[Story] Empty promises – S01 E02

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 2

My first week in Jalingo was far from been cool. I try to cope even though I do not have a choice than to do that.

The house was okay, I have a gate man in my staff quarters but he does not speak good English but only understand few. He picks as his English so slow. He was a typical Hausa with yellow colored teeth.

I used my first week to tour round Jalingo. I located where the gas station is, the local market, restaurants, a spar, a salon, supermarkets and many other places.

I resumed work and was welcomed by the staffs in Jalingo. They really try to make me feel welcome. Despite all this I was still missing Lagos.

I and Israel kept in touch. He calls me almost every second to know how I’m doing and he reminds me that I’m always in his prayers.

I wasn’t much of a praying type but I was happy to have somebody like Israel who is always looking out for me.

I told him how much I miss his cooking and how much I missed all the things he use to do for me. he told me to invite him over then he will come and spend one week and with that he will be able to cook and fill my fridge with different foods.

I waved the idea of inviting him over but I promised him that I will do that soon. Let me first settle down with the state and it’s weather and environment.

The people in Jalingo were very nice but majority of them speaks in their local dialect except for the educated one.

Some days I will start wishing that I’m back to Lagos, chilling in my Lekki apartment. Having my girls around me.

Diane was my close friend. We all stay in Lekki together. She was equally a big girl.

Diane was dating a rich and famous guy who was very handsome. Sometimes I just imagine that I’m Diane dating such a nice looking young and rich man.

I wish I’m the one that has such a fine man instead of what I have. Israel did not belong at all in my league. Some of my friends wonder why I was even dating him. Although he was good looking but not up to the standard of the kind of men I move with.

Most of my friends said I should dump him and look for my class to date, only Diane was against such.

She will advise me not to leave Israel because he was a nice man and very rare.

Diane said I I should stop looking for class and league and focus on the good side of Israel.

Diane will be giving me advice that she can not take. She was comfortable with her handsome rich boyfriend and she is asking me to stick to my wretched man who is not upto my standard.

But sometime I think Diane has a point while many other time I assume she was all wrong. She says all that matters is that Israel was a good man who loves me and was ready to do anything for me. well, I believe that Diane was right. Israel is ready to do anything for me all he needs me to do was to just open my mouth and say It and it will be done.

I was not much of a cook. I can make delicious noodles. That was the best thing I cook so well. I don’t even like cooking. Cooking is not my hobby and I hate to indulge in such task.

My nails will get ruined and a lot of things can go wrong within the time I’m in the kitchen.

Israel use to make food for me but here I am in Jalingo. Israel was far from me so I have to find a way to survive.

I asked my colleagues at work to help me find a good cook and a cleaner. Someone that knows how to speak English fluently or even if is pidgin but she must be a good cook and they promised to do that.

One day I drove down to a supermarket to get something. As I came down from my car I saw this fine man coming down from his own car too. He was very handsome and his car was so classic.

I watch him from where I stand and as he tries to look at my direction I quickly looked away.

He entered the supermarket and I followed him. I decided to pick things from the shelf close to where this handsome man was standing and checking out fine perfumes.

After picking what he came to buy he moved to the counter and paid up.

All this while I was after him, wishing he will just say hello to me. I stood behind him and waited patiently.

After he was done paying he walked out.

I asked the cashier to hurry up and pack my things. I just wanted to catch up with the stranger before he drives off. But before I will step out he was gone.

I was very angry as I went home.

Israel called to check up on me and I became mad at him. I took out my whole frustration on Israel who did not know what he did wrong.

“Ava, what have I done this time? Honey please whatever it maybe I’m sorry. I hate it when you are sad. Please…don’t be sad again.

Israel try all he could but I was raging as if he was the cause of my problem.

Even me, I did not understand why I was so mad. I know is meeting the fine man at the supermarket who did not respond to me and drove off even before I will rushed outside. It was all because of him that I was so angry. Israel had nothing to do with it but he was always the escape goat.

I even refused to talk to Israel for two days but i later resumed again and accepted his apology even though he was innocent.

I began to go to the supermarket often and that was how I met the man the second time but he only gave me a smile which was far better than nothing at all.

It was during our third meeting in the supermarket that I decided to approach him.

Just like a bolt of lightning, unexpectedly, everything started changing the moment I met him the third time.

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