Emeka
was in love and he was scared the object of his affection would reject him.
He decided to delay his going back to London for two months, knowing his
school wasn't starting yet. He still had three months to go. He prayed his
sister would he soon round off her SSCE exam. He'd sent the her a letter to
give Ella, apologizing for his blunder. But the last time his sister came
home, she'd brought no news for him. He was so filled with disappointment.
He'd immediately developed a headache. He'd urged Julie to invite her for the
holidays to spend some time with them, but she had told fin him bluntly that
Ella would never agree. |
Emeka
was romantic to the core. When he loved a woman, he loved completely. His
father was a renowned gynecologist in Enugu and Benin With a very big
hospital and state of the art modern facilities to boast. Dr. Ojakwu was known
all over. He was one of the best around. And his belief he was that his two
sons would take after him.
Emeka
didn't object neither did his junior brother, Dumebi. They both loved medicine.
So while one had opted to be a gynecologist, the other had decided to read
pharmacy. They felt it would be better and with h the way things were going,
Julie had expressed the desire to study medicine and become a neurosurgeon.
That made their dad very happy, but it left their mother protesting that no one
had taken after her.
Julie
was supposed to be home the following day, but he just felt he had to go
to
their school and at least speak to Ella. He vowed that if she could accept his
offer, then his life as a playboy was over. His only worry was that, she was
seventeen, so young. It was practically cradle snatching but he consoled
himself with the differences in their ages. After all, he was only
twenty-three, six years difference, he defended himself.
************************************
Ella
had just finished her last paper and finally was free from school, but her
thoughts didn't rest on the exams she'd just taken. Her thoughts rested more on
Julie's brother, Emeka. It had been six months since he came with Julie's
parents. After that, he'd sent an apology letter, apologizing for his lack of
thought and clumsiness. She was touched, she felt it wasn't his fault, after
all he hadn't known she was an orphan and had no root.
Since then, he'd sent
her numerous cards, perfumes, clothes, very expensive gifts indeed. She had
decided finally not to go back to the orphanage after her school, instead, she
would stay with her housemistress who lived in town until she was admitted at
the university. The woman was a widow with only a child who resided in South
Africa. She had begged her to move in with her. She was going to miss her
friends very much.
Latie was going back to Ondo state. Julie was leaving for
the states, her parents wanted her to go and school there. She knew she
would be devastated but life had to go on. She got to the room to meet Latie
packing her things. "You're packing, why?" Ella asked, already afraid
of the answer.
"I'm
leaving, Ella," Latie said, refusing to look at her. "My parents sent
the driver," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. She flung herself at
Ella.
"Oh,
I'm going to miss you so much Ella, you and Julie are my best friends, what
would I do without you?"
They
clung together for sometime then both slumped on the bed. Latie, wiping her
tears with the back of her hand, tried to smile.
"Come
home with me, Ella, I promise you won't regret... "
"Please
don't…. don't. .. " Ella stammered, holding up her hand. "You know I
can't.
Please
I don't want to be a burden on anybody."
"Then
promise to give Emeka a chance. I believe he really means well.
He loves you Ella.”
Latie pleaded, staring beseechingly at her. Ella smiled. "Okay, I'll think
about it."
Latie
stood up and turned to her, resuming the packing of her things.
"Are
you sure?" she asked, heaving a suitcase on the floor. They exchanged
addresses.
"Please
promise you will write me, Latie" Ella said as she helped her carry a bag
to the car. Julie wasn't around; she had finished her exams early and had
rushed home.
Two
days later, she was sitting on her bed painting an abstract work, when the
sound of a car broke the serenity of the place. Some minutes later, Julie
barged into the room.
"Ella,
how now? It looks like you're all ....Ha, ha where is Latie? Has she
gone?" Julie asked, eyes focused on Latie's corner.
"Yes,
she left yesterday, her parent sent the driver to pick her up. She gave me her
home address." she smiled when she saw Julie still looking lost. She nudged
her,
"Relax,
okay?" she turned back to her work.
"Did
you come with a car? I thought I heard the sound of a car. Hope you too are not
leaving today? I have to move my things to aunty Ayi' house but she said she
would come and pick me tomorrow evening." She finished and looked at
Julie who appeared visibly relaxed now.
"Yes,
I came with a car. Actually, Emeka brought me," Julie said with a
mischievous glint in her eyes. Seeing Ella not responding, she stood up, coming
to d by her.
"Ella,
he wants to give us a spin. Come on, my brother is really a nice guy and I must
confess I've never seen him go gaga over any girl. You're the first and I'm
happy you're my friend or else I would be jealous. I know Emeka can take care
of you.
Him don colo for you, honestly can you imagine he even had to postpone
his going back to London? Men! You get power o!"
Ella
turned, smiling and stared at her for sometime. "You don talk finish
ehn?" she queried.
"You
no well, come make we go bo, leave the painting. Remember we will
soon part," she began pulling her. "Okay ... okay .. I'll go but let
me change into
something first…..”
"No
way, you look fetching like this," Julie protested. "Jean short and
spaghetti top, completed with a Nike canvas. Honestly, you look sweet, come
on." She ran to the bed and pulled a jean long sleeve shirt. Oya wear this
one, but no button am, at least, you no need make up."
She
finished, pulling her out of the room. Emeka was waiting for them. He'd asked the
driver not to bother that he would bring Julie to school. He just wanted a
chance to see
her. He'd had to sweet talk his kid sister, Julie, for hours before she finally
agreed to
help him. She'd said she wanted to be sure he really cared for her friend.
"Of
course, Julie," he protested vehemently, almost getting angry. "I
want her, I'm in love with her Julie, please help me," he'd pleaded.
When
he saw her coming with his sister, his heart leaped a thousand times,
"Ella,
how are you? You're looking pretty," he complimented her.
"Thanks,"
she murmured, avoiding his gaze and smiling. They got into the car and she
found herself sitting beside him while Julie took the back seat.
"So
where do you ladies want us to go?" he asked, his gaze resting on Ella.
"Lets
go to Vim's, they have nice snacks and it's a nice joint," Julie said.
Ella
raised her head and her eyes caught that of Emeka. She felt scared, he had such
beautiful and laughing eyes, she thought. He was so handsome as well. Could she
really trust him and give her heart? They drove to vim's. They found a place to
sit and ordered for ice creams and
popcorn packs.
Julie
excused herself, saying she needed to get something, but Ella knew it probably
was an unspoken agreement between the two siblings to excuse them.
"So
what are you going to do now that you're through with school?" She
shrugged and smiled.
"Well,
I intend to readArt, I want to be an artist." "Oh!" he murmured,
looking surprised.
"But
I thought you did science subjects?"
"Yes,
that's true. But I love to paint, it's my life and I hope to be known as an
artist someday."
He
gazed at her. She spoke with so much passion about her painting and when she
did that, her face lit up. Julie had mentioned it once that she painted
beautifully. He really would love to see her paintings. Slowly, he took her
slim, fair hand in his large ones.
Their
gaze held, like they wanted to see into each other's soul.
"I
want to be your friend Ella. Will you please accept me?" She broke their
gaze. "I really don't know.
It's
just that I feel I'm too young to begin a relationship. I need more time."
He
sighed with relief; he'd thought she would turn him down.
"I
don't mind Ella, I'll wait for you, as long as you don't shut me out of your
life," he said and kissed the back of her hand.
CHAPTER 7
TO BE CONT.
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