LIFE AFTER DEATH.

NUT N GALE

The ride was an embodiment of hefty and a slight whiff of relief for me. I didn’t know about Scott. Let me explain, it was a hefty package due to the fact that no-one had said a word for the past ten minutes. Although I had not been able to give eye contact to Scott for the singular reason that I was unprepared to engage in any form of conversation, I could see from my rearview, that Scott had also maintained a stable vision.

I soon resulted in fumbling with the ropes in my dress as the ride prolonged. I wasn’t comfortable with the silence we were observing. I yearned for Scott to kickstart a discussion, to say anything. Then maybe I would apologise for refusing his invitation to the bay at the last minute. It just occurred to me that I didn’t have a reason for standing him up, after accepting him in the first place.

My phone blared on; it was a w******p video call from Frieda. I turned to Scott for the first time on the ride. He also looked at me. I remember his gaze being poised and expectant. It wasn’t the right place or time for a video-call. I couldn’t handle my sister asking stupid questions concerning my environment. Because she very well will.

Scott arched a concerned brow, ‘’who’s that?’’

‘’my sister,’’ I replied.

‘’then pick it up,’’

‘’she’s…’’ I switched the call to audio-call and answered it, ‘’hey frie,’’

The phone wasn’t on a loud speaker but our proximity was close. Scott heard our conversation.

‘’Pey, long time no talk, why’d you switch to audio?’’

‘’I’ve been here for only a couple of days Frie, and I’m kinda occupied.’’ I glanced at Scott.

‘’occupied? ’Frieda suddenly sounded ecstatic, ‘’you with friends? Let me say hello.’’

‘’I’m busy, maybe later. ‘’ I waded her off, ‘’how’s mom?’’ my voice went pale.

‘’she took her phone to fix it, it fell inside a boiling pot of banga soup.’’ Frieda didn’t sound like it was serious.

‘’not again,’’ I retorted.

‘’how are you Pey?’’ her voice also fell. At that instance, I felt the hard feeling of home-sickness. I missed my people.

My throat got croaky, I cleared it, ‘’I’m fine__

‘’shut up, you’re not. Vivian called.’’

‘’as I knew she would,’’ It was no surprise to me, ‘’what did she say?’’

‘’that you’re giving her a hard time,’’

‘’believe me, if I was, I’d have been on the next flight back to Nigeria.’’

Scott paid me a prolonged look; I saw his curiosity spike. That was when I remembered to be more discreet in my personal affairs.

Frieda chuckled, ‘’I know you; you’re not going to let it go.’’

‘’neither will you. Look, we don’t talk unless we have to. I don’t see her as often as she would like. If we… ‘’ I paused, I thought I was letting out too much information, ‘’don’t worry Frie, I’m not going to fight with her.’’ I hope.

Frieda sighed, ‘’I’m with you a hundred percent. But remember, she’s our only hope__

‘’bye Frie, I’ll call you when I get home.’’ I was lucky to cut her off before she gravely displayed our family matters to an external ear.

After the call abruptly ended, I opted to place my phone back inside my bag when I saw a notification from i********:. Melanie had sent a photo. I ignored it at first glance and had later plans to view it.

‘’You wanna grab something to eat?’’ Scott asked.

‘’yeah, sure.’’ Anything to get us talking.

We got to a restaurant called Nut ‘n’ Gale, I thought the name was weird. Outside, the restaurant was aesthetically pleasing. It had granite-looking rocks, all multi-coloured and shining, imprinted on the exterior walls. The doors, which were two, one on the left and one on the right, were long. I guessed it was like twelve feet tall, painted with bright blue colours. I liked it.

Inside, Nut ‘n’ Gale was a complete let down compared to the front. It was blandly decorated. With how extravagant and exquisite the outside was made, you’d expect something more or of the same measure from the inside, but that wasn’t the case. The cushions were just placed with tables in front in a regular manner. No decorations whatsoever. Inside looked like it came from a different place and not in any way related to the front.

The strong and flavourful smell of hot wings grabbed my attention though, it made my mouth water.

Scott took a seat next to me. My heart jumped as he hopped next to me. I was matched with the softness of his jacket and eventually the comfort of his big body. His right hand immediately went over my shoulders and rested on the length of the cushion besides me. He appeared to me as though I was his girlfriend. Did I though? I’m not conversant with how the issues of relationships work, but isn’t there supposed to be a question asked? But was I even ready to be in a relationship? That was an important thought I needed to ponder.

He sniffed and massaged his nose shortly with his right hand and took out his phone from his pocket. As he placed it on the table, it turned on and I got a brief see of his screen-saver. It was a picture of the Canadian artist, Drake. Scott soon retrieved his other hand from where it was, and got on to the table. I felt a little bad, stupid me.

‘’the wings here are the best, I don’t mean to brag.’’ He began, his brick-like voice revived me somehow.

‘’I want to eat it so badly,’’ I smiled sheepishly.

‘’you have a pretty smile.’’ He curved himself, now having a view of my face. Way to make me blush Scotty.