WHERE THE LOTUS GROWS

I NEED A DATE

Taiwo closed the bible he was reading just as his intercom rang. He had been doing a lot of that since Karen gave him the bible a little over two months ago and realizing every day that it made so much sense and applied to our everyday lives now as much as it did years ago when it was first written.

It was Chisom, his secretary and personal assistant who called to tell him he had visitors, Dapo and Kike who was so lovable and warm. He straightened his back and cleared his table. Anytime soon, they would walk in. Right on cue, Dapo and Kike walked in holding hands and beaming from ear to ear.

"Bros T, how tinz now?" Dapo asked jovially shaking his hand while still keeping a protective hand around Kike's shoulders.
"Normal Lagos hustle now but life's good. Since you left us in Lagos to become a love-bird in Ibadan, life must go on and man must chop." Taiwo answered equally happy for them. Dapo laughed heartily while Kike just kept smiling. (Man must chop-Man must eat)

"But Dapo, you no good oh. You've been hiding with this angel in Ibadan since. You just want to keep her to yourself abi?" Taiwo said jokingly and Kike burst out laughing. (Abi- right)

"He has not been hiding me oh. We have just been very busy with the final wedding preparation, that's all." As he looked at the both of them, the love that they both felt for each other was very obvious as they stared at each other as if they were the only ones in the world. He expected to feel that familiar twinge of pain but he didn't.

He cleared his throat and spoke up, waving his hands in front of them. "Guys, I'm still here."
"Yeah." They took their eyes off each other and turned to him. They looked a bit uncomfortable but, who knew? They were probably just a bit embarrassed to have forgotten themselves for a second. "So, to what do I owe this visit? I know it's definitely not to share lunch with me or invite me to dinner. You guys look too serious for that."

"No oh, we are here to give you an official invitation and give you the aso ebi for the engagement and whoever you plan to bring. If you have anyone, that is. You remember it's in Ibadan at my family home. The address is on the IV but Dapo will text you the directions." Kike said handing him an invitation and the aso ebi from her huge carry-all bag.

"Is there going to be space for bachelors at the family home or should I make plans to get reservations at a hotel?" Taiwo asked.
"No, there'll be space at home for relatives and close friends." Kike answered, looking at Dapo briefly before turning back to Taiwo. He knew they still had something to say. "What is it?" he asked.

"Uhm..." Dapo cleared his throat nervously. "That is, uhm..., if you are still interested in staying at the house after we tell you this." Kike said looking at Dapo again. Taiwo looked from Dapo to Kike and back again getting more and more confused. "Just tell me what it is. I think I can take whatever it is; you don't have to walk on eggshells around me as if I'm some fragile baby you are afraid to break."

"Speaking of close friends, the thing is Anita is going to be there. Actually, she is a member of the bridal train so you guys will have to work together and be in close contact most of the time." Kike rushed before she lost her nerve.
The blood drained from his light-complexioned face and he turned deathly pale. "What?" he asked incredulously.

"I tried to warn Kike but..." He trailed off as Kike stared at him with a look that said 'Oh, so now it's my fault?' "You know what? We can explain to her how you feel. I'm sure she'll understand. Any of Kike's younger cousins would be glad to do the honors.

There's really no..." Taiwo cut him off. "And then what? I go and hide myself under a rock so I don't see her throughout the wedding? And disrupt the plans you've already made? No, there's no need for you to do that." Taiwo said, releasing the death grips he had on his arm rests and walked to the water dispenser to get a long, refreshing drink of water. They were holding their breaths, waiting for him to blow up and he knew but he didn't. He wasn't some ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Instead, he turned to them, controlling his facial expression with some difficulty. "No problem." His face was a mask of barely suppressed pain but he didn't look angry.