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Abeke

Chapter 6


Brian and I have been going out on our 'friendly lunch' for 4 months. It was during one of those lunch dates that he said something really surprising. It all started with our usual conversation.
"So you think your Black Camaro is better than my crazy Lambo?."
"Oh come of it Brian, you're what? 12?." I said laughing. He smiled and looked at me with very serious eyes.
"What?"
"Why don't you want to open your heart to anyone?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Bk, I care about you a lot. I want to be with you every second of the day. From the very first day I saw you, I knew you were the one. I love you."
I wasn't sure I heard those three words correctly. No, it can't be, he can't love me, this wasn't what I wanted. I stood up and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I heard him shout my name, but I refused to answer. 

I woke up the next morning with swollen eyes. Can't believe I cried all through the night. I checked the time, 10am -Thank God it's my day off-. 15 missed calls, one message from my voice mail. Wow, who sends people voicemails in Nigeria. I decided to check it and I wasn't surprised when I heard Brian's voice.
"It's me BK, I'm really sorry about yesterday, I shouldn't have said all of that. I made a mistake I know, so please pick your call, I'm worried."
I sighed. It really isn't his fault, it's all me. I'm the one with the problem. The past that I've been trying to run away from, that I've been trying to hide, can't believe I'd have to tell him. No! I can't, I won't, What will he say? It's not going to happen.
I checked my phone again, Kunle called.
I sighed. I need to clear my head. 
I took my bath and headed out to the only place I could be comforted- Daphne's home- yea, the home I built cause of my past. I started my car and loved the sound the engine made. Damn I missed my car.

"Aunty Abeke, it's so glad to finally see your face, it's been a while."
"Grace o, I've told you several times to call me Abeke, ahn ahn, which one is Aunty, I'm not old oo."
She smiled and hugged me. 
"The girls missed you." She said after releasing me.
"I missed them too. What of Alice?, is she back?."
"No she isn't."
"Okay, I'm going inside."
I greeted the girls that were around. They all came to hug me, I felt peace like I've never felt in a pretty long time. It was really nice. 
The study was the same, with books arranged on the shelves. I decided to read a book that I haven't read in a long time; Buchi Emecheta's Joys of Motherhood, one of my favourite.
I was halfway through the book when I had a shriek from outside. I smiled cause it sounded familiar.
"Aunty Daphne!!" Alice called out my name and hugged me when she saw me.
"Alice my baby, How are you dear?"
"I'm fine. It's been long you came here, thought you forgot us." she added, her face facing the ground.
I bent down, our heights now the same, pulled her face up, which was now facing mine. 
"I would never ever abandon you, okay?"
She hugged me and started crying.

Alice was abused by her Step Dad at age 9. After she lost her dad, her mum decided to remarry. I'm sure people would ask why she didn't tell her mum, but she did, the aftermath of her speaking out led to her being chased out of the house, as her mother believed her sweet husband than her own daughter. This happened for 4 years until she came to me. 
Alice is 17 now and is about to write her SSCE. She's very beautiful and strong. I'm happy for her. After few minutes of 'tears shedding', we talked about a lot of things, school, exams, future, and yeah, boys, among others. 


Hello everyone this is your number one Radio station, and you are listening to Vin Fm 99.9, its your girl, Abeke, a.k.a Beks......

I saw Kunle while leaving the station and he gave me a cold glare, I guess Brian told him. I just rolled my eyes. Rhoda noticed and came to meet me
"What's with the both of you?"
"Nothing, Why?"
"You know why beks."
"I'm tired Rhoda, I need to go home."
"You don't look well. Take care of yourself."
"Thanks." I hugged her and left.
On my way, I remembered the discussion I had with Alice. She said some very important things.
"Fine, everyone has a past they are not proud of, but if you use your past as an excuse to move forward, you're just making things difficult for yourself."
I smiled to myself. That girl sometimes speaks like she's twice her age. I decided to tell Brian about it. He is a decent person and deserves to know the truth.
"Hello Brian."
"B.k!" I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice.
"Could we meet at our usual restaurant, I need to tell you something."

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