𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝙱𝚃𝚂 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 #𝟻)

Chapter 4

𝕁𝔸𝕄𝔸𝕃

Khalil in all his poise, stood few feet away from me, holding my sketch pad in his hand. I looked around and saw two suitcases and a duffel bag that I was sure belonged to him, lying by his feel. I looked back at him, watching his lips still turned in that familiar lopsided grin.

He is not a figment of my imaginations.

My eyes swept the length of his body, giving him one over. He has changed, a lot. He was taller, probably two inches taller than me and he was buffed, muscular. Khalil as always looked like his mum growing up but now, he looked more like Uncle Hakeem, having a more chiseled face and a demeanor that basically screamed fuck off.

Why the hell did my parents agree to this?

"What are you doing here?" I asked immediately I was done accessing him. He titled his head at me like my question made no sense.

"Your parents didn't tell you I was coming to stay?" He questioned back. It took me a lot not to roll my eyes at him.

"They told us but you weren't supposed to come till the day after tomorrow. Why are you here so early?" I repeated my question in another way. His mouth formed in a o shape, indicating that he understood my question and he shrugged.

"The #ENDSARS protest is getting hot in Port-Harcourt, so my parents felt I should get here as soon as possible. I took the next available flight from Calabar to down here." He explained, plopping down on my bed and making himself comfortable and I frowned.

And he didn't think to call any of us?

"And you didn't think to call any of us?" I asked him incredulously, voicing out my thoughts and all he offered was a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder. That annoyed me but I let it slide.

"The protest here is just as bad. You could have given us heads up about your arrival. Maybe Dad would have sent someone to pick you from the airport." I tried not to make my voice sound like I was scolding him.

"Well, I know my way around and I'm already here." He replied. Another question popped into my head and I jerked my head towards him

"How did you even get in?! The door was locked!" I exclaimed.

"I picked the lock." Was his simple reply. My eyes automatically went huge like saucers and I stared at him like he had developed another head.

"You picked the lock?!" I exclaimed in horror. "What the hell, Khalil. Do you know how dangerous that is? What if the security guard had taken you for an armed robber or bugler!" I snapped at him and he scoffed.

"What's with all the questions, Jamal?" He asked, his voice having an edgy undertone. "If you don't want me here, I can as well call my parents and I'd take the next flight back to PH."

You have no idea how much I don't want you here.

"This is not about whether I want you here or not." I told him. "This has to do with the fact that you took a security risk. You should be thankful I'm even being smooth with you. Dad and Mum must not hear what you or they will flip." I stated and she chuckled.

"What are you talking about? Uncle Joel and Aunt Zee love me." He boasted and I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"Of course they do." I replied, sarcasm dripping in my voice. I noticed he still had my sketchpad in his hands. I quickly snatched it away and he looked at me with a smirk.

"Why so secretive?" He asked, an undertone of mockery in his voice."I've  seen everything you drew. Even the hot girl." He stated and I rolled my eyes at me.