Amaka bustles all around her living room, full of smiles and cheer. It is her party. Her friends were all in attendance. They were all having fun. The party given in her honour by her husband Uche was for her grand achievement. Amaka won the African designer award of the year. It was wonderful.

Amaka’s confidence grew after her friends talked to her. She had ten days to go before her show. Her order from Spain did not come. With determination and hard work, Amaka had quickly and speedily adopted the African designs as a replacement. Turning to old files and archives her designers were able to beautifully polish as well as make some adjustments to the designs to give her that shockingly different design she had dreamt about. The time was short but they put in the best they could. The designs were ready, beautiful models cat walked in the beautiful dresses. Amaka came away with the best award.

Becky and Wanita were at the party to share in their friend’s best moment. It was trilling and wonderfully rewarding.

Becky was chatting with Jeffrey, Uche’s friend who was in town from England on business. Amaka walked up to them

‘Hi, enjoying yourselves”

‘Yes as you can see. The beautiful lady here is exciting me with some interesting tales”

I see you have not been properly introduced. Becky, Jeff here is Uche’s very good friend they attended the same school in London and they both studied Economics. Jeff has done really well for himself. Becky here, is a very special friend of mine” Amaka says, turning to Jeff “ She is more like a sister to me. Infact I own this success to her timely advice and support”

“Oh Amaka” Becky started to argue

“Oh yes Becky, that is the absolute truth. ”

“ I agree with you Amaka my brief chart with your friend tells that she is an exciting and intelligent woman,” Jeff said. “By the way, continued Amaka, have you two eaten something yet? The Buffet is over there and looks quite inviting”

“We were about to go and get some food when you walked up. Coming Becky?” Jeff invited as he made to lead Becky to the food table

“I will see you two later” Amaka said walking off to join another couple sitting on the couch by the book shelf.

‘Amaka is doing well with her business”

“ Yes. This week is going to boost up her position in the fashion industry her designs are going to be sort after like never before.

“ Which means extra hard work”

“ Precisely, she will have to work hard to meet the streams of orders that is sure to come pouring in!

They get to the buffet table and wow! The sight of the food overwhelms both of them.

‘I believe your hotel has a hand in this. The whole place is full of food. Enough to feed an army I must say “ Jeff is undecided where to start. He just stares.

“ The hor’s de hor’s yes but the rest of the food are from Amaka’s sister and friends. Everyone wanted to be a part of the celebration!

“ I can imagine. ” What do you suggest?

‘Pick a few Items of food and get as far away as you can. You may come back for a second helping if you wish. That is the best way to conquer this overwhelming picture of so much food. ” Becky suggests, as she forks a spare rib into her plate and makes to move towards the vegetables and salad bowls at the end of the large table.

“ I will do just as you suggest, after which you will tell me about yourself”

“What about? Specific. ”

“Everything” he laughs, his face is lighted up like a boy who just found his long lost favorite toy, “ if it is not too much to ask that is” Jeff adds.

A bit of commotion by the door and Becky turns to look. Her eyes meet Kunle’s direct gaze. His brows arch with surprise and questioning stare as he disengages himself from some folks who had stopped to say hello he walk towards Becky.

“Hi. Now I know what all the excitement is about. It is a swell party,” Kunle says to no one in particular He fixes his gaze at Jeff waiting to be introduced. Instead, Becky excuses herself from Jeff and turns to Kunle. “ I thought you said you were not coming?”

“ I changed my mind, besides the meeting ended earlier than expected” Kunle insists. She walks to a table and sits down on one of the chairs. Kunle takes the seat opposite her “ I see you are having a swell time. Who is that man you were so deep in conversation with?’

“No one you know. You still have not answered my question. Why did you not call me”?

“ I wanted to surprise you. You don’t look happy to see me. Who is he?

“ One of Uche’s friends. Are you close watching me?”

“What do you mean?’

“You sneak into a party uninvited since you had turned the invitation down in the first place. You are disrespectful to me, and worse still, you don’t seem to get it at all or maybe you are being deliberately nasty”.

“What is this? I asked who the guy is and you give me the third degree. Is it too much to want to know who my lady is smiling and drooling over?” There was a flash in Kunle’s eyes.

“I demand an apology” Becky is furious. She tries hard not to show it. She cannot see it but feels Jeff is probably watching Kunle and herself.

“That is no answer to my question” Kunle returned tightening his lips.

“ I don’t owe you any explanation as to who I talk to, dance with or laugh with at a party do I?”

“Don’t you?”

“No I don’t

“I see” Kunle says getting up. He walks to the drink cabinet, pours himself a glass of wine and takes himself to a corner of the room sipping his drink in a pensive mood. Becky is seething with fury. Kunle was her friend. They’d been dating for the past five years. Recently they have been fighting more than loving each other especially after Pedro her friend and colleague at work, mentioned, at the last Valentine party held at the Golden gate restaurant that it was about time that Kunle and Becky tied the knot. Kunle had tried to joke about it but Pedro was serious. He told Kunle to either decide and propose or leave Becky alone to allow other men who were interested to step in. Kunle had casually asked Pedro if he was speaking for himself. Pedro’s reply had seen Kunle walking out of the party in furious anger. Becky had been embarrassed and told Pedro so when they were dancing that night. Pedro had apologized to Becky but not before insisting that he felt Kunle was not a serious lover and that Becky deserved better.

Kunle’s attitude since that incident changed. They quarreled at every little upset. He became evasive on several issues and had cut down on their outings, which were not many in the first palace because of the demanding nature of Becky’s job. After the stormy experience of her first marriage; Becky was predisposed to taking things slow and easy. As much as her friend Pedro agreed with her there, he objected to what he saw as her being taken for granted. In spite of Becky’s insistence that Kunle loved her and was a very nice person, Pedro still maintained that Kunle needed to make his intentions clear, five years was far too much time to still be deciding.

“What is biting your beau?” Wanita asks, plunking herself into the seat next to Becky who is pushing her food round her plate, the spare ribs were now looking like yesterdays wet cigarettes. She had lost her appetite.

“ I am fed up Wanita. Kunle has been playing up ever since that issue of marriage was raised. He likes to fight me all the time. Now he is swollen up like a ball of anger ready to explode any moment just because he sees me chatting with Jeff. I can’t take this anymore”

“He is a man… ”

“Yes. But he told me he was not coming to the party. I don’t subscribe to men who stalk women. These days, he says yes when he means no. Right now I can feel him spoiling for a fight. This party is full of our friends not his, I am the one who will end up embarrassed. I am fed up”

“It has not come to that. Sit him down and talk to him. Let him know how you feel” Wanita offers.

“ We have gone over this several times. He does not seem to want to change still he cannot or will not decide what he wants. ” Becky says resignedly

“Here he comes. I will leave you two to sort your adult lives out together” Wanita makes to leave but Becky stops her by pulling her back down on her seat “stay” she whispers under her breath.

Kunle takes the seat opposite both women “The party looks great I see everyone is having fun.” He turns his attention to Wanita. “My lady here has even gotten herself a new boyfriend”.

“Is that so Kunle? I have not noticed. What man are you talking about?” Wanita asks a surprise look on her face as she look form one to the other.

“ He means Jeff “ Becky supplies

“ Jeff who?” please don’t make me laugh. That is Uche’s friend. A very married man and has a dozen children. If Becky were looking for a boyfriend, she would do better than go after a married man. Besides, Jeff or any other man for that matter is here to have fun not look for women. Except maybe you are here to get a new girlfriend. You are about the only unmatched man in the room” Wanita finishes with a meaningful drawl in her tone.

‘ A dozen what? Incredulity is written all over Becky’s face.

“Picaninies’ my sweetheart. His wife has them every year”

Kunle is the one surprised. “Are you saying you didn’t know this Becky?” Before Becky can reply, Wanita chips in

“Why should she? She is nothing to him she does not even know his second name neither do I. We all just met at this party for crying out loud”

“ Then how did you know about the children?’ Kunle is curious he looks up and looks round the room as if trying to pick out Jeff in the crowded room so he can match this information with the face.

“ I overhear him and Uche talk about them earlier today. He has a teenage daughter back in England living in with her Jamo lover”

“ What is that?” Becky asks

“Jamaican”

“ Oh ”.

“ I am sorry. I have been a cad. Forgive me please Becky”. Kunle says awkwardly.

“ That’s alright” Becky suppresses a relieved sign. It is certainly not all right. She does not wish to cause a scene at the party nor is she ready for any arguments with Kunle, at least not today.

It is Amaka’s Party. She is her friend. It will be unheard of for her to be responsible for ruining her special day over unnecessary squabbles. Besides she is here to enjoy herself.

“I’ll go get myself a fresh plate of food these are ruined ” Becky stares disgustingly at her plate and raises herself up from her chair. She moves away from their table and walk towards the food laden buffet table, a tight smile on her lips. Wanita excuse herself to join the dance at the other end of the room.

The party was fun. They danced, eat and danced all night. Everyone was full of laughter and merriment. The wines flowed nonstop. Kunle glued himself to Becky, not even allowing her a chance to dance with anyone. The other men probably sensed it because no one came to ask Becky for a dance.

“You still have not told me about yourself. I don’t blame you. I can see the Young man, your husband I suppose, is practically glued to your side” Jeff manages to get to Becky when she briefly went to the ladies. Jeff was waiting for her by the door.

“I would probably see you again before you go back to England”. Becky offers as an answer. She could not deny that Kunle was not her husband. The night has been stressful for her with Kunle hanging on so. What Becky desperately needed right that moment was to get away to her bed for a restful sleep, hopefully.

‘Please do come as you know, I am staying here with the Madu’s. Here take this”. He presses a card in her hand; turns and walks back to the party. Becky glance briefly at the complimentary card then put it in her purse. She allows a few seconds before walking into the room to join Kunle who was waiting impatiently for her to get back from the ladies. In the far corner of the room, Wanita is laughing tipsily at something Uche was telling the group. Becky longed to join them but held back. If she did, and with Jeff being in the group, Kunle could start something that may lead to an unpleasant scene. Everyone seemed to understand that they needed to leave the two to themselves. Becky was not mixing well and she hated it. A feeling of disgust and loneliness came over her. She moves past Kunle toward the door.

‘Where are you going?

‘Home’

“I will drive you home” Kunle suggests,

Walking up to catch up with her

“You won’t need to. I came in my car”

Becky’s voice is strained. Wanita break away form the group and walked up to them “ where are you going?”

“Home” Becky walks on

“Why? The party is still on”

“Not for me anymore. I need to go now. Please tell Amaka that we are going for a walk. I don’t want her to get cross with me” Becky looks pleadingly at Wanita who shrugs understandingly. Becky opens the door and steps out. Kunle follows her out.

It is cold outside. The night breeze ripples on Becky’s bare shoulders. She shivers a bit, her mind clogged with depression. Becky walks to her car, unlock the door and gets in

“I will drive behind you till you get to your house” Kunle offers and not waiting for Becky’s reply, he walk to his car and gets in. Becky checks her watch. It is past 2:am, she did not want to go home, yet she did not want to return to the party. She hesitates and Kunle flashes his car light, urging her to get on to the road. She shrugs her shoulders and started the car. “ Alright’ she says to herself ‘what choice do I have now?’

She pulls onto the road, accelerates her car and drives towards her house, through streets that were now deserted. Kunle drove steadily behind her.