Half a bottle down, fully clothed, Rahim is half-clothed, and nothing forthcoming, it was more difficult than I thought. I don't like this game; I know neither the rules nor the players.
"I need to go, nothing worth so far that I don't know. How could I think this will be worth it, too bad."
The last statement said more to me than him. The truth is I was disappointed in myself, how could I expect? I had rubbed that word off my dictionary; some words don't exist in my world, and that is one of them. Expectation is more of a fantasy or a dream, a thought in your mind, you would rather do it than wait for something from someone, or people or whoever; blind faith can be arresting.
I placed the glass between my fingers down and took the juice and drowned it. I face him, he is taken aback but I had to say it out loud. I was tired.
"I will be out of your hair soon. If you want to kill me go ahead now is a good time; I came here out of my own free will although after being beleaguered, but who cares I came through. Whatever you want to know or want, go ahead and ask or rather demand because that's your way of doing things apparently, civilization thrown out of the window. If you don't ask now don't approach me again nor disturb my peace. I got away because of you people, so coming back and bringing them to my present was a huge compromise on your end, a huge mistake; but, all done is done, go ahead and ask before I leave."
All of a sudden he stood up; guess he realized I was exhausted, or was it one of his tricks? Walks to the fridge, I was done with the silent treatments too. I got up adjusted my clothes and I was heading for the shoes when he spoke beside me. How does he walk around, does he float?
"Please don't leave." He offers me bottled water.
"Here, let's talk now."
I sit on a one-person seat at the far end of the room next to my shoes; ready for anything.
"I'm listening."
"I need your help. You are the only person who can in this case because I have verified the whole situation from all angles and you are it. There is no way out of it. I wish I could spare you all this ridicule but I have no choice now, I'm locked in a situation and you have the key. I need you to talk to your in-laws on my behalf, more so your uncle-in-law Mr. Matt because am in deep shit with him. Your in-laws hate my guts and your dad on the other hand is the only other person who could help, but you know…well, I still don't bode well with him and you know the reason behind it. Actually, you are the reason but no pointing out fingers tonight … I know we have not been on good terms but I had to approach you and keep you interested, for you to hear and help me out of my predicament."
"You have just explained yourself, the reason or the big trouble that you keep insinuating, you haven't said anything about it yet." But again it is about my in-laws, these are people you wish never to be on their bad side, any problem can be magnified beyond your imagination.
"Sober mind please, I only told you so you won't leave, it's too late. Can't trust myself to drive nor let an Uber drive you alone in this state we are in, so make yourself comfortable like old times, the difference is that you will be spending the night here not back at my old room."
Just like that, he had everything planned out; he hadn't even heard my opinion yet. I'm not drunk and I would wish to go home. After how he manhandled me previously that still lingers in my mind, now he is all bossy and acting all good to me like we were best of friends. He assumes you have no control over your decisions and I realized that in this moment I didn't. As much as he was all nice and smiles, he still called all the shots, I had no say.
"The coach looks comfortable enough," I say resigned.
"It is a good coach."
"I need another shot," saying this to myself more than him, "let me get shit-faced, face it tomorrow and I will have someone else to blame apart from me for once."
He chuckles more at ease. I was going to stay, how crazy! I walk back to the living room, him not far behind.
"Do you need one or should I take it for the both of us? After your magnification of trouble, you rendered me sober, and I don't want to sleep either, maybe pass out."
He makes himself useful and I sit down on the couch, head leaning on the comforter. I pick up the half-smoked blunt and light it. I sink in the seat trying to think of nothing.
With hooded eyes, I watch him as he hands me a drink. His eyes roam over me hungrily with no shame in them; I remembered what I was wearing; now it doesn't sit like a good idea at all. He was arousing all the unwanted feelings right now. I didn't want anything more to do with him. All I wanted was to be done with this situation first not get me into another.
The glint in his eye is full of mischief, I would love, and appreciate the kind of looks but not from him and not right now. I have no space for anything, am here under a threat for crying out loud. What is in his mind at this moment? I can't get involved with him at all, or have anything to do with him after this mysteriousness falls off. What's wrong with men anyway, they just can't zip it because they see a little flesh. He will be in for a long night then if he won't pass out like am planning to.
He hands me another glass licking his lips, I wasn't going to take it, I had to speak up.
"We can't fall on old habits, if your mind is in the garter take it out of there fast, or you can bring someone from downstairs, for your night pleasures if you want; we are both adults."
"It's past midnight, dawn will be here soon."
"Afraid she will get clingy."
"No, I want to drink with a friend instead."
"I don't think that status has resumed yet."
"Am sorry Z…Sincerely I hope you will forgive me, after a while. I understand if you can't right now but please find it in your heart to forgive me because I would hate if this came between us…" Is he serious right now? Although this is the first time he has apologized or it is the liquor talking.
"Are you ready to tell your friend what troubles you whistle in a drunken state?"
"Yes..."
"Okay."