All in God's Timing (Part 8)

So sorry y'all, I have been really bad with keeping up with this series and this blog in general. :( Ok now back to the story.
It's Tuesday morning and Labake is awake at 5AM. Initially she woke up to use the bathroom but as she went back to bed to resume sleep for another hour, sleep had eluded her. In the span of five minutes her mind was inundated with what had to be done for the day and little details that she really could have waited till after breakfast to figure out. Still musing about her to-do and wish list, she chided her overactive mind for depriving her of another hour of precious sleep.


"Okay, meeting with Kevin at 10AM, I need to get all the documents and information for that ready by 9:30, After lunch I have a 1:30, what's that meeting about anyway? Am I taking lunch to work today? Hmm maybe I should just get something out. But what? What am I going to get for lunch? It would really be nice to go to McCormick and Schmick but it's too formal and expensive for just lunch. Maybe for dinner... Oh my goodness! Don't I have a date with Osa tonight?! Why does this date keep surprising me? I've known about it for a while... Toke said she was going to stop by to help with my outfit right? Speaking of outfits, I need to get out of bed and figure out what I'm wearing to work today!"


With that, Labake rolled out of bed and prepared herself for work. As usual the shower was a brutal wake up call; works better than her alarm clock. When she got downstairs, she spotted her mother in the living room with her Bible open. She paused in the hallway debating whether she should disrupt her morning devotion or just call her when she was on her way to work. She opted for the disruption, she might have some nuggets of grace to share withe her before she starts her day.


"Good morning mom!"


"Ah oko mi good morning. How was your night?"


"It was good. Thank God. How was yours?"


"It was good. Are you off to work?"


"Yes mom, I just wanted to greet you and disrupt your devotion" Labake said with a grin.


Her mother laughed. "As always my dear. Eh I was reading my Every Day with Jesus, and today's topic was on guarding your heart, especially in the area of relationships. As I'm not looking into any new romantic relationship, I felt maybe I should pass it on to you. My dear, be careful how you let any man into your heart o, I know I pester you about getting a man and getting married, but it is better to be single and have peace than to be with a man that will destroy your heart."


Labake's heart almost stopped. Did her mother know about her date with Osa? Was she eavesdropping? She quickly calmed her nerves and responded, "mom I hear you, that's some solid advice though. I have to run. Don't bother making dinner for me tonight, I will be going out to eat." With that Labake got up and made towards the front door.


"With who? By yourself?" but before she could finish Labake was in her car.


All the way to work, and throughout her entire day the words of that scripture played over and over in her mind. "Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life." For some strange reason, she couldn't shake the words out of here mind.


She got home later than she had anticipated that evening so she had to run into the shower the moment she was in her bedroom. As she was getting out of the shower, she heard Toke greeting her mom and exchanging pleasantries with her. Good. She didn't have all the time in the world to wait for Toke. She can get the basics together and Toke will just put the finishing touches to everything.


"Ah ore, you're almost ready. How are you darling?" Toke said as she walked into Labake's bedroom.


"Toke thank God you're here on time, I got home late so please let's hurry. Does this necklace go?"


That was all Toke needed to hear to begin working her magic on Labake.

When they were done, they hurried downstairs and Labake hoped that her mother wouldn't see her leave so she won't have to explain why she was so dressed up. Thankfully for her, her mother was not in the vicinity. She opened the front door for herself and Toke and they got into their separate cars. Toke was on her way home and she was on her way to a date. A DATE! How long had she been on one? Did she even know how those go anymore? She really needed to get into the romantic mood. So all the way driving to the restaurant she played romantic songs and tried to calm her nerves.


Upon arriving at the restaurant, a valet was at her door to park her car. She was ushered into the waiting area of the restaurant, where the Maitre d' welcomed her and asked if she was meeting someone. She replied that she was meeting Osa, and quickly he took her to his private dining area. She was taken away by it all.


"Hi. Hello." She said as she approached him, sticking out her hand.


"Oh wow. You look amazing. Nice to finally meet you." With that he took her hand and pulled out her chair.


After they were both seated, Osa had to take her in. She was beautiful beyond what he had anticipated. Those pictures didn't do her any justice at all.


"So how was your day?" He said, jolting her out of the nervous wreck she was becoming, made evident by the way she was fiddling with her napkin.


"It was nice, very busy but so far so good." She replied regaining her composure and the conversation the rest of the night was easy. He was charming and definitely a gentleman. She was a natural beauty and he was beginning to catch a glimpse to the inner beauty as well.






When they had finished eating, they danced to a live jazz band till she hinted it was time for her to go. He walked her out to wait for her car to be brought to her; all the while holding her hand. When the valet pulled up in her car, she turned to him and thanked him for a lovely evening, he thanked her as well and expressed a desire to see her again soon. She leaned in to hug him and say goodnight, and he pecked her on her cheek. A rush of butterflies were released in her belly as she walked to her car and drove off, playing the night over in her mind. By this time she had forgotten all about, "guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life."

All In God's Timing (Part 7)

Labake had to call Toke. There was just so much to catch up on, it had been a while since she spoke to her girlfriend. However, before she can do that she has to run a few errands. It's Saturday morning and she really doesn't feel like driving around town trying to do this and that. All she really wants to do is to curl up on her bed and gist with Toke. That would just have to wait. Right now, she has to: clean up the house (now that her mother is around), go to the post office, stop at the bank, and pick up groceries. Not a lot of things but very time consuming. Good thing she didn't make plans for this evening because she sure needs her rest. Speaking of plans, didn't she agree to go on a date with Osa?! She has nothing to wear! Didn't she realize that before agreeing to go out with a man, a prince for that matter. Oh brother! Now she has to add going to the department store to her list of things to do. And with that she dragged herself out of bed.

"Ah Akanke, you're awake? You children of nowadays sleep for long hours!" That was the first thing her mother said to her as she came into the kitchen. The woman was all showered and dressed for the day. She even had breakfast started. How does she do it?
"Mom, you always wake up early. It's only 9am!"
"Ok, I'll give you that one because it's Saturday. Will you like to eat?"
"Oh not now mom, I need to get to the bank before 12, and I still have to clean the house and do other things. What did you make?"
"I made ogi and akara. Enough of all this your onyibo food. See if you had woken up earlier you would have time to join me."
"Ah maami! I'm going to clean. see you in a bit."

The day rushed by and it was 3pm before she could settle on the couch with a hot bowl of amala and ewedu soup. It's such a blessing to have her mom around to make home-made Nigerian meals for her. She reached over to the side table and grabbed the cordless phone. Time to call Toke.
At the second ring, Toke answered.
"Ore, what's up?"
"hey love, I'm good o. Just trying not to let my mother drive me nuts. I love that woman though!"
Toke laughed. "You and your mother! I wish my mom would visit. The woman is too busy."
"Toke guess what."
"What?"
Labake giggled. "That was a brilliant answer. Why do we even say that. Anyway, Prince Osa asked me out on a date!"
"Whaaaat?! You're kidding right?"
"Why would I?"
"Wow, when and where?"
"Well, it's this coming Tusday evening. He's coming here."
"Omg, do you have an outfit?"
"Yea, I found something at the store, but I think I'll need help with the look."
"Don't worry I got this. Since I have to see momsie anyway, I'll stop by your place on Tuesday after work. I'll probably leave work early."
"Aww you don't have to... "
"Abeg the work go be alright."
"Aww ok... thank you Toksy... you're the best."
"You're welcome darling. Listen, let me run... I'll call you later ok?"
"Yeah sure no problem. Later love."
"Bye." click.

She really didn't know what to make of this date situation. Should she be excited or should she not be? She didn't want to get her hopes high just to have them crashing down again like many times before. Which is the main reason why she refuses to discuss it with her mother. That would only make matters worse. Her mother would be expecting a proposal immediately after the date meanwhile the man may not even be that into her. What is it with her? Why can't she be like Toke, who had all the men wrapped around her finger? Why can't someone just sweep her off her feet?