Not that they weren't happy for their friend, but none of them believed Kennedy had not touched her in private, given his behavior when she corrected him in front of them. So, what would he now do to her when no one was around?
"Not to be the witch again, but no, this can’t happen” Dalia said and the rest nodded in agreement “it’s not Ese that we will…" a text message stopped her mid sentence.
“So remember I told you guys about the little accident I just had?” she smiles into her phone while speaking.
“Yh the one that freaked us all” Kerri supplied.
“The one that freaked you” Ada corrected loading a forkful of salad into her mouth, “what about it, you said it was minor” she continued with a full mouth addressing Dalia.
“Of course it’s minor, nothing that can’t be fixed” she said this facing Kerri “well the owner of the car just kinda sorta asked me out on a date” she said smiling.
“Now now? That was fast” Ada said sounding surprised, “is he fine?” she asked in a suspicious tone
“Ada stop abeg, before this food enters the wrong place” Kerri said in between laughter.
“Of course he’s fine, with a fine ass, dude was checking me out as well” Dalia replied with a smug, her grilled Turkey and porridge sitting on the counter untouched as she remembered his frame “he’s dark, looks like he goes to the gym cause his body looks good and his…”
“Girl, drink water, you’re patched!” Ada teased
“Be nice, not everyday we see Ms coldstone here blush over a guy, yes you were blushing “Kerri spoke before Dalia could deny and while this is exciting news that we will be visiting again, Ese just replied that she is looking at the wedding being held in September”.
"Dalia paused while attacking her turkey and exclaimed, 'Oh my gosh, she's preggers!' with both hands in the air."
“I thought the same thing too” Kerri adds nodding “but why won’t she tell us” Ada said
"We have two concerns here, first, we suspect that he's hitting her, and secondly, she might be pregnant," Kerri adds as she voices her concerns. "And this close date...hmmm, I don't like the sound of it."
"Let me call her," Kerri suggests, picking up her phone and dialing the number on speakerphone. Meanwhile, Dalia hastily disposes of the remaining food in the trash and washes her hands before joining the others at the counter.
"What's up?" came the voice from the other end.
“Hey babe, you’re on speaker, Dalia is here with me and about September…”
“Wetin happen, who dey rush you?” Ada cuts in and gives the two ladies a ‘wetin’ look then pulls up a stool to sit.
“Well Kenny and I felt why wait, I mean it’s not like we are not going to end up together anyways” Ese laughed it off, but these ladies have been together for a while to know when something was up, and something was definitely wrong with Ese.
“Sweetie you know if something is wrong you can talk to us right?, we are your girls and always here for you” Dalia spoke and the rest nodded like Ese could see them.
There was a little pause at the other end
“There’s nothing wrong, I just can’t wait to start my happily ever after, Ada you can relate now abi?” Ese said sounding a bit shaky
“When are you getting back from your trip” Kerri asks.
“Saturday, I’m traveling to the village on Monday though, need to make sure the house is in shape”.
“Let’s meet up on Sunday then, after church?” Dalia suggests, the others nod their heads
“Erhmmm…okkk” they could all hear the hesitation in her voice.
“Essssseeee, sweeeettie….. is there something you’re not telling us?” Kerri prodded.
“I’m just tired that’s all” was the strained reply
“Ok see you in a couple of days then”
“Yes, bye” and the connection was cut
“She is so preggers!” Ada stated in a piped up voice, Kerri sighed, Dalia rolled her eyes and picked up her phone.
****************************
After a long day, Dalia entered the elevator to her flat. She sighed with relief as it ascended. Upon reaching her apartment, she walked barefoot with her shoes in hand into the living area and collapsed onto her bean bag.
She closed her eyes, peeling her dress, and chuckled at the sight she presented. But who cared? She was at home, alone! The memory resurfaced of the time she decided to move into her own house. Her mother was initially furious and accused her of promiscuity. Eventually, her mother pleaded with her not to leave, questioning her irresponsibility and marriage prospects. However, her mother finally accepted her decision.
Her phone suddenly rang, waking her up from sleep. She glanced at the phone screen and saw that it was her mother calling.
With a sigh, she answered, "Good evening mum," adding an extra dose of sleepiness to her voice.
“Evening, I was calling you in the afternoon and you cut it, very soon too when you call me I will cut your call”. Drama! Dalia thought and rolled her eyes, her mum has always had a flair for drama.
“Sorry mum that time you were calling me, I had hit someone so I couldn’t pick” she said massaging her forehead.
“Hit?! Ahhh! Where, ah I warned you oh when you were insisting on moving away, I told you”
“Mum staying alone has nothing to do with having a car accident” she countered.
“How will you know? Ehn? Anyways, are you ok? Were you hurt?”
“No ma, just the car and the other person’s car but I have sorted it out, What’s up?”
“Okay, no nothing, Mama Chuks said I should invite you for her daughter’s wedding and I told her to bring one asoebi for you”.
“Ahn ahn, mum just like that? But I don’t know her daughter like that nah” she sat up.
“Ehen? The woman invited me and my family and I am sending your own asoebi, besides you know Chinwe, she follows her mum sometimes to church”.
Dalia knew her mum understood what she was saying, but decided to let it slide.
“Okay mum, when is it?” she said while rubbing her forehead.
“It’s the second Saturday next month”.
“I don’t know mummy, but I will see, Ese is getting married so we are planning it together”
“Ese? Ah glory to God, by the grace of God it will soon be your turn and that day ehn I will dance and dance and dance!”
“Mum please I literally just got home, I”m tired, can I call you back when I settle down?
“Hmmm that one is your own, anyway I will send Nnamdi to bring the clothes to your house on Sunday after church”.
“Okay Mum, oh wait! I won't be around on Sunday, I will come and collect it on Saturday” she said as she struggled to stand up.
“No problem, if I don’t see you, Nnamdi will drop it in your office on his way to work ok?”
“Okay mum, Goodnight”
"Goodnight," she said, ending the call and tossing the phone onto the couch. She entered her bedroom, pausing in front of the mirror to admire herself in her lingerie. With a seductive, slow dance, she undressed, dropping each piece onto the bed then she headed towards the shower.
***************************
Twenty minutes later, she was cozy on her seatee, eating dried mango and watching Husbands of Lagos. Akin's mom entered his room while he was performing with his wife, causing her to burst out laughing. Her phone vibrated from beneath her. She lifted herself slightly to find it, then relaxed back. During the TV ad break, she checked her phone and saw six missed calls and two text messages. One was from etisalat, which she ignored. The other was from an unknown number. She opened the message and read,
“Hi Dalia, I called to confirm our date. Cheers, Emeka.”
She smiled
This man does not know what he has gotten into, she thought already plotting her outfit for the date.
Featured images: Big tree shoe, Victoria Secret lingerie, Cover image- IG: @peniel_enchill
