THE HUB

PROLOGUE.

LILIAN

"come on don't be chicken Li"
Astounded I stared at Mark and I didn't try to hide the shock which was obviously etched on my face.
"what? You're surprised? Everybody has been through this already, and news flash 'NON OF THEM DIED' Li, so get a grip please."  he sounded so exasperated, I cowered.
Noticing my withdrawal his face relaxed, he looked almost pained. Reaching out to me he apologized;
"I'm sorry Li, it's just... this... this is so hard for me." his eyebrows raised as he nodded to the side as if expecting me to understand whatever he was implying, unfortunately I had no clue whatsoever so I gave him a blank stare.
Mark gave out an animalistic groan raising his hands to his neatly styled full hair allowing his fingers thread through its coarse mould.
Guilt coursed through me. I had specifically told Mark to be here as I had felt I could never be more ready than I was at that moment, well apparently it was false impression on my part.
"Mark, I swear I was so ready for this. I even bought cherry flavoured rubber thingys, Clara said they made her see the clouds" I beamed regretfully.
He removed his hands slowly from his head, uncovering his face, his lips raised up at a corner.
'why was this bozo smirking?'
"Li?" he came close and grabbed my hands, enclosing the box of latex protection and my hands into his larger ones.
"Do you trust me?" staring deep into my eyes with his warm brown ones, I almost stuttered.
"Y.. Yes..." I cleared my throat "Yes, yes I do." this time the confidence was evident.
He brought his hands to the side of my face, moving one to my neck, he continued down, slowly, until he got to my navel hole. My pink shirt was since forgotten.
At that point I was already lost with his hands journey through my body.
Mom's words registered;
"listen sweetheart, it's complicated trying to know when you're ready to give up your body. Especially to whom. There's one thing I learnt from my experience Ada, the right person doesn't make it feel perfect, it's never a perfect experience as well. The right person is the one that'll take it now and cherish it forever, just him, forever."
His hands on my trousers band brought me back from my reflexion, I stiffened. Nerves arising rapidly.
"no... no. Don't allow the nerves rise. Just..." his hands deeped
"just feel Li, I want you to only feel this... "
Li... Li.... Li...Li
"Hmmm"
Lily!
Startled, I jumped kicking my legs, which looked to have been clasped through out my dream.
"ahn ahn, why are you soaked on the bed? Did you wet your bed?" Chika mocked jokingly while touching my wet shirt.
'when will this stop' I moaned silently.
"get away from me you she devil." I motioned for her dismissal with my hands as I sat up on my queen size bed.
Chika shot out her lower lips making it into an ugly pout.
"you can't even pout modestly, Old Woman."
"ehnnnnn is it not from you I learnt to pout." she replied sassily.
"so you're implying what. Oya before I wink get your ugly pout to the bathroom, smelly smelly." I gestured my hands to the bathroom.
Chika hesitated for a second pouting dramatically. I picked up my pillow and threw at her small frame playfully.
"Arrrhhh, not fair." she giggled and made her way to the bathroom closing the door with a loud thud.
"why didn't you wait you little Chinch. Hurry up tho', unless you enjoy Madam Marshall's Hot Strokes." I cautioned.
"Whatever!" she barked back.
'Silly Ass'
                                 **********  

My parents beamed at the sight of Chika who was smartly dressed in her School Uniform and blemish free white stockings.
"Look at my baby girl. Honey come let me hug you." mom beamed.
"be Mindful of my perfectly ordered uniform old Lady." Chika raised her hands cautioning mom, before she'd get manhandled and frankly I don't think I can stand another second redressing the little chinch again.
"Silly young lady" mom smiled pinching Chika's Fat cheeks.
"Mommy, what will you get me when you're coming back?"
'the little rat, always pulling this prank on Mom and annoyingly mom always fall each time' I smiled silently.
"What do you want 'mommy' to get you baby?" mom asked wearing her habitual funny grin.
'and she scores '
"I want cheese balls! " chimed Chika.
'Well she's six years-old anyway' i shrugged
"your wish is my to-do priority baby. Now do you think mommy deserves a warm hug" mom sang spreading her arms wide.
I couldn't hold back my laugh.
Chika walked counting her legs into my mom's outstretched arms but not without shooting her a 'mind my Perfectly ordered uniform old lady' look.
"Adaobi, I saw you looking pale and wearing a long face yesterday. Do you want to talk about it? " dad asked worriedly, grabbing mom's attention.
'like you would delay your business trip coz I'm a freak,silly old man' I thought silently
Scenes of what I had done a fortnight ago flashed through my mind. Scenes where Mark had me cornered with litle to my defense, bearing an expression like that of a frustrated artist.
'what if all that went down was a terrible mistake?' I thought.
It was of no use to be in doubts anyway, I told myself. It's done already.
"No, Old Man. Ada's Fine" I grinned trying to make my wide smile less forced.
"If you say so young lady. Darling let's start." he turned to mom then grabbed his leather suitecase.
"Make it back in time for dinner okay, I'll try out a new recipe " I dictated.
"it's a date" dad remarked, already half way out the door.
I turned my attention to Chika who had a stupidly cute grin plastered on her face.
"Come on junior young lady, Madam Marshall's cane awaits your fine bottom" I smirked.
"nooooooooooooo"
'Such a Drama Queen'

Some of these words will be strange if you're not a Nigerian, viz;
Ahn Ahn---- Is a popular expression in Nigerian which is a way to express shock and or sympathy(contextual).
Ehnnnnn ----- simply means 'yes, but... ' based on the text.
Oya------ 😬🙈🙈 this one's hard to explain, HELP NIGERIAN READERS! Please!
Smelly smelly----- simple means 'stincking' based on the text.
P. S Coz--- because 😁
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I.BWrites🖤