Charles took care of everything. Right from her 200
level till date it’s been Charles all the way. Now at
this cross road what would she do, how can she
move forward? It was a tough situation for Rita, a
pretty tough situation.
As she sat on her bed that night, back against the
wall, sheets pulled up over her folded knees up
against her chest, arms around her shin, chin
resting on her knees, her phone in her hand
deciding whether to make the call or not, she drifted
off in thoughts, way back almost ten years now to
that night when she met Charles; that fateful night.
It had been a very tough period for her back then.
Rita, the only girl and second child of four siblings
was in the university; her 200 level and was going
through a most difficult period of her life.
Her parents were struggling economically; her Mum
was a nurse at a small community hospital and her
father was a trained security guard working for a
security outfit. They lived in two rooms of a ‘face
me-I face you’ building and they were having things
really tough considering the expenses of education
and general living standards.
When Rita secured admission, there was absolutely
nothing money wise to make her admission
experience a good one to remember. No clothes, no
books, no provision, small food and only 5,000 naira
to survive on all through the semester.
In the course of registration alone half of the money
was gone and at that point she knew she was in
trouble.
Luckily for her, she was able to secure
accommodation and in the process of registration
on one of the queues she met Bunmi; a girl from a
very rich home and they became friends. Bunmi
didn’t secure accommodation hence Rita had to
offer her help in that regard.
All through their first year in school Bunmi
practically sustained Rita in school, clothing, food,
provision, toiletries, fees, bills and cash. Bunmi paid
it all for Rita hence Rita had no reason to bother her
parents for money all through her first year.
In 200 level, Bunmi decided to celebrate her 18 th
birthday thus she threw a party; an elaborate one at
a club outside of school. She invited some of her
friends on campus and many others outside of
school, some of them friends from her childhood
and others her elder brother’s friends.
Naturally it would be impolite and selfish for Rita not
to support her friend in the planning and hosting of
guests at this party; though she wasn’t the club and
partying type; this one she had no choice but to
attend and there was when, where and how she
met Charles.
Charles was a friend to Bunmi’s elder brother; a
very good looking young man in his late twenties.
He was done with school and was working in his
father’s establishment. Charles’ father happened to
be a very rich and successful business man owning
and sitting atop many multi-billion naira businesses
in Nigeria.
Charles, his first son was managing the haulage and
transportation arm of the business. Charles had
access to a lot of money and that night, at Bunmi’s
party Charles asked Rita for friendship and
consequently they became lovers.
Charles was very loving, caring and generous to
Rita. Charles paid exceptional attention to Rita and
all her needs. He took care of everything she
needed and all she wanted. He surprised her every
now and again with all sorts of exciting gifts, trips
and thrills. Within a year of their relationship, Rita
became one of the most popular and celebrated
girls on campus.
She won the award for the most fashionable girl on
campus back to back, was invited to every exquisite
party and suddenly all the big girls and boys on
campus wanted to be her friend.
By the valentine’s day of the year after, they
became lovers! Charles surprised Rita with a brand
new red Honda CRV. It was indeed a big deal. Rita
became popular, powerful and influential on
campus. She became the big deal.
On several occasions she would travel with Charles
to different parts of the world on both official and
non-official matters and would return with so much
stuff and give out to many friends.
She became so famous, loved and cherished by
many on campus, Rita consequently fell desperately
in love with Charles; her helper, her support, her
provider and her backbone and the reality that
Charles was already married with two lovely
children didn’t bother Rita one bit.
After Rita was done with school, she was posted to
Abuja for her NYSC, it was tough leaving Lagos;
particularly leaving Charles for such a long time.
She was used to spending most evenings with
Charles and the thought of being so far away was
too hard for her to imagine.
When it was time she had to go anyway and Charles
promised he’ll check her up as frequently as
possible.
While in camp Rita met Samson, a very gentle loving
and tender young man; a graduate of Engineering
from one of the federal universities in Nigeria, a
young man with a vision, a plan, a purpose and
passion for his dream.; a very good husband
material. Samson and Rita began to talk and hang
out a lot and consequently became very good
friends. After camp they were posted to the same
ministry to work and this of course made them
closer and brought stronger intimacy.
By the end of service year, Rita returned to Lagos
but Samson was retained at the ministry in Abuja to
work.
By then they were already sure they loved each
other enough to be married; hence the plan and
arrangements was already underway.
When Rita returned to Lagos however; Charles had
already made arrangements for her to be employed
immediately in his father’s haulage company where
he was the MD. She got the job on a platter of gold;
it came with very attractive packages; travels,
allowances, and an official car. In fact Charles made
available a 3 bedroom official quarters for Rita and
furnished it beautifully. Rita was very happy,
impressed and eternally grateful for all Charles has
done and is still doing for her.
After about nine months on the job, Samson was
transferred to Lagos to head a team and lead a
project his ministry was in charge of and he was
too delighted to relocate to where his fiancé lived
and worked.
Samson was very happy about the blessings and
breakthrough his fiancée Rita had enjoyed in such a
short period of time.
As far as Samson is concerned, there was nothing
more to wait for than for them to go ahead and get
married.
A good house, a car, good income, love, vision and
compatibility was in place, so what’s the delay for?
Rita became worried when Samson discussed
marriage with her. She knew quite well one day she
would have to end her affair with Charles as it is
clear Charles wouldn’t marry her; he is married and
very much loves his family and of course, she Rita
is not prepared to be anyone’s second wife. Rita
kept stalking and avoiding any discussions about
marriage with Samson.
Two days earlier, Rita visited Samson in his home
very late after work like 11 pm and was shocked
and surprised to discover he had a lady in the
house.
This lady was very comfortable walking around the
apartment in her nightie and it appeared she was
planning to spend more than just a night in
Samson’s house.
Samson also, surprisingly wasn’t shocked or
embarrassed or sorry to be caught by Rita; infact he
welcomed her and received her just like an ordinary
guest but told her she couldn’t spend the night
because he had a visitor. He said it with so much
confidence that shocked Rita.
The next morning Rita called Samson to discuss the
sad development and Samson told her he was tired
of waiting and her stalling and if she wouldn’t give
him any response in three days the relationship is
over.
Here is Rita, on her bed, garnering courage to call
Charles and tell him she wants to get married.
She picked up her phone and called Charles to
inform him she wants to get married.
What? What are you talking about? Don’t you dare?
Don’t even think about it? Marriage my foot! Look
Rita don’t look for trouble, you don’t know what I’m
capable of, if you try any rubbish I’ll finish you and
that so called husband in this Lagos, believe me I
have what it takes. Give yourself brain, Charles
threatened and the line went dead.
Rita began to shiver on her bed, afraid, confused
and distressed, her head began to spin. I’m in
trouble; real big trouble. I’m in real trouble; just then,
the clock began to chime; its 12 midnight, a brand
new day, it’s her birthday, she’s thirty today.
Ladies and gentlemen, many times situations and
circumstances compel us into doing stuff and
making compromises we would naturally avoid.
Relationships can get very complicated at times.
Compromises can bring about very dire
consequences afterwards.
Life many times would present to us good options
and right options, many times we choose what
appears good over what appears right.
A superior mindset judges matters from outcomes
not from feelings. What are you into or doing today
and you know the consequence would be
devastating, destructive, embarrassing or harmful.
Choose the right over the pleasurable today.
Think it, do it, achieve it and be the ultimate, it’s all
in your mind! Till I come your way again, same
time, same station tomorrow, this is Muyiwa Afolabi
saying, Goodnight tonight.
