Driving in Lagos is fucking nightmarish. I've been stuck in traffic for more than fifteen minutes and I'm so over today already, well not totally over it if you know what I mean. Because I'm seeing you know who today.
Someone horns really loudly and rudely behind me and I realize the cars have continued moving and I'm still parked. I stretch out my window to flip the bastard off. I don't care if I'm in the wrong, I'm already in a shitty mood so I don't care.
I don't even know why I came to Ikorodu today. I could have just asked Dotun to come over to my work place, instead my need to come check for our project myself overshadowed common sense. Now I'm paying the price.
I check my phone time, its already about two hour to the time I'm supposed to meet up with him and I'm not even close. The cars are fucking crawling. I need to get home and shower before I can go out, I'm reeking of sweat.
Another loud and rude horn.
And I lost it.
"come climb my fucking car you stupid idiot. Bloody poor wretched people doing too much." I shout towards the car behind me before facing the road again.
"idiot. Body dey catch you. Na your papa for house you dey curse." the man shouts back.
I want to ignore but I can't. I just can't. "fool, come down and repeat what you just said to my face." I stop my car and got out before remembering I'm In a high traffic point. I get back inside my car stewing in anger. If I can just get my hand on that fool, this irritation will reduce.
"you for come outside na, make I brush you with my car." The driver taunts. I usually don't get this angry on a normal day. I don't usually have smoke coming out of my ears on a good day. Today is just not it for me that's why I'm extra sensitive. Since I couldn't react with my fist, I conjure up different ways I could make the bastard suffer till I got home.
Immediately I get home, anger already forgotten, I quickly rush inside to get ready. Shower, put on clothes and sprayed my best perfume. Don't ask why. A man always need to look good. On my way outside, my phone rings and I check to see that its Gabe. Why is he calling me?
"hey bro what's up?"
"I'm good. So when will you be coming?" he asks.
"coming where?" I ask feeling confused.
"coming whe- the fucking party we talked about yesterday bro."
Oh.
The party. Shit.
"oh shit. I forgot Gabe."
"well, okay. I've reminded you now. Get dressed and come meet me at our usual place."
"no I can't. I have shit to do."
"are you serious?" he says exasperated. "what can you possibly have to do on a Friday night aside partying and having fun."
I shrug even though he can't see me. "work stuff." I lie through my teeth. I can't tell him why though, he'd think I'm ditching him for another friend. Okay , I kind of am. But still, I don't want him to know.
"you never work on weekends. That's your rule." he says, dumbfounded. I know he must be wondering why I'm spewing bulshit,
"well, I've it's just this weekend. Something with customer's dissatisfaction." I quip. I check the time, already feeling anxious because its currently twenty minutes to.
"that's just pure-"
"look guy, I have to go" I say while rushing out the door to my car.
"Tobi-"
I end the call, start my car and went to the place.
I get there on time, few minutes earlier actually because I was speeding like a raving mad man. Upon entering the bar, I look around to see if Malachai is here already. He's not. Okay. Its still five minutes to.
I walk over to a quiet corner of the bar. On a normal day, I'd just go straight to the counter, sit and drink there. But today, I need to stay in a private place so I we can talk easily without the sound of music interrupting us.
A minute to eight and I am feeling dejected already. Maybe he has forgotten. I mean, he is a surgeon; he has really important shit to d-
"hope I haven't been keeping you waiting for too long." I recognize the voice, the deep rumble and I look up from my phone to see Malachai pulling out a chair to sit in. he looks really sharp in his black suited up look. The two top button undone and a silver necklace glints around his neck. His dark brown skin absolutely glowing.
I groan internally. Why I'm I noticing such details.
I quickly pull my eyes away. "not at all. I just got here actually."
"okay," he looks around where we are sitting and tilts his brow. "are we on a date?" he questions.
"what? No.. no... what? We're just hanging out." I quickly explain. My heart beats a mile a minute. Why would he think that. We're absolutely not on a date. Even though we're sitting in a secluded area, looking cozy, it doesn't mean it's a date. A lot of friends do this. One of my friends in Abuja always hang out with his friends like th-
A light chuckle brings me out of my internal rant. I look up to see amusement coloring his face. "why do you look nervous. I was just pulling your legs dude."
Oh.
I look down, feeling flustered.
"me, nervous? Nah" I try to save face.
"okay, if you say so." He says before turning to wave the waiter over.
My eyes greedily drink in him as he rambles on about his order. His clean shaven buzz cut that looks immaculate on him, his beautiful mismatched eyes, long lashes, full lips, wide shoulders, long slim fingers that is adorned with a ring that looks customized-
"and you? What should I bring?" the waiter asks and I reluctantly pulled my eyes away from him to look at the lady only to find her making love eyes at Malachai. My stomach drops, because he seems to be into what she is offering. He wasn't particularly doing anything aside looking at her though, but that alone is too much. No. just no. Why will she do that anyway. That's purely unprofessional. Totally unprofessional. After they'll complain about losing their jobs when someone reports them of being unprofessional. Not that I'm going to.
Someone clears their throat and I look to see that its Malachai and he looks confused about why I'm looking at the waiter instead of answering her. I turn to the girl to see she is also watching me. Fuck.
I quickly rattled off my order and she leaves our table looking confused.
"what was that?" he asks. "do you have a crush?"
"what? No." I quickly deny. Because I don't have a crush on him.
"so why were you looking at her if you don't like her?"
Her? Oh he thought I'm crushing on the bartender.
I laugh feeling relieved. "oh that, I was just lost in thought." I explain." Feeling a little bold, I ask. "what about you, I saw her giving you fuck me eyes. Are you going to tap that?"
He studies me a little before answering me. "maybe I should. I had a very busy day and I heard sex is a very potent stress reliever."
My stomach drops.
Fuck.
His words sours my mood immediately. I don't know why. Maybe I'm just jealous that he's getting laid and I'm not. Yes. That's it. Nothing else.
I sigh, feeling absolutely confused about my scattered emotions.