The Picnic - Episode 4

 

"This is Kaz on Thursday rush hour. Don't forget to tune in tonight to 96.5 Lite fm as I serenade you with the best blues you can ever dream of. You know how we do it" he said with the smoothest of voice. 
Being an OAP for  him was more of passion;one of the best thing he has ever done. The job gives him the happiness he wanted.
"He sighted Muna from the transparent door . She waved at him smiling.
 "This is a minute before the hour of 12 and this is Kaz signing out." He concluded stepping out of the studio.
 "Salaam maleku" Muna greeted with a smile.
"Well I would have believed it if you were a true moslem"
Muna chuckled holding on to her bag; "Are you free? Let's talk"

Kazeem carefully watched Muna as she twisted opened the lid of a Coca-Cola drink. "When last have you been to Jumiat or even to the mosque to pray?"
"Haba Kazeem? I'm not here to discuss my moslem life, if I wanted to, I know just the right place to get that criticism" Muna replied letting out a sigh that showed how furious she was.
Suddenly she recalled something that made her laugh. "I wouldn't have mind if it were bola preaching Jesus to me while we had countless rounds of s*x"
Kazeem closed his eyes, "Too much information"
"You should keep those s*x issue buried you know? What Bola had with you was nothing but a fling."
"I can't believe you just said that"
"It's the truth Muna!"
"And Caroline was the chosen one?" She snapped, "She wasn't half as s*xy as I am." 
"Cousin" he called out softly, "I say this because I care; Get over Bolaji! The dude is dead"
"He died a very peaceful death.

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

. h could have suffered the more" She fought hard with her tears. "Maimuna!" He roared with a warning tone then his eyes caught Ugo who was holding hands with Omo. 
They made way over to a seat. "Isn't that your guy?" Kazeem asked, Muna turned head to his direction. 
"You never told me Ugo was dating, I thought he was still hung up on you. Thank God he's moving on sha" Kazeem said unconsciously and his gaze met with Muna's piercing glare.

"How are you doing?" Ugo asked Omo had a shy smile on her face. "Ugo I'm fine, you don't have to ask again"
"I'm just concerned now"
"I'm fine Ugo, the joy of the Lord is my strength"
"I wish I had this your Christian faith o"
"You dey whine me shea?" She replied back, "God forbid!" He answered keeping a straight face. "I'm just worried about you"
"You know very well that I don't like talking about it" Omo said trying to avoid the topic.
"I might not be able to visit a therapist, but I know I'll heal one way or the other"

Mrs Titilayo Daniels sat on a sofa with her arms leaned on it, with her glasses on while reading from a newspaper when she notice Durodola walk into the house holding a customer bag with gifts in it probably to bribe his way to into her heart.
"You're not welcome in this house Duro, I thought I made that clear" she shot at him without taking her eyes off the newspaper.
"Well I'm here to see my mother"
"Oh, seriously?" Mrs. Daniels finally took her gaze not the papers then lowered her glasses to the tip of her nose. She then lets out a short laughter, more like a cackle.
"Do you have one?"
"Yes I do and the best one at that" he kneel close to the mom and she rolled her eyes knowing fully well what he was trying to do.
"Don't kiss my ass Duro, it's not going to work". 
After a minute of rejection, he pressed his palm against his mother's hands and she brushed it off. 
"I'm sorry okay?" 
"You're sorry okay? So I'm the one you're apologizing to and you're adding okay as though you're apologizing to an ex-girlfriend."
"I'm sorry mom" Duro added immediately. "I'm sorry for not coming to Dunni's wedding and for missing Bolaji's burial and for not visiting the most beautiful woman in the world"
"Duro, you've been in Lagos for two weeks now and you didn't even see it fit to"
"I thought you needed space" 
Mrs Daniels tapped him on the arm with the newspaper. "Do I look like an ex-girlfriend that needs space? That's the problem with you Duro, you open more problems to solve another and I'm really mad at you for opening Bolaji's case"
"Mom"
"I know Bolaji's death was suspicious but can't we just let sleeping dogs lie?"
"I can't. I'm sorry mom and I know I'm an idiot and I'm just...." He trailed off, "Can you ever forgive me?" He added and then his mother smiled.
"That's the best thing you've said all day"
"What?"
"That you're an idiot" she replied chuckling and Duro joined in then sat close to her. 
"Dunni's day was incomplete without you"
"Mom you know how I felt about that union"
"Shut up there! What are you even saying? Haven't you ever been in love with someone you feel it's right but you know it's morally wrong. Dunni's tried to control it but love is one beast you can't tame. Your father was ten years older than me, and a superior for that matter but It didn't stop us"
"Efe was my best friend and I didn't come for Bola's burial because I couldn't bear the thought of seeing my little brother go six feet under" he paused keeping a bold face. "Mom, I'm the eldest, Bola is supposed to attend my funeral.

Read " Palm lines " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. I couldn't take it in"
"You were always the toughest but the softest" Mrs Daniels squeezed Duro's palm trying hard not to cry. 
"It's okay dear but you better start opening up to someone. Talking about someone," she paused changing topic, "where is she?"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend, fiance or what do they call it these days, baby Mama"
"Mom there's none"
"Baddest bachelor ever liveth. You better find or else I'll help you with it"
"No, no,no, no way mom, I don't want an arranged marriage. I've been searching, just that I haven't seen the right one"
"Should I borrow you my Torchlight or you need my glasses to see clearly?"
"Mom"
"Search quickly as possible or I'll help you. That's a threat"

Rukky placed a tray containing  yam and pepper soup with lots of goat meat in it on the  table at the hotel restaurant while Dunni rubbed her palm together in excitement. "My craving is driving me crazy"
"Don't tell me that's for only one person" Efe said from behind, "Two actually" Dunni replied and Efe kissed her on her forehead. "How are my babies doing today?" He asked, "I'm fine and the baby is fine"
"Good afternoon Efe" Rukky greeted and Duro stepped in and Rukky noticed. "Your brother just walked in" she announced and all heads turned to him as he drew closer. "Is this a joke?" He asked turning towards Efe.
"What's he doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" Dunni retorted, "Dunni sent me a text"
"I didn't" she answered and all eyes fell on Efe. "I thought we could talk"
"If you want to talk, let's talk man to man but you don't want to cause you're nothing but a coward and you're guilty!"
"Guilty of what Durodola?" Efe snapped, "The only thing I did was fall in love with your sister"
"Shut up Efe!"
"If falling in love with Dunni's is a crime trust me, I'll be willing to get sentenced for life"
"Ma, I think we should move this somewhere else where people are not staring" Rukky suggested, looking at curious customers.
 "Meddle much?" Duro shot at her and she shook her head as her tongue glided against her teeth in regret. She wished she had just kept quiet then she left.
"Kerwe!" Dunni's called out turning towards Duro. 
"What's wrong with you?"