The triumph of the water lily
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| comfortable."
"Well, that is true enough; accommodation when you're out of station is often comfortable," I said. "Let's go out to the balcony." "It's a beautiful night." And it actually was. It was a starlit night and the full moon made the security lights, which shone in the balcony down below unnecessary. The view of the lagoon from the balcony where we sat was simply breath-taking. The waves gently washed over the rocks and returned to the sea in a rhythmic fashion. Watching the action was in itself soothing. Nkem continued to hum her tune. I was glad I had brought her away with me. She looked totally relaxed and serene. A gentle breeze rustled the foliage of the beach palm below. I too sat down on a deck chair; soaking in the silence and the breath taking view. Just about then, the drink I had ordered arrived. "Come in," I said to the boy who had brought up the drink and I pressed a button on the wall to release the latch on the door. "Room Service," he called out as he came into the suite. "Yes," I answered. "You just set it down on the table by the
Fried ripe plantains have always been my favourite dish and it certainly went down well with the stew. 'Phew! that was a delightful or should I say sumptuous meal," Nkem said contentedly, as she sipped the rest of her tea. "I enjoyed it too" I agreed. "But I would have wanted to try that fish with some white garri." "Effua you and your white garri you're forever talking about!" Nkem exclaimed with laughter. "I don't joke with garri Oloyo," I said, stretching contentedly and making myself more comfortable on the divan. I always make sure I take a good supply back to Ibadan each time I come to Lagos." "Why do you have to come down to Lagos to get it?" she asked. "Because I don't know where in Ibadan the fine grade my mother gets
"I see," Nkem answered. "But you know I find white garri much too sour for my taste." "Ah! But it's the sour taste that lends it that special and original taste; besides nothing stops you from adding sugar to sweeten it." "I would much rather have the yellow palm oil garri, produced by our people in Bendel State," she answered. "Well, I find that too fiat for my taste." "But I understand it's much more nutritious than the white one which
"Oh! Nkem, will you stop being academic," I exclaimed, much amused, and reached up to a nearby wall to ring a bell so the kitchen staff could come and remove the plates. "I've been drinking white garri for as long as I can remember and nothing's happened to me." "Who said you were normal?" she retorted with a mischievous smile and ducked smartly as I threw a pillow at her. Just then, the boy who had served the meal arrived to clear the plates. "Do you know I haven't had a bath today," Nkem said to me, when the boy had left. She was reaching into her overnight bag, as she said 73 that and so didn't see me tip-toeing towards the bathroom. I too had been itching for a bath and had been on the verge of going to take one just as she spoke. "I'll go and take a bath in that luxurious bathroom of yours," Nkem said and turned around to see me getting ready to make a dash for the bathroom. A most unladylike scramble ensued and Nkem made it to the bathroom before me. The pursuit had both of us in peals of laughter. The action was so reminiscent of our undergraduate days at university. We always seemed to have an uncanny desire to use the bathroom at the same time. We consequently had to make a mad scramble for the wash room each morning and whoever got there first, had a monopoly of the shower. I went on to give Maruwa a ring whilst Nkem used the bathroom. After only two rings, someone came on the line. "Can I speak to Maruwa please?" I said to the person at the other end of the line. "Maruwa, there is a call for you; pick it up from your extension," I heard the person call. There was a faint click, and then Maruwa's voice came on the line. "Hello?"
"Hello! Maruwa, this is Effua." "Oh! My goodness Effua How are you?" she called out in surprised delight. "I've been tying to reach you all week." "Really?" I asked very much surprised. "Yes, as a matter of fact I tried to get you at the Broadcasting house
"Don't be silly, of course not! It's good to hear from you again! So how have you been getting on?" I asked with interest. "So, so, life has been hectic for me in the past weeks. I've been having a series of short tests and we've just been introduced to a new Maths course which is not only compulsory, but also gruelling! It's supposed 74 to be making us better quality graduates, but believe me, it's making life very uncomfortable for me and my classmates at the moment." "Never mind you'll survive," I consoled her smiling. "And you! How has the seminar been?" "Very fine thank you! I am in fact enjoying it much more than I had anticipated. I can scarcely believe I am already half way through it." Just then on the spur of the moment, I decided I would get her to meet Nkem. "What do you say to a game of tennis on Saturday evening?" I asked. "I'm long overdue for some exercise and besides there is a friend I would like you to meet." "Why not! As a matter of fact, I've been looking for this sort of opportunity to try out the new tennis gear my father gave me for my birthday only last week." "Well this chance is as good as any," I answered with a smile. "How good is your tennis?" I wanted to know. "Pretty good," she replied confidently. "I should score eight on a scale of one to ten easily, it's my next favourite sport." "Good for you!" I answered with approval. "Well then, I'll pick you up at about five o'clock tomorrow evening;
"Yes, certainly! It would be just fine!" was her prompt response. "Right then! You let me have your address," I said as I reached across
"It's plot one hundred and twenty one Bajulaye Avenue," she said. "The avenue actually borders between Maryland and lkeja; I don't know if you are familiar with the area?" "Yes, I am," I answered coolly, as I took down details of the address she was giving me. "I also know that it's an exclusive and rather posh area too," I added with a smile, as I snapped my diary shut. "Oh, come on now, stop teasing me," she answered laughing. "It's a popular area alright, in some social circles, but there is nothing so, so exclusive about it," she protested mildly. "I could actually arrange for the driver to bring me down to your end if you would have to go to too much trouble to get to my place." "No, it's no trouble getting to your place," I said, as I stifled a yawn. "The tennis court we are actually going to is located at lkeja and so you are enroute to it." 75 "Right then it's settled! I'll be ready and waiting when you arrive." "Right! You sleep tight now and give my love to your parents." I called out before ringing off. Nkem had only just finished with the bathroom and was at the dressing table dabbing on some Talcum powder. I got off the bed and went on to take my bath and just as I was half way through it, the telephone rang. Nkem answered it, and came over to tell me Norman was on the line. She brought the phone to me and fortunately the lead was long enough so that I could easily reach the receiver from a comfortable sitting position in the bath. "Hello?" I called out. "Norman don't you think it's rather late for you to be ringing me up at this time of the night?" "Well, you are not in a boarding school, so I don't see how it matters," he answered. "All honest men ought to be in their beds at this time." "It's nearly midnight." "Well you are not in bed yourself, you are in a bath and so that puts me in the same dishonest category as yourself." "Norman your tongue is much too big for your head," I answered, somewhat tiredly. "Why don't we compare tongues one of these days and see just whose is bigger?" "Is that what you've phoned to tell me?" "No, as a matter of fact, I phoned to ask you out to the club tomorrow.
"Now isn't that a coincidence! I've only just made arrangements with a friend to come out with Nkem and I for a game tomorrow!" "Fine, we'll all go together!" he answered, unperturbed. "Chris is coming along with me," he added smoothly. "And as they
"Alright then Norman," I answered with a smile. "But there'll be five of us," I pointed out. "Why not, and if I might remind you, will be having the privilege of playing at a first rate club." "Norman, will you kindly spare me the details; I've got no stomach for your bragging tonight," I said, feigning boredom. "Will they have spare rackets for Nkem?" "They'll have a spare of everything," he answered smoothly. "It's settled then," I said.
76 "Will five o'clock be an appropriate time to pick you up?" "No, you'll have to make it much earlier; the friend I spoke to you about stays at Ikeja and she expects me to pick her up at five and so we have to leave here much earlier so as to be at her end at five." "Will four-fifteen be alright then?" "Why don't you make it four-thirty," I said. "We could easily be at
"Well, anything you say. It's a relief not to have to stampede you into acquiescence this time," he added. "Don't be too sure and don't sound too smug either," I advised, jokingly. "I could still change my mind." "No dice! Effua; you've got no dice to throw, sweetheart! You can do as you please, but one thing is certain, I have a tennis date with you tomorrow and nothing, debarring a nuclear war, is going to stop that." I couldn't help grinning at that. I said to him: "Norman, I know you would have no qualms keeping
"Far be it from me to rob you of your beauty sleep," he exclaimed softly. "Now, you have a restful night, and don't forget to wash behind your ears." He said the last bit so softly, it sounded like a sensual whisper in my ear. "Goodnight, Norman," I bade him quietly with a smile. I soon finished my bath and went on to the room to join Nkem. I told her of the plans I had made for the following day and was glad at the way she welcomed it all. We went to sleep soon after that, but not before Nkem had said some prayers out loud. She said her prayers or rather, spoke to God with the same intimacy you and I would speak to a friend. She thanked him for the joy and peace in her heart and also for our friendship. She prayed him to bless my life and bring me to the knowledge of the joy and peace, which she had come to know through him and Jesus Christ. I was moved by the simple and humble grace with which Nkem, was accepting her circumstance. Her serene courage was remarkable and for the umpteenth time, I thanked God that I too had her for a friend. 77 Six My Emotional Reawakening. The next day, which was a Saturday was bright and sunny in a mild
I went out to the balcony a short while later for a breath of fresh air. I had my book of psalms and read a couple of passages from it. Just as I concluded the last passage I was reading, I remembered I had an appointment with my hairdresser. There was a knock at the door at that moment and Nkem, who had been woken up by it, got up to answer it. "Will Madame be wanting any breakfast this morning?" I heard Ali, one of the stewards from the kitchen, asking. "Yes, Ali," I answered, as I stepped into the room. "Good morning, Madame," he greeted. "Good morning, Ali, and how are you today?" "We dey Madame," he replied in pidgin English. "I would like breakfast for two," I instructed. "Would Madame like me to bring it up," he asked, as he took down
"No, that won't be necessary, I think we'll take it downstairs," I looked in Nkem's direction for confirmation and she agreed it was okay with her. Nkem decided to come along with me to the hairdresser's and have her hair oiled and steamed. She also wanted to do some shopping at the shopping centre, where the salon was located. The dining room was virtually empty, when we finally got downstairs for breakfast. We had a light meal and then set out. The hairdressing salon was packed full of customers when we arrived. A harassed looking Shade, the proprietor, waved at me from the transparent glass partitioning, which separated her office from the rest of the salon. She came out to welcome me and apologised for the crowd. All ten of her employees were tied up with customers and with a few more 78 waiting to take their turn. The place was buzzing with its usual hubbub of female voices, the muffled drone of the powerful air conditioning system, hair dryers and soft music. You could actually smell the hair shampoo from a mile away. The place was a favourite spot for women within the environs of lkoyi; a few came from outside Lagos and from Ikeja and Badagry. It was not surprising, as Shade gave good value for money. Besides, Shade had a knack for making friends and making you feel pampered. I knew several of her customers shared with her confidences, which they wouldn't even dream of sharing with their closest friends. This was partly because Shade was a neutral observer and partly because you just knew it was safe to talk to her. Shade's charges were reasonable and I had introduced Laide and Yele to her salon. Besides, I had entrusted my hair only to Shade all the while I had been in Lagos. She was always glad to see me and always attempted to give me prompt attention. She again apologised for the congestion. I assured her it was alright and that I was going to do some shopping for a while and that hopefully, by the time I returned, the crowd would have eased up a bit. Shade agreed it was the wise thing to do and promised she would attend to me personally if none of her girls was free by the time we returned. I took my skirt-suit to the dry cleaners and went with Nkem to the chemist to buy a can of deodorant spray and some plaster for a painful corn, which I had on the little toe of my left foot. Nkem seized the opportunity to arm herself with a fresh supply of her favourite perfume called "Unspoken". She had used this same perfume right through, our undergraduate days at Legon. I had in fact come to associate the fragrance with Nkem. It often lingered on every item of clothing or underwear she had and in those days, you could easily tell that Nkem, had been in a room, simply by the soft fragrance of the perfume, which she left behind. The perfume suited Nkem's personality completely. The fragrance was just as haunting and intriguing as was Nkem herself. After all those years her allegiance to "Unspoken" had remained unbroken. Nkem also bought Odili a beautiful men's wallet, made from crocodile skin. It was expensive but certainly worth the price. She said she wanted to give it to him as an olive branch and to show him that as far as she was concerned, nothing had really changed in terms of how she felt about him. Nkem mightn't have realised it, but at that moment, I felt she had given birth to something precious; something which would transcend the 79 present. She had through her pain and suffering and unfulfilled longing for motherhood; conceived within her generous self, something that was yet more precious than an offspring. She was giving Odili a love, which was unconditional. For the first time yet, she helped me see how possible it was for a woman to love a man totally; just for himself and not for the fact that he was the father of her offspring or the provider of her personal comforts. We soon found our way back to the salon, where Shade attended to our hair. She served us some ice-cream and as she did so, her easy charm and open friendliness won her yet another customer in the person of Nkem, who picked up her business card as we left. It was well past four o'clock when we returned to the guest house. We had barely changed into our tennis outfits when Norman arrived. The reception phoned to say he had arrived and Nkem, who fortunately had her gear on, went down to meet him. She looked smart in the outfit I had lent her. I had an identical one on and had bought the two during an excursion to Ivory Coast. The outfits were sown in a conventional sporty style, with an exquisite tie-dye material. I had warned Nkem to make sure she had her wedding ring on her finger, looking as attractive as she did in that outfit. I told her it would be a bit of a deterrent to would be admirers. She laughed and assured me she would keep twirling it round and round her finger for all to see and if that wasn't sufficient, she would hold her hands out in front of her like a dog would, when it raised its paws. We were both laughing at that when Norman arrived. As Nkem hurried down, I quickly put finishing touches to my dressing. As I picked up my racket and strode out of the room, I was aware of the slight bubble of breathless excitement I felt at the thought of seeing Norman again. I looked sporty and attractive, but was also suffering a ridiculous attack of nerves. It had come on suddenly, much to my annoyance! I gently scolded myself and pulled myself together, as I walked into the lounge, where Norman and Nkem were engaged in a light conversation. Norman had his back to me but turned around, when Nkem smiled as she caught sight of me. He stood as I approached and the look he gave me was openly appreciative. "I do hope I didn't arrive too early?" he asked. "No," I answered with a smile. "We were almost ready anyway." "In that case shall we?" he asked, waving towards the door. "Where is Chris?" I turned to ask him as we went towards the car."
80 "Oh! he'll be meeting us at the club. He decided to drive down in his car since there were going to be five of us," he explained. As we set out, I handed Maruwa's address to Norman and he let out a low whistle, as he studied it. "This is some really exclusive residential area," he remarked, as he came to a halt at a traffic light and slotted a cartridge into the player. "What does her father do for a living?" "He is Chikodili of the C.Z.T. Consortium," I said. "That explains it," Norman cut in. "Last year's private sector financial report shows that group nets an average annual income of thirty million dollars world wide" "My goodness" Nkem exclaimed. "You mean people are that affluent in this country?" "Easily" Norman answered. "There is plenty of money floating around in this country of ours and since the enterprise is free, the smart guys know how to lay their hands on it. Chikodili and his associates are earning an honest living. They give good value for money. Besides, a seven-figure earning is not unusual for an Afro-Arab construction company such as the one he runs. The company owns branches throughout West Africa and the Middle-East." "This is intriguing," I said, slightly taken aback. "I recognised that Maruwa had breeding from the moment I saw her, but I had no idea that she came from such an affluent background. She was simple and unassuming in spite of it all." "The kind of affluence that I find irksome is the kind Sam, my neighbour, was telling me about the other day" Norman continued. "Somebody in a Peugeot 504 Saloon car, ran into his Mercedes Benz, he spent the last decade or so, saving and scrounging so hard to buy. As you can imagine, he was very upset and got out of his car, very determined to have it out with the culprit. The fellow turned out to be a driver, who was taking his boss to the airport to catch a plane out of the country. When it became obvious that Sam wasn't going to take any apologies, the man himself emerged from the rear corner of the car, where his expansive frame had been spread out and offered Sam six hundred thousand naira on the spot for the car. Sam, initially thought the fellow was bluffing, but when it became obvious that he actually had the money on his person and was prepared to pay, Sam was stunned and simply left the matter at that."
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