10. Make yourself at home

He drew the chair to face me who was sitting on the bed.

I drew a deep breath and made quick guesses. I told him everything about myself, all the sufferings I had passed through... practically everything but I left out me sleeping with John and Mr Grumpy and about Reverend Lawrence raping me.

It was too sensitive a topic and way too personal for me to just disclose it to someone I barely knew like that. I simply said I couldn't get any money to treat my mother and that's why she died.

He listened to me with rapt attention and had a sympathetic look on his face.

I explained how I never knew my dad nor any of my relatives. I also told him how my mum had been bedridden and I had to become the family's breadwinner and how my house had caught fire and I had to exit from my environment quickly for fear of being taken to jail since I was unable to pay for the damages ensued.

He sighed deeply. "Your story is.... It's so touching. You've gone through a lot at a very young age." He said, so kindly.

"Yeah." I said, looking down.

"I'm sure you have dreams... Big dreams and you shouldn't let all that has happened weigh you down, okay?" He said.

I gave a weird chuckle. "Dreams? I had dreams. I wanted to be a renowned chef and be really wealthy and change the life of my mother. And I wanted to see my dad begging on his knees and I'll just...." I laughed. "You know, drive past him splashing water all over him. I... I wanted to teach my relatives a lesson of the stone who they rejected becoming the chief cornerstone. But, here I am." I said with a mixture of disappointment and sadness.

"Well, you can be whoever you dream. You just have to believe and not give up" He said.

"Stop acting like a motivational speaker. I gave up on all my dreams a long time ago."

He opened his mouth to speak.

"And nothing's gonna change that." I added shaking my head at him.

He closed his mouth and then opened them again, speaking up. "I won't stop you from giving up. It's fine by me. I mean, it's your choice; but I'm just still curious about some things."

"Okayyy?"

"Don't you have any friends at all that could've helped you out or didn't your mum have friends?" He asked.

"I don't have any friend. I had someone I trusted but..... But... Let's just leave that topic." I said, looking away from him.

He started laughing. "Sounds like it was a guy." He said amidst his laughter.

I just glared at him without saying a word.

He rose from his chair and sat close to me on the bed.

"Now, now, Cas, tell me; who broke your heart?" He asked.

"No one." I snapped furiously.

"Ca.....ssssss....." He drew out my name annoyingly. "Tell me the truth, honey, who shattered your heart into shreds?" He asked again.

"Don't call me that." I retorted.

"What should I not call you? Honey?? Oh! Did he call you honey and still broke your heart?" He asked, with a grin.

"Just leave me alone. You all are the same." I roared.

He jumped like he had won a trophy. "Ahan! I knew it was a boy problem." He said.

"Amsey... Just leave me alone." I told him calmly.

"Hey, don't be upset. It's hard to see a nice guy like me." He said, with a smile.

Must he always be happy? I eyed him disapprovingly.

"Don't even give me that look. You also said my kind is rare, didn't you?"

Now, I regretted saying it.

"Anyways, back to what I was saying, most guys are cruel. They like taking advantage of young girls like you but that's just life for you. There are certain bad experiences we all must go through. An example is heartbreak. It's an experience we all have to go through at a point in time... Although, I've never got my heart broken." He winked.

"Oh really? I'll be the first one to break your heart then." I said, folding my arms.

He chuckled. "Don't flatter yourself, Cas. Back to what I was saying, you just have to bounce back from it. Not all men are the same, okay?"

I sighed. "Okay."

"Yeah. But weren't you too young to be in a relationship? Aren't you like 18 or 19?" He asked.

"How could I forget? You're psychic." I rolled my eyes.

He grinned. "So which one is it? 18 or 19?"

"18."

"I was....."

The sound of his phone ringing cut him off. He picked up the phone and received the call signalling he'll continue the conversation when he was done.

"Yeah? Come get the keys." He said and hung up.

"That was my employee. He needs the keys to the Cybercafe. I'm late for work today because of you and he needs to open up the Cafe and start things over there." He explained.

John never received a call in my presence and didn't tell me what his calls were about.

"So you're 18, hunh? I was right."

His words drew me back to consciousness.

Okay, I really needed to stop the comparison between him and John.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah." I replied. "I'm just surprised. You're a student, right? How come you own a business?" I asked.

"Students own businesses too. Don't they?" He said nonchalantly.

I shrugged."Yeah. But how old are you?" I asked.

"Can't you guess?" He asked.

"I'm not psychic like you, I can't guess." I retorted.

"Just guess." He pressed further.

"You just want me to make a mistake and laugh at me." I retorted.

He laughed briefly. "You're knowing me more." He said and paused.

"Anyways, I'm 20 but I'll be 21 in a few months." He concluded.

My Jaws dropped and my mouth opened. "You're lying." I accused.

"What makes you say that?" He asked, visibly appalled.

"You're too young to own a business. You don't even look like someone who works. No offence, but you seem like a spoilt rich brat." I said, still in disbelief.

He only smiled. "It's fair for you to think like that but I can't tell you much about me. I think you should just know you're not the only one who has gone through a lot. I've gone through worse but I broke free, believed in God's word and looked beyond the bitterness of life and today, I'm an undergraduate in one of the best schools in Nigeria, University of Lagos (Unilag), and a proud CEO of a successful business at the young age of 20 without any help from my family. Believe it or not, Cas." He said reassuringly.

"Wow!" I was bewildered.

Not only was I amazed at the fact that he had also been through hell but I was also shocked at the fact that he believed in God. That was one hell of a surprise.

"I'm beyond just a playful handsome guy. That's just a facade for who I truly am. And I believe that with time, you'll know me more." He said.

"I never thought I'd see the day you spoke reasonably. You're an overcomer and I'm glad you broke out of the struggles of life." I said, with a smile.

He smiled too. "Thank you."

"You're always welcome." I responded.

My stomach growled.

I felt a tinge of embarrassment.

"I'm sorry." I apologized, looking away.

He laughed. "I should be the one apologizing for not feeding my guest." He said.

His doorbell rang.

"I'm coming." He said, jumped off the bed, fetched a bunch of keys from the table and hurried out of the room shutting the door softly.

I smiled as I watched him go. He was a nice person, just annoying. His voice sounded like he had had a bad experience in life but he was desperately trying to hide it. There was something about him.... Something I couldn't quite point out. He was a cheerful person but just now as he spoke to me, I saw pain buried deep in his eyes. Something was up with him and I had to find out.

This is not your home, how will you find out? The voice in my head questioned.

I was pulled back into a complete state of sadness.

How could I had almost forgotten? This wasn't my home. Soon, I'd have to leave and face life on the streets. I didn't even have a dime on me. Maybe I could ask him to lend me a small amount of money. No! I resolved that I shouldn't ask him for anything. I could search for a job at a restaurant in a supermarket with an accommodation or something. Or maybe...."

The sound of the door opening stopped my thoughts.

He was back!

"Hi." I said.

"That was Ken, the employee I told you about." He explained. "I'm sorry if I took your time." He apologized.

"No, it's fine." I said.

"Sure? You'll be seeing more of Ken though. He's a thoughtful and funny guy. He's a hustler with a brave spirit. I love his energy and attitude." He said.

Seeing more of Ken? What did he mean? Seems like he had also forgotten I was just a guest and would have to leave soon.

I had to tell him I was going and appreciate his kindness towards me. He was a good guy, he'll surely be rewarded.

I stood to my feet and straightened my skirt.

I walked closer to him and smiled.

"To be honest, you can be annoying but you're a great guy. I'm really really really grateful for you helping me out when I collapsed yesterday. You accommodated me and gave me your bed and encouraged me to not give up. I'm grateful. Thank you so much. I can never ever repay you but may God in his infinite Mercy reward you for the generosity you've shown to me. Thank you again." I said calmly and honestly.

Yeah, I believed in God again. I said inwardly to the voice in my head which was surprised at my utterances.

"Why are you talking like this? Are you going somewhere?" He asked, looking dumbfounded.

"You accommodated me for the night but it's time for me to leave, isn't it?" I asked.

"Leave to where? I thought you don't have anywhere to go." He retorted.

"I don't but....." I stopped.

"But what?" He motioned for me to continue.

"I need to go now. The accommodation was just for the night. I feel like I've overstayed my welcome and...."

He cut me off.

" yen yen yen yen yen. Keep quiet." He hissed. "You don't have to be so polite. Did I complain of your presence? You don't even have anywhere to go and you're here saying you want to go. Make yourself at home. It's fine." He said, in his childish tone again.

"But...."

He interrupted me again by placing his forefinger on my lips.

"No buts. I kept your polythene bag in the wardrobe. Go to the bathroom and freshen up. There are new toiletries you can make use of. When you're done, join me at the dining. I'll have prepared something for you." He said, without pausing for breath.

"What?" I was perplexed, removing his finger from my lips.

"You understand English, right? Or have you suddenly gone deaf?" He asked, grinning.

"Are you serious?" I couldn't believe it.

He placed his hands on my shoulders. "I'm serious, Cas. Make yourself at home." He said.

A tear slid down my left cheek.

"Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm immensely grateful." I said.

"It's fine. Let me go prepare something. See you later." He said and left the room.

The tears flowed from my eyes.

I wasn't crying because of a bad thing. I was just... Just so happy.

God existed.

He truly did!!