I’m not sure you want to hear all the sordid details of that afternoon …..but I’ll tell you. ..... I knew then that this was no ‘Happily ever after tale’. Kunle sweating was an understatement, he began fidgeting and straightening his clothes. Cynthia asked again with a very assertive voice,’Kunle. Who is this?’. ‘This is Tade’s friend and she was going my way so I decided to give her a lift’. ‘Oh…okay…..I see Cynthia said sarcastically’, well I guess that lift will have to end here as I need to you to come with me to Norman Williams to get the proposal and it’s urgent so why don’t you get Ahmed the driver to call a taxi for ……..she stood with her two arms apart expecting me to answer………and I did…..I don’t know where the venom came from but it did……..The name is Shade perchance you have forgotten and didn’t your mother ever tell you that gesticulating does not help first impressions , it’s rude……….Cynthia rose to the challenge and I will never forget her reply till ‘forever’………Eyes flashing she half turned raising her left hand as if she wanted to collect something and fixed her gaze on me, then she started.
I think it’s you Ms ‘I’m the current girl Kunle is f….ng’ that is rude if not you would have learned from your mother not to ruin first impressions by trying to make yourself significant, I also don’t recall you being invited into the conversation as it was a simple request for you to be introduced formally that has resulted in this. The only reason why you would have the effrontery to talk to me in such a manner is if you feel you have the leverage or right. The only leverage you can have is Kunle because he is all that we have in common. On saying this she turned to Kunle who was saying ,’look Cynthia there is no need for all this please, let’s just go and get the proposal’. ‘You…Kunle…..you can’t deny any of this…..you are scr…ng her as well, aren’t you?’. Cynthia you’re embarrassing me and people are beginning to look. I threw all my shopping on the floor and walked away. Kunle’s face looked tormented and stressed all in one. I heard Cynthia’s voice as I walked away…’I will do more than embarrass you Kunle if you don’t move now’. ‘I’ll tell the whole world and Babara that it takes more than one person to hide skeletons in a cupboard’.
I felt the hate in every word Cynthia said. How I hailed a taxi and arrived at home was a mirage. I just kept saying to myself that there must be more to this. I wanted Kunle to call and tell me it was all lies but I was so angry and hurt that I knew I would not speak to him. I switched my phone off. Went straight to my room and lay on my bed……..then I cried and cried and cried……….the next thing I heard was a faint banging on my flat door. Shade, please answer me now……at least let me explain then you can decide….it was Kunle’s voice. I switched on the bed side lamp but it did not come on…..no light! I grabbed my phone and turned it on……9.20pm……my goodness…..I had been sleeping for almost 4 hours. I sat still trying to ignore Kunle’s voice and the persistent banging. He knew I was in. The gate man would have told him and the Maygida at the gate. After a while it stopped. Silence.
The next few weeks passed in a haze and I focused on getting more sponsors for my NGO. I travelled a lot for events to find out new places to start up projects and do feasibility studies. I felt drained. Kunle continued to call and text me. He even sent me emails but I just deleted them all. I knew that any explanation would only give me an excuse to go back to him. I loved Kunle desperately but I had to tell myself that even if love was blind, I could see clearly. With time I would get over it. I stayed away from a lot of parties or anniversaries and occasionally went on visits. I thought that things were getting better and they felt that way. Kunle’s calls had become less frequent and his texts had ceased. Weeks later I went to see my cousin Amaka and we chatted about family news and all sorts of things and during our conversation she asked me to come with her for her friends 10th wedding anniversary party. At first I was reluctant and then she said it’s only for a few hours and I don’t want to go alone…….so I agreed.
