Just a boy 2 by Zara Iko

Several years later, with Stanley Jnr in high school and finding expression of himself his father was invited to meet with his class teacher because they found out he wasn't too pleased with Junior's favourite pastime.

“Sir Stanley isn’t very interested in playing any sport. The boy loves to cook and he is good at it. He brought a trophy home last week I believe you saw for  baking the best cake in the school’s baking competition” Miss Amaka said to Junior’s dad.

“I saw it but I expected, if my son brought a trophy home it should be for let me say running, MVP or highest goal scorer in a football tournament and the likes not, for cooking. One of his sister’s could easily bring a cooking trophy”

“Sir Stanley is a special boy; he is very talented and needs your support”

“I’ve heard how special he is since he was born, yet I can’t see the manifestation. I want my son displaying Laddish behaviours, running shirtless sweating after a ball and not sweating with an apron in the kitchen.”

“Let the boy do what he loves, sir.”

Stanley rose up and said “I have to head back to work Miss Amaka”

Ever since Stanley Jnr showed prowess in his culinary skills rather than on the field as his father expected, Stanley snr tried vehemently to discourage him. Rosario his accomplice took her time to teach him all he wanted to know, sometimes she wondered why he was so interested but she was too glad to have someone willing assist her that she didn’t want to question his motive so he wouldn’t bail out on her. It wasn’t like he totally hated sports; he played football with his mates and sometimes trained with his older sister Selma who was training to be a professional long jumper. The family was talented in sports stemming from their parents who were star athletes in their university days until they got pregnant with Stacey and settled down to a more quiet family life and Stanley snr setting up a scouting organisation to spot gifted athletes and help them develop their talent. The family was very comfortable, over the years the business had grown and his first two daughters’ joined the firm after graduating from university. Stacey graduated with a degree in sports management and Susan bagged a degree in physical education. Sandra the third child was in her final year studying fashion design and already designed her first brand of sportswear and Selma helped model. Things had turned out right with his other kids, their father felt Stanley jnr was like an alien in the folk. Stanley felt as a Manly man it’s only natural that his son is butch.

After work Stanley returned home and met his son in the kitchen preparing dinner. Luckily Sarah and Selma were also in the kitchen with their mom “Jnr you should stop wearing trousers and start wearing dresses” Stanley made jest of his son. Rosario was quick to take to her son’s defense “You too can join in. We are making dinner as a family” “could be why dinner isn’t ready yet, too many hands spoil the soup you know” Stanley replied her. Rosario said “darling cheer up dinner will be served shortly”. He turned to jnr and said “Let the women finish dinner” and took him out of the kitchen. In order to avoid his father wrath he obliged without complain. Just before they slept Stanley picked up an argument with his wife “It’s all your fault our son is girlie because you treat him like one of the girls, he is twelve and prefers to sweat in the kitchen. I won’t be surprised if someday he comes home with a boyfriend.” Rosario rose up from bed obviously very upset by what Stanley just uttered “don’t be a bully Stanley, don’t push our son out of his mind.” Then she left him to sleep alone.

Before they left for school in the morning their kids realised that Rosario slept in the living room, breakfast was ready but her pillow and blanket was still on the couch. They suspected their parents may have had a fight but they didn’t want to stir up emotions so they left without asking questions while they all had breakfast. Stanley handed a letter to his daughter Sarah and also left without a word uttered. Sarah the sixth child was waiting to get into university. She still wasn’t sure of what career path she wanted to take, she sent applications out to different universities and each university a different course she based her final decision on the first university to offer her a place. She was a little disappointed when the university in her home town offered her a place to study Bsc in entrepreneurship.

Overtime two of the Johnson girls graduated from the university, Sophie gained a degree in sports communication and was employed in a sports television platform as a news reporter while Sonia read law and was a junior lawyer in her father’s organisation she also represented a few of the companies sports personalities. Selma at 17 was the junior champion in long jump and at 18 been given sports scholarship into the university to study BA in human resource management. Stanley jnr brought more trophies from winning cooking competitions , his father had shown his displeasure but was not very expressive about it so he would avoid fighting with his wife that didn't mean he didn’t give his son a piece of his mind whenever he could while they were alone. Stanley Jnr had also become a star runner in school excelling in 400m which also added to his trophy collection, that he did so his dad will give him the laxity to pursue his passion. Yet his dad was still not ready to have his son cooking, all his sisters except the two closest to him- Sarah and Selma stood with their dad.

It was the craziest period of his life. The best universities offering him just as they did his older sister sports scholarship and other packages to entice him into their university. His dad had pressured him to apply for a combined degree in business and talent management so he could someday take over the business  but he wanted to a degree in food nutrition and then become a chef. The scuffle between father and son had generated into a family meeting. The meeting degenerated into a word war with family members throwing words like daggers at each other. Feeling hurt the most was Stanley his dad things uttered words that cut through his heart  "if he was what people classified as special that they were retarded for thinking such and that he wishes he never had him because unlike the others he had made him most misery and was a confused little boy". He had enough of the words thrown at him so he ran away from home that night. Rosario who sat quietly all through the meeting after she saw he son bolt out of the house got up and addressed the whole family and pleaded that her son be left alone to make decisions concerning his life she continued “your expectations of him is driving him crazy. Stanley is only a boy, my boy. If anything happens to my boy I promise you I will never forgive any of you. Some of you mothers” pointing at her four oldest daughters “how would you feel if your husbands’ treated your sons this way?” she stopped there and excused herself from the gathering.

Days passed since Stanley Jnr went missing and still there was no news of his where about. A secret between mother and son had to be revealed  to Selma when she was asked to go look for Junior in a catering school he was supposed to be attending training,no one had heard from him there too. Rosario all along and didn't want to invade his privacy but as more time passed she looked through his phone he left without for clues and found out Stanley jnr had a girlfriend called Nana. After she spoke to Nana,  Rosario was told that the same night he vanished, he went over to see her and since then not seen him or heard from  him .

Selma returned to the university, after the emotionally draining search for her brother. She was in the final semester of third year. “Unbelievable!” she said as she met her brother relaxed in her apartment having tea and chatting away to her flatmates, she looked at him abit annoyed but she didn’t want him to run away again so she hugged him and said “do you want to kill your mother?!” “I thought I should just chill awhile here I hope you don’t mind” he asked “at all;But let’s tell your mother you are here first” Selma replied.

Just a boy 1 by Zara Iko

“Mummy’s water just broke” Stacey called out to her other siblings “call for an ambulance. Sonia, come get mum’s hospital bag, I am helping her down”. Rosario unable to contain the pain screamed because contraction started immediately. All others scrambled from around the house to her room. Susan still had the house phone in her hand. “Have you called the ambulance” Stacey asked “Do you mean I should call Dad” Susan replied. “I said call the ambulance, does dad and ambulance sound alike?!” Stacey yelled back at her sister feeling the pressure from her mum leaning on her and holding tight any part of her she could as she felt contraction. Rosario felt some relief and rushed to her bed, breathing out fast through her mouth “Didn't I tell you to call the midwife when I went into labour? I am not giving birth in the hospital I am giving birth at home. I want to do things differently this time so I can get a different result” “ I hope you don’t think giving birth at home determines the sex of baby, mum.” Stacey queried her mum “call me the Midwife little miss I know it all, I put you through school” Rosario scolded Stacey.

Not long after she was called the midwife arrived, and a few minutes after they heard the cry of the baby. The mid wife popped her head out of the door and said to all gathered outside the room waiting anxiously. They all held their breath as they saw her; she said “your mum has a boy”. They breathed a sigh of relief at the good news and that mother and baby are also doing well. Stacey called her dad at the office; he initially requested that if Rosario went into labour while he away they should ring him first. Stacey however felt he would be of little assistance when labour finally came. “Hello dad, mum just gave birth.....” but before she could finish she heard the busy tone. About an hour later, with the placenta out and mother and baby cleaned up, the mid wife opened the door to the room.

Rosario had given birth seven times to all girls. Each time she insisted she will try again. She already had an all girls basket ball team and extra, when she got pregnant again even her girls wondered if their mum was aiming for a football team.  While the girls celebrated their new brother, Selma the last child stayed out of it, she felt jealous that she wasn't the baby of the house anymore.

The battalion gathered in their mother’s room where she sat resting her back on the bed. “It’s a boy” Rosario said weakly as she sighted her girls. “You see why I didn't want to give birth in to the hospital. I remember they told me you were going to be a boy and you too”, she said pointing to the fourth and fifth born Sophie and Sonia, “but you came out as girls”. All the other children maintained silence but Sophie the most outspoken one of them responded saying  “I wonder what kind of hospital you went  to then that they couldn't even scan correctly” “will you shut up your mouth” her mother answered her and the other children burst out laughing.

Soon afterwards the baby was brought back into the room by the mid wife for breasting feeding but Rosario asked that the children came in order of their birth to have a feel of their brother. Stacey led, and then Susan followed. Each one of them kissed his cheek and passed to the next. When Selma’s turn came she held him and turned straight to the window, they all watched to see what she wanted to do. She placed him on a chair by the window; she opened the window and carried him up again. Stacey rushed up to her and carried the baby from her. She asked her “what are you doing?” Selma replied sincerely “I want to throw him out of the window, so I can be the baby of the house again” Sandy her immediate senior laughed at her hysterically and said “that’s how I felt when you came”. Rosario shut her up saying “That’s not true. You were too young to remember anything” “mum that’s my point at least she enjoyed being the baby longer than I did” Sandy defended herself. “Rosaria called on Selma who had already begun to cry “I got a better title for you. You may not be the baby of the house anymore but you are still the last girl in the family and no one can take that from you” “until you have another one mummy” Selma replied. “No Selma I won’t have any more children. “Mum, can you give birth to six other boys so we can all be equal and I still remain the last girl” “Stacey helped her mum answer by yelling “hell no” then she place the baby in their mothers hand.

They all stood there watching as their little brother started sucking their mothers breast for the first time, shocked at his expertise Rosario thought out loud “this boy sucks just like his father” the girls stood there wide eyed shocked at what their mother just uttered out while Susan closed Selma’s ear “mum too much info” they all chorused, she simply raised her palm up and down signifying “get over it”.

Stanley joined the rest of the family “I stopped at the hospital, and then I figured you must have had a home delivery when I didn't find you there. Well, what is it?”  “He is a boy” they called chorused. Stanley leaped up in Joy “Thank God finally I have a boy” .He held his son rejoicing in his hand, then he led the family in prayer and announced....... “And he will be called” , Susan cut him off before he finished “dad it doesn't have to be another stupid  S name again” Stanley gave her a stern look and continued “he will be called Stanley Johnson jnr.”

“Mum how come no one has an R name just like you? Sophie questioned. Rosario agreed and then turned to her husband. “I don’t think he should be called Stanley, why not Robert with an R like me”. “Where is Robert coming from?! He should be called Stanley like his father. You can give one of the girls an R name”

“That’s stupid Stanley they already have names” Rosario said

“Yes but you can rename them”. Stanley still insisted

With their parents going back and forth with each other, the older girls left the room leaving the two youngest girls with them. Rosario fired on “I am the one popping out the babies and then you come and name them” “I provide for them” Stanley responded “I cater to them, nurture them” Rosario didn’t give up “well that’s your duty Rosario” “Then it is our duty to name them, not solely yours Stanley” the bickering went on and on until she had complained enough. She turned to Selma and said “from today you will be called Rosario Johnson”, but Selma shook her head and said “no mummy I want to be called Rihanna, it also starts with an R”. Her mother thought for a minute and agreed. Selma screamed, jumping, then she ran to meet the rest of her sibling singing “oh na na what’s my name”  they asked her “what” and she said “Rihanna” they remained mute and starred at each other wide eyed in amazement. Sophie commented “Well I guess we won’t be sending out IV’s for only a naming ceremony but for also a renaming” “I really can’t wait for that” Stacey remarked also and they all laughed at what had just happened.

“Our son is special; he popped out without me having to push too much, he was no trouble at all. This is by far the easiest birth I have had” Rosario said to Stanley while they were alone in the room with their son. “Could be because you've gotten used to it” Rosario didn't find that funny she gave Stanley a silly look and he retraced his comment saying “I bet he is a special Kid, can’t wait till he is all grown”.

Wife Incognito 5 by Zara Iko

“Look at who decided to stay in a hotel” Naya said to the two others in their company. All four sat outside in Kenny’s back Garden, soaking in the afternoon’s sun. The weather was bright and sunny- a great day to enjoy staying outdoors. They listened to music from FM while Jeremy served them iced lemonade with a taste of mint. “We can’t stop” by Miley Cyrus came on the radio and Naya increased the volume standing in front of Kenny twerking until the end of the song, cheered on by the girls. Then she continued where she left off “Kenny just told me he will be staying in a hotel”. Feeling tensed from Naya teasing him with her dancing and then not giving up on him staying in a hotel, he asked for rum and added two shots into his lemonade, he rushed it down quickly. Naya still went on “I can’t figure out why you are not saying anything about you deciding to stay in a hotel. Are you not going to change your mind, you don’t just have a room, I come with that room now, isn't that enticing enough to change your mind”

“Everything is a joke to you isn't it? Including your own body. I am staying in a hotel to avoid you” Kenny said

“Avoid me, why? I thought you liked it? I told you I did it all for you. So you can love me more” Naya reacted.

 “That is creepy Naya, you did it for you, so you can love yourself more”

“Not true Kenny it’s all for you”

“How do you know what I like when you never asked me? You simply just assumed?”

“No Kenny I observed you, I noticed what tickles your fancy. The ladies we met in Figora, the way you looked at them, the way you hugged them...” then he cut her off

“That's preposterous Naya, each and every one of them I introduced to you as my friend, except the ones you walked out on. How did you get your twisted ideas to play on your mind?”

“It’s done already Kenny, what do you suggest I do now?”

He looked at her and sighed then he said “I need time to think about this”.

You must know what you want; even right now you do know. Tell me now Kenny”

“Enough woman”

It was an awkward experience for Leila and Nima sitting there quietly trying to mind their business, the ambience changed swiftly from relaxed to tense. They had thought Kenny digested Naya’s frivolities rather well. “An absolutely late reaction” Leila thought. They all expected Kenny to arrive blazing with anger and spitting fire at Naya but he acted calmly. Naya’s lack of remorse and insensitivity about how Kenny felt kind of shocked them as well; she grabbed the bottle of rum in front of Kenny, poured into her glass and gulped it all in one, whining her waist slowly dancing to “No letting go” by Wayne wonder. “unbelievable“ Kenny thought , got up and announced that he would be leaving for the clinic to see how Dave was faring but Naya paid him no attention until he left.

“Naya, what do you think you are doing?” Nima asked after Kenny left.

“What do you mean, Nima?”

“I know you are not that naive, you totally just ignored Kenny, and I hope you know what you are doing”

“How is it your business? I have had enough of you, miss perfect. Somewhere in your mind you think you are a better match for him, but he is already taken.

I am not going to get mad, i will take it that the Rum has clouded your reasoning."

Two and a half weeks into their holiday, Naya had recovered and somehow the ladies had made up from all the bickering. Naya still couldn’t understand Kenny’s annoyance with her, after all whatever she did, she did it for him. While in her village going about her daily routine, liposuction and breasts implants were things she watched on TV or read about and she felt fine with herself. Then he came into her life and she felt she had to measure up to all the beautiful exotic women he was exposed to, hence her decision for cosmetic surgery.

Naya had been so sure about Kenny’s feelings for her but traces of doubt grew more every time he avoided her causing her heart to ache. The truth is Kenny already loved Naya despite what she had done, his heart never faltered from her. The confused, spoilt little girl most people saw was different from what he saw. He saw an innocent young lady trying really hard to please him, even though she was totally different from most women he dated she had all the qualities he imagined he wanted from the woman he eventually married, she had a touch of reality, away from all the glitz and glamour in the life of a royal. He was certain that despite her changed outward appearance which he may kind of like, she was still the same inside. His greatest challenge would be convincing his parents to accept Naya.

Kenny answered the telephone in his room and was told a lady was coming up to his room. He stood in front of his room waiting, he suspected it would be Naya and there she was, she wasn’t her usually jokey, teasing self, she looked aggrieved “I would like to return  to Ndovlo tomorrow”

“Why” Kenny asked

“We might not be rich, high and mighty like you but we still have our dignity” Naya said while Kenny listened attentively, he saw the look on her face and his heart sank, he reached out to her but she stepped back. Naya spoke with tears raining down her cheeks. “It’s ok if we end this .Thanks for all the good times you have given me, I would pay you back everything in the nearest future” confused Kenny asked “what’s going on”. “Ask your parents” she answered and left the hotel. Kenny didn’t follow her, he had a rush of different emotions,then he reached for his phone and called home.

There wasn’t any Gossip on the tabloids but somehow Kenny’s folks had heard and without contacting Kenny they informed Naya’s folks through an emissary stating that Prince Kenny couldn’t go on with the marriage because Naya had inflicted irreparable damage on her body, stating that Naya could no longer be afforded the privilege of becoming the future queen of Ndovlo. That Naya had displayed irresponsible behaviour at her first taste of freedom and cannot pass as a role model for the Women of Ndovlo, they went further to say that their daughter would be returned to them immediately and all ties to the royal cut off. Naya's folks would have felt insulted, he thought.

The next morning he went over to the house early before the girls left for the airport spending only three weeks of their month’s holiday. He pulled Naya to privacy knowing full well the leech was Jeremy, he knew his parents put him there to spy on him and if it wasn’t that he was so good at his job he would have fired him.

“Naya, to be honest I wasn’t aware of what my parents did. It wasn’t my decision” Naya broke down crying, she was in love with Kenny and she was experiencing her first heart break the pain was too overwhelming for her. She hugged him and said “I have to go” but he held her back “you don’t have to go” she said again “I have to go, my parents want me back”

“It should be about what we want not what our parents want” Kenny replied her.

“This relationship has been over since you got here, it’s obvious what you want Kenny” she released herself and started to walk away, he wanted so badly to hold her back but he held himself back then he yelled at her “I should be the one walking away not you, you caused all this.

On their way to the airport Naya cried inconsolably, she loved Kenny; she didn't think she could go a day without him, he said it was what they wanted and not what their parents wanted so he would take her back if she wanted him back.  Mike the chauffeur couldn't handle her crying anymore so he parked the car and went to have a chat with her. “You love Kenny?” she nodded her head “what is the chance you will see him again if you leave?” she shook her head and said "never". You want Kenny back don’t you?” she nodded her head. “Then you should go back to him” she nodded her head again. Mike got back into the car and took a U-turn back to the house. They met Kenny slumped on the chair looking devastated. He gathered himself when he saw Naya, she walked up to him “If you are, I am willing to make this work. I’m so sorry for what one stupid decision has led to. I might be naive but I sure know what I want. If I miss you I would end up with one of those boys in the village, and they won’t let be me the way you let me. After experiencing all this, how do you think I would cope? Not that I love you because of what you have, that’s just an added advantage, It is who you are: remarkable, kind, and generous man. Kenny smiled at her faltering words he pulled her to himself and they kissed and made up. “I can imagine everyone’s face when they finally recognise you when we get back, I bet you that even your mom wouldn't recognise you” he laughed out but she didn't then he said “don’t worry I will protect you my beautiful, sexy ......” singing her praise as he used to and she acknowledged by turning round showing off her assets for him.

                                                      -The End- 

Wife incognito 4 By Zara Iko

After surgery Naya was taken to the recovery area where she regained consciousness. The room was silent when she opened her eyes, facing up the white ceiling, the walls were white too. she panicked a little thinking she had made it to heaven during the surgery. She tried to sit up; pain seared through her body, no way someone will feel this kind of pain in heaven she thought. She relaxed, thankful, that she was still on earth. She cupped her breasts gently they felt sore but they felt fuller and firmer in the surgical bra. She thought almost aloud “there is no way Kenny wouldn't like this”.

Shortly after, the ladies entered the room and greeted her meeting her still drowsy from the general anesthesia given to her before the surgery. After a few minutes of silence Leila announced to Naya that they had informed Dave and he was on his way to meet them. Naya looked mad but she was done with the surgery, whatever the case, it was already too late to reverse it. She simply shut her eyes and no matter what they said she didn’t respond not even when Dave arrived ranting and raving in her room, she just didn’t respond. She didn’t have to sleep in the hospital but out of fear they advised she did and returned home the next day. The doctor insisted it was fine for her to leave that the operation was only a liposuction and cosmetic augmentation he termed infra-mammary. They looked at him with of an expression "explain in  layman’s term please" on their faces. He explained that she was cut along the underside of her breast and the silicon was inserted and stitched back together. Even after hearing the simplistic explanation they still insisted she spent the night in the hospital.

The next afternoon Nima and Leila came to get her, while Dave was at work. They tried chatting but Naya’s laconic reply showed her lack of interest in their discussion. As soon as they got home Naya headed straight to her room, Leila announced she would be leaving since they had nothing planned for the day and also asked for the details of Naya’s post surgery check-up with the Doctor. Naya stayed in her room for hours and came down for dinner. “Isn’t Nima eating” she asked Jeremy. He said she left with Leila that afternoon and had not returned yet. A surge of jealousy rushed through Naya she thought “unbelievable, now they are best friends.”

All the while they were together Nima and Leila planned how they would break it to Naya that Kenny was aware of what she had done. Nima had found it impossible to keep it to herself and she told on Naya. She did it to save herself and her family from having the village stigmatise her as an accomplice to irresponsible behaviour. Still yet she had a fulfilling day at West Field Mall shopping for herself and her family. 

Naya sat in the living room waiting for Nima to return. Nima walked in with shopping bags in both hands feeling good with the progress she had made, she sighted Naya and it was glaring Naya wasn’t pleased with her, so she totally ignored Naya and headed upstairs.

“Are you going to pretend you did not see me and not say anything or is it guilt eating you up” Naya attacked her

“Guilty of what, Naya? I don’t want a fight so I am simply going upstairs to my room and calling it a night” you have been acting like a spoilt brat since we got here you,you have been so self centred. I know I am here because of you, but please treat me like your best friend not like a hired help” Nima responded.

With tempers flaring Naya rose up from where she sat and walked to Nima “I am glad you still remember you are here because of me. You have refused to go out all this while and then you choose the day you know I can’t go and then you go out with Leila”

“Are you insinuating I was motivated by spite to go shopping with Leila”

“I didn’t say that, maybe you telling me that’s what you did”

Nima took in a deep breath she was furious “Naya, I told Kenny”

Naya looked at Nima with intense anger, she looked like, if she could she would release laser rays from her eye and erase Nima from existence.

“Now I know you are just being spiteful” Naya stormed out of the sitting room with Nima walking behind her “so you done talking, when i am in the mood to talk”.  Nima dragged Naya back, Naya stumbled backwards and faced her and gave her a push that sent Nima crashing on the floor. With Naya gone Jeremy who had been listening all along without interfering helped Nima up and tried to console her.

 Kenny stopped all wedding preparation and other engagements and was making plans to travel to the UK.Baffled by the news he received the night before, He was frustrated trying to reach Naya and being unable to; she clearly was refusing to talk to him, ignoring all his calls and messages. More frustrating was that he could not confide in anyone especially not his mom because she would say didn't I warn you. He had to lie to dodge anyone finding out the real reason he was travelling unexpectedly.

Kenny arrived London a week later, every other person apart from Naya was aware of his coming that day. Not sure of what he was going to see he stopped at a hotel first, before he hurriedly made his way to his house. He knocked at the door and a lady opened the door, looking all surprised she jumped up and down in excitement, she attempted to hug him but he stepped back and stretched out his hand, he didn’t know her. He thought she might be a friend of the girls. He brushed past her, as soon as he was in he called out for Naya loudly so wherever she was in the house she would hear but he heard her from behind answer him “I am here Kenny”. He turned back really shocked at what she had transformed to. He just stared at her perplexed and observed what was different about her. He had never seen her on make up before and it changed the way she looked, she had a different hairstyle on, a different mode of dressing, she smelt really sweet and she was totally transformed, she also seemed to have lost some weight, looked more mature and very sophisticated. Then his gaze shifted to her chest, they looked a little bigger, firmer obviously she wasn’t wearing a Bra and he could recognise that because her Nipples were poking out through the dress she had on. He thought “she seems fine, in fact she looks incredible. Why all the panicky calls”. He told her “I am glad you are doing ok”. Feeling glad he didn’t react the way others thought he would she led him to the bedroom telling him she wanted to show him something.

She took off her dress and showed him her bare breast and the scar from the  implants done and how fast she was healing. Insensible to what she was doing to him. He just stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a word as though his tongue was tied. She moved closer to him “I did all this for you Kenny. So you can love me more. I am so happy you like it. Do you like it?” she asked him. He cleared his throat but didn’t say anything. she continued “the best thing is that I can still breast feed”  standing close to him she kissed him, his hands wondered to her breast and she let him dampen his curiosity then she took off  his hands and told him it was still delicate from the surgery. Really happy he took everything well she told him “Nima and Leila are in the Garden; Let me inform them that you are here”. Still tongue tied from the smooching he nodded and she left the room.

Wife incognito part 3 by Zara Iko

The initial plan was to begin shopping as soon as they got to London. The weather started out bright and sunny but not for long before the sky turned grey and it started to rain. The new arrivals still felt jet lagged and lazy to go out in the rain so they all decided to stay indoors and get acquainted. Dave sat quietly, enjoying Naya and Leila chat away; he only chipped in when he was invited into their conversation. Surprisingly, the two hit it off, even though they were from different worlds. Naya was young, inexperienced and spent all her life in the village, Leila was a little more mature, a model and an aspiring fashion designer much more exposed than Naya was. They clicked so well, probably because they found in the other what they needed to advance themselves. Naya thought 

“Finally I meet someone who knows what I am talking about” while Leila thought

 “She could be my pet project”. 

Naya quickly forgot her best friend Nima, her escort and confidant on the trip. Later that evening, Jeremy served a feast for dinner- grilled beef steak, served with baked potato with creamed parsley potato filling and boiled carrots, garnished with English parsley. Nima didn’t join the others; she requested that her dinner is served in her room. Naya and the others relished every bit of the meal, she was used to more spicy foods but the taste of this was simply perfection as she and the quests commended the meal. The evening ended with a call from Kenny, he briefly said hello to Dave and Leila and they left well feed. Eager to speak to his beau and find out how she was faring, he was also a little annoyed that she had not bothered to ring him since she arrived.

Kenny spent the Sunday evening entertaining his two best mates in his quarters in the palace. It was obvious he wasn’t too pleased with Naya during the call. Since he did not come out to tell his friends anything about his relationship, they felt uncomfortable asking him any questions. After the call they broke the ice on the topic and bombard him with question.

One of his friends said to him “For someone like you with your experience, I’m not too sure you have gone about things rightly. You’ve been thinking with your heart and not your head. Who is this Naya we’ve been hearing about and how long have you been seeing her?”.

There had been gossips in Ndovlo tabloids about the prince’s engagement. His friends had expected it would be to someone in their circle but she was totally unknown to them. The only glimpse they had of her was pictures from papers and magazines.

 “Guys I called you here for this, my parents have chosen a bride for me, and I intend to get married soon. I have known her a little over three months now, we get along very well, everything is happening so fast and it feels right. She is a sweet girl; a little too young for me and a bit of a free spirit but that’s what makes me enjoy being with her”. Kenny answered to the probing questions of two of his best mates in Ndovlo.

“When you say a little too young, how young are you talking about?

“She is 18”

 “You cradle robber” one of the guys said and the other one burst out laughing. “Well I guess it is good to catch them when they are young. Ten years is a lot, but we still looking forward to meeting your Naya”

“She only just left yesterday and she will be away for a month”. Kenny replied them.

Naya’s first point of call was the cosmetic surgeon. Nima stayed back at home still insisting on not being a part of the adventure. Leila went with Naya and they promised to be back for Nima so they could all go to the mall. During the consultation she told the Dr She wanted liposuction on her tummy, ties and butt but wanted to increase her bust. Confused the Dr asked " are you sure you want to increase your breast or reduce, seems to me you need a reduction more than an addition, you are a D cup, Isn't that big enough? Naya affirmed she wanted a bigger breast “I would to be a double D” carrying her breast from under “I want them perkier. “Your breasts are firm for its size and there isn’t much difference between a D and DD cup, you are still young after a few kids you can come back for breast enlargement or maybe a lifting then” the doctor said trying to crack a joke which Naya didn’t find funny. Naya spat back at him “there is a difference between the two sizes and if you are unwilling I would have you know there are a hundreds of other doctors I could switch to in a matter of minutes”. Reluctantly he agreed to perform the session on her. And she wanted it immediately so the doctor asked her to return in two days. On her way back home Naya decided she didn’t want to do any shopping until after the operation so she would buy clothes suitable for her new size.

Nima had been busy researching on the side effects of Naya’s latest quest. They had always been partners in crime in all their mischief but this time around she was opting out. As soon as Naya arrived Nima presented it to her. Naya looked through and as soon as she recognised what it was about she threw it back to Nima .

“Nima you will not become a kill joy, I am going through with this nothing you do or say can stop me”

“I agree. But at least talk to Kenny about this. You say you doing this for him and he doesn’t know about it. Why don’t you ask him what he wants?”

He doesn’t own my body, at least not yet. I know Kenny he might not agree to this but when I am done I can assure you he will like it” 

You know what Naya; you are doing this for you”

“What if I am? If the case was reverse you know I would support whatever decision you took and stick with you till the end. Do same for me Nima. I would appreciate it if you mind your business and mention nothing to Kenny”. Then she stormed out of the house without Nima, got into the car where Leila was waiting and they drove off.

Left in a dilemma between her loyalty to her best friend and her reliability to carry out the purpose for her accompanying her best friend on the trip; Nima decided she was going to tell Kenny, she valued her credibility to her family and the prince of Ndovlo, than her loyalty to her friend. After all she felt she was looking out for her friend, and preventing her from a decision she might come to regret later. This was not the holiday overseas she bargained for- she came to have a good time – touring, shopping and doing other things, fun things with Naya. Something could possibly go wrong with Naya and if it did, she might not be able to live with herself knowing she could have done something to stop it..

 Naya returned late in the evening she got make up presents from the mall for Nima but Nima had already gone to bed and locked the door to her room. Suspecting Nima might have told on her, she inquired from Jeremy who Nima might have spoken to that evening. He told her they had tried a few numbers but the network was so terrible, Nima could hardly make a conversation so she decided to go to bed. Naya went upstairs to Nima’s room, since the first night they argued Nima decided to sleep in a separate room from Naya. Naya stood in front of her room, she listen for any sound but there was nothing so she went to sleep.

 Leila kept Dave up with all the girls were up to because Kenny had placed Naya in care of Dave. He knew everything, but Leila was discrete about Naya’s planned surgery. if he found out Surely the surgery would never happen worse off Kenny could come down to England, pick a fight with Naya and possibly call off the engagement.

The day before the surgery, Nima still maintaining her stance, spoke sparingly to Naya who acted overly nice to Nima so she would not tell on her. Throughout the day she stayed so close to Nima, even to the point of wanting to go into the toilet with her so she could be aware of whatever Nima was up to, that is the extent to which she was ready to guard her mission for surgery.. They spent the day visiting the London eye, madame tussauds, sea life London aquarium, the London dungeon and London eye river cruise. Nima was having fun with the two ladies but when she felt she was loosening up she would tighten up again, just to prove she stood by her disagreement. All the while they managed to keep the day of the surgery hidden from Nima. Before they went to bed they spoke to their families and to Kenny, they let them know they were fine and having a good time. There was no way Nima could report, Naya glued her on eyes on her until she hung up.

Leila arrived before the two ladies woke up, she had to leave the house early before Dave detected she was tense. She had been having her own share of doubt. She though Naya might be going too far with the breast enlargement. The repercussion of keeping all this from the boys might be much worse than she had thought; she might even end up losing Dave, he took the job of care taker for Naya so seriously. “Was all of the risk worth it for a pet project” she thought to herself. Until they arrived at the clinic she and Naya continued to argue in hushed tones in the car. Naya was not going to be swayed from going through, she checked into the clinic and immediately was ushered into the doctor’s office. They waited outside the doctor’s office as she went in to see him. Shortly she came out. She came out announcing “I am going through with this”.  

The moment of truth arrived, as she was wheeled past Leila and Nima into the operating room they both stared at her with anxiety written on their faces. Nima rushed to her for a last try and held her hands and said “Naya please don’t do it”, Naya freed her hand and shouted “Get thee behind me” turned her face from both of them and taken away for surgery.

Wife incognito 2 by Zara Iko

"Mum, I have this intuitive feeling that I won’t be back the same way I am  leaving."
“Of course I know that, you are getting married to the prince of Ndovlo. You are on your way to London, shopping for new clothes; you will be eating rich people’s food. In fact, if you don’t change, I will believe there is something witch- hunting you”.
"No mum that's not what I am talking about"
"Then what are you on about Naya"
"Mum let’s wait and find out"
"well I hope it will be a good change"
Naya nodded her head, envisioning what she thought the change might look like.

Kenny arrived Naya's village a day early from the capital of Ndovlo, Figora. He spent the day with his in-laws, assuring them that Naya will be alright leaving home for the first time on her own. As Parents know their children, her dad had a nudging that his Naya as adventurous as she is might have some other plans of her own.
The day arrived; they were to leave on British airways at 8:45pm. Apart from her hand luggage, the prince asked her and Nima not to carry any other bags. He already arranged for a few clothes for them in Figora and told them they would get to shopping for new clothes as soon as they arrived in London.  Almost the whole village was packed outside to bid the travellers’ farewell. Kenny and Naya emerged from the house with Nima behind them, amid a lot of emotions from some family members they got into the car and drove off to the airport.
The journey to the international airport at Figora was fun for the love birds as they chatted sweet nothings to each other, he gave them some pocket money and told them the rest will be handed over to them later so they didn’t have to travel with so much cash. Naya looked at the money and said “this is me holding British pounds, dreams surely do come true. Nima slept most of the Journey and woke up when they arrived the airport.
After they had checked in and boarding announced, Kenny pulled Naya back to him, embraced her tightly, and then kissed her. She enjoyed the security of his embrace and she held him tightly back like she wanted to put him inside of her, so she could go with him. He said to her
“You haven't left yet and I am already missing you”
Naya looked at him straight in his eyes, with sincerity in her beautiful eyes she told him “I am going to make you love me more” and she turned around and started to walk away,
“If I love you more, maybe my heart will pop out of my chest” he replied.
He stood still while she walked away staring at her behind, aware she had his attention she walked more seductively.  He bit his under lip, shaking his head to get out of the trance her sexiness put him in as she disappeared into the plane.

Dave, Kenny's best friend and business partner had been preparing for the arrival of Naya and Nima with the help of his girlfriend Leila. Due to the nature of his work and being the only dentist at the clinic since Kenny went back to Ndovlo, a chauffeur driven car was arranged for Naya and Nima. Leila would be their shopping guide and she was more than happy offer her professional advice. As a model, aspiring actress and fashion design student, Leila maintained a slim, well put together and sophisticated look, the type that Naya admired, she was getting very excited to have the girls over especially because  Naya would be shopping for her wedding as well.

The plane touched down at Heathrow international airport at 2am on a Sunday morning. After their passport had been stamped, they walked out of the arrival gate and saw a neatly dressed man in suit and a cap on, holding a paper with Naya and Nima written boldly on it. They walked up to him and introduced themselves.
“I am Naya and this is my friend Nima”.
"I am mike and I will be your chauffeur throughout your stay here ladies".He stretched out his hand and helped them with their bags.
 “Are these the only bags you've brought?"
Both chorused after him "Yes”.
“Well, I guess shopping begins later today”.
They were a little jet lagged so they weren't as enthusiastic as they thought they would be when they first arrived.
 “Come with me ladies," Mike said as he led them out of the airport.
They arrived in London at the end of the spring season, outside felt chilly and rain showered lightly. They put on the pullover jumper hoodie given to them by Kenny, covered their hair, and continued walking behind mike till they got to the car. As they drove by the city of London the streets were quiet, most businesses were closed except for some busy night clubs and bars, some fish and chip shops were open serving some drunk customers.
“We are definitely clubbing in London Nima”
“Nice. But do you think Kenny will like that?”
“Well, he doesn’t have to know. We are big girls; let’s run wild and free in London”
Finally, they arrived at the house; mike helped them with their bags and led them to the door. A middle aged man answered the door and invited them into the house very politely. He collected their bags from mike and hurriedly dropped them upstairs. Mike told them he would let them rest until noon when he would resume duty, he left and then Jeremy shut the door after him. The two had been too tired to have a look around the house; Jeremy introduced himself as the butler. Immediately they had a warm bowl of soup, they were ready for bed. Jeremy led them upstairs and put them in separate rooms, but they both decided they wanted to sleep in the same room.
Kenny owned a three bedroom detached house in Fulham, south west of London. His guests woke up to the delicious aroma of Sunday brunch prepared by Jeremy. The night they arrived they were too tired to give themselves a tour of the house but when they woke up they realised they had slept in Kenny’s room; he had a picture framed just by his bed.  They snooped through his things hoping to find anything suspicious, possibly a picture with a girlfriend.
“Naya, certainly Kenny is a decent man, where are all the loose condoms we hear guys always have lying in their room”
“Don’t be too naive Nima he must have had his room cleaned up. Kenny is a good looking guy and rich, there must be girls throwing themselves at him”.
They had a tour around the two rooms upstairs, the second room was the room Nima was meant to be sleeping in, it was not as furnished as the master bedroom but it was also well decorated, that was obviously the guest room they thought.
“This will serve as kiddies’ bedroom when we do have one,” Naya said jokingly.
Jeremy just finished setting the table when they went downstairs. He continued with the tour around the house, he showed them his bedroom which was the only bedroom downstairs, he took them outside where he showed them Kenny’s car and mini football field he usually played football in with his friends for exercise. Behind the house also had a nicely tilled Garden with different colours of followers springing up.
 “The weather is much nicer than last night,” Naya said
“Usually around this season we get some sunshine but it’s no guarantee it wouldn’t rain the same day” Jeremy responded.
They moved to the dining table where the ladies had their meal. Soon as they were done and heading back upstairs for a bath the phone rang and Jeremy announced to them Dave and Leila will be arriving shortly.
After all the pleasantries, Dave left the ladies to catch while he joined Jeremy in the kitchen for a chat. Naya was very pleased to meet Leila, she looked and dressed exactly the way she wanted to be. The conversation flowed immediately between two of them. She told Leila how she wanted to become more like a model so she would be trendier and Kenny will love her more. Flattered by how Naya admired her, she said to Naya
 “You are a natural beauty yourself. I can see why Kenny agreed to marry”
“I am flattered Leila coming from you, but I would like to look as sophisticated as you”
“You are only here for 3 weeks, it’s almost impossible. You will have to lose some weight, get your hair done differently”
“I am ready for whatever it takes, but it is more than that, I want breast implants so they look fuller and perkier” Naya replied earnestly shaking her breast so they would bounce
“With the timing I suggest you go for cosmetic surgery, Naya”
“I am up for anything, even cosmetic surgery”
Immediately Nima cut in, trying to be the voice of reason “do you know how painful cosmetic surgery is, what do you think Kenny will say about you going through surgery to change your looks?”
Nima why are you trying to be a killjoy today? My mind is made up and this nice lady is here to help me. Then she turned to Leila and said “excuse my friend, she’s still trying to get used to this kind of civilisation”
Really hurt by what Naya said, Nima excused herself and walked away leaving Leila and Naya alone to continue their conversation.

Wife Incognito part 1 by Zara Iko

Naya had never been any far distance from her village before, talk more of travelling out of her country, Ndovlo, where the son of the king had his mind set on marry her. Before then she was just an ordinary village girl and daughter to a village chief. She had been groomed from birth for marriage. Often as she was growing up, her mother would scold her when she didn't do things properly  saying things like “if the soup you are making isn't delicious enough and your husband sends you packing, me and your father will not accept you back. Or Naya is this how to clean a house if you clean your husband’s house like this nobody should call my name that I didn't train you properly” and so on. Naya hated terribly to hear her mum say these things. Sometimes she would reply her mum saying, "if I am meant to get married to cook and clean so my performance can be appraised then I don't think I want to get married” her mum will quickly counter her “No Naya, you have to get married, this is why you have to learn now so by the time you get married you will already be an expert and there will be no complaints.”

Naya loved to be flattered and Kenny knew how to. She would spin around slowly in response to his flattering utterances- “My young, beautiful, fresh, well endowed Maiden-untouched, not tampered with, fit for a prince like me. Kenny’s parents did a very good job of selecting the perfect wife for their son -Tall; smooth skin, cherry lips, large expressive eyes, slim waist, large hips with well rounded breasts and a firm backside. Naya was the kind of girl that will make the heart of any warm blooded man pump faster. From the first day, he set his eyes on Naya he liked what he saw. When his dad asked him to come home to meet his wife, he planned to make it so difficult for his parents so they would give up trying to get him a wife, but then the  moment Naya walked into the room dressed in her native attire showing off the beautiful skin on her shoulder, arms and legs, he quickly changed his mind. She greeted his parents and other relatives and curtsied in front of him to welcome him. Impressed with what he saw he held her up with both of his hands and embraced her in affirmation. Everyone present had smiles on their faces being very pleased with his decision. For Naya’s family, his accepting her would be a change of status but for the royals it would mean their son will become a man.  The relationship grew gradually from then, Kenny wasn’t fazed by the age gap or her lack of exposure.

After learning about plans to send Naya out of the country his mum confronted him “Kenny I don’t know about you staying back and sending your wife abroad, you know she’s not the most exposed person”

“Mum that’s harsh”

“But it is true; remember I and your father choose her for you”

“Yes mum but I am the one marrying her, and I want to send her for a short holiday so she can see the life I live there. mum asides from being a prince, I am a very successful dentist”

“Well I still advice you do not send her abroad until after the wedding, then both of you can go together, you can also lavish her with all the money and other things your being a successful dentist can afford” his mum said with sarcasm.

Kenny, the second of three children, and only son born into the royal family of oil rich Ndovlo. A beautiful island nation attracting people from around the world for business and tourism -beautiful coastal cities with some seven star hotels and resorts, beautiful beaches with clear blue water, green grass areas, forest space with fattened animals. However, Ndovlo still struggled with the woes of most countries-uneven distribution of resources. The villages where a far cry from the cities- rough roads, poorly constructed buildings, generally much more under developed compared to the cities.

Kenny belonged to the privileged of the society and enjoyed the best things from birth- he moved to the United Kingdom after his high school and attended a top ranking university. He worked in a government hospital after graduating then set up a private dental clinic with his best friend Dave from the university in London, and was doing well with intention of extending his service to Ndovlo. His bride to be Naya had a different upbringing. Her dad a village chief to a village close to the king’s village had all his children attend public schools in the village because that is what he could afford. Naya the first of six had only just graduated from secondary school when the king and his wife noticed her during the king’s 35^th anniversary on the throne.  Actively involved in the village dance drama group she caught the royalty’s eye when she led the dance and presented the king and his wife with a gift from her village –looking fresh, beautiful and untouched a bride fit for the future king, his parents immediately made inquiries about her.

The preparation for her holiday in London she had to travel away from home , she waved her family farewell as she and Kenny travelled together to the capital city, Figora, so she could process her travel documents, her best friend Nima accompanied them. Sapphire, Naya’s mum shouted as they drove off “remember what I told you my daughter”. Curious Kenny asked “What did your mum tell you Naya?” she turned to her friend Nima, too embarrassed to say anything they both giggled , but the young royal persisted and Naya told him her mum said she should not let him have sex with her, Kenny raised an eye brow then smiled.

Hilda, Kenny’s mum was there to welcome them when they arrived at the palace in Figora; the guests from the village were stunned at the splendour in the palace. It was nothing like they had seen before, better than what some movies had portrayed the palace to be.

Nima and Naya were ushered into separate rooms next to each. Tired from the distance travelled- five hours from the village to city; the road out of the village had pot holes so the start of the journey was a bumpy one, it got better as they approached the cities. Kenny had given her enough time to rest and freshen up before he went to her room. It is the first time they would be alone together, they spent the evening talking; gradually they loosened up to each other. Kenny loved her naivety and funny nature she entertained him in a good way he could just sit all day and listen to her. She told him about how she imagined the palace would be and how she imagined life in the palace was. Long before she met him she had heard the ridiculous stories about the life of Ndovlo royals, she never imagined she would one day be living in the palace and preparing to marry the prince. As they talked he leaned forward and kissed her softly being cautious in case she felt uncomfortable, but she welcome his lips , he kissed her more passionately and she responded holding the back of his head with both her hands. They savoured each other’s lips then she brought her hand to his chest and pushed him away gently from her looking away from him shyly. He turned her face to him

“Why Naya?”

“You heard what my mum said, u know I can’t”.

 He didn’t push further he was happy she went that far with him, he had imagined it would have been more difficult to get her to loosen up with him.

It took two days to get her travel documents ready. She couldn’t believe she was holding her own passport in her hand; she opened it and saw her Visa stamped on it. “Kenny this is my first and it has happened because of you” he smiled and pulled her to him. She kissed him sweetly as if to say thank you. They intended for a quiet evening at the palace with Kenny’s parents and were in the balcony enjoying the evening’s breeze when Kenny’s friends arrived and he had to leave Naya with his parents. Immediately he left, his folks wanted to know how the two had been getting on. With his mum Hilda being the more inquisitive of the two she began questioning Naya.

“The little time you have spent with my son, what do you think about him?

She had never been alone with them, so she struggled with shyness. She answered looking down at the floor

“He is nice and respectful of me, nicer than most boys in the village”.   

The royals laughed.

“Naya you should loosen up with Kenny’s father and I you are almost part of the family now” Hilda said as she urged Naya on.

“There is a lot I need to learn but he has been so helpful and patient. I am looking forward to meeting his sisters. He talks about them so much. He said Sarah the younger of the two is a year older than I am”.

After they had talked for a while with Kenny still absent, Naya was uneasy about him not inviting her to meet his friends and she asked his parents why they thought she wasn’t invited to meet his friend. Hilda told her they had planned that the evening was for them to get to know her but she could go and join Kenny.A maid was called on to take Naya to Kenny. Without knocking Naya opened the door to the room where Kenny was with his guest and found Kenny giving one of the guests a kiss on the cheek and a cuddle, upset by what she saw, she walked out.

Uneasy by how upset Naya was, he went straight to her room after he saw his friends off. She jumped off the bed and attacked him “If you have all of them why do you want to marry me? This are the kind of girls I see on TV and want to be like. Are they not models?”

“They are just friends we all went to school together; if I wanted any of them I wouldn’t have come to the village to get you Naya. You don’t have to get jealous you hold the key to my heart” He said attempting to calm her down. “Kenny I want to look like a model too, so you will love only me. When I travel to London, will I become like them?” She asked so naively. He laughed and said to her “I love you just the way you are. Lets enjoy our evening together you know you have to get back home tomorrow or your parents will think I have kidnapped you”.