
FROM BAIT TO CATCH #7 (SHORT STORY)
- Posted by Edith Ohaja
- On September 19, 2016
- 219 Comments
The relationship between Sharon and Raphael is certainly taking a new turn. Towards the end of Episode 6, Raphael shows up as he promised Sharon when she had lost hope that he would because of inclement weather. Well, is this just some ordinary visit or does Raphael have anything special on his mind he wants to say or do? But Sharon also hinted that something untoward was about to happen. What could that be? Let’s get some answers as our intriguing love story unfolds.
TRAGEDY STRIKES
While Raphael was washing up, I heated water to make him a cup of tea, dreaming of how we’ll be doing this in our own home very soon. I went to the sideboard and brought out the best tea set I had, washed it and set up everything.
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When Raphael came out, he began by apologising for being late. And didn’t I say it? He had gone to give a Maths lesson to the son of a family friend who was having a hard time getting an O’level credit in the subject. He had been doing that three times a week and had forgotten they had a class scheduled when he promised to see me early.
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I decided to needle him.
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“So how much are they paying you for those lessons?”
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“A thousand Naira for each meeting.” I calculated that it would amount to about twelve thousand Naira a month.
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“Not bad, if you don’t spend it all on transport. But you don’t have to do that anymore. You’ve got a job.”
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“But I’ve already given them my word. And I was only joking. I’m not charging them anything.” I knew there was something odd about that answer. It was like he was fishing for what to say.
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“Who are they anyway?”
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“You know Chief Adams ….”
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“That devil!” Adams left Raphael in the cold when his father died, even though they had been best friends and Raphael’s dad had helped him so much, including selling a parcel of land in the village to get him back on his feet when he had a business setback. Meanwhile, Adams was pestering Raphael’s mum for an affair. Raphael barely managed to scrape by with the aid of his mum who was just a junior civil servant. And he was helping the guy’s son complete his O’levels! I was angry! But it was going to get worse ….
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“Wait a minute! Was it already raining when you left their place?”
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“Yes, why?”
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“How many cars does Chief Adams have? Answer me. How many cars and how many drivers? And he let you walk out in the rain. Why couldn’t he arrange a ride for you?”
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“Babe, I’m here. What does it matter how I got here? Adams is not that kind of guy. Why would you let this bother you?”
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“Because I’ve been thinking that if we are going to have a life together, you would have to curtail this your Father Christmas lifestyle.”
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He stared at me for a moment and asked, “Did you just propose to me?” I blinked in confusion and before I could respond, he had picked me up and was dancing around, shouting, “I accept, I accept!”
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When he dropped me, I began to protest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about? I didn’t propose to you.”
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“You did and I’ve accepted.”
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“I did not so …”
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His phone began to ring. He picked the call and after a short while, he screamed, “No!”
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“What is it?” I asked. He motioned for me to wait and went into the kitchen. When he came back, his drawn expression made me to brace up for really bad news. But when he announced it, it was worse than anything I’d expected.
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“Sir Benedict is dead!” Our boss, our meal ticket, our gateway to the good life was dead?
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“Sir Benedict! Impossible! Give me that phone!”
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I redialled the number that had just called him but it went into voice mail. I tried again, same result. Raphael came and held me because I had begun to weep. We clung together and drew strength from each other for some long minutes. When we disengaged and I’d wiped my eyes, he summed up the situation for me.
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“It was an accident as he was travelling to the village for a kindred meeting.”
I was sorry about what happened but my mind was also making further computations. Did he have a will? Is the company healthy financially? What will our fate be? Will we be able to retain our jobs?
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“Blast! And here I was thinking about marriage and settling down,” I thought. I turned to face Raphael. Poor Raphael! He hadn’t even got his first paycheck yet.
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It was like he read my mind. He came and held my hands.
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“This doesn’t change anything.” How wouldn’t it? “You may think we’ve been jesting but I’m dead serious about marrying you. Are you done with the lawyer?”
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I nodded.
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Then he asked me simply, “Will you marry me?”
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I cleared my throat. “Aren’t you supposed to kneel down when you say that? Plus, there should be a ring. Where’s the ring?”
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He kept looking at me kind of serious till I put my arms around his neck and said, “Of course, I’ll marry you ’cause I know if I say ‘No’, you just gonna die!”
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“You’re right, I would.” And we chuckled.
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Then I pulled him close and whispered, “Oh Raphael, what are we going to do? What if we lose our jobs?”
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“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, babe! Right now, we just have to be strong.”
-To be continued-
Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2016
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How do you feel about Sharon’s attitude towards what she calls Raphael’s “Father Christmas lifestyle”? I mean, do you see this side of Raphael as a plus or a minus?
If you were in Raphael’s shoes, would you proceed with the marriage proposal in view of the tragedy that has just occurred and the uncertainties it has thrown up?
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Watch out for Episode #8 of this very entertaining story right here on edithohaja.com.
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