July 13, 2017

Lagos, Nigeria

Jasmine's POV
We've now arrived in Nigeria after a 12 hour flight. During the flight, I gave Dwayne and Joe space to discuss in detail what happened in Beijing. In the meantime, I took time to take a nap, read, and meditate. Actually, I found it refreshing because it gave all of us space from each other as to keep the love and romance alive. I was excited to travel to Africa—to see the land of my ancestors. The plan for this leg of our honeymoon was to visit Nigeria. Initially, we were going to visit South Africa too, but decided to save it for a second honeymoon. We decided to stay here for 2 weeks. I believe that it would not only be a romantic trip but also educational as well-not only for me but the fellas too. It will allow them to learn about African culture and even compare it to Samoan culture. I believe that we will have a good time on our visit here. One of my fellow CRNAs Emanuel Idowu, who attended our wedding, has a home here and told me that when we come here, he has a special surprise for us. Dwayne thought it was wonderful, but Joe..well Joe doing what he does best—act like a jealous, possessive lunatic. I think it was because, at the wedding, when Joe and I had our first dance, Emanuel came up to us and began showering $20 bills on us. Now, I know that it is a Nigerian custom to shower money, especially during a wedding, but Joe thought he was coming on to me and growled at Emanuel.

Flashback to Joe's wedding

"Ok everyone, let's have the brand new Mr. and Mrs. Anoa'i out on the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife". The DJ announced.

"Come on wifey, let's have our first dance together." Joe said, smiling and taking his new wife's hand.

As they made their way onto the banquet hall floor, amid the cheers and applause of their friends and family, Joe and Jasmine engaged in a passionate embrace as they began to dance. While they were dancing, a smiling gentleman dressed in traditional Nigerian attire joyfully danced his way towards the couple. He began to throw $20 bills on them.

https://youtu.be/2BGQes_9juI

As they were dancing, Jasmine felt Joe growling in his chest and felt him tense up, tightening his grip around her waist and trembling in anger.

"The fuck is he doing? Does this muthafucka think he at a strip club? Is he really trying to make it rain on you like you're some kind of fucking stripper?!" Joe whispered angrily in his wife's ear.

"No baby, please calm down and relax. This is a custom that Nigerians have at a wedding. It is a sign of wishing the couple joy. It's perfectly normal." Jasmine explained, whispering back to Joe, stroking his back.

"Yeah aight. For a second I thought I was gonna have to smash his ass." He said.

*******End of Flashback*****************

Present Day

Joe's POV
Well, this is a new experience for me. I don't think in all of my travels I have ever visited the continent of Africa. But I must say that Nigeria is a beautiful place. The landscape is wonderful and honestly it reminds me of Samoa. I think I'm gonna really enjoy myself here, mainly because the love of my life is here with me. I know that one of Jasmine's former colleagues has decided to host us for our stay here and supposedly has a huge surprise to celebrate our marriage. Jasmine and Dwayne thought it was so kind and generous, but me....I think Emanuel is a little too friendly. I mean when he sees my baby, he yells "HEEEYYYYYY MY SISTER!!! YES!!! laughing extremely loud. Just like at our wedding, in the receiving line, this loud ass muthafucka grabs Jasmine hugging her all tight and even kissed her on the cheek. I'm like...dude...that's MY woman you got your hands all over. But what really pissed me off was when we were having our first dance and this clown comes up to us throwing $20 bills on her, making it rain and shit. Man I was so fucking heated that I started trembling and growling because it took everything in me not to beat his fucking ass, I was on 10 until Jasmine told me that was a Nigerian custom. I think that was the only thing that saved him from an ass whipping. Later, he told us that he would host when we visited Nigeria on our honeymoon. I promised baby girl I would chill out and I'm trying to keep my word, but when muthafuckas get too friendly with my wife, it makes me feel a certain way. But after what happened in China, I'm gonna bite my tongue as much as I can.

Dwayne's POV
Wow!! I must say that Nigeria is a very interesting place. The people are so welcoming and friendly. Jasmine's coworker Emanuel is so friendly and generous to host us on our visit here. But as usual, Joe gotta be Joe. I remember at his wedding when he and Jasmine were having their first dance, Emanuel was throwing $20 dollar bills at him and Jasmine and I swear if looks were deadly, homeboy would have been dead as a doornail. I mean, I know it is a traditional Nigerian custom to throw money, so I wasn't trippin'. But Joe....man he was so pissed...he had a look on his face that I'd never seen before. His lips were twitching like they do when he gets pissed off and he was trembling and squeezing Jasmine so hard...she squealed out. He was whispering something to her and she whispered something back and he started to calm down. I got kinda worried, so I stood up and gave the twins a look signaling them to standby in case this crazy muthafucka flips out and beats dude's ass. They looked at each other, then again at me and also stood up waiting to see what would happen. Luckily for Emanuel and to our relief, nothing happened. But to be honest, Emanuel was so good natured and oblivious to Joe's anger that it was actually hilarious the way he was smiling and having a good time. I ran into Emanuel after the wedding and he said that he would host us when we came to Nigeria. So now that we've landed and will be here for 2 weeks, I'm looking forward to what he has in store for us. I must say it is a humbling experience to have someone behave so generously to me and my dear wife. However, as it relates to Joe, this might a very challenging 2 weeks and I hope like hell he can control his damn self, because the last thing I want is for Emanuel and his family to think that Samoans are uncouth, jealous lunatics.

Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria

After the plane landed in Lagos, the trio were headed to Emanuel's compound.

It turns out that Emanuel lived in Lekki, which is a city within the state of Lagos. Lekki was the wealthiest village in all of Nigeria. It was so affluent that it was compared to Beverly Hills, California. Many of the residents drove high end cars such as Bentleys, Rolls Royces and Mercedes Benz and many of its residents live in palatial mansions. After the trio got off of the plane, a driver arrived to pick them up to take them to Emanuel's house.

"Hello everyone!! Welcome to Nigeria!!! I hope your flight here was excellent!" The chauffeur exclaimed, smiling. "My name is Peter Okonkwo and I will provide your transportation during your stay."

"Thank you very much Mr. Okonkwo, you are very kind." Jasmine said softly giving one of her beautiful smiles.

"HEY!" Peter exclaimed, excitedly smiling but startling the trio. "It is not everyday that I get provide service to such a extraordinarily beautiful lady. I mean my goodness, I did not realize that the United States had such attractive women. You gentlemen are blessed to have a such a beautiful lady." He continued, flirting with Jasmine.

It was at that moment that Dwayne and Joe exchanged heated glances with each other, while Jasmine nervously shifted her eyes between her two pissed off husbands. However, Dwayne swallowed his annoyance and gave a fake smile...

"Hey man, thanks we appreciate it". Dwayne responded.

However, Joe did not respond. Instead he closed his eyes and was silently counting to 30 in an attempt to not snap and attack the chauffeur.

"I have to stop a pick up a package for Mr. Idowu. I will stop here and I will be right back..please". Peter said to the trio.

"Ok that's fine...take your time". Jasmine said, in which Joe and Dwayne looked at her incredulously.

"Thank you I will be right back".

After Peter got out of the car...Joe made his feelings known.....

"Slick talkin' muthafucka. If he keeps running his damn mouth about Jasmine, I'm gonna haul off and smash his ass!" Joe snarled.

"Not before I put my boots to his monkey ass!" Dwayne growled, clearly not appreciating the flirtatious chaffeur.

"It's all your fault". Joe said to Jasmine. "How dare you be so gorgeous. You're gonna have me and Dwayne handing out international ass beatings over you......I'm just kidding baby girl."

"No you're not!" Dwayne said to Joe.

"You're right...I'm not". Joe replied smirking, remembering the ass beating they handed out in England.

Jasmine let out a frustrated sigh. "This is gonna be a LONG two weeks." She thought to herself.

Emanuel's House
After the trio arrived at Emanuel's compound, they were greeted to a hero's welcome by a large group of people. The women were dancing and smiling, the men were dancing and holding up large  photos of the trio and the children were cheering....

"Wow...I feel like a celebrity". Jasmine gushed.

Even Dwayne and Joe were highly impressed with the welcome they received as evidenced by the huge smiles on their faces. As the trio exited the vehicle, the cheers and chants became louder. Just then, Emanuel emerged from the house......

"HEEEEYYYYY MY BROTHERS AND BEAUTIFUL SISTER!!!! I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO NIGERIA!! AH AH!!! YES!!" Emanuel yelled, his arms opened wide greeting them.

"Damn he's loud..."Joe muttered to Dwayne.

"Yeah I know, but he's a generous guy so I don't mind so much." Dwayne replied.

"Yeah I guess". Joe said.

"Emanuel!!!! Oh my goodness this wonderful!! Thank you!!!" Jasmine cried as she ran to Emanuel hugging him and they danced in joy. Dwayne look over at Joe and got nervous....

"Easy big fella...". Dwayne said to Joe in an attempt to calm him down. "Joe....Joe!!!!

Joe did not hear him...he was preoccupied with Emanuel's arms around his wife.

Just then, Augustine, who was Emanuel's older brother, noticed the look on Joe's face. He and Dwayne exchanged knowing glances and that's when he spoke...

"My brothers...please come we have prepared a great feast!!" Augustine said, shaking Joe out of his jealous trance.

By that time, Jasmine made her way over to Joe and Dwayne....

"My loves, Emanuel and his wives purchased some beautiful cloths for us." Jasmine said excitedly.

"Oh did they?" Joe growled, in a low voice. "I see he can't keep his hands off you huh?!"

"Joe don't start that.." Jasmine said, rolling her eyes, clearly irritated with her husband.

"Yeah jabroni, knock it off or I'm gonna knock your head off!" Dwayne said.

"Everyone please let us enjoy this great feast. Come inside." Augustine repeated, guiding the trio to the dining room.

When the trio entered the dining room, the were astounded by the wide variety of foods.....

"Damn that's a lot of food". Dwayne observed.

"YES!!! THERE IS MUCH TO ENJOY HERE!! Emanuel yelled. "PLEASE COME AND EAT!! AFTER THAT THERE WILL BE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!!! YES!!!!

As everyone gathered at the very large table and after the blessing was given, everyone began to partake of the lavish feast. The men sat at one table, the women at another and the children at a different table. Although Emanuel was a traditional man who had several wives and children, he was kind and generous family man whom everyone loved. He believed that God and family were the most important things that was essential to life.

After the meal was completed, everyone dispersed throughout the compound socializing and generally having a good time. It was at this moment that Emanuel decided to have a private conversation with Dwayne and Joe.....

"Heeeyyyy! My brothers!! I hope that you are having a good time!" Emanuel said, smiling his toothy smile.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we are". Dwayne said, smiling.

Joe, on the other hand, remained silent and Emanuel noticed. It was at this moment, Dwayne decided to leave Emanuel and Joe alone to talk....

"Hey Emanuel, where can I relief myself?" Dwayne inquired.

"The lavatory is down the hall to the left" he said.

"Ok thanks."

After Dwayne left, Emanuel and Joe stood there in a brief awkward silence, with Emanuel still smiling and that's when Joe finally spoke up...

"Can I ask you a question?" Joe asked.

"Of course". Emanuel said.

"W-why are you so touchy freely with my wife?" Joe asked, eyebrow raised, secretly hoping that he didn't sound like an insecure jackass.

Never losing his smile, Emanuel responded....

"Please..my brother, it is not my intention to offend you. I have known Jasmine for a very long time. Actually, we were classmates in the Nurse Anesthesia program, I am not sure if you were aware." He said.

"No...no I wasn't aware, I knew that you guys worked together." Joe responded.

"Yes, we attended university as well and were recruited by the same anesthesia group after we graduated because we were at the top of our class." Emanuel explained. "Jasmine is like my little sister, and when she told me that she had met two men, I had never seen her so happy. When we were at work, the two of you were the only thing she talked about".

"R-really?" Joe stammered, completely stunned at this revelation.

"YES! My brother...when she came back to work the day after Valentine's Day and told me that she was getting married...HEY!!! I was so happy for her!!!" Emanuel said, laughing. "That's is why at the wedding, I was showering her with money, as a sign of good luck and to have a long, happy marriage. So once again, if I have offended you or Dwayne in any way, I truly apologize."

"Hey man, no need to apologize. If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I've behaved like a jealous fool and am truly ashamed of myself." Joe admitted, hanging his head in shame. "Can you forgive me?"

"My brother...there is nothing to forgive!" He said, still smiling. "But can you promise to do one thing for me?"

"Sure...anything." Joe said.

"Jasmine is a good woman, that loves the both of you truly, so please....my brother..promise that you and Dwayne will always be good to her...no matter what." Emanuel said.

"I will give my life for her." Joe replied, his eyes beginning to sting with tears.

"I believe you my brother". Emanuel said. "Come let us  continue this wonderful celebration."

As the evening wore on, the trio celebrated with Emanuel and his family. The remaining two weeks was filled with great food, dancing and celebrating. They also took a tour of Lagos, Lekki and Abuja, Nigeria. Emanuel was an excellent host who knew how to have a good time. Joe had come to truly like and respect Emanuel and saw that he was a humble family man.

The next stop for their honeymoon would be in Dubai.

Well that's the end of this chapter?

What do you all think of Joe?

As always, please provide feedback and vote. I humbly appreciate it.