HIRED WIFE

” Just one fine girl like that! for the past two months now she has been coming to the club every Thursday to perform and entertain the clubbers.. everybody is excited because the girl sabi dance eh”

“.. she can whine her waist in such a way that you won’t even know when you stand up to dash her money.. she’s that good!” Dave expounded

Although I felt like he was just exaggerating, I still decided to play along

” Wow! which means I have been missing a lot o” I said and ordered another drink since the one I have been drinking is almost finished

” Don’t worry, you will see for yourself.. and aside the dance part, the girl is a goddess in human form in terms of beauty”

” Okay o, let me see for myself because I know you to be good at exaggerations” I said and we both bursted into laughter, but it was cut short when the bright stage light went off.

Shortly afterwards, a dim light came on and a moderately slim girl came into view, I am guessing it is the dancer with the way everyone was shouting joyfully.

She began dancing and moving her waist so flexibly that I was wowed!

Shouts of encouragement filled the air and soon people stood up individually to drop money at her feet, probably for appreciation.

Wow! Dave was actually right about her, she is indeed beautiful and such a great dancer.

I did not realize when I also stood up alongside Dave and walked to the stage like others did, to drop money at her feet.

Few minutes later, the dance ended and everybody including me clapped wishing it never ended, but everything that has a beginning has an end too.

She left the stage and I couldn’t stop smiling and shaking my head at such dancing talent.

Dave began laughing and I knew very well that his laughter is actually directed at me as he asked sarcastically

” Tony my man! So now you’ve seen for yourself, what is your review?”

” She is truly good at dancing and also beautiful but not like a goddess as you painted it.. I believe my wife Sophie is more beautiful than her” I simply replied

” See comparison.. tell me what concerns a dancer and your wife? why comparing them nau?” Dave asked looking at me

” You that compared a dancer to a goddess nkor? what concerns a dancer and a Mami water?” I asked back and we both bursted into wild laughter.

This made me realize how much I missed us and our petty friendly arguments.

” But on a serious note, Tony have you noticed? Anytime we talk about any woman you must always compare them with Sophie your wife, it’s not right nau…” Dave said and paused then continued

“… me I believe every woman is beautiful in their own unique way” Dave concluded and I saw sense in what he was saying

” You’re right.. I guess it is because I love my wife so much that’s why I unconsciously compare every woman with her.. I will try to stop the habit if I can” I said sighing

” I know you love your wife, I have never argued on that and you know it.. that aside, something just crossed my mind now!” Dave said and I looked at him in anticipation

” Really? What’s that?” I asked curiously

” It’s partaining to the hired wife issue.. I think this dancer would actually fit for the role since she somehow has Sophie’s physique and round face” Dave suggested to me

” I never thought towards that area.. but I don’t think she fits the role moreover physique doesn’t really matter as I will make sure to get rid of Sophie’s portraits in the house before the contract comes to play” I said nonchalantly

” So Angie doesn’t come across it and discover the truth?” Dave asked a question that already has an obvious answer

” Isn’t the answer obvious? all the same, like I said earlier I don’t think she is fit for the job of my hired wife!”

” Why? she seems okay to me”

” Dave, if a home trained money earning nurse would actually behave the way Oge did, how much more a club dancer who might have tasted enough street life before finally landing here in a club.. I don’t need any second problem!”

” There you go with the whole generalization and comparison thing again.. Tony! everything is a trial.. who knows, she might actually be different from the rest” Dave said in a convincing manner

” What really makes you think so? Give me two solid reasons”

” Well.. First, she is physically beautiful and can dance very well too.. second, hiring her is like having a free dance entertainment in the house for as long as the contract will last” Dave said jokingly and I bursted out laughing at such sarcastic reasons he gave

” you’re so funny Dave, please stop being sarcastic and be serious abeg!”

” Jokes aside, you can’t deny the fact that the girl is physically very beautiful both in face and shape.. I believe she would actually fit to be the hired wife you are currently looking for” Dave said to me with all seriousnessAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

” True.. I won’t deny the fact that she is beautiful physically but is she beautiful at heart? So you know Oge actually taught me a lesson about judging physical beauty only” I said in all seriousness too

” You know what? do what your heart tells you.. but if I am to advise you as a good friend, I will say you should go for her, at least a trial is okay!” Dave concluded and sipped from his drink silently

” Wait! let me ask you.. do you even know her name?” I asked Dave

” I do hear people call her Nmesoma.. I think that should be her name” Dave replied

” Nmesoma? isn’t that an Igbo name?”

” Obviously it is, why?”

” That makes it a red flag then.. Oge came from the same tribe!”

” Tony o! I give up on you with comparison, do what you want abeg!” Dave said raising his hands up in a dramatic manner

I was embarrassed and also I felt like I should actually think this through thoroughly before coming to a decision, instead of simply concluding base on past experience with Oge who is an Igbo girl.

I turned to Dave and said in defeat