11 Turning Point

Several weeks later, on a Friday, early in December. I called to tell her that I will be in Abuja to see her.

"Why?" she asked

"Well, to see you"

"Ah-ah, my baby is hiding something from me." She teased

"I just want to tell you something important and not over the phone. Plus, I want to invite myself since you wouldn't do that."

"I can't wait to see you, sweetheart. Please, do come over."

She was at the airport lobby by the next day and stretched her hands in front of her, in a warm embrace, I kissed her ruby red lips and that sent shivers down my spine. We walk to the parking lot. She pointed at a black Infiniti SUV and told me to get in.

"Don't tell me this is yours."

"My dad likes big cars, and SUVs are his favourite." She turned on the ignition and we headed home.

Her home stood in one of the high brow areas of Abuja. A mini garden looking over a deep blue swimming pool welcomed me. The bulletproof door was biometric and the marbles on the floor were mirror-like. The furnishings were like the ones you see on the TV, during a president's state visit. The living room has double staircases, and the paintings on the wall could pay somebody's tuition fees from primary to PhD level. The bedroom was more than half of the living room and the bed could take a battalion. Her mansion was what I call money personified. It was extravagant opulence and she was living in it alone. As soon as I stepped into her mansion, I changed my mind.

During dinner, she asked what I couldn't discuss on phone. I just told her that I missed her so much, and thought of coming to see her.

"You, are not fooling me, my dear." She pointed out blankly. "Something was important and all of a sudden it vanished."

I stared at the food I was eating; the kitchen where it was prepared was worth more than my entire apartment and all its content. I couldn't find any convincing statement so we ate in silence and I felt a total disconnect even as we lay on the bed. I left the next day and called her when I got home the next day. The call was brief and formal and I preferred it that way.