SUCCESS AT LAST

As I glanced at Joyce’s face this evening when I came back from work, I knew something was wrong. Apart from the fact that her countenance was not deceptive at all, she did not accord me a good welcome and she was laying down on the sofa still wearing her work cloth looking so worn-out and livid. Of all the four housemates in our flat, Joyce is the most organized and principled. She has her own perfect and careful ways of doing her things. Joyce has never been found wanting in her own potion of house chores. The first thing she does daily after retiring from work is to wash her clothes and bath before eating. Joyce has never had a pile of clothes to wash on weekends just like the three of us who often go to the launderer to assist us. She has never left her dish unwashed after eating. She was the envy of the house and her orderly routine of doing things got her the name, “NEATY” from the girls.

By now you must be getting close to why I was shocked when I met her after work still laying down in her work regalia with the center table scattered with the food she ate and plates! Definitely something is wrong with Joyce. I heard you saying that for me.

“Joyce what has gone wrong with you” I asked her as a matter of factly and sat by her side with concern.

She looked at me, sighed and said, “The news I gathered today got me shattered”

“What news?” I asked racing my mind to the possible unfortunate incidence that could make Joyce withdraw from her unique self for once. She was not quick to answer so I queried her out of curiosity.

“Has the news got anything to do with your family?”

“No!”

“Then, what?”

“You won’t believe what I heard today”

“ I will be left either to make that choice or not only when you have let me into the unknown”

“I heard 2face proposed to Annie Macaulay”

“Yes and what about that? What has it got to do with you?”

She sat up and faced me.

“A lot Venn. Why are you sounding as if you have forgotten how much I admire that guy”

At this point I became more confused. Joyce is a number one fan of 2Face.That, I am very sure of but what I find hard to reconcile is the reason she should panic over the fact that 2Face proposed to Annie.

“Joyce I am floating here. I can’t make a point from what you just said.”

She hissed. “ Frankly speaking Venn, I have an eye for 2face.Infact I have drawn out all my plans on how to make that guy melt for me and make me his wifey in this 2012.I had it all well planned. I was just about to execute it before I ….I…I heard that….”

I have been moping at her agape. She could not finish the sentence above because I torched her to know if she is running temperature. She removed my hand almost immediately. “What is it?” She asked.

“I checked your temperature because you are sounding sick”.

“I am not sick Venn, I meant every bit of it from the first to the last letter. In fact, I am beginning to run temperature right now because of emotional trauma. Only if he knows how much I have been dying to have him to my self. I can’t bear this loss”

She ended up sobbing. I could not contain my excitement and I started laughing. I laughed so hysterically that she was forced to stare at me.

“Why making fun of this? Is it wrong to follow your heart?”

I pulled myself together. “It is not wrong my dear but wait till after their weeding to execute whatever plans you think you have. Bad belle.”

“Wait! Do not tell me that 2Face actually meant this drama. No” She shook her head and forced a smiling face. “He is not serious. Don’t ever believe these entertainers. They are always script- acting. I can bet anything to this.2Face is just acting a script”

“Joyce, listen and listen good. 2Face has made his choice and that is, Annie. I don’t care whatever your manipulative mind is up to but this is real. I gathered from their close ally that their wedding may be coming up around May this year. The sooner you remove your scheming devilish mind from this couple, the better for you. Come to think of it, what makes you even think you can beat Annie to 2face? Or do you think you hold a candle to any of these women he had had surplus romance with especially Pero Adeninyi and Sumbo Ajaba who had children for him? If Annie any can outwit all these women and emerge successful as the wife of a renowned African musical Icon .Your case is an “Akamu” case.”

“I can’t believe you are saying all these to me. By the way, what is so special about her?” She made a face.

“Good question. First of all, She has God”

“What?” She screamed. “Did I hear you mention God?” She said cutting in.

“Yes. You heard me right. God stood by her side and fought for her. Remember, Annie was there when 2Face was no body and has always been there. God fulfilled his words in the book of Isaiah where he said that we shall live in the house we built. Secondly, Annie is a very strong and successful woman who despite all the debacles in her relationship, got to the pinnacle of her career in acting and made fame for herself. She was never dismayed. She pushed everything aside and pursued her dreams. She is a woman of substance. In fact, she is an achiever with capital letter, “A”. I watched questioningly at her. “Or is there anything you think I left behind? Remind me. I will be so glad you did.”

“Spare me abeg” she said sarcastically. “Enough of your sermon”

I giggled. “I understand. You now feel so intimidated of who the real Annie is .I wonder what you will do when you get in contact with her face to face. You will just melt.”

“You know what Venn, I need some space now”

“Truth they say, bites. Anyway, I have lost much energy talking to you. I need to refill. See ya later.’’ I left to my room.

“Whatever!” She shouted after me and I had to laugh.