Sam is convinced that Dr. Sam is an honest man. Something about him says so. But he’s not too comfortable with Kim around him.
He feels that Kim tries to get him to notice her. What he’s not sure of is Dr. Sam’s feeling towards her. Well, he’ll try and talk sense into Kim. “Babes…er…er…I noticed the way you stared at Dr. Sam. It’s…er…em…it’s just not proper,” he told Kim. They have just finished dinner at home. Kim has been grumbling all evening. She wanted to eat out but he refused. A woman should be able to cook in her house…“So, when we have a visitor in your house, all you do is stare at my face to know if I’m looking at you or staring at our visitor? Did it occur to you that Dr. Sam saved my life? What if he drove off and didn’t care to take us to the hospital after the accident? Did it occur to you that things could have gotten worse? And you think I’ll not look at him? I will continue to look at him. I imagine what could have happened,” she said, flashing angry eyes. “Okay, you win. I didn’t know that was the attraction, but I just feel that you are getting too interested in him,” he said. “You just feel? Please, stop feeling. You should aspire to be like such a man.
You can only be sure of yourself when you have made enough money. I want to be able to travel abroad for holidays. My friends, even my cousins have travelled abroad countless times. I can’t be born in Nigeria and die in Nigeria without seeing the world. So, if you are thinking of getting married to me, you have to learn how they make big money. My body needs money. I’m beginning to think I was born into the wrong family.
Since I missed being born into a wealthy home, I should get into one by marriage then,” she said. Now, this is a strange Kim. Sam knows that she likes the good life but she has never been this vocal about it. He stares at her, wondering what he has gotten himself into. “Babes, did you just say that? What happened to our belief in building a home together?
Whatever happened to our belief that money is not everything?” Sam asked. “Sweetheart, that was then o. I have realised that life is easier and sweeter with money, I mean real money.
Did you see the Sport Utility Vehicle Dr. Sam came in? It’s different from the one he had that accident with. You said so yourself. Do you know how much a G-Wagon goes for in the auto market? I could give a thigh to own one!” She replied. Now, that gets Sam really worried. This is a really strange Kim talking here…or is this the real Kim? “Must we visit your friend in Victoria Island tomorrow? I’m thinking we could…”
He started. “Don’t just go there. We promised her we’re coming and we promised Dr. Sam we’d see him also,” she said. He sighs loudly. It’s no use arguing. Kim is getting cranky too often these days. Maybe it’s what pregnancy turns women into. He turns to the television. Kim stares at him. He’s a handsome man, no doubt. He has a good job and works hard.
Cool… She wonders if a wealthy man can be ugly. She’s yet to come across a wealthy man that’s ugly anyway. So, real cash thrown into Sam’s handsomeness will do her real good. She smiles. Getting into real money won’t be a bad idea.
She’s been dreaming of getting married to a very wealthy man but she never seems to attract them. She’s tried making the money herself and has not succeeded. She has enough to take very good care of herself but not to live the life of affluence she so desires.
Few weeks after meeting Sam, she had thought he could satisfy her. She realised that he would always try to make her happy but wouldn’t exactly succeed. She imagines being married to a Dr. Sam. Ah! Life will be heavenly.
*******
Kim gets into big money. She couldn’t remember how the money came about, but she’d bought a big house, paid for a really wow SUV and was at the international airport. She was travelling to Las Vegas. This is what life is all about…. living it blissfully.
Her friends will be green with envy when they learn of her sudden tumble into wealth. Of course, she’s going to visit her grandma, to show off her wealth to her. Grandma believes she’ll amount to nothing much, if she, according to her, did not work very hard. Now, she’s worked hard and it’s time to go home.
She hasn’t visited in two years though they do talk on the phone. She smiles as she awaits her flight. She looks round her, classing travellers around her into ‘first timers’ and ‘veteran travellers’. She makes mental notes of what she will buy and what she’ll throw out of her wardrobe. Life is so good. She checks her time…again. It’s almost time. She feels an urgent need to use the loo. She’s been trying to ignore it for sometime now.
She’s not so sure of the state of the facility in the airport here. She thought she could wait till she’d boarded…not anymore. She just needs to do it before…aaaaaaah…flight announcement. It’s her flight! She jumps up to head to the loo. OMG! She’s on the bed! So she’s been dreaming? Oh no!
She looks around her. Sam is sleeping peacefully beside her. She places her two hands on her head and curses every real and imaginary enemy in her life. Then, she realises that she urgently needs to use the loo.
*****
That morning in church, she could hardly concentrate. She couldn’t remember a single thing the pastor said. Immediately after church service, she prevailed on Sam to drive home. After a light lunch, she takes her time in dressing in a very fitting skinny Jeans and white top.
Carefully done makeup topped with a Mac ruby woo lipstick takes her beauty to the next level. She smiles at the mirror. “My gawd! You look so delectable,” Sam said as she preens in front of the mirror. She laughs heartily. She feels good, not because they’re visiting her friend, but because they’re going to Dr. Sam’s place later. She feels like a kid visiting Santa Claus for the first time.
******************
Bola is happy to see her. Kim had wanted to ‘formally’ let Bola and her hubby know that she’s getting married to Sam. But she’s not too sure she wants that now. At Bola’s place, they gist and giggle like two young girls. Bola and Wale have been married for three years and they are expecting their first child. They decided to enjoy themselves first before making babies and they did. Now a baby is coming, they are so excited about it. “Babes, it seems as if you are getting fat around the tummy.
What’s happening?” Bola asked. They’re alone in the sitting room, the men are sitting in the porch, talking football over glasses of wine. “Old girl, na belle o. I don swallow ant,” Kim said and they burst into laughter. So, when are we paying for the ‘Asoebi’?” Bola asked. “Soon. We’re trying to get things ready,” Kim said. Bola is not fooled. She knows her friend very well. She is hiding something. “Abeg, babes, come off it. What is happening?
Tell me,” Bola said. Kim sighs. “Sis, I don’t seem to understand what’s happening to me o. We’re supposed to be preparing for marriage, but my mind no just dey at rest again,” Kim said. Bola is one person she can bare her mind to.
“We’ll talk about that some other time. They couldn’t continue because the men are back in the living room. Kim and Sam have to leave or they’ll be late to Dr. Sam’s place. Kim’s heart flutters. Dr. Sam! She’s about to be let into his world!
***********
The opulent environment speaks of the status of the resident. The entrance to No.15 is impressive. An imposing wrought iron gate and high fence hides the architectural beauty within. Sam honks his car horn and two uniformed private security guards open the gate after peeping.
Sam had called Dr. Sam a few minutes before they got there to inform him that they were almost there. Dr. Sam took details of their car then. The compound is like something out of a glossy magazine.
Kim searches for the right words to describe it. The house is set well back in the spacious compound. There are flowers and fruit trees to the sides, a car port housing five wonders on wheels, a mini fountain and…the ambience is just indescribable.
A little scream escapes from Kim’s throat. Sam’s face is inscrutable. For a moment, he concentrates on the security man who is directing him to where he could park his vehicle.
“If I live in such a house, I’ll never be sad, no matter what,” she whispers aloud, obviously awed by the sight before her. It’s a huge one-story ‘stone’ structure which reminds one of a medieval castle. Standing on the porch, smiling at them, is Dr. Sam in grey flannel slacks, Tee and rubber slippers. He looks debonair.
“Welcome to my home,” he said as he greets Kim the French way and shakes Sam’s hand. “Thank you,” Kim murmured. It was lost however as both men suddenly embraced. Sam says something and they both guffaw. It’s obvious that both men will make great friends. Something sinks in Kim’s heart. This is the kind of house she’ll love to live in. If the two Sams hit it off this well, then…
“Let’s go in. My old man is waiting. I told him you’re coming. He’s been so worried since I told him about the accident,” Dr. Kim said, leading them in. Chief Raymond Davies beams with smiles as his son and visitors enter the lavishly furnished living room. He sits on an artistically carved wooden chair with rich deep red cushions.
“Dad, meet Sam. Funny, we’re name sakes,” Dr. Sam said as Sam moves forward for a handshake with the old man. The old man extends both hands for a handshake with a smile. “Welcome, my son,” he said, peering over his eyeglasses.
“And here, we have Kim,” the beautiful lady that…” Dr. Sam couldn’t finish. The look on his father’s face is scary. The old man looks like he’s seen a ghost as he stares at Kim. “Dad…dad…what’s the matter? Dad…,” Dr. Sam screams as his father slides from the chair to the floor. “Oh no….get the security, quick. He needs a doctor…”
Dr. Sam said as they try to prop the old man up. Kim stares at the old man, shock on her face. The two Sams look at her briefly, with questioning eyes. Few minutes later, they’re on their way, speeding to the hospital.
*******
What did the old man see? Could they have met before? Under what circumstance? Join me on Sunday as we attempt to solve this riddle.
