Test of Time

Test of Time

Episode 5

BIMBO : em...I'm sorry I can't do this now...

MARK : its okay..I'm sorry, I was taken away by your beauty, I couldn't resist the temptation... Please forgive me.

BIMBO : its okay. Thanks for your listening ears all the same.

MARK : anytime babe...should I take you back home now?

BIMBO : yes, please.

MARK : okay.

(He takes her back home and leaves. Meanwhile, Bimbo's friends are still waiting for her at home...)

TARA : Baby! (Opening the door for her as she enters)...Baby! You've got to gist me, tell me everything that happened...

(Chioma and Annette also comes out of the kitchen)

CHIOMA : hmm...come, tell us how it went...(Sitting next to Bimbo)

ANNET : hmm...(Sits on the couch)

CHIOMA : yes o, tell us...

BIMBO : (smiling)...guess what?

ALL : what!

BIMBO : we kissed...

ANNET : (shocked)...what! You kissed him?

TARA : wait, as in you guys kissed?

BIMBO : (facing Annette)...he kissed me actually. I wasn't the one that kissed him.

TARA : wow!...that's my girl!

ANNET : (turns to Tara)...your girl, what girl are you saying?

TARA : (turns to Annette)..haha, what nau?...(Turns back to Bimbo)...and did you respond? 

ANNET : Tara! Haha!

TARA : what! Haa!

ANNET : (turns to Bimbo)...what then happens to Yomi?

TARA : which Yomi? Abeg!

ANNET : come on babe, you just got into a mess with Yomi and now you're kissing Mark, haha...

TARA : and what is wrong with that?

CHIOMA : you guys wait....(Turns to Bimbo) are you interested in Mark? 

BIMBO : I don't know, he just showed up with all this love, affection and care and I'm like...

ANNET : Bimbo! Is it because of the gifts?

BIMBO : no. I mean, I don't know...

ANNET : you better start knowing now because you still have this situation with Yomi, or don't you want Yomi again?

TARA : Yomi? Abeg!

ANNET : (turns to Tara) please let her answer the question.

BIMBO : really, I'm confused, I don't know.

ANNET : its better you think about it and make up your mind.

CHIOMA : that's true o, Bimbo. If you know its Yomi, then make up your mind and if you know its Mark, let Yomi know.

TARA : better still do the two now, pick one later.

ANNET : Tara!

TARA : what? Have we not done it before, haha...

ANNET : you did, not me.

TARA : yeah right!

BIMBO : abeg, I want to go and freshen up...(She leaves them there)

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

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

Jade got home later that same evening after spending the whole day with Yinka....

FUNMI : (sitting beside her)....come, tell me, how did it go?

JADE : guess what?

FUNMI : tell me joor...

JADE : he asked me out!

FUNMI : really! So you have a boyfriend now... Yes!....(Excited)

JADE : no!

FUNMI : (shocked) no? What do you mean no?

JADE : I can't date him, Funmi.

FUNMI : but why?

JADE : Funmi, he's there and I'm here. Its not possible.

FUNMI : what do you mean its not possible? (Walks away) damn it! I can't believe you.

JADE : that's what it has to be.

FUNMI : but Jade, you love this guy. I know you love him.

JADE : even at that, I can't date him. I've told you I'm not into long distance relationship.

FUNMI : (comes to her again)....but we've talked about it. Don't let this guy out of your sight, cousin....

JADE : you know I love attention a lot Funmi. I love being with my man without considering any obstacles.

FUNMI : so what did he say? How did he take it?

JADE : hmm....(Takes a deep breath)...he didn't give up. He said he'll still wait for me to change my mind.

FUNMI : oh my God, Jade, this guy really loves you o. Don't let him go, cousin, he loves you, I can feel it.

JADE : (smiles)...its not that easy.

FUNMI : Jade, think about it like he said....(Looks at her again) when is he going back to Abuja?

JADE : day after tomorrow.

FUNMI : so are you guys going to see again?

JADE : yes. Tomorrow evening.

FUNMI : that's good...tell me, how do you feel with him?

JADE : the truth?

FUNMI : yes.

JADE : I really wish he stays in Lagos. He's such a gorgeous looking guy.

FUNMI : tell me more....(Sitting up)

JADE : he's got a good dress sense just like I love my men, a sweet smell that will make any girl go wow!

FUNMI : hmm...I wish I could meet him...

JADE : if only he's staying in lagos, I would have shouted yes immediately he told me how he felt.

FUNMI : hmm....you better agree, stubborn girl....

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

The following day Jade and Yinka met again and spent the whole evening talking. After which Yinka goes back to Abuja to resume work the following day...

MIKE : hey man! How was your trip?

YINKA : not so bad.

MIKE : (surprised)....not so bad? I was expecting you to say it was awesome or something...

YINKA : hmmm...

MIKE : what happened? Didn't you see Jade?

YINKA : Ja-de not Jade joor....its a yoruba name not english.

MIKE : whatever, its sweeter that way...so did you?

YINKA : I did and I told her how I feel.

MIKE : really, so?

YINKA : she said she's not interested in a long distance relationship.

MIKE : oh my....doesn't she love you?

YINKA : that's it. I believe she loves me.

MIKE : you believe? Haha...

YINKA : yes. Come on Mike, a girl that loves talking to me everyday, she spent the whole day with me on saturday...I could see it in her eyes, she loves me.

MIKE : so she didn't say she does?

YINKA : she didn't say she doesn't, either. That's why I believe she loves me.

MIKE : hmm.....(Thinking about it)...may be she wasn't interested in what she saw.

YINKA : (surprised)...you mean she didn't like me, after seeing me?

MIKE : no. I mean, may be you're not good looking enough for her.

YINKA : haha....guy, I'm not bad o.

MIKE : (laughs)...na so your Mama go talk.

YINKA : anyway sha, I had a very good time with her...

MIKE : (shocked)...you did?

YINKA : (looking at his face)...its not what you think joor! I mean we spent time together.

MIKE : oh, I see...

YINKA : she's more beautiful than the first time I saw her.

MIKE : really?

YINKA : I tell you....

MIKE : then, I should get a transfer to lagos...

YINKA : (confused)..why?

MIKE : to take your place of course!

YINKA : you dare not!

MIKE : (laughing)....take it easy nau, guy!

YINKA : I'm not giving up on her.

MIKE : hmmm....

YINKA : that's a fact. In fact, I'll tighten my game.

MIKE : wow, lover boy!

YINKA : that's me...

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Yomi was at work eating his lunch as usual when he receives a call from Bimbo...

YOMI : hello?

CALLER : Yomi...how are you?

YOMI : I'm good. You?

CALLER : I'm alright....em... can we hook up?

YOMI : when?

CALLER : this weekend.

YOMI : (surprised) this weekend?

CALLER : yes.

YOMI : why that long? Why can't we talk tomorrow or even today?

CALLER : because I need some days to get myself together and make up my mind.

YOMI : oh....okay.

CALLER : alright, then...

YOMI : (pauses for a while and then cuts in).....I still love you.

CALLER : (chuckles)...hmm...ciao!

YOMI : ciao...

(He had hardly dropped the phone when Lanre steps in....)

LANRE : Yomi, the presentation starts after lunch....(Seeing his looks) what's wrong?

YOMI : I just spoke to her now.

LANRE : your Babe?

YOMI : yes. She called me.

LANRE : to apologize right?

YOMI : how I wish...

LANRE : haha...then what...(Takes a seat)

YOMI : she said she wants us to talk this weekend.

LANRE : haha...why weekend? Today is just monday.

YOMI : her work....

LANRE : hmm....her work. Okay. I wish you good luck...

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

(Jade was at work when a letter was brought to her.....)

JADE : what's this about?...(Opening the letter)

CECE : lately, I've being giving retrenchment letter to people, I hope this is not another one.

JADE : (opens the letter and reads it)....oh my God....

CECE : (anxious) what's it about? With that expression I know its not a retrenchment letter.

JADE : I'm to resume in Abuja next week monday!

CECE : oh....really?

JADE : yes...

CECE : don't you like it?

JADE : no, its just that I wasn't expecting it.

CECE : you should be happy o. Everybody is getting a retrenchment letter, you got a letter of transfer, you better thank your God and go to Abuja.

JADE : my problem is settling there...I heard there's scarcity of accommodation and the cost of living there is very high.

CECE : of course the company should make provision for that nau.

JADE : let me go and see Mr Wade...(Standing up to leave)

CECE : better.

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

(Later that same evening Jade gets home.....)

JADE : Funmi! Funmi! (Entering into the house)

FUNMI : (coming out of the kitchen)...what is it young lady?...

JADE : I've been transferred to Abuja.

FUNMI : are you serious?

JADE : dead serious!....(bringing out the letter)...here...

FUNMI : (collecting the letter)....hey this is God's work o!....(Reads the letter).....have you told Yinka yet?

JADE : not yet o.

FUNMI : haha! What are you waiting for? Call him joor!

JADE : (she brings out her phone and dials Yinka's number)....hello?

RECEIVER : hello Jade

JADE : guess what?

RECEIVER : (surprised)...what happened?

JADE : I've just being transferred to Abuja.

RECEIVER : its a lie. You're just pulling my legs, abi?

JADE : I'm serious.

RECEIVER : (sitting up) stop this joke Jade, be serious nau...

JADE : I'm dead serious. I'm resuming next monday.

RECEIVER : oh my God, its true?

JADE : yes, very true!

RECEIVER : yes!!!

JADE : so I'll be coming down to Abuja on saturday so as to settle down before resuming on monday.

RECEIVER : and I definitely will be at the airport to pick you up. I can't wait!

JADE : I'd appreaciate that a lot.

RECEIVER : yes! God is surely on my side!

JADE : (laughing)...hmm

RECEIVER : I just can't wait for saturday! 

JADE : hey, take it easy, are you so excited?

RECEIVER : Jade, why won't I be? My prayers are answered! I've longed for you to be with me. Jade, you still don't know how much I love you, do you think its a joke? 

JADE : its not that, I just didn't think you'll be so excited.

RECEIVER : excitement is an understatement, believe me.

JADE : okay o. I just got back from work, let me go and freshen up.

RECEIVER : okay. Should I call you later on, may be before you go to bed?

JADE : okay.

RECEIVER : alright dear. Later

JADE : yeah....(Drops the call)

FUNMI : he was excited abi?

JADE : you can say that again. He said he can't wait for saturday.

FUNMI : wow! This is surely the beginning of good things....

JADE : hmm...I'm going to freshen up. 

FUNMI : we should celebrate this o.

JADE : they never pay my salary o.

FUNMI : haha!

JADE : see, all this other telecommunication companies charging 5k per second are not making land line companies sell again o. 

FUNMI : that's true o, GSM is now more economical than land line o.

JADE : abi nau. I hope they won't face us out sha, because about seven people were sacked last week.

FUNMI : eyah....

JADE : I'm happy I'm not one of them sha...abeg, let me go and freshen up, before Yinka calls me back...(Standing up)

FUNMI : hmm...love in the air!

JADE : (laughs) na you know o...

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

(Mark just came back home from work and meets Hyke in his house...)

MARK : I'm sorry I'm late...(Dropping his suit) I'm clearing up to move to the new branch.

HYKE : oh, the transfer pulled through?

MARK : not just that. I'm now the area manager of the branch I was transferred to.

HYKE : wow, we should celebrate that...

MARK : (smiles)...yes o...hope you're spending the night?

HYKE : yes, I will crash here.

MARK : okay. Eyah, if I'd known I would have told Anita to come around so she can cook for us.

HYKE : shouldn't she be in school?

MARK : the University lecturers are on strike nau.

HYKE : oh, I heard about that. So she's home?

MARK : yes, she is. 

HYKE : Hmm...my runaway wife.

MARK : o boy, take your time o, no even think am.

HYKE : why you dey like that? I no fit marry your sister?

MARK : you nko? Sebi you no wan make I marry your cousin.

HYKE : (laughs)...haha don't you have Bimbo there?

MARK : oh please! That one is for the road....oh I didn't even tell you what happened after the party!

HYKE : no, you didn't. Any big deal?..(Sitting up)

MARK : of course, we went somewhere to talk and guy believe me after just a little sweet talk, she was melting in my arms o.

HYKE : are you serious?

MARK : believe me.

HYKE : with all that her shakara!

MARK : guy, we kissed o.

HYKE : (shocked) Na lie!

MARK : haha....I'm serious. I kiss am and she responded....after she don respond finish, she come say 'sorry, I can't do this now'...(Laughing)

HYKE : yeah right! After enjoying the kiss.

MARK : ehn she didn't say she can't do it at all, abi? She said she can't do it 'now'...

HYKE : meaning she fit do am later....(Laughing)

MARK : you don get am....all these girls, they're all the same jare.

HYKE : chai! So how far? The girl don fall be that o.

MARK : I tell you...I've been having lunch with her since monday, and from what I gathered, she's been confused about her guy.

HYKE : hmm.....you bad guy! This is why I no wan give you my cousin o, make you no break her heart.

MARK : haba nau...(Sits beside him)...na small innocent girl I want. See, let's be serious, Amanda is still an innocent naïve girl, that's what I want. The other day she visited me with Anita, I knew she'd make a good wife. I just want to wait for her to finish school and come for her hand.

HYKE : what of your Bimbo?

MARK : wait a minute, did I ever tell you I want to spend the rest of my life with her? Abeg, she's just for the road to Amanda. Please don't deny me Amanda.

HYKE : you agree make we exchange?

MARK : hmm...all those your girls wey you dey carry around nko? You know say me I be one-woman-at-a-time guy. I drop one before picking up another.

HYKE : you know all this my runs will stop if I get Anita nau, haba! She's the woman of my life.

MARK : hmm...

HYKE : seriously o...

MARK : hmm....let's see how it goes...

To be continued....