Destined Vows

By Ogochukwu Echezona

Efosa Ewuare is a young and successful entrepreneur whose values are shown in his love for his family and friends and yet he is haunted by the memories of his past. He falls in love with Adetutu Bhadmus, a smart and independent woman with whom he has a unique bond, a bond that is tested as Tutu pushes him to confront his fears which still governs his life and threatens to ruin everything they had built together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496990686

Ogochukwu Echezona

Pharmacist by day, Writer by night. Esther comes from a family where reading between three to five novels per week was commonplace and it was only a matter of time before she began to pen her own stories. She started writing in primary school and when she’s not writing, she’s thinking of what to write. If she hadn’t decided to be a pharmacist and a writer, a jazz musician was her next bet and she hasn’t given up hope on that either.

Book preview

Chapter One

The man’s unbuttoned shirt fluttered in the wind, afrobeat played on the radio on the floor beside him and two dogs –a Dobberman and an Alsatian – quarreled over a piece of heavily gnawed bone by his feet. All the sounds washed over him but did not break his concentration; his mind was focused on the easel before him and the colours bursting forth on it as he painted. His hands and mind were one and the same, both thinking and doing what needed to be done.

His hand moved gracefully over the canvas, the lightest brush strokes. Now and then he would pause to assess his work, smoothen out the colours on the canvas with the tip of his fingers, mix more colours on the tray or change brushes, but still he painted. He had been at it all morning, an image in his head he couldn’t quite shake off, not this morning and not for the last two months. Always, the image of the lioness persisted, haunting him.

He paused again, folded his arms across his chest and studied his work. He called works he’d done this way ‘tunnell vision’, bright colours –white and sunshine yellow and golden orange - in the center of the canvas and dark shadows formed from shades of black and compost brown and forest green encircling the bright spot. And right in the middle was a full grown lioness caught in the crosshairs. Was she staring into a deep and cavernous cave having caught the scent of a prey? Maybe it was a deer or a man. Him, perhaps?

He smiled at his fanciful thoughts. Peripheral ones at that which didn’t factor into the message of the painting, he mused silently. The power behind the painting was the lioness herself and her unwavering tawny gaze fixed on him. All seeing, all knowing.

Her gaze had woken him up that morning. She’d felt so real standing beside him as he slept. He reached up to touch her but she dispersed and faded into the mist. Only her eyes remained to stare him into wakefulness.

This one was different from the other three he had painted so far in the last week. The others had been more about her personality or more precisely what he perceived it to be. Her graceful motion – when he had painted her leaping up to pounce on a fleeing antelope. Her patience, as she prowled around a pack of cubs rolling around in a playfight. Her tranquility as she sat on her haunches on a hilltop, staring at a rising sun. All three times her profile was turned away from him so he only saw her from behind. That irritated him. He wanted to see her face, to know who she was.

All the animals he had ever painted he recognized them from the first moment he saw them, sometimes, he saw them as humans before their animal incarnations. That was why when she showed him her face earlier on in the morning, he didn’t hesitate in getting out his paintbrushes.

Now he was done and he still didn’t recognize her but she stared at him like she knew him. No fear or suspiscion in those eyes. Exasperation and anger didn’t stare back, yet there was knowledge of him in his totality in those yellow depths.

Dangerous. He muttered as he turned to one of the bottles of beer he had come out of doors with hours ago. It had gone flat from standing out in the humid air but he drank it anyway. The easel stood a few feet to his left now, yet when he turned back to the painting, Queen Cat – as he had taken to calling the lioness – still had her eyes on him.

He heard a car coming down the long driveway leading up to his house. He recognized the Toyota Pajero immediately and he turned away, hoping the owner will drive past to the other house half a kilometer behind his, his father’s. The Pajero stopped in front of his house however and he felt a twinge of irritation which he put down to having a stiff shoulder from painting for the last four hours.

A man stepped out of the car and made his way down the slight slope to the wooded area where the artist stood under the shades of gmelina and Flame of the Forest trees. His visitor raised a hand in greeting half way down and he returned it with a wave of his beer bottle. His dogs chose then to run off to greet the man, barking in delight and getting themselves all tangled up in their bid to be petted.

Traitors. Some guard dogs you guys are. He thought.

Doc. He greeted in a deep, strong voice when his visitor met up with him.

Hello baby brother. The same voice greeted the artist who took a mouthful of his beer to hide the annoyance he felt at being addressed so. His brother would only tease him some more and it would end with nasty words being thrown about by both sides. He held his tongue.

I didn’t think I would meet you at home on a Saturday morning.

You probably wouldn’t have but I had something to finish up. His gaze rested on the easel which his brother was already circling around to see what was on it.

Nice. Who is she? the artist shrugged.

No idea.

That’s a first, isn’t it?

Not really. He lied smoothly rather than acknowledge the accuracy of his brother’s question.

Are you here to see father? I haven’t seen him drive out so he should be at home.

Actually Efosa, I am here to see you. The older brother reached into the pocket of his jacket he had on and retrieved an envelope which he held out. Efosa took it after a brief hesitation.

I am getting married. Efosa’s eyebrow quirked up in mocking disbelief till he flipped the envelop over and saw ‘Izu weds Osagie’ emblazoned on its lower right corner. He let out a short laughter.

What girl in her right sense would have you? Osagie chose not to take offence rather he smiled ruefully.

None. I caught Izuchukwu on her sanity’s off-day and she found me irresistible.

Poor her. Efosa couldn’t stop laughing though. I don’t happen to know her, do I?

I hope not, else I will twist your head off your neck.

Oh you would love that, wouldn’t you? Efosa opened the other lukewarm beer. I guess congratulations are in order then. It’s flat but it’s alcohol. Osagie took the proffered drink and they both took long swallows from their bottles.

Here’s to another fool born on the altar of love. Efosa’s voice dripped with sarcasm. Though I never thought you would be caught in that web, Osagie. Your uncle Erhagbe would be turning over in his grace in disappointment.

Still Osagie didn’t rise to the bait. For as long as he could remember, Efosa had always neddled him with his barbed comment and irreverent actions. Sometimes he fell for them but other times, he ignored them or, when they were much younger, meted out punishment for those that couldn’t be ignored. Being twelve years older had certain benefits. Now though, he just smiled especially as he knew he had something that would wipe the annoying smile off Efosa’s face.

A smile so similar to his it was like seeing his reflection smiling back at him, sans the white hair at his own temples. Even their stature was similar; tall, trim and full-bodied. No lanky frame for either of them or on ounce of fat out of place. The only difference could be seen from their faces which weren’t too dissimilar if you discounted Efosa’s almond-shaped eyes. Piercing and arresting in appearance and effect.

‘Killer Eyes’, Iye had dubbed them years ago, Osagie mused. Eyes - if you were to believe her stories – that were known to have caused the demise of many. Then again, grandma never liked him or his mother, whom she believed was a witch’s daughter who had stolen the place of her daughter in her son-in-law’s heart. Never mind that her daughter –Emotan - Osagie’s mum had been long dead before Uyi came into their lives. Yet, there was a lot to be said about the foresight of the elders in retrospect, given later events…if you believed the stories.

Catching Efosa watching him with interest nudged him out of his reverie.

I have more news for you.

O dear! Don’t tell me, let me guess, you are going to be a daddy tomorrow? Efosa caught the quick look that crossed his brother’s face before he could check it, part panic and part fear. Interesting, he thought in curiosity.

No, Efosa. Not for a while yet. Osagie’s words sounded almost like a plea to his own ears. In a more controlled voice, he continued.

You, my dear brother, are going to be my best man. Osagie was pleased at being right. Efosa’s smile disappeared the moment succeeding his announcement, in its place was an implacable frown. Just the reaction Osagie had expected.

Are you crazy? Why the hell would I want to be that? Or anything for that matter, we are not best of anything.

That hurt. It really did. At times like this he often wondered why he bothered at all. Unbidden, the image of their father came to mind and in reflex he looked away to the big white house behind Efosa’s.

What about your friend? Uche, is it? You both go back a long way, he should do it.

We both go back longer, you are my brother -

We’ve not been brothers in years.

Speak for yourself.

Fine! You haven’t been my brother in years and I don’t see what this false display of…whatever you call this, is in aid of.

I have always been your brother. That you preferred to live in the periphery of my life, of everybody’s life, never diminished your importance-

Please, Osagie, spare me the bullshit, OK? If you want to cozy up to your father it doesn’t mean anything to me. Go get married, just leave me out of it.

Listening to you someone would think you had just been handed a death sentence. It’s a bridal train Efosa not a first class ticket to damnation. Last I checked, it was something fun and had a bit of honour attached to it.

Give me the ticket and you can shove your honour up your-

Enough! Osagie roared, jerking Efosa back as he stalked away. Whirling around, Efosa had his fist up and ready to throw a punch but it never fell. He didn’t punch him or he couldn’t, as Osagie had known despite having braced himself for it. He always did because he couldn’t tell when it would eventually happen. Almost fifteen years of civil animosity, the punch had to fall one day. Apparently not today, though.

Osagie wondered sometimes why Efosa always held back given the level of repressed anger within him. He often flattered himself by thinking it was out of deference however grudgingly given, other times he thought it maybe cowardice holding him back, not wanting to bear the consequences for such an action. That, however, was as far from the truth as a lie could be. No one who knew Efosa would ever accuse him of being craven, if anything, he harboured an inordinate level of dare devilry, a trait that had earned Osagie and every other member of the family a couple more strands of grey hair than was necessary. Most times he believed that just like him, Efosa wasn’t one for violence, no matter how aggressive he tried to make himself out to be.

Presently, Efosa shrugged out of Osagie’s grip and dropped his balled up fist. He didn’t walk away though, he tucked his hands into his trousers pockets and stared at Osagie through eyes narrowed to slits. Killer eyes. Osagie felt raised goose bumps at the back of his neck but he mentally set aside that bit of fancy.

Look Efosa, Osagie began but his phone beeped just then and in irritation fished the phone out of his pocket. Seeing who the message was from, his scowl changed into a smile and he returned the phone to his pocket without reading the message, he knew what it was about. He met Efosa’s still smouldering look and he found he had lost his zeal for a fight. Izu always did that in her calm logical way.

My fiancée, Izu. He said tapping the phone through his jacket.

I told her I was going to see you, she wanted to come along but I didn’t think it was a good idea. I must have foresight, don’t you think? Efosa didn’t reply. His brother continued.

Izu saw you in a family picture we took some years ago, I think it was one of the girls’ wedding. She thought you looked ‘cute and adorable’, her words not mine. God help me ‘cos I know she could not have come to that conclusion through anything I said.

At being described as ‘cute and adorable’, Efosa snorted in derision and turned to pack up his painting kit. The insults never end, he thought darkly.

She offered to call you herself on the chance that you might refuse my request. That was what her text was about, to know if she should call. In truth, it had been Izu’s idea to make Efosa his best man, her own way of trying to fix the breach she sensed existed in the brothers’ relationship. He had never spoken of it to her but Izu was a very intuitive woman. Besides, his excuse of being much older than his brother was beginning to wear thin.

She actually thinks you are shy and reserved and wants to pull you out of your shell. Osagie chuckled mirthlessly at that. Like we need you any more out of your shell.

Efosa turned to his painting as Osagie talked, starring into the lioness’ tawny gaze. Intelligence and mystery. Osagie’s fiancée thought he was cute, adorable, shy and reserved. God preserve me, He thought. It seemed Osagie had gotten himself hooked to a vapid and clueless teenager, and you could never be that Queen Cat, could you? His sisters were going to have her for dessert.

His dark humour served to improve his mood, the car driving up to his house sent it soaring to the heavens. Seeing the wide grin on Efosa’s face, Osagie almost believed he had changed his mind.

Well, brother, Efosa’s words dripped so much sarcasm. I wish you and your bride happiness. For me, my lady awaits me and my weekend is about to get roaring wild and reckless. Just the way I like it.

Osagie looked over his shoulder and saw the provocatively dressed woman standing by the newly arrived car. His lips tightened in disapproval but he refrained from making a comment especially as it was one that had been said a countless number of times already. Efosa had a malicious grin on his face because he knew what was on his brother’s mind.

Be sure to tell your child-bride that I am no cuddly teddy bear so she can find some other poor sap to coo over. He sneered as he walked away from Osagie.

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You are a jackass, you know that, right? A selfish jackass. Efosa shrugged nonchalantly at his friend’s outburst. An expected one but surprising nonetheless given how loud it was. Ejiro was not one to raise his voice ever. Infact, the way to know he was angry about something was when one began to strain to hear what he was saying. The angrier he got, the quieter he became, so this outburst was a novelty Efosa found amusing, though he would be a fool to show that. Friendship be damned, Ejiro could and probably would knock his head clear off his neck if he provoked him.

Tall, dark and huge, both men bore a striking resemblance. In university, a lot of people had believed them brothers, however, they were a lot different. While Efosa was quick to anger and quite capable of defending himself, he had rarely ever had to resort to physical violence to do that; he found it messy and distasteful.

Ejiro, on the other hand, was governed by logic and rarely provoked to anger, yet he was no stranger to violence. Violence made all the more sinister by the cold, logical mind it originated from. It had been whispered, back in university, that he had elevated violence to an art form. Despite knowing Ejiro for over ten years, Efosa still found it hard sometimes to reconcile that Dreaded Terror to the mild-tempered young man he genuinely is. That is until he sees him at a board meeting or on the rare occasion, in the courtroom.

You are calling your brother right now and you are taking back everything you said to him and you are accepting to be his best man.

Efosa rarely had anything to complain about where Ejiro was cconcerned except three things; he was too self-effacing, which was downright annoying to an egotist like himself, secondly, his penchant for trying to order his life into shape, and thirdly, his close relationship to Osagie. That was the one that annoyed him the most, especially when he took Osagie’s side against him, like he was doing now, regardless of who was wrong or right. That he was usually the wrong one was not an important distinction at that particular time.

That’s never going to happen.

Someone would be tempted to think you are jealous. He is getting married and you’re not. That got a bellow of laughter from Efosa.

’Someone’ would be a fool. Osagie is welcome to that particular jail term.

Come on Efosa, your brother asked a favour of you.

I don’t intend to honour that favour.

Seeing the implacable look on his friend’s face, Ejiro paused and tried reading his demeanour. Efosa was hardly an open book; it was difficult today, as it was almost any day, to get a read on him. He took up his seat beside Efosa.

It was Sunday evening, a week after Osagie’s visit, and they were on the rooftop of one of their favourite bars in Lagos, Bacchus. Their table overlooked the lagoon, the breeze from the sea was cool that evening which was a pleasant relief from the heat of earlier on in the day.

Ejiro rolled his snifter of brandy between his hands, the same one he had been nursing for almost two hours since they came in. Efosa had downed two bottles of beer and was working on his third. That was telling enough.

Talk to me Efosa, what’s going on really? What’s behind this refusal?

Can there be anything else other than disinterest?

With you where Osagie is concerned, yes.

You know, I am really tired of you and Osagie gossiping and conspiring behind my back like a couple of old hags. It’s enough!

Efosa’s annoyance at how well he got along with Osagie was known to Ejiro but that had never bothered him. Quietly, he sipped his drink and waited for Efosa to calm down enough to reply to his question. That tactic never disappointed.

God, I hate that smug bastard! Efosa blurted out harshly in a voice dripping venom. No, you don’t. Ejiro thought, but was wise enough to refrain from speaking out.

"Having the guts to just barge into my life and demand I show up for his wedding. Like I don’t have anything important to do other than to be at his beck and call. Please! Can you believe that guy?

I live my life my own way, so I handle my life like I see fit!

No one’s arguing that fact with you, Efosa. Ejiro put in calmly, Efosa surged up to his feet.

Good! So tell your nosy friend to stop treating me like a child and stay the hell out of my life! Efosa turned away to lean against the wrought iron railing of the balcony. Behind him Ejiro shook his head in bemusement.

"You know, I’ve tried, Efosa. For the last ten years I have tried as hard as I can to understand why you feel such deeply entrenched animosity for your brother and nothing I come up with makes sense.

"What is your problem with Osagie, huh? Did he beat you up as a child? Drop you on your head when you were a baby, maybe? What? Because everytime I see him I am struck over and over again by how much he cares about –"

Ejiro, spare me that crap. Efosa snapped just as his phone rang.

What? he snapped into the phone despite not having a clue who was at the other end. After a heavy pause a woman spoke.

Hello Efosa. The voice was strong and confident and unknown. It didn’t lessen his anger, but neither did it aggravate it.

May I help you? he injected a twinge of civility into his voice.

I would appreciate it if you did, actually. He heard a trace of laughter in the woman’s voice and was strangely intrigued by it.

In fact, I did ask for it earlier and you turned me down.

How ungracious of me to turn away a beautiful lady in her hour of need. Ejiro frowned questioningly at his friend as he noted the change in his mood. Efosa shook his head and shrugged, signifying his being in the dark as well.

Probably I wasn’t good looking enough for you.

Not possible, you don’t sound it.

Oh really? You are an expert then in making such correlations?

I invented it. She laughed then, a hearty, full-bodied laughter that didn’t hold anything back and Efosa found himself laughing along.

I hope you won’t be disappointed.

What do you need my help for?

If it isn’t too much of a bother, I was hoping I could come in tomorrow and discuss it with you at your office.

I’m not doing anything important now, why don’t I call you back and we discuss it now. Or better yet, if you are on the island, you could join me at The Bacchus right now. She chuckled now.

Tempting, but I’d rather not, if you don’t mind.

Your loss. I can tell you the ambience here is quite conducive for any kind of talk. There’s a steel band playing calypso music, cool sea breeze from the lagoon, mouth-watering seafood with an aroma to die for and taste to send you to heaven and tonight is Nectary Night.

And what’s Nectary Night?

That’s the night the house supplies it super-secret, super-delicious super-addictive house drink, Nectar, drink of the gods. Drink all you want and its all on the house. Nectary Night happens only twice in a month and on no specific day. It’s usually a draw.

Sounds interesting, but I don’t see how getting inebriated on Sunday night is going to help our discussion or make going into work tomorrow any easier, and I don’t think wrapping my neck round a tree is how the gods meant to confer nectarian immortality. Efosa laughed in surprise at her wit.

Aha! That’s the trick there, the reason why Nectar is such a pull. It’s got all the hallmarks of an alcoholic drink but I guarantee you’ll go home after bucketsful of it and still be sober.

Wonder drink.

No wonder. I have supporting evidence.

I don’t doubt. You’re good Efosa.

Soo… have I changed your mind?

No, I’m afraid not.

Oh well. Too bad. Monday morning 11 a.m. it is then, Miss…

Onwubuya. Izu Onwubuya.

Izu Onwubuya. Efosa repeated, beside him Ejiro suddenly started coughing, having swallowed more drink than required. Efosa turned his back to Ejiro and so missed the laughter in his friend’s eyes.

Sorry I have to disappoint you. In terms of the night life, I’m afraid I’m not much of an adventurer.

Maybe in this instance, but I’m pretty sure there are other nocturnal activities you excel in that make up for this lack. We could have a rain check on that one, don’t you think?

Oh, wow! You are good! She exclaimed with laughter after a momentary pause.

You know, your name sounds familiar. Have we met before? he finally asked the niggling question on his mind the last five minutes.

No Efosa, we haven’t but not for lack of trying on my part. You are a difficult man to get a hold of.

Well, I am all yours tomorrow morning.

Hmm.

Who’s our mutual acquaintance?

What?

This is not an easy number to come by. Only family and really close friends have it. Who gave it to you, one of my sisters? he assumed this was one of Omono and Efe’s matchmaking efforts. If it was, they might have hit substance for once.

No, not your sisters but from your brother. I got your number from Osagie. Instantly, the connection fell into place.

Are you still there, Efosa?

Is this how you catch your fun? his voice was glacial now. Does your fiance know you are stepping out behind his back? Is this a turn on for you both?

Don’t be dramatic, Efosa. We were both having a harmless conversation.

Really? Well, you’ve had it. I hope you enjoyed it. Good bye.

Your brother was right, though.

Good for him. He tried to hang up again but she persisted.

Don’t you want to know about what?

No.

He said you were a very fascinating person. Charismatic was his word. I’ve been curious to meet you ever since, but like I said before you are a difficult man to reach. Especially by those you don’t want reaching you. He got her meaning.

Good night.

You won’t renege on our agreement, I hope. 11 a.m. tomorrow?

A million and one reasons came to mind why he should, all of them valid since he had had to do a lot of mental rearrangement to his calendar just to squeeze her in at that time, he’d been swayed by a pretty voice, he thought in self disgust. Well, she’d gone to a lot of effort concocting this subterfuge; he would let her see it through and then gleefully turn down her request. He had no doubt now what the request was and he was so going to enjoy refusing her.

Ten minutes, that’s all you get.

He said you are honourable as well. Thank you. He didn’t wait to hear more of what she had to say before cutting off the call. Turning back to his friend, he saw the laughter in his eyes and realized he already knew who he had been talking to.

In all fairness, Ejiro started, hands lifted up with palms facing Efosa, I didn’t realize until a couple of minutes ago who you were talking with.

Well I hope you all enjoyed it.

So did you, from what I heard of your side of the conversation. Careful, she’s taken already. Ejiro laughed.

True. But what’s to stop me from taking her?

Er… love, maybe?

Please, overrated.

Not those two. You’ve not seen the two of them together.

They are not the first couple to declare undying love that I have come across. They won’t be the last I take care of. His smile was malicious and recognizable to Ejiro, when Efosa had something or someone in his sight, it rarely ended well for the other party.

Efosa- Efosa cut his friend short by ordering another round of drinks from a passing waiter.

Chapter Two

The meeting didn’t go as he had planned. That could be seen by the fact that four days later he was walking into a bespoke Gentlemen’s boutique on Admiralty Way in Lekki with Ejiro where they were meeting up with Osagie and his other two groomsmen for their fitting.

Izuchukwu Onwubuya was ushered into his office 11 a.m. Monday morning by his secretary and from that moment until five minutes before she left, everything worked in his favour. He was completely unswayed by her arguments, all three of them. The first as expected was the Family Loyalty argument – You are Osagie’s brother and as such must be a part of his wedding. The second was the Honour argument – it is an honourable request when a groom asks someone to be his bestman, it is a sign of his respect for and trust in the potential bestman’s personality. The third one, well, he didn’t see that one coming, Emotional Blackmail – maybe you don’t think I am good enough for your brother and this is your own way of protesting our marriage.

Even for that he was as brutally honest as he was wont to be.

Honestly, when Osagie told me he was getting married I thought whoever had agreed to marry him was certifiable. Then he said you thought I was adorable and I decided, you weren’t certifiable.

I wasn’t?

Nope. You were vapid and clueless and I couldn’t wait to watch my sisters have you for dessert.

Wow! Izu had mouthed under her breathe, but he wasn’t done.

However, after our illuminating conversation yesterday, I now know you to be sneaky and manipulative. Talents I admire and have used a time or two but do not appreciate being used on me. He’d stood up then and walked around the table to stand by her chair, looking down at her.

I don’t doubt you and Osagie are well-matched, the domineering doc and the manipulative vixen. You will have a good marriage but I have no plan of being a part of your wedding.

Efosa had watched Izu take a deep breathe and then another before looking up at him with a smile. The smile had confused him; it was not a response he had expected. You don’t run down a woman and her husband-to-be and receive a genuine light-bulb smile. Her gracious reply as she stood up was unexpected as well.

Well, that’s it then. I thank you for your time. Needless to say, you will be missed at the wedding, but if you can’t make it, then there is nothing for it then.

Where was the anger? The nasty comments one would expect from a high-strung, high maintenance woman as he had subconsciously labelled Izu. Izu held out her hand and he took it in reflex.

Thank you for your time. With another smile she turned and walked to the door, unaware that she was leaving behind an almost brother-in-law with a growing pool of guilt. Guilt was an emotion that didn’t sit well with him and so he avoided occasions that would generate them. Occasions like this one. Straightening, he pushed the guilt down and turned to Izu just as she paused by the bureau beside the door and picked up one of the framed pictures on it.

Wow. This is so lifelike, Efosa, they have got to be Omono and Efe. Approaching her, he looked over her shoulder and saw it was a pocket-sized painting of Omono and Efe’s animal look alikes.

Omono is the puppy with the pink ribbon on her neck chasing after the beach ball, right? And Efe is the studious hawk with the half-moon glasses reading… she peered down at the picture to make out the name on the large tome the Efe-puppy was reading. Yeats! Of course! she laughed as she turned to look at him then sobered up when she saw the look on his face. She dropped the picture, nodded and walked out.

He had never exhibited any of his work. Other than Ejiro, only immediate family members knew about his paintings, and knew which animals represented them and could identify them without hesitation. Staring hard and long at the painting, he tried to dissuade himself from what he was thinking. The expletive he uttered was crass and impolite, and it did not make him like any more what he was about to do. He caught up with Izu just as the elevator opened up to the floor.

Izu, wait! He’d called out before she could get into it.

And so here he was, striding down the mahogany and steel corridor of the Men’s clothing shop behind a female attendant whose hips swayed so teasingly that he couldn’t help but notice despite his irritation. Flicking a look at Ejiro walking beside him, he saw him also doing his own share of admiring. Ejiro looked at him and winked co-conspiratorially. Efosa didn’t doubt his friend was going to get her number before they left.

One way or another, Ejiro had been with him in one prank or game or play or another. ‘Two A+ batteries in a wrap’ like Omono liked to call them. He never told him the outcome of his meeting with Izu and Ejiro never asked. But when Ejiro had shown up at his house a couple of hours ago to ‘hitch a ride with him to Lekki’, he’d realized that his friend knew and probably had always known he would cave eventually. Jackass! He thought in mock-annoyance and Ejiro flashed him a smile as if he knew what was on his mind.

The attendant stopped at the end of the corridor and Efosa had time only to take a deep breathe and calm himself down before she knocked softly on the door to their left, opening it and ushering the two friends into a large dressing room with loud, rap music blaring from the speakers enclosed in its padded walls. Three men were in there. Efosa recognized them at once. Uche Okpara, Osagie’s oldest friend and an Accountant and Tiwa Adeniji, his friend from medical school and an Urologist.

Osagie was the first to see them as they came in. The surprised but pleased smile that broke on his face was enough to cause Efosa a twinge of guilt which he immediately squelched.

Well look who finally showed up! He said as he came forward. He was wearing a sleeveless jacket that was being attended to by a tailor who sighed in exasperation as Osagie got down from the dias he was standing on, making Efosa know that that act had become a common occurrence through out his fitting.

Osagie had a bear hug for Ejiro and a handshake with a hesitant smile when he turned to his brother. Ejiro surreptitiously left them and went to meet the other men who were calling out greetings from where they stood on their own dias. Efosa raised a hand in greeting then turned back to his brother who was still watching him.

I’m glad you changed your mind, Efosa. He said quietly.

Well, you have a very persuasive fiancée. A doubtful look crossed the older man’s face like he couldn’t correlate some things, he however didn’t push the discussion as Efosa’s look had become unreadable.

Come on, let’s get you dressed up in your suit. Hopefully it won’t need a lot of adjustment like those two clowns over there who between themselves had gained three kg since the last fitting a week ago.

Try eating my wife’s cooking and tell me you won’t put on some weight. Tiwa said in defence. How’s it going, Efosa?

Can’t complain.

The secret is moderation. Put in Uche as he and Efosa shook hands.

Says the man whose one point two kg weight gain settled nicely on his ass. Osagie joked.

It’s not weight gain my friend. Three words, Gluteal Muscle Exercises.

Glutton, you say? Ejiro asked and they all burst into laughter. Two male assistants came forward bearing suit bags, one went to Ejiro, the other to Efosa.

Ahh! The suits. You are going to love it Efosa. It’s stylish, elegant. Osagie enthused.

Chick-magnet. Added Tiwa drily.

Flamboyant. Everything you actually. Osagie finished.

Beware, Efosa. Ejiro said as the attendant revealed his own suit, a dove-grey coloured suit with a pink shirt, just like the other two groomsmen. Looks like Osagie has it in for you. You are probably not going to leave his wedding a single man.

About time one of you three clowns got married. Tiwa replied as the assistant with Efosa’s suit opened the bag and retrieved a suit that was created to specifically make one’s eyes pop out of their sockets.

It was a bright red wedding suit teamed with a fuscia pink shirt. The colors would blind a blind man.

Right. Efosa said.

Like it? Osagie asked eagerly. The room had suddenly gone quiet, even Tupac, Dre and JayZ were on hiatus.

Well… Efosa started but had to clear his throat as he felt his anger begin to sizzle. It’s…definitely eye-catching. Keep calm, he told himself. Quick question though, what are the girls wearing?

The silence that followed his question was succeeded by loud laughter and looking up for the first time from the hideous suit, he found a camera pointed in his face by Ejiro and Uche was taking snapshots with his phone. All four men were laughing hard.

Nice rejoinder. Tiwa was the first to recover.

Hand it over, loser. Ejiro held his hand out to Uche who good-naturedly slapped about five one thousand naira notes into his hand.

I told you my boy won’t break. Ejiro counted his cash with relish. Efosa turned to Osagie and saw remnants of his mirth in his eyes as he realized the guys were having a go at him.

You guys are all assholes! Another round of laughter erupted as Osagie clapped him on his shoulder and another assistant brought in the real suit for his fitting.

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They were done with the fitting around five p.m. and Osagie had them all drive down to a popular restaurant in Victoria Island for an early dinner which was also going to include the rest of the bridal train, Izu and her girls.

They were already into their second round of drinks when the ladies arrived, chattering and laughing as they entered. They caught the attention of every eye in the restaurant, four attractive young women excited about their day. Izu was the first to see them, or her fiancé, rather. She gave a little screech and all but ran into Osagie’s arms, oblivious to every other person until she had thoroughly kissed him, not that he was protesting the PDA.

She quickly introduced her bridesmaids; Emem, an old friend from school, Oluchi, her friend and cousin and also Obiageli, her painfully shy eighteen year old sister.

Where is Tutu?

She’ll be right in, she’s taking a call outside. Work. As Izu explained, Efosa turned to the door of the restaurant just as a woman walked in, an impatient look on her face as she looked around until she caught sight of Izu sitting on Osagie’s laps then she started walking towards their table.

Watching her walk across the room, Efosa, for the first time that he could remember, was struck speechless. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. To describe her as beautiful was an understatement. She was tall, willowy and confident and walked like a queen.