Must Read: Taking Chances

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Taking Chances

‘hmm’ he simply said and moved closer, his face barely an inch from hers. ‘how about i leave you with a part of me’ he whispered softly.



A smile curved on Daisy’s lips now.
‘that’s better’ he said then kissed her slowly. A minute later, he broke the kiss. Then with his lips still closer to hers and his hands encircling her, he asked: ‘then i can go for a while?
‘just a while only?’ Daisy whispered, her previously crossed hands now circled his neck.
‘you can bet on that sunshine’ he said softly and covered her lips with his.
Slowly Daisy slid down to accommodate her man, every of her childish whining gone as his kisses traced her mouth and skin. In its place was a woman ready to prove how deeply she loved her husband with her touch, caresses and kisses. At the end, she mused, it would be her leaving memories of herself engraved in his heart, so good that it would make him come running home back into her arms.
******
‘jeez Daisy, who could ever imagine that oneday I’d mean nothing to you!’ A tall, dark, suited lady, spotting dread-locks complained as she walked through the opened door.
Daisy followed behind, smiling like one who had recently won a million bucks. Truth was that she didn’t care how angry this lady was, or how wrong she had been for totally forgetting that Brenda existed. It was so unlike her. Formerly, she would have gone to fix their issues but now, the joy she had felt for these past days was something she could trade even her juice cravings for, so Brenda’s whining didn’t even come close.
‘are you even listening to me?’ Brenda turned, eyeing the widely grinning Daisy. ‘and what’s damn so funny here!’ she shouted.
‘oh Bree! Would you lower your voice and quit whining already? Then come take a seat with me’ Daisy replied calmly as she walked past Brenda to go sit down. Unpreturbed by her friend’s angry demeanour or quaint stare.
‘are you sure you’re okay?’ Brenda asked still staring quizzically at Daisy.
‘sure’ Daisy replied, smiling like a love-struck teenager, then tightened her outer robe. There was no rush for anything again, her mornings were half spent on bed with her husband, so why should she be far from okay? Infact, she was feeling great!
‘do have a seat, will you?’ she said.
Brenda shook her head rather perplexed. What was really wrong with her friend? And what’s with the annoying grin she was wearing since?
‘like for real Dee, what’s gotten into you?’ she asked moving over to the seat.
‘hmm, you’re on suit today’ Daisy replied, glancing over her friend like she was seeing her for the first time.
‘will you snap outta this!’ Brenda exclaimed sitting down, ‘that ain’t what i asked’
‘…and you’re still on dreads? Doesn’t look good with the suit though’ Daisy continued, ignoring Brenda’s angry stare.
‘Daisy!’ Brenda screamed.



Daisy broke into a laugh that resounded in the parlour. It was a laughter that came from deep within her heart, not to mock or scare, just a true reflection of what she truly felt.
Happiness.
‘can i join in the joke’ Brenda cut in drily. Her friends attitude was damn strange!
‘jeez Bren, am so happy right now’ Daisy said finally, looking sober after the wine of laughter.
‘for a moment I thought you’ve lost it’ Brenda said.
‘no girl, am perfectly sane but simply happy’ Daisy replied.
‘good! So start spilling’ Brenda said, her curiousity piqued as to the reason her estranged friend was this happy. Whatever grievance she had come to bear would have to chill for a while.
‘so?’ she prompted
‘we’ve made up’ Daisy simply said and smiled.
‘who’s the we?’
‘jeez Bree! Don’t be like that, don’t you see the glow in my face, don’t i radiate enough! Don’t you feel my smile! Don’t you feel me! Hunh?’ Daisy went euphoric.
‘chilax, will you? I see ‘em all and that’s why i ask’
‘such a wonderful, loving dude’ Daisy uttered in that euphoric state
‘who?’
‘my husband’
‘that tripping dude?’
‘no, not that tripping dude, its My dude,My boo! We ain’t into those sh.it anymore, we’ve let it all slide like jelly…and now, we are so good, it hurts!’ Daisy hugged herself now.
‘can you cruise down to planet earth? i ain’t really getting…’
‘oh come on Bree! Catch the gist! I’ve got him all back to myself and i mean all of him! all that arrogance, pay backs, temper, fights, quarrels, gush! all of ‘em are gone…whoosh! Just like that, evaporated in thin air’
‘and the ex ish?’
‘she’s history, she don’t matter to us anymore, gone like she never even happened’
‘whoa!’
‘you can say that again’
‘hunhun?’
‘yeah baby! And you’re gonna love the new him, i tell you, he’s so the best thing around’
‘yeah right! he’s still a d!ckhead to me’ Brenda replied drily.



Daisy chuckled. ‘yeah, a wonderful one at that’ she said and they both laughed.
‘whoa, I’ve missed loads! Just two weeks since last i saw you and you’ve got this story for me?’
‘what can i say? It just happened. The whole sh.i.t was weighing me down, no joy in my heart, got fed up, everything and everyone was so damn annoying, and i just had to shut down and booth again. All thanks to my coz – you need to meet her – she told me so much from her wealth of experience, now look where I’ve ended – am so happy like a butterfly’
‘butterflies ain’t happy insects Dee’ Brenda said and frowned.
‘that’s what you think’ Daisy drawled, then in an euphoric state she added: ‘They are beautiful and happy, those helpless tiny things, life takes them through phases -egg, lava, pupa – till they become such beauties…with pretty wings and shiny dots…just like me’ she completed. Her expression distant and thoughtful.
‘uhm Daisy, we aren’t talking about butterflies here’ Brenda said jolting her back to reality.
‘sure we aren’t’ Daisy smiled and faced her friend.
‘so, what’s his contribution in all of this?’
‘nothing big, i don’t need much from him either, just need him to communicate with me, and so far, we’ve said so much like we are on Oprah’s show…he knows me in and out, everything about my past and present, and so, what more can i ask for?’
‘nothing i guess’
‘yeah, nothing! Just working through the good and the bad together is all that matters’
Daisy fell silent for a moment, then with a thoughtful look she continued:
‘know something else Bree, i’ve realised a lot and I’ve changed much too. Now, am going to stop living like some goddamn hypocrite. I mean, i profess to hate the ibos passionately, but here you are! A full blooded ibo! And Peter? He’s also ibo! Then whether i like it or not, am ibo…well technically offcourse…But the point remains that i never got my facts straight, people ain’t the same, my father is different from everyone out there, people won’t treat me like he did, just because they are ibos! Right now, am so ashamed of me, but i promise to get my head and facts straight again. No more hates, am ready to forgive and stop the ridiculous hatred already! gush!’ Daisy concluded.
‘by God! little Daisy is fully grown and getting all philosophical on me!’ Brenda replied.






Daisy scoffed. ‘welcome to Nigeria girl’
‘you can say that again! But am truly happy for you Dee’
‘I know you are and have always had my back’
‘yes girl. Through the thick and thin, tough-lady Brenda is ever here for you’
‘like hello! no more toughness girlfriend, go get yourself a strong man, will you’ Daisy teased
‘whatever’ Brenda replied waving her hands. ‘cos you got yourself one hunh?’
‘yeah! and a good one too’
‘a pighead you mean’ Brenda replied although in a light tone.
‘would you stop hating on my man already?’
‘that’s after he hits it right with me. It ain’t easy on this part of the divide, you know?’
Daisy smiled. Yes she knew. And she would leave it to Jide to sort his way through her friend’s cold shoulders that served as a mask to the warmth in her. Brenda was a darling if you got to know her better, just a lil bit spoilt and indulged which makes her raise her chin up at people. But she loved her friend and would really like them to get along.
‘Speaking of which where the heck is he?’ Brenda continued.
‘he’s in somewhere’ Daisy replied.
‘for real?’ she asked in amazement.