UNMARRIED... SO? part 5

OLUCHI'S POV

After a successful and enjoyable date with Clinton -- yes, it was an enjoyable date, don't wink at me -- , I think I'm a little more relaxed around him. 

3 hours at a park with board games and food platters is a good way to really get to know a person. They are more laid back, less on edge, no pressure to impress or overcompensate, just living. 

Maybe Aunty Ene finally did something right with her matchmaking skills, but I do not endorse it still. 

I should call her. 

CLINTON'S POV***

Flipping through a heap of documents is not enough to distract me from thinking about Lulu. Oh, she said I haven't earned that. 

A smile curled on my lips. 

She's truly intriguing. And when she said she'd plan the date, Lord knows I wasn't expecting a full picnic experience. 

She's.. Different.

Thoughtful.

Personal. 

So, why is she single? 

A knock on the door jolted me back to the present. 

"Sir, your dad is on line 3"

I was surprised. Why didn't he call me directly? 

"Why did he call the office line and not my phone?"

"I don't know sir. He just called and said to put you through."

"Okay Sam. Thank you."

I answered the call with the table phone. 

"Hello dad...why are you calling the admin line?"

"Is that the first question to ask your father whom you haven't heard from in over a week?"

He scolded fondly. 

"No dad, I'm sorry. I was just surprised you didn't call me directly."

"Well, I did. But ostensibly, your number is switched off."

"Switched off? That's not right."

I picked up my phone from the table and undeniably, it was off. 

Weird. I turned it back on. 

"Anyway, that's besides the point. I'm calling to tell you that we will be coming back to Nigeria in two weeks."

"Oh really. That's good news. I thought you were staying till the end of summer"

"I know, I know. But your mother got homesick and also... There's someone we want you to meet."

"Really? Someone I should meet? Dad.. What is this about?"

"A loving father who wants what's best for his son."

I laughed and we chatted a little more before hanging up. I plugged in my phone to charge, and got back to work. 

A FEW DAYS LATER. 

OLUCHI'S POV

HAVING LUNCH WITH EMEM (HER FRIEND) 

"It's interesting how drastically my life became so eventful in less than three weeks. From the birthday party to meeting a guy, to closing this deal, it's just been... Eventful."

Emem nearly choked on her drink. 

"Sorry, say that again?"

"I closed that deal. The one we've been trying to get now, that guy from Uzbekistan---"

"-- no no.. The part about a guy... You met a guy?"

"Ah that's all you heard?"

"No oh, congratulations on the deal my love, I'm super proud of you", she blew air kisses in my direction. 

"Thank you, so --"

"Now what is this about a guy and how am I just hearing about it?"

"Ah ah.. Am I supposed to carry a placard displaying that I met someone?"

"Someone that's made your days 'eventful'? Yes, my dear. Give me the gist, mbok. "

I laughed at her exuberance, but gave her an abridged version of the events, purposefully excluding the part where Clinton threw the truth in my face. 

I love my friend, but I don't want her planting 'opinions and theories' in my head that'll cause me to overthink the issue all over again. 

Her cheeks were practically shaking in excitement. One would think she was the one with the experience. 

"Lulu.. Awwww... You sound like you actually like this guy."

"Well.. Let's not be too forward now. I like talking to him. I feel something.. Safety.. But, I don't want to give too much too soon." 

"Which one is too much too soon? Are you a baby? You are ---"

"I know my age, aunty! I don't need you to announce it to the whole of Blackbell"

"Fineeee..anyway.. Have you guys..... ", she winked at me. 

" Have we what?"

"Have you guys.. You know nau"

"Why are you wiggling like an earthworm? You know I wouldn't do something like that. I'm a Christian."

"So am I, Lulu. So am I! "

"Emem, j don't know the kind of Christian that you are.. But me, I'm not doing all that wiggling you are doing until it is right."

"And by right, you mean--"

"I mean my wedding night, Emem."

Emem sighed, head in hands, dropped her fork in the table. Then she looked at me. 

"Lulu.. I say this with all the love in my heart for you. But.. Honey.. No man is going to wait that long. "

I had heard this a gazillion times and it didn't faze me anymore. 

"Then good riddance. Any man who cannot wait is not my husband. Listen, if we are not aligned in areas as simple as purity and abstinence, then we have nothing else to discuss my darling."

Emem heaved another sigh of frustration and resumed eating. 

"-- plus, we haven't even said anything about relationship. Why is s3x already coming to your mind?"

"Because!!! You clearly like each other. There's attraction...and then--"

"--and then the next thing is to jump into bed with him? Emem!! You better repent o!"

"I have you to pray to God for me, honey... But in your case, if you continue like this, you are gonna d1e an old maiden."

"--an old SUCCESSFUL maiden"

We both laughed... 

"Plus, I'll be surrounded with nieces and nephews and YOUR kids, so I'm good."

We laughed and finished our meals before heading out. 

A WEEK LATER

CLINTON'S POV

"Haha... What do you mean by that? You don't like watching series?"

"Nah not really, Quantico is actually my first series ever and I love it.. HOWEVER.. I don't want to commit to another series soon"

"Do I sense some commitment avoidance?" 

I teased her. Slightly probing. 

"Nah.. I think I over commit actually, because it's all I'll be thinking about. I get attached to the characters and they become so real to me. It's kind of unhealthy."

"Oh, I see. So is that commitment attachment only reserved for on-screen characters.. Orrrr..."

"You know if you have a question, you can just ask me directly"

I heard her laugh. Nervously. 

"Maybe I will"

We talked more and ended the call after a while. 

Talking about attachment, I was drawn to this woman like moth to flames. 

Like bees to pollen. 

Like birds to --- you know what I mean. 

She's brilliant.

She's Kind.

She's so darn gorgeous. 

I think I should have this conversation with her, I'm just afraid I'll say something st#pid again and mess it up. 

I got off the couch to get a drink when my phone beeped again. 

A message. 

"Just landed in Nigeria. Michael will take us to the house. Come see us tomorrow."

Wasn't their flight supposed to be for tomorrow? 

Their sudden urgency and eagerness was becoming suspicious. 

A few hours later, after calling to confirm they were home safely, I did some work on my laptop before going to bed. 

NEXT DAY

Dad opened the door to the family house and hugged me tightly. 

"There's my son. Look at you! Making me so proud."

I hugged him back. 

"Dad.. Welcome home. You don't have to do that."

We laughed. I hugged my mom and walked into the living room. 

There were strange faces. 

"Dad, I didn't know you had guests. Good evening sir, Good evening ma."

A very confident looking man in his late 50's sat beside a woman I suppose was his wife, late 40's I think. 

"Oh no.. They are my friends"

"Oh, I see. You are welcome."

After pleasantries and snacks, mom opened the door for yet another guest. 

A young lady. Early to mid 20's. Walked in and sat with dad's friends.

Dad patted me on the back. 

"Remember I told you there was someone we wanted you to meet?"

"Yes yes. Are they the ones? New investors?"

"No my son. This is Mr Gideon Bassey, and his wife."

"Oh hello again sir and ma. Welcome. "

They nodded. 

"And that is Carol. Their beautiful daughter. The lady you are going to marry."

WHAT?? 

To be continued. 

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