Chapter 38: Chapter 38

THIRTY SEVEN - FANCIES

So finally we ended up eating chicken and chips that dozie ordered from the chicken republic which was miles away from his home. And surprisingly he ended up tutoring me on the maths topic which I was trying to understand in the library

It wasn't that  surprising tho..he had me Shanghaied over to his house..and whatever it was, I was enjoying my stay here

Infact.it was even better reading with him than sitting alone in the cold and silent library walls which was fenced up with books, trying to understand Algebra

And before you  ask_ I preferred a less silent environment sha

"Where's your room?"I asked, stretching my arms and yawning loudly.we've been reading for like ages now and I was already getting bored with the topic

Okay, it wasn't like ages..I could just die if I read algebra for ages

"Come with me!"he said, stretching his palms and clutching them into his, we both matched our feet on the L-shaped white marbled staircase in a bid to get to his room

There were multiple rooms on each side and I couldn't help wondering who else lived here with him except his father who he once told me was never really around, his nanny zara and him_Dozie Mattews

Ultimately, we stopped in front of a white door which I suspected to be dozie's room.he held the door knob and slowly pulled it open and Wow_double Wow!!! The room was pretty impressive,spacious, neat,and totally not shabby.

I scanned my eyes round the room, feasting my eyes on the graphic art designs decorating his walls like  a picturesque. In all description, his room was to die for..not literally tho

"Your room is beautiful"I said in adoration and added quickly

"And don't tell me not as beautiful as me, that sounded so tacky..geez "I said and he laughed

"C'mon you better get used to that"he replied and I smiled, taking gently strides into the room.I halted my steps abruptly,i had caught a glimpse of his drawing note and decided to take a peek.

He drew different picture of the lady we saw downstairs who happened to be his mum,The woman was beautiful just like her son.

A picture of her lay close to the particular drawing of her smiling widely at probably something amusing.I traced my fingers over over smile which seemed to reach her eyes, causing her eyes to fall into tiny slits.

Her nose were pointed and aquiline,it flared up when she flashed her smile.showing off her gap teeth and revealing a deep dimples which effortlessly showed..Dozie never had dimples sha, but nevertheless,

She was really beautiful

"Definitely....!"dozie said behind me and I jerked back quite startled

"My gosh you startled me"

"Fear fear "he teased and I huffed at his chuffed expression

"Free me joor" I retort and almost immediately, a wide smile crossed my lips again

"Wow...look at that! My talented boyfriend"I said with a huge cheshire grin plastering on my face as I looked through his drawing

He quickly grabbed the book from me as fast as he could with beads of perspiration beaming on his forehead

"What na? Lemme see my fine face jare"I cooed, smirking mischeviously as he snort

"Now you agreed that you're fine abi?"

"I didn't disagree before..but why are you na hiding the book?"I asked feigning a clueless attitude

"Cause I don't want you to see it" he replied flatly and I frown

"I'm seriously not taking that as an answer"

"Your choice"he replied shrugging. I narrowed my eyes into slits, stretching my arms over his towering figure so I could snatch the book from him

That proved effortless. cause he held it high above his head and my hands couldn't just get hold of the book even with the way I raised my heels up.

"Shorty!"he chuffed in triumph as I gave up trying to get the book

"I'm not short! You're just lucky I'm not ready to get that book"I fired and he burst out laughing

"Fine, show me what you can do then?"He mocked and I hissed feigning annoyance

How could he even be this tall besides, I wasn't short but compared to dozie's height, I would sorrowful be called short and dang!!! It was heartbreaking

I recoiled back to lean on the vanity table in his room, he still held that triumphant smirk while I ran thousands of bizarre ideas to grab that book

And suddenly, the genius in me shoned like a new light bulb with enough energy. I smiled sweetly at dozie who looked quite taken aback by my sudden sweet smile

"Okay, what's tickling your fancy now?"he asked with a suprise notch evident in his tone

"Nothing serious.."I replied blinking at him with my best puppy-look as I slowly stood up,drawing closer to him steadily so he doesn't get suspicious

"I'm just happy seeing you smile so sweetly...reminds me of so much"  I said with a dreamy look

I really hope this charm I'm about to use works on him

"Thanks to you..I got to smile often"he backtracked, his smirk slowly wearing off and now replaced with a kind of admirable smile.but! His left hand which held the book high above his head still towered over me

Wasn't his arm paining him?

I nodded,when I was sure we were an inch apart from each other. I traced my fingers on his chest.he stared down at me still befuddled

"You know I never really apologized for ovary-acting in Adams pent house"I said softly, he grinned

"Ovary-acting is it?" I laughed shortly.he really picked that up..typical of him

"I'm serious though...I shouldn't have jumped into conclusions like that "i apologized. I was more sincere right now.

Me concluding stuffs in my head made me look so foolish and yep..I admit

"It's alright...I was never angry with you"he replied staring his chocolate brown hazel eyes right into my orbs..those gaze that made me melt softly under him

I was already feeling butterflies flipping happily inside me, his minty breath fanned my neck making my adrenaline race erratically in excitement

Funny, this feelings never gets old whenever I was around him, whenever we were this close.

I wrapped my arms around the nape of his neck, with my heels titling up abit

"So am I forgiven?" I asked pouting my lips

He smirked at me "you're forgiven but you've been busted"

I tried not to widen my eyes at him and..oh no! Don't tell me I've been caught

"Busted? How!?"I asked and he smirked widely

"Never mind...just go ahead and continue with your plans"he said and I dropped my hands off his neck a bit flustered

"I'm not planning anything.." I said, turning my attention away from him to cover my embarrassment.he swiftly held my wrist with his other arm, pulling me back to his chest letting my eyes flow wide open

I'm pretty sure they'll soon budge out of their eye socket soon

"C'mon..I know you more than you do sef " he replied smirking while I turned a stuttering mess knowing I've been caught

"I..umm..never mind" I spurt and before I could say ace to a particular no one, dozie's lips came locking with mine and instantly I felt my knees grow weak.

I kissed him back, savoring every taste of his lips which still hand the scent of fried chicken, we titled our heads, nibbling and sucking at each others lips.his right hands slowly pulled me closer while he brought his left hands down.

I smiled through the kiss, as much as I wanted this to last forever, I slowly ran my hands to his right arm, tugging gently at the book till he finally let it go earning his hands free space to wrap around my torso.

We both pulled away looking so flushed. I held a triumphant grin as I stared at the book in my hands and at his suprised look

"Did you just steal that....?"he trailed off while I laughed heartily

"Yup..what are you gonna do about it?"I sassed and in a matter of seconds, we both came flying down the stairs with dozie hot on my tails

We fell on the couch in the sitting room panting hardly while laughing out our ass before the door flew open and middle aged man burst in with the unreadable expression.

~♥~

" good evening sir!"Dozie quickly greeted the middle aged man who towered over me with a resemblance of dozie so evident in his facial features

"Good eveining sir!"I imitated dozie's greeting.

The man threw death glares at dozie before turning his gaze to meet mine in response to my greeting

"Who's your friend here?"He asked dozie

"My name is Meera Johnson, I'm classmates with dozie and we're close friends" I quickly introduce myself

He glanced at me with an approving nod,he had an intimidating gaze and right now the tense atmosphere wasn't easing the solution

"Meera..you're welcome"he finally said after a long stroll of silence

" thank you sir but..I will be going now " I said glancing at dozie

Yea....I really was about going cause I knew any moment from now, mum was going to call me and query the reason why I wasn't back yet

And speaking of mum, my phone rang that minute except that it was kelechi calling

" i'll take you home "dozie said and I flashed him a grateful smile, excusing myself to pickup kelechi's call

"you ought to do that..it's already evening and the day is getting dark"i heard his dad say

"No need for that..kelechi sent an uber for me though"I replied

"Oh..okay!..that's good.." his father replied then turned to dozie

"Do see your guest off, I have something to discuss with you later on " he said and without another word, thumped himself up the stairs.

A loud horn hooted from outside, I guess the uber kelechi sent was already here so I glanced at dozie

"Don't worry, I can find my way" I said when he had the look of I'm-missing-you-already

" you sha are not blind na"he retort and I smack his head

"Did you have to be savage ni?" I yell playfully as he laughed, pulling my wrist back to him when I turned to leave

" hey chin chin.." he called and I raise my head to meet his

" thanks for today...the house was more  lively than it ever was "he said a sincere expression

I smiled planting  a light kiss on lips "bye dozie..see you at school tomorrow"I said, he tugged his lower lips with a smirk

"I miss this also "

"good for you" I retort and he feigned a scowl making laugh. I waved a good bye at him to which he reciprocated before I got into the uber which geared into action to ply the busy roads of port Harcourt

I smiled widely graced my lios as I closed my eyes briefly replaying everything that went down back in dozie's house except the one of his dad.

Today was so much better to remember.

*******

Mum was standing with a familiar stranger, obviously engrossed in a heated argument with him.I drew closer and furrowed my eyes in confusion as I met face to face with the one person I hadn't seen in ages.mum and the stranger quickly kept shut immediately I approached them

"Mr fred?!" I called quite taken aback as to why mum and mr Fred were talking and why the suddenly went silent

"Ooh..Meera!..how do you do?it's been such a long time?"he asked seeming genuinely interested in my wellbeing

" how did you know my name?"I asked immediately. Fashying the  intrest in my wellbeing

He chuckled "ahh..about that...you don't need to bother"he replied while mum hissed in exasperation

"Meera, get inside now..!!" She said sternly

"Anna-"

"It's Amaka!!..my name is Amaka!!" Mum yelled immediately at him.I raised my eyebrows in more confusion.this was the second time mum was called Anna

" is anything wrong here? "I dared to ask and earned a glare from mum

"Didn't you hear get inside? Abi i chom ka magi ura ?"(abi you want me to slap you)

I mentally roll my eyes as to why mum was getting all aggressive while kelechi pulled me into the house

"You really should just enter inside and don't annony her any further"he spat

"Who's the man looking for and why is he even here? "I asked,ignoring his scowl

"Don't bother about it..."he snapped and this time it was my turn to scowl

" why are you coming back late though? "He asked

"Not your business! "I snapped, getting irritated as I flung the door to my room  shut behind me

A loud sob came out from the coner of my room and I mentally groan what's with everyone this minute

I looked up to see Uju sobbing..she was doing more of that these days and right now, with everyone's mood in the house I doubt if ahe ever will tell me why she was sobbing profusely still; I was going to give it a shot

"Are you okay?" I asked in concern.she quickly wipped the tears sliding off her cheeks and putting up a faux smile she shook her head

"I'm fine'

Just that..see!!! She was never going to tell me what the hell was wrong with her.not today, not tomorrow and who knows, never will I even know...

I decided to stay in my lane and mind my business instead of  getting on any ones toes since everyone was pissed off and no one wanted to talk about it.

~Dozie~

" your friend.." dad called out as soon as I settled down to hear what he had to say, I always knew our conversation wasn't pleasant and whatever the outcome of today's own maybe...I wasn't looking forward to it

" she must be really close to you"he said and I shrugged

"We're just close friends"

He hummed in response, flipping the newspaper in his hands and sipping a glass of wine slowly

" she's a nice girl just by her demeanour " he said again and a small smile braced my lips

Did he just say that about meera..anyway, it wasn't hard to love someone like her..she had her charms and she used them facilely

" I'm glad you like her dad" I said and he nodded

"I do_ I really do" he replied " she reminds me so much of when your mum and I were courting " he added smiling like a school boy who had just kissed his crush

Like when i kissed meera first huh? My subconscious mock and I mentally chuckled

And again

Why do older people say courting instead of dating ?

"Do you want to share it with me?"I asked and he smiled

" I'll tell you someother time.." he replied and I shrugged

" cool."

" but I will give you one word of advice dozie.." he called then taking a deep sigh he said again

"Don't get too attached to her"

I stared at him with a raised eyebrow..didn't he just say he liked her so why the sudden statement

" why's that?"I asked.he dropped the newspaper on his laps and lowered his gaze to meet mine

"Cause I've agreed that you read visual arts in college" he said and a streak of happiness surged through me

Really?

Did he just agree to let me read visual arts?

" dad did you just say, I could read visual arts?"I asked happily and he gave me a smug smile

" yes.."

"Thank you so much dad !!" I say still happy until the one question hits me hard

How does that got to do with meera?

" dad what does my friendship with meera got to do with this?"I asked

He sighed deeply "because...you two wouldn't be that close to each other anymore "

"And why's that?"I asked quite dreadfully

"You're  leaving for the states after your SS3 to do your college " he spilled