" You know, I am starting to doubt whether you are really an architect or a spy," I said the moment I stepped outside my house and spotted Nick on his sidewalk.
Nick gave me a questionable look, confused by my words.
"How come we are wearing the same color of clothing," I explained, looking at his attire.
He was clad in black jeans and a black hoody and was wearing black canvas. I, on the other hand, was in black, ragged jeans and a black turtleneck.
It was late in the evening, so the heat had cooled off.
Nick looked at himself and then at me, as if confirming what I said. "And how does that have to do with me being a spy?" he asked, tucking both his hand in his pants pocket. I was already in front of him.
" Who knows, maybe you put a camera in my room?" I answered, tilting my head jokingly. I heard Nicky laugh before leaning closer to my ear and whispering.
"Don't worry. If I had to put a camera in your room, then it wouldn't be for us to match clothes." My once-cooled-off body started heating again. I don't think I would ever get used to Nick's sudden attacks on my nerves and hormones.
"B...but that would make you a pervert," I stammered, battling to get my bearing back.
Oh boy, why did he have to make my mind think of things I should not be thinking? But then again, the thought of having him spy on me through...I shuddered inwardly, brushing away the thought that brought nothing but-
" Don't tell me you actually think of the possibility of me doing that?" Nick's question put a halt to my thoughts.
"That will make a psychopath and not a pervert. Don't worry, I'll never stoop that low; rather, I would ask you directly to strip for me." He added shamelessly, his devious smirk playing on his lips.
" You are full of yourself," I scoffed, walking past him before I could make a fool of myself.
His low rumble of a chuckle followed, and he walked to catch up to me.
"Though, I hope I won't cause you any trouble if your boyfriend sees us in a matching outfit," I wanted to pause my footstep and look at him at his query but decided against it.
"If you want to ask if I have a boyfriend, then just ask," I scoffed haughtily, crossing my arms. But all this time, I was biting my inner cheek, suppressing the smile that wanted to come out.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Maybe I forgot how unabashed this man could be. I was not expecting him to be this straightforward.
"Why? You want to be my boyfriend?" I decided to retort, not wanting to back down.
"Why? You want me to be your boyfriend?" came his reply, which got my brain to screech for seconds.
Why? Why can't I just win when it comes to this guy? It's like, no matter what I try to do or argue back, he will always have a comeback!
"Why can't you just answer a simple question like a normal person?" I grumbled under my breath, increasing my pace so that he wouldn't see my flushed face.
"It's so fun teasing you," I heard him say while tittering. "Well, I am glad you are having it, Mr." I rolled my eyes, but still smiling.
"And to your question, I am very single—too much, maybe—that I have to endure my friend's jibs every day," I answered to his earlier question. It wasn't necessary for me to answer him, but I didn't see any harm.
"So we are both single." I tried harder than before not to smile, but the news was so pleasing to my ear and my being to not react.
"I never asked that," I mumbled, fighting with my smile only to hear him laugh. I titled my head so that I could see his face. He was indeed enjoying riling and teasing me.
"I know." His inaudible answer made me steal a glance at him questioningly before I shook my head.
"Anyway, do you have a place in mind that you would like to visit first? It's already dark," I asked as we continued to walk.
"How about the hardware first? I would like to buy some tools for the house," Nick suggested, to which I nodded.
"Before that, allow me to treat you to something special. Trust me, you'll enjoy it," I insisted, gently tugging at his arm and quickening our pace.
"Here we are!" I announced as we arrived at our destination—a modest stall renowned for its mutura. The vendor, a towering figure wrapped in a maroon Maasai shawl, greeted us warmly.
"Jambo, msupa!" Jay called out, his attention momentarily diverted from the bustling queue of customers.
"Hello, Jay! Business seems to be thriving," I replied, admiring the lively scene.
Jay was busy attending to another customer, his tall stature and neatly tied dreadlocks adding to his striking appearance.
"Interested in trying one?" Nick inquired, his hand lightly grasping my wrist.
"Why, are you not a fan? Surely, you can handle a Kenyan delicacy," he teased, a chuckle escaping him.
"On the contrary, I adore them. It's just surprising to find you share the same taste," he admitted, my frown deepening.
"And why is that?" I pressed, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Well, you're a woman, and many tend to shy away from such robust flavors, fearing an upset stomach," he explained, and I instantly grasped his implication.
"Have no fear; my stomach is as sturdy as they come," I assured him with a grin, patiently awaiting our turn.
"They also say it's unclean," he added, to which I snorted dismissively.
"Ever heard the adage that the most delectable bites come from the humblest of places?" I quipped, eliciting laughter from him. Whether he found me amusing or was simply jovial by nature, I couldn't tell. Either way, his laughter was music to my ears.
"Indeed? Then lead on, oh lady of Mutura," he said, and I rolled my eyes playfully before stepping up to savor the steaming sausages.
"Aha, Mandy, you've left me in the lurch so much it hurts," Jay began with his usual theatrics, clutching his chest as if wounded.
"I was just here two days ago," I replied, rolling my eyes at his melodrama.
"But I've missed you for those two days..." He trailed off when he noticed Nick, then, with a sly grin, he added, "Ah, now I understand why," giving Nick a knowing look.
"Mandy, how could you do this to me? My heart is shattered. I thought we were destined," he wailed, his 'sorrow' as genuine as a three-dollar bill.
"Jay, the only destiny I see is between me and this scrumptious food right here," I said, eagerly rubbing my hands together. Jay was always the joker, claiming he'd marry me and my friends if he could.
"You're so callous. Won't you introduce us?" he complained. I sighed, resigned to play along.
"Nick, meet Jay—the drama king. His only redeeming quality is his knack for making these sausages. And Jay, this is Nick, my friend and the new guy in town."
"Friend, is it?" Jay quipped.
That's when I felt Nick's arm drape over my shoulder, possessively, if I may add. I was taken aback, feeling a rush of goosebumps as my heart raced.
What's he up to?
I looked up at him, and he was already smirking down at me.
"Well, heartache aside, he seems like a decent pick," Jay muttered, breaking my train of thought.
"Mandy?" A familiar voice called from behind, prompting me to grimace before turning around. There stood my friends, wearing looks of surprise, as shameless as ever in their curiosity.
"Um, hi," I greeted them, a forced smile on my face.
"And here are my other two future brides," Jay announced grandly.
"You all look stunning, as usual," he continued, and I turned back to Nick, who was offering me a piece of sausage. "Thanks," I murmured, then faced my friends approaching us. They were, indeed, a sight to behold.
Carrie, ever the fashionista, was in a black twist-top and jeans, topped with a maroon jacket that screamed style. Lizzy was equally striking in a black-and-white striped crop top and loose blue pants, her look was completed with a trendy sling bag. We had an unspoken rule: when one wears pants, we all wear pants.
"This is quite the surprise..." Lizzy remarked, eyeing Nick and me. "...and to think we pegged our friend here as the shy type. Who knew she had a streak of lightning in her?" she teased, feigning innocence.
"I'd say the speedy one is the boy next door," Carrie chimed in, smiling at Nick. And the teasing began.
"He's got to be a heartbreaker. Just remember, break her heart, and you'll have three furious women on your trail," she warned playfully.
"Psychotic ones, at that," Lizzy added, her tone half-joking, half-serious, prompting a hearty laugh from Nick.
"Enough, you two," I said, trying to silence their teasing.
"I take the warning seriously. The fact that you ladies savor blood sausage says it all," Nick replied, his hands up in mock surrender.
"Now that you call it blood sausages, it does sound a bit ominous," Carrie said, and we all shared a laugh.
"Lizzy, Lizzy, my beautiful onyinye," Jay flirted, his eyebrows dancing comically.
"Enough, Jay. I've got a man, so back off," Lizzy cut him off sharply.
"Oh, my heart—"
"Serve me now, or you'll regret it." Lizzy's playful threat seemed to work as Jay's pout quickly turned into a grin, and he shifted his attention to Carrie.
"My African queen—"
"Taken," she interjected, and we couldn't help but laugh at Jay's exaggerated despair. His antics always brightened the mood.
With my friends' arrival, we lent Nick a hand with his hardware haul. Despite the weight, the camaraderie made it enjoyable, even if my friends' not-so-subtle matchmaking attempts left me red-faced.
"I can't wait to see how this place transforms," Lizzy mused, surveying Nick's house. We had just finished unloading everything inside.
"Same here. It's barely halfway done, but Bob's lingering presence is already fading," Carrie added, nodding in agreement.
"Let's not even speak of that man. Peace has finally returned with his departure," I chimed in, sharing Lizzy's relief.
Bob was notorious for his lack of cleanliness, and I often wondered how he managed to charm anyone, but then again, money talks.
"He certainly left quite the impression," Nick remarked, sliding his hands into his jeans pockets.
"You have no idea," I replied. "Anyway, you should get some rest. You've been at it all day," I suggested, noticing the weariness behind his handsome features.
"And don't push yourself too hard," I quickly added, anticipating his protest. I had a feeling he'd work through the night if left to his own devices.
"We know you found this place in a sorry state, but pace yourself. You'll need the energy for tomorrow," I advised.
"Alright, Mom. I'll take a break," Nick responded with a playful scoff. My friends' laughter echoed behind me as they said their goodbyes and stepped outside, waiting for me at the doorstep.
"Goodnight, sleep well," I said, fumbling with my fingers.
"Goodnight to you too," he replied. As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
"Yes?" I spun around, surprised.
"Um, I was wondering...if...we..." For the first time, I heard hesitation in the voice of the usually confident man. His fingers nervously combed through his hair.
"Could I get your number?" he blurted out, catching me off guard.
"My number?" I echoed, unsure if I heard him right.
"Yeah, your number...you know, in case of an emergency, like a break-in," he explained, and I couldn't suppress a blush. He was still being teaseful.
"Of course," I smiled, taking his phone and entering my digits.
"Goodnight, Nick,"
"Goodnight, beautiful," he called out
It was as if every nerve in my body sprang to life, a symphony of sensation at his single word of endearment. Each time he called me beautiful, it wasn't just a word; it felt like a brushstroke adding color to my very being.
"What was that all about?" Carrie's voice pierced the magical bubble as soon as I stepped out of his house.
"Oh, you have so much to spill, beautiful," Lizzy teased, her imitation of Nick's voice sending a wave of laughter through me.
I said nothing, only smiled as I hurried into the safety of our home. The urge to talk was there, bubbling up, but it paled in comparison to the need to pour my thoughts into my diary.
2nd February
Dear Diary,
As I write, the memory of his smirk, that confident yet tender gaze, all comes rushing back. It's in these quiet moments, with pen in hand, that I admit to myself—perhaps there's more to this than mere attraction. Perhaps, just maybe, this is the beginning of a beautiful story.
And so, dear diary, I find myself at a crossroads of emotion and reason, where every mention of 'beautiful' feels like a promise, a possibility of something more profound.
Until tomorrow's entry,
Excitement of what is yet to come.