasn't been closed yet, we have a verbal agreement, but she will go to CHANCE to make it legal and binding tomorrow, OK goodnight."

"Wait! Why are you so much in a hurry to get rid of me, let me head over there and make sure everything goes smoothly. You need a Closer and you know am the best you got. This way you are sure the contract is iron tight," She appealed the wheels turning in Nina's head.

Chris was grateful. "Alright thanks Nee, that will be great."

"Oh and Chris take pain relievers, have a warm shower, I hope its not those migraines? Remember those sleep concoctions I taught you? make one of it and rest OK love," she said sweetly and softly switching over to the caring Nina he adored.

"Hmn yes mummy, I will." He smiled into the phone.

Obi squeezed his face in anger as he overheard their conversations, it didn't feel like his matchmaking skills where any good. "Winch," he muttered under his breath making sure Chris couldn't hear.

Although Nina could be dead ass annoying she was soft on the inside, and she took good care of Chris. She was like a second mum to Chris although she could never take Christina place, she never tried to, which was one of the reasons he loved her like family.

Nina representing him in tomorrow's meeting looked like a good idea to Chris. She was a lawyer, A bad ass one at that and was always looking out for him including protecting his interests.

Chris only prayer was that she was on her best behavior, a part of him felt confident that even if she didn't she will meet her match in Pamela.
Today was the last day they'll probably meet and he couldn't help but feel a slight pang of loss. This was definitely goodbye.

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

"All passengers, tighten you seat belts as we take off." the flight attendant droned via the speakers.

Chris sat cross legged in the first class division. His father owned this plane and most of the airlines in the country, he had large stakes in them. The thought of that vile man, left a bitter taste on my mouth..

Few feet from him was a recently married Celebrity couple gushing about each other with the usual "I love you" playing in their lips.

He drew the curtains to partition his space, he wasn't in the mood to stomach their Lovey dovey.

He wandered if they even knew what the word love meant.
We usually promise it to our partners, chant it to others like we mean it, like we know what it entails or we are willing to try.

To him love is simply our own way of escaping the bleakness of our incapabilities and our daily struggle, so we search for someone to share it with, trust them to 'love' us through it. A way of escape from the emotions of what we are, we give it as an excuse to cover our shortcomings, and expect it to be given freely. We allow it to let us give up the control of our emotions our so called 'mumu button' and give the partner room to hurt us and make excuses for it.

Not even all parents love the child they brought into the world, worse if it was a mistress son. So, they abandon their duties. They should have zipped up their pants in the first place, rather than bring in a child they couldn't love.

The thoughts rummaging his head left a sour taste in his mouth. Thank God he was leaving Nigeria, being here always messed with his head.

Yes, he was the son of his father's white mistress. The son to one of the richest man in Africa who ruined his life.

Chris turned off airplane mode on his table. It was better for him to do something worthwhile rather than wallow in self pity.

There was a new text from Pamela and he suddenly felt excited.

Time was not included in your text, when should I come and seal the deal, I have to leave Lagos today _Pamela

The text came in at 6:am, another one read;

Its 9:am already,no reply still. I am heading in anyway.

Not replying her text made him feel bad, so he decided to call since he was reading her text at 9:50 am right now.
It rang at first dial, and  even though there were rules against planes and phones but it was just to makes sure cellular network does not interfere with their own network not like they were going to crash.

After the third ring she picked,
"Hello," she said softly her voice coming out in a breathy whisper like she was busy with something.

  One word but he breathed in. Her voice was so still, Chris let the sound wash over me for a little bit.

"Good morning, sorry for the late reply, but you can go in for the meeting now if convenient." He whispered softly in return.

"Thanks, I am on my way in there now. Goodbye" Pamela replied.

Chris could sense her hurry to end the call, and for the first time in his entire life he wanted to keep someone talking, to have her say anything. "Wait please!" He didn't even know what to say after this, especially with the impromptu way they ended dinner last night.

Like a tongue tied school boy he ended up saying, "Let me know if it is satisfactory on your end." Immediately the words left his mouth he bit into his lower lips in frustration.

"It should be, as long as it is what we agreed to. Thanks for the call." She replied softly, and ended the call.

She wasn't rude through out the call, but he hated this polite Temitope, she seemed so cool and distant. Chris didn't even know why he preferred calling her by her middle name but it just seem to stuck. 

Slowly he made a resolution. He was going to see her again, to feel her fury, her sharp tongue, the way she always said Mr CEO.

The little calmness, I got from being with her all day vanished as turmoil clawed at my inside, being in that hospital today all I could recall was that day, the day I broke, when I lost her.

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

What is your definition of love?

Oh Ayomide so much pain and ugliness beneath the brown eyes, why so twisted😁😀.

I still love you guys so much, read, vote, comment, share and follow.

Kisses😘😘😘😘😘😘😘.
Orex