I stepped into the sitting room to find Ada watching Tv who stopped for a while to stare at me with her mouth agape.
“You look lovely mum”. She finally made words
I smiled
“Thank you baby”. I replied.
Packed and ready to go, we made our way out of the house and into the evening, oblivious of what it held for us. I dropped Ada off at Dera before proceeding to the restaurant. On hearing that I was on a date with Yemi, Dera was over the moon and tried to pull my dress down to reveal some cleavage. I simply pulled her hands off and ran out of the house before she ask for an outfit change.
I eventually arrived at the premises of restaurant and saw Yemi’s car parked on the drive way. I made my way inside and almost immediately found him. He had the same mouth opening effect that everyone who’s seen me had on. We finally sat down.
Menus in hand, he ordered for a bottle of champagne which was lovely. I had missed him but failed to acknowledge it.
“I missed you Sinach “ He said
I was tempted to say I missed him too but fear of leading him on made me mute.
It was a superb dinner as we laughed, talked about the happenings in our lives and the nation. It was 8.20pm when we finalised our date and set to leave the restaurant. He suggested a night movie at the Cinema. I almost declined and was ready to pin it on fatigue and early morning rising when I heard Dera’s voice in my head, ‘Be spontaneous tonight’.
We arrived at the Cinema, we opted for ‘Skyscraper’ over other movies lined up for the evening.
We walked into the Cinema hall with popcorn and a milkshake in hand. Movie started and we were the only ones in the hall.
“Can I take off my shoes”. I asked
“Of course dear, let loose and be free”. He replied with a smile.
The movie though intriguing and intense, it didn’t stop the chills I had, I guess it contributed to some extent. He noticed I was cold and drew me into his embrace and we stayed that way till the end of the movie.
By 10pm we were done with the movie and out of the hall proceeding to the car park. It was too late to go home, would probably spend the night at Dera’s. I pulled out my phone to call her but her calls were unanswered. I called Tunde too and it was same. I tried a bunch of times and it was same.
. Knowing Yemi’s house wasn’t too far from the Cinema was a thought I tried to avoid.
“It’s too late to go home and my sister isn’t taking her call. She lives closeby” I said.
I was dreading going to his house. I wanted to avoid anything emotional. He was a good man regardless.
“I know that. I saw her at the local market sometime ago where we exchanged addresses and discovered we lived not so far from each other”
It was deliberate attempt by Dera not to take my calls and I’m sure she’s behind Tunde not taking his calls either. No wonder she preached spontaneity.
“Stay with me tonight and then tomorrow, you can go home”. He said calmly interrupting my thoughts
I had no option but to simply nod and get into my car as he led the way.
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Click 13 below to read episode 13
