4

Daniel

When Nnamdi drew close, I felt guilt, it looked as if he had caught me doing something not right or maybe it was just my mindset, he made me cautious of whatever I was doing, and now, I stopped smoking because I didn't want to make him make uneasy. What kind of feeling was that?. Why do I care how he feels?. It was his fault, when he choose to come close.

He was so happy to see me as if I was his long lost brother, it's been long someone ever felt so happy to see me, I didn't know if I should appreciate it or just ignore those eyes.

He was so skinny, the black T-shirt he wore were oversized on him, his hair were grown out a little bit, rough and tangled. He tried shaking me but I wasn't in for that, I mumbled "Am okay ", wondering why he made me so uneasy, there was something about him, I just can't place my hands on it, he made me extremely nervous and kept me on my toes. He was blinded to the fact that I didn't want him close.

I was taken aback, when he demanded for the smoke, in-fact, he reached for the smoke with his fingers, waiting patiently for me to put in his fingers, I wondered if this was his first time, I was so curious but still was hesitant, someone like him won't even take a blunt of weed talk more of cigarettes and beers. When he noticed my hesitation, he smiled and said

"I want to have a taste"

Why was I hesitant?, he was a grown man, he doesn't need me treating him like a kid, he could take a ciga, people younger than he was, were druggies, there are a lot of them in Lagos. But on a second thought was he trying to mock me, this was how Christians do their things, they were pretentiously judgy, was he being like that too?

I lighted and gave him the cigarettes, he inhaled it and coughed violently before handing it to me quick "sorry" he apologized "Thanks man"

He just didn't fit in, he was weak, and I knew that he would be taunted for being weak, he won't deserve any of that, i pitied him.

For a while, we remained in silence, watching people move into and move out of the clubhouse. I carefully, took my ciga, enjoying how addicting the moment was, without words, he gave me a kind of comfort and I didn't want this to end. At long last, my eyes slid over his, I was shocked to see that his eyes held a sort of admiration and respect for me, his lips smiled wildly at me

"What?" I grumbled, ready to punch those lips

"Nothing " he said quickly, his lips shook and i could that he was nervous. "I will be going back. My mum would be worried, catch you later"

I hissed. I hated that he was a mummy's boy, I could see LoLo on his face, they were practically twins.

I grabbed his arms when he was about to leave, he looked surprised at that. and as if I was burned by fire, l removed my hands quickly "Can you come to my house on Sunday ?" I blurted, That was hilarious, I hated him at the same time I wanted his presence, "I was just bored and that's all" i convinced myself

For a while,

he stood shocked before "worry"appeared on his face, I hope they weren't for me?,

"Okay, I will"

"Thank you" it was quick, forced but sincere. He later left for home.

I tried not to think too much about his coming over, I hated that worry in his eyes, I hate when people pity me, I hated being weak. I didn't let myself obsess over the fact that I needed his warm presence, i really was restless, I would like to be close with him, at the same time far away from me, he bothers me each time he appears to me. I knew what to do, I will simply ignore him when he comes or even go away just to come home at night, so I wouldn't see him. I think I would stay and know what happens next. I was so curious to know.

That Sunday was cold but very dry, I dreaded going to church because it bores me, Mother was still angry with me for not coming home on that Friday but the night of Saturday.

I had met Susan that Friday, inside the club house, she been dancing with her Friends when our eyes met. Later she opened up to me that she liked me. I love her dark-skin, the darkness of the club house rhymed with her skin, she was slim but very tall, I loved that her big boobs stood like "plaster of gold" in her dress.

She rolled her ass on my cock and they stood immediately, next thing we are fucking in a hotel room. She was sweet and adventurous on the bed and I like that.

***********

I paced restlessly In my room, my heart were speeding and my belly churned continuously, I didn't want to admit to myself that I was waiting for Nnamdi. why do I feel that my heart is about to explode?. I waited patiently for him but I didn't breath a sign of him, when Mother Left for the women's meeting, i decided to watch Tv in the sitting room, at least this will make me less nervous. I wasn't in the mood to chat with Ezinne who sat close by eating, she simply greeted me and I nodded at her, maybe she took the hint not to talk to me

I tried to relax when a knock sounded on the door, I just knew it was him, Ezinne rushed to open the door, the murmurings at the door confirmed it. When he came in and sat on the sofa, I loved the way he smelled, he smelled of some cheap perfume, this time his T-shirt wasn't oversized but it still looked big on him, beads of sweats felt to his jaw, and he smiled sheepishly at me, "Bro, sorry I came late, I had to prepare lunch for my mum"

"It's okay" I assured him, I just didn't want to send him away, I tried to keep my temper even. I wanted him around. Maybe for some reason.