ENTANGLED

CHAPTER 3

Ryan Schultz was seated in his car, his thoughts about the lady he had just seen in commissioner Tunde's office clouded his head. He had been in Nigeria for almost a year and a half now, and though he had been with some women, it had always been girls he had met at nightclubs or bars, and most of them tagged along with him because of what they felt he could offer. He just had to ask and they were always willing. As his friend, Ola, would say, "you are white, all they mostly see is dollar and euro signs" and they had laughed about it, but it had stuck to him.

He had been waiting for almost forty-five minutes and was about to give up and head back to his place, when he inadvertently raised his head and sighted her walking out of the building. He was again stunned by how beautiful she was. He watched her for a moment, arranging her files properly in her bag, and he could clearly see the smile on her face, knowing she had succeeded with what she came to solicit for. He studied her closely and watched as she took long strides. She was five feet nine or ten, give or take, he thought. She had an aura about her that exuded self confidence and awareness, and Ryan liked that about her. Her face was oval and she had full lips, which blended with her fairly light skin.

He watched her walk forward a little bit and as she got closer, he got out of the car and waved to her, watching her slow down a bit as recognition dawned on her. "Hello there, sorry for bothering you, but I have waited for you to come out and I wanted to meet you", he said as he walked swiftly towards her. Bukola paused a bit and saw that it was the man he had seen in the commissioner's office and waited for him to catch up. Ryan caught up with her and extended his hand as he said, "My name is Ryan, I really wanted to seize the opportunity to talk to you".

Bukola had noticed him back at the office and was first of all struck by his size. He must be over six feet three, she thought, as his hands wrapped hers, like she was a child. She looked up at his face, and noticed he had not had time to shave, rough stubbles littered around his face, and she surprisingly found it attractive. When their eyes met, she noticed he had blue and captivating eyes, that sort of pulled you into them when you stared long enough. "Are you done?"Ryan asked, a smile plastered on his face as he returned her gaze, noticing that he had caught her off guard.

Bukola smiled, meeting his gaze, and replied, "My name is Bukola, nice meeting you". Ryan loved the way she talked and up close, she was more beautiful than he had first thought. "Sorry for holding you up, but I would love to get to know you on a personal basis. So it would please me if I could have your cell phone number so that I could call you some other time, maybe grab a couple of drinks" he said. "Mr Ryan.." She began before he cut her off, saying "just call me Ryan, no need for formalities" he paused, took in a deep breath before blurting it out, "hell Bukola, I fancy you. Don't know what to say to you right now, but I really am attracted to you. So please oblige, so that I can at least speak to you some other time" he finished.

His words stunned Bukola because she was not expecting it from him. Yes, she had caught him staring blatantly back at the office, but she had not taken any thought to it, even though she found him attractive too. She got those stares and looks, even cat calls most times, so she had learned to deal with it by simply paying no mind.

"Well, I really do not know what to say, Ryan, but thanks for the..." she paused, looking for the right words, before continuing ".. Should I say compliments?

The thing is, I just came back home and there is this project I'm trying to get done. It is personally important to me, that was why I came to see the commissioner. So, having time for social outings is going to be quite difficult for me, if I can be honest", she told him. Ryan shrugged, not put off by her words. "That will be fine by me, although if I can be honest, a little pressure will be applied from my end", he told her and winked at her. Bukola found herself loosening up to him and smiled back at him.

He was quite intriguing, she would give him that. So she stretched out her hands and collected his phone, typing her number in it. "Thanks for obliging me" Ryan said, and then shook her hand again before adding, "I'll give you a call and hope big time to sway your mind, at least for a drink". She continued smiling as he turned round and walked to his car, as Bukola waited for the cab she had ordered to take her to the supermarket.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bukola was excited…

The commissioner had not only liked her idea, he had promised to help her with publicity, so that the villages she visited would accept her and her team without any scepticism. The only thing that saddened her was her inability to get him to commit funds to her project. Yes, she had saved up some money and had gotten donations from staff and students when she had made her pitch during her project defence, but she knew that would only kick off the project for a while. She had to source for funds to be able to sustain it. Villages and communities that had to be visited were numerous. One can't pick who to help and who not to.

But above all, she was happy and optimistic. Getting the commissioner on board was a step in the right direction.

She was done shopping, and it was her turn to pay for her things at the cashier's desk, when she heard a male voice behind her saying, "Barbara, make a total of her stuff, I've got it covered". Bukola looked at the cashier, who shrugged at her before she turned around to see who was paying for the things she had purchased. To her utmost surprise, it was a guy she had known in high school, who, though she could not call him a friend, they had spoken every once in a while, after she had turned down his advances for them to date. She could remember his name clearly and shouted out loud, "Christopher!!!", she screamed, "where in the world have you been?" she asked. "That is a question I think I should be asking you" Christopher replied, a smile plastered all over his face, clearly happy to see her.

Bukola dropped her remaining groceries at the counter and walked towards Christopher, hugging him and genuinely happy to meet him after a long time. She was about to start explaining to him, when the next customer complained about being delayed and the cashier signalled to Bukola that she was done and she could pick up her stuff. Apologising to the customer, she walked back to the counter and picked up her things, then joined Christopher, who immediately waved a big burly dude over and asked Bukola to give him her groceries. "My man here will take them to the car. Please follow him, I'll be with you shortly, right after I sort the bills out", he told a clearly surprised Bukola, who had questions to ask but followed the big guy outside and to the car, where she declined sitting inside the car, but chose to wait for Christopher by the car.

About ten minutes later, she heard a little commotion and raised her head towards the front of the mall, and saw people crowding around someone, some chanting a name she couldn't recognize. It was after the crowd of people had subsided that she saw who it was they were running after. Clutching a wad of cash, which had evidently been reduced from his doling out to people, was Christopher. He was smiling and you could see the genuine joy and satisfaction he got from being able to provide for those youths and kids.

"You didn't mention you are now a star" Bukola said to him as he got to where the car was parked. Two other huge looking guys were walking either side of him, and she couldn't help but notice them. "Nahhhhh…" he waved her comment away playfully, before adding "it's just me giving back to the community that made me" he said, glancing around and looking at the backs of the kids as they showed off their cash. "I used to be like them, if not worse. So the little I do give them, at least helps keep their stomachs full temporarily. It is a gift to have a full stomach in these streets, you know", he finished and opened the rear door of the car, standing aside for her to get in.

They both got in the back seat, while the huge guy that had helped with her groceries got in behind the wheel and started the car. When she saw that they were about to leave, she asked "what about the two other guys?We can make room for them". Christopher chuckled and pointed behind their car, before saying "they are in that Toyota Camry, I'm pretty sure they will keep up", then he turned back, looked forward, the smile still etched on his face. Bukola looked at him, puzzled by it all before saying, "looks like you are the boss around here", which made his smile ever broader.

"See Bukkie, when you left, and you know how this place was, things became so bad and there was a void to fill. Myself and others, although we might not agree on several things, had to step up and fill that void. Be there for our people and make sure their dreams don't die and go to waste", Christopher said, a mixture of anger and disappointment visible on his face. "The government never cared and we took it upon ourselves to make sure our people survive. That is the respect I have for your father. He never sold out" he added, wiping his brows with his thumb.

They rode in silence for some minutes. Bukola, having heard stories about the hardships back home while she was away, couldn't argue with him. She was about to tell him about her project, when he continued, "you are going to be hearing stories around here about me, no doubt. Some nice, some outright horrible, but one thing I'll just ask of you, form an opinion for yourself and know why things are the way they are" he finished, looking out of the other side of the door, not wanting her to see his face.

Bukola decided not to explain anything to him now, maybe later when he was in a better mood. She made light chats about how life had been, and also chided him about his new physique. He had bulked up significantly and it was quite impressive. They chatted on and caught up on old times as they headed towards her neighbourhood.