Test of Time

Test of Time

Episode 2

(Meanwhile, Bimbo is at her office talking with her Manager)

MARK : So what's it gonna be?
BIMBO : (Laughs)...hey, nothing yet.
MARK : Babe...(Holding her hand)...give me a chance.
BIMBO : We don't have to go over this again. I have a boyfriend.
MARK : Hmm....I'm not expecting you not to, but I'm saying I can be a better person than he is...
BIMBO : Hmm...I like him a lot.
MARK : You like him...I didn't hear love...
BIMBO : (Chuckles)...na you know. I've told you I don't do office romance...
MARK : Come on...I'll be transferred from here soon while you'll become the branch manager.
BIMBO : Let's wait till that happens.
MARK : So tell me, what do you want as your birthday gift? I heard you talking to him about it. Are you expecting an engagement ring?
BIMBO : Engagement what? Hell no! I'm not ready for that. I still have my youthful days ahead of me. Marriage will just tie me down.
MARK : Bimbo!....
BIMBO : Yes, that's the fact. Once you get married and start having kids, fun is cancelled. Please o, let me enjoy my days.
MARK : And what if he is ready?
BIMBO : He'll have to wait or find his way.
MARK : And you won't mind?
BIMBO : Till then. Moreover, Yomi loves me too much to let go. He'd rather wait.
MARK : And me?
BIMBO : (Hits him) you're not serious!
MARK : If only you know how much I crave for you...you have not told me what you want for your birthday gift...
BIMBO : Hmm...if you're serious about that, then I'll let you know.
MARK : I can't be more serious...
..................................................................


(Yinka is at the office. He just received an information from Mike and he immediately picks up his phone and dials Jade's number....)

YINKA : My Boss and I are coming to Lagos next week.
RECEIVER : Oh really?
YINKA : Yes. So I was thinking maybe we could hook up.
RECEIVER : Hmm...Okay.
YINKA : Or you're gonna be busy?
RECEIVER : At all. I have no plans for next weekend.
YINKA : Okay. So how have you being?
RECEIVER : Very well, thanks. And your sister?
YINKA : She's good.
RECEIVER : I never knew she was the one I sat with at the convention you know.
YINKA : I didn't tell her till last month.
RECEIVER : Oh really?
YINKA : Yes. But she knew there's someone I keep talking to, every now and then.
RECEIVER : (Laughs)....She's cool. That day she gave me a thumb-up.
YINKA : We didn't come for the program together o.
RECEIVER : Really? Why?
YINKA : She came with her friend. You know she's in Uniport.
RECEIVER : Hmm that's true.
YINKA : (Pauses for a while)...Jade
RECEIVER : Yes..(Noticing the seriousness)YINKA : Can I tell you something?
RECEIVER : Why not? I'm listening...
YINKA : I'm looking forward to seeing you.
RECEIVER : You are?
YINKA : Yes I am.... Ain't you? I mean are you not looking forward to seeing me?
RECEIVER : Considering the fact that I've been talking to someone I've not seen before, its normal for me to look forward to seeing the face.
YINKA : ....Is that the only reason?
RECEIVER : Well....for now I think so.
YINKA : Okay o. For me sha, it goes beyond just seeing someone I've been. talking with.
RECEIVER : Oh...
YINKA : Yes. I've been feeling very funny about you for a while now. I mean, I think about you everyday. No day passes without me wishing to talk to you. Any day I don't talk with you, its like my day is not complete... I think I'm beginning to fall in love with you.
RECEIVER : (Smiling)...Hmm....
YINKA : Is that all you'll say?
RECEIVER : (Laughing)...what are you expecting me to say? I mean you're just expressing yourself nau...
YINKA : Yes, but I was expecting you to say something. I mean, I just told you how I feel about you. Don't you feel the same way?
RECEIVER : (Chuckles)...Yinka, its not as easy as you say it. You have seen me before, its logical you feel that way. But I haven't seen you. Let's see first, then I'll tell you how I feel.
YINKA : You prefer it that way?
RECEIVER : Kind of.
YINKA : Okay. I'm looking forward to next week.
RECEIVER : Same here.
(Mike walks in...)
MIKE : So have you told her?
YINKA : I just did.
MIKE : How did she take the news?
YINKA : Excited I guess.
MIKE : You guess? Meaning you're not sure...
YINKA : Not that.
MIKE : Then what?
YINKA : Come on Mike, she's a girl, she'll want to hold back a little...
MIKE : Hmm....come, you're getting so fond of this girl. Are you sure you're not in love with her?
YINKA : The truth...?
MIKE : Yes....(Sitting more comfortably)
YINKA : I think I've found the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with....
MIKE : Hmmm.....really?
YINKA : I tell you. I'm so in love with her. This is the first time I'm feeling this way about any girl.
MIKE : Someone is really in love....
YINKA : I would do anything to have that girl.
MIKE : Wow! Is this really you talking like this?
YINKA : (Smiles)....she got me craving for her.
MIKE : I've never heard you talk about any woman like this...
YINKA : Mike, this is the woman I've being waiting for.
MIKE : Then go for her.
YINKA : I sure will.

..................................................................

(Meanwhile in Manchester, England, Sir T is on his sick bed as his health deteriorates he calls his lawyer....)

Sir T : What have you found out about the woman I asked you to search for?
NATE : I think I have to go down there myself. The investigators are not fruitful.
Sir T : I want you to know that...I made you my lawyer because I need you to search for her till you find her.
NATE : Yes sir.
Sir T : Ever since Melissa and Zeta died in the auto crash, no lawyer has agreed to do this for me and I have no other person to bequeath all my properties to.
NATE : Sir, selling off all your assets is not the best.
Sir T : (Coughs)...its better. If she gets here, she may not want to do anything with them.
NATE : But sir....
Sir T : No buts Nate, just find her before I die....(Coughs)...
NATE : I will set out next week sir.
Sir T : Next week is too far, I don't have much time left.
NATE : Sir, the doctor said you still have two years....
Sir T : He said....(Coughs)...I don't have more than two years.....(Coughs)....that could be 6 months, a year.
NATE : Okay sir. I'll try making it sooner.
Sir T : Good.
..................................................................

(Jade and Funmi are home talking...)

FUNMI : Wow! So what are you going to do? Won't you do your hair? What dress are you going to wear?
JADE : I'll do my hair tomorrow...
FUNMI : Your dress nko? You should buy a new dress or do you have any?
JADE : I'll wear one of the dresses I just bought. I have to cut down my expenses. Remember I've not being paid for two months now.
FUNMI : Forget that one jare, you need to look good.
JADE : What would you have said before? I still have a nice dress to put on.
FUNMI : New, right?
JADE : Hmmm....(Nodding)
FUNMI : That's more like it!
JADE : Hey, you sound like you're more excited than I am....
FUNMI : Hmm....So you're excited, right?
JADE : I don't know....maybe.
FUNMI : I think someone is falling in love...
JADE : Hey...(Turns away)....I'm....I'm not.
FUNMI : Are you sure?
JADE : You're not serious...
FUNMI : So where are you guys gonna meet up?
JADE : Lamster
FUNMI : Wow, is that where he'll be staying?
JADE : Yes.
FUNMI : Hmm....
JADE : Hey stop getting ideas. He's a good guy. A good christian at that.
FUNMI : I see...

..................................................................

Yinka and Jade made an arrangement to meet at the hotel where Yinka will be staying. While Jade was still on the way...

YINKA : Where are you now?
RECEIVER : I'm on the 3rd mainland bridge, almost there.
YINKA : Are you driving?
RECEIVER : Yes.
YINKA : (surprised) and receiving a call...
RECEIVER : Its okay. I'm using ear phones)...
YINKA : Okay. Hope you can find your way here?
RECEIVER : Yes I can.
YINKA : You know I'm not so familiar with this area...
RECEIVER : Its okay. I'll be there soon.
YINKA : Call me when you get to the reception.
RECEIVER : Alright.

(Few minutes later, Jade gets to the reception and gives Yinka a call. He comes straight down to meet her at the reception. Jade had seen a picture of Yinka before, so she looks out for him...)

YINKA : (Walking up to her from the back, he whispers into her ears)....Hello....
JADE : (Turning around)....Hi...
YINKA : (Gives her a hug)...How are you?
JADE : I'm good.
YINKA : Its so good to see you again after all this while...(Examining her fully)
JADE : Hmm....(Looking at him, his clothes etc)
YINKA : You look good...
JADE : Thanks, you too.
YINKA : What do you want to take?
JADE : Oh, I'm alright.
YINKA : Do you want to stay here at the lobby or should we go to my room?
JADE : Oh no, I'll be okay at the lobby.
YINKA : Alright let's go....(Leading the way)
(They get to the lobby and sit there sipping their drinks)
JADE : Hope you like the place?
YINKA : Its beautiful...I can't believe I'm seeing you again...and (looking at her again) you've not changed a bit.
JADE : (Smiles)...Its God.
YINKA : So tell me something good...
JADE : ask me...
YINKA : How's work?
JADE : Not so bad...How was your trip?
YINKA : Full of anxiety, of setting my eyes on you.
JADE : Really?
YINKA : Yeah...(He holds her hand)...Jade
JADE : Yes
YINKA : I've fallen desperately in love with you....
JADE : (Chuckles)...hmm
YINKA : I'm serious....ever since I set my eyes on you at the conference, I've not being able to get you off my head. I've dreamed of being with you...
JADE : hmm...
YINKA : You don't believe me?
JADE : Its not that.
YINKA : Then its what?
JADE : You should get to know me more before saying all this.
YINKA : I should?
JADE : Yeah
YINKA : I think I know you enough to tell you how I feel. You and I have been friends for over a year now. Talking almost everyday, we've shared ideas. I love the way you reason, the way you see life and all that. I think that's enough reason for me to tell you what I feel. You've told me you're not into any relationship, so.....?
JADE : (Takes a deep breath)...I need to think about it.
YINKA : Why would you?
JADE : The distance.
YINKA : Not again....we've talked about this before you know...come on. If two people love each other distance will be nothing.
JADE : Yes, but...
YINKA : But what? The other day I asked you how you feel about me, you totally ignored the question...
JADE : Yinka, I'm not a kid you know and long distance relationship can have its ups and downs....
YINKA : Yes, but we can overcome it together...(Moves closer to her, looking at her in the eyes) Jade...
JADE : Yes...(She looks away)
YINKA : How do you feel about me?
JADE : (Takes a deep breath)...the truth is that...I...I'm just really seeing you and I can't really say...
YINKA : Are you sure you're not shying away from something?
JADE : (Looks at him again)....Yinka...to be truthful with you, I wish we could be more than friends, from the depth of my heart...
YINKA : (Cuts in)....You wish? Does that mean you love me?
JADE : You have a special place in my heart but I can't say more than that. There's something we all look out for in a relationship but I can't get it if we have one. I don't think you'll like it if I'm here and someone else keeps me company while you're there.
YINKA : Jade...
JADE : Yes
YINKA : Tell me, what do you look out for in a relationship?
JADE : Hmm...I want to see my man whenever I feel like it. Without thinking about any obstacles involved.
YINKA : Hmm....I see...(He withdraws from her)
JADE : I'm really sorry but I don't think I can cope with a long distance thing.
YINKA : Don't you want to give it a thought? I mean you
may end up changing your mind...
JADE : (Thinks for a while)...No, I can't....

To be continued...