Gold Silver Lining

By Chachii Alerege

Every cloud has a silver lining.
Kaha’s first love ends in distressing heartbreak, but she gets a chance again with Chef who is perfect.
Dark clouds start to hover with the sudden arrival of Benjamin who has loved her forever and Aaron her brother’s boss. Kaha’s story of love, jealousy, friends and family is as explosive as it is heart-warming.

• Language: English
• Publisher: OLUCHI ALEREGE
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9789789586042

Book preview

Lining

Prologue

Oh my God! When you are in a hurry no one else ever is. One of the reasons why I love living in Abuja is I like to show off my car moves sometimes and Abuja roads were the best for it. I like powerful cars, I like the surge when you accelerate and it takes off, this car did a good job of it. I drove a Mercedes GLE 450 Coupe, it was my dream car and no matter what mood I was in, driving my beautiful car soothed me.

But that was not happening today; even though I was on an expressway. I thought about driving down the side of the road, but I remembered that I abhor people that do that and I never have anything pleasant to say about them. Today I could not join them, but I did have to hurry and this was not a good time to be on the Kubwa expressway. Loads of people were trying to get to work.

I had to go to the factory early this morning. I got a call that one of the machines stalled last night. My husband Chef and I run a food packaging business along with several restaurants, bars, fresh food stores and food trucks. I didn’t really need to go there because I couldn’t have helped them fix it. A technician did all the work but I felt my staff could do with the moral support. So I went there and sat through it talking to my staff about any other issues they were having. Then I sat down to watch the technician work, hoping my presence would encourage him to work quicker and better. I assumed he was done when he came up to me and started to talk to me.

Madam, you will never have this problem again, he said gleefully as he wiped his fingers on an already stained cloth.

That’s good, I replied, and why is that?

"Because something de fall enter there, and is blocking the motor. I removed it and blocked the place. I have removed your problem," he said smiling broadly at me. Bet he was hoping for some extra pay.

I said thank you to him and handed him a ₦1000 note telling him to go to the office to present his bill. He went off happily, thanking and blessing me as these folks would often do when they were happy. I loved it when people told me God bless you! I kind of felt the blessings were better if someone else said it to you.

I really needed those blessings now. I had other serious issues that I had used this trip to Kubwa this morning to help me get away from. I hadn’t been myself for a few days.

I got in my car and googled caller ID apps and the first one up was TrueCaller. I set it to download and install while I started the car and wound down the windows before switching on the air conditioner. After the app installed, I registered and dialled the number that had sent me messages. I was shocked as a most unlikely name came up. I knew my life had taken a curve, I cut off the call.

That was why I was rushing down Kubwa expressway. Then I froze! A little jolt of fear ran through me. Did I really want to get into this? Did I really want to go where my mind was heading? My imagination was coursing down a dangerous path. Lots and lots of images flitting through my mind’s eye.

I slowed down and drove home slowly.

Chapter 1

1

For as long as I can remember, men have always wanted me, even when I was very young. I remember some guy approaching me while I was walking down a street at 13, giving me a corny pick-up line. I think he said something about being called honey because he was sweet. Even at that age I thought that was really cheesy. I was propositioned almost everywhere I went and I started to dislike guys. They just wouldn’t let me be. I went through my early teenage years avoiding guys as much as possible till I met August. I fell hard!

August was my dream guy. From his weird name (he wasn’t born in August), to everything about him. He was the epitome of tall dark and handsome, his features were good-looking and would make you look twice. He has this puzzled, piercing eyes that looked right at you while he was talking. But the most attractive thing of all was when all his features came together in a mischievous smile. I waited for that smile, I yearned for that smile. I tried hard to make him smile.

We lived in Jos then. I met August at a party I was forced to attend when I was 15. My brother’s best friend who was also our next door neighbour, was having a party. They called him Ben, I insisted on calling him Benjamin. He was a jerk as far as I was concerned. I couldn’t stand him and surprise, surprise! No girls came to the party (probably because I wasn’t the only one that thought he was a jerk). I had three friends at my house for a sleepover and two cousins staying with us that night.

Every other weekend, we would stay over at each other’s houses and plait each other’s hair. Then we would bake cakes, cookies and other pastries which we packed nicely and sold to a nearby shop. We never had to ask our parents for money and my brother borrowed a lot from us. This weekend we had actually made the food and snacks for the party.

That night, we were lounging in my room some of us on the bed or the mattress that slid out from under my bed and some on the floor, talking girl talk as usual interspersed with our plans for the weekend. There was a knock on the door and girls scrambled to make themselves decent. My brother and his friend came to our room to beg.

Hello girls, Dugie said brightly. There was a chorus of hello Dugie and hello Ben.

Don’t you guys have a party to be at? I asked.

Yeah, we’ve come to ask you guys to please come. We have a house full of boys and no girls.

Er... we don’t want to party this night with your friends. Plus, we are tired.

Please Kaha, you know our rep would be ruined.

Oh no Dugie, and the world will come to an end!

Ah C’mon Kaha, this is important to me. I co-organised this party and you had a hand in it too, he said slanting a look at Benjamin.

How is that any business of ours? We just did the food, which I’m sure you guys are capable of devouring. Why would we care about your rep? Didn’t you guys invite any girls? I replied irritably, I did not want Benjamin in my room.

We did, but none have showed up so far.

But you did not invite us to start with, I argued.

I’m inviting you now, the idiotic Benjamin said to me with a wink then continued to my friends, and you girls are fine girls, how often would you get a roomful of fine boys to take your pick from?

That was true though, none of us had a boyfriend; we were too busy. Between school and our business, we did not have time for boys. My mother encouraged us to face our books and forget about boys. My mum was a people collector and at any given time, there were always other people in our house. She had only Dugie and me, but wanted more children. So she encouraged our friends to literally, live in our house. I got along with most people Dugie brought home except for Benjamin, who took pleasure in teasing and torturing me mercilessly. I usually ignored him till I couldn’t take it anymore. Then I attacked him and he would laugh and walk away, leaving me fuming.

Nky my cousin spoke up too, If we go partying this night, we will be too tired to do all we have to do tomorrow, plus what would we wear?

You guys, c’mon let’s go! We’re only young once, my friend Jane said getting up and beginning to apply eyeliner already. Jane was physically more mature than us and frankly, I also thought sexually. She would say some things that had me thinking she was up to somethings we didn’t know about. Kasi and Riri agreed with her and my other cousin Rose said she was up for anything we decided to do. Rose always did that, never took sides. It was 4 to 2.

So finally we agreed to go to check out the fine guys but we said we wouldn’t stay too late. With a few alterations to our clothes from my wardrobe and my mum’s permission, we set off with Dugie and Benjamin.

When we walked in with Dugie and Benjamin grinning like apes, the boys let out a cheer. The party was dull. I had never been to Benjamin’s house because I stayed away from him and he was always at mine anyway, but it was lovely. They had white furniture! The walls were white as well and one wall was made of windows with a door that led outside to what looked like a patio. The doors and windows were shut to keep in the cool air from the air conditioners that were fighting with body heat. The music blaring was funky, but boys did not want to dance with boys.

Some of the boys we already knew from the normal flow of people through our house. So we naturally gravitated to the people we knew, and ended up dancing and chatting with most people as we were introduced. Benjamin introduced me as his girlfriend. Yuck! I could have clouted his head. I made sure I stated loudly that I was not!

We did have a good time dancing though, and then they changed to slow music and turned down the lights. I was hot and needed some air and those patio doors had been calling to me. I excused myself and went out the door. It was as lovely as I expected. There were charming wicker chairs round a wrought iron glass topped table facing the backyard, I could imagine lying out there reading. There was a small garden with roses further down.

I had met Benjamin’s parents several times but had no idea they were such stylish people. I was pleasantly surprised, I loved gardening. I would visit more and see if they would let me tend their garden. My mother believed in planting food, not flowers.

I sat down gratefully on some brightly coloured cushions. The air was much cooler outside. Someone came out behind me. I really didn’t want to talk to anyone, I just wanted to chill a bit from the loud voices and music. I hoped it was one of the girls come to join me so I wouldn’t have to talk much.

I didn’t turn around, but the person came to sit beside me and placed a bottle of water in front of me. I turned to look at him and was about to refuse because, I just did not want to be hit on again or repeat that I was not really Benjamin’s girlfriend. I stopped short as he smiled and said hi.

I think my heart stopped for a second or two! Oh my word! The guy was beautiful! And I, Kahamefule Monye loved and appreciated God’s beautiful creatures.

I’m August, Benjamin’s cousin, he introduced himself. I hope I’m not intruding? he continued when I didn’t answer. My throat was constricted and my heart was pounding. I was trying to form words in my head. His accent completely bowled me over.

Kaha, I finally choked out.

I know, he replied and shook my hand, Ben talks about you and your brother a lot.

Really? I wondered out loud, Benjamin talks about me?

Yes, He’s wanted me to come and spend some hols with him and you guys. He says you guys are the best and are so much fun and he loves to tease you because you give as good as you get after you had ignored him for as much as you can, and your house doors are always open, your mum cooks amazing food and you bake! He smiled that smile again and I dissolved under the beam of it.

At that moment I thought Benjamin was a wonderful guy for bringing me this beautiful boy, but Benjamin thinks I’m fun? I finally realised I was probably being boring and he was doing all the talking.

It’s nice to meet you August. Thanks for the water, I do need it, he unscrewed the bottle and handed it to me, I took a sip and continued the bodies were defeating the AC in there.

Yes, he replied, when I saw you coming outside I figured you were hot.

How come I didn’t see you inside?

Well, I just came in not too long ago, Ben pointed you and Dugie out to me, then I saw you leaving the room, and I thought I better go after the most beautiful girl in there.

I literally swooned at that. He thought I was beautiful? Did he see Kasi? And he came out after me? Yippee! sang my heart.

We continued to talk for a while. I found out he had just moved from the US with his parents and they were still trying to decide if he would go to university here or back in the US; he wanted a gap year. His Dad was Benjamin’s Dad’s brother and that he wasn’t born in August. He was born in March actually.

He was named after a famous mathematician who discovered the Mobius strip which his mother’s wedding ring was shaped like and who coincidentally, wasn’t born in August either. He proceeded to show me what a Mobius strip looked like using the paper label from the bottle.

He was 18, a year younger than Dugie and Benjamin. He also asked how my brother came to be called Dugie and I explained that everyone had nicknames or short forms of their names as we all had long names. Dugie was short for Ndugigaoma which I explained to him meant, have a good life. I was called Kaha, short for Kahamefule which means may my name not be lost. My mum named me after herself, her name is Ngozi and that was my middle name.  My parents were good at the mouth full names. He couldn’t wait to meet them too.

We never went back inside. Rose had been looking for me and was scared I had gone home without them. I didn’t want to leave; didn’t want that night to end, but well... they always end don’t they?

We got up, I introduced him to my cousin Rose who at 15, same age as me, was painfully shy around people and just did whatever everyone else was doing. I had been meaning to talk to her about developing a backbone.

August leant down, I didn’t realise how tall he was because we had been sitting down, I barely reached his chest, and he said May I? Before I could reply, he kissed me on the cheek and whispered, You’re a very sweet girl. Then turned to Rose and said I’ll walk you guys out.

We went back inside then and most people had left; we had talked for about two hours and didn’t even notice. He finally met Dugie. He came with Benjamin and Dugie to walk us home. Dugie was going to sleep over there to help Ben clean up.

We didn’t go inside straight away, I think new ties were forged that night. Dugie still hung around Kasi and Augie (he asked us to call him after all the introductions), still hung around me. Jane was acting funny around Benjamin. We eventually called it a night when Rose said she heard some movement in the house.

They said thank you and goodnight and Benjamin actually gave me a hug! And I’m thinking, Maybe he’s not so bad in my love struck haze.

The teasing when we got back to my room was plentiful, but I didn’t mind at all; they were just jealous. Jane just couldn’t hold it back, she accused me of desertion, I apologised. Kasi wanted to know all that happened, and when I thought about it... nothing happened! We just sat there and talked. He was just easily the finest guy in that party full of guys; easy to talk to, and he chose me! Then Rose told them he kissed me. Everyone was so excited till I told them to calm down, it was just a peck on the cheek.

Even Jane’s cynic So technically, you still haven’t been kissed. Meaning she had? Still didn’t bring me down.

That summer holiday had us hanging out a lot in Benjamin’s backyard as I had discovered the garden and his mum let me plant more flowers because she did not have much time for it anymore, although they had a gardener. I also came to love Benjamin’s mother. She, like my mum had only two children too, not by choice but they lost Benjamin’s sister when she was quite young. She encouraged me to continue with my baking and bought me magazines that showed me how to do more complicated designs. Benjamin was still as obnoxious as ever but I didn’t mind him much now. I had Augie.

We would go for long walks; I loved to walk but didn’t do it much because I would get accosted by all kinds of men that would spoil my walk. But walking with Augie, people let us be. We talked a lot! Boy did we talk. He told me about growing up and living in America which was really different from the way we lived here. He did miss his friends there. Of course I asked if he had a girlfriend, he told me they broke up because he was coming back home. I felt bad for him but that made me even more joyful.

All this while I had been waiting for him to kiss me; we were alone a lot. I kept expecting him to ask my permission again and kiss me properly. Even my friends kept asking Has he kissed you yet? but he just wouldn’t! I thought maybe he didn’t realise I liked him that much. But he had said I was beautiful and sweet, I’d never even thought I was beautiful. Kasi was beautiful. I was tall and thin.

My mum was beautiful. She was petite but had beautiful slanty eyes and thick, silky hair; and a beautiful gap toothed smile, she looked a bit Asiatic. I got none of those. The only way I resembled her at that time was our complexion and heterochromic eyes. Hers were hazel, mine were more green than brown. That was my most beautiful feature. My hair grew long too but it wasn’t as silky as hers.

I was taller than her already at 15 and did not show any signs of the beautiful, full figure she had and which I assumed was what men liked. I so wanted to look like her. Instead I was gangly, almost flat-chested, which Benjamin teased me about. But I knew how to wear the little bit of makeup I was allowed well.

Kasi was the beautiful one, but because she didn’t let it get to her head it was never an issue. She and Jane had nice figures where we were still developing. She thought people would think she was dumb because she was beautiful, so she fought hard to put up a tough front.

Most of my