: FRENEMIES.
The eyes, they say is a window of the mind. It shows emotions, intent and sometimes will. His eyes though, was like a honeypot trap reeling you in without you knowing how far gone.
Four seconds! That's how long we stared at each other after I turned to face them. Never in my 24 years and 4months of living have I been able to communicate with someone with my eyes until today.His eyes spoke volumes. He allowed me briefly to see his pain, his gratitude that I came, but the part I didn't understand was when he looked at me with admiration, like I was beautiful. How could he stare at me with such intensity when he had a beauty hanging on his arm?
Scratch that. I mean she was holding on to him like he was the last lifeline in a world wherealiens were invading and occupying.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She inquired.
"I invited her" he answered with his eyes still on me.
"But why?" she countered.
He proceeded to ignore her and me as well and struck up a conversation with Tolu. They walked away from us, chatting animatedly like long lost friends. Annoying perfume lady walked off to probably get a drink.
Really! Her perfume is so bold it was giving me a migraine.
He was so confusing. After our eyes met, you would think we would have at least exchanged pleasantries. That’s what any normal human would do but he has not spoken one word to me since our eye dance. How could he look at me like that and just leave?
I smoothened out the imaginary wrinkles on my dress that was definitely too celebratory for attending a burial as I thought of what to do next.
A) Just leave Tolu here, go home and forget all these confusing thoughts.
Nah. My mum will skin me alive.
B) Move around, mingle and have fun. Get your socialising game on.
Nah. I'll probably make a fool of myself.
Lawyer lady standing some feet away, didn't help the matter. What was their relationship? It definitely wasn't a typical attorney-client relationship.I heard him laughing loudly at something Tolu said. At least he wasn't so sad anymore. I looked in his direction and couldn't make out his facial features but I felt relieved. Those emotions I glimpsed earlier in his eyes, scared me. I looked around, taking in the sheer beauty of the compound.
"Walk with me." It was his voice behind me, startling me into a jerk.
"Hey! Don’t creep up on people." I scolded.
"I'm sorry". I begrudgingly took the arm he extended towards me because I did not want to embarrass him.
His palm burnt mine like hot coal, and I meant that literally. Something different spread through me as we made contact. It was hot and fuzzy, muddling my thoughts and making me enjoy the feel which made me instantly remove my arm from his.
He looked at me strangely, an unidentifiable emotion in his eyes. We walked on in silence, away from the other guests.
As we walked on in companionable silence, he received a call.
"I want to sign a delivery order in the garage but I’m scared the moment I let you out of my sight, I may not see you again. So come with me." he pleaded with his eyes.
This eye language. I’m confused.
I nodded my head at his request. Partly because I was confused and the other was because I didn't want to walk away. We walked on and stopped at a large garage.
Holy cow!
He had an Aston Martin in his car collection. It was a limited edition with a blue cover and it was oh so beautiful.
Pamela close your mouth, chewing flies isn't hygienic, neither is it attractive.
Oh but I couldn't help but drool. The new delivery was a Ferrari F8 Tribute. That baby has about 770NM fire power. I couldn't help the lure as I walked toward the hood, caressing it softly. Would it purr under my hands if driven?I ran my fingers over it gently. Even the paint quality was superb.
"Do you want to take a ride in it?” He asked.
"Hell yes! Do you mean it? Don’t toy with my feelings with this baby" I said in a rush, pure excitement flowing through my veins.
"Come on, here. This is the key." He placed the keys into my shaky, outstretched palms.
"O M G! Can I say I’m in love with you now?" I was bouncing now. In my heels.
"Really?" he asked, grinning at me with those white pearly set of teeth on display.
"No I mean the car. I mean the owner. I mean you." I stammered, confused as hell. I turned and walked to the driver’s seat to mask my embarrassment.
He laughed loudly. This one was different from others. It was carefree, light, melodious with his eyes crinkling at the sides, making him look handsome and appear younger. He opened the passenger side and sat. At first, I drove gently enjoying the feel and power of the car till we got to a free road he directed me to and then bam! I hit the gas pedal. It felt so good, like I was free. The chicken beside me was shouting.
"Haa! Slow down. I’m not ready to die." he screamed, holding the seat belt tightly. I ignored him, laughing. My gele(headgear) got whipped off from the rush of air as it filled my ears, my box braids whipping round my face. It was heavenly. I slowed down and his shouts stopped instantly, then I moved to park beside the road.
I searched him for bodily injuries "Are you okay?"
"Yes” he whizzed. “You are insane. You know that? But I liked it. It felt like I was shouting out my frustrations at the world" he smiled, shaking his head. "You love cars that much? You aren't like other ladies at all".
Way to ruin the moment and fun. Up my guard went, as my previous smile turned into a frown. I'm riding his expensive car doesn't mean he gets to insult me.
"Really? Thanks a lot. Let's go back. I left my sister behind"
"No. Let's drive on, I still have to shout out my pain and frustrations at life. And I didn't mean to offend you. I meant the statement in a good way." I gunned the engine and we continued our one-car race. We dashed down the empty lane as he continued to shout my eardrums off while I acted like a bad-ass driver. It was super fun.
We passed by a suya(barbecue) joint and just like that, my antenna was up and shouting hallelujah.
"Stop here, I want to buy suya" He said, smiling like he won the lottery. He got down and bought some. "Here have some" he offered.
I really wanted to have some but that smile on his face like he knows I love food and can't resist this just pissed me off outrightly. So instead I said " No, thank you. It's not going to be as delicious as the ones made by night anyway"
"So night gives it a different flavour right?" he was mocking me and deliberately making a show of putting each piece into his mouth and smacking his lips.
"Whatever. Tighten your seatbelt and don't stain the car" I warned.
Ode(fool) it’s his car he can stain it however he likes.
"I may not be eating suya right now but I’m driving a classic Aston Martin. Nothing can beat that. I'm going to keep enjoying this baby while I can. Not even suya can put me in a bad mood" I replied, sticking my tongue out.
He grinned and focused on his suya, ignoring me.
May the suya not choke you o. How did we even get here? Its not like we are friends.
We were moving closer to his estate now and I realized that I had enjoyed this simple day. It might become one of my best days yet. It definitely had everything to do with me maybe never driving another Aston Martin and nothing to do with the owner.
"About the shares, I really didn't mean to renege on our deal. Nina altered it without my knowledge." He said seriously.
"I guessed as much. You need to put your girl on a leash though" I quipped.
"She's not my girl. I mean, not in that way."
"Did I specify anyway? Guilty conscience" I smiled.
"You are one big case. Temi"
My heart! The way he said that ‘Temi’ with his British accent sounded different. I liked my name when it came from his lips. We entered the compound now and I parked the car. We parted briefly,me going to look for Tolu and Chris, to his guests. Even though for a short while, he looked peaceful and happy.
It turns out, worrying about Tolu was a huge waste of time and mental space as I found her laughing with a boy her age. I saw Nina through my peripheral vision, walk towards him and practically moulding her body to his side.
So much for not being his girl.
“It’s time to go home”. I pulled Tolu away and signalled him my intention. He excused himself and walked towards us.
"I'll drive you home."
"Chris! You have been missing for almost two hours. Lots of people are here to talk to you." She whined irritated, following him over. I might not like her but she was hot, way hotter than I was. How do I compare with that?
"Ayomide, we need to talk." a different voice said. We all turned to the direction of the voice and the resemblance of that face to his was too similar to be ignored. That was definitely his father. However, I didn’t understand why his body became rigid as I saw tension and ice seep into him?
"Okay" he said to the man's retreating figure.
He dialed a number and asked the person to come take us home. All of us, Tolu, Nina and I.
"But Chris I want to stay with you, especially at this time" she pleaded.
"I know Nee, but you have to go home and rest. Okay?"
He hugged her and she held him tight, muttering words into his ears that the rest of us couldn't pick up. He nodded his head in response. Tolu looked at the duo with a sour look. If my chest wasn't wounding tight right now, I would have found her face comical.
He hugged me next and kissed me on the cheeks. "Thanks so much for today. Please, don’t treat me like a stranger after today okay?" and that fuzzy, giddy feeling was back.
"Alright, take care and remember to contact Moses."
"Yes doc." He replied with an eye roll and fist bumped Tolu like they were BFF’s (best friends forever).
On the car ride home, lawyer lady sat gloomily in the backseat beside me while Tolu occupied the passenger front seat. She had on a sad look and even though I don’t like her, it was evident she loved him. We all sat in awkward silence till the driver stopped at another suya joint.
He bought about three thousand Naira’s worth and handed it to me saying it was from his Oga. At this, Nina turned red with anger and probably jealousy but she covered it up quickly. There was still a steely glint of malice in her eyes though.
He was so thoughtful and kind. I smiled with all my canines on display.
Why was there this blissful peace and warmth spreading through my insides when I thought about him?
What did this gesture of his mean?
Then I remembered the look he had on his face when we left. Was he okay? But why did I even care?