Chapter 5 I can feel it

Chapter 4

William finished eating his food, sparing no grain of rice, not even for the chickens to feed on. His eyes were fixed on Claire who laid plaint asleep on his bed. There can be no man in this world who would claim to control such curvaceous beauty as his dear Claire, he usually boasted to his friends, not as if they cared much.

He opened a drawer where he kept-in lock and key-his literary written art works. He loved nothing more than his writings, maybe even more than Claire and his parents. He began to write;

AT NIGHT

I lay my head to rest

But my mind in turmoil's path

Loving thoughts steal my moment

Till night clouds the hour.

It's her, of gracious beauty

Pattern crest after crest,

Kill one's wrath with a smile

A prisoner to her lip.

All is fair

To our love long

And at the fall of dusk

All is lost and won.

He read the poem over and over again, smiling in admiration of his own work. He pouted his lip, then made a cross sign which he usually does anytime he made a silent prayer. His attention immediately shifted to his ringing phone.

'Hello,' William answered briskly without taking a look at the caller.

'That's my boy,' was the teasing reply from the end of the conversation. 'How you dey? the voice echoed back gratingly. It was George his closest friend.

William wore a smile about his face. 'Wetin do your voice, idiot, you don go kiss ashawo abi?' William accused jokingly.

'Omo leave ashawo for where ashawo dey jare.'

William forced laughter then asked, "what's going on?'

'Omo groove dey o...

'Where be location?'

'Charles arena, and bring Claire join body' George added quickly.

'Claire!!' Why Claire!?'

'Just do as I talk, you go understand later. Time na 12:00.' He ended the call leaving William dump founded. He never remembered having taken any of his past or present girlfriends to the club, not even a party. It was the boys bronze rule.

Could George be...No, he debunked the very thoughts of it. He was his best friend and would never betray him, and by the way he had never liked much of Claire unlike he did his past lovers. He arranged the files back into the cupboard, closed it and looked at the wall clock, it was five minute to noon.

'Wake up dear,' budging her up from sleep. 'Get dressed, we are going out.'

'Out to where?' she answered with sleepy eyes. 'You never told me we are going out.'

'George just called to tell me of a party at Charles's place, and it's almost time, so up with it.'

'Ok,' was all she said, stood to her feet with vigor and began to get dressed. William watched her with awe, never had he seen her this excited, maybe at least once, but almost never.

'How do I look?' she asked William who was beginning to get dressed himself.

He answered with a smile. 'You know I would say you look beautiful, even more beautiful when naked,' he grinned.

'You'll never change,' she blushed.

'Have you seen the car keys? I can't remember where I kept it.'

'No I haven't. You can check the guest room, you probably forgot it there, again.'

William went into the guest room and it didn't take long before he found the keys. He was about stepping out when his mother and cousin walked in talking. William feigned a wide smile.

'Hello sweet coz,' they shook and embraced. 'How nice to see you at this hour!'

'It couldn't have been any nicer.'

'I'm ready dear...' Claire broke in unaware.

'Wow! I had no idea I'd meet such a damsel here today, if not I would have dressed for the occasion.

They all chuckled at his mini joke, except for William who was becoming conscious of the time.

'You're quite a charmer,' Claire teased back.

'Meet my girlfriend Claire, Claire this is Timilehin, my cousin,' his introduction was rather reluctant.

'William never told me he had a cousin, especially a handsome one at that.' Claire flattered.

'Ah! I know why' Timi exclaimed. 'One, because I'm handsome than he is and maybe... just maybe he sees me as a treat,' Timilehin laughed at his own joke. William didn't find it funny and flashed a grin, he was bored.

'Since you all are through with the introductions and flatteries,' Mrs. Bolu broke in. 'Timi, why don't you tell your cousin your plan.'

'Plan!' William exclaimed, turning to his cousin. 'I hope it's not that your fiancée has broken the heart of a fine boy.'

They all laughed at his joke, Timi laughed the hardest.

'On the contrary, it's good news. I'll be getting married in a month time and intend using your compound for the wedding reception. I asked mum and she said yes,' he bent to drape his arm around his aunt's neck and kissed her on the cheek.

'That's great news, am really happy for you. Congrats.' Both embraced each other while Claire flashed him one of her cheerful smile. 'So what's next?'

'I wanted to make some arrangements with you, about the organization of the whole event.'

'You mean right now?' William enquired.

'Of course,' Timi replied. 'I might not be chanced after today. In fact, let's head to your room.' He took the lead. William swiveled back to check the time on the wall clock, it was an hour past noon. They were both late. He gestured to Claire then followed his about to wed and sometimes annoying cousin of his.