Feb 13th...
"What!? Are you seriously telling me that Max asked you out!?"
"Yeah (giggles) is it that weird?"
It was a Wednesday, Chikondi was snacking with her best friend Mercy at their town's local take away. It was the month of love and everyone was on their toes, looking for a date - at least the men anyway. They would go out of their way and do all they can to win the heart of a fair maiden. Like in romantic novels or classic musicals, men would sing songs, write poetry and dance their hearts out as women parade the streets to await their potential suitors. It was almost similar to the mating dance of a peacock and the responsive sways of his lover, quite comical actually.
However, as strange as it may sound, this was tradition in the land of Uko. In fact, most relationships and marriages in the region all began on this particular day, so it only makes sense that this holiday and all that comes with it would be every girls dream. The idea of being courted by many exceptional and good looking men, the unbelievable turn on when your crush proposes to you and the utter bliss of getting into a lasting romantic relationship, what more can a girl ask for!! For sure, girls who are eyed on this day are considered to have luck beyond this world and Chikondi just happened to be one of those lucky birds.
"So how do you feel?"
"I dunno...awesome, great...?"
"I'm so jealous Chiko, you're like in total bliss!"
"Oh come on Mercy, you say it like you don't have a date." Chiko smiled and looked in her friend's eyes, eagerly waiting for her answer.
"Mxxxm... So you think Frank is a man? Chiko please, that boy can't even afford me. Honestly, I'm just doing him a favour."
Mercy watched as her friend burst into laughter.
"Aha?? You!? What's your problem?"
"Okay... Mercy... If Frank is a waste of your time, why did you spent a week of sleepless nights praying and wishing he would be the first to ask you out?"
"Iweh Chiko! Don't start making up lies and fantasies okay? If I really wanted, I would go find someone else much better."
"Really?? Then I guess you should head out and find another then," said a voice behind them.
The girls turned and saw Frank standing not too far from them. His sarcastic smirk sent a chill through Mercy's body.
"Frank!? What are you doing here? How much of that did you hear?"
"Mmh... Enough to know how little you think of me," Frank said as he pulled out a chair to sit next to them.
"Aweh... No... I-Its not like that... Its just that ka Chiko likes bullying me, she made me say those things!"
"Eh!?" Chiko sat up straight and shook her head. "Mercy? Me!? How?"
"Yeah... How did she make you say those things?" Frank rested his hand on the table, his cheek on his palm as he looked at Mercy attentively.
Mercy sat there flustered, about to explode from embarrassment as her expectant parties watch patiently. She faced down, failing to look either in the eye, and began to play with her fingers.
"Aaahhh.. I-I.... I'm sorry... I only said all those things to make Chiko feel special and all... I didn't mean to make you feel bad."
Taking the smoothie in front of her, Mercy tried to drink her embarrassment away. With a fire in her eyes, she finally was able to look at her friend in the eye.
