TITLE: TOO PRECIOUS
WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI
CHAPTER 43
When Allen discussed with PB, she was unhappy. She confessed she knew he would be offended by her utterance but she had to speak the truth. She didn’t want him to leave but since he wanted more than she was emotionally able to give immediately, she was ok with a temporary separation which had to have an expiry date.
“That’s fine. How long should we give each other? I have work in Abuja and will be flying there often. Since we are separating, I can move over there instead of flying so often. It will give you all the time you nee-d. When I am in town, I can see the children; I will se-nd for them.”
“You are making it sound like a breakup. We aren’t breaking up. I want to get your act together. Please Allen, un-derstand. I will like to see you too. Can I come to Abuja to see you?”
“Precious, make up your mind what you want. I am leaving for Abuja tomorrow.” He began to pack his things. “I will be there for six months. Whatever you decide, let me know.”
Allen packed up and decided to leave that evening. PB refused him to go. He saw her very vulnerable for the first time. She cried when he insisted on leaving. “I have lost my grandfather and now I am about to lose my best friend. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You are not losing your best friend; we are just redefining our relationship. Olivia might have been wrong when she insisted we were in love. Or maybe we rushed things. I would have sworn everything was fine until this incident. Maybe you haven’t gotten over Biodun yet. I will support whatever you decide.”
“Allen, if what I said is what is making you take rash decisions that will affect our relationship, then I take it back. I regret saying it, please forgive me.”
“You didn’t say anything wrong, you were being honest. The reason why this wouldn’t work is that you have to be sure you want us to be lovers and then get married. If you want us to be just pa-rtners, I can’t do that with you anymore. When I considered it earlier, I was being childish. Now I want all or nothing. We will remain best friends, even lovers if you so desi-re but I cannot promise exclusivity. I have experimented with being in a committed relationship and loved it. I can un-derstand why my father refused to divorce my mother. There is nothing like a spouse who will be there no matter what. She sees it as a responsibility. I won’t disrespect my spouse as my father did and I want such a relationship and loyalty. Neither will I beg to be with you. Sometimes love is not enough.”
For two days, PB couldn’t leave her room after Allen left. She asked herself if she was jinxed when it came to relationships. Why couldn’t she commit completely? Why couldn’t she give her all to Allen?
Unlike Biodun, Allen took over some responsibilities in the home even after she had told him there was an allowance for it. He spoilt the children and never differentiated them. They had a very healthy se-x life. They were not your average fun couple but she loved the fact he was always there. When she called him, he called her babe as he had always called her. She could see their friendship superseded the relationship except for the se-x and Allen loved se-x. If they were apa-rt, who would he have se-x with? Abuja girls will not allow Allen to rest. He might just fall for them. She was more depressed.
Titi observed Allen had been away from the home. When she asked PB after him, she told her about his job in Abuja that would keep him away. Titi also noticed how moody she was. She had stopped eating and was always lost in thoughts. It was only when she received certain phone calls she brightened up.
A month after Allen left, PB was in the sitting room downstairs alone. Titi was in the kitchen and decided to join her. PB was de-ep in conversation and didn’t hear or see Titi when she came in.
“Are you punishing me? I have apologized for what I said, I have taken it back.” “Allen, come back and visit us, we miss you.” “You ha-rdly talk to me, especially at weekends. Why can’t you talk to me then?” “Would you like it if I allowed another man to make love to me? It’s been a month.”
Titi realized this was private and excused her. Why PB would allow a good man like Allen to leave baffled her. She decided not to get involved until invited. She wanted PB to get married and be happy in the marriage. She could see she would be happy with Allen; they were good together. They were in their world when they were together. She found it fascinating how they retired for the night after putting the children to sleep as old couples do. They never come out until the next day. They enjoyed each other’s company. Many people who hadn’t experienced this aspect of them wouldn’t un-derstand their love. She did. It looked like Allen was taking advantage but he wasn’t; he was being a good guy. How many men will agree to do what Chief had instructed? Only the one who loves you dearly or the one who wants to swindle you would agree. Allen was the first.
PB told Titi she would be travelling to Abuja for a weekend. Titi asked her, “Is Allen aware you are coming or do you want to surprise him by showing up? It never ends well. Tell him before you go. Call him now in my prese-nce.”
Pb felt defeated. She picked her phone and called Allen. He picked up after the second attempt. PB then said, “I wanted to come to Abuja to spend the weekend. I was hoping we could meet. Will that be ok?”
“I’m not in Abuja right now; I am actually in Lagos. I hope there is no problem.”
“None.”
“Are you still going to Abuja? My mum was to pick the children to spend some time with her tomorrow. I will see them briefly. Is that ok?”
“Allen, you were in Lagos and you didn’t tell me. Why didn’t you come to the house? Where are you staying?”
“I’m in a hotel. I came with the ICT minister for an event; it was impromptu so I didn’t tell you.”
PB moved away from her grandmother and spoke softly, “Who are you with?”
“Nobo-dy, why did you ask?”
“I want to see you.”
“It is not a good idea because we both know what will happen and it will becloud our reasoning. Take your time and make your decision. Take all the time you nee-d.”
“It wouldn’t becloud my reasoning. I want to see you. I just want to talk to you. You have missed out on so much happening right now.”
“Come tomorrow then. We can do lunch. I will see the children in the evening and fly back at night.”
“What time tomorrow?”
“Noon is fine. I will se-nd you the venue for the meeting.”
“No, spend time with the children and we can do dinner. You will leave from there to the airport.”
“Ok.”
There were tears in PB’s eyes. Titi suspected the conversation didn’t go as PB had anticipated. She went to her and held her. “Come my child,” she said to her as she led her into her room. Titi said to her, “Men have a funny way of showing their feelings. This pa-rticular man loves you, I can see it. Comparing someone who is well educated with foreign degrees and has lived a very comfortable life with someone who was born into poverty and was looking for anyway, whether legal or not, to get out of the poverty. You are not taking into perspective the fact that Allen has a foreign background, owns his company and works ha-rd. He is not living off you. What I will say is this, talk with him and apologise sincerely for your comparison. Then allow him time to come back to you. I am going to call for a family meeting to discuss this har@$$ment from your siblings. I have spoken to Enitan and she sees reason but I want to have the men over so we can trash this out. The wedding will be lowkey but the important family members and friends will attend. Your brothers have to attend and give you away. Marry Allen, he is a good man.”
PB’s listened to her as she spoke but she was more worried about what Allen was doing that night that he couldn’t see her. She imagined him with another female doing what he does to her. She shivered and tears dropped from her eyes. She wondered if he would be as caring as he was to her. Would he listen to her rant for an hour over something that happened at home or in the office patiently? Would he se-nd her to bed to rest while he attends to the children so she can have a break? Does he se-nd flowers to her office for no good reason or sumptuous lunch or take her out for dinner while they end up in a hotel for a wild night? She regretted her actions. No guy could be like Allen.
Seun didn’t think so. She supported PB’s siblings. She claimed traditionally, the house is regarded as the family home and Allen shouldn’t live there with her. She claimed Chief was dead now and was most likely not thinking straight when he asked her to bring her husband into the home. She suspected Allen. She told PB she was thinking with her vagina, not her head. The guy was giving her a good time and therefore she would consider him always. “You have only been with two men, why not try a third or fourth or fifth. Some guys would have all the qualities you nee-d and still have dignity. I like Allen but I am disappointed he lived with you. I think you should spr-ead your wings a bit. See, grandma will not lead you aright. She wants you and the children in that house. Use your head. But why would you tell him all you inherited? My husband isn’t aware I inherited anything; it is safer that way. Before he kills me for the properties. You, my only child, will inherit all.”
PB was more confused with the diverse pieces of advice she was getting. She dressed up for the dinner date. She dressed se-xily but she felt she was making too much effort. So, she dressed in a simple black dress. She wore light makeup, nice perfume (Allen’s favourite) and plastered a smile on her face with did coincide with how she felt in her heart.
She got to the venue of the dinner. She didn’t see Allen. She brou-ght out her phone to call him then she saw him walking towards her. He looked good. He left a table which had a group of people to join her. They all turned to look at her as he walked towards her.
“Hey, you are early,” Allen said to her as he laid her towards another pa-rt of the restaurant
“I’m on time. Are you busy?”
“Not really. You wanted us to talk so I made out the time. Let’s talk.”
“Are you still going back today?”
“Yes, there is a private jet taking us back to Abuja. What did you want us to talk about?”
“Us. What’s happening to us? Why are you avoiding me? You come to Lagos and never see me. Why? Have I been replaced?”
“Babe, what are you talking about? You nee-d time. I respect that and support you. Luckily for me, this opportunity came throu-ghfor the company after pursuing it for years. I nee-d to focus on it. Do you un-derstand? It’s not what you think.”
“If we didn’t have that issue, would you have relocated to Abuja? Spare me, Allen. I have apologized. I don’t nee-d more time. I want us to be together. What will it take for that to happen?”
“Honestly Precious, we’ve gone past that. There is nothing on the table anymore. I won’t hold you to ransom or for-ce you to do what your heart isn’t willing to do. I don’t want you to ever rese-nt me. I will wait until you are ready. I think you do nee-d the time. That’s why I have refused to see you so you won’t be confused or have mixed emotions. Take your time.”
A lady walked up to them and said, “Excuse me, sorry to bother you. Allen, we are leaving for the airport now, would you be joining us?” she smiled while talking to Allen which made PB uncomfortable.
“Go ahead, I will meet you there.” After she left, Allen turned to PB and said, “she’s on our team.”
“I can see that.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“I’m not thinking anything. Funny you didn’t introduce us. No thinking anything.”
“Precious, take your time. Once we are not married we don’t owe each other exclusivity. I can’t stop you from being with anyone and you can’t stop me.”
There were tears in PB’s eyes when she said, “you are right. We don’t owe each other. I will take the time I requested for. I have got to go.” PB stood up and walked out of the restaurant. Allen went after her. He caught up with her at the car park, he took her hand and dragged her to a corner. Then he ki-ssed her. They ki-ssed for a few minutes not minding the people in the car park looking at them. They stopped when someone screamed at them, “get a room”. Allen stopped, held PB and asked where she was parked. She pointed towards her car. The driver was by the car also watching them.
“Go home. This is why I don’t want us to see each other. Your displa-y of jealousy excited me. You excite me. The problem is, you don’t trust me. I want to make money so you wouldn’t be scared I want to be with you for what you have.”
“I never said that,” PB stated in shock.
“You implied it. Your grandfather’s wealth doesn’t affect me in any way. I won’t inherit from it. Whether I marry you or not, our children will inherit after you. I don’t nee-d to marry you for that to happen. I want to marry you to prove people wrong. I want to marry you so we can earn our respect. I want you to live the life you deserve not on anyone’s terms without shame. I want to hold you in the kitchen while you are cooking without feeling you don’t belong to me. Precious, I want us to have shameless se-x. We can be as noisy as we like without caring if people can hear us because it is our right. O, the children shouldn’t hear us. I know how much you deserve to uphold your father’s instruction, I want to help you do that. That’s it.”
“Then, let’s start the process. Let’s get married. On Monday, we will start. I want to be with you; only you. You are the second person I have ever R0m-ntically loved. You were the first but now the second I would be with. I don’t want to lose you. I want exclusivity because I love you. I want you to myself. I will move out of the house if it will make my siblings happy. Anywhere I am with you, I am fine. I just want to be with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
Allen brou-ght out his phone and made a call. “I can’t fly back tonight. I will be spending this week in Lagos. Please se-nd the driver back to the hotel with my luggage.” He listened to what the person was saying on the phone and then said, “She’s my wife; any problem? You didn’t know I was married, now you know. I have three kids too. Prepare the report and se-nd it over. Safe trip.”
They went back to the hotel he lodged in to spend the night. Allen showed her how much he had missed while she reciprocated. They spent the entire weekend in bed except for times Allen had to se-nd out docu-ments. PB refused to reflect on the advice she was given while she was with Allen. She threw caution to the wind. If her mother could see her now, she would be utterly ashamed of her while grandmother would edge her on.
On Monday, they started the process. The twenty-one days wait was the next thing. PB came home to get some of her clothes. Titi didn’t ask questions. She could see the changes in her. Her smile was broad and genuine. She looked like a very satisfied customer. Allen had worked his magic on her.
On Thursday, Allen officially went to see PB’s eldest brother, Opeyemi. He was surprised to see Allen. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I have come to ask for Precious’ hand in marriage. I want to do the right thing by legally marrying her and I would nee-d your support.”
“We have nothing against her getting married. I am happy you are going to marry her and make an honourable woman out of her. Our father wasn’t happy about her having children out of wedlock. What’s the plan?”
“We desi-re a lowkey wedding. We have both been married before and would want something small and inti-mate.”
“Where will the engagement take place?”
“You are the head of the family, you decide.”
“We will have it in our father’s house just to honour him.”
“That will be nice.”
“You will come from upstairs to ‘dobale’ for us.”
“I will move out. Don’t worry. Once I have your conse-nt, that’s all.”
“You should. I will discuss this with our stepmother and Precious. Then I will give you a date for the introduction.”
“When will you move out?”
“I have moved out already.”
“Have you? That’s good.”
“Thank you.”
Immediately Allen left his office, Ope called Niyi and told him about the visit.
“Your baby sister is getting married,” He announced.
“To that same guy? Why should I be happy?”
“He has moved out and would most likely take her with him after marriage.”
“That’s a good one. Father’s house will no longer be desecrated.”
“I agree.”
Tbc