It is a week today since I drove to school in Derele’s SUV. You guessed right that I avoided him in the weekdays that followed the eventful Friday ride. Typical of him, he disappeared in the evening of that Friday for the weekend. I remember watching him from the window of my room as he packed his stuff into the boot of his sport car. Next I see him focusing his i-phone camera around him; then I know he is video-chatting and Miss Toke is having a tantrum again.
She is usually like that, wants to keep tabs on him like a watchdog. I can imagine her saying: “No, you aren’t in the mansion, in it? Lemme see the water fountain.” Or, “what car are you driving? Am so picking the car you are riding in. Lemme see what you are wearing so I can choose the car that goes with it.” I just hope he knows what he is getting himself into; from frying pan to fire. If his mother is crowding him then his girlfriend is a circus.
Which begs the question where does that leave me? Maybe I am the watchdog. For instance, I know he leaves the house at 6:45 every morning for work. Course cleared, that is when I leave my room for breakfast before I go to the university.
In the evenings, I don’t see him at all because I am either laundering or cleaning. This reminds me I have to get to the store for some air fresheners. Quickly, I changed from my work clothes to a leggings and my sweater using the hood to cover my hair. Okay, I finally loose my braids and since I couldn’t run a comb through it, I leave it to run wide.
The supermarket was quite busy; I squeeze my way to the household section and decided attempting a new fragrance of air freshener. So I am snuffling different sample and I sniff Derele’s cologne in the air. I am still reprimanding myself for being a pervert when someone removes my hood. I am on auto reflex to cover my unkempt hair as I turned to face what I dread, Derele.
“Good evening sir.”
“Hey! Are you hiding from someone?” He is looking down the aisle.
“Are you avoiding me?” I don’t know why I said that. I quickly retracted, “you leave before I leave the room.”
“Really?” He makes a disbelieving all-knowing face.
I have to change the topic, “What are you doing here?” He shrugged his shoulder indicating that the answer was obvious.
I turned to continue snuffling the air fresheners; he too picked up some fragrance and we compared samples. I dissed him about his cologne and how it was a giveaway for his presence. He retaliated to say I always smell like detergent and he could pick my smell anywhere.
Later as we walked to the mansion, he asked, “What are you doing Saturday?”
“I am making my hair.”
“Good, can I come with you?” To my low cost saloon, no freaking way.
Then, “or you want me to take you; I know a place.”
“If you are paying, am going.”
“Very well then, don’t keep me waiting, 10am.” Works for me, the kumuyi’s were going to this wedding ceremony.
We parted ways at the gate. I walked straight to the house while he went to the car port to speak with the driver washing the white saloon Mr and Mrs Kumuyi were taking to the wedding.
Saturday morning, I picked my cloth carefully. After much scrutiny I settled for the same outfit I wore yesterday to the store. I would be able to cover my hair and at the same time it made me look like I didn’t make an effort seeing we are not on a date or something. And it definitely didn’t make me look like anyone’s little sister.
He is already beside his sport car when I got outside, the hood of the car down. He is wearing casual jean and a different t-shirt from yesterday’s and also have on a sunglass. The very moment he sees me as I approach him, I knew because even though I don’t see his expression due to his sunglass, he shudders slightly. I quickly looked away.
He said, “now you on time because you don’t have any shady makeup on.” I gave him the pleasure of making that pass.
In the car, I am pressing my phone because I am pretty nervous and feel really emaciated in this classy car and beside Derele. Besides, am not supposed to be frolicking with the boss’ son. Am I? So we drove in silence until he parked in a saloon.
There was nothing special that happened because I go to the female section and he went to have a cut at the barber’s. Okay, my hair was done in forty-five minutes and that is a quarter of the time I would have used in my hair dresser’s place for the same hair style.
Another special thing happened on our ride back also. As we sipped the drink he brought from the saloon bar, he says “am travelling tomorrow.”
And it all made sense. “Is that why you are around this weekend?” I pointed an accusing finger at him.
“What?”
“Why do you leave every weekend?” I said instead.
“Ooh someone misses me.” I just rolled my eyes. I gathered he was going to be travelling a lot and finally he would be occupying his father’s position in the company. He was going to Kenya for a summit and would probably return to the country the following week.
As we got to the mansion, I am releasing my seatbelt when he said, “wait, I paid for your hair how come I don’t get to see it.” I removed my hood and he takes a good look at me.
At some point on our drive back, the car hood is back and as he stared at me I was oddly warm despite the full blast AC. I was making a quick dash for the door as I looked at him to ask his permission to leave.
“Can I…” My voice came out coarse as a quick shiver ran through me.
He leaned in and kissed me full on the lip. A quick brush and he was done. As I recovered, I was on frantic mode as I look around me at the compound.
“The car is tinted.” He said as he brushed his hand on his imaginary hair. I made a dash for the door and practically walk-run to the house.
©Tiana
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