Osar Adeyemi's Blog, page 2

'Echoes of the past' - Chapter One

 'Echoes of the past' - Chapter One



     The early autumn wind was cool against her cheeks as Teni walked briskly down the street. The trees that dotted the street had already shorn most of their leaves and some of the burnt orange coloured leaves lay around the base of the tree trunks while others, skitted lazily around and seemed to be enjoying their game with the mild wind.      There were several terraced buildings along the street, all standing regal and proud in their victorian design. Teni loved this part of London. To her, each of the buildings told a story and she could almost imagine how the street must have looked like about two hundred years ago, with carts and horses prancing through cobbled streets instead of the sleek chauffeur driven cars that glided along them now.      She rounded the corner and walked down the next street where she was meeting up with her friend, Feyi and her dad for lunch. The buildings along this street were not as old as the one before but no less imposing nevertheless. She noticed a red mail box as she looked across the road and remembered she had a couple of mail in her bag that she needed to post. She glanced at her wristwatch, wondering if she had enough time to dash across the fairly busy traffic to drop them off  before her lunch date. She was still keeping steps as she looked across the road and the next thing she knew was that she had walked into a guy who was coming from the opposite side.      "Are you okay?" The man asked as he steadied her, a concerned frown furrowing his brows.     She straightened up and looked apologetically at him. The man appeared dazed as their eyes met. She didn't know her five foot seven inches slight frame could have that much impact on a guy, and certainly not one as tall and solidly built as this one but he was still looking somewhat non plussed at the impact.
     "I 'm awfully sorry. It's all my fault, I was not looking where I was going."     "That's okay." He replied with a faint smile "No harm done." He swept a quick glance over her before looking back at her face again.     Teni apologised again as she moved off. She felt a litle embarrassed. Her mum had often warned her about being lost in thought whilst walking. She grimaced, habits obviuosly died hard. She felt the familial ache welling up within her as thoughts of her precious mum came to her mind. She would never have imagined that she would celebrate her graduation from the London School of Economics without her mum.     She pushed the thoughts away. Her mum had been very clear on her wishes. "Don't mourn for me. Focus on all our fun times and build on them." had been her firm instructions once they got the news that had changed their lives six months earlier. The 'C' word that brought fright not just to the ears of those that were afflicted by it but also to the ears of all their loved ones.       She walked into the lobby of the Savolla hotel a few minutes later and the ornate lobby of the five star hotel almost made her catch her breath. The lobby was illuminated by huge crystal chandeliers that hung from the tall ceilings and the light reflected off the beautifully polished mosaic floor. Golden brown marble columns stood gracefully at strategic positions in the huge lobby which also had elegant armchairs dotting it.     She gave her name at the reception and was led to the restaurant of the hotel where she immediately spotted her friend. She looked around with appreciation at the decor in the restaurant. It was just as elegant as the lobby but looked more cosy because of the muted lights.
     "Hey girl! Was just about to call you." Feyi smiled as she got to the table.     "So sorry I 'm late." Teni apologised as she sat down. Her eyes swept over the table which was done up beautifully in burgundy and pearl grey. "Whoa, is this place nice or what!"
      Feyi grinned. "I know what you mean. Now I see why my dad chose it."      Teni raised a questioning brow at Feyi. She had been expecting to see her dad here as well. Feyi had told her he would be arriving England that morning and was supposed to be the one treating them to this dinner.      "Dad will be here in a few minutes." Feyi said, rightly interpreting her unasked question "He just popped over to the cash point....." She paused as a waiter approached them and took their orders for drinks.      They chatted over drinks. The last year had appeared to fly and it seemed just like yesterday that they had started the Michaelmas term at the London School of Economics or LSE as it was popularly known. Teni had enjoyed her time there but now that it was over she seemed to be at a cross roads in her life. On the one hand she wanted to get very busy, pick the job offer she already had and hope the passage of time would gradually dull the pain of losing her mum three months earlier. That would have been her typical reaction in dealing with issues in the past but she still hadn't quite gotten over the shock of her mum's death and felt quite lethargic about future plans.      "Hello ladies." Teni heard a voice behind her, saw Feyi's smiling face and turned round. She was more than a little taken aback to see herself looking into the face of the man she had bumped into earlier on.      "Hi dad." Feyi smiled as the man sat down. She turned to Teni "Meet the main guy in my life." She grinned cheekily "At least for the moment."     The man smiled ruefully "Thanks for the reminder that I'd have to take a back seat soon."       Feyi giggled "Didn't quite mean it like that."      Teni smiled as she clasped Feyi's dad's extended hand. He didn't appear surprised at seeing her again which meant he must have already seen her as he approached their table. She took a good look at him this time, noting his latte coloured attractive skin, like that of someone who was blessed naturally with good skin or lived the kind of life that had helped retain the youthful glowing skin. He had a strong angular face and nice smiling eyes that immediately made Teni feel at ease. He was dressed in a light blue sweater with little brown specks, navy blue dress pants and black leather shoes. He had been wearing a black leather jacket earlier but must have given it to the porter at the door.
     "Teni and I have already met." He said to his daughter.
     Feyi looked surprised and Teni recounted the incidence of her bumping into him earlier on.       "No introductions needed then!" Feyi grinned.     "Pleasure finally meeting you,Teni." He smiled warmly at her. "I 've heard so much about you from Feyi."       Teni smiled back at him. He had a genuine smile that seemed to light up his face and she found herself warming up to him and talking easily with him during the dinner. She could see where Teni got her good looks from. Her dad must be somewhere around fifty but was still such a very attractive man.
     "I'm really sorry to hear about your mum." He told her at some point during the dinner "That must have been devastating."     "It was. Sometimes I still expect to see her to walk through the door." She managed a small smile. "But my mum was very insistent in her instructions to us that we should make every effort to remain happy."
     "She sounds like she was a great lady."    "Beautiful too." Feyi added "Pity I never really got the opportunity to meet her but from her pictures, she looked so lovely."
     Teni would never forget that fateful day that had started her friendship with Feyi. The doctors had told her dad and her that morning that her mum could pass away within the next few days. She was already slipping in and out of consciousness at that time. Teni had sat by her mum's bedside, looking at the beautiful woman that meant so much to her and her heart had felt like it was breaking into a thousand pieces. She had left the hospital back to school to tie up some loose ends because she wanted to spend those last days by her mother's bedside but had found herself dissolving in tears as she walked through the park close to the school and that was how Feyi had found her.      Feyi's dad's eyes were sympathetic "I lost my twin sister some years back so I know how it feels to lose a loved one." He smiled gently at her "But hey, this is your celebration dinner. Scaling the luminous heights of LSE is no small feat, so let's celebrate!"      Teni smiled back at him. She didn't want to talk about her mum anymore either. Because even though she had promised not to be sad, it was still so raw and she didn't want to tear up and embarrass herself. 



     "Hey dad, I 'm home!" Teni sang as she let herself into the house with her own key. She locked the door and tossed the key on the mantel piece. She smelt a lovely aroma coming from the kitchen and made her way towards it.
     "Hello munchkin." Her dad smiled as he straightened up and closed the oven door. He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel. "How was your day?"     "Nice. Hung out with Teni and a few friends and then we saw her dad off to the airport together. Is that jerk chicken I' m smelling or what?"
     He grinned "You tell me."      "Then yes, it is! Dad, you 're absolutely super! Just what I 've been longing for!"      "Well, thought I'd give you a treat since I know I won't be around for a while."
     "Don't remind me" Teni said then smiled ruefully as she saw his face "And that's not an invite to worry either. I'll be just fine."
     "I'm trying to remember that with all my heart." He said, as he checked the sweet plantains in the air fryer. He saw Teni savouring the smell and smiled at the look on her face "Why not go change? Dinner will be ready by then."
     "Will do just that." She dropped a kiss on his cheek as she went out of the kitchen.      "By the way, Brendan will be joining us for dinner." Her dad called out after her "He called just a few minutes ago, he will be staying over till Sunday when I fly out."
     "Oh, cool, it will be nice to see that rascal again."      She smiled as she went upstairs. Her dad cooking her favourite meal, her darling younger brother around for the weekend, it was almost like old times! Just that her mum was not around, that would have mad it perfect. Her mum would have been in the kitchen with her dad but as a supervisor or sweet dictator as her dad loved to call her as he rustled his native Caribbean meals for the family. Her mum could make a mean jollof rice and those cool Nigerian vegetable soups but the general consensus in the house was to let her dad do the cooking when it came to meals from the Caribean. That arrangement suited Brendan and her just fine, they had enjoyed the best from both worlds, her dad's native Caribean dishes and her mum's spicy Nigerian meals.      She thought about Feyi's invite as she took a shower. She had asked Teni to come over with her to Nigeria for an extended holiday for about twelve months. She had made the invite during their ride to the airport to drop off her dad. Teni had had glanced involuntarily towards Feyi's dad but he had smiled at her in a way that made her know he was aware of the whole thing.      "Feyi said you 're not exactly thrilled with the job offer you have at the moment and a break from the environment may just be the thing you need to relax before you get back into the swing of things."  He said gently.      It sounded good but all the way to Nigeria? Her mum was Nigerian but Teni had last visited the country when her grandma passed away almost fifteen years ealier. Her grandad had died much ealier and Teni could barely remember him. Her mum had been an only child and had lived in England from the age of sixteen and she had lost touch with most of her relatives in Nigeria after their grandma's death. But even before that time, Teni and Brendan had somehow known that she was never really that keen on visiting the country of her birth and they had stopped asking her about her relatives over there.      "And just imagine the fun we could have together" Feyi had continued as she saw the indecision on Teni's face "And besides your dad is going to be away for a while at St Lucia so you won't need to bother about him."      "And you could also work during this period if you want to." Her father added. "I could easily fix that up for you." 
     Teni had just looked bemusedly from father to daughter, not knowing what to say.
     Feyi's dad smiled as he saw the look on her face "Have a think about it, Teni, but know that it will be a pleasure to have you with us."      Well, she was thinking about it and the idea was appearing more attractive by the minute. She really could do with a break from the environment.      She heard her younger brother's voice as she descended the stairs a few minutes later. Her dad and him were already seated at the kitchen table when she got there.
     "Hey." Brendan looked up with a smile as she sat beside him "Tried your line earlier. Kept going to voicemail"      "So sorry, didn't realise it was off. I 've just only put it on again."     Her dad looked over at her "Try to make sure it's always on otherwise I'll worry if I can't reach you."     Teni smiled ruefully. She was notorious with forgetting to leave her phone on. "I'll do that but remember I'm a big girl now." She served herself some of the rice and peas and a generous helping of the jerk chicken.
     "You 'll always be my little girl." He said to her as he and Brendan served themselves some of the food too.       "Not to worry, dad, I 'll look after her."       Teni arched her brows as she added some gravy by the side of her chicken.  "You mean the other way round, don't you? How many times have I saved you from going to work late because you didn't hear the alarm go off?"
     "That was ages ago, I 'm always punctual to work now and I don't live here anymore."      "Thanks to Steve" Teni retorted referring to his friend with whom he shared a flat.      Their dad smiled at their ribbing "Shall we say grace?" He asked holding out his hands to them.
     Teni exchanged a glance with Brendan before placing her hand in their dad's outstretched hand and the other in Brendan's. Her parents had gotten quite religious in the past one year and it was still all strange to Brendan and her. Teni had never been a religious person but it had seemed to help her parents during the challenging period when her mum took ill and she could not begrudge them that.     Their dad prayed and they chatted as they tucked into the food. That was one thing they had always been able to do, talk and laugh. Teni was grateful for those moments with her family  and all the moments past, especially the ones when her mum had still been alive.
     "What do you think about it?" Her dad asked when she brought up Feyi's invite.      Teni was a little surprised at the calmness with which he asked her. He had always been somewhat protective towards her and she had thought he might not fancy the idea of her going so far away but maybe their recent loss that was making him see things in a different perspective.
     "I really wouldn't mind a break from the environment." She began, then grimaced slightly "And honestly I can't seem to stir up any excitement about starting work right now.
     "I believe a break would be good for you." Brendan chipped in as he chomped on a drum stick.
     "But have you heard anything yet from Goldman Sachs?"      Teni shook her head. Her dad and him knew how much she wanted to work at the blue chip company. "Last I heard was that my CV looked good but they were putting recruiting new staff on hold for now."      "Allen is not a bad place to begin a career and you were not that averse to working with them some months ago when you applied."  Her dad said thoughtfully "I think it still all bores down to you and what we just went through as a family."
     "I know." Teni admitted putting down her fork "Maybe I just need something to kickstart me again. That's why I think I should accept Feyi's invite and have myself a holiday."
     Her dad also put down his piece of cutlery "But you need to carefully consider the fact that you 've not known Feyi that long and have only just met her dad too. A year is a long time to spend in any household."
     Teni sighed "I know....but her dad is really sweet and easy to talk to. I know her parents are divorced but on good terms and her mum sounded really nice when I spoke to her on the phone. I met her twin brother, Deji when he came over to the UK a couple of months ago and he seems a very likeable guy too." She shrugged "All in all, they all seem quite nice."
     Brendan scrunched up his face thoughtfully "Lagos is only six hours away anyway and you can always hop on a plane if you don't like it over there."
     Teni nodded "Defo. But I think I just may enjoy my time there and it will be cool to see the country where mum lived for a while."
     "Have a good think about it." Her father's eyes appeared to shadow a little as his eyes met hers. "But this may just what you need now so you can move forward."  
 








© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot.

Let's talk -3

Hi guys, 
Hope you are all well and are having a good time. I am still in bed (well, as a matter of speaking) because I have done all sorts of things this morning but plonked right back on my bed again with my laptop and my IPAD beside me. My editor has sent back 'After the storm' and I have to go through it all over again, declining or accepting the changes she made (aargh!). I almost regret opting for line editing, it's as if I'm writing the book all over again. (Sigh!) 
But anyhow, I did say we would talk about the topic  'kissing while dating'. What do you guys think? Is it okay to kiss your boy/girlfriend/fiancé/fiancée? And by kissing, I mean the 'lips to lips' genre and not pecks on the cheeks, forehead etc. Why do people kiss each other? Is it an expression/best expression of the love they feel for each other? At what point does it stop? Where does it usually take place?
Of course, from the story ('After the storm') that we have just finished, you guys know that I am a romantic at heart and I absolutely feel that there must be passion/chemistry between two people who are planning to live together for the rest of their lives but can one be passionate and yet remain pure in thoughts? Can kissing the person you love so much make your thoughts wander or is it just one of those things like holding hands, etc? 
I would really like some feedback from you guys and all view points are welcome. Some people may even be rolling their eyes at this moment and going "Is Osar for real? This is the twenty first century for goodness sake, we 've moved past the kissing stage and are on to more serious stuff!" Yeah, if you feel that way too, please tell us why. Your views would also be highly appreciated. 
By the way, I hereby ban the use of the word 'ma' on this blog (lol). You guys are being so very respectful and I totally appreciate it but you are also making me feel pretty senile and the last time I checked with my hubby, I was still very much his chick (lol). So in going forward, my name is Osar and you are very welcome to call me that.

Take care and looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Osar.

Red flags for singles while dating!!!

1. A guy/lady that constantly disrespects you even in front of others.
2. Abuses or threatens you in any form- emotional, physical etc.
3. Constantly puts you down/derides your opinion and makes you lose your self esteem.
4. Says or does things contrary to the scriptures (assuming both of you are Christians)
5. An egocentric person that believes he/she is a gift to you.
6. Obsessively jealous or possessive.
7. Envious of your Successes.
8. Oppressive, manipulative and controlling nature.
9. A liar (whether he/ she is a Christian or not is irrelevant in this case)
10. Finds it difficult keeping his/her word (Unreliable)
11. Consistently takes lightly the things/people that are important to you. Also disrespects your family and friends.
12. Stinginess.
13. Unfaithful to you even while dating him/her.
14. Constantly tries to fleece you of your money or other possessions.


This list is not exhaustive and there are other traits you may see in your partner/fiancé that you would instinctively know is not quite right. Seek counsel if in doubt and don't be afraid to break the relationship if it has to come to that. A broken courtship is better than a broken home and a better person will come along. Be wise!!!

'After The Storm' - Chapter Twenty-Six

  


            Akeem's eyes lit up with admiration when he picked her up that friday evening. "You look stunning" He told her softly.
     His gaze lingered on the necklace around her neck for a few seconds before moving back to her face and although he said nothing about the necklace, she could see he was pleased that she had worn it. He didn't tell her where he was taking her but from the landmarks, she guessed where they were going and as they got closer, she was proved right. It had been one of their favorite places when they were together and they had spent many beautiful moments together there. The look in his eyes as he held out his arm to her when he opened the door for her made her know he was remembering those times too.      They were led to the table he had reserved for them, a waiter handed them menus and withdrew discreetly after taking their orders for drinks.  "What are you having?" She asked him.  "I 'm sure you can order for me" He smiled.     He was right. She knew what he liked. Akeem rarely ate naughty things like she did. He ate healthy, probably a fall out of his mother's heart condition and growing up around her careful dietary needs.  He closed his menu "Let's do it this way, order for both of us and I will add anything else I feel you missed"       She looked thorough it and picked out the starters, main course and desserts for him and then picked hers.   He laughed softly when she was done "You still remember, and now let me add something you forgot....for yourself" He took the menu from her and ordered mousse au chocolat for her "I know your sweet tooth and that other dessert you chose does not sound like you"  She giggled "I 'm trying to be good these days and not take my body for granted"  "You’re beautiful the way you are, but anyway I won't mind you adding on a dress size"  "No way!"   "But I don't see any sign of weight gain anywhere. You look beautiful and you’ll always be that to me"      The look in his eyes was tender as they met hers. Their gaze held and neither seemed able to look away. The waiter coming back to take their orders broke the spell.   "How did it go with your customers yesterday?" He asked her when the waiter had left with their orders.      She laughed. She had told him about some new diva- like clients that had come to her store over the past two weeks and how she had been dealing with their antics. He laughed about the funny things she told him. They talked about his work. Things were going very well with Ka-tell. She knew about that anyway. Ka-Tell always had raving reviews in the media. It was practically a household name as they had been well received by the public who were eager to finally get a relaible network.   "You’ve really done well, Akeem" She told him "Even the toughest critics have given Ka-Tell excellent scores"    "I 'm thankful the way things have worked out"     "So what other new plans do you have now that  Ka-Tell is running smoothly?"  "New plans?" He laughed, raising his brow at her "Don't you think I need to take a long break off work?"  "I know you always have something cooking" She lowered her voice conspiratorially "So tell me your new plan. I promise not to steal your ideas"   "I don't trust you" He teased "But you can come into partnership with me, then I won't have to worry about that"   "Hmmm....that will be something, tell me, what will it cost me?"  He lowered his voice "Nothing you can't afford, dinner and breakfast with me every day. An occasional massage thrown in, easy stuff like that. You should be able to handle it"  She pretended to consider it and then frowned "And just for that, I become your business partner?"  He nodded "And co-signatory to all my accounts and anything else you'd like added to it"  "Sounds too good to be true. We 'll need to sign contracts before I take you seriously”  He leaned forward slightly “I 'm ready to sign it tonight if you are game"  Yemi looked at him solemnly "Not signing till I speak with my lawyer but anyway, those specs of your's don't even sound professional, what are you looking for? Partner or mistress?"  "A live-in mistress"  She pretended to consider it "All right......Mistress it is then but not live-in, that would spoil all the fun"  He shook his head, a wolfish gleam in his eyes. "Nah.....This guy needs his mistress permanently under his roof"  They continued their banter, flirting with each other and laughing over silly jokes. It was like old times. They had never had a shortage of things to talk about. Somehow they talked and kept talking.      When he suggested they take a walk along the pier at the back of the restaurant after their dinner, she was more than happy to go with him.      The night looked fairy-tale like as they walked along. The soft blue light from the full moon bathed the pier and they could see the bright city lights of the town across the river, gleaming like little diamonds. A light breeze whispered along, rustling the leaves of the trees nearby and keeping the night from being too warm.      They strolled along the pier for a little while and then stood by the railings and looked over the bridge.Yemi was lost in the sights and sounds of the scenery before her.
  "This is so beautiful" She said in an awed voice after a while.  "Very beautiful" He replied quietly.     She glanced towards him; he was looking at her face and not at the water. He took her hand in his and just kept looking at her without saying anything. "What?" She asked feeling slightly self conscious. "Just thinking...." He said quietly "Remembering us..."



© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot.

Let's talk!

Hi blog friends (including the silent ones...lol),

Hope you have had a restful day. I am going to have a snooze after this and then do some work (send and reply emails, study some work related journals, write/dream up the next chapter of my new story, grill some fish and probably make some spicy jollof rice...that's a lot, isn't it?) but oh well, they say it's natural for a lady to multitask!

Thanks for following the story so far. It's been time consuming writing it but at the same time I've had so much fun and the feedback from you have been so encouraging and useful.

But what do you guys think of Hasan's death in the plane crash? Has anyone ever lost any family member/friend in the past and wondered why they died? Or have you wondered if the death could have been avoided? Were you angry with God about it?
In Hasan's case, who was to blame? Someone has already blamed me (pretty lady Goodness of the 'Fathersruby blog' fame actually did) but I don't think that's fair (sob!). But seriously,  who do you think is to blame? Or do you think it was God's will for Hasan to die?

I understand some people have experienced problems leaving comments, maybe you can try leaving one using the anonymous icon but leave your name at the end of it and don't forget to click the 'I'm not a robot icon'.

Take care of you and God bless.

Sincerely,
Osar.

'After The Storm' - Chapter Twenty-Five

   


     Akeem felt better after his shower. He knew he should eat but didn't feel like it. Bassey was away on a catering course. He had told Akeem he wanted to open a restaurant in the near future. Bassey had been a faithful employee for so many years and even though he knew he would have to look for a new cook soon, he had been happy to sponsor the course.      He poured himself a drink and flicked on the TV. He hoped the drink coupled with his tired body would be able to lull him to sleep.      He settled on CNN and tried to listen to the newscaster but Tanya's words kept flitting through his mind in between. She always sounded so sure about her beliefs. He knew he had been bullish with her but he had been irked by what Hasan's pastor had preached during the service of songs. To him, there was nothing remotely joyful about his death and he resented anyone calling it any other thing than what it was. A tragedy, Fullstop.       He took another sip of his drink as Tanya's words about Hasan being at peace  to the end came back to him. That had struck a chord. From the conversation they had that last afternoon at the hotel, he was almost certain that Hasan would not have been afraid of death, not the way he had heard many people were. He wondered how he would have felt had he been on that flight. Fear was not an emotion he entertained but would he have succumbed to it then? Would he have wondered if there really was anything to a life after death as people like Tanya claimed? And If there was really a God too, would he have been ready to meet with him?      Fayona talked about Hasan like she would see him  again someday. Oh she wept for long periods when the pain of his departure became too unbearable but she was strong even in the midst of her pain. He had wondered what gave her such strength and hope in the face of her loss. She had even found the strength to encourage him. He felt he should be the one encouraging her but he had nothing to offer other than financial help and Fayona would not need that anyway.       He took another sip of his brandy. He wondered what life was really all about. Moreover he had to admit that there really was something different about his friends since they started all their religious stuff, a kind of inner serenity which puzzled him. Something he lacked. He had money, connections and priviledges that many men would envy but he also had an emptiness inside him that no amount of success had been able to bridge.   He stared broodingly into space for a moment "If you are real as they say, then show yourself to me" He muttered.     He looked around as if he expected to see something but came to himself and laughed out loud. What was he thinking of? Losing his friend must be affecting his reasoning. He took another sip of his brandy and concentrated on the news.








© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot.

'After The Storm' - Chapter Twenty-One

     Yemi hummed softly as she put finishing touches to the food she was cooking. It was about midday on a Saturday and the sun was shining gloriuosly outside. She had woken up feeling refreshed and in a much more cheerful mood than she experienced lately.
     She heard the doorbell ring and wiped her hands on one of the kitchen towels. She knew it was Femi. He had called earlier and had said he would pop by when he learnt she was cooking. He absolutely loved her stir fried rice.
  "Hey!" Femi smiled as he came in when she opened the door.  
  "Hey" Yemi said smilling back at him. She locked the door behind him "Right on time. I only just finished cooking"
  "Great! I deliberately haven't eaten anything since morning" He popped the bottles of wine he had brought with him on the dining table. Yemi thanked him.
  "There's plenty to eat, and you can also have some to take away with you".
  "Thanks, honey" Femi replied giving her shoulder a squeeze as she went past him into the kitchen.     They worked companionably as they set the table. Like she had told Femi. There was lots to eat, grilled fish and chicken, stir fried rice, vegetable salad and a nice dessert she had whipped up that morning.
  "Very tasty as usual" He complimented her as they began eating. "I don't mind having this every Saturday"
       Yemi just laughed. They finished eating some time later, cleared and washed up together and then they sat back in the sitting room.
  "This is the life!" Femi sighed contentedly as he relaxed back on the Sofa. "Good food, great company. What more can a man ask for on a weekend?"
  "What more indeed?" Yemi smiled at the contented expression on his face "I 've got this DVD that Dotun lent me,” She said getting up. “Let me get it" 
     She slotted it in and very soon they were engrossed in the movie or so she thought until she looked towards Femi and saw that he was looking at her and not the movie.  "You don't like the movie?"


© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot.

'After The Storm' - Chapter Seventeen

  



     Somehow the regular orders picked up more over the next few weeks. That lifted up her spirits some. But she made up her mind though that she was not going to rest on her haunches, increasing her clientele base would remain uppermost on her mind.
     Apart from Cerys appearance, the charity fashion show seemed like a small event but she purposed to put in her best. The good thing was that Lola and her friend were given her a free hand with the designs so she was free to let her creativity loose and she did.      The locally based models had their fittings once she was sure what outfits she wanted to make. They were easy work apart from a diva-like one amongst them. The model had made so many demands and wanted so many adjustments that she fairly drove them round the bend.  "And to think that the farthest place she has ever modelled is Ghana" Francis, the new tailor Yemi had just employed muttered under his breath after one particular tiring session with her. Yemi heard his comment and smiled.      The fittings with Cerys were starting the next week. They had her measurements and she had chosen what she wanted from the designs that Yemi had emailed her. She was on a tight schedule so they were going to work round the clock to get her clothes fitted and ready during that time.      She arrived for her first fitting with two bodyguards but that was all the frumpiness she had. She was polite even though a little cool in her attitude, something Yemi didn't hold against her. She must have loads of people trying to get close to her all the time, so the girl needed some sort of facade as a protection.     Cerys was very professional and showed that she had modelled for top end fashion houses. She was a stickler for time and would patiently try on as many clothes as Yemi gave her and only made useful comments as to their ammendments.  "I love this dress; it's got so much attitude!" She said as she broke into the first real smile Yemi had seen since she started her fittings.      The dress was really her. Yemi had designed it the first time she had come to the office. She had watched several video clips of her modelling work and of course seen her that time in Paris but having her in her office had been a different experience and her pencil had seemed to have a life of its own and she had sketched several designs that she felt would do justice to her beauty and added them to the ones she had already made.   "You can take it as a gift when you 're done with it" Yemi offered "I won't repeat the design and we can tell the guests this particular one is not for sale" She held out the other dress "There is still one more for you to try on"  "Not sure which one I like best of the two of them" She said still smiling that pretty smile of her's when she had tried second dress on. She did a little catwalk and Yemi and Ken looked on in admiration. The girl was gorgeous and sure knew how to strut her stuff!  "But I definitely want to wear both of them that evening, if it's okay with the concept you have in mind?" She asked after she had sat down again.  "You can and I 'm glad you like it, I still have a few designs that I’ve not made yet, would like to see them?"  "Sure thing" She said and Yemi showed her the designs on the computer that she had sketched specially for her “I love the look of this and this" She said pointing to a couple. She looked at the mannequins critically "I don't mind those other two as well" She said pointing to a couple more "I 've got to be in Milan in three days time but I think I 'll place an order for them and collect them when I come for the final fittings"  "You will have at least one of them ready before you go, but the others will be ready by the time you come back next month"     She left shortly after that. Yemi was tired but so very pleased. Cerys words as she left the office had left a glow in her heart.  "You’re really good, you know" She had told Yemi "I've been talking to my friends about you. I had my reservations initially as I didn't recognise your name but I'm really impressed with your work. You make a girl look beautiful"     Yemi was all smiley for the rest of the day. She and Ken stayed later than usual in the office that evening. She wanted to be sure she could make good on her word that Cerys would have the outfit she had pointed out to her. That was professionalism. Keeping to her word.   


    
 

    



© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot

'After The Storm' - Chapter Five

     Akeem felt somewhat relieved as he drove away from Yemi's house later that evening. He knew she may still have some niggling doubts but felt he had been able to stem most of her fears about his mum.     He knew her too well not to have noticed that she was all tensed up and uncomfortable all through the visit with his mum the day before. That was the main reason he had deliberately delayed introducing her to her or any other member of his family and he had been proven right. Just one meeting with his mum, and the only girl he had ever fallen in love with, had gone into flight mode.       He stopped at a set of red traffic lights and strummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel as he waited for the lights to change.       All though their time together, he had had the thoughts of his mum at the back of his mind. He had not been surprised she already knew about Yemi even before he told her about his intention to marry her. He knew she kept close tabs on his relationships. He had no idea how she got the info but somehow she always knew. Yemi didn't fit the mould of the other ladies he had dated in the past, and she had taken to calling him and asking him seemingly casual questions but all the while trying to probe him for more info about the Uni girl he was seeing but he had easily evaded her questions.      The traffic lights changed and he drove off. He didn't feel like going home yet and decided to stop over at Hasan's. He took the next turning and headed back towards his place. 
 


© Osaradeyemi.blogspot 2013
All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from osaradeyemi.blogspot.