The Exchange
Episode 9
I almost screamed when I saw Baba T stroll casually into the Salon and gave me a hug. Tunji had been with me all morning and had just left for his tutorial class and won’t be done till 5pm. Baba T could tell I was jittery;
“Are you not happy to see me?” he asked and I told him I was just shocked to see him. All the customers were watching us because they all knew Tunji as my “afesona”(fiance) and they are very curious about this rich looking guy who was being so familiar. He asked if we could go somewhere to talk, I quickly obliged as I did not want any drama incase Tunji came back.
As soon as we entered the car, he tried to hug me again but I quickly held up my hand to stop him. He said he had missed me and couldn’t wait to see me again. We drove to a place we could get drinks far from the Salon and my home, he also showed me the gifts he brought me from his trip to the United Kingdom. He said he really wanted to spend some time with me and also had some important things to discuss with me. We talked for a while but I was not comfortable, I told him that Tunji lives in Abeokuta and I didn’t want any trouble. He laughed and reminded me of a Yoruba adage that means “A woman is permitted to be wooed by a thousand men, but can only marry the one that fits”. He said he understood everything because Laide (my cousin) already told him about my ‘boyfriend’.
“He is not just a boyfriend, we are betrothed” I quickly added
“We’ll see about that” Baba T responded
He asked if I could come see him in Lagos the following weekend so we could talk. He also said he had a big surprise for me regarding my business. I agreed to see him in Lagos, since I had planned with Laide to come over and buy things for the Salon wholesale. I refuse to let him drop me off at my Salon so he got a cab to take me and pressed some money into my hand. I tried to refuse but he insisted so I said if he continued to give me money, I would stop talking to him but he said “my queen, if I don’t spend money on you, who else will I spend it on?” I just looked at him speechless.
I asked the cab driver to take me home because I didn’t want to take the two big bags to the Salon. When I got home, my mum was curious to know what was happening and I told her that Baba T came to share a business idea/opportunity with me and I told him I will see him in Lagos to discuss it since I had planned to go to Lagos on Thursday; all she said was “Mo ti gb? o” (I’ve heard you).
Tunji already knew I was going to Lagos but he felt bad that he would be at work on Thursday and Friday, he really wanted to drive me down to Lagos. I told him I would be fine and I should be back in a couple of days but he made a face and said I really don’t understand your visits, whenever you go, you come back richer. I smiled but said nothing.
We left the Salon and went straight to Tunji’s place where I made food and we ate. We relaxed together talking. Tunji said he still hadn’t heard from the oil company; I cheered him up but said I did not know why he’s tying our destiny to this job. For the first time in our 8 year-old relationship, we almost had a serious fight. He said I was being unreasonable and I said he was unsympathetic, I’m 26yrs; very soon I’ll be 27 when does he want me to be a mother? I began to cry, after petting me and pleading to give him a little more time, he dropped me at home. I went straight to my room. I saw the bags on my bed; I had totally forgotten about them. I opened the first bag, I saw smaller bags in them. The first one I brought out contained 2 jewellery boxes when I opened the first box, my heart almost stopped beating; there was a beautiful gold set of necklace, with matching earrings, bracelets and wristwatch; I stood there staring for a while holding my breath before I remember there was more. I opened the second box which revealed a pearl necklace mixed with crystals and matching earrings. I sat down on the bed because my legs couldn’t carry my weight anymore. Then there was a pair of block heel shoes and matching bag and a pair of platforms with a black bag. The 2nd bag revealed 2 beautiful dresses, 1 skirt suit and an evening gown covered in sequins. Where does Baba T expect me to wear them to? From Monday to Saturday, I’m in the Salon and on Sunday I go to Church but the dresses won’t fit any of my humble outings. The last parcel was giftwraped, with an envelope addressed to me. I opened the envelope and I saw some money in it with a note which read: my queen, I hope you will accept these token of gifts. The item that’s wrapped is for your mom and the money is for your transport to Lagos; hope to see you. Cheers. When I took my mom’s gift to her and told her who sent it, she looked at me and turned her face away without saying a word so I dropped the gift on the chair and went back to my room.
I traveled to Lagos, as planned & went straight to Laide’s house. She was dressed & waiting for me. Though she was 4months pregnant, she insisted she will take me to the market. We went to the whole section. I was able to buy more than I planned so I invested in perfumes, cologne, & underwear for both male & female.
They returned to Laide’s house, both exhausted but in the evening, she went to her brother’s place, promising to spend some time with laide the next day. She got to Laide’s by 9am & they talked while she parked in readiness for her journey back home.
At about 12:30 pm, took a cab to Baba T’s office (he had given me his card & told me to show it at the reception). I knew I was looking my best that day because I was wearing one of the dresses, the platforms with the bag.
As I stepped into the building, the coolness of the air condition reminded me of a Nigerian banking hall & the reception was tastefully furnished & the art decors was magnificent.
The receptionist said “How may I help you madam”, for a moment I thought to myself “Me? Ma’am?”
“I am here to see Baba T” I replied. She asked if I had an appointment & I handed her the card.
She quickly picked up the intercom & said something like “She is here sir”
Then she directed me to Baba T’s office & said, he’s expecting me. I was ushered to his private waiting room, where I was offered: coffee, tea, juice, water but I declined. Baba T showed up like 15 minutes later; he said he was in a meeting but had to end it. He looked at me as I got up to say hi to him, helped me up with my right hand and kind of spun me around
“Hmmmn, you look ravishing, I really like what I’m seeing” he said & I said thank you, though I was a bit shy. He said my brother is in one of their offices on the mainland, overseeing a new project & that he’s a real gem.
“I’m famished, let’s do lunch, then I’ll show you a place & see what you think of it” He said as he grabbed his jacket & car keys. He put his hand around my waist as we stepped out of his office & the building. I could feel all eyes on me. He introduced me to one of their managers (the guy he was having a meeting with before I got there) as his ‘very special friend’. The guy smiled & said jokingly that I must be very special for Baba T to end a meeting abruptly when I arrived.
After the meal, Baba T drove to a location in Ikeja, parked in front of this huge store-like building that was being renovated. It was right in the center of a very busy commercial area. He asked me to come see the inside the contractor hurried over to greet us, likewise the people working on the project all greeted. We went inside & I was in awe. It was an almost completed mega hair Salon beautifully & lavishly equipped. I could see the dryer stands being installed in the (in the walls!). I saw glass ceilings, beautiful sets of furniture, & all sorts of high-end fittings.
“Do you like it?” Baba T asked with a smirk.
I was so confused so I asked if he was planning to start a beauty salon business. He responded that it was for me if I would consider moving to Lagos.
“I love your entrepreneurial spirit & I want to help you become the best. I want to support your dreams & aspirations. You have so much more in you than that little place in Abeokuta, I see potentials & I can picture you as a successful beautitian/ business woman. Move to Lagos, please. There’s a whole world of opportunities for you here” He added as we sat in his car to talk.
“Why…why are you doing this? What’s in this for you?” I asked, I did not know what to make of it. Trust me, there’s no way anyone would see what was being offered me & not want it. I could only imagine how much money was put into the project.
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