Girlfriend For Five Hours

On my thirtieth birthday, my mom and her sister came all the way from Abuja to celebrate with me. I never expected that they would come to Lagos. The last time I set my eyes on my mom was two years ago. She had been pestering me on bringing a lady home to introduce as my fiance. Each time this topic was raised, I simply ignored it because I was not ready for marriage.

Budgeron Bach

Today is entirely a different ball game. Now that she has come to visit me uninvited, I know the issue will be brought up again. As confused as I am, there was nothing I could think about. The first thing was to make her comfortable. I took Mom's luggage to the visitor's room and Aunty Nelo followed me. Then, I gave them water and juice to drink. I was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. I ran out and peeped through the pigeonhole and saw that it was Stella, a lady who comes to my place for house fellowship.

Thank God you are here. You came at the right time. Please, you would act like my girlfriend to my mother.

With a stern look, Stella refused.

Why would I stoop so low as to pretend to be your girlfriend when I am not?

Before she could end her statement I cut in and said

It's not for free. I'd pay you 20k for the five hours.

Mom had said that she and my aunt would be returning to Abuja late that evening. They would be boarding their flight by 5:00 pm.

I'm in if you can make it 25k

Stella said, looking in the opposite direction.

We both agreed to 25k and she walked into the living room ahead of me. Stella was a good actor. She acted her part so well that my mom believed that she was my girlfriend. They both welcomed Stella and as ladies, they acclimatized in no time. From all indications, I saw that mom loved Stella so well.

On my return to the living room mum changed her mind and said that she will be spending two more weeks. I was taken aback on her decision but Stella appreciated it.

You have a flight to catch, mum.

This can't be happening to me. How do I get money to pay Stella for every five hours in the next two weeks? This thought raced through my head.

We have called to cancel our flight.

At this point, I knew that I was for some real problems.

I called Stella into my bedroom. She agreed and followed me sheepishly. I just wanted her to agree to stay with me for two weeks.

She nonetheless agreed to stay, perhaps I would be paying her and on some conditions.

We won't share the same bed. There will be no touching of any kind whatsoever. And I will pay her 100k for the two weeks.

Without any ado, I gladly accepted and the pretence continued. The first week, I slept on the couch in my bedroom while Stella sleeps comfortably in the bed. For all those periods, I wasn't sleeping well and my body ached.

On the eighth night, an argument ensued between Stella and I in the bedroom. It was over sharing the bed with her because of the pain that I was feeling all over my body but she wouldn't let me. Despite promising not to touch her, Stella refused me from sleeping in my bed. She spoke so loudly that my mom heard all our conversations.
In my confusion, I didn't know what to tell my mother. That night, my contract with Stella ended. She packed her stuff and left.
The next morning, my mom woke me up very early. She came into my room and all she could do was to laugh. I knew she would scold me for conniving with Stella but I was ready to give a response. Unfortunately, she didn't not speak about Stella. She just laughed and left my room. At the door post,she turned and said:

That girl is the kind of woman you should marry.

Since that night, I vowed never to pretend anymore. And Stella has never returned all my calls. Perhaps, she is feeling what I am feeling too, who knows.