Chapter 24: Chapter 24

"Hello Gift. You're all grown up. How old are you? Six-" Whoever the Uncle was, teased her.

"I am eight!" Gift said strongly. Uyai could imagine her stance and glare aimed at the Uncle.

"Already?"

Uyai and Affiong were about going to the kitchen when they suddenly came to a halt. It was the voice. It sounded so oddly familiar like... No it couldn't be? That was unlikely right?

"That sounds just like--Effiong?" It was Affiong who confirmed her suspicion and Uyai could only nod with wide eyes.

"Could it be--is that possible?" Affiong quirked an eyebrow.

"Perhaps? I don't know." Uyai whispered frustrated. What would he be doing here? No. It couldn't be Effiong, this man's voice whoever he was just had an uncanny semblance to Efffiong.

"Let's go check it out." Affiong suggested and began moving towards their direction.

Immediately Uyai stopped her by the hand.

"No. No need. It can't be him, how possible is that? Let's go the kitchen and mind our business." Uyai told Affiong. She had a feeling that she might receive the shock of her life if she decides to pursue her curiosity even when the odds were against it, that feeling still persisted.

It was strange indeed.

Affiong wrinkled her nose at that and then reluctantly she let Uyai pull them both to the kitchen.

There's was really nothing to be done in the kitchen so they just paced it's length back and forth. Affiong held her chin while thinking of God's knows what, while Uyai's mind had travelled back to the village.

She wondered how father, mother and grandmother were doing? Do they miss them? Mother especially would feel so lonely and she would have to deal with the aftermath of Affiong's mistake since gossip spread like wildfire in the village, she'll be sure to receive the brunt of abuse. People in the village were really merciless. They made it seem a taboo to make mistakes forgetting that they were mortals.

"Aunty Uyai and aunty Affiong. Grandpa said you should come help with the yams."

Uyai and Affiong jerked at the sound of Gift's voice. Uyai blinked at the last word yams? The odds seemed to be in alignment with her earlier premonition.

Uyai turned to sister who had frozen in mid way. Her eyes met hers and Affiong shrugged. Her expression screamed "perfect opportunity to quell our curiosity don't you think?"

Uyai grimaced and nodded in agreement.

"We’re coming." she told Gift who immediately ran out of the kitchen with a bounce to her steps and her hair swaying sideways . She seemed excited.

Uyai and Affiong hurried their pace, too eager to find out who that uncle was. When they arrived, the first thing they noticed was the familiar truck with loads of yams piled up on each other.

He was talking with Mr. Ekpenyong with his back to them. He dressed immaculately well with a clean and ironed striped shirt tucked neatly into his jean trouser held by a polished leather belt. He had paired his outfit with Timberland boots. Uyai's gaze ran the entire length of his form from behind, his dark hair had been carved perfectly to fit the form of his head. He looked great from behind.

So not like him at all.

When they heard their footsteps. They both turned at once.

He turned a little and spared them a cursory glance before pulling his eyes away. It was not up to a second before his head whipped back them in a flash.

Uyai felt her breath leave her in a whoosh. She was frozen in shock and wonderment. Her pupils were widened and the residual air she had in her lungs was stuck in her throat.

Goodness! she thought. He looked to good to be real. He looked surreal and goodness! Bloody handsome like he was plucked out of her favorite romance novel.

"Uyai help Ola with some of these yams."

Uyai was brought out of her stupor at the sound of Mr. Ekpenyong's voice. She had to blink twice to clear her vision.

Affiong was surprised also at the sight of the young man she had repeatedly rejected. Who knew he was this handsome. He had transformed completely to someone almost unrecognizable. Goodness! How come she felt regret now?

She had to snap out of it.

"Uyai? Affiong? What a surprise!" Effiong exclaimed.

Indeed he was astounded. Never in a million years would he imagine he would meet them so soon and it had to be in his father's best friend's home.

"You know them?" Mr. Ekpenyong puzzled voice asked.

"Yes, I do..." Effiong muttered.

He couldn't help but peruse them. They looked great! Affiong was glowing, her fair skin tone was highlighted by the sun rays that seemed unusually bright this afternoon, she looked beautiful with her long black hair weaved to the back in a neat fashion. His eyes moved to Uyai and froze there.

She looked...

Not like the Uyai he knew with her oversized clothes. No, this Uyai was dressed in a blouse that molded to the small curves he didn't know she possessed. He roved his gaze over her slim form conscious of the fact that he was paying attention to every detail; from her short black hair which appeared longer than the last time he saw her since like her sister had weaved it till it fell to her shoulders. He took notice of her lashes that seemed longer than usual and the brown flecks that reflected in her eyes, her small slightly pointed nose down to her lips which were pulled in a grim line.

His eyes picked up her slender neck to her beautiful curved shoulder bones. He tried to ignore the curves on her chest but failing miserably. He continued his journey down her flat stomach to her slim waist and then down to the skirt that molded her hips stopping just below her knees making her finely carved legs look unending.

It was after he was done that he realized he was ogling Uyai. The Uyai for goodness sake! And worse he made it so obvious that Mr. Ekpenyong coughed loudly.

Affiong snickered and Uyai squirmed.

Effiong forced a smile.

"Eh.. You ladies look great. Trust you've been having a great time here." he said.

"Yes we have. Mr and Mrs. Ekpenyong are great." It was Affiong who spoke.

Uyai was still uncomfortable especially seeing as Effiong perused her figure that way. She--

"So how do you know each other?" Mr. Ekpenyong asked.

"Oh...they're from my village."

"Ah! Really? Small world." Mr. Ekpenyong smiled at that.

"Yes, small world indeed." Effiong said while his eyes sought Uyai's and smiled.

Uyai couldn't help but return it with a nervous smile of her own.

"Oga make I carry everything?" Ola the driver asked breathlessly after he had just kept some yams inside the kitchen store. His blue shirt was stain with a little dirt from the yam.

"No. Not everything, just a dozen, that is twelve." Mr. Ekpenyong answered. "Uyai go and help him."

"Okay--" Uyai only took a step when Ola spoke.

"Twelve? I don already carry thirteen oo. Make I bring one back?"

"No. Just leave it there." He waved him off "Uyai don't worry."

"Are you sure you'll not need more than that?" Effiong asked him in guise to distract himself from looking at Uyai who he noticed did not appear herself. Was she okay?

"Yes I'm sure. We do have some leftovers. Is that right?"

"Yes uncle."

"Come inside and sit for a while. Am sure my wife would be delighted to see you . By the way where did Gift disappear to?"

"Her appointment." Affiong unconsciously answered.

"Appointment?" They both turned to her, each wearing a perplexed look.

Uyai nudged her slightly.

"Eh... Oh...she's probably watching the TV." she amended sheepishly.

"Children." Mr. Ekpenyong shook his head amused.

"Uyai, Affiong go prepare something for Effiong to eat."

"Don't bother yourself uncle, I ate before coming, so am full."

"Are you sure, even after that journey?"

"Err about that..."

Uyai and Affiong lost them just as they entered entered the parlour.

"So..." Affiong began.

"So what?" Uyai looked at her sister who was smirking sheepishly.

"Wow! I mean wow! Did you see Effiong?" She blurted out.

"Eh yes...we both did." What was up with her sister.

"Who knew he would be so good looking?" Affiong folded her arms in amazement.

"I don't know what you mean." Uyai muttered passively and made to move.

"Eh eh... What is that one? You think I did not observe you stared too much and how he eye raped you in return."

Uyai gasped.

Appalled she looked at her sister who was now raising a challenging eyebrow and standing akimbo as if daring her to admit otherwise.

"Affiong! What has come over you?"

"Me? Nothing! In fact am now fully conscious of the horrible mistake I made."

Uyai snorted.

"It's too late for that."

"Is it?" Affiong quirked her lips in a smirk.

"What do you mean?" Uyai queried.

Uyai knew exactly what she meant and strangely she was disturbed, a bad feeling rose up within her and she couldn't identify it.

Was she perhaps, jealous?

"You know what I mean."

"You're mistaken. I don't." she denied.

"I am sure you do."

"I am sure I don't." Uyai argued.

"Whatever. I still have his number remember? He gave it to me and if I can remember vividly, he seemed quite enamoured with me and oh! He said he loved me remember? ." Affiong taunted.

"And so... That doesn't mean anything, it's all in the past." Uyai scowled.

"Is it? Don't you think this is the perfect opportunity to give him a chance.

"Perfect opportunity?" Uyai couldn't help but give a loud snort. "Eh... Sorry oo have you forgotten that you're preg--should I complete that for you?" Uyai quirked an eyebrow that was bothering on annoying.... No it was damn annoying!

"Well don't! Haven't you heard that love is blind? It doesn't matter if am pregnant, I sure I haven't exhausted my charm. So let me tell little sis, I can still get any man I want." Affiong retorted.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but haven't forgotten that this is not our village? Sister City...quite different from the village don't you think? I think you should come back to the present eh. In case you haven't noticed, it's not the Effiong that you know? He's quite sophisticated if you haven't noticed already."

"And so, he's still a man." Affiong refused to relent and it drove Uyai nuts.

"Well a man that is not stupid to fall for you again." Uyai couldn't help but point it out to her, but why did she feel doubtful? What if Effiong--No! She won't think about it.

"We'll find out won't w--"

"Uyai! Get us some snacks!" Mrs. Ekpenyong's voice echoed loudly disrupting Affiong.

***

"Does it mean you're finally settling here in Calabar?" Mr. Ekpenyong asked the handsome young man who had grown to look so much like his mother and a little like his best friend, his father.

"Yes. Especially as my business is in progress, you know recently I purchased a stall where I'll be directing my business. I've set up some workers already since I'll be traveling a lot. But for the time being, Am here for good." Effiong said.

In fact it wasn't the only reason he was staying. Back in the village, his parents were on his neck to get married and their chosen bride was someone he couldn't bear to stay in the same room with talk less marry. And second he already had someone in his mind and unfortunately that someone was distant then, now he finally got to see her as she she'd been handed to him in a platter of gold. Of course he couldn't deny himself the opportunity to continue his pursuit, especially now that the other person was not in the picture.

"That's great. That means we'll ll be seeing you often." Mrs. Ekpenyong smiled at her son's childhood friend before he and his father had moved to the village to take of his grandfather who was now late.

"Yes of course." He affirmed with a grin.

A tray of biscuits was place in front of him. Effiong couldn't help but look up at Uyai who was purposely averting her gaze from him. She was behaving like he was a stranger and that troubled him a lot.

"Here's your drink." Affiong said placing a glass cup and a bottle of juice beside the tray.

Uyai almost huffed. Did she have to announce it?

"Thank you." He answered and turned to Affiong gifting her a smile, she swore made the foetus in her belly move. Was that even possible?

Effiong's gaze returned to Uyai and their eyes locked. He grinned, but she couldn't return it instead she was frozen in place.

Why was his eyes so beautiful? Why did he have to look so handsome? And goodness what was feeling in the pit of her stomach; like a bunch of fireworks creating havoc in her being.

"Uyai?" It was Mrs. Ekpenyong calling, her eyes were narrowed as she observed them. This scene especially looked familiar, like one of the Telemundo series she loved watching.

Disturbed, she shook her head.

Affiong kicked her little sister to jerk her out of her stupor. She was beginning to look stupid ogling Effiong like that.

And Effiong couldn't seem to pull his eyes away from her either. It was almost as if they were drawn by magnets to each other.

Affiong coughed. Loudly that they both jerked. Of course Effiong righted himself quickly unlike Uyai who was now blushing furiously if that were possible.

"So I just overheard that you're staying in Calabar for good." She stressed the last word.

"Fortunately yes."

"Really?!" It was Uyai who blurted out in shock at the revelation.

Realising she was too loud, she cleared her throat and muttered lowly. "So you're now staying in Calabar."

"Yes, and I'll be coming to visit." He smiled, giving her a secret wink, expecting a smile back in return knowing she understood well what that wink meant.

Uyai definitely didn't return his smile, she scowled instead and Effiong wondered if he said or did something wrong? Why was she looking pissed off all of a sudden?

Women, they were really mysteries that needed to be solved as soon as possible.

"Great!" she said dryly and turned to leave.

"Wonderful!" Affiong exclaimed noticing the tensed atmosphere, she held her sister by the hand to restrain her movements so all she could do was obey and stand still.

"Effiong is a family friend. His father is my very good friend. Finally he's back to Calabar for good instead of his usual visit just to deliver yams." Mr. Ekpenyong laughed clueless to the tensed atmosphere.

Knowing they had to humor him, they shared in his laughter.

"How's Peter?" Effiong asked to change the topic.

"Peter, he's fine. It wasn't long we spoke to him. You know he went for youth service in Kaduna. He should be back in a few weeks time."

"Oh! That's great. It's been a long time. Can I get his number, so I can give him a call?" Effiong said and pulled out a phone that was not rickety old requiring support by a rubber band.

It was a flat touch screen that screamed sophisticated and Uyai wondered why in the village he looked like the ordinary village men with their worn out clothes and the rest.

"Honey give him Peter's phone number." Mr. Ekpenyong told his wife.

"So Affiong, how are you?" He asked

"Am fine." She muttered an answer when she noticed his gaze move to her stomach.

Protectively she placed her palm on it.

Effiong smiled at that. She was already showing the traits of a mother, something he admired greatly. He wondered if he would be able to pursue a pregnant woman.

The thought made him uneasy but he loved her...

Or does he?

He was confused especially now that his thoughts seemed to be focusing on the other sister.

What a mess!