Chapter One
Copyright © 2022 Bethel-Gold.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permissions Coordinator," at the address below.
Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author's imagination.
***
"How does this look?" Ife held up a black shirt she unpacked from it's box.
Patrick looked at the shirt and thought for a while the gave her a thumbs up with a grin on his lips and she giggled then packed the shirt back in it's box before going over the other items she purchased.
"I got you this" she passed him a small box and he wondered what was inside so he took it and frowned as he looked at it "Open it and see" she urged and he did as she said.
When he opened it, he paused then looked up at her smiling face before looking back down at the opened box. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, did she just...
"How did you find this?" he asked then took out the new shining emerald brooch then stare at her. "I didn't know where to find this at all" he said to her and she chuckled.
"I have my ways Patrick, do you like it?" she asked looking like she hoped he likes the gift.
"Are you kidding me Ife?" he asked her.
"You know, it looks alike but it isn't what... you know what your dad gave you before his death" she said and he sighed then put the brooch back in the box.
"Ife, you thinking about this alone means so much to me. Yes, it's not like that but now when I see this I will remember not just my dad but you too" he smiled "Thank you, Ife"
"I am glad you love it" she said "Happy birthday in advance"
He stood up and went to her then they shared a hug and stayed that way for almost a minute before they parted.
They looked into each other's eyes and she saw a tear slip out of his eyes so she raised her hand and wiped it off his cheek which brought a huge grin on his face.
"Thank you once more" he thanked and she nodded then moved away from him and sat back on the chair as she went over the items.
"You still owe me a dance lesson" she said to him and he chuckled then went to sit on a chair far from her.
"That would be after you made us something to eat" he answered and she laughed.
Ife stood up and went into his kitchen to cook them some rice and stew.
"Do you even have chicken?" she asked when she heard him come inside the kitchen.
"Should that be a question sef?" he chuckled and she shook her head then grabbed the frozen chicken from his fridge and put it under the running water for it to defrost.
A phone was ringing and she stopped what she was doing to check if it was hers but saw Patrick checking the screen of the phone before picking it up.
It was his call.
Patrick excused himself and went out of the kitchen to take the call.
"Honestly, I would have cooked us jollof rice but I am so exhausted from the shopping I did earlier today" she mutters to herself.
As she cut the onions for the stew, she remembered a day when she was in Nigeria for the holidays and she went birthday shopping for Tomiwa and she came home so tired and stressed because she went from shop to shop to get him something that he would love due to his unnecessary high taste in really expensive things he could barely afford.
She didn't mind because her mum liked him and wasn't verbally attacking as she did when she first travelled to the US.
Tomiwa knew how tired she was from the shopping and still insist that she cooked him Semovita, egusi soup with lots of orisirisi and confirm Yoruba stew even after she told him she bought some food for them both because she was too tired to cook anything.
He told her not to tell him that and if she was a good African wife, she would cook for her husband no matter how tired she was a d she disagreed then told him of he was a considerate man, who loves his woman, he would understand that she was tired and they would eat the take away she bought but he insisted on home cooked food so she had no choice than to cook them the food.
She later saw that he finished the take away food she bought before she was even done with cooking and he ate almost two wraps of the Semovita, she was irritated but had to just ignore that and let them continue without breaking a fight.
Patrick had never complained on whatever she chose to cook for them when she comes to visit him, he helps whenever he can and gives her constructive criticism.
She wasn't trying to compare but sometimes wished Tomiwa would improve and be loosed so that they could enjoy their relationship together instead of comparing and contrasting.
"Do you need me to help with something?" Patrick said from behind her and she looked at him then pointed to the sink.
"I just washed the chicken, could you you help me put it in a pot and add all the seasoning I laid out the on the counter then please cuts some onions to put inside" she said and he nods before getting back to work.
She was already done with boiling the rice, now she was concentrating on the stew. The chicken was already boiling and she was bleaching the oil before she started using it to cook.
Both of them were gisting about a lot of things, what they planned to do back home, what they would be doing after school, some new movies that just came out and when they would make time and binge watch and so many other things.
After a few minutes, she asked him to bring out the chicken from the pot then she switched off the stove that was cooking the stir fried vegetables and peppers before transferring them to a small bowl.
"You have foil sheet?" he nods and goes to bring it, then brought out the oven tray which he cleaned before spreading the foil on top.
She arranged the chicken on the foil then added some olive oil on top before putting the stir fries on top of the chicken then added some more oil and told Patrick to put it in the oven.
"I really don't know what I am doing but I hope it turns out good" she said to him and began the stew.
"I figured but I trust you that it would be delicious" he winked and she blushed.
"Whatever, please cut me some more onions, let me began the stew..." she opened the pot that had the bleached oil inside when she was sure the smoke wasn't there again. "I like bleached oil stew"
"It make sense" he grinned then started cutting the onions.
"I keep wondering where you learned to cook from" she asked when he gave her the onions and washed his hands on the sink.
"My mum, she taught me to cook when I was just a little boy," he said and she nods her head then put some seasoning in the pot before stirring.
"You know, my mum was a really busy woman before our dad died so when he passed, she had lots of work to do and at the same time wanted to be present for us always, thank GOD I was almost twelve at that time so she taught me how to cook for myself and my little sister, in case she wasn't around we don't need to wait for her to eat something" he shrugged and she smiled at it.
"I am pretty much impressed Patrick, your girl would be so luck eh" she laughed and he chuckled "Honestly, I am impressed... I thank your mum for doing that" she told him and he laughed.
She turned to look at him and noticed that he seems to be lost in thoughts before he shook his head and looked at her with a small smile on his face.
"Are you okay?" she asked when and he nods then went to check the chicken in the oven.
Ife was done with the stew and she switched off the stove then waited for Patrick to bring the tray with the baked chicken on the counter.
She served them some on each plates and be put the chicken on the side for them and passed her a fork to eat.
"I want to pray before I eat" he said and she smiled.
This was one of the many things that made her enjoy staying around him. Patrick isn't the too spiritual guy but he has a very strong belief in GOD and she admires that about him.
"You really don't need to ask, I am already used to it" he grinned and held her both hands as he began praying.
"GOD, provide for those who need food just as you have provided for us. We want you to join us and as you do, let this food bring nourishment to our bodies and give us strength to continue to help seek your face always, amen"
"Amen," she said after he was done and they started eating.
She watched him take the first spoon and chew to gauge his reaction to eating the food.
Patrick chewed for a while then swallowed before taking some more into his mouth and eating the chicken.
"I take it that you like it" she comments and begins eating.
"I'm sorry, I was supposed to let you know what I thought of it?" he asked with his eyes slightly widened.
She shrugged and drank some water before placing the cup on the counter.
"You know how I am with my cooking, I do expect comments or feedback on how it tastes and all," she told him and he smiled before holding her hand in his.
"I am sorry, the food was so delicious that I forgot about it," he said to her and she grinned.
"Don't forget next time" she said and he chuckled.
"I have told you several times Ife, you don't have to keep overthinking about how you did whenever you cook. You're a great cook, you know I would tell you if there's anything?" she nods her head "Please stop overthinking this, it's perfect okay?"
"Thank you," she thanked and the ate in silence.
She looked up from her food to look at Patrick but she caught him staring at her and he smiled when she saw him, she returned the smile and look down at her food again.
"My dad tells me all the time that my food is great and all but when a lot of people keep saying the same thing to you over and over again, you tend to slowly believe them and get insecure about what they speak so even when you get positive feedback from other people, you'll be unable to believe it because of what you were made to believe" she said to him but didn't hear anything from him so she looks up at him to see a frown on his face.
"It's your boyfriend, eh?" he asked and she shook her head when she took her gaze off him then let out a short laugh and blinked several times.
"He isnt the only one but I don't blame him" she looks back at him and let out a sigh "He too was made to believe that" she said sadly.
"Well, if he truly knows you, respect and care so much about you then the words of other people wouldn't change his perspective about you because he knows you" he told her.
"Well, if those people are family, he would tend to believe them because it's your family that knows you better than anyone" she shook her head then laughed and waved it off "Let's forget about this and enjoy this meal" she smiles and continue eating.
"You sure you're good?" he asked her and she nods with a grin and he nods then continue eating but would stare at her at intervals which she caught him doing but he'll just smile before she looks away.
He does hope that she's good.
Table of contents
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permissions Coordinator," at the address below.
Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author's imagination.
***
"How does this look?" Ife held up a black shirt she unpacked from it's box.
Patrick looked at the shirt and thought for a while the gave her a thumbs up with a grin on his lips and she giggled then packed the shirt back in it's box before going over the other items she purchased.
"I got you this" she passed him a small box and he wondered what was inside so he took it and frowned as he looked at it "Open it and see" she urged and he did as she said.
When he opened it, he paused then looked up at her smiling face before looking back down at the opened box. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, did she just...
"How did you find this?" he asked then took out the new shining emerald brooch then stare at her. "I didn't know where to find this at all" he said to her and she chuckled.
"I have my ways Patrick, do you like it?" she asked looking like she hoped he likes the gift.
"Are you kidding me Ife?" he asked her.
"You know, it looks alike but it isn't what... you know what your dad gave you before his death" she said and he sighed then put the brooch back in the box.
"Ife, you thinking about this alone means so much to me. Yes, it's not like that but now when I see this I will remember not just my dad but you too" he smiled "Thank you, Ife"
"I am glad you love it" she said "Happy birthday in advance"
He stood up and went to her then they shared a hug and stayed that way for almost a minute before they parted.
They looked into each other's eyes and she saw a tear slip out of his eyes so she raised her hand and wiped it off his cheek which brought a huge grin on his face.
"Thank you once more" he thanked and she nodded then moved away from him and sat back on the chair as she went over the items.
"You still owe me a dance lesson" she said to him and he chuckled then went to sit on a chair far from her.
"That would be after you made us something to eat" he answered and she laughed.
Ife stood up and went into his kitchen to cook them some rice and stew.
"Do you even have chicken?" she asked when she heard him come inside the kitchen.
"Should that be a question sef?" he chuckled and she shook her head then grabbed the frozen chicken from his fridge and put it under the running water for it to defrost.
A phone was ringing and she stopped what she was doing to check if it was hers but saw Patrick checking the screen of the phone before picking it up.
It was his call.
Patrick excused himself and went out of the kitchen to take the call.
"Honestly, I would have cooked us jollof rice but I am so exhausted from the shopping I did earlier today" she mutters to herself.
As she cut the onions for the stew, she remembered a day when she was in Nigeria for the holidays and she went birthday shopping for Tomiwa and she came home so tired and stressed because she went from shop to shop to get him something that he would love due to his unnecessary high taste in really expensive things he could barely afford.
She didn't mind because her mum liked him and wasn't verbally attacking as she did when she first travelled to the US.
Tomiwa knew how tired she was from the shopping and still insist that she cooked him Semovita, egusi soup with lots of orisirisi and confirm Yoruba stew even after she told him she bought some food for them both because she was too tired to cook anything.
He told her not to tell him that and if she was a good African wife, she would cook for her husband no matter how tired she was a d she disagreed then told him of he was a considerate man, who loves his woman, he would understand that she was tired and they would eat the take away she bought but he insisted on home cooked food so she had no choice than to cook them the food.
She later saw that he finished the take away food she bought before she was even done with cooking and he ate almost two wraps of the Semovita, she was irritated but had to just ignore that and let them continue without breaking a fight.
Patrick had never complained on whatever she chose to cook for them when she comes to visit him, he helps whenever he can and gives her constructive criticism.
She wasn't trying to compare but sometimes wished Tomiwa would improve and be loosed so that they could enjoy their relationship together instead of comparing and contrasting.
"Do you need me to help with something?" Patrick said from behind her and she looked at him then pointed to the sink.
"I just washed the chicken, could you you help me put it in a pot and add all the seasoning I laid out the on the counter then please cuts some onions to put inside" she said and he nods before getting back to work.
She was already done with boiling the rice, now she was concentrating on the stew. The chicken was already boiling and she was bleaching the oil before she started using it to cook.
Both of them were gisting about a lot of things, what they planned to do back home, what they would be doing after school, some new movies that just came out and when they would make time and binge watch and so many other things.
After a few minutes, she asked him to bring out the chicken from the pot then she switched off the stove that was cooking the stir fried vegetables and peppers before transferring them to a small bowl.
"You have foil sheet?" he nods and goes to bring it, then brought out the oven tray which he cleaned before spreading the foil on top.
She arranged the chicken on the foil then added some olive oil on top before putting the stir fries on top of the chicken then added some more oil and told Patrick to put it in the oven.
"I really don't know what I am doing but I hope it turns out good" she said to him and began the stew.
"I figured but I trust you that it would be delicious" he winked and she blushed.
"Whatever, please cut me some more onions, let me began the stew..." she opened the pot that had the bleached oil inside when she was sure the smoke wasn't there again. "I like bleached oil stew"
"It make sense" he grinned then started cutting the onions.
"I keep wondering where you learned to cook from" she asked when he gave her the onions and washed his hands on the sink.
"My mum, she taught me to cook when I was just a little boy," he said and she nods her head then put some seasoning in the pot before stirring.
"You know, my mum was a really busy woman before our dad died so when he passed, she had lots of work to do and at the same time wanted to be present for us always, thank GOD I was almost twelve at that time so she taught me how to cook for myself and my little sister, in case she wasn't around we don't need to wait for her to eat something" he shrugged and she smiled at it.
"I am pretty much impressed Patrick, your girl would be so luck eh" she laughed and he chuckled "Honestly, I am impressed... I thank your mum for doing that" she told him and he laughed.
She turned to look at him and noticed that he seems to be lost in thoughts before he shook his head and looked at her with a small smile on his face.
"Are you okay?" she asked when and he nods then went to check the chicken in the oven.
Ife was done with the stew and she switched off the stove then waited for Patrick to bring the tray with the baked chicken on the counter.
She served them some on each plates and be put the chicken on the side for them and passed her a fork to eat.
"I want to pray before I eat" he said and she smiled.
This was one of the many things that made her enjoy staying around him. Patrick isn't the too spiritual guy but he has a very strong belief in GOD and she admires that about him.
"You really don't need to ask, I am already used to it" he grinned and held her both hands as he began praying.
"GOD, provide for those who need food just as you have provided for us. We want you to join us and as you do, let this food bring nourishment to our bodies and give us strength to continue to help seek your face always, amen"
"Amen," she said after he was done and they started eating.
She watched him take the first spoon and chew to gauge his reaction to eating the food.
Patrick chewed for a while then swallowed before taking some more into his mouth and eating the chicken.
"I take it that you like it" she comments and begins eating.
"I'm sorry, I was supposed to let you know what I thought of it?" he asked with his eyes slightly widened.
She shrugged and drank some water before placing the cup on the counter.
"You know how I am with my cooking, I do expect comments or feedback on how it tastes and all," she told him and he smiled before holding her hand in his.
"I am sorry, the food was so delicious that I forgot about it," he said to her and she grinned.
"Don't forget next time" she said and he chuckled.
"I have told you several times Ife, you don't have to keep overthinking about how you did whenever you cook. You're a great cook, you know I would tell you if there's anything?" she nods her head "Please stop overthinking this, it's perfect okay?"
"Thank you," she thanked and the ate in silence.
She looked up from her food to look at Patrick but she caught him staring at her and he smiled when she saw him, she returned the smile and look down at her food again.
"My dad tells me all the time that my food is great and all but when a lot of people keep saying the same thing to you over and over again, you tend to slowly believe them and get insecure about what they speak so even when you get positive feedback from other people, you'll be unable to believe it because of what you were made to believe" she said to him but didn't hear anything from him so she looks up at him to see a frown on his face.
"It's your boyfriend, eh?" he asked and she shook her head when she took her gaze off him then let out a short laugh and blinked several times.
"He isnt the only one but I don't blame him" she looks back at him and let out a sigh "He too was made to believe that" she said sadly.
"Well, if he truly knows you, respect and care so much about you then the words of other people wouldn't change his perspective about you because he knows you" he told her.
"Well, if those people are family, he would tend to believe them because it's your family that knows you better than anyone" she shook her head then laughed and waved it off "Let's forget about this and enjoy this meal" she smiles and continue eating.
"You sure you're good?" he asked her and she nods with a grin and he nods then continue eating but would stare at her at intervals which she caught him doing but he'll just smile before she looks away.
He does hope that she's good.
Table of contents
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