Ours

Chapter 4: Late night gossips and good days

"Yeah, hello. It's me. My phone is off" said Aj from the other end of the phone. Sis I'm tired I want to rest I whined like a baby. Knowing my best friend very well, I knew she wouldn't let me be until I spill all the details about how my day went. That was exactly what I did. When I told her about Dr. Stanley, she went quiet for about a minute and screamed in my ears "Eiiii! Ria, Ria, Ria. How many times have I mentioned your name? "

leave me alone in peace, I retorted.

"For how long are you going to chase a ghost? You keep pushing guys away from you all the time but remember you are not growing any younger oh", she complained. I just kept quiet and allowed her to talk for hours on end. I didn't even realize when I slept off. As I was in la la land dreaming about my prince charming, when my alarm blared. Grudgingly, I woke up from the bed and proceeded to get ready for work.
I got to the roadside at around 6:30am to wait for Dr Stanley. I spent 10 mins waiting but there was no sign of him. In as much as my facilitator was a nice person, I didn't plan on arriving at work late. I tried his number twice but there was no response. Just as I was about to book an Uber, I saw his car rounding the curve leading to my end. I managed to prepare my 'I'm annoyed' face. Upon his arrival,
"Eii madam, madam, I'm sorry I am late", he said.

"Leave me alone. Look at how this early morning sun is scorching my pretty face. My skin will even discolour. Fine girl like me "

"Don't you know early morning sunshine gives vitamin D? Block headed Dietitian. Get in the car so we can set off".

"You surely have to apologize with food because food is life".

"Great news, I bought waakye to eat for breakfast but I will gladly hand it over to you. Please get in the car or else we will be late"
I got in the front seat of the car and the banter still continued.
"You were not this friendly yesterday, what has changed"? He asked.

"Well for starters, I consider you someone I know now so you get to witness my jovial side and two I'm in a good mood for no reason this morning", I replied.

"I will love to see this side of you more often then. Lest I should forget, meet my best friend since childhood".

"What are you talking about", I asked.

"Ahem, hello fine girl whose skin can't stand early morning sunshine", a voice said from the backseat.
I turned to respond to the greeting but my words got caught up in my throat. As I gazed at him, I screamed inwardly and even did a little dance all in my head. OMG! The person I have always wanted to talk to. My imaginary boyfriend. Today is really a good day. Somebody shout hallelujah!
"Cat got your tongue?, Stanley asked, bringing me back to reality.

Ermm, ermm, yea...my name erm nice meeting you too, I stammered.

Wow, hahaha it's amazing how you switched from a jovial person into a shy girl just like that, he commented.

"I'm even shocked. You weren't this shy when we even met the first time", stanley commented.
I had regained my composure at that moment but for a second I debated on acting shy through out the journey and probably lose him again or be in my element and try to play smart. Eventually, I settled on the latter.

"Stanley, keep quiet there. You didn't even warn me that we had company. I'm sure your hot friend thinks I'm mentally unstable by now".

"Did you call him hot, I'm way hotter. Don't hit on him please, I'm here for you baby", stanley retorted.

hey I'm single, don't spoil my market and oh, sunshine I think you are rather fun, he replied.

Awwww thank you. My name is Ria by the way. You didn't tell me yours.

"I'm Duke and I think I will call you sunshine because when the sun shines, I will remember your skin is discolouring wherever you are.

We all had a good laugh over that. The conversation with Duke and stanley both was very interesting. By the time we arrived at work, I had come to find out a lot of things about both of them. Apparently Duke has been single since birth because he's searching for that 'perfect lady'. Good news for me there, yay! And oh, he remembered me from the party in school. I learnt stanley likes to play with ladies' feelings because his girlfriend of ten years cheated on him. I kind of sympathized with him but I made him aware that he can't treat all ladies like objects because one girl decided to be stupid. He even promised to start acting like a gentleman but I sincerely doubt he will change. He dropped me off at work and proceeded to drop Duke off at the airport. He was going to London for a three months training In cardiology. Oh yes, he's a doctor too. The guy just ticked all my boxes.I really enjoyed working today and even Tabitha commented that I was being too weird. I went out to lunch with Dr stanley and it was fun. The icing on top of the cake was when he told me Duke kept talking about me on their way to the airport, and asked him to tell him more about me. At that point I was over joyed. Stanley asked if I was interested in his best friend and I responded in the affirmative. He told me he thinks Duke likes me too so I should relax and he's sure I'm going to become his in-law very soon.
He told me he has a date this evening so he wont be able to drop me off. I phoned my bestie on my way home and told her everything that ensued that morning.

"Oh my God, OmG like you mean you saw and spoke to your crush? The guy you have been stalking for ages? Wow, this is great news. When is your wedding "? She teased.

Hey, hold your horses. We are not even friends yet but surely we will get married someday. That I can promise you. Oh, you should see him, he's so fine like aged wine. And he's a doctor too. He ticks all the boxes charley!

"Tell me about it. Uh huh! Is he that hot that when I see him I will feel bad for marrying my husband"? Aj joked.

Hahaha Yaya is a nice guy but Duke is nicer, no lie. The guy is fire, damn. My ovaries are screaming. Hahaha! Aside that too he has the brains. You rarely find a handsome guy who is down to earth, principled and intelligent these days you know.

"I'm very aware that's why I'm officially launching 'operation grab that boy'. Meet me on Saturday let's have a girls day out. Married life is killing me coupled with taking care of Myron.

"Yeah, let's do that and I miss that cute little nephew of mine. Don't forget to bring my favorite toffee along. I love you, I ended the call.

Because I'm happy, clap along if you feel that happiness is in you... I sang, no literally screamed as I entered the house. My little sister, maame stood up and joined me to sing and dance.
... Happy, happy, happy, happy, eiii, because I'm happy...

"Mike Amiri, mike Amiri
Billie jean, Billie jean, huh
Christian Dior, dior
I'm up in all the stores
When it rains it pours
She like the way I errrrrrr" pop smoke's dior blasted through the boom box in the living room. Maame and I rushed inside only to meet our parents dancing. Hahaha, it was a sight to behold. We launched into our crazy family dance routine. This is what we do when we are extremely happy.
"Eii, woo, huh", we sang as the song ended.
"Okay, tell us what's the good news because you only sing 'happy' when you have one, mom asked.
" mommyyyy and dadyyyy, I met my future husband today! Arhhhhhhh, call me Mrs Duke".
With an eye roll, mom commented " herh is this why you made me waste my energy dancing? Tswwww. I'm sure the boy hasn't even proposed. I know you"

Mommy, you are a vibe killer. Aren't you happy for me? Do you know for how long I have chased this guy?
" Chased the guy? Since when did women start chasing men"? Mom and dad asked puzzled.
Oh! My people its normal these days oh but I didn't chase him as in woo him though. Maame isn't it a normal thing nowadays?

"Sis, don't put me in your wahala. What do I know about relationships"?
Paddle your own canoe" she responded jokingly.
Young woman, go and take your bath and come down for dinner but we will have a serious talk after that. Maame, off to the kitchen. Shoo! Mom said.

As Maame entered the kitchen grudgingly, daddy pulled me aside and asked if the guy in question is a nice boy. We had our own little chat about Duke for a while and we heard my mom's footsteps. Away, we both scattered.