“He will do some job before coming back. I guess we need the money to do some things here. Besides his family depends on him. Things are tough, Becky. You know it” Wanita defends as she takes a bite of her vegetable sandwich. Amaka had offered her one when she had arrived at her place. She finds that she is less worried and her appetite is great just leaving her house.

“You have enough to sponsor the wedding don’t you?” Amaka offers, as she pour them coffee.

“ I don’t subscribe to that” Becky insists, “If Dayo wants to marry Wanita, he must be fully prepared. Marriage should not be a halfhearted commitment. If Wanita sponsors the marriage what happens after that? Dayo does not have a job for all I know. Looks to me like the guy does not want to try at getting a job.”

“Not that.”

“Then what Wanita?”

“It is just that he does not want to work for anyone. Anyway the issue of providing finance for the marriage may not be possible for now. I paid for the papers for his visa and I will be responsible for the tickets and allowance too until he gets a job over there. It has cost me quite a huge sum” Both stare at her stupefied. It Is Amaka who first finds her voice

“You did what?”

It Is Wanita’s turn to look surprised. “Did I do anything wrong?”

“On no” Becky quickly put in. “It is just that this news comes as a surprise. But I suppose you know what you are doing. No wonder you keep complaining about your shop needing to be stocked up. I suppose it is all right really considering you only recently filled your shop”

“ Half those things are on credit. I am almost broke but was it not Sidney Howard who said that, one half of knowing what you want, is knowing what you must give up before you get it”

“ In other words?” prompts Becky

“ In other words we have to do all we can to ensure our future turns out the way it should”

“Hmm hmm” Amaka coughs ‘So you think giving up all your life’s savings and hard earnings is the best thing to do in this circumstance? You surprise me Wanita. I am sorry but I say that only a dumb would do what you just did. After your first attempt with Olu, I expect you to have learnt your lesson enough to know how to make the right decisions. If you get floored a second time I doubt it if you can survive it. You are thirty three for God’s sake Wanita, use your head for once”.

“I don’t want to believe this,” she continues emphatically. A man should be able to stand up to his responsibilities not to take advantage of a woman’s love”

“What do you mean Amaka? Dayo loves me just as much as I do love him”.

“I don’t doubt it. He has a fine way of showing his love. Making his woman do all the groveling. How sweet” Amaka is clearly angry and looks like she could explode any second.

Wanita and Amaka had met at a charity fashion show a couple of years back. They had both displayed such beautiful designs that had ensured a very successful show. Their input plus those of a couple others had influenced many into donating huge sums for the charity they had represented. At the after dinner, they both got to know that they had a common acquaintance in Becky whom Amaka got to know in one of the events she managed at the Cuperial Hotel where Becky had been quite helpful and accommodating to many of Amaka’s demands during the event which were not related to the hotels activities that Amaka had paid for. Amaka was so grateful for Becky’s generosity and assistance that they became instant friends. That was almost three years ago.

The three women had been very close friends since then.

Amaka was married to Uche Madu, a very successful businessman. They had three beautiful children. Uche junior, Iyke and Amaka aged eleven, nine, and seven years respectively. Amaka was thirty one. A successful boutique owner, she also organizes events.

Wanita manages a Home store. She also has her clothing line which is African in designs and was quite hardworking. A single parent, her daughter, Temi, lived with Wanita’s mother. Her father Olu had shed his responsibility even before she was born. It was a case of if he wouldn’t have Wanita; he did not need the child.

Becky has been with the Cuperial hotel eight years. She was hardworking and loved her job. She is divorced with two lovely children both girls aged thirteen and eleven years.

The three women shared many things together and supported one another.

“Come on ladies I should know what I am doing don’t you think? I know Dayo. His is a positive man it is just that conditions and circumstance are not in his favour right now. It is the love we have for each other that should matter here. Besides it’s my man we are talking about here”

“Wanita … Amaka starts to say when Becky stops her with a warning stare. She knew where Amaka was heading and did not want this issue to stretch further than was comfortable and necessary.

“We both love you’ Becky says instead ‘and whatever we say here is not to say that you are foolish or ignorant. We are only expressing our concern as friends. However, like you rightly said, you know best about your relationship. You live together and all, but those inside may not necessarily see all there is to see. All the same, I would suggest that we put everything in prayers. Wanita, you must intensify your prayers. Follow your conviction of what is the will of God concerning your relationship with Dayo. It is well in Jesus Name”

‘Amen’

“Come to think of it where is Dayo that he allows you to come over this early in the morning?” Amaka asks in a lighter mood. But for Becky, Amaka is sure to end up in a big fight with Wanita over the clearly irritating issue of Dayo.

“ I left him sleeping. We had a late night. He is probably awake by now”.

“Wow, wow! Take it easy Wanita. Are you sure you are not too strong for this guy? You must have sapped his poor strength to make him still be sleeping by now. Probably attempting to recoup his strength for tonight again.”

At this, they all three roll in hilarious laughter.

“ Hah. Amaka “ Wanita scolds, just then her phone rings. “Talk of the devil. It is Dayo” she speaks into her phone; switch off, then turn to her friends. “ I will have to dash off. He needs me” She pops the last bit of bread into her mouth, chewing quickly. I will see you both tomorrow. Dayo has a few people he wants to see before he travels and I am going with him to see them”

She drains the last of her coffee, bids them goodbye and leaves.

“What is with Wanita?” Amaka asks as soon as she is out of hearing “ she should grow up. Frankly speaking I did not expect Wanita to do what she just said she did. She is too smart to fall for that trap”.

“ I suppose you are right. It is beyond anyone now. The best we can do is to pray. She has already paid for the documents, visa and all that he needs to go to Canada. She cannot back out on the tickets and allowance now. ’’

“Besides, getting the ticket is the easiest part of the whole process. She has already done the difficult ones. The guy is a sponger” Amaka is furious.

“We may just be unnecessarily suspicious of the guy. He could turn out to be genuine. Come to think of it, why are we so negative about him? He has never given us course to doubt his sincerity, or has he?” Becky reflects.

“It is the magnitude of her financial involvement that I am concerned about. Wanita’s decision to empty her boutique to sponsor his trip is what bothers me not whether his intension to marry her is genuine or otherwise” Amaka insists.

“Well I guess we have to wait and see. God will take control. By the way when is Uche coming back form England” Inquires Becky, changing the subject

“Soon. He promised to get us that lace material for Adam’s wedding. ’ “Are you sure Wanita will be able to pay for hers?” Becky asks, rising to her feet. ‘Who can tell” Amaka’s tone holds some doubt. Breakfast was delicious. “I am so full I doubt I can do anything strenuous. Lets watch TV. Do you have any new home movies?”

“I bought three of the latest ones last week. I hope these children have not put them where I cannot find them. Their passions for home movies surprise me. Children nowadays do nothing but watch movies and play music”.

“Who will blame them? Our society encourages such trash. That is all you see on TV these days. This is what a dependent and consumer society does to its citizens. I am sorry for this generation” Becky adds.

‘We had better watch out for the sake of our children. It’s a tough world”

“Very fast paced”

“Perilous times …

“Hard to deal with” they both conclude the sentence together. They laugh.