Must Read: Forever And Always

Episode 6 years ago

Must Read: Forever And Always

“Haba! What’s with this face again this early morning. Oga o”I muttered silently. “Good morning” I greeted and was about to take my seat when she started ranting again like a mad woman. I then believed the saying of a friend of mine back then in school that ‘Many are mad but few are roaming’ Only God knew why this one wasn’t on the street roaming already.

I got out of the bank and heaved a deep sigh of relief. Really? Would I have to keep dealing with that woman and their madness everyday? I just prayed my patience wouldn’t one day run out. Then she would know the stuff I am made of. She must really think am a dunce. I hissed.

It was pouring heavily. I started doubting if I was still going to see James. It was late and raining.
That meant I would be soaked, my face and hair would be trash and it would be difficult getting a cab. My phone vibrated from my bag.I took it and saw that It was James. I lunched my messenger and texted him.

“Hi, its raining and I just closed from work. I really don’t know if I would make it but if I would not, I’ll call you in the next thirty minutes.” I sent it and started walking to the road. The first five cabs didn’t wait at all.

“This doesn’t look good” My shaky lips let out. Damn! It was cold. My heart pounded like there was a mad man inside my chest beating a drum crazily. That was how I used to feel anytime I was cold. It wasnt easy tho, handling the cold at the bank due to A.Cs and the one outside the bank due to the rain. I bet I was going to fall sick soon if this continued for a long time.
Perturbed nerves and a dreadful doom set in, making me foot tap in a frenzied manner.

My shoes rapped out a discomforting rhythm.
I just prayed they wouldn’t get spoilt. I got them as gift for my convocation ceremony.
I cherished them so much.

I almost gave up any chances of seeing a cab when one parked beside me. I hastily told the cab driver my destination. He stayed quiet and thought for a while before he asked me to come in. I happily hopped in and breathed heavily.

‘Omo, if you are working and you no get car for this Lagos, na wa o, na really wa!’ I almost shouted. The cab driver heard me and a small smile pulled at the corner of his lips. and in my mind I was like “No be so?”

I alighted from the cab and paid the man my fare. I saw him smiling at me sheeplishly again but I just collected my change and left. ‘Na im know why he dey advertise close up’ I muttered.

I entered the coffee shop and saw James at one corner of the shop, close to the edge. My phone vibrated, I checked it and saw a message from my mom. I quickly replied her that I would soon be home. It wasn’t easy being the only daughter of Mrs Tolani Williams. She was a dotting mother but I would forever be reminding her that I was no longer a kid so she should back off with her over protective attitude. “Hi James” I greeted curtly and signalled to one of the attendants who was already getting ready to take his leave to give me a cup of hot steaming Caramel Macchiato. He nodded and went with my order.

“Who were you with?” Came his deep authoritative voice.

I breathed and creased my eyebrows into a frown.

“What do you mean?” I questioned, looking at his eyes. Eyeball to Eyeball.

“Do not play dumb with me!” He screamed so loud that I felt my eardrum contracting inwards.

“James, what is it again? Last time we met I can remember you hitting me and you haven’t fully apologized to me and here you are accusing me of being with someone else. What is wrong with you?” I questioned.