PREVIOUS EPISODE:Episode 22 – Married to a Stranger
After a while, when Olamide finally calmed down…
After a while, when Olamide finally calmed down, Bukola came to them and said, “What’s this, you two? Are you here to chat all day? Come on, everyone is waiting for you.”
Both of them followed Bukola.
Tunde: “If everyone’s done with their shopping, shall we head home now?”
Everyone agreed but Amaka interjected, “Oh, come on, guys! Who goes home so early? It’s just 9:00 PM. Let’s go to a pub instead. A little fun with everyone would be great!”
Olamide: “No Amaka, it’s already 9. Everyone at home must be waiting for us and don’t forget Bukola is with us too.”
Amaka: “Oh, come on! Bukola’s not a kid anymore; she’s all grown up now.”
Bukola: “Yes Brother, I’m in college now. Stop treating me like a kid.”
Amaka: “See, even she’ll enjoy it. I promise there won’t be any alcohol. We’ll just have some fun and then leave.”
Hearing this, Tunde looked at Gold and noticing him looking at Gold,
Amaka teased him, “What’s the matter Tunde? Why are you looking at your wife like that? Do you need her permission to go to the pub?”
Tunde: “It’s not that, Amaka. I just don’t think Gold will enjoy it. She’s not like us. She doesn’t like these things.”
Hearing Tunde’s words, Gold was shocked.
She kept thinking how Tunde knew about her likes and dislikes.
Amaka turned to Gold and said, “Oh, come on, Gold. Tell us, won’t you like to come with us to the pub and have fun? Please don’t refuse; we friends are meeting after years. And I don’t think you’re so old-fashioned that you won’t come to a pub.”
Gold got angry that Amaka indirectly called her old-fashioned.
Even though Amaka didn’t say it outright, the meaning was clear. Out of this anger Gold agreed to go to the pub.
When they reached the pub and entered, Gold was stunned.
Loud music blared through the space and everyone was dancing in their own world. Amaka and the others began to enjoy themselves, while Bukola, Gold, and Olamide were bored and sat at a corner table. Bukola clearly didn’t like it there.
Bukola: “What’s this? I thought pubs would be interesting, but everyone’s just dancing like crazy. And the loud music… my ears will burst.”
Olamide: “Now you see why I said no? But no, you don’t listen to me. What did you say? ‘I’m grown up now, Brother…’ Moral is, always listen to your brother.”
Olamide mimicked Bukola’s words making her frown.
Bukola: “Okay, fine! Stop taunting me. But look over there—Brother Tunde is really enjoying himself.”
Olamide: “Yeah, he’s always loved chilling with such friends since college. Seeing him like this, would you believe he runs such a big company?”
Bukola: “True. Most people thought Brother is so arrogant and uptight.”
Gold murmured quietly, “Yeah, Mr. Panla Face No. 1…”
Bukola: “What, Sister-in-law? Did you say something?”
Gold: “No… no, nothing.”
Just then, Gold noticed Dave and Rita. Dave was trying to get close to Rita and she looked visibly irritated.
Seeing this, Gold looked at Olamide who wasn’t paying attention. Gold wanted to help Rita so she said to Bukola, “We might be bored but everyone else seems to be having a great time. Tunde’s enjoying himself and look, Rita is dancing with Dave.”
She said the last part a little louder and her plan worked perfectly.
Hearing Rita and Dave’s name, Olamide immediately turned to look in their direction.
Seeing Dave trying to get close to Rita, Olamide quickly stood up and walked toward them.
Bukola: “Where are you going now?”
Olamide: “I’ll be back. You stay here.”
Olamide walked over to where Rita and Dave were and started dancing near them, ensuring Dave couldn’t get too close to Rita.
Bukola: “Sister-in-law, don’t you think Brother Olamide likes Sister Rita?”
Gold: “Why do you think so?”
Bukola: “Mom used to say they were always together as kids and even when they grew up, I’ve seen them together. It seems like Brother Olamide really likes Sister Rita… but I don’t know why he never spoke about it. Maybe Sister Rita doesn’t even know.”
From Bukola’s words, Gold realized that Bukola didn’t know the truth about Olamide and Rita so she decided not to say anything.
Meanwhile, Amaka was up to something else. She went to the DJ, who was her friend. She whispered something in his ear and returned.
Five minutes later, the loud music stopped and a romantic tune began playing. An announcement followed:
“Tonight is dedicated to love! So everyone hold your partner’s hand and come to the stage for a couple’s dance.”
Hearing about the couple’s dance, Bukola got excited and told Gold, “Wow, Sister-in-law! This will be so much fun. Now you can dance with Brother Tunde.”
Gold: “What? No… I…”
Gold thought Tunde would come and sit beside her because she knew he would never ask her to dance.
Meanwhile, Dave approached Rita to ask for a dance but before he could, Olamide stepped in and grabbed Rita’s hand, and said to Dave, “Sorry, bro. I asked her first, so she’s my partner now.”
Rita tried to pull her hand back but Olamide pulled her close and held her by the waist. Since they were already on stage, Rita didn’t resist further.
They stared into each other’s eyes, dancing slowly to the romantic music. They were so lost in the moment that everything else disappeared.
For Olamide, being this close to Rita after so many years brought immense peace.
On the other side, Tunde had just approached Gold when Amaka came in and dragged him away.
Amaka: “Come on, Tunde! Dance with me.”
Tunde: “Amaka, I… no…”
Amaka: “Oh, come on Tunde. Please don’t refuse. It’s just a dance.”
After much insistence, Tunde finally agreed and began dancing with Amaka. Seeing them so close on the dance floor made Gold’s heart ache.
She didn’t like seeing Tunde with another girl like this but she couldn’t understand why it hurt so much.
After all, there was no relationship between them.
She knew Tunde would never ask her to dance but she hadn’t expected him to dance with Amaka either… and in a couple’s dance
On the other hand, Amaka had done this intentionally to make Gold jealous. She kept getting closer to Tunde.
Tunde didn’t like this, but he didn’t say anything to avoid making her feel bad.
Watching all this, Gold couldn’t tolerate it anymore. She wanted to go up there and slap Amaka so hard!! but she knew Tunde wouldn’t like that.
When the situation got out of hand Gold whispered to Bukola,
“I’ll be right back…” and walked out without waiting for a reply.
She sat on an empty bench outside, curled her knees up and hid her face, she started crying softly.
Suddenly, she heard someone’s voice from behind,
“You’re in love with Tunde, aren’t you?”
So what do you think??? Gold is in love with Tunde or not??? Well, what do you guys want??
To be continued in the next chapter…
NEXT CHAPTER SNIPPET
Gold’s Tears Speak Louder
Gold was sitting on a bench and crying, when someone came from behind and asked,
“You’re in love with Tunde, aren’t you?”
Hearing this question, Gold was startled.
She quickly wiped her tears and turned around to see Rita standing there.
Gold looked at her with questioning eyes as Rita walked closer and sat beside her, she repeated the question.
“You can tell me, can’t you? After all, we’re friends and your tears are clearly saying that you love Tunde.”
Hearing Rita’s words Gold looked around, trying to dodge the topic.
“No, it’s nothing like that. I was just feeling a little overwhelmed here and that made me cry. It’s not what you’re…”