Chapter Eleven
Nora:(entering into the living room) Linda!?
(... She drops her stuff on the center table then steps into the kitchen...)
Nora:( entering into the kitchen) Linda!?
Linda:( walks out of the storage room) hey girlfriend!!, You're home early!
Nora: yes I am
Linda: hmmm...did anything happen?
Nora: ( grabs a bottle of water from the fridge) no nothing happened
Linda: you're sure? ( Looking at her)
Nora: ugh!!!..... Yes, am sure I just have a date today.
Linda:( gasps) oh my goodness!!! , Are you for real!!? ( Twirling around) on my world, finally!! ( Laughs) girl, I am so happy for you.
Nora: ( walks back to the living room) it's not a romantic date okay!!!, It's a friendship date...
Linda:( follows her ) honey, there is no such thing as a friendship date but who's the guy that finally found the " key to your heart"?
Nora: Eric asked me to go out with him and like I said it's just a friendship date
Linda: oh my goodness!!! ( Falls on the chair) wow so finally Eric hit the jackpot.
Nora:( shakes her head) I don't know what to say to you
Linda: But I have...
Nora:( gets up from the chair) I don't want to hear it
(... She walks to the stairs and Linda quickly follows her, they both walk to Nora's room)
Linda: ( walking up the stairs) see girlfriend, if it were to be a " friendship date" we all would have been invited but no he asked only you! Only you!!
Nora:( stops in front of her room door ) Linda please stop!!
Linda: But it's truth
Nora:( turns around) okay fine I agree with you but can you please allow me to dress up, he'll be here by eight and this is ( looking at her wristwatch) 6:45 pm ( sighs) thank you!!
(.. She enters into her room with Linda directly behind her...)
Linda:( sits on the bed) I have an idea!!
Nora: ugh!!.... What is it!!?
Linda: How about I dress you up?..
Nora:( chuckles) No!!
Linda:( stands up from the bed) please!!, pretty pretty please
( Looking at her)
Nora: I said no and please don't give me that puppy dog eyes ( enters into the bathroom and shuts the door behind her)
Linda: please Nora
Nora: ugh!!!... Okay. You can dress me up but first please allow me to have my bath.
Linda:( claps her hands gently) oh yes!! thank you so much, I'll be right back
Nora: whatever...
( Linda rushes back to her room while Nora continues with her bathing. A few minutes later she returns into the room with a make-up box and a small shopping bag, as she enters the room she sees Nora already sitting close to her dressing table applying lotion on her smooth skin...)
Linda: so..( drops the stuff on the bed)
Nora: girl!! Please remove your makeup box from my bed
Linda: oops my bad ( drops the box on the couch and opens it ) I won't want to stain the white bedspread you managed to wash this week ( chuckles)
Nora: very funny!!
Linda: ( clears throat) So.. what are you going to wear?
Nora: my pink jumpsuit ( pointing at the cloth placed on the bed ) with my Versace sandals
Linda:( laughs hysterically)
Nora:( stands up from the chair) what's funny?
Linda: you're very funny, to be honest
Nora: hun?
Linda:( moves closer to her and places both of her hands on her shoulders) Girl I know you're not into fashion but at least you should look your best when going out...
Nora:( removes her hands off her shoulders) of course I look my best whenever am going out, I love dressing simple and I love being comfortable in whatever I wear
Linda: you're going on a date...
Nora:( interrupts her) a friendship date!!
Linda: whatever!! a date is a date. Dress up so that when he sees you, he's gonna be wowed
Nora: I don't dress to impress anyone
Linda: I never said that com' on ( pushes her gently) you have to at least look your best and this is your first date!!
Nora:( exhales deeply) okay, just this once
Linda: no problem ( smiles at her). Just tell me what you don't want
Nora: (sits on the chair and faces the dressing mirror) I don't want anything heavy or too flashy, the last thing I want is to create unnecessary attention.
Linda: How on earth did we become friends!!?
Nora: Even I keep thinking about it.
Linda: ( chuckles softly) okay let's do this before mister handsome arrives.
( She starts applying the makeup on Nora's face, starting with the foundation to the application of other cosmetic products to beautify her face. After spending an hour dressing up, she was done with everything from her hair to the face down to her feet..)
Nora:( staring at herself at the mirror) wow!!
Linda: you see( smiling at her)
Nora: the first time you did something that deserves a complaint
Linda: You know ( frowning her face) a simple "thank you" will do the trick
Nora: thank you ( smiles at her)
Linda: you're welcome!! ( Said excitedly)
Nora: Yeah, don't rub it in
Linda: By the way do you know where he's taking you to?
Nora: no, but it's gonna be a cool restaurant( admiring her new look at the mirror)
Linda:( placing the cosmetics back in the box) well I know Eric very well, so am pretty sure this date is going to be a romantic one for you two
Nora: point of correction miss, it's a friendship date!!
Linda: well you can keep telling yourself that but that's not what's gonna happen tonight!! ( Smirking)
Nora: you are very annoying!!
Linda:( laughing hysterically)
( Doorbell rings...)
Linda: Ding Dong!!
Nora: I wonder who's at the door!!
Linda:( gasps) maybe it's Eric, look ( pointing at the wall clock) it's after eight already!
Nora: Or it could be the pizza guy ( chuckles nervously)
Linda: calm down I'll go check.
(... Linda walks down the stairs, straight to the front door...)
" Doorbell continues to ring"
Linda: chill is coming !!
(...she opens the door and finds Eric dressed in fancy pants with his dark blue colored tuxedo, his brown-colored hair neatly combed with a rose flower in his hands. He dressed like the gentleman that he is ...)
Linda: hey handsome!! , Look at you all dressed up in your fancy pants ( admiring him ) you look amazing ( chuckling)
Eric:( chuckles nervously) thanks ( coughs a little)
Linda: please forgive my manners and com'on in
(...As he makes his way into the house,the smooth evening breeze blows past him, allowing his body perfume to fill the area...)
Linda: oh my gosh Eric!! You're a full package tonight ( closing the door)
Eric:( exhales) please... where's..( stammering)
Linda: Awwn.... Loverboy is stammering, how cute!! ( Smiles at him)
Eric:( exhales deeply) Am sorry, am a little bit nervous
Linda: Oh honey ( holds his right hand and looks straight into his hands) look you've known Nora for years now, so you shouldn't be nervous.
Eric: ( gently removes her hands off him) Linda you're not helping.
Linda:(clears her throat) am sorry, you know what; just be yourself, I know that would be pretty hard to do but you should try, don't try impressing her she really hates that, just express yourself and one last thing please don't make the conversation awkward.
Eric: ( exhales deeply) Noted, so where is she now?
A female voice: am here
( Both Eric and Linda look towards the direction of the stairs and sees Nora dressed in a sleeveless white flay-laced Short dress on a pair of black wage with her Versace black small handbag hanged on her right shoulder. Her makeup light as she wanted it to be, her hair black in color with the tip curled and dyed brown. She slowly but majestically walks down the stairs, although a little bit nervous but she manages to control it...)
Eric: wow!!!
Linda:( whispering to him) I know right (laughs)
Nora:( moves closer to them ) hmm... what are you two talking about?
Linda: Nothing!, Nothing at all ( smiles)
Nora:( uses her side eyes to look at her) hmmm...
Eric: Wow!!, ( Admiring her from her head down to her feet) You look....wow!!!( Chuckles softly)
Linda:(gently pushes Nora ) told you!! ( laughs)
Nora: Linda!! ( Looking at her)
Linda: I Am sorry ( giggles)
(....They both stare at each other silently until Eric lends out a rose flower to Nora..)
Nora: WOW...hmm...( Takes it from him and inhales its scent) it smells nice
Eric: you look.... nice tonight
Nora: Thanks
Eric: you...made me ( stammering)
Linda: ( chips in) speechless!!?
Nora: Linda!!!!... please keep the rose flower in my room
Linda: okay I'll go ( slowly walking away with the flower in her hands)
Eric: your dress is...
Linda: (interrupts him) amazing? Yes I made it myself ( touching Nora's dress)
Nora: Linda!! Please get your hands off my dress!!
Linda: ( chuckles nervously) am sorry!! , guys please forgive me but you two look so cute together...aww...
Nora: thank you, please can we go now? ( stands at Eric's right-hand side)
Linda: no, I need one more thing
Nora: which is!!?
Linda: I need to take pictures ( quickly walks away to her room)
Nora: Eric let's go!!
( She tries to walk away but Eric pulls her back)
Eric: com'on it's just a picture
Nora: okay!!
( Two mins later, linda walks up to them with a camera in her hand..)
Linda: I want to cherish this moment
Nora: you know you're behaving like a mother whose child is going out for prom
Linda: whatever! ( Rolls her eyes) now please move closer to each other
( They both just stood there staring at her like they didn't understand what she was saying..)
Linda: ugh!!...( She walks up to them and pushes them closer to each other and returns to her standing position)..hmm ( rubbing her chin)
Nora: what is it now?
Linda: Eric put your arms around her waist
Eric:( slowly places his hands around her waist) okay?
Nora: mmmm....
Linda: ( smirking) yes it is
( She sets the camera and takes the picture of both of them while taking the pictures, she notices Nora and Eric looking deeply into each other's eyes and that was a perfect shot, exactly what she wanted...)
Linda:( clears throat) look at you two!!
(.. Nora removes Eric's hand from her waist, slowly withdraws herself from him, and looks away ..)
Eric: Linda are you done?
Linda:( sliding the pictures) yes am done ( going up the stairs) you two have fun!!!
Eric:( chuckles)
(.... The both of them looking like the latest couple in town make their way to Eric's car. Eric been the gentleman that he is, opens the car door for Nora who seems calm and excited a little bit. He enters the car, fixes his seat belt, starts the car engine, and zooms off...
After driving for almost an hour they arrive at the restaurant. " Terra and Perra's restaurant" which is one of the biggest restaurants in the town, it's a little private as you have to book your table early and also you need to keep to time. The restaurant is kinda open and it's close to the beachside, anywhere you sit gives you a great view of the beach.
They both made their way Into the restaurant and the sights extremely breathtaking, the interior designs, the fancy table settings, and the flowers used to beautify the entire place were pretty eye-catching..)
Nora: wow the entire place is beautiful ( still looking around)
Eric: that's why I brought you here ( smiles at her)
( As they approach the receptionist, an Italian waiter dressed up in black trousers with a white shirt on a pair of black shoes with a white napkin neatly folded and placed on his left-hand side stops them )
Sylvester: Good day madam and Young Mister, my name is Sylvester and I'll be your waiter for the night
Nora: hmmm.... fancy ( looks at Eric with a smile on her face)
Sylvester: we've been expecting you, please right this way
( He leads them to their table which is number eleven. Their table was well covered in a white and light blue colored sheet, the cutleries well placed, it looked more like a romantic table, and from that sitting position, you can see the beautiful beach with the water gently flowing to and fro the shore.
They got to their table and Eric being the gentleman that he is, helps Nora with her chair before moving to the other side to sit..)
Sylvester:( hands over the menu book to both of them) so what would you like to have this wonderful evening?
Nora: ( looking at the book) wow, so many meals to choose from
Eric:( chuckles softly) I know right, so what do you wanna have?
Nora: hmmm...( Closes the book) I'd like to have pasta and tomato sauce with steak
Eric: ( laughs) Nora are you sure you're okay?
Nora: yes am perfectly fine tonight, why do you ask?
Eric: well I thought you were more of the veggie type, you know you love watching your weight and all those things
Nora: well you're right about the watching of the weight and most times I don't have an appetite but I'd love to have steak ( said calmly)
Sylvester: well ma'am we have tonight's special which will suit your taste!!
Nora: Can I please get what I want
Eric:( chuckles) well you've heard the lady!!
Sylvester: yes I have ( smiles at him), so sir what would you like?
Eric: what she ordered ( looks straight into Nora's eyes)
Sylvester: please excuse me, I'll be right back
( He makes his way to the kitchen, leaving Nora and Eric with themselves)
Nora: so!! ( Places both hands on the table) why Is here called"Terra and Perra" restaurant?
Eric: well the meaning of the island and sea...
Nora: so...( Interrupts him) you're telling me " because the restaurant is close to the beach, it was given the name Terra and Perra"?
Eric: yes princess
Nora: but that's a beach and not a sea!!
Eric: Nora do you know you're very inquisitive and that's one of the things I love about you ( smirking)
Nora:( chuckles nervously) well.. you know me
Eric: okay... The beach and the sea are among " Bodies of water", it doesn't have really to be a sea, as far as the restaurant is close to natural water body then I think" Terra and Perra" is a very nice name
Nora: you're right, sorry about the whole questioning thing
Eric: it's cool, it shows you wanna learn more about something, I love it
Nora: Soo....
(... Just then the waiter appears with their meal on a silver tray please with a white handkerchief on his left hand interrupting their conversation. He gently places the food on the table in front of each of them then drops the bottle of red wine in the middle. ..)
Sylvester: Enjoy your meal ( smiles at them)
Nora: we will ( chuckles)
(... The Waiter walks away leaving them to enjoy their meal
Both Nora and Eric unwrap their meals and start to dig in..)
Nora:( still trying to masticate the small amount of food in her mouth) mmmm....oh my word!!
Eric: Taste good?
Nora: I love it...
Eric: of course (chuckles softly), so ( grabs the red wine and pops it open, he gently pours a moderate portion in both wine glasses and passes one over to Nora)
Nora:( takes the wine-filled glass from him ) thank you very much
Eric: ( clears throat) so this is to us and our wonderful friends and I pray this beautiful friendship lasts longer ...
(...they both look directly at each other eyes with smiles on their faces...)
Nora:( coughs softly) To us( raises the wine slightly above her head then takes a sip )
(...they continue to eat their meal, Nora continues to eat slowly as her attention was constantly taken by the beautiful sight of the flowing water from the Beach..)
Eric:( cough)
Nora:( looks at him) Are you okay?
Eric: yes am okay ( wipes the food particles off his mouth using the white tissue). It's like all your attention is on the water
Nora: Am sorry, it's just nature is beautiful ( smiles at him)
Eric: it is indeed ( chuckles). Tell me something
Nora: what?
Eric: How do you cope with Linda?
Nora: hmmm....( Drinks a little water then sits up) the first day I saw Linda I knew there was something wonderful about her. She's like the color in my life, she can be a drama queen sometimes but she means well, I just love her personality but don't tell her that
Eric: ( chuckles) I won't
Nora: thank you..so I wanna ask you something
Eric: sure thing please go-ahead
Nora: what makes you happy?
Eric: well... a lot of things makes me happy; my family and friends, when I achieve what I've set, playing soccer with Andre hanging out with my friends like this ( smiles at her)
Nora: Wow that's great but what if one day you wake up and all these things ain't available, what are you going to do, are you going to remain unhappy?
Eric: I haven't thought of that, I don't want that to happen
Nora: well you never know, life's unpredictable anything can happen. we hope for the best but still expect the worst
Eric: hmm... you're right, so what's make you happy? ( Smirking)
Nora: putting smiles on people's faces.
Eric: Wow, no wonder you joined the Charity organization...
Nora:( interrupts him) what Charity organization?
Eric:" Finding homes for the homeless", it's mostly for children
Nora:( chuckles) How did you know?... Wait!! Are you stalking me !!?
Eric: whoa!!! Chill okay ( sips his wine), first of all, am not stalking you, I go there sometimes in fact am also one of the benefactors but not on regular basis unlike you, you work together with them to help those helpless kids and that's amazing, at least that's what miss Kira told me the last time I came there.
Nora: yes it is but I don't just do it because of that, I also do it because of the peace I get. I mean, have you ever walked into a compound where there are so many large buildings and even with the noise, you still find peace within your soul and there's this unusual happiness and calmness that occupies your heart, plus the laughter coming from those children are like medicine to my soul ( chuckles)
Eric: wow to be honest I don't feel that way, I just do it because it's good to help others, and being generous is good
Nora: Eric everyone has different reasons why they do the things they do ( drinks the remaining wine)
Eric: Do you want more wine?
Nora: I'll pass, thanks
Eric: fine then, so does Linda know?
Nora: No one knows apart from you and I plan to keep that way
Eric: I love your decision and I'll play my role by not saying a word
Nora: If you wish.
Eric: One more question.
Nora:( pulls closer to him and looks at his caty eyes) sure!!
Eric: Can you tell me about your parents?
(....On hearing this, she withdraws herself back and stares at him, soon she starts breathing heavily...)
Eric: Ar..are you okay? ( Tries touching her but she pulls back even further)
Nora:( breathing heavily) Am fine!!!
Eric: But you don't look fine to me, please tell me what's wrong? ( He tries touching her again but this time she pins his hand on the table)
Nora: I said am fine!!! , Now please take me home!!!.
( He looks at her and he could see the fierceness in her eyes)
Eric: o...( Stammering) Okay I will but please let go of my hand
( She gently unpins his hand then sits up)
Eric: Thanks...hmmm.... just give five minutes..I...( Stammering) I need to go to the men's room
Nora: Sure!!
( He adjust his tuxedo then walks away.
He enters into the men's room, stands close to the washing sink, and Stares at the mirror...)
Eric: ( talking to himself) jezzz!!( Rubbing the back of the hand) Nora has a very strong palm, what a powerful lady ( exhales deeply), Eric you're gonna spoil this, you're gonna ruin this night ( constantly hitting his forehead)
You're gonna go out there now and apologize to her ( exhales deeply) here goes nothing
(...He walks back into the large room, looks towards their table, and notices Nora's disappearance. He moves closer to the table to see things clearly but she wasn't there, he starts looking around, asking the other set of people sitting around their table but all their responses were negative.
He walks up to the bar and sits down rubbing his forehead...)
Eric:( whispering to himself) I can't believe she's gone, maybe it's what I said ..am very stupid, to be honest, that question was a personal question which I shouldn't have asked
(...still deep in his thoughts he keeps looking around although unconsciously in search of her whereabouts
He looks towards the direction of the beach and sights a lady standing close to the shore and from her back view he can tell that it's "Nora", he gets up quickly and walks fast even though the sand was kinda slowing him down. On getting there, he stands by her right-hand side with his hands in his pocket then looks at her using his side-eyes and notices that all her focus was on the water to the point of her not noticing his presence...)
Eric:( clears throat) beautiful view huh!!?
Nora: oh!!!... Sorry didn't see you there ( still looking at the water) yes the view is just so mesmerizing, look at how steady the water is flowing plus its crystal clear but I don't think I'll love to enter inside ( chuckles softly)
Eric: yea me neither, by the way, am sorry about tonight, I shouldn't have asked about your parents
Nora:( turns her head and stares at him for few seconds, then speaks up ) no it's not your fault it's me that should be saying sorry. The thing is I don't like talking about myself, I lost my parents when I was eight so my aunt took me and trained me up
Eric: wow am sorry, your aunt must be a nice person!!
Nora: yes she was, she made me who I am today ( continues to look at the water)
Eric: yea I can see that, am sure she also taught you how to fight ( Chuckles nervously)
Nora:( laughs hysterically then stops and frowns her face) yes Eric, she calls it defending oneself
( Smirking)
Eric:( exhales deeply) yes!!!
(...smooth, slow jazz playing)
Eric:( reaches out his hand) can I have a dance with the lady?
Nora: on this sandy shore?
Eric: anywhere as far as it's with you
Nora: haha....I can't dance!!
Eric: I don't mind teaching you ( smiles at her )
(...She hesitates a little bit then drops her small bag on the ground and places her hand in his. With their hands locked together and the other hand placed on her waist with her hand on his shoulder and their eyes looking directly into each other, they both dance together following the beat of the slow jazz.
Then he starts twirling her around, with her eyes closed she could feel the impact. All of a sudden she stops then opens her eyes only to find herself in a room. She turns around and sees two young couples dancing like the couple that they are, she moves closer to them and notices a little girl sitting on the chair clapping and cheering for them, she walks up to the girl and sees the younger version of herself.
She kept staring at the little girl from head to toe then notices blood dripping from the girl's finger, Nora looks at her face and sees her wearing a very awkward smile and shining her bloody dirty teeth.
Out of fright, she stumbles back then turns around only to see the couple lying dead in a pool of blood. She starts to shiver as the sight was indeed frightening, she exhales deeply then faces the little girl...)
" Nora: you....( Stammering) ... you did this? ( Pointing the dead bodies with her shaky finger)
* Girl 2*: No ( with a tiny voice) you did this ( laughs hysterically)"
(... The Little girl continues to laugh and slowly another head pops out of her neck making her a two-headed beast with horns on its head. It jumps off the chair and slowly crawls towards Nora.
Nora stands her ground and refuses to move backward, the beast continues to move closer to her then it stops as soon as it got closer to her feet..)
*Girl 2*: Soo( in a cracky tone) you ain't scared any more hun?
Nora: No not anymore ( uses her leg and kicks it away)"
... Although still twirling she opens her eyes and sees Eric staring at her...
Nora:( breathing heavily) what happened? ( looking around)
Eric: I....I don't know, we were dancing together until you twirled away, it seems you love twirling
Nora:( exhales deeply) Can you please take me home, I've had enough fun for one night
Eric: well if that's what the lady wants then so shall it be but first I need to go clear the bills
Nora: already did that ( picks her bag from the Sandy shore)
Eric: really!!!
Nora: Am sorry I just had to ...maybe next time ( smiles at him)
Eric: So what you're trying to say is, there's gonna be a second date!! (smirking)
Nora: Yea!!!...No...
Eric: ( Chuckles nervously) Okay...shall we!? ( Reaches out his hand towards her)
Nora:( places her hand in his own ) yes we shall ( smiling at him )
(...They both head to the car park like a beautiful couple with their hands locked together, Eric being the gentleman that he is, opens the door to the front seat for lady Nora. After which he enters the car, starts the car engine, and drives off..)