Meant To Be
By Olunfulola Adeola
Episode 18
Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong. Ayo woke up trying to get what happened when she saw Kore in her be-d then her br@in did a ra-pid movie of what happened earlier to her consciousness. She heard the doorbell again and this time, Itunu’s voice c@m£ with it,
“Mum, are you at home?”
She suddenly started panicking. Itunu must not see her this way . See them this way. She shook Kore awake and he sleepily asked,
“What is the matter?”
“Itunu is around.”
“Let him in na.”
“Are you high? He must not meet us in this position.”
“Babe, just calm down.” He said and k!$$£d herl-ips. “You go take your bath, take your time. I will deal with Tunz then I will come back later.”
“Okay. Okay.” She said and he stood up and dressed up in a few then k!$$£d her again and left.
For some minutes, she just sat down there trying to un-derstand what she had just done. She sle-pt with Kore. She was at ease with him enough to sleep with him. She sle-pt with him and she didn’t even have a relationsh!pwith him. While her subconscious was dancing and merrying, her mind was all about how she just who-red up to a guy. She decided to take her bath and go see her son.
******************
For the next two weeks, Kore and Ayo kept stealing k!sses and ma-king out here and there, anywhere.
One evening, Ayo was eating with Itunu, Kore was out when Itunu asked,
“Mum, what’s going on between you and Uncle Kore?”
“Excuse me?”
“I asked what is happening between you and Uncle Kore.”
“I heard you the first time
. Will you shut your mouth and eat your food?”
“I know you are d@t!ng.”
“God! Where did I get this boy from? We are not d@t!ng.”
“Really?”
“We are just… We are just tending towards that. We are not d@t!ngyet.”
“All right. I will know when you are d@t!nganyway.”
“And how will you know o? Seer of our time.”
“It will be so obvious. It’s been so obvious you liked him and he liked you.”
“Really?”
“Of course. He always wants to make you happy.”
“How did you know these things? Wait sef, how old are you that you are alre-ady talking this maturedly?”
“Mum, it’s not about the age. It’s all about observation. You take note of things. You pay attention to little details.”
“Is that what they are teaching you in that school of yours?”
He remained silent.
“So, when I mention school, you shut down abi? Yeye boy.” She said looking at him with amusement and they continued to eat in silence.
*******************
Two days after, Ayo and Lara went up to their boss’s office to give him reports about their show. Ayo opened the door first only to see Kore’s secretary helping him with his tie.
. The proximity was too much and all Ayo could think of was the fact that he was cheating on her and then all sort of thoughts clouded her vision. She closed the door firmly and went out with Lara trailing her. She went out of the building, into her car. Lara got in and said.
“Now I know why.”
“Why what?”
“Why you’ve been all glowing and extra cheerful. You messed with the sheets with him, right?”
Ayo nodded.
“So, what is the problem? Why are you upset? Because his secretary was helping him with his tie?”
“Did you see how close they were?”
“So?”
“I knew it was too good to be true. How can he want me and stick with me? I am not even worth him. We don’t even have a relationsh!p. I can’t even be allowed to get jealous or angry when stuffs like this happen. Yet I can’t st©p thinking about him.”
“Babe, you should talk to him and tell him how you feel.”
“And turn myself to an idiot? No way!”
“Sweetheart, the best you can do right now is to think about this well, do you want him? Is he worth it? If yes, tell him and clear your mind.”
“Okay.”
“Good. Head home and rest. If he is smart which I know he is, he will come see what’s up and why you left abruptly like that.”
“Thanks Lara.”
“Anything for you, baby.” Lara said and she hvgged her then stepped out of the car.
Meant To Be
By Olungulola Adeola
Episode 19
Lara was in her space when Kore c@m£ by fifteen minutes later,
“Good afternoon sir.”
“How are you today, Lara?”
“Fine, thank you.”
“plea-se, do you by any chance know where Ayo is?”
“She went home sir.”
“All right. Thank you.” Kore said and he left.
As soon as he got home, he went to her ap@rtment . He knocked a few times but she didn’t answer him. He checked the window to see her sitting cross-legged with the TV. So, he called out,
“AY, if you don’t open this door. I swear I am going to break it.” His spare key was with his keys in the office. He had left in a hurry knowing how Ayo can be. She stood up to open the door and walked back into the sitting room leaving the door open. He c@m£ in, closing the door, he went to sit on one of the sofas. He didn’t say anything but kept looking at her until she couldn’t take it anymore.
“What? What is it?”
“Why did you leave like that?”
“I can leave anyhow I want to leave.”
“What were you thinking? What is running throu-gh that chaotic mind of yours?”
“I don’t know for you o.”
He shook his head, “You don’t wanna talk, right? I should leave? Okay.” He stood up and made to leave.
“It’s going to be so easy for you to leave na. I don’t mean anything to you
. You alre-ady got what you wanted na, so, I am no longer nee-ded. Go to her.” She said, folding her arms ma-king him st©p in his tracks. Women! Will he ever un-derstand them? He just asked her to talk, she didn’t. Then he was leaving and she was accusing him. He turned back and went to sit beside her, putting his arms around her n£¢k and she shrugged it off.
“What’s your problem?”
Silence.
“Oh! You were thinking Esther and me. Oh sh*t! This is so hilarious.” he said laughing out loud.
More silence.
“Okay. I’m just going to say this one time and I want you to listen. There is nothing between me and Esther. She was just helping me with my tie. I am in supposed to be in a meeting right now but I ditched. Also, I love you and I would never cheat on you. If I wanted to cheat, I don’t nee-d to string you along.”
More silence.
“You still don’t have anything to say right? Okay, you know how to find me.” He made to stand but she suddenly gr@bb£d his hands.
“I.. I.. You said you love me.”
“Yes. Don’t you know? You think I just go around k!ss!ngand ma-king love to girls I don’t have an iota of feelings for?”
“I…I was just surprised. I didn’t know. You… I… I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“For reacting that way.”
“Babe, you were jealous. It’s okay. I would be jealous if I saw a guy helping you with your n£¢k piece or something.”
“So, where does this leaves us?”
“Where we want it to.
. I am re-ady to do whatever you want. All I know is I love you and I’m fv¢king dying to k!ssthosel-ips.”
“Can you be serious for once?”
“Okay, what is it?”
“We nee-d to label this. I want to label this. Earlier, I felt stupid for feeling the way I did because you don’t owe me anything. We are just casual and I had no right to feel that way.”
“That’s the point! I want you to feel that way. I wanted you to march in and tell her, ‘I’ll take it from here’. I want to show you to the world as my girl but observing you, I felt, you may want to take it all slow and that’s why I have not said anything all these while.”
“I want to take it slow but I want you and you make me feel the way no man has made me feel. It’s so strange and plea-sant. I want to explore these feelings.”
“I want you too and I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too.”
“Okay. It’s settled then. We will take it one day at a time, at your pace, together.”
“Together.” She echoed and then he k!$$£d her slowly and s-en-sually to stamp their words.
Meant To Be
By Olunfulola Adeola
Episode 20
It’s been a week since Kore and Ayo got together as a couple but they’ve not had time to go out or go public.
On this Saturday, Ayo was in the pool when Kore joined her. He decided to sit on one of the lounges and watch her swim while he caught up with his social media accounts. Some minutes later, Ayo got out of the water, having been there for over an hour . She dried her b©dy and put on the short off shoulder go-wn she had brou-ght with her earlier then she walked up to him and said,
“Hey Handsome!” That got his attention because he looked up and she sat on him, facing him. He smiled and dropped his tablet carefully while he drew her close,
“Hey Beautiful!” He replied and drew her closer still to k!ssher. After a short k!ss, she pu-ll-ed back.
“We are outside, Kore.”
“In my house.
. Come on, I’ve not been able to k!ssyou very well all week.” He said, leaning in and he k!$$£d her again and she responded, this time, throwing her arms around his n£¢k.
“Kore! Man, can you get a room and not b!ow up our eyes?” Tosin interrupted them, walking in from the side of the house,
“Can’t one have privacy in his own house?” Kore said, holding Ayo down firmly as she attem-pted to stand up,
“OhMyGod! So, this day will eventually come?” Tade asked as he strolled to the pool area, munching on some ch!ps.
Kore asked, “Is that my ch!ps in your hand?”
“Yes, so, what are you going to do about it? This position is really ma-king s-en-se. AY, Girl, what’s up?” Tade asked.
Ayo replied, “I am good and you?”
“I am as right as the rain
. So, are you guys going to tell us what exactly is happening here or do you want us to keep guessing?” Tade asked,
Tosin replied, “Man, it’s so obvious. They are together.”
Ayo affirmed, “Yes, we are together.”
“You see, the lady confirms it.” Tosin said smiling.
“And on that note, you will have to excuse me. I nee-d to prepare dinner.” Ayo said.
“So far it is dinner, my dear, excuse is yours. I can’t wait.” Tade replied.
“For what is that?” Kore asked,
Tade answered, “I can’t wait to eat ni.”
“You two are not getting any food from this house, not after you interrupted our moment.” Kore said.
“Baba, na you dey cook ni?” Tosin asked.
“Na my babe dey cook, Oya kill yourself.” Kore answered,
Ayo responded, “I’m the one cooking. I decide who is eating or not. I might decide none of you are eating, so, don’t push me.”
“Even me?” Kore asked.
“Yes you. See you later.” She said and k!$$£d hisl-ips before sashaying her way out while Kore followed all her movement oblivious to his friends’ call.
When he finally heard his name, he turned to them, “What is it?”
Tade said, laughing, “Baba don love die.”
Kore asked, “we-tin concern you?”
Tade replied, “Seriously, I’m happy for you bro. You deserve this.”
“Thanks, so, what’s up?” Kore asked and they started talking about other issues until Ayo c@m£ to announce that the food is re-ady.
******************
“Hey, I can’t believe we are actually going on a d@t£.” Ayo said as Kore stra-pped her into his front pas-s£nger seat.
“Believe it, coz it’s real and it’s here.” Kore replied before going to the driver’s seat.
“Okay. So, where are we going?” Ayo asked,
“It’s a surprise.” He said as he drove them out of the compound.
Tbc