******WALE POVI let out a rumble laughter after dropping the call with Eno. Lost in the thought of her that I'm oblivious to when Yinka, my cousin stepped into the room.Letting the smile linger on my lips, I sit up from the couch when I hear him clear his throat. He gives me that amusing stare then laughs while sitting on the brown leather couch across from mine in my living room.My cousin has been living with me since he returned to Nigeria, feeling reluctant to go home because aunty never stops her quest of finding a suitable wife for him. Just like me, he feels the pressure but doesn't want to get his own apartment because hes barely in the country. And now, I have no choice but to accommodate him.āMy boy has found himself a girl that makes him smile.ā He mocks me, laughing and watching my brightened up face.āWell, you can say that again.ā āSo, did she agree to meet you?ā He curiously asks.āShe can't resist me even if she tries.ā Still in my happy mood, I stand and move to
******ENO POV āI was starting to think you wonāt show up and Iāll have leave here heartbrokenā Wale says, giving those sexy smiles. He sure knows how to enthuse a lady.I smile in my mind, feeling a little uneasy. I sit on the high stool close to his, in front of the bar counter.āIām here arenāt i? Can I have my bangle, please?ā I ask, trying to be polite. I donāt want to cause a scene in front of the busy bar-man.āNot yet, honey youāāāHoney?ā I snigger.āWhat?ā He raise an eye brow at me, drawing closer to me, causing that hot rush on my cheek.Heās close, too close. I open my mouth trying to at least stammer a word but it stayed open. āHeās smooth. Wake up Eno.ā I yell at myself, using my indoor voice.āWhy am I here?ā I ask quickly, smiling at the bar man who places our drinks in front of us.āYou didnāt believe me when I said You enchanted me?ā He asks back.āPlease wake up this isnāt disney? Neither are we children. But of course, itās true what they say.āāWhat who say?ā he
*******The thought of Wale kept me awake all through the night. He hunted my dreams and wouldnāt leave my head. Itās a pity; I have to hurry off to Peace estate at second Rainbow in Festac Town where I work part-time as a cook for Mr. and Mrs. Oke.āAt least the place is not far.ā I say to myself as I pack my bag.I lock my front door when Omoh comes out of her own apartmentāGoing out so early?ā she asks, yawning. It seems she's just waking up.āGood morning, I can see you slept well too.ā I say to her, smiling.āIām sorry.ā She apologizes when she recall she hadn't said good morning.āItās fine, Iāll be back soon. I hope you brought those novels?ā I ask to be sure. They were some romance novels Omoh had back home. I got a good look at one when I joined her on a visit to her parents home and begged her to bring some for me.āYes.ā she replies.āGood, love you, see you soon.ā I yell as I hurry down the stairs.āYeah, love you too.ā I hear her yell back. Her voice echo downstairs as
*****One month after intensive lecturers, we get to do our first practical. Our instructor request we prepare one traditional food from our tribe.This is exciting news because I really appreciate my tribal dish. I choose Afang soup not because I wanted it but because Omoh made sure. I plan to prepare white soup or apangkukwo but Omoh says Afang soup is well presentable and very rich. To me, my choice is also presentable and rich but, since Afang is a popular dish, I get her point.Omoh followed me to school today, which is of good advantage because she volunteer to help me carry my extra bags. I know her sudden kindness has a motive which is to not miss out on the soup.She is not allowed into the hall since she is not a student so, I ask her to wait for me at the canteen behind my department promising to call her as soon as Iām done.I walk straight to my table, drop my bag at the side of it on the floor and wear my apron.āGood morning chefs.ā The instructor in charge of the pract
******āThis is the most mouthwatering dish Iāve eaten all day.ā Omoh says a she pounce on the plate of Semo and Afang soup not minding the people around, looking at her.I join my friend, Omoh at the canteen where she had been waiting for me after the practical as over. I previously thought we would eat the rest of the food when we are comfortable at home but, my dear friend is very impatient to wait.āYou think so?ā I ask doubtfully at her comment.āUnless the judges have no taste buds.ā She manage to say, swallowing a large chunk of semo.āI just hope it is good enough, I need to pass.ā I tell her.āAnd you will.ā She stops her eating and give me a heart warming smile.I feel a little at ease as I smile back at her.āHurry up with that, I need to rest.ā I hasten to her.flashing her my tired look but Omoh pays no attention to me. I rest my back on the backrest of the chair and wait patiently for her to finish devouring the meat.Suddenly, I feel a hand rest on my shoulder āEno, you
*******āI did my bestā I can hear a student say inside the hall and I swear her voice sounds very familiar.I peek through the slightly open door and my guess was right. Not to my surprise anyway, I mean, there is only one person in this department with a penetrating voice like that. Who else can it be? If not the proud, miss perfect, millionaireās daughter. Abike.āI shouldnāt be doing this.ā I reprimand myself, but securing my feet on the ground, not moving an inch.āI expected you to do better!ā I can hear the chef yell āWhat will I say to your dad, huh?ā He asks angrily.āWho is this chef to Abike?ā I soliloquize, asking a curious question which answer interested me to hear.āTell him whatever you like I donāt care. All I care about is how you are going to help me win that trip to California.ā She assert with so much confidence.āMr. Collins is so wrong, itās not just an Exam, as far as there is a reward attached to it, it is a bloody competition.ā I say, heatedly. Confirming my
*******Abike stamps her feet and as she walks toward the door where I stood, i quickly opt out of my position, putting a fine distance between myself and the door.She hits the door hard, forcing open the door. Her gazes instantly met mine then, she walks towards me.āHi.ā I dare say, watching her draw closer.āSave it.ā She shuts me up rudely, but before walking pass me she gives me the weirdest stare.I chuckle āWhatās her deal.ā Not my cup of tea.I walk towards the door again. Just as I am about holding the door knob, the door swings open, almost causing me to trip.āOh dear, Iām sorry. I didnāt see you coming.ā Chef Chris apologize politely.He is a fair skinned, average height man. His hair is cut very low at the sides and carved neatly and his face has no trace of hair on it. His wearing a black polo with Greg institute written at the back and left breast of the shirt on a pair of black trouser. He smiled warmly at me, but it didn't do justice to the frustration hidden in his
*******I sit in the restaurant alone watching as people enter and exit the building. I look down on my wrist watch and curse under my breath as it scream 7:30pm.āI canāt believe Iāve been sitting for over an hour and Ubong is yet to showā I complain bitterly to myself but, what can I do? Unfortunately, I have to sit and wait patiently for him to show up.I gaze at the beautifully couple sitting in on the table across from mine, I smile while I watch them laugh and play and just like that I landed in dream world.And who else could be the subject of my fantasy?Iām in an expensive, red satin gown and sitting in front of me is the most gorgeous creature Iāve ever laid eyes on.His smile, broad and warm, His lips, softly calling at me to kiss it while I watch him speak. One date with Wale is like a dream come true, what could go wrong? Something I surprisingly look forward to. Kudos to playing hard to get, I successfully chased him away.In front of me is a card and in the middle of it