Love?

FINDING ME...

"It's funny we are just getting to talk one on one being Co-stars and all. I really don't mean to pry but why didn't you approach me Abike? I thought you were my fan." So he was questioning me? I guess he forgot how he left me on read for a whole year before we stopped chatting. He was dressed in a white T shirt and blue jeans. His hair was packed in a bun and he wore flats.
"I guess I didn't feel the need to." I drank a little bit of my wine as I answered him. He disgusted me when he acted all innocent. He seemed surprised at my answer. Well I hoped to hurt him as much as he hurt me.
"Wow. Is this because I did not reply to your messages then?" He raked his fingers through his hair.
"I was naive then Abike and I never wanted to hurt you which was why I didn't reply to your messages anymore. We were clearly on different pages back then. You seemed like a really nice girl and I realised I was not right for you. I'm sorry if I hurt you." He handed me a small paper bag. "This is for you. Open it when you get to your room." I was not even curious as to what was in the bag when I collected it.
"Am I forgiven?" I had waited 6 years to lash out at him. This was the perfect opportunity.
"Just so you know, you left me confused and frustrated all the time. Was I hurt by your actions? Yes. Did I believe you would change? Yes. Did I have feelings for you? Yes I did. But I realised over the years that it probably was not meant to be.😏 I was the one always texting back. You never made an attempt to text me back or check up on me. I really wished you would. But I'm grateful to have known you. You probably helped me in my relationship with other people. It was great knowing you though." He smiled at me and left to go meet the others. So this was how it was going to end. I really wished I could slap him or kick him for all the hurt he caused me. Why should I even bother myself for that inconsiderate fool? I guess he really loved his girlfriend. Did I still have feelings for him?
 
I headed back to my room angry. I told Mum what had happened and I decided his name should not be said anymore beside me. He was like a tumor I had to remove. I dropped the paper bag he gave me on the side table of my bed regretting the fact that I came across him. Nike had already gone back to New York. She had to go back for her TV Show.
"Your dad said you have not called him or picked his calls since you moved down here to shoot. You know how he can be. Please endeavour to pick his calls. Mi o fe wahala fun emi mi." (Yoruba dialect meaning : I don't want problem for my life.)
Mum had no idea that I have no intention of talking to him. Ever since I became independent I was confident I'd be able to cut him off from my life.
"I have no idea why he's calling me. I will not even pick." I said as I opened my laptop to watch a movie.
"You shouldn't do that Abike. He's your father." Mum said as she drank her beverage. She loved her tea.
"Wo Mum leave me jare. All the best for 'father'. Won ma wa alright." (Yoruba dialect meaning : He'll be alright.)
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  I was going back to Nigeria the next day. Mum had already gone back to New York to spend some time with Nike and do some shopping on the side. I was feeling stuffy in the hotel room so I went out to get some air. I dressed up in a blue Shirt and white trousers with black sandals. I had just made my hair so I packed it in a bun.
    Walking around the hotel was nice. The air felt fresh. I was surprised to see Sandra with Mr Boone. Were they on a date? I had not seen Sandra for days. She had told me she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend. Was it Mr Boone? My stomach grumbled that moment. Ugh!😥😥 Couldn't you wait till I watched Sandra and Mr Boone for a while?  I headed to the Kitchen. The hotel staff had been introduced to us before we started shooting. I particularly liked the assistant chef who made my Nigerian meals. She was petite but outgoing and lively. Her name was Busola. Busola saw me coming and ran up to meet me.
"Hello Ma. Why are you here? I could have just brought your food upstairs." She was diligent in her work. She was dressed in her work clothes with a blue apron and a White cap.
"Just relax Busola. I need some fresh air and then I ended up hungry. That's why I'm here. So what's for Lunch?" She smiled at me as she replied.
"Rice and beans with Fish and Stew. Do you like it?" Like it? I love it! I have missed eating beans. Beans is twins food according to the Yorubas...
"Yes I do. Can you serve me now? I'd love to eat here." The dining area was built in such a way that outsiders couldn't disturb we actors. Mr Boone said he had built it that way so his crew could eat together once in a while.
"Okay. Give me five minutes. Just go and have your seat over there." While she went to do that, I saw Niklaus. He was busy with his phone. Why was he here? I sat on the chair waiting for my food. Luckily I'd be able to eat without Niklaus spotting me.
  "Good Afternoon Abike. Fancy seeing you here." It was Niklaus. How did he see me?
"Good Afternoon Niklaus. Nice to see you too." As if... He looked so handsome in a blue Shirt and black jeans with flats. Did he like flats? Busola walked in then with my food.
"Oh you are here to eat. I'm guessing you haven't opened the paper bag I gave you?" That paper bag? I could care less about that. He seemed like he was expecting something from me.
"No I have not. I've been pretty busy so I could not." He looked at me dejected but I wanted him to go so I could eat my food. I was taking small portions when I wanted to eat a large chunk. I did not want to seem like a glutton.
  "I'd really appreciate it if you did. I will leave you to eat your food now." Instead of leaving, he just sat opposite me. Was he staring? I looked at my back to see who he could be staring at but I didn't see anyone. Karan walked in then. He seemed moody. He was dressed in a yellow shirt and blue knickers. He had combed his hair and packed it. I don't think he saw me because he just walked past me. It wasn't really easy eating with Niklaus in front of me but I managed to. I was drinking my juice when I saw Apple. We made eye contact but I broke contact and headed to my room. My phone rang then. It was Karan.
  "Hello Princess." I wondered why he called me that.
  "Hi Karan. Why did you call?"
  "I needed to see you. Can you meet me in my room?"
  "Your room?"
"Yeah. You're scared aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"You don't have to be.😏 I'd never hurt you." Hmmm... You never could tell a man's true personality.
  "If you say so."