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Chapter Eight
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2020-10-07 22:49:09The room had sparse furnishings but it seemed stuffy, thanks to clothes littered everywhere like kittens. Emeka released my right hand to toss the clothes on the bed down. I feel like he is the touchy-feely type, also insanely rough.
“How do you sleep in this room if it’s like this?” I queried.
He shot me a wide grin. “I don’t.”
“You don’t?” I asked confused.
“Yea.”
“I thought this was your room? That’s what you said.”
He itched the back of his head. “Yea, I did say that but this room is a guest room. For the main time, it is housed by a servant who washes clothes, that explains why there are clothes everywhere.” He explained sheepishly.
I frowned. “Then, why did you lie to me?”
“I didn’t. I merely changed my mind on our way here.” He shrugged.
It didn’t sit well with me. This guy was seriously strange or maybe, I was overreacting a bit.
“Relax. I just want to know you better.” He slurred while tapping the bed.
Since I was here, I had to play along with this, so I manned up or better still, womanned up. I walked the short distance to the bed and sat down.
“Ok, what do you want to know?”
“Everything about you.”
“Well, well, well...What is there to tell? Ok, I get it.” I smiled. “I go by the name, Blossom Adanna Okafor. I’m sixteen years old and the first child of my parents. I grew up in Lagos but I’m from Anambra state.”
He touched my left arm slightly. “I love your name. It’s fitting for such a pretty girl.” He whispered.
“Thank you.” I managed.
I didn’t like excessive touching but I didn’t tell him that. I inwardly shut my eyes to ward off the emotions.
“I feel like I’ve known you forever.” He said huskily.
I laughed nervously. “I beg to differ. We’ve known for just a few hours.”
“To you. To me, we’ve known for a lifetime.”
This time, I really laughed. He was really funny. Where does he hear such godawful lines?
“Yea, right. A lifetime.” I scoffed.
“I believe there is more to the pretty Sommy and I’m here for it.” He slurred.
“Sommy?” I queried.
“Yes, that’s your new nickname.” He informed me.
I mostly go by Ada since it’s just the shortened version of my native name. I’ve never really had a real nickname before. In as much as it sounded pleasing but I wasn’t really comfortable with him saying it. Though, I smiled and pretended it was cool.
“It sounds nice.” I gushed.
He bought it for he smiled softly at me.“Other than that, I’m a senior in secondary and would graduate in a couple of months, it is not much else.”
“There’s no..”
“Ada! Emeka!” Joyce voice rang out, stalling Emeka’s words.
“We...”
Emeka's palm flew to my mouth, slapping the words down my throat.I frowned. He didn’t look fazed though. He practically pulled me up, dragging me towards the door. He opened the slightly and peered out cautiously. Whatever he saw seemed to satisfy him, seeing that he opened the door slightly, leaving me trailing behind him.
He led us to the kitchen. Joyce was practically opening cupboards at this point like we were pots and pans. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at her. Emeka motioned for me to go behind her. My lips tilted in a lopsided curve as I caught on. I quietly mirrored her movements, each time she moved. I was soon behind her, stilling my breath. She spun towards me, at the same time an ear-piercing scream was heard.
It was from Joyce. She was clutching her chest as she panted. Emeka and I couldn’t stop laughing. She was such an easy pie to rattle.
“This is priceless.” Trying to control his laughter, he continued, “Where did my tough cousin run to?” He teased.
She glared at him and me. “I can’t believe you still play kiddies pranks.” She snapped.
“Funny how the adult screamed like a banshee just now.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
"l would really love to hear you scream like that," Emeka said.
“Who?” I queried.
“You, of course.” He winked at me.
I averted my gaze uncomfortably.
“That would be nice. I’d join you both to ignite my revenge.” Joyce cackled, oblivious of my discomfort.
“You won’t be able to get away with it anyway, thanks to your gobbledygook tongue.” He mumbled.
“Hey, are you trying to insult me? What the hell is gobbledygook?” Joyce grumbled.
I laughed slightly. “Don’t worry babe, he made up the word. It doesn’t exist.” I soothed.
“Don’t lie to her.” He reprimanded.
I shrugged. “You know it’s just the two of us, why were you so scared?” I teased.
“Shut up you two. Where were you both?” She inquired.
“We were in...”
“I was hungry and we decided to hunt the house down to get at least a piece of flour.” He said dryly, succeeding in shutting me up.
I stared at him nonplussed. What flour? What hunger? Why exactly was he lying? I really don’t understand this guy. My hunch told me he was up to no good. I tried to tell Joyce the truth, but my lips wouldn’t move.
“You should have just alerted me.” She scolded.
Emeka shrugged. “You were obsessed with the movie. I didn’t want to have a hole in my head.” He pointed out.
“How come you’re here, though. Has the movie ended?” I queried.
“Sweetie, that’s a Philippine novella. It can’t end that fast. Moreover, I was missing you guys.” She said sweetly, swinging her right hand across my waist.
I smiled at her, still bothered about the deception. I spared a glance at Emeka, he was totally relaxed, not like someone who just lied. He must be a pro at telling lies or Joyce was too foolish to believe him.
“Let’s put some oil in that tummy of yours.” Joyce declared, looking at my stomach.
“Alright. But the kids?” I prompted.
“They must be playing outside. Don’t worry about them.” She said easily.
“You guys do what you know how to do. I’m gone.” Emeka announced.
“Alright, foodie,” Joyce said as he backed out of the kitchen.
“What should we cook? Joyce asked, playing with her hair.
“Spaghetti?”
“Yes.”
During the eventide, we decided to go outside. I spotted Hamza in his shade drinking coke directly from the bottle. He waved at us as soon he lowered his bottle. I waved back but Joyce didn’t. She simply ignored him.
“Here, catch,” Emeka said from his spot.
We immediately went on alert as the ball shot through the sky. It was heading towards my direction. I curved my body slightly, extending my hands, preparing to dive if necessary.
I caught it effortlessly like it was just dropped in my palms. I couldn’t help grinning.“You tried. I was almost scared it would hit your face.” Joyce praised.
I laughed. “I’m a pro in playing with balls, Joyce.” I bragged.
“Yea, right.” Joyce shook her head. “You seem to forget I always flog you in every sport.”
“Oh, say another joke. I’m good at what I do, which is playing sports.” I argued, bouncing the ball like a pro. Ok, I was exaggerating my performance in sports a bit but I knew I was better than Joyce. She was good and I was better.
Joyce looked at me in amusement. “Don’t deceive my cousins, please.” She implored.
I smirked. “Just admit I’m saying the truth.”
Joyce rolled her eyes. “I won’t. There’s nothing to admit to.
“Ok, girls,” Emeka called, drawing our attention to him.
“We would solve that now. Let’s play football.”
“Yes.” Onyinye and Precious said simultaneously.
“I will be the referee,” Precious said, placing her thumb and forefinger in her mouth, in order to let out a whistle. It didn’t work, it came out like forced air.
“I’m a goalkeeper. No one should take my spot.” Onyinye informed us in a firm voice.I smiled. “That’s a deal then.”
“I will join in this game to assist,” Emeka announced.
Joyce groaned. “That won’t be a fair game then.”
“It would.” He assured her.
“We need a goal post though,” I said thoughtfully.
“That’s true. Emeka, there’s one in the game room. It’s made up of plastic.” Joyce informed him.
He nodded, then went into the house, in search of it. While he was away, I and the girl’s stretched our bodies. I couldn’t wait to best Joyce. I stretched my body, did a short run and did some jumping jacks.
“I’m back.” He declared.I watched as he placed the goal post in a strategic location. I didn’t know how athletic he was but hopefully, I could take him down.
“Sister Adanna, why don’t you choose a club? It will make this interesting.” Onyinye advice.
I nodded in thought. “That’s a good idea.” I tapped my chin. “I’m representing Real Madrid,” I said excitedly.
“Yes.” The girls cheered. Real Madrid was my first love and maybe only love because of Christiano Ronaldo, popularly known as CR7. He was the all-round G.O.A.T and a source of inspiration to me. Thinking about him, made me more determined to win the match.
“I choose Chelsea.” Joyce tuned in.
“You all know my club, right?” Emeka asked.
“Barcelona!” The girls screamed.
“That’s right.” He said as he inspected is mounted post. “Done. It’s time to kick some ass.” He kicked his legs to show just what he meant. Looking at me, he said, “You're sure you’d be comfortable playing in that gown?” He asked tentatively.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I said defensively.
“Alright then.”
With that said, the game started. Precious blew on her fingers and it brought the same result every time, stuffed air while Onyinye was guarding the post like a lioness protecting her cub.
