After the storm

by Osar Adeyemi

  "Have you had lunch?" he asked after a while, glancing at his wristwatch.

  "No, but I'm not feeling hungry."

  "So you've had only breakfast, and it's almost two in the afternoon?" He tutted. "There's this very nice place around here. Their food is guaranteed to tempt your taste buds."

  "Thanks, but I'm fine for now. I'll probably order a sandwich later." She knew she was sounding a bit cold, but she felt this was the best way to go about it.

  Deji looked at her face for a moment and then smiled slowly. "Why do I get the feeling that you're trying to pass me a message?"

  "Am I?"

  "Aren't you?" he countered, looking steadily back at her. "Okay, so you're not hungry right now, but how about dinner any evening you choose this week?"

  "I'm afraid that's not possible either. I'm not free this week."

  He nodded slowly. "Confirmed." He put on a hurt look. "A lonely old widower like me is asking you to have lunch or dinner with him, and you're refusing? C'mon, girl, have a heart."

  She made a face at him. He was definitely not old. She could tell he was very likely in his early thirties. "I won't be caught by emotional blackmail."

  He put his elbows on her desk and leaned forward slightly. "So tell me, how can I catch you?" he asked softly.

  It was time to get straight to the point since he was refusing to understand what she was trying to say to him. "Have you forgotten my name?" she said, looking pointedly at him. "I'm Mrs. Yemi Kadiri."

  "I know that you are separated, have been for over a year."

  "Separated, yes, but still very much legally married."

  "I'm aware of that. Look, let's take it slowly," He replied. "I appreciate the fact that you're still married, but all I'm asking for is an opportunity to be your friend."

  "My schedule is much too hectic. You'd find me very boring as a friend."

  He smiled. "Too busy to go out? Remember that you only have one life to live, and like the saying goes, all work and no play…"

  "Makes this particular Jill a bright girl," Yemi finished.

  He laughed softly. "Small wonder I'm intrigued by you. C'mon, Yemi. Just dinner?"

  "I'm afraid that's not possible. I don't play games."

  "I don't either. I'm just asking you to be my friend."

  "We're already friends."

  "So let's have a friendly dinner."

  "Maybe someday soon."

  "Maybe this week?" he asked. She shook her head. "Next week?" he persisted.

  She sighed and shook her head again. He just kept looking at her. "Okay, I'll think about dinner some time," she said, hoping that would get rid of him.

  He didn't look like he believed her. "I like you, Yemi, and I'm sincerely hoping that you'll give us a chance to be friends, but I'll leave you for now."

  Yemi was happy to see him go. She was beginning to get her life back—a career and maybe a chance at fulfilment and true happiness—and no man was ever going to be allowed to derail her again.

  ∞∞∞

  Two days later, a delivery package was sent to her office. The package contained a bottle of Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel. It was from Deji.

  Yemi remembered admiring Lola's fragrance some time back when she had come into Yemi's office, and Lola had told her the name of the perfume. It was just too much of a coincidence that Deji had bought her the same fragrance. She sent the package back, and a few days later, Deji sent it back to her again, this time along with a nice-looking bracelet. She shoved both gifts in her drawer at the office and ignored them.

  Two days later, Sesan was in her office when a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses was delivered to her.

  "Who is it from?" Sesan asked curiously.

  "Some guy," Yemi muttered.

  "Nice flowers. I wish I had someone to send me flowers in the office," he teased.

  Yemi made a face. Thankfully, he had to return to his office and couldn't probe her any longer. But when yet another package arrived a couple of days later and her manager gave it to her with a knowing smile on his face, Yemi knew that she had to stop Deji. She did not want the office grapevine buzzing about her. She called him.

  "My day just brightened!" he said when he answered the call. "So how have you been?"

  "I'm fine, thanks," she said and then got straight to the point. "Deji, you really have to stop sending things to my office. It's beginning to attract undue attention."

  "Would you rather I sent them over to your house?"

  "I'd prefer you don't send any gifts at all."

  "To borrow your words, I'm afraid that's not possible."

  Yemi sighed. "Deji, listen, I'm not ready for any of this. My life has been pretty simple, and I like it that way."

  "Like I said before, let's go slowly. All I'm asking for right now is just to have dinner with you."

  Yemi just took a deep breath.

  "Why are you finding this so hard? It's just dinner. It's not like I'm going to kidnap you or something."

  "Let me think about it and get back to you."

  "Very well then," Deji replied. "Expect some flowers tomorrow. Roses or orchids? Both suit you. Roses are pretty, just like you, and orchids remind me of your cool, detached air."

  "I didn't know that you were a poet too," Yemi said drily.

  Deji chuckled. "It must be you. You're bringing out the inner 'Lord Byron' in me."

  Yemi could not help smiling. "You're a hard case."

  "So what do you say to dinner on Saturday?"

  "I wonder why I even bothered calling you," Yemi thought out aloud. "I should have just ignored your gifts."

  "Well, I'm glad you called. C'mon, Yemi, just dinner."

  "When?" Yemi asked wearily.

  "You're one tough lady." She could hear the smile in his voice. "Saturday, seven in the evening?"

  "All right. I'll see you then."

  "I'm looking forward to it already, Yemi. Take care."

  Yemi put the phone down slowly. He was a nice guy, at least nice enough for his sister-in-law to be so fond of him. Dotun would not touch Akeem with a long pole.

  She was still uneasy as she dressed up for her dinner date with Deji the following Saturday. She had avoided situations like that for a year and had built a comfortable wall around herself, only allowing a few trusted people inside it.

  However, despite all of her reservations, she enjoyed her time with Deji. He was very charming and thoughtful. She knew he was still curious about her. She caught it in the looks he gave her, but he thoughtfully steered away from any conversation he noticed she was uncomfortable with.

  "So can we do this again soon?" he asked as he drove her home later that evening.

  Yemi sighed. "You're a nice guy, Deji, but I'm not interested in having an affair with anyone."

  He looked hurt by what she said. "An affair? Yemi, from the first day I met you, I knew you were not that kind of lady."

  "So what do you want from me?"

  "I think it's the way I started that has scared you. Let us just be friends for now."

  "Deji, why can't you just go after someone else?"

  "Because I like you, Yemi. Please give me a chance to be your friend. I promise I'll not put any pressure on you."

  Yemi stared ahead. She was not convinced by what he had said.

  "Just friends, Yemi," Deji repeated, glancing sideways at her.

  "Deji, I'm not ready for a relationship with any man," Yemi warned him. "And the friendship will be off if I get any pressure from you in that direction. Agree?"

  "Agree," Deji replied with a smile.

  ∞∞∞

  Over the next few months, Yemi saw Deji regularly. He was a nice person, and the more she got to know him, the more she felt relaxed around him. She told him bits about her marriage to Akeem, and he was very understanding and sympathetic. He also told her about his late wife. They had been very close.

  He was very keen to meet her family and anyone connected to her, but Yemi politely put him off th
at idea. She didn't know how to explain him to others. "Meet Deji, my friend for now, but who would love to be more than just friends."

  No, that wouldn't do at all. There were times when she felt uncomfortable and tried to break off their "friendship." She felt Deji was too sweet to be wasting his time on her, but he seemed to sense when she was pulling away, and he would back off anything he thought was pressure from him and withdraw a little but remain very nice.

  He and Aleena got along well. He planned outings so that Aleena and his kids could go along with them.

  "I like Tolu and Tope," Aleena said to Yemi after one of such outings. "Maybe they can be my sister and brother," she added before frowning slightly. "But they are the same age as me." She turned to her mother. "It won't be as much fun as having my own little sister or brother, right, Mummy?"

  Yemi had no answer.

  ∞∞∞

  Dammy invited Yemi for her dad's sixtieth birthday party a few months later. Deji picked her up.

  The party had not started properly when they arrived. She could see Lola, Dammy, and Lara darting around, trying to get things organized. Dammy looked in their direction, and walked over to them.

  "Hey," Deji said, smiling as Dammy got to their table. "I brought your guest for you."

  "Thanks! Looking great as usual, Yemi," Dammy said, looking at Yemi's outfit. "And thanks for coming."

  "Thanks for inviting me. I got this for your dad," she said, holding out the gift to her.

  "Thanks a lot." Dammy waved Lola over.

  "Hey," Lola said, first hugging Yemi and then Deji. "You look great, Yemi!"

  "I was just telling her that," Dammy chipped in.

  "What about me?" Deji asked. "Feeling left out here."

  "It's enough that you're accompanying this very pretty lady!" Lola giggled. "But anyway, yes, you do look good, darling brother of mine." She turned to Yemi. "My parents are here. They can't wait to meet you." She winked at Deji. "Your parents are here as well, Deji," she added. "They are sitting over there." She pointed towards the general direction of the front of the hall.

  "I'll see them later," Deji said.

  "Why don't you guys come join us at our table?" Dammy asked.

  Deji looked at Yemi's face. "Thanks, but I think we're okay here. We've got a good view of everything going on from here."

  Yemi brow's furrowed slightly as she wondered what Lola had told her parents about her. They were Deji's in-laws as well. It was very likely that she had told them she and Deji were in a relationship. The thought of that made her very uneasy.

  The party swung into full gear about twenty minutes later as the compere took to the stage. He was a very witty man, and Yemi found herself laughing at his jokes.

  She was talking to Deji a while later and was a bit startled when she heard her name.

  "Hello, Yemi. So we finally meet."

  Yemi turned around to see a lady somewhere in her late fifties smiling sweetly at her. She immediately recognized her as Deji's mother. She had seen pictures of her at Deji's house.

  "Good afternoon, Ma," Yemi said, curtseying in the Yoruba traditional way. She felt a little uneasy. Coming to this party had obviously not been a smart move on her part.

  "Good afternoon, my dear," Deji's mother responded, giving her a hug. She looked Yemi up and down. "You're even prettier than Deji told us. His dad and I have been really looking forward to meeting you." Yemi did not know what to say, but luckily Mrs. Phillips turned towards Deji. "I hope you've been taking good care of her?"

  Deji winked at Yemi. "Have I?"

  Yemi was feeling embarrassed and did not know how to respond.

  His mother smiled indulgently at both of them. "You must really come and see us, Yemi. We would love to have you over for dinner sometime soon."

  "Thank you, Ma," Yemi replied.

  "We shall look forward to seeing you then," Deji's mother said as she prepared to move off.

  "What did you tell your mum about me?" Yemi asked Deji after his mother had left.

  He looked steadily back at her. "That you're my friend?"

  Yemi was not convinced. "Just that?"

  He shrugged. "Honestly, that's all, but my mum says I've changed since I met you." He looked at her worried face and smiled slightly. "Hey, why that look? Much as I'd love to tell everyone that we're more than friends, I haven't done so because we're still just friends, right?" he asked, looking searchingly into her eyes as if he wanted her to say otherwise.

  "Right," Yemi said.

  He looked slightly disappointed but hid it quickly behind a grin. "So in that case, there's nothing stopping you from having dinner at my parents' place sometime soon, right?"

  "Wrong," Yemi replied, and he laughed.

  Chapter 19

  Akeem smiled as he watched Lois dance. Her long tresses were tossed around her pretty face as she moved along to the beat of the music. She was a good dancer, fluid and graceful in her movements. She stretched out an arm towards him, inviting him to join her, but he shook his head. He was having a good time relaxing on the lounger, and that suited him just fine.

  He took a sip from the drink that was sitting by his side. It was a Saturday, and they were sitting by the swimming pool at his house. Aleena was away at Nadia's son's birthday party and would not be back until much later in the evening.

  Lois pulled a crazy dance move and looked over at him. He laughed and gave her the thumbs-up. She was fun to be with. There was never really a dull moment around her.

  She had been staying with him on and off now for a few weeks. She was aware of his marital status and apart from Sara and Hasan, she was cool with his other friends. Due to her friendship with Yemi, Sara made sure she maintained as little contact with Lois as possible. Hasan was a die-hard Yemi advocate anyday; he and Yemi were still very much in contact, and he had hopes that Yemi and Akeem would reconcile someday. But as far as Akeem was concerned, reconciliation with Yemi was something he was not going to lose any sleep over.

  "Hey, handsome," Lois said a few minutes later, dropping into the lounger beside him. She stretched herself luxuriously and turned to him. "Did you enjoy my dancing?"

  Akeem smiled. "Yeah…you can move." His eyes swept lazily over her body. That she was a pretty lady was not in doubt. Tall, with a figure that turned heads wherever they went, she was a girl most guys would be proud to be seen with. "But you can still brush up your act by watching the masters." He grinned. "People like me."

  "Yeah, right." Lois said as she popped her Gucci sunglasses on top of her head. "By the way, what do you have planned for tonight?"

  "Nothing much. Do you have anything in mind?"

  "I thought that we could go to Bresca," she said, referring to an exclusive club in Victoria Island. "I've not been there in a while, and I feel like having a lot of fun this weekend—at least while I have your undivided attention."

  "You always have my undivided attention," Akeem teased. He turned on his side and looked at her. "How can I not be attentive to a lovely lady like you?"

  Lois smiled back at him, her eyes holding his. "And yet…" She stopped midsentence.

  "And yet what, my pretty lady?"

  "Not to worry." She looked a little sombre, which was unlike her. Akeem looked at her quizzically. She shrugged her shoulders. "So we go to Bresca tonight," she continued, snapping back to her usual self. "Let me see, do I have anything suitable to wear? Not sure. I may have to pop home quickly to pick up a couple of things."

  "That's fine." He looked up and saw Bassey coming towards them with a trolley. Lois saw him too and sat up.

  "Good, I was just getting a teensy bit hungry," she said. "I hope he has some spare ribs on that trolley. Bassey makes the most amazing spare ribs ever!"

  When Bassey got to them, he displayed the contents of the trolley. There was fresh vegetable salad, the spare ribs Lois had been looking forward to, grilled fish, chicken, and some other finger foods that looked very inviting.

  "Mmmm, so tasty, and
spicy too, just the way I like it," Lois said, taking a delicate bite out of one of the spare ribs. "Thanks, Bassey."

  "You're welcome, ma'am."

  Akeem looked at his face. Another Yemi loyalist. He was always very official around Lois. Polite but distant. Bassey took out the bottle of wine from the ice bucket and tried to open it.

  "Let me do that," Akeem said, stretching out his hand for the bottle. He opened it and filled Lois's cup and then his. "That will be all, Bassey. Thanks for the food."

  "I need to come and take some lessons from you, Bassey." Lois smiled at him. "These ribs are amazing!"

  Bassey smiled politely.

  Cooking was not one of Lois's strong points, very unlike…Akeem stopped abruptly and shook his head to clear the thought. He always tried to prevent himself from comparing her with Yemi. Lois had so many other good qualities. She didn't need to be a world-class chef, and anyway he had Bassey if he needed gourmet dishes.

  He picked out some grilled chicken and fish from the platter and added some salad on the side.

  "Aren't you trying the ribs?" Lois asked him. She held out a piece to him, and he took a bite from it. She started to add some to his plate, but he shook his head.

  "They are nice, but I'm not really a spare ribs person. Bassey makes those because of you. Do you want to try the chicken? It's spicy as well." He held out a piece to her with his fork. She opened her mouth, and he fed her. She smiled and chewed it, and he found himself thinking again how pretty she was. Pretty and stressless.

  "Hmmm, maybe we should have a little party soon, like a soirée." An excited look came into her eyes. "We can use the garden, or even have it here by the poolside. What do you think?"

  "I'm going to be busy for the next couple of weeks, but after that, why not?"

  "Great! Lily will be back from the States by then," she said, referring to her younger sister. "It will be a blast to have her there!"

  He watched the animated look on her face as she talked about what she had in mind. She had enough steam to plan the whole of his social life for the next year if he allowed her to. She was a good social hostess, dressed nicely, and could hold a conversation with anyone, including his many business associates, without being fazed by them.