Dayo had sold the couch to the gallery. Phunky knew this because she was there when he was making it. She had sat calmly to watch how he masterfully crafted the intricate design of the couch. No, this is not a coincidence. It is the same couch Dayo made when they were still lovers. She was suddenly jerked into awareness by the auctioneer's voice.
"Going! Two hundred and seventy thousand naira! Going! Without thinking, she shouted: "Three hundred thousand naira!"
Every head turned towards her. She didn't know what came over her. She herself did not know why she announced that. It is the true she could afford it, but did she really need it? She herself could not answer.
She could feel her head spinning. Why in earth did she make that bid? The answer seemed unnecessary. There was an inner urge in her heart to make the purchase even though her head did not seem to agree. Was she bidding for the couch because of its value or because it was the work of someone with whom she was emotionally involved? Was she trying to keep his memory alive or was she interested in it because it carried the memory of her stupidity? All these raced through her head and..... "Five hundred thousand naira!" A familiar voice announced. It was low, yet it had an electrifying effect on everybody in the hall. Phunky knew the voice. She had already known it. She would recognize it anywhere. She had heard it closely. Every vein in her body, every blood stream, every tendon, every pulse of her heart knew that voice, the voice of Dayo Balogun. He stood there smiling at her. He was still handsome as hell had been ten years ago. His firm sportsman-built gas remained unchanged by age. His commanding and irresistible aura held everybody speechless for about thirty seconds until the auctioneer, obviously mad with joy, shouted: "Five hundred thousand naira".
"Ladies and gentlemen, five hundred thousand cool naira! Going, Going, Going!"A brief silence followed..... Obviously, nobody could match that.
Gone! The auctioneer concluded. The couch goes to the gentleman overthere. Please, sir, step forward to make your purchase and pick the item.
Dayo stepped forward and he was greeted by a loud applause.
Phunky stood there dumbfounded. Several things raced through her head. This is the same man, who, ten years ago took advantage of her innocence as a young undergraduate and left her with a pregnancy that almost devastated her life had her mother not been there to support her. She had fallen in love with him and had thought that their love was made in heaven. She loved him, worshiped him and saw him as the most perfect model of masculinity. She had also allowed him to sleep with her and since it was her first experience with a man, she savoured every moment and wished it never ended.
Unfortunately for her, he was summoned to Abuja by the managing director of the company he was working with. He had no time to say goodbye but had only sent a note through her friend. At that time, neither she not he knew that his seed had been planted in her womb. She was a first timer. He was a young executive at Exquisite Designs Limited, an outfit that specializes in the design and fashioning of handcrafts if various shapes and marketing them overseas. He had come to Lagos to open a branch of the company and give orientation to the new staff. He had told her that he was going to be in Lagos for only six months, but that he would travel down to Lagos every month to see her. She had believed him because she loved him with all her heart.
Now, she seethes with resentment and vengeance. She feels that he deliberately used and dumped her. One, he left before the fifth month of his stay in Lagos contrary to what he told her. Two, he was not bold enough to say goodbye to her. He only sent a note through one of her friends living in the same area with him.
Phunky shuddered as she recollect all these. She still remembers her shock when she was told by the doctor that she was pregnant....how she almost fainted...the shame of facing her mum, her colleagues at school, her younger brother and her pastor in the church. She remembers how disappointed everybody was in her....how they rebuked her, how friends mocked at her and how she almost left her studies. But she will forever be grateful to her mum. Despite everything, her mother had forgiven her. She had nursed her with love throughout the period of pregnancy. She had taken care of her and her baby with utmost affection. She had looked after her son for her when she returned to school. No, her mum is a mother of a million.
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part 1
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