Restore 11

She looked into Segun’s room but was surprised to find the room empty. She searched through the house and eventually found him in the kitchen making some sandwiches for himself.

“Hi mum.” He called. “Would you like some sandwiches?”

Jade realized she was famished. She had not eaten anything all day and she just started feeling the hunger pangs now. “I’ll like some dear.”

“Okay ma.” He added more bread to the ones on the plate. “So, how is he?” he nodded towards the hall.

“Actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about.” She found a kitchen chair and sat. “You left him alone in the living room earlier.”

“Yeah, well I thought he needed his rest.”

“Hmm, is that all?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t want to disturb him, mum.”

Jade understood perfectly. Although he acted more like a grown up, Segun was just a teenager; and like any teenager, he was afraid of getting hurt. “It’s okay dear but do you think you could warm up to your dad in time?”

He shrugged again. “We never know what the future holds. I’m surprised you forgave him easily after all he did to you.”

“I forgave easily because I realized I was unfair in my treatment of him most of the ten years we were together. I was to blame for most of our squabbles. The truth is your dad was a good husband and a great dad but I was insecure and very selfish. I have since learnt my lessons though.”

“That’s all well and good mum but what about him? He could have fought harder for me, you know.”

Segun placed a plate of sandwiches in front of her and Jade took a bite off one gratefully. “You were a brat Segun. You made his life miserable and I accept the blame for that too. I shouldn’t have tried to poison your mind against him, which was what I did.”

“It was not you alone mum. I was hurt he left us and me especially. He was my idol and my heart broke when he left so I acted out.”

Jade sighed. “Can we try putting the past behind us? The truth is I want your dad in our lives now. Even if it doesn’t work out between him and I, I would like you to have a great relationship with him.”

“Okay mum. I’ll try my best.”

“Good.”

He took a bottle of soda drink out of the fridge and settled down to enjoy his food.

 

Some five days later, Wale was having fun with Jade as they played chess together. Jade had  just came back from the office and after they had had some lunch had suggested they played some game. Wale had readily agreed, he was so tired of watching TV. His mistake though, was in thinking she would be an easy win. She already had all his knights and was working towards capturing his very vulnerable bishop while he had just two of her knights. The game was not going in his favor at all.

He found an opening and took one of her knights, glad he could at least chip off some of her confidence. She just laughed and knocked down his queen. She had seen an opening and taken it, just like she sneaked into his heart when he wasn’t looking. He didn’t know how or when it happened; he just knew he was in love with her all over again. He watched her laugh gleefully and his heart smiled. He was glad to be in her presence, basking in her favor.

“Game over.” Jade said cheekily. “You thought you had me, didn’t you?”

Wale smiled. “You can’t fault a guy for trying now. I had to do something before you stripped me of my manliness.”

“Oh pooh.” She dismissed. “Manliness had nothing to do with it. It’s all about brains.”

He feigned a wounded look. “So you are saying you are smarter than me?”

“Yeahhhh.”

Wale laughed. “I rest my case.” He surrendered.

Just then his phone rang and he saw it was not a number he recognized. “Hello.” He said cautiously into the receiver.

“Hello.” Nedu replied

“Yes, who am I speaking with?”

Nedu could not believe Wale just asked her that question. Who is he speaking with? Ok, I’ll play along. “It’s me, Nedu.”

There was a short pause on the other end. Is he trying to remember me? This guy is such a bastard. I can’t believe I wasted time on him.

“Nedu…Nedu…” Wale murmured trying to place the name.

“Yeah.” Nedu seethed. “The teller at the bank?”

A light bulb suddenly went on in his brain. “Oh yes Nedu! How are you?”

“I’m good. You?” Nedu asked ungraciously

“I’ve been better.”

“You promised to call the next day. It’s almost two weeks now and not a beep from you.” She accused

Wale was taken aback by the venom in her voice. What’s with the acid in her voice? “Well, I was involved in an accident while driving home from your place that night.”

Nedu was speechless. “Oh my God! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine now.”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. And here I was angry with you for not calling.”

Wale smiled grimly. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. Where are you? Can I come and see you?”

“I’m at a friend’s place and I’d rather you didn’t come for now.”

“Why? I want to see you Wale.” She said petulantly.

“It’s okay Nedu; I’m fine where I am. I’ll call you as soon as we can meet-up.”

“Okay then.”

Nedu knew a brush-off when she heard one. It did not take a prophet to tell her she wouldn’t be hearing from him anymore. Besides, he probably considered her bad karma; after all he had the accident while coming from her place. Nedu dropped the call, sad that yet another eligible man just slipped from her fingers.