Banji, how can I thank you enough for all you have done. You have been a great friend indeed, even though I used to ignore you then", Bimpe chuckled.
Banji smiled. "I'm doing this because I care."
Bimpe went silent. She knew the point he was driving at and she had always avoided touching topics like this with him.
"A day before Ayoade died, I told him I would like to tell him something", Banji continued. He stared at his nervous fingers before looking up at her.
"I wanted to confess my feelings for you. When I heard the truth about his death, I couldn't believe it. I outrightly denied it. I wanted to get rid of my feelings for you but the harder it became for me. I truly love you, Bimpe. I want you to give me a chance in your life."
"What are you saying Banji? Do you even realize what you are saying? I have a 10-year jail term to serve and you are saying this?"
"I know what I want. I'm willing to wait." He assured her.
"No, I won't allow that. I won't allow you to waste your time on a girl as worthless as I am. There are several girls out there, go for one of them. You deserve better." She urged.
"Don't you ever call yourself worthless? This is your destiny and I see you in my future. Don't lose your self-esteem because of what has happened. You are also a victim here."
"Banji, things can never work out between us." She told him with certainty.
"Let's give it a trial." He insisted.
"Do you know why? Because I am pregnant for my late brother." Bimpe blurted out.
"What?" He exclaimed, standing up abruptly.
*****
Saturday 12:05 pm
"I'm coming", Salamat said from the kitchen as she quickly put the gas cooker off, before going over to answer the door.
"Peace unto you darling", Saleem said and pecked her forehead immediately she opened the front door.
"And unto you too, love", she answered with a smile.
She turned back inside as he followed her in. "You came late. You promised to be here by 10 a.m and this is noon already."
"Sorry, I was sorting out some things."
"Ok."
"I have great news for you, though." He told her.
"Really? What is it?" She asked as they both flopped on the three-setter.
"I got the house", he beamed.
"Which of them?" She frowned in confusion.
He rolled his eyes. "The particular one you said you wanted."
Salamat gasped. "You are joking, right?"
"I'm not."
"But you told me you won't be able to afford it."
"Now I can, that's why I got it."
"Thank you, dear, God bless you."
"Ameen. I got a 6-month fieldwork expedition offer also but this time it's not going to be free. At the end of it, I might be asked to go to the U.K for the exhibition of the things we recover." He notified.
"That's great news." She almost jumped up in excitement.
"So have you concluded on the date with your parents, yet?" He inquired.
Salamat sighed. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
"What about our children? I was thinking we should wait till next year January because I don't think I can cope with schooling and pregnancy. Or probably we should look for a safe method of family planning. We can try Levofem pills contraceptive. It has no side effect and it even contains blood tonic."
"What are you saying? Family planning when we aren't even married yet? What is wrong with you? God gives children. Don't you want children?" He snapped at her.
"Of course I do."
"Then, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying I don't think I am ready for childbearing now because of schooling." She rephrased.
Saleem stood up suddenly, startling Salamat.
"Call me when you are done with schooling then", he said and walked to the door.
"Saleem", she called and ran after him. "Don't be silly. Why are you being childish?"
"The childish one here is you, Salamat. You aren't ready for childbearing and you want to get married?" He was about to turn the knob to go out when he whirled back to face her.
Salamat began to shed tears. He stared at her for a while as he tried to control his anger.
"I'm sorry", he finally said, putting her head to his chest.
"I'm just scared", she voiced out.
"You don't need to be scared. I'm sorry for lashing out at you that way."
She wept more. "Pele ifemi, mabinu simi (I'm sorry my love. Don't be angry with me)."
"Ok, let's do it this way. The date remains intact and we will look for a method to use to prevent pregnancies till you are graduated. Satisfied now?" He asked and she nodded with a smile.
"I'm sorry once again my angel. What you said made me remember what happened to my aunt. She said this same thing to her husband and she is 10 years gone without a child of her own. I love children and I really can't wait to have my children with you because I love you so much."
"I love you too. God will give us our children when the time is right."
He smiled at her and took her lips as she gasped in surprise.
"Stop it." She mumbled.
"No, I won't. We are entitled to each other already." He reminded her.
"I know but...." She was cut short with another tantalizing kiss. She gave in, allowing him entrance as he explored the insides of her mouth.
The kiss was heavenly, she thought as they disengaged, staring at each other's love-filled eyes as a wave of optimism filled with the love of a brighter future ahead of them flowed through them.