'Emmanuel and his friends asked if we could meet up today, after work. What do you think? Do you have plans?' Tessa probed. Looking up at me and holding my hands in hers.
'I didn't plan anything for tonight but--'
'Please don't say no? It's been a while since we've seen them. I think it's been over a month.'
Emmanuel, Kevin, and Ahmed have been my childhood friends. Tessa? we knew each other few years ago when she began working at the office. But now, Tessa seems closer to them than I. She now arranges meetings between us. She's more outgoing than I am so I never took it the wrong way.
I looked back down at Tessa. She stared back at me, with her large doe eyes, making it impossible for me to refuse.
'Okay. Reunion night it is.' I had no choice but to concede. I prioritize my sleep but at times I can't refuse Tessa's requests. She makes me feel insecure but wanted at the same time. Being the only close friend I had, I was in a way desperate to keep her close.
And by the way, Kelvin would be at the meetup. I didn't mention to her that I met Kelvin last week and that I liked him. I've always liked him.
We walked down to the bar where the boys had agreed to meet with Tessa.
'Oi!' I heard Tessa call out.
We both took our seats on the two free chairs around the table. I looked around. The interior design was the type that'll would have been so beautiful if not for the smoke rising from different tables. Barbecue grilling. There were blue, red and green neon lights decorating different parts of the room. Making the place aesthetically pleasing.
'Hi guys' I said, drawing my attention back to the party around me.
'it seems like they turned on the air conditioner. Ahmed what do you think?' Emmanuel taunted, hugging himself while glancing at me and at the same time avoiding my eyes.
I flipped him the finger. Ever since, he's always joked about my voice being cold.
'How are you Amara?' Ahmed asked me.
''I've been okay. I'm just happy that you all are indebted to me now. I chose meeting you guys over sleep"
I joked and a chuckle escaped Kelvin. The first thing I heard from him tonight.
"We're honoured" Ahmed responded and Our barbecue arrived at this point.
Emmanuel was about to say something when Tessa cut him off. "Let's play a game guys. I have this game on my phone where one person holds the phone and the others give clues to guess the word"
"Okayy. That sounds nice"
"Deal"
"I'm in'
We began playing the game and I found it fun. Tessa played first. Tree was her first word. We all tried giving clues but she failed to get it and soon, her time was up.
Next was Kevin, then I, Emmanuel and Ahmed.
When it was Emmanuel's turn, the word Sarcasm popped up.
'Amara is pretty' Tessa blurted out.
I flinched. Kevin and Ahmed turned to look both of us.
How did my looks relate to sarcasm?
Did she never not know how to talk all this while and I've been overlooking it?
"I'm sorry, Amara. I didn't mean it that way. You're pretty and you know it" She said and rubbed my arm in a way she believed to be a friendly gesture, as she forced a smile on her face.
"So, that's your definition of sarcasm?" I said to her, picking up my bag and walked out.
The sound of a chair scraping the floor, followed my departure. Someone was after me. Praying it wasn't her cause I knew that my reaction wasn't going to be anywhere good.
I walked out onto the street, and towards my left. I wasn't with an umbrella and little droplets of rain would only serve to get my clothes wet.
I was pissed as is already. I definitely needed a walk in the rain to set my thoughts straight.
I was about to take the bend to my street, when Kevin caught up to me. He had followed me from the bar and walked behind me, letting me have my own space. We both walked side by side. An awkward but comfortable silence ensued between us. We both had too much to say. But the silence we both shared was beautiful.
"Why didn't you stay back and complete the game?"
"How could I Amara? Did you think I would be comfortable sitting at a table with some human who had the guts to call you ugly to your face and mine?'
'It was a slip of the tongue on her part Kevin. Don't be like that'. I said, even though I knew it wasn't a slip of the tongue. It was what she thought deep down.
'Amara, the last thing you are and ever will be to me is the opposite of pretty. You, Amara are a goddess the earth is blessed to have you walk upon it.' Kevin said and his words did something to my insides.
I always knew Kelvin had a way with words but I didn't think he was this good with words. If he was trying to make me feel prettier than I actually was, it was definitely working.
'Kevin-' My sentence was left hanging as I turned to look at him.
'I like you Amara.' He blurted out. The reflection from the street light shone on his beautiful face, accentuating his features.
His hair, a clean low-cut that aligned perfectly with his face. His chocolate skin which seemed to have the same colour as his eyes. Staring at his lips, a combination of brown up and pink down made my heart race. I didn't even need to ogle anymore to know I had fallen deeply already for this man.
I closed my eyes as I felt the soft feel of his lips against mine. The kiss was love, relief and desire melded together into one.
A busy street on a Friday night in Lagos wasn't the best place to share a kiss but poky neighbors be damned.
I had found my peace and I sure as well was going to enjoy the moment. I thought as I eased into the kiss.
The tiny droplets of rain cheering us on.
Images were generated using meta.ai
