***INTERMISSION***

Life was meant to be challenging for these two friends, but it seems like each step is a piece of cake. Mide (short for Ayomide) and Gloria had been friends for twenty-five years, and each moment spent together was exactly like the first time they met. They lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same secondary school, and university. Gloria was always the serious and ambitious one, while Mide had a great sense of humor included with unexplainable luck. Life treated them well, both building their various empires, which were well known and flourishing. They also married the best friends who own a great organization. Today is Mide's birthday, so bestie traditions are to be in place; they are almost like heavenly-made twins...

**Knock on the door**

"Yes, come in," Mide answered.

"Happy Birthday, dear. I hope you are ready for the day?" Gloria asked.

"Sure, I have made all arrangements or do you have plan B?"

"No, let's get going; we are taking my car," Gloria declared.

"It's alright, Ralph will meet us there," Mide mentioned.

"You and this your husband, I would have been jealous, but none can replace my love."

"You have started again; you better call him before he comes late again," Mide replied.

They started laughing and left the house.

***********************************************************

Samuel was sitting in his living room; he was so focused on the movie he was watching when his phone brought him back to reality.

"Hey Man."

"What's up? Are you meeting us there, or are you coming late again?" Ralph asked.

"I don't even know, and I can't say no to Gloria," Samuel replied.

"Why? What happened?"

"I am kind of tired; I got home late from work yesterday, and I can't really get my head around this new contract," Samuel lamented.

"Okay! Since we are collaborating on this contract, why don't we go with the ladies and sort the contract over a drink later after. Also, I have great news," Ralph suggested.

"Hmmm, great news! It must be a present thing for me then. See you soon," Samuel replied and dropped the call.

**********************************************************

The day has been an interesting day so far for Mide, moving from one place to another. After all, it's her birthday; it should be fun. Gloria noticed her friend was extra joyous, but she could not place the reason nor get her to say why...

"Mide, you seem extra joyful today; are you sure there is nothing behind it?" Gloria asked.

"Smiles, I don't know ooo. Why don't we check out the cinema before going home?"

"Well, it's your day, so enjoy it to the fullest," Gloria stated.

"Hello ladies," Samuel and Ralph echoed.

It seems they both found their everlasting partners; there was a silent moment of hugging and kissing in the mall, then Ralph broke the silence...

"I am proud to announce to you that my wife is two months pregnant," Ralph declared. Gloria couldn't hold back when she rushed to her friend and hugged her tight, while Samuel shook Sam...

"Congrats Bro, I never saw this coming," Samuel said, smiling.

"We actually thought it was just a slight sickness, but it turned out to be mini Ralph," Ralph replied jokingly.

"I only wish Gloria and I were always too tired most times after our day work, else we would be having a twin pregnancy," Samuel replied, sounding optimistic.

"So you had given my friend another load without my permission ahbi?" Gloria accused Ralph, jokingly.

"We wanted the husband for your coming daughter to be older, that's why," Ralph replied while Samuel and Mide burst into laughter.

It was such a fulfilling day; after entering the cinema twice to watch two different movies, they decided to call it a day. Mide and Gloria went back in Gloria's car because they wanted to pick up a matching dress at the boutique beside Mide's office as the final step of their tradition, while Samuel and Ralph went back to Samuel's house to finalize their joint contract. It wasn't long before the ladies left the boutique when their car tire went flat, and they had to quickly change it before it got worse. But before they knew what was happening, seven to eight masked guys surrounded them and forcefully dragged them into their tinted bus, then drove away, leaving Gloria's car behind. It was a disturbing and scary moment as Gloria and Mide kept shouting to no avail until they were both knocked out and tied together.

***********************************************************

Eleven minutes past ten, Ralph became restless and bothered. Their wives haven't called them, neither gotten home. Samuel kept assuring him that they might have got stuck in traffic with their battery flat or something else was holding them back. By fifteen minutes to eleven, Samuel wasn't able to endure it himself; he started making calls to all the expected places to confirm their location. After several minutes of calling and waiting, they decided to go look for them. They reported at the police station, visited all the places they could have been or reported to, even checked back at the mall. Neither of them could sleep; they kept searching and calling, but all was to no avail. As it was getting close to midnight, that was when they got the text...

***I have your wives; it wasn't what I planned if you had learned to be contented with what you had. Drop the Ministry's contract or lose them***

Samuel debunked the text, saying it's a scam, but Ralph wanted to end the contract and free their wives.

To be continued...

What do you think would happen?

Two friends reasoned differently.

How is this connected to Akanni and Athira?

*Living a perfect life doesn't make you a perfectionist; learn to give respect to where it is due and appreciates the gift of life - Omotayo Victor*

*Take responsibility for your own happiness; never put it in other people's hands. - Roy T. Bennett*