CHAPTER FIVE

Saturday's were my best days in a week. Back at home I usually do the laundry and clean up every Saturday with my siblings, but here in school it was kind of different because I actually do it almost every day. Even though it was usually a hectic day for me I usually loved it 'cos there was still time to rest in the evening after all the work and I usually watched my favourite tv programme after doing all the chores.

I loved Saturdays because it was the day I always had time to spend with my family apart from Sundays, Sundays were different because before we go to service and return and start receiving visitors time would have already elapsed and my parents would be too busy for us. I always wanted my parents time and attention especially my mom but as I clocked sixteen I cared little of how much time they spent with us.

Today was like every other Saturdays and I couldn't help but be glad that I had no lecture to attend because it was always a lecture free day. I woke up, did the little chore I had to do and also did my assignment. I was less busy now and decided to go through my notebooks to revise some of the stuffs I wrote down in previous classes. Boolu and her bunky were discussing about God only knows and laughing out loudly and my bunky was watching a movie on her phone. I thought of Daniel, we had barely talked for the past few days, the last time we talked on phone he had asked me to he his girlfriend, I had hanged up without saying anything.

When I told my roommates about it they were all mad at me, we were becoming really close these few days and told each other what happens in our life, boolu even said she would have to call him herself and tell him yes if I refused to do so. I picked up my phone and dialed his number but it was switched off. I planned on telling him I had agreed to be his girlfriend, I hadn't planned all this to happen, but it did happen and I realized I was really in love with him. I dialed his number again and this time it went through.

"Hey Daniel, I was wondering if you are less busy so we could hang out in the evening"

"Yes, sure" he replied hurriedly, I could sense the happiness in his voice. Hearing his voice alone made my heart beat faster, God what was wrong with me!

"So where do you want us to go today, where do you want to go? he asked.

"I want to go to Dubai" I replied him trying to be funny and it really worked.

"Hahaha... I'll take you to Dubai someday milady, said laughing, but I'm talking of today, where should we go?

"I don't know, anywhere, you know I don't really know places around here, you choose" I

"Okay....just dress up I'd take you somewhere special, you'll like there".

" Awwwn, really... where's the place" I was so excited, like this was the first time someone is treating me like a queen and the feeling was very nice.

"Even if I tell you, you won't know the place, just dress up, i'm coming to pick you soon, you'd see for yourself".

Okay, I was going on a date like every other lady with the guy I had feelings for, if only my bestie back at home was here, she'd be chattering like a happy bird by now and reminding me of how I said I'd never fall for a man till marriage, sometimes I wondered if I was thinking from my anus when I made that statement, I was only in junior secondary anyways..

"Roomies I'm going out with Daniel, he said he's coming to pick me soon, I don't know the dress to wear" I announced to the room.

"Really? So you finally accepted? Bolu asked I could tell she was really happy for me.

"We would ransack your luggage and get the best dress for you to wear, trust me I'm good at that" my bunky said beaming with smiles.

I opened my luggage reluctantly knowing fully well I had few dress for outing, praying silently that I would find a suitable one, I just felt like looking very good today.

Then my eyes caught a red dress before I could take it my bunky had already grabbed it out and raised it.

"This is just the perfect dress for this, she said straightening it.

"It's so pretty" Ashley said in admiration.

"So you're wearing this and that black sandal that has a little heel you wore on Sunday, it will look good together" chioma said.

"And you are going to do a small touch on your face, look good for zaddy" boolu chipped in.

"Which zaddy, daddy is my zaddy" I said rolling my eyes.

My bunky helped me into the dress, the sandal and helped me style my long braid. She layed the edges of my hair with my olive edge control, then I applied mascara on my lashes and then eye liner, nude lipstick and powder. I looked at myself in the mirror and all I could say was wow!

"You're so pretty, I'm tripping" boolu said teasingly.

Then Daniel call me saying he was already in front of my hostel.

"I'll be going now, bye" I told my roommates.

"Bye enjoy, have fun" chioma said.

"Don't come empty handed o" I guess you know who would say this. That was what most Nigerian girls expect when you tell them you are going out on a date, you better not come back empty handed, it was rather hilarious.

I stepped out of the room, two girls were looking at me and mummuring to each other, I overheard one of them saying something like 'these pretty hookup girls, Saturday is their work day'. This was what w would call typical African ladies not minding their business and always saying what they aren't sure of, bet they've not seen a fine girl today, I mused wishing I could tell them in their faces.

When Daniel saw me his eyes widened and he looked at me in awe as if he had seen a goddess and I was pleased.

"You look stunning, Mira you are beautiful" he said pecking me.

"Thanks, I blushed. So where are we going.

"Firstly, I missed you, secondly, I missed you so much" he said ignoring my question.

"And thirdly??

"Have you heard of pavid royal garden??

"Daniel are you serious right now? I froze.

"Emm...you don't like there? Is anything the problem? He asked obviously oblivious of why I asked him the question.

It was not because I didn't like the place, I actually have never been there, I have just heard about it and I had it was extremely expensive and many celebrities were seen there, heard it was where lovers met chilled together.

"Are you kidding me, heard the place is very expensive" I said.

He shrugged and added "But that's where I want to take you".

On our way he mentioned how he wanted to get a new car 'cos he was tired of ordering Uber anytime he was going out. I really had a lot to ask him and to know about him.

We alighted from the car and he held my hand as we stepped into the place. It was so beautiful, I could say it was one of the most beautiful place I've ever been to, although I've not been to many places.

He gave me his cell phone to hold for him and we went straight to the receptionist and he paid the ticket for table for two with his credit card. A debit alert came to his phone and I glanced through it without letting him know and it was two hundred thousand naira, I looked at him wide eyed, but his attention was still at the receptionist. Then the receptionist glanced toward my direction. You know he's our regular customer and you're the first lady he's ever brought, do have a good time. I took in the word with mixed feeling not knowing how to react.

"Thanks, I will" I said smiling.

We went over to the reserved table ordered for red wine. He asked if I took alcohol, I said no only on rare occasions but would like to try some today.

We tried sea foods which I didn't really fancy and then we ordered for my favorite, spiced goat meat with tomatoes. They sold almost every kind of dishes here including local dishes. We talked about many things and the process I told him I had accepted to be his girlfriend. I had never seen him so happy before. I did most of the talking as he asked me things about myself and he listened attentively.

"So Daniel tell me more about yourself, your family, I'm curious".

"Well, there's nothing much to talk about, I have only two brothers, actually had a sister but she's late" he said frowning.

"So sorry dear" I said taking is hands.

"Yeah, it's okay, it's been long. My immediate younger brother is studying medicine abroad, we were very close before he left but he seems too busy now although we usually talk most if the times on video call". He talked about his little brother who adored him so much and how he always ran to him anytime he got into trouble and his mom. He talked about her passionately I could see he loved her so much. I toticed he barely talked of his dad. Maybe he was late, I thought.

"What about your dad, what's he like?? Then his mood kind of changed and there was a bit of sadness in his eyes.

"Daniel I'm so sorry, I don't mean to bring back old memories..I". Then he cut me off.

"It's okay, he's a business man, always busy".

"Ohh nice, you mean he's still alive? I asked surprisingly?

"Of course, he is"

"Tell me about him". I was bewildered by his sudden change of mood again.

"I and my dad, we are not really close, when I was young we didn't really spend time together because he was always traveling and busy with work, so there's just nothing much to say".

"Ohh I see, I understand, so Daniel what do you do, I know you're a student but where do you get all these money, I'm your girlfriend now so you can tell me, no secrets.

He burst out laughing and I only but wondered what was funny. I watched him closely as he picked up a napkin from the table, wiped his lips and clears his throat.

"I manage some of my father's businesses and malls" he said sipping wine.

"Nice".

"Do you Know Genesis shopping mall, my dad owns it.

"Wait a minute, the well known genesis mall that's almost in all the states? I almost passed out.

He shrugged before nodding.

"Woah, heard he's a very successful man, you must be proud of him" then I wondered in astonishment what he was doing in a public school and why he wasn't swift to talk about his father's achievements, most guys would do that without being told. That would be a topic for another day.

"Mira enough of my dad, let's talk about us, or should I call you babe" he said pinching my cheeks.

I covered my face with both hands pretending to be too shy to talk.

"I wish you won't leave my sight today, you are irresistible, you don't know the kind of self control that had kept me from kissing you since today".

"Damn the self control and kiss me". Then our lips met, he kissed me slowly savouring the taste and moment, my hands went to his neck as he kissed me faster. I moaned almost silently. I didn't know how much I missed this until he kissed me. I love you mira, he murmured into my mouth. This was the first time a guy was telling me he loves me apart from my dad.

I remembered how my dad said guys could lie about love and do any shit just to get under your pants, but I cared less about that right now, the feelings felt genuine, it had to be. He kissed me so passionately like I was the most important thing in the world.

"Let's spend the whole day together, we can reserve a room here if possible and I'll go back tomorrow morning" I said without thinking.

"Are you sure you are okay with that? He asked caressing my cheeks.

"Emm...yes".

He phoned someone saying he'd like to reserve a room for the night. It was then I wondered if I had made a wise decision.

"Do you want any drink again, you said you wanted to try some alcohol"

"Yes, please" I replied.

"You would only take a little" he said demonstrating the little amount he wanted me to take with his hand".

"Ok fine". Then he ordered for VSOP liquor. It was very chilled, I didn't really like the taste but I kept on sipping as we talked. He talked about his plans after school and stuffs and I was getting too dizzy to listen.

"Are you sure you are okay, God! Look all the stuffs you have taking" he said taking the the drink I was about taking out of my mouth".

"Give it back" I resisted taking it forcefully from his hands, my eyes were getting heavy and my head was pounding, I was loosing control of myself.

"Not I know you are drunk, you are not taking that anymore, do you want to pass out? Subsequently it seemed I was going to pass out.