Calm Down, Baby Girl

With loud music disturbing the neighbours and a bottle of wine in her hand, Nkechi was having fun, dancing and singing, drinking and enjoying the moment. There was love in the air for her, the love that brought her real peace. She knew she had seen the perfect person for her, to fill in every missing piece of her life.

Aisha didn't want to feel left out, so she went to the fridge, got herself a wine glass and poured out the wine and joined in the loved-up moment her friend was enjoying. Aisha always had her back even in her down times, and she knew how important it was for her friend, so she had to add a little bit to make it special for her by joining in and even if she didn't, it wouldn't change the way Nkechi was feeling.

If it were possible for them, they'd have invited the entire neighbourhood to join them; speakers outside, a DJ doing DJ thing and drinks going around. She was in love, she knew it, Aisha knew it and she needed everyone to know it too.

The singing and dancing kept going on, dancing in every part of the sitting room; the floor and the couch included dance moves invented in split seconds between them and they both got carried away.

There was an awkward pause, later on, they both remained in the positions that they were in. Nkechi was on the couch with the hand holding the bottle raised in the air, and Aisha dancing with the speaker like it were a person.

"I knocked but I got no response so I decided to let myself in," the voice was so inaudible that the sound of the music overshadowed it.

"What did you say?" asked Aisha, after she turned off the music.

"I said I knocked, but I got no response so I decided to let myself in," Efe repeated himself.

"What's the celebration for?" he asked.

"Celebration of love," replied Aisha, making Nkechi blush hard.

"Sorry to disrupt your celebrations, but Nkechi, can I see you outside, please?" asked Efe.

Nkechi obliged, she came down from the couch and followed him outside.

"I got something for you," said Efe while leading her towards the boot of his car.

He opened it and brought out the bicycle and handed it to her but she didn't collect it, which seemed off to him because she had always wanted one.

"You don't want to collect it because it is not a new one? But this bicycle is less than a month old and if you remember, it's the same one you rode around the first day we met," he said, trying to force a smile.

"No, not that. I already have one," replied Nkechi.

"Oh, that one? It wouldn't do you any good during the competition, it will only slow you down."

"I meant I have a new one, but thanks for offering me yours."

"When did you go out again to buy it? You would have told me you bought it finally, I would not have been worried about how you'd have done for your competition."

"I didn't buy it, it was offered to me by someone," she smiled and her face glowed.

"Will you be returning it to the 'someone' afterwards?" asked Efe.

He began to let his feelings slowly get the better of him. It was no secret that he liked her but knowing he was having someone to compete with, was going to make it hard for her to truly progress to loving him soon.

"No, he bought it, especially for me. It's mine now," replied Nkechi.

"And—" Efe paused.

Weighing his next question carefully if he should ask it or not if it won't come out as him being either insecure or jealous.

"And what?" asked Nkechi.

"Who is he?" Efe finally asked.

"But before you answer that, would you be free to go out on a date with me? Let's say tomorrow evening?" he asked another.

"Do you mean a relationship date or are we going out as friends?" asked Nkechi.

The desperation in his questions and body language was evident in the fact that he wanted her so much because he senses there was someone else she might like more than him.

"How long have you known this 'someone' for?" he asked another question.

"What are you doing, Efe? Don't be stupid, enter your car and go home you're embarrassing yourself," he thought to himself.

He didn't wait any longer for Nkechi to say whatever she wanted to say, he entered his car and drove away.

Aisha came out to meet Nkechi standing alone, looking puzzled and she asked where Efe was. Nkechi told her he left unexpectedly and that he acted off. She went ahead and told Aisha the plenty of questions he asked her and all Aisha could do was laugh. She understood the reactions very well, she knew what made Efe leave.

"Baby girl, he likes you. Can't you see it?"

"I can't see it. What are you expecting me to do?"

"I'd suggest you give him a chance since your mystery lover wants to remain a mystery and Efe on the other hand is making himself known," advised Aisha.

Aisha's phone rang, and she picked up.

"Hello," answered Aisha after her phone rang.

"You told me she was seeing no one, you told me she was single, Aisha. Now, I've found myself loving her," responded Efe.

"Efe, relax," said Aisha.

Nkechi dragged the phone from Aisha as she heard his name and knew he was the one talking.

"Baby girl, calm down, it's not the best way to go about it," said Aisha.

"He needs to explain all that to me," said Nkechi.

They began to drag for the phone while the call was still on and the phone fell on the floor and turned off. Nkechi picked up the phone immediately, turned it on, waited for it to completely boot and placed a call back to Efe.

"I don't know what your deal is. I don't know why you acted weird and left just like that. What's up with you?"

"I love you, Nkechi. That's what's up."