CHAPTER FOUR

I got home from church. The thick, burnt smell of fried chicken tickled the tip of my nose just seconds after my tummy rumbled. I pressed my hand on my stomach to calm the boys fighting inside. All the gnawing pangs of hunger returned tenfold. Food was the only disc playing in my mind. Without settling first in my room, I dashed into the kitchen and dished out a plate of jellof rice from the pot. I rushed my food and cracked the chicken bones, not pardoning a piece. 

After doing the dishes, I went to my room to change my outfit to a casual wear. I opened the door,  letting out a moan in astonishment "Oh no.. ". It was messy. I frowned as I grumpily picked up every cloth on my bed and folded it back into my box.

Finally my room was tidy. I got bored and took a quick stroll around the neighborhood. 

I live with my family in a 90-square-meter spacious, four- bedroom apartment with a fascinating view of a rose garden in the punch street neighbourhood. Our neighborhood is one of the safest and quietest places because the residents are nice people. The local residents are really friendly and helpful and we have developed long-lasting friendships and get on really well together, although some of them sometimes hold noisy parties and played loud music until it's late at night. In terms of local amenities, it is a great place to live because it is really close to a variety of shops, hypermarkets, restaurants and leisure centres. 

The streets was quiet because it was a Sunday. Many people stayed indoor after church, mean while some others close late from church. 

I met Tony outside and we walked merrily together holding hands. 

Soon I sighed Alvin walking pass the neighborhood, I let go of Tony's hands to adjust my hair. Then I secretly practiced a pretty smile as he got closer. 

"hey Alvin!" I holla at him with a delightful expression on my face. 

He walked up to us, surprisingly he spoke to only Tony and left.

Alvin snubbed me completely... oh my gosh! What did I do wrong? He must have read my note. Oh no no no no no...  It can't be. Is he with my novel? B-but I had left it in my house. I contradicted my thoughts.

 Then I turned to Tony "did you see my book?". 

"What book?" Tony asked. 

"Beauty and the beast" I answered with a worried expression on my face.

Tony paused for a moment as if he was trying to think. He looked up to the sky and snapped his fingers. "oh yea yea yeah.. your book".

I nodded repeatedly with a big grin. 

Then he continued "Emily I'm sorry but don't go violent because what I'm about to tell you might upset you". 

Immediately, the smile I had on my face faded gradually. I said in a deceptive tone "no, no I won't get upset" making a friendly gesture with my hands. "just tell me where it is, please? I added. 

"You see... Emily I really want to tell you but.. Okay let's put it this way... I... I... I...  Okay! Okay! Fine... Let me just spill the beans" he inhaled and breath out heavily. 

I stood anxiously to hear what he was gonna say 

"....i used your book for tissue paper". Tony rushed his words. 

"What??? You did what??  Ewww gross!" I exclaimed. 

"Ha-ha-haha-hah. Just kidding. Oh my God, you should have seen your face Emily" he laughed again. 

I grabbed Tony on his pinky finger, twisting it forcefully I asked again "where- is- my- book??!!". 

"Easy...easy" he said as he withdrew his finger. "I'm not with your book, Loveth is. Besides I don't read fairy tales". 

Pointing to his pouted lips, he said "kiss me bellé, and turn me into a handsome prince". 

I hit him hard this time "That story is from the princess and the frog!" I corrected. 

"Oh well... Let's go search for your book, my lady". Tony bowed as he demonstrated like he's asking me for a dance. I gave him my hand as we walked majestically to loveth's residence. 

Reaching loveth's house, nobody was home. We had to hang around hoping to see them from church soon. 

Mean while we encountered Joseph and Josephine after a long wait. They were known as the Jojo twins in that neighborhood. Very inquisitive and asked a lot of question. Tony blabbed to them that we are on a quest. They were so fascinated and requested to join in. 

"This is not a quest!" I stated angrily. "I'm looking for my book" I continued. 

Then Josephine said in a gruff voice "It is not with Loveth... After reading it, she handed it to us......" I listened as the twins finished each other's sentences. "...and we gave it to---"

"To who??" I interrupted. 

"Well, since we are not in the mission, we cannot make the quest any easy for you" Josephine said in deception as she held her brother's hand. 

As they were about to depart "Wait" I halted. 

They stopped and turned around with a radiant smile on their face. Jeez! I hate it when they do everything similarly. They look alike, although different gender still identical. From the hazel eyes to the heart-shaped lips, the smirk... purely evil. They dress to match all the time. The way they finish each other sentences creeps me out. I guess I'm just envious because they are so adorable. I was forced to asked them to join in the 'quest'. I rolled my eyes using that word. Tony was enthusiastic likewise the Jojo twins. 

"So who is with my novel" I interrogated.

  "Alvin" Joseph said. 

"Alvin who?" I blurted out. 

"Is something wrong?" Tony asked being concerned. 

I dragged Tony to a corner and pulled him down. Then I looked around and said in a low tone "Don't tell anyone about this. I had written a note in my novel and I don't want Alvin to see it". 

"What note?" Tony enquired. 

"It is a note about Alvin dummy!" I answered in a temper.  

"is it that bad?" he whispered again. 

"No, I mean yes. Just help me find my book" I said as I pulled up his head. 

Tony followed as I walked back to the twins. 

"I heard" Josephine said in a neutral tone. 

"Heard what" Tony asked. 

"We know" the twins chorused. 

I startled for a moment as Tony waved his finger over my face then I was conscious of myself. 

My voice trembled as I asked "Wh.. What do you kno-know?".  

"What do we know?" Joseph whispered to his sister. 

"We know you have a crush on Alvin". She said blinking those cute eyes as she gave a gleeful smile. 

"d..do..does he know?" I stammered.

"Who?" Joseph asked. 

"Alvin, stupid!" she said in between her teeth as she hit her brother on the head.

"That, I don't know" she answered as she turned to me batting her lengthy lashes and stroking her long silky hair. 

"Emily has a crush on Alvin??" Joseph promulgated loudly as we all rushed to hold his mouth. 

Josephine is a very mischievous girl like my sister, Selena. At eight, she knows more than her age. The good thing about her is that she could keep a secret. On the other hand, Joseph is just one retarded kid. It takes him a while to understand a joke. He always laugh last after a joke is being explained to him by his sister. He is who I can't trust in this mission because he is gullible. 

"Can your brother be trusted?" I asked to be certain. 

Joseph bowed his head as he did that thing with his foot as if he was trying to write something on the ground. With his hands behind his back, he said timidly. "I'll try to keep a secret, right Jose?" turning to his sister standing beside him. 

"Yes we can trust him" she said boldly. 

"Okay then, but if you had read the book, why didn't you keep the note" Tony queried. 

"Oh, I didn't see any note, I didn't finish reading" she replied. 

"Yeah we did not complete it. Alvin came to our house that evening after the rain to borrow my tie for church, he picked interest in the book and I gave it to him". Joseph concluded. 

"Alvin? For a moment I thought it would be a lot easier to get back my book" I bellyached.

 Alvin had mentioned my book doesn't interest him, why did he choose to read it? I said thoughtfully. 

Josephine argued with her brother because he gave out the book without her consent. "I wasn't done, why did you not ask for my permission" she scolded. 

It came to my surprise these kids can actually argue about something. Joseph apologized to her as he took her hands and promised not to do it again. With an eye contact, we communicated as Tony smirked at me, we both burst into laughter. "Weirdos" he uttered indistinctly. 

Joseph matched Tony's feet, with a reflex action, he pulled up his foot, screaming... "Ouch! What did you do that for?". 

Joseph responded "That's for calling my sister a weirdo". 

"My Nike..." Tony complained dusting his shoes. 

"Oops! Sorry bro, I didn't know it was yours" Josephine said sarcastically. 

"Are you dumb??" Tony said angrily with his index finger pointing to his skull. 

"No, are you?" Joseph responded in defense of his sister. 

Within a second, Tony rushed to punch Joseph. I came in between them and it hit me real hard on my stomach. I'd say I deserved it for going on a 'quest' with three idiot Knights! They surrounded me to see if I was okay, apologizing endlessly. I stood erect still holding my tummy, I pushed them aside and said "I'm fine.. thanks for trying to make me lose my lunch. Let's go, shall we?  I faked a smile pretending to be okay. Although my tommy still hurts, retreating wasn't an option. 

Tony's feet still hurts as he leaped to Alvin's residence. The game plan was to visit Alvin, create a distraction while the others search the house for the book.

 Reaching Alvin's home, we could see a cat jumping out through the window. It was Tom, his grandmother's cat. Alvin has lived with his grandma and Tom his whole life. It was an old-fashioned home. The walls of the house was cracked and the paint on the wall was peeling off. A set of sagging wooden steps decended three treads from the door. It has beautiful high arched windows. Velvet drapes framed the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur. The apartment was in the middle of a transitional neighborhood where the old single-story houses from the forties and fifties were slowly being rehabbed or torn down. 

When I used to live in St. Jude's street, I had this next-door neighbor who was a little weird, her name was Karina. She lived with her children and husband, however, hated to sit at home. As soon as she would notice people in our house have woken up, she would immediately ring the doorbell and invite herself over. Irrespective of whether it was morning or night, she just loved sitting around in our house. In fact, just to enter our place, most of the times, she would prepare hot cross buns, cookies, muffins or something to munch on. A great cook with an unusual hobby of sitting in other people's house! We used to love the food she brought over, as it was really tasty and fresh, however, entertaining her day in and day out became quite a task after a point. Mrs Karina definitely was a hilarious yet interesting neighbor who is someone that I will remember throughout my life.

Nevertheless, Alvin's grand mum always got something baking. She shares her delicious recipe with mostly children around the neighborhood. 

"Knock, No you knock! You are the leader, You ring the door bell!" we argued amongst ourselves. I stared at the door for a while contemplating on how to push the door bell. I could smell muffins from inside. 

I took a deep breath and turned to the others "I have never visited Alvin before, You!" pointing at Tony "...he is your friend, ring the door bell". 

"He is your friend too" Tony said arrogantly. 

The both of us turned to the Jojos

 "What?" said Josephine. 

"Well...??" Tony gave her an eye signal to push the door bell. 

Josephine looked away with folded arms saying "I can't do it. Besides I'm not the one crushing on him".  

I exclaimed "exactly!!! That's the point".

We all turned to Joseph. "sigh.. I'll do it" he said. 

As he rang the doorbell, we immediately ran and hid in the rose garden at the entrance of the house. Grandma opened the door and smiled at Joseph. She swished his face, gave him a tight hug and a kiss on his cheeks. We laughed and came out of our hiding. 

"Hello kids" grandma said adjusting her glasses. 

"Good afternoon gran-grand" we greeted.

She opened the door widely and asked us to come in. As we sat down, my eyes scanned for my book in the living room. I could see some gigantic books on the shelves. Grandma was a medical doctor. 

"Gran-grand, can I have some of those sweet muffins you are baking?" Tony asked rolling his tongue over his full lips. 

I stepped on his feet as he screamed silently "Focus!" I said in a low tone. 

"Sure kids, Alvin? Alvin!" she called out. 

Alvin walked into the living room. 

"Go get some muffins for your friends" She said. 

He went into the kitchen and came back carrying a tray with plenty muffins. Josephine deeped in her right hand before the tray was placed on the table. 

"Mmm yum yum..." She licked her mouth as she had another bite. "....its still fresh and hot, guys this is good". She said with a mouth full. 

Tony and Joseph dived in and had a bite.  "delectable!" they exclaimed.

"You should try some Emily" Alvin said to me as he stretched the tray to my direction. 

I took a bite and complimented grandma "Grandma, your muffin is good". 

"kikikikiki... thanks dearie, it was all Alvin. It won't be polite if I get to take the credits don't you think? She chuckled. 

"I have to go in now, I need to rest. If u need more muffins, make yourself comfortable at home" she said as she struggles to stand up from the couch. Alvin assisted her and walked her into the bedroom. 

Tony gave me a teasing push on my arm as he made up-down movements with his eyebrows, smiling maliciously. The twins laughed correspondently. I looked at them with an involuntary smile on my face trying not to show my teeth. My interest for Alvin grew deeper as I just found out he's a great chef. I love food and most especially men that can cook. 

We heard footsteps then Josephine said "stick to the plan guys". Immediately we acted natural. 

"Alvin come show me where you have more of those enticing muffins" Tony said as he got up from the couch and placed his arm across Alvin's shoulder trying to lure him out of the sitting room. 

"You are not done with the ones in front of you. Why request for more?" Alvin responded as he shrugged Tony's arm off his shoulders. 

We instantly stuck all the muffins in our mouth and made a big grin. 

"I see... " Alvin disdained. 

As Tony escorted him into the kitchen, we searched carefully in the living room, minding not to break anything or disorganise the house. We looked for my novel under the couch, the TV cabinet, under the center table and few other furnitures. 

I searched every book on the shelf. Seems grandma loves reading. I said to myself as I picked interest in one of the books I came across, written boldly on the cover 'How To Get The Man Of Your Dream'.

 Jojos rushed to me and said "We have searched everywhere, seems it's not here". Josephine glimpsed at the book I was holding and asked me to give it to her. She wanted to take it home. I refused then we engaged in an argument before Tony and Alvin walked in with more muffins. 

Tony had involved Alvin in a long discussion to stall him for a while in the kitchen. 

"What are you arguing about" Alvin asked. 

"Nothing" we both said, making eye contact with each other. 

Pfoo-pfoo!  Josephine coughed. "Alvin please could you get me a glass of water? Pfoo-pfoo!" Josephine asked politely pretending to choke. 

"Sure, take it easy okay? I'll be right back" he dashed into the kitchen. 

"Okay guys, has anyone seen the book" Tony whispered. 

"What book?" Joseph asked with his mouth full as he took another bite of the muffin. 

Tony rolled his eyes in annoyance. Then I said "No, it's not in the living room". 

"I scanned through the kitchen too it wasn't there" Tony responded. 

Then Josephine said sarcastically "Oh great! Beauty and the beast is a great recipe book for baking muffins" She rolled her eyes. 

Tony has anger issues, he immediately picked a muffin from the tray on the table and shoved it in her face. She took the muffin Joseph was holding and forced it into Tony's mouth "hey.. I was gonna eat that" Joseph fumbled. 

Tony picked up another muffin... 

"Tony put that down now!" I commanded.

"Guys please let's be focused. We don't have much time. I'll find a way to check in his room" I said. 

"How are you gonna do that?" they asked in unison as Josephine wipes the muffin off her face. 

Immediately Alvin walked in and we all acted awkwardly natural. 

"Alvin please can I use your restroom?" I asked shaking my legs pretending to be pressed. 

"Walk through that door, the room by your left" he said pointing to direct me.

 "Thanks" I smiled. 

"Can I join you?" 

I turned my neck slowly over my shoulder to see who said that. All eyes fixed on Joseph as he picks his nose and sniffed it. We facepalmed in exasperation. 

I left and located the door Alvin described. It was a big house with not many rooms. I wonder why Alvin's door was inscribed "Keep off, no girls allowed" when he lives with just his grandmother and got grand aunties visiting if not the children in the neighborhood. I shook my head and turned the handle of his old wooden door, pushed slowly to enter and the door creaked open causing a prolong grating sound. 

Astonished, the interior design of Alvin's room was different from the other rooms in the house. He wasn't old fashioned at all. I admired the cartoon characters painted on his wall. He got super hero toys and even a Ben-10 watch. OMG! I idolized his toy collection for a while. Boy got taste! Alvin has passion for many things. I guess that is why I have interest in this guy. He learnt to cook from his grandmother and I admire guys with such quality. He's very creative and can paint or sketch anything. I wonder why he joined the science club in his school. Maybe it was God's will for him to save my life that day I had an attack, he probably wants to be a doctor like his grand mother. 

Alvin's room was organized and his bed without a crease. I can't even make my own bed neatly, it's always dishevelled in appearance. 

I began my search. I opened his wardrobe and got a whiff of every cloth I touched hugging it tightly. I was obsessed with him. I couldn't take my eyes off his baby picture with grandma. 

"Awwn how cute.." I smiled adoring those cute puppy eyes. 

I looked around his room and lastly the drawer beside his bed. I was careful not to disorganise anything because everything was rightly positioned. I came across his sketch book and find his art really fascinating. His pencil sketches became more enticing as I flipped through the pages. 

Then I glimpsed at a figure that resembles me. It was a young girl on crop top and pantie with hands spread out and hair wind blown in the rain. This was different from the rest as it was sketched with a blue ball-pen in 3D. 

I looked deeper and realised it was actually me "OMG" I gasped with my hand covering my mouth. "This truly is me". 

I flashed back to the day I was playing in the rain.... "Oh my God" I exclaimed again. At the right hand side of the book was a written note. 

"I fell in love with you the first day I met you. It wasn't love at first sight. My love for you grew gradually and waxed stronger with time. Your personality, your soft hair, your beautiful eyes, your cute voice, your humor, the way you looked away and smiled, I had to walk pass again. Why do I like you? I don't have an answer for that, but I guess......"

Suddenly I heard footsteps and I hurriedly tried to put back the sketch book in the drawer when the door opened. I had not finished reading it to know if it was actually for me. But it was obvious, wasn't it? I guess I wasn't the only one writing notes. 

"Al.. Alvin" I stammered. 

"Emily have you used the bathroom already? Sorry I didn't knock, forgot you are here" he said. 

"Yes I have, I should go meet the others" I nervously said. 

He came closer as he sat on the bed saying "they are watching 'the toilet cop'. I got bored and I know you hate that show too. Please stay". 

His eyes caught the drawer beside his bed and he noticed a slight disposition of the drawer. I was clouded with anxiety for invading his personal space. He immediately gripped my wrist firmly as if he knew I was gonna leave and pulled me. I fell my ass on the bed and he got lust in my eyes for a moment. A strand of hair was covering my retina, he stroked my hair backwards and drew me closer, with his hands wrapped around my waist, he stared into my eyes as he licked his mouth. 

This was becoming awkward, so I leaned back and had to bring up a conversation "So... What do you do for a living"

He laughed and responded "I breath for a living". 

That was a dumb question to ask, I know. Well don't blame me, I can't think right with those deep and beautiful eyes staring at me. His eyes were honey mixed with a powerful storm coming in holding both beauty and danger. Before I could withdraw my mind from its far places, his arms were around me, as firm as a rock. I felt again the rush of helplessness, the sinking yielding, the surging tide of warmth that left my limp. 

"Will it be weird if I kiss you?"

Before I could respond, he bent back my head across his arm and kissed me, softly at first, and then with a swift graduation of intensity that made me cling to him as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world as his lips touched mine. His insistent mouth was parting my shaking lips, sending wild tremors along my nerves, evoking from my sensations. I had never known I was capable of such feeling. 

And before a swimming giddiness spur me round and round, I knew that I was kissing him back with my eyes closed. 

It was like opening up your soul, tasting feelings and seeing every colour of a rainbow in your own sensual way, almost like catching a smile in a bottle, it's softness, it's sweetness. Like breathing in the person like a cool inhalation of oxygen to warm the soul, like nothing in the world exist but you and the person. This feeling like you are levitating off the ground floating in the air. What you're feeling cannot be put into words nor has there been any part of speech invented to describe it. It's like an aphrodisiac mixed with a Pandorax box effect, fireworks glowing inside you from the touch of the person's lips on you. 

I blossomed like a flower. 

Finally we broke off the kiss and the incarnation was complete. 

I paused and sat stiffly with arms at my sides, I was speechless. He looked at me blankly for a moment and said "Not bad for your first time". 

I was flabbergasted and said in my head, first time? Was I terrible for him to notice? Has he been kissing other girls before now? I wanted to ask if he saw my note but then I was too shy to say. 

We walked together to the sitting room holding hands. Meanwhile, Tony and the Jojos have been eating muffins and watching 'the toilet cop'. I rolled my eyes to see that show. 

"Did you find it?" Josephine asked with sign language. 

I shook my head then Tony said loudly "What have you been doing in there?!". 

My heart skipped a beat "I.. I.. It's getting late, we should get going" I said. 

I'm not a good liar so I'd rather not say. Moreover, Josephine is a smart kid to detect anything fishy. 

"It was a great adventure noble knights" Joseph hailed as he walked home with his sister in company of Tony. 

I was going the opposite direction, however Alvin offered to walk me home. We held hands, my finger fitting in his, I felt warm in his soft palm. Winsome, I could feel butterflies in my stomach. I could not stop smiling, glancing at him then looking away when we make eye contact. We got to a garden near my residence. He plucked a rose flower in the garden and pinned it on my hair. Soon, I got to my entrance. Before I opened the door, I turned back blushing, and smiled at him as he bit his bottom lip, seductively. 

He reciprocated with a smile and from a distant he asked with his hands in his side pocket "How do you like my muffins!". 

"It was delicious!" I responded and then I entered my house. 

I walked up to my room, before I could twist the door knob, Selena interrogated "Where have you been Mrs rose" 

I realised I had a flower on my head and took it off immediately. She lifted her shoulders in a dismissive shrug. Then she handed me the novel. I exclaimed in shock "Where did you find this?". 

"Alvin had dropped it with me shortly after you left home" She answered. 

I hit my hand on my forehead. Sigh... Before I could utter a word, the door bell rang. I quickly ran to the door expecting to see Alvin. 

"Hello Emily". 

Disappointed I responded "Hi Loveth, please come in". 

She gesticulates in denial "oh no no no.... It's late already. I just thought I should give you this before my mom finds it with me. Sorry I did not read it, knowing it was private". She handed me the note I had written fantasizing about Alvin. 

"Did anyone see it" I asked to be assured.

 Then she replied "oh no no no no.... It fell out of the novel. I saw it was important, I had to take out the piece before lending it to Josephine". 

I expressed gratitude with a radiant smile on my face. 

"Oh God, how are you now? I heard what happened yesterday. Hope you are better?" she continued with a pitiful expression on her face as she felt my body to check temperature. 

"Yes I'm very much okay now, thanks to Alvin" I forced a smile.  

"Alright dear, please take good care of yourself. I hope Selena is doing great too?" she added. 

"oh yes yes, we are all good" I answered delightedly. 

She gave me a warm hug and departed. Loveth was just too old and mature for us to play with. She's fourteen and acts motherly. Geez. 

As I dined with my family, I could not hear a word they said. My mom nagged me for staying long outdoor and my dad joined in. All I could think of was that one kiss. I smiled as I played that scene on repeat in my head and munched my meal.