Chapter 44 B

Chapter 44 B

(It’s been over five years now since Andrew came to the US. He has been getting the memoir from Old Students Association of Atlantic College on their yearly reunion party, but has not been attending.

Another invitation was sent to him again this year. He could not but notice the specialty in this particular one. It came in with its reservation request. The invite is different from the old ones that came up on their facebook page. This particular invite was sent to their email address with a power point software.

He seemed interested and so he calls one of his old schoolmates who is in Washington DC....)

ANDREW : hey Joe! Sup with you?
RECEIVER : sup Drew..
ANDREW : I'm good...hey, did you get the invite for this year's reunion?
RECEIVER : yeah I did.
ANDREW : didn't you notice anything about it?
RECEIVER : yeah they've stepped it up.
ANDREW : just that? We were asked to make our reservations....
RECEIVER : yeah. The last time I spoke to Bibi, she told me this particular one was organized by one of the school's sponsors. It’s in conjunction with the school's silver jubilee.
ANDREW : hmm mm....?
RECEIVER : yeah. And it’s not gonna be a combined one for us.
ANDREW : how? I don't understand...
RECEIVER : I mean it’s not going to cover all the old students at once. The event will take a whole week. Three sets only at a time. But one of us decided to sponsor our set for a day. Meaning we are having a day all to ourselves.
ANDREW : oh....who is that?
RECEIVER : I don't know who it is and when I asked Bibi, she said its anonymous.
ANDREW : hmm....so are you going?
RECEIVER : of course! I've not gone for about four years now, so I won't miss it for the world....and you?
ANDREW : em...not sure yet.
RECEIVER : come on Andrew, let's go for it. Everyone will be there with their spouses and so on.
ANDREW : hmm....I'll think about it. And let you know.
RECEIVER : alright.



(It’s around 2pm Monday afternoon, Lara is with a friend, Pat, at a cafe in Brooklyn, chatting as they have lunch....)

PAT : so you're going next month?
LARA :  yes.
PAT : but why?
LARA : because he's wants us to go back.
PAT : your husband is returning, but do you really have to go with him?
LARA : why staying back?
PAT : hmm...
LARA : I can't let him out of my sight.
PAT : does he know that?
LARA : what kind of question is that...
PAT : well, I really can't understand the kind of marriage you two have. Sometimes you act like strangers.
LARA : well....that's because he has gone through some stuffs before now and that's why he's withdrawn and secretive. He never really talks about his past.
PAT : does he know everything about yours?
LARA : yes he does. Sometimes I wonder if I can really understand him.
PAT : (shaking her head)...all the same, he makes a good husband, right?
LARA : I tell you. If only you see the way he is with Ladi....he's never withdrawn with him. He's always playful and sweet with him.
PAT : their relationship is so perfect...father and son...
LARA : you can say that again.
PAT : yeah...
LARA : you should really see them together more. They look like one. That's the only man fit for him as a father.
PAT : with his secretive way of life? I mean, can you really cope with him?
LARA : of course...I still love him like that...he's a man of few words but, I think there's this part of him that wants to come out. He just needs a little more patience for it to be expressed.
PAT : hope that doesn't affect his relationship with you?
LARA : he's sweet. He treats me like an angel. Though he hardly talks.... The other day I took Ladi to the park, it rained heavily and I didn't go with the car, he got home and didn't see us, he asked to know where we were. He was told that we had gone to the park, seeing the heavy rain, he called me and I told him I'm stranded. Could you believe he left all he was doing, drove down there and picked us up?
PAT : (surprised)...shouldn't that be his responsibility?
LARA : you ask too many questions Pat.
PAT : anyway, hold him tight...such guys are scarce...he's such an handsome guy. Most guys like him have their eyes outside...
LARA : he doesn't. And what's more, I ain't letting him go, trust me....(Looks at the time)....I should go and pick Ladi up from school now....(Standing up)
PAT : alright...



(Bibi has just gotten back to her office after doing some of her rounds when she received a call from Kola...)

BIBI : hello....
CALLER : hi, how's it going? Is everything set?
BIBI : yes. Luckily, I went and proposed another amount to the hotel manager, he couldn't refuse to allow us use the rooftop, even though I still think the money is way too much.
CALLER : that's the hotel he wants us to use.
BIBI : why using the most expensive hotel in the city for an ordinary reunion party? It’s ridiculous!
CALLER : Miss, we're paying you for this, isn't it?
BIBI : oh well...I'm not saying otherwise...
CALLER : good, so let’s just do what we want.
BIBI : well...tell your Boss he's got the roof top of the hotel as he wanted. We'll be decorating it as such. The party ground will be close to the pool. The roof top is quite large, so we'll be using just a portion of it.
CALLER : hope the recreation will be left empty for us?
BIBI : yes. They agreed...who won't, with that kind of money?
CALLER : good....and what's the attendance gonna be like?
BIBI : confirmations are still coming in.
CALLER : have you checked the hotel catering?
BIBI : yes, its splendid. They'll serve african, continental and even some foreign dishes.
CALLER : good.
BIBI : I'm sure your Boss will be so impressed that he'll let me plan his wedding if he's not married....
CALLER : (laughs out loud)...hahaha...
BIBI : why did you laugh? Or is it a she? Or is the person married already?
CALLER : calm down, all your questions will be answered.
BIBI : alright. Hope he's coming?
CALLER : I'm not sure just yet.
BIBI : alright. Just tell him everything is set just as he wanted.
CALLER : good! Please be discreet with all this.
BIBI : I will.
CALLER : I'll be in your office soon, so we can go check everything out.
BIBI : well yes...but I still want to know who this person really is....other students are asking me questions I don't seem to have answers to.
CALLER : why don't they wait till the reunion is here...let them keep guessing, okay?
BIBI : yeah...
CALLER : bye then...
BIBI : bye...(Hangs up)...who could this person be? Why the mystery behind him....?




(Meanwhile back at Kola's office he makes another call...)

KOLA : hello...
RECEIVER : hello?
KOLA : I've got great news for you...something bigger and better than what you actually bargained for.
RECEIVER : really...
KOLA : yes.
RECEIVER : let me have it.
KOLA : no, you'll have it when you get here.
RECEIVER : (furious)...why?
KOLA : because, it’s not part of my assignment. It’s something I got for you...a present from me...
RECEIVER : stop playing pranks Kola, let me have it.
KOLA : nah...a surprise gift should only come at the right time...come on man, calm down...it’s hot and fresh....and trust me, you'd love it.
RECEIVER : I really wish I could smack you right now...
KOLA : hahahaha....
RECEIVER : you laughing at me?...I could change my mind about bringing her...
KOLA : bringing......oh please, don't do that. You can't do that to me...
RECEIVER : then send it to me....
KOLA : come on Bro, relax....


To be continued....