• Stories

    Sweet Forbidden – 9

    Sharon always got confused when she was clothing and accessories  shopping. Mostly, to make things easier, she preferred to go in the company of her mother who was the eternal-female shopper. Or with her bestie, Munachi. But Munachi was out of town and would only be back next week Sunday and her mother was preoccupied with a church program that Saturday.

    If Tim hadn’t insisted she needed a new dress for Valentine’s Day party at the hotel next weekend, and that she must get one today, she would have gladly waited for when her mother would be free.

    The thought of Tim brought on a frown. His attitude had somewhat improved; he was no longer preoccupied with his phone when with her and he tried to be more attentive. But Sharon feared it was all a show for her. He probably still communicated with whomever has him distracted when alone and away from her.

    After their fight at his office, she’d started to strongly consider the possibility of Tim having another woman. Though you never think such a thing would happen to you but you read of it happening to other relationships and marriages—your partner meets someone else and suddenly they begin to lose interest in you.

    Maybe Tim had met another woman and he was having an affair with her. Munachi always owned that no man can stay celibate for too long. She called it an unnatural order. But she had never shared that school of thought. She had always believed that so long as a man was determined and God-focused, he will be equipped with the grace to stay away from sex until marriage.

    But maybe Tim had lost that grace. Hadn’t he, a few weeks back, said something about wishing he could bring forward their wedding date? Then of course, she had only seen it as her man being endearingly impatient to begin life with her. But it was probably the helpless cry of a man feeling sexually deprived.

    She now believed it was. Tim whom she had met celibate was now impatient to lose that celibacy cloak. And he probably had already done so.

    “Uh-uh. That is not the dress for you.”

    Sharon let go of the broad-strap red lace maxi dress she’d been absently fingering, and was considering buying, and spun around.

    “What?” Then she recognised him. “It’s you… from the phone shop at Konwea Plaza. The Blackberry man.”

    Benny looked at her closely and grinned. “And you were with the iPhone man. Imagine meeting again in a store.”

    “Yeah, it’s funny.” Sharon smiled, relaxing now she knew it wasn’t a guy with some fancy line. “Is your fiancée somewhere around the store?”

    “Nope, I’m shopping alone. V-day’s presents.” He winked. “And you. Are you alone?”

    “Unfortunately.” Sharon pulled a face. “I am an unusual female, shopping scares me. I usually come with my bestie or my mum, but neither is available today. So, it’s take-the-bull-by-the-horn for me.” She pursed her lips and cast a quick glance at her erstwhile it-dress. “So, what have you got against that dress? Looks elegant enough.”

    “And it is. You could pull it off too with your tall, slim build. But this one,” he pointed to a single-strap waist-flare coral-red maxi dress with a thigh-high slit, “was totally meant for a figure like yours. Wear it and that man of yours won’t be able to see clearly for months on end.”

    Sharon laughed. “How about years on end?”

    “Could work the magic too.” Benny grinned. “Especially if you pair it with lovely heeled sandals—not red thought. Too much colour.”

    “Hmm. And what colour would you suggest as best match for a red dress?” Sharon asked, then let out a chuckle. “Since none of my fashion aides are on hand for advice, I might as well pick your brain. Don’t blame me… you nosed into my private shopping world.”

    “And this is the punishment for my big nose.” Benny quipped humorously. “Best matching colour? Now, that would be metallic gold. Now silver will work just fine too, but for me, gold works it better.”

    Sharon was roundly impressed. “Wow! What are you, a fashion designer or one of these fashion stylists?”

    Benny grinned and shook his head. “Just a man with too many sisters and they are all fashionistas… and super great cooks. So it all rubbed off on me. Nora recommends I return as a woman in my next life.”

    “It is worth considering, so long as you’re returning with these natural talents.” Sharon sent him a grateful smile. “Thanks for nosing into my private shopping. I am completely taking all of your advice and as a last pick of your stylist brain—hair up or down on V-day?”

    “Definitely down. Long, wavy dark-brown hair. Nude makeup and simple jewellery.”

    “Super. Great.” Sharon clasped her hands in delight. “Anytime you decide you are tired of whatever it is you are doing presently and want to go fulltime into fashion styling, post massive billboards all over Asaba and I will find you, I promise.”

    “I will keep that thought in mind.” Benny smiled and stepped back. “I’ll leave you to finish with your shopping. My sincere greetings to iPhone man.”

    “And mine to your lovely fiancée.” Sharon returned his wave before turning back to the rack to slid off the hanger the red dressed he’d picked.

    “Chai, na this kain man I dey find, Jehovah.” One of the sales-rep sighed loudly. “Aunty, you need to see the Swarovski jewellery set wey im buy for im fiancée. Fiancée o, no be wife. Chi m o, bless me with man wey sabi love abeg.”

    Sharon made no response, but silently she completely agreed with the mouthy sales-rep. A woman with such a man will never have anythng to worry about.

    Benny was about to slid into his Nissan Pathfinder when he heard the hailed greeting.

    He turned and saw Nnamdi walking towards him with a wide grin on his face. Nnamdi Okoli was a broadcaster with the state’s broadcasting network. A most suitable profession for him, Benny always thought given his garrulous nature. He was one of his best buddies— Benny always wondered if he had what people called a best friend. There were only a bunch of friends and best buddies in his life.

    “Benito the Dr Bennett!” Nnamdi hailed again as he stopped by his side. “Man, how far now? Na wa o, person no dey see you again. What’s up now, na the work, abi na the babe?”

    “A balanced combination of both.” Benny smiled good-naturedly, responding to his quick man-hug. “But you know what they say, if Mohammed does not go to the mountain—”

    “Save that cliché, man. You’ve been scarce and you should own it.” Nnamdi brushed off the lame argument. “But no worry, after saying ‘I do’ your temperature go come down. You’re feeling like Tokyo whilst in Asaba now, but na after the race we dey count miles.”

    “Some things get better with age, haven’t you heard?” Benny teased, never a believer that marriage needs change a man.

    “I don hear.” Nnamdi scoffed. “Just keep colouring the town red with your love. Bloomsdale today, another big spot tomorrow.”

    “Bloomsdale?” Benny arched his brows. “Recommending a new spot?”

    “Recommend? Saw you guys there two weekends ago now.” Nnamdi gave him a slap on the back as he beamed a wicked grin. “Heard the place is known for its magnificent rooms and service.”

    “Your eyes are failing you, Namdi, we weren’t at Bloomsdale two weekends ago. Matter-of-fact, we’ve never been at Bloomsdale.” Benny shook his head. “But na wetin carry you go there?”

    “Honestly, work this time.” There was a frown on Nnamdi’s face. “You sure you guys weren’t there? I thought I saw Nora’s car at the parking lot.” He shook his head. “Must have not looked properly. Anyway, how is she? And how are the wedding preparations coming?”

    That evening as they both prepared dinner in his kitchen, Benny recollected Nnamdi’s misconception. “You ever been to Bloomsdale?”

    The knife she was using to slice the carrot almost went the wrong way but Nora managed to steady it… and herself. “Bloomsdale?” She prayed her voice sounded puzzled enough. “No. Why do you ask?”

    “Ran into Nnamdi at… uh-hmm, I’m not telling you where I ran into him. That’s my secret for now.” He sent her a wink. “But Nnamdi thought he’d seen your car at the parking lot of the hotel and figured we were inside having fun.”

    “At Bloomsdale?” She made a disparaging noise. “What happened to us having fun at home? Oga Nnamdi sef. And what was he doing there himself?”

    “Work he said.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully as he turned the chicken on the fryer. “You know it’s not a bad idea us going to spend one of these weekends at a hotel. And from what Nnamdi said this Bloomsdale sounds like a great place. Hey, by the way, isn’t that the hotel of one your customers who left his fancy business card weeks back?”

    “Hmm… I don’t know. A lot of people leave a bunch of weird stuff for us jaré. Na we be their advertising agency too.” She casually reached for another carrot. “In any case, forget that your hotel idea. Only way I’m going to a hotel with you is after you put a ring on it.”

    “Babe, I hate to state the obvious, but I already put a ring on it.” Benny shot a snooty glance at her engagement ring. “And I am planning on putting another, so chill.”

    “Then you chill until you put that other one, because my sweet Benny-Mac, that one is the koko.” She blew him a saucy kiss and chuckled when he scowled. “So, how is Oga Nnamd, that is apart from his possible eye defect?”

    But as Benny chatted on about his friend, Nora froze under the gnawing teeth of her conscience. Dear God, someone had already seen her! Someone now knew—at some level—and sooner or later, Benny might hear of this again and this time he won’t be so easily dismissive. She has to stop this. She has to end it and pray to God to forgive her and save her from the consequences of her foolishness.

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    42 Comments

  • Reply Sheedart February 9, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    God? Save you, Nora? Nah. He has better things. No one can save you from yourself but yourself.

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 8:42 am

      Na really he has better things *to do*, lol

  • Reply sabelle concepts February 9, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    OMG! This is getting annoying o….anywais TM.. Do u stay in asaba?..all d konwea plaza and all bringing back memories..i miss home*sigh*

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 8:42 am

      No, Sabelle. But I schooled at Asaba in the 90s

  • Reply Jeffrey Jamez February 9, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    this is sad!…i am actually feeling hurt for benny already.

  • Reply Adefunke February 9, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    Hmm, its catching up with them gradually gradually

  • Reply Paula February 9, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Idiotic woman mtcheweeeeeee.
    Sound slap to reset her head is needed.

  • Reply Omolola February 10, 2016 at 12:18 am

    Did you say God?….oh puliz…He gave you brain for a reason, use it….ohhh, my bad…i forgot you replaced yours with garri…..10kobo geh…shior

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 8:30 am

      Choi, this your comment keeyed me with yaff

  • Reply jojodia February 10, 2016 at 2:30 am

    Nora is one stupid girl

  • Reply Aramide February 10, 2016 at 7:28 am

    God should save you where u are not ready to save yourself nora??? Nice writeup TM

  • Reply Mcsteph February 10, 2016 at 7:52 am

    Dun dun dun
    #drumsound
    T M, maybe you should consider writing soap operas, this is a ghen ghen drama
    👍👏😀

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Go into script-writing? Hmm, don’t think so, my friend… not yet at least

  • Reply Mystiq18 February 10, 2016 at 8:35 am

    Oh pulizz Nora d way my head is wuuzing for u now eghn …I shudnt even speak …poor Benny

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 9:29 am

      Chai, the many reset slaps awaiting Nora no be today own, hahahahahaha

  • Reply Grace February 10, 2016 at 9:08 am

    TM please let bunny fall in love with sharon after he catches Nora with Tim I want a mega heartbreak for her and no reconciliation because she is a Bitch with a capital letters B. Nice work TM.

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 9:28 am

      Ayaf hear, Grace. Lmao. How are you, girl?

  • Reply iyke david February 10, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Her cup is about to full
    Wish that Sharon will also seduce Benny for equation to balance!
    *just thinking oo*

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 9:27 am

      Lwkm… Chai, iyke, I can almost imagine your face at the end of this series. Lol

  • Reply Joan February 10, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Nora Nora Noraaa!
    How many times did u call you? Instead of begging for God’s help, beg for some brain, by the way, it’s not too late to confess.
    Benny, Sharon pele oh. No one deserves infidelity from a spouse.

    Nice job ma’am. More inspiration to you!

    • Reply TM David-West February 10, 2016 at 9:26 am

      Thank you, Joan. Lol @ beg for some brain

  • Reply toyenlon February 10, 2016 at 10:20 am

    You don’t value what you have most times until you lose it, that may be the case of Nora at last. Benny that most people are wishing for, she’s treating anyhow with her lust, hmmmn. Well done TM.

  • Reply damisky February 10, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Oh my gosh Nora u re breaking my heart lyk cwiously!! *sad*

  • Reply biodun February 10, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    YOU can’t have your cake and eat eat…you can’t eat your cake and have it….whichever way biko!
    Nora,your types make me enjoy being SINGLE.

  • Reply Exceptionalstar February 10, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    I went through all the comments and my mind has been spoken more than once.
    I admire the trust Bennett has in Nora so many guys won’t let her off the hook so easily.
    Splendid work Maama.

  • Reply Fsf February 10, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    Nora,I don’t know what to say to you, I hope Benny falls deeply and truly in love with Sharon and vice versa,and Tim and Nora enjoy misery to the fullest

  • Reply Dhebra February 10, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    I dunno what to say but this I’ve got to say….Nora,you’re in soup!!

  • Reply VictorA February 11, 2016 at 7:39 am

    I don’t want to say it but I gotta. This wedding aint happening!
    Why do bad things such as this keep happening to good people like Sharon and Benny? ehn Ma’am T.M.?

  • Reply horllybee February 11, 2016 at 11:00 am

    God help you? God helps those who helps themselves and moreover you need your sanity more than anything else,imagine cheating on a guy like Benny! so disgusting.

  • Reply Roselyn February 11, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    TM, thanks a lot. As for Nora, a serious shocker awaits her since she decided to think with her Center of excellence.

  • Reply Paula February 11, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    Stupidity the height of it. Mtchewwwwwww.

  • Reply bryt-lily February 11, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    The things that women do.
    Yes, I said it,’the things that we do’.

  • Reply treasure February 12, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    the way you keep us hanging… in agonizing suspense sef!

  • Reply Essencecj February 14, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Tim doesn’t deserve Nora
    Nora doesn’t Benny
    Tim doesn’t deserve Sharon. In d end Tim would never give Nora the kind of life she wants. Sharon may find love again but not with Benny.

  • Reply iyke david February 16, 2016 at 7:59 am

    Hey guys, what is happening now?
    Please you have kept us waiting for so long!

    • Reply TM David-West February 16, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      Oga iyke, who come be guys? Lmao. Sorry, dear fellow. Ayam coming

  • Reply mamie February 21, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    Hmmn! You can’t eat ur gake and have it or is it you can’t stand on the fence?

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