FLATTERY ISN’T LOVE
Mary was alone reflecting on many issues these past few months. She was alone. She learned in a bitter way that when advice comes our ways we should reflect well because the burden of our choices is ours to bear.
She remembered how Semile and Ladi came talking to her and she felt were not sensitive to her plights and risk of being engaged to Felix.
“You remembered how you passionately advised me and I heeded your advice,” Semile said. “Because I yielded then I’m happily married to my beautiful sunshine here.” He pointed to Ladi.
“You don’t understand,” Mary said bluntly.
“What is it I can’t understand,” Semile was infuriated. “You’re my friend and I wouldn’t watch you destroy yourself. What’s it that I cannot understand?
“Hmm, I have the feeling you’re confuse about what you really want in life. Mary, hear me out – you have a high mind this is why you are rebuffing sound advice coming your way this period.
“Being proud isn’t in look but attitude. When you have the attitude of not taking advice you’re but proud.”
“Semile,” Mary said angrily, “I’ll not watch you lash out at me. Will you start going?”
“Ah,” Ladi who has been quiet all these while spoke. “I was the one who pleaded that we come. My husband Semile doesn’t poke nose into people’s affairs.”
Mary’s ego crashed: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry please.”
“We love you Mary,” Ladi said.
“Thanks, I’ll think over it.”
“That will be good,” Ladi responded.
“I’m grateful having you as friends.” Mary said as she smiled apologetically. They discussed further and they left. She pondered on what they’ve discussed because she knew she’s beginning to be willful and arrogant.
She also reflected on how Depo and Jire also came to reason with her. On that day Jire who was the wife to Depo called to say hello. She then asked after Felix. Mary wouldn’t lie, so she told her that Felix was no longer in her life. After their wedding Depo and Jire have become close friends to Felix and Mary. If you remember: Jire was the lady whose car broke down on her wedding day while going to church.
Both Depo and Jire wouldn’t give Mary space as they call, text messages and chat. On an occasion they visited to encourage her. They want to see the two as husband and wife.
The church girl was nice but sometimes stubborn to a fault. She remembered how she’s been tagged the Praying Mantis. She knew how many Christians hide their weaknesses under the pretext of praying – the weakness of not being able to make up their minds on crucial matters.
“I’ll pray on the matter,” She ended her talk with Depo and Jire .
The truth was that Mary was losing fire to pray, the world around her was turning blank. Even her food was losing its taste. For the umpteenth time Agnes called to know why sudden darkness pervaded Mary’s world after letting Felix off. What marvels Agnes was that Mary seem to initially handle the situation well but suddenly lost the glow. What happened in between? Agnes herself knew she was losing a dear friend fast.”
“Agnes,” I’m doing fine. Mary said dryly in this last meeting.
“No, you’re not,” Agnes chided her. “Your mom said you are not and it’s written over you that all is not well.
” I’m okay please.”
“We wouldn’t stand watch you harm yourself Mary.”
“Not you and not mom had a say on how I feel anymore,” Mary cried out. “You both had hands in this matter. If only you and mom had encouraged me a little more.”
“Mary stop blaming us, you too couldn’t make up your mind on what you wanted. We only helped you that you could have the peace you wanted then.”
“I’ll rather be married to Felix for a day than pass through this unending misery. As the day goes by his love is eating me away. I’ve done all in my power to cut off his thought out of my mind instead it grows from a tiny rock into a bulwark.”
“Mary, what about Dr Koyejo your new found you talked about?”
“To hell with Dr Koyejo that stupid beast?”
“Did he raped you?”
Fresh tears began to roll down her cheeks. Agnes offered her a clean handkerchief to wipe her tears which she ignored. Mary cared for nothing any more.
She told Agnes all that took place.
Koyejo insisted that Mary visits him. She also insisted checking him in the hospital not in his house as he requested. True to his nature Koyejo made her day and he was everywhere to make her happy.
As they walked around one of the female doctors saw Mary and called out.
“Hello Mary, who do you come to see?” She knew her when she was a patient.
Koyejo answered from within: “Me.”
“Mary, don’t mind him. He’s undependable like a thorn in the flesh, don’t visit him again.”
“Mary, don’t mind her she’s jealous of you.” He turned to the doctor, you’re taking your jealousy too far.”
“Me!” She exclaimed. “Jealous of you? You this he-goat and a damned son of Lucifer.”
Koyejo wanting to avoid further embarrassment pulled Mary away from his colleague. Mary felt uneasy within her.
After getting through with him and going out of the premises Koyejo came from behind her and gripped her: “Baby, I love you so much I cannot breathe a day without you.”
Mary smiled back. She enjoyed how he tickled her though she felt awkward as a church girl she’s.
“Would you visit me my queen?”
“Visit you where?”
“Darling, we need time together, just the two of us.”
“OK where?” Mary seem not to care anymore for life.
“At my home of course,” Koyejo summoned courage.
“If that’s what you wanted, no way.”
Oh no, my church girl doesn’t trust me. See, Mary, I mean well. Very well with you. I cannot hurt your fragile heart. I understand how to handle angels like you.”
Mary was quiet.
“Then it’s a deal.” Koyejo tickled her again and again and she began to laugh.
When Mary got home, she felt very uneasy with three things as the Holy Spirit helped her to see through. She cautioned herself not to rush things over.
She remembered the voice of the female doctor. Could she be saying the truth? She observed how lustfully Koyejo was glaring at her and how he tends to touch her at every moment. He is rough handling her unlike Felix though she’d began to enjoy the show. She also remembered Koyejo saying that he knows how to handle angels. Could he be a womanizer. So she cautioned herself.
Mary planned to see the female doctor to be sure of what she meant by the abuse she hurled at Koyejo. Could that be expensive joke taken too far?
Then Koyejo’s call came in: “I hope Saturday will be okay?”
“Koyejo, let’s pull on slowly,” she stammered yet boldly.
“What have I done wrongly?”
“Nothing, I remembered dad’s advice. If a man loves you, he wouldn’t rush you to his home. Would you come to visit me on Saturday in our family house?” Mary turned the request around.
Koyejo hesitated for a while. “OK my darling. I’ll be with you if that’s your request dear.”
On Friday, a day before Saturday Koyejo called.
“Koyejo, how do you do?”
“Things aren’t fine hear at all. With all anticipation to see your family tomorrow I have just been notified of an emergency at the hospital. I’ll be there throughout tonight and good part of tomorrow. It’s a twenty four hour emergency call.”
“Hur,” Mary sounded. “What do we do now?”
“I have booked a space at Vanel Island for 5:00pm.” Vanel Island is the number one rendezvous of pleasure for ladies and gentlemen in town.
“You didn’t take my permission.”
“I’m sorry please.”
“OK, we will meet there.” She said and this gladden his heart.
Koyejo was there ahead of Mary. He had before him fine wines, snacks and grilled fish and barbecued meat. He wanted to spoil Mary.
When Mary got there she just opened her mouth wide.
“This is small thing for the girl I love.”
Mary sat down and it was more than enough for the two.
“I cannot go any further.”
“This is no food to be eaten in a haste. We have time.”
Koyejo took her through lengthy humorous talks and stories. The time stood still as their heart began to melt into one. She looked at her watch it was 7:15pm.
“My parents will be waiting for me sir.” She stood to her feet to walk, then she realized she was too weak to walk home. “Please help me.” This was all she remembered.
She woke up alone in an unfamiliar room. She checked her time it was 11:22am. She was confused. Could she be in the den of kidnappers? She summoned the courage and yelled out with heavy bangs and thuds on the door.
A mature lady came to her.
“You have waken up? We thank God for you.” Mary slept throughout the night till that moment she woke up.
It was the woman who narrated how Koyejo was about taking advantage of her by leading her to one of the guest rooms for the night. He didn’t know that the rule in Vanel Island has changed.
Vanel Island has been through tumultuous challenge of being closed down by government due to diverse allegations of sexual misconducts from time to time. The new rule is, for two mature people to book in, both must be in their right senses to sign in.
Then he was about pulling you away to his car when a gentleman accosted him. He flee away and it was this gentleman that booked this room for you. The lady narrated the story to her.
“Sister, you are the luckiest lady in town.”
Mary was ashamed as she bowed her and got to Vanel Island car park and drove home. The parents were in panick until she arrived. They called everyone and everywhere. No one had a clue until she was back. But Mary’s sisters assured the parents that she’s well out there.
Thank God she’s back home. Everyone was glad.
Elder Mouton took her to the hospital for a test to determine the level of drug in her and to report Dr Koyejo.
Koyejo drugged her. Once the hospital discovered this he was sacked from their establishment. Another bad egg was gone, just like Vivian.
The lady doctor confided in Mary: “That was what he did to me. After having sex with me all through the night, I felt ashamed to speak out. Thank God nemesis caught up with him. So when his case got here I added my voice and had the boldness to speak up for the first time. The two evidence against him nailed that fool.”
“Mary, you are fortunate to be saved from his wicked jaw. You are one in a million.”
When Agnes heard her story she felt bad for the role she had played in muddling her water. Felix wouldn’t act in any way near Koyejo’s evil.
Who’s going to make Mary happy again?
Author: WALE ADEWUMI
