Chapter 6: Meet the Adubasim's.

"Good Morning Son. How're you?" Chigbo received Pete's hand. 

"I'm fine Dad. Mum, Good morning." He pecked his mother.

"Good morning dear. Hope you slept well." Patricia robbed his hands.

"I did Mum." He walked over, pulled a seat and sat opposite of her. "Morning Sis. He smiled at Tina, who smiled back.

"Hope you are well rested, you returned late yesterday."

"I am Mum. Just a lil' ache here and there," he complained, stretching his arms.

"Hangover, I guess." 

Pete eyed Tina. "What" Tina gestured with wide eyes. Pete thinks she was the one that told their mother about him the previous night, but she was not the only one that saw him walk in drunk. This amused her and Clint who picked up the smile oblivious of the cause. 

"What's with the smile, you two?" Patricia asked.

"How's Nnenna?" Chigbo asked of Pete's fiance.

"She's good, dad. Was with her last night. She sends her regards."

He locked his eyes with Tina; they smiled again.

"Again?" Patricia quizzed. Her expressions fuelled with expectations. 

"Tell your daughter to let me be." Pete stifled laughter, causing their parents to exchange looks. 

Let's say a prayer; Patricia instructed and said a brief prayer and they commenced to eat their breakfast. Pete paused momentarily mid breakfast to observe his father. He acted dull and looked pale. At a closer look at him, he discovered dark patches below his eyes. 

"You don't look too good, dad." Pete mentioned, staring at his Chigbo.

"Your father needs some rest. He's stressed. It's written all over him. But he's not thinking of getting one," Patricia explained.

"Dad!" Pete called.

"Don't give me that look," Chigbo dismissed their concern, but his unusually low voice gave him out. "I'm only going to inspect that estate project. I will be back in a few hours. That's nothing. Besides, I will be taking the rest of the week off."

Gesturing, "I can handle that, dad. Don't have much on my table."

"Take a break," Pete urged him, "and you, Mum," he turned to their mother.

"I'm on leave. I'm going to take care of your father," she assured them.

"I'm leaving," Pete notified as he downed the last piece of omelette on his plate.

Tina shook her head in disbelief at how fast her brother could eat. He already dropped his spoon, cleaned his mouth with a napkin and was ready to leave. "See you in the evening. I will be late again today." He hugged Patricia on her seat.

For Tina, the day went on with only a few things to attend to. Like she said, she didn't have much on her table. Few hours into the day, she left her office for the supervision she had promised her father earlier.

Chidi: So tell me, 

 This afternoon, how's it gonna be?

Tina: [Laughing emojis]

 I'm the one going for lunch, but you are the excited one here, no be ment? 

Tina walked to a waiting taxi outside the plaza.

Chidi: Yeah baby

 I'm excited for u

Tina: Thanks Darling but what gist do you want to hear this morning?

Chidi: [Smiling face emoji with heart eyes] Smart girl.

 I know you're looking hot today

 Send me some pics

Tina: Hei gawwd! [Laughing emojis]

 I didn't take any

Chidi: Just one shot for me

 Full pics only

Tina: Nobody to snap me

Chidi: Ask your secretary or those fine guys that work in your company.

Tina: Not close by

 I'm outside the office, about to go on inspection

Chidi: Inspection?

 Your Dad nko?

Tina: On break

 Besides, I will be inspecting projects more often in the near future.

Chidi: And your mum is on leave

 That your Dad eehn [Laughing emoji]

Tina: Naughty you [Laughing emoji]

Chidi: Just ask whoever that is around, pls.

Tina: Fine 

On getting to the cab, Tina asked the driver who waited patiently by the cab for help and forwarded the pictures to Chidi.

Chidi: You look so kissable. [Kiss mark emoji]

Tina: Chidimma!

Chidi: Yes baby girl, that's my name.

Tina: Kill that thought

Chidi: [Laughing emoji]

 Burberry is calling

Tina: As usual.

 Like he's going to die the next minute, if he doesn't call.

Chidi: Isn't that cute?

 I feel like my whole essence has been sucked into him. 

Tina: [Grinning face emoji]

Chidi: Go grab that lollipop 

Tina: Finally, you're mad [Laughing emojis]

Still on transit, Tina noticed her phone vibrate repeatedly. She received messages from Clint.

Clint: Hello

 Good morning

 How are you doing today?

Tina: Good morning 

 Great 

She replied, smiling, not yet over the chat with Chidi.

Clint: Checking up on you

 Making sure you are ok

Tina: I appreciate

 Thanks 

Clint: Busy now?

Tina: Not really

Clint: Hope your schedule will permit our lunch today

Tina: Yeah, 

 I don't have many things to attend to, except for some errands for Dad.

Clint: Ok, see you at noon

Clint dropped his phone. He didn't seem to have much to do either, or maybe, he didn't want to do much. He swung on his seat. 

Hours Later, Dressed in his neatly ironed blue shirt and black pants, his long tie neatly stuck to his shirt with the aid of a silver clip, and his pair of mirror surface shoes sparkly, Clint calmly sat in his car parked before a building site.

Clint: Hey, I'm at the site, 

 Coming in 

He messaged her on Instagram.

Tina: No need

 Will be out in a moment 

Clint: Kk 

Tina joined him in his car, minutes later. "Good afternoon," he greeted as she adjusted herself in the seat beside him. She waved in response.

Clint turned on the ignition. "Hungry?" He asked.

She gave him thumbs up, and communicated some signs to him.

"I don't get you," Clint said reluctantly, careful not to offend her.

Tina gave up when he get her message at the second attempt and resorted to her phone. 

"Oh! Our destination…" He said with some relief. The sign was quite an easy one; he should have gotten the message if he paid closer attention. "There is this restaurant a few minutes' drive from here. I guess you will like it." He reversed the car and drove off.

"Play music," she wrote.

"What do you listen to?" Clint asked. His right fingers tapping his phone screen, and his other hand controlled the steering. 

"Anything," she showed him on her phone.

With a low voice, he subconsciously sang to the playlist as they rode, taking glances at Tina who seemed to compete with him on that. 

The drive lasted for a few minutes like Clint promised. While seated at the restaurant, a young lady in uniform approached them and took their orders. 

Tina: Nice Baritone 

She complimented him with the aid of her phone.

"I'm good at what I do," he replied with a smile.

Tina: No more flirting 

Hands up, "I'm sorry ma'am," he teased.

Tina: A good fan of Chike, huh? 

"Sure. One of my favs," he confirmed.

Tina: Odd 

Clint raised his brows, "How?" He stressed the word; his neck inquisitively pushed his head a few millimetres forward. 

It was quite odd for her that Clint listened to Chike. It wouldn't have occurred to her that he listened to cool lyrics like that. She smiled. That's cool. Me too. She signalled and dismissed him. 

He smiled. "I see what you did here. That's a smart move. I must say; you got me." He smiled. "Does this mean we're cool?" 

Tina smiled at him. 

The waitress approached with their orders and placed it before them. They went on to eat in silence.

Her Father Watched an architectural programme in the sitting room when she returned. She greeted him and dropped her bag on the couch. She went ahead to sit beside him and rested her head on his arm. 

He cuddled her. "How was work today, my dear?" He asked.

Tina nodded slowly in response.

"Stressed?" he asked.

She refuted.

Patricia walked into the sitting room. "Sweetheart, who are you . . ." She stopped when she noticed Tina's presence. "Oh, darling, you're back." 

Tina walked up to her mother and hugged her. 

"Welcome darling, I know you must be hungry." She pecked her. "I'm making a delicacy for you. I will soon be done," she explained.

 "What is that?" Patricia caught on the sign.

"Abacha with Ugba." Her response had the single motive of whetting Tina's appetite.

Tina's eyes were lit up in excitement. She rushed into the kitchen to see for herself. Patricia followed after her. On the large marble kitchen table fixed at the centre of the spacious kitchen, the ingredients for the local dish were neatly spread out by Patricia. The stock fish and cow skin boiled on the electric stove.

"I'm almost done. Go freshen up," she said to Tina.

Tina turned to her and nodded in agreement. She gave her a heart sign and left the kitchen. 

"Your brother, he is not home yet?" She asked.

"He would be late, remember," Tina turned to signal her.

"I totally forgot," Patricia mumbled.

 Tina returned to the sitting room, picked her bag, pecked her dad, and made her way to her room.

By the time Tina returned to the kitchen, Patricia was mixing the paste with the shredded product of cassava. 

"You have adapted to work and the stress, haven't you?" Patricia asked, stirring a conversation with Tina.

"Gradually," Tina gestured with her hands and head.

"Your Father said you're good at your job."

Smiling, "he won't let me be," she signalled.

"Your father is caring to a fault . . . Your Brother is back. I thought he would be late like he said," Patricia said, "help me with those ingredients. We have to hurry. I know both of you must be hungry."

Pete conversed with Chigbo. He briefed him on the events at work. He asked him questions which were followed with an adequate supply of answers, typical of the duo's conversations. 

"Where's Mum?" Tina overheard Pete ask.

"In the kitchen," Chigbo replied.

Pete walked into the kitchen. "Wow!" He gasped. He walked to Patricia's side and took in a deep breath, excitedly, caring less about their laughter. "Can I have a taste, Mum?" he asked. 

Patricia fetched a tablespoon by her side and gave him a mouth-full of the already prepared Ugba. He munched it gleefully.

"Go freshen up. The food is ready."

He left the kitchen, while the ladies continued with the food.

Done watching evening programs with her parents, Tina left for her room. She dropped her weight lazily on the bed. Picking her phone from the bedside, she went through her notifications. From Instagram to WhatsApp, she attended to her messages, one after another. 

Chidi's message popped up everywhere — from Instagram, where she asked her for an account of her lunch with Clint, to WhatsApp, where she accused her of denying her gist. 

Chidi is that friend with no dull moment. She was everything anyone needed in a friend; from being loyal to the most crazy gist mate anyone would appreciate. However, Tina lacked the strength to fill Chidi in tonight; some other time would do. 

Buzz.

Chidi: Babe, you are not saying anything? [Crying face emojis]

Tina: I told you

 I'm exhausted

Chidi: From work?

 Promise you will gist me later 

Tina: Sure, I will 

 Good night [kiss emoji]

Chidi: Sweet dreams [kiss emojis]

Buzz.

Clint: Hi 

A knock from the door distracted her. Patricia came in, following the knock. She inspected the room like it wore a new look.

Buzz, another message came in distracting Tina from following her Mum's gaze.

Clint: How're you doing this evening?

"It's been a while since I came here. Hope I'm not distracting you from anything?" She said looking at Tina's phone.

Tina: It's just a few days now, Mum.

 You ain't.

She typed and showed Patricia her phone, ignoring Clint's messages.

"You were in a bright mood today. Is there anything I need to know?" Patricia's gaze held a hint of curiosity, making Tina blush.

"Nothing," Tina shook her head.

She took up space beside Tina, "Are you sure? After what you and your brother pulled off in the morning at the dinning, and your bright smile this evening, there is nothing you think I should know?" She pressed, but again, Tina got distracted by Clint's WhatsApp status. "And now, you're busy with someone. Who is that?" 

The events Patricia mentioned did not connect. Tina knew that her mood that evening had nothing to do with the event at the dinning in the morning nor her chats currently, but her mother was right about one thing — she had been on a bright mood today. 

"You would have been better off a detective than a doctor," she responded to her mother by employing both her hand and her entire body. 

"Your Brother would say the same." 

Tina adjusted her position and sat up.

"Won't you tell me? What is it about?" She asked, looking at Tina's phone with Clint's status on display. "Who is the young man?" She asked to the surprise of Tina. It was only then that she realized that Clint's status had been on display. She had clicked on it, as if to respond, leaving a selfie of Clint standing beside his car, in his ink-blue shirt, with a black and light blue striped tie glued to his shirt, with the aid of a silver clip — his attire earlier today. He must have taken the picture in the morning, before their lunch, in his office.

"Or maybe, tell me about work. You haven't told me about the inspection." Patricia was swift in redirecting the conversation. She laced her games with a mischievous smile, seeing Tina's reaction to her question. She didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Tina rolled her eyes, but at the same time felt relieved. She wouldn't have found it easy telling her Mum about Clint. She most probably would be towing Chidi's path.

"So, about the building?" Patricia repeated.

Tina turned to her phone and typed out some words. She then raised the phone to her mother's face.

"Nice. Now, about the bright mood, tell me the source," she asked again, seeing that Tina had relaxed.

Tina: It's just me. It had nothing to do with all you just mentioned.

"Not today; you looked different. Did anything happen at work today?"

Tina threw her head back in resignation. She could not hold back anymore. She needed to tell her something, not just anything, but something convincing enough, if she truly wanted peace. As much as she lacked the strength to tell stories, she also found it tiring trying to hold Patricia off.

Either way, she had to make a choice — tell Patricia something, but definitely not about Clint.

She continued typing . . .