CHAPTER FIVE- THIS MAN IS INSANE
478 Words
CHAPTER FIVE
BIBI
“No.”, I say with all the sternness I can muster. Yet somehow this asshole looks completely unbothered.
“No?”
“No.”
I say immediately. My tone is firm and certain. The kind of tone that ends conversations. He glances around the shop. Then back at me.
“But you have a spare room.”
This man must be immune to common sense.
“I have boundaries too. Yet here we are.”
His jaw tightens.
I roll my eyes.
“I’m not staying forever.”
“No.”
“A few days.”
“No.”
“Until I find my friend.”
“No.”
“Three days.”
“No.”
“Two.”
“No.”
“One.”
“No.”
He stares.
I stare back.
Neither of us blinks. This man is insane.
The bell above the door jingles. A customer walks in. I immediately plaster a warm smile on my face.
“Hi, welcome to Osun's Heart and Soul. Have a look around.”
The customer’s gaze roams the store. He has a dreamy look on his face. A look I’ve seen many times. A look that fills me with love and pride. He picks up my special earthen scented candle made with mud from the soil of my late grandma’s shrine and starts walking towards the counter, still smiling until the stranger turns around and stares him down. The customer pauses, transfixed to a spot. The stranger smiles, and the customer drops the candle on the counter and slowly backs out. The bell jingles again.
“What the f**k is wrong with you?” I yell.
“I don’t understand. What did I do?”
“You frightened my customer and chased him away.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you stare at him like that?”
His eyebrow rise.
“Get out of my store before I call the police.”
He chuckles.
“What is funny?”
“We both know the police won’t do shit.”
“There are many houses for rent, so find a place to rent till you find your friend and leave me the f**k alone.”
“Okay, fine.” He reaches into his pocket and takes out a wad of cash. He slaps it on the table and slides it across.
“Whatever they’re paying you. I’ll pay triple. I’ll come back when you’re in the mood to talk.”
“I will never be in the mood to talk. Get out.”
He gives me a small smile, grabs my candle, and turns to walk away.
“Hey, you can’t take that. I call after him.”
“I just did”, he calls back without turning around. The bell above the door jingles and then he’s gone.
- Writer
