CHAPTER 14

IVAN:

Thanks to our coincidental meeting we exchanged numbers. Never has getting a persons mobile number been so fun-filled, again with Rufi I'm beginning to realize everything was different.

Even though my head kept telling me not to get close I had gone passed listening. I told Rufi I'll pick her up from work today and even though she gave me that are you -kidding me kind of look she said yes, at that moment no other word sounded better.

"Good morning Ivan" Bernice smiled at me as I walked into the hall leading to my office. That smile used to be my best smile 'cus it came from my best friend but after Rufi smiled at me this morning the smile was now second best.

"Ivan?" Bernice did that better start talked thing only she could do.

"hmm-hmm?"

"Come here!" She giggled. if there was any female in my life who I love, respect and trust other than my little sis, it has to Bernice Wuraola Dervis, we've been friend for close to twenty years now

''Yes ma'am" I saluted as i made my way back toward her ."Here i am" I sat.

"So?" she raised her eyebrow

"So?" I questioned and it earned me a ballpoint on my head ''ouch!"

"Let's start again" she ignored my yelp "So?"

I tried to wipe off that silly grin from my face before leaving my car but it only seemed to get bigger so I gave up hoping 'miss inquisitive' would be too busy to notice me. My bad!

"She's just a friend" and that because she's so far younger than me.

"Just?" Bernice relaxed "Expatiate"

"Oh! Bernice please!" I was getting embarrassed "just drop it"

"Hmm" A mischievous smile spread across her face "I never knew cool and collected Mr Ivan Martinez has the capacity to blush over a lady?"

I'm sure my face was red now "shush! Bernice"

"Alright" her mischief still growing she smiled "You're dismissed"

"About time'' I feigned exasperation as if she'd cared. I raced into my office before she'd have another thing to interrogate me about.

*************

RUFI:

"Hey sis, How was it?"

"Ok"

"Ok good or OK bad?"

"OK good" she laughed ''is there any thing like ok bad Rufi?"

"Whatever!" I laughed "how's victor"

"He's well, he had to go out"

"Without you?" I joked

"Hey! i'm not an handbag '' she laughed "By the way, what happened to your phone this morning?"

''Ana-Blaire dropped it into the toilet''.

"Ops! hope there was no poo in there" she laughed.

Trust maria to never take things serious and has succeed at passing that trait to me. Most Nigerian parent would have beaten the kid like shit but us? I don't think we've ever spanked Ana-Blaire.

''No! Jesus Maria that's gross" Maria and her thirst for strange things.

She laughed louder and I loved her more ''it's not gross Ruf stop being a sissy''

''Well I'm a girl"

''So you got a new phone or you're calling with a poo soaked phone''

''Maria!" gross!

''OK! Sorry" she giggled

''Would you stop laughing?"

''OK! so which phone did you get?"

''I met him again" I blurt out.

''Him, As in Mr incredible?''

''Yes and his name is Ivan!'' I corrected

''Oh oh, Never seen you possessive''

''What!'' Possessive? Me? of Ivan?

''Yes Ruf you sounded so damned possessive just now ''

Ugh! ''Well I'm not" I snapped.

''No offence Rufi" she laughed.

"Bye" I snapped back.

''Hey! You won .....'' I cut the line.

Maria could be annoying at times.

''Rufi?" Samuel called out

''Hey! Good afternoon, you just got here?''

''About two minutes ago" he sat beside me on the stool in the kitchen .

Since victor left for school Samuel took over the counter area and we became close , not as close as victor though.

I noticed his eyes are not blue neither is his hair is silky or brunette like Ivan's....what is wrong with me I've been comparing every male that has come my way with Ivan.

Not good at all.

"Can I get soda?" I said in my little voice that does the trick .

''Rufi ? You drink too---''

''Please!"

''Only you will make me do this" he said tapping my shoulder as he got up.

''I know !thanks''

*************

IVAN:

I got to hen's at about 6:30pm and I took my time adjusting my self. I finally decided that leaving my jacket in the back seat was best.

About five minutes later Rufi came out with the dude that helped me get her name.

He hugged her.

Seriously?

Why can't he hug her? I asked myself don't you hug your friends and she isn't even your friend yet .

"Good evening" she said in that sweet voice that hunts me.

"Buenas noches dulzura" I smiled at her

"Hmm" she looked embarrassed 'Thanks"

''You're welcome... Did you understand  what I said?" Cus it looks like she was over reacting.

''Yeah! I just don't have people call me princess everyday"

Whao! ''You speak Spanish?"

Surprise and amusement shone in her eyes, she laughed that laughter that is top on my list "No!Just too much Mexican soaps"

''What if I told you I don't watch those things?" I asked her

"You wouldn't" she studied my expression and gasped ''oh my God! Are you kidding?"

She had this something is wrong look "Ok is it that you're trying to stop watching it or something , i know they can be addictive" she finished in a please tell me I'm right voice

Laughing I said ''Rufi,Rufi! better become a comedienne" that look was extremely funny and heart warming ''I don't watch soaps at all, never once enjoyed them" I laughed all the laughter I've been denied for years as her expression when from pleading to disbelieve to horror .

''Then you're definitely a bore ''she snorted and I laughed harder

"you better make a career out of that"

She pouted before sudden shouting in a frightening tone ''Ivan!''

I slammed on the brake and stopped laughing immediately ''Jesus Rufi! what's wrong ''

She gave me a serious look before bursting into laughter ''Gotcha!''

Seriously? Two could play this game. I brought on my very stern look the one I save for my mother and Diana even though I know it won't be as hard as I want it to but it worked, Rufi's laugher died immediately and she looked sorry.

''Gotcha!" I yelled then went into hysteria again. she stay shocked for few seconds before joining my laugher.

At that moment, that time, in my heart of hearts I knew that she'd ruined me for all others.