The Bachelor's Ride by Kolapo Akinola

Author:Kolapo Akinola [Akinola, Kolapo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Icongate

Fifteen

It was Sunday afternoon. I’d invited a few friends over for dinner including Cliff and Melanie.

Onions half chopped and diced and thyme ready. Garlic minced. Maggi lined up. Fresh tomatoes boiled with scotch pepper and steamed. Lamb slowly cooked to tender. I was now in the kitchen thick with spices, making Afang soup made of spinach, simmered vegetables, with lamb and a separate beef option, when Kunle arrived. He was recently engaged and planning his wedding in a few months. So, we had good reason to be jolly together.

Kunle knew how to cook with his mouth. “You put in groundnut oil first, add pepper, chicken, some water, squeeze together, boil for a few minutes. Done,” he’d say.

“Otunba, the chef.” We laughed, as I welcomed him. “Lamb on the menu, bro.”

He wafted up his nose. “Correct. Your wife go dey enjoy o.”

“If I find her.”

“When, bro. When you find her. Stop using if.”

I always pondered on the difference between “if” and “when”, wondering which day I’d also share in the indescribable joy of loving someone and being genuinely loved in return. I dwelled on the weak smile I gave each time, pretending to believe it would happen despite fear looping my thoughts and wrapping itself around my neck with anxiety that refused to quit.

I snapped out of my thoughts. “Make yourself comfortable, bro.” I told him.

As the host, I wanted to cook two dishes. Since I’d moved into my newly rented apartment, I had yet to invite friends over for a housewarming. So, it was good timing for a get together dinner before I resumed my work in the world of financial crime detection.

Before too long, Cliff and Melanie arrived. To my surprise, Mary had joined them. We hugged each other. “Thank you for not inviting me.” Her smile spread widely all over her face. We hadn’t spoken since our weekend away.

Finally, Debby walked in and lit up the place. Everyone pulled her in for a hug.

Debby Oyedepo Ojo was born and bred in Bristol, a city in the county of southwest England. She was very proud of this compass city. Until four years ago when she relocated to London for a new job, she’d lived her life admiring the River Avon that straddled across the city. Twenty-six-year-old Debby was single but she’d friend-zoned me for nearly two years. I’d tried to get out of the friend-zone to no avail. Even though Boris Kodjor, the tall, dapper Hollywood star, was already taken, he was the man of her dreams. I was not her cup of tea as far as relationships were concerned. That was fine because I knew I was one fine pineapple juice. She set up a torrent of defence mechanisms to keep me off the chase, so we’d settled for friendship. And if I could say I’d a best female friend, that would be Debby Oyedepo Ojo.

My final guests of the night, John and his wife Christina, couldn’t make it. In total, I had five guests to cater for. Everyone knew each other besides Mary and Debby who were meeting for the first time.

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