Sisterhood episode 10

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

PART 10

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Ebuka waited outside the hostel for Funke to join him on a date. He had received his call-up letter from NYSC and needed to be at the camp the next week. He was posted to Abuja. He needed to let her know.

He took her for lunch and they spoke at length. Funke wasn’t happy he was going so far away but he didn’t mind. He wanted to see how well the relationship will flourish with this new distance.

They had grown very close over the past month. They talked at least three times a day. Funke was fond of Ebuka; the feeling was mutual. He wanted Funke to know he was getting ready to leave so she doesnot feel the pressure when it was close.

She came out wearing a long gown which stuck to her body with a belt. He smiled when he saw how her face lit up when she saw him. His friends believed getting married to a crush made no sense when he could have as many girls as he wanted before he decides to settle down, but Ebuka was a romantic. He loved Funke and didn’t want to be with another. He couldn’t even imagine any other person being with her. He had asked them if she shared the same ideology with them would they like it? If she had several relationships before settling down, would they, the man, be happy? Well, they didn’t understand his obsession with Funke. It wasn’t an obsession; it was love. He had sown his wild oats enough and now he wanted to be with just Funke. He hoped and prayed she was also through with other guys so they would be committed to each other.

As Funke entered the car, he pecked her on the cheek. She smelt so good as her perfume enveloped the car. He called her the queen of my heart, and she liked it. They went off together.

When he told her about his posting and leaving the following week, her countenance changed. He assured her after the three weeks of orientation camp, he was coming back to spend time with her. She agreed. They talked at length and he took her shopping. She always bought things for her roommates no matter how small. He liked the fact that she thought about them.

“Would you spend the night with me on Sunday before I leave on Monday?”

Funke was caught off guard. She didn’t want to because she was scared of what they would do alone in a room. She couldn’t face him while she struggled with her emotions.

“I want to spend time with you without having other people around. You will help me pack, we eat in the room, watch a movie and maybe play games. I just want to be with you.”

“What of your folks?”

“They won’t mind. It’s their home and I will respect them, not defile the place. I want your company. I would have suggested a hotel but my parents wouldn’t allow me to sleep outside the home. I don’t know why. I know. We haven’t been alone and I want us to try it. So that you will be comfortable when you come to visit me in Abuja.”

“Ebuka, let me think about it.”

“Won’t you miss me? I will miss you so much.”

“I will miss you but sleeping over is a big step. I have to tell my mother who will tell your mother. We will be involving them in our relationship.”

“Let’s involve them this once. Subsequently, we will do our things ourselves. I will tell my mum.”

“I will tell mine and hear what she has to say.”

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“That’s serious, Funke. Have you people started having sex?”

“Mum! Of course not. We are still just friends. He is going away to camp and wants me to spend his last day in Lagos with him before he goes.”

“It is getting serious,” her mother concluded.

“We are just friends, mum.”

“Just friends and he wants you to sleep over at his house. I have heard you. You can go, but please don’t succumb to his advances. Men can be very persuasive; before you know it you have…”

“Mum! Please, I know what I am doing. He is a nice guy and I don’t believe he will misbehave with his folks in the same house.”

“You are not sharing a room with him o, you should have your room”

“Tell your friend. He didn’t even suggest it. We just want to spend time together that’s all.”

“Interesting.”

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The Sunday came, and Ebuka came to pick Funke up from the hostel. She came down to meet him. Ebuka was ecstatic he was going to spend time with Funke. She dropped her overnight bag in the boot of the car and entered the car with him.

“Good day, the queen of my heart” Ebuka said as he pecked her.

“Good day. How has your day been?”

“Good. I think I have everything I need. I am yet to pack though, mum packed the things she bought. We will pack my personal effect. I have been meaning to go for a stroll in the estate, but I haven’t been able to. I will like to do that with you later in the evening. Do you like suya? (she nodded) I do too. There is a man that sells within the estate, his suya is nice. I see cars parked by the roadside to buy from him. Are you ok?”

“I am fine. I can’t believe your mother agreed.”

“She did but insisted we stayed in separate rooms. I asked her if I would attempt to do anything when I know her ears will be by the door all night. I told her you will stay in my room and I will respect you. She asked me to discuss that with you.”

They talked until they got to the house. Ebuka’s mother doted on her. She served both of them a meal on the same plate. Funke was surprised. Ebuka asked the cook to bring the food to his room. He set the food on the rug that was on the floor, and both of them sat down there to eat away from wondering eyes.

Funke took in his room. It had a large bed with side stools and decorative lamps, a chest of drawers, a wall mirror, an executive table and chair, his wardrobe and then a love seat and a side stool. The room was painted off white but the wall opposite the wardrobe had brick wallpaper. It was nice.

After the meal, Funke tried to clean up where they ate but Ebuka refused, “You are my queen, I’m at your service.” Funke smiled, she was enjoying the attention.

They packed Ebuka’s bag and ensured all the NYSC requirements were complete. He had extra of many things. He had a list of other items he should have. His mother rolled in the other box that had provisions. Funke wondered what he was going to do with everything he was travelling with, it was too much. A box and an extra large bag loaded with edibles.

“Isn’t this too much?” Funke asked.

“I will give most of it out. Once I have my protein shake and a meal, I am fine. I don’t want to burst my mom’s bubble by complaining; she did it out of love. I might even pack some for you to take back to the hostel.”

“It is not necessary.”

“I don’t need them. Let’s go for the walk. We would have burnt enough calories to enjoy the suya.”

They went for the walk. They were away for two hours walking hand in hand and talking. Ebuka’s mother called to find out if they were ok and he told her they were fine; they were strolling.

“What does she think we are doing?”

“She is just worried. I am enjoying this.”

“Anytime you visit me at home, it will be our thing.” He said as he pulled her closer and placed his hand around her waist.

They eventually got to the suya and strolled back home. He bought some for his mum and he gave her. He also got some for the cook and security. They liked him a lot.

They sat on the love seat to eat the suya and talk. By then, it was already late. He asked Funke if she would want to take a bath first or if she would allow him to bathe and then leave the room for her. She would call him when she was done. She agreed. He finished mopping the floor and invited her to use the bathroom. When she came out he wasn’t in the room. She changed into her night dress but still had a bra on. She went in search of him.

She overheard him talking with his parents. They were talking about her. His father was the one speaking when she eavesdropped.

“What is your plan? If you get her pregnant you will marry her o!”

“Dad, she is not getting pregnant. That’s not why she is here.”

“You kept two hormone-raged youngsters together in a room. Hmm, Virginia, have you found your son a wife?”

“Dad, I will not disrespect Funke like that. When we do have sex, it won’t be here. She is seeing me off tomorrow. I like her and I need your support for the relationship to work. I’m counting on it. She’s the one.”

“How old are you that you know she is the one? Her parents might not agree for both of you to get married…”

“Her parents know she is here, dad. She told them. She is well brought up. She has values.”

“Virginia, you and your friend have succeeded. Ebuka, do what you want to do. Just don’t put her in the family way before you marry her. I like her and her family. Please, respect her and don’t do anything here. She will feel embarrassed.”

“Thanks, dad, thanks, mum. Good night.”

Funke went back into the room smiling. Ebuka was serious about their relationship. She liked him too but she didn’t want to appear desperate.

“You are through?”

“Yes, I am. I wondered where you went?”

“I had to give you space. Climb in, let’s watch a movie. Movie of your choice.”

They watched a movie together and talked through it. Eventually, Funke fell asleep. Ebuka smiled as he watched her sleep. He covered her up properly and also fell asleep. She was all his. He had wanted her since they were kids and he was willing to wait until she was fully his.

The following morning, he woke up and got ready for his trip. He woke Funke up to get ready and then he went to see to their breakfast so she could feel free in the room. She got ready, packed up her overnight bag and then came out to meet Ebuka in the kitchen. He was there with his mother.

“You are up. Good. Hope you slept well.”

“I did, ma. Good morning.”

“Come and have breakfast so you can both leave for the airport. What time is your lecture today?”

“It starts at 10 am.”

“His flight is for 8 am so you will get to school in record time. Ebuka, be fast so you can get to the airport. I will ask the driver to pick up your bags and put them in the car.”

They both ate in silence in the presence of Ebuka’s mum. Ebuka stole glances at Funke and smiled at her whenever their eyes met. She loved his beautiful smile. Virginia, Ebuka’s mum, watched both of them. They didn’t say a word but she could feel the connection between both of them. She knew Funke was a good girl and would make a great daughter-in-law. Ebuka had liked her since the day he met her and had told his mother so. She never knew he wouldn’t grow out of it. The tribe didn’t come into play here; Ebuka was not someone you can force to do what you want. If he had his heart set on something, he will do it. She knew their bond will be strong and not easily broken.

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They left for the airport at 6:30 am. It took them less than thirty minutes to get there. On the trip, Ebuka held Funke’s hand in his. At a time, he raised it to his lips and then to his chest. She could feel his heartbeat very fast. They travelled in silence, but their souls connected.

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When they got to the airport, a protocol officer was at hand to receive Ebuka and check him in. He had removed some of the things his mother bought and given them to some of the domestic staff. He had packed some for Funke to take back to the hostel. He instructed the driver on what to do. The check-in was over within ten minutes.

They went to find somewhere to sit down and wait. He agreed to go into the boarding area at 7:30 am since his flight was for 8 am.

“I hope you slept well?” he asked Funke.

“I did. And you?”

“I couldn’t. I thought about you all night.” Funke smiled. “I couldn’t believe you were laying right beside me. I didn’t want to make this trip anymore, I wanted to spend another night with you.”

“You will jeopardise your future to spend another night with me? You are more sensible than that.”

“I will give everything up to be with you.”

“Ebuka, you have a sweet tongue. You say the right things, but I don’t trust guys. Once you get what you want, you will be off or your eyes will begin to wonder. The way Jake was all over Esther I did not believe he will ever cheat on her but he did. She has gone back to him but I fear he will never change, instead he will be smarter.”

“Is my name Jake? What’s my name?”

“Ebuka. But men are all the same?”

“What’s my name?”

“Ebuka.”

“I am not all men. I love you and only you.”

Funke was surprised, he told her he loved her and she could not help smiling. And he smiled back with his one-sided dimple. He asked her to come with him. They walked outside to the car, the driver was there. He asked him to excuse them. He sat with her inside the car and pecked her on her cheeks, one after the other and then he kissed her on the mouth. He was gentle at first just their lips touching then he parted her lips and parted her mouth. Funke was having her first kiss and she couldn’t believe how sensual it was. Ebuka drew her closer to him as he buried his tongue in her mouth. They were so engrossed in what they were doing that they didn’t notice the driver had come back to call them.

The kiss ended when Ebuka’s phone kept ringing. He picked up the call and he was told they were boarding. “Let’s go, my flight is boarding now. Are you ok?” he asked a shaken Funke. She nodded.

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They went to the boarding platform. He kissed her again on the lips and then hugged her. He whispered, “I will miss you. I can’t wait for the three weeks to be over. I love you.” He pecked her one last time before he left.

Funke was an emotional wreck when she left the airport. She had tears in her eyes as she left for school. Why did she feel this way? Her phone rang and she picked it up without looking at the caller.

“We are about to take off. I just want you to know you are my queen and also my heartbeat. I love you very much. I will talk to you every day and come back as soon as I can.”

“I love you too,” Funke replied.

“What did you say?” Ebuka asked ecstatically. “Repeat what you said.”

“Ebuka, I’ll miss you. Safe trip. Let me know when you land.” And she ended the call.

Ebuka’s face was full of smiles. She said it to him. She loved him too. He didn’t want to wait for too long. He wanted her to be his for keeps. He wanted to officially make his intentions known. He had to start planning. As he had seen her, so have others and they might just be plotting too.

Tbc