Friend zoned – 21stcenturybelle

The Dice#27

Moses stared at Dunni pretending he was hearing what she was saying. Nodding at each interjection while his mind was far away. Last night was the most miserable for him and Dunni coming today was the final thrust onto his bruised heart.

Completely lost in thoughts, he was brought back to the present when he felt Dunni tapping him or the electrifying sensation from her touch. ” You were not listening”, she reprimanded. He tried a small smile with the lame excuse of his body telling him to call it a day. He had thought she was here to let him know she had changed her mind and was ready for a relationship with him but she was still stuck in the best friend status bla bla that he was not prepared to hear.

Moses smiled at Dunni’s cute pout that always disarmed him. “You can stay and let yourself out. I have to go upstairs.” He could see the drop on her shoulders but was impressed with the front she put up, a brave smile and forced excitement. “Sure, I will let myself out. You go and have the much-needed rest.”

Dunni watched him go sadly and wondered if this was the beginning of the end of their friendship. She shuddered and willed that it was not real, and she would just wake up and find that she was in a dream and all the thoughts about the death of the beautiful friendship they had shared were simply what it was, just a dream.

The sound of a text coming through her phone was enough to convince her this was happening and not a dream. She could tell it was from Tade from the ringtone. She sighed she’d told him she was dealing with an emergency and would not be available this weekend. She liked that he was so understanding and did not pressure her into the details, which she was not ready to give at this stage. What good will come out of sharing the details when the problem persists.

Dunni let herself out, realising that this problem might eventually destroy her relationship with Moses. All previous optimism was lost. And with that realisation, she became angry with Moses for not understanding and for letting himself get carried away with feelings and complicating their relationship. By the time she got home, she was no better than before she left, and this made her sadder. She was angry that she could not be there for her friend at a time he needed her the most like he had always been for her.

She played about with the thought of breaking her engagement with Tade. Her engagement to Tade barely 48 hours ago was the best thing that had happened to her, she was still processing it and now Moses springs this on her. He was unfair and thoughtless to have pulled this stunt. How could he have done this to her just when Tade asked her to marry him? She knew she was not being rational but her thoughts were all over the place and nothing was making sense the way she wanted it to.

Tade was okay. He was easy on the eyes, a perfect gentleman who loved her. Maybe Moses and she would have had a chance, but she could not hurt Tade for something that could fail. If Moses and her were to happen they had 16 years to have done so. She had always compared most guys that came to her to Moses, he was the pedestal to which all men in her world had to live up to, even if she did not know it at the time, and they had always fallen short but with Tade, this was different. Moses was out of the country and there was no need to bounce things off him, to have carried him through the process of her relationship and not blindside him. Still, she was also the one who had guarded the relationship away from Ola and Moses, in the days he was known as, “Mr Flowers”. Her relationship with Tade was something real and she was not going to trade it for a whim, being away from her this long had clouded Moses’s judgment. If he was with her, he never would have pulled the stunt of proposing to her. Yes, she applauded herself for discovering the root of the problem, being away from her made Moses lose his senses. She would have reset it should he have been around like she had always done.

Dunni let herself into her house, exhausted. Her mind was a cacophony of what ifs, what shoulds, and should nots. She tumbled up the stairs crashing into her bed, curling into a ball and wept her heart out.

*** ***

Dunni’s eyes fluttered open, and she immediately felt puzzled, realizing she was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Her head throbbed as memories from the previous day came flooding back. Staggering into the bathroom, she could barely recognise the face with the bloodshot eyes, smudged mascara, and dishevelled hair staring back at her through the bathroom mirror, hardly recognising. “What do you really want?” She questioned the face staring back in the mirror trying to come to terms with the harsh reality of her life but was only rewarded with silence.

The thought of calling in sick and staying home from work crossed her mind. But she knew that if she did, her partners, Moses, and Ola, would come to her like Navy SEALs on a mission, worried about her well-being. Despite struggling to get ready for work, she decided she would go in late after calling her mother. Her mind was in turmoil, and no solution seemed to bring her peace.

On her way to work, Dunni made an impromptu decision to take a detour, leading her on a four-hour drive to her mother’s house in Ibadan.

She poured out her heart, seeking guidance. Her mother’s advice was straightforward and wise. Marriage was about love, respect, and a shared future. When the initial romance and butterflies faded away, the friendship between the couple would sustain the marriage. Dunni had to make the decision, as she would be the one living with her chosen partner.

Her mother shared her perspective on both Tade and Moses. While she didn’t know much about Tade, she emphasised that Moses had loved Dunni for a long time, and she had witnessed his dedication and affection. Dunni was surprised to learn that Moses had been visiting her mother regularly, even before he left for China and had asked her mum permission to ask Dunni to marry him when he returned from the trip.

Her mother cautioned Dunni against sacrificing herself for the sake of Tade’s daughter, as love for the child alone wouldn’t be enough to sustain the marriage. She reminded Dunni that she wasn’t marrying the child, but rather Tade, and if her feelings for someone else surpassed those for her chosen partner, she might regret her decision.

Dunni listened carefully to her mother’s words, her mind churning with thoughts and emotions. It was a difficult choice to make, and she knew that whatever decision she reached would shape her life and future happiness and some people would be hurt in the process. The road ahead was uncertain, but she understood that she needed to be honest with herself and choose a path that aligned with her heart and aspirations. Discovering that Moses had already resolved to propose before his departure for China left her in a state of emotional turmoil. Her initial belief that his prolonged absence was clouding his judgment faded away like a puff into the thin air.

The Dice #26b

At the sound of the closed door, Dunni released her breath that she did not know she had been holding, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that had just washed over her. Losing her best friend, Moses, felt like a crushing blow. Anger, sadness, loss, defeat, and confusion all swirled inside her, making it difficult to find a sense of clarity amidst the chaos of her feelings. Moses had been her rock, her go-to person for everything, and the one who stood by her side through thick and thin, without ever faltering.

As she sat alone on the carpeted floor in her living room, memories of their countless adventures, inside jokes, and shared laughter flooded her mind. She had always dreaded Moses getting married and the change it would bring to the dynamics of their friendship. Little did she know that the transformation she never anticipated would come from a place she hadn’t foreseen—a shift in feelings. But now that moment had come, and it hit her harder than she could have anticipated.

As the reality of Moses’ proposal sank in, the impact hit her with an intensity she could never have imagined. Her heart felt heavy with emotions she struggled to comprehend. How could she have missed the signs? Had he been dropping hints all along, and she had brushed them off as mere jests, as part of their familiar banter?

Dunni’s mind swirled with questions and conflicting emotions. She cherished their friendship deeply. Moses was that one friend who understood her like no other. Now, that bond was teetering on the precipice of change, frightening her to her core.

The tears began to flow uncontrollably, and with each drop, Dunni felt an intense pain in her heart. It wasn’t about Moses proposing to her; they had playfully entertained the idea before, and it had never bothered her. This time, though, it was different. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had betrayed Moses by accepting Tade’s proposal without even discussing it with her best friend. She wondered if things might have turned out differently had she and Moses laughed it off as they always had in the past rather than her taking him too seriously. She should have deflected him when he started and convinced him it was an unknown mystery lady, he planned on proposing. He did not have to be stubborn about it and insisted that she was the one.

Dunni knew she had to work through this with Moses. Their friendship was too precious to let go of without a fight. She had to make him see that they were destined to be friends, nothing more, nothing less. Yes, she could talk sense into him. They had both allowed their emotions to get the better of them, but they could overcome this if they faced it together.

The following day, after giving Moses some time to reflect, Dunni decided to visit him. She hoped that by then, he would be in a better frame of mind to discuss everything rationally. She was determined to remind him of all the incredible memories they shared, the unbreakable bond they had, and how they had always supported each other through the highs and lows of life. He was her brother for life and could not get away even if he wanted to pull this fast one on her. She refused to believe that he was serious. Moses was playing out one of those wicked jokes.

As she made her way to Moses’ place, she rehearsed in her mind all the things she wanted to say. She believed that they could find a way to navigate through this, as they had done with other challenges in the past. Their friendship was the foundation that had sustained them through all their previous relationships, and it would continue to be the anchor that held them together through this tough time.

The next day dawned with a mix of apprehension and determination for Dunni. After allowing Moses some time to reflect on the previous day’s events, she couldn’t wait any longer. She knew she had to face him, to have that crucial conversation they both needed. Hoping he would be in a more receptive frame of mind, Dunni set out to visit her best friend, the one she considered her brother for life.

Finally arriving at Moses’ doorstep, Dunni took a deep breath before knocking on the door. She felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. It swung open, revealing Moses on the other side. Their eyes met, and Dunni’s determined smile softened her tense features. She wanted him to see that she cared deeply for him and that their bond was worth more than any obstacles they would face.

“Moses,” she began, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion, “we need to talk. I know yesterday caught both of us off guard, and maybe I didn’t react the way you expected. But you mean so much to me, and I can’t imagine a life without you as my closest friend.”

Moses looked at her, his expression a mix of seriousness and vulnerability. He seemed unsure of how to respond, but Dunni pressed on, “We’ve both come a long way and we’ve faced so much together, and I want us to get through this too. You’ve always been there for me, and I’ll always be there for you. Our friendship is too precious to let a misunderstanding like this come between us.”

Her words seemed to resonate with Moses, and a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. He nodded slowly, and Dunni knew that he was starting to understand her perspective.

“I don’t want things to change between us,” she continued, her voice softening further, “Let’s promise to be honest with each other, to talk things out, and to always cherish the friendship we have.”

Moses took a deep breath, and a small smile played on his lips. “You’re right, Dunni. I value our friendship too. I don’t want anything to come between us either. Forget what happened yesterday.”

At that moment, a sense of relief washed over Dunni. They may have stumbled upon a bump in their friendship, but she was confident they could navigate through it together. As the days passed, they would find their laughter again, just as they always had.

With renewed optimism, Dunni embraced her best friend, knowing that their bond was stronger than any temporary confusion. Together, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead, reaffirming their belief that their friendship would endure for a lifetime.

The Dice#18

“Here’s my phone, Moses is on the line.”
Dunni looked at him quizzically, “has he been on the line all this while?”
“Yes, and please can I have my phone when you are done?”
Toni rolled her eyes at him, “Of course you’ll have your phone back, or maybe I should have it?” she asked mischievously. Ola wagged his finger at her, and he was out of her office.
“Hello, stranger,” the sound of Moses’s voice made her almost want to cry. Dunni closed her eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over her.
Taking in the sound of his breath over the phone. She smiled at his silence. He always did that thing – greet and wait for her to speak first. It was a game they played, and she was always the one to give in and break the silence.
This time around, she was taken aback by the power in the sound of his voice and how she could literally feel him standing in her office.
“How are you?” she asked, forgetting she was waiting for him to speak.
“Ahhhh! Are we not too old for this game?” Dunni queried, miffed that he had beaten her to it as always.
Moses held his phone tightly, allowing the softness of her voice cut deep into his soul. He was not sure how long he could stay away from her. He wanted to see her, gaze into her eyes and feel the connection they had. The project was taking longer than expected. He’d been tempted so many times to take a week off, but he knew what that would do to the project, and he was not ready to take that risk. This was a massive project, and not only did he need to do a perfect job, but he also had a reputation to maintain for future projects. He heaved. Savouring the sweetness of Dunni’s voice and the smile he could imagine on her face would do for now.
Ignoring her question, he asked, “How are you?”
“Fine as can be. So much work to do here but we got it under control. And yourself?”
“These guys here are slave drivers. I don’t think they ever rest. Trying hard to keep up.”
“I think you are the chief slave driver. They must be rushing to finish the project to get rid of you.”
His peals of laughter could be heard over the phone, which brought a smile to Dunni’s face.
“I don’t mind getting rid of me too if it would bring me to you.”
“Is that a line engineered by the toss of your dice?”
Moses groaned in frustration.
Dunni laughed. “I am not the one who makes critical decisions from the toss of a dice.”
“You should try it sometime,” he retorted drily.
“Yeah yeah!”
He wanted to ask of Mr Flowers, he heard Ola alluding to over the phone but was not sure if he really wanted to know. Ignorance they say is bliss.
The jealousy he felt was suffocating him. For all, he knew this could be one of Dunni’s many admirers that would fade away with time. The thought of anything else was too scary. Losing Dunni would make life not worth living. This was no cliché. It was his reality.
“It’s been so hard to keep in touch. Your phone is either dead or just ringing.”
“Guilty as charged. It’s the timing. I have called you a couple of times and gave up. On other occasions, it’s the wrong time. Your midnight over there is morning the next day here. It would be nice once you are back.”
“That should make me feel better, but something tells me, the work you have for me will be worse than the slave drivers here.”
“You could not be more right,” Dunni concurred.
Moses wanted to spend more time talking with her, but he knew he had to let them go, she had work to do.
“You sure you are good?” he asked Dunni again.
She wanted to tell him of her heart troubles but changed her mind. He was facing a challenging project, and she was insensitive by wanting to dump her personal problems on him.
“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied.
They chatted for a few more minutes before Ola came back for his phone.
Dunni rounded up with Moses and passed the phone to Ola.
“Guy, I need my phone,” Ola spoke into the phone now on video.”
“Dunni, your phone should be charged by now, but I don’t think you should be using the business time to chat.”
“What!” she grabbed his phone back while he objected throwing his hands up in resignation.
“That’s precisely what I have been suffering since you left. Please wrap that project up, or you may not find me in Designtex upon your return.”

” Why did I not think of a video call, Moses you look like a stone age man. I could walk past you and not recognise you.” Dunni teased him going around her table to Ola so Moses could view the two of them at the same time.

Moses swallowed with no come back for her as he drank in her beauty like a thirsty soul. If her voice was making a mess of him, seeing her was breaking every resolve to be patient. He had to find a way to make Dunni begin to see him in more than the capacity of a friend and business partner.
“Now I think you need to leave. You are using business time for frivolities.” Dunni smirked, happy to have the last word as she ended the video and handed Ola’s phone to him, pushing him out of her office.

The Dice#15

Moses sighed in frustration as he tried Dunni’s line. It was engaged. For the past thirty minutes, he has been trying to call her. He dropped a chat hoping she would respond. “Hey! Buddy, hope you are fine. Just checking. Please call me when you can.”

Dunni responded immediately by placing her call on speaker and typed away. “Hey, you! Feels like a lifetime ago we really talked. Anyways can’t talk right now- in a middle of a call, heard your chat come in and still on the phone but had to reply. Talk to you in our catch-up meeting later in the week.

Moses frustration rose a notch higher. Was Dunni his curse or nemesis? Why could he not get her out of his system? There were many girls out there. Why can’t he get attached to one of them and save him from this misery? How long would she begin to see that he loved her beyond their friendship and work partnership?

“Calm down, man,” he chided himself. He needed to try harder and make her see what they could have together. With Dunni, it was mixed signals. Sometimes, he could feel she cared for him as much as he did, and other times she had this strong wall built around her heart.

He could recollect the first time, he saw her. She was walking down to the lecture centre for the general studies class. GST 001 but looking lost as she wandered from one lecture room to another one. Moses and Ola were sitting outside, waiting for the rest of the other students.

She walked up to them with a shy hello, asking if they were waiting for the GST 001 class. Ola answered while Moses stared at this gangly teenager with beautiful light brown eyes. She had her braids falling everywhere but her face all the way to her hips. The softness of her voice felt like the taste of butter in his mouth. One look at her and he was smitten. He knew without a doubt she would be in his future but what he did not know was the pain she would bring him.

Dunni as she introduced herself, got talking with Ola while he pretended to be too busy reading his notes with an occasional nod here and there but stealing glances at her. The caramel-skinned girl was getting under his skin, and his hormones were going overdrive. He was not looking for a girlfriend at this point. He had his academics to focus and could not afford any distraction.

Just when he was about to join the conversation, a guy who he had not seen walked about to them.

“Hi, Dunni,” his deep-voiced boomed from such a small frame as he greeted them.

She smiled up to him shyly, Moses’s heart stirred, and all he could feel was jealousy for this guy.

Dunni walked away with him, not before dumping her books on Moses lap.

“I will be back. Please save a seat for me,” and skipped away without a backward glance. The excitement in Dunni’s eyes dulled any hope in his heart, but he quickly shrugged it off.

Ola called him out when she left. “Do you dislike her?”

“No, there was nothing to say, so I left the chit chat to you.”

“When have you ever left the chit chat to me?” Ola inquired with a raised eyebrow. His curiosity peaked.

“There can always be a first time,” Moses argued. How could he explain, in just the first five minutes of their meeting what the mere sight of her was doing to his heart? He felt pain and excitement together and was as confused as can be. Was this love at first sight?

Dunni came back and sat by him this time, taking her books from him, he could feel the electric shock when their fingers touched. He knew Dunni felt it too with the way she opened eyes and grabbed her books quickly as she stood up.” I think I have to go now,” she stuttered. Moses smiled; he was not the only one. Campus life suddenly looked attractive. He was not going to do anything about his feelings. He had a 2.1 to leave school with that he owed himself and whatever his heart was feeling now, had to go with what his head was saying.

If the feeling was mutual, then they had years ahead of them. Moses was just 18 years old, although he still could not tell her age, he could guess that she was younger than them.

“Was that your boyfriend?” Ola asked matter of fact.

“Just a friend,” she replied and wanted to know why he asked. Moses pretended still busy reading the book opened before him although he could not make sense of what he was reading, he was all ears on their conversation.

“Nothing,” Ola shrugged his shoulder nonchalantly. “We need to know your friends and special friends so we can treat them nicely.”

Moses was not sure what Ola was working at, but he had a feeling the guy must know something. These were questions he was dying to ask. For some reason, Dunni changed her mind from leaving and hung out with them, waiting for the lecture hall to be opened.

They chatted while they waited for the lecture that was later cancelled. The best thing that came out of that day was the friendship Moses, Ola and Dunni forged, and how inseparable the threesome became. Having Dunni around him was good enough. He could monitor and counter any other guy that came. Between Ola and him, guys stayed away thinking she was a girlfriend to one of them and he was contented with that.

Their boats were rocked when Benji began dating Dunni. He’d never seen her that excited.

“Finally,” she beamed with a full smile lightening her face, as she stepped into the room Moses shared with Ola on campus.

“Finally, what?” Ola asked

Dunni twirled around. “Benji asked me out, and I said yes. I was beginning to think there was a problem with me. You know how no guy was hitting on me like my other roommates. It appeared they had something on me shouting, she’s taken. Stay away from her!”

Moses drawing pencil fell from his hands in shock. He grimaced with pain, engulfing his heart like none he had felt before—a feeling of emptiness, loss and despair.

Dunni sashayed over to Moses workstation, with her chin resting in her palms, staring into his eyes from the opposite end of the table. “Are you not happy for me?” It sounded more like an accusation than a question.

He shrugged. “Don’t know what the fuss is about. It’s not like you are getting married. The relationship could fail, especially when the guy wants something that you are not able to give.

He smirked. He knew Dunni’s virginity pact, and Benji did not look like the guy who would help her keep it.

“Oh thank you, friend,” she stressed the word with a distaste he could feel in his mouth, “for your vote of no confidence. Killing my relationship before it even started.”

She left him angry and went to Ola.

“Congratulations!” He celebrated with her and twirled her around. Raising his glass cup of water and passing another to her. He gave a toast, “To the boyfriend.” May this be the perfect one and lead to marriage.”

“Thank you. Good to know one person is happy for me, unlike some people,” she pointed her chin in Moses direction.

“I have a meeting with the departmental head,” Moses grabbed his sandals and rushed out of the room like one being chased by a thousand demons.

“What’s wrong with Moses?”

“Nothing, it’s his big brother instinct at work as you always say.”

Dunni giggled. “You guys are both my curse and nemesis. I left my brothers at home and met you guys in school.”

“You sure Moses will be alright?” She worried.

“Don’t worry that intelligent head of yours. He will be fine. His paranoia of someone taking advantage of you will wear out when he sees how Benji cares for you. You know we’ve taken you as our sister, and we have to protect you, but your happiness is more important.

Dunni walked up to Ola, dropping her glass cup on the table and hugged him.

“Thanks, Ola. I desperately needed you guys to approve Benji. You are my friends, and I want you all to get along well.

Seeing Dunni with Benji was a constant pain, Moses learnt to live with. The problem was his feeling for Dunni did not just disappear. It increased like an inferno that threatened to consume him.

Not too long, he started going out with a girl in another department but the same faculty.

Joke was petite like Dunni, but that was where the similarity ended. She was fair-skinned, mixed-race as her grandmother was American. She had the long Caucasian hair mixed with a little of the African texture which she most often than not braided without the extension. She was not the beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous type, but she was pretty and lovely in a way that got people drawn to her.

Her eyes were grey with a mouth always coated in pink lip gloss. She could be loud and brash and in one instance and display the finesse of her American heritage at another. Still, all that would disappear when she spoke the Yoruba language with the air of one who grew up on the streets of Idumota market.

Moses and Joke had too many fights bordering around Dunni. Joke was obsessed with his relationship with Dunni that was becoming draining. Dunni was a name he rarely mentioned in their discussion as it always ended up in a fight. The girls were good together, but it was when they were alone that Joke seemed to find everything and anything wrong with Dunni. She had the most outrageous idea that Dunni was interested in snatching her boyfriend from her. Moses would not have minded if it was true. Joke was good for him, and she was his reality. What she did not know was that being with her was helping him get Dunni out of his head. He has even started avoiding her as much as he could, although that was difficult considering they attended the same classes and were in the same study group.

Moses had been with Joke for almost a year when she broke up with him. He was devastated as Joke had become less the anchor against the pain, he felt for losing Dunni and someone he could fall in love with. Joke walking out of his life really shook him, but that brought Dunni back into his life as she practically nursed him out of his heartache and not too long Benji broke up with her.

Dunni hid the pain of her breakup by pouring herself into her studies and her friendship with the boys. But he did note that she built a strong wall around her heart and was weary of having any relationships after that.

Sixteen years down the line, they were not anywhere nearer to dating than they were when they first met. Moses wondered if he had been wrong in not making his feelings known when they first met. Was he wrong to think that chemistry will withstand the years till when they were ready? This was an unfinished business that Moses had to sort out upon his return to Lagos. It was time to lay the cards plain on the table, and if it did not work, he had to move on with his life no matter how hard that sounded.

The Dice#12

“You can close your eyes to the things you don’t want to see, but you can’t close your heart to the things you don’t want to feel.” Johnny Depp

Moses used his key and let himself in. The house was shrouded in darkness except for the light from the Television. Dunni lay fast asleep on the sofa. He chuckled, putting off the TV and switching on the lamp at the far end of the room to give enough light to see but not bright enough to wake her up. He watched her sleeping so peacefully and did not want to disturb her. He glanced at his wristwatch, it was past 9.00pm. He could prepare the guest room Ola used whenever they worked late although Dunni always crashed on the sofa.

He gazed at her tear-stained face listening to the rhythm of her breathing. Dunni was beautiful, and for the years he had known her, he doubted she had any clue of the power of her looks. She had no coquettish female bone in her, which made it easier for her to fit with the boys. He had watched the gangly teenager who they started university blossom to a lovely woman as the years went by. They had been friends for so long that even when he had jokingly told her, she was the one she did not believe him. He had been hoping that as the years went by, Dunni will begin to see him with the same eyes he saw her. Unfortunately, it had not worked out that way. It seemed it would be easier for hell to freeze than that to happen.

Moses had a lovely time with Becca. She reminded him of Dunni in many ways that he was beginning to feel maybe she was the one to help him count his loss and move on.

He was brought out of his reverie when Dunni’s eyes fluttered open. She first looked confused as to where she was but seemed to realise by the flicker of recognition when her eyes fell on Moses face looming over her.

“You are back,” she said more of a statement than a question, struggling to sit up.

“Yeah! You must have been exhausted. It appears you have not been sleeping well this week,” Moses replied, feeling guilty she caught him watching her sleep.

“Don’t we all? How did your date go?” Dunni asked, shifting the attention from her.

Moses groaned, “It was not a date, but our meeting went well. Thanks for asking. I got some contacts from the Expo. Becca is lovely, she reminds me of you. I told her you both will get along well.”

Dunni did not think it was a good idea becoming chummy with Moses soon to be girlfriend. Another procession of exes she had to smoothen the feathers when the relationship ended or went awry.

On second thought, Moses may be serious this time compared to his little or no relationships in the last five years, not that she was counting. She was embarrassed to say she knew every single of the girls he had dated. The ones Dunni knew will not last and the one girl he nearly married but did not. He never told her why they broke up although she pestered him till, she had to give up when he refused to give in. She could not hide her delight when the relationship ended. Jumoke was a bitchy, selfish dimwit girl who had Moses wrapped around her finger. It was good riddance to bad rubbish when she exited their lives.

They had been each other plus one to several social functions they had to attend. She should be happy for Moses, but all she could feel was intense sadness worse than the betrayal she suffered from Emma’s revelation. It was like her heart was being ripped apart.

Moses was sitting beside her with deep concern in his eyes. “Tell me what happened what made you so upset earlier.”

She scooted to the other half of the seat, she was feeling hot with Moses so close by and confused as to why she was so conscious of him. What was wrong with her? She wondered. She was not coming down with Malaria or something.

Dunni narrated Emma’s story and why she was upset that Emma could even buy in the idea for a second when she knew how much Dunni believed in the sanctity of marriage.

“I think you were hard on her. The woman in the story did not go out to hurt her friend by dating her husband. It just happened. And it was only easy to believe, no one is saying you can do such. Still, people in your position have found themselves in worse situations. I think you would have done the same thing Emma did and you are judging her because you only think you know yourself.”

“You are taking sides with her,” Dunni accused.

“I am not taking sides with anyone. I am only being objective. Marry me Dunni, and you will end the drama around you. How many times do I have to ask?”

Dunni’s eyes went round, then she burst out laughing. “Moses, oh, please be serious. Emma betrayed my trust. How can she think I could ever do that to her? That is my point. Not that the stories are not true just the fact that Dunni Adesida cannot stoop that low to start an affair with her best friend’s husband. And as for marriage to you, hell will sooner freeze than I marry you because your dice said so.”

“It is not my dice saying so now. It’s me asking you.”

Dunni threw a throw pillow on Moses. “Please be serious. I am pouring my heart out to you, and you are making light my predicament.”

“We can make a pact. Should we both still be single at 50, then we can get married to each other.” Dunni smiled, her heartbreaking and wishing Moses was serious with the proposal and not some joke or effort to make her feel bad.

Moses smiled sadly. Dunni will never see him for what he is, a man madly in love with her for sixteen years. Maybe it was time he moved on.

The Dice#11

Moses smoothened his sky blue bold check Charles Tyrwhitt shirt over his black jeans. Picking up his wallet and car keys, he stepped out of his house and about to get into his car when he heard the blare of a horn at his gate. A frown creased his handsome face as he wondered who could be visiting without first giving a call. He hoped he could disperse whoever it was quickly. He could not afford to be late for his appointment.

Moses was meeting up with Becca Williams, the new interior designer, he hoped to add to the team they currently used on their projects.

He chuckled at how riled Dunni was with the idea he was considering a relationship with Becca. However,

Moses found it an irony that Dunni could be worried about him getting heartbroken. On the contrary, she was daily breaking his heart with her constant rejection by not taking him seriously.

Moses stood swinging his keys while waiting for Audu, the gateman to open the gate. His eyebrows arched with surprise when he saw Dunni’s black Honda CRV 2013 model drive-in. He still remembered how he and Ola spent a day convincing Dunni to go for a range rover similar to theirs only for her to opt for the same Honda CRV they had tried convincing her to stay away from.

Dunni was like that, once her mind was made up on something. It took a lot to sway her. She was never hasty in making decisions, but when she did, you could be sure she had all the angles covered, nothing and no one could and would stop her. He smiled, always happy to see her, even though she never considered him more than a partner and friend.

Moses walked over to where she parked, but Dunni was already out of the car. Moses let out a low whistle. The girl will not be the death of him. He thought her skirt was rather short and the top too fitting sculpturing her body and showing all her curves. He swallowed hard, reigning his thoughts to order.

“Dunni, what brings you here?” She stopped in front of him a little surprise to see him all dressed and unsure as to why she came here in the first place. It was easy to talk to Moses about anything.

“What’s going on? You look upset” Moses had not seen this look on her face ever since she broke off her relationship with Benji when they were still at the University.

Dunni opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out only a torrential fall of tears pouring down her eyes.

“Did someone die?” he asked alarmed. Kemi was back at home to the best of his knowledge and doing fine too.

She shook her head vehemently, tears flowing down her face like the release of water from Kainji dam.

Something was definitely off. Moses glanced at his watch, discreetly. He had to leave now if he intends to make his appointment. He had no intention of standing up Becca. Taking Dunni by the hands, he led her inside while she followed docilely. Something was definitely wrong. The Dunni he knew would have snatched her hands from his grip and match into the house with words worse than a whip. He was becoming more worried.

“Please talk to me, you are getting me scared. Should I call Emma?”

The tears increased, but she shook her head.

“Is it about Emma?” she nodded.

“Is she okay?” Dunni nodded again

Moses was getting a little exasperated. He did not have the time to pull every syllable out of her as he was running late for his appointment, yet he did not want to leave her alone in this state.

“Can you tell me what Emma did or did not do or should I call her and ask why you are so upset?” He prodded as one will do to a child.

Sitting on the high stool in his kitchen, he offered her a cup of cold water.

Dunni took the glass cup not without taking in his dressed look.

“Going somewhere?” she croaked her voice still laden with tears.

“Yes, got to meet Becca at the Expo 2013.

“Oh, she murmured, but that drew a reaction he saw in her eyes for a fleeting moment and then it was gone. He wondered if she was beginning to feel something for him. It was selfish of him to think of his feelings when she appeared to be in one of the lowest moments of her life.

“I had better be going. I should not keep you. Dunni struggled to come down from the high stool leaving the glass of water untouched.

“Not sure I am comfortable with you driving in the state that you are. You can stay here, and I will drive you when I am back. Putting his both hands over her shoulders, I don’t know what happened today, but I know you will be fine. Whatever it is may not be as bad as you think. A problem shared is half solved.” He teased, trying to elucidate a smile from here.

“You have to go, or you will be late for your date.”

“It is not a date, he retorted a little miffed angry that she wanted to discharge him so quickly.

“She may be the one who will take you off my hands,” Dunni teased.

“You should have told me long ago you were tired of me and can’t wait to get me out of your hair. And here I am waiting for you to make an honest man out of me.”

He was rewarded with a small smile that tugged her lips.

“Moses, off you go. Your date is waiting. One of us should at least get married soon, and since it does not look like it is going to be me, we should at least give yours a try.”

He mumbled some words, not worth repeating out loud before giving her a hug. He loved the feel of her and how she fitted into him perfectly. Her head directly under his chin, the smell of coconut in her hair intoxicating his senses. He kissed her hair.

Dunni felt things in her heart by his show of affection, but she reprimanded herself not to give any meaning to such a gesture. Moses will never see her beyond a friend and partner. They joked about their marital state. It was just that endless teasing that started from the use of his dice.

Moses hesitated at the door, “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I can cancel the appointment.”

A little part of her wanted him to stay, but she could not tell him so instead, she commanded him to go convincing him she would be fine and waiting for him.

“Don’t go driving about in this your state. Lagos is full of mad drivers, and you need to be more than alert when driving on Lagos road.”

“Oh,” Dunni groaned. “Not again. I am not a baby.”

“I am a grown woman,” Moses finished the sentence and rushed out of the door narrowly missing being hit by Dunni’s sandals.

Dunni heaved deeply as she sank into the posh black leather sofa. She picked up the remote control and to put on the TV switching between stations and not finding any exciting program. She finally decided to watch CNN .