Within these walls

Chapter 28

The hardest thing about being a leader is that everyone looks up to you to solve their problem. Being the head of a production in the last few weeks was exciting, tasking and draining. On some days I wanted to stay in bed and not show up on the set but I know that is not possible because everyone looks up to me to take charge of things.

Other times, things have gone wrong on set and even though I was panicking inside, I had to put up a courageous face and handle it. Managing the emotions of cast and crew was also really tasking but in all of that, I will not switch careers for anything. I love the process despite how gruelling it was and I hope everyone loves our movie when it comes out.

I have been back in Abuja for a week now.

"Why do you sound that way?"

"I have a sore throat."

"Why are you at work then? You should go home and rest."

"I have a deadline tomorrow Jay."

Few hours after that phone call, Jay sent me a care package. I love this man sha. He sent drugs, grilled chicken and a flask of his special tea.

"Babe, thank you much."

"Just take care of yourself. Should I come take you home?"

"Nah, don't worry I can drive."

"Alright then, talk to you later."

So, about this special tea. My car broke down, as usual, and I had to go to Kubwa two days ago. He was supposed to take me but he got called in for an emergency meeting and he left his flask in the car. Stuck in traffic and I couldn't find any vendor to buy water from, I took a sip of the tea and my taste buds have never been the same.

Okay, maybe I am exaggerating but the tea tastes really good, it is a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and some special loose tea leaves that this man has refused to tell me the name.

It is 8:00 p.m and even though I just want to be in bed, I am up waiting for AbdulJalal because he said he will be stopping by on his way home.

"Salima, is that AbdulJalal?" asked our housekeeper, on my way out to see him.

"Yes!!" I said, wondering why she was asking.

"His Kunun aya (Tigernut drink) is in the kitchen. Let me get it," she quickly went to the kitchen.

Okay! Strange things are happening in this house. I live in this house but I had no idea they made Kunun aya. Also, why are they feeding him, did he say he can't feed himself.

"When did you make this?" I asked as she handed me over a bag with 5 bottles of Kunun aya.

"It was in the afternoon, mummy said to make it for him because he likes it," she replied sheepishly.

"Ikon Allah!!!!" I exclaimed.

I opened the back seat of his car when I got to him and dropped the bag inside.

"Why are my house people making food for you AbdulJalal?" I asked after slipping in.

"First because they are nice people and they love me. Secondly, can you stop calling me AbdulJalal casually? it makes feel like I did something anytime you call my full name."

"Drama," I rolled my eyes.

"How are you feeling? Even though you don't even look sick," he said."

I have a sore throat, I am not sick, just a small glitch in my throat," I replied.

"Okay o, sorry Lee," he said.

"So, my aunties somehow found out about your people coming during the weekend and now I am in trouble. One has booked an appointment with a makeup artist and the other said I should come for fitting tomorrow, she has already taken it upon herself to make the outfit I will wear, very exhausting people," I sighed.

"Aww baby, they are just excited. Let them partake in your joy," he pouted.

"I know they are happy but honestly it is just the fixing of the date, it is not a big ceremony and no one will even see me. So, what is the point?"

"I can't believe we are taking this step. I mean I am so excited but also really scared, it is a big deal," he said."

Yeah! It definitely is but then what makes it easy for me to handle is that I am doing it with you, please don't disgrace me." I ended with a laugh.

He just laughed and before he could reply, a call came through on his phone.

I spent my time scrolling through Twitter, while he was busy talking to his mother.

"What are you looking at with such deep concentration madam?" he asked after ending his call.

"So, it is a conversation on twitter about not being biologically compatible with the love of your life. A lot of people were lamenting about having to let go of relationships because their partners turned out to be of the same genotype.

Anyways someone said something interesting about how we attached the essence of marriage to reproduction. Why let go of the love of your life, when you can decide not to have children or you can always adopt if you want kids. I found that opinion very interesting.""

See this genotype thing can be very tricky. I don't even know your genotype, I am AS sha," he said.

I just started laughing, I laughed so hard that I had to clutch my stomach.

"Why are you laughing, what is funny?"

"I am AS too," I said while feeling tears threatening to fall.

                                     THE END

I know you all are planning my death and kidnap but I am sorry I just had to end it this way. This is not because I lack joy in romance or maybe I do (lol). Writing this book was hard for me because as you might have noticed romance is not my forte . But I did my best and I hope my best is enough for all of you. 

Relationships have broken, engagements have been called off because people are not genotypically compatible. I hope you all know your genotypes and if you don't I hope you go take a test as soon as this pandemic comes to an end.

As uncomfortable as it may sound, if you plan to have kids then it is important you know the genotype of the person you are seeing as early as possible. As long as your genotype is not 'AA', help yourself and ask him/her before you get too invested and it becomes stories that touch.

I know it can be uncomfortable asking the person immediately you meet, but once you have decided that you want something serious, please ensure you ask, it is very important.

Thank you for sticking with me and I hope to see you again if I decide to write another story. For now, you can read my other book here and you can purchase my published book from me. Let me know if you are interested in purchasing it.

Finally, kindly, let me know of your best part of the book and what you have learnt from this book.

Cheers.