Episode one:Dark tales within a love story

Rera couldn't believe her eyes or her luck. Never in her 21 years of existence has she had such amount of money transfered to her. Two hundred thousand!!! Who gives two hundred thousand to anybody in this country? She hit her head on the wall slightly to be sure she wasn't dreaming. She felt the pain. She wasn't. She had sent about 6 messages to thank him and called him twice. All in less than 30 minutes. She had just one problem now.

When her sister had told her that the doctors were requesting a hundred and fifty thousand for her father's treatment, she had just burst into laughter. It wasn't long before the laughter turned to tears. She had had no idea where her mum was going to get that kind of money. Her mum's meagre salary was not even enough to keep the family together  conveniently. And her dad has been out of a job for more than ten years. His then booming business had crumbled and his pride did not let him take on a lesser job. He just kept hoping for a miracle to resuscitate his business, not supporting the family all through this time. And she was very sure her mum had no savings. On the contrary she had a lot of loans being serviced with her salary. So she couldn't just stop crying.

 She didn't even know of any family member that won't give them stories. And time was also going. When Paul had called her later,she decided not to pick. But he just kept on calling and calling.  Like he won't stop if she didn't. When she picked, she couldn't hide the tears in voice. When he had asked what happened, she had been very reluctant to tell him,but he had insisted and when she had finished narrating her situation,she got the surprise of her life. "So you didn't want to tell me? You want him to die?  Send me your account number, I'll send you the money. Do you intend traveling?" He had said so casually that she thought  he didn't hear the amount she said.

Thirty minutes later,here she was with her account balance at two hundred and one thousand! Now the only problem she had was what to tell her mother. She could just imagine how her mother would react. She was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn't hear Made come inside.

"Baby la hot. See your hottest gown. You just went to put that poor man on high tension abi? Please come and give me gist o. That's the only reason I came back tonight. I would have crashed at Joshua's."

Made's voice startled her. She gave a short laugh. She could afford to do that now.

"Ore,  na you sabi dawan. Come and sit down. I have more than enough gist for you."

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To say her mum had been shocked when she had told her what happened would be an understatement. She had first insisted on Rera returning the money. But when Made had helped explain the situation, and reminded her that life is important, her mum had relented but not before prodding to be sure that Rera had not sold her body to get it.  She asked many questions. ' Who is this man? Where did you meet him? What does he do? What does he say he wants in return? Is this not dangerous? Did you sleep with him Rera?' .Rera felt slightly offended that her mother would think that but she kept quiet about it. She just wanted her dad to be fine.

She had sent them one hundred and eighty thousand and kept the rest. That was two weeks ago.  Her dad has been discharged. He had responded to treatment really fast.

Paul had been out of town for that long too. He had gone back to Lagos the day after their first date. It had been impromptu but he still found time to see her the next morning before it was time for his flight. He had asked her again if she would like to go  home but she had said no. She had a lot of practicals that week. He called her everyday. She always looked forward to his calls. Although he had not asked her out yet,it felt like they were dating already. 

They talked about  stupid things. Like what she wore to class, what she ate,who said what in choir rehearsals and what they were singing. They sometimes talked for hours. He had gotten her to download Skype and they video-called every night.  She got to know that his father was late and left him very good inheritance. That's why he had so much money. He was also a lawyer, a public defender of some sort. She also got to know that his mum stayed in Benin that's why he always came here. It also accounted for his car changing. He also joked that he will take her to meet her when he comes to town. She was having a good time at school too. There was something shout being with him that made learning exciting for her contrary to popular belief that having a boyfriend distracts you from your studies. It was like she just wanted to be the best she could be for him.

She felt so comfortable talking to him. He seemed to know so much and was very matured,nothing compared to the 'children' she had been with. He listened attentively to everything she had to say and was not in a hurry to talk. If they spent an hour on the phone,he spent about 45 minutes listening to her. He was interested even in the minutest detail of her day and  her life generally. He also loved to hear her sing. He'd ask her to record a song he picked and send to him. He also made her sing for him when they were on video calls.

When she had gone to church last Sunday,the news of the cancelled wedding was on the lips of every choir member. People made very funny jokes about it. Even Made had a lot of bad things to say about the groom that had abandoned his bride two weeks to their wedding. She knew she was not being honest with her friend by not telling her but she wanted her to know him as a person first not as the wicked groom. She still had unanswered questions too. She always wondered what could have happened to warrant such but she decided to trust him and respect his decision. She consoled herself with the assumption that the ex fiancee must have cheated. She also took solace in the fact that that very incident was what brought them together.

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"I'll be coming to Benin in two days. Mum says she  needs help with handling some investors. I know that woman doesn't need help with anything. She just wants me to come. You know I told you she doesn't like the fact that I am alone in Lagos.  Do you want me to get you anything  from Lagos?"

It had been on the tip of her tongue to say ' a new phone' . Her phone was misbehaving badly. She didn't even have any hope of a new one anytime soon but she didn't wanna seem materialistic so she didn't.

" Ermm..but you won't be coming by road na. I would have said that banana they sell at ore. I really like bananas."

He burst into laughter. " Banana, of all things you could ask for."

She was glad he was coming. That was the most important thing. She had really missed him which she found a little strange because they haven't spent much time together. She just hoped this was going to last. Forever?
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She bought another dress. A red one this time. She wanted to look very 'womanly'. He had told her he was going to be at the airport by 3pm on Saturday that he wanted her there. She had never been to any airport before and she was excited about going. It was the same time with her choir rehearsals but she didn't think twice before deciding to forfeit going for it. He told her he would ask his mother's driver to pick her first and bring her to the airport. She wondered if this meant they would really be going to his mother's house together.

Saturday came very slowly. It seemed to her like someone added some days from the next week to it. Or someone was doing black or white magic to repeat one day several times. She had seen a movie where it had happened. But it came eventually and she was fully dressed by 1pm. She liked what she saw in the mirror. Made wasn't here again to compliment her. Ever since they had that talk about Joshua she had become 'bolder'. She spent most of her nights there. She didn't feel it because she now had Paul but she couldn't help but wonder if they were having sex already. She always wanted to ask but it seemed like an awkward question so she never did. She just hoped Made would be free enough to tell her if that was the case.

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The drive to the airport was very fast. This time the car was a White Camry. She wondered how many  more there was to see. The driver was a young man. Not more than thirty years. He was polite. He was also very professional and he reminded her of 'God is good' drivers. He even took permission from her when he wanted to refuel the car.  ' Na me get car?' She wondered.

When they got to the airport, he asked her if she wanted to go inside or remain in the car .She told him she would rather go inside and wait. 'Remain where?' she thought to herself. Did she come to see the car park of the airport? 

She went inside and looked for somewhere to sit. She didn't find anything extraordinary about the place. She began to feel hungry. She had not eaten anything all day,partly because of excitement and partly because she didn't want her stomach to bulge in the gown. She checked her phone for time. It was some minutes past  3 already. He should be here any moment. She stood up and used one of the glasses as a mirror. She straightened her dress and adjusted her hair. She really wished she had changed this her braids. She just hoped he didn't notice as she poured  them down this time.

" Mofaderera Susan Durotimi." He called. His arms were opened suggesting she should come and hug him. She wasted no time. He swept her off the ground and did a 360° turn with her before dropping her.

" I really missed you honey. You look extremely beautiful. You are the reason coming to this town is exciting for me."

She smiled widely. She definitely liked the sound of that. 

" Where is your luggage?"

" The porter has taken it to the car. Do you know since when I have seen  you? Checking yourself out for me huh?"

She flushed a little. She didn't even know how to respond to that.

He put his arms around her waist and they walked to the car.

She thought he looked tired but he still looked very handsome to her.

" I got you something. " he said once the car was on motion.

He reached into his bag and brought it out. It was a phone.  The apple logo on the carton told her what she needed to knoe. An IPhone!! 'This guy must be a mind reader' she thought.

" I saw your crappy phone on our last date and decided I was going to get you a new one. "

She was short of words. She was still thinking of what to say when he added;

"Have you had lunch?"

"Not yet."

"Good,because I asked mum to cook something nice. I didn't tell her I was coming with anyone. I want her to be surprised."

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The house was mighty. It reminded Rera of her childhood imagination of Aso rock. The gate automatically opened once they got in front of it. Or so it seemed to her. She wondered how many families stayed here.

He took her hands and they walked inside the house.

Inside,there was a lady and a woman she could tell was his mum. The lady looked like she was in an accident not too long ago. She had black shades tucked inside her blouse. She must have worn it to cover her eyes. Her eyes looked very bad. Like injured. She had a plaster close to her ear. She also had another one on her elbow. The car or bike really did a number on her,she thought.

She looked to Paul and his suddenly looked very scary to her. His face had paled. The warmth that was in his eyes a moment ago outside was gone.

" Mother, what is she doing here?"

It was then his mum noticed them.
She gave Rera an 'up to down' that made her feel very uncomfortable.

" Would you keep quiet. What do you mean by what is she doing here?" She spat.

"Let's get out of here." He said taking hold of Rera's arm and dragging her across the sitting room.

" And who is this lady if I may ask? Another one to panel beat and dump ba?" His mother asked,her voice heavy with sarcasm.

That was when it all got put together for her. This lady had  not been  in any accident. This was his ex fiancée. And he had done this to her....

Read Episode two..

A.A. Amanda.