IN QUEST OF A SOULMATE

CHAPTER THREE (PUPPY LOVE)

PUPPY LOVE

I woke up late in the evening and I took a shower. One thing about Leah, she really love shopping, I don't like following her because Leah can shop for hours, now my legs aches really bad. I went to the dinner to get dinner but mum isn't around so we have to make dinner by ourselves.

Entering the kitchen, Sarah is already cutting the veggies glance at her with a sneer

“you finally wake up, I thought you are dead”. I stared at her knowing she just find pleasure in hurting me and ignore.

I joined in cooking the meals and we set the dining. I ate my dinner in silence and packed my plate when Sarah's voice came up again.

“When will you get yourself a man Rhoda? You will never know peace in this house as long as you keep delaying my life”.

“I wish I was born before you, now I have to wait for your old self to get married before I can be with the love of my life”. she ranted on her usual

I ignore again not letting her get to me this morning and took my plate to the kitchen, washed and dried it and I returned to the room.

Immediately I sat down on the bed, my phone beeped, I picked it up and there are six messages on WeChat.

Two from Leah and four from Jake, I quickly replied Leah she was asking if I got home safely, I thanked her for helping out today and I promised not to disappoint. I adjusted my seating for a good long chat with Jake because that has been our routine since we became friends.

He told me he missed me so much today...

And he apologized for not dropping me home, it was because the meeting got delayed. We talked about other things and I yawned, I have a routine of going to bed at exactly 9pm. So I told him it's time to sleep and we both said goodbyes and I slept off.

I woke up the next day before my alarm could ring. I off the alarm and excitedly ran to the bathroom to take my bath, I was dressing up when my sister woke up and was looking at me weirdly.

“Rhoda is everything okay?” She asked.

“I'm fine; I'm just excited” I answered her.

“Can I borrow your lipstick?” I reluctantly asked her?

“Okay you can use either the pink, red or nude”. I picked the pink and quickly applied it and thank her.

I left the room with the package I want to present Jake and got stopped by Sarah

“what's in there Rhoda?”

“Nothing of importance” I shuddered.

I rushed out of the room to the dining table where I met mum and I greeted her.

“Someone woke up from the right side of the bed today. What's happening Rhoda?”

“Nothing mum” I beamed

I rushed my food and gulped down a glass of water and waited for dad to finish his meal.

I’ve been standing for just 2minutes and it feels like an hour. I stomped my feet on the floor feeling so impatient. I will make sure I stop riding with Dad to work I said inwardly.

I glanced at my wristwatch for the third time and my dad voice came up.

“Is something new happening at work today Rhoda?”

“No, nothing” I nervously answered.

After what took like forever, dad finally finished his breakfast and I left him to pick his bag.

I was rushing down the stairs hating the elevator for not being fixed yet and bam! I missed my step and I was expecting a loud thud but instead a strong hand caught me halfway.

I opened my eyes and I see the same guy again, our new neighbor. I quickly shift away from his embrace and adjusted my dress.

“It seems you're the clumsy type” he spoke for the first time.

I just adjusted my glasses awkwardly. I said a thanks to him and he walked pass me.

I turned back unconsciously to look at him when my eyes met with my Dad’s two furious eyeballs and I quickly turned to the front and hurried downstairs.

“What were you doing with that boy? haven't I warned everyone that he's a bad influence?”

“Do you want to disobey my orders now that you feel you are grown up?” That was how dad gave me an earful till I got to work.

I was a grown up years ago but to him I just became one last year.

I alighted and adjust my glasses feeling really nervous and hurried to my desk expecting Jake. I checked my face in the mirror and reapplied my lipstick. I went to Leah's office to say hi and she burst into laughter immediately she saw me.

“You look like a clown Rhoda, aren't you doing too much? Where did you get the lipstick?” she asked?

“Well I will help you look good” she sat me down and adjust a lot on my face

I went back to my desk waiting anxiously for Jake. I took another glance at the wrapped gifts and smiled.

It was time for lunch and Jake hasn’t show up. I have dialed his number severally but he's not taking my calls.

“Rhoda, you have to cheer up if he didn't show up today, he will definitely come tomorrow” Leah tried to encourage me.

I smiled and nod my head.

We had lunch and returned to work. The day was slower than usual, I was really bothered. I couldn't fathom what could have happened to Jake. I can't wait to get off work and go check up on him.

We were done with work and I rushed out of the office forgetting about Leah and the package. I was rushing to the bus station when I remembered that I don't have the address to Jake's apartment. He always drop me off at home but I haven't been to his house and I never asked, Poor me! I face palmed.

“Where are you rushing too?” Leah asked

“I wanted to check up on Jake, I have a feeling that something is wrong but I don't have his home address”.

“Oh! Well, I know where he lives”.

“Really? take me there Leah please”. I pleaded trying to act cute though it might have looked rather unappealing

“No babe, I have to hang out with my boyfriend, I will just send you the address”.

Almost immediately, my phone beeped and Leah's message popped on the screen.

“Thank you so much”. I was so excited and give her a peck before hurrying away to catch the bus.

I got to my destination and knocked on the gate. A young boy of about 15 years opened the gate.

“Hi, please is this Jake's apartment?”

“Yes, and who are you?”

“His junior colleague. Please tell him Rhoda is here to see him”.

“Okay, wait here a bit”.