CHAPTER SIX
1941 Words
I woke up to a note on my bed that read: Good morning my darling, it's mum. I went jogging with your uncle Ezekiel. He has been telling me, almost preaching to me, about the importance of jogging and he convinced me to joined him for a run. I hope I like it enough to try it again! Love you. Your breakfast is in the pan. I was glad that she had began to enjoy her life and live it to the fullest. I performed the usual morning routine and headed for the kitchen, my phone beeped. It was a message from Jaden.
Jaden: Good morning sunshine. How're you?
Me: I'm fine thank you. And you?
Jaden: I'm good. How's your mum?
Me: She's fine, she went jogging.
Jaden: That is cool. So… you're alone at home?
Me: Yes. I'm eating breakfast.
Jaden: Good. I'm coming to pick you up.
Me: What?!
Jaden: Do not move an inch Daisy.
Me: You're bluffing.
Jaden: We'll see.
I ran into my room and retouched everything; I added leave-in conditioner to my hair, wore perfune, lip gloss, antiperspirant and added some butterfly clips to my afro bun. I made sure that everything I needed for school was inside my bag and then I sat down on the kitchen stool, waiting. My heart was beating with excitement and anxiety, thoughts were flying around in my head. What will people say when they see us together? We'll be the hottest gist in the group chat. I was nervous and anxious but I loved what was happening, they can think and say what they want, I am happy and that's all I care about. A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door, I knew it was him. I opened the door and greeted him with a wide smile.
“You really came.”
“I did. And you trusted me, thank you for waiting.”
“You're welcome.”
He drove gently, his eyes were fixed on the road and his hands held the stirring firmly. I noticed from the way he drove that he has been driving for a while, maybe a year and some months.
“How long have you been driving?”
“A year and five months.” I was right.
“That's nice. Who taught you how to drive”
“My Dad did. He's an excellent driver but, he rarely drives himself.”
“Cool.” I said, nodding. In what seemed like a second later, we arrived.
“Here we go.” He said as he parked the car
He unbuckled his seat belt, got down, walked to the other side of the car and opened the door for me. He stretched out his hand and helped me get down. I felt like a princess. We ignored the stares, the giggles and the murmurs, we walked pass as if we didn't see anybody or hear anything. Miriam saw Jaden and I from afar and she ran to us.
“Hello, Jaden.”
“Hi Mimi.”
“How're you doing today?”
“I'm very well thank you. You're being nice to me today, I like it.”
“Don't get used to it, just enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Okay, erm, see you after class, Daisy.”
“Bye.” I said, waving.
“Girllll! What is going on?”
“Chill out Mimi, he just picked me up.”
“From your house?”
“Mmhmm.”
“What did your mum say?”
“She wasn't at home, she went jogging.”
“He's really giving this all he has got. I hope he'll continue on this path when you guys pass the courting stage.”
“Courting? No, it's nothing like that.”
“Deny it all you want, but even the blind can see that he has feelings for you.”
It was a Friday, so it was a half day and the classes were short. By 1 PM, classes ended and in fifteen minutes, the bell rang. I wanted to sit back and wait for him, but gossip was spreading already and I didn't want to make it worse so I just left the class with Miriam. I texted him instead. He asked if we could go somewhere later and I told him that I would have to ask my mum for permission. It was a tricky one. I have never paid any interest to a boy before neither have I gone out with one . I had to put in extra effort to convince my mum when I got home. Father Ezekiel's persuasion made everything go smoothly like butter.
“You may go, but, you must not show up to work late. Where are you meeting him?”
“Here. He's picking me up.”
My mum tried to hide the satisfaction on her face but it was unsuccessful.
“Much better.” she said
Miriam came over to help me pick out a dress. All I needed was lipgloss, earrings, a bracelet and a sweet scent. I wore a little burgundy dress, it stopped just above my knee and it hugged my body. It was simple, but beautiful and perfect for the moment and I chose my black stilettos to wear it with. I put all the essentials into my black purse (mints, credit card, money, charger, mini wipes and ID) and waited for him. This time, I wasn't nervous or anxious. I was simply happy, I looked forward to having fun, getting to know ourselves better and enjoying each other's company. My mum and uncle came into my room to check up on me. She looked at me with strong admiration and pride and her eyes were filled with tears.
“My baby,” she said holding my hand, “you are as beautiful as the sun and as lovely as the moon.”
“Thank you mum.” I said hugging her
"Words fail me, my dear, you look beautiful."
"Thank you uncle Ezekiel."
"Emm, hello people, I helped create this magic you know." Miriam said
"Thank you for making your friend look beautiful, my honey bun." mum said, tickling her.
"Thanks Auntie."
Jaden drove into our house not long after. The door was already open so he just came inside. I allowed my mum have her time with him before I came out of my room. Jaden looked smart and more handsome than ever. He wore a black flare trouser and white shirt. His look was finished with a tuck in, a designer belt and sandals.
“You look…” he paused, “I don't know what to say Daisy, but you look breath taking.”
“Thank you Jaden. You look charming as always.”
To my mum he said, “Ma'am, I promise to bring your daughter back home to you, in one piece. She is precious to me as she is to you.”
“Very well then,” my mum said, “off you go, you don't have all day.”
Jaden took me to a five star restaurant. The exterior and interior decorations of the restaurant were done by angels because what manner of beauty is this? I was too happy to eat the way I wanted to. I ate a little and he ordered for a take out. I was time conscious so we had to leave on time. We didn't talk about ourselves that afternoon, we talked about music, art, poetry, history, fashion and nature. There was pure joy and happiness in the air, it wasn't artificial or forced. It was genuine.
“Oh my God.”
“What is it.”
“I can't work with my heels on. I forgot to take my shoes with me.”
“Not a problem.”
“It is a problem, Jaden. I'll have to go home first.”
“Nope. We're going shopping.”
He drove to a boutique and asked me to pick any shoe of my choice. I picked the cheapest one but he said it was too dull. He chose the one I really liked and whispered in my ear, “Feel free Daisy. I want you to have the nicest things.”
I bowed my head so as to hide how flustered I was. He payed and drove me to Uncle Dee's Cafe do that I could resume my shift. I waved him goodbye but he didn't budge. Instead, he went inside the cafe with me and sat down on the same chair he sat on the day he came to apologize to me.
“Jaden, you don't have to do this. Please go home.”
I promised your mum that I would bring you home myself. I can wait. Carry on with you work.”
In the dressing room, Trisha couldn't stop talking about how cute Jaden is and how she regretted not taking a good look at him the last time he came. Oh I was filled with jealousy and irritation. When she asked if he was my boyfriend I said yes without hesitation. She was silent for a while and said congratulations drily. On the ride home Jaden said, “So I'm your boyfriend, huh?"
“What? No, I - I didn't say anything like - like that.”
“Really then why did your colleague ask me if I was?”
“Trisha?”
“Is that her real name?”
“No that's what she told us to call her. Her name is Prudence.”
“Okay. Why did you tell her that though?”
“I'm sorry. She just kept on asking questions, you know, so I just told her what she wanted to hear.” I couldn't tell him that I did it out of jealousy.
“You don't have to apologize. I like it. Maybe one day, I would be your boyfriend. Do you think it's possible?” he said, trying to make eye contact.
“I dunno.”I said, looking away.
“Well, I think it is.”
Jaden brought me home just as he promised and he handed my mum a little bag.
“I hope you'll like it ma'am.”
“Oh,my dear. You shouldn't have, thank you.”
She opened her gift and it was a beautiful scarf. It was white and it had black, red and yellow flowers on it.
“I love it Jaden. This was very thoughtful of you.”
“My pleasure ma'am. Goodnight ma'am.”
I walked him to his car and just before he drove off he said, “Daisy, check the shopping bag, there's something in it for you.”
“You put something there?”
“Goodnight my dear, see you on Sunday.”
“Sunday? I never said anything about wanting to go out on Sunday.”
“Did you like how today went?”
“Yes.”
“Did you enjoy going out with me?”
“Yes.”
“Good. See you on Sunday.”
I went straight to my bedroom, took a bath, changed into my nighties and sat on the bed. I checked the shopping bag and I saw four boxes. The first box was a necklace, the second was a bracelet, the third as a wristwatch and the fourth were earrings. I tested them all and they all fit perfectly. I was so excited. I wanted to call and say thank you but then remembered that he doesn't like being thanked excessively. I said a lot of it that night so I decided to let it be.
- Writer
