Story;Bukky Alakara Chapter 36&37

episode 36&37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Chike and Bukky sat at the high table, amidst friends and family. It was their introduction ceremony. His parents and siblings stayed back in Lagos after his convocation, so that they could prepare for the D-day. His younger brother stayed with him in his self-contain apartment, while his parents, his elder brother and his wife stayed in a hotel in the area. A few of his relatives had been able to come all the way from Owerri to Lagos to celebrate with them. They were all happy for him.

A few of his course mates at school were a bit concerned because they thought he was rushing things, but, he found nothing wrong in tying the knot at his age. He was already twenty-seven. By the time he was done with his service year, he would be twenty-eight. Time wait for no man.
While music blasted from the big black speakers, food and drinks were being served. He glanced at his bride-to-be and smiled. He liked the way the make-up on her face glowed. She looked very beautiful in the tradition attire. She had on a green lace blouse and wrapper, supported by a yard of green and silver coloured Aso-oke tied around her waist. Her head-tie was also of the same material. Her silver metallic high heeled sandals and purse glittered like stars in the sky. The way she looked so good at that moment, he wondered how it would be on their traditional wedding day.

“My African Queen.”

She turned to look at her fiancé. The way he was staring at her made her to blush.

“You look like a fairy princess,” he said softly.

She chuckled and smiled.

“I am so happy that things are going according to plan.”

“Me too,” she sighed with relief. She had dreamt about how the day would go. The ceremony was better than she imagined.

“I wish we don’t have to wait till after my service year before completing the marriage rites.”

She giggled and brushed a hand over his face. She wouldn’t mind being married to him earlier than planned.

“I can’t wait to ravish you,” he blew her a kiss and winked.

Her hand flew to her mouth, “Chike Nwosu,” she whispered.

“What? Don’t look so innocent,” he eyed her, “I know that you are thinking exactly the same thing.”

She burst out in laughter. He was right. It wasn’t easy abstaining from s-x in their relationship. The physical attraction between them was electrifying and at times, it consumed them. But, they had both promised each other and God that they would wait till their wedding night.

Bukky’s parents could hear their daughter’s laughter from where they were seated. They exchanged glances and smiled. It was obvious to all that the couple were head over heels in love with each other. They thanked God for bringing their daughter a good man to marry.

The Nwosu’ watched the couple from a distance. They were happy that their second son had found a good woman to marry. If it was left to them, they would have made the couple to complete the marriage rites immediately, but, the girl’s parents felt that it was best that their son completes his service year first. That way, the couple could start their lives together without distractions.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga sat outside his room, in the off-campus hostel, washing his clothes. The huge pile of clothes beside the large basin made him to g---n inwardly. He had been procrastinating about his laundry for weeks, now that he had nothing to wear except the tee-shirt and khaki shorts on him, he had to do it. He didn’t even go to church that morning. he had the option of wearing what he wore last Sunday but, wasn’t a fan of repeating clothes back to back. Assuming he was home, his younger sisters would have helped him. He basically did nothing at home, except to eat, sleep and watch the television. He missed home.

“Hey… guy, you are washing,” one of his friends approached his door.

“Felix how now?” he raised his head. The brown skin young man was clad in a white long sleeve shirt and a pair of blue trousers. He held a bible in his hand and a bottle of coke.

“How was the service?”

“Okay. The Pastor asked after you. You were on the roaster this morning.”

“Oh…”

Felix sat on the bench beside his friend, “Weren’t you supposed to take the opening prayer this morning?”

Gbemiga returned his attention to his clothes.

“How come you have so much clothes to wash?” Felix eyed the pile of clothes, “Why don’t you call one of those girls or boys that do our laundry?”

His friend shrugged, “I am not ready to part with my hard earned money today.”

Felix started to laugh, “Na so. Which money sef? The one your parents gave you or the I.T allowance that most of us have blown before school resumed?”

Gbemiga decided not to respond. He had used all the money he saved during his Industrial Training to fix their new apartment. Since his aunt and uncles had decided to sponsor his education, they had been sending him monthly stipends. He won’t have to disturb his parents again for anything he needed at school.

“You won’t believe who I saw yesterday.”

He glanced at his friend.

“You know I went to Ikorodu to see my aunt since Friday, after lectures.”

Gbemiga nodded.

“My cousin and I crashed a party. It was the introduction ceremony of a young cute couple.”

“I see,” he picked more clothes and soaked them in the soapy water in the basin.

“I don’t know the guy, but, the bride-to-be, I can swear on my grandfather’s grave that she was the same girl you brought to my birthday party.”

Gbemiga dropped the clothes and met his friend’s excited gaze.

“The girl you paraded at my party as your girlfriend.”

“The dark not too slim chick.”

“Yes, that pretty dark babe.”

“The one everyone wanted to know her name and get her number?”

“Yes, the same one.”

Gbemiga steadied his rasp breath. The only girl he took to his closest friend’s birthday party was Bukky.

“She looked happy. I heard the guy she would be marrying is an Igbo boy.”

He blinked and swallowed hard.

“What happened between you two? I thought you really liked that girl.”

He pressed his lips together and remained quiet. It was hard for him to process the information. If his ex and her new boyfriend just did their introduction, that means that they would be getting married soon enough. He couldn’t believe that he was going to lose her indefinitely.

“The way I saw you two together, I thought you had found the one.”

He cleared his throat twice and continued to wash his clothes.

“Gbemiga…”

“Hmm…”

“What happened?”

“We broke up.”

“Why?”

He coughed and cleared his throat again. How was he going to explain to his friend that the only reason why he broke up with his ex was so that he could finish his tertiary education without hassle and take his master program all-expense paid.

“Gbemi…”

“Felix, I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Talk to me man. What are friends for?”

He caught a glimpse of his friend’s concerned look. “I don’t care who Bukky is with right now, all I know is that, our paths will cross again in the nearest future and she will be Mrs. Gbemiga Phillips.”

Felix busted into laughter, “You are on a long thing. She just had her introduction.”

“So, has the guy paid her bride price?”

His friend shook his head.

“The deed is not done yet,” he pushed more clothes into the basin until it was full.

“If you liked her that much, you shouldn’t have let her go in the first place.”

Gbemiga shrugged. He believed that somewhere in Bukky’s heart, she still felt something for him. When the time was right, they would be together again.

THIRTY-SEVEN

She wiped her wet hands with the towel, dropped it on the sink and walked out of the kitchen. The knocks on the door persisted.

“Hold on…” she sauntered to the door and unlocked it.

Chike stood outside in his singlet and boxers, “Where you sleeping?”

She shook her head and looked him up and down. She was surprised that he left his house like that. Why didn’t he put on a tee-shirt at least?

“I just got my call up letter,” the excitement in his voice made her smile.

“Thank God,” she backed into the apartment. Her fiancé had been expecting it for several weeks.

He followed her in, “Guess where I am posted.”

“Hmmm…” she settled on the bed, “Abuja?”

He shook his head and sat beside her, “Try again.”

“Port Harcourt?” she grinned.

“I wish.”

She frowned, “So where did they post you? Hope it’s not in Kaduna or Kano or one northern state.”

He chuckled, “Calm down, it is in the north.”

“Eeeeh!” she placed her hands on her head, fear in her eyes.

“But, it is still okay.”

“Like seriously,” she eyed him, wondering why he wasn’t panicking.

“I was posted to Plateau state.”

“Plateau… but, they fight there too. Is that not where Jos is?”

He nodded and smiled.

“I heard that the Christians and Muslims live in separate communities.”

“Calm down love,” he reached out for her hands, “The God who has protected me all through the days of my life will not abandon me in Plateau state. He will be with me wherever I go.”

She observed his peaceful face, then sighed with relief. He was right. God was in control.

“I have to be at the camp first week of March.”

She calculated the dates in her mind. “That’s three weeks from now.”

He nodded, “Less than three weeks actually.”

She sighed heavily. “I am going to miss you.”

He brushed a hand over her face, “I am not gone yet.”

“You won’t be here to help me prepare for my SSCE examinations,” she paled.

“Don’t worry. Jesus is here with you. I will be back in Lagos for Easter, we can do a quick revision before I return to Plateau, okay?”

She smiled with relief, “Okay.”

He noticed that she was in her night-wear, a pink sleeveless satin dress which exposed her cleavage and her soft smooth thighs. He cleared his
throat thrice and made up his mind to leave immediately. It wasn’t wise for him to stay, but, he couldn’t will himself to stand.

“A least, come next year March, you will be done with your NYSC program, then we can get married.”

“Absolutely,” his eyes fell on her lips.

She noticed his intense stare. Her throat went dry and her heart beat accelerated. “Chike…”

“Hmm…”

“I think you should leave.”

“I can’t get up.”

Their gazes met and locked.

“You have to go now.”

“I know. I will.”

He moved closer to her side and claimed her lips. She trembled against him as his hands swept over her. He lay on the bed, pulling her along with him. Crushed under her light weight, he grabbed her buttocks and squeezed hard.

Bukky gasped and her breath quickened. Lying against him, she could feel his hardening g---n. The pressure stirred her up, making her want him.

He slipped his hands under her dress, running his fingers along her raw flesh. The desire to be one with her consumed him. He rolled over and buried his face in her chest.

She moaned. The e----c feelings building up within her made her to shiver with desire.

“Oh my love…” he gritted his teeth, “I want you so much…” he looked into her eyes.

“I want you too.”

“I promised to wait. I am going to keep that promise.”

“Okay…” she steadied her breathing.

“You better be prepared on our wedding night; I am going to devour you.”

She started to laugh.

“I am going to eat you up,” he growled.

“I am not scared.”

“We shall see.”

“I am a Tigress; I will tear you into pieces on that day.”

“Eeeeh!”

She started to laugh again.

“Now, I have to go,” he pulled his weigh up.

“Yes, you do,” she sat up.

He got down from the bed and glanced at her, “Sweet dreams baby,” he blew her a kiss.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispered and watched him leave.

Chike left in a hurry and ran all the way home.

Bukky lay back on the bed, curled into a ball and wrapped her arms around her tensed body. If her fiancé had tried to sleep with her that night, she wouldn’t have been able to stop him. She needed to work on her ability to say no and stop things from getting too far. He might be strong now, what of the day when he would be weak? What was she going to do?

God help us.

Xxxxxx

Gbemiga smiled when he saw his ex-girlfriend walking down the street. He quickened his steps and caught up with her.

“Hello…”

She turned and saw her ex-boyfriend. “Hi. When did you get back?”

“Some days ago.”

“How is school?”

“Great. I am done with my project. Unlike some of my course mates, I won’t be distracted during the second semester. Some of them are still
tying and re-writing. God gave me a level-headed Supervisor. Some people are crying because their Supervisors are giving them problems.”

“Hmmm…” she wasn’t interested in what he was saying.

“Where are you off to?” he liked the way the black and white short-sleeve blouse cradled her body. His gaze seized her up. Her curvy hips
seemed to have expanded and her behind was larger than he remembered. He gave a shake of head and tried not to whistle. Jealousy filled his mind. The thought that Chike was in possession of what used to be his made him angry.

“I am going to the saloon.”

“Okay. I heard about your introduction,” the thought that she might be getting married soon didn’t sit well with him.

She looked up at him. Who told him? She didn’t invite anyone in the area, except a few close frineds.

“You didn’t even bother to tell me,” he eyed her.

“There is nothing to tell. You broke up with me, remember?”

“So? Does that make us enemies?”

She turned away.

“We are not enemies.”

“Neither are we friends.”

“Come on.”

She halted, “We used to be lovers. Friendship is a very bad idea.”

“Why? What are you scared of?”

“Nothing.”

He smiled, “Or are you scared that you might find out that you still love me? You might have a new boyfriend, but, I am your first love.”

She started to laugh, “You don’t know what you are talking about.”

“We can start dating again.”

She eyed him, “That is totally impossible.”

“No,” he gave a shake of head, “I believe that by the time I am done with my masters, my family will come around.”

She clapped her hands and laughed, sickened by his outrageous idea.

“They won’t have any say in our lives then,” he tried to convince her.

“Do you think I am stupid?” she began to feel very angry.

“No…”

“Why will I resume a dead relationship with you? You want me to sit back, fold my arms, hoping that your family will allow us to get married in the
future.”

“I believe that they won’t be able to stop us.”

“If they can stop us now, they can stop us in twenty years’ time. You allowed them to bully you into breaking up with me. What makes you think they can’t do it again?”

“Listen to me…”

“Have you been drinking?!”

He blinked, “No…”

“Are you on drugs, some sort of medication that has messed up your mental faculties?”

He frowned, sensing her annoyance.

“Gbemiga Phillips, stop bothering me. Find yourself someone that your family validates. I am not the one.”

“Look, I know you are finding it hard to comprehend my plan…”

“I have warned you, stay away from me,” she waved a finger at him and strode off.

“Bukky!”

He believed that if he could convince her, if she could just listen to him, they might be able to work it out.