Tales of Nene - Episode 9

 

The cool climate was beginning to fizzle out. Mr. Jones' phone number appeared on the screen, she immediately rejected the incoming call, she thought on what could be going on in his devilish mind. She hissed and then blocked his number” Pick your call, ordered Anita”,

Nene explained all while observing her mother to make sure she wasn’t listening in order not to put herself into trouble. They both laughed as Nene narrated Mr . Jones. “Will you like to come over to my house?” asked Anita, She half smiled, her dimples sank into her cheek. Nene was indecisive, “maybe when I have some time during the weekend”. Anita could decode from Nene response that she wouldn’t want to visit. Anita pestered.

 The chat was distorted by Mrs. David’s, she asked Nene to blow some  air to the fading fire of the firewood, with time it flamed back “Why do u keep insisting I visit you?” asked Nene, “I bet, if you come you wouldn’t want to return back home”. Nene smiled, Anita grinned, her beautiful gap tooth showed. What is so special about that Lekki area? “A lot my sister”, “we have the best buildings, there are lot of relaxation spots, I could take you go clubbing, best boutiques, top class restaurants, world class hotels. these are just few on the list, words cannot even describe all, you just have to experience it yourself”

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/tales-of-nene

. Nene cut her short, “there is nothing special about all those places”, “really?” Enquired Anita. Nene knew quite well that she had never crossed the mainland and all those were beautiful places but she wouldn’t want to throw in the towel. “It’s my turn now” said Nene. Anita folded her armed and crossed her legs at her ankle. Have you experienced a carnival? Have you drank _zobo_ ? Anita just smiled and nodded, Nene knew she lost but she still wanted to prove a point. “I will come and pick up on by weekend said Anita”. 

The following days Nene started searching for a job, she prepared a resume, she preferred a secretary job close by, she had come across some but she was yet to be employed. They only one she qualified for had a very small pay. She expanded her search zone to nearby environs. She was now preparing the next day to apply in a nearby primary school. She feared to ask anyone for help due to the encounter she had with Mr. Jones.

She reluctantly dressed and rushed her meal so that she wouldn’t keep Anita waiting. She placed a plastic tray on her lap filled with melon seeds to pick to keep herself busy while waiting Anita's arrival. Alas, Anita horned, she looked elegant, she was charming, and her face looked more oval with her sunglasses, as she walk her body shook.

 She wore elongated artificial eyelashes, neighbors stared at her in the usual way they do to strangers, some greeted coinceitiously. Anita rode a different car this time, it was a Range Rover Autobiography. One could tell that it wasn’t a regular car across the street of Lagos. 

Nene didn’t even know when the car started because she did not hear the ignition of the engine. 

The speaker of the car was quite loud, with intense vibration .Nene politely requested she reduced the volume. Nene sat at the back and adjusted some bag to find space to sit “Nene meet my friend Tracy” they shook hands.

Read " My Encounter With Kate " by the same author ( Osazuwa Omorodion )

. Tracy was quite reserved, she had a mature look, she talked less unlike Anita. Nene glued her fore head on the windscreen, she was amazed at everything, she watched the large cargo ships and it was her first time seeing the Lagos lagoon, also climbing third Mainland Bridge. 

She feared that they would swerve, how she would survive if the car ran off the bridge, the number of fishes in the water, how possible they will be rescued if the car ran off the bridge. Tracy nodded to the tune of the music which Nene had no idea of but seemed like American Hip-hop. “Which hairstyle will fit for a dinner gown?” Nene pretended not to hear. Tracy now asked. Braid or attachment”. “I think braid will fit “replied Nene. 

She gave that response because Anita supported it and she wouldn’t want to get involved for if she had chosen attachment Anita would escalate the argument. Nene continued to observe the surroundings, it was now she realized that there was a difference between her and Anita. 

She realized of how stupid she had looked when she was trying to prove a point to Anita.

The roads were smooth unlike theirs, it seemed like she was  abroad. Nene searched for electric wires hanged on electric poles crisscrossed between opposite houses on a street, she found none.

 She wondered how they got power supply. No roadside shops, no kiosks, everywhere was sullen.

The gateman opened the Gate, Anita parked in the Garage beside two, other exotic car, and a young man came to greet and welcomed them all and took what is inside the car and the booth. Nene felt dirty, perhaps she was underdressed, and she had started having the feeling long before now. 

She was beginning to get nervous.