(Dave's POV)
I've been in Nigeria for over two months. I had no idea why my father wanted me around when I was doing excellently great in America. I couldn't take over his company; not even after all he had done to me. Besides, he and mother were already aware of my dream to become a medical doctor. They could have allowed me finish my residency before forcing me here. Nevertheless, I'll soon leave, probably in the next one month. I should just enjoy the moment while it lasts. I didn't have any specific hobby, I pick the ones I was able to pull off. I came to visit my youngest sibling when I saw the magnificent mountain. The peak enticed me and I decided to make my way there. I've loved daring challenges, anything to make me stronger either I win or I lose.
At the foot of the mountain, I met different people, kids, lovers, photographers, all enjoying the scenery of the lower mountain. However, my goal isn't this shallow level but the peak. As I advanced towards the lonely bushy path that, I believed, led to the peak, I heard noises of people behind me, warning me against going into awaiting danger. I laughed and kept going. It took me some minutes, getting my bearings, wondering which way to go and how I'd come back to the foot of the mountain. Alas! I found a path and trotted until I came to see the magnificent scene of everything beneath the mountain. The sun was setting already but I didn't worry about my way back to the foot; after all I overcame the challenge. I caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of my eyes. It was a feminine figure. Who could have been on this part of the mountain if those people could be afraid of coming here? As a medical student, if I could see a genie or enigma, I'd not be scared. Let's set being a medical student aside, I've never been afraid of these supernatural creatures. After all, we are also supernatural creatures, we're as alien to them as they are to us, so why the fear when they might as well fear us.
So, if this creature could have been a non-human figure, I'd have watched it display whatever it wanted to. But I was wrong. It's wasn't a non-human. Meeting a human on this peak made my heart overjoyous because I'd not be lonely when going back.
"Hello"
I wanted to see the face. She froze at my words. I might have probably scared her. She turned around like a statue and when she saw me, she had an inexplicable expression, like she had seen an angel. Then she broke into a smile. At this point, I thought she wasn't human. A normal human would respond to the pleasantry but she only smiled.
I didn't realize how beautiful she was until she smiled. Her diastema made her full-set of teeth glisten, her dimples were deeper than I could imagine. Her dark ebony skin literally glowed under the yellow sunset. She was all the definition of beauty. We stood there, watching each other. I was totally mesmerized by her beauty and completely forgot about the scenery I intended to see from the peak. Well, the enchanted scenery before me was enough to capture all my attention.
A phone buzz disrupted the serenity. It was her phone. She didn't pick the call, instead, she let out a "damn", hurriedly packed her bags and raced down the path. I wanted to ask for her name but she was gone. Everything felt like magic: I met a breathtaking beauty on an abandoned and rejected part of the mountain, her smile could win the heart of the sun, yet, I let her leave without even knowing her name.
The following day, I spent the whole day on the peak, hoping, waiting for her. Same thing the third day. I was even thinking she might not be real. Probably I was hallucinating then. But I knew the ebony skin, I could remember her smile and the tingle I felt in my chest. I haven't felt that in years, after my relationship ended which was six years ago.
Today, I decided to visit my sibling before I approach the mountain, my hope was still high that she'd come back.
"Big bro, you've been in my area for two days, hope all is well. Are you waiting for your little sis have a male guest?" She burst into laughter at her question.
"Baby girl, I've fallen in love..."
"You have?!" Her eyeball glistened. "You've finally gotten over Dorcas?! That's great! Auntie Ella must hear about this"
As she picked her phone, I completed my sentence, "I've fallen in love with that mountain along your street." I gave her a blank expression. She should have let me finish my sentence. She's still as forward as ever. Quite a sibling. I laughed as I watched her smile vanished with a hiss. She wasn't expecting that; even Auntie Ella would be more than shocked to hear I've fallen in love again. She might throw a private three-day celebration. It took me months to heal from the heartbreak of my relationship of four years with Dorcas.
My sister went to the kitchen to prepare brunch.
"Oh my God!"
I was startled. "What's that, Tina?". I'm fond of calling people's names whenever I'm worried about them. I rushed to the kitchen.
"I've forgotten that the water in my room wasn't running again. I ate bread and egg this morning and made tea with bottle-water. I just wanted to prepare breakfast now."
I relaxed. I thought it was something else. She decided to go fetch from the running tap outside. I sat on her reading chair, stared at the ray of the sun stealing its way into the room through the window. The sun reminded me of how her skin glowed that evening. I saw her from a little distance but right now, I longed to touch her, feel her skin. I haven't seen her in two days, probably she might be busy at work, or probably left the town. Could she have come to pay someone a visit and now left? What if she was on the mountain again?
I stood up at once and approached the door. If this was some years back, I'd have talked some senses into myself for my arbitrary actions and irrational thoughts. But, for a weird reason, I couldn't bring myself to stop thinking about a total stranger I met on the mountain for few minutes. As I approached the gate of the building, I walked past Tina speaking at the entrance of her neighbor. I wanted to tell her I'd be back in the evening but she seemed engrossed in the discussion. I planned to call her once I reach the peak. I was about to open the gate (the security was nowhere to be found), I heard her call me.
"Wait..." I watched her jog towards me. "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I'll be back soon." That was a lie. I wasn't coming back until evening.
"What about your meal? You've not eaten yet o." She looked worried.
I smiled and patted her head. I've loved doing that since we were young. "Don't worry, I won't let your delicious delicacy waste. I will come back for it."
She held my arm and whined a bit. I was serious about not letting her food go to waste. She pulled me to come back and eat while I struggled to free myself. At once, I pulled her into my chest and held her tiny body with my big-muscle hand. That should cajole her a bit. As the baby of the house, Tina's way of convincing her was a big warm hug. She'll concur at once. Quite a lovely soul.
As I hugged her tightly, I caught a figure from a little distance on a corridor. I fixed my gaze on this figure until I realized who it was. By then, the figure had already turned around to leave. Tina noticed my hug wasn't tight anymore, she looked at me then at the direction which my gaze was fixed. She couldn't see anyone, well, the figure I was looking at had left. But I knew who it was. The ebony angel.
"Big bro, who are you looking at?"
Without averting my gaze, I asked "does anyone live there?"
"Of course"
I looked at Tina, "a lady?"
Wondering what it was about, she replied in affirmative. My heart leapt. I unhanded Tina and approached the apartment. Tina sheepishly followed me, wondering what was going on. I got to the entrance of the corridor where I just saw her. I waited a while, watching, wondering, contemplating. I approached the door to knock. My knuckles hung themselves midway, I couldn't knock. What would I say if she opened? What if she didn't remember me? How would I have explained myself? What was I even thinking? What if she wasn't the lady I saw? I was obviously actually acting illogical. I dropped my hands, turned around and gave Tina a tight hug.
"I'll be back soon" I meant that. I wanted to see the view from the peak once again before I finally leave the whole neighborhood. I smiled at her and left.