Naya and Vince

26

A PERFECT LIFE

Saturday was chilly. It didn't pour and the air was dry. It seemed like the harmattan had finally remembered it was its season. I made sure to apply enough cream to my body and to my lips. I didn't want to end up looking like a wannabe ghost.

I was saddened on this day too. I said my final goodbye to Richard the day before. He was travelling today and I was really pained.

I exhaled as I checked time on the button phone Richard got for me. He said he registered a new sim for me for my bank account and so that I could also keep in touch with my friends to be.

10:24

Was Vincent bailing on today's class? I wondered. I swore under my breath to kill him if he did. I hadn't given any of them my number so there was no way for them to contact me.

I remembered saving Chijioke's number on my phone so I decided to call him. I wasn't too eager to go for the tutor session but I was glad for an opportunity to leave my depressing room. I never expected Richard's travel to make me so sad.

"Hello?" Chijioke answered with a yawn.

"Are you still sleeping?" I asked bemused.

"Well I'm awake and answering your call," He said dryly. "Who are you by the way?"

"Nairobi."

"Naya-Bear. You finally called. This is worth a celebration," He cooed.

"Bird brain," I said in an opposite tone. "I called you because of Vincent-"

"Unhuh-"

"Shut up and let me finish," I warned with playfulness. Whenever I spoke to Chijioke, it was like his personality seeped into me. It was something I couldn't explain but I without doubt loved it. It made me loosen a bit and transformed my scowls to smiles. "His driver has not arrived to take me for the tutorial."

"So let me guess-"

"Guess what?"

"This is a coy to steal my boy's number-"

"Hell no!-"

"And this is the part where I'm supposed to give you his number?"

I facepalmed wondering how this boy actually became friends with me. "I just-"

"Naya bear," he called like an amused adult. "You have to try harder."

"I don't need nobody's number!"

"Double negative," he chuckled stupidly. I could imagine the joker grin on his luckily pretty face and the delighted twinkle in his coffee brown eyes. He most definitely was enjoying this.

I sighed. "Chijioke Abel just be a gentleman and call your friend to come and pick me up."

"But I'm always a gentle man."

"Chijioke, I'm burning under this stupid sun!" I grated out.

"Oh sorry babe." There wasn't the slightest hint of apology on his tone. If anything, he was smiling. "I'll call him and get back to you."

I heard the beep from the other end signifying that he had cut the call. I pulled my small phone from my ear and smiled.

Damn you Chijioke!

I was not supposed to smile.

A black Benz pulled up in front of me not so long after. I peeped in to see Vincent's driver. He wound down the window and I greeted him. He smiled and ushered me into the front passenger seat. My phone vibrated and Mr. Joker flashed on my phone screen.