I deliberated
until it was about two minutes to the commencement of the program and
Cynthia was still in the bathroom singing with much excitement and
probably dancing, hoping to come out and unleash the dragon on me.
Little did she know that my attention had been divided. Did I say
divided? My attention had been stolen!
I quickly
rushed down to the sitting room and turned on the television. After
about five minutes Cynthia came down to meet me paying rapt attention to
the program. She wondered what made me pay such attention to TV. She
also thought I wasn’t happy that she had spent so much time in the
bathroom. Be that as it may, she didn’t expect what she got from me. She
came and was sweet talking me as she bent over the couch from behind
and unbuttoning my shirt and rubbing my chest. All that didn’t move me.
How I wish she would just keep doing that while I watched Ogechi. She
saw that I wasn’t moved by the seductive measures she employed, and it
struck her that something was not right.
“What’s going on J? Why are you acting weird?”
“This is one
of my favorite TV programs, and I’ve been looking forward to this very
edition. Please permit me to watch it. I’ll come to you when it’s over”
“What?” You’re leaving me in this high temperature because of a TV program? You’re kidding right?”
“If only you understood the impact this program will have on me, you wouldn’t stop me from watching it”
“Seriously?!”,
I don’t know what has suddenly come over you. I can’t believe you want
to trade what was supposed to be the sweetest moment of our lives
together for a mere TV program. Are you okay?”
“Come on Cynthia, no one is trading anything here. Postpone would be a better word for to use”
“You’ve got
to be crazy. Cynthia got pissed off and walked out on me. I was glad she
finally did. I had been hoping she would do so three minutes ago;
instead she stood there running those alluring lips of hers.
Mcheeeeeeww!
Ogechi was
called to come on set. The moment I saw my Ogechi I felt like jumping
into the TV set to meet her. Wow! This girl is damn pretty. She was
dressed in red short gown with something like wings on both sides. She
didn’t apply much make up on her face but looked more stunning than ever
before. She was smiling all through. I remembered that smile. She was
very impressive. I couldn’t stop analyzing her. I remembered the first
day I met her. I remembered the night at my house and many other
wonderful moments we had spent together and I missed her exceedingly.
The interview started;
“It’s nice to
have you again on the show after such a long time. I’m sure going to
get my pound of flesh today because I don’t know when next I’ll be
seeing you around. It’s not every day we get to hang out with
celebrities like you” the broadcaster said.
Cynthia blushed at what the broadcaster said and I joined her unconsciously.
The
broadcaster continued; “I’ll start today by asking where you reside now.
We know you were based in America until barely two years ago when you
decided to go back to Nigeria. As it is now, one can’t tell if you’re
based in America or Nigeria because today you’re here and tomorrow
you’re in Nigeria. So can you tell us about that? I believe there are
quite a number of us that may want to pay you a visit”
“Well, I’d
say I’m based in Nigeria. But due to the invitations I get almost
always, it might be difficult to get to me because I move to different
places at very short notice. With that I can’t say I’m based at any
particular place for now. I think I will quote our dear Lord Jesus when
He was asked where He lived. He replied saying; "FOXES HAVE DENS AND
BIRDS HAVE NESTS, BUT THE SON OF MAN HAS NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD." “I
say same about myself today. I have no place to lay my head” (Laughs
after making that statement)
“Wow. That’s interesting. So how does one get to you if he or she wants to call on you for collaboration?”
“My manager takes care of that. Just put a call across to him and he’ll make sure you have me. He’s a genius”
“Alright,
talking about your manager, some time ago rumor had it that he’s your
man. The people say they don’t see you with any other man besides him.
What are you going to say to that? Are they right?”
“Some time
ago I made it clear that I was in a relationship and promised to show
off my prince charming to the whole world. That hasn’t happened yet
because we’ve been quite busy.”
“You mean, like, you guys have been away from each other for a while now?”
“Exactly”
“So how’s he
taking that? Doesn’t he sometimes want to be with you? I mean, isn’t he a
bit uncomfortable with the way things are going between you guys? He’s a
guy. At some point he might be worried about losing you to someone
else. How are you getting him to ride with you on this?
“Actually, he
was the one who pushed me up here. He believes in dreams and
achievements. I’m not quite sure I would have made it here without his
help and encouragement. He never stopped getting me to do all he knew
would bring me here someday. Though our schedule does not permit us to
be together more often, the day shall come when we’ll become
inseparable”
“Wow! That’s really romantic. Our ears are tingling right now. We want more. Please tell us all about it.”
“If I start
telling you that, they’ll be no end to this program. It’s a pretty long
story. Plus, that’s private, so I wouldn’t want to let the whole world
in on that. I’ll be hosting an in-house party in my residence at
Oklahoma City two weeks from now. There I’ll share some of my life
experiences and stories with those present.”
“Will price charming be there?”
“I’ll reserve every other information concerning that till then.
“Okay
viewers, it time to take calls. Our phone lines are open. Call in and
say hi to this this great Nigerian singer. She’s been rocking the air
for a while now and we all love what she does. I bet the American
government is planning on getting her to become a citizen.”
People
started calling in and either wishing her well or congratulating her or
adoring her and all that. I was busy trying to call the number on the
screen but I kept getting the ‘BUSY’ feedback from the network. I guess
all of America was also trying the phone lines as well. After several
tries without getting through, I thought of giving up and let it slide.
Perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. But then, one careless dial went through
and I was connected.
“We have
another caller on the line. Good evening and welcome to the show. Can
you please tell us where you’re calling from?” the broadcaster asked.
“Good evening. I’m calling from Regina.
“Okay you’re welcome to the show. So are you a fan of Oge’s or an admirer?”
“Haha. I
would say a fan and an admirer. I’ve been following her from the start
and I’m really glad that she’s made it this far. She’s an amazing singer
and a pretty damsel. I don’t think there’s any other as pretty as she
is. I have longed to speak with her for nearly two years now but to no
avail. I guess she’s pretty busy like she said.”
At that
point, the countenance on Ogechi’s face changed. There was something
unusual about the call. She sat straight and paid rapt attention to the
caller. I bet she was trying to decipher the voice. I was talking to her
while watching her on TV. I felt so omnipresent. I wanted Ogechi to
know I was the one calling. I didn’t want her to just suspect it could
be me. I wanted to make sure she knew it was me on the line. And the
best way to that was by saying something only she and I knew. So I
proceeded to drop my points, but I did so in parables.
“I had almost
given up on seeing her again. But the fact that I’m opportune to speak
with her tonight makes me optimistic that I will see and talk to her
again, even for one more time. I would have loved to hold her by the
hand and lead her blindfolded to surprise package, probably a flower,
but I don’t think I stand a chance amongst her many admirers. I would
ask her out on a cool Sunday evening. And if she objects, I would get on
my knees and beg her until she consents. I know I wouldn’t pronounce
the word please before she consents.
At that point
Ogechi knew it was me. When we first met at Enugu and she asked me to
come live with her, I asked her out one Sunday evening. She didn’t want
to go with me. But as soon as I got to my knees she consented
immediately like it was a spell I cast on her. I always told her I would
use that on her as a trick whenever the occasion demanded. So saying
something like that probably made her remember that evening. She got
nervous. She stopped me from talking and asked; “Where did you say
you’re calling from?” “Regina” I replied. And what’s your name sir?” I
was silent for a little bit and she asked what my name was again. I
opened my mouth to say Jesusboy but just then, Cynthia burst into the
sitting room with angry words for my ears. The things she said could be
heard by all who watched the program because she was yelling.
Immediately, I dropped the call. The presenter then said; I think we’ve
lost the caller. That must have been the caller’s wife yelling at him. I
think it’s a family issue. The broadcaster then looked to the screen
and said; to our caller from Regina, whatever it is, please take it easy
with your wife over there. Try to settle things and give us a call back
if you will. We didn’t even get your name. By the way, that was very
romantic of you. Oge would be lucky to have a man like you. The
countenance on Ogechi’s face showed her mind was troubled and she was
finding it hard to tell if it was me or not because of the word “wife”
which the broadcaster mentioned.
“Cynthia
heard what the broadcaster said and got confused. Are you the caller
she’s referring to? Who’s Oge?” I stood there acting all lost and
confused. “Am I missing something here?” Cynthia asked again with a
confused look on her face. I thought she was going to let it slide at my
silence. But she had strong suspicion that I was the one the
broadcaster commended for being romantic. She enquired to know what was
special about the TV broadcast and why I was so particular about
watching it that I even hurt her feelings to do so and ended up being
romantic to someone I saw on TV. I wish she knew who that someone was.
When I wasn’t saying anything in response she flared up and I got
displeased. I retaliated with harsh tender words that calmed her down,
after which I continued acting all upset with her for the embarrassment
she just gave me. She was so sorry and apologized to me dearly. If I
knew, I would have accepted the apology immediately. But I still
pretended to be really angry about what she just did and she quickly
figured out the best way to put an end to my anger. “Guess what she
figured out” (The ultimate seal on a partner’s apology to the other) And
that was nothing but a make-up………..,. Well, let me not speculate. I
prayed it was something else she figured out but no, it wasn’t. It was
definitely going to end on the couch. Watch and see.
To be continued.
