IMANI

12

Unedited

Fego had almost given up on searching for the artist for other things. He had other things preoccupying his mind. His parents and Mena's parents' death anniversary was soon. Sales in the company were dropping and somehow seeing Imani care about him for a little while haunted the back of his mind. No one had asked Fego in a long time if he was doing okay.

Fego scratched his head frantically trying to think of ways to cheer Mena up. She knew always stayed mute when the day drew near. She rarely ate her food and canceled art practice with Imani. Fego knew gifts weren't going to cheer her up as it used to when she was younger.

"Netflix and chill should work for a little while," He said heading to the kitchen to prepare some snacks. Fego was done and he made his way to Mena's room.

He stopped at her door when he heard voices coming from the other side.
"Miss Imani, what do you always do?" Mena asked.

"Oh okay, my uncle is trying and I don't want to push him away but I also don't want to talk to him," Mena sighed.

"Was it also hard like this for you?" Mena cried.

"I'll try. Okay, I'm not crying,"

"Bye, miss Imani,"

Fego moved away from the door and sighed and walked back to the kitchen with the snacks in his hand.

"What am I going to do?" He murmured.
Fego itched his left eyebrow in frustration. He sighed thinking of what to do to at least cheer Mena up. Fego suddenly looked up and got an idea. He searched for Greg's number on his phone and dialed it.

"Uhm Greg, I need to ask you for a favor," Fego said, drumming on the kitchen counter.

"Man, not this artist thing again. She doesn't want to be known," Greg said.

"So it's a she. That's one clue and that's not why I called,"

"Fuck," Greg yelled over the phone.
"Thanks for the clue buddy but can I Uhm can I get...get that Ini's number from you," Fego said, purposely mispronouncing Imani's name.

"Ini? Oh, you mean Imani?"
"Yeah her," Fego tried to sound uninterested.
"Ouuuu my mans a player. So you like you her?"
"When did I say that?" Fego asked.
"You've never asked me for a woman's number in the longest,"
"So that means I like her? Oga please her number,"
"My man look at you getting the girl. This is such a proud dad moment,"
"Can you not stress me and me the number of the girl?"
"Okay, I'll tell her you'll call,"
"No. No don't do that,"
"Hehen, okay sha. Treat her well sha. She's my soon to be girlfriends best friend,"
"I don't even see her like that but never mind," Fego said hanging up.

Fego sighed and stared at the number that Greg had sent to him.
"Don't make me regret this," he mumbled to himself. He placed the phone on his ear and sucked in his breath as he listened to it ring.

"Hello, who is this?" Imani's soft voice filled his ears.

"Uhm," He cleared his throat.

"It is Mena's uncle, Fego," He said

"Oh, Did you call to apologize?" Imani asked

"You wish," he mumbled.

"Apologize for saving your life?" He asked her. He could feel her rolling her eyes at him.

"So why did you call me if it's not to apologize?"  Curiosity filled her tone.

"Uhm, uhm I was wondering if..." Fego was cut short by Imani.

"Are you asking me out? I don't date rude men," Imani said.

"Asking you out? I was just asking if Mena could spend time with you,"