MORE THAN A CARVING CHAPTER 13

MORE THAN A CARVING
CHAPTER 13
After bathing, he put a call through to Iwalade. “Are you home?” Imisi asked. “Yes.” “I’m coming over.” “But I told you, I have loads of works to attend to and I want to be alone.” She stated. “I know you said so but I need to get out of this house before I loose my mind.” “Loose your mind!” Iwalade exclaimed. Because she cared so much about him and doesn’t want him getting hurt at all, she had a change of mind. “Okay, come over.” She said and the line went off. Imisioluwa dressed up hurriedly, left the house and went straight to Iwalade’s place. He greeted Baba Bamo who opened the gate and walked to the front door and knocked. “Come in.” She said and gestured for him to sit. “Thanks.” He sat down. “You can go back to your work, I promise not to disturb.” He said pointing to the laptop in front of her. “How do you expect me to go back to work when you are this tensed?” “I’ll be fine, just need some moments.” “Imisi, talk to me.” “It’s Nike, I’ve told Mum to let her go but she won’t listen.” “I know you don’t like her but I never knew it’s this bad.” She said. “She’s been pestering my life in that house and mum knows nothing about it.” “You are still talking in parables.” Iwalade pointed out. “Nike has been seducing me.” “Seducing you?” “Yes, she always forces herself on me and at this point, I can’t take it any longer.” He said but Iwalade was still trying to wrap her head around it. “You are joking right.” “IB, look at my face, do I look like someone who is joking to you?” “No, but I’m still trying to figure the whole thing out. That girl seems cool to me” “Oh! So, you don’t believe me.” “I didn’t say that.”
“IB, I was bathing this morning and that girl barged in on me.” “It’s a lie.” “She entered into the bathroom, she saw me naked.” “Ah….”She exclaimed. “All she wants from me is to sleep with her and I told her I don’t love her but she insisted she loves me and doesn’t mind if I don’t feel the same way.” Imisioluwa explained. “Seriously, if she wants just sex while can’t she get it from somewhere else then, Why you?” “I wonder, at least she has male friends in school.” “Maybe she wants a rich boyfriend.” “But she’s not lacking anything in that house, mum even sponsors her education, she will be going for her HND very soon.” “That can’t be compared to marrying into a wealthy family, they call it financial security.” “Do you think she has what it takes to creep into the Williams’ family? They will suck her dry; she should go ask my mum.” He said and Iwalade laughed even though it’s not a joking matter. The word ‘suck her dry.’ cracked her up a bit and she knew Imisioluwa was right. “What will you do now that she claims she loves you?” Iwalade asked. “But I don’t love her, she’s not bad but I’m not attracted to her. I can’t do it IB; I have a reputation and integrity to protect for God’s sake. How will Mum even feel if she realizes I’m sleeping with her domestic staff?” “You are right; people will even think that you took advantage of her, no one will believe that she actually forced herself on you.” “People like you, right; because I’m damn sure you still don’t believe me.” “I think I believe you. What’s your plan now, how do you intend to handle all these because I’m sure she won’t stop?” Iwalade inquired. “I wish mum could listen to me and let her go, she can still help her from afar because I don’t know how much longer I can put up with her shenanigans. I don’t even know where I got the will-power to resist her.” ”Talk to your mum again, then, if she did not yield maybe I’ll step in.” Iwalade advised. “Okay. Thanks.” “Have you taken breakfast?” “No, I’ve stopped eating her food.” “Really?”don’t trust that girl one bit. I intend to go to the kitchen to make breakfast myself after bathing but I had to leave the house after what she did this morning.” ”Let me make breakfast for you then, I’ve not taken breakfast too.” “Don’t worry, I know you are busy. I’ll go eat out.” “Why, you know what, I will not only make breakfast for you, I’ll also postpone my work and keep you company.” “IB……” “I have spoken!” “Yes ma.” He duffed his imaginary hat. “Good.” “Come to think of it, am I not too demanding?” “Anything for you Imisi.” “Thanks, that’s why I cherish you.” He said and she smiled as she walked towards the kitchen to fix breakfast. Iwalade was still busy preparing the food then she heard a tap on the opened kitchen door. She looked back and saw Imisi. “Can I come in?” “Sure.” She said and he entered. “I’m tired of sitting there all alone.” He said pointing back at the imaginary living room. “So I decided to join you here.” “As long as you promise not to disturb me.” She said. Imisioluwa plays a lot when the two are together, reason for the warning. “I promise to be in my best behavior.” He said raising his right hand and they both laughed. “I can see you have loosened up.” She pointed out. “Yea, Iwalade’s magic.” “Did you just call me Iwalade?” “We are alone nau, Mum is not here.” “Hmm….” She said giving him a suspicious look. He helped her with one or two things as she cooks and in no time, they were done. She dished the food, Imisioluwa offered to help take Baba Bamo’s food to him. He went out with the food and he returned as both settled in the sitting room to eat fried yam and omelette with hot beverage. They were watching the TV as they eat and at the same time Imisi was saying stuffs that cracked Iwalade up so much that she choked and started coughing.Imisi rushed to her side, he took her plate from her and placed it on the center table and handed her a glass of water, she drank it but she drank little and handed it back to him. “Imisi nau…. We are eating; do you want to choke me to death?” She finally found her voice. “I’m sorry, I’ll stop talking.” He said and Iwalade shot him an angry look. “I’m sorry nau…..” “People from wealthy family obey table manners, except you.” “And you know it’s when I’m with you that I act like this.” He said with a sad face and she looked into his eyes. He was right, he is extra courteous outside and doesn’t joke with etiquettes but with Iwalade everything is different for him. She coughed again and Imisi passed the glass cup to her and she drank from it. He took the cup from her and took a sip from the glass cup too. “Why did you drink my water?” Iwalade questioned. “You don’t share cup with other people?” “Yes.” “Well….I don’t know.” “Liar, you know, there was a day I mentioned it.” She tackled. “Oh! That is true.” He said scratching his head. “So, you did it on purpose.” “Yes.” He said truthfully, looking into her eyes, their eyes locked but she quickly took her eyes off him. “Let’s eat, the food is getting cold.” She said and carried her plate. “Okay.” He replied, carried his food and went back to his seat. After, they finished eating; they went into the kitchen together to do the dishes, they did that quietly and returned back to the sitting room when they were through. The two were still not talking to each other. Iwalade decided to start a conversation and that got them talking again. “Ehn….ehn.” Iwalade snapped her fingers as she remembered something. “What.” “I’ve been meaning to ask you something before Nike’s issue popped in today?” “What’s that?” “You never told me about your love life.” “Love life, I’m just 24.” “You are a graduate, the CEO of the Williams’ Empire.”“Yes but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still 24.” “So, you are not dating anyone presently?” “Yes.” He nodded. “Don’t you have girls who disturb you?” “Of course I have and I turned them down.” Imisioluwa said emphatically. “Why?” “Because I’m not ready, when I’m ready to settle down, then I’ll consider going into a relationship.” “I think you should still make friends, female friends in your age group.” “I use to have female friends before but now that I’m the CEO, I’m so busy that I hardly go out. And you know what I’m going through in the hands of those boards of directors, I need full concentration.” “I understand. That reminds me, your mum told me your Uncle hasn’t recovered yet.” “You mean Uncle Jonathan?” “Yes.” “The last time he stepped that company was the day he was rushed to the hospital but he has left the hospital, he has stroke and he now stays at home. Mum and I paid him a visit two weeks ago.” “Hmm…..It is well.” “Yea, it is well.” Iwalade’s phone rang and she hissed. Imisioluwa laughed. “So you too have people who make you hiss when their call come through.” “Imisi, this is a different case.” “There’s nothing different here, just pick the call. At least practice what you preach.” He said to her. She eyed him and picked the call. “What is it again, shebi you called earlier today.” Iwalade said. “I think I’m still at the liberty to call you as many times as I…..” “Kayode, I’ll cut the call o, you kuku know me.” “Iwalade don’t start.” “See, the energy that you are spending on my case, why don’t you channel it on getting yourself a wife.” “Iwalade, you talk as if they sell wife in the market.” “Whatever, shebi you’ve heard my voice again abi, oya goodbye.”
“I’m coming to your place today.” “I have a visitor and I don’t want interference.” “Visitor! Iwalade are you seeing someone?” “If yes, how does that affect you? Kayode just cut this call jeje or I’ll do it for you.” “Let me know when your visitor leaves then.” “Okay, I will.” She said just to get him off her back and the line went off. “Hmm…hmm.” Imisioluwa cleared his throat, trying to tease Iwalade. “What?” She threw at him. “Nothing.… I come in peace.” He said raising his two hands. “But, you will still have to tell me about him, don’t you think.” He said smiling. “Okay.” Then her phone rang again; “O……..Kayode should leave me alone nau…..” Iwalade grumbled. “Check your screen o, its not who you think it is.” Imisioluwa said and Iwalade picked the phone and sighed, it was another person she was avoiding. “Hello dear.” “Hello Senatator Ifeyemi!” “You’ve not given me an answer yet, you know.” “I have sir, I can’t date you. I don’t practice such!” “Who is talking about dating here, I want to marry you Iwalade.” “Marry me! What happened to your wife? Did you divorce her?” “No….. I want to make you my second wife.” He said and Iwalade laughed hysterically. “Sir, please just get off my case. You met the wrong girl.” “Iwalade….” “Sir, please, I don’t want to be rude.” “Tell me what you want, is it money, just name your price.” “I don’t want your money, thanks. I need to go now.” “Okay, just think about it all over again. I will get back to you.” “And you will get the same answer, bye.” She said and the man replied and ended the call. Imisioluwa took a keen look at her. “What nau….” Iwalade demanded.“Senator Ifeyemi is also on your case! You are a hot cake!” “You are not serious, hot cake ko, hot cake ni.” “How did you get to know him?” “Shebi it was the time that I won an award that he got my number from the movie producer I worked with and ever since then, he has been on my case. I’m even thankful that I didn’t collect his money.” Iwalade explained. “I pray he gets off your case easily o, because these politicians, ehn…..” “Leave that to me, I’ll put him in his place.” She said.” “Okay.” He said but he still kept on staring at her. “Imisioluwa, what!” She gestured with her hands. “I can see why men are all over you.” “Really!” “Yea, you are beautiful. I know you know but just allow me appreciate this beauty before me.” “Okay o…. it’s a free world.” Iwalade and Imisi were together all day, he left her place around 7:00pm and at that time Mrs. Williams was already home, she returned from the wedding function around six o’clock in the evening. ******* On Sunday morning at the Williams apartment, mother and son were engaged in a heated argument. Nike had left the house early that morning to her aunt’s place; her aunt is the only relative she has in Lagos. So it’s just mother and son that are in the house, Imisioluwa went to his mum’s room to talk things out and their cause of argument was Nike. “Imisi, that girl is going nowhere except she wants to leave on her own accord.” Mrs. Williams stated. “Seriously mum, so you care so much about her that you decide to ignore my pleas!” “I can’t send that poor girl out for no reason. That is wickedness.” “You should know I have my reasons.” “What reason?” “I said she’s making me uncomfortable in this house.” He said trying to keep Nike’s seducing art a secret from his mum. “That is no reason and I still don’t know why you hate that girl so much.” “Mum, I don’t hate her; I’m just trying to stay away from evil.”“Jesus, so Nike is now evil.” “That’s not what I mean. Mum, you can help her from wherever she is staying; I’m not saying you shouldn’t attend to her needs anymore all I want is for her to leave this house.” “And I said no.” “Mum!” “Imisi, leave my room, we are already running late for church.” “I know but we can only talk now that she’s not around, she’ll be back in the evening.” He pointed out. “Imisi, drop it, she’s going nowhere.” She concluded. Imisi decided to open up since his mum’s mind is already made up. “Mum, Nike has been trying to seduce me all this while and I can’t take it anymore.” “Imisi………..is that the best lie you can come with it.” “Mum, you know I don’t lie.” “Of course I know but now you are willing to do anything just to get the girl kicked out of the house.” She said and Imisi threw his head backward. “My God, mum did you just say that to me! I give up then.” “Better.” “I’m leaving this house.” “What!” His Mum exclaimed. “You heard me Mum.” He said and left his mother’s room in rage. Mrs. Williams went after him by the time she got to his room; his wardrobe was wide open, he pulled out a leather box and started packing his clothes. “What do you think you are doing?” Mrs. Williams asked, confused. “Exactly what it looks like Mum.” “Imisi is there more to this Nike’s issue.” “Since it’s her over me, then let me just leave quietly.” He said and continued stuffing the box. His Mum realized he wasn’t bluffing about leaving, so she started begging him. “Imisi, let’s settle this amicably, leaving the house is not the solution.” She pleaded. “Oh! You want me to wait here until she succeeds in having her way, right!” “Okay, let’s sit and talk about it.”“Mum, I’m done talking. I’ll come back to the house when she’s gone and if she doesn’t leave then I’ll get an apartment.” He said. He moved to the shoe rack corner and started packing his shoes. “Imisi, you are not even looking at me, at least I’m begging you.” “I’ve made up my mind mum.” He stated. Mrs. Williams knew his mind was made up; she went back to her room hurriedly and took her phone from her bed. She dialed a number on her phone. “Where are you?” Mrs. Williams asked. “At home ma, preparing for church.” “We are also preparing for church o before the devil comes with his trouble again o.” “Trouble! Is Imisi okay?” She was scared; she thought he has another attack. “Imisi is in his room packing his things as we speak.” “I still don’t get you ma, packing his things, why?” “He’s leaving the house Iwalade.” “What! Is he out of his mind?” “We had an argument. I don’t want to lose my son Iwalade, please help me talk to him, call him or something. Just do something, he listens to you.” Mrs. Williams pleaded. “You know what, I’ll come over now.” “That will be better, thanks, I’ll be expecting you.” She said and ended the call.