A Break

Lanre declined the call and then turns off her phone. She did not want anyone to get her upset. She had no clue why her brother has been calling her on phone, but she was yet to be in her best mood. She did not want anybody to reprimand her and tell her she lacks respect because of the way she talks. And that’s what will happen if she answers the call at this point in time.

“You refused to answer your phone. What if it is a customer calling?” Christian asked Lanre appearing by her side. She told him it was her brother. He made an “oh”. Then he smiled at her. He asked if it was her big brother or kid brother. She told him it’s her big brother. Then she scoffs.

“Big brother my foot”. She muttered. Christian grabbed her waist and made her stand still. They both looked like lovers by the sea.

“Is this why you’ve been sad? You had a misunderstanding with your brother?” Christian asked. Lanre looks back and forth from his hands on her waist to his face trying to signal him to let go, but he seemed not to have understood. His hands remained on her waist and she felt uncomfortable.

“Chris, remove your hand from my waist”. Lanre said. She was shocked when Christian boldly told her he was not going to do that. She did not expect such an answer. She suddenly fear how Christian saw her. He noticed it and quickly added,

“Until you tell me what’s wrong with you, it will be your punishment”. Christian added. Lanre scoffs. She tries to pull Christian’s hand away from her waist but he tightened his grip on her. And when it seems as though Lanre was getting the upper hand, Christian began to tickle her. And soon the both of them began to play. He chased after her while she kept trying to avoid his hands from touching her so he does not get to tickle her.

While Christian chased her, he could tell her laugh has changed. He could feel her soul alive as she laughed. He was happy she was now laughing. They played around and took pictures until they were exhausted.

They returned to the hotel, they already paid for rooms which they will be spending the night. And Lanre was happy because she got to stay away from her house. She did not want to go home yet. She was yet to brace up to losing Chidinma. If she goes home, Chidinma would not be there, and she was already missing her.

Lanre laid on the bed in her hotel room. She played with her phone for a while before turning it back on. The first notification that popped up was a message from her brother.

“Make sure you find your way to Ibadan tomorrow Sunday! Don’t even try me by not showing up”.

Lanre scoffs after seeing her brother’s message. Was he home? Did they give him a break in the navy?