Must Read: The Rich Kids Of Lagos (16+)… Part 24

As Alhaji Gabbo opened his eyes, he calmly observed the profile of the young lady who lay beside him. She was indeed a very beautiful girl. He wondered if it was possible that her immobile features were even more beautiful in her sleep than when they were animated with expression.
As he looked at her, a thought tugged at his mind, but it quickly flitted away before he could drill down on it. Gabbo was certain he had met Aduke someplace else. It was not the first time this had crossed his mind, he had sensed it too on that first night when he had seen her walk into the restaurant with her friend, Theresa Obum, but he just could not figure it out. He was certain his brain would come round, it always did. Perhaps he would ask her.
Right now, he was determined to enjoy his time before they had to return to his hectic schedule in LasGidi. He resumed watching her as she slept and smiled because he found it interesting that her lips could be quiet for a period. She could be such a talkative. Gabbo smiled as walked out of the room.
As Aduke roused, she knew she had slept for too long. This was her first night of normal sleep since she stepped into this country and she was thankful for it. As she tried to burrow deeper into the soft pillows, D.G came inside, wearing grey track bottoms and a white vest. He looked odd, carrying a tray in his hands.
‘Wakey wakey’ said Danladi
‘I’m up’ responded Aduke with a yawn
‘Ah, our princess is finally awake’ he teased
‘Leave me joh, I didn’t know I was this tired. This America is so tiring’ she said with a stretch and another yawn
‘What’s in the tray? I’m going to be so fat on this trip’ said Aduke, interested in the food
‘I ordered some breakfast. Yes, you are going to be fat. Did you see all the food you ate last night? he teased ‘At this rate, I might return home a broke man. In your last life, you must have been a termite’ he teased as ended his sentence with a huge laugh
‘Me? Termite? D.G, you are looking for my trouble.’ She said with mock anger that she could not sustain because she burst into laughter. She had really out done herself with the food last night.
They had gone to a nice restaurant last night and Danladi had in usual fashion, ordered in excess, but Aduke had surprised the both of them by slowly polishing off most of the food. It was not her fault. The conversation, ambience and food had been good. The discussions had ranged from politics to the financial markets, the construction industry, the oil and gas to building a business in LasGidi.
Aduke had been pleased when he told her that he was really impressed with her. He had not chalked her down as someone who would have been able to discuss such a wide range of topics with so much knowledge. She was well informed. He asked about her educational qualifications and she told him the truth. She had been very unfortunate with JAMB and finances. A friend of hers had enrolled her in a distance learning programme at a UK University and she was looking forward to its completion. She even discussed possible project topics with him.
Aduke saw a new side to Danladi. He was a really nice man. He was very excited for her and encouraged her to press ahead. She teased him about being an ‘efiko’ – a book worm and he conceded to this.
They had enjoyed their evening and by the time the night was done, Aduke had eaten a substantial amount of food. She surprised him even further my insisting to pay for the food.
Danladi was equal parts impressed and amused. Very few people had paid for his meal in recent years and none of them were women. He sat back to watch her reaction as she read the bill. Aduke did not seem worried as she paid the money. She asked him if it was okay to tip and he educated her on tipping. He noticed that she complied.
On the walk back to the hotel, he talked a bit about his past and dwelt on things he wished he had done differently. He wished he spent more time with his son and Aduke advised him to start making the change now. She told him that living a life of regret is not worth it because one must always cherish today for tomorrow is not promised. He teased her about being an old woman in a young body and she showed him that she was a young girl when she challenged him to a race which she lost.
She asked him about music and made mocking faces when he mentioned a few of his favourite songs. The age gap manifested itself in their musical choices because their tastes were years apart. She tried to prove to him that contrary to his opinion, her generation also made good music. She whipped out her phone abruptly to play some music to prove her point. When Kiss Daniel’s Woju hit the air, he couldn’t help but love it even though he did not know the meaning. He teased her that a phone was not a music device and asked if she had gotten a sim card for her use in America and she responded in the negative.
Addy teased him about his age and decided to teach him a new dance step. The both of them had a good laugh at his rendition of the ‘Shoki’ dance because he looked really foolish doing it. When they got home, she nabbed him trying to practise it in front of the full length mirror and teased him about being a perfectionist. They had gone to bed in a genial mood for they had both enjoyed the night.
‘I really enjoyed dinner last night. Thank you’ Aduke said shyly, coming back to the present
‘No need to say thank you, Aduke. The empty plates already did that for you’ he said as he burst into laughter again.
Aduke liked this mood. It was easy to forget his age when he was less forbidding. She looked at his handsome features and suddenly wondered what other sides there were to this man who could play with her and yet, get angry all at once. Aduke suspected that there were many mores sides to this man than she had seen. She knew she would not like to make an enemy of him. She suddenly got up and hugged him.
‘Thanks for bringing me along on this trip’ she said shyly. In spite of their many issues, this was her first trip out of Africa.
He looked taken aback but hugged her back. ‘You are most welcome my dear’
‘I really enjoyed last night too. It was nice to meet the real you. Not the crazy stubborn girl you push at me all the time’ he teased
‘On a serious note Aduke, I’m impressed by you. I would advise that you hurry up with that degree and go on to do great things okay?
‘Yes sir’ she said, suddenly shy
‘Let’s eat, Addy. Or rather, let’s see if you can beat last night’s record’ he was back to his teasing self.
As they sat on the bed and ate, they planned the day and agreed that they would just take it easy and seat by the beach. They were scheduled to leave in the evening and Gabbo wanted to spend the day doing nothing. Aduke was fine with this as she just wanted to soak up nice memories.