The Odds Are Against Me - Episode 9

 

When I got home, I removed my clothes, took my bath and sat in the sitting room staring at my television. It was a National Geographic wild station on my DSTV. I was being entertained by animals hunting for foods, while others took to their hills to escape the predators. I freaked at the sight of snakes and other creatures that crawled . I hated them. Their slimy nature freaked me out. Some few minutes after, my phone rang, I picked it up and stared at the screen. It was a number that wasn't saved. I answered.

"Hello..., who is this?", I asked.

"Err, it's Lola", she replied.

"Really, you called?. You got my numberrrr..... Err...", I said all incoherently.

"I was bored and decided to call you. How are you doing? Hope you arrived home safely", she asked all at once. I replied I was fine. She kept pestering me with questions and I kept answering them. When she was tired, she hung up the call. I was shocked that she called. I sighed and thought in my mind that she was being caring. A whatsapp message popped up. It was Funmi, we chatted and she assured me there was a surprise for me ahead. I told her I hated surprises but she said I should be anticipating. We chatted long, and I slept off on the sofa while our chats never ended.

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On Sunday, after I was back from church, Femi and Dozie came around

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-odds-are-against-me

. They came with drinks and foods in packs. We surrounded my dining table, ate and chatted away. 

"I just got engaged and I'm getting married in months to come", Femi said.

"Really?", Dozie replied.

"And you didn't tell us about the engagement. No wonder you have been AWOL all these while", I said.

"It wasn't really a big celebration. I did everything in her village. You will be my groomsmen during the wedding", Femi said. We laughed.

"If we are not there. Who would be there?", I said.

"Wait guy... It remain both of us o", Dozie said pointing at me.

"No o. It remain you. I will soon join him. Keep being a player", I said, with my hand flung in the air and laughed...

"Don't hate the player, hate the game", Dozie said. Immediately, my phone started ringing, I brought it out from my pocket; it was Lola. I saved her number last time she called.

"Hello, I said", with a confusing face. I noticed Dozie and Femi staring at me in an uncanny way.

"Err, I just thought of coming around to cook for you", Lola said.

"No.... Yes... Sorry.... You can", I said. She hung the call.

"Who is that?", Dozie asked.

"Uhmm, Funmi's friend", I replied.

"Really, she is coming with Funmi?" Dozie asked.

"At last, we will meet our wife", Femi said. I shook my head. There was a knock on the door, I stood up, went to the door and opened it.

"Welcome, Lola, but I don't understand?", I said. She hugged me, and I closed my eyes hanging loosely on her body. She freed me, and entered fully inside. She was staring at my apartment. I heard her muttered "beautiful".

"Okay?", I turned facing her.

"They are your friends?", she asked. Dozie stood immediately, and extended a handshake to her. 

"You are Funmi, right", Dozie asked.

"No", she said as she accepted the handshake. I could see displeasures registered all over her face.

"I'm Lola", she replied.

"Cool, so, what did you bring for us in the nylon bag"?, Dozie asked. Femi who was sitting in the dining table, stood up and greeted her. She reciprocated.

"Not really, it's foodstuffs. I want to cook the best soup for Afamefuna. He looks like he hasn't been eating good food prepared by a woman that cares for her", Lola said.

"Really", I said. "I think she is right", Dozie and Femi chorused. She stared at me, and smiled. I smiled back and she entered the kitchen.
"Guy, who is that?", Dozie ran towards me and asked.

"That's Funmi friend", I answered.

Read " A Tale of Five Bandits " by the same author ( Obinna Tony )

. Femi excused from us that he needs to join his wife at home.

"Well done", I said. We all shook hands and he left.

"Really? She is the one you are doing now?", he asked in a slang language.

"No. I still love Funmi. Funmi invited her over for our Saturday hangout and we became acquainted", I said.

"What does she do for a living", Femi asked.

"Wow, what's your own?", I asked.

"She looks like an opportunists. Guy... You are my friend", Dozie said.

"She has been Funmi's childhood friend. I think she owns a hairdressing shop now", I said.

"I see. And it's too quick for her to be all over you. Well, she might be an opportunist or just need love badly", Dozie replied. He dashed out after some minutes. I stood in the sitting room with my hands akimbo.