The Pain – Chapter 5

Tina finished with her house chores around 3 pm and went to take her bath. She got out of the bathroom and took her time rubbing in different scented oils into her body. She wanted to look her best today. Even though she had vowed not to get involved with any man till further notice, she felt that shouldn’t hinder her from looking good. She had chosen a long lovely Ankara sequinned gown for the event. Its style suited her perfectly and it made her look really exquisite. She applied a bit of make-up to accentuate her features and parked her jet black relaxed hair into a ponytail. Her hair was really full and long. It had a silky texture which made the ponytail sit easily on her head with its tail almost reaching the nape of her neck. She slipped on a pair of red heeled shoes and wore a pair of dropping red earrings to match. She finished off her look by applying a rose pink lip gloss and sprayed on some perfume. She packed a few things into her matching red clutch bag and waited for Mike. It was already 10 minutes to 4 by the time she was through. She picked up her red clutch bag, opened it and brought out her phone. She called Mike to find out where he was. He told her he was almost at the estate gate and would be with her in a few minutes. Tina sighed as she relaxed into her bed and wondered how the evening would go. She made a quick prayer to God that things would go on well and that there wouldn’t be any drama whatsoever. She really hoped she had made the right decision by going. She also hoped she would enjoy herself.

Mike got to Tina’s house at 4pm sharp and parked his car outside. He walked into her compound, climbed up to her apartment and rang the bell. He would have called her to come downstairs, but he decided to come up because he needed her to agree on something. Tina opened the door for him and her look almost knocked him out.

“Wow!” Mike exclaimed “Omo, so you fine like dis?” He said smiling broadly and taking a long appreciating look at her.

“Abegi jor” Tina said with a wave in her hand. “You never see me wear fine dress before?” She asked as she looked at him mockingly. “Anyway, thanks for the compliment. I know say I be fine girl. I fine pass you sef.” She continued with a grin on her face as she twirled so that he could admire her well “You too no bad at all o. See as you kom resemble person.” She said as she laughed out loud.

“Tintin, na me you dey abuse ehn?” Mike said feigning annoyance. He was dressed in a well-fitted shirt, designer jeans and a beautifully tailored black blazer. He wore a pair of black designer shoes to match. He looked dashing and smart. “No be your fault, na me wey say you fine” He continued as he walked past her and took a seat in her tiny sitting room. Her house was a small two bedroom flat with a kitchen, one toilet and bathroom and a sitting area. Her settee consisted of only two single sofas in the sitting room, a small glass table and a few extra collapsible stools in case she had extra visitors. She also had a flat screen TV, a DVD player, a DSTv decoder and a small water dispenser in the sitting area. Mike sat on one of the sofas while she sat on the other.

“Anyway, this isn’t what I came here for; I actually climbed upstairs to ask you what you think I could buy for Abayomi today.” Mike said “I was thinking we could go to Shoprite in Lekki and get some gifts for him, or what do you think?” He asked.

“Ehn? So your brain just registered that you’re supposed to buy him a gift today?” Tina asked incredulously as she looked at him and shook her head. “You dis guy sha, you can never change.” She said “So, all these while you knew about the surprise party, it never occurred to you to get him a gift?! Na wa for you o. So na today we suppose dey go d party, you kom want make we dey go around dey look for gifts abi? You’re not serious at all!” She said as she shook her head at him again. “And to think I actually agreed to follow you to this party”

“Okay, no vex na” Mike said “It’s not really my fault. I had actually ordered something online on Monday and I was told I would get it yesterday, but I didn’t receive it. I had to call their customer care to lodge the complaint and I was told the item was no longer available and it was an error on their part.” He said “At that time, it was too late to get a replacement online. I was also so busy yesterday that I couldn’t get anything either. I could have gone out today as well, but I had to finish up a work I was doing for a customer.” He explained.

“Miko!” Tina exclaimed. “Your mouth sweet well well sha. You always have a way of making me bend to your suggestions ni sha.” She said. “Anyway, all that na story as far as I’m concerned. If you really had a mind of getting him a gift, you would have done all you could to get a gift. This your ‘aka gum’ nature is still following you small. Thank God you’re changing sha and I thank God for Jesus in your life. If not, I’m sure your thoughts would have been filled with how you would pack some Chinese food home.” She said laughing at him. “So, since I’ve decided to follow you this evening, I guess I could as well go with you to get the gift. It’s just that we would most definitely be late for the party and you know how I hate being late. Thank God no be me dem invite personally, all this rubbish would never happen.” She said.

“Tiiinaaa!” Mike exclaimed sadly “What did I do to you to deserve such insult ehn? Na me be ‘aka gum’ abi?” he said with a sigh.

“Miko Miko!” Tina responded hailing him “You know I love you plenri plenri. It’s just that this your subtle ‘aka gum’ no wan gree leave you alone permanently. I’m just concerned ni” She said with a grin on her face as she shoved him with her shoulders. “Besides, must we go all the way to Shoprite? Can’t we get gifts here in Gbagada?” She asked him with a serious expression on her face.

“Uuummm… That’s true.” He replied “I’m just used to going to Shoprite. I don’t really like parking by the side of the road cos I want to buy something when I know I can get all I need and even varieties to pick from in one shopping mall.” He said.

“Well, you have a point. But you had already bought something for him before, must you change the gift?” Tina asked. “I’m just concerned that we would be very late to the party. You know today is a Saturday and it’s evening time already. I fear traffic for this Lagos o. We can get gifts here in Gbagada now” She said

“Actually, what I ordered online is something I don’t think I can find around easily. But since you’ve suggested we shop around here, are you sure we would find a range of gifts we can choose from?” Mike asked.

“Of course now, this is Lagos o and not your village. I’m sure you may even find that particular gift sef. You would definitely see things you want, I’m sure of that.” Tina said.

“Okay then, that means we’re good to go!” He said as he stood up abruptly and gestured with his hands for Tina to lead the way out of the house.

Tina got up, carried her clutch purse and put off the lights of the sitting room, switched off her TV stabilizer and opened the door and they both stepped out. Tina looked the door with her keys and bolted her burglary proof door as well with a padlock. In Lagos, you had better have a secured door or doors as the case may be, unless one would get home one day and find ones house empty. They went downstairs, walked out of the compound and entered Mike’s car. Mike started the engine and drove out. It was already almost 4.20pm.

Abayomi was at the cinema over half way through watching one of the new movie releases. He checked his wristwatch, and it was already 5.45pm. He had gotten to the cinema late because of the traffic going into The Palms at Lekki after he dropped Motun off at home earlier. In fact, he had missed the movie and had to wait for the 3D version which started at 4.45pm. The movie was really bad in relation to the book where the movie was adapted from. He had read the book some months earlier and had being anticipating the release of the movie thinking he could finally put physical faces to the characters involved. Unfortunately, some characters were missing, some scenarios deleted and others changed, and this made him feel a little irritated. He hated it when movie makers did that to book adaptations. He knew all scenes can’t be acted, but at least it was best they tried to present a very close picture of the characters in the book. Abayomi had initially made up his mind to watch the movie through, but on checking the time, he decided to leave so as not to miss his appointment with Dele at VI. He got up from his seat, walked down the aisle and left the cinema. He got into his car and joined the queue of other cars leaving The Palms. He really hoped he wouldn’t miss his 6.30pm appointment especially because of the crappy movie he had just watched.

Tina and Mike finished buying what the gifts by 5.20pm. They had to go to about 3 shops before they could get what Mike wanted. Fortunately, the very same gift he had gotten online was available at the last shop, though at a more expensive price. Mike bought the item and Tina also decided to get Abayomi a birthday card as well. She felt it wouldn’t be good to go without anything. There was traffic going towards the Island and it was obvious they couldn’t make VI before 6pm. They both sat down and made small talk as the traffic moved very slowly. Mike decided to call Motun to let her know he was running late. Motun picked on the 5th ring.

“Hello Motun” Mike said “How are plans going?”

“Hi Mike” She replied. “Plans are going underway. I hope you’re almost here” She said.

“Naa” Mike answered “That’s why I called you. I’m running late and I can’t say exactly when I would get there. I’m in traffic right now, although it doesn’t look too bad. I hope we get there in the next 45minutes max.” He said.

“Okay then. It’s likely Abayomi would have been in by then.” She said “But I thought you said you would leave early. What happened?” She asked.

“I had to quickly go and pick some things for Abayomi.” He explained.

“That’s okay. Would see you soon then.” Motun said

“Alright, bye” Mike said.

“Bye” Motun replied as she cut the line.

“That was Motun, Abayomi’s closest female friend and the one organizing the surprise party.” Mike said to Tina as he put his phone back into one of the car’s compartments.

“Okay, that’s cool” Tina said “They must be really close for her to plan a birthday party for him” She commented offhandedly.

“Yeah, they are. She actually came down from the UK to do this.” Mike continued

“Wow! That’s really big.” She exclaimed as she turned to face Mike “Are you sure they’re not dating or something? Cos this kain friendship get levels o” She said.

Mike turned to look at her briefly, shook his head and started laughing. The thought had never crossed his mind. He knew Motun through Abayomi and he wasn’t particularly close to her. They had met only twice but had spoken severally on the phone in the past years. They both had each other’s numbers and usually spoke whenever Abayomi was in Nigeria. She called mostly when she wanted to talk to Abayomi and couldn’t reach him. He also knew they weren’t dating. In fact, he believed Abayomi has never seen her as a potential wife or anything remotely close because he’s never discussed about her in that light. And he was also quite close to Abayomi. Besides, he couldn’t see the correlation between both of them. He didn’t know why, but he felt they were best as friends and not as a romantically linked couple. She was too feisty and independent for Abayomi, he thought.

“No, they’re not dating” Mike replied her. “They’re just good friends.”

“You sure?” Tina asked looking at him in disbelief “And are you sure she doesn’t like him? I mean ‘like’ as the romantic kinda ‘like’ o” She said “Because, it’s somehow weird for a single woman to plan a surprise party for a single man at that type of Chinese Restaurant in Lagos without any strings attached. Plus she traveled all the way from the UK for the party. It seems like something is up jare. As close as we are, I don’t think I can do such for you o. You sef go suspect me.” She said as she laughed at herself. “I no even get that kain money” She grinned.

Mike laughed heartily at her words. Tina was just too funny and full of life.

“Well, I don’t think so.” Mike replied. “When you meet her, you would understand why I seriously doubt your theory. She just doesn’t strike me as that kind of woman. She has too much self-respect to be thinking like that. But you know, I shouldn’t be too sure cos you women can be totally unpredictable sometimes.” He said.

“Na you know jare.” She said with a wave of her hand. “When I see her, I would try and read her body language well well to know if she likes him or not. I go use that entertain myself at the party. You know I’m kinda good at that.” She laughed and winked at him. “Besides, that Abayomi guy fine na. His fineness is enough to make any woman do anything to have him for keeps?” Tina said with a grin on her face.

Mike started laughing. “So, you’re part of the womenfolk that can do anything for Abayomi abi?” He asked with a grin and a mischievous expression on his face.

“Abegi jor.” Tina said as she waved her hands at him. Tina sometimes came up with funny theories and believes about people. She was right almost 80% of the time and wrong the other 20%. Thinking about Motun again, Mike knew Abayomi was somewhat attached to her because it was through her he came to know God. But beyond that, he didn’t think Abayomi has never seen her as someone he could date. That one he knew for sure. But like he insinuated to Tina earlier, one should never say never. Even the bible agrees that the way of a man with a woman, or shey na his maid, is a mystery.

“Tintin, let’s forget about them and discuss you jare.” Mike said

“So, what’s been up with you? What’s been happening?” He asked.

Tina sighed and launched into her experiences of the past month. The traffic had eased up a little and they were already on the 3rd Mainland Bridge which was quite free. They were glad that they would get to VI earlier than expected. Less than 3 minutes later, they heard a screeching noise and before they knew what was happening, they were hit by a truck on the side. Their car was dragged along the divide of the Bridge as it finally came to a standstill. They were both trapped in the car as other cars pulled up to see what just happened. Tina had slipped into unconsciousness while Mike was awake and fully aware of what was happening. Luckily for them, the Lagos State Emergency Service was just a short distance away. They came to the scene of the accident in about 10minutes and started working on how to free the injured victims.