surely, it'll produce a magma
of adorable human dimensions
of hibiscus variants like you
and butterfly variants like me.........
'That's the end of that.' He announced. 'So, your suggested title?'
'Ermm........ Family?............... Sex?.....' She was unsure?
- Yes love, it is family; actually, "OUR FAMILY'S MULTIPLICATION," particularly the procreational multiplication.
The guests applauded rapturously the moment it was clear she got it.
'Here is as well anot.............' Robert began.
'Wait wait wait Roberts,' the master of ceremonies interrupted him, 'are we going to stay here all day listening to your unending litany of poems? It is enough please, we are tired!'
'Nooooooooo.........' The guests shouted, especially the ladies, 'continue.......let him continue!!!......'
- What? You guys don't want to go?
- Yesssss.............. Continue.......... More poems............
'This is actually the last.' Robert placated the master of ceremonies. Then turning to his wife, he asked, 'Sweetness should I stop?'
'What! Why?' Continueeeeee.......' She screamed. 'I'm loving every moment!
'Yeeeessssssss.................' The guests celebrated as the master of ceremonies got comically pushed aside.
'Then,' Roberts obliged them, this last composition is titled: 'I LOVE DELIGHT!'
A million loving whispers in the covert
can't compare to one in the overt
thus, in this place so public
I initiate an amorous relic
which generations will relick
before this audience I say: I love Delight!
But it won't suffice;
so I'll go to the BON(Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria)
to say before all Nigerians: I love Delight!
Yet that won't suffice;
so I'll stand on Kilimanjaro
to echo it to all Africans: I love Delight!
Still that won't suffice;
I will stand on Mount Everest
and shout it to the world: l love Delight!
that'll scarcely suffice;
I will go to the CNN
then to Aljazeera
and of course, the BBC
to inform all with breath: l love Delight!
Perhaps, that will do..............
'Oooooppsssss!....................... Ooooooooooo..........................prrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........'
They guests cheered.
Delight, on the other hand lacked words and gesticulations to express her delirium and appreciation of her husband's straight from the heart poetic feelings and admiration of her. All she could do was join him in kneeling to the longest warmest embrace along side the longest pure from the bosom kiss of her life amidst reactionary and emotionally approving whispers cum rising sounds from the guests.
'Ektiiinggg......ekting!...... Eeekktinnnnnggggg!' The master of ceremonies coughed as he accentuated to a disengaging signal on the couple. 'Mr. & Mrs. Robert, we are not done with you yet. One more item on the programme. Now, you are entertaining us to a little game; one after the other, you are going to tell us fresh romantic names you will be calling each other as from now onwards. Remember, the names should be exceptions to the very common ones around, they should be such that has never been heard. I expect the man to win as the poet he is but I also understand the bride is a poet in her own right. Therefore, the first to give up is the loser. And............gentleman first!'
'Sweetness overdose!' Robert began.
It caused a bemusement around the hall as the guests reacted with affirmative cheers to the romantic novelty of the pet name. Little did they know however, they had a trailer load of romantic bemusement awaiting them. By the time the bride responded, it became a roller coaster romantic ride of pet names.
'Dreamer weed.' She reciprocated, laughing.
- Dynamic cupcakes.
- Emotional therapy.
- Delectable beaut.
- Heart caller tune.
- Surplus ecstasy.
- Marble pearl.
- Live streaming imagination.
- Ceaseless desire.
- Lovestruck thunder.
- Bosom thunderbolt.
- Romantic avalanche.
- Amorous corrupter.
- Heart prophetess.
- Benign hunter.
- Unassailable chaser.
- Psychic crush.
- Alluring paradise.
- Tree of love.
- Tranquilizing pill.
- Sensorial charmer.
- Pleasure lava.
- Garden of romance.
- Gladdening flux.
- Timeless turner.
- Pleasant nightmare.
- Emotional balsam.
..........................
'Robert, we are waiting for you.' The master of ceremonies urged.
'Actually, I am exhausted.' He caved in.
- The bride is the winner!!!
The house gave a loud cheer in response; as you may well know, especially the ladies.
The couple were overwhelmed with gifts from the attending guests. Top of those being a four bedroom duplex in the choice district of Maitama, Abuja. Closely following in order of luxury were three brand new SUVs and many other glamorous gifts of enviable pedigree.
The presidential suite number 705 was booked for them for three nights in the same hotel of the reception after which they will fly out to the mesmerizing city of Calabar, and the Tinapa resort and tours for the incipience of a roller coaster honeymoon.
At 10pm, all manner of persons, including very close ones like family relations, friends and planners, knew without being told any, I mean as much as an iota of an inch close to suite 705 amounted to a nuptial taboo and an unpardonable violation of the couple's very very 'discreet conjugal wedding night right' and a breach of their consummate privacy. Therefore went every man to his or her tent like Israel, while the couple got into the luscious groove....
CHAPTER 31
Mrs. Robert emerged from the bathroom all amorously dressed up in the most revealing night gown ever. Mr. Robert was already waiting, seated and rested on the large resting board at the bed's head. He salivated erotically as he saw through her virgin privacies. She flirted a provocative gait as she approached, climbed the bed from the foot, crawled to him as her breasts dangled in the see through. She got to him, spread her legs and sat on his waist, facing him squarely. He did not move, overwhelmed on his first time. All he did was stare at her.
'Soul charmer, this is the night we've been waiting for. How do you feel?' She whispered into her ears.
'Tensed.' He replied curtly.
- You know, I feel the same way actually and that is understandable as it is our first time at this.
- You... re....... You are right you know.
- Irrespective, tonight, you would not just be my soul charmer, you'll have to take it a notch higher and become my sensual cum sexual charmer. So, are you ready?
- I.....ca....n't....say...for.......sure.
- Don't worry. Just relax, you'll be fine in the end. First lets start by taking off your mask so we set sail with a smooch.
- Ermmm........ermmmm......... Sweetness, you're sure you want to do that?
- Come on, don't fool around; I am now your wife! We just wedded right?
- Sweetness.......... If you asked me, I'd rather. ......we....consummated the marriage first before you take off the mask.
- Really? Why?
- So you would still have the feel of the Masked Poet you have known all this while. If you remove the mask it could feel awkward for the consummation you know, I will suddenly have a new but strange face from the one you are familiar with.
- Well, it is a plausible proposition but it is not done anywhere that couple consummate a marriage with either wearing a mask!
- We can set our own rec
ord today.
- No, I want to see my handsome. I want to behold prince charming!
- Are you really sure?
- Come on Robert, stop delaying a sensual night! You could quench an arousal! Please take off this mask!
- Okay. But before then, remember your promise to............
- I remember alright; everyone of it. It does not matter if you are handsome or ugly, I'll love you nevertheless. Robert what's going on here? Why is it such an issue taking off your mask?
- (Crying) I'm afraid you won't love me again when you see it.
- Why are you crying? What the heck is wrong with you? This is a wedding night, don't play spoiler; I've waited for it all my life! I insist you take off this mask!
- Please give a hard thought to my argument sweetness.
- No way! I can't make love to you while you, my husband, not a stranger on a one night stand or on a pleasure round, has a mask on him, and worst of all, also on our wedding night! That's never ever done! Take off this mask!
- Okay, calm down. You don't have to raise your voice. You can go ahead and take it off yourself.
- Goooddd!... This should have happened long ago. I'm sorry about my attitude but I will make it up to you when we are done with removing this mask of yours.
She took her hands to his head's rear, her boobs pressing on his face as she undid the well tightened strings of the mask. That done, she withdrew to her original sitting position as she gently removed the pink mask so chosen to match with the wedding's general theme. At this juncture, he was shaking feverishly.
'Jesussssss!' She shouted as she quickly jumped off him and off the bed as well, standing a good way off from it. 'What are my eyes seeing?'
'Sweetness, you have to take it easy.' He spoke as he made for her from the bed.
'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!' She screamed as she took to her heels, out of the suite, and headed for the reception, calling for help as she ran.
CHAPTER 32
He ran after her but remembering he was unmasked, stopped at the door and watched while she ran. He subsequently closed the door as soon as he heard the sounds of unlocking doors from the 'neighbouring' suites who had responded to her screams.
She caused a stir that night as her screams awoke, and held the hotel to ransom.
At the reception, still in that transparent gown, she frightfully beckoned on the receptionist:
'Call security. Please call security quickly!'
'Calm down madam!' The young receptionist placated her. 'What's the problem? Why are you asking for security?'
- There is........... There is a........a......chim...pa......a chimpanzee in my room. Call security please. Where is your phone?
- Wait a minute madam! Please don't touch that hotel line. How come there is a chimpanzee in your room? How did it get in there? There's never been a report of such in this hotel. How........
- Will you call security now before the chimpanzee chases me here!!!!!!!!!
The receptionist succumbed to her last scream. Soon, security arrived. And so did Delight's family, Robert's family, and all friends cum planners associated with the couple. One of the ladies immediately ran back to her room, brought a wrapper and wrapped it round her body beginning from her chest region. She was still screaming and pointing towards the lift like a mad woman. Whatever this is must be really serious, they all reasoned.
'What is the problem my daughter?' Her father asked her holding her close. 'Daddy is here, I will defend you.!'
'Look.....look there......a chimpanzee...... from my room. It is chasing after me. An ugly chimpanzee!! Daddy help me!' She spoke as she clawed tightly unto her dad, pointing to the lift.
- What are you talking about? This is not a zoo and even if it were, such wild creature would be duly caged. Come on daughter, are you really okay?
- I'm okay dad! I know what I'm talking about. He was in my room, then he started chasing me when I took to my heels.
- What? In your room? You mean with your husband? By the way, where is he? I mean your husband? Was he attacked too? Or did the chimpanzee overwhelm him?
All in that hall were surprised at Mrs. Robert's weird demeanor on the night, wondering what on earth came over her; all, except Robert's mother and extended family. They just stared on in shock as Delight narrated her ordeal. They were however not in shock because Delight claimed a chimpanzee was after her, but because they thought she knew about it already. Thus, they were on the whole, rather embarrassed they have been unwittingly dragged into a conspiracy they knew nothing about. Looking back now, they realize they should have asked their potential in-law then, to get the truth from her mouth, instead of relying on the information Robert's mother gave to them - that Delight was well aware and willing to go ahead with the marriage. Robert's mother on the other hand stood speechless with her hands on her head as it dawned on her the plan has backfired. She thought Delight would be a true family woman who takes in everything, and does all for the sake of family but alas, she was wrong!
Just then, Robert appeared from the lift. All the while, he was putting on his mask again. His wife pointed at him as she turned all eyes to him.
'There daddy,' she alerted, 'that's him. He is the one. He is the chimpanzee.'
'Delight!' Her father shouted her down. 'That's your husband you are pointing at! Are you in your right senses calling your husband a chimpanzee?'
- Daddy I know what I'm talking about. He is the chimpanzee chasing after me(crying from fright).
'What is going on here?' Robert asked calmly as he got close.
She went behind her father, hiding from him as it were.
'Go back you chimpanzee!' She told him coldly. 'Don't you come near me.'
'Robert, ' her father asked, 'what on earth is going on here?'
'Same question I've asked all day since she all of a sudden started shouting and screaming there was a chimpanzee in the room, and thereafter, ran out.'
- Are you saying nothing instigated this sudden behaviour?
- It just started sir, without a cause, or at least none that I know.
'Liar!' She shouted him down.
'Get a hold of yourself Delight!' Her father barked. 'It's your husband you are calling names for goodness' sake.'
'Daddy, he is the chimpanzee. There is a chimpanzee behind that mask of his. Else, ask him to remove it!' She insisted.
'Sweetness, what are you talking about? Lets get back to our room, and our honeymoon.'
'Very well then. I will, but only after you are man enough to take off that mask!' She dared him.
- You very well know others shouldn't see my face for obvious reasons. Lets go to our room.
- I'm not following you anywhere! I can't coexist with a chimpanzee. May be in the next, but not in this lifetime.
- Sweetness I'm not a chimpanzee.
- Then take off that masquerading mask.
- It's my trademark and you know that.
- As a matter of fact, I'm no longer comfortable with this hotel, where is the wedding planner? Please take me to another hotel to spend the night.
- Sweetness you can't do that. Its our first night together, the start of our honeymoon. We should not be apart from each other.
- Then suit yourself! I'm out of here.
She refused all efforts to make her stay, rejecting the pleas from her in-laws as well, as she taken to another hotel at her insistence. What a night of contrasts it turned out to be; from a celebration to a situation, a very drastic situation.
As a man of honour, Delight's father wanted the matter resolved at once. The next day, he invited the couple to his suite for a meeting with the only other persons in the room being Delight's and Robert's mothers.
'My children,' he commenced, 'thank you for the respect you have shown me in honouring my invitation of you despite the impossible circumstances. I don't want us beating about the bush: my son, you have only your mother, wife, and in-laws here; please take off your mask.'
'But sir............ He made to respond.
'No buts please.' He interrupted. 'If you truly want this matter to be resolved amicably, please do as I say.'
His mother urged him on with a tap. He took off the mask.
'Obase eahhhh!.......' Delight's mother exclaimed. 'Oweh eahhhh!........'
Mr. Same was stunned but held his emotions like a man as he stared intently but silently. But regarding what he saw, surprise was an understatement as he has never seen such before; a full fledged human, perfect in every other area except that he had the face of a chimpanzee with all the associated wrinkles, roughness, contours,
*obase(Assigan = God; obase eah! = o God!) *oweh eah!(Assigan = my misfortune!)
and ugliness.
After sometime, Robert put the mask back on his face. Silence rented the air for some minutes afterwards.
'You see what I mean?' Delight enlivened the gathering. 'You all thought I was not in my right senses last night.'
'How do we go about this now?' Delight's mother asked.
'My in-laws, please forgive us' Robert's mother pleaded. 'Understand our plight; my son so loved your daughter he didn't want to loose her. We felt if he opened up he would loose her. Please help plead with your daughter.'
'Madam you ought to know better.' Mr. Same lamented. 'As an elder, you should have known a weighty issue like this ought to be revealed before a marriage, I mean this is a lifetime commitment.'
'Forgive me sir.' Robert went on his knees. 'Sweetness, I am so sorry. My love for you got the better of me. I still love you, will always love you know. It's still me - the Masked Poet. Nothing has changed. I am...................'
'Something has changed!' Delight interrupted rudely. 'The masked poet I knew was human. This one here is a primate.'
- But my loving person remains.
- You know what Robert, I would gladly forgive every other offense of yours except that you hid from me a most sensitive matter; that is unpardonable. Rather, it is pardonable, but its product is unpardonable.
'My daughter,' Robert's mother begged, 'for the sake of marriage, please forgive your husband.'
'He is not my husband!' She corrected. 'I no longer have a husband. Matter of fact, I never had one; a liar can't ever be Delight's husband. Who knows I would have considered if the truth was laid bare? And please don't even think you can tie me down with that marriage analogy. I know marriage is for better, for worse, but what I have with your son can't be called marriage because it is founded on a lie. This is all a lie! A farce! It doesn't even exist and it never did.'
The Masked Poet Page 28
