Coffee & Chatter

Episode 2

I insert the key into the keyhole, holding it between my fingers, and turn it clockwise. The lock disengages, allowing me to turn the doorknob. I rotate the doorknob in the opposite direction of the latch, retracting it. I pull the door towards me to open it inward. Once inside, I remove the key from the keyhole.

The apartment is dimly lit, with a pleasant vanilla scent in the air. I sigh and sink into the comfortable cushions, feeling exhausted from the day's activities. I wonder where Lily is and decide to check my messages. I see a text from Alexis and chuckle at his message. Feeling playful, I decide to call him on FaceTime audio.

"Hi, baby," I say as soon as he picks up the call.

"Hey, baby," he responds. "You ignored me for about an hour," he teasingly remarks while adjusting himself. I imagine he's lying on the bed.

"I'm sorry, babe. I was on the move. Just got home. Lily isn't here, and it's already past 8," I explain, sitting upright with my hand on my forehead.

"Have you called her yet?" he asks.

"No, but I think I should call her right now," I reply, picking up my other phone.

"Should I stay on the line?" he inquires.

"Yes, babe. I'm ringing her on my other phone," I say, and she picks up after the third ring.

"Helloooooooo," Lily cheerfully greets. "How are you, my love?"

"Where are you?" I interrupt, ignoring her question. "I'm sure you must have left the house a long time ago. So, where have you been?"

"I didn't know you'd be home today. I was bored alone. I'm outside with my friend," she replies.

"Which friend?" I inquire. "Male or female?" I can hear Alexis shuffling and the sound of him dragging a chair back. Most likely, he has something to attend to on his working table.

She chuckles. "The first, but don't worry, I won't stay long."

"Alright then. Love you," I say.

"Come on, what's worth doing is worth doing well. What do you want to do with the 'I'?" she asks, laughing.

I laugh. "I'm on a call with my baby, and I don't want him to get jealous." He chuckles, and I can tell he's playfully wrinkling his nose at me.

"Help me tell him I'm grateful that he has forgotten me," she jokes.

"I'll let him know. Be home before ten, or I'll kill you," I playfully warn before ending the call.

"Baby boy, have you eaten yet?" I ask, shifting his attention.

He requests to switch to FaceTime video, and I accept, smiling at him. He's seated with his back straight on a chair at his working table. In front of him, his open laptop illuminates his handsome face and hands with a soft glow. His attention is focused on the laptop screen, and his hands rest on the keyboard, navigating through its interface.

He looks at me on his screen, smirks, and then returns his gaze to the laptop's screen.

"What was that for, babe?" I ask, furrowing my brow. I dislike it when he smiles at me like that, and he knows it.

He looks at me, smiling mischievously. "I'm sorry, my queen," he apologizes, waiting for my forgiveness. I nod, indicating my acceptance, and he continues, "How was your day?"

"My day was good. I instructed Fred to take care of tomorrow's orders. I'm so tired," I complain. Fred is my trusted employee and assistant.

"You said you were going to come back to me during the weekend. Tomorrow is Sunday, Emma," He says, looking at his laptop. I like how he doesn't know how to pronounce my name correctly again, funnily enough. He doesn't pronounce my name correctly because he's used to calling me "babe".

I laugh "Is what you're doing more important than looking at my face?" He looks up at me with an expression that screams "it's not like that". I stand up from the cushion and head to the kitchen. The kitchen is dark, so I put on the light before going into the kitchen.

"Let me leave you to work," I say softly and put the phone down.

"Alright, babe," He sniffles, "I'll call you in a bit. I love you. Kisses," He pouts and makes kissing sounds.

I open my "bolt" app to order a ride, and the best I can find is fifteen minutes away. The amount for the ride is four thousand naira. It'll cost me less if I use public transport, but at least I'll be comfortable in this ride. I bet he'll charge more when we have a conversation.

*******

I place a phone call through, and he picks up almost immediately.

"Hello...good morning, sir," I say. I always try to be as polite as possible.

"Yes... Good morning, my sister ," The way he responds suggests that he has an idea of who I am.

"I'm ordering a ride to Plazid," Plazid is the name of Alexis's estate. It's one of the most reserved and elite estates in this state. "Can you please drive down and pick me up?" I ask. Before he answers the question, I quickly add, "Also, do you accept bank transfers because I don't have cash on me?" Some bolt drivers prefer to receive cash, and some of them lash out at me because they claim not to receive any money from customers, and before they realize it, the customers would have gone. They think it's the bank network that delays the transfer, and so they let the customers go, not knowing that the customer didn't make any transfer in the first place.

"Yes. But how much is it on the app? I mean, how much did the app say the ride would cost when you ordered?"

I chuckle silently, very silently, or else he might get offended. I knew this was going to happen. The drivers always inflate the price of the ride for their personal benefit.

"Four thousand naira, sir," I respond respectfully and curious to know the price he will inflate it to.

"Okay. Your money is six thousand," He says like I'm just supposed to say "okay, let's go," no explanation, no reason, just a command.

I chuckle again. This time, I chuckle loudly.

"How is it six thousand naira, sir?"

"Madam, I don't have time to explain. You sef know the current situation of the country. This app will collect their percentage. Me sef go chop. How much will remain?"

"Hm," He just explained after saying he doesn't have time to explain. There's a way he could have said it politely. I always make sure to tip drivers that are nice to me. "Please make your way to the address and pick me up. Thank you," I say and end the call.

After twelve minutes, I hear the sound of an engine roaring outside. I peep out through my window to confirm the description of the car as it was described on the app. It is a neat dark blue Toyota Camry. I confirmed the plate number as well before stepping out. He's already calling me to inform me of his arrival. I lock the door and move hurriedly to his car. I wonder if I should greet him or not.

"Good morning, sir," I finally greet, opening the door next to him.

"Morning," He replies, reluctantly, studying me and at the same time glancing at me spitefully.

The ride was quiet. He didn't play music or even put on the radio, neither did he put on the air conditioner throughout the ride. In fifteen minutes, we got to my destination. I made a bank transfer to him and got down from his car. I slammed the door a bit gently. He didn't say thank you, neither did I. I would never rate him three stars. I would be glad to rate him anything less than a star if it was available! I told the app never to bring him my way again. I would have tipped him if he had explained to me politely. It's not only him; the country is hard for everyone! This is the sign and cue for me to get my own car.