Hello Everybody,
Sorry for not posting last week. It was due to reasons beyond my control.
here's to inform you that the e-book for #DearFutureHusband would be out soon by God's grace. Below is the cover page of the book. Now you can have Kim and Tola and Ini as well as all others in the comfort of your pockets.
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In case you missed Episode 6, click here http://tommyslav-island.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-fun-and-games-episode-6.html
EPISODE 7
Aisha
stared at her wristwatch as another hour had passed since she sent Craig a
message to meet her at the restaurant. She dialled his number for the third
time. “Where could this guy be?” she thought aloud. “Or is he bailing on me?”
she thought. It’s a good thing she had decided to wait in the VIP room, waiting
that long seemed really embarrassing and with Val’s day lurking, the press
wouldn’t mind smearing her name by saying things like: ‘Desperate
Spinster, Aisha Bello, looks for attention in Lagos Restaurant.’ She wasn’t willing to take that chance so she decided
to wait in the VIP room. She only hoped Craig won’t keep her any longer.
++++****++++
Craig
stared at his phone as it rang again. He took a deep breath and ignored the
call. Alhaji’s visit had left him confused. How could he love a woman that
didn’t need love? How could he fool a father that needed help? Thoughts raced
through his mind as he tried to find answers to the questions lingering in his
heart. Aisha had sent him a message asking him to meet her but he just couldn’t
bring himself to go and see her after what had happened with her father.
Everything seemed really confusing at the moment.
++++****++++
A
man in black approached Alhaji Ibrahim. His heart raced fast as he was about to
find out the import of his action. If going over to Craig to do what a real father
would have done was a mistake, he’d figure out soon.
“Everything is in here, Alhaji.” The man said as he
placed an envelope before Alhaji Ibrahim.
Alhaji swallowed. “Is he worth it?”
The man blinked. “I’d rather you see for yourself.”
“I can take it, it is bad enough that I am
having a man investigated without a just cause. Just let me know if I am right
about my suspicions?”
The man took his seat opposite Alhaji. “From our
investigations on Craig, he is really clean.”
Alhaji
smiled. “Thank you, Kola. Thank you.”
Kola
nodded with a smile.
++++****++++
Aisha’s
phone beeped and a message popped up.
“It’s done. You owe me big time – Kola.”
She took a deep breath as she wondered why Craig had not
shown up yet. This was beginning to worry her. She stared at her wristwatch and
then finished her drink.
Craig approached her. “Aisha, I am sorry.”
“Is this one of your many talents? Standing
me up?” she queered as she folded her arms.
He took his seat. “You may not believe it but I am really
sorry about it. I promise you, this won’t happen again.”
“It
better not, Craig.” She replied as she took a deep breath. “Look, Craig, I
think we have to be really careful, my father would want to see a great deal of
seriousness in this relationship and I am in no mood to be the loser here, so I
think we have to-“”
“-Move in with me.” Craig cut in.
Aisha stared at him and relaxed in her seat. “Move in
with you?” she asked with an eyebrow raised. She smiled. “You have some nerve,
don’t you?”
He
wiped his forehead. “I know it sounds crazy and not like what we would want. In
fact, I doubt if the both of us can coexist under the same roof, but I just
feel that for this thing that we want to do to be real and be done quickly, we
have to take desperate measures.”
“You are right. Moving in with you is really
desperate.” She replied.
He
nodded. “Look, the house would be clean if that is what you are scared of.” He
said staring at her. Aisha remained silent. “That is what you are scared of,
right?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Oh come on, Aisha. I am not going to
force you to go to bed with me.” He said through clenched teeth. “That would be
your choice to make in the end.”
“Just shut up, Craig.” Aisha
replied. She ran her finger through her hair. “I think I should sleep over it.
Even though this is a necessity, we still have to ensure that we are making the
right decision.” She replied.
Craig
nodded. “Okay, take your time. Should I send a cab over to pick you?” he asked
with a smile.
“Don’t start assuming roles that are
not yours, Craig.” She replied as she clutched her bag to her waist. “I’ll call
you in the morning.”
He
smiled faintly. “I’ll have the house set up properly for you.”
She
scoffed and walked out.
++++****++++
“Cheers to my destruction.” Craig said as he
raised his glass.
Daniel stared at Bolu. “Is he actually expecting us to
reply?”
Bolu shrugged. “Look, Craig, it’s not over for you…at
least not yet.”
Craig smiled. “Exactly. I am scared of Alhaji to be
honest.”
“You don’t have to be scared of him, Craig.”
Daniel replied. “You are the master when it comes to games like this. You shouldn’t
get emotionally roped in. Remember, this is business.”
Craig stared at Daniel. “You didn’t see the man’s eyes
when he came over to my place. He is a father who wants the best for his child.
It is unfortunate that she is that type of woman.”
“And that you are who you are.” Bolu chipped
in.
Craig stared at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Man, you don’t have to bother about what the old man
says. He is only looking for his daughter’s interest, but she doesn’t need it.
All you need to do is stay focused and ensure that in the end you are the one
who comes out tops.” Daniel replied.
Craig stared at him carefully. “I don’t get it. Some
hours without our company and you are already so cold, Daniel? Bolu and I
should take the credit for keeping you in check all this while.”
Daniel smiled. “I guess I was just being realistic. No
man should let any lady play him.”
“Aisha is not playing me. We have a goal.”
Craig replied with a smile.
Bolu cleared his throat. “Guy, what about the plan to
clear her cash?” He asked laughing.
Daniel gasped as he laughed. “Bad guy! You are one step
ahead.”
Craig shot at Bolu. “Must you talk?”
“Guy, how
far nau? We are cool, right?” Daniel asked. “I no be busy body nau”
Craig nodded. “I haven’t said that is who you are,
but, I didn’t expect him to be so loquacious.”
“Na so!
All join! So, today na our last day for here, abi?” Daniel asked as he
finished his drink. “So, do we a need a schedule to visit you now that Aisha would
be moving in?”
Craig stared at Bolu. “Why is this guy being
unnecessarily annoying? I thought you said that he wanted to make amends.”
Daniel relaxed in his seat. “I am just trying to be funny
here.”
“Well, you have so much work to do on your sense
of humour.” Craig replied and walked away.
++++****++++
“Do you
have to pack everything away from here?” Moira asked as she watched Aisha pack
her boxes.
Aisha stared at her. “You don’t want me coming back here
every time I need my underwear, do you?”
Moira
nodded. “Oh well…you are right, but, I think you are packing as though you were
moving out of here finally so as to be his wife. Anyway, since you guys will
still have to be married for a while, you can use some tutorials on how to
tolerate one another.”
“Moira, there is only one thing that
bothers me. Why did Craig ask me to move in with him?” Aisha asked as she
dropped took a seat.
Moira
smiled as she focused on her phone. “I wonder why we are visiting a topic that
we should have started with. You came home all excited moving out that you have
not even stopped to wonder why he wants you to move in with him. Isn’t it
strange?”
Aisha
stared at her. “Why should it be strange? I was going to ask him the same.”
“But he asked you first. And that, my
friend, is what should bother you.” Moira replied with more seriousness.
Aisha
swallowed. “Are you saying he has ulterior motives?”
Moira
nodded in agreement. “Exactly! He must have a hidden reason why he wants you to
move in.”
“What if he asked because he knows
that it is one of the logical things and I might feel embarrassed to ask him
about it?” Aisha asked.
Moira
nodded in agreement. “You might be right about that, but what if I am right
too?”
Aisha
relaxed in her seat. “Moira, we can’t be thinking about all the bad things now.
There is a lot to be done and we have to be really optimistic.”
“Optimism is good, but caution is
also very important.” Moira replied.
“Well, I am going there tomorrow.
Also, I have to prepare for this weekend’s tennis game.”
Moira
smiled. “Good thing it falls on Val’s day.”
“What makes it a good thing?”
Moira
grinned. “That would be your own Val’s day special and it would really seem
nice.”
“What if Craig has a girlfriend?”
Aisha asked.
Moira
nods. “True…what if he has a girlfriend? He’ll be spending all your money on
her.”
Aisha
stared at Moira. “I don’t care. As long
as he keeps his sheets tidy and out of the public view, we are good.”
++++****++++
“Craig, it is good to see you.”
Alhaji Ibrahim said as Craig approached with Aisha. He exchanged handshakes
with Craig and then hugged his daughter. “Little one.”
Aisha
stared at her father with a smile. “Come on, Dad. I am not a little girl
anymore.”
“You are still my little girl.” He
replied. “Happy Valentine’s day, Aisha.” He said as he handed her a small
tiffany box.
Aisha
stared at the box. “You still give me gifts every year, Dad. Thank you.” She
said and kept his gift in her bag. “I got you something too, Dad.” She said as
she handed him a gift pack. “I know you’ll love it.”
He
smiled. “Thank you.” He said. Alhaji stared at Craig who seemed a bit lost and
was looking at the members of the club. “Hey Craig, you should go and mingle.
I’ll show you around.”
“No!” Aisha protested as she grabbed
Craig’s hand. “We are going over to the tennis court.” She said hastily.
Alhaji
Ibrahim nodded. “Okay. Enjoy.” He said and walked away.
“Relax, Aisha. Your father might
begin to suspect with your attitude.”
She
rolled her eyes. “Do you know what would have happened if my Dad had taken you
to meet his friends? You’d have to tell them about your Dubai escapades, your
budding company, your short term and long term goals? And I tell you, believe
me when I say those men would ask you questions, drill you in and out till
there is nothing left in you or in that lying skull of yours and then, you
would really wish that I didn’t choose you.”
“I am very convincing, Aisha.” He
replied as they started to approach the tennis court.
She
nodded. “I know you are, but sometimes, it is never good enough. Your trail
will always be found.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Aisha.”
Craig said.
She
shrugged. “Is there really something to celebrate on this day?” she asked as
they approached the change room.
He
smiled. “Love? Everyone is doing that.”
“We are not everyone, and remember
what we have is business. So, we don’t have to bother what others are caring
about.”
Craig
grinned as he saw some men with PRESS tags approach them. “Are you so sure?” he asked
smiling in Aisha’s direction.
She
took a deep breath as they smiled at the Press Officials.
“Happy Valentine’s day to you both.”
One of the press men greeted.
Aisha
and Craig smiled and echoed a “Thank you” as though they had rehearsed it.
Craig smiled at Aisha and then back at the Press.
“Ms. Aisha, We don’t see Ms. Moira
today with you. Is this the gentleman in your life that you have been hiding
from the world? ” The Press Officer asked.
Aisha
stared at Craig and then back at the Pressmen. “Like I have always said, my
personal life stays personal. When the need arises, I will make an official
announcement.”
Craig
smiled and placed his hand behind Aisha. “Please, excuse us.”
“By now, I am sure those rats have a
picture of us and are thinking of how best they can come up with a headline for
their magazine.” Aisha said as she entered the change room.
Craig
folded his arms as he leaned against the wall. “As expected.”
“Why were they allowed in here in
the first place? This is not just any place. It’s exquisite.”
Craig
nodded. “It is Valentine’s day. This is a good time to get good gist and I am
sure they have paid good money for it. Besides, it’s not like you weren’t
expecting to see them here.” He said as he took off his shirt.
“Heyyy!!! What are you doing?” Aisha
asked.
He
stared at her. “Getting a change of clothes into my sportswear.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, this
is the female section and just because you aren’t seeing any lady here except
me doesn’t mean that the front door doesn’t bear LADIES ONLY.”
He
took a deep breath. “Fine! Where is the Male section?”
“Down the hall.” She replied. “Meet
me out front in ten minutes.”
He
nodded and walked out with his bag. He located the Male section and walked into
the room.
“Hey!”
Craig
stared at who had called him and his face seemed familiar, just that he
couldn’t place the face.
The
guy approached Craig. “I am Hakeem. We met at Alhaji Bello’s.”
Craig
stared at him. “Oh…how are you?”
Hakeem
ignored him. “So I am guessing Aisha is here?”
Craig
nodded in agreement. “Yes, she is.”
“So, how did you guys meet? I have
never known you before.” Hakeem asked sternly.
Craig
smiled. “If you want to know about me and Aisha, why not ask her?”
“Because I think you are a man and
you should be able to speak for yourself.” Hakeem retorted.
Craig
rubbed his chin. “That’s the point. I think you should be a man and not be
interested in other people’s affairs.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Aisha and I
have been friends since we were kids and we know all the friends in our
circles, but we never knew you and your name doesn’t sound like ours.” Hakeem
replied.
Craig
nodded. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about Aisha then or would you
rather I bear Mohammed?”
“I have nothing against your religion.
Who is your father?” he asked.
Craig
shook his head pitifully and started to change into his clothes. “I am my own
man, Hakeem.”
“I am not against who you are, I
just want to know about you.”
Craig
stared hard at him. “Why are you attacking me?”
“I love Aisha. You just came out of
the blues and stole her from me.” Hakeem protested.
Craig
grabbed his racket. “She is my woman now. What would you do about it?”
“I can’t do anything about it but
I…I just want to love her.” Hakeem said.
Craig
swallowed. “Do you realize that you are talking to her man? You can love her
silently. Don’t tell me about it.” He replied.
Hakeem
nodded as he took a breath. “I am sorry, it was rude of me.” He said, turning
away.
“It’s okay. You want to play
tennis?”
++++****++++
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Vicky.”
Daniel said, holding out a Rose flower.
Vicky
took off her earphones and stared at him. “You don’t give up, do you?”
He
held the flower out at her. “It’s just Valentine. Please accept it.”
She
nodded and collected the flower.
“So, would you go out with me
tonight? I got two tickets to see this new movie.” Daniel said as he walked by
her side.
She
shook her head with a smile. “I just knew you were up to no good with the early
morning flower and disturbing my morning exercise.”
“I love to keep fit too.
Please…Could you please just go with me to the movies tonight?” he asked.
She
shook her in disagreement. “I am sorry, but I have plans. I am hanging out with
my girls tonight.”
“Vicky, I just think you should
really give me a chance. I really do love you.” Daniel said.
She
took a deep breath. “I understand that you love me, but you have to also
understand that I don’t love you.”
“And you love Craig? Look, for the
record, Craig doesn’t love you. He is spending today with Aisha Bello. That is
the woman that he is in a relationship with, that’s the woman he will marry.
That’s the woman that he wants.” Daniel said and took a deep breath. “Please
Vicky, stop punishing yourself. As we speak, Craig and Aisha are in one of the
best facilities in the country, playing together, and you are here, drowning for
him. It’s not fair on you.”
Vicky
nodded. “Yes, I love him. Yes, I know he doesn’t love me. But, I don’t, I won’t
and I can never love you. Are we clear?”
“And why is that? I am the one who
is trying to get you out of your misery, I am trying to make you see reasons,
why is it so hard?” Daniel asked.
She
shrugged. “You are very selfish. You are doing everything for your own good,
and for the record, stop spreading lies about Craig and that woman, it’s
getting pretty lame.” She replied and started to walk away.
“What if I give you evidence?”
Vicky
stopped and stared at him.
++++****++++
Craig
held his racket in one hand and used his towel to wipe off the sweat on his
face. “Mighty Serves, Hakeem.”
Hakeem
smiled. “I am still a learner. Your strokes are massive, bro.”
BRO???
AISHA’S HEAD SPUN. She stared at Craig and Hakeem as they spoke about the game.
“Hey!!! I played that game too. Nothing to say about my strokes?”
Hakeem
stared at her. “I thought they were amazing.”
“Weak.” Craig replied.
Aisha
raised an eyebrow. “Weak? I thought I did well.”
“I see you like being hyped out of
talent. Wait till you allow the little thing you think you have in you grow
before you think you did close to well.”
Hakeem
stared at Craig. “Very funny, bro.”
“No. It wasn’t meant to be.” Craig
replied.
Aisha
swallowed. “Okay guys, break it up.”
“That’s the problem with you
females; does it look like we are having a go at each other?”
Hakeem
smiled. “Yeah, we are good.”
Aisha
stared at them. “I think we should go and have something to eat.”
“I can’t join you guys.” Hakeem replied.
Craig
stared at him. “Why not? It’s just food – Good for the body.”
Hakeem
smiled faintly. “I know. It’s just that there are many things to be done.” He
replied.
Aisha
nodded. “Okay. See you around.”
Hakeem
smiled and walked away.
Aisha
shot at Craig. “What were you doing?”
“I don’t understand.” Craig replied.
“I was just making a conversation.”
She
scoffed. “Some conversation that is! You know how Hakeem feels about me, you
don’t have to make him feel so horrible.”
Craig
smiled. “I am shocked.”
“Why?”
He
shrugged. “For the first time in your life, it seems like you actually care
about another person’s well-being other than yourself. That’s impeccable. It’s
a good day in history.”
“Watch your words, Craig.” She
replied and picked up her towel. “We are leaving. Ensure you smile as we walk
out.”
He
nodded. “So, we are just to keep smiling or are there hidden cameras?”
“You know what I mean.” She replied.
He
shrugged. “So, you just packed into my house yesterday and you decided not to
sleep over, why?”
“That’s my business, isn’t it?” she
retorted.
He
nodded in agreement. “I know that it is your call, but, the house looked brand
new, didn’t it? I had it well scrubbed just for you.”
“We’ll see about that.” She said and
walked away.
Craig
smiled.
++++****++++
“Good evening, Hakeem. What do you
want here?” Alhaji Bello asked as Hakeem walked into the living room.
Hakeem
bowed. “Good evening, Alhaji. It’s about Aisha.”
“What about her?” Alhaji asked.
Hakeem
took a deep breath. “I don’t trust that guy that she is with. I want to have
him investigated.”
“Investigated?”
Hakeem
nodded. “Yes sir. I just want your support so that I won’t be offending you.”
“Well, you have offended me
already.”
Hakeem
sighed. “Alhaji, it’s…it’s just that I don’t like him.”
Alhaji
nodded. “I understand how you feel, Hakeem. But Aisha chose him and we have to
respect her wishes. He is the man that she wants to be with, we can’t do
anything about it. I want my daughter to be happy.”
“I don’t think he’ll make her happy.
He was really rude to her today at the tennis court. It got me upset and what
worried me more was Aisha’s silence. She didn’t react as she would do
normally.”
Alhaji
stared at him. “Rude? What do you mean by rude?”
“I thought his tenses and words were
not appropriate for Aisha.” Hakeem replied.
Alhaji
relaxed in his seat. “Maybe Aisha is learning the art of submission. People
become submissive when they are in love.”
Hakeem
blinked. “Sir…”
“Hakeem, I know how you feel about
Aisha, but, I can’t allow you get in the way of my daughter’s happiness.”
Hakeem
swallowed. “I love her.”
“She loves someone else and he loves
her too. Let them be, please.”
Hakeem
buried his head in his hand.
“I am going to advise you against
investigating Craig. I won’t take it easy with you if you defy me.”
++++****++++
Aisha
focused on her laptop as she worked. Her phone rang and she smiled at seeing
‘MOIRA’ on the Caller ID. “Hey babe.”
“Aisha…when are you coming home?”
Moira sulked on the other end of the line.
Aisha
smiled. “Missing me so soon?”
“Just come home. This place is
really boring without you.”
Aisha
smiled. “I thought I was boring.”
“Oh well. Not exactly. You are
boring in a good way.”
Aisha
nodded. “Good to hear you speaking highly of me in my absence. A prophet is never respected in his hometown.”
Moira
laughed hard. “Have you been reading the Bible? Because I know you don’t even
know what the Quran looks like.”
“Cut me some slack. I try with these
things. Anyway, it is almost midnight, why are you calling? You should be
asleep by now.” Aisha asked.
“I am bored. I think I miss you. If
you don’t come for me, I am coming over there right now.”
Aisha
stared at Craig as he dropped a mug beside her. “Moira, I am gonna have to call
you back.” She said and hung up. “What is this?” she asked looking at the mug.
He
smiled. “Black Coffee. Low fat. I know you’ll like that.”
She
fetched her coffee cup from behind her laptop. “I got my bases covered. Thank
you.” She replied as she sipped some of the coffee.
“It’s late. You should go to bed.”
Craig advised.
She
shrugged. “I have to make money. That’s the only way we can sustain this façade
of a relationship. You are broke, remember?”
He
nodded and handed her a friendship bracelet from his pocket. “Here, Happy
Valentine’s day.”
Aisha
laughed. “What is this? You could have just gotten me good jewellery if you
wanted to play Mr. Perfect so bad. After all, it is my money.”
“No. It is not your money.” He
replied. “I got you this from my first earned salary.”
Aisha
swallowed as she stared at him. “Do you have a girlfriend? Or someone you kick
it with?”
Craig
smiled. “Of course not. I am single.”
“That’s good.”
He
stared at her. “Why is it good?”
“I don’t enjoy surprises. I won’t
want any tiger tearing at me when I go to make my hair or something.” She
replied as she focused on the laptop.
“Is that all?” Craig asked, staring
at the bracelet.
She
nodded, “Of course, do you think I care if you love someone. You just have to
play the part I hired you for and that doesn’t include buying me gifts from
your first salary to impress me. I am not impressed.”
He
nodded and placed the bracelet beside her. “I think you should have it anyway.
I am going to bed.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I don’t
care.” She replied as she continued to type.
Craig
took a deep breath and returned inside the house.
Aisha
stared at him as he walked away and focused on her system. The doorbell chimed
shortly. “Damn! Moira came!” Aisha thought aloud as she sprang to her feet.
“That girl is such a pain.” She added as she dragged herself to the door.
Aisha
stared at her visitor as she opened the door.
“So it is true?”
Aisha
blinked. “Excuse me? Who are you?”
“My name is Vicky. Where is Craig?”
