A Date To Remember

Soon, our dishes arrive, and the waiter sets them down on the table, the rice steaming invitingly.

The aroma of spicy goodness wafts into my nostrils, making my mouth water in anticipation, and I can't help but salivate at the scent.

"Enjoy," the waiter says with a smile before departing.

"So, you ready for this?" Kendrick asks, pulling my attention to him.

"Yeah, I'm always ready, but I don't know about you," I respond with a smirk.

He grins mischievously, "We'll see about that," and pulls out his utensils, ready to dive in.

I watch as he mixes half of the rice with the sauce, then bends his head to sniff it.

"Mmm, I'm loving the aroma already - it's straight fire!" he exclaims.

"Go ahead, try it," I encourage him.

"Nah, let's try it together."

"Oh, okay, no problem," I say as I pick up my spoon.

I quickly mix my rice and sauce, and we both take a small scoop, blowing gently on the steaming hot food before taking a bite.

"Hmm," I hum in satisfaction as I chew, savoring the sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors that dance on my tongue before swallowing.

I glance over at Kendrick, curious about his reaction. He's nodding slowly, his eyes narrowed in concentration, and a subtle frown furrows his brow, making me chuckle.

"So, how is it?" I ask, eager to hear his thoughts.

He glances at me, his eyes watering slightly, and says, "It's... it's good... really good."

"Oh, really? So, how's the spice?"

"It's okay... but just a little too much."

I notice how he blows out air from his mouth, a telltale reaction to the spiciness, and I can't help but chuckle once more at his adorable response.

"I warned you, didn't I?" I tease, trying to stifle my grin.

"No, I'm not complaining, it's really good."

"Oh wow, but you don't look like you're okay," I say, laughing.

"I'm fine," he says, taking a sip of water from his glass before loading up his spoon again.

"Kendrick, isn't that enough?" I ask, chuckling.

He shakes his head, his red lips puffed out slightly. "I'm fine, I'm okay," he repeats.

"You're so sensitive, Kendrick, I told you you couldn't handle it."

"I can handle it," he says, taking another spoonful.

"Uhm, Kendrick," I call out, my concern growing as he continues to eat despite his obvious discomfort.

He doesn't respond, too focused on conquering the spicy dish.

I watch in a mix of amusement and worry as he takes another spoonful, his eyes now visibly red and glossy with tears.

He's sniffling and sniffing, but still, he persists. "Kendrick, maybe you should stop?"

He shakes his head, his determination admirable but also a bit ridiculous.

"I...I can handle it," he stammers, his voice trembling slightly.

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical. "Really? Because it looks like you're about to cry."

He glares at me, still sniffling, but a hint of a smile on his lips. "I'm not going to cry."

"Well, don't say I didn't warn you," I say with a sly smile.

"I won't be comforting you when the tears start flowing."

He ignores my teasing and continues eating, and I find myself watching him intently, my own food forgotten.

He's incredibly stubborn, I'll give him that.

Just as I'm thinking he's about to surrender, he takes one final bite and declares, "Done!"

My eyes widen in shock as I glance at his plate, which is indeed empty.

But despite his triumph, he looks a bit...green around the gills.

I stifle a giggle and smile sweetly at him. "Congratulations Mr kendrick, you've finished it."

"Mr. Kendrick?" he repeats, his voice a bit shaky.

I nod. "Yeah, so tell us what you think."

He looks at me warily, his cheeks puffing in and out as he breathes through his mouth.

"Who's the 'us'?" he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Me and you, obviously. So, go on, how do you feel?"

He begins fanning his mouth dramatically, then downs the entire glass of water in one gulp.

I raise an eyebrow. "I think-" he starts, then grabs the bottle of water the waiter left and chugs half of it surprisingly.

"That's enough, you'll burst your belly!" I exclaim, laughing.

He continues fanning his mouth, his brows furrowed in distress, then gazes at me with a desperate expression.

"Help, I'm on fire!" he cries, and I can't help but burst out laughing once more at his over-the-top antics.

"I told you that you couldn't handle it!" I say, still chuckling.

He looks at me with a pleading expression. "Whatever, just help me please!"

I smirk, enjoying my triumph. "I'd help you, only if you admit I was right."

He hesitates for a moment, then nods defeat. "Fine, fine, you were right. Just please, help me put out this fire!"

"Sure thing."

I look around the restaurant, trying to catch the eye of a waiter. I've never actually called a waiter before, and I'm not sure how to do it.

I try making eye contact with a few of them, but they're all busy with other tables.

Then I clear my throat, trying to get someone's attention. "Um, excuse me?" I say, waving my hand in the air.

A waiter finally notices me and starts walking over. "Yes, ma'am?" he asks, pen and paper at the ready.

"My friend here needs some... um... assistance."

"He's had a bit too much spice."

The waiter nods knowingly and heads off to get something. Then I turn back to Kendrick, who's still fanning his mouth.

"Help is on the way," I say with a grin.

"Who did you refer to as a friend?" he suddenly asks, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Uhh...you."

"We're not friends, okay? You and me, we're a couple," he says, still fanning his mouth.

I smirk, "What couple?"

He stops fanning, his gaze intensifying. "The rock on your finger proves it."

I raise my hand, pointing at the ring. "Oh, you mean this?"

"Yeah, I mean that!" he exclaims, his voice rising. "And where's our waiter? I'm dyin' over here!"

He then begins chugging the remaining water in the plastic bottle.

As he continues, my gaze is drawn to the lump in his throat, moving up and down, sending a flutter to my heart.

Some water spills down the sides of his lips, a seductive sight. But I quickly avert my eyes as he finishes drinking and starts panting.

That's when the waiter returns with a glass of milk. "Here, this will help," he says, handing it to Kendrick.

Kendrick takes the glass and drains it.

He hands the glass back to the waiter with a satisfied smile, and the waiter takes off.

"So, how's it going now?" I ask, smiling.

"I'm feeling way better, thanks. And I promise to always listen to you from now on."

"Very good Kenny bobo" I tease, "because I'm always right."

He raises an eyebrow, repeating, "Kenny bobo?"

I nod affirmatively. "Yeah."

"What does that even mean?" He says with a chuckle.

"It's just a playful slang."

He nods, "Oh wow, that's interesting. Speaking of names, I told you to call me Ikem, but you always end up calling me Kenderick!"

"Oh, that's right," I sheepishly reply.

"Sorry about that...I guess I'm just used to Kenderick now."

He flashes a charming smile, "Well, how about a kiss to make up for it, huh?"

"Oh, come on, kendrick, I mean Ikem! We can't do that here, not in front of all these people!"

"So, that means you want us to kiss, don't you?"

"Ikem, no! I mean, yes, I mean... uh..."

He laughs, "I knew it!"

I start chomping down on my food to cover up my nervousness, even though I can feel Kendrick's eyes on me.

"You can really handle the heat, huh?"

I glance up at him, mouth full, and he's grinning at me. "Yeah, I can handle it, but not too much, just a little kick like this."

"Cool, cool," he says, nodding in approval.

I keep eating, trying to play it cool, until the plate is empty. I didn't even get to touch the food I brought today - guess I'll just have to reheat it when I get home.

But then Kendrick's phone rings, and he answers, "Yo, what's up?"

His expression changes in an instant, and he's frowning, "No, I don't think that's a good idea... Yeah, I understand, but can't it wait?"

He listens for a bit, then says, "Fine, I'll be right there."

He hangs up and looks at me, "Mandy, I'm so sorry, but I gotta bail. My aunt's having some kind of emergency, and she needs me ASAP."

I frown, "What's going on?"

Kendrick shrugs, "No idea, but she sounded pretty upset. I'm really sorry, Mandy - I was having a great time with you."

I nod understandingly, "It's okay, really. Family comes first."

He takes my hand in both of his, his eyes locked on mine.

"Listen, I didn't want to cut our time short, but I promise to make it up to you tomorrow, okay?"

I smile, feeling a warmth in my chest. "You better keep that promise, Kendrick! Oh I mean ikem!"

He chuckles, kissing my hand repeatedly, sending flutters to my chest.

Then, he stops and looks at me, "So, I'll drop you off and then head to my aunt's."

"Wait, didn't you say she needed you ASAP?" I ask.

He nods, "I know, but..."

"You should go, Ikem. I'll call my cousin to pick me up. I don't want you to be late."

He shakes his head, "No way, Mandy. I'm not leaving you alone here. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I'll be fine, really! And think about it, the restaurant is far from my place, and it'll take a while. You should hurry!"

"But what if something happens to you?"

"Nothing will happen, I promise."

I pull my hand away from his and stand up, walking over to him.

"Get up now, you have to get there on time," I say, my hands grasping both his shoulders.

As he slowly stands, I release him and glance up at him with a reassuring smile.

"I'll be fine," I say softly.

I can see the reluctance in his eyes, but I know it's for the best. I don't want him to be late and face his aunt's wrath because of me.

I give him a gentle nudge towards the door. "Go, I'll be okay."

But he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest.

"Text me when you get back, okay?" he says.

I nod, "Yeah, I got it."

Then he pulls away, his eyes locking on mine. "I'll grab the check and then take off," he says.

"Alright, sounds good."

He waves his hand, and a waiter hurries over.

"Alright, sir, that'll be 5,000 naira. You wanna pay with transfer or card?"

"Card," kendrick responds.

The waiter starts typing on the POS while Kendrick and I exchange a gaze.

"Here you go sir," the waiter says, handing Kendrick the POS.

I watch as kendrick inputs his pin, and in no time, the payment is made, and the waiter departs.

Then Kendrick turns to me, "You sure you don't want me to drop you off, babe?"

"I'm good, go ahead," I reply, waving at him with a smile.

"Bye!"

He waves back, "Bye, love you!" He says, making my smile falter for a brief moment.

Then he turns around and starts walking away, and I whisper to myself, "Love you too."

As soon as she disappears from view behind the door, I head back to my seat, pulling out my phone to dial Daniel's number. I'm ready to clear the air and settle things between us once and for all.

******************************

         Third Person POV

                     (•‿•)

Kendrick got into his car, started the engine, and began his journey to see his aunt.

As he drove, his mind wandered back to Amanda's face, and he found it difficult to focus on the road.

He couldn't shake off the worrying thoughts about her safety, imagining the horrible consequences if she had gotten lost again - maybe even worse than the last time.

He had the urge to turn the car around and go back for her, but he knew Amanda would have likely resisted the idea.

So, he continued his thoughtful journey, lost in concern for her well-being, until he finally arrived at his aunt's office building - a large, imposing structure painted in grey and white, surrounded by an eerie emptiness.

He stepped out of his car and locked the door with a quick press of the key fob.

As he walked towards the entrance hall, his mind became preoccupied with the reason his aunt had suddenly summoned him.

He pushed open the entrance door and stepped into the lobby, where only a handful of people lingered.

Making his way to the counter, he approached a young woman in her early thirties, who was typing away on her keyboard.

"Hey," Kendrick said, and as soon as she looked up, she broke into a warm smile.

"Oh, hi Ken! How are you?"

"I'm good, you?" Kendrick replied, managing a smile in return.

"Well, I'm good too, thanks for asking! So, what brings you here this evening? Your aunt didn't give us a heads up that you were coming," she asked cheerfully.

Kendrick's brow furrowed in surprise that his aunt hadn't mentioned his arrival.

She usually notified the receptionist whenever he was visiting, so this oversight seemed unusual.

However, he quickly brushed off the thought, attributing it to her likely being preoccupied with other matters.

"I'm here to see my aunt, she wanted to see me," he responded with another smile.

"Oh, that's strange, she usually lets me know when you're coming. But she's in her office, so you can head on up and I'll let her know you're here," she said.

"Sure thing," Kendrick replied, flashing her a charming smile before heading towards the elevator.

Reaching the elevator, Kendrick pressed the call button, and the doors swiftly slid open.

He stepped inside and selected the fourth floor, where his aunt's office was located, and the elevator began ascending.

With his hands tucked in his pockets, he fixed his gaze on the floor, his mind racing with possibilities about why his aunt had summoned him.

Before long, the doors opened again, and he exited the elevator.

As he made his way to his aunt's office, he exchanged pleasantries with passersby, until he finally arrived at a door bearing the inscription: "Deputy Vice Chancellor - Mrs. Ngozi Okoro".

Kendrick rapped on the door, but when no one answered, he just walked on in and closed the door behind him.

Inside, he was greeted by the sight of a chair facing away from him, so he called out, "Hey, hello! You wanted to see me, right?"

But there was only silence, and Kendrick's brow furrowed slightly in confusion.

"Mrs. Ngozi?" he called again, but still, no response.

Kendrick took a step forward and called out again, "Is something wrong?"

A response came, but it wasn't his aunt's voice.

"Nothing's dear," a woman said, and Kendrick's frown deepened as he realized who the voice belonged to.

The chair spun around, revealing Kelly, a young woman sitting comfortably with a dark grin and sunglasses, dressed in a sleek, sleeveless blue gown.

Kendrick's expression changed from confusion to surprise as he asked, "You? What are you doing here?"

"Is that how you respond to your girlfriend?" Kelly asked, as she removed her sunglasses.

But Kendrick, visibly annoyed, raised an eyebrow and shot back, "What the hell are you doing here?"