A DARN GOOD YEAR...... EPISODE 10

“Spare me Shelly, he could not even drop a note…..or peep in to see my face and health. I am the only one who packs up his luggage, whenever he is travelling, besides we slept under the same roof yesterday and he didn’t even say a word. I swear he prefers me dead”. And the tears rolled carelessly down her cheeks.

“Shhhhhhh……. I know……please don’t put yourself through this. You need to be happy, believe me I’m moving into that house of yours for the next three months because I need you and you need me. Okay”.  She nodded and Shelly let out a sight of relief.

Kojo left the hospital and settled his bills even after the cashier assured him that Mrs. Toba Lawson had promised to pay his bills. He declined wondering why in the world a woman would want to be nice to him without wanting anything in return. Just outside the hospital gate he stopped a cab and jumped in feeling better than yester night, memories of her being so sensual, quick, captivating and emotional flooded his mind. His heart throbbed as he remembered what she told him. She called him a name yes “Jason” No doubt the wound is still fresh, feeling vulnerable he hugged himself as he remembered telling her his greatest secret. After she had fainted he had not seen nor heard from her and was sure Sam would go in history as the first woman after his mother that never wanted something back in return. “Just give me a chance to know you….please”, lost in thoughts, soliloquizing, the cab driver turned back looking at a troubled young man and shook his head.

LAGOS (Ajah) 4:45 pm

Sam walked into the house amidst the chattering of her dear friend, unable to understand why Kojo settled his bills and walked away without saying goodbye. She dropped into a sofa and kicked off her shoes, sweeping the hair from her face. Taking a quick look at the room she noticed a yellow sticky note by the bar and stood to get it. “Apologies for not telling you beforehand but I am sure Shelly has told you everything. See you soon”.

 She squeezed the paper and threw it to Shelly, who carefully unfolded it and read it. “it is too formal, why did he bother writing at all” Sam used all her will power to suppress the urge to cry again

Shelly had always been independent in her thoughts and decisions. A single lady who never had regrets on the type of life she has lived thus far. She was not committed to anyone besides her pets and she never wanted the hurdles (pains and gains) associated with the title of a Mrs. She was single and always ready to mingle. She was not a saint of any hierarchy and most times Sam called her to order on her drinking and spending habits which she linked to the fact that she was too independent and strong willed to be submissive to any man and too impatient to loving any child. For years she had always been happily envious of her dear friend who seemed to have it all, managing the cracks in the family and letting it look like a perfect work of art but things fell apart after Jason died and of course Laura, the heartbreak kid divorced. She watched in vain as her dear friend collapsed under the weight of so many problems, coupled with her blame passing husband. There is no doubt the marriage is rocky and Segun is not even trying to make the situation better. Samantha had always lived her life for her family and from the look of it she is likely to die as an uncelebrated martyr for the same family she dropped her ambitions and life for. “No one is appreciated dear, no one and I promise you Sam I would unleash the real you for the next three months……I will”.