CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

When Jason introduced Chike to Naya when they got to the orphanage, Chike was mesmerized. The way the handshake lingered a minute more than normal and the dazzling smile he flashed at her made everything obvious but Jason didn't mind…he didn't mind at all. He wasn't feeling jealous or overprotective…maybe a little reluctant to stop the lingering handshake.

Just like he wouldn't mind if another man's hand lingered on McKenna's hand, would he? Jason fist clenched involuntarily, even his body tensed like the idea was unbearable.

The handshake between his lover and best friend suddenly became wrong…Jason felt like he should be feeling something about it. He gently pulled their hands apart.

When Chike talked again, he had the same accent as Naya, the same American accent that native folks found hard to understand but loved hearing. It was the first time Jason heard Chike speak with an accent.

"It is a pleasure meeting you, Naya" Chike said with a smile that could melt a girl's heart in seconds

"The pleasure is all mine' Naya was flirtatious.

Naya was wearing a pair of yellow garden boot and jean jumpsuit. She had to pull off her yellow gardening hand glove when she was introduced to Chike. Gardening and sewing was one of the few chore she enjoyed doing.

Malawi soil was fertile and the vegetable she grew, were the best she had ever seen.

Naya plans to expand her garden, maybe try to grow corn and groundnut maybe even tomatoes next season. She also plans to enlist the help of the locals and few teenagers that loved gardening to help expand.

So far the number of teenagers that offered to help her with gardening was zero. Apparently, teenagers had something against dirt and soil even John had declined, saying it wasn't manly to grow vegetables but he promised to teach her how to farm cassava and sweet potatoes.

Naya had long decided to decline John's offer when she found out that she would have to use a hoe bigger than her to construct ridges.

Naya dusted the dirt off her jumpsuit and lead the way to the general area otherwise known as the visitors lounge. She offered Jason's best friend the only armchair in the lounge and sat on the bench while Jason kept standing.

Her first impression of Chike was that he was a handsome man; easy going by the way he was dressed. She knew he was flirting with her and she returned the favor. He was the type of man that will open the door for a girl just for the fun of watching her blush.

But Naya knew well enough to know that there might be a few skeletons hidden beneath a pretty face. The world wasn't full of roses.

Naya changed her mind immediately maybe the world was full of roses; funny fact, roses had thorns and if you weren't careful enough, it could cause you a world of hurt.

"I see you came bearing gifts, you got a car for Jason" Naya smiled and tucked some rogue strands of brown hair behind her ear.

"I can afford to buy myself a car thank you very much. But you aren't wrong; Chike has agreed to donate…." Jason wanted to tell Naya about the money Chike wanted to give to the Orphans but Chike interrupted him before he could finish.

"What my dumb friend here felt like you should know, even though it was meant to be a surprise, was that I got some tickets for the children to go sightseeing tomorrow" Chike said and clasped his hands together

"That is awfully nice of you…thank you and I am sure the children will be pumped at the idea of leaving the orphanage for fun time" Naya smiled brightly and stretched out her hand to shake Chike.

Chike squeezed her hand briefly and let it go.

"It was actually Jason's idea" Chike said and smiled innocently at Jason

"It was?" Jason asked hand akimbo. His friend was playing games.

"That doesn't really sound like Jason, he literally loves to keep a distance between him and the kids; the further the better" Naya said astonished

"But Jason really is good guy… he even volunteered to take the children out himself tomorrow" Chike smiled brightly as his friends face turned in a frown and then a murderous scowl.

"I didn't" Jason said through his tightened lips.

"Oh boy, I think you really did…not to exaggerate but I must have heard you say it 7 million times" Chike skillfully and cunningly hinted on the amount Jason asked him to donate to the Orphanage.

It was settled, Chike was blackmailing his friend to spend some time with the Orphans.

"Is that true, Jason?" Naya asked almost hopeful.

"I guess I did, isn't that awesome?" Jason wanted to puke. The idea of spending hours with children was nauseating at best.

"I will find a way to repay this kind favor to you my dear friend…I really can't wait"

Jason patted his friend's shoulder but deliberately tightened the grip on Chike's shoulder in a way a normal human being would have finch at best but Chike didn't show any sign of discomfort. He smile never wavered.

"I hope you will be joining us, Chike" Naya inquired

"Of course he will…there is no way I will let him miss out on all the fun I will be having tomorrow, right Chike?" Jason simply stated.

Jason still had a frown.

"I really wish I could buddy but I have to go save the world…again" Chike said with a smile that said he was joking but his eyes told a different story.

"Let me guess…if you tell what you will be doing then you will have to kill me" Jason said with a smile that barely touched his eyes too. Jason was serious.

"No…I just don't want to spend the whole day with a bunch of toddlers and worst… teenagers, I rather shoot myself on the foot but have fun Yagazie" Chike's laughter echoed even Naya smiled too.

At night as the two friends planned to retire for the day, Naya had a bunk bed wheeled into Jason's room. Chike thanked her and helped make the bed. He freshened up and took the up bunk bed while Jason took the down part.

"Thanks for coming out here to see me. It is really good to see a friendly face" Jason said as he lay on the bed.

"I like to think you would do the same for me if the case was reversed" Chike replied

It was a statement that needed no reply, Chike knew he would.

"I will find a way to pay back your money…but don't you want to know why I can't use my money?" Jason asked honestly

"No but I know you have a good reason" Chike replied

Jason almost smiled, the kind of trust his friend was putting in him was heartwarming. It felt nice to have someone to talk to.

"You don't feel anything for her" Chike stated

"I don't feel anything for whom?" Jason asked

"Naya… you don't have feelings for her…I might be wrong, which rarely happens but you are sleeping with Naya" Chike spoke in a soft voice.

"And I am sure you have an opinion about that" Jason voice carried no hint of emotion.

"I do. She is good for you" Chike said again in a soft voice.

"What makes you think that she is good for me, Chike?" Jason asked.

"Because she doesn't have feelings for you too and so, you two are perfect for each other…. What you are doing for these children I can comfortable say; it is God's work and I am glad you will stay in Malawi to finish it. And with the arrangement you have with Naya, you will definitely stay"

"What is that supposed to mean, Chike?" Jason voice contained a hint of anger

"Like you always say love is not your thing, Jason"

The room was quiet for a while. After a few minutes when Chike heard Jason snore softly, he turned his face to the wall and said.

"You don't know how lucky you are my dear friend. You are running away from what most of us wants desperately"

Jason opened his eyes and he could have sworn he heard loneliness in Chike's voice.