THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
EPISODE 37
“Kim! I’m so glad you’re home. I was very worried about you.” Prisca called out in relief when she opened the door and saw Kimberly standing there with Eric behind her.
“There was no need to be worried.” Kimberly said as she walked into the house. “Eric will be passing the night.” She told her flippantly before turning to look at Eric, “Come with me.” She told Eric as she headed for the doorway which led to the rooms.
“Thanks.” Prisca told Eric quietly, and he gave her a single nod before following Kimberly. The drive to her house had been a quiet one since they had both been preoccupied by their various thoughts. As they had walked out of his house earlier, she had suggested that he pass the night at her place instead, since they were going over to pay her father a visit the next day, so they had had to return to the house to pick a couple of clothes he could change into.
“This is your room. Mine is directly opposite it. The bathroom is en suite.” She told him before turning to head for her own room.
“Kim?” Eric called before she could leave, making her pause to look at him.
“Hm?”
“Don’t you think you should make up with Prisca? I don’t think you like that you’re both not in talking terms.” Eric observed.
“One minute you’re saying I’m too emotionally dependent on her, and the next you want me talking to her, what’s that?” Kimberly asked dryly.
“We both know that’s different.” Eric said without taking his eyes off her, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. We’ll have to go over the details of the visit tomorrow. So once you’re done freshening up you can come out let’s discuss over dinner.” Kimberly added before walking away.
Immediately she walked into her room she saw Prisca waiting for her by her dressing table, “Not now. I’m not in the mood.” She told Prisca as she took off her wig and stepped out of her clothes.
“I said I’m sorry. What else do you want me to do? If I didn’t care about you I wouldn’t even be the least bit concerned about your whereabouts and we both know it. Would you rather I let you do anything you like and not prevent you from making mistakes?” Prisca asked quietly, but Kimberly said nothing as she walked into her bathroom to shower. She knew Prisca was right, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit it.
“Kim?” Prisca called as she followed her.
“I heard all you said. It’s okay.” Kimberly called from the shower and just kept bathing.
“Have you both had dinner? I prepared jollof rice.” Prisca announced making Kimberly salivate, but it was still too soon to show Prisca that she wasn’t upset so she took her time before responding.
“I’ll join you both when I’m done.”
“Okay.” Prisca said and turned to leave. She couldn’t help wondering how they had ended up coming home together and what they had spent the past hours doing. Was it possible Eric had take advantage of Kim and had had sex with her already? Prisca wondered as she went to set the table.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
Eric joined her a couple of minutes later after she had set the table. He was now dressed in three quarter short and a polo, “Hi!” He said as he sat down across from her on the table.
“Hi!” Prisca said and continued pressing her phone in a manner that told him she had something to say to him but she wanted him to initiate the subject. He decided to not give her that satisfaction, so he took out his own phone and busied himself with it instead.
“You asked her to visit you?” Prisca asked after a while when it was clear to her that he had no intention of initiating any conversation.
“Is that what she told you?” Eric asked without taking his eyes off his phone.
“She didn’t tell me anything and that is so unlike her.”
“Then don’t you think you should leave it that way? Kim is an adult and if for any reason she decides not to let you in on her movements, then I think you should respect it.” Eric said in a very calm tone as he glanced at her and held her gaze.
“You didn’t take advantage of her….”
“Prisca? I like you and I appreciate that you’re a good friend, but don’t you think you’re over doing it? There are some lines I’ll appreciate it if you don’t cross. And this is one of them.” Eric said in a warning tone while still holding her gaze.
“What is going on?” Kim who just joined them asked when she noticed the tension in the atmosphere.
Kimberly looked from Eric to Prisca and then back again before sitting down, “What is going on? Is there something I need to know?” She asked, not liking the tension she was sensing between them.
“It’s nothing. I and Prisca were just getting to understand ourselves better.” Eric assured her with a smile before dropping his phone, “I’m famished. We should eat.” He said suggestively while Prisca stood up to dish the meal into their plates.
“I would really like for the both of you to get along.” Kimberly said without taking her eyes off Eric.
“Why are you telling me that like I don’t get along with her? We are good, right?” He asked Prisca who nodded her head.
“Very good.” Prisca affirmed as she sat down to eat. She couldn’t blame Eric for what he had said. She knew sometimes she could be overly protective of Kimberly and she had probably taken things too far, and for someone as proud as he was, he wouldn’t have liked the way she was questioning him or what she had implied about him taking advantage of Kimberly so Eric had every right to ask her to back up. She decided she was going to apologise to him and clear the air between them properly when she gets the chance.
“Okay then. So about tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow we are going to see your father. It isn’t a big deal. He probably just wants to get to know the man who is marrying his daughter. We’ll get him a bottle of wine on our way there.” Eric said as though it wasn’t a big deal.
“How can you say it’s not a big deal?” Kimberly asked looking at him with a frown. Why was he so fearless? She really hoped this attitude of his wasn’t going to piss her father off.
“Because it isn’t. Just eat, okay? I have everything under control.” Eric assured her before glancing at his phone when it started ringing. He had been expecting Chuka’s call all day, so he quickly excused himself from the table as he accepted the call, “How far?”
“O boy nuh be small enjoyment you dey before o! Like this your house is on another level mehn!” Chuka exclaimed excitedly as he dove on the large king-sized bed.
“I take it you settled in well, then?” Eric asked slightly impatiently since he wanted to return to his food.
Chuka sighed contentedly as he rolled from one side of the bed to another, “I don settle in finish! How did you ever manage to fall asleep on my bed after sleeping on such a bed?” Chuka asked in disbelief making Eric chuckle.
“Stop exaggerating jare. I hope you like your job and the new office?” Eric asked curiously.
“What is there not to like? Constant AC and fine interior! I love it. Omooor! Money good I swear!” Chuka exclaimed as he stood up from the bed and started walking around the room.
“No wahala. Since you’re fine let me return to my food.” Eric said wanting to end the call.
“Wait na! Why you dey rush? You know that this is your house is too big for only one person. I’m lonely…”
“Watch movie or something. Besides you’re not alone in the house, there are the maids and…”
“How about our wife?” Chuka cut in before Eric could finish.
“She’s okay. I’m passing the night at her…”
“Oboy! You people are moving very fast o!” Chuka exclaimed.
“Yeah. Let’s just talk tomorrow, or we can chat before I go to bed.” Ken said and disconnected the call before Chuka could say anything else.
“So, I was wondering… Does your father know you’re paying someone to marry you? Or would you rather he thinks this is a love arrangement?” Eric asked as he returned to join them on the table.
Kimberly was tempted to look to Prisca to hear her opinion, but she didn’t give in to the urge knowing that Eric would say she was too dependent on Prisca. “I suppose it would be best if he thinks you’re in love with me.” Kimberly said after thinking about it for a moment.
“But not that you’re in love with me?” Eric asked curiously.
“Well… I don’t think he’s going to believe that I’m in love with you. That’s why it has to be you.” Kimberly explained. There was no way her father would believe that she had been with a different guy just that weekend, and had managed to fall in love with another within the week.
“So what is our story?”
“Well, it’s pretty simple. You’ve been crazy about me this whole time and have been trying to get me to marry you but I refused because you were not wealthy enough, but now that he has said I have to get married, I decided to give you a chance.” Kim said with a shrug.
“If I’m crazy about you, you realize I’m going to do crazy things around you, right?” Eric asked, startling both Kimberly and Prisca.
“I beg your pardon?” Kimberly asked trying not to let her imagination get the best of her.
“Your father is a man, and there are ways men act around women they’re crazy about. I’m just trying to say, you shouldn’t be too surprised when I act differently around your father tomorrow. And the whole public display of affection thingy will start tomorrow since that’s when I’m meeting your family. It won’t be just after the marriage.” Eric explained with a slightly amused smile before digging into his food, while both Kim and Prisca exchanged a look.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
**************
“Are you okay?” Pete asked curiously when he noticed how stiffly Kathleen was sitting in the car the next morning. She had been acting a bit strangely since they brushed past each other that morning in the kitchen. If he didn’t know better he would probably assume it was a kind of sexual awareness, but he knew better than to think Kathleen felt that way about him.
Kathleen on the other hand kept trying to wrap her head around the dream she had had the previous night. Why did she have to dream of something like that? She hadn’t even been thinking of him before going to bed, or had she? Kathleen wondered with a frown. She tried to remember all that happened the previous evening to see if anything could have prompted that sort of dream.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
After preparing dinner she had returned to the living room to hear her mother telling them tales about her when she was younger…
“Do you know that when Kathleen was your daughter’s age, people used to always doubt that she was daughter? She looked so pretty that half the women on our street wanted to marry her for their sons.” Kathleen’s mother bragged to her embarassment.
“Dinner is ready. We will be leaving now.” Kathleen announced, carrying a tray which contained their dinner as she headed for her mother’s seat.
“Can’t we eat here?” her mother asked like a stubborn kid.
“No!”
“But I’m not done with my story…” Her mother protested.
“I’m sure you can continue some other time. Let’s go over to my apartment.” Kathleen said sternly as she handed the tray to Isioma and went over to where her mother was seated to drag her out of her seat while Pete and Chidi watched in amusement.
“Why are you rushing as if they’re pursuing you from the house?” Kathleen’s mother asked to Pete’s amusement.
“Isioma is hungry and you both need to rest after that long trip. Besides we still have to talk before I go to bed, don’t forget I’m going to work tomorrow.” Kathleen reminded her mother without glancing in Pete’s direction.
“If you say so. Goodnight everybody.” Kathleen’s mother said as she stood up to leave with her daughters.
“Why did you have to do that?” Kathleen asked her mother irritably the moment they walked into her apartment and the door was shut.
“What did I do? Is it a crime to watch a movie at your employer’s house? Or to talk to him?” She asked in a tone that suggested she didn’t see anything wrong in what she had done.
“Let’s just eat.” Kathleen suggested instead as she served her mother before picking hers and Isioma’s plate.
“This is your house is so fine and big. How long have you been living here? How much do you pay?” Her mother asked, looking around her curiously.
“I moved here last week. I’m not paying him money. I do his chores and take care of his daughter in exchange.” Kathleen explained.
“Oh! Such a nice man.” Her mother said with a pleased smile.
“I didn’t say I stay here for free. I said I do work for him.”
“It doesn’t matter. He is a nice person to allow you stay here. So when are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?” Her mother started making Kathleen sigh.
“When are you taking Isi to the hospital? I’m going to work tomorrow so I can’t come with you.” Kathleen said, reminding her mother that they had more important things to worry about.
“I will take her to the hospital when I want to. Stop changing the subject. Why are you not dating that fine man?” Her mother asked curiously.
“Did he tell you he is looking for a girlfriend? Or did he say he asked me out and I refused?” Kathleen had asked sarcastically.
“Oh! So if he asks you out you will agree? You like him.” Her mother had concluded with a satisfied smile.
“I didn’t say I like him.” Kathleen denied, but Isioma was already laughing at her sister.
“You didn’t have to. Why did you lie to his sister that you have a boyfriend? I hope you didn’t tell him that same nonsense? That is how you girls use your mouth to block your blessings!” Her mother said with approval.
“Who said I lied? Wait, is this why you came to Lagos? Leave me alone na. Is marriage by force? Don’t I have the right…”
“No o! You don’t have any right. You hear me? You don’t have any right. Marriage is compulsory. Even if it’s not by force for everybody, for you my daughter, it is compulsory! If I decided to say all this nonsense you’re saying I won’t have given birth to you. So better shut your mouth so you don’t allow the devil to use your words against you.” Her mother cautioned, making Kathleen sigh.
“But mummy I thought you’re educated o, why are you behaving like somebody that did not go to school?” Kathleen asked in a displeased tone.
“Because I’m educated I should not want my first child… my own first daughter to not get married? Something must be wrong with you. Look, better start praying for whatever has possessed you to leave you o. Abi you have a spiritual husband that is chasing men away?”
“Mummy!!!” Kathleen shouted.
“What? Is it a lie? How can you look this beautiful and still be single? Look at your friend Isioma that everyone says looks like a lizard with her half nose is getting married, and here you are with all your beauty.” Her mother said making both Isioma and Kathleen laugh. People always used to make fun of Gloria that she looked like a lizard.
“Everybody can’t be the same.” Kathleen protested.
“Well, that won’t be your case. At least you have a young handsome and rich boss, I’m not forbidding having someone like him as my son in-law. Try and get him na. Or should I teach you how we used to do it back in our days?” Her mother asked making Kathleen shake her head.
“In those days women don’t ask men out.” She reminded her mother.
“I didn’t say you should ask him out. What do you kids call it these days, ehem! Green light! You will flash him green light that you like him.” Her mother said.
“But I never said I like him.” Kathleen pointed out, feeling very embarassed to be having such a conversation with her mother especially in the presence of her kid sister who kept laughing.
“What is there not to like about him. Is he a bad person? Does he beat women or kill people?” Her mother asked making her sigh in resignation. It was going to be almost impossible having a reasonable conversation with this lady.
“Wonders shall never end. See the way you’re wanting to teach her how to toast man, but if you see me or Blessing standing with a boy now you will want to kill us.” Isioma said with a shake of her head.
“Ehen? Are you up to her age? I should allow you follow those useless area boys so that you will get pregnant at your age like those your stupid friends?” Their mother asked before returning her attention to Kathleen.
“Look, it’s not difficult at all. Just learn how to dress very well. Wear things that will show your shape well. Men like what they see. They are moved by things they see, unlike we women that are moved by what we hear…”
“Are you asking sister Ng to seduce her oga?” Isioma interrupted.
“Bia this girl will you shut up or leave this place? Allow me coach your sister in peace. Don’t you want her to get married so you will join her bridal train? Or are you a witch?” Their mother yelled at Isioma before turning to Kathleen again.
“As I was saying… When you’re going to cook or clean his house don’t dress like you’re his house girl o. Wear bum shorts and fine tops that will show your fine legs and fine body, then be smiling a lot. Always smile when you see him or talk to him.” Her mother had continued.
“You know I’m a Christian and these things are not godly…”
“Shut up! Were you there when Esther went before the king in the Bible? Do you know God more than Esther? Or didn’t you read in the Bible when Ruth went to sleep on Boaz’s bed? Are you holier than Ruth? Look, I’ve given you the best advise a mother can give her child. If you like don’t take my advise, it’s simple. When your younger ones are married and enjoying their life and family, you will be lonely. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Her mother warned before focusing her attention on her food.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
After dinner she had shown them both to the bathroom and to their bedroom since Isioma was already feeling sleepy and their mother kept yawning. She had showered and gone to bed herself after praying. So why had she dreamt of something as erotic as that? She had woken up feeling very wet and horny, and that was so unlike her. Or was she becoming sexually attracted to him? Kathleen wondered and turned to look at Pete with a frown, but quickly looked away from him when he turned to look at her.
Her mother’s question came to her mind again, what didn’t she like about him? Was he someone she could date? If he asked her out would she accept him? He was handsome, wealthy, kind hearted, at least a little bit. He was funny, intelligent, he could cook, he was neat and could keep a home well. He was also a good father. Did all these mean he could be a good husband material? If the answer was yes, could she give her mother’s advise a try? Who knows, all these pastor’s wives could have done these things at some point in their life, so maybe it wasn’t really a big deal. She winced when she thought about how her mother had said she should go about giving him greenlight. What if he didn’t like her and she ended up embarassing herself?
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
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