Shoot Your Shot, Ladies! - Part 5

Please like, comment and share... Part 6 coming on Monday, June 15

KOREDE

Sunday afternoons are the best time to catch up on all the sleep I missed during the week. As I take off my church shoes and hit the bed, I hear Mummy D call out for me. I have an idea about why she wants to see me. Since Mr C came by two days ago, she has been saying she wants to have a conversation with me. Saturday was a very busy day for me, as I had to show two properties at Surulere, so we weren’t able to talk when I got back. This morning we had to go to church, so no chance for a proper conversation either. I guess now is the time.

“Mummy, you called for me”, I say, peeping into her room. She signals for me to come in.

“Olukorede, I’m sure by now you know why I called for you.” She starts and I nod in the affirmative. She continues “That Mr C that came to the house on Friday, how do you know him gan gan?” she asks

“But mummy I already told you. He’s the owner of the firm I work a…”

Before I can finish my sentence she interrupts to say, “Yes, I know but what kind of relationship do you people have at work?”

“Oh. No relationship. He’s my boss.” I reply.

“And he came looking for you at home?”, she says, with suspicion in her voice

“Well, I believe he is nice like that. Shebi Adesua too came.”, I decide to play it down because the truth is, I actually don’t know why he came in person.

“Okay, let’s assume he is nice like that. What about you?”

“What about me, mummy?”

“I saw how you were looking at him. Do you like him?”

I scoff, “Like him ke? Did Adesua put you up to this? Because I won’t put this past her.”

“No, she did not and you have not answered my question, Korede.” She counters.

“No mummy, I don’t like him.” I say. The truth is I have started developing feelings for Mr C, but it has not grown to like and since she didn’t ask if I have feelings for him, the answer remains no.

“So why did you lie that I was your mother?” she probes. Ah ha. So that is what this conversation is about. Why on earth did I think she was going to let it slide that day?

“But you are my mother.” I reply, now holding her hands, hoping she drops this conversation.

“Olukorede, don’t play games with me. I know you deflect when you don’t want to talk about certain things. I’m going to ask this question again… Why didn’t you say I was your mother-in-law?”, she demands and removes her hands from mine.

“I didn’t want him to know.”, I reply, looking down at my now empty hands. This conversation has become very uncomfortable.

“Why?”, she demands again

“Because….. ummm…because” How do I say this?

“Because you are interested in him, Korede…. and you think living with your late husband’s mother might turn him away.” She says, almost confidently.

“Mummy! How can you say that?” I roll my eyes, and then she grabs my shoulders, looks me in the eyes and says, “If you are ever going to have a future with that man, you have to tell him the truth… The earlier, the better.”

“Okay ma. Assuming you are right, how do I fix this?”

“Omo yi sha…. I know I am right…. You can start by telling him what happened and why you felt the need to lie…” At this point my eyebrows are raised but she continues, “Yes, you are going to insinuate that you are interested in him by telling him why you lied.”

“But won’t that seem like I’m forcing myself on him?” I ask

“No at all Korede… Let your eyes and body language do most of the talking, but still use your words. If he is as smart as he looks, he would understand.”

“Hmm…. So what exactly do I do, mummy?”

“This is what you would do…. Tomorrow, put on a nice dress or one of those your smart pantsuits. Look good and smell good! Tell Adesua to book you an appointment with him or contact him yourself if you don’t want her to know and then tell him what I told you. Ensure this conversation is face to face. If he is busy tomorrow, try again on Tuesday or Wednesday, till you eventually meet face to face.”

“Okay mummy. I will do whatever you say.”

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AYOOLA

It has been another busy week again but we are finally coming into the weekend. I have had meetings upon meetings in different states as usual. I haven’t even had a chance to see Korede since I was at her house last Friday, making it a week already. I’m about to head out for my lunch break at Cactus in VI but quickly go through my pending emails. One of the emails catches my eye and I decide to open it.

From: korede@craigandco.com.ng

Subject: Appointment

Good morning Mr C,

Thank you once again for coming over on Friday and for the food as well. I

really had a great time. I was hoping to clarify something with you about that

day. Please let me know when it’s a good time to see you.

Kind regards,

Korede Osagie

Realtor, Craig & co

Whoa!... She sent that email since Monday and I am only just seeing it today. The first thing that comes to mind is mummy D. She wants to clear up the fact that mummy D is not really her mum. Yes, I already knew that. I cannot claim to be interested in Korede if I don’t know that much about her. Call it whatever you want but I had to confirm a few things after my visit on Friday night and the fact that she’s living with her mother-in-law was one of them. It doesn’t bother me to be honest, so I reply.

Hi Korede. So sorry I’m just seeing your email. I’m actually about to head out

for lunch. Care to join me? We can discuss whatever you want then.

A.

As soon as she replies, I instantly ask Adesua to reschedule my appointments for the afternoon and then head downstairs to meet Korede. The drive to Cactus was weird. I could tell she was nervous about the situation so I tried to distract her by asking questions but she kept replying with one-word answers, so I eventually thought best to wait till she cleared her mind.

********

“Mr C, once again thank you for coming to the house last week and for everything…” She says after we ordered our food. I noticed today she is maintaining eye contact. I also notice she is wearing the grey pantsuit she wore the first day we met, the caramel perfume she wore that day too and her ring is still off. God, is this a sign? Is this more than mummy D?

“It was my pleasure, Korede. Anytime. By the way, now that we are out of the office, please call me Ayoola. Mr C sounds too formal.” I laugh and she laughs too. Finally, she’s relaxing.

“Okay M…Ayoola.” She smiles.

“How’s mummy D, by the way? It was such a pleasure meeting her the other night.” I ask, trying to ease her into a conversation in that direction.

“Umm…She’s doing well. She sends her regards. The truth is that is precisely why I wanted to see you…” she starts, “The thing is…. mummy D is not actually my mum as such…. She adopted me as an orphan…. after I married her son.” She explains, looking into my eyes.

“So, she is your mother-in-law?” I ask as calmly as I can.

“Yes. She is my late husband’s mum. We started living together after he died.”, she says still maintaining eye contact. This is the most eye contact we have ever had since we met.

“I know…. So why didn’t you just say so that day?” I ask, wondering why she needed to lie. Her living with her mother-in-law doesn’t bother me but it clearly bothers her if she hid the truth.

She looks surprised at first, then looks down at her ring finger and back into my eyes and says, “Because I didn’t want to ruin my chances with you.”

I knew it! Yes!!!!! I knew it! I knew this was a sign!

I reach out for her hands and she places them in mine, then I reply, “Korede, I’m not going anywhere…I really like you.”

Please like, comment and share... Part 6 coming on Monday, June 15