Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Ike stood up slowly. His wooden chair groaned as it moved against the tile.

He was wearing a navy blue face cap and a black shirt .

"Ike, " I said, walking towards him, "good afternoon. "

He hugged me briefly and let go. "How was service? "

"Wonderful. Did you go? "

"Naa. I overslept."

"Alright, " I said, touching his arm then turned to face Tunde who wore a smile on his face as he looked at me.

"This is Tunde, my friend and neighbor at work. "

"Tunde, meet Ike, a family friend."

Ike stepped out and extended a handshake towards Tunde.

"You are welcome, Brother, " he said.

"Thank you, thank you, " Tunde replied as they grasped hands in greeting.

I looked at Tunde. "Please make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back."

"I'm very good at that," he replied just before I exited the parlour.

I changed into a short and a polo. I could breathe better in them than what I had worn to church.

Coming out, I could hear Auntie Maimah's voice in the parlor then Ike's own, I could also hear Tunde's barking laughter.

I walked into the parlor, there was a football match playing on the screen.

Tunde wiped his eyes as he smiled at me. I returned that smile then greeted Aunty Maimah.

"Do we all want to eat now? " I asked, my eyes searching everyone's faces. Auntie Maimah also turned to the two men waiting for a reply.

"We been ready long ago," Ike said, nodding to Tunde, who smiled in return.

Going to the kitchen, that was the moment I missed Michelle. She had not returned from church. She always stayed back for the youth meeting. I was just grateful we were just four and the food in the warmer was still hot.

I set the trays on the cupboard, bending to scoop food into the big aluminum plate, I felt a hand at my waist. I turned slowly, it was Ike. He removed his hand and leaned on the cupboard in front of me.

"I came to help you, " he said

"Thank you," I said then continued dishing the food. I gave him a tray of empty plates and spoons to carry to the dinning which he carried eagerly like a little boy that was allowed to do something for the first time.

When the table was all set. I called them to the dining area.

Tunde led the prayer. All the while he prayed, Auntie Maimah's eyes were open, staring at him and smiling. Mine was open too, looking at everyone on the table.

"It was a short powerful prayer," she commented as she dished rice into her plate.

"Yes," Tunde replied .

The shrew should have been at lunch. Maybe the stew would have been too salty, too watery or even too red for her. I looked at Ike who had started eating. I dished my own food. Ike just seemed better, no more drunk nights, no more sanctuary. Indeed, Some people know how to destroy others.

"Tunde, how is the family ?" Auntie asked, breaking into my thoughts. Interrogation time, I thought as I looked at Tunde who had food in his mouth at the moment. When he was done he replied, "she's fine."

"You are married? " she asked.

"No, no," Tunde laughed, shaking his head, which made Ike laugh too. "My mother. It's just both of us. We're not close to the extended family. "

Auntie Maimah nodded. "Your mum stays with you in Umuahia?"

"No. Lagos," he replied, looking at her as if he was waiting for another question.

"How do you find Umuahia ?"

"Well, it's a small city. We don't get work like that but, It's just temporary. I have been looking for a better place." he said.

Temporary.

Sorry, did you say temporary?

That was the first time I was hearing that.

I had never thought of Tunde leaving that place. Not going down to see him, he will not be coming up to see me, no walk to the park.

"No,no," Ike was saying, "Come to Owerri. Things are happening here. "

Tunde laughed. " I don't know yet. Owerri is in my option box though."

I silently ate my food. Nobody noticed me or directed any questions towards me but I saw Ike raising his eyes to look at me still bent on his food. He was directly facing me with Tunde sitting beside him.

When we were done, Auntie Maimah went back to the parlour. Tunde and Ike carried the trays to the kitchen. I cleaned up the dinning.

We all sat in the parlor watching different music videos play on 'Trace' channel. I was interested but my eyes were focused on the channel, watching tattooed musicians with funny hair cuts, girls dancing in net dresses and other things I hardly took time to notice.

Ike slept off on the single seater sofa he was seated on. I watched Tunde all the time as he looked at the Tv. I expected his lips to be turned down in disapproval or any expression to show his displeasure but his face was just blank. Most times he will flick his finger across the screen of his phone, other times he would look up at the Tv, nodding to the beat of the song.

"This guy is slowly fading away, " he said suddenly looking at me.

A new artist was playing then whom I did not know. Ada was the movie and music person not me. I only watched movies when I was very bored and the songs I listened to were just the ones I played on Saturdays while I worked around the house.

"I don't know him," I said.

Ike stood up then, stared at us like he was seeing strangers.

"Ike go to the room and sleep biko," Auntie Maimah said. Ike obeyed and walked out of the parlour, unbuttoning his shirt as he left.

Tunde turned to me after Ike had left.

"You don't? " He asked, "His first song was a hit then second and third, after then nobody heard of him. Maybe he is still singing but I don't hear of him anymore."

I nodded to all he said while Auntie Maimah seemed more engrossed with the music.

Michelle walked in a nude bodycon gown that stopped a few inches below her knees. She greeted everyone in turns then Auntie excused herself and followed her out.

"Let's get some air? " I asked, already standing.

He nodded and followed me outside. I sat on the stairs outside the front door. He had to spread a handkerchief - the one I had given him in church so his white trouser does not stain.

I silently gazed at the gate, at the sky, the tall trees outside the compound, the fence. Everything seemed suddenly interesting. The sun was going down, the wind caressed the trees and they swayed slightly.

"it's a nice colour," he said after a while.

I turned to follow his gaze. He was looking at the gate house. It was painted cream the same as the main house.

I nodded. "You love cream? "

"Yes. It's a beautiful colour and then there is grey and brown. "

He looked at my hands. "I also love this colour you are painted with."

I laughed. Painted. Really ?

"I could call it brown, " he said, "but it's me. My skin defines that better. "

"They call it light skinned," I shrugged .

He nodded with a smile. "It looks good on you,"

Then he took my hand in his. I was lighter than him and my hand lay there in his large hand looking very small. "Beautiful contrast, isn't? " he asked.

I only smiled at him without saying anything.

"We used to be closer before you travelled," he said, dropping my hand on his thighs.

"We still are."

He shook his head, pushed out his mouth and narrowed his eyes staring at the floor.

"Is Ike not the family friend you said was engaged? " he asked.

"He is," I replied. My head slanted as I observed him. He squeezed my hands then.

"When are you coming home?"

"I don't know," I sincerely answered. My uncle did not return and the weekend was over. "Soon."

He squeezed my hand again, then slowly intertwined our fingers. I felt the heat building on my palms and in my body. I wanted to touch not just hands, maybe trace my hands across his broad chest, run my fingers up his strong arms to his neck. I wanted to know what it would feel like having his hands hug me till it felt like I was moulded into him. Maybe it was too soon but I was already curious.

"It's getting late, " he said, bringing me out of my reverie. He let go of my hand. I wanted to reach out and take his hand in mine again instead I stood and hugged myself. Night was approaching slowly, darkness was slowly creeping in.

He stood and flapped the handkerchief.

"I'm not going to wash off this stain. I will keep it like art," he said .

"You better wash that off," I said, coming closer and tracing my hands round the part of his clothe my makeup stained.

He looked down at me with a smile. "I miss you. "

Silence stared at us waiting to receive my response.

I placed my hands on his chest, still holding his gaze, I raised myself on my toes and brought my lips to his. I part my lips and take in his bottom lip. I moved closer still, I could not feel him respond. I raised my hands to hold his neck but he held my hands. I found myself reaching up again to kiss him, this time taking the whole of his lips. He held my hand down then moved back.

He rubbed his hand up and down my arm then pulled me into his arms. I wanted to see his face. Was I a temptation for someone that had spent a part of his life in seminary?

He held my head still rubbing his hand down the short length of my Bob. He said nothing. I needed him to say something.

The light outside came on and I pulled back to look at his face. His smile was just at the corner of his mouth. Ike came out with his hands in his pocket.

He looked at us for a while then he looked at Tunde and said, "I slept heavily. Thought you had left even."

"About to, Bro," Tunde replied.

"Alright. Drive carefully," Ike said and returned inside.

"Drive safely," I said, wishing it was still dark and he could not see my face.

"I will, " he replied.

Embarrassed by everything, I blurted out, "Tunde I'm sorry. "

I rubbed my hands together with my head bent not wanting to look at him. He cupped my face.

" Don't do that again. Let this be the last time." he said.

I blinked rapidly. Last time to apologize or do what I apologized for?

"I will call you when I get home," he said, squeezed my hand and walked to where his car was parked. I watched as the engine kicked up then he drove to the gate. He waited for a while before Oga Christopher ran out and pushed the gate. I still stood there after the gate was closed then I went in, wrapping my hands around myself.

"Are you okay? "

I jumped and turned to see Ike standing at the dining.

"You scared me. What are you doing standing there like that? " I asked, then I turned around and locked the entrance door.

"Are you hungry, do you want to eat again? " I asked as I passed him.

"No, I'm okay."

I turned to look at him. He was now sitting on a chair. "Goodnight ?"

"Can I follow you to your room, I want to talk to you," he asked.

"Okay_" I drew out, "I'm feeling sleepy though."

"I'm not going to waste your time."

We walked down silently to my room. I came closer to him, checking for the smell of alcohol before I closed the door.

He exclaimed, "What do you take me for! "

"Precautionary measures, " I said, going to sit on the bed. "I'm just playing though."

"I no more drink," he said, sounding offended. "Since that day, I have not."

I nodded. "Good for you. "

"You and your neighbor seem pretty close," he stated, leaning on the wall opposite my bed.

"Yeah umm _ We're friends. " I said, going to my box to find a nightwear.

"You guys seem pretty too too too close."

I searched his face. He seemed annoyed and uncomfortable.

"Your point? " I asked as I walked to the bed.

I sat down and looked at him. He was looking at the window, obviously seeing nothing beyond that. He shook his head then looked at me.

"I felt something," he said, "jealousy? It did not feel like it. Anger?"

"Anger at me, why would you be angry at me? " I asked, almost laughing.

"It was not anger," he replied, "If Amanda moved back in, I didn't tell and you found out yourself, would that be okay? "

He was staring at me, waiting for a reply. I felt hurt a little by the thought. The woman did more harm than good to him. He had to tell me though. Had she moved back in?

"I don't know. I feel you don't owe me details of your personal life," I answered.

"A life I brought you into? "

I did not even realize I was now in his life like that. I sighed. This was obviously about Tunde. How did I reach this uncertain point of two men pending in my life?

"I'm not angry. I can not be mad at you. I'm just hurt."

His eyes were now fixed on mine. "Hurt. Yeah, hurt. That's what I feel . "

I sat on the bed, with my arms wrapped around myself. I could not bring myself to apologize for leading him on. I could not even say if I wanted it or not. I loved the attention, I loved the way he looked at me, I loved a lot about him. What about Tunde?

"I saw you guys outside." He laughed. "You know, you should have told me there was someone. You know I have started to care for you way more than a family friend. "

I said nothing. I just idly played with the cotton night wear in my hand as I wondered what he could have seen or what he could not have seen.

"I don't know if you guys are neighbors or not. " He shook his head, with his lips turned down. "I actually don't give a fuck but you should have told me there was more."

"Do not curse in my room right now," I said, standing up, about to enter the bathroom, leaving him in the room.

He stared at me with a smile. " You are funny," He scoffed.

"We are not dating, " I stated clearly. Tunde was hot, nice, turned one on innocently and did not indicate any dating intentions from what happened outside. He did not want me.

I heard him let out a sigh. "You do not seem to be interested in a relationship. "

" Yes. Work is so jealous."

He laughed then closed in the space between us. "But let's take it slowly. We could defeat work."

I took a step back but he placed a hand on my waist and pulled me back to him then quickly claimed my lips. I had my hands at my side wanting to pull back, still wanting to give in. His strong hands held my waist. I stood on tip toe and gave in.

I allowed my lips to be crushed with his, taking his down lip then his upper lip, all wet and soft, nibbling on it in turns.

He caressed my leg down then raised it to his hips and he did the same with the second leg, lifting me off the floor. My hands were tightly gripping his neck, pulling his head down.

I felt myself being lowered gently on the bed with my legs wrapped around his waist. His tongue found its way down to my chin then sucking it briefly, I let out a moan. His sojourning tongue moved to my neck and left kisses as footprints there. Tingles ripped through me.

He returned to my lips. I took his face and bit his nose. He laughed then continued trailing down to my neck. Using the tip of his tongue, he travelled down to my clavicle then back to my neck. Another moan and another escaped my lips. He began to move on me. I felt his hard length rub in between my thighs. I was almost lost. So close.

"Stop, stop," I said pushing against his chest. He stopped then took my lips again before he finally got off me.

He got to his feet and wiped his hand on his head looking at me. I sat up looking at him.

"Don't apologize," I said, raising my hands. He nodded then I wiped my face.

"I should let you sleep. See you tomorrow."

He came to the bed and placed his lips on my forehead.

"Good night," I murmured

He caressed my chin with a thumb then he walked to the door and closed it after he left.

I sighed, falling back on the bed. I was topping my complications, I was doing it. I was on a path to making more mistakes and I was doing it with no precautions .

I clutched a pillow and held it tighter as my body began to shake with tears. I tried to hold them back and they were bent on flowing. I did not understand the feelings.

I picked up my phone. I wanted to talk to someone. Ada had not called me since she left the country. I Pushed the phone away.

"I wish you were here right now, " I sobbed into the pillow. "I wish you were here right now."