Bimpe - A Night to Remember 6

Written by Ogi Emokpae

Photo credit: pinterest

Bimpe woke up a little late, she lay down starring at the ceiling recounting some of the events of the previous day, her sore ankle reminded her of the incident that occurred in the carpark after the negotiations, and then she wondered what could have happened if she had not attended the negotiation process, Mr Benson might have been in some danger. She felt a little sad for the thug, whose arm, she had dislocated, but in the scheme of things she had to be sure that he was demobilised, and no longer a threat. She could not help laughing at the other thug who did not stop running for miles, nobody wants to die she thought to herself. But the best part of the day was flirting with Mr Benson, they would be spending the day together and who knows maybe the night too.

Mr Benson was at the office early casually dressed as he looked forward to relaxing with Bimpe. He already had an idea of some of the things he would like to do. Bimpe had said it was her treat, but he said to himself something would have to give, he started on how he had come to meet Bimpe, and how they became close, he knew he enjoyed her company and had resisted the temptation to ask her out more than once. That afternoon everything would change, he wondered what the day would bring.

Mr Benson had planned the perfect getaway, he had asked Mr Pius to take the Range Rover for early servicing of the vehicle, picked up the keys to a Toyota Camry from Admin, he would himself he would not be using any of his cars for fear of being spotted with a girl young enough, to be his daughter. Then he remembered his friend Debo who always had younger girls, and wondered how he did it. He shrugged his shoulders and n his bid to kill time he signed all the approvals in his pending tray. 

It was time to go he thought to himself, he grabbed the key to the Camry, it was parked in front of the reception, he quickly adjusted the seat, mirrors and was off, destination Surulere, to meet with Bimpe at the Ogunlana Drive Chicken Republic, he had never been there but he knew where that was located. Piece of cake he had said to the worried Bimpe as she struggled to point out the landmarks to the place. His drive skills kicked in as he rolled the Camry out of the premises, as if to test the strength of the V6 engine, he sped off, he wanted to beat the traffic lights before it changed, easy does it, he smiled to himself. 

He headed for the Falomo bridge, speed was about 85kmph, and in less than 15 minutes Mr Benson was rounding the 90 degrees turn at the Kingsway Osborne Road interchange. Flipping through his phone he had selected the music app on his iPhone and was soon tapping the steering wheel to the beats of Assurance by Davido. He loved Naija beats, just like he did a bunch of other things society would frown at, he laughed at a reckless driver, who tried to outpace him, at the 1st avenue intersection, he let the man go with his wahala, he was glad he did not have to do this every day. Now as he touched Osborne Road, he tapped the pedals for a double shift in the transmission virtual tearing through the remaining stretch of the road. Joined the third mainland through carter bridge he was approaching Costain at about 120kmph. Mr Benson was surprised at the light traffic. 

He made his left turn at the stadium and as he approached the Masha roundabout, he was whistling nodding and tapping the steering wheel to Dumebi by Rema, when suddenly his phone rang killing the music that was playing. He picked the call, it was Bimpe "Is that you that I see in the black Camry?" She asked, with so much excitement in her voice. "This girl you no tell me say you get wintch", he replied laughing with equal excitement. He pulled into the Chicken Republic, hit the central lock button to allow her into the car, he observed she had an overnight bag. "Hmmm, you this child I see you came ready", “yes oh! na to wintch you patapata, you go take!!“ She laughed, fastened the seat belts while he manoeuvred the Camry out of the busy Masha roundabouts, "that was smooth" she commented. 

He headed for stadium bridge, signalled left as if to be headed for Ikeja she marvelled at his driving skills, snapping her fingers and rolling her wrist and shoulders to Burna Boy’s, “Gum body” when he sped past the toll gate at Ojota. The Camry sped past the redeemed camp, at about 180 kmph, Bimpe glanced at him, smiled and paid more attention to the music playing, unperturbed about where they were headed. 

She commented on the great selection of music in his collection. Her confidence in the ability of the man behind the wheel did not waiver as he approached Challenge roundabout, in Ibadan, roughly forty-five minutes after he picked up Bimpe, then he took the route to Bodija, made a sharp right and headed for the cultural centre. Mr. Benson, now parked the car in front of the Buka, and said: "Amala and Gbegiri ahhh! I am hungry and food is ready".

Once inside, they took their bowls bought their food and got down to the business at hand, pure water was served and a calabash for the hand washing ritual. This is priceless Mr. Benson remarked, I had wanted to do this forever, he told her, and today he just thought to himself why not. He drank from the nylon. Telling her that back in the day the food was served with palm wine, it was her first time there; but she loved it. We should see the sites in Ibadan before we leave, they headed for the zoo and toured the sites in Ibadan, Bimpe had long switched her phone to aeroplane mode she did not wish to be disturbed. 

Two hours later cruising on the third mainland bridge, they joked and laughed about some of the lyrics of the songs that they listened and sang along to all afternoon, you know I can’t imagine that we drove to Ibadan to eat Gbegiri and Amala, Bimpe said. I am curious though she said to him, and he asked her about what, " would you ever allow anyone drive you at such speed like you did today?" "Hell, no", he replied, I am safest in my hands, actually only one person drives me at that pace he confessed, Chief Douglas. Smiling he said to her, do you have any idea what I feel like doing now? " tell me" she replied, "picnic on the beach", "Which one?" she exclaimed. "Takwa bay!!"  Mr Benson replied. 

Do you know that I own a boat, that I have not used in a while, a chalet too over there, steward and a boat driver; thing is that I never find the time and the company anymore. We used to go there when the family was in the country, but with everyone living out of the country, well.

He immediately put a call through to his Boat driver, “Education” was an Ijaw man in his late fifties. He had been in the service of B and L for at least twelve years maybe a little over. Sir, a hoarse voice, came over the line, Mr Benson instructed I will be at the jetty in thirty minutes, prepare the boat, there was a yes sir from the other side. 

Once in Victoria Island, there was a quick stop at Goodies, on Kofo Abayomi for what Mr. Benson called beach accessories.  They were on his boat within an hour, riding the waters to Takwa Bay, it was an unbelievable experience. It took a phone call to have fresh supplies sent to the beach house, Mrs. J was efficient like that, without questions asked, a catering service had despatched all sorts of meals enough to last the weekend for a family. Me. Benson had sent the boat back for the vital supplies, Education returned with the food and some drinks, while the couple walked the beach. 

Bimpe teased Mr. Benson, she had changed into her bum shorts and a cropped top, she took her bag from the car at the mention of the beach, she was not slacking at all. 

She had gotten out of her Levi jeggings and Denim top as soon as they got off the boat. Mr. Smart the housekeeper had shown her to the guest room, where she changed into appropriate clothing for the beach, it was well furnished and the basics were all in place. Incidentally Mr. Smart had had to go back to the mainland something about his wife being pregnant and close to her delivery time, he left at about 4.30 pm by the Tarzan boat a commercial boat service which ferried passengers between the Eleke Crescent Jetty and Takwa bay. He was excused, Mr Benson had thought maybe they would stay on till about 6 pm when it would be safe to ferry back to the Island before it got dark.