Trouble
March 17th, 2007I knew trouble when I saw it.
Trouble at that moment was Nneka pushing her way through the dancing guests towards me. I had no idea what she wanted but it definitely wasn’t peace.
We were at the reception of one of my friends who tied the knot that morning. I wasn’t surprised to see her as we shared the same circle of friends — it was the look in her eyes that made me uncomfortable. Unconsciously, I squeezed my partner’s hand tightly.
“Hello Edet,” she beamed when she got to us. I offered her my cheek but she kissed my lips instead.
“What have we here?” she asked when we disengaged, seemingly unfazed by my unresponsiveness.
The two women surveyed each other none too kindly: condescension i Nneka’s eyes, contempt in Joke’s. The appraising went on for a few seconds before I interrupted.
“Nneka, meet my fiancee, Joke. Joke this is Nneka… my ex.”
Joke yanked her hand away from mine. Not good.
“I need to talk to you Edet,” Nneka said to me, then diffidently to Joke, “We need to catch up on some unfinished business.”
Without giving me time to protest, she seized my hand and dragged me towards the exit. I glanced briefly over my shoulder. Joke had her lips compressed and the look in her eyes was far from welcoming. I shrugged helplessly.
“What do you think you’re doing, Nneka?” I asked when we got outside.
“Are you sleeping with that bitch?” she asked fiercely, pressing herself to me like a tick.
“That’s my business,” I said angrily, pushing her away.
“You don’t know what you’re doing. She doesn’t look right for you,” the fury in her voice was beginning to look amusing, as I put two and two together.
“You’re jealous,” I said simply.
She slapped me.
My cheek smarted from the blow and I flinched slightly. I grabbed her upper arms before she could hit me again, shook her roughly then held her still, squeezing. She winced from the pain.
“You’re hurting me,” she said in a tiny voice.
“That’s the point,” I nodded.
“I love you Edet. We were good together — you know we were good together,” she tried.
“I didn’t break off the relationship. You did,” I released her.
She had no answer to that. Her lower lip trembled and before I could stop her, the tears came. I pulled her to myself and she buried her face in my chest, her body shaking as she sobbed. We stood like that until she pulled away.
I offered her my handkerchief. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose with it.
“Can I keep it?” she asked.
I shrugged and went inside to join my fiancee.
March 17th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
ooooh i’m first this time…….
yea, perfect example of female logic….. or lack thereof……
March 18th, 2007 at 1:18 am
hmmmmmmm….
And what happened after Edet joined Joke?
Hope Edet received another slap from Joke
March 18th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hmmmmnnn Women wahala, palava?!?! Poor Edet. Lets hope Nneka dosent turn to stalking Joke and Edet in vengence or spite at being spurned.
Was a lovely read - Azuka.
March 18th, 2007 at 4:28 am
I am always amazed by your subject matter!!!
Brilliant write up again.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Nice one !!
March 18th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Hmmmmmm….why did she ask to keep the handkerchief? Jazz matazz? Great writing Azuka. Thank you for updating.
Why am I never first? It’s not fair o!
March 18th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I love the way you write.
I think you have to get rid of Nneka for good if you wanna keep Joke.
March 18th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I’ll tell ya mate WOMEN = Trouble. Im not ashamed to say that.
Keshi.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Mercy
u can’t leave us hanging like that
u have to finish this one ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
@ Keshi- of course we r trouble until you get SPRUNG then u get all soft. Someday…
March 18th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I like the writing… it’s excellent as always… but I’m not so sure about the subject matter… she slaps him for having another girlfriend even when they’re not dating… does that happen in the real world?
March 18th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
i like…
the ex…unresolved issues…now if the setting were in nigeria…id be thinking that ur handkerchief is going right to a herbalist…lol
i like…
the way you leave us wanting for more…so i can fantasize about the conclusion…you walked back to Fiancee….fiancee gives YOU a slap for leaving her there… or you tell fiancee what happened…Fiancee goes to Ex and gives her a piece of her mind… or you walk back and Fiancee is talking to HER own Ex… gosh… the possibilities….
March 19th, 2007 at 3:22 am
Ok, I did not finish reading the story, but having browsed on your stories on your board, I would have to ask you this, have you considered sending in your short story for the caine awards? Please do. You never know what the end result may be.
Best wishes.
Ndipe
March 19th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Hmmm - good writing - except like OWNB - I’m not sure about the subject. First of all, you introduced Joke as your fiancee - why then would Nneka ask if you’re “sleeping with that bitch” and I think it’s a bit of a stretch that she’s pressing herself against Edet as she’s asking that question. Maybe as she was sayign she’s not right for you yes but not the first one.
I like that she’s asking for the Hanky - rather than Edet offering it. It has that slightly disjointed feel that makes it seem like the Hanky is relevant. Either for sentimental value to her or like the comments say to do some jazzmatazz
Cant wait to read the next one.
March 19th, 2007 at 11:08 am
thats such a nice episode….
March 19th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Nice piece but Nneka’s question,“Are you sleeping with that bitch? he already introduced Joke as his fiancee so why did she ask?
March 19th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Nice story!!!
March 19th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
I likey a lot, lol, women sha, like she didnt dump his arse, but am curious 2 no why though, hmmm
March 19th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Edet needs to man up! He couldn’t stop nneka from dragging him away? For real? What was she, an amazon? You finished the story too early. I’m sure Joke had one more slap with his name written all over it!
Nice piece.
March 20th, 2007 at 4:03 am
What is doing the chick sef? Did she not end the relationship, Azuka please continue the story
Have a nice week.
March 20th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Azu bobo, when you engage now?
March 20th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Edet really needs to stay away from that Joke. She seems like trouble, a definite home-wrecker for sure
March 20th, 2007 at 11:14 am
ok, my bad….. Nneka is the one who’s the home-wrecker not Joke. She is NO-GO ZONE, i have those types. It’s not nice at all. lol…..
March 20th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Boy, you should write a book! Nneka’s just a drama queen!
March 21st, 2007 at 3:31 am
if i was joke, i would give him a good slap when he got back. I would go mad if another woman kissed my bf in front of me. She would read MURDER in my eyes
March 21st, 2007 at 4:53 am
me thinks Edet should be spanked.
Edet with his fiancee allows himself to be kissed on the lips by an ex? what if there were two of Edet’s ex’s at the party and each of them were to chance upon Edet and Joke at different times and Edet allows himself to be kissed on the lips while holding hands with fiancee - that one na bad-news.
Ex ko, Fedex ni.
March 21st, 2007 at 10:39 am
I can NOT believe I’m just seeing your blog!!
You are SO going on my page!
FAB stories!
March 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Good post,
I like it.
I love Nilla’s comment lol.
March 21st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Wanting what you dont have anymore….Sad really…Now the poor guy has to go back in and explain to fiancee who is already pissed off.
March 21st, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Why is love always so complicated??
Why do Xs always throw sand in your
gari?? Na wa o
March 21st, 2007 at 9:31 pm
LOL
Havent actually finished reading. I started laughing when I saw “Edet”. Reminded me of our English textbook in Naija - McMillian or something like that. Don’t remember wat grade Edet was in…. lol
Okay, lemme go finish reading
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:59 am
have you tot about writing short stories and compiling them into a book..u shud…loe ur writing.
March 23rd, 2007 at 1:07 am
nice
March 23rd, 2007 at 2:24 am
I like your stories.There’s always something in it we all can relate to.
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:16 am
Vera, Edet was ‘Mcmillian Day by Day’ I think, primary four or five? Can’t remember exactly. Maybe it was lower than that.
Does anyone remember Konki and Tinka the puppets? Was that even from ‘Day by Day’ or the books used befoe that?
March 23rd, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Darling, No New ENtry?? Hope all is well…
March 24th, 2007 at 5:39 am
You know the part I had to have a good laugh? Where she wiped her nose with the handkerchief he gave her, and then she said, ‘Can I keep it???’
Eyahhhh…desperate measures…LOLLLLL…
I love these short stories…
March 24th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Update, Azuka! Pleeeeeaassseee! Or I may start to self-harm. LOL
How do you copyright your stuff? I noticed it was at the bottom of your page. How do I do that?
March 25th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Azuka
That is a brilliant piece…only I am not sure about the intensity of the jealousy but I guess no love ending is quite a finished business…
March 25th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
azuka, update, or ……………
March 25th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Very Brilliant. The beauty is in the suspense and a whole lot of events written in a few lines. Eh ya…Nneka Pele.
March 25th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
see azuka, better and better as the posts unfold. wow.
so when will you give us the next dose?
March 26th, 2007 at 12:44 am
at the individual who wrote “yea, perfect example of female logic….. or lack thereof……” i must write that i disagree with you. Nneka’s stupidity has nothing to do with females and thier logic.
March 26th, 2007 at 3:47 am
This is going to be tough, but I guess I brought it on myself by refusing to reply sooner.
Nikita
Well, it goes both ways — the refusal to let go…
Milla
You’re harsh o! Have mercy on Edet now.
Calabar Gal
I hope so too. Thanks.
Mad Hatter
Thanks once again.
Boso
Thanks.
Idemili
You were first once but forgot to come back for your ukpa.
Oracle
You write great poetry too
Keshi
At last a woman confesses!
Kafo
Ha ha. Well, it’s done for now.
Overwhelmed
You know, tact is something men don’t like to use — we tend to be more direct. In this case, the ‘You’re jealous’ remark prompted the slap. A bit extreme, but then real life defies logic.
Diamond
I threw in that handkerchief twist just before I published the post. Westerners would think it’s a memento but we instantly think of a herbalist. Hmmm.
Akanimo
Wow. Long time no see. How’s Nairaland? I haven’t heard of the Caine Award. What’s it about?
Obiwanne
Thanks.
Mari
Just one of my goofs. In an earlier draft she was introduced as his ‘friend’ not fiancee.
Princess
Thanks.
Biodun
Well, even the writer doesn’t know why Edet got dumped.
Chainreader
You’re talking from a lady’s viewpoint. The poor guy has to let himself be dragged away or else…
Buki
Ha ha. Temporary madness, I think.
Desola
Not yet oh! Maybe 20 years from now…
Jem
Well, some people are that confused. They never realize what they have until they see how good the person looks with someone else.
Nyemoni
I’m supposed to be working on a book. God knows why I’m not working on it at the moment.
Chidi
Why now? It’s not his fault.
Tokunbo
Have mercy on Edet. She leaned in for a kiss. He offered his cheek but she kissed his lips instead.
Mocha
Welcome to azuka’s blog!
Omohemi
Thanks. So you support the motion of giving Edet an extra slap?
Uzo
Yeah. I thought of including the explanation but they were so many complicated endings which had either Joke or Edet sulking in the end. Better to leave it to the reader’s imagination.
Amber
It keeps the world going round — the complication.
Vera
Can I still remember? I can only remember Ali and Simbi.
Exschoolnerd
I generally prefer writing longer stuff. As it is, I’m using short stories to fish for ideas and improve on my style while I work on a novella.
Pravin
Thanks.
Mrs Somebody
Thanks. Pin rolling for example? (joking)
Lizzy
All is well. Too much work I think.
Jaycee
Lol. Glad you love it.
Idemili
Self-harm? Please don’t oh!
Your template should have footer you can modify but I wouldn’t know — really.
AmaraEe
True talk.
Chainreader
I might be away for a while.
Jangbalajugbu
I’m honored to have you drop by. Thanks.
the Life of a stranger called me
It’s going to be a while, I think.
ijeomaobuiheoma
Well, the majority of stories out there only deal with jealous male exes and their (mis)behavior. I try not to handle women with kid gloves and yes, when I wrote it, the idea was ‘women too, can be stupid.’
No, it doesn’t apply to everyone ;-). Thanks for the visit!
March 26th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
lol @ Azuka and long chain of replies …. hehe
March 26th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
ijeomaobuiheoma, my post was meant with total sarcasm… however, coming from my experience, it does have some truth to it nonetheless…
March 27th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Been a while, i came here. I am going to start reading from the begining. Wish me luck!
March 27th, 2007 at 8:28 am
UPDATE!!!!
March 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Thank you for answering my questions. However I haven’t had time to go through your archives yet, the post I’m referring to was the one you put up just after I had discovered blogland.
I’m still waiting for the long story attached to the 2nd question.
Please. I’m trained to be curious so it isn’t my fault.
March 28th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Ehm…do you intend on finishing this any time soon? Hurry up, boy!
March 29th, 2007 at 8:49 am
update already!!!!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Azuka … how did you come to be so perceptive? This is really good and such an accurate portrayal of some women!
April 6th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Jem
Lol
Temmy
Good luck! [You'll need it]
Afropinay
I’ll flog you oh!
Vera
Done…
Vickii
Let’s just say when you dont talk much, there’s plenty of time to observe