XV - The Proposal

The drive back to Segun's from the restaurant was somehow different. They barely spoke and when they did it was to point out something on the way or politely ask if the other was okay. She was disappointed because for a moment back at the restaurant she had thought he was going to propose.

When they got home, she couldn't get out of the car fast enough and had her keys at the ready so she wouldn't have to wait for him to unlock the door. She opened the door and was headed straight for the guest room to undress and freshen up when something caught her eye. The living room was decorated with pretty balloons, flowers and streamers. The was a cake with the words 'Happy Birthday Bimby' on the coffee table in the living room and an ice bucket with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Vintage Champagne chilling. How had he pulled this together? She was almost certain her mom had something to do with this.

Segun rushed into the room out of breath and said, "Stop oh... Surprise! I wanted to do something special for your birthday and your mom helped me with most of it, the other part of it is that your family, mine and our friends will be having dinner with us tonight. Mom had the whole thing contracted to a caterer. There's still one more thing I need to do before our guests arrive." Dropping down on one knee, he rummaged through his jacket pockets and produced a beautifully crafted sparkler of a ring. He took both her hands in his and looking into her eyes he began...

"I wanted to do this properly, I have spoken to your parents, and your parish priest and discussed with your siblings and my family. I'm happy to say I got their approval . I wanted to have a special time with you which is why we went out to lunch. I lost my nerve at the last minute there because I was afraid you might turn me down... That would have been awkward!"

His voice was trembling now. "Bimbo, ever since that moment I clapped eyes on you all those years ago I knew you were something special. You have opened my world to experience wonderful things. Your love, support and faith in me has been unwavering. You make me want to be the best man I can be. I love your honesty and admire you for your strength. I know you would make me the happiest man alive because you're you. I promise to be faithful to you in all things, I will honour you with my body and promise to be the best provider, protector, husband and father to our family. You've been my best friend and you're never far from me. When I'm with you I'm happiest, when I think of you I smile. I can't imagine living life without you. I Love you Bimbo. Please say Yes and be my wife!"

She was crying now, Yes, yes, yes I'll marry you! She pulled him to his feet. Hugging and kissing him, then he slipped the ring onto her finger. This was the best birthday ever.

XIV

Segun had proposed to her on her 23rd birthday. She'd just concluded the mandatory 1 year Youth Service and had gone to spend the weekend at Segun's place. They hadn't seen alot of each other because she had been posted to serve in Minna, Niger State.

He'd been very good. He'd come over to visit a few times while she was over there and it was always an ordeal to see him go. He had prepared her favourite dish, Fried Plantain and his signature Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes, Chilli and Spinach.

She had missed everything about him. His smile, his laugh, his scent. God! if she could just get in under his skin. They'd had a leisurely stroll and afterwards he had told her about the activities he'd planned for the next day.

First there was church and her birthday thanksgiving and don't forget he was taking her to a special treat and afterwards dinner with her folks. She was mystified. 'Special treat' was just like Segun, he was always doing some spur of the moment thing. Over the years she had learnt not to question him. He would never reveal whatever it was.

Sunday came. Segun was singing loudly in the shower and she knocked on the door. "Hey, Mr. Melody will you please stop that racket, anyone would think that you were auditioning for a talent show."

Segun was quite the singer and had often serenaded her. One such time was when he had sung I Swear by All-4-One at the School Concert and had dragged her up to the stage while the whole student body whooped and hailed him. She had never been so mortified.

After Mass that day, Segun had gone to speak with her Parish Priest, Fr. Anthony and wondered why that was but he explained that he had met him at her parents on one occasion and was only saying hello. She thought nothing of it.

He was quiet on the drive back to his place and asked if she was okay or wanted to stop at an eatery on the way. She told him she was fine and that she wanted to cook him something special when they got back to his. They continued the drive back in silence then suddenly he was all animated and said, "forget cooking, let's just head into town and grab a bite!"

Segun... Heat of the moment! Why didn't that surprise her? They headed into the Island. He drove to the exclusive SAIPAN restaurant's parking lot and she had to ask if this was the 'special treat' he had planned all along.

Lunch was delightful... They'd had been shown into the private dining rooms of the restaurant, the decor was tasteful. The lighting created just the right level of intimacy, there was music playing softly in the background. She had ordered the chef's seafood special and had not been disappointed. Segun had the sweet & sour prawns.

They had joked and flirted all through the meal and then suddenly the song she had only recalled this morning started playing... Segun asked her for a dance. "Are we allowed to dance?" she said. "Sure we're paying customers and if we want to dance, we dance! Come on." He pulled her off her seat and they laughed and danced to that memorable song. After the music ended, he led her back to her seat and then stood beside her. "Segun what's up?" she said her face upturned to his.

"I was just thinking to myself how beautiful you are and how happy you make me. I wouldn't exchange this feeling for anything in the world."

"Don't go all sentimental on me now, please go sit so we can have some dessert." Before she knew it he was on his knee and looking deep into her eyes. "Oh my God, oh my God! He's about to propose. He held her face tenderly and moved in for a kiss. It took the breath out of her. It was the most lingering kiss and she felt all the love in that kiss to her very core. Just as quickly he was back on his feet and in his chair. Let's order some dessert he said gruffly. Bimbo was perplexed. So he wasn't proposing... Disappointed!

XIII

So he'd dropped her off home that day and had visited over the weekend. Bimbo was relieved at first that he hadn't made a move on her and then she started wondering why that was. They were both very tactile and she was attractive so why the hell hadn't he?

She finally breached the subject on Sunday evening, they were watching 'Save the Last Dance' in the den. "Segun, is something wrong?". He was taken aback and asked her what she she meant. "Well I thought since we've been dancing around each other for years and I finally turned 18 this month that on our first weekend we would take our relationship to the next level. Is it that you find me unattractive or there's something else going on here? I thought I would have to fight you off this weekend but so far you haven't made a move."

Segun looked at her and replied, "Are you serious or having me on? I thought I was doing the noble thing by keeping my distance and there's you anticipating.. You naughty girl!" He laughed. "To be serious there's nothing I would like better than to make sweet, passionate love to you, jeez it's taken all my self-control not to. I love you, everything about you and for that same reason I don't want to jeopardise our relationship for something I'd like to cherish for the rest of our lives. I may have been a bit of a rogue in the past with other girls but since I've been with you I realise that I should respect my body. I want to give you every part of me and I would like to think the same goes for you but only when we are married."

Married... She was secretly delighted that he thought of them as life partners. "But Segun that's a long way off and since we've never had 'the talk' I didn't want you to think that I took our relationship for granted. You're a man and I know you have needs. I'm just getting used to my body now and there's nothing I would love more than to share my most intimate moments with you. I appreciate that you love me enough to wait for the right time but please if you ever change your mind... "Yes, yes you'll be the first to know. Come here you silly girl, trying to lead me to commit!

XII

Segun had not changed one bit in the past three years. He'd understood that she didn't want any emotional distractions during the last few months and had remained supportive, giving her the extra push she needed and being her shoulder to lean on when she felt down.

Now she was free to love Segun, she was positive now that she did. He'd gained alot of maturity in the last two years. Bimbo admired him alot for of his quiet gentleness.

She was aware that his characteristic good looks made him an obvious target for the droves of girls that populated his department at Uni but was confident that he would be able to handle himself in any situation.

Bimbo had to wait an extra year because her JAMB results were not released. She resat the exams and gained admission to study her desired course, Architecture in the same university as Segun was. This meant that they were always seen together, by now he was in his final year.

They had their fair share of fights and arguments sometimes over the silliest things in retrospect if she had to admit it. They had been bugged*(featured by the campus reporters in the campus magazine) a couple of times, but that hadn't deterred their relationship.

Bimbo was now a shapely woman. She'd lost all her 'baby fat'. Her cocoa brown skin tone and her dazzling smile endeared her to many. She was just the right height at 5 ft 8 inches and her slender form was the envy and hope of many girls. She got appreciative looks wherever she went, this she handled graciously. 'Bims' as she was fondly called was envied for both her physique and the fact that she was dating one of the sexiest guys on campus. Theirs was the ideal match.

She was 18 years old now, which put Segun at 20 years. She was a bit apprehensive because it seemed that was the unspoken age when they would finally do 'it'. Now that the time had come she wasn't sure she wanted to. She loved Segun dearly, she wanted to wait for marriage but what if this wasn't his expectation? Surely she'd lose him?

Thinking these thoughts, she was startled by a kiss in her ear. Snapping out of her thoughts she looked up and saw him. He looked so handsome. She could get lost in his gaze, those eyes held so many truths and that perfect mouth, the sweetness of his kisses. She shifted on the bench so he could slip in beside her.

"Bimby darling." Segun refused to call her anything else. "How's your day going? Are you through with your last paper?" It was the end of her first year, "I hope you knocked them dead. I have just been to see my project advisor and he's approved the final chapter of my project. I can't believe it's time already. So I'm free to celebrate this weekend. Have you any plans for how you want to spend the weekend? I was thinking maybe we could chill at my place."

'Uh oh.. here it is, I'm going to have to either come up with the goods or have the talk this weekend', Bimbo thought. "I'm sorry I can't. I promised I'll be home. Dad and mom planned a weekend away and I said I'd look after the twins. George and Gia miss their big sister."

"Cool, I could spend the weekend at yours then. We could play 'daddy & mommy' it'll be fun!" Segun joked.

"You know that's not happening, right. You know no boys over when the parents are away. Still full of mischief. I thought I'd beaten that out of you. Well you could visit if you liked. No sleepovers unfortunately. You know the twins and their mouths, 'Daddy.. do you know Segun and Bimbo...' I don't want wahala."

"So are you ready to go? I could drop you off home."

XI

Bimbo dropped her exam answer script on the invigilator's desk and walked out of the hall. That was her last paper for the SSCE and she sure was glad to be free at last!.

The last two years had been pretty eventful, she was made acting prefect just returning from holidays the previous year and at the same time she had been representing the school at different events from the Lagos State 'Eko Day' essay writing competition held at Igbobi College, to the Inter-School Conference held at the National Theatre, Iganmu. She'd also had to organise the Open Week for her school which was still being talked about a year later.

Her private life had been just as eventful, her dad had a health scare and for a while there, they all feared the worst. Chris had graduated from Uni, and had proceeded to the United Kingdom to do his Masters. Deola was studying in the London College of Fashion. She was studying Fashion Photography and had big dreams of working freelance with the 'Big-Time' fashion magazines like Elle, Voque, Vanity Fair, Bazaar and on International catwalks.

Bimbo was lonely, Deola was the only one she could confide in, calling was expensive enough and Deola always seemed to be in the middle of something whenever they spoke.

This year also she had been hitting the books hard, she had written JAMB earlier that year and was hoping she would score high enough to be admitted to study Architecture. Her relationship with Segun was going steady, no drama there.

Just outside, she spotted a group of her friends chatting under the shade of the Almond tree. This tree had been the centrepiece of most of their meetings in the last year or so, many study sessions, lunch breaks and gossip/story exchanges. It was referred to as the '3A tree.' They'd even carved their initials into the bark for posterity.

Bimbo walked up to them, "Am I glad to be through with exams," Kemi chimed. "My dear girl, not as happy as I am," Lanre seconded. "This is just the beginning for me oh! Serious jacking if I get in for archi, I don't know why I'm doing this to myself," Bimbo laughed. "Well it's in the bag for all of us!" "Amen!" they all chorused.

After the last bell was rung, it was like a funfare. Signing uniforms, taking pictures, making promises of calls, exchanging numbers and addresses. Teachers imparting their wisdom, speeches and finally a notice that the date for the all important valedictory service had been chosen and could all outgoing students report to school in 5 weeks to pick up their graduation gowns and pay up for the dinner afterwards.

She saw the car, it was his Toyota Celica. "I'll see you later guys, I've got to run." Amid hoots, cheers, kisses and promises of visits, she flew into his open arms.

"How's my favourite girl doing?" He was grinning from ear to ear. "Before you say a word, here's something for you! It was a custom 15" by 25" card with the words 'Conquer the World' right across it. "I got this made for you by one of my friends in the Graphic Arts Department. In anticipation of your good grades when your results are released." "Thanks, that's very thoughtful of you, I appreciate it." Bimbo replied.

X

She could still recall that first kiss, it tasted like lemons. It had been at the end of exams, the final day of school. Segun had written his SSCE (Senior School Certificate Examinations) a few weeks earlier but they were still obliged to turn up in the last week of term for some preparatory course for University, also it marked the beginning of holidays for Bimbo. They had sat for a meal in the 'Food Court' during lunch break and when no one was looking he grabbed her and planted a sloppy kiss on her lips.

Apparently flustered, she hit out at him. "Stop it you devil, what the hell was that?" Glaring at him and rubbing vigorously at her lips. Apologetic he said, "I'm sorry I was caught up in the excitement of it all."

"Well there's nothing exciting about that kiss or the fact that we're in the full view of everyone, what if a teacher chose to pass by at that paricular moment or even my elder sister? Are you trying to get me in trouble?" "Okay, point taken, I'm sorry. Jeez, someone who think I had leprosy that way you jumped away." Segun said, a hurt note in his voice. Bimbo sighed, "Look, I just didn't imagine my first kiss to be that way, maybe after school you could walk me home and maybe try again?." She smiled and he smiled back.

She wasn't disappointed, it was the most beautiful kiss ever. It must have gone on forever, she couldn't remember being that out of breath before, even after running the 400m at the last athletics meet her school had been invited to two months ago.

The 'sticking in the tongue' was quite a shock to her but after a few false starts she was confident enough to allow him and when she did, he tasted like lemons. She thought to herself, so this is what kissing about, wow! Segun's such a fantastic kisser...snap out of it and stop thinking, enjoy the moment. Hmmmn...

Needless to say that whenever they were alone after that first encounter, it became her favourite pastime.

They had such great times together and that holiday was the best by Bimbo's standards. They were inseperable, he was ever so thoughtful and caring towards her. They'd never had sex and he didn't pressure her either.

Bimbo was happy, when Segun's JAMB(Joint Admissions and Matriculation Exams) results were released he got enough points to be admitted into his 1st choice University to study Banking & Finance. On the plus side it was the same State University that Chris and Toto attended so she wouldn't need any excuse to visit whenever she wanted to.

To celebrate his success, Bimbo bought him a monogrammed palm pilot in his favorite colour. On the inside cover a note scribbled in her distinct writing 'I'm so proud of your achievements, go and do what you were born to do! Succeed. I love you always, my forever friend. Bimbo'.

IX

"The thing is I really like Segun but what if our relationship goes the same way as his previous ones? That means the death of our friendship too, because there's no way I'll remain friendly with an ex." She was having this discussion with her sister Deola, Segun's sister Tope and her friends Kemi and Bola in the bedroom on Sunday. "How am I going to act when I see him tomorrow at school? He might be wanting an answer and I don't have one for him yet."

"I know my brother, and can I just say that he didn't take this decision lightly. He must have weighed the pros and cons and must have concluded that this was going to be the only possible outcome. I promise you that he loves you alot and he's always talking about you - 'Bimbo said..' that's the nickname we tease him with. I'm not just saying this." Tope said.

"He's just going to have to be patient and give you some space, till you decide. Personally, I knew this was going to happen one way or the other. Have any of you girls noticed the way he beams whenever anyone mentions her name or how he behaves around Bimbo? At least he's not missing a brain cell or two. My sister has been more than a girlfriend to him, she only getting the 'title' now. Deola joked.

"Ah Ah, very funny! Why does he have to complicate things?" Bimbo groaned. "The decision is up to you. You have to be sure if you want the extra 'aggro' that comes with being a girlfriend or remain as you are. It wouldn't hurt to ask him to wait till after exams. Remember he's off to university next year and that comes with a whole new experience. And we know for one thing that you wouldn't want to be his 'secondary school' girlfriend. Kemi said.


***************************************************************************

"Segun I would say yes to you now, but if you hurt me or deceive me in any way, I will make you pay. I will not be a doormat of any kind. I say yes because I choose to and the same honesty that made our friendship last all these years is what I still expect from you. If at any point this relationship isn't working then we'll come to a mutual agreement to end it before it turns ugly. I don't know if it's too early to say 'I love you' yet, but I trust you enough to share my heart. Please don't let me down."

Segun replied with a wide grin, "I promise, I won't." and proceeded to envelope her in a big bear hug.

VIII

After having a rather delicious plate of BBQ chicken and some fried rice. Deola left to order them ice cream, leaving Segun and Bimbo a chance to talk. "Oh thanks for this, I really enjoyed hanging with you, tell me, why haven't we done this before?."

"Err.. because you have girlfriends, and no one wants to see their boyfriend having a good time with another girl if she's not his sister! Idiot boy." Bimbo teased him.

"Which brings me to why we're here. Titi and I broke up because she couldn't understand the nature of our friendship and when I tried explaining she mocked me and said that I was hiding behind the cloak of friendship because I was too scared to make it more. It has taken me some time to process what she said and now here we are. You know things about me that would put even my mother off but still you don't judge me. You've always been there for me and the times we spend together are always the best. Everytime I see or experience something new, I think to call you first and when I see something on the telly, I want the night to pass quickly so I can tell you about it in the morning. The point is Bimbo, I think I've loved you for a while now, will you be my girlfriend? I promise I'll never hurt you." He finished with a rush.

Taken aback she laughed nervously and joked, "Wow, that was quite a speech there. I never knew you had that many words in you. As for being loved... what's not to loved about me? I'm great!" Smiling, baring all her teeth and raising her hands. Well, this has come as a surprise, I was thinking it was something more serious. I will think about everything you said and will let you know my decision soon."

"But Bimbo... " just then Deola returned with ice cream for them and the discussion couldn't be continued.

VII

Bimbo sighed.. "I've only just fallen asleep and it's morning already" She shifted off the bed and headed into the adjoining bathroom. She brushed her teeth, took a shower and dressed in a loose-fitting dress and headed downstairs. She took a detour on her way and popped her head in the doorway to her parents' bedroom.. "Knock, knock are you two kids decent?" (It was a recurring joke that their parents were kids because of their antics).

"Goodmorning daddy, goodmorning mommy" Bimbo said kneeling down in greeting. "Hello darling ", they replied in singsong. "Did you sleep well?" Bimbo leapt into the bed and cuddled them saying " Yeah, eventually I did. What's for breakfast? Any requests? You know it's my turn today". For the last month, the older kids had been taking it in turns to cook weekends and this was her first.

"Surprise us with something fabulous, nothing too complicated.. We don't want any kitchen practicals!". The two years prior, Bimbo had taken Home Economics and the results hadn't always been edible. Ever since, she watched like a hawk whenever there was any cooking and made notes. Deola received high praise last weekend so this was going to be her time to shine.

"Okay, I'll call up when it's ready." She kissed them both and headed downstairs to start on the cooking. "Now that's what I call good cooking!" Said Chris, imitating one of the popular ads on the telly. Bimbo couldn't have been prouder, she had made some tasty omelette, boiled yam, and sausages (Satis Beef) then some fruit salad to go with it. Next, the world! she thought to herself.

"Dad, Mom would it be okay if I go out for a few hours later in the afternoon, Segun's taking me somewhere, I don't know where exactly but when he comes by later you can ask him?"

"Ooohh... her elder brothers teased, she's got a date at last. We were starting to get worried about you. Alleluia! Don't worry dad, we'll give him the third degree when he comes. We'll put the fear of God in him."

" Boys, behave! I don't think we have anything planned for the day, but make sure you check in with us and take Deola with you, she'll keep an eye out for you. But you have to be back by half six." Her mom answered before her dad could say anything. Bimbo was regarded as his favourite so chances that he would have agreed to let her go out were slim if he had anything to do with it.

"Thanks dad,mom. I'll just make a start of the dishes and then I have another surprise for you all."

VI

Bimbo couldn't sleep, all kinds of thoughts were passing through her mind that she eventually gave up on sleeping and dragged herself to the den. She put on the stereo and grabbed the headphones so she wouldn't wake the rest of the household. She browsed through the audio CDs that were neatly arranged in folders on the shelf and picked the self titled album by Toni Braxton. She absolutely loved the vocals on this album and her favourite track was #10 'You mean the World to Me'.

Bimbo settled into the sofa with a Mug of Horlicks and listened to the music playing till she finally drifted off into sleep. She woke with a start when her dad who had wandered into the den noticed her sleeping awkwardly and nudged her gently to go lie down in the bedroom.

Saturday Brilliance shone through the window and fell softly around Bimbo's sleeping form. TY bounded onto the bed and licked her face where it was exposed on the pillow.

"Eeeuw.... get off me you crazy dog!" Bimbo exclaimed and Deola stood by the door laughing. "Wake up sleepyhead, it's your turn to do the breakfast this morning, the boys are stirring so you know very soon they'll cry murder if there's no aromas coming from the direction of the kitchen." They always had big family breakfasts at the weekends since it was the only time her whole family were together and didn't have to rush off to work or school.

She had six siblings, her two elder brothers, Chris and Toto were in the State University and always came home on the weekends, her elder sister Deola was in the same year as Segun and her twin younger siblings George and Gia were in elementary school.

Bimbo's parents were just the coolest ever. Lyn her mom, was one of the most sought after fashion designers in town and had clients from various walks of life and different countries, but always made it a point of duty to spend the entire weekend with the family. She made the best outfits for them and they were always the capture of everyone's eyes at parties, church or any other social functions they attended. She baked the loveliest snacks and had fun things planned always.

Dad, Bimbo thought to herself was the best! Tunde was the most charismatic figure she knew, all her friends loved coming to visit because he told the most amazing stories of adventures he'd had from his youth. He was a very busy man, with business portfolios which spanned the length and breadth of the country. This meant he travelled alot, though he never stayed away for more than two nights at a time. He always came back with gifts for everyone. Bimbo wondered how he did it all, he was always available for everyone no matter how busy he got. His phone never stopped ringing long enough during the time he was home. But on weekends, the rules were - No calls, no emails, no business Just Family Time.

V

Bimbo couldn't think of anything else on the ride home, and wondered for the umpteenth time what his cryptic talk was going to be about. After getting home, taking a shower and settling down to do all her assignments (she preffered to do them the minute she got home so she could have a pretty relaxed weekend and not worry about meeting deadlines on Sunday).

"Hi Kemi, did you get home alright, how's little Shola and de folks? I'm calling as per our plans and also to let you know that we'll have to hang on Sunday instead 'cause Segun's taking me out tomorrow. I could cancel if it's a put-out for you or maybe you'd prefer we postpone to next weekend. I'm really sorry." Bimbo said.

"No trouble, I'll text Bola to let her know.. Eh Eh! Segun's taking you out? When did you start that one?". Bimbo replied,"Noooooo, it's nothing like that, I think something's bugging him and he wants to tell me without distractions plus there's nothing wrong with having a nice meal too, abi?"

"Well if you say so, let me know how you get on, I've got to go now. Shola's pulling the telephone cord.. Mwah," Kemi hung up.

IV

Segun then launched into a speech, " Would you mind if we sat down for a minute?". This must be pretty serious if he wants to sit, thought Bimbo. "Well get on with it then, the suspense is killing me".

"Bimbo, let me start by saying I'm sorry if you feel this is out of line, but the truth is I to like you alot, you're one of my closest friends and you know me better than most people. I would like to take you out tomorrow..Alone..Ah! don't give me that look... Just as friends I have something really important I have to say and I want to be in a neutral environment.

Well, there's no harm in going out with just him, thought Bimbo. They were good enough friends and she fielt safe with him, not like he would jump her bones. Besides that, she deserved to be treated nicely, she did more for him than any of their other friends so if one of the perks of friendship was having a nice meal now and again she could handle that.

"Sure no problems" Bimbo replied. "As long as you're not asking me to poison Titi. Titi was his ex-girlfriend and they'd had a major bust-up and it wasn't pretty,and she wondered when he would give her the details about it.

"It's something to do with her actually, so come prepared!" Segun joked.

III

In his Final year, Segun eventually summoned up the courage to speak his mind. Bimbo was in SSS1 then and had blossomed into a very beautiful young woman. She had many admirers among her classmates and even in the other senior classes but still she remained aloof about dating.

They still were tight friends and hung out between classes and lunch breaks and even the teachers had noticed their closeness and referred to them as 'Oko ati Iyawo' (Yoruba meaning 'Husband and Wife'). They had become some kind of legend and whenever they were spotted one without the other they were always questioned.. Where is ...?

One breezy Friday afternoon just as school had finished Bimbo was waiting, chatting with some of her classmates, Kemi and Bola about plans for the weekend. She noticed out of the corner of her eye Segun approaching. He had such a look on his face that she knew something was up.

"Sorry girls, I have to catch up with Segun, if you don't mind. I'll call you later after dinner so we can finalise our plans for tomorrow." Bimbo said her goodbyes and blew kisses and waited for Segun to reach her.

"Hiya, Bimby what's up with you? Did you get the results for your Geography project today?" Segun asked. Bimbo had taken a project about discussing naturally occurring highlands in Nigeria and she had discussed the Mambilla Plateaus in Taraba State (then Plateau State). She believed she had done such a great job and expected high scores and she hadn't been disappointed!

"Why! You trust now, at first Mr. Adeniran couldn't believe I did all the work myself and asked me several questions before awarding me marks. This means I have to work harder next time because now I have a standard to maintain." Bimbo sighed.

"Ah great! A1 material", Segun laughed. "Does that mean you'll help me when I write my SSCE? I'm banking on you for Biology, Geography, Maths, it's a shame you're not a Commercial student, I could've used you for the rest of my papers too."

"You're not serious, lazy bones. You better not disgrace me oh!" Bimbo laughingly replied. " But let's leave that for now, I noticed you had a look, what's up?".

II

Segun started skipping school - his exams were coming up and he couldn't be bothered studying. He started having randon flings which was completely out of character, and at one stage was even arrested for vandalisation of property.

He wouldn't open up to anyone about the hurt he was feeling and seemed to push everyone who had ever cared about him away, his siblings were so worried even though they were dealing with much the same stuff themselves. Bimbo decided she had to do something about it, she couldn't stand to see him this way.

Trust Segun acting true to form, he resisted, abused, dissed her at every turn, but she wouldn't give up and eventually wore down his resistance. They got pretty close during which time with her help he was able to process his emotions and came to a good place.

She mobilised the entire school to help with some of the funeral arrangements and organised a rota of friends so he was never alone at any one time. She was an immense support to him and the rest of his family welcomed her as one of their own and were grateful for her help.

After the funeral she never left his side. She even helped him study for his forthcoming exams. Life was back to normal and Segun was getting better, the pay-off came when he did brilliantlly in his exams.

All this while unbeknownst to her, Segun had taken notice of how Bimbo had stood by him in his troubles and he said a silent 'thank you' for having her in his life.

I

They had been childhood sweethearts, from the first moments they met, there had been an instant familiarity about them. These days, the story was entirely different. Bimbo remembered wiith a pained expression on her face...

It all started right when she gained admission into secondary school. Segun though two years ahead of her had made quite an impression on her young mind.

'Do you know where I can find my sister Tope?' He'd asked her but she had replied quite rudely 'Do I look like I know where she is?

At this point it must be said that Segun's Sister Tope was actually friends with Bimbo's elder sister Deola. And since the first meeting that day they always taunted and teased one another and that later developed into friendship.

The friendship was such that Bimbo gave Segun a hand in picking likely girlfriends and choosing gifts for them at Christmas and easter and Valentines. Àll through those early years in school she was widely known as his 'partner in crime'.

He in turn gave her advise about boys, though she wasn't particularly interested in any boys at the time. She was more an egghead and was quite firm, so the boys in her year were quite intimidated, it also didn't help that her elder brother was a Senior Prefect then.

Then the unthinkable happened.. Segun's dad died and he went into Self-Destruct mode.