บททั้งหมดของ Their Chance : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

AhanaNow, this is what I was expecting! I am in my element as I help Paris dish food for the guests, the oddest mix of egg fried rice, sweet and sour sauce and jollof rice, expertly bouncing from doing that to attending to Muna. Even though mostly casually dressed, this is a posh crowd, but rather than feel insecure, I bask in the convivial atmosphere, loving every minute of it.Justin Timberlake’s Justified album is playing on loop, and several times as he talks to a guest, I spy Chris dancing along to one of the catchy tunes. He hasn't changed from the red Ralph Lauren polo shirt he has been wearing since I arrived, and as he moves his head and shoulders in rhythm with Rock Your Body , I find myself riveted, unable to look away. From his slightly overgrown hair and more pronounced curls to the way his snug polo shirt sits on his body like it was tailored specifically for him, showing off his toned biceps and washboard abs, to the glint of the thin gold chain that peeks from his nec

ChrisI am relieved to hear the clinking of keys at the door. It is ten minutes past noon and as it’s not like her to be late, I have been worried she will not show up at all today. In the days since my birthday, she has retreated so deep into herself, I almost expect her to give her notice any day. She is fine with Luna, but even her smiles and laughter now seem forced. Asking her to come along with us to Essex has just been my way of attempting to take things back to normal.Even though the truth is that I don't even know what normal is.“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she says breathlessly, as she walks into the house. “I had to sort out some things.”I am filled with curiosity over what ‘things’ are, wondering if they have anything to do with her lowlife boyfriend.“You alright?” I ask. “You’ve been a bit… distant all week.” There is a flicker in her eyes, and she shrugs. “I just have a lot going on.”“If you’re in any kind of trouble, you know you can talk to me, right?” I say, meaning

Chris I feel like slapping myself when she sits up, wondering why, of all things I could have said, it had to be a snarky comment about her hair. I’d opened my eyes and seen her sitting with eyes closed, her head tilted in the most acute angle in my direction. I’d seen that we were sitting so close to each other, our arms were touching, and the feel of her awakened all my senses, even through the several layers of both our clothing. Her smell wafted into my nose, a clean, minty aroma with a mild hint of berries, and all I wanted to do was smell her forever. But then, I’d opened my big, fat mouth.Despite Muna lying asleep in her arms, Ahana remains sitting in an upright position until the train pulls into Stratford Station, and even when we are in the underground train headed to Finchley Road. Wanting so much to be in close proximity again, I place my arm on the backrest behind her, willing her to lean back. But she remains sitting at a right angle.Ah well.When we open the door of

AhanaWith my things still at Josephine’s, I set off for Aput’s the next morning. It is almost 11 when I get off the 55 bus, and I am confident that he would have woken up by that time. But to my surprise, he isn’t there. And neither Eche, Darien nor Alex is willing to give me any reasonable explanation for his absence.“Maybe he went over to Hafiz's” is Eche’s lame offering.“Or he slept over at the club. Maybe he got too drunk and couldn't come back last night,” is Alex’s even lamer one.But I know Aput would never get drunk at work, neither would he follow Hafiz all the way to Shepherd’s Bush where he stays.I make my way to his room and the bed is untouched, confirmation he hasn't been there this morning. I lift his pillows and peer under the bed, looking for anything questionable, anything to confirm my suspicions. But the place is clean; no condoms, no female underwear, no smell of strange perfume, nothing. I kick off my shoes and sit comfortably on the bed, determined to wait f

Chris My last appointment is cancelled, so I am able to leave the hospital by noon. Sitting in the train, I decide to make a stop at the supermarket to buy some last-minute supplies for the holidays. I disembark at Swiss Cottage station, the stop before my usual one, and get on a bus to the Tesco at Belsize Park. Getting off the bus, I hear the rumble of what sounds like thunder and I look up at the sky, wondering if this will be another wet Christmas.As expected for Christmas Eve, the express store, which is smaller than the standard ones in the chain, is packed. I grab a basket and head towards the fresh produce aisle, to see if I can find fruits for the trifles Muna likes, the only dessert I know how to make. But if I’m to be honest, it isn’t Muna I’m looking forward to impressing this time.I am reaching for peaches when I see Ahana down the aisle, examining two tins of canned fruit, trying to make a selection. A smile curves my lips as I watch her read the labels of both tins,