*******The thought of Wale kept me awake all through the night. He hunted my dreams and wouldnât leave my head. Itâs 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.âAt least the place is not far.â I say to myself as I pack my bag.I lock my front door when Omoh comes out of her own apartmentâGoing out so early?â she asks, yawning. It seems she's just waking up.âGood morning, I can see you slept well too.â I say to her, smiling.âIâm sorry.â She apologizes when she recall she hadn't said good morning.âItâs fine, Iâll be back soon. I hope you brought those novels?â 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.âYes.â she replies.âGood, love you, see you soon.â I yell as I hurry down the stairs.âYeah, love you too.â 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 Iâm done.I walk straight to my table, drop my bag at the side of it on the floor and wear my apron.âGood morning chefs.â The instructor in charge of the pract
******âThis is the most mouthwatering dish Iâve eaten all day.â 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.âYou think so?â I ask doubtfully at her comment.âUnless the judges have no taste buds.â She manage to say, swallowing a large chunk of semo.âI just hope it is good enough, I need to pass.â I tell her.âAnd you will.â She stops her eating and give me a heart warming smile.I feel a little at ease as I smile back at her.âHurry up with that, I need to rest.â 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 âEno, you
*******âI did my bestâ 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, millionaireâs daughter. Abike.âI shouldnât be doing this.â I reprimand myself, but securing my feet on the ground, not moving an inch.âI expected you to do better!â I can hear the chef yell âWhat will I say to your dad, huh?â He asks angrily.âWho is this chef to Abike?â I soliloquize, asking a curious question which answer interested me to hear.âTell him whatever you like I donât care. All I care about is how you are going to help me win that trip to California.â She assert with so much confidence.âMr. Collins is so wrong, itâs not just an Exam, as far as there is a reward attached to it, it is a bloody competition.â 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.âHi.â I dare say, watching her draw closer.âSave it.â She shuts me up rudely, but before walking pass me she gives me the weirdest stare.I chuckle âWhatâs her deal.â 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.âOh dear, Iâm sorry. I didnât see you coming.â 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.âI canât believe Iâve been sitting for over an hour and Ubong is yet to showâ 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?Iâm in an expensive, red satin gown and sitting in front of me is the most gorgeous creature Iâve 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
*******Panting hard, exhausted, trying hard to catch my breath as I urge Omoh to halt.âPlease, I canât go any further.â I manage to say amidst the heavy breathing as my chest threatens to burst.Bending low with my hands on my knees, exhaling through my mouth while sweat drips from every part of my body.Jogging has never been my thing; in fact, i donât think any kind of exercise has ever. Being a mom, working in between jobs and schooling is enough exercise for me to handle.Omoh is always educating me on the benefit of exercise but do I listen? Today, she made sure I join her in her morning run and it is exhausting. I might faint if keep going.âWe are almost home.â She points towards our street which seems like a forever journey from the point we are standing on.âCanât we just walk?â I say with no iota of strength left in me.âAre you tired already? There are still more to be done.â She shoots, laughing at me and at the same time, jogging ahead of me.âMore of this?â I feel my
*******I stand speechless in front Wale while my brain makes effort to suggest what I should say. In the meantime, I stare at his dimpled smile still dumbfounded. Unexpectedly, he places his right hand on my arm, moving it lightly. Feeling the chills down my spine, I quickly move back, putting a fine distance between us.He smiles widely, aware of reason for resisting his touch âAre you shy?â He inquires.âNo, Iâm sweaty.â I reply with a good enough excuse.I watch him laugh hysterically, enjoying himself. I won't lie, I like the sound of his laughter but I manage my composure and tell him plainly âI need to get out of this sweaty cloths, Iâm not comfortable in it.â I canât say for certain what Iâm not comfortable in anymore. Is it really the sweaty clothes or his piercing stare.âIâll wait.â He finally says.âYouâll wait, where?â I puff.âMy car is very comfortable.â wearing a serious face, he tells me.âIs he planning on waiting in his car? I thought he will leave, why isnât he l