One, Two, Three, Four
Or was it In and out?
She couldn’t remember which exercise she was supposed do for shortness of breath.
“Hold on to reality” She could hear Dr. Nata’s voice say “look for something solid and focus on it. Anxiety is an illusion, it makes you believe. . .”
“Oh shut the fuck up” She snapped silencing the voice she’d lived with for 9 yrs.
“Excuse me?”
Oyin put all she had in her to focus on the source of the inquiry. Her first instinct was to apologize for cursing. No, she wouldn’t, especially not to…her. She took a deep breath and then let it out again. There, that was it…she had it now. With a nerves slowly coming back to normal, Oyin confronted her best friend…her former best friend.
“So you and Kunle, hun? She said proud that her voice did not reflect the turmoil she felt inside.
“Look, we didn’t plan it…”
“Oh please spare me the clichés” Oyin scoffed.
She covered the distanced that separated them in two swift moves.
“So tell me, how did it happen? What. . .You fell down and mistakenly landed on my boyfriend’s di…”
“Oyin!”
The reproach only made her laugh.
“What…too crude for you?” she laughed again “You Ms. I say what I want when I want? You are going to lecture me? This is rich”
Oyin took a step back and folded her arms across her chest.
“Okay, let’s hear it” She said softly.
It was like time stood still as both women faced each other.
“Tell me Yemmy, Tell me!” Oyin screamed “Tell me how you can do this to me? Answer me? My best friend. . .”
Oyin who still couldn’t believe the animal like scream had c0me from her quickly took a step back when Yemmy screamed back
“Oh give me a break!”
Her retreat was the opening Yemmy needed to move in for the kill.
“Best friend?! Best friend?! Do you think I don’t know what you used me for? Do you think I didn’t know I was just a charity case? Oh yeah… being friends with the girl from the other side of tracks.” She switched over to a falsetto voice “Oh how wonderful for Oyin to be friends with her, bringing her to the country club, being seen with her. Darling, Darling girl.”
Not even Dr. Nata’s exercises could help Oyin hide the shock on her face.
“What?”
“I knew all along. I saw the looks they gave me and I saw how you preened in their presence. I saw it…I knew it all along. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I wasn’t born stupid” Yemmy spat.
Oyin cursed her fidgety hands. The last thing she wanted was for Yemmy to know how much her words hurt her. She wiped her hands on her jeans and mentally debated between folding them across her chest again…an obvious sign of retreating or clasping them behind her. She did neither; instead she slowly put her hands in her pocket and stood straight.
“I used you?” She asked tilting her head to the side, a tendril of hair falling just above her eyes. She curbed the impulse to blow it away.
“Let me see if I have this right, I used you and you know I was using you…yet you let me do it. Wouldn’t that make you…” she paused “stupid?”
“No! What it makes is smart” Yemmy lashes back “How else would I get into your crowd without one of you and who better than to make the introductions if not the Princess?” Her voice dripping with derision“Oh Oyin, you can be so dense” she chuckled “Once I figured out you were only using me to cement your status as the magnanimous princess, I decided to switch it on you” she stoped and as if remembering something delightful she started laughing.
Oyin watched in shock as the person she had called friend for four years became a stranger.
“It took some planning and control…” Yemmy continues now seeming to have fun “mostly control because I swear to you, there were times when I just wanted to…” she stops and waves her hand in a dismissive manner
“Let’s just so it was harder than I thought”
“Oh my God!” Oyin whispered.
“You know…for someone who is supposed to be bright, you are really foolish, that you didn’t know…God!” Yemmy clasped her hands together.
“Oh my God!” Oyin whispered again and turns away but Yemmy follows.
“Of course you not knowing…only confirms what a narcissistic bitch you are” Yemmy batted her eyelashes “Oh everybody loves me, I am Oyinlola Martins. I have all the guys falling over me and the girls wanting to be me” she imitates in a sing songy voice. “That someone hates you is incomprehensible to you” she returned to her normal voice.
“Hates?” Oyin repeated.
“Yes hate”
“What did I ever do to you?”
She wanted…needed to know.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Serendipity - Chapter 2
Yemmy was right about one thing, the thought of someone hating her had never crossed her mind. Having that person be someone she loved so dearly was too much to take.
Although she was relishing finally having the upper hand and would have loved it to last longer, Yemmy knew needed to end it now. It was time to go to the next phase of her life.
“You just accepted it” Seeing the confusion in Oyin’s eyes, she elaborated “Your life…you just accepted it. It’s normal to live in a 15 room mansion, it’s normal to never know what the limit is on your bank account.”
“You hate me because of…these things?” Oyin asked incredulously.
“Not just things Oyin, people too. It's normal to be brush shoulders with kings and queens, It’s normal to have Bode Akins at your beck and call. The Bode Akins.” She stressed
“Bode is my best friend” Oyin didn’t know why she was explaining…
“Yes of course. The wouldn’t give any other girl the time of the day but not you…never you and what do you do? You go after Kunle…Bode’s rival but did you give yourself fully to Kunle? No again, instead you show him at every single turn how so not Bode he is” she laughed “and you wonder why he came running to me”
“I loved him”
“No you didn’t” Yemmy countered…her voice softening a little “You used him…you used him as a shield because you are scared”
“Of what…?”
Yemmy didn't answer, instead she walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside. She wasn’t surprise to see the young man in blue jeans and white t-shirt sitting on the hood of a Mercedes Benz parked in her driveway.
As if sensing her, he looked up and Yemmy quickly drops the curtain. She looks over her shoulder to see Oyin watching her…waiting expectantly, her chest tighten…despite the circumstances their friendship was built on, some part of her liked…loved Oyin but if there was one thing she had learnt growing up in Gboko, it was sentiment always got in the way.
“What am I scared of?” Oyin asked again
Yemmy stills herself before turning to face her ex-best friend and dealt the final blow.
“Call your psychiatrist babe…that’s why Daddy has her payroll”
Oyin felt like she had just been punched in the stomach. Any hope she held that their friendship could be salvaged dissipated. She schooled her face and nodded once.
“I guess that’s it’ she began and prayed her voice wouldn’t betray her “I’m glad things worked out well for you”
She walked to the couch where she had dropped her purse and picked it up. With her head held up high and her heart breaking, she made her way to the front door.
“I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t say see you around Yemmy because I hope I never do”
Yemmy, who had been watching with admiration as her friend tried to remain her prim and proper self in the face of the nastiness that just took place, was taken aback. So she didn’t know she and Kunle were on their way to Switzerland. The coward didn’t tell her. Why was she surprised? Left to Kunle, a postcard from London was the way he would have chosen to break the news of their affair. Well since she was already giving bad news, what’s one more?
“Oh you don’t have to worry about that" She paused "Kunle and I leaving the country. We leave for Switzerland in 2 days”
Oyin was surprised at how well she took the news. She must be numbed, she excused. Without a second glance, she walked out Yemmy’s two bedroom apartment. Her heart breaking as she closed the door to the friendship she had cherished for 4 yrs.
It seemed like yesterday, the headmistress of the all girls they both attended had called thrust upon her the duty of showing the new scholarship recipient around. The girls, different in physical appearance and behavior had immediately struck a friendship. . . an unusual one, people said but Oyin had dismissed it. The fact that the New Liberal Arts and Science building was named after her mother, didn't take away the fact that she was just another girl trying to make an emotional connection and who cared if the person at the receiving end was a girl whose mother sold second hands clothes in Gboko Market?
Yemmy’s felt a flash of pain go through her as the door closed behind Oyin. She felt the urge to call her back and tell her it was all a joke, a practical joke. They’ll hug and be friend again. . .but it wasn’t a joke, it was real and even if she could somehow erase the last 2hrs, the baby she was carrying can’t be erased. She touched her tummy, she was only 6 wks pregnant and already she knew she’d do anything for her baby. . .even if it meant destroying the only normal relationship she’d ever had in her 20yrs.
You take what you can, when you can. The world does not care for people like you and me. if you don't care for you no one will. Remember that!
Her mother’s voice echoed in her head. The motto she had lived by all her life. She walked back to the window just in time to see Oyin being engulfed in a hug by the guy who had sat outside in the burning sun for 2 hrs.
Bode Akins.
Yemmy watched as he rubbed Oyin’s back slowly. He whispered something to her and she nodded. He stepped back and helped her into the passenger’s side of his car. After shutting the door, he walked around to the driver side and got in. He started the car and slowly backed out of Yemmy’s drive way. When the car was nothing but a dot in the distance, Yemmy dropped the curtains.
Bode and Oyin.
Oyin and Bode.
One day, she thought Oyin would thank her.
Although she was relishing finally having the upper hand and would have loved it to last longer, Yemmy knew needed to end it now. It was time to go to the next phase of her life.
“You just accepted it” Seeing the confusion in Oyin’s eyes, she elaborated “Your life…you just accepted it. It’s normal to live in a 15 room mansion, it’s normal to never know what the limit is on your bank account.”
“You hate me because of…these things?” Oyin asked incredulously.
“Not just things Oyin, people too. It's normal to be brush shoulders with kings and queens, It’s normal to have Bode Akins at your beck and call. The Bode Akins.” She stressed
“Bode is my best friend” Oyin didn’t know why she was explaining…
“Yes of course. The wouldn’t give any other girl the time of the day but not you…never you and what do you do? You go after Kunle…Bode’s rival but did you give yourself fully to Kunle? No again, instead you show him at every single turn how so not Bode he is” she laughed “and you wonder why he came running to me”
“I loved him”
“No you didn’t” Yemmy countered…her voice softening a little “You used him…you used him as a shield because you are scared”
“Of what…?”
Yemmy didn't answer, instead she walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside. She wasn’t surprise to see the young man in blue jeans and white t-shirt sitting on the hood of a Mercedes Benz parked in her driveway.
As if sensing her, he looked up and Yemmy quickly drops the curtain. She looks over her shoulder to see Oyin watching her…waiting expectantly, her chest tighten…despite the circumstances their friendship was built on, some part of her liked…loved Oyin but if there was one thing she had learnt growing up in Gboko, it was sentiment always got in the way.
“What am I scared of?” Oyin asked again
Yemmy stills herself before turning to face her ex-best friend and dealt the final blow.
“Call your psychiatrist babe…that’s why Daddy has her payroll”
Oyin felt like she had just been punched in the stomach. Any hope she held that their friendship could be salvaged dissipated. She schooled her face and nodded once.
“I guess that’s it’ she began and prayed her voice wouldn’t betray her “I’m glad things worked out well for you”
She walked to the couch where she had dropped her purse and picked it up. With her head held up high and her heart breaking, she made her way to the front door.
“I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t say see you around Yemmy because I hope I never do”
Yemmy, who had been watching with admiration as her friend tried to remain her prim and proper self in the face of the nastiness that just took place, was taken aback. So she didn’t know she and Kunle were on their way to Switzerland. The coward didn’t tell her. Why was she surprised? Left to Kunle, a postcard from London was the way he would have chosen to break the news of their affair. Well since she was already giving bad news, what’s one more?
“Oh you don’t have to worry about that" She paused "Kunle and I leaving the country. We leave for Switzerland in 2 days”
Oyin was surprised at how well she took the news. She must be numbed, she excused. Without a second glance, she walked out Yemmy’s two bedroom apartment. Her heart breaking as she closed the door to the friendship she had cherished for 4 yrs.
It seemed like yesterday, the headmistress of the all girls they both attended had called thrust upon her the duty of showing the new scholarship recipient around. The girls, different in physical appearance and behavior had immediately struck a friendship. . . an unusual one, people said but Oyin had dismissed it. The fact that the New Liberal Arts and Science building was named after her mother, didn't take away the fact that she was just another girl trying to make an emotional connection and who cared if the person at the receiving end was a girl whose mother sold second hands clothes in Gboko Market?
Yemmy’s felt a flash of pain go through her as the door closed behind Oyin. She felt the urge to call her back and tell her it was all a joke, a practical joke. They’ll hug and be friend again. . .but it wasn’t a joke, it was real and even if she could somehow erase the last 2hrs, the baby she was carrying can’t be erased. She touched her tummy, she was only 6 wks pregnant and already she knew she’d do anything for her baby. . .even if it meant destroying the only normal relationship she’d ever had in her 20yrs.
You take what you can, when you can. The world does not care for people like you and me. if you don't care for you no one will. Remember that!
Her mother’s voice echoed in her head. The motto she had lived by all her life. She walked back to the window just in time to see Oyin being engulfed in a hug by the guy who had sat outside in the burning sun for 2 hrs.
Bode Akins.
Yemmy watched as he rubbed Oyin’s back slowly. He whispered something to her and she nodded. He stepped back and helped her into the passenger’s side of his car. After shutting the door, he walked around to the driver side and got in. He started the car and slowly backed out of Yemmy’s drive way. When the car was nothing but a dot in the distance, Yemmy dropped the curtains.
Bode and Oyin.
Oyin and Bode.
One day, she thought Oyin would thank her.
Expression of Love
"A little to the left" he says softly
I obey.
"That's good"
I beam.
In and out.
The rhythm plays along with my heart beat.
Twist, Twist, Twist.
"Hold still"
I obey
"Excellent"
I duck my head and smile.
"You ready for this?"I nod.
My hands shake as his powerful tool hit the spot.
I am overcome with vibrations.
"You want me to stop?"
I shake my head.
"We're almost there"
I look up at his sweat soaked face.
In and out. In and out.
One last hit and it's over
"There" he says"
So beautiful."
He smiles "not bad for your first time"He pauses"Of course, I am good at what I do" he jokes as he puts away his drill, hammer, screw driver and nails.
"That you are. . ." I reply stroking the roof of doll house we have just set up. A birthday present for our 10 years old daughter
I obey.
"That's good"
I beam.
In and out.
The rhythm plays along with my heart beat.
Twist, Twist, Twist.
"Hold still"
I obey
"Excellent"
I duck my head and smile.
"You ready for this?"I nod.
My hands shake as his powerful tool hit the spot.
I am overcome with vibrations.
"You want me to stop?"
I shake my head.
"We're almost there"
I look up at his sweat soaked face.
In and out. In and out.
One last hit and it's over
"There" he says"
So beautiful."
He smiles "not bad for your first time"He pauses"Of course, I am good at what I do" he jokes as he puts away his drill, hammer, screw driver and nails.
"That you are. . ." I reply stroking the roof of doll house we have just set up. A birthday present for our 10 years old daughter
Rescue Me
He tugs my hair.
Twists my arm.
Bends my knees.
He drags me to the bathroom
Pushes my head down into the sink.
Scalding water burns my scalp.
He laughs. Not a peep I make.
He pulls me up by my wet hair.
I feel stands pop out of my scalp.
“You likey? Want another?
Into the toilet my head goes.
Laughter and flushing sound echo in my ears.
Suddenly the door opens.
My rescuer bursts in.
He gasps, tries to hide but it’s too late. . . he’s been caught.
Moooooom! Dayo is playing with my doll again!!!”
Twists my arm.
Bends my knees.
He drags me to the bathroom
Pushes my head down into the sink.
Scalding water burns my scalp.
He laughs. Not a peep I make.
He pulls me up by my wet hair.
I feel stands pop out of my scalp.
“You likey? Want another?
Into the toilet my head goes.
Laughter and flushing sound echo in my ears.
Suddenly the door opens.
My rescuer bursts in.
He gasps, tries to hide but it’s too late. . . he’s been caught.
Moooooom! Dayo is playing with my doll again!!!”
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