Peace is All I Ask For

Sitting in an air conditioned car is cool, especially when the sun isn't even smiling. But sitting in a car for hours due to heavy traffic at areas like my beloved Ajah or Iyana Ipaja, Abule-Egbe isn't funny at all.

I partly blame the government for not providing adequate transportation system. It’s said that presently the underground railway is being constructed; just hope it would be safe for us to use.

Now, back to my traffic days......it was a norm (not sure if it still is) to have dinner in traffic. I remember particularly years like 2007-2009 when construction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway had just begun; we had no peace in our hearts. The traffic was so bad that if you had planned to leave the house at 7.00am and left at 7.02am, you were doomed! Coming back was even worse.
Everything one needed was sold in traffic. I always told people "I think the only thing I haven't seen them sell is human parts". Even buying "ugwu" (pumpkin leaves) was never so difficult. If you wanted it cut as they'd do in markets, you just had to tell the seller, whether or not you had already paid. Reason been that, he's very certain he'll get his money in the next 5 minutes since you'd only have moved less than 5 metres due to the traffic.

Traffic is the major difference Lagos has from all other states of Nigeria (at least the ones I have been to). I think the Government should look into changing our Motto- Centre of Excellence to - Centre of Stress.

I really love my Lagos, because its as peaceful as it could be.... away from militants and bombers but if only God could answer my little prayer----Let Lagos roads be free for once; I wouldn't mind settling there. I have faith that one day, at least with the completion of the Mile 2-Okokomaiko Railway and Lekki-Epe Expressway, people shall have peace again.

With so much love for my Eko/Balogun Market, cinemas, beaches, owambes (parties) etc......till then EKO O NI BAJE.......

To my Dad......with Love.

I really love my father, am sure every girl does. Even when he had a reason or reasons to punish or beat me, it was done out of love. His simple commandment for I and my siblings was "don't let me warn you a third time". That simply meant we would get punished if we committed the same offence 3 times.

I remember when I passed my common entrance exam, he got me a whole bottle of fanta and to remind me of the joy on his face, we took a picture with the fanta. His smile was filled with extraordinary joy and am so sure he couldn't but Thank God. On my first day at secondary school, he drove me to school. He was always there.

He has always remained my protector, my best man, my confidant, my trainer, my bestfriend and the only man who wouldn't even think of breaking my heart. I look forward to that special day he'll walk me down the aisle to a man who he's sure enough would take up all my his qualities and responsibilities.

No doubt, I can see into the future that my dad would shed a tear or two on that day because he'll only be doing what nature demands him to do(give me out in marriage). Not minding the fact he wouldn't see me often or get my calls as to asking him what meal to make for him; he'll only hope am as happy as he had always planned.

To the best dads we all have, and to some who have gone to rest with their maker, God bless all of them because they'll forever be our Kings and we'll always be their princesses!

Happy Father's day in advance. 

Love me, Feed me, Never leave me. PART 5.........♡♥♡★★★★★

The whole room went so quiet not too long after the proposal drama. I was so certain at the moment that Michael was up to something else. Not even wasting time, I collected another handkerchief from one of his friends because the one I had was so soaked I could . The sound system came on and the lights went dim. "Marry you" by Bruno Mars started to play. I couldn't even think at the moment. By then Michael and I were the only ones in the middle of the room as others observed. He brought out a paper from his chest pocket and read......

"I found the reason to smile the day I saw you because you were nothing short of all I had hoped for. You have given me life in everything you do. Your smile warms my heart when I am feeling sad or doubting my place in this world. You have been supportive in everything I do. Your love fills me with the motivation I need to continue to push forward on this long road of life. You complete the parts that I struggle to perfect within myself. And everyday I realize more and more that life without you in it, by my side, as my wife, would be a life not lived to the fullest. You lift me up, and I want to give you the same kind of joy the rest of our lives. Am glad you've decided to grow old with me Temidara; and I promise you, the best is yet to come".

At that point, I was ready to marry him the next day. But by living the very moment, I kissed him so hard. It was just then I realised he had had tears stored up while he read. I cleaned every bit of his tears with my hands and hugged him tighter.

Everyone clapped and behold, my mum walked in. Ran to give her a big hug and she whispered in my ear, "God answers prayers Temidara, and Michael is your angel sent from heaven to love you and I am sure he'll never leave you". I knew I ought to have asked her why she didn't tell me about the surprise but I concluded it wasn't the right place to. I love you Mum and am glad you came.

We had a few drinks to share and by that time, the cake was all gone. People started to leave later that evening and I said thank you to each and everyone of them including my Mum who had a church meeting to attend and even his sister Ebun who had left with her boyfriend.

It was about 7pm and we were still in each other's arms, when Michael told me to sit and watch. He put a CD into the CD player and my best Westlife Song "Flying without wings" started to play. Still speechless, I watched him mime to the song, and I laughed my heart out. The second song "Today I met the boy I'm gonna marry by Darlene Love, and then the third "Awelewa" by Gabriel Afolayan came up. It was then I realised he had put all my favourite songs into that CD. How romantic could a man get?

I love you so much Michael Akin and am glad I said Yes to our very first date, to our first kiss and  to become your life partner. You make me complete.

We held each other and I prayed. I remember telling God audibly........."Please provide for Michael, his family and my family so we'll both get married on the 14th February, 2015". Thank you God for answering our prayers.

And we lived happily ever after. Of course, with two kids (a boy we named Inumidun( I am happy) and a girl, Opemipo ( a lot of my gratitude).

The End.

Love me, Feed me, Never leave me PART 4...........♡♥♡

He didn't even need to ask again, I had become his a month ago. I hurriedly opened the box and to my surprise, it had a box of chocolates, a bunch of red roses, five valentine cards, a designer wristwatch and three tickets to the Comedy Show to hold the next day at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Was wondering why I had three tickets, until I saw the names on each. My mum's name was on one, my name was on the other and his name on the last one.

Another point about a good man- he loves family. I was glad my mum was going to join us to the show. She had been long bored since my father passed on and all my siblings got married and I had to go to work every other day.

Saturday came in no time and he was at my door step at about 11.20am. Although I was a bit tired after the long night call, I told myself to be strong. We had lunch together and watched some TV programmes whilst my mum had a church member visit briefly. It was time to get ready for the show and we did in no time.

After having fun for about three hours, he dropped us at home. My mum used style to ask questions about his background. Guess she felt comfortable in her spirit that he was a good man. We attended church service together the next day. Had lunch at my house but he left earlier than usual to get ready for the new week.

Our lives were perfect at the time. Forgot to tell you; he stopped dropping me home but by then he had introduced me to a friend( a lady) who lived close to me. I didn't mind; of course, I was trying not to be selfish. The months ran and it was my birthday on the 13th June. I had the sweetest delivery ever because this time, Michael was the delivery guy. We both had lunch at my office's cafeteria and I was glad he made my day.

The love affair wasn't as easy as I had imagined but we decided that on days we fought, we had to settle before the end of the next day. My mum always knew those bad days. She'll only look at me and say "Behave yourself ooooo, because in marriage, you're likely to fight more, and by then you'll have no choice than to sleep in the same bed with your enemy".

We prayed together, kissed and cuddled when necessary (but we never had sex although the temptations were high), went for lovely outings with friends and family, and everyone knew me as his "iyawo"(wife).

Michael had travelled to Port-Harcourt for two whole weeks and I had missed him dearly although we spoke at least one hour every night. I picked him up from the airport with his car, which he had dropped with me and drove him home. To my utmost surprise there were many cars parked outside his compound. I asked, "Is someone having a party on your street?". None that I know of, he said.

His sister ran out to us and said hello sweeties. Welcome back Michael, I really missed you. And thank you Temidara (that's me) for not coming to check up on me because Michael wasn't around. We laughed and teased each other as we climbed the stairs into the house.

The door was wide open and all of a sudden.............I could count about 40people in the not so large sitting room. Was the party at their house? And for what reason didn't I know about it? As so many questions ran into my brain, I turned to look at Michael, and behold, he was on his KNEE with the best ring I had ever seen.

Temidara, please be my wife! I froze. For real o, I froze. I can't still remember anything that happened in the sweetest two minutes of my life, but I remember he slid the ring into my fourth finger.

Everyone clapped and laughed and from nowhere, his sister Ebun, brought out a beautiful cake with the inscription "AND SHE SAID YES".

To be continued............

Love me, Feed me, Never leave me .........PART 3♡♥♡

Was I to eat the cake or not? I didn't even have his number to say thank you. Ok now, is this really me? My colleagues had gathered round my table in less than two seconds; am sure some were wondering more than I was. I quickly took a picture of the sweetest cake anyone had ever given me.

Looking forward to seeing Michael again was at the top of my 'to-do' list. I couldn't have thought of a sweet yoruba guy. It was 5.30pm and I suddenly realised how fast the day had gone. The best thing to do is to live and enjoy every moment because time flies. Walking out of the office, I noticed a car parked by the gate. There was a guy in it and my heart skipped ten beats. Hoping it was Michael, I couldn't be too sure since his shoes weren't visible and the car was really tinted. The driver's door opened and behold it was him. I was so glad I had done a touch of makeup before leaving the office. I could feel my smile on top of my head at the time.

Immediately, he hugged me. You should believe when I tell you his perfume was divine. He asked how my day had been? And all I could do was smile & nod at the same time. Time to go home, he said. We spoke all through the traffic from Victoria Island to Ajah and when we were almost at my house, I asked "where do you live". He said "I live in Maryland". What!!!!!!!!!! Maryland??????? And you brought me all this way? You should have told me nah! But you didn't ask, he replied. And moreso, was I to leave you to enter bus or something? No baby, now you are in my life (at which I swallowed more than a gulp of my own saliva) I'll be your driver.

He dropped me off at my house and I was glad I had gotten his number. All I had to do was carry the remaining half of my cake into my house and tell my mother the whole story. I was more than happy that in about two hours I got a reply to the text I had sent him. Glad he was home.

The days went by so fast and it was already 18th January, a lovely saturday. Having dropped me home all week, I suggested I met him at Victoria Island. Who would have thought I'll be having lunch at Cactus Restaurant? Never limit yourself.

We had the best first date ever and saw a movie afterwards. The moments were so sweet and I had no option than to take a picture of us so at least I'll remember him differently from his facebook pictures.

He dropped me home as usual and he got home in less than an hour (light traffic). I slept so well that I already dreamt of myself walking down the aisle.

Weeks passed and once in a while, he'd surprise me. Valentine's day came so fast and I had still not gotten any gift at 4pm. I was worried, maybe he had decided to dump me. Or maybe we became close to fast! I remembered also that he wasn't going to take me home that day because he had a meeting with some clients.......Really, who has meetings on Valentine's day?

I got home hoping I'll see him the next day being a Saturday but to my surprise, there was a big box just beside my mother( who I guessed had been fiddling with it). She smiled and said, this got here at about 3pm but I didn't have credit to call you.

With a small note on it, I read out loud......"Just because I LOVE YOU, Please be MINE", Michael Akin.

To be continued...........

love me, feed me, never leave me.......Part 2.

"O how I love weddings, but mine is probably not coming anytime soon", I said to myself. At least, I'll have to have a boyfriend first. And so am here in this large city, I come across at least 500 able-minded men everyday. The ones in cars don't even look at me, not to talk of give me a ride, the ones who have leggedes benz don't even halt to say Hi. I go to church almost everyday & am even an usher; yet nothing.

Its almost my 25th birthday, that time of the year I dread. Reason being that my mother always has to tell me the story of how she stopped having kids at the age of 24 just because she married at 19. Really? Are we the same? I wonder!

And so on the 13th of January, 2014.....I looked forward to my busy monday life in Lagos. My braided hair was well packed & I was all suited. I got to my office and after saying my little prayer, my eyes caught the best male shoes I have ever seen. Smiling already, being a customer care attendant, I said "Hello". His smile melted my heart in two seconds. He asked to sit, Can you imagine? I didn't ask him to sit.

My name is Michael Akin & I am a Petroleum Engineer, he said. I saw you walking down the road but was trying to get a place to park my car so I'll stop to say hi. You are really pretty, he continued and I would love to hang out with you. Don't worry, am a nice boy & I have three sisters. So you'll be safe.

Am sure every other person was wondering why I was smiling sheepishly. Did I just hear him well? Did he say he had to park his car so he'll say Hi to me. Did he just ask me out on a date? Trust me nah, I quickly gave him my complimentary card & pointed out my direct private line.

All that happened that morning was Magical. At exactly 12:50pm that same day, the security man in the reception directed a delivery guy to me. It was a cake and the it had "Just because you're PRETTY" on it............

To be continued tomorrow.

Love me, Feed me, Never leave ME.........♡♥♡

Would never have thought I could find this much happiness. Just maybe one of those my short sincere prayers has been answered again. O God, your love makes me go gaga. Never done this before but its that time of my life I really know am in LOVE.

Whether or not he loves me as much as I do doesn't matter at this time, maybe am so stupid but my usual saying "live everyday like its your last' is the motivation for writing this.

AM IN LOVE......that's a fact and its the final fact.

What more would I ask for in a man that isn't in my own Michael? I dare to say he's my One & Only as Adele had sang. Now where do I start from? The first meeting or the first date? I'll just start from the very beginning.

To be continued tomorrow..........