Little Do You Know

8. HIS HOUSE.

We strode along the pathway that led to the University Gate.

My crush and I are walking together, guess where we are headed! His house!

I peeked at Alex. His hands were settled in his pockets. He was a few centimeters from me and his eyes were focused on the road.

Jumoke, stop having weird thoughts! He's probably going to tell you to sit outside. And if you're going to enter, he might just tell you to sit in his parlor and wait for him! Wait...Parlor? His parents nko? Ah.

After clearing my throat, I spoke;
"Ehm, Do you live alone or with your parents?"

He was quiet for a while and I almost regretted asking. When he finally spoke, he didn't provide the answer I needed. He asked another question instead.

"Why?"

"I...just wanted to know. So that I'll know how many people I'm going to be greeting. It's fine if you don't want to tell me, I'll still see them anyways."
I let out anxiously.

He flashed a smile.

Why is he smiling bayiii?

"Are you scared of going to my house alone?"

I wasn't expecting that question. But thinking about it made me realize that I wasn't scared. I kind of trusted him. I would never go to a guy's house. Why would I even go? But going to Alex's felt like the most perfect thing ever.

"It's not like you're going to kill me or something,"

"It's fine, I live alone."

"Okay,"

We reached the Main road. It was as busy as always. A woman was seen bargaining loudly with a fruit seller over the price of one Pineapple. A few gossips and people who couldn't mind their businesses were gathered, watching the scene.

"My house is not far. Do you want to trek or we should take a Cab?" He asked abruptly.

"We... We can.."

"Unnecessary stress is not good for women." He cut me short.

Aww, did he just call me a woman?

Luckily for us, we spotted a Cab coming toward us. After stopping the Driver, Alex spoke;

"Wasi Junction."

"Wasi here? You no fit trek?" The man replied. He was a bearded dark man in his late fifties. He reeked of alcohol as he spoke, and his colored teeth that looked like they haven't been brushed for years shone brightly at us.

The trace of anger on his Alex's face didn't fail to show as he spoke.
"Are you taking us or not?"

"Oya enter. Instead of you to save up your money for something more reasonable, you're using it to take a 7 minutes ride. Useless Generations!" The man scowled.

"What..." I tried to speak but stopped when I felt Alex's tap.

"Don't worry." He whispered.

We hopped in and sat.
The whole car had an alcohol stench. I moved closer to the window to breathe in fresh air because I couldn't withstand the smell.

Alex was seated quietly. He faced the window too.

**..**
A few minutes later, the car came to a screeching halt.
After we alighted, Alex, while giving the Driver his pay, spoke;

"I'm pretty sure if you had spent your money wisely or "reasonably" like you said when you were younger, you wouldn't be a Cab Driver whose whole life seems to be based on alcohol.