*CARELESS LOVER Part 4*
*SHE CALLED*
The phone rang while he was having his siesta at home. Felix left Agnes for home and had been indoor since noon. He didn’t feel like doing just anything. He had never loaf around like this since childhood.
Then the phone rang, he looked at the screen and he couldn’t believe it as he scampered out of bed.
Lost in thought he muttered from his subconscious: “Good evening my angel.”
She smiled at the other end of the phone: “I’m calling to keep to my promise, good evening too and how has been your day?”
“Not too fine,” Felix said, “but I hope it will be okay now that I have heard your voice. I have been in panic you’ll turn down my call.”
“Why should I do that? It will be impolite as a child of God.”
“I have learned not to act based on perceptions and what others say. This is why I have held to my gun to get in touch.”
“By the way,” she said, “you have not told me why you called earlier during office hour.”
“I’ll like to see you Mary,” Felix stuttered.
“I am available sir,” she helped reassured him in order for him to build his confidence.
“Pick the place to me,” Felix asked.
“The daughter of Mouton doesn’t go outing with men. Meet me at my father’s house.”
“Thank you,” Felix replied, “it is okay by me also. Will Saturday be fine by you?
” It’s a deal,” she said, “good night sir.”
“Good night,” Felix replied, then she hung the phone gently.
Felix held the phone a little longer, kissed it and jumped on the bed with sighs of relief.
The day was a Wednesday. The next few days were the longest waiting days for Felix all his life.
His only solace was the fact that she friendly and accommodating. Yet he was still full of fear of possible pretext from her.
The reason is that everybody’s perceptions of her was different from the Mary Mouton he just engaged. The storyline seem scary while the reality was welcoming.
Saturday came, he woke up early to pray about the matter. Then he called her to ascertain the time to come around.
Felix dressed in a sky blue brocade with a matching cap. He unconsciously lay hands on blue clothes whenever he has a special outing. This is a special outing of course. He slide in his feet into his shoes used his cologne and stepped out with his car key in hand.
He was like the warrior going to battle.
He got there into the waiting hands of Mary’s father who embraced him like father to son.
“Darling,” Elder Mouton called for his wife, “come and meet Mr Felix.”
She came and two of Mary’s sisters also came around. Then finally came the graciously adorned officious banker, so thought Felix.
“Hey, officious banker,” Felix said jokingly as he stretched his right hand to shake her. He managed to steadied his hand while looking into her eyes as she on the other hand looked to his feet. The burden to be a man is huge, he had to compose himself to avoid his heart jumped into his mouth.
The parents and siblings excused themselves as she led her visitor to a small sitting room designed for a small crowd.
“Him hum,” Felix cleared his throat, ” did your dad thought of such a day coming.” They both smiled knowingly as they both sat opposite each other.
“What do you mean?” She said smiling.
“I just love everything about you and your home.”
“Hey bros, what’s your business here?”
“I didn’t know you’re funny Mary,”
“I also don’t know the CEO of Experon Payment System could have time to visit a small girl like me.”
“I thought you don’t know me Mary,”
“Mr Felix, the Mouton’s don’t pretend, so when I tell you a think, it’s a fact. Every girl in Victory Chapel know the one and only guy who had no time for ladies.”
“He chuckled, the same way every guy in church knows the praying m…” He stopped halfway.
“Praying what? I know what you’re about saying, you can start going please.” Mary let him know she had heard a couple of guy teased her by that name.
“Seriously, Mary those are the things I loved in you and I’m here for everything called Mary.”
“Mr Felix, are you already wooing me without finding out whether I’m in a relationship?”
Please forgive me my lady for losing decorum. I love you so much, this is why I lost my composure. Okay I’m sorry, are you into a relationship?” He smiled though with anxiety written on his face.
“Wait,” she said as she briskly rushed out of the room.
She met the Mom and the sisters and they winked at her.
“Wife,” Helen, one of the sisters said.
“Get out of the way,” she laughed, “Where is my visitor’s food?” She carried the meal and drink without attending to the nuances and jokes of her siblings.
Back with Felix, they discussed further as they both ate from different plates. In the course of the talk Felix got to know that Mary was a single lady without a serious relationship. Although she has throngs of men wanting to gain her heart.
She told all of them she’s still praying.
“Now that you’re not engaged to any of them,” Felix cleared his throat, “will you give me a place in your heart my angel?”
“Man, you dey rush me o,” she spoke in pidgin, “take am easy.
“Good thing,” she continued, “requires time. Mr Felix, let’s give it time.”
“You want to put me in the prayer list?” Felix said pitifully, “I don’t think I can endure it please.”
“I don’t mean that,” she reassured, “I cannot hurt you, you’re different. Yet I cannot do anything outside prayer.” She stretched her right hand shaking him reassuringly.
“I will call you again,” Felix said, “Thank you for your kind gestures – and this to the entire family.” He stood.
“Dad, mom,” he’s leaving. Everyone came out to greet him. The family exude a rare kind of humility.
Felix drove off.
The two sisters held Mary amidst and sang this song to her:
Our dearly sister has found a man. The man of royal blood she’s been waiting for.
Oh, oh, we hope she will not continue to pray, and pray until our man lost patience.
Mary got angry and walked into her room. The two sisters were surprised. Mary had never been angry at the song before.
Oh, oh, Mary is falling in love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story by: WALE ADEWUMI
