CH 08|| Seeing him again

In three weeks time, Chris convocation came knocking on my door. His mother called me, informing me about Chris convocation that was in 4 days.

I knew I had to start packing the next day because I wasn't ready to get Mrs. Gracia (his mom) angry at all. She is quite friendly, yes but if she's upset, well I can't tell since I don't know her so well enough and I haven't got her upset before.

She is a full house wife but she is a very well educated person with degrees. I don't know why she became one but I didn't care. She loves her husband and behaved so gracefully everywhere she went, never an imposter. Nobody can be lazy around such a woman, she is someone who likes everything in order.

---

The next day I started packing my things one after another when I just remembered that I was supposed to dress like a "high-class" to avoid suspicion so I rushed to our main house, since I got a copy of the house keys, I went into my room and got some clothes and shoes that I supposed would be enough.

I threw on some clothes. It was a blue jean and plain top. I put on a blunt spiked shoulder denim jacket to match. I loved the plain top more, it was flare and laced from the top with spaghetti straps. I wore a red flat to match the top. As soon as I was done, I plastered my face with some mild powder and thin lip gloss.

I finally picked my things and ran out of the house but certainly did not forget to lock the house and hand the keys over to the security man.

I traveled all the way from my state to Lagos for many hours. We arrived at Lagos around 4pm and then I picked up my phone to call both my friends.

"Good evening Jacklyn," I called.

"Good evening!!" her ever excited voice rang.

"Please can I ask a favour from you? " I pleaded.

"Yes, what is it dear? "she asked, sounding so mature than usual.

"I won't be in school for a whole week, would you please get notes for me in school through whatever means, please?" I waited for an answer.

" I don't understand you anymore, where are you always running off to that makes you keep on skipping lectures?" she queried with a bit of concern in her voice.

"You won't understand, it's kind of personal," I replied, hoping she wouldn't ask anymore questions.

"No way. Okay that's a no problem.. What are friends for? "

"aww thank youuuu. I will inform Grace too." I smiled as she cut the call and I knew I couldn't say " thank you " empty handed. I then called Grace.

I would have taken flight if not that there was nothing like a complete airport in our state, only an abandoned air project that our former governor left incomplete. We only had airplanes with no complete structures, very funny.

---

As soon as the bus arrived at the bus station, Mrs Gracia and Chris called both of my lines since I had two. I picked up Mrs Gracia's call trying to avoid Chris.

"Where are you dear, have you arrived at Lagos yet?" she asked.

"Yes ma I have. I'm at the bus station already." I answered with a voice of respect.

"Good good good." she quickly repeated.

" Ma, I don't know but I'm not familiar with Lagos, I might get lost ar.. "

"Don't worry darling, Chris is already at the bus station to pick you up." she cut in.

Chris?!. I thought, exploding my mind.

"Chris?" I asked to be sure.

"Yes dear, he's been waiting for you for a long time there and I'm sure he's tired."

"I hope he's not annoyed," I airily asked, because seriously I couldn't fake it.

"Oh no, he's not, my child. Okay I'll hang up now, don't worry we'll speak later." she later hung up.

Chris? No way. I protested

The bus finally stopped, all passengers including me alighted. A young man full of energy, looking rather messy approached us.

I, thinking he was going to help us carry our luggage, gave my holdall to him. Immediately, he grabbed my red purse while he dropped the holdall.

I screamed for help and ran after him as some guys pursued him too. Though he was fast, God gave me fast legs too so I caught him by the arm and then used my other hand to hold his dirty wife-beater.

He struggled really hard and fast enough, he was free in no time. I don't know how he hit me but he was fast and I passed out.

-----

I opened my eyes slowly but all I could see was fuzzy images and the sky.

It took me a few seconds to regain my vision. The first thing I saw was the sky then I turned my head to my right, seeing Chris' face.

Actually it was his face I first saw before I realized I was off the ground.

Afraid that I would fall, l held Chris' shirt and digged my face into his toned chest. I laid weak in his arms as he carried me to his car. I heard footsteps behind us so I assumed people were following us. He opened the door to the passenger seat, kindly and gently putting me in place.

"Are you alright now?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"No.. I mean yes, I'm alright " I lied, putting my legs outside the car.

"Your nose bled. Just let me know if you are hurt somewhere." he touched my nose, crouching in front of me

"My nose bled?" I asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry it's gone now. But are you hurting somewhere?" he asked again.

"I'm fine " I lied yet again, trying to avoid his attention.

"Okay," he said, lifting up his eyebrows.

"My purse, what about my purse. My valuables are in there" I almost cried, my eyes watering.

Oh why am I such a cry baby.

I just watched him get up, turned to the driver's seat and there was my purse. He picked it up and brought it to me, waving it at my front.

"Is this yours? " he smiled.

I couldn't help but smile too.

"Thanks, Chris," I said as he handed the purse over to me. I searched through for any missing item but found none. I even felt like hugging him as my "thank you" present.

I didn't even notice the small crowd of people staring at us. An average looking man that stood close to us came closer and I heard Chris thank the man and a few others at the back of the car for helping him load my things and getting the culprit to police custody- something like that.

I also saw him giving them some money. I was caught off guard when I heard the man ask Chris if I was his wife. I was embarrassed where I sat.

"Yeah she is, any problem?" he asked, putting his wallet into his pocket.

"Ah, how I take sabbi?! (how did I know?). And she de young and fine. Oga take care of her well well o, fine ones like this de hard come by these days." he playfully stated in the street language.

I saw Chris turn back to look at me then smiled, it pretty much looked like a weak simper before turning back to them.

"I know," Chris replied, bidding them farewell but the man shouted one last time.

"Madam, your husband strong very well, hold am well o,"

People laughed but I didn't find that funny. I was still pondering on who would have caught the culprit. It definitely can't be Chris.

---

The car remained silent until I broke through the quietness.

"Thanks," I spoke up.

"For what?" he asked.

"Well for bringing back my purse." It sounded funny but little things to me made a difference. They mattered.

"It's ok,"

"How were you able to catch up with him and get my purse" I tested him to know if he was the one.

"It's called luck. That guy was fast but luckily for you, he's in police custody now,"

"Wow," only? Is that the only thing you're gonna say? I thought, castigating myself.

"So why did you pass out like that?" he asked.

"He hit me."

"Where?" he asked, looking at me.

I was beginning to feel like he was pretending. How can a guy, a wealthy one for that matter care about one he hardly knew, so much? I doubted that.

"On my face but I don't feel pain anymore" I lied.

I felt pain on the part just above my nose. I pretended that I didn't because I didn't want any more attention.

We soon reached home only to be welcomed by my effusive mother-in-law. We all went inside as the servants were off-loading the trunk.

I saw father-in-law sitting in the living room but when he heard my arrival, he stood up and I walked straight to him.

I greeted him in courtesy but he surprisingly opened his arms waiting for my hug. I smiled then fell into his hug which was more family-like not effusive like mother-in-law's.

Father-in-law was really tall, almost taller than Chris though Chris looked taller than him from a distance. Most men of his age were potbellied but he didn't have it and that is surely where Chris got it from.

Mother-in-law immediately dragged both of us to the dinning. We sat down to a wonderful meal. I wasn't expecting a king-sized meal and thank heavens I was right. After the meal, the servants carried the dishes away while my mother-in-law asked me about the trip. I didn't say much but I tried as much as possible to avoid bringing in the robbery part.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that Chris and I were going to share the same room. I was upset and at the same time shaky like I was shy or something. Both of us had our clothes put in the same wardrobe. Chris looked like he knew it all along, making me even more upset. I looked at him as if he was a glitch in my life.

Fretting about this won't help either.

I saw him lock the door. My heart gave a loud pound at his action. I just froze where I stood, without moving an inch. He walked to the side of the bed, taking a pillow from the head of the bed.

"I'll be sleeping here." he said, keeping the pillow on the couch.

The tension in my shoulders left as it dropped to normal.

"Don't open the door. She can be really pry at times... I mean my mum." he said frankly.

" 'Kay " I nodded.

I got a night outfit and went to the bathroom. This time I didn't spend as much time in the bathroom as I did before during our first night because I was afraid he'd get angry.

I came out of the bathroom only to see him lying on his back, eyes shut and arms crossed as he laid on the couch.

What a weird sleeping position, I thought.

I jumped into the bed. It was so comfortable; not so hard, not so soft. Tucked in bed, I found myself staring at Chris. He was so fair and really handsome I must admit.

.......