Must Read: Taking Chances

7 years ago

Must Read: Taking Chances

But if it happened to be the wrong stop, she would have to resort to knocking on every gate, just so she could see Bree.
‘madam your money na 2500 naira’ the driver prompted.
Turning to face the man, ‘okay’ she said and dug into her purse, wondering if the fare wasn’t trifle considering the distance from her house down here, because it sure felt like a long journey to her.
‘here it is’ she said handing him three 1000 naira note.
The driver collected it, felt his pocket for money and was about digging in to get her balance when Daisy cut in.
‘oh no, don’t worry, consider it as a…uhm compensation for your
patience and…’
‘make i keep the change?’ the driver asked surprised.
‘sure’ Daisy replied, picked her purse and came out. She had opted to sit at the front with him as opposed to the back seat reserved for passengers.
‘thank you madam’ the driver called pushing his head forward to peer at Daisy. ‘bye bye’ he said waving.
‘bye’ Daisy replied. He was so like Adamu. She thought smiling. ‘and oh, can i get your number just in case?’ she quickly added.
‘walai madam my phone get small problem, i no dey with..’ The driver was apologising.
‘okay then, have a wonderful day’ Daisy cut in and started her walk towards the gate.
‘bye bye madam!’ the driver called excitedly ‘americana’ he chuckled before driving off.

******

Daisy was now seated comfortably in the living room of the Omenuche’s. She glanced around for the second time since she arrived, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t been here before, it was just that she couldn’t get enough
of the exquisite decorated room.
Everywhere reeked of wealth and class, from the Italian cushion to the marble tiles, to the glassy tables and the master piece pottery, even the clock encrested in a golden frame, she was sure worth millions. But the amazing thing about it all, is that this was just one out of the four parlours in the house, as Brenda had told her this particular one was used to entertain general visitors, another one she had sighted before going up to Brenda’s room the last time she came was used for ‘special’ visitors, Brenda had also added that her father had his private parlor for entertaining ‘VVVIP’ as
she had succinctly put it, and hardly visited the other parlours except ‘some’ persons came calling. Where the fourth was, she couldn’t say, it was probably a special family bonding parlour.
Daisy had widen her eyes in shock and amazement then, she didn’t know peeps lived this big in Nigeria, although she had known Brenda to be from an affluent background, but was still shocked at the rare display of wealth.
It was totally in opposition to her rough and disorganized background, for her parents hadn’t being exceptionally rich, just your normal middle class separated family and she had gone through school basically by her efforts, giving up a lot to be where she was today – a marriage that was still grappling with stability, life could be so unfair sometimes. Daisy concluded with a sigh.
‘she will be with you shortly’ a voice spoke now startling her out of her reverie and self pity.
‘oh, okay…thanks’ she replied smiling. It was the house attendant which Brenda had previously introduced to her as Mercy.
‘can i get you anything as you wait?’
‘as i wait? wouldn’t she be out soon enough?’
‘I can’t say about that, but…’
‘that’s okay, juice will be just perfect’
‘okay. Please excuse me’ Mercy said, curtised and left.
‘phew!’ Daisy said, her mind wandering again.
Brenda was the only real friend she’d had back then in Boston, that is, apart from mama and Peter. There meeting had been under well, ‘abnormal’ circumstances. They had met at the African restaurant where she worked. Brenda had been in signature elements, complaining and shouting about the meal she had been served, threatening Fire and brimstone on the restaurant, the manager and security guards had been trying to calm her down in futility. Then the sous-chef had put her on the task, saying that since Brenda was Nigerian, then maybe she could be able to talk
some sense into the raging lady out there.

True to his word, Brenda had calmed immediately when Daisy came into the picture, she had been irked by the fact that she wasn’t served what she had ordered, Daisy had personally seen to it.
That had somehow struck a bond between them, because consequently when Brenda came calling, she would refuse to be served by anyother but her, and if she wasn’t on duty then, she would simply leave. Her colleagues would tease her about her ‘iron lady’ friend then. Daisy smiled, Brenda was a natural at being aggressive and sassy.

Subsequently, they found out that they were studying in the same college though Brenda was a year ahead. While she had been a fresher studying nursing, Brenda had been a sophomore studying Business management & they had just stuck like beans in a pod, Bffs in every abbreviated word of it.
Brenda had also been another major push towards the continuation of her education then, she had helped her overcome the grief threatening to
engulf her after her misfortunes. Now she counted her a worthy part of her life, like mama was, so she couldn’t even bear to hold a grudge against her, much less break up their friendship over some silly affair.
‘your juice ma’ Mercy said as she came in bearing a tray with a pack of juice and a glass cup.
‘thanks’
‘you’re welcome’ she replied and set the tray on a side stool, then shifted it closer to Daisy and walked out.

Daisy glanced towards the clock now, if she was right, then 30 minutes had slipped by. The time was twenty minutes to one and Brenda was yet to surface! What was wrong with the chick? Standing her up for no damn reason! She was definitely gonna hear from her when she surfaced, fight or no fight! She concluded and got busy with the Juice when Brenda walked in.
‘you wanted to see me?’ she asked casually and stared at Daisy, her gaze unsmiling.
‘don’t be tripping girl, you’re not the queen you know’ Daisy replied angrily, abandoning her earlier act.
‘hmm, so i hear’ Brenda replied ever so casually and unremorseful, then walked to a seat directly opposite Daisy, ‘so, what brings you here’ she added and sat down.

Daisy sighed and stared askance at her.