KAFTAN

Chapter 14

Ebere watched as her phone rang for the 5th time, it was Muhammad and deep down she wasn't sure if she was ready to listen to him. He sent her a text and then finally Ebere braced up and picked the call.

"Hello Ebere, look I can explain what you saw on the news"

" There's no need explaining anything, you don't owe me anything,we aren't even dating"Ebere pointed out.

" I know Ebere but you clearly know that you are more than a friend, right? "He asked in a quiet voice.

" There's nothing to be said or done, let's not deceive ourselves, you are getting married soon after all"Ebere explained

There was a prolonged silence, like he was thinking of the perfect thing to say.

"It's my dad's handwork" He muttered

"I'm sorry" She replied instead and hung up.

**
Ebere say at her favorite spot in the house, gazing at the stars and playing Justin Bieber's songs,they had nothing to do with her sullen mood though. The weather was pretty cold but her hoodie was  enough to protect her from the cold. Her mind was in a disarray,no particular thoughts but she knew she was thinking of thousands of things at once, thousands of things that made her heart curl up in so much pain.

"That song has been on replay since" Amanda's voice broke the eerie silence.

Ebere turned to her baby sister who was now making herself comfortable close to her. She was wearing her night gown that barely touched her knee,seem she was immune to cold.

"What are you doing here?" Ebere asked her.

"I came to enjoy the cold breeze like you"

Ebere scoffed,it was just a plain lie.

" There are thousands of places to receive fresh air in this house" Ebere reminded her while making air quotes on the fresh air.

"But no place is better than sitting close to my big sister" Amanda gave her a toothy grin like a 4 year old.

" Fish"Ebere chuckled.

"So what's on your mind big sis?

" Many things"

"Does it have anything to do with a certain blue eyed human?"Amanda giggled as she cocked her brow.

Ebere muffled the laughter threatening to erupt.

"Yeah,it does" she admitted.

"Hm,you guys are already having couple problems, God when"Amanda teased.

"Shut up,am not dating him. Look it's complicated,I like him but his a Muslim and you know mum na, and apart from that,his getting married soon courtesy of his dad. I shouldn't have stupidly fell for him"Ebere rubbed her palm on her forehead repeatedly.

"Come on sis,love has no boundaries,not even religion"

Ebere chuckled bitterly.

" You think this one is zee world or those your Mexico soap operas,this is reality and this is Nigeria"

" It's the feelings that matter"Amanda still objected.

Then the heard it,the loud cough behind them,what was the problem of African mothers and zero privacy ?

Ebere dreaded turning around,she knew who the cough belonged too.

**
The previous night was hell for Ebere,her mother and threatened to bring down the heavens and other beings,thunder and brimstone. It was real hell as her mother nearly attracted the attention of her father,that would have been double trouble.

"You will cut all relationship you have with that muslim boy, what were you thinking eh, don't even dare me"Mrs Kalu yelled.

So as early as 7:00am,Ebere had already dressed up for work to avoid her mum's shouting. She wasn't in the mood to listen to what the older woman had to say,she had enough on her table already.

Work was boring for Ebere,her head was filled and she wasn't so keen on the activities she was given and Kofi noticed it.

"So why are you sulking?" He asked her.

"I'm good,just a little bit under the weather"She lied.

" So who are you lying too? When did we start lying to each other"

" Look Kofi I don't know,I don't just feel like myself"

" Then you need some ice cream and a bit of my cheerfulness"

" Cocky human"

" Like you don't love me like that"He teased.

" Just go"She rolled her eyes at him trying to bite her lips to stop herself from smiling.

Kofi laughed as he walked out of her office,maybe all she needed was a bit of his cheerful spirit,the Ghanaian was right after all.

*
The duo of Kofi and Ebere located a seat at the far end of the eatery.
Ice cream was the only thing that brought them there but they had decided to talk and Kofi was not the type to leave her till she spilled whatever was on her mind.

"So a cedi for your thoughts?"

"It's a penny for your thoughts and you are in Nigeria,we use naira"Ebere corrected him and watched him sighed.

" I know, Nigerians always behaving like correction fluid" He rolled his eyes.

Ebere laughed and scooped her ice cream.

"So what's eating you up?" He asked in a more serious tone.

She exaled softly.

"I think I fell in love with..."

"You think?" Kofi interrupted her.

" Okay I fell in love with a Muslim boy called Muhammad,the caramel boy you saw me with the other day but I was stupid not to know that my family would never approve and right now,I think his getting engaged and he'll surely get married to the damsel they brought for him"

" It's a love triangle"Kofi laughed and braced up immediately when he saw that Ebere was looking sad.

"Babe I honestly suck at giving advices,but do you think he also loves you?"Kofi asked.

" What are the signs to check out for if a boy loves you?" Ebere asked.

"He makes you happy,he keeps you company, teasing and all that"

" Does that mean you love me cos you do all these things you listed"Ebere cocked an eyebrow at him

" Wait what?"And he started laughing,so hard that his eyes were beginning to water.

"All these Nigerian girls,of course I love you but not in a romantic way and I know you also see me as friend"

Ebere smiled in response,Kofi was best being her friend.

" But babe,if it's fate then it will be,your parents can't do anything about it,love knows no boundaries"Kofi encouraged her with a smile.

Just when they were speaking,Ebere saw a familiar figure,it was a perfect situation for the popular saying speaking of the devil and he appears.

He had a blue polo over his jeans and damn his hair cut,he looked foreign and effortlessly handsome. Just on cue,their eyes met and then Ebere eyes landed on the person beside him;Hadiza. Just awesome.

"Babe you are smitten by this guy,is that the girl you were talking about?"

Ebere nodded in response as she fixed her eyes on the ice cream,her spoon digging in.

"Stop stabbing the ice cream with your spoon,the poor ice cream did nothing to you"Kofi joked but only got a weary smile.

" I guess it's time we go home" He suggested.

"Yeah, thanks Kofi,for everything"

" You are always welcome"

Ebere could feel Muhammed gaze boring holes in her back but she didn't turn,she simply walked out.

****