PHIL

We're lucky to find the house we both prefer. It's in the leafy suburbs and it's fully furnished. However, it's not on sale but it's rent is favourable. We make arrangements for the rent then plan to move in immediately though not permanently. I'll be spending most of the weekdays at my mother's house then spend the weekends with Tabby in this house. She too will be spending at her family house during the weekdays. All we need right now is to go to the mall and get a change of clothes and a few more personal effects and food stuffs. Mum will only see me at home on Monday evening!

****

It's late in the evening and we've just come from the mall. We bought enough clothes to last us a few days, food stuffs and other personal effects. We also passed by a fast food and bought ready food and stuffed it in the fridge...we couldn't forget pizza and chicken, Tabby's favourite.

My phone is somewhere ringing and I'm not sure who's calling. I listen keenly to the ringtone and realise it's in the kitchen. I go for it and after picking it up, I realise that it's mum calling.

“Where did you go Philip?” her voice fills my right ear. “Are you safe?”

She asks further.

“Mum? I'm fine. I'm just somewhere chilling away for the weekend!”

“Chilling? Now you don't want anything to do with your mother? You have to come home now. I'm waiting for you!”

“But mum...”

“Now!”

And she hangs up.

What the actual fuck?

“Honey?”

Tabby calls from the doorway.

“Who just called?”

I put my phone in my pants pocket and walk towards her.

“It's mum. She wants me home.”

“Are you going to leave me here?”

I sigh heavily.

“Never! I'm going to meet her on Monday evening and give her a piece of my mind. She needs to know that I'm a grown-up and I can do anything I want. I'm twenty seven for crying out loud and I can take great care of myself!”

“Just be easy on her. She'll remain your mum no matter what!”

I smile as I nod then we walk hand in hand towards the bedroom.

***

The weekend turns out to be the best time of our lives. We seem not to be getting enough of each other. It's like everyday is a new phase in our love life. Tabby and I have great future plans together despite mum's hatred for her family.

It's funny how her parents do not give a hoot about what she does or where she goes.

That doesn't mean they hate her less! Hell no! Her dad loves her to the moon and back and are means everything to her mum and siblings.

I'm sure mummy loves me too but she's loving me wrongly if she can't allow me to marry the woman of my dreams!

***

It's on Monday evening and I'm just from job but mum is not yet home. She couldn't stop calling and texting the entire weekend but I always assured her that I'm safe and I'll be home when I get done with my commitments. I assume that she's busy at work or momma businesses as I get rid of my suit jacket and head towards my bedroom.

Oh my! The weekend was great. Staying away from the house was worth it since we couldn't have stayed in mine peacefully.

I'm just lying on my bed, whistling as I hum to an imaginary tune when I hear mum unlocking the front door, chatting happily with some people. Now that she's home, I can lie in bed comfortably without worrying about someone getting into the unlocked house.

I immediately get rid of my socks, trouser and shirt then choose a pair of sweatpants from the wardrobe.

I dress up abruptly then slump on the bed, phone at hand ready to chat with my sweet Tabitha.

Mum is still taking to her friends in the living room and I'm glad she has not come to my room to bother me. How wrong can one be?

The door to my room is pushed and in comes mum who's furious and breathing fire, demanding to know why I didn't spend the weekend in our house.

“Mom please. I'm trying to concentrate on my phone. Just let me be.”

It's like I've touched a live wire since she walks closer to me and hovers over me.

“I won't let you disrespect me in my house young man. If you think you've grown out of your shell, you can go and find you place!” She burst out though calmly.

“Great mum. If that's what you want, I can go!”

“Where will you go to huh? To your girlfriend's house? Oh yeah! Her parents have a very big house and you can easily get a room in the house, or better still, the servants quarters!”

“Mum please, stop! I'm not in the mood!”

I shout, sitting up and making as if to leave.

What has come over her? She has never been this dramatic!

“Now listen to me.” she says as she stops me from leaving and makes me sit on the bed. “We have visitors for dinner and you're joining us. Now be a good boy, freshen up, dress up and come to the dining room for dinner.”

And she walks out.

I'm eager to know who the guests are and what their motives are so I reluctantly walk to the bathroom, take a bath then dress up. I recheck myself in the mirror and run my fingers through my hair. I love it dishevelled!

Convinced that I'm good looking, I pick my phone, my wallet and my car keys just incase then I walk towards the dining table where there are three ladies seated, all eyes trained on me.

If I knew that dinner was gonna turn out how it turned, then I'd have said hi as I walked towards my car! Poor me, my instincts never spoke to me then!