Danny’s Bane Episode 4

-Daniel Faith

“Oh my God! What have we done?” That was the thought that woke me later that evening. I woke up with a jolt, almost pushing Sister Ella off me, as she was still laying peacefully on my chest. Seeing her angelic face and body feature almost distracted me from what jolted me awake. She looks even more stunning at that moment. Her naked body against mine is the best feeling in the world. My organ started getting engorged, ah, the devil is a very big liar. I slowly lifted Sister Ella off me, got one of the couch pillows, placed under it her head in a bid not to wake her. But she woke up anyway, she had this puzzled look on her face. “Are you okay? Where are you going?” she asked in her groggy state.
“To the bathroom.” was my reply.
“Oh okay. That's beautiful though.” She said, her eyes focused on my engorged organ. I blushed hard, and I started rushing to the bathroom.

I turned back, I lied to her, I did need to use the bathroom (I just realized that), but that wasn't why I got up. She saw me walking back towards her. “Forgot something?” She asked.
“No, I mean yes… No! I didn't forget anything. But I wasn't in need of the bathroom, I just needed to escape being here looking at your gorgeous body. I'm rambling again! We just committed a grave sin, Sister Ella! We shouldn't have done that. How do I even pray to God after this?” I was in great confusion, and she could see that. “Foremost Daniel, I think with everything that just went down between us, we need to cut the brother-sister crap, at least when indoors with each other. Secondly, we are adults, and this is a normal part of the adult life. And this most definitely is not a mistake, we both know it'd have happened either now or later. Finally, if I remember correctly, you were the one who taught us at the virtual Bible Study a week ago, about how God forgives our every misdemeanor, as far as we go back to him. So, we'll pray for forgiveness, fast even. I believe we'll be alright.”

Now, this is hot! This woman also knows how to take control when a situation is going awry. I don't know what trait is more attractive than that. And she did it in all her naked glory. No!!! Daniel, don't think about that, not at this moment, or even later. I feel better, there's still this nagging feeling of guilt in my mind. But, it's nothing fervent prayer and fasting can't take care of. “Are we good?” I'd totally forgotten that Sister Ella, I mean Ella, will be expecting a response to all that she's said. “Yes, we're good. We'll do the fast, though.” I replied. “And please, cover up. I can't seem to concentrate on anything else apart from you.”
“That's a good thing, you know?”
I shot her an “are you crazy?” look.
“OK, OK! I'll wear something, you can go and use the bathroom now.”

I got home later that evening, and my mind was in a mess. I was greatly elated that we're now an item. At least, that was what she told me before I left her place. We'd concluded on our discussion that got interrupted by that session of carnality. She told me straight up that she'll love us to be precisely what the Pastor had suspected earlier, and I agreed. Even though I know that it's more of an agreement to more coital entanglements in the nearest future. The idea that she's all mine makes me absolutely giddy. But the nagging feeling in my chest telling me we've gone greatly overboard is growing by the second. I keep ignoring it, though. We'd agreed that we'd both be fasting for the next 3 days, but I still can't shake off the feeling of guilt.

The next morning, the first thing I woke up to was a text from Ella, “Good morning boo, have a lovely day ahead. Don't forget, we're fasting today.” This got my face beaming. I could have sworn that I've got a spring attached to my feet with the way I bounced to the bathroom and got ready for work. I feel like I can overcome any and everything today. I texted her back as I was driving out of my compound, asking about her night and her plans for the day. This will be such a beautiful day was the domineering thought in my head, as I drove out of my estate. That was until I heard this loud sound of a scratch against my car. The major devils of Lagos that are capable of stultifying any form of joy you came out with in the morning got to work, and they were working overtime. This white danfo just scratched my car. I was actually praying that it won't be my car, and that I'd imagined the impact I felt.

I stepped out of my car, and I looked in horror the wide scrape this impatient human has caused on my car. He also came down, a man in his mid-forties I guessed. People driving by were watching, passersby have stopped to witness the early morning Lagos madness, silently hoping for the crazy exchange that was about to happen. Some even had their smartphones at the ready, making a video. I wasn't going to become the next internet sensation. Plus, I think the cliché of a danfo hitting a Range Rover should have tired Nigerian bloggers by now. But they got the biggest surprise of their life. Firstly, this danfo driver got down from his vehicle and started apologizing almost immediately. Half prostrating and exclaiming “ah, mo daran” at intervals. His conductor had joined him at begging, and a few of his passengers. Apparently, he had been a really cool-headed and interesting driver. His passengers said he was only rushing because the young man seated right besides him was about to get late for his interview. That was no excuse to scratch someone's car, though because with all this drama, the man can't avoid being late now.

The driver collected all the cash the conductor has in his hands. He asks loudly, “ṣe everybody ti gba change?” And the conductor echoed it to the passengers in pidgin English, “una don collect your change? I no dey owe anybody o.” Then the driver went to his seat, and he ransacked the whole place. He came out with thousands of Naira, which he offered to me. I was taken aback, but then he said, “Oga abeg, this is all I get, I know say e no dey enough, but Na wetin I get be this.” This is all so surprising, Lagos drivers are never like this. Even the elite of Lagos will always claim to be right, not to talk of the danfo drivers. I mean, I haven't even uttered a single word. How can I possibly be angry at this point? Even if I wasn't in the greatest mood I've ever been, the apologies coming from left and right, and him offering all his current earnings is enough to make me let things go. I will seem like a wicked human if I take things further.

I asked him to go with his money, that I'll get it fixed. I was being applauded and hailed as I walk back to my car, and I drove off. A new spectator would've thought that I just won an election. I called the Auto shop to inform them if the repair I needed to get done, and they said they'll come for the car in an hour. I got to the office, left my keys with the Security man and explained the details to him. I entered the front office, and was greeted by the receptionist, who offered me my usual money coffee and some crackers. I was almost accepting before remembering the fast. Then I also remembered that I was about to pray when my car got scraped by that bus. I entered my office with a new series of thought scattered all over my mind. I mean, what if all that happened that morning was God showing His displeasure? And I am already being dragged away from Him, I've not even said a word of prayer.

I locked my office door, then prayed. Immediately after praying, I got a call from Ella. We still had some minutes to spare before work started. I told her about what had happened earlier, she asked when I'll be getting my car back. And I told her they'll be bringing it home later in the evening. She offered to drive me home, and suggested that we can even break our fast together. I told her that I wouldn't want to bother her, and I was thinking of booking a ride. She insisted, and I agreed. The whole day at work went by pretty fast. All I was looking forward to was Ella coming to pick me. When it was time to leave around 5pm, I decided to wait in my office until I get a call from Ella that she's downstairs. I didn't have to wait for long though, my secretary called me to inform me that a certain Ms. Aduroja was here to see me. I was getting worked up that someone is coming in to see me after work hours. Then I heard this other voice saying “tell him, Ella.” I didn't allow my secretary to give me the reported speech, I asked her to let in.

A minute later, Ella knocked at my door, then entered when I asked her to come in. This woman sure knows how to knock me off my feet. I haven't mentioned this before, but I love seeing her in her office wears a lot. She's putting on this wrap dress that's accentuating her every curve, but not to the extent of lewdness. Screams sexy and classy at the same time. She's carrying two paper bags in her left hand, and her purse in the other. We exchanged pleasantries in an almost formal way, even though we both knew we most definitely want to hold each other more than anything. She got settled in the chair directly across from me. “I figured we can break the fast in your office before we head out. I have smoothies here, we can start with that.” She was saying some other things, but my mind had drifted to the fact that she's so perfect. “… Danny, are you listening at all?”
“Oh, yes! I'm listening. The smoothie first right” I answered.
“I was asking which one of the two you'd like?”
“Give me the one without ginger, please.” I replied.
We got to break the fast after praying. Then we discussed our day while we were eating.

We spent another hour or thereabouts at my office before heading out. Then she drove me home, the road was quite free, so we got to my house quite early. I asked her if she’d love to come in. I realized that she has never been inside my house. She’d been here to drop off stuffs like twice in the past, but she’d always dropped it with my gate man. She said she thought I’d never ask. But she wasn’t going to stay long, since she still has to drive home and we both have work the next day. We entered my compound, and my car was already there. The gate man came to give me the car key the auto shop dropped with him, all the while hailing madam and smiling mischievously. She was amazed at the swiftness of the Auto shop. I opened my front door, and we stepped into my living room. I asked Ella if she wanted anything as I dropped my keys on the center table. She requested for water and I headed to the kitchen to get it. I came back to the living room to see her admiring the painting I have hanging over the Television. It’s an abstract painting of my mum’s face. I gave her the water she’d requested for. She said, “Thanks. You have a beautiful place. This living room is like twice the size of mine. How many rooms have you got here?”
“3 bedrooms” I replied.
“Can I get a tour?” she asked
“Sure.” I responded.