He was at work; smiling stupidly to himself in front of his system after laughing loudly at something he had just read off Linda Ikeji’s blog when his phone rang. He pulled out his Nokia Sidekick, looked at the screen and his smile widened as he recognised the caller.
“Hello!” he said happily into the receiver.
“Hi – hi,” came the slightly hesitant answer. He laughed “I love you na, why shall you shy?! Speak jo!”
As he heard laughter come down his phone, his chest expanded as he took a deep breath. He loved this girl!
“How are you doing, sugar?” he said
“I’m great – even more so hearing you sound so happy. You’re having a great day abi?”
“Yeah baby. I got some good news,” he said.
Sharon – the girl on the phone who also doubled as his girlfriend giggled.”I do too, baby. But you go first.”
He looked at the time “Okay. Em – are you still coming tomorrow?”
“Yes – I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” she responded.
“Okay. I’ll tell you then,” he shifted in his seat. “I’ll see you, okay?”
“Okay then. Love you honey.” She said
“Love you too,” he responded and hung up.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“It was the day after that I got the result,” Sharon was speaking in a tiny voice “My fears were realised,” her voice trailed off.
They were seated at The Place, Isaac John in Ikeja the following day. That was where he took special women who he wanted to tell something important – like asking them for a relationship that went beyond shagging. As Sharon’s words filtered into his consciousness however, he found himself wondering if there was something wrong with The Place that night. Suddenly it felt very stuffy, and the lights were too bright.
He gripped his cutlery tightly. “What are you saying?” he asked; sounding strangled.
“I’m…” Sharon closed her eyes tightly. She slowly opened them and tried again “I’m – em; pre…I’m pregnant.”
Sweat broke out on his forehead so suddenly a casual observer might have thought someone just flicked a wet brush in his face.
“What…how?” he unconsciously shouted making the other patrons of the place looked over curiously. He calmed himself and spoke again. “What happened?”
Sharon hugged herself. “I don’t know I just…my period did not show up when I expected it to.”
He had to restrain himself from smacking her face. “You silly girl! Could you not have used some contraceptive – maybe Postinor or something?”
Sharon looked at him, resentment and hurt in her expression.
“You were the one who said we should not use a condom. You won’t ‘come’ inside me. You said that – and even after when I said I could get pregnant…you said; ‘what are the chances?’ “
He looked away, stung by the truth in her words. Everything she said was true…but for Christ’s sake…!
Turning back to her, he saw she was just hugging herself and staring into distance. He winced at the sorrow – the loneliness on her face. He started to reach out a hand to touch her –and then he stopped.
“What do you want to do now? Keep it?” he asked.
Sharon shuddered. “I… I can’t,” She said, tears starting from her eyes. “Mumsy will die – after killing me first. But I’m so scared of an abortion…” she trailed off.
The tears started slowly down her face – taking their time as though they were taking a stroll or something equally ridiculous. “I’m scared,” she said again.
He stood up from his side of the table and went to hers. He knelt down beside her and gently pulled her to himself. She came into his embrace and continued sobbing quietly.
“It’ll be fine,” he said, ignoring the stares they were getting. “It’ll be okay,” he repeated dully, even though he had no idea how.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
As the taxi took them to Sharon’s house he kept trying to focus on her, to answer her questions quickly and attentively. But it became obvious to Sharon that he was distracted. He could not hide the fact that he was bothered; and in fact wanted the night to be over quickly – as quickly as possible for obvious reasons. But the Friday night Ikorodu road traffic was not helping matters and it affected Sharon’s mood. She slowly became withdrawn; distant.
And then she became angry.
“Why are you so selfish?!” she suddenly shouted at him; startling the driver. “I agree; maybe I should have been more careful – but I was listening to you! You encouraged me to be careless!”
Feeling the way he was, he could not even think up a response. The rest of the ride was quiet, he sticking to his side of the cab, she sticking to hers.
As the dropped her off he clambered awkwardly from the cab and walked with her to the door of her parents’ house. He gave her an awkward hug, and after her stiff response he dropped his arms and muttered a tired “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Later in his own house, he lay awake in his bed trying to figure out what the best course of action was. He realised he had two options; get an abortion or get married. An abortion was the obvious solution, but after reading Geebe’s Chronicles, he was not so sure. Besides he has heard of so many botched abortions. What if she died? He shuddered. An impromptu marriage seemed the only way out.
But he wasn’t ready.
He cursed loudly. If only he had not gotten careless. If only he had continues to use condoms. If only…he drifted into an uneasy sleep.
He suddenly jerks awake in front of his system where he had fallen asleep while browsing on Facebook. Looking around in agitation, he slowly realises where he is and begins to calm down. So it was a dream, he thinks; so Sharon’s not pregnant!
He begins to smile sheepishly. Thank God; he sighs in relief. I’ll never sleep with her again, he promises. The picture of a naked and a moaning Sharon suddenly flashes before his eyes. Without protection; he hastily adds. I’ll never sleep with her again without a condom.
Feeling better, he is about to continue browsing when his phone rings.
He pulls out his Samsung Android phone and not bothering to check who the caller is picks and says, “Hello?”
“I…I have…there’s something I need to tell you.”
It’s his girlfriend. Sharon.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Seun Odukoya is a author of sorts. Resident in Nigeria.
Born in Nigeria, native of Earth. Been reading since he opened his eyes. Loves women.
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Seun-Odukoya @Seun-Odukoya
Feels like the greatest gift God gave him would be the ability to scam people into thinking he can actually write....Go to Seun-Odukoya's profile, and read more of his/her posts.
You know why I like the way you write? You express so much in a very simple way. Seun must win. Nuff said. -__-
@lachicabonita honey…
Thank you for the compliment. For your belief in me.
Thanks for the support. Thank you.
Bless God.
If it were someone else’ work, i would have applauded. But this is Seun. You have set a standard so high we don’t expect anything less… I am honestly disappointed. The TYPOs are unforgivable for your reputation. I am still looking for the “Seun-Punch”…your trademark. Thumbs up still. Keep writing, you can only get better.
@jamesndu…
I’m sorry I disappointed you this time. You don’t know how it feels…reading comments from people who have come to expect much from me and knowing I’ve disappointed them.
Sucks.
Thank you man – I’ll keep writing and improving. Thanks a lot.
Bless God.
even the best sometimes falter- i think thats the beauty of life you can’t be perfect everytime
Yeah – I guess @mikeeffa…
Thank you for the encouragement! Bless God.
This packs a punch,a below-the-belt punch.
@Ono-Edosio…
Thank you so much! I appreciate.
Bless God.
Seun, this is a fantastic read! I look forward to reading more of your works. Good job on this one!
@chinyerechimodo…
Thank you so much! I hope the others thrill you even better than this did!
Thank you. Bless God.
Nice one here Seun. However, I think the way you switched the POV was a bit abrupt. However, it didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story.
@igweaj…
Thank you much. I didn’t switch POV at all though. Maybe what you mean is the transition from dream to reality?
Thank you much. Bless God!
Yeah that’s what I meant. I felt the flow of the story could have been maintained better had you stuck with your original POV. However, if the goal was to distinguish dream from reality, no wahala.
@igweaj…
Thank you much! Bless God.
Hmmm. *raised eyebrows* I think this is the worst story I have read written by you. Apart from the idea behind your story being so CLICHÉ, the plot of your story has no depth. I felt I was reading through a rehashing of one of the Nollywood endless mediocre varieties. And please do lose the ‘sequence’ thing – a short story is called by that name because it requires condensation without necessarily a form of disjointedness. You can always find ways to make your story flow without them. I also noticed a few grammar issues here and there – However, I like the natural flow of your dialogue – it reveals a realistic portrayal of the average Nigerian relationship.
I hope you don’t take offence at my blatant tone – nothing personal (*smiles).
Dear @petunia007…
Hmmm.
While I might agree that it has no depth (must it?!) I strongly disagree about the cliche thing you mentioned. Yeah – maybe the scenario is a familiar one (tell me how many 100% original stories exist these days), but for you to call it ” a rehashing of one of the Nollywood endless mediocre varieties” is stretching it. Haba.
Still, no offense taken.
And what ‘sequence’ are you talking about? A lot of people need to understand; just because you don’t like the structure of a story or disagree with its style does not mean it does not work. I wrote it the way I did because that’s how it came to me; that was the best way I could put it down.
Having said that, I appreciate and I take your comments like I take every other; with a pinch of salt.
I appreciate. Thanks. Really!
Bless God.
every body will not write the same way- authors all have a mind of their own am sure if you want to publish this an editor will go through it to bring out the finest points. good work.
Again… @mikeeffa…
I really appreciate your words. They make it all better.
Thank you. Bless God.
Wow! You are evil! And I mean this in a good way! This was an awesome read! I need to read all over again. This one is definitely a winner! . . . And thanks for mentioning ‘Geebee’s Chronicles’. Thanks. I’m honoured. *winks*
@Gbenga-Olowosile…
Thank you so much. Thank you sir.
Glad you appreciate the mention. Almost got my head chopped off last time I tried it.
Thank you. Bless God.
Nice read, great share
@elovepoetry….
Thank you much! Bless God.
You have wa way of making even a Nigerian politician’s speech very intriguing so I am not surprised at the various applauses. Seun, when I read a story or comment on any piece, I do so using certain parametres. Hmm…How does one talk to a really good writer? *Sigh.
For any other person, I might have passed but this is one of NS bests. I would summarise it by saying that this is certainly not one of your best pieces. I think that there is something to this piece…yes, it is good and lovely but if you read it again after two months, you would discover that there is someting that can be done to it. What? Well, you have the magic of making yourself better in ways no one can Seun. Do it.
Well done on this piece my brother. Hope to read it again when you are really done. Cheers.
@sueddie…
Thank you so much for your detailed comment and compliments. I appreciate.
I honestly don’t know what exactly can be done about this, but i’ll give it time like you suggested and then take it from there.
Thank you. Bless God.
sigh…well we all know who i am voting for…
Great job as always Seun.
@kiah…
Thank you so much!
Unfortunately…the voting period is over. Let’s see how it goes though.
I appreciate your support. Thank you, Bless God.
PS: You back now?
back to where? lol…i am always skimming around the edges…reading yall’s amazing work
@kiah…
Can we talk…?