The First Time. (2)

I walked into my room and touched up a little. I was pretty much dressed. I just needed a little powder here and lip gloss there. My usual makeup routine. I still can’t fathom why I dislike heavy makeup. Ok. . . I actually can. But that’s a story for another day.

Shooing him out of the sitting room with a smile and an ‘I’ll meet you outside’, I put the barricades back in place. I hurriedly put my shampoo, combs,shower cap and towel in a bag. I prefer washing my hair myself. That way I’m certain my scalp is clean,but I had acrylics on. Next,I dabbed my perfume oil in a few unholy places and even fewer holy places. In a few minutes I was struggling with my slippers,my legs were ready to 'walk' and an unwelcome sensation was pooling in my belly.

‘Sorry for keeping you waiting.’ I said with a tentative smile,not in the least bit sorry.

‘I’ll always wait for you.' he drawled, reaching out to steal a bit of perfume oil from one of the holy places.

I snorted while beating his hands off.

‘You’ll always break my heart,you mean?’ I retorted.

‘I. . .’ he raised his hands in exasperation and put it down with even more exasperation and a sigh.

‘You. . .?’ I asked,my eyes glinting with mischief and a mild awareness that my statement rang true.

‘You know what?’ he answered, adjusting his glasses like my accusation threw them off balance. ‘Forget it!’ he screamed silently.

‘This smells nice by the way.’ he said, quickly changing the topic while lifting his fingers to his nostrils.

‘Yes it does. A friend gave it to me.’ I replied,my voice quickly going soft. His eyebrows shot up just as quickly.

'From the 'A friend’ statement,I imagine it’s a boy not a girl?’ he queried. 'Usually, a girl’s gift would start with ‘My’. . .’ .

‘You imagined correctly.’ I answered in as offhand a manner as I could. And then I told him about Uwem. A sweet friend I met on Tinder. And bla. And bla.

‘Mm. Good to know you’re making new friends.’ he replied in an offhand manner. ‘So where is this ‘Uwem’?’

‘Nan-ya business.’ I replied,a tiny smile curving my lips. I was glad he responded the way I wanted. With a hint of jealousy playing in his voice.

I cut off his reply with an exclamation because in that exact moment my Grandpa passed by on a bike. And I was with a boy. A 6ft7 boy. Wearing a mini skirt! The bag I held took a protective position on my lap while I donned the widest,fake smile and waved at my grandpa,hoping he wouldn’t turn back. He probably didn’t.

I and Max — yes,that’s his name — continued our journey to the salon with a bag filled with small talk. Questions about school. Talks about business. Health. Stress. . .

I wasn’t surprised. There was always so much to talk about with him. It was one of the things I loved dearly about him. We barely ever needed a topic. We could talk about politics from a simple 'Hi’. Or branch into an unnecessary conversation about human biology and genitals from a simple ‘How was your day?’. There was always so much to talk about and an awful lot of Airtel bonus in my phone.

‘Where exactly are we headed?’ he asked.

“Uhmmm, to the salon?’, I replied, temporarily dazed because honestly,I had forgotten my destination.

‘And where IS the salon?’ he asked,his brows raised in amusement.

‘You’ll see it when we get there.’ I shot back while taking a quick scan of the environment and realizing I was on the right path. Much to my relief.

He chuckled. Much to my irritation.

‘Where are YOU headed?’ I asked, channeling my irritation.

‘Wherever you lead me.’

‘Huh?’ I replied in disbelief and with even more irritation. His sweetness was becoming too. . . Sugary.

‘Look, I came back for you.’ he said, adjusting his glasses and turning to look at me. More like bending his neck to look at me. ‘I haven’t been home in 6 months.’ he continued.

‘I’ve been busy with school and business. You should know that. It’s part of the reasons we lost communication.’ he adjusted his glasses again.

'But I had to come back to see you. I couldn’t find you on any social media platform.’ he looked me in the eyes this time, silently accusing me of what I was fully aware I did.

‘So,yes baby girl. Wherever you lead me.’ he turned away, glancing at his phone then at the street. ‘I came back for you.’

'How sweeeet. . .’ I replied, my tone dripping with unfiltered sarcasm. A part of me was touched. Scratch that. Every part of me was touched. But I’d be damned if I let him notice.

‘How very sweeeet. . .’ I reiterated, a mocking expression growing on my face.

He sighed.

We got to the salon amidst banter and soft jabs. Mild irritation and amusement. The shop was closed. And I . . . I was relieved.

‘Oh dear. She didn’t open today.’ I said, faking disappointment. 'Ughhhhh!’

Ok,that was a bit much.

‘So now Where aRe We Headed?’ I asked,imitating his tone.

‘We could go to my house. . .’ he said, glancing at me to read my expression. ‘My mum and sisters were roasting corn when I left.’

Food!

‘Well, okay.’ I checked the time on my phone. ‘That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.’

It was.

. . . To be continued