Chapter 7 Subtle Feelings
1425 Words
They pulled up at the market and got out hand in hand.
"You seem excited," Yoseph said.
"Of course. It's been a while since I came to the market with someone. Back in Ibadan, I used to go with my brother and my best friend, but since coming here, it's been just me," Rose said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Then she suddenly raised her head to look at Yoseph, who was staring at her. She was embarrassed.
"Oh goodness, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get nostalgic. Just treat it as nonsense. You must think I talk too much. I didn't mean to burden you. Silly me."
Yoseph nodded.
"Yes, you really are silly. Which ear of yours heard me say you're burdening me? On the contrary, I like the fact that you're unguarded around me."
Rose was stunned.
Was... was that a confession?
Stupid. Get a grip.
"Alright, hurry up. Otherwise, all the good meat will be sold out."
Yoseph raised an eyebrow.
"Do you come here often?"
"Hmm, not really."
"Good afternoon, sir. How much be the meat?"
"Customer, welcome. Same price as usual."
"Ah, you go comot something na. you no see say I don bring new customer come"
"Oya, bring ₦8,000."
"Ah sir, e too cost I go take am for ₦5,000."
Pfft.
Yoseph couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing.
This little woman never ceased to amaze him.
"Don't worry, we can just take it. No need to drag the price," Yoseph whispered.
"No!" Rose refused almost immediately, pulling him down slightly so she could whisper in his ear, completely oblivious to how intimate the gesture seemed.
"You have to price these people, otherwise you'll be cheated. Do you understand?" she lectured.
Yoseph had no choice but to nod helplessly.
"Oga, if you no wan sell, make I find another person."
"Ah ah, customer, calm down now. Oya, take it for ₦7,000."
"₦6,000. Final price."
"Na wa for you o," the man complained as he packed the meat.
Yoseph paid the man.
They turned to leave when Rose suddenly stopped, looking downcast.
"What is it?"
"I'm supposed to treat you to lunch, but now you're the one paying. It's really shameful."
Then suddenly a bright smile appeared on her face.
"But don't worry. When I get my salary next month, I'll definitely treat you to dinner. Come on, let's go."
Yoseph was pleasantly surprised.
How could one change moods so quickly?
Perhaps this was the benefit of growing up in a simple family. A good meal was enough to bring smiles to their faces.
He really longed for that kind of happiness.
They walked around getting other ingredients before heading to Rose's apartment.
Yoseph was more than happy, especially seeing the way she went around bargaining without the slightest embarrassment. It was a first for him. In his family, the housekeeper handled everything, so experiences like this never happened.
"Well, welcome to my humble abode," Rose said, ushering Yoseph in after unlocking the door.
"Have a seat. I'll go change and start cooking."
Yoseph looked around the apartment. It was a modest one-bedroom flat with a small living room and kitchen.
"Alright. Are you ready to witness my culinary skills?" Rose asked, walking out after changing.
"Sure."
Yoseph rolled up his sleeves.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" he asked, gently pushing her toward the kitchen.
"Well, do you even know how to cook?"
"Not really. Just simple meals."
"Alright then. Help me wash the tomatoes and meat. I'll handle the cooking."
"Okay."
After some time, Yoseph suddenly asked,
"Why didn't you move in with your brother?"
Rose looked up.
"Well, when I moved over, I had just finished school and he had just gotten admission. Besides, I wasn't sure how things would turn out here, so I couldn't risk it."
"What about your parents?"
Rose was taken aback and accidentally cut her finger while chopping tomatoes.
"Hey."
Yoseph hurried over, taking her to the sink to wash off the blood.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of anything unpleasant."
"Oh, it's okay. I was just slightly distracted."
She paused.
"My parents are late."
Yoseph's heart tightened.
Without thinking, he pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry. It must have been hard."
Rose leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. Somehow, it gave her a sense of security.
After a while, Yoseph spoke.
"Stand aside. I'll cook. Just tell me what to do."
Rose smiled.
He probably didn't want her hurting her finger further.
"Okay. So you're the apprentice and I'm your master."
"Okay, Master. I'll obey your orders."
They both laughed.
"Alright. Take out the blender from the second cupboard and blend the tomatoes and onions together."
"So, what's your brother's name?"
"His name is Daniel. He's nineteen, and I bet he's taller than me now. It's been a year since I last saw him."
"You miss him?"
"Yeah. A lot."
Yoseph patted her head gently.
"We could go visit him together sometime."
Rose looked up, surprised by the emotion she saw in his eyes.
Her heart skipped.
"Sure."
They talked while cooking.
Then suddenly—
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Rose nearly choked on her saliva.
Yoseph merely stared at her, finding her reaction adorable.
"Aren't you going to tell me sorry?" she asked, shooting him a playful glare.
Yoseph chuckled.
"Well, more than apologizing, I'm interested in knowing if you have a man."
He sounded calm, but inwardly he was nervous.
Rose noticed.
Deciding to tease him, she said,
"Actually, I do have—"
"Don't worry. Don't say it."
Yoseph cut her off immediately.
"Forget I asked."
Rose burst out laughing.
"Now look who's acting silly. Do you even know what I was about to say?"
Yoseph frowned.
"Well, I've been too busy being a sister and a parent to be in a relationship."
Rose could have sworn she saw him let out a sigh of relief.
Before she could react, he pulled her into a hug.
She hugged him back.
They stayed like that for a moment.
Then—
"The food!"
Rose suddenly exclaimed.
"Turn off the fire!"
They hurried back to the pot.
Soon, the table was set.
Just then, Rose's phone rang.
The moment she saw the caller ID, she rejected it.
It was her landlord.
She turned and found Yoseph watching her.
She laughed awkwardly.
"It's no one."
"Alright. Let's eat."
Yoseph handed her a spoon.
Rose nodded and took a bite.
"It seems you have the potential to become a chef."
Her phone rang again.
She quickly rejected it.
"Why don't you answer? It might be important."
"Hmph."
Important my foot.
Before she could reply, it rang again.
This time, in her panic, she accidentally answered.
Immediately, an angry voice boomed through the speaker.
"So now you won't pick my calls? Your rent is due and you're avoiding me?"
Rose wished the ground would open and swallow her.
"Sir, I was busy. That's why I couldn't answer."
"That's your business. Get my money before next weekend."
The call ended.
Rose stood frozen.
"How much is the rent?" Yoseph asked quietly.
Rose waved her hand.
"It's okay. I'll sort it out."
"How?"
"I'll just delay him until I get paid next month."
"Delay him?"
Yoseph frowned.
"By lying?"
Rose lowered her head.
"How long do you think a lie can protect you?"
Something inside her finally broke.
"I... I try hard, you know..."
Her voice cracked.
"It just..."
She burst into tears.
"Shhh."
Yoseph pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay. I understand."
After she calmed down, neither of them said much.
They finished their meal quietly.
Then they washed the dishes together and settled down to watch a movie.
By the time Yoseph was ready to leave, it was already past 9 p.m.
He held out his hand.
"Your phone."
Rose handed it over.
"Password?"
She unlocked it.
Yoseph saved his number.
"There. If you change your mind about needing help, call me."
Rose nodded.
"Thank you."
"Alright."
Yoseph pulled her closer and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight."
Rose was so shy, she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes, she whispered, " good night too."
Rose watched him leave.
Something had changed between them.
Oddly enough, she didn't dislike it.
In fact, she felt excited.
Wait...
Was this what people meant by butterflies in the stomach?
Sunday passed in a blur.
Before she knew it, Monday had arrived.
- Writer
