The Precious Figure

Chapter 10

I twirled in front of the standing mirror as I scrutinized the lovely gown that Raqibah had insisted I wear to the outing with Najib. It was a red and black gown with lace at the hem and beads forming the love shape. I likened myself to the models that walk stylishly on the walk-way.

For once in my life, I wished that Raqibah would appear in my room that instant, so that I'd embrace her tightly. The gown was the loveliest I'd ever worn in my life.

Najib had called in the morning, saying that I should come over to his apartment, so that we'd leave for the outing from there. When my mom raised her fear, I had explained to her that Najib's sister would be around.

So, the day would be great. I would be visiting the love of my life, wearing a glamorous outfit. I'd be spending the day with him and nothing could go wrong. Wasn't that a perfect life? Yes, it was!Twenty minutes later, I was on the street, threading the path like it was filled with eggshells. My feet hurt because I was putting on high-heeled shoes (Raqibah had insisted that I wear it so that my walking step and height would be improved). More so, million pairs of eyes peered at me as I was walking and for once, I fell that I'd fall flat to the mucky and soddy floor.

No one had stared at me that way before. Two men had collided against themselves because they were staring at me! A car driver had passed the traffic light because he couldn't keep his eyes on the road.

Okay...that wasn't how I had planned it. I wanted this for Najib alone. No one else!

"The weather is hot and people are staring at me like I'm a foreigner. I wish that I can just appear in your house," I pouted my lips as I was talking on the phone with Najib, who had called a few seconds ago.

Najib chuckled. "Board a cab Fareedah. I'll pay the fare when you get the gate. Just call me okay?"

"Okay love." I smiled graciously, feeling like the luckiest woman on earth.***

"I'll be right there!" Najib's voice resounded from the compound.

I was standing in front of a red gate in Ilorin G.R.A and the white car I had boarded was parked beside where I was. The gate made a creaky sound and Najib came out with a bright smile.

"Hey, love." He smiled at me as he walked towards the car to pay the driver.

It was really hard to pull my gaze away from him. He wore a black jersey and three-quarter trousers. He was all sweaty and his abdominal biceps was tempting to touch. It was obvious that he had been exercising.

"So..." Najib turned to me as the car drove off the road. Our eyes locked and I found myself staring at his brown-coloured eyes.

He almost pulled me into an embrace but resisted himself. If only he knew how much I was longing to run my fingers along his chest.

"Welcome to my abode." Najib broke me from my thoughts, gesturing with his right hand and bowing a little.

I laughed in return and entered the compound. The house was a wine and yellow-painted bungalow with a small-sized veranda. A red Mercedes-Benz and black Toyota Corolla were parked at the right hand corner of the compound while the other corner laid several buckets of paint and old brushes.