Tag: Love fever

The following morning, Tosin was taken to her office by her husband, Ladi.

At half past ten, Baba l’egba came into her office, looking worried.

“Baba l’egba, what about my car? Is it ready?” She asked.

“Madam, I don’t know how it happened but I can’t find the key of the car. I’ve -”

Her face changed as she cut the man off. “You can’t find what?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been looking for it since I got to the workshop this morning. It must have dropped -”

“Are you talking about just the car key or the bunch of keys?”

“Yes, the bunch of keys.”

“The bunch?” She asked disbelievingly.

“I think it must have dropped inside the bus that brought me to the workshop this morning.”

“Is there any way you can locate the bus?”

“I don’t think so. I’m sorry.”

Oh God! She muttered under her breath. “What do you want me to do now?”

As she asked the question, she reached out and picked the phone, dialing Joe’s number.

When he picked it, she said, “Joe, can you believe that Baba l’egba has lost the car keys – what did you say? – yes – okay.”

She replaced the receiver and told the mechanic to sit down. “Joe is coming over. What can we do?”

“I wonder if you have the duplicate of the car key at home?” He asked carefully.

“I don’t.”

“I will have to get another one cut.”

“Cut another key? I don’t like the sound of this at all.” Tosin said.

The door opened and Joe came in.

“Baba l’egba, good morning. How did you lose the bunch of keys?” Joe asked, sitting on the chair beside the mechanic.

The man explained what happened to him, and Joe asked him more questions.

Finally, Joe turned to Tosin. “Well, he’ll have to get another key fabricated, and the earlier he leaves to do that the better.”

“How long will it take you to do that, and when should I expect my car?”

“You should get it today Madam and I’m very sorry for what happened.”

“It’s okay.”

**********

About noon the following day, the telephone on her table shrilled. She picked it. “Tosin here. How may I help you?”

“May I have the pleasure of your company this afternoon?”

She suspected it might be Joe but to confirm she asked, “Who is this?”

“Joe. I thought you would recognise my voice by now. I would know yours even in my sleep. And you have such an attractive voice, I must say. Very cool. How are you?”

“Oh I’m fine.” She drawled.

“I was wondering if I could take you to eat Ikokore this afternoon. I promised you and you accepted.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Okay, you didn’t but…”

“I don’t know. I was thinking …”

“Ple-e-e-ase.”

She shouldn’t be unfriendly when he was only trying to be nice, she thought. “Okay.” She accepted. “What time?”

“I’ll be in your office around half past twelve.”

“Alright, I’ll expect you.”

Joe came in precisely at the time and they left together in his car.

They soon reached the restaurant and Joe had to wait for a car to pull out before he could park. The place was bustling with activity as people went in and out. Some of the waiters greeted Joe by name and he waved at them in greeting as he and Tosin entered. They were led to a table close to a huge window.

The manager came over and greeted Joe familiarly. Then he turned to Tosin and greeted her.

“She’s here to eat Ikokore. I told her you cook it best.” Joe stated.

The dark short man laughed. “You’re right.” He summoned one of the waiters to come over. “Attend to them, please.”

The man in a white shirt over a pair of red trousers took their orders and left.

“So, how are you Tosin?” Joe asked.

He had keen eyes which many ladies would find irresistible, and Tosin found those eyes were now looking at her, intently.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

The waiter came back with their drinks and they began sipping.

“When did you join the bank?” Joe continued to question her.

The waiter soon returned and served the meal which Tosin found delicious, and she felt happy she accepted Joe’s invitation.

As they ate, they talked quietly of things and places, with Joe smiling, and giving her glances which she liked. His eyes carried a message of admiration which she got and to her dismay, liked. God, what’s happening to me? I like another man’s attention! Tosin’s heart screamed.

They eventually finished eating and Joe checked his watch. “I think we should go. It’s been fun being with you. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your company. I’ll want us to repeat it one of these days. What do you say?”

“Well, maybe when I’m not very busy.”

Joe paid the bill and they left the restaurant, walking up to the parked car. He opened the passenger door and Tosin entered.

To be continued.

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“No Madam, it can’t be patched.” The mechanic said. “You can’t take it home today.”

Tosin frowned. “What? How do you expect me to get home?”

The man smiled. “Madam, it’s not my fault. It’s because of the work I have to do on it.”

Joe who had been listening to their conversation turned to the mechanic. “What exactly is the problem with the car?”

Baba l’egba cleared his throat before answering. “The fuel pump is not supplying fuel, that’s one. I’ll have to service the carburator and -”

Tosin looked at Joe for help. “Look Joe, what’s important to me is to be able to take the car home today.”

Joe smiled and said gently, “Tosin, the car has to be fixed, there’s nothing you can do about it.” Joe said gently.

“So, are you bringing it tomorrow then?” Tosin asked the mechanic.

“I’ll try my best to bring it but if I don’t, you will get it on Wednesday unfailingly.”

“Oh my God!” Tosin looked at Joe again for his opinion.

Joe shrugged. “You don’t have much of a choice.” Then he faced the mechanic. “Does she have to give you money now to hasten the work?”

“No, Madam is not a stranger to me. She can pay me later for whatever I buy.”

Tosin looked at the man resignedly. “I will really appreciate it if it can be ready tomorrow.”

“Madam, put your mind at Wednesday, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“Okay.”

The man left.

Tosin sighed. “How do I get home?”

“The same way you got home on Saturday.” Joe said.

She immediately shook her head with a hand up. “No no, don’t worry. I can get one of my friends to give me a ride.”

“I don’t mind. I can drop you off at your house.”

“You gave me a ride on Saturday.”

“And so what?”

“It’s just that I don’t want to -”

“Bother you.” He finished for her with a smile. “I know you don’t want to bother me, I volunteered.”

She smiled back. “In that case, thanks for coming to my rescue, again.”

“My pleasure, and I’ll come to your rescue again if I have to.” He said then added, “Just call my name and I’ll be there.”

They laughed.

He got up. “I ought to be going now. Thanks for the coffee. Can I check you again?”

“Anytime.” Tosin assured him.

After he left, Tosin wondered about his visit. Why had he come? And there was a way he looked at her, with frank appreciation. She shrugged. There couldn’t be anything to it anyway. He knew she was married and he couldn’t be in want of ladies, many would consider him a good catch.

But why did he ask if he could be checking her up for a chat? He probably was just being friendly, and what she needed right now was a friend, she concluded. But why did that strange feeling come upon her earlier on? This could be satanic!

Wait a minute, her mind seemed to scream. This was about friendship not an affair. And she was a human being, a woman for that matter. She needed a friend to discuss with, someone to make her forget the problems in her marriage, someone who would understand her, even if Ladi didn’t. Joe seemed a nice man from the little time they had spent together, and the friendship would be platonic, wouldn’t it? Nevertheless, she prayed that God would help her to do His will.

At the close of work, Tosin left with Joe in his car. They chatted non-stop until she got to her house.

“Thanks. See you tomorrow.” She told him.

“Goodnight.”

**********

When Tosin came out of the bathroom the following morning, Ladi asked her, “Has your car been repaired?”

“No.” She answered curtly.

After about two minutes silence, Ladi spoke again. “I will drop you at your office.”

She didn’t reply.

Some twenty minutes later, Tosin fully dressed, took her handbag.

“I’m coming. I told you I’ll drop you.” Ladi said, getting up from the breakfast table.

“I’ll find my way, after all, I did yesterday.” She said and bent down to kiss Tireni, who was sitting on the sofa in her school uniform, waiting for her food.

Ladi’s mouth turned at the sides in amusement. “You are a woman.”

“So you’ve just realised that? That explains a lot.”

“I’ve always known that.”

“That’s such a relief then.” She rolled her eyes comically.

Ladi laughed. “You’re fully a woman.”

Tosin snorted.

Sade came in with Tireni’s breakfast.

“I’m off.” Tosin told her. And to her daughter, she said, “Tireni bye.”

“Mummy, bye-bye.”

Ladi picked his jacket and followed Tosin out, after hugging and saying ‘God bless you’ to Tireni.

Tosin entered his car looking unhappy but in her heart, she felt grateful for the ride. Ladi tried to make conversation, but when she answered in monosyllables, he stopped trying and drove on in silence. Tosin faced her side of the car and looked out, until Ladi pulled the car to a stop in front of Solid bank.

“Thank you.” She said as she got down.

“I won’t be able to come for you in the evening. I’m having a meeting with four of our partners from overseas at five.”

“Okay.” You never have the time for me.

He hesitated before asking, “Will you sort yourself out somehow?”

“Definitely.” She answered with a grimace.

“Have a nice day.” He said.

“You do the same.”

Joe came in the evening and volunteered to give her a ride home again which Tosin accepted gratefully.

The following morning, she was taken to her office by Ladi.

At half past ten, Baba l’egba came into her office, looking worried.

“Baba l’egba, what about my car? Is it ready?”

“Madam, I don’t know how it happened but I can’t find the key of the car. I’ve -”

Her face changed as she cut the man off. “You can’t find what?”

To be continued.

For this novel and other books by the same author,

Contact: 08023000773, 08058040949

Ladi looked at her long, as if she had developed a second head. “Okay, so you came before ten, on a Saturday? Monday to Friday, you come late, and the first Saturday you wouldn’t go to work, you came in at this time? It simply shows you have no regard for your husband and you don’t care for your child! You behave like an irresponsible woman! Do you know what I eat? You’re never at home, never available, all you do is sulk! And no one knows what you’re doing with your salary! You may have to leave this banking work!”

“Try stopping me!”

“You’re not even remorseful. Is that what you’ve got to say? How many men do you think would be willing to tolerate this rubbish from you?”

Tosin gave a cynical laugh. “So, what would they do?”

Giving her a hard look, he reached out and grabbed her by the arm, his face rigid with anger. “What would other men do? You really want to know?”

“Leave me alone, and get away!” She said as she freed herself from his grip on her arm.

Ladi stared at her in silence for a moment, and when he spoke, his voice was carefully controlled. “That may be a good idea. For once I think you’re right. You can have the bed to yourself!”

And with that, he slammed the door shut.

Tosin undressed, showered and got in bed, then she began to feel ashamed and guilty. She was overreacting. What was wrong with her, why was she behaving this way? Lord, I’m sorry. I don’t hate Ladi, You know I don’t but I don’t feel happy. I’m not. He doesn’t understand me, and I feel let down by him.

To prevent the threatening tears, she took her Bible and opened it to the book of John, reading the words of Jesus. She hadn’t had time recently to read the Bible, but now she searched it, asking the Lord to speak to her.

The following morning, as Tosin got up from the bed, she decided she would go to the family church, but not with Ladi. He might not want her to go with him anyway, as he didn’t come into the room to sleep, which was very much unlike him. Situations seemed to be going from bad to worse, she thought.

Opening the bedroom door, she went to the living room. Ladi was sprawled out on the three-seater sofa, in his pajamas. He slept there. Hmm.

Tosin greeted him briefly which he responded to, with the same casualty. Then she began to move around, doing the usual cooking and the morning chores. Sade woke up too and joined her. After breakfast, Tosin cleared the table.

“We’re off to church.” She announced to Ladi who was still at the breakfast table, drinking coffee.

He set his teacup back in its saucer as he answered coolly. “Give me ten minutes or so to be ready.”

“No, I’ll want to go on my own.” She told him. She wore a purple skirt suit with a black camisole. The hat on her head had a linen crown and a large front bow.

“Your car is not working. Let’s go together.”

“No, I’m not going with you.” She said.

Ladi used his thumb to tap his teeth as he thought, what is wrong with Tosin?

Tosin took her daughter’s hand. “Tireni, let’s go.”

And with that she left.

The following day at noon, Tosin was surprised to see Joe in her office. “Good morning, Mr. Olayemi. This is a surprise.”

“I hope it’s a pleasant one.” He drawled lazily. “How are you today?” He grinned.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“You’re looking great as always.” He looked at her admiringly.

“Thank you. And thanks for giving me the ride on Saturday.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” He dismissed with a smile, “The pleasure was mine.”

She could smell the cologne he used as he sat down on a chair. He seemed self-possessed and sure of himself.

“So, to what do I owe this visit?” She asked pleasantly.

“I came to check the I.T. Manager and decided to pop in to see you. I hope you don’t mind.” He said.

“No no, I appreciate it.” Tosin answered hurriedly.

“That was my hope.” He said, glancing around.

“Would you like to have a cup of coffee?” Tosin offered.

“Yes please.”

She could feel his eyes on her and she tried not to meet his eyes again. “Sugar and milk?”

“Yes, a little of each, Tosin. I hope you don’t mind my calling you by your first name. And of course, you should call me Joe.”

Tosin smiled. “That’s okay.”

But what she felt inside was far from okay. She felt a strange feeling come over her as their eyes met. What is it? She began to thoughtfully analyse … loneliness, longing, lust or … love? No, it can’t be! Impossible. I’m married, she reminded herself and quickly came back to the present.

She prepared the coffee and set the cup in front of him.

They talked as he sipped his coffee and she discovered they had another thing in common, he enjoyed eating snails.

Joe finished his coffee and put the cup down. “So, what have you been able to do about your car? Has it been fixed?”

Tosin shook her head and hissed.

“How did you come to office this morning? Your husband brought you?”

“No, I came in a cab.”

“Have you got a mechanic to check it for you?”

“I’ve told one of the mechanics the Bank uses. He’s gone to my house to fix it. When he’s through, he’ll bring it for me.”

There was a knock and a middle-aged man with tribal marks on his cheeks entered.

“Ah, Baba l’egba, you’re back.” Tosin was obviously glad to see the man.

“Madam, good afternoon. Mr. Joe, good afternoon sir.”

“Baba l’egba, how are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“Baba l’egba, have you brought my car?” Tosin asked.

“Yes but you can’t use it yet. I will need to take it to my workshop, I will need to change one or two parts.”

Tosin sat up. “If you’re going to change one or two parts, when are you going to get it done?” She looked at her watch. “This is past twelve. Can’t you patch it up somehow so I can take it home, and then bring it tomorrow morning for you to continue whatever you have to do?”

“No Madam, it can’t be patched. You can’t take it home today.”

“What? How do you expect me to get home?”

The man smiled. “Madam, it’s not my fault. It’s because of the work I have to do on it.”

Joe who had been listening to their conversation turned to the mechanic. “What exactly is the problem with the car?”

To be continued.

For this novel and other books by the same author,

Contact: 08023000773, 08058040949

With his frustration clearly showing, Ladi asked, “How am I trampling on your emotions?”

Tosin didn’t say anything. There was no point, he would always give an excuse to defend himself. How would she put her feelings anyway? What would she say? That last year when he was preparing for a professional examination, he had also abandoned her and starved her of his affection? He would work all week, then he would spend the evenings and weekends studying, letting her go to bed by herself night after night. Or that he prevented her from having a maid, which she needed? Or that he had stopped spending time to chat with her? There were times as well when she was really tired or not feeling too well to satisfy him but he would have none of that, insisting on having his way. Well, she wasn’t a prostitute, neither could she be pushed about, and the earlier he realised that, the better it would be for him.

Ladi looked at her for some time as she lay in the bed, with the coverlet still tightly pulled up, to cover herself.

It was high time they talked, he decided.

“I think we need to talk. Can you sit up please?”

Tosin’s eyes flew open and she looked at him incredulously. “Sit to talk at this time? At ten o clock?”

His mouth was set and Tosin recognised that look.

“Yes, we need to talk because I’m not finding this attitude of yours funny in any way. You are not cooperating with me. Fine, there are some problems but we have to find a way to overcome them. We’ve got to work at making things work and that is what I’m trying to do. It’s not as if I don’t need to sleep. I went to work too, so I’m tired as well. But if we both use tiredness as an excuse, we’ll continue to drift apart. By turning me down everyday, you’re exposing me to temptations, as well as yourself. Let’s not give in to Satan. I think I’m trying to do my part, trying to bridge the gap. You are supposed to do the same but it’s like you’re yielding to Satan.”

She looked at him and asked in a cold voice, “I have demons, is that what you mean?”

“You know that is not what I mean. Stop twisting my words. I’m only saying that you should cooperate with the Holy Spirit and stop being difficult. I don’t think things are so bad that we can’t correct them.”

She heard the harsh intake of his breath.

He spoke again. “Tosin, I love you.”

“Keep that to yourself!”

“No, I’m supposed to tell you because it’s true.”

She knew he was right but in her heart, she cried to be understood. I want you to love me my own way, to show more care. I want to be not only your lover but also an appreciated partner.

She kept quiet.

“Aren’t you going to tell me the same?” He encouraged.

There was no response.

He touched her but Tosin slapped his hand off. “Leave me alone!” Her voice was charged with fury.

“I can’t leave you alone!” He shouted back.

“Then I will leave the room for you!” Tosin said and reached out to take a book from the bedside stool. She knew she was getting him annoyed. Good, let him have a taste of what she felt.

Ladi caught her shoulder in a punishing way and shook her. “If you’re deliberately trying to punish me, I must admit you’re succeeding, but I must let you know that you’re not only punishing me, you’re also pushing me out. I’m a human being and my patience is not limitless. A man can take just so much.”

Tosin struggled free and got down from the bed, without taking any notice of his angry words, the book in her hand.

“You’re pushing me too far Tosin!” He informed her departing back, his tone filled with frustration, but she didn’t turn around as she walked out of their bedroom to Tireni’s room to sleep.

Ladi contemplated following her to continue the conversation. I must get to the root of this nonsense, he thought to himself as he briskly strode toward Tireni’s room but the key turning stopped him midway and in annoyance, he went back to their room, slamming shut the door and turning the key as well in retaliation.

“I won’t open the door for her, no matter what!” He fumed, hitting the bed with so much momentum that he was almost bounced off to the floor.

Eventually, he drifted off into a fitful sleep.

**********

To be continued.

For this novel and other books by the same author,

Contact: 08023000773, 08058040949