Family interventions.
“What kind of allergy is this that I know nothing about, Wanda, you were born before my eyes, I’ve watched you grow and I never knew you or your sisters to have allergies”, tell me the truth, Jude hit you, he has been hitting you”…Wanda couldn’t remember if it was the worry in anty Billy’s eyes or the fact that she was crying that got to her but she was almost convinced…”aunty it was a mistake, ba halin shi ba (it’s not in his character)” the sobbing continued,she spoke in hausa when she wanted to appeal to aunty Billy’s motherly side…. it felt strange watching this woman she knew to be a master of her emotions cry.
Florence and Offy’s wedding was that weekend and she had clearly said she wanted her in top shape and form for the wedding…It was going to be an evening wedding she wanted it out doors but Offy’s Nigerian mother insisted they wed at the cathedral he was baptised that would have meant the wedding happening
in Calabar…thank goodness Offy listened to her and everyone settled for a church wedding in Abuja. Florence had met Offy on one of her many globe trotting episodes three years ago, Bidemi had convinced her to go on a tour bus to Ghana when the tour bus stopped just outside of Lagos, the other bus with “Generation 42” boldly inscribed had a flat and they needed to wait because they were part of the tour… Was it the creasing of his shirt or the fact that he wore a well-ironed shirt on a tour bus that aroused her curiosity…Bidemi was trying to get Zach out of the bus so her attention wasn’t on the guy. Her glasses weren’t as dark as she thought and his gaze quickly caught hers. He wasn’t her type of guy so she didn’t bother. She was ready to attack the cliche move he would chose and disarm him immediately… his outstretched hand was a shock, “ I’m Offiong, my friends call me Offy” ..trying to maintain her cool she simply replied “Florence, just Florence”… That week in Ghana was a good time getting to know each other and even Bidemi was surprised Flo was taking a liking to this guy.. they became inseparable and yahoo messenger became a lot more interesting she always had something to look forward to at the end of the day, calls weren’t cheap so they spaced it and it was always soothing hearing his baritone voice on the other end of the line..
Offy was about FLo’s height a little darker than what she’d normally go for but he was focused and driven, his days as a graphic designer would soon begin to pay off with the face of media changing, so when he prepositioned her for a relationship it was dramatic; she could only then imagine what a marriage proposal from him would look like. 18 months later on another tour, this time to Kenya, Offy proposed on the flight and trust me it was pretty dramatic.
…Jude had mustered what courage or arrogance was left in him boarding the vehicle to Wuse 2, it was a bad idea but he knew he had to see Wanda, he needed to apologise and he was expected to be at the wedding, Offy had made him an honorary grooms man even though it was apparent they didn’t get along, Wanda was chief bridesmaid so it was only polite to have Jude on the train…as the driver navigated Aminu Kano crescent he rehearsed his story (hoping it would match whatever aunty Billy was told)..
At the white gate he caught his breath and knocked
“na who?” Austin’s familiar voice was reassuring..”ehn, na Wanda friend..ehn Jude” “Ju— wetin?” Austin quickly opened the gate knowing his orders..”abeg dey go, oga Jude….madam don warn me say if she see you inside this house na my work”. “please..I just want to see Wanda….ok how is she? is she in? has she been out? I mean, have you seen her?” almost pushing him out of the way with his index finger pointing at Jude….”which Jamb question you dey ask person? abeg I no know….Mr man leave here oh” (pulling his ear as if to drive home his point. the gate was slammed shut and Jude knew he had some work to do….. his phone rang it was Offy “guy where are you, the suits are ready and everyone looks great, you said you were 5minutes away” a quick look at his watched Jude motioned to Austin ‘I’ll be back”…he had a plan and it better work!
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