BUKUNMI

The shop attendant gives me a practiced smile as she leads the way. Sampling different candle scents and flavours they had in stock, my choice finally settles on the lavender fragrance. For oils, I get a mix of lavender and strawberries.

Satisfied, I start making my way back to the house to pack my luggage. This is all I would be buying for now. The rest will be purchased in Lagos.

"You guys can stay back and return on the day you want, Lizzie." My decision to return to Lagos today was rather abrupt and I will not be someone who inconveniences them to that extent. Heck, I don't even know if they have any private plans for the remaining days left. Besides, the apartment's pay spans for the period of time with which I was to stay.

"But boss wants us to be with you at all times you step out." Lolu points out.

"Yes, he does. I know that, but I want to go back. Also, do not say a word of this to him. Please." They both nod reluctantly and watch me roll out my box.

Coincidentally, Aminu's call comes in. This man! My flight is in approximately two hours and I need to be at the airport.

"Not a word, remember. He is the one calling now. Excuse me." I hasten up my steps to the room I previously occupied to pick the call since it is video.

"Beautiful woman." Is the first thing I hear when his face pops up.

"Stop whining me, Aminu." I roll my eyes.

"What happened to Aminu, I'm a spec?" He asks.

"Ode. It's you that sounds like that cockroach voice you just spoke in." He laughs, shaking his head at my response.

"How are you, babe?" He asks me and I smile.

"Great. How about you?" I respond with a smile.

"I am fine. What did you do today?" He asks.

"Nothing much. Just visiting some new friends I made here. What about you?" Well, it's not entirely a lie.

"New friends? Interesting." He plays with his stubble a little.

"You have not said how your day went." Reminding him, I play with my nails a little. After letting out a sigh, Aminu responds.

"Well, a lot, actually. I am so tired, but I still have to go to the club tonight. There is some stuff that needs to be taken care of over there." He answers. I grin, remembering my plans.

"What do you have up your sleeves? You are grinning excessively." His question got me thinking. Did Lolu snitch? I wonder. No, there was no time to even do that. Aminu is merely asking a harmless question.

"I'm not allowed to be happy seeing your face again?" I ask with a scowl.

"Sorry, ma. Please miss me because I miss you so much." Smooth.

"The person that taught you that line, go and collect your lesson money back."

"Wifey, you are funny." He laughs hysterically. I watch him laugh, basking in the joy we both exude. This is the second time it's slipping off his mouth. Wifey.

"Jokes aside, I miss you, babe. Please don't extend your trip pass the next two days." This man should get ready for the ultimate shock of his life this evening.

"Don't worry, I won't. I missed that your annoying self too." He scoffs.

"Me? Annoying." He asks. Time is running, I need to end this call before I miss my flight.

"Yes, you are. Remember the first time we met? You pulled that creepy stunt and sat down in the dark!" I exclaim, remembering the embarrassing state with which he had seen me on that fateful day. I bet you that a blush formed on my cheeks; it's just not visible.

"You had that thing in you and you were moaning, babe. That sight troubled my dreams for days." He admits, making me further shy.

"Aminu." I cover my face in embarrassment, while he enjoys every single minute of this. I shouldn't have brought up our first meeting.

"Stop being cute, you don't have to be shy about it. You know you have a man that can give you even more pleasure than that, right?" I hear him say. I take a peek at the screen through my index finger and middle finger on my left hand. He just laughs and shakes his head.

"I don't know." I answer truthfully. We have never had sex before so I really do not know.

"Alright." He gives me a hot stare, making my insides melt.

"It's hot in here. I need to have my bath, Aminu." It's indeed hot, but it's as a result of his single word that looked like a promise to drive through our unsaid fantasies.

"It's not hot. It's just what I do to you. It's the same way your effect is on me, wifey." He drawls and I inhale a sharp breath. This man wants to corner me on video call? No way!

"Talk to you later." I dared to allow my gaze scan through his face.

"Okay, babe. Bye." See you soon. I whisper to myself.

Once the call ends, I sigh and bolt for outside, my box in my hand after shouting a 'goodbye' to the couple.

When I finally arrive at the airport, I head to the check-in counter and register to get my boarding pass. After going through all the security checks, I am finally seated in the waiting room, twenty minutes to my stipulated flight time.

The flight is called and we board the plan, shortly. Seeing as it was an evening flight, everywhere was dark. Beside me is a woman that looks to be in her forties. She is dressed stylishly and is very beautiful.

"Good evening, ma'am." I say a quick greeting to her and drop my bag in the designated area before sitting to fasten my seat belt. She returns my greeting with a smile and nods her head, saying the same thing I said.

Flight takes off and I sleep off. The next sound I hear is cries in my sleep. My eyes immediately shoot open to realise we are experiencing turbulence because it is raining. Across from where I sat, a lady is crying and screaming 'blood of Jesus'. Another woman in front is speaking in tongues. People are seriously panicking.

God! Who sent me to book evening flight? What was even the rush?

On the contrary, the woman beside me is laughing. She says she is baffled that people are this worried.

"Have they not experienced turbulence before?" She asks.

"I don't know." The flight goes down swiftly again and I shut up. Shit just hit the fan, because it seems like the pilot lost control for a second there.

Even the woman says nothing. Silently, I pray. The other lady is crying uncontrollably at this point.

When we finally touch down Lagos, I let out a breath of fresh air, saying a thankful prayer to God.

The moment the engine turns off, the passengers immediately start to unbuckle their seat belts. That was a narrow escape!

•••••

Mrs. Christie was both shocked and elated to see me. She cooked very tasty fried rice that evening and it is what I eat. I arrived a little late because I had to make a stop to get some additional supplies. After setting up and lighting the scented candles, I make small love shapes across different parts of the room, using some rose buds I had ordered.

I have my bath and change into the lingerie I purchased specially for tonight.

When it's 12am and Aminu does not arrive, I begin to worry. So I call him. He picks the call with a very cheerful tone.

"Hello, babe."

"Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good. How about you?"

"Fine." I say, even though I am far from it.

"Are you finally home now?" I ask him.

"Yes, I am." He answers.

"Oh, really?" I ask him and he responds in affirmative. I just put up with the remaining part of the conversation.

The next day, Aminu still did not return home. Something is not adding up. He still keeps saying he is at home. He is lying and it is pissing me off. I even tried giving him a video call but he is not picking up.

The day after, I pack up my belongings in the morning, even before Mrs. Christie arrives, and leave the house. When he is ready is say the truth, he knows where to find me.