by Kiru Taye
“Lara, please think about it. I think you’re beautiful and I’m serious about making you my girlfriend. But there’s no pressure. Whatever you decide, just let me know. I hope you’ll come to the party, anyway.”
Wow. Her mouth slackened and she cocked her head to stare at him. Who was this Malcolm who was being such a considerate gentleman? This couldn’t be the same boy who’d harassed her for weeks, months, to be his girlfriend. Then when she’d rejected him, he’d spread nasty rumours about her.
“Okay, I’ll let you know what I decide.”
“Thank you.” He reached across and squeezed her hand. “Take care of yourself. I look forward to your response.”
“Thanks.” She opened the pedestrian gate and walked in a daze.
In the house, she found Lola in the living room along with Judy.
“Malcolm just invited me to his party next week.” She held up the invitation card.
“Seriously?” Lola snatched the card and gawped. “You know this is going to be the hottest party in Enugu this year, right?”
“That’s not all. He wants me to go as his girlfriend. He asked me out.”
“Oh. My. God.” Lola shouted. “You’ve got to say yes.”
“She doesn’t have to say yes, unless she likes him,” Judy chimed in.
“Of course she likes him. He’s been treating her nice these past few days.”
Lara nodded. “He’s being the kind of guy I would love to date. And I’m struggling to find any excuses to say no to him.”
Except that her broken heart belonged to another person. But she couldn’t keep pining for Ike. He hadn’t bothered to contact her over the past two weeks. And it didn’t look like he ever would.
Would it be so wrong to date Malcolm? He was excited about being with her. At least, their relationship would be out in the open. She wouldn’t have to worry about sneaking over to his house. He could come over here. He’d already met Lola. She’d have no problems introducing him to Judy. And he wanted to introduce her to his family. They would have a good healthy relationship. Just like other teenagers.
“Anyway, I told Malcolm I’ll think about it, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Chapter Eight
“Are we still going to Rush?” Henry asked.
“Of course. That’s where we are headed,” Ike replied as he drove the long route that would take him past Lara’s house.
“It’s just that this is not the most direct way,” his friend observed.
“Yeah. I know.” He grimaced. “I’m just doing a detour.”
When had he become a stalker? How many times had he driven past Lara’s house in the hopes of seeing a glimpse of her? For the past few weeks, he’d been doing this at least once a week, perhaps twice. He’d considered stopping once and waiting until someone came out of the house. Hopefully, Lara.
But he’d known that would have been unhealthy. That would actually amount to stalking her. This way was better. At least, if he drove past and caught a sight of her, there would be no harm done because no one would know he’d seen her.
Because he did want to see her. He’d promised not to make contact with her. He couldn’t touch her. But nothing prevented him from looking at her.
And like an addict weaning himself off an addiction, he’d had momentary relapses when the urge to be with her had overwhelmed him and he’d gotten into his car and driven down towards her house, like he was doing right now
He approached the building, driving slower than the speed limit, and glanced across. The two sisters came out of the house followed by a woman he presumed was their mother’s sister whom they lived with.
Warmth radiated through his body at seeing Lara, and his heart raced. She appeared happy, laughing with her sister as they walked towards a car. He kept glancing between her and the road until she disappeared from view totally. The urge to turn around gripped him. He slowed down and put the car in park.
“Lara lives in that house back there,” he said, looking into his rear-view mirror as he hoped to catch another glimpse of her. He hadn’t seen her in weeks. Now that he’d seen her, he wanted more.
“She does?” Henry twisted in his seat to look at him and then out through the back window. “What are you doing, man?”
“I’m just looking. Nobody said I couldn’t look at her. I just want to know she’s okay.”
“Did you see her?”
“Yes.”
“Did she look okay?”
“Yes. As beautiful as she’s always been.” As much as he was happy that she looked good, a part of him withered that she could be functioning without him. “I miss her.”
“Man, I feel you.” His friend placed a hand on his shoulder.
The gates to Lara’s house opened and a silver CR-V drove out. It stopped just outside the gate. Lara walked out of the gates. She was wearing jeans, tank top, and sandals, just like the first day she’d shown up at his house. She opened the door to the back, glanced over her shoulder towards Ike’s car. His heart stopped as she seemed to hesitate. She must know that he was in there. His car was very easily recognisable. She dropped her hand from the door and started walking towards where he was parked.
He wanted to get out of the car and meet her halfway. He’d apologise and they’d kiss and make up.
Instead, he sat there, watching as she took steps that closed the gap between them.
“Man, you don’t want her coming any closer. You won’t be able to explain this.”
His friend's words prompted him into action. He put the car into gear and drove away in a spiral of tyres and dust. He didn’t look in his rear window, for fear of seeing the disgust on Lara’s face at his cowardice. Neither him nor Henry said anything until they arrived at Rush. The bar wasn’t busy yet. Henry ordered the drinks when they settled in.
Ike took his phone out. He held it in his hands as he thought about sending Lara a message. But he knew that even if he did write one, he would never send it. All the other messages he’d ever written to her since they’d broken up were sitting in his draft folder waiting to be sent. He never would.
What was he going to do to get her out of his mind forever? She’d obviously moved on. He needed to do the same.
“There’s a party on campus tonight,” Henry said as he looked up from his phone.
“I’m not in the mood for a party,” Ike said as he took a sip of his drink.
“That’s exactly what you need. You need to get over you-know-who.” Henry swirled his drink in the glass. “Think about all the fresh girls who will be there.”
Ike didn’t want to think about any other girls except the one person he wanted. But he couldn’t have her. So perhaps his friend was right that he needed to let go and start thinking about other girls.
His phone pinged and he opened the message from Gloria.
There’s a hot party in town tonight. Want to come?
He sent a reply. Where?
Gloria was the daughter of Chief Rawlins, a close friend of his father. He’d been like a big brother to her since they both schooled in the same city and their parents lived in Lagos.
Zik Hall. Are you coming?
Zik Hall was one of the guest houses at University. It had a hall that was sometimes hired out for outside functions by non-university personnel. It also had residential rooms that could be used by visiting personnel. But the place was usually full of university students even if they were just acting as ushers. He couldn’t leave Gloria alone with all those older boys. She was still only eighteen even if she acted older sometimes. And he knew what kind of shenanigans went on in the Zik hall rooms. It was quite notorious during parties.
Yes. I’ll be there, he replied.
“We’re going to a party at Zik Hall,” he said to his friend when he put his phone away.
“That’s the same party I’m talking about.”
“Cool. One more drink and then we can head out there. You’re driving tonight.” Ike pulled his keys out o
f his pocket and tossed the bunch at Henry. If he was going to forget Lara and get into other girls, then he might as well get drunk while he was at it.
His friend nodded and pocketed the bunch. “I’ve got your back.”
By the time Henry drove them to the event hall, Ike had a gentle alcoholic haze surrounding him that mellowed him out. There was loud music and the place was already buzzing with people.
He sent a text to Gloria to let her know he’d arrived. They walked into the hall. Plenty of girls there. Most of them looked like university students, and a few he recognised. He said hello to some of the guys, exchanging pleasantries since he hadn’t interacted with most of them in his year away.
Gloria showed up with her friend Christy. She told him where she was sitting so he said he’d catch up with her later. He got a corner and stood there with Henry as they checked out the talent on offer. He hadn’t had sex in a few months and there were a few girls here who he could possibly take home for the night. He wasn’t thinking about anything more serious. Just a one night stand. With no strings attached.
“Hi, Ike.” A girl strode up to him.
He recognised her from his year group. “Hello, Stella. Long time.”
“It has been. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great.”
They chatted for a little while, catching up on the past year. She was a pretty girl. He’d always been attracted to her, but had never really approached her before.
“Do you want to dance?” he asked.
“I thought you’d never ask.” She smiled.
He glanced at Henry who smiled at him. It seemed he’d scored, without much effort. Then again, he’d never found it difficult getting girls. He just hadn’t bothered since he’d started teaching Lara. Tonight, he would change it all.
They went to the dance floor and one thing led to another. Soon, they were grinding against each other, the girl’s bum on his crotch. He pulled her close so that his mouth was to her ear.
“I want to fuck you,” he whispered loud enough for her to hear him above the music.
She turned around and smiled at him, before leaning up to kiss him. His libido went up a notch. He tugged her hand and pulled her off the dance floor. Then he headed to the lobby and approached one of the receptionists.
“I’d like a room,” he said. He couldn’t wait to take Stella to his apartment. Moreover, he couldn’t drive because he’d been drinking and he didn’t want to cut Henry’s night short.
The man shook his head. “All the rooms are booked up.”
Ike knew that was just a prelude to negotiation. These rooms were in high demand, especially during an event. So the prices where hiked up and a bribe was usually involved. He put a hand into his pocket and pulled out a wad of Naira. He reeled off two one-thousand naira notes and placed it on the counter top.
“I just want a room for an hour,” he said and pulled out another note. “And this one is for you.”
The man pocketed the extra thousand and added his name to the register before handing him a key. “Room Five is free.”
“Thanks.” Ike took the key and smiled. “Come on,” he said to Stella.
She followed him up the stairs.
Room Five was a basic room with a bed and a small en-suite. But it was clean and it wasn’t like he was going to spend the night here.
Stella shut the door and pushed him onto the bed. He bounced as he landed on his back. She walked over to him, hiked up her skirt, and climbed on top of him.
He liked that they didn’t speak to each other but seemed to know what the other needed. He just needed to do this one thing to get Lara out of his system.
Then, they were kissing again. She wasn’t Lara but she still felt soft and smelled nice, with nothing hesitant about her touch. She’d done this before. She was exactly the kind of woman he wanted tonight.
Soon, he was pushing her top over her head and palming her bare breasts. She pulled his t-shirt off and licked his nipples before grazing one with her teeth. Then she repeated the action on the other nipple. He groaned and reached for his belt buckle before undoing his fly.
She climbed off him and took her skirt and shoes off. He pushed his trousers down, took out a condom from his wallet, and toed his shoes off. He sheathed himself and lay back down. She climbed the bed and straddled him. Lifting her up, he settled her back down so his tip was grazing her entrance.
With one push, he was inside her. She rocked back and forth. He grabbed her head and pulled her down for another kiss as he drove upwards inside her again and again. Reaching between their bodies, he slid his fingers between her labia lips, stroking her again and again until she trembled with an orgasm.
He took control of her hips, holding her still as he thrust up inside her, seeking his completion. It came fast, washing over him like a fever.
Afterwards, they lay side by side as they both caught their breaths.
He’d done it. He’d had sex with someone who wasn’t Lara. Instead of feeling relieved, regret knotted his stomach. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Rolling out of bed, he picked up his trousers, walking into the bathroom. In there, he tossed the condom in the bin and cleaned himself up. He put his trousers on and glanced at himself in the mirror.
He only felt bad because this was the first time he’d touched another woman since Lara. A few more times and he would get used to it.
He walked out of the bathroom to find Stella dressing. He didn’t say anything as he pulled his t-shirt on and then his shoes.
“I know this was just a one-off. But if you ever feel like getting together again, you can call me.”
He grimaced. He wasn’t usually this distracted around women. He tried to make amends and walked over to where she stood and brushed his lips against hers. “Of course, I’ll call you. Give me your number.”
He pulled out his phone and keyed in her number. Then he dialled it. “Now you have mine,” he said when her phone rang.
She smiled up at him. “Great.”
They left the room and he returned the key to the receptionist. They walked back to the hall where the music blasted out from large speakers.
As soon as Ike walked in there, his heart stopped at the sight before him.
Lara was dancing in the middle of the room with Malcolm. Arm-in-arm. Everyone else was watching them.
Lara and Malcolm?
Before he knew what he was doing, he’d abandoned Stella at the spot and walked to the middle of the dance floor and yanked Lara away from Malcolm.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he snapped.
Lara’s mouth dropped open when she glanced up at him.
“I should be asking you that,” Malcolm cut in.
“Stay out of this, Malcolm.” He dragged Lara’s arm. “Come on. I’m getting you out of here.”
“No, you’re not. Lara is my girlfriend,” Malcolm said.
Everything went quiet around them. Even the music. Ike didn’t care.
All the blood drained from his head. “Is this true? Are you dating him?”
“Yes,” Lara said as she glared at him.
His head would surely explode. She had promised him she wouldn’t have anything to do with Malcolm.
“You promised me.”
“You mean just like you promised me?” She gave a pointed look to the person standing beside him.
He turned to see Stella and Gloria standing on each side of him.
His face heated. He’d betrayed her by having sex with someone else. Could he blame her for doing the same thing? If it had been anyone else, perhaps. But not Malcolm.
“You don’t belong here, Lara. Go home before it’s too late.”
Her eyes hardened and she glared at him with what he could only interpret as hatred.
“No. You’re the one who doesn’t belong here, sir.”
She stressed the last word. This was a different Lara talking to him like this. She injected so much venom in
to her words, his ears burned.
“Malcolm is my boyfriend and my place is right here with him. You should go home with your girls.”
She turned her back to him. Malcolm pulled her into his arms, the expression on his face totally gloating.
Ike’s heart fell into his stomach. He’d done this to her. And now, she was in the lair of a predator and there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn’t even force her out of there by dragging her out. There were too many people who would report back what had happened to Mrs. Bello and cost him his future.
It seemed they’d both made their beds. They would each lie in it and face the consequences.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he said before turning around and walking out of the hall.
Chapter Nine
Five years later.
“I got the interview,” Lara said as she stared at the email. Her laptop sat on the small dining table and she on one of the chairs. Two words jumped out at her, sucking away any joy she would’ve felt for getting her first job interview after months of searching.
“Congratulations,” Ada said, turning around from her position on the three-seater sofa. “Which company is this?”
Lara swallowed to clear the lump in her throat. “Thomas International.”
“Wow!” Ada gaped. “That’s the same company Jane works for.”
“Jane?”
“You remember Jane Benson from uni. She was doing Business Admin. We hung out with her but she graduated a year before us.”
“Yes, I remember her. I didn’t know that’s where she works.”
“That’s because you don’t keep in touch with anyone.”
Lara shrugged. She struggled to make friends or keep in touch with people. After what had happened to her, she’d learned not to trust anyone. Ada was the only friend who had stayed constant in her life throughout the years.
Sighing, she glanced around her living room. It was small yet tastefully decorated in warm, natural tones, just like the rest of the flat. There were two cream upholstered sofas with patterned grey/brown cushions, a couple of armchairs on the other side formed a quadrangle with a low, glass-topped centre table, and four matching glass-topped side tables sat between the sofas and chairs. A medium-sized flat screen television and entertainment centre formed a focal point of the room, with family portraits hanging on the walls. In the corner was a large potted Bird of Paradise plant. Behind the longer sofa was a raised dais with an Iroko dining table and six upholstered chairs that matched the sofas. Two doors led away from the living room—one to the kitchen, another into the hallway with the three bedrooms and a family bathroom, though the master bedroom had an en-suite bathroom.