II. Thanks Man.

“You don't imagine what's good or not. You work according to the leadership of the holyspirit. If I am doing all these things, that's because I was lead to. I'm not easily talked out of my dreams or future responsibilities. I don't care about those people who criticize me or my relationship with God. Those who judge me because they don't eat meat and I do. That doesn't make me unclean.”

“It makes me unique. It's my grace. And it's the end of it that'd tell. I don't talk to people about my personal conversations and spiritual life. Because no one will understand. They claim to but no they don't. It's my race, it's my journey. Let me run it.”

Jamal sighs. “Like I said I won't force you. But be ready to see me there when you run.”

She angles her head. ‘What is he talking of?’ ‘See me where?’

“Just accept that you're too honest and very soft hearted not to forgive me. You know I know that. If you didn't forgive me you wouldn't talk to me at all. That's the nature of God in you that you can't change. And that's what makes you different.”

“I know you love acting but we're not in a movie here. This is real. I've carried out a series of investigations and non of them pointed out what I wanted. But as we leave this door. Make sure not to take anything that happens in the party seriously.”

She frowns. “Uh?”

“You'd understand soon.”

The light comes on and Myla looks at him with wide eyes.

“I thought you said the switch is outside?” she whispers.

He nods.

“Someone is out.” she tries to get him off her and he doesn't back away faster.

“What are doing?” she asks.

“Relax. We were not doing anything bad were we?”

Her cheeks burn up and she shakes her head hiding her flustered face. “Good.”

He takes his hand off from above her head. He gently sends his hand behind her and she thought he wants to hold her but he opens the door.

She turns around embarrassed and he smirks.

Latif is standing out the door as she sees both of them from inside.

She looks livid when Myla turns to face her. “W-what are y'all doing in the bathroom together?”

Myla comes out first and Jamal follows behind her.

Myla can't answer to her silly question because of what she did. She strolls away furiously and Jamal doesn't say anything either as he follows Myla.

Latif exudes jealousy as her hands form two fists. She can't wait for the giving of gifts.

She takes up her phone from a small purse she had been holding.

*I'd soon be time. Stand by when it's my turn.*

She replaces her bag and matches to the party.

...

Patricia sees Jamal coming from behind Myla. His hand has encircled her waist as a guide but the truth of it which Patricia knows is that he's being possessive of her.

She smiles and walks towards them. “Y'all have been gone for so long. I was wondering who'd call for both of you before the party ends when I've not received any gift from Myla and my brother.”

Myla smiles. “I'm here now. Is it time for giving of gifts?”

“Yeah. I just announced it.” Patricia moves ahead.

“I can guess what you bought for her.” Jamal whispers to her ears. His breath twinkle her so she flinches.

“No don't. Don't spoil my surprise.”

“It's just between you and me. I didn't say I'd tell her.”

“I said no.”

He snicker and she rolls her head to glare at him. “I know what you bought for her too.”

He smirks. “You saw it at the mall.”

She's about rolling her eyes but his eyes lock with hers mid way and she just blink them off.

...

Everyone comes towards Patricia with a gift including Jamal and Myla.

It's Latif's turn. She parades with meticulousness towards the young girl.

“My gift will be in here in a minute.”

Patricia raises her brows. “Ok.” she's not really interested in what she has to give.

But when a sound of firefighters is head, someone walks into the building. The door opens wide and everyone's mouth agape including Patricia.

Myla's eyes are wide as she sees Shawnee walking towards her.

Jamal has never been disgusted. Ever since he saw him with Myla he feels as to hit him on the mouth so that he'd be unable to sing again.

“Shae?” Myla let out and he embraces her. She gives in and Jamal clenches his jaws.

“He's going to perform with Myla tonight. That'd be my gift for you.” Latif announces.

Patricia faintly smile. She knows that Latif did this intentionally to creat tension between Jamal and Myla.

However, she loves Shawnee Shae. But now is not the time. She wanted Jamal to perform with Myla and not Shae with her.

She looks at her brother who stares bitterly at his supposed favorite musician.

“What are you doing here?” Myla can't help but ask.

“I came to give the birthday girl a surprise. But since you're here with me let's do this together.”

Myla can't decline. “Of course.”

He smiles and they walk ahead while Patricia hugs Shawnee. “Thanks for coming.”

“My pleasure.” he responds.

His band assemble at the center of the hall and Myla joins them. She peeks at Jamal but he's more focused on Shawnee. When he sees her he looks away.

She doesn't blame him. She always knew he'd be jealous. That's why she didn't even think of coming with Shae. Her manager proposed that to her and she denied flat.

They start singing and all the while Myla peeps to see Jamal burning in fury. Patricia does the same towards her brother. But Latif is excited. She steps closer to Jamal and holds his arm.

Myla sees it and looks away in disappointment. She didn't get the chance to ask him why the hell that girl has not been locked up yet. What is she doing in this house?

She knows Amid gave him every information he needed to be sure. Why is he not doing it? Every memory start filling up her mind and crowding it so much so that she doesn't reasons properly.

Jamal can't bulge away from Latif's grasp because the people in here know that they still have a thing together.

After all she kept announcing to be the victim after losing him because of Myla.

Mrs. Kesh is do proud of her daughter that she doesn't cease to smile.

This is what she wanted. She wanted to see all eyes on her daughter closer to him. And all eyes on Myla closer to Shawnee singing something romantic.

People will easily believe that they have a relationship going on underground. They look so good together as Shae stare into her eyes and she is forced to keep glare back.

Jamal is so irritated that the veins in his arm jut out. He's irritated by two things right now. This bitch tugging him and the wizard performing with Myla.

Shawnee even go to the extent of holding Myla's hand and singing in her face. Lust being an evident.

Jamal forks his hair over. He's not sure for how long he can keep on with this. It's clear that Shawnee is overly attracted to Myla. Not because of the music but more.

This is what he avoided from day one. But Myla is to oblivious not to see. She's so stubborn.

‘Close to you.’

The music finally comes to an end. Shawnee hugs her and whispers something into her ears as people applaud.

She crumples her eyebrows feeling complex about what he wants to say.

“Listen up everyone! I have an announcement.”

Everyone give in their attention but Myla just wait eagerly and confusedly.

“Myla here is more than any precious stone I've met. She's strong, brilliant and very talented. I feel sorry for the man who left for me.”

Myla blinks her eyes a number of times and Jamal takes his hand off Latif feeling very wounded by Shawnee's statement.

Shae looks at Jamal from a distance. He's been willing to tell him off in the face for how he made Myla cry last time.

“It's said we never know how precious something is until we loss it for good. But it's sad that some people still can't see how precious those things are. Thanks man. Without your aid, I wouldn't be this close to her.”

Everyone stare at the two men. And Jamal dart his eyes at Shae dismissively. His hands are inside his pants but they are in a fist.

“What are you doing?” Myla whispers.

“It's ok. You don't have to worry about that anymore. As for Patricia, I want to wish you the happiest birthday. Hope you have fun girl!”

Patricia feigns a smile. She's not happy by what he said. Everyone applauds as he takes Myla to walk off he ground.

But someone comes in the scene. Dan. Jamal takes his hands off his trouser.

Mrs. Mehdi leaves her position. “How dare you show up in this house.”

Myla is blank as Dan stares at her as if they have personally met.

He then looks at Amid who stares back at him relaxed.

“I'm not here to stay. I just came to confess.”

Jamal has no words left to speak towards him. But his eyes alone say a thousand words.

Latif walks at the center of the hall. “Before he says anything. Mom, Jamal I'm sorry that I met with him the last time I wasn't home. I knew there was something not right. I've always suspected that he had something to do with what happened to your company. And I just found the truth about everything. I just didn't know he'd come by himself. I'm so sorry Patricia. But all of you need to listen to what he has to say.”

Myla darts her eyes to Latif. What the fuck has she planned up?

To be continued...