My Abuja Big Boy...

We watched the ball sail past the goal keeper. Maggie screamed out with disgust and covered her face as Tunde scrambled up and kicked the dust at his feet—as if blaming it for his failure. 

I laughed at his display. That was the first time I met Maggie’s “Abuja big boy”.

 “I don't even know why he bothers... same as I don’t understand why he insists I must come here every Friday to watch him make a fool of himself. The man is a pain in all the wrong and right places.”

Maggie lamented as the blue team happily celebrated their win.

I stared at my friend and could not believe my ears.

“Maggie you obviously hate this guy, so quietly get out of his life.”

“What? No! Why would I leave a billionaire who is crazy about me? He promised to buy me a house in this town, so, baby girl, I'm going nowhere.”  

Just then Tunde picked up the ball and started a slow jog towards us. The thin crowd booed and he waved with a smile, his plump body glistening with sweat.

“Remind me to bring a towel next week.” Maggie muttered with displeasure written all over her face.

I gave her a weird look to show my confusion.

“Do you know the effect his sweat has on my expensive suits?" She asked making an angry face. Before I could respond, she hurriedly whispered, "Forget it, he's here.” 

She hurriedly put on her dark sunglasses and turned to smile sweetly at the approaching man. 

I decided to shut up and enjoy the drama;

“There’s my angel!” He said loudly as he strolled over and enfolded her in his sweaty body. 

Maggie squirmed and I gasped; a billionaire can’t afford to buy a deodorant for himself? I asked myself and took a step away from them.

"We need to move in together. I miss holding you like this” with that, he kissed her on the lips and the guys near us snickered and jeered. Maggie pulled out of his hold and giggled;

“I miss you more baby. Sorry I was a bit late today — Friday traffic. You know how it is. But I saw your last dive. What was the score again?”

He stepped back and glared at her “Are you mocking me?” He asked, eyes dark and unblinking.

“Never Baby. Why would I? You know I enjoy watching my baby play.” She smiled sweetly at him.

Maggie should be in the movies, I thought unable to believe she was the same girl I was sharing an apartment with.

Since she did not bother to introduce me, I kept my distance.

Tunde smiled and hugged her again;

“That’s my angel. Did you get my drink—and the money?”

“yes baby. Safe in my car; the drink is just the way you love it. But we need to go now. You know i still have to get back to ...”

“Your work. You don’thave to remind me! How are we supposed to groom this relationship if you love your work more?" He questioned angrily.

 "When you neglect me like this, don't complain when I get tempted to look at other women.” with that he stormed off towards the car park.

“Baby dont say that, you know I love you more than my job.”  

Maggie called out as she increased her pace to match his. 

At that point, I can only say It took a miracle for me to resist the urge to smack Maggie in the head so as to reset her brain to factory setting.

I'm sure you are wondering how it all started, right?

Well, I met Maggie back in the University during a lecture. Over the years, our friendship bloomed. After our service year, I got a job and stayed back in Abuja while she had to move back to her state due to personal reasons. The distance never happened to our friendship — we kept in touch. She later got a better job offer and had to move back to Abuja, 

We were excited, so I convinced her to move in with me. Living with Maggie turned out to be a wonderful decision because since then, we've never had a dull moment in our lives.

One day, she let me into a little secret, her major aim of relocating to Abuja. Her plan was to capture the heart of one of the most eligible Abuja big boys and hopefully settle down with him before the end of that year. I was astounded. But, I love my girl so I listened and never judged.

One night, we hung out at a prestigious night club and ran into an old friend who introduced Maggie to the man of her dreams — a wealthy, single and ready to mingle dark and handsome business man. My girl was smitten and he was inlove at first sight. Before long, they became an item. 

One week into the relationship, Maggie was thanking her stars for her luck. Tunde, her Abuja big boy was a spender and once Maggie was involved, he was ready to tap and pay. He was spending so much that we started believing he had a money printing machine at his home. 

Their love was perfect and I was thrilled for my girl.

A month later, tragedy struck. Tunde's business experienced the biggest hiccup and the gifts dwindled. He needed a bailout and Maggie rushed in, eager to rescue her fallen knight. 

Initially, it was just paying for their meals at expensive restaurants. Then, she started getting calls from loan sharks who were demanding for either their money or his blood.

With Maggie's help, loan sharks were repaid and their threats put behind them. Tunde was grateful and made dinner to show his appreciation. , Tunde started borrowing from Maggie.

After the soccer field drama and a third loan to Tunde who promised to repay once his cargo arrives. But Maggie was getting fed up — the arguments were becoming constant. During one of their sessions, Tunde subtly reminded her of their glamorous early days with a promise of trips to exotic Islands once things got better. All he needed was for his woman to trust, be willing to assist and pray for him. That was not part of Maggie's plan but she was ready to hold on — just a little longer he promised.

To prove his unwavering love— Tunde propsed to Maggie at an expensive lounge and she said yes with tears in her eyes.

With the engagement, they needed privacy in the form of their own space. By the end of the month, they settled for a newly remodeled duplex — they hoped to have a large family someday. Maggie moved out. Well, that was after she had paid the back breaking rent for the house, bought new furniture that reflected their styles, paid for interior decorators and of course their movers since Tunde still had a couple of things to move from his old flat. 

Once they moved in, Maggie had to hold the forth at home since her man was yet to rise from his financial slumber. The stress of financing their lives triggered her doubts. They talked about it and Tunde, somehow, managed to get her to relax and loosen her grip on her dwindling bank account. 

Maggie' s vision was to be a baby girl for life not the one wearing the big pants in their home. Soon, she started complaining again — the man of her dreams was now a harbinger of failures and unfulfilled promises. Since Tunde's once shining future had turned bleak she felt it was time to abandon ship. Her only fear was the thought of Tunde bouncing back and another lady enjoying his wealth after she had gone rogue.

Six months later, a red bank account and Maggie finally gave up all hope of Tunde's business ever resurrecting. Her mind was made up, so she threw Tunde's ring at him.

For the first time in weeks, Tunde dropped the gaming pads. He stormed out with a promise that she would regret leaving him. That night, he didn’t come home.

The next day, Maggie returned from work to an empty house. Tunde had disappeared with all their property in tow. 

Maggie was devastated while I was glad she finally saw the light.

The last we heard of Tunde was when a picture of him in handcuffs showed up online. Guess karma caught up with him afterall. 

Maggie? It has been almost a year since we moved back in with me—she managed to get a refund for their home. And yes, she’s better, wiser and still in search of that rich Abuja big boy of her dreams.