Chapter Five

   The drive home was a quite one. I didn't understand why Ridwan wouldn't let me attend his sister's birthday.

   "We already talked about you not working so why did you say that while we were at my parents house" he suddenly asked breaking the silence.

   "Because you made the decision not me. I want to work but you don't want me to. It wasn't a collective agreement" I said, looking out the window to avoid eye contact with him.

   "By the way, why did you tell Salma I wasn't going to attend her wedding" I said raising my eyebrows.

    "You don't need to attend, you're married now you need to start acting like it" he said as he stopped the car at the drive way at home.

    "You can't just keep making this decision for me. I am married to you not in captivity" I said

    "I really don't want to have this discussion with you" he said opening the door and entering into the house and I just watched as he walked away up into the room without saying any thing again.

    I went up into the room few minutes later. I wanted to eat chocolate so I had gone to the kitchen before going up to the room. Ridwan was with his laptop already on the bed  probably getting some office work done when I got there. I went to have my shower then put on my night ware before going to bed. I realized Ridwan was still working on his laptop.

    I crawled into bed using the duvet to cover my legs as I sat up straight next to Ridwan. I then stared blankly at him as he worked. There was so much I wanted to say to him but I just didn't even know where yo start it all from.

    "Is there something you want to say" Ridwan asked as he looked in my direction probably having noticed my stare.

    "I was just thinking about the first time we met in front of Moremi hall. I remember how I probably would have been lost and  miserable if you hadn't helped me that day"I said smiling

     "How could I forget, you were going to the back of the school, " he said and we both laughed.

    "And then you had requested for my number" I smiled again remembering the good old days.

    "And you wouldn't give me at first after telling me you didn't have a phone"

    "I know right"

"But then you did and I couldn't wait to get back to the hostel to call you" he said as he closed his laptop putting it on the desk at the side.

    "I couldn't wait for your call either, I remember checking my phone multiple times wondering if that handsome young man I helped wasn't going to call me" I said smiling as i  moved closer to him resting my head on his shoulder and he held my hand in his.

     "I thought you wouldn't pick or probably gave me a fake number" he said laughing.

    "I liked you too much for that"I said smiling.

"And then I gained best friend" he said

    "That day I met the love of my life" I said as I looked up into his eye. "I know I had to wait but it was worth it" I added.

    "I miss us, I miss the Ridwan I met that afternoon, I miss my best friend" I said but before I could say anything else. Ridwan pulled me closer and kissed me.

     The next morning Ridwan had left for work early and once again I was alone at home doing nothing. Hawa had sent me the link for the application form for the exam I was going to be writing and I had filled it only to realize that the exam was just a couple days away and I didn't know this because I had registered late for it so I had to start reading.

     I had been reading in the study now for the past three hours and I needed a break. I went to the kitchen to get a snack then decided to go through my social media for sometime before going back to study. I loved to read alot but sometimes it got tiring too and the brain needs a break too. So I went through my Instagram and was checking through my post and on last picture I had posted of I and hawa at the restaurant there was a comment from a familiar face which was "you still look as pretty as always" and I just liked the comment and immediately he sent a message.

Ade: hey, it's Ade from secondary school then I immediately remembered who it was. My secondary school crush in which I had been shamelessly crazy about and all my friends would tease me with. Now remebering how I  was always acting so shy around him and stupid even makes me cringe. We have all been one way or another silly towards a crush.

Me: hello, I remember you. It's so nice to here from you again.

Ade: same here, I heard you got married And stay in Abuja. It's a shame you didn't even invite me.

Me: lols, funny how news fly around so quickly. Yes I do.

Ade: I actually also stay in abuja, do you mind giving me your digits.

   At first I really didn't want to and I didn't know why maybe it was just because of Ridwan but I didn't want to overthink anything because obviously it is an harmless question. I could have said no and he wouldn't even bother anymore but I didn't.

Ade: see you around then.

Me:yeah.

    I thought about how long I had seen Ade and how he probably was doing now. I actually also heard he finished from law school recently and works with one of the biggest firms. Guess he isn't the only one knowing stuffs about me. I was still thinking about all this when I heard Ridwan call me from downstairs. I probably didn't notice when he arrived.

    "Welcome, how was work" I said kissing him as I got down stairs.

   "It was good"

"I brought you a maid" he said pointing at the girl that was standing next to him who looked like she was in her teenage years. Probably 18 or 19. She was putting on a top and a skirt with a bag of clothes which she had kept closely to her side. I wondered how I hadn't seen her when I came down

   "But i don't need an help, I haven't been complaining" I said curious about why he had brought her and about why he didn't even discuss it with me.

    "You said you were always bored at home with no one to speak with so now I brought someone and you're complaining yet again"

    "I know I said it but it isn't needed"

"You really don't have an excuse to want to be out anymore now. Her name is Ayo and she with do anything you want her to" he said

   "Good evening Ma" the girl said bending to kneel

   "There is a room down here close to the kitchen, put your stuffs in there" Ridwan said pointing in the direction of the room and I was still left in awe of what was happening.

   "I would really appreciate it if we spoke about things like this before you make such decisions" I said looking at him blankly.

    "Not this night Tes, I need to rest from work. Just let her know anything you want her to do" he said before walking out on me.