Lilies on Bridges accompanied by trouble

As I hugged him, I felt his body stiffen. For a moment, it felt like he was surprised and probably didn't want that much intimacy.

Sensing that, I slowly drifted away from him. My actions grew nervous and awkward as I stared hard at the ground.

"How did you find my house?" I managed to ask, my eyes still on the ground.

"Um…I asked people around and they directed me here and I thought we should go watch the movie today," His words sounded more like a question than the statement it was supposed to be.

"Sure," I finally lifted my gaze. "Yeah. We should but first, come in."

"Thank you," He nodded.

As his tall figure walked into the living room, I could see an eagle's eyes feasting on his body.

And why the hell was Sharon staring at him like a vulture ready to devour prey?

"You have a nice home," Miles remarked in a way that made it seem like my home reminded him of his.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I added.

He quickly waved his hand. "No. I'm just fine."

"Alright then. I better go get ready," I pursed my lips and immediately ventured up the stairs.

Although there was something bothering me and that was the fact that Sharon would be alone in the living room with Miles.

I had managed to make it halfway up the stairs when I heard Sharon's loud voice. My legs halted.

"Hey handsome," She said.

Miles totally ignored her the first time but I knew Sharon very well, she was never the type to back down when she saw "handsome".

Now, I was in sorrow as to why Miles even came to my house. Thank God my mother wasn't at home to witness his visit.

"Hey handsome," She said once again.

"Hi," I could tell Miles' response was forced.

"Tilda is my sister, you know. Has she ever told you about me?"

Na wa o! Wonders shall never end in this world.

So because of a fine guy, Sharon remembered that I am her sister.

"She didn't," Miles simply answered.

"Ehen…Maybe she was planning on telling you soon," She chuckled. "So are you two dating?"

That was when I choked in silence.

"No," Miles answered firmly and water started coming out of my eyes. "We're just friends."

"Ehen…" Sharon pursed her lips and her eyes moved around like she was one of the suspects on "ITV's Izigan".

"Yes," Miles nodded.

"Ah but you're too fine o. You're an half caste, right? Because this your mocha brown skin is golden o."

"I am."

"Ehen! You're too fine sha."

"Thank you."

Miles then glanced at his wristwatch. I was sure he was waiting for me.

They weren't aware I was hiding in the stairs but, I just wanted to hear more of their conversation first.

"So if you and my sister are not together…um…I really like you. Don't be angry, it's just a mutual feeling."

"I see," Miles replied so dryly and that was enough to convince me that he was powerful enough to wade of Sharon's witchcraft.

Throughout their conversation, I sensed 15 juju used by Sharon and those 15 were destroyed by Miles.

With satisfaction, I tiptoed to my room and put on a simple white turtleneck shirt accompanied with a body hugging black dress with thin straps and small box patterns of white that complimented my dark skin. This time, I left my hair in an afro. Lastly, a pair of white sneakers graced my feet.

Nobody needed to tell me that I looked like an African goddess.

"I'm ready," I announced my presence in the living room, beaming smiles at Miles.

"Great. We should leave now," He half smiled.

Perhaps it was just my imagination but I swear I saw his eyes move up and down my body. My heart sank and shivers ran down my spine. The thought of changing occurred to me.

"Shall we?" He held out his hand.

"Yes," I smiled and placed mine in his.

As we about to step out of the house, we heard words of sneer.

"If you like, Tilda, come back home 12 midnight like you always do."

However, that was none of our concern and we left.

*.*.*.

Lilies on Bridges was so fire and I was yet to get over that fantastic experience in the cinema.

The actors played their roles perfectly, making the story seem even better than it should be.

"Like you know the time when Riley's home got invaded by the special force, I was hoping they wouldn't find the orb there! Do you know the panic I went through?" I laughed as we drove home.

"I actually thought they were going to find the orb. That Stupid Delilah just f*cked Riley up. I knew she would betray him last last," Miles shook his head.

"Ah that was fun though. I can't wait for the next season. I hope it comes out next year," I clasped my hands in prayer.

"I hope so too," Miles nodded.

It was a fun going out with him, I must say. He was a good friend but definitely not as good as my one and only Kiki.

Nevertheless, he wanted to stop his car right in front of my house but I pleaded with him against the idea and he agreed to drop me off at the junction.

"Bye," He waved.

"Bye, I'll text you. We need to talk about your disappearance" I waved as well and scurried off.

It was 5:00pm and I was already tired from the day's activities.

I stepped into the living room, almost oblivious of anyone's presence when I heard an overly familiar loud voice.

Mrs. Olusegun.

To be honest, if there was one thing my mum and Sharon shared mist in common, it was that loud eba voice.

"Madam, where are you coming from?" My mum sat down on a couch like the queen she thought she was while Richard sat on the couch on her right and Sharon on her left.

"I went out," I rolled my eyes. "Besides, when did you start caring about where I go? When I come home late, you never mind but today that I finally returned early, you're asking where I am coming from."

"Are you mad?" The speed my mum swept to give me a hot slap on cheek was inhumane.

I opened my mouth but no words came out instead, my emotions seeped out from my eyes as tears.

"I said where are you coming from? Who are you to question me? Oh now I see that your Father's evil spirit had possessed you."

"Please have some respect for your late husband," I wanted to say but I knew best than to do so.

"I went out with a friend," I mumbled.

"Hmm!" Sharon exclaimed. "Boyfriend, you mean."

"It is God that will punish your mouth," I thundered at her still in tears and trust my mother, she landed me another slap.

"Don't you dare talk to the child who brings me great joy. You bring me nothing but bad luck everytime I set eyes on you," My mother hissed.

Afterwards, she ordered Sharon to bring her phone.

"What is this?" My mum opened the phone and showed me a video.

Wait…

A video of me hugging Miles at the door…

I hope you see the reason why I hate Sharon so much.

"It's nothing but a show of platonic friendship," I retorted.

"Friendship with a boy? Hey!" My mum screamed like I had done the most abominable thing on Earth.

"So this is what you want to become?" Richard chipped in. "A prostitute? I am so disappointed in you. Look at how you are dressed."

What was wrong with what I was wearing? Sharon wears worse!

"I don't blame you nau. It is because you feel your features are now bigger than mine. You are now a full grown woman, abi? Everything dey abi?" My mother insulted the living day out of me.

"Ashawo!" Sharon laughed.

That was where she crossed the limits. I didn't care if my mother was here or not, I rushed at her and made sure my fingers did enough justice to her face before I was stopped.

I hated every one of them so much just as much as they seemed to hate me.

Sharon was the spoilt brat and Mother knew it yet why did she always taint me bad?

Why did mother always have to make me feel like I was nothing to her? If not for the resemblance we shared, nothing in the world would have convinced me that she was my mother.

"Daddy where are you?" I cried with my head buried in my pillow. The pain that coursed through my body from the night's beating still present.