Abayomi picked up his phone and called Mike as he walked towards his car. “What’s up man?” Mike asked as he picked up his phone. “I’m good man. I’m just leaving her office now. She’s quite good like you said” Abayomi replied as he got into his car and strapped himself in. “We got off on the wrong start though cos she missed our appointment by almost 20 minutes.” He continued. “Really?” Mike said. “That’s very unlike her. She’s an early bird who is also very time conscious. I wonder why she came that late cos she told me she had no earlier appointment today.” He continued sounding a bit worried. “Uumm… Whatever” Abayomi said dismissively “So, where are you? I need to run some things through you. I’m thinking of coming over.” “Eerrmm… I’m at The Palm’s presently, came in to get some things. I’m about to pay and from there, I’m going back home. Should I wait for you?” He asked. “Na, I would wait for you at home. That would save me a little bit of petrol money” He answered as he chuckled into the phone. “Na you sabi, UK man! You people stingy small sha” Mike chuckled in reply as he shook his head. “See you in an hour max” “Alright then, Bye” He answered. “Bye” Mike said as he cut the call. Mike stood on the queue as he thought about what Abayomi said. Tina was that late to work today? He wondered Something must be seriously wrong. He has known Tina now for over 25 years. They grew up together and their families were great friends. He noticed that for the past 1 month or so, she had been acting funny. When he asked her what was wrong, she said she just needed to sort some personal stuffs out. He really hoped she was okay he thought, as he moved forward to pay. Abayomi dropped his phone into one of his car compartments, put on his hands free and started the engine. He carefully pulled out of the tiny space he had parked in earlier and replayed the events of the past hour. He had been so angry when Tina didn’t show up at 9. He however felt a little bad that he had spoken to her that way, especially after hearing what Mike said about her. ‘Well, I apologized; perhaps she was dealing with some personal stuff like Mike said’ he thought. But that was none of his business, neither should that interfere with normal business dealings. Anyway, she just proved some of what he thought about Nigerians working in Nigeria. They always allow personal stuff interfere with business. He shook his head as he checked his clock, it was already 11. He hoped Mike would get home pretty soon. Abayomi Ige was 30 years old. He lived in Birmingham, United Kingdom and he was in fact born there. At the age of 3, his parents relocated to Nigeria with his siblings where he had his primary and secondary education. He was the last of 4 children. He travelled back to the UK for his tertiary education where he bagged a BSc. in Computer Science and then an MSc. from the University of Birmingham in the same field. He presently owned his own business in the UK and two other businesses in Nigeria – a clothes store and a gadget store. He was born again and a member of Birmingham Christian Centre (BCC) which wasn’t too far from the Town Centre. He was a worker and also one of the youth leaders. Abayomi had come a long in his faith walk with God. Though born into a Christian family, he slipped away from God during his undergraduate days. He did a lot of partying, had a string of girlfriends and was just the typical ‘bad’ guy before he returned to God as a ‘prodigal’ son. BCC had organised a drama night during his second year at the University which was where he had given his life to Christ. A girl he had been ‘toasting’ then had invited him over for the program, and just to please her and reduce his ‘bad boy’ image, he had gone with her. The drama had been so powerful that he could see himself in the lead character of the drama. That night, he stepped forward truly broken and repentant and gave his life back to Christ. He made a 180 degree turn around afterwards: he changed his friends, changed his lifestyle, joined the church and took his personal relationship with God very seriously. He was presently 10 years in the faith and growing stronger for the Lord. Motun who had invited him over for that program became one of his closest friends and were still good friends till date. She was in fact his closest female friend and had really been of help in his Christian walk. Abayomi got to Marina and decided to stop by to refuel his car. He got into the filling station, parked his car, opened his fuel tank and was about to tell the attendant how much fuel he wanted when he saw a silver coloured Mercedes benz pull up close to him. He wasn’t paying close attention till he caught a glimpse of the passenger sitting beside the guy who was driving. His jaw dropped open in shock as he recognized who it was. Just then, the passenger looked up and saw him as well. “Motun?” Abayomi said as he stared at her incredulously as he got down from his car. “Abayomi!” Motun replied as she got down from the car with a huge smile on her face and walked towards him arms outstretched. She was casually dressed in a denim buttoned-down short dress. She had on a pair of flat really cute flowery shoes and lovely accessories to match. “What are you doing here?” Abayomi asked still feeling shocked at seeing her here in Lagos of all places. “I left you in the UK, how come you came all the way to Nigeria and didn’t even let me know?” He asked accusingly as he got to her side and engulfed her in a bear hug. “That’s so so bad of you Motun.” He continued as he stepped back wagging his finger accusingly at her face. “Oga, how much you wan buy now? You dey delay everyone who dey here o?” The attendant’s voice broke through as he looked at Abayomi angrily, disrupting their greetings. “Sorry about that, full tank please.” He replied as he turned away from the attendant to face Motun. “I’m so sorry sweetie. Aren’t you happy to see me?” She said as she grinned mischievously. “I can’t believe we actually met here of all places” She continued as she looked around. “I landed some hours ago and my cousin here came to pick me up from the airport. I would be staying over at their place. So how is Nigeria treating you?” She asked smiling up at him as she folded her arms. “Motun! Of course, I’m happy to see you. I just know you better than this so don’t play a fast one on me” He said. “What are you doing in Nigeria? Why did you come? Is something wrong?” Abayomi asked again watching her closely. He just couldn’t believe she was here, standing right in front of him. They had just spoken yesterday and she didn’t even hint him that she was travelling talk less of coming down to Nigeria. “AY, can’t a girl be spontaneous?” She said calling him by his pet name. She smiled at him and said conspiratorially “Don’t worry, you would know why I came over very soon. It has something to do with missing you though” She teased as she winked at him playfully. Abayomi stared at her and shook his head. If he didn’t know better, he would have pressed her till she talked. But knowing Motun, she wouldn’t bulge easily and he wasn’t in the mood to wind her. Motunrola Amadi was very stubborn and highly self-opinionated. She was 29 years old, a year younger than Abayomi, and his best female friend. She was very independent and had a confidence about her that intimidated most men. Her parents lived in Owerri, Imo state. Her mum was Yoruba and her dad Ibo. She was a beauty to behold: long thick black hair, very fair smooth complexion, slim and short, had a set of beautiful ivory coloured teeth with an upper gap tooth and a very curvy figure. She was also highly intelligent and had spunk. Motun could speak Ibo and Yoruba fluenty, and also had a very good command of English. She was presently working with Schlumberger in the UK as a Research Geophysicist. She was single and loved Abayomi, her one secret she had kept to herself for the past 3 years. She was sure God wanted her to marry him and her dream was to become Mrs Motunrola Abayomi-Ige. This visit to Nigeria was her first step to achieving that. “Okay then, so when are you going back?” Abayomi asked with a sigh of resignation. “I would be traveling back on Sunday. I just came over to settle a few things here and there” She said as he caught the glint in her eye and wondered exactly what she was up to. “Oga, e don full o” The attendant said, replacing the fuel cover and closing the fuel tank. “How much?” Abayomi asked. “N4,550 sir” The attendant replied. Abayomi walked towards the fuel pump to cross-check that he wasn’t being cheated. He pulled out his wallet and gave the attendant N4,600 and waited to collect his change. “Since you’re not telling me exactly why you’re here, can I at least call?” Abayomi asked as he walked back towards his car. “Of course, you can call me” She said as he got to his car. “I would call you later today” She continued as she hugged him. “Take care of yourself AY” She said as she watched him enter his car, start the engine and drive off. She waved him off and made her way back to the car. She strapped herself in and waited for her cousin. She frowned slightly as she pondered on how she would pull off her surprise now that Abayomi had seen her. She stared straight ahead thinking hard when an idea came up. She knew exactly what to do she thought, as her face lit up in a smile.