Scars of the past

SCARS OF THE PAST

THE BEGINNING

Dennis is a third year student of Engineering at the University of Lagos from a humble family. Tosin was a vivacious student in the same university but of different class; a rich kid with a passion for outdoor life; clubbing, partying and the likes. She was a nuisance to most of the men, whom she considered inferior to her. Even the children of the rich scorned her for her arrogant nature. She toyed with them as if they were play items and that made her a prey to most of the guys at school. She capitalized on the fact that her father was a Senator. And like most rich folks offspring, she had a car to herself, which she normally brought to school. She was an only daughter with one other male sibling.

Dennis like any other student at school had heard about her but their ways never crossed. He did not know her physically, and would barely recognize her if they ever met. He never gave a damn about her existence. All he knew was that she was referred to as “the Senator’s daughter”. He lived his life at school like most students, minding his business.

Tosin dated Fred for a while and jilted him. He was one of the elite children and his breakup with Tosin did not go down well with him. He felt his ego bruised, and all efforts to reconcile with her came to naught.  He stalked and waited for the right time to get even and humiliate her.

On an ill-fated Saturday night, some students at school organized a show; they were celebrating their departmental day. It was an all night affair and Tosin attended.

Dennis heard about the party but did not feel up to it and decided not to attend. He had some term papers to write and he wanted it finished. Earlier on in the day, he went to the library to dig up some materials and afterwards decided to study in one of the empty classroom blocks that still had a functional fluorescent tube, before heading back to his room.

At about the same time he was reading, the party was grooving on. Tosin and Fred her ex- boyfriend stood outside the venue talking.

“What seems to be the matter with you Tosin? How can you just decide to end the relationship for no justifiable reason than you are tired of it?” Fred said.

“How many times must we go over this same issue Fred? I am no longer interested in the relationship. I am moving on and I suggest you do likewise. You have so many of us, why bother about me?”

“Moving on you say. Moving on to what? Another man? No way. You cannot walk away Tosin. You have stepped on the wrong toes this time and you will pay dearly for it,” Fred said angrily.

“You cannot do more than a dead rat Fred, and as far as am concerned it is over between us. Get that into your head” she said and walked away back into the hall leaving him standing alone. This was about 10p.m, the party was still in full swing, but Tosin felt Fred had spoilt her fun for the night. His over bearing presence irritated her, so she decided to call it quits and head back home.

The music filtered down to where Dennis sat reading. He felt he had had enough reading for the day and decided to pack up and head back to his room. He would listen to some good music from his portable CD player, since he was unable to attend the party he thought.

At about that same time Tosin walked down to where she parked her car, alone. Suddenly she heard her name, which gave her a jolt; she turned round to find Fred and two of his friends walking behind her. Fear gripped her, but she tried to remain calm. She knew Fred could be mean at times for he had demonstrated his anger to her on few occasions. She also suspected him to be a member of one of the numerous cult groups on campus.

She walked faster. She was almost close to her car. It was dark all around her. There was no one within sight except for her and the boys, unless by chance someone came along, which was unlikely. Since it was a Saturday, most of the students around on campus were either partying at that time or had left for the weekend.

The nastiest thing he could do was probably molest her and she would make him pay for it dearly, later, she thought. While she was still contemplating  what to do, they came upon her, grabbed her and whisked her away, while one of them immediately tied a handkerchief to her mouth to muffle any attempt to scream.

Even if she wanted to scream, the fact that Fred was the one abducting her, made her so stunned she could barely open her mouth to scream, much more struggle with them.

They carried her to one of the deserted, dark, empty classroom blocks and laid her on the ground. All she could do was make sounds that could be heard only if someone was within that vicinity.

 The voices brought Dennis to a stand still by one of the blocks; he stood still for a while, straining his ears and then he heard the muffled sound again.  He knew something sinister was happening and someone needed help. He moved closer, so he could pinpoint the location of the muffled sound and probably see what was going on. However, the particular classroom block where the sound emanated from, was dark, and that was when he heard a voice.

“Now, who is the king, you or I? You think you can do away with me, as you like. You think I am one of your toys, eh! Play with and discard when you are through. You will get what you deserve now. When I am through with you, my boys are going to have a fill day enjoying the almighty queen. Guys hold her properly, let me give her a good time,” he said.

Dennis knew he had to act immediately or she would be gang raped. He dropped his books and ran into the block, shouting, “Stop it. Stop it”.

His sudden intrusion distracted the rapist.

“It’s just him boys, lets deal with him” Fred said and they left her on the floor where she lay to face Dennis. A fight ensued. Dennis fought them with all his strength, but he was no match for the three of them. Meanwhile Tosin had stood up and ran away screaming for help.

The fight raged on. Dennis fought them with the chairs and tables around and any other object he could lay his hands on. He fought them vigorously. Then one of them picked a piece of the broken glass louver and stabbed him twice at the back with it. When they saw that he was seriously injured and bleeding, they left him and ran away.

 By the time Tosin came back with help, Dennis had bled profusely. He was quickly carried down to her car and rushed to the hospital. On the way to the hospital, Dennis fainted. From the hospital, Tosin called her father and explained what happened to him.

Her father was very annoyed at what happened. He made her to understand how such an incident could dent his political career. He also instructed her not to talk to anyone and that he would send someone to take charge of the problem immediately, to avoid the press getting wind of what happened. He immediately swung into action.

Fred’s father was also a known personality. Between the both of them, they decided to bury the matter and settle the problem discreetly. They saw to it that the police were not brought into the matter. They paid the doctor in charge of Dennis handsomely to have him kept in a separate ward with heavy restrictions to visitors, except probably his parents, who were told that he had a brawl with cult members at school and that he was been properly taking care of.

 Fred’s father took care of Dennis’s hospital bills and other expenses. Meanwhile Tosin was barred from attending school, while her father frantically arranged to have her flown abroad to join her elder brother and complete her schooling there.

 Despite been asked to stay away from the injured man whom she barely knew, she spent everyday by his bedside praying for his recovery. The doctor in charge of Dennis assured her that he was in stable condition before she finally agreed to leave the country assured her.

She never saw Fred again before leaving. What upset her most was that she never had the chance to thank the man that rescued her before departing. On the day before her departure, she brought a camera to the hospital and took a picture of him, kissed him goodbye on the cheeks and left with tears in her eyes.

Dennis woke up four days later to find himself in hospital; the nurses told him what happened to him. They said he was involved in a fight. There was no mention of any woman. It was more like a hush affair. After about three weeks in hospital, he was discharged. On the said day, a man came to deliver a parcel to him. The parcel contained money.

 The man refused to disclose his identity, he only asked him to collect the money, forget about what happened to him for his own good and that he was not to discuss about the incident to anyone. He collected the money from the man, left the hospital and went back to school.

Immediately he arrived back at school he went straight to his room, his block mates warmly welcomed him; they asked how his health was. They were all curious to hear from him what really happened on that fateful night. They followed him to his room. He thanked them all for their concern about his health and sat down. By the time he had relaxed, they were all ready to burst in anticipation of news from him, but he disappointed them.

“Hey, people” he said. “Between you and me, I don’t know what happened on that night. All I know was that I was attacked and I found myself in hospital, and I thank God I did not die. It was very dark so I could not pick anyone’s face.”

Kunle, his roommate asked, “What about the girl that came to call for help on your behalf, was she just passing through, and why would anyone want to attack you? Or, are you in cult activities we do not know about?”

   He recollected what the man at the hospital said, but curiosity took the better part of him and he asked. “Who is the girl anyway? I did not get a chance to thank her.”

“You mean you do not even know who she is.”

“I don’t, Kunle.”

“Well, she is Senator Williams’s daughter. Her name is Tosin. In addition, yes, the same flamboyant Senator Williams you have always read about in the dailies.”

“However, Kunle, I don’t know his daughter. I have never met her. If I set eyes on her right now, I would not even recognize her.”

“Well, you will never get that chance, because she stopped coming to school after the incident and rumors, just mere rumors, oh, has it that she has traveled out of the country to further her studies. So, you may never get to thank her, at least not now. Something funny though, about the whole set up is that they said you were under intensive care and needed no disturbance, and for that reason no one was allowed to see you.”

   If the bad guys had their snoop around, they will be happy to hear such news from him that he did not know much about what happened that night, and so he let the whole episode end there. He had a life to live and he wanted to live it peacefully at school. He had just two years left, and with that thought, he lie down on his bed and fell into a deep sleep. He dreamt about the mystery woman he tried to save at the expense of his life.

Dennis soon got on with his life and forgot about the episode. He finished his course at the university and graduated in flying colours. He went for the mandatory one-year youth service scheme. Upon completion, one of the big construction firms in the country employed him.

At that time, the fight, the girl, were more like a mirage to him. Apart from the two scars at his back, that he hardly remembered existed. However, somewhere across the globe, thousands of miles away, was a woman who never forgot him and had photo evidence of him on his sick bed in the hospital, four years earlier.

RETURN HOME

She had spent four years in the United States. She did not even have time for a proper send off from her friends, considering the circumstances that led to her spontaneous departure.

She earnestly looked forward to going back home. She had missed Nigeria terribly. Not once did she come home for holiday all those years. She painstakingly packed her belongings into her suitcase and the other items she bought for herself; she also checked the suitcase that contained the materials her mother asked her to buy for her boutique. The other goods had been sent to the company handling the shipment; they would take care of that.

 Her elder brother had taken to the United States. He hardly talked about home, much more the idea of relocating back home.  So many times, she had wanted to come back, but changed her mind because she had to complete her education. After packing, she went to her valise propped it open, and took a glimpse at her certificates. So, It was all over she thought, and on impulse reached for the picture in the concealed compartment and brought it out. She looked at it, and the incident of years back flooded her memory.

This was the man that saved me from been traumatized with the stigma of a raped girl. With her status in the society, she could barely think of it.

 He almost lost his life for me and he barely knew me she thought, the worst of it all was that I was not around to say thank you. She knew he recuperated and was fine, as her father had said.

She did not realize when tears flooded her eyes. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. Was it her conscience bugging her? Or, was it sympathy she felt for the man. Would a wealthy or influential man accept the treatment meted out to his son without fuss? No, she answered thoughtfully

She looked at the picture again and rubbed her palms over it. He was a handsome man, even in his sleep. She put the picture back, closed the valise, stood up and appraised what she had done, to make sure that all was in place for her departure the next day. She nodded her head, before leaving her room to join her elder brother.

   Preparations were made for her arrival back in Nigeria. Her parents warmly received her at the airport. Her clearance at the customs was expedited due to her fathers influence, who although was no longer a serving Senator, still commanded much respect in government circles.

A few weeks after her arrival, her dad called her into the garden on a particular Saturday evening, sat her down and asked.

“Tosin, do you know why I called you out?”

“No daddy.”

“Because I want us to have a father to daughter chat.”

“Okay, daddy, I am listening.”

“It is about your future Tosin. You are a fully-grown woman now, and very soon, we shall be hearing wedding bells and …”

“Not now, daddy” she said interrupting her father.

“Please allow me to finish Tosin; I am not particular about your getting married right now, not that I would not be happy if it did happen. What I wanted to know was what you intend doing to while away your time.”

“I have not given it a serious thought yet daddy. Probably I will start writing applications and sending my “CV” out.”

“Tosin dear, I sit on the board of over a dozen corporations both government and private owned, excluding my personal businesses. Actually what I had in mind is for you to take charge of the corporate office and run my companies as the Group Managing Director.”

“Well dad, it is a nice proposition. Daddy I might probably start next week, but I have a question to ask you that has been bugging me for some time now.”

“What is that dear?”

“What became of the man that rescued me?”

“My dear daughter, if I tell you that I had no idea that was what you were about to ask I would be lying. Actually, he got well and I gave him some money to take proper care of himself afterwards.”

‘I know dad, you told me so on phone years back. What I want to know is his present status.”

“I am sorry to say this dear but I never set eyes on him.”

‘Do you have his address or something; I have been longing to thank him personally for year’s dad.”

‘Unfortunately, I do not Tosin. You know I sent my personal assistant back then to take care of that issue. You know I could not afford the luxury of such an incident at that time; my political opponents would have capitalized on it against me.”

“I understand dad. So, you know absolutely nothing about his whereabouts now.”

“I don’t, but I can find out if you want.”

“Don’t bother daddy. The Funny thing about the whole incident is that I doubt if he even knows me.”

“One last question daddy.”

“My daughter, as a father, I suggest you let that be. ‘Vengeance is mine said the Lord.”

“I have not asked yet dad, but since you know what I am about to ask, I will still go ahead and ask. Where is Fred?”

“He is very much around here in Lagos. He runs his fathers company and I think he has also ventured into the petroleum business or so. He is doing well financially.”

Her father’s last statement got her annoyed but she kept her self in check and answered, “thank you dad.”

“I noticed that since you came back you have been indoors a lot, except for when you go to your mothers shop,” her father said

“It is because I got used to being indoors in the States. I had very few friends.”

“That is a change from the Tosin I knew back then.”

“Come on daddy, I am all grown up now. I am a lady,” she said and her dad laughed.

“All right Tosin, but I suggest you go out often. Have fun, make knew friends; you only live your youth ones my dear”

“I will dad, and thanks for brighten me up.”

“You are welcome anytime my dear.”

She stood up and left her dad at the garden.

Tosin started work in her fathers company as the group general manager, two weeks after the discussion she had with him in the garden.

She engrossed herself in work, with so little time for social life. Occasionally she went out with a friend, Yinka, who worked in the same building but a different company as one of their managers. They occasionally went outing together.

Tosin and Yinka agreed to spend a Friday evening out in one of the eateries in town. Meanwhile Dennis was at home; he felt bored and wanted to spend the evening outdoors, so he decided to pick one of the eateries in town. He also felt like cruising around in his brand new official car recently allocated to him by the company he worked for. He picked the car keys opened the door and went out.

Tosin and Yinka arrived at the eatery, chose a nice spot where they could sit and have a proper view of people coming in and going out.

About half an hour later, Dennis arrived and casually strolled in. Yinka saw him come in, but Tosin did not. At that time, her eyes were focused on a little kid giving his mother a hell of a time. She called Tosin’s attention to him.

“Tosin, check out who just walked in.”

And what is so special about who walked in Yinka?

“Tosin, just take a look at him and tell me what you think.”

 Tosin then grudgingly took her attention away from the little boy and focused it on the person Yinka was disturbing her about. By then Dennis was already at the counter requesting for a drink and some light snack, so she did not get a chance to get a good glimpse of him. It was when he turned around to carry his tray to a table that she saw him and her face turned pale.

Yinka was about to ask what she thought about the guys good looks when she turned to look at Tosin and the expression on Tosin’s countenance surprised her.

“Tosin have you seen a ghost,” she asked?

All Tosin could do was point at Dennis.

“Why are you pointing at him like that, supposing he sees you?”

“That’s him,” Tosin said.

“Him! What do you mean?”

“You would not understand Yinka; he is part of my past.”

“I’m all ears. We have all evening, so lay it on me.”

She gave Yinka a summary of what happened while she was at the University of Lagos and why she had to leave the country hurriedly.

“You rich people could be heartless at times Tosin, I don’t mean to insult your dad, but you mean to tell me that this handsome man rescued you from being raped, almost lost his life in the process. The thank you he got from your dad was to fly you out of the country because of his political career. If you ask me, I will say that was very mean of him.”

 “That is true Yinka and I never saw him again until today.”

“Why don’t you go to him and introduce yourself.”

“You must be joking. Then tell him what? That I was the girl he saved at the expense of his life, that I was the girl that ran away because her father was trying to save his political career, leaving him in a coma, and then he would stand up, hug me and say well done.”

Well, you have to do something fast, or you might lose him again. Look, now he is looking at us Yinka said.

On impulse, Yinka raised her right hand, face high and slightly flicked her fingers for a few seconds, before dropping it as a greeting gesture towards Dennis. Dennis instantly responded by waving back at her. He then stood up and approached their table.

“Yinka, why did you do that? Now you have made him get up, and he is on his way here.”

“That is the idea,” Yinka answered.

Dennis got to the table.

“Hello beauties,” he greeted. “Can I have the honour of sharing your table with you?”

Yinka answered, “Yes of course.”

 Tosin was lost for words. She just stared at him. “Could this really be him? He cannot even recognize me,” she thought.

“My name is Dennis,” he said.

That was the last straw; he was the one all right, that was the name on the identification card found in his pocket on that night. She instantly excused herself.

“I have to go to the restroom please,” she said.

Yinka stood up and followed her. “Excuse us please,” she said, and they both walked away towards the restroom. Dennis watched them leave and then continued munching his snacks as he waited for them to return.

While in the restroom, they decided on what action to take next.

“What do I do now Yinka,” Tosin asked.

“Firstly, we make sure we do not lose him, get some of his data, which should not be too difficult. He would gladly divulge such information, but we have to tread softly so we do not give ourselves away easily,” Yinka said.

“Do you think if he ever gets to find out later about me he would still receive me warmly?”

“When we get to that bridge Tosin, we will cross it. For now, let us get to know him. We had better be getting back.”

They both came out of the lavatory and walked back to the table where Dennis sat sipping his drink.

“We are back,” Yinka announced.

“I notice your friend seems to be shy; she has not spoken a word to me since I got here,” Dennis said.

“She is not; she is not feeling too well. I had to persuade her to come here. I am Yinka and she is Tosin.”

Yinka did the introductions and Dennis extended his hand for a handshake. Yinka shook him and had to nudge Tosin before she brought out her hand for the handshake. When her hand touched his, she quickly withdrew them.

Dennis noticed Tosin’s hesitancy in shaking him. There was something peculiar about the woman. It was as if she did not want him around and he hated it when women behaved that way. He immediately stood up and announced his departure.

“Sorry ladies, I have to be on my way. Thanks for your company,” Dennis said.

 Before they could think of what next to say, he turned and walked away. It dawned on them that they had not collected the information they needed from him. This time Tosin beckoned on Yinka to save the situation.

Yinka stood up and went after Dennis. She met him as he was about to unlock the car. She ran her eyes over the inscription written on the side of the vehicle and memorized it; probably that was his place of work she reasoned.

“Excuse me, Mr Dennis,” she called.

Dennis paused, and turned to face Yinka.

 “Yeah. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering, maybe we could get together some other time under a friendlier atmosphere.”

“I don’t mean to be rude lady…”

“Yinka please,” she corrected.

“All right, Yinka, if this atmosphere is not friendly enough for anybody that person must be some sort of hermit.”

“If you are referring to my friend…”

“Yes, I am referring to her,” Dennis said interrupting her statement.

“Actually, Tosin has been going through a rough time. She has just gone through a certain phase of her life…”

“Don’t make excuses for her Yinka,” he interrupted. “Whatever it is she must have gone through, someone has gone through worse. Meeting and making new friends help us get through trying times.”

“You still have not acceded to my request,” Yinka commented.

“Okay, Let us do it this way, you give me your phone number and I will give you a buzz.

“How about you also give me yours, that way we can buzz each other.”

 Dennis did not really know what to make of Yinka, but instincts told him there was more to why she was acting up. Was she trying to flirt with him? He wondered, as they exchanged numbers.

“Please tell Miss Tosin, that nothing stays permanent. I know. I have also been there, but I managed to overcome them.

“You have been there! Where, if I may ask?”

“To hell, woman. You would not believe it.”

“Try me Dennis.”

      Dennis smiled and said “for a woman.”

“A woman?” Yinka repeated.

“Yes, a woman. Unlike Tosin, she might have loved this man.”

“Which man are you talking about Dennis?”

“The one that probably broke her heart. But in my case, I went to hell for a woman I never knew.”

“Please tell me about it Dennis,” Yinka pleaded.

“Not now Yinka. Some other time maybe. I normally call her my mystery woman. Besides, that is in the past now. Goodnight Yinka, you both have a wonderful time” he said abruptly, opened the door of the car, got in, reversed the car and drove out of the parking lot.

Yinka turned and went back in. When she got back to the table, she spoke before Tosin could ask any question.

“He has lived with your memory all these years Tosin.”

“Yinka, what are you talking about? Did you get his address or not?”

“Nope, but I got his phone number. I also think he works at DIY Construction Company.”

“How do you know that? Besides, what is this talk about living with my memory all these years?

“I saw the inscription on the car he brought so I just assumed he works there, and as for living with your memory, listen to what he said; tell Miss Tosin I have been there too, he also said something about his mystery woman, and that he went to hell for a woman he never knew. What do you think he was talking about Tosin?”

“How am I supposed to know that Yinka? You were with him not me.”

“That is you Tosin. Believe me he was referring to you.”

“Yinka, I think it is about time we left. I will take you home before heading back to mine. Lest I forget, let me have the number so I can store it on my phone please.”

Yinka gave her the number. She stored it in her phone, and they left the eatery.

On her way home, she thought about what Yinka said Dennis told her. Could he have lived with my memory, and the disturbing thoughts of not knowing me all these years? Probably. After all, I lived with his, she asserted.

Immediately she got home, she went straight to her room, opened her valise and brought out the picture. He was the one all right, except he was now matured and more handsome. How was she going to break the news to him, was she having feelings for this stranger out of pity or what she thought? She slept that night with his picture by her pillow.

THE QUEST

Tosin and Yinka patiently waited for Dennis to call to no avail, and they did not want to call him, because it will be obvious that they desperately needed to see him. For close to two weeks they got no call from him, they then decided to call him, but his number would not link up. Tosin then decided to drive down to the companies head office to make enquiries.

At the reception, the receptionist told her that Mr Dennis Adebayo was not on sit, that he had gone to site where they were executing a job, and they could not ascertain when exactly he would be back.

No wonder they could not get through to him she affirmed. She went back disappointed.

Two months passed by without any news from him. She then resolved to let him be temporarily and focused on work.

Tosin was on her way home one evening when she had a flat tyre on the high way. She parked and phoned for help. While she waited in her car, a car drove by, then stopped some meters away and reversed. She did not notice this, because she was reclined on her seat listening to music emanating from the car stereo. The voice awakened her from her reverie.

“It looks like you need some assistance here lady,” he said.

She opened her eyes and behold the elusive man was staring down at her. She sat straight and comported herself.

“Yes, I have a flat tyre, but I have sent for help.”

“And help has arrived. Do you have a spare?”

“I do. It’s in the car’s trunk.”

“Can I have your car keys or you pop up the booth for me please?”

Tosin gave to him her car keys instead. He collected it, went to the back of the car, opened the trunk, brought out the tyre, jack and wheel spanners, loosened his tie, rolled his sleeves up and in five minutes he was through.

“You go have your tyre fixed woman,” he said as she stood watching him, after he had finished replacing the damaged tyre.

“The name is Tosin and thanks for your help,” she said.

“You are welcome Tosin and I hope you have gotten over whatever was bugging you up the other night.”

She smiled and answered, “I have.”

“Well, if that is it, bye for now. See you some other time woman, sorry, I mean Tosin;” he said and turned to walk back to his car.

 “Is that where you work?” she said, pointing to the inscription on the vehicle.

“Yes, Tosin.” He replied as he turned to answer her.

“Can I make up for the way I behaved the other night?”

“Ah! Tosin, you do not have to go the extra mile to thank me for fixing a tyre. Believe me, I perform heavier task than that. Forget the corporate look. I only wear this occasionally.”

“What do you really do then she asked?”

“I am a civil Engineer with that company,” he said and pointed at the inscription on the car. “How about we fix a date, then we can properly chat. Just give me a call and tell me where to meet you, and I will be there in seconds.”

He brought out his complimentary card and gave it to her. She could not give him hers because of the name on it; it might give her identity away too quickly she thought. She read his aloud, “Mr Dennis Adebayo.”

“That’s me,” he answered. “Can I have yours?” She looked puzzled. “Your number I mean,” he said.

“All right,” she said and then called it out for him.

    “Tosin, I have to be on my way. I am dead tired; I have been in a meeting all day briefing my superiors about my last assignment. Please extend my greetings to Yinka.”

“Thanks for helping with the change of tyre,” Tosin said.

“My pleasure,” he said, waved at her, walked back to his car, got in, and drove off.

She got back into her car, called the driver and told him she was okay, that he did not have to bother coming again. She then called Yinka and intimated her of what just transpired between her and the elusive Dennis.

On her drive home, she thought about Dennis. She also thought about how she was going to reveal her identity to him.

She decided to give him sometime before phoning him, but a call from him that weekend Friday saved her from doing that.

“Hello, Tosin.”

“Hi, Dennis.”

“I was wondering if you would be free for an evening out with me tomorrow.”

“Sure, that would be nice,” she answered.

“Fine. Could we rendezvous at the eatery we first met? You could invite Yinka if you wish, but I would be delighted to have just you for company. Would eight be fine by you?”

“Suits me fine,” she said.

“See you tomorrow then,” he said and hung up.

The next day, she could hardly wait for eight, she was dressed and on her way. She did not want to create a bad impression by allowing him wait so long for her. She wanted to be there dead on time.

She got the restaurant, parked her car and walked in. she saw him seated at the table they sat the first time they met. On sighting her, he stood up and approached her.

    “Hello Tosin, you look lovely.”

“Thanks Dennis, so do you.”

He led her away from the table to a table made for two in one of the coziest section in the restaurant, where they sat.

“What do I get for you?”

Rice and chicken, with any fruit juice will be nice.

 He walked away and came back with her order and the same for him. They ate in silence. After eating and were on drinks, he said something that caught her unaware.

“I get the feeling we have met before.”

She looked at him and casually answered, “Maybe in the previous world.”

“Correct. I thought as much,” he said and they both laughed. “Tell me about yourself, more than your name been Tosin.”

“You first, Dennis,” she countered.

“I really don’t have much to say, except for that I am from a humble background, three siblings, my parents, though now retired, and I am the eldest child, period. That is the little story of my life.”

“How about the feminine part of your life?” she asked.

“How do you mean?”

“Girlfriends. You know. Stuffs like that.”

“For now, none. Although I had one at the later part of my service year but we went our ways. I guess we were not compatible.

“That is had to believe for a handsome man like you.”

“You flatter me. How about you? Good looks, smells rich, I bet there must be loads of them beckoning.”

“I have not been around for a while,” Tosin said.

 “I guessed as much, out of the country I presume. You seem to have a western accent, let me guess, the United States.”

“Yeah. Four years, ‘Masters Business Administration.’ I came back a few months back.

Good for you. How was the States?”

“Cool. But, not my kind of place. There is nowhere like home, you know. Places like that are okay if you visit and get out, at least that is what I feel.”

 They chatted on. She felt the urge to probe into his past, and the best way was for her to bring the discussion back to his school days.

“What was your schooling like during your University days?”

“It went smoothly; I was never into cultism, so I did not have problems with both the bad boys and the school authority except for one ugly incident.” He paused for a moment.

She prodded him on. “What happened?”

“I really don’t feel like talking about it.”

“Why?”

“It brings back sad memories.”

“Don’t you think talking about it will enable you deal with the sad memories?”

He smiled. “Its not that I cannot talk about it. I can never really say much about it because the incident was all shrouded in mystery.”

“In mystery?” She queried.

“That is what bugs me most. The mystery about the whole episode. Sometimes I believe it was all a dream, but when I remember that, I have evidence to show it is not, I begin to wonder what really happened.”

   “Tell me Dennis, I want to know,” she said. He briefly hesitated and then she added, “Please.”

He looked into her eyes and saw that she was keen on hearing.

“If you insist, but I doubt if you would be able to make any sense of the whole matter. It happened in my third year at the University of Lagos,” he said then paused.

“Go on Dennis, I am all ears,” she said, urging him on.

“I was coming back from one of the blocks at school were I went to read. It was very late, and there was a show going on at that time on campus. On my way back to my hostel, as I passed by some classroom blocks, I thought I had a sound. I stopped, listened carefully and then I heard a stifled sound, then a voice, in one of the blocks. Initially I thought a randy guy and his girl wanted to have a quickie, but the mans choice of words said differently. I had to act instantly to save the girl. A fight ensued in the process, I was stabbed at the back, and I collapsed. That is it. I found myself in hospital days later.

The mystery is that I never saw the girl again or the culprits. There was no mention even at school by the school authorities of any incident. Access to my hospital bed was restricted; I know this because my roommates were denied access to me, even my parents where informed that I was involved in a mere squabble with some boys, and till today as I speak I never told my parents what really happened to me.

On the day I was discharged, a man came to me gave me some money and told me to forget what happened, and went as far as indirectly threatening me. So, my dear Tosin what do you make of the whole story, truth or fables? To me it sounds like fables, which was why I kept the whole gist to myself. I never told anyone that I was trying to save a girl from being raped.

My friends at school told me a girl came to my rescue; they said she was the one that called for help. They also said the girl in question was a renowned Senator’s daughter.  Rumours have it that she was flown abroad after the incident. The puzzle comes in two folds.

 Firstly was the Senators daughter the one about to be raped, or was she eventually raped? And was that why she had to be hurriedly taken out of the country to avoid a scandal. Secondly, who was the girl that called for help, if she was not the victim, or the Senators’ daughter, why did she also disappear? Thirdly, if the girl that was to be raped and the girl that called for help was the same person, it means that she was not raped, because if she were raped, she would not have called for help. She also would have been a victim that needed help. Now, what do you make of the puzzle? Intriguing, isn’t it? That is why I never bothered telling anyone until today.”

All the while he was talking he did not notice that she was melancholic; her silence made him look into her eyes and he noticed tears streaming down her cheeks.

Tosin! Why are you crying? You don’t have to, that is in the past now.

   He gave her one of the tissue paper on the table to clean her eyes with, after which she then spoke. “Supposing the girl was forced to leave abruptly and she did not have a say in the matter.”

   “Leave? That would mean that she was raped and her parents were trying to save her from humiliation.”

“Did you ever think that the father might have been trying to save his face and not his daughter’s? After all, you said he was a politician. A Senator for that matter, in Nigeria! You know what his political opponents could do with such news. The press would blow it out of proportion, with captivating headlines, such as, ‘Senator’s daughter in rape saga’, even if she were raped or not.”

“Anyway, that is all history now, the puzzle remains. I cannot even tell if she knows the men involved or not Dennis concluded.”

“Can I ask you one last question Dennis?”

“Go ahead Tosin, I am listening.”

If you should come across her now how would you react?

He smiled before answering. “How I would react! In the first instance, how would I know her? Remember, I never met her; the only way is if she decides to remember me, which is unlikely since she absconded in the first place. Moreover, I never gave a thought to how I would react; one thing I would love to tell her is this. Rape is sex in a different form, it does not kill, though it traumatizes you, but you can get out of it, and it heals with time. A stab with a dangerous weapon at the wrong place leads to death and that you cannot reverse. Please can we change the subject?” he said. 

She willingly agreed, not wanting to seem too inquisitive, although there were questions she still would have loved to ask him.

They chatted on and became properly acquainted with each other. It was when they were about to leave, he said, “you seem to have eluded your surname.”

“Tosin Williams,” she said abruptly, watching his face trying to notice if there would be any form of recognition.

“Nice name” he said and then pronounced the name, “Miss Tosin Williams. That would be Oluwatosin I presume.”

“Very correct,” she answered.

 “Shall we,” he said. He stood up, stretched out his hand and pulled her up.

She took a long look at him and surmised what an innocent creature. He has to be told. For how long would she act up? She made up her mind to tell him as soon as she could muster the courage to do so, but she had to forewarn him.

 “Before we finally leave, there is something you ought to know about me,” Tosin said.

“What is there to you, that you have not told me all this while?”

“It is something you must know about me; let us call it the dark side of me.”

“You want to spill it out now.”

“No. Let us leave that for some other time,” she said and they left the restaurant.

Immediately she arrived home, she called Yinka and told her what transpired between her and Dennis.

“What do you make of the whole issue?” she asked.

“Tosin the ball is in your court, you have to play it fine and tread softly, don’t allow the whole episode to explode on you. Subtle men like him are well principled and sometimes hardhearted.”

“Based on the chat we had today, that, I have deduced about him.”

“Good night Tosin, we will discuss better on Monday at the office.”

INTIMACY

Dennis and Yinka became very close friends; they frequently dined together, and on few occasions with Yinka to accompany them. She found it more difficult to reveal her true identity, the more she got closer to him; her worse fear was not telling him, but losing him.

She had become so close to him that she could not afford to ruin the relationship that existed between them, but she knew that by her procrastination, she was only extending dooms day and she enjoyed his company while it still lasted. During one of their outings, she came across Fred. They were in a restaurant chatting when someone walked over to their table.

“Well, well. Is this not Tosin Williams?” Fred said allowed, smiling down on Tosin and Dennis.

Tosin looked up to watch Fred hover over their table.

“Hello Mister,” he greeted Dennis and extended his hands towards Dennis for a handshake. Dennis, ignorant of whom Fred was, was about to shake hands with him when Tosin shouted at Dennis.

“No, no, never. Over my dead body. Fred I suggest you leave this table right now or you would be sorry you ever came here.”

“Take it easy Tosin, I am sorry about the past; we could at least be civil to each other.”

“Be civil? Did I hear you say civil? You animal, will you get out of my sight.”

Dennis interrupted them. “Excuse me Mister; the lady is getting upset with your presence. I suggest you leave to avoid embarrassments, you could both settle your difference somewhere else in a more conducive manner than it is right now.”

Fred left the table and went out of the restaurant.

“Who was that?” Dennis inquired.

“The devils reincarnate,” she answered angrily.

“Wow! I have never seen you so worked up.”

“Dennis, please take me away from here.”

“Where to, if I may ask?”

“Anywhere, as long as we just get out of here.”

“Where then do we go?” Dennis asked. He then suggested her home.

“You have always remained aloof when the subject of your home comes up. What is so scary about your home?”

“Nothing Dennis, its just that my father is not used to receiving male visitors from me and I would not want to entertain any man at home unless…”

 “Unless he is coming for your hand in marriage,” Dennis completed her statement.

“Dennis, I never said that.”

“Do I have to wait for you to say so? Is that not what you meant to so? Is he the one?”

“What do you mean by is he the one?”

“I meant to ask if he was the one that made you unhappy the night we first met at the restaurant.”

“Dennis!” she called. “We are still here.”

“Oh, sorry,” Dennis said.

He then stood up and they left the restaurant. Outside the restaurant, she asked Dennis to take her to his home.

 “I want to know where the man I spend my time with lives.”

 “I also want to know where the woman I spend my evenings with resides. I guess I have to wait a bit longer for that. Anyway, get into your car and tag along.”

They drove out of the restaurant’s premises to his home. When they got there, he opened the door to his neat and moderately furnished two-bedroom apartment; it had the touch of a man into designs and construction and she commented about it.

“Nice setting,” she said.

“Thanks. I am glad you like it,” he said. She sat down on the couch. “What can I offer you?” he asked.

“What you can offer me! Come on Dennis, we just had our fill; I just want to chat and then go back home.”

“What really happened back there? What did that man do to warrant such an outburst? Did you catch him with another woman or what?” He said and smiled?

“It is not funny Dennis.”

“Funny as it might seem that face looks like a face I once came across during my school days. I might be wrong. She glanced at him. “Let me put on some musical video to liven your mood,” he said.

He went to the cabinet that held his electronic gadgets, turned the main switch on and slotted a ‘CD’ into the ‘DVD’ player.

They spent the evening chatting, and when it was time for her to leave Dennis asked.

“When do I get the honour?”

“Honour!” she exclaimed. “Honour for what?”

“The Honour of knowing the real you. You have been so elusive about your self. You parry some of my intimate questions, and yet you make me turn myself inside out for you. That, to me, is unfair.”

“Let us say I am afraid of what you might do when you know so much about me.”

“Are you that vulnerable?”

“No, I am not,” she said as he escorted her back to her car.

 She left him with a promise to call on him the next week and to tell him all he wanted to know about her. Her parting statement to him was, “our friendship might be made or marred by next week,” and she left.

He watched her drive off, wondering what she meant by that. Well he thought, he would find out next week. One thing he knew was that she was a lovely woman and he would love to have her as his lover.

She arrived home that evening singing as she walked in. she met her dad in the living room.

“Evening dad,” she greeted.

“Evening dear, how was your evening?”

“Splendid, dad, except for one minor hitch. I ran into Fred.”

“I hope you did not explode.”

“I almost did dad, but Dennis calmed me.”

“Ah! Ha! Dennis. Is that his name? That young man has brought sunshine into your life. I noticed you have always come back excited and happy when ever you go out to see this fellow. I hope he has a good family background and not a gold digger.”

“On the contrary, dad, Dennis is quite content; I think I am the one looking for gold in his mine. He knows very little about me.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, I want to be sure of certain things before revealing my complete identity to him. Secondly, dad, I am not dating his family. I don’t care about his or his family social status.”

“Do you love him that much?”

“I feel very comfortable and secure around him. He also makes me feel loved, as a woman should be. We are still mere good friends right now dad. He has not asked me out. I think he is taking his time, but I feel a connection between us, as if I am his already.”

“Then my dear daughter you must love him, if this is how you feel. Actions speak louder than words my daughter; if he has shown love to you, don’t scare him off. Encourage him”.

“Dad, there is something holding me from doing that, and I am scared.”

“Out with it let me see if a fatherly advice can put matters straight.”

“No dad, for now I think it is a woman-to-woman talk. Where is mummy?”

“She should be in the bedroom.” Senator Williams said.

She left her dad and went to see her mum. She knocked on the door. “Come in” her mother said.

“Hi mum, how was business today? Hectic as usual I presume.”

“Welcome dear, I asked after you and the gate man said you went out.”

“Yes, mum.”

“To Dennis?” her mother asked and she nodded her head.

“Mummy, why I came to you is because there are some things I omitted telling you initially. I think you have to hear me out now.”

“Sit down my dear; I hope there is no problem?”

“There is none mum, but there might be, if I don’t handle the situation right.” She sat with her mum on the bed. “Mummy it’s about Dennis.”

“Dennis! The man you have been seeing. Have you quarreled?”

“No ma, but that is what am afraid of. We might, it may lead to a separation, and I do not want to lose him. I think I am in love with him.”

“What is it my dear? Talk, you are keeping me in suspense.”

“Mummy, you remember the incident that took me out of the country.”

“Yes darling, how can I forget, and your dad handled the situation perfectly to save his career.”

“Dennis is the man that saved me.”

“What!” Mrs. Williams screamed. “You cannot be serious Tosin.”

“I am mummy.”

“What does he want with you? Is he trying to blackmail you?”

“Mummy, listen to me. He does not even know who I really am.”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean he does not know I was the girl he rescued. Remember, he never saw me; I was the one that came across him accidentally.”

“So, what. You then decided to make friends with him. What were you thinking, Tosin? Don’t you know that could be risky? If he knows who you really are, he might try to extort money from us.”

“He is nothing of the sort mummy.”

“Now you are defending him, or are you feeling sorry for him?”

“I don’t feel sorry for him mum, I feel love for him. Why I came to you mum is to tell you that I intend revealing my true identity to him.”

“You cannot do that Tosin.”

“I can mum and I will. I don’t want to lead a life of lies and deceit. What if he should one day find out the truth about me, what then do I do?”

“My dear daughter, you are old enough to know what is good for you. If you feel this is right for you, go ahead; follow the dictates of your heart.  Does your dad know this?”

“He has heard about Dennis, but does not know who he really is.”

“Anyway, since you have made up your mind I will stand by you. So when do you intend telling him?”

“I have a date with him next weekend.”

“Where, if I may I ask?”

“At his home.”

“I suggest you go there on time on that day, cook his favorite meal for him; when he is filled and relaxed, tell him. He might show some emotional outburst, let him be, allow him to soak it all up, take any insult he might throw at you calmly. Just bear it in mind that you saw it coming and deserved it.”

“One other thing mum.”

“And what is that.”

“I came across Fred while I was dining with Dennis. Dennis does not know Fred and Fred could not recognize Dennis again.”

“My daughter you have a lot on your hands, but don’t you worry dear, it’s a time of trial for you, but we shall weather the storm together.”

“Thank you mummy.”

She moved closer to her mum and they hugged each other. She then stood up and left her mother, with a sigh of relief.

REVELATION

During the week, Tosin and Dennis communicated. She tactfully asked him his favorite meal, which he told her. The day she was to visit him, she went early to the market, bought what she needed and drove to his home. She knocked on the door. He opened it and was surprised to see her very early that morning.

“Wow! This is a pleasant surprise, I never expected to see you this early. I thought you were coming much later in the evening.”

“No sir or do you have visitors you would not want me to see?”

“Very funny, Tosin. You are most welcome you only caught me unaware. What is in the bags with you?”

“Naughty boy. Why don’t you help me with some of them,” she said.

He collected some of the cellophane bags from her.

“Where do I put them Ma?”

“Where groceries are kept my dear, in the kitchen of course, or don’t you have one?” she asked jeeringly.

He led the way as they carried the items to the kitchen and she set to work. Thirty minutes later, the aroma of her cooking filled the whole house. He commented as he came into the kitchen to check on her.

 “You have changed the scent of the house with your culinary skills. Hmm! very nice,” he said and sniffed his nose. He went and stood behind her. She felt the urge to turn around and embrace him, but restrained herself. I still have a hurdle to cross, she reasoned.

She finished cooking, dished the food and they sat down to eat. Afterward, she cleared the table, washed the dishes and they moved to the living room. He went and turned on the television. When he came back, he went and sat on the single couch, but she beckoned on him to come to the sofa she sat on, he obliged. When he sat down, she began to talk.

 “What you are about to hear is what you would least expect to hear from me. I have tried to say it on so many occasions, but the fear of how you might react kept making me postpone. It is inevitable; it has to come out now or never. Do you remember what I said last week?”

“Yeah, I do. You said today will make or mar our friendship and that got me wondering.”

 “Dennis, I want you to understand that whatever action you take against me is justified.”

“Tosin hit the nail on the head please and quit beating about; jeez! You are getting me hypertensive already.”

“Before I hit the nail as you rightly said I have something to show you.”

 She opened her bag and brought out the picture that had tormented her for so long and gave it to him. He collected it from her, looked at it and his countenance changed.

“How did you get hold of this picture? Who are you Tosin?”

“I am that mystery girl.”

He stood up, stared at her and then back at the picture.

“You are the girl that was …”

“Yes I am,” she interrupted him.

His knees buckled, he felt an urgent need for water. He went into the kitchen, poured a glass of water, drank it and then came back to her.

“Tosin, why me? What have I done to deserve this treatment from you? Why did you have to come back into my life? Supposing I had died, would my death have being covered up also, to save a career?”

 “I thank God you did not die and I never meant to hurt you. My father did everything; I was virtually forced to leave. I thought I would never see you again, that was why I took the picture to remind me of you. Fate has brought us back together.”

“How am I supposed to believe this is not a conscience trip? The guilt of what your family did to me to save their image from drowning.”

As Dennis spoke, Tosin started shedding tears.

“I know at this time nothing I say will mean anything to you, so I will just take my leave. If we never meet again, I will not be mad at you; I deserve it, but please let me have the picture back. It is the only memory of you I have, and I treasure it so much,” she said amidst sobs.

 Dennis held the picture out to her; she collected it and put it in her bag. She stood up and walked towards the door. When she got there she paused, opened the door, and before walking out, she said, “the man that came to our table at the restaurant that evening, was the man that fought and stabbed you with two of his pals. Why he looked familiar to you was because you attended the same school and somehow you might have come across him. Every moment I spent with you, I will treasure for the rest of my life. I love you dearly not out of guilt but because you gave me a reason to love. You also made me feel like a woman. Goodbye Dennis, I will miss you dearly,” and with tears flowing down her cheeks, she closed the door and left.

When she left, Dennis sat down to think. Was he harsh on her? But, he did not say much. He just allowed her to talk and he never asked her to leave. She stood up and left voluntarily. Why was he being considerate about her feelings? They hurt him, he did not hurt them, and to think he was falling in love with her. She had come to put a clog in the works. Despite what her family must have done to him, he knew within him that he liked her very much.

He rarely took alcoholic beverages, but he felt for something intoxicating, so he picked his car key and went out to buy himself a bottle of wine.

Tosin drove home with tear-filled eyes. She tried as much as she could to restrain it but it flowed incessantly. I never expected him to receive the news with open hands she thought. The worst of it all was his composure, he did not explode as expected, and that made her more worried, he viewed her as a betrayer.

 She managed to drive home safely, parked her car and with tear-filled eyes went in to her room. When she got in, she lay on her bed and then allowed the tears to flow freely. She stayed in bed all day. Later in the evening, her mum came to her room to find out why she did not come down for dinner. As she came in, she saw that her daughter was in the dark, for she had not stood up to turn on the light.

“Baby girl, why are you in the dark, how did it go with Dennis,” her mother asked.

 There was no answer. She reached for the switch and turned on the light. She met her daughter on bed, sitting with her head on her knees and her arms wrapped round her legs, by her shin. She did not bother to looking up at her mother. Mrs. Williams came closer and saw that her daughter’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. She then understood that things must have gone sour for her with Dennis. She sat by her daughter and comforted her.

“Come on dear it is not the end of the world, I warned you to expect invectives from him.”

 Tosin then spoke, her voice quavering.

“Mummy, he did not insult me, he said nothing much. He only asked why him. Why I had to come back into his life and that supposing he had died, would his death have been covered up too. He watched me talk and allowed me to leave his house, without making any further comment.”

“Don’t worry my dear with time you will get over him.”

“Mummy, how can I, when for years I held on to his memory.”

“Stop that nonsense talk, dear. Time heals all wounds. At least you have revealed your identity to him, explained why we had to behave the way we did and apologized to him.”

Her mother consoled her until it was late into the night. She went and brought dinner for her and forced her to eat, before retiring to her room. When she got back to her room, her husband asked why she spent so much time with Tosin and she told him that Tosin had a misunderstanding with her boyfriend and she had to pacify her.

“Lovers do quarrel at times, its inevitable, even married couples do. She will get over it soon.”

“Did she tell you she came across Fred, the magnate’s son, the one who…?”

Tosins mother cut him short.

“How can I forget that stupid boy who almost embarrassed us, by…” she cut her statement. “He is lucky his father is who he is; he would have seen hell. I don’t want to talk about him.” He now gave her the opportunity she needed to ask about Dennis. “Honey, what happened to that boy?”

“Which boy?”

“The one that rescued Tosin.”

“How am I supposed to know? That was a long time ago. I presume and pray he is alive and well, at least for the help he rendered my daughter.”

“What If you should come across him again?”

“I don’t pray to. That would be very bad; he might want to play funny. You know how the country is my dear, opportunist here and there. Moreover, he does not know us and we barely know him. Remember the whole episode was taken care of by my personal assistant at that time. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing dear, since Fred is turning up years after, it just crossed my mind. Good night, honey.”

“Good night,” he replied and they both retired for the night.

The following Monday, work resumed and Tosin grudgingly woke up to go to work.

Dennis also had a restive weekend, thinking about Tosin, but he woke up and went to work as usual. During lunch break, Tosin revealed to Yinka what happened during the week. Yinka consoled her and told her to bare it, that he might come to terms with the reality of why things had to happen the way it did and forgive her.

Three days later Dennis traveled to Abuja; his company had a contract sum to defend at the federal works ministry and he was selected as a member of the defense team. He was glad to leave Lagos. It gave him a respite.

Weeks later after his return from Abuja, on a particular Saturday, he was bored at home. He felt like going out and he decided to visit his usual eatery; At least he could sit around people and watch happenings around him he thought.

Tosin normally frequented the eatery she and Dennis normally dined alone, and at times in company of yinka with a hope that some day she might come across Dennis. However, she never saw him and she gave up hope. She could not summon enough courage to call or visit him. That evening she felt for some ice creams and decided to go and buy some. After buying, she decided to go and sit at the spot they loved to stay whenever they hung around the restaurant.

Minutes later Dennis breezed in, ordered some snacks and a pack of juice. Collected it and proceeded to the spot he normally sat with Tosin. He was almost there when their eyes locked. He did not know whether to move further or retreat. Involuntarily he proceeded. He got to her table, sat down and said “hi.”

“Hello,” she replied in a soft voice as if she was speaking to an unfamiliar person and kept quiet.

“I least expected to meet you here,” he said.

She looked at him and calmly answered, “Here I am.”

“How have you been?”

“I am all right,” She replied.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Did you date Fred?”

 She stared at him and then answered, “Yes we dated for a while.”

“Then why would he want to rape you if you once dated him.”

“I was fed up with his way of life and I told him I wanted out, but he would not hear of it. Not because he was crazily in love with me or something close to it. I knew he had other girlfriends, although I never caught him. I heard about his escapades with many girls both on and off campus. He was actually protecting his ego. He refused to let go. He would confront me at every opportunity and try to persuade me to change my mind, but I stuck to my gun. On that night, we had a hot argument and I told him to go to hell. He threatened me, and I told him he could not do anything.

 I was tired of his presence that night and decided to go back home. He apparently stalked me with two of his friends and they grabbed me on my way to the car. I did not raise much alarm despite the fact that they held my mouth, because rape never crossed my mind, after all I thought, he was my ex-boyfriend. It was when they placed me on the floor that he made his intention known.

When I knew he wanted to gang rape me, I tried to scream, but it was feeble because of the handkerchief over my mouth. They pinned down my hands and legs, and then God sent you. When you burst in, they immediately left me and Fred told them to deal with you. The fight started, I stood up and ran for help. I saw a few people and called for their help. I did not explain anything to them I just told them some people were fighting, and before they came we met you on the floor covered in your blood.

 We carried you into my car and with two of them; we rushed you to the hospital. It was at the hospital I called my dad and told him what happened. He asked me to leave the hospital immediately that he was sending someone to take charge.

I waited and made sure you were attended to, before my dads personal assistant came and I left. My dad settled the matter with Fred’s father and they agreed to take care of you and prevent the news from the press, because of both their reputation.

 Everyday I came to see you even though I was asked not to, while my traveling documents were obtained. My elder brother was already resident in the US, which was what prompted the decision to go there, and for the fact that I normally spend holidays there, I already hard a multiple entry visa.

A day before my departure I came with a camera and took your picture. I spoke to the doctor and he assured me you were out of crisis, even though you were still unconscious.

The next night I left for America. I lived with your memory all those years and I still do. You saved me and we repaid you unkindly, and for that I am sorry, please forgive my family and me. However, my feelings for you are not borne out of sympathy, but love for you.”

Her eyes were already misty with tears. He stretched his hands over the table and held hers.

Stop crying, I have forgiven you, but I cannot exactly say forgotten too, because that would mean deleting the incident from my brain, which is impossible, but with my whole heart I do forgive you.

“Really” she said and then she stood up, came over to him, planted a kiss on his cheeks, and thanked him. “Hmm! just like it was years ago.”

“How do you mean?”

“Oh, I forgot. I kissed you before I left while you were on your sick bed. Can I ask you a favour?”

“If it is within my power, yes.”

“Sure, it is. Would you mind if I invite you to my home?”

“I remember you once said something about your father not condoning you bringing male visitors home.”

“I was only pulling your legs then, and I had a secret to keep; but now I do not have any skeletons left in my cupboard, you are most welcome anytime. Moreover, this male visitor is very special and dear to me; I would bulldoze him in, if I have to. Just say yes, Please.”

“Yes, but I do not know your residence. Secondly, when?”

“Next weekend, I will give you the address and properly describe it to you. You cannot miss it. I want to give you a treat.”

They ate on and chatted like old times until they both left for their various homes.

Tosin’s joy knew no bound. The next day she told her mum while they were preparing lunch in the kitchen why she was happy.

“Mum, I met Dennis yesterday and we reconciled, he has forgiven us, I invited him over for dinner this Saturday,” she said and then recounted to her mum how it happened.

Her mum was also elated; she now had a chance to thank him properly.

“Mummy, do you think I should tell dad?”

“You leave that to me, I will just inform him that Dennis is coming over for dinner. Let him receive him first before we break the news to him.”

“All right mummy, you know best.”

THE FAMILY

That night Mrs. Williams informed her husband that Dennis would be their guest the next weekend Saturday evening to be precise, and he like his wife looked forward to receiving the man who had brought happiness into his daughter’s life. He looked forward to meeting him, unaware of the bigger surprise that awaited him.

Dennis also eagerly looked forward to the great meet with the man behind the disappearance of his beautiful daughter from school. He recalls that if the incident had not happened he probably would never have met her, she would have been way of his league at that time. All things work for good he thought.

Tosin could barely wait for the week to run to an end. She phoned him daily to make sure he was in town and would honour the dinner.

Mrs. Williams also elaborately prepared for their visitor; she wondered what charm Dennis had over her daughter, because she had never seen her daughter so happy over a man. When she was much younger, she took every opportunity she had to quarrel with men.

On the said day, Tosin went to the saloon and had her hairdo. She came back and helped her mum prepare the food.

At about seven in the evening, Dennis phoned Tosin that he was on his way and they eagerly awaited his arrival.

When he got there, he pressed the car horn and the gate man opened the gate. He had been told to expect Dennis. When she heard him drive in, she went out to meet him.

“Hi Dennis,” she greeted and embraced him.

“Hello Tosin, wow! You look alluring”

“Thank you Dennis. I have looked forward to this day all week. I even prayed for your company not to have any job that would take you out of town.”

“Ah! Don’t you want them to be able to pay my salary?”

“They will dear,” she replied and she ushered him in to the magnificent edifice.

“Wow! This is what I call living big he said and whistled under his breath”

 As they entered the main house, inside the building was another showpiece. As an Engineer, he ran his eyes all over and surmised that money had been pumped into building the house. They went straight to the guest sitting room where Senator and Mrs. Williams sat.

“Good evening, sir. Evening Ma,” he greeted.

They both answered him. Then Senator Williams spoke.

“You are welcome to my humble home, son. Relax and make yourself at home.”

“Daddy, meet Dennis. The man I spoke to you about. Dennis, meet my dad.”

“I am pleased to meet you sir.”

 Dennis assumed he had been told about him being his daughter’s rescuer, but his response sounded strange.

“Nice to meet you son, as I said earlier, make yourself at home. Give me a minute,” he said, stood up and left.

   These big men were always so full of themselves. Arrogant and bossy Dennis thought. Mrs. Williams called her daughter’s attention.

“Come on Tosin let us go and set the table”.

 The two women left and he was left alone. When the Senator came back, he cleared his throat and the question session started. Dennis had expected to be interviewed, which was natural. Once again, nothing was said about the incident of years back and that got him surprised.

“What do you do for a living Dennis?”

“Sir, I work with DIY construction as an Engineer.”

“That is nice,” senator Williams replied.

He asked all he wanted to know, his parents, lifestyle and the likes. Most rich men view young men dating their daughters as gold diggers. The question session was to his happiness cut short by Mrs. Williams calling them to the dining table. They ate in silence and after the meal, he commented.

“I have not enjoyed such a sumptuous meal in a very, very long time ma. The cooking is excellent. Thank you sir and ma for such an honour bestowed on me.”

“Actually, you have to thank Tosin, she was the pilot in the kitchen, and I was the co – pilot,” Mrs. Williams said.

They smiled. The men went back to the sitting room while the women took care of the dishes.

When the women were through they came back to join the men, and they chatted on. After a while, Tosin called everyone’s attention and said she had something to say. They paid attention to what she had to say.

“Daddy, mummy, to be precise, about five years ago a terrible incident was averted from happening to me due to the intervention of a certain young student then. My family and I were spared from dishonor by the timely intervention of my father who at that time thought it better to act the way he did to save both himself and me from further embarrassment by quelling the incident to forestall a scandal.”

Her father interrupted her.

“Why are you bringing this up again Tosin, certainly not in front of Dennis?”

“Please pay attention to what your daughter has to say dear, she is not through yet,” Mrs. Williams said to her husband and he remained calm. Tosin proceeded with her statements.

“Thank you mummy,” she said and continued.

Dennis then understood that Senator Williams did not know who he was.

“As I was saying mummy, daddy, we took care of the issue but left one person out in the cold, which was the man who prevented the incident at the expense of his life.”

I left this country unwillingly as you both know after the doctor gave me an assurance that the man would survive and would be fine. When I came back daddy, I asked about this man, but you had no clue about him or his whereabouts. My heart went out to that young man, all those years I was in the United States.

 Dennis watched the Senator’s face and that of his wife. They showed signs of remorse.

Before I traveled, I took a picture of this man and traveled with it and I kept it all those years. I made a promise to myself that even when I got married I would tell my husband why I had to hold on to the man’s picture for as long as I could. Probably, until the day, I set my eyes on him and he forgives me, then I would ask him to get rid of it, for it has being a nightmare having it. It has tormented me for so long.

 She excused herself, went away and minutes later, came back with the picture. She first showed it to her mother. When she looked at it, tears came out of her eyes. She then collected the picture and gave it to her dad. His face changed completely, the face in the picture although younger was a replica of the gentle man sitting right across him. He shook his head remorsefully. He was lost for words.

She collected the picture back from him and walked over to Dennis, knelt down in front of him, and said, “Please forgive me and my family for whatever wrong with might have done you.”

“I told you I had forgiven both you and your family. I harbor no grudge. I understand the measure your dad took at that time. This is Nigeria, most men would have acted likewise, all I have to add is some out of those men would have still given me a more human face, but I thank the Almighty God it is over now.”

  He collected the picture from her, told her to get up and get him a matchbox and an ashtray. While she went and brought it, Senator Williams stood up, walked up to him, shook his hands, and thanked him.

“It’s all right sir,” Dennis said.

Tosin came back with the matchbox and he burnt the picture. Together they went and threw the ashes away. They did not come back in; instead, they went out into the garden and sat down. They wanted to be alone together.

Time flew and he had to go. He went back in to bid the Williams goodbye and left, promising to check on them as time permitted.

Tosin escorted him to his car. When they got there, before he got in, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

 “I love you Dennis,” she said.

 “I love you too,” he said whispering it into her ears.

“What? I did not hear it properly Dennis.”

“I said, I love you too Tosin,” he shouted.

“I love you Dennis. I love you.”

They embraced and he kissed her again, this time a bit longer.

“Good night, Tosin.”

“Good night, darling,” she replied.

He entered the car and drove off. She went back into the house. When she got in her parents were waiting for her. Her mother reached out and hugged her.

“Thank you daughter,” the father said. “Tell Dennis to come to my office and see me whenever he is chanced.”

“Yes daddy.”

 Senator Williams left mother and daughter to continue chatting and went into his study.

Dennis went home a contented man. All things happen for a reason and only God can tell why they do. He had found love in Tosin and he intended to keep it that way, but what about Fred what should be done about him. Would nemesis catch up with him, or should he engineer it? He should not be allowed to get away with such a heinous crime, because he is the son of a rich man. He would seek advice and resolve that issue with Tosin. Now that they were united, he would take such a decision with her consent. That night he slept like a baby.

The next weekday passed, and there was no day he did not communicate with Tosin. She promised to come and cook for him that weekend, and he welcomed the idea. He could do with some home cooked food. Most times, he got tired of eating out, but time constraints made it impossible for him to cook himself.

Tosin came as promised that Saturday afternoon, and he gave her some money to buy foodstuffs for the house. Because she said, she wanted him to cultivate the habit of eating home cooked food at least once a day.  After cooking, she dished out the food and they ate. Afterwards they sat in the living room to watch a movie. as they watched, she cuddled him and placed her head on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair and watched on. Suddenly she sat upright and called him.

“Dennis.”

“Yes,” he answered. He looked at her, expecting her to say something but she did not, instead she pulled him up.

“It is about time you showed me what your room looks like,” she said.

“Second room on the left, you can’t miss it. It is open,” he said.

“Come on, don’t be naughty,” she said.

He smiled and stood up. He lifted her off her feet, carried her in his arms and into his bedroom. They came out later in the evening.

“Oh, I forgot, daddy said you should make time to see him in his office.”

“We have been together for hours and you are just remembering, Tosin.”

How could I remember, when I was wrapped all around you. I could only think of one person all that while.

 “Who might that be? Your mum?” he queried.

“You of course, who else? but the soul of my heart.”

“I also want to ask you something, but I would not want to spoil your mood now, probably later.”

“Ask now please, with you around me nothing can upset me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, darling.”

“If you say so. What do you think we should do about Fred? Should we just let him be?”

Her expression changed and he noticed.

“You see why I did not want to ask.”

“Darling, I am only thinking of the most painful way to skin him alive and I need to be annoyed to think of one.”

“You bad girl.”

“You know what; we shall discuss how to dissect him properly, later. For now, I need to sleep. You have worn me out.”

“All right sweetheart let us go.”

“Hmm! sweetheart, sounds nice. I think I like that.”

He saw her to her car.

“Lest I forget, where is your dad’s office?”

“Come to my office tomorrow and I will tell you.”

“Must I? Moreover, I don’t know your place of work, even though you once mentioned it.

 “Yes, so I can see you darling. It is on Broad Street, number sixty-seven as I told you. The tenth floor. You cannot miss it. That is where our corporate office is.”

“I guessed as much,” he said.

 Tosin left and went home exhausted. Dennis went to her office the next day. On getting there, He asked the receptionist for Miss Tosin Williams.

The receptionist answered. “Madam is in. Are you Mr Dennis Adebayo?”

“Yes please.”

“Madam asked me to bring you to her office whenever you arrive.”

“Madam,” he muttered to himself.

She left her desk and turned around to where he stood.

“This way sir,” she urged.

They walked through some corridors. When they got to a door marked “GMD”. She knocked on the door, walked in, and he followed her.

“Here he is Ma;” the receptionist said and walked out of the office.

“Whom do we have here? Wonderful. The GMD. Group-managing director I presume.”

“Hi darling, welcome to my world, the Williams Empire.”

“I guessed so and my sweetheart runs that empire sitting behind that lovely desk. Mahogany, very tasty.”

 He moved closer to her. She stood up to embrace him and then planted a light kiss on his lips.

“That was brisk,” Dennis said.

“Yes darling, I don’t want you to intoxicate me further. This is an office, remember.”

“Yeah. Now that you have seen me, can I have the address to your dad’s office?”

“Yes darling, it is the next floor up. Right now, he is not on seat. He had an urgent call from Abuja this morning to attend a board meeting. He would be back by Wednesday.”

“Why didn’t you phone to tell me?”

“Because you won’t have come and I would not have seen my darling.”

“What do I do to you now?”

“Punish me.”

“How?”

“By giving me a warm hug.”

He held her and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

“This is all you get now sweetheart. As you rightly said this is an office. I know where to punish you,” he said and smiled. “I have to be on my way. If you want to see me, I will be at our joint, same time. See you,” he said and left her office.

THE MISSION

Senator Williams arrived on a Friday instead of Wednesday as earlier scheduled and Tosin told Dennis when they met at his home. They discussed Fred’s issue. Dennis asked what she thought about him, and how best to make him pay for his misconduct.

    “What do you think we should do about Fred?”

“Honestly, darling, I don’t know but I want him punished somehow.”

“I have an idea but it will take a lot of planning and you have to perform the major task.”

“What is the idea darling? Tell me please, I am dying to know.”

Dennis told her what he had in mind, and how eager he was to execute it. She gave her consent and promised to play her part well.

“Firstly, I have to see your dad on Monday and find out why he wants to see me.”

They spent all day together until it was time for her to depart. After she left, He took a pen and a paper and jotted down notes on how best to execute his plans.

The next Monday, he made time to see Senator Williams in his office. He carefully evaded meeting Tosin because he knew seeing her would delay him further than necessary. He went straight to the Senator’s office, knocked and went in. Senator Williams was with a visitor when he walked in; the Senator saw him and directed him to seat. He finished with his guest and came over to Dennis. Dennis greeted him.

“Good day, sir.”

“Welcome Dennis. How are you today?”

“Fine, sir.”

 “Sorry about last week, Tosin told me you called on me. I received an emergency summon to attend an important board meeting. You know how it is.”

“Yes sir, I do.”

“Let us skip the preambles; I called you to apologize on behalf of myself and my family for whatever treatment we must have meted out to you.”

“Sir, I have accepted your apologies and have forgiven. Sir, even if I had a heart of steel, Tosins fire would have melted it.”

“All right Dennis. If you ever need assistance, please don’t fail to approach me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do sir. Sir, there is an issue I need your assistance with.”

“Out with it, Dennis.”

“Sir, it is about Fred. Tosin and I have decided to punish him for his misdeed.”

The Senator kept quiet for a while then responded.

“Do you know what will happen if you decide to prosecute Fred for that crime? It would mean opening up a can of worm, if you understand what I mean.”

“Sir, we do not intend to prosecute him or anything close to it. We just want to humiliate him. It will have nothing to do with the past sir, I assure you. All I need from you is some information and your moral support; remember he almost marred you too sir.”

“If I give my consent, what then would you want from me?”

“Sir, we only need information. We know you have the contacts to help with that, you leave the rest to Tosin and me. We shall update you periodically of our plans as we perfect it, sir.”

They discussed further, and as they were chatting; Tosin walked in on them. She was surprised to see Dennis in her father’s office.

“Dennis, why didn’t you check on me when you arrived?” she said.

     “I wanted to finish with your dad before coming down. If I had first seen you, you would have prevented me from having an audience with him on time. I am sorry dear.”

“It’s okay,” she replied and turned to her dad.

“Here are the figures for the last consignment, as you requested.”

He collected the paper from her, perused it, turned and moved away from them, summarily dismissing them. They got the message and left his office quietly without saying bye to him. When they got to her office, he briefed her on the discussion he had with her dad. He also told her he had perfected a plan, but needed some information from her and her dad to set the plan in motion.

He told her what he specifically wanted and that when she got them, she should bring them to his home by weekend then he would reveal what he had planned, then they would deliberate on the options based on the information available, before execution. He kissed her briefly and left for his office.

That weekend she came with some of the information he requested; Fred’s office and place of abode, his cars, their models, registration numbers and a host of other information about him, neatly typed out.

 “How did you get hold of all this so fast he asked?”

“Daddy helped, I told him what I needed and he sent his men to garner them for me, he also told me to come whenever we need further information about Fred,” she said.

   “This is money and power talking. We now have a lead, my plan is very simple, but has to be executed with dexterity. Are you sure, you can handle your part very well without letting your emotions overcome you?”

“Yes darling, I can,” she answered.

“All right, next week we start stalking him. We have to know his joints, where he unwinds. Remember we are not out to hurt him financially but emotionally, one that will deal him a fatal blow. I will try to find out if he has a steady girlfriend, but I would be most happy if he has a fiancée, it will make it more painful”

 “Remember he saw me at the restaurant. For that, he is not to ever see me again or know about me until the end. If during the course of your exploits with him, the subject of the man he saw you with at the restaurant come up, you would tell him that I was a client. What we had was a casual business dinner and I had gone back to my base.”

 When we find out about his women, which should not be too difficult. We will not involve her until the last minute. They discussed and fine-tuned the set up properly. Afterwards, other discussion concerning Fred was suspended until their next meeting.

When she got home, she briefed her dad the plan and told him what she wanted to know. Three days later, while in the office her dad called her and told her that Fred had a fiancée by the name Gloria, He also gave her, Gloria’s residential and office addresses.

She was elated; she immediately phoned Dennis to intimate him of the current news about Fred. He was also elated and they fixed a rendezvous for their usual spot that evening.

When they met, after exchanging pleasantries, the next thing Dennis said was “this is the last time we will meet in public for now.”

Tosins face contorted and she asked why.

 “Because, after today we will start to execute our plans. You and I must not be seen together by Fred until the final day. Our meetings will be restricted to my home or yours.”

“Fred,” she called his name as if he were present, and said, “even in your absence you still manage to deprive me of freedom to associate with my darling in public. You treacherous creature.”

Get hold of yourself sweetheart, he will pay the supreme price. We now know he has a fiancée. Your first assignment begins; Firstly, you make friends with her under a new name and false residence. We can use my home as your residence, in case you might want to invite Gloria home someday.

“Hmm! I like that, sounds interesting. Invite her to my home, which happens to be your home. Our home.”

“Come on, listen woman. You will tell her you live with your brother. She can meet me, but he must not. He will meet you accidentally in his usual joint. That is where both of you will make up. He will expect you to be hostile, but you will remain as calm as ever, urge him on, give him the green light. You know what I mean, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Naturally, He will ask for your phone number and for that purpose, we will buy a new phone and ‘SIM’ card. That is what we will give to him. After we must have accomplished that, we will proceed to the next stage. Enough of him for now, let’s get back to us. How was work today?”

She responded and they chatted on, until they left the restaurant.

That weekend they began their first assignment, Dennis trailed Fred from his home to a club that night. Earlier on in the day, Tosin trailed Gloria from her home to a beauty salon. She waited outside for a while to see if Gloria would come out on time, but Gloria did not, so she drove off, because she could not withstand the hot sun while sitting in the car waiting for Gloria to come out of the beauty salon. She then assumed that was the salon Gloria frequented for her hairdo.

Dennis and Tosin communicated by phone, to notify each other of latest developments. Dennis was having fun, stalking Fred, just like in the movies. He bought a ticket and went into the club, where he had a field day watching Fred’s movement discreetly. After about thirty minutes, he decided to call it quits and left for home. The next day, they met at his house to discuss the next move.

“Tosin, what do you think? Would you prefer meeting Fred before Gloria or vice – versa?” he asked.

“I think I should first meet Fred, hook him line and sinker, before getting to meet Gloria.

“So it shall it be, sweetheart. You will first meet Fred then. When do you intend doing that?”

“Darling, as soon as possible. I cannot wait to see the end; I can imagine the look on his face.”

“During the week, I will make time to trail him, check his routine and then I will phone and tell you when and where he is exactly; I will make sure he is relaxed then phone you to come. How is that?”

“That would be fine darling.”

The week came and went by. Dennis on three occasion trailed Fred to his hangouts. He had just two of them, and he went alone, not even with his fiancée. He was a real womanizer. He intimated Tosin of it and told her he frequented those places almost on a daily basis. Meeting him there will not be difficult. Those spots were love dens for the rich in the society, where they come to meet and make friends.

That weekend on a Saturday night, Dennis as usual at about eight in the evening sat behind his wheels waiting for Fred to drive out. Minutes later, Fred did, and he immediately phoned Tosin to get ready to meet with Fred, as he drove carefully behind him.

Fred went to one of the spots as expected, parked his car, came down and walked in. Dennis then phoned Tosin to meet him there. About twenty minutes later, she drove into the parking lot; he strolled over to her and gave her a pep talk, kissed and wished her good luck.

As she strolled away towards the building he shouted after her, “I will be waiting outside in my car until I watch you finally drive off.”

 She turned around and blew him a kiss. She then braced herself up and walked into the bar.

When she got in, she saw that the place was filled with a lot of men and women, moving around and having the time of their life. It did not take long for her to see him sandwiched between two women, chatting. That was Fred for you she thought, while lovely Gloria sulks back at home. She sat in a conspicuous manner not far away from him, ordered a drink for herself, and sipped it gradually waiting for the right opportunity to avail itself.

She did not have to wait too long, because she accidentally tripped her glass and it crashed to the floor, sending splintered fragments of glasses all over, which attracted almost everyone’s attention within that vicinity. Most of the people around came to offer assistance; she charmed her way to their hearts and laughed over the incident.

Where Fred sat, he noticed her but was indecisive. He contemplated whether he should approach her. She on the other hand behaved as if she was oblivious of his existence.

Minutes later, after most people had forgotten about the incident and went about enjoying themselves, she bought another drink, faced the barman, and sipped it. Fred decided to approach her. He stood up and left his female companions to get himself a drink. He got to the bar and ordered a canned beer, loudly. When he made his request, she did not turn to look at his direction, she pretended not to notice or hear him. The music blaring out helped to add credence to her pretense.

She took the last swig in her glass and pretended to leave when there eyes met. She paused for a moment and glanced at him. Remembering why she was there, instead of a frown, she kept a straight face. That gave him the impetus to call her, but she still pretended she was about leaving.

“Tosin,” he called. She stopped and turned to face him.

“What is it this time? She asked. Her face impassive. “Are your boys lurking somewhere around again?” she said.

“Tosin that was a long time ago. Why can’t we at least be civil with each other? Please let me buy you a drink.”

She laughed and asked, “buy me a drink? No, thank you, I am filled to the gills as you can see and I am on my way home.

“Do you come here often?” he asked.

“Why the questions, Fred?”

“It’s just a harmless question. I am only trying to be friendly.”

“All right no, I don’t. I felt bored at home and decided to try this place out. A friend told me about it. Really I have to be on my way Fred,” she said and behaved as if she was about to leave again, when he asked.

“Can we meet sometime?”

“Fred, don’t you have a wife, or a woman waiting for you at home?”

“No I don’t.”

“Still not married! I cannot believe it. Don’t tell me that with all the beautiful women in Lagos, you are still searching. See you some other time Fred, right now I need my bed.”

“How can I contact you then?”

She paused for a while, shook her head and said, “You are unbelievable.” She did not want to act too stern, so she gave him the arranged number and immediately left.

Immediately she stepped out, she breathed a sigh of relief, inhaled some fresh air, and was about moving when the phone rang, the number was strange. She guessed it to be Fred.

The fool, he wants to confirm that I gave him the correct number before I leave the vicinity she presumed and then she answered it. “Hello, who is on the line?”

His voice came on. “It’s me Fred.”

“You never change do you; I guess you thought I gave you a fake number. Now you know it is not, good night Fred.”

 He said good night and hung up.

 “Idiot,” she mumbled.

Dennis saw her walk out and receive the call. He watched her walk to her car, get in and drive off. He did the same and followed her. She drove a few miles then drove into a gas station and parked.

Dennis also drove in and parked a few meters away from her. She walked into the mini mart and he followed. When they got inside, she briefly told him what happened. He promised to pay her a visit the next day at home, so he could have the opportunity to extend greetings to her parents as well. They said byes and he left.

Meanwhile, Fred bought his drink and went back to sit with his female companions. They asked him who Tosin was and if he knew her previously. He told them she was an old acquaintance. His diabolic mind started nurturing ideas. How nice it would be for him to have her back, make her love him then jilt her to repay her for jilting him. He thought about it seriously and resolved to do all he could to firstly, win back her love.

He would spare no expense, if not for anything else, to at least have one last time with her. She always made him feel erotic whenever he saw her, it then dawned on him that after all these years he still had it going for her. He would give her some time, and then call her within the week to fix an appointment with her. If he should succeed in dating Tosin again, Gloria must never find out he thought, because if she did, she would kiss him goodbye for life. That he was sure of and he was not ready to lose her. He wanted her as a wife because of her sterling qualities.

The next day Dennis visited Tosin as promised and rolled out his plans before her parents. They praised his ingenuity and thought the idea a very good one. What better way to teach him a lesson than this. A lesson he would never forget.

“How I wish I would be there to see his face, Mrs. Williams commented.”

He spent the day with the Williams. Later in the evening, he left for home.

FRED

Fred waited three days to give Tosin room to ponder. On the fourth day, which happened to be midweek, he felt he had to make plans for a rendezvous with her. He called her.

Tosin had patiently waited for the call. She knew that soon enough he would call her. She was about to close work and leave for home that evening when his call came through. She allowed it to ring through the first time without answering. The second time she picked it up, and answered casually, although she stored his number, she gave the impression she did not.

“Hello, Tosin on the line. With whom am I speaking?”

His voice came through.

“Hi Tosin, it’s me Fred.”

“Yes Fred, what can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if I could persuade you to join me for dinner this weekend.”

She had to play a bit tough.

“I don’t think that would be such a good idea Fred.”

“Why not Tosin? Is there any harm in a friendly dinner date?”

“I am supposed to be asking that question Fred.”

“Come on Tosin, dinner on me for old time’s sake.”

“Did I hear you say old times sake?”

“Please don’t take it personal Tosin.”

She felt she had played up enough.

“Okay call me tomorrow by this time, I will have checked my schedule for this weekend. Right now am tired and on my way home, Bye.” She hung up and smiled. Play the fool and catch the wise she thought. She would call Dennis when she got home.

On her way out Yinka met her by the elevator.

 “Hello girlfriend.”

 “hi, Yinka,” she responded weakly.

 “Since you hooked up with Mr nice, he has swept you off your foot and gone as far as snatching the little girl’s time we always have. What is the secret, is he amazing on bed or it is just the same love I hear about?”

Both of the above Yinka, both.

“I guessed as much. Anyway, how have you been and what has been happening to you?”

“Nothing too big too handle. Life is treating me fine and I pray it remains that way.”

“I say an Amen to that and I hope to here wedding bells soon too.”

“Yinka!”

“What! Don’t Yinka me or don’t you include it in your prayers? As for me I always do.”

 They chatted on in the elevator until they got outside the building and parted.

When she got home, after resting she called Dennis and gave him the situation report. They agreed to meet on Friday evening at his residence. He asked her to fix Saturday night for the dinner date at a restaurant he mentioned when next Fred calls. They chatted for a while and hung up.

The next day at about five in the evening, she received a call from Fred asking her if she would be free that weekend. She told him she would meet him at the restaurant Dennis had told her at eight on Saturday night. She was concise about it. To avoid further interaction she said bye and cut the line.

Fred felt relieved and happy that he was going on a dinner date with Tosin, which was beyond his wildest dream. He started to think of an expensive gift to purchase for her. Women love jewelries, he thought. He would get her an expensive gold chain and a wristwatch to match.

At about five p.m on the day of the date Tosin had with Fred, she arrived at Dennis residence. They talked over her dinner date with Fred, and he advised her to meticulously win his confidence in her. He gave her a micro tape recorder to record all their conversations. He told her to make sure she asked a whole lot of questions about himself and any lover he might have. He knew that naturally he would deny Gloria’s existence. At exactly eight, she departed Dennis home, with Dennis trailing her in his car. He would wait outside the restaurant for her until after the dinner. He told her he would never let her be alone with Fred.

Fred arrived at the restaurant some minutes before eight and sat at a table waiting. Thirty minutes later, she had not turned up; He thought she had stood him up and was about to dial her number when he saw her stroll gaily into the restaurant. He quickly pocketed his phone. He signaled her and she came towards his direction. She said hello and sat down.

“Hi, Tosin.”

“I am fine,” she answered feebly.

“You sound tired.”

“Yes, I am not feeling too well. If I refuse coming you would think I did it purposely.”

“I am so sorry to hear that, have you taken some medications?”

“I have,” she replied and he signaled the waiter to come and take their order.

What do you care for he asked?

She ordered for light refreshment. Before the food came, she excused herself, when to the rest room and turned on the recorder. She came back, the waiter brought the meal and they ate in silence. After eating, they drank and conversed.

“What have you being up to all this years?” Tosin asked.

“After school, I joined my dad in his haulage business. Last year I started my own company. I am into the oil business right now, petroleum I mean.”

“That is interesting,” Tosin said.

“What about you Tosin? What do you do?”

“I work with my dad,” she replied.

“Sorry I did not ask how he is. I have not seen him in a while.”

“I don’t think he would be too happy to see you right now. He would not be happy to hear of my association with you either. Let us leave that topic for now. Is there no woman in your life who would feel bad if she saw you and I having dinner?”

“No, and how about you?”

“I am not into any relationship right now, and I don’t intend to for now. I need to take my time.”

“How about the man I saw you with the other night, at the restaurant?”

He is one of our big customers; he has gone back to his base in Onitsha. I know you to be a ladies man, and you are telling me that there is no woman in your life. That’s absurd and absolutely amazing. I expected you to be married by now.”

“Well, I am not. I am still searching for the right woman.”

“How can you be searching when the women virtually flock over you? Are you saying none of them is good enough for you? Well, I wish you Good luck in your search.”

Fred put his hands in his pocket and brought out a black case. He placed the case in front of her. She stared at it.

“Go ahead, open it,” he said.

“What is in it?” she asked.

“Just open it,” Fred replied.

 “I cannot Fred. If it is a gift, I am sorry I cannot accept it.”

“Please accept it from the depths of my heart. I will feel offended if you should reject it.”

She paused for a moment not knowing what to do. Should she collect or not she pondered. How she wished she could see Dennis now and ask him. She decided to collect it; she could return it back to him later.

She opened it, and behold in front of her was a beautiful set of gold chain, bracelet and a wristwatch. This must have cost some money she thought. She managed a smile and thanked him.

“But you did not have to do this Fred,” she said.

“I do and I just did. Only somebody like you deserves a gift like that.”

They chatted for a while before she checked her timepiece.

“I have to be on my way Fred. Thanks for the dinner.”

“My pleasure anytime and I look forward to more of such dinners with you.”

She smiled. They stood up and he escorted her to her car, watched her get in, bade her bye and she drove out of the parking lot. Immediately, Dennis drove out after her. She drove straight home with Dennis behind her all the way. When she got to the entrance, she stopped and came out of the car. He drove by, stopped and alighted.

“How was it?” he asked.

 She answered by showing him the gift. He opened it.

“This is expensive stuff; this will probably cost me my three months salary.”

“Honey, it is expensive all right, but money can still buy it, but my heart is not for sale. It has been given out free to the love of my heart and no amount of money can buy it.”

“I know that beauty. What about the recorder?” She brought it out of the dinner jacket she had on and gave it to him. He collected it and placed it on his dashboard.

“How about the gift. What do I do with it?” she asked.

“As you rightly said, it is a gift. Keep it; you deserve it, even if it did not come from me. Now you go in and have a lovely night rest, you have scaled through your first assignment. Get some strength for our lovely game tomorrow.

“Bye, you naughty boy,” she said and kissed him.

He got back into his car and drove off. She pressed the horn of her car and the gateman opened the gate for her to drive in to the compound.

The next day they met at his house and fine-tuned their next move. He told her she now had to meet and befriend Gloria. He told her he would stalk Gloria and that she should be able to come down to wherever he asked her to come to, at short notice. They chatted, spent the day together until it was time for her to leave for home.

Fred called her often and she had to control herself from answering harshly. What she really wanted was to tell him to go to hell. They talked a bit and he asked her out for another date which she obliged.

On the next date, she carried her recorder as usual. He went as far as asking her to come back to him. She told him she was not interested in an affair and even if she harbored such a thought, would her parents welcome such news, that she was not only seeing Fred but dating him as well.

He said he was willing to do whatever it took to win back her love. She said she would think about it.

He promised her his undying love, he also promised to remain faithful to her if she allowed him back into his life and so on.

After the date, she met with Dennis and gave him the tape. He told her to expect his call any time from that day as regards meeting Gloria.

GLORIA

Gloria is from a bourgeois family. She lives with her parents and siblings at the government reserved area in Ikeja. She was the eldest of four. She works in a micro finance company. Fred met her during one of his visits to her office and wooed her. She accepted to date him, not because of his riches, but because she thought him to be a gentle, loving and caring man. He lavished her with expensive gifts although she heard many stories about his escapades with other women; she had not been able to substantiate the rumours.

Fred had asked her to marry him; she accepted but with reserved feelings. She knew nothing about his past, because he was very cagey about it.

That Saturday evening she wanted to go to the salon to have her hairdo. She came out of the house and walked towards the bus top to board a taxi. Getting a cab in that part of town was not very easy, you had to trek distances.

Down the road, Dennis parked his car. He was about to drive off when he saw her come out of the house. He immediately phoned Tosin. He told her he was at Gloria’s home and that he was going to trail her and later give her a description of where Gloria was heading.

Gloria got to the bus stop and boarded a bus. He trailed after the bus. She alighted from the first bus and boarded another; all the while, he kept informing Tosin of their movement. She eventually arrived at the ‘Tejuosho’ market. She alighted and walked in. He had to quickly find a spot to park, get down and follow her. He informed Tosin of the market they were at, and like a fool, he shadowed her. Tosin arrived and phoned him that she was within the market’s vicinity.

He gave her a description of where they were presently, at the clothes section. She came and met him there. He pointed to the exact shop Gloria was in and told her the rest was up to her.

“Do you have some money on you?”

“Yes, not very much. Why do you ask?”

“Just in case, you have to purchase something in there.”

He gave her more money; she left him standing there and went into the shop.

 Dennis turned away and went back to his car. He felt secured leaving her alone, because she was with a woman as herself.

Immediately Tosin walked into the shop, she sighted Gloria admiring a particular dress. She was asking the seller who happened to be a man how it looked like on her. Her entrance attracted the seller’s attention to her.

“Aunty, welcome. What do you want to buy?”

Tosin casually answered him and instantly commented on the dress Gloria held.

“That dress matches your complexion and figure, your man is going to go crazy if he sees you in that.”

“Thanks,” Gloria replied. “But it is too expensive and I cannot afford it.”

 Tosin then asked the seller if he had another dress like the one Gloria held with her.

“Aunty, I have but it is in another colour.”

“Let me see it,” Tosin said.

The seller brought it out, and they negotiated the price. She turned to Gloria, “do you like the dress.”

I do, Gloria replied, “but I cannot afford it right now”.

 Tosin then told the seller to wrap both of them up for her and Gloria. She paid for it, collected hers and walked out; knowing Gloria would halt her afterwards to show gratitude. She had barely taking a few steps away from the store when Gloria called her attention.

“Excuse me sister.”

She stopped. When Gloria got to where she stood. She thanked her for the dress.

“You are welcome,” Tosin replied.

Gloria then introduced herself to Tosin, while Tosin introduced herself as Naomi, which actually is her Christian name. Together they went round the market buying other stuffs they needed. She was compelled to buy some other item so as not to easily give her act away, after which they both strolled back to where she parked her car. They exchanged phone numbers; she gave Gloria her correct phone number and a ride to a convenient bus stop where she could take a taxi home.

When Gloria came down from the vehicle, she promised to call Tosin within the week. She again thanked her for the dress and waved her off.  Afterwards, Tosin drove straight to Dennis home, where they sat to discuss events as they unfolded.

As they chatted her other phone rang, she looked at the screen and saw Freds name appear on it. She picked the call.

“Hi Fred,” she said and frowned at no one in particular. Dennis in return, smiled back at her mockingly.

Hello Tosin, I was wondering if we could meet this evening. She looked at Dennis and whispered inaudibly. “He wants to meet with me this evening.” Dennis read her lips and shook his head negatively.

“I am sorry Fred I do not feel like an outing this weekend, maybe some other time, I just want to rest at home. Bye,” she said and hung up. She then directed her attention back at Dennis, who continued from where they left off before Fred’s intrusive call.

“Whenever Gloria calls, arrange to meet with her. Make sure you ladies have a nice chat. Get to know her properly. Remember, we are only interested in her love life with Fred. They chatted further until later in the evening before she left for her home.”

The next Monday Gloria called Tosin while she was at work.

“Hello Naomi, how are you today?”

“Hi Gloria, I am fine, and you?”

“I am okay. I just called to say hello and thank you for the other day.”

“If you keep thanking me, I will yank you off my line Gloria.”

“All right Naomi, I was wondering if we could get together sometime and have some girls chat”

“That is a nice idea Gloria. You tell me when and where to meet you,” she said, happy that she was not the one that brought up the idea of a meeting with Gloria.

“Actually, I don’t have anywhere in mind, I just thought I’ll ask you first.”

“Let me see,” she said and paused for a moment. “Okay, if you can make it to my office on Friday evening after office hours, I will wait for you then we can go out together.” She gave Gloria her office address and a vivid description on how to locate it. “I will be waiting for you by the parking lot. Is that fine with you?”

“That’s okay,” Gloria replied.

 “See you on Friday then, bye and take care,” Tosin said.

“I will. You take care also. Bye,” Gloria said and hung up.

 She called Dennis and informed him. He asked her to come down whenever she had the chance, to collect a spare key to his apartment and that she had to get some few clothes for change over when she eventually invited Gloria to his home. She had to be convincing enough to give Gloria the impression that she lived in his home, because that is where he wanted Gloria brought. Anywhere else might risk a chance meet with Fred.

Two days before her meeting with Gloria, she went to Dennis home to pick the spare keys to his apartment. She also went along with some personal effects and clothes, in order to appear convincing to Gloria. When she arrived, he gave her the key and directed her to the spare room, which had previously been unused. When she opened the door, she was stunned. The room had been repainted and beautified. She turned to him, saying, “You won’t kill me with surprises dear, I feel like I live here already.”

“You do, and this is your room, Sister Naomi.”

“Sister Naomi indeed,” she said and walked in to admire the room.

“Can I give my brother a kiss for a job well done?”

“Yes, you can.”

She set her bag down, pulled him closer to her and kissed him. They embrace for a while and then he carried her up and carefully placed her on the bed.

On Friday at about five p. m., she packed up for the day and went out to wait for Gloria at the parking lot. About twenty minutes later Gloria arrived.

“Hello Naomi, sorry I kept you waiting; I did not get transport on time from the office.”

“That is okay, I have not really waited that long.”

“So where do we head to Naomi,” Gloria asked?

“I suggest we head to my place, where we can relax and chat unrestricted.”

“That is all right by me,” Gloria said.

Then get into the car and let us zoom out of here. She opened the door of her car and got in. she then leaned over to unlock the passenger side for Gloria to get in.

They drove out to the highway and headed for Dennis home. When they got there, she brought the keys out of her bag opened the door and walked into the apartment.

“Nice apartment,” Gloria commented as she admired the place.

She went over to the electronics cabinet. As she stood in front of the television set,” she asked, “who is the guy?”

“Which guy,” Tosin queried?

“The one in the picture, on the TV.”

“Him. Oh! My flat’s mate.”

“You live with a man?” Gloria asked.

“Actually, he is my brother. Please excuse me while I change into something casual. Make yourself at home, go in to the kitchen and help yourself with some drinks,” she said and directed Gloria to the kitchen. Tosin left for her false room and by the time she came out, Gloria sat on one of the single sofas, sipping juice from a glass cup. She went and joined her. They chatted, getting to know each other properly. They chatted about almost everything until Gloria brought the topic around to men.

“How does your brother cope with the men when they come around?”

“Men! That means lots of them; I think man should be all right for now. I am a one man at a time woman, and he understands that I am matured enough to take care of myself. He frets over me at times though. How about you?”

“I have a fiancé whom I cannot really tell if he knows what he wants from any woman. I like him a lot but I have doubts about his sincerity in the marriage institution. He claims to be in love with me and wants to marry me, but his actions speak otherwise.”

“How do you mean?”

“I have heard so much about his behavior from outside sources, although I have never caught him, but I believe he is what they claim he is. I once confronted him about it; he got furious and asked if I went out to gather negative information about him. The only thing he is good at is to shower me with expensive gifts and that is about it. Most of the gifts are still tucked in their wrappers. He thinks am crazy about his money.”

“Are you?”

“Hell, No. I am comfortable and satisfied with the little I have. I just want to feel loved, truly loved that is all.”

“What happens if you catch him red handed with another woman?”

“Then it would be over between us. If a man cheats on you before his wedding, he is not fit to be a husband; he should at least respect you during courtship.”

They got to know each other properly. She told Gloria about the man in her life. How much he meant to her, but gave no hint of the man being the very person whose portrait stood on the TV set. She also referred to him as Samson, which actually is his Christian name. They spent sometime together and as Gloria was about leaving, Dennis came in. Tosin went to welcome him.

“Welcome darling, how was work today?”

Tosin completely forgot herself and Dennis had to correct the wrong impression she gave Gloria.

“Fine Naomi, how was yours, and whom do we have here? Oh, I see you finally brought home a queen for me I suppose.”

“Cut it out Mister. For your information, she is a married woman, at least almost.” She then introduces Gloria. “Gloria, meet Dennis my elder brother. Dennis, meet Gloria, a friend,” she said.

“I am pleased to meet you Gloria,” Dennis said as he shook hands with Gloria. “I hope Tosin is treating you fine?”

“Oh yes, she is,” Gloria said.

“Excuse me; let me leave both of you to continue your girls talk.”

“Actually, Dennis we were on our way out when you came in.”

“I hope she is not leaving because of me.”

Gloria answered. “Nope, I have been here for quite sometime now. I came here straight from work. I did not tell my folks at home that I would be branching out after work.”

“It’s all right Gloria, see you some other time. You are always welcome here anytime.”

“Thanks,” she said and Tosin escorted Gloria out.

When she came back, she briefly chatted with Dennis before driving home.

Tosin, Dennis and Gloria became good friends. Gloria regularly visited Dennis home and the threesome had good times together.

They spent most of their evenings indoors, mostly during weekends. During one of their evenings at Dennis home, a call came through from Fred for Tosin. She picked the phone.

“Hi darling,” she answered to Fred’s greeting. She had to answer that way to avoid calling his name in front of Gloria. He was also glad to hear her call him in such a lovely way, and it gave him the impetus to act further.

Tosin dear he said, I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow evening where we met the last time.

 She looked towards Dennis who discreetly nodded his agreement.

All right, I will see you there at about eight she said, exchanged some pleasantries and she hung up.

Fred had the belief he had finally gotten her back, and decided to make a proper tryst with her after their next meet in a cozier and romantic atmosphere. He would take her to a hotel since she could not come to his. Gloria might choose such a time to bump in on them and his fling would be over before it started, and he would lose both ways.

He knew Gloria was looking for the right opportunity to kiss him goodbye. She was a nice girl and would make a good wife and raise his kids, but she would not prevent him from having his flings outside. Definitely not with this particular woman, he was out to have by all means, if not for anything else, at least to repay her for walking out on him years back.

Immediately she disconnected the call from Fred Gloria spoke.

    “That is him I presume,” she said.

“Yes, that was Tony, my guy,” Tosin replied. Dennis looked at her and laughed.

“When do we get to meet him?” Gloria said.

“Very soon, by then I would have met yours too.”

“That is no problem except for he is almost never around. He is a workaholic, even I, hardly see him except when he visits, which is rare.”

“What kind of a man would leave a woman like you out in the cold? Is he not afraid she might be fed up and move on,” Dennis asked.

Gloria smiled and replied, “Because I gave him the confidence and power to behave so and I am regretting it. I hope and pray he would change and see that what he is looking for outside has always been with him.”

“You are a nice woman and I am sorry to say this. Your man does not deserve you.”

Tosin queried him. “How could you say a thing like that Dennis? How would that make her feel?”

“He is right Naomi, Fred does not. I am caught in his web and he knows it. I want to watch and see how things turn out between us. I hate to switch men at will. Back to you Naomi, when do I get to meet prince charming? He had better be as nice and handsome as your brother is, or better. If not, I will not acknowledge him as worthy of having you.”

Dennis and Tosin exchanged glances and smiled.

They chatted on until Gloria left for home. After they saw her off, they came back to discuss further. They decided it was almost time to let the cat out of the bag. Tosin wanted to finish up and be done with the whole episode.

 She had grown to like Gloria, and would want her to be rid of Fred, go on with her life and get a good man. She had as well grown tired of being in Fred’s company. She also felt bad at the fact that she would be a party to Gloria’s disengagement with Fred. As a consolation, she reasoned that Gloria was better of single than with an idiot like Fred. However, how would Gloria take it if she knew that all along both she and Dennis had fooled her? They discussed the situation and decided, at the long run that she would eventually understand why they had to do it.

They decided to involve her dad in securing a hotel room that would be used for the final onslaught. They needed his assistance because the room had to be wired with listening devices. After concluding, they spent more time with each other before she finally left for home.

When she got home, she told her dad about their final plans and he promised to assist when they were ready, he also said he would love to be there on the said day, if he is able.

THE LAST DAY

She met with Fred on that evening and he brought up the idea of a romantic date out with him. She agreed but told him that the tryst had to be discreet. He offered to locate a place and get in touch with her, but she turned down the offer and told him she would locate a place that would be convenient for her and then phone him to tell him where and when to meet her. He gladly accepted and looked forward to her call.

   Tosin told her dad, who contacted a friend of his who was an hotelier and told him he needed exclusive use of some rooms for personal use at short notice. He also contacted some of his loyal men at the ‘State Security Services’ who promised to assist with bugging devices when the time arose. She also decided to discuss with Dennis the idea of informing Gloria about her proposed plan, because she was having a soft spot for Gloria. She imagined herself in Gloria’s position and realized that such a thing would definitely hurt her too, if she found out that a friend had used her to get even with an ex-lover.

Within the week, she drove to his house, after discussing other matters; she brought the issue up.

“Darling,” she said calling Dennis attention. “I was thinking of revealing our plans to Gloria.”

“If you do that Tosin, will that not amount to ruining all we had planned?”

“It might, but I was giving thought to Gloria’s feeling about all this.”

 “Women! You always seem to soft pedal when it matters most.”

“She has a right to know what we have been doing,” Tosin emphasized.

“She does not Tosin. Remember that we are not after her. If you think it will affect her, we can leave her out of the final scene and just deal with Fred. The truth can be revealed to her later on.”

“If we do that Dennis, how do you think she would view us? Would she still want to be our friend?”

“I can see you are more after her friendship now than getting back at Fred.”

“No, I am not. I am only trying to place myself in her position. That is why I want to let her in on it; I want to allow her to make her choice.”

“Ok, ok. If that is what you want, you deal with it yourself; you can call her and tell her if you wish.”

“I will invite her over, but I want to tell her with you around. I need your support Dennis. Is that too much to ask?”

“It’s all right. When do you intend doing that?”

“I want to invite her over this weekend. After telling her, her response will decide if I will go through the whole length or break it midway.”

“Hmm! Anyway, I never intended to do this if you had not come back into my life, so I will not be missing much.”

“Don’t talk like that Dennis. Are you regretting my emergence back into your life?”

“I never said that. I am just saying that if we decide to call it quits with Fred’s case, I will not feel bad, only regrets at not completing what I started.”

When he said that, she moved closer to him, put her arms around him, looked directly into his eyes, and said calmly, “whether I tell Gloria or not, we will humiliate Fred. Gloria will not be able to confront Fred with such a story, because he would dispel it, and I would not be around to concur with her. Whichever way it goes, I love you Dennis, with all my heart and will always love you,” she said and sealed her vow with a kiss.

“I love you too sweetheart; I will stand by you whatever the case may be.”

“Thank you darling,” she said.

Instantly, she picked her phone and called Gloria. She asked her to come on Saturday to her home, Dennis place, because she had something important to tell her. Gloria was curious to know what Tosin had to say to her and wanted Tosin to divulge or give her a hint over the phone, but Tosin said it was not a subject for discussion over the phone and that she should wait until they met.

That Saturday Gloria could hardly wait to see Tosin. At about ten that morning she was already at Dennis home. Dennis was surprised to see her when he opened the door for her. She went in and sat down. He made excuses that Tosin went to buy some items. After which he went into his room, called Tosin and informed her of Gloria’s presence. He also told her to buy some provisions on her way, because that is what he told Gloria that she went to buy.

About an hour later, Tosin walked in. she did not bother greeting Dennis because she had to give an impression of someone who left the house earlier on and not people seeing each other for the first time that day. She exchanged greetings with Gloria while Dennis collected from her what she bought and carried it to the kitchen. She also bought some fruits for consumption, which she placed on the center table in the living room and asked Dennis to come along with a knife.

When they were all relaxed, Tosin called Gloria’s attention and began to speak.

“Gloria I know you are anxious to hear why I invited you. What you are about to hear might shock you.”

“Go ahead Naomi I am listening,” Gloria said.

“Firstly, my first name is not Naomi but Tosin, Naomi is my Christian name and very few people know that. Secondly, the man in the picture on the TV set is my lover not my brother.”

That caught her attention. She turned to look at Dennis who confirmed Tosin’s statement with a nod of his head. Immediately, her countenance changed registering shock and puzzlement.

“Tell me more Naomi or is it Tosin?”

“Both, like I said, are my names. There is more Gloria, but I will take it slowly, just listen attentively. Fred your fiancé is well known to me, in fact I knew him years ago when I was at the University of Lagos, before I traveled out to further my studies. He was my boyfriend then and he is the reason why I left this country.”

She then told Gloria all that happened until the present; she also brought the tapes out and played it for her. After she finished talking, an atmosphere of tranquility pervaded the room for a while; you could almost hear respiratory sounds. Then Gloria spoke.

“Why are you telling me all this now?”

“I must be honest with you, but it sounds ridiculous. We need your consent to proceed to the next and final stage.”

“My consent? You don’t need my consent for anything. You have done very well already; my consent is of no importance.”

“It is Gloria, I see in you a true friend and I want us to remain so, that is why I need your consent. If you refuse to give it, we can still go ahead, but I want you to know that we at least asked for it.”

Gloria kept quiet for a while, and then asked.

“Firstly, may I know what your next plan is or the next stage as you call it?”

Tosin turned to Dennis for an answer and he acquiesced.

“Tell her,” he said.

 Tosin then told Gloria how they plan to ridicule Fred and how she was to witness it, which is why she felt she had to reveal everything to her, in order to give her the chance to come along or back out.

Gloria stood up and paced about the house. They watched her move around. Suddenly, she stopped and said, “Can I see the stab scars?”

Dennis looked at Tosin, who nodded in agreement. Dennis then removed his tee shirt for Gloria to see the scars at his back. She moved closer to Dennis, saw and felt it, then she said, “thank you both for helping to wash the soap off my eyes.”

Dennis and Tosin glanced at each other then back at Gloria then Tosin asked, “Does that mean you are in with us?”

“You bet I am,” she answered. “He deserves what he is getting, and to think I wanted to marry a man who intended to gang rape a woman because she refused to continue dating him. Who knows, he might some day rape me at home or get his friends to rape me if he asks for sex and I am not in the mood for it.

“I thank God they did not rape me. God sent an Angel to rescue me,” Tosin said as she looked at Dennis with an affectionate smile.

“Thank you for saving my lovely friend Dennis. But, do you know what I regret most?”

“What is that?” They asked simultaneously.

“That Dennis is no longer free; I was already viewing him as a possible replacement for Fred. No offence meant Tosin; it just crosses my mind at times.”

They all laughed at her statement. Dennis brought the recorded tapes out for Tosin to listen; they then sat down to plan the final execution properly. After they had fine-tuned their plans Tosin called Fred to tell him that she would call him after she had booked a room, and she jokingly told him that he had better come with enough money to pay her back for the money she would be expending on the room. When he hung up, they laughed at him. She then called her dad and told him to get the rooms ready for the next weekend.

Her dad swung into action, booked the rooms for the weekend, had the main room bugged, and connected to the adjacent room. He told her she was free to execute her plans. He gave her the room’s numbers and told her to walk into the hotel and request for the room on her name whenever she wanted and the keys would be given to her. The other room key would be on Dennis name so he can gain easy access to the listening room, and that all he had to do when he got in was turn on the machine on the table and all that was said in the other room would be transmitted down to the machine for listening and record purpose.

She called Fred and informed him on a Friday to meet her at the designated hotel. Being an outdoor man, he already knew where the hotel was situated. He told her that would be there the next day at about seven in the evening. She informed Gloria of the set up and told her to come to the house the next day so she and Dennis would come to the hotel together. They would be in the listening room waiting for the right time to walk in.

The next day at about four in the evening, they all assembled in Dennis home, except for the Senator who promised to come to the hotel later on.

Dennis then explained the set up to the women.

 “When both of you get in,” he said referring to Tosin. “Naturally, you would chat. Make sure he makes many incriminating statements. Get him to a state of semi or complete nudity, whichever. At the right time, I will knock on the door as an attendant and come in. Fred might remember my face and suspect foul play. If he does not, Tosin will at that time release the bombshell by introducing me to Fred, and go on to say what she has to tell him. After that, Gloria would casually stroll in and say what she also has to tell him and then probably the Senator, if he comes and still meet us at the hotel. Any questions?” He asked.

 “Yes, Dennis. What happens after that?” Gloria asked.

“I guess we live him to his conscience. I certainly do not have any business with him and I speak for Tosin too. Right sweetheart,” he said, and she nodded her head in assent

After the discussion, they chatted more about other issues until it was time for Tosin to depart. When Tosin arrived at the hotel, she called Fred and told him. He said he was already on his way and would be there in a short while. She then called Dennis and told him, she also told him that she would call his phone as a signal to let him know when Fred arrived, so he and Gloria would start coming.

Twenty minutes later, his phone rang. He collected his car keys and they left. While in the car, he called the Senator who assured him that he would be there as soon as possible. They arrived at the hotel, collected the key and went straight to the room.

Immediately he walked in, he sighted the machine conspicuously placed on the table, he switched it on and he could hear Fred and Tosin’s voice emanate from the machine. That finally convinced Gloria that Fred was really what they said he was. They listened attentively to Fred and Tosin’s conversations.

“How many times must I tell you Tosin that I have no other woman in my life?”

“Don’t blame me for trying to affirm, you know I have known you for ages. I know what you were back then Fred. You would say and do anything to get what you want, so I have to be properly convinced you are sincere this time around. Don’t forget why I left the country.”

“But, that was in the past Tosin, or is that why you brought me here, to remind me of the past and make me beg before we make love.”

“Right now Fred, I would not mind hearing you plead for it.”

“All right Tosin. Please can we make love; you are driving me crazy.”

“Do you intend making love with your clothes on?” she asked.

 As she said it, she removed her blouse and left just her bra on. When Fred saw that she had taken her tops off, he immediately got rid of his clothes, with just his underwear left.

By then Gloria was going frantic, she urged Dennis to go in, saying she had heard enough. Hearing a prerecorded voice was something else; witnessing it first hand was a different ball game entirely. Dennis then went out and knocked on the door. When they heard the knock, Fred looked at Tosin wondering who that might be and then asked her if she ordered for something. As he was asking, Tosin had already got to the door and was about to open it when Fred said, “are you going to open the door like that, almost nude?”

 “I have nothing to hide,” she said and opened the door for Dennis.

She turned back and went in, Dennis following behind.

 “Who are you? What do you want?” Fred asked.

“Take a good look at him Fred,” Tosin said.

When she said that, the recognition came instantly.

“Is he not the man I saw you with at the restaurant? I thought you said he was a client.”

“Very correct Fred; he is not just the man, he is my angel, my love, my life. He means the world to me.”

“What are you talking about Tosin? What is going on here? Why did you bring me here, to ridicule me, or what?”

“No Fred, I brought you here to finally right the wrong you put me, my family and most importantly the man you almost took his life in the process of trying to rape me through.”

It then dawned on Fred who was standing before him; he sat down on the bed downcast.

“What does this boil down to, Tosin? A revenge mission or what?”

“Revenge you say. No, not revenge. You had everything going for you; you snap your fingers and the women came running. Just because one of them decided she wanted out, you stubbornly refused to bulge. The egomaniac that you are. For that, you decided to rape her, and almost committed murder in the process. Despite that, you still had the effrontery to ask that same woman out. The lust in you did not make you think that the woman might have some little pride left in her. I have nothing more to say to you; except for that, I do not want to ever set eyes on you again Fred.”

As Fred stood up and was about to pick his trousers, Gloria stepped in.

“Hello Fred,” she said.

The sound of her voice sent jitters through him, even before he saw her. He was truly shocked and he went cold all over.

“You have denied my very existence doggedly because of sex. My heart is heavy and at the same time glad that I saw the light on time.”

 She was about to continue when the Senator walked into the room. At the sight of senator Williams, Fred almost passed out

“What goes around comes around boy. You put my career in jeopardy, my family, the life of an innocent man, the love of a young beautiful woman as her,” he said pointing to Gloria. “All for what Fred? Now look. All you dubiously slaved to get seems to be eluding you gradually. I have just one last word for you Fred, stay away from my family. He turned to Dennis and Tosin; my dear children leave him with his iniquities and get him out of your lives forever.”

“My daughter,” he said directing his attention at Gloria. I presume you are his fiancée. This is the time for you to realize what you are getting into. People do change, and I hope he changes for his own good. Now you know the kind of man you are dealing with; it is left for you to decide if you think he will change and if you can live with him. That is up to you. Please excuse me; I have an appointment to keep,” he said and left.

Dennis turned to Tosin and said, “let us give them some privacy.” As they were about to walk out Gloria stopped them.

“Where do you think you are going? He should be the one leaving us.” She turned to Fred. “Kindly get your clothes on and leave us please, I believe this room has been paid for.”

 Fred was completely lost for words. He picked up his clothes, wore them and headed towards door. As he got to the door, Gloria stopped him and said, “You seem to have forgotten something Fred.”

Fred wondered what that might be and looked back to see. Instead, Gloria approached him and when she was close to him, she gently placed her engagement ring in his breast pocket.

“Thanks for everything,” she said and turned away from him as he walked out of the room.

Tosin disentangled her hands from Dennis and moved towards Gloria.

“I am sorry it had to end this way,” she said.

“There is nothing to be sorry about. I saw it coming. I am glad I had a good excuse to get him off my back for better things to come my way. You both will have to excuse me; I will love to be alone right now,” she said.

She left them and walked out of the room.

When the coast was clear Tosin said, “Now it is just you and me. What do you suggest we do? We have two rooms to ourselves.”

“Firstly, I have to turn the machine in the other room off, and then lock the door. I will be back. Don’t move an inch,” he said and he dashed off to the adjoining room. In minutes, he was back. He closed the door and locked it.

“Now let me completely remove what…”

 She put her hands on his mouth to stop him from referring to Fred.

“Don’t mention that name anymore darling; just go ahead with what you want to do.”

“Yes, ‘Mademoiselle,” he said and he lifted her up and carried her to the bed. When he placed her on the bed, he looked deeply into her eyes without saying anything.

“What! Why are you staring at me like that?” She said.

“I was wondering if this is the right place or time to ask.”

“Ask! Ask what?” Tosin said.

“Ask you my dear, if you would love to spend the rest of your life with me.”

 She relaxed underneath him, tilted her head to one side and said.

“Could you please repeat yourself?”

“Will you marry me Miss Tosin Williams?”

She gently shoved him aside and stood up. She moved away from him towards the edge of the room, ran her both hands over her hair, then placed them on her head and faced him. He watched her not knowing what to make of her actions. Then suddenly she shouted.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! I will. I will marry you,” and she ran towards him. He quickly stood up, spread his arms to receive her and she jumped into his embrace sending both of them falling back on the bed.

“I will marry you Mr Samson Dennis Adebayo, I will. I love you,” she said as tears of joy filled her eyes.

Tosin and Dennis spent the night in the hotel room; she called her home to inform her parents that she would be spending the night with Dennis. She also told them that she had good news for them when she arrived the next day.

Three months later, Dennis wedded Tosin

THE END.