ABL 08: Smell Like Another Man

“Hi Malakhi,” he waved before turning his head back at me. “Amanah, you’ve been gone for a whole week! Without texting me, calling or emailing me! Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“It can’t be a week, I’m pretty sure I saw you just yesterday when you let me knock off early,” I said and Frank looked surprised. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked as I put my hand on his forehead.

“I’m too sober for this,” he said, raising his hands as he walked towards the bar. “She’s been gone a week and then asks if I’m okay,” he muttered. Malakhi tapped on my shoulder and I turned to look at him.

“Time works differently on Nioz, you have been gone for an entire week Ama,” he said softly and I was shocked.

“Frank,” I tried as I walked closer to the bar. “Do you need me to work for the rest of the night?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

“No, it’s alright. I was about to close up anyway,” he said and I smiled, cocking my head.

“Are you angry at me?” I asked softly and he pouted looking away. “Frankie,” I said, walking around the bar and hugging him. “I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t realise that I had been gone for that long,” I whispered and he patted my back.

“It’s okay, just don’t disappear on me like that again,” he said softly. I loved Frank, he was probably the only friend I had. “And don’t think by hugging me you’re getting out of working overtime and weekends, you’re going to be where I see you always,” he said and I slowly pulled away from the hug biting my lip.

“About that,” I whispered and he groaned.

“No Amanah, I don’t want to hear it!” He raised his hand and I held it.

“I’m pregnant,” I said. “And the baby's paternal side wants me to stay with them throughout my pregnancy,” I said and Frank was staring at me with no emotion.

“I’m pregnant?” He asked slowly and I laughed. “I mean you’re pregnant! Amanah you’re pregnant with a whole baby!”

“Yes,” I answered cautiously and he pinched my arm. “Ow Frank!”

“I told you to use protection when you left that night, now look at you! You never listen to me,” he scolded, hitting me with the dry cloth.

“Akhi! Help me!” I cried out and he shook his head drinking his beer.

“That’s between you and Frank. You don’t listen, you should be reprimanded,” he shrugged, chuckling behind his bottle.

“I’m sorry Frank!” I ran away from him laughing and he kept on scolding me, I couldn’t hear half of the things he said but I was going to miss him.

After that hectic workout, I sat behind the bar with Frank and we munched on some of the snacks I had bought.

“I can’t believe you’re pregnant,” he said softly. “Not so long ago you were breaking my glasses and now you’re going to be a mother,” he said chuckling. “Life is crazy.”

“You have no idea,” I whispered and he started crying. “What? Why are you crying?”

“I’m crying because I see you as a little sister and I didn’t set such a good example. If I hadn’t pranced around with those many girls that night, I would have stopped you from leaving with that man,” he cried out and I blamed it on the liquor.

“It was my decision Frankie, stop crying,” I said as I hugged him. “And besides, I’m excited about this pregnancy,” I said and he sniffed, wiping away his tears.

“I’ll take your word for it,” he said and took a swig of his alcohol. “I guess you guys have to get going now don’t you?” He asked and I nodded as I got up. "Malakhi, I expect you to take care of this dummy,” he said, patting my head. “And give the guy that got her pregnant a good beating for me, he made her wait three weeks,” he said and I mumbled under my breath,

“I wasn’t waiting for him.”

“Yeah right. Make sure to call me from time to time.”

“I will Frankie!” I looked at the empty bottles on the counter, they passed fifteen and I looked at Malakhi. “Who’s going to pay for that?”

“Already deducted from your wages, Amanah,” Frankie sang happily.

“What, that isn’t fair!”

“Goodbye now,” Malakhi and I went back to my apartment.

“Frank is nice,” he said and I squinted my eyes at him.

“That’s because he used my salary to pay for your beers,” I said and he smiled. “So, how are we going to carry this stuff to the house?” I asked and the black square portal opened, Malakhi carried my bags through and told me to wait for him.

“Alright, we can go now,” he said carrying the last of my things and I only carried my plastics.

“Ooh, you’re very strong aren’t you,” I teased as we went through the portal, which by the way was so beautiful. There were endless gates and somehow Akhi knew which one to go through exactly.

“Second strongest in our pack, so I’m pretty strong,” he said with a shrug. “That’s why I’m Beta,” he said with a proud smirk.

“I see you Akhi, trying to get me to swing your way huh?”

“You only see that now?” He asked and I laughed. He set my bags down on the floor after the portal closed. “Well, we’re very late for dinner but I’m sure mom will understand. I’ll go tell her we’re back and you settle down okay?”

“Alright, I guess I will see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, definitely. Get some rest,” he patted my head and left me alone in my new room. Not as big as Miall's but pretty big and comfortable.

After taking a much-needed shower and assuring Nyleve that I wasn’t hungry and didn’t need the company, I was able to finally fall on my bed and get a good night's rest. After switching off the light, I climbed into my bed and hugged the pillow.

Hearing a deep manly voice in the room had me throwing the pillow in the direction that the voice came in.

“What’s wrong with you!” I asked as I switched on the light, my hand touched my chest in an attempt to calm my heart down. He smiled and sat on the bed.

“I asked you a question Mia ngwana.”

“What question?”

“Why do you smell like another man?”