She got up and hugged me; I didn’t know we could ever hug again going by the awkward twist that kind of ended our friendship.
We talked all the way to Lagos. She started off by apologizing for the way she treated me back in school, after I left Captain…
“I’m really sorry, I know I could have and should have been a better friend but I have no excuse.
I am just happy for this opportunity to at least apologize.
I later tried to reach you but had deleted your number and couldn’t find it”
I didn’t say anything at first, I was just amazed at what was happening (I had learnt from Folahan to listen more and talk less) so I let Deola do most of the talking.
She went on to inform me that she was working with a major Telecoms company in Abuja and that was the last favor she got from Chief Agbabiaka. Things had gone sour between them after Chief found a younger girl while Deola was away for Youth Service.
“It happened so fast
I was only gone for about a month
I still believe the girl “jazzed” him (used voodoo on him)
How could chief switch just like that? It couldn’t have been ordinary
Well, I was somehow prepared for it…
It had always been a 50-50 thing as far as I was concerned
I just didn’t like the way it ended
I hate “elimination by substitution”…that’s why I hate Mathematics
It made me feel like a replaceable part
His friends that I thought could help talk to him also wanted to date me
One almost raped me inside his office, thank God for his secretary that barged in because of an emergency…I felt like a cheap, road-side prostitute
After talking to three of Chief’s friends and getting the same response, I knew it was time to walk away with the little dignity I had left.
I still appreciate all that God used him for in my life
Na husband I dey find now (I’m searching for a husband now)”
“Let’s assume that indeed God sent Chief to help you, are you sure that’s how God wanted him to help?”
I just had to ask the question…because somehow Deola didn’t sound like anything was wrong with the relationship she had with Chief Agbabiaka.
“You are still doing this your SU thing?” she responded
I went on to talk to her some more about Christ and how God turned everything around for my family after I walked away from my previous lifestyle. I told her about my new job, I told her about Sister Grace, I even told her about Folahan…not that I wanted to, but I needed to let her know that there are times we shortchange ourselves by embracing the devils’ imitation of blessings when God actually has something better in stock for us. I also invited her to our church in Abuja since she wasn’t a member of any.
“Hmmn…I have heard o.
Actually, I have tried to mingle at a few churches in Abuja but most of the brothers are unserious, they are either too stingy or looking for whom to ‘hit and run’ and I don pass that stage (I have outgrown that). I am 28 now and need to see what’s on the table before rolling my dice.
A larger percentage of the serious ones are too busy chasing money, they are not even considering marriage. They want girls that will hang in there and wait indefinitely
The few that are ready to settle down prefer younger girls and/or are already dating someone. Wetin person go do?
God should provide me a good husband and see if I will not serve Him forever”
She added jokingly.
We exchanged numbers and Deola promised to stay in touch…she also promised to check on me before going back to Abuja. She was travelling to Lagos for a work-related meeting and would be there for about a week.
It was a boring three weeks…most of the things they taught us, I already knew. The Training School was in Captain’s neighborhood and I hated that. It was one of my major reasons for moving to Abuja and not wanting to be in Lagos. During our lunch breaks, I would stay put in class while other members of my team were exploring the area or going out to eat.
As promised, Deola visited me twice at the Bank’s Guest House; before she returned to Abuja…she said she would like for us to be friends again and also needed me to help her get closer to God…I liked that part.
She wanted my address in Abuja so she could visit but I didn’t have my own place yet so I promised to let her know as soon as I got a place. Folahan was still helping to find a decent accommodation but I could not afford the areas he wanted for me. Although he was willing to assist financially, I didn’t want him to…I advised him to invest the money instead. Before I left Abuja, I had to move most of my stuff to his place because I would still be in Lagos on the day we’re supposed to hand over the keys to NCCF and I didn’t want to leave Tokunbo in charge of my things. Jealousy apart, she was not given a permanent position at her place of primary assignment which meant she had to return home.
Deola then asked if I didn’t mind renting a room in a 3-bedroom flat, as a cheaper option…there was an extra room in the flat she was staying and she could give me a very good deal. A good location, furnished, pretty close to my office and would save me a lot of transportation money.
“And you get to drag me to church…” Deola added
I liked the idea…but I could not commit to it yet. I promised to discuss it with Folahan and get back to her.
“Ok o…let me know your decision as soon as possible. I have people that are interested and I don’t want to hold it if you won’t end up taking it”
About a week after that discussion…Folahan called me early in the morning. It was a Thursday morning and asked
“Who is Deola?”
