3 Chapter 3

Hannah deliberately took the dirt road again even though it was a much longer route than the road directly behind her house since she was just heading to her friend's place. She had given her father the excuse that she wanted to get some woman-things from the market shops, but her real mission was that she was on the hunt for Chike. She hoped to meet him again and give him more lofty ideas of herself while enjoying the coziness of his car and the sweetness of his company. If she missed him on her way going, she would go to a friend's to gossip a little and then head back. Perhaps she might meet him on her return journey.

"Haaa... nah."

Hannah quickly looked behind her to find Tinuke beaming at her with her hands on her waist.

"Tinuke, how far?" She hailed, not yet decided on whether or not she should get rid of her.

"I dey." Tinuke sighed. "How about you?"

"I'm fine jare."

"Hmm... are you sure? This one that you are cracking your brain like as if you're calculating this year's national budget, hope all is well?"

"Yes, everything is Okay. I'm just thinking of one or two things."

"Like what?"

"Private things."

"Okay." Tinuke sighed again. "Since I'm not fit to hear what is bothering..."

She was suddenly interrupted by a car pulling over beside them. Both girls immediately turned their attention to the car as the driver's window was slowly rolled down.

"Hello ladies." Chike hailed with a dazzling smile.

"Hi." The girls chorused in unison.

"Hannah, long time no see. Hope you've been good?"

"Yes. I've been very fine. Thank you. And you?"

"Oh I've been great. I see you're heading home again, can I have the pleasure of giving you a lift?"

"Oh thank you." She smiled and sashayed her way majestically to the passenger side while Tinuke's mouth hung open in surprise.

When she had comfortably placed herself in the passenger seat, she smiled at Chike and touched his arm.

"Please, would you also help my friend with a lift, she was actually escorting me to help me do one or two things at home."

"Of course... turning to Tinuke outside Please step in let me drop you off too."

"Thank you very much." Tinuke said as she climbed into the back seat, all smiles.

Chike started the car and drove on, making sure to turn on the air conditioner. Tinuke was still admiring the beautiful interior of the jeep when the conversation between Chike and Hannah commenced. She put her inspection on hold, so she could listen properly.

"So what have you been up to since we last met?" Chike asked.

"Nothing much. Just living life as it comes."

Chike nodded and kept silent for a while. Tinuke was about to renew her inspection when she heard him speak again.

"So you have your phone with you now? So I can take your number, you know."

Tinuke was a little surprised when Hannah laughed a short laughter, but she was hardly prepared for what she heard next.

"I've told you about my younger ones. They won't let me take my iPhone with me unless they are asleep."

Tinuke's eyes boggled as she heard Hannah talk about younger ones and an iPhone! She could not restrain herself, so she fell into an involuntary fit of coughing.

"Oh hope your friend is Okay?" Chike asked as Tinuke coughed uncontrollably. Hannah quickly turned to the backseat, almost obscuring her face from Chike. She eyed Tinuke angrily and putting her forefinger to her lips, she signed for her to keep her mouth shut. Tinuke quickly nodded and covered her mouth with her palm, muffling the coughing sounds.

"Tinuke, is everything Okay?" Hannah asked in sweet pretense.

"I'm... I'm fine. Thank... you." Tinuke managed in between coughs.

"Chike, she says she's fine. I think it's nothing much."

"Okay. Glad to hear. We're getting near your area."

"Oh yes... Excuse me Chike, but have you found time to talk to the council chairman about the road and electricity problems those poor people are facing?"

"Not yet, ma cherie. But since you live in the GRA, I'm glad you're off those hassles."

"Me too, but you see... I have friends there, that's why I'm worried. Even this my friend, Tinuke, lives there too."

"Um... I'll see the chairman soon. I promise."

"Thank you, Chike." She beamed.

"You're welcome, ma cherie."

By now, Tinuke's cough had subsided and Chike was getting near the spot he had dropped Hannah the last time. Tinuke could not believe her eyes and her ears. Here was Hannah, sitting and discussing with this rich guy so comfortably like they were husband and wife. Wonders shall never end!

"Oh I think we're Okay here." Hannah proclaimed as they reached the spot.

"Okay then." Chike said, turning to her and smiling. "I'm glad we met again and I hope we'll meet again soon."

"Hmm... Okay." Hannah said with a smile as she climbed down.

Tinuke was still battling with her door, but Chike told her not to bother. He pressed a button and the door opened unaided. Tinuke stared in awe for a moment before climbing down.

"Thank you very much for the ride, Chike." Hannah smiled and waved as she took hold of her friend by the hand.

"Always welcome ma cherie." Chike replied as he drove off.

"Hmm!" Tinuke began, almost immediately. "No wonder you did not even wait to listen when I wanted to tell you about him. Na wa... so you know him and you did not even tell me? This world is big."

"Come Tinuke." Hannah blurted angrily as she folded her arms across her chest. "What would you do if I had told you that I knew him? Hmm?"

"Ehh... nothing bu... but at least, we'll talk about it and maybe..."

"Abeg abeg abeg." Hannah cut her off impatiently.

"Let's go before I get too late."

"But Hannah." Began Tinuke stubbornly as she struggled to keep up with Hannah who was practically running.

"Which one is the one that you live in GRA... ehhh... younger ones and even iPhone? Abi is there another part of you living elsewhere that I don't know?"

"Ehen! Come Tinuke." Hannah exclaimed as she stopped suddenly. "Let me warn you very well."

"Eh?" Tinuke asked in surprise. "Me? Warn me?"

"Yeee..." Hannah emphasized, looking very serious. "Let me warn you... on no account... are you listening?"

"Yes... I'm listening." Tinuke replied, clearly puzzled.

"Good. On no account should you discuss, gossip, tell, announce or relate to anyone what just happened with Chike... am I clear?"

"Ah Hannah, this one that you are counting fingers for me... is it because of..."

"Ehhhh... hold it, let me finish. You can discuss your own side of the story, but leave me completely out of it! You hear?"

"Okay." Sighed Tinuke. "I have heard you. Just remember I'm your friend... this one that you're treating me like a child be... be... because of one man and his car. Anyway, there is God."

"Yes." Hannah shouted as she resumed her journey with Tinuke trailing behind. "There has always been God. Just leave my matter out of your discussions."

Over the next few weeks, Chike was constantly meeting up with Hannah and giving her rides to and fro her supposed house in the GRA. They had even gotten to the level of going out on short dates and buying gifts. With time, she had perfected the art of lying to her father and keeping him totally in the dark about her movements. She initiated a timetable for their almost daily meetings and they both kept to it with great punctuality. On the few occasions her father would be absent, they had the entire day to themselves and Chike had promised to take her to his mansion very soon.

Hannah was comfortable, happy and feeling lucky to have caught hold of someone like Chike. She dressed, walked, talked and acted like someone who was already rich and influential. Chike was clearly rubbing off on her and she was beginning to lose the few remaining doubts about her being head over heels in love with him. She was also sure that he felt the same way, but even though the thought of it always made her smile, one thing bothered her. It nagged at her and always threatened to make her sad and that was the fact that Jonas would come back someday. She was seriously trying to figure out how to solve the problem of Jonas before things with Chike would get ruined, but she had not yet hit on a good enough solution. He had been gone for 6 weeks now and no letter or any other form of correspondence had reached her. For all she knew, he must have forgotten her and hooked up with some other girl or he might not even come back at all, choosing to stay behind with another woman. Either way, she was determined to get rid of him before he would scoop some sand into her precious garri and the sooner the better because things with Chike were finally becoming very serious and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity she could not miss.