Sinmisola Ogúnyinka’s True Dream novel What’s good for the goose

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Sinmisola Ogúnyinka’s True Dream novel What’s good for the goose

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ONE

I met Tony in my final year at university. At the time, he’d been working as a chemical engineer

for two years. A smart, handsome and humorous guy, he was my dream husband. We had great

plans for a beautiful future. As an architect-in-training, I was going to build a big house for us

and our four children.

His parents loved me to pieces. As a student, I would go to his parents’ home for the

weekend, cook, clean, and even make hair for his mum and younger sister. I was so much a part

of his family, and he was a part of mine.

After school I opted to do my masters’ degree, and then went on for youth service. We

planned to get married after I got a job, which was immediate. His best friend, Bryan, who had

connections all over, had pushed my name in the right direction and I’d gotten a great job. Tony

and I courted for close to three years without incidence.

Then one day, Tony called me. He sounded impatient, like it was urgent, what he needed

to tell me. I was at work, and he was too.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I can’t now but I just want you to know there’s something important I need to tell you.”

“Lunch break?”

“No. I’ll come to your place after work.”

With that, he hung up, and stole my concentration for the rest of the day as well. I shared

a two-bedroom apartment with a colleague, Tessy, and we were both home, when Tony knocked.

It wasn’t strange for Tony to visit my house. Because we both worked, we sometimes didn’t see

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka’s True Dream novel What’s good for the goose

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ourselves till weekend but we spoke every day and night. Coming to my house in the middle of

the week wasn’t strange, but rare.

“Do you want to eat anything? I can fix a quick meal,” I said as soon as I let him in.

“No, I’m fine, thanks.” He walked to the love seat we shared whenever we decided to

watch a movie together, and sat down.

He didn’t look upset or different or unhappy. “I’m calling off our relationship.”

Just like that, he dropped the bomb.

My mouth drooped. “You and who? Bryan?”

He had a business relationship with Bryan and I thought that was who he referred to. But

he’d never complained about Bryan to me, so that sounded strange as well.

“No. You and me.” He looked at me. “I’m calling us off.”

I lowered myself to the nearest seat. More than his words, the matter-of-fact look on his

face stunned me.

“What did I do?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just—through with us.”

I laughed. “Goodness, Tony, your humour is first in the world. You should be admitted

to…”

“This is not funny, Melisa. Have I ever talked like this before?”

“But is it not strange? Do you have someone else?”

“No, I don’t have anyone else. I just want my freedom.”

“Freedom from what? Me?”

“I didn’t say that. I want to be on my own. What’s strange about that?”

I stared for a moment, and laughed again. “Tony? Please stop this joke, I mean…”

Sinmisola Ogúnyinka’s True Dream novel What’s good for the goose

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He stood up. “Laugh it off if you like.” He headed for the door. “Don’t call me.”

“Aha?” I stood up and just looked after him. He opened the door. “Tony?” The loud bang

of the door after him sent chills over my body.

To cut a long story short, Tony ended our relationship as shocking as it sounded in my

ears and that of all my friends. After days of calling him without response, I went to his parents.

“I learnt long ago never to force a man to love a woman,” his mother said as though I was

a stranger. I’d even cooked two pots of soup and everyone had eaten before I reported my

situation to them.

“Maybe he is joking,” his father said flippantly. “Give him time.”

When I left their home, I vowed never to go there again. I later learnt from one of our

mutual friends that Tony had told his parents before he told me.

I was heart-broken if ever there was another word for how I felt. I withdrew, I cried, I

couldn’t concentrate. I remember the short days and weeks after that announcement, how I tried

to talk to him, reach out to him. I begged him to forgive whatever I had done. Nearly three years

just gone like that?

Overwhelmed, I took a week off and went to my parents’ just to be away from my friends

and snoopers who wanted to know more. When I returned, Bryan paid me a visit.

He and Tony had been friends from secondary school, and remained best friends. He had

gone on to read civil engineering, and then started his construction outfit right after school.

Bryan was the richer of the two though no one cared about that. With his Dad’s influence as a

government official, he’d succeeded tremendously in his business, and he was good at what he

did.

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I saw Bryan through the peep-hole, and hesitated. What did he want? Being a

construction man, he travelled a lot, and had been out of town three weeks earlier when Tony

launched his missile.

I took in a deep breath. “Hello, Bryan.”

“Hi. Mels, are you going to open the door?”

“What do you want?”

It was rude, and Bryan had been such a great guy who didn’t deserve to be treated like

this but for all I knew, he might have been in on the plan. Tony never did anything without

telling Bryan.

For a moment, my heart hoped. Maybe Tony wanted forgiveness, and sent Bryan to ask

it. Maybe it was all a joke like I had thought. Maybe…

“What sort of question is that?”

I peeped at him again. He looked round, and then down.

“The sort you and Tony decided to make it.”

“I’m not here because of Tony.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Let me in, Melisa.”

I took a deep breath again and opened the door to him. He stepped in and stood at the

door, staring. I closed the door and leaned on it, my arms folded across my chest. I wasn’t ready

to entertain him till I knew his mission.

“You lost weight,” he said softly.

Okay, so he came to give his condolences. Thank you. Give, and leave.

“Please say what you came for, and leave.”

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“Am I your enemy now? A stranger?”

“You know what you guys did. Please state your business and leave.”

“Very well.” He leaned against the door post and folded his arms across his chest too.

“First, I want you to know I am not your enemy. I totally abhor the way Tony treated you but I

am not against his decision.”

I straightened, aghast. “What do y…”

“Listen. Second, I came to ask you to marry me.”

Buy What’s good for the Goose, other True Dream titles, and books by Sinmisola Ogúnyinka from

amazon.com (kindle edition), pleasantwritersguild.com (pdf format), jumia.com and konga.com for paperback.