HE SAID NO.
EPISODE 34
Mrs. Akinwale ushered Grace into her comfy sitting room, as she settled unto the red sofa, she looked around in awe, taking in the elegance of the décor.
“You have such a beautiful place, Mrs. Akinwale!”
“Thank you, Grace.” She smiled. “It’s so nice to finally have you around.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
“What do I offer you? “
“Urgh, don’t worry. I’m fine.” Grace shrugged.
“You are kidding, I’ll be right back.” she chuckled.
Grace used the opportunity to further assess the whole place, it was an excellent combo of class and grace. Her eyes were still dancing around when Tobi popped out of one of the rooms and ran towards her. She stood up just in time to catch him in a warm embrace.
He seemed happy to see her as he sat comfy on her fleshy laps.
“Tobi has always been asking of you, he would say ‘what of that tall yellow aunty?’ “Mrs. Akinwale remarked, as she walked back into the sitting room with a tray containing a carton of fruit juice, a slanted glass cup, and a plate of peppered snail which she placed on a stool adjacent to where Grace was seated.
“I told you I was fine oh. You shouldn’t have bothered.” Grace snickered.
“You know I won’t answer you, and just so you know, this is just for refreshment. What should I prepare for you?”
“Ahn Ahn! After all of this? Sincerely, you have done enough.”
“Don’t do like this now. Allow me to cook for you this once, you know, you did not allow me to touch the slightest onion while I was at your place. I made delicious vegetable stew, you would love it. Let me give you a nice treat now.” she dragged with pleading eyes.
“Maybe some other time, I am honestly fine but I will eat some of this because I love you.”
“Awwwwwwwn! I love you too!” Mrs. Akinwale chuckled while putting her arms around her chest lovingly.
They started catching up on the things she had missed since the time they last saw as Grace feasted on the spiced snail, there was so much to talk about.
Mrs. Akinwale fed her full on how sporadically her husband had changed ever since he led him on to Christ.
“I have never seen him so happy. “ Her eyes lit up with hope as she recounted all that she had witnessed in the space of a short time. Unlike before, she now had the full consent of her husband to work as she had always wanted to. Of a truth, a life that has encountered Jesus is a life that is changed forever. As they were talking about work and all, Grace beckoned on her that she also had something to say.
“I am getting married!” She announced as she flashed her ringed fingers at her, the glistering stones stuck on the surface of the ring glowed beautifully. Mrs. Akinwale widened her eyes in shock as she stared at her right finger-like had just seen a ghost. She didn’t as much as notice until she said it. Maybe because she was used to seeing her without a ring.
“Oh my God!” she yelled as she fell on her in a passionate hug. “This is the best news of the century. I am so so happy to hear this!”
“Thank you.” Grace blushed.
“Congratulations to you!”
“Thank you, ma!”
While they were still relishing the good news, Mr. Akinwale walked in. Tobi ran towards him first, jumping on him in a superman fashion while clinging tightly to his neck. Me Akinwale stylishly loosened his grip as he carried him and gave him a brief hug.
“Welcome honey” She stood up to greet him.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” He replied as he planted a kiss on her forehead. He hugged her with his free left arm as Tobi refused to let go of him.
Grace watched in wonder happy to see the scene replaying right in front of her, she had not witnessed a scene of them together but from what Mrs. Akinwale recounted, he wasn’t what one would call a sweet husband. But here was sweetness standing before her on two legs.
“Good evening sir, “She said, standing up to acknowledge his presence.
“Sister Grace!” he smiled happily as moved closer to where she was seated, “It’s so nice to see you again, thank you for all the help you rendered while I was sick. My wife has told me so much about you and I am glad to meet you once again.” He was unconscious for almost half his stay at the hospital.
“I am glad to see you back on your feet sir.”
Mr. Akinwale’s life had completely turned around, and everyone could witness the same, all thanks to Jesus. Mr. Akinwale excused himself, retreating into his bedroom to give them some private time together, and he took Tobi along, his wife followed him briefly after which she came out to join Grace.
“He is even looking chubbier than the time I last saw him at the hospital.”
“Yes, he has grown fatter. I just thank God for changing my husband completely. He even agreed to follow me to the church I attended at Orile, my old house.”
“Wow! Wow! That is really amazing! God is great!”
“My sister, God really is great!”
“How about your place at Orile, what do you plan to do with it? Were you able to get a refund? “
“No, I just locked the place up. I have not been there for almost a month now and I have not decided on what I want to do with it,” she explained. “Moreso, I can’t leave my husband here to live elsewhere,” she chuckled while Grace made a face.
“Awwwwwn, so sweet!”
Mrs. Akinwale blushed and cackled, “Let it chill on there till I decide, at least I still have more than 6 months left.”
“It’s true though, “
“Hope you are hearing from Amifel?”
“Yeah, she is even staying at my place.”
“She moved into your place?”
Grace paused a bit contemplating whether to say no or yes. If she said no, that would be a lie, and if she said yes, it might give rise to more questions.
“Yes, “She answered regretting that she told her in the first place, Amifel won’t like anyone to know why she was staying at her place, and certainly not Grace. She still hadn’t trusted her to that extent. She could only hope that she would not ask any further questions but her hope seemed to be dashed.
“Ahn Ahn! Why? Hope there is no problem?” Mrs. Akinwale asked but she probably figured that Grace wasn’t comfortable with her probing and she swiftly changed the topic of discussion. “You people just like to be around yourselves sha!” she concluded, saving the day.
Grace was around for a couple of hours at Mrs. Akinwale’s insistence, as she kept answering questions upon questions on how she and Mike met and made it to engagement. She dropped her wedding invitation card before she left, everyone commented on how beautiful her invitation card was and Mrs. Akinwale was not an exception. Thanks to Amifel who linked her up with a classy graphic designer that helped with the eye-appealing wedding cards.
She left with a bag full of groceries, and Mr. Akinwale who his wife called when she was about to leave, sent her some good money while thanking her profusely for coming.
“Please extend my greetings to Amifel,” Mrs. Akinwale added as she dropped at the junction in her husband’s jeep.
“I will, thank you for having me around.” Grace smiled, Mrs. Akinwale blew her pretty ksses as she reversed and made her way back home.
To be continued…
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Written by Sodamade Olamide Tolulope.
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