Abeke

Chapter 3

"Hello.i'd like to see Mr. Ike."

"Did you schedule an appointment?"

"No, I thought it wasn't necessary since I'd be seeing him at home."

The gatekeeper eyed me with disgust like I was some peasant.

"Look, it won't take time," I said with pleading eyes. "I just want an interview with him."

"Haa, I said it, you're part of the problem"

"I don't understand." I was confused

"So because he just came back, everyone wants to see him abi. How I'm I even sure you don't want to harass  him."

"the e , this is my id card."I pointed out my work ID to him..."You can do a thorough checking if you like. I need to see him, it's urgent."

He hesitated for a while before grabbing the landline to make a phone call.

"Hello sir, a lady would like to see you..no sir, she didn't, but she has been standing here for a long time...okay sir."He dropped the phone and asked me to wait a bit...A few minutes later a lady, probably in her late twenties came outside to meet me.

"Hello ma, the boss will see you now."

The house looked very new. The house was a series of rectangles constructed of steel and glass, It was so modern. The roof was flat and there was no visible chimney, the front door was metallic and opened with both a biometric scanner which the lady which I guess is the maid used to open it. Inside was minimalist, the walls were fashionable shades of cream and the floor decorated with colorful tiles. On the walls were the most astonishing decorations ever.

"Hello Miss Thomas, you can have your seat, I'd be joining you pretty soon."

I heard a voice say behind me. I turned back and I saw the owner of the house, his back facing me. I could see him ruffling through some papers.

"Okay". I turned back, took my seat on the nice sofa. I waited for a few minutes, taking a better view of the house.

"I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting."

I turned round to look at him properly. Tall with a very broad back, and even though he was wearing a pale black shirt I could see his well-developed muscles through the material. He wore an expensive silver watch on his left wrist. His hair was short, but it didn't look like the normal African hair. His legs were long, still, he took short strides towards me. My jaw dropped after taking a good look at him from head to toe. He smiled at me as he stretched out his hand.

"Hello miss Thomas, I'm glad to meet you"

I took his hands and he gave me a light shake which brought chills to my body. I cleared my throat and tried to comport myself.

"Without wasting much of your time, I'd like to go straight to business."

"Well. Hold on," he interrupted, it won't be nice of me not to offer you anything will it?"

I looked up and noticed he was smiling again -those white teeth-.

"So what would you like to have Miss Thomas?" He winked at me. I blushed. "A glass of water would do thank you. And," I added, "just call me Abeke"

He called the lady from the other time and gave instructions before dismissing her.

"Okay then, go on"

"Yeah. I was saying I'd like to have an interview with you at the radio station."

"Vin FM?" he interposed 

"How did you know?"I asked, really surprised.

"I did a quick background check on you."

"Ooh!" I said, nodding my head.

"Anyways, it's good you know. So, would you be free next week Monday? the show is meant to start by 9 am, but I'd be glad if you'd come earlier to rehearse the script. If you'd give me your email, I'd send the questions to you tomorrow morning. That's all Mr. Ike"

"Just call me Brian, and yes, I'd be free next week."

"Okay, thank you."

I was about standing when he held my hand and said the most surprising thing ever..

"Do you like men?"

"Excuse me?" I frowned.

"I read in the articles. You've not aired on the radio after that incident and I'm sure my interview is a come back for you, or rather, more like you want to save your face, and looking at you," he said eyeing me, "you don't look like the only girl's type. We could start right now to confirm if it's true, even though you look like a girl that has been with many guys."He added with a smirk on his face.

His last statement made whatever attraction I felt for him disappear. I landed a deep slap on his cheek, before jerking my hand free.

"You do not have any right whatsoever to talk to me in that manner, you don't know anything about me so keep your opinions to yourself"

I walked away angrily, ignoring the lady he had asked to bring water for me. I zoomed off fuming. I know I had lost something important, but I just couldn't allow him to get away with it. -How Rude-.

"You what? you slapped him?". Rhoda shouted after I told her everything. 

"You shouldn't have beks."

I looked up at her angrily. Sometimes, I feel she doesn't understand me at all. I feel nobody does.

"Oh, what should I have done? shook his hands and smiled like an idiot thanking him for saying those insulting words to my face? He made a fool out of me and was smiling after doing it." I sighed before I continued. "You don't understand me Rhoda, and I honestly wish you did, all you care about is what to do to make the station move forward, you don't even care if it hurts others."

I saw a glint of emotions in her eyes. I know I went too far with my last statement, but my ego had been dented. I just wish she could move on and drop the issue. Like she had read my mind, she cleared her throat and spoke in an almost inaudible voice that I had to strain my ears to hear her.

"So what is our next line of action. I mean since we both know Mr car racer guy won't be available, it's better for us to find an alternative, and fast too."

I sighed. She is right. I really need to find whatever thing that would spice up the program and make the listeners crave more. 

I went over to Kunle's place to see him. We lost touch since he proposed to his girlfriend. He told me he had some things to discuss with me and I also plan on discussing what had happened. I drove to his house and was greeted warmly by his gate keeper.

"Kai Aunty, walahi e don tey o. I think to say you and oga been fight." he said in his thick Hausa accent

"Ahmadu!! Ahn, you dey notice something well, we no fight o, I just dey busy for office. How  work?"

"Madam work fine Plenti Plenti, oga dey inside."

"Thank you." I smiled before entering the house.

"Hello, beks," Kunle said, hugging me. He now looks chubby and more handsome.

"You never marry o, and you're looking like this if you come to marry nko?. I asked with the Nigerian pidgin English. He gave a very big laugh.

"Ndidiamaka is taking good care of me."

"Hmm, I'm happy for you o.  I'm not surprised though, I heard Igbo girls are good cooks so she must be feeding you well, but don't burst o."

We both laughed at my last comment. I sat down on the chair and he went inside. When he came out, he was holding chocolates in one hand and ice cream on the other, a flush of color appeared on my face. I love chocolates and ice cream.

"Aww, thanks man, you're the best." I collected it wholeheartedly. "So what's up, you wanted to see me."

"You first," he said

Okay then. I narrated everything that had happened in his absence, he just nodded, listening attentively to everything. Typical Kunle. When I had finished he gave a big sigh.

"So you don't have any other plans." It was more of a statement than a question.

"None."

"I suggest you let it be."

I rolled my eyes.

"Why?"

"You were not laid off, he only gave you some time to stay at home till it cools down. I mean there's no harm in that, is there?"

I wanted to protest but he didn't let me.

"Look Abeke," he only calls my full name when he is serious. "I understand that you are very hardworking and you don't like staying idle, I like that fact about you, but you need to let it be, okay?"

I nodded, I could never argue with Kunle, he is older and smarter and gives good advice.

"Besides, you should get a guy beks, you're not getting any younger."

"Oh please Kunle, we both know where this discussion is headed. Tell me why  you wanted to see me"

"Hmm..its about my wedding." he gave his usual sheepish smile

"And?" I asked, eager for more.

"We've fixed a date, its next two months"

I stood up to hug him..finally I said to myself.

"I'm happy for you, is there any way I could assist."

"No beks, we just need you there, probably with your plus one." He winked

I just laughed.

"I'd definitely be there, congrats again."