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EPISODE SIX
Iremide slips the duvet down to her chin, her eyes darting across the sunlit bedroom. No sign of Uchenna. No sound from the master bathroom. The space is empty. She lets out a long, shaky breath and reaches for her phone on the nightstand to check the screen.
6:15 AM.
A small groan escapes her throat. She has been wide awake for a full hour, trapped beneath the sheets by nothing but sheer, paralyzing shyness. How is she supposed to get up, pick an outfit, and get ready for work?
Her lips still feel tingly and warm. Last night plays in her head on a loop. The initial awkwardness had melted away, and she had actually leaned into him, matching his pace, kissing him back with a sudden warmth that surprised them both. But when his touch grew more familiar and the moment began moving in a direction she wasn’t ready for, panic had flared inside her chest.
She had snapped back instantly, her eyes squeezing shut in absolute terror.
Uchenna had only let out an unhurried, low chuckle, his hands retreating immediately to release her. She had coiled straight into a tight ball, dragging the duvet over her face.
“Good night, baby,” he had whispered into the low-lit room. She had stayed dead silent, pretending to be a statue.
How is she supposed to look him in the eye this morning?
“Holy Spirit,” she mouths to the ceiling, her hands squeezing the edge of the blanket. “How am I supposed to leave this bed right now?” She pauses, her eyes widening as she realizes her manners. “Sorry I didn’t say good morning first. Good morning, Holy Spirit.”
The heavy thud of Uchenna’s bare footsteps echoes from the hallway.
Iremide yanks the duvet straight back over her head, curling her knees to her chest under the heavy fabric.
The bedroom door clicks open. “Baby, are you awake?”
Iremide squeezes her eyes tight in the darkness of her blanket fortress, holding her breath until her lungs ache.
The footsteps grow louder, tracking across the rug until they stop right beside her side of the bed as he leans down over her.
“Baby?” his voice rasps, warm and laced with early morning calm.
She stays frozen, wishing she could temporarily dissolve into the sheets.
Uchenna’s fingers find the top edge of the duvet, tugging it down with a slow, deliberate gentleness until the bright morning light hits her face. She can feel the intense weight of his stare. He kneels beside the bed, his face hovering just inches from hers. His lips press a warm, brief kiss against her left cheek. Then her closed eyelids. Then her forehead. Then the tip of her nose. Finally, he brushes a quick, sweet kiss against her mouth.
“Baby, I know you are awake,” Uchenna says, his thumb lightly stroking her jawline. “You shouldn’t squeeze your eyes and freeze up like that. Just stand up and start preparing for work. Breakfast is already waiting on the table.”
Iremide keeps her lips tightly pressed together, though a massive, betraying smile threatens to break through the corners of her mouth.
“Of course, you could also just stay in bed and miss the class with your student,” Uchenna adds, a clear, teasing edge in his voice. “That way, we have all the time in the world to make love to you.”
Iremide’s eyes snap open immediately. Her heart gives a sharp wild kick against her ribs at the sight of him. He is smiling down at her, fresh-faced, the shadow of his jaw tracing a sharp line just inches from her face.
“Heartbeat?”
“Hmm?”
She forces herself to sit upright, pushing the duvet away, but her gaze immediately darts toward the wardrobe to avoid his eyes. “I am shy… and fasting.”
“Oh, that’s true. For our triplets, right?” Uchenna teases softly. He shifts, rising from his knees to sit comfortably on the edge of the bed right beside her. He hooks an arm around her shoulders, pulling her flush against him.
Before she can mount a defense, his mouth claims hers again. This time, it is a slow, deeply patient kiss that coaxes her lips open, moving with a gentle certainty that makes her head spin. Iremide’s eyes flutter shut automatically, her hands clutching at his wrists as her heart pounds against her chest.
He pulls back just an inch, his eyes dark and glittering as he studies her face. "Still shy?"
“I am completely blank,” Iremide whispers, her eyes still locked tight against the morning light.
A joyful chuckle vibrates through Uchenna’s chest. “That is definite progress.” He taps her chin gently before standing up from the bed. “I will leave the bedroom to you now. Take your time, get ready for your class.”
Iremide gives a tight, quick nod, her eyes firmly closed until the bedroom door clicks shut behind him.
Hours later
“Teacher Ire!”
Five-year-old Jason skids across the polished marble floor, his small arms locking tightly around her waist.
She sinks to her knees to bury her face in his freshly combed, coconut-scented hair. “Jason, my favorite astronaut.”
A sharp, unsteady clicking sound echoes from the staircase. Mr. Folagade hurries down the steps, a leather laptop bag bouncing against his hip and a silk tie dangling half-knotted around his neck. He looks flustered, his eyes darting frantically to his gold watch.
“Miss Iremide, thank God,” he says, his words tripping over each other as his shiny black shoes hit the bottom step. “I am horribly late for this board meeting. The traffic at the Lekki Tollgate is already backed up to the bridge. Thank you, thank you so much. See you at four. Bye, Jason!”
Before Iremide can even open her mouth to mouth a proper morning greeting, the front door flies open and slams shut with a heavy rattle. The sharp roar of an engine ignites in the driveway, fading into the distance seconds later.
The large house falls into a quiet, structured stillness.
Iremide adjusts the strap of her tote bag over her shoulder, turning her full attention down to the little boy who is still clutching her thumb. She squeezes his tiny fingers, a genuine, warm smile spreading across her face.
“So, Jason. Time for our morning check-in. On a scale of one to ten… ten means you are super happy, one means you are exhausted, and two means you are sad. Where is your thermometer today?”
Jason swings her hand back and forth as they walk toward the wide wooden staircase that leads to his study room. “Two.”
Iremide pauses on the very first step, tilting her head down to look at him. “Two? Why two, big guy?”
“Because Daddy said he had to leave early-early,” Jason murmurs, his small brow furrowing into a deep line as he looks up at her. “I was scared to stay in this big house alone with the gateman. But now that you are here, I am an eight. Let’s go and do some singing!”
Watching him race up the stairs ahead of her, his tiny light-up sneakers squeaking loudly, Iremide takes a deep, grounding breath. Her thumb unconsciously traces the new diamond band on her left finger. She follows him up the stairs, her heart feeling lighter with every step.
They settle down in the brightly colored study room. Iremide sets her tote bag on the floor, her smile widening as Jason eagerly opens his large textbook.
"Lead us in a short prayer, Captain." Iremide says and Jason nods happily.
“Father, Lord, help me with my book today, bless Teacher Ire, bless me and my daddy, In Jesus' name.” Jason says loudly.
"Amen," Iremide replies loudly and happily.
“Today, we are starting with some character building before we touch any mathematics. Are you ready for it?”
Jason nods with immense energy. “Yes! I am ready, Teacher Ire.”
Iremide claps her hands together once, a lively spark in her eyes. “Excellent. Today, we are learning how to be leaders!” She throws her arms wide, striking a dramatic superhero pose.
“But not the bossy kind o—oh no,” she adds, wagging her index finger back and forth with a playful frown. Jason mimics her expression, his little finger wagging right back at her. “We want the kind of leaders that make people smile, help others, and do the right thing even when nobody is watching them.”
Jason lets out a bright chuckle.
“So, Captain. Should we start with a story, a game, or a song?” Iremide asks. She knows the absolute rule of handling five-year-olds: always activate the brain cells before introducing the scary numbers.
“Song! Song, Teacher Ire!” Jason chants, tapping his feet against the legs of his chair.
“Hmm, let’s do it then. We will use the tune of ‘If you are happy and you know it, clap your hands.’ Are you matching my energy?”
Jason nods rapidly, his eyes glued to her face.
Iremide starts the rhythm, clapping her hands in a steady beat as Jason joins in with a joyful shout:
“I’m a leader today, yes I am!” Iremide points a thumb proudly to her chest, and Jason immediately copies the movement, puffing out his little ribs.
“I’m a leader today, yes I am!” She nods her head with an exaggerated, confident expression, watching him imitate her every move.
“I can help, I can share, I can show that I care!” Iremide opens her arms wide into a welcoming hug, then places both palms flat over her heart. Jason smiles from ear to ear, mirroring her hands over his own printed t-shirt.
“I’m a leader today, yes I am!”
“Now, verse two!” Iremide announces, keeping the clapping rhythm perfectly alive.
“I will lead the right way, yes I will!” She flashes a huge thumbs-up toward him. Jason bursts into a giggle, flashing his own tiny thumb back.
“I will lead the right way, yes I will!”
“I’ll be kind, I’ll be fair...” Iremide brings her hands together, forming a neat heart shape with her fingers. Jason twists his small fingers, trying desperately to copy the shape, but his knuckles lock up in a clumsy knot. Iremide leans forward with a soft laugh, gently adjusting his fingers until they form a perfect little heart. His face lights up.
“I will choose what is right, I will lead the right way, yes I will!”
“Now for the final verse, I need the Captain to stand up on his feet for some light exercise,” Iremide says, winking at him.
Jason practically jumps out of his chair, his feet bouncing on the colorful floor mat.
“When I lead, you can follow me!” Iremide starts doing a hilarious, stiff robotic dance move with her arms. Jason lets out a loud, belly laugh, throwing his arms out in a chaotic robot imitation.
“When I lead, you can follow me!”
“Clap your hands, stomp your feet!” Jason slaps his palms together excitedly and stomps his light-up sneakers against the floor with a rhythmic, happy thud.
“Shake your body to the beat!” He wiggles his shoulders and hips, giggling so hard he almost loses his balance.
“When I lead, you can follow me!”
They hit the final clap together, both of them breathless and smiling as the quiet of the big house dissolves into the background.
Iremide drags her feet across the threshold, her shoulders slumping the moment the front door clicks shut. She wanders into the living room, unhooks her heavy tote bag from her shoulder, and lets it drop onto the floor with a dull thud. Without even removing her flats, she collapses onto the long side of the L-shaped couch, burying her face against the soft fabric.
The click of a door handle echoes from the back hallway. At the sound of her arrival, Uchenna steps out of his home office. He slides his work glasses off his face, tossing them onto the kitchen island as he walks over to the couch.
“Baby, good afternoon,” he says, his voice deep and smooth as he sinks into the cushions right beside her.
He leans back against the plush backrest, hooking his arm beneath her arms and pulling her upward until her head rests directly against his chest. The familiar scent of his laundry detergent and clean skin fills her nose. Her torso rests against him while the rest of her legs dangle over the cushions.
Iremide tilts her chin up, her eyes tracing his sharp jawline. A small, helpless smile breaks across her face. “You are far too handsome, Uche. It is unfair.”
Uchenna’s chest rises with a silent chuckle. “Is that a proper compliment?”
Iremide nods her head against his shirt.
“So, how was work today?” he asks, his hand moving to rest securely on her hip.
“Interesting,” she says, her eyes brightening as she remembers Jason’s robot dance. “My kids are the absolute best. I love them so much!”
Uchenna’s thumb stalls against her hip. He tilts his head down, his eyes fixed on her face. “And me?”
“I love you too, nau,” she replies instantly, her voice softening as she stares back up at him.
Uchenna lets out a loud, genuine laugh that vibrates through his chest into her cheek. “I love you more, Iremi. I love you to the stars and far beyond.” He leans down, pressing a firm, lingering kiss against her forehead. Iremide lets out a soft, contented sigh, her eyelids fluttering shut.
They stay like that for a quiet minute, the cool air from the split-unit AC washing over them.
“How was work? Have you sent out the thank-you messages to everyone on the guest list?” Iremide asks, her fingers mindlessly twisting a loose thread on his shirt.
Uchenna nods. “Hectic. And yes, everything is sent. But I noticed something. I haven’t heard a single word from your best friend, Busayo. Is something wrong? Usually, you two are inseparable. I sent a custom message to her personal line too.”
Iremide bursts into a bright smile. “Oh, Busayo promised to give me a strict one-week break because of my new marital status. Honestly, I need the breathing room. The moment her self-imposed break is over like this, she will resume and won’t let me rest with endless gist.”
Uchenna laughs loudly, shaking his head. “Fair enough. Smart girl.”
He shifts slightly, his hand sliding up to trace the curve of her shoulder. “Baby, I already contacted a professional cleaning agency and negotiated a monthly rate. Someone will be coming in four times a week to handle the house cleaning.”
Iremide nods in immediate relief, her bottom lip expanding into a cute, exaggerated pout as she looks up at him. “Thank you, Heartbeat.”
Uchenna’s gaze darkens, dropping from her eyes straight down to her pouting lower lip. His thumb stops its movement on her shoulder. His breathing shifts, becoming slower, heavier.
“Baby, I am trying very hard to be patient with you right now.” he says, his voice dropping into a raspy whisper that sends a shockwave down her spine.
Iremide’s heart instantly starts a wild sprint against her ribs. Her bare toes twitch against the edge of the couch. “You said I have a full grace period until tomorrow, Uche.”
“I know,” Uchenna says, a wicked, teasing wink gracing his features. “But a married man can always try his luck.”
She gives him a flat, deadpan stare, though her cheeks are burning with a fierce heat. She raises her hands, pressing her palms against his solid chest, and pushes against him with absolutely zero strength.
“Uchenna. Please behave yourself. The fruit of the Spirit includes patience, self-control—”
“Hey, baby, don’t do that. Don’t bring theology into this,” Uchenna chuckles, his large hands easily wrapping around her wrist and pulling her right back against his chest. He leans down, pressing another sweet kiss against her forehead, but the humor quickly fades from his expression. He studies her face, his gaze incredibly tender. “Are you still terrified, Iremide?”
Iremide hesitates, her gaze dropping to his collarbone. She slowly lifts her hand, her index finger slipping into her mouth as she bites down nervously on her nail. The living room goes still for a long, heavy moment.
“Will it be painful?” she asks, the words slipping out so quietly they are almost lost in the room.
Uchenna’s expression softens. He releases her wrists, his hand moving to gently cup the back of her head, his fingers soothing through her hair. “A little bit, I guess. I think it varies from woman to woman. But I promise you, I will be incredibly careful, baby. No rush.”
Iremide lets out a slow breath, her foot tapping a light, nervous tempo against the leather cushion. She swallows hard. “Okay,” she whispers, her teeth transferring from her nail to bite down gently on her own bottom lip.
Uchenna nods, his thumb brushing a comforting line across her cheekbone. “I want our first child to be a girl, you know. A cute and chaotic baby just like you. I adore you, Iremi.”
A small, genuine smile breaks through her anxiety.
Uchenna leans down, his face closing the final distance. His lips touch hers, and this time, Iremide doesn’t pull away or freeze. She arches her back slightly, moving closer to him, her eyelids dropping shut as she opens her mouth to savour the warmth of his lips. A quiet, breathless groan escapes her throat, her hands coming up to grip his shoulders.
Uchenna lets out a low sound, his arms tightening like iron bands around her waist as he draws her flush against his body, deepening the kiss until her toes curl against the cushions.
Love is in the air 🤩
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Thank you, Adeola for posting such a story. I'm not just following the storyline, I'm also catching a glimpse of sexual education in it.
This is an untouched topic in my church and cultural background.
Somehow a woman is expected to suddenly expertly navigate sexual Intercourse once she's married.
Sex may be exciting, but it is also terrifying for me to know that I'll strip naked before a man and enjoy doing such things with him; especially for those who were sexually abused as children and has a negative impression about the entire act.
I'm following the story, and I'm learning.
Thank you once again.
I desire wholeness.
Easy o, my eyes are single na