Must Read: Taking Chances

7 years ago

Must Read: Taking Chances

‘i just hope you’re fine’ Peter said glancing around the parlour. ‘Bree also tells me you’re an indoor freak’
‘always has been a loud mouth, that chick!’
‘was she lying then? Have you abandoned your nursing career?’ Peter asked.
‘I didn’t abandon it, just not gotten the time or zeal to push further, it has basically stayed at the thought level but…’
‘you didn’t see a reputable hospital or what?’ he cut in.
‘its not that, I’ve not been…decisive, that’s why’
‘well i could connect you with…’
‘Pete just let it go! I can get my own job, when i want!’ Daisy cut in with a slightly raised voice.
Just because he presumably had whatever connections didn’t mean she wanted his help or something! She wasn’t a leech, neither was she helpless, if she had been serious, then one word to mama would get her a job. They didn’t have the right to rub in their rich parental background in her face, she had and could manage just fine.
‘am sorry, i didn’t mean to offend you, just wanted to help out’ Peter apologised.
‘yeah, that’s also the problem!’ Daisy retorted.
‘cool off Dee’ Peter said raising up his arm in surrender. ‘I didn’t know it was a sensitive topic, pardon me’
‘its okay, am sorry too’ Daisy replied calming her already rising anger. Peter had probably meant well, it was just her frayed nerves.
‘my manners, what can i get you’ she said rising up. ‘juice, water…’
‘don’t tell me you’re still strung on juice?’ he asked in mock surprise.
Daisy smiled. Could she ever tire of the stuff. ‘how many months and you expect the urge gone?’ she asked still smiling.
‘somethings never change then’
‘yeah they don’t, so should i get you the juice or…’
‘hell no! Wine or water would be better’
‘coming right away’ Daisy replied and headed for the kitchen, returning minutes later with a wine and a glass cup on a tray.
Setting it down she said: ‘so how’s the practice? last we saw, you were still an interim…’
‘no..Was actually rounding off with that’
‘so, why didn’t you start your practice in Boston?’ Daisy asked as she sat down
‘would have loved to, but my parents think otherwise. Would be heading to Abuja to join my dad soon enough’
‘really?’
‘yeah, Lagos is too wild for me, plus i heard Abuja’s where the money at’
‘whatever happened to working for passion?’ she teased.

‘yeah right, i gotta pay my bills darling’ Peter drawled and straightened up, ready to dig into the wine.
‘and there goes the love for motherland’ Daisy mocked and they both laughed.
She clapped also when the wine popped open.
Peter, like Brenda had wealthy parents. He’d Had a degree in psychology from a Nigerian university and had been running his second degree in law at Boston university when he met Daisy and Brenda. Had also been in the same level with Brenda. Was in his late twenties but could pass for a man in his early thirties because of his huge stature and offcourse the fact that he had his parents wealth to ‘maintain’ himself.
‘so how are you generally?’ Peter asked as he served himself the wine.
Daisy’s countenance changed then. She didn’t know if it was right for them to pursue her personal life.
‘am fine as you can see’ she said evading his worried stare.
‘this marriage, is it working?’
‘why would you think its not?’
‘Brenda tells me that he treats you bad and you’ve not…’

Daisy shook her head in disbelief, did Brenda ever shut the fuc.k up! ‘am gonna really shut her up someday! Did you guys discuss me last Sunday or…’
‘no! Twas in Boston after your sudden marriage and…well, my apologies for missing it, I couldn’t bring myself to face the…’
‘it don’t matter now, the wedding took place like ages ago, so…’
‘the question now is how you’re holding up? Are you truly happy? I mean i hope he isn’t abusive or something?’
Daisy shrugged, still avoiding his gaze. ‘he’s not abusive, but…’
‘you know, you don’t need to suffer in silence, am a practicing lawyer and if you need my expertise…’
Daisy scoffed. Suffering in silence? Did that describe her situation? Funny indeed! ‘I don’t want a divorce if that’s what you’re insinuating, i just want…want to be happy’ she said, stood up and crossed her arm.
‘You’re not happy here?’
‘its not exactly as you think. Its just that these past days, i find that i miss my life in Boston and i regret ever coming to Nigeria’ Daisy said in an emotion laden voice.
‘oh Daisy’ Peter whispered, stood up and walked towards her, then drew her in for a hug, Daisy leaned closer to him ready to let loose her tears. Maybe Peter was the friend that truly understood how she felt. Had always provided a crying shoulder, she could as well tap into his masculine strength if only for this once, she thought and wrapped her hands around him.
Just then, the door of the parlour screeched open and in walked Jide.
*****
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