Five years ago…..
Sharon
Moments later, we're settled in one of the city's best grand restaurants. From the look of things, I suspect it to be one of Jide's family restaurants.
It was recently opened downtown few weeks ago and their food is nice.
We settled in the VIP reservation area, eating our meals in pin drop silence. The only thing that ever made a sound were the cutleries scratching against each other as they echo in the room.
Somehow, somewhat, I felt like Jide was taking glances on me. I knew but I didn't lift my face to confirm.
The confirmation was true when I peek through my phone's dark screen which was lying on the table and there, I saw his eyes fixed on me.
Why is he staring at me like that?
It makes me feel timid under this tight atmosphere.
I didn't bother returning the gaze. I just focused on my meal until I heard him brought up a nice conversation.
"So… What's something random that happened to you this past month?" He wiped his mouth with a clean napkin.
Well….
I shrugged, my eyes not leaving my plate. "Nothing interesting, actually. It's all about work, work and work. Just once since last month I went to the picnic with my parents."
He nodded. "That's quite nice. I love picnics. I think twice or thrice every year, my family, siblings, nieces, nephews and I used to go out on picnics."
Oh. "Is that so?" When he nodded, I smiled lightly. "That's great. How about you? Anything new throughout last month?"
"Em," he shoved a fork full of fried rice into his mouth. "New things happened anyway. Just a slight headache that kept coming whenever I keep thinking about the woman in front of me every night."
I blushed. "You can't be serious." He always finds a way to make me laugh.
He's just too funny to be a gentleman. I think he should volunteer for a standup comedy night. He needs the trophy.
"Of course I am." He drank on his glass of wine, his eyes not leaving mine. I cut off the gaze, diving back into my plate. "They say absence makes the heart grows fonder. But mine started a petition to see you again."
I couldn't help it. I laughed it out. He joined me too. And from the look in his eyes, I knew he liked seeing me laugh all the time.
"You should laugh more. It really suits you." He added.
I chuckled, giving a curt sign of salutation. "Yes, sir."
"You know, one month without seeing you or talking to you made me feel like I was dead in coma."
"Really? You're going to make me choke on my meal, Jide." He was making me laugh so hard that I don't even remember the last time I laughed this much to the extent waters gathered in my eyes.
He raised his hands briefly in the air like an innocent guy and gasped, "You mean I was going to make you chunky out of a meal treat?"
I threw my napkin at him and he caught it, laughing. Surely, he's worse than a joker.
"Okay. But you'd know that you're lucky to be cute, right?"
I tilt my head to one side, girlishly, feeling pompous and proud. "Of course, I am."
"Well be grateful, because I was almost done mad." He feigned a grumble.
I laughed. Just the sight of him faking a frown made him look so cute.
"Okay, have you ever tried arguing with your pillow?"
That was what happened to me the very first few days we got separated. "But it's not as fun as arguing with you." I pouted my lips, grumpily.
I never knew Jide had sweet sides like this ones. He was becoming a darling now.
I loved how he cracked some jokes with me, made fun of my beautiful looks and so on.
As time permits, we dived deeper into different areas of our lives. Such as: our hobbies, passion and talents.
Through that, I discovered that Jide was a lover of sport. He said in his next life, he'd be an athlete.
He loved racing cars, flying planes, riding bikes, cycling bicycles and so much more. He even knows how to cook? He promised to show me some of his cooking techniques on our next date.
I can't even believe that we'll be having another date again and he said it to be in his house!?
Wow.
I can't really wait to see what pattern of mansion he lives in. It must be heavenly like mine.
I guess.
Truly, he was indeed a man of many things.
He promised to teach me some of his tribal foods and am willing to learn from him.
He said he doesn't like eating western foods too much that they're too international and English-like. And I quickly jotted that down in a mental note.
He prefers his local African dish over any intercontinental ones. He said they're more healthier and better for a fresh start of the day.
My phone buzzed, interrupting the fun. I picked it up when I realised it was my big brother calling. "Hello, big brother."
He sensed the enthusiasm in my voice. "What's the occasion?"
"Well, am just having my nightout." I grinned, eyes looking at Jide who was busy sipping his red wine.
"Okay." Sebastian's tone relaxed. "Actually, I called to ask for your favour."
"Anything, brother."
"My chauffeur had some family issues to attend to. So, I need your chauffeur's service for the main time until my chauffeur returns from the village. Do you mind?" He said.
I twist my mouth to the corner, thinking for a moment. "Okay. No problem. He'll be at your place first thing in the morning."
I can do anything for my big brother. After all, he's my only closest sibling.
"Are you sure you can cope without a driver?" Sebastian asked worriedly, causing me to chuckle.
"I have five chauffeurs, brother. And this one I just employed yesterday is a pretty good conductor of speed and time. He knows how to take you to your destination in no time. You have nothing to worry about." I say confidently.
"Okay, if you say so. I'll be expecting him to come pick me at the city's airport tomorrow morning."
"Alright. Sleep well."
"You too. My regards to mom and dad." I heard him yawn. He must be really tired and stressed out over there in Czech Republic.
"They'll hear." When we hang up, Jide was curious to know who it was even though in my every sentence, I mentioned 'Brother.'
When I told him who it was, he smiled and pulled my hand from across the table to kiss my palm.
I shivered at the tingling feeling of his lips on my soft creamy palm.