FLAMING HEART

TWENTY THREE - OUTING

You don't understand anything. You don't understand that I've been dying to see you since. Don't you know how much I enjoy your company? You don't know what you do to me, do you? — Obioma.

† † †

Obioma couldn't stop thinking about all that Francis had said to her the last time she had seen him. She had wanted to share the news with Sharon but chided herself not too since she didn't know how Sharon would react to the news. She couldn't trust Sharon to handle that. It was still like a dream to her: a dream she never wanted to wake up from.

Butterflies filled her tummy that day as she got dressed in her room. She was finally meeting Francis after two weeks of not hearing from him. Though she had expected him to call or send a text as to why she hadn't called him but then, he never did. Obioma wondered if he didn't want to see her anymore or was just busy. She had tried calling him once to inform him why she couldn't make it last weekend but just couldn't bring herself to dial his number or text him, she was too shy to do so.

Last Saturday, she had hoped the house mates would automatically leave the house since she couldn't leave the house without them throwing series of questions at her. It would be insane to inform them about Francis's wish to meet with her again; that would be asking to be buried alive. She knew Uju would never hesitate to serve her corpse to the pigs. Though she had been very quiet about all that had been occurring, Obioma wasn't ready to take chances. Her mother had often said that when a serpent was quiet, it meant trouble was not far. Uju was more like a serpent: quietly monitoring every movement; patiently waiting for the perfect time to attack. She would never want to be her prey neither did she want to stimulate more hatred.

That Saturday, the house mates had remained in the house: talking and laughing - never leaving so she had had no choice but to stay back. She hated that she was being restricted from going out like she was a ten-year-old kid who needed to be told what to do. Why shouldn't she move freely just like the rest? After all, she was an adult too - though the youngest but still an adult nevertheless. It was like Uloma was breathing down her neck every night and day and Obioma hoped she would stop. Yes, It was true she was her responsibility but then she knew how to take care of herself. Why then should things be dictated to her?

Because of this, she had to undergo another painful week of anxiety. She was finally glad she could meet the man that had featured in her dreams consistently over the week. She giggled as she watched herself in the mirror. She was the only one at home as the rest of the house mates had attended a wedding ceremony to her luck - except Chiamaka who went for a get together party hosted by her old school mate. Though she had been asked to come along with them, she had refused.

"Why? What can the reason be?" Uloma had questioned her while Uju rolled her eyes; muttering something like 'we can't say you don't have something to wear' to herself.

She had lied to them anyway that she was ill and needed to rest. According to her, she had overworked herself during the week and so needed to rest. With this excuse, the house mates had left her alone and here she was, applying the last touch of blush on her cheek whilst glancing at her phone for a beep or a call. She had finally sent the message she hadn't had courage to send over the week to him and he had replied immediately like he had been expecting her message; informing that he would be there soon.

Obioma had made sure to tell him not to stop by the house gate but at the bus stop where she could easily meet him without being noticed. She felt like a thief tiptoeing in the night. They said the wall had ears so she wouldn't want to give the walls the satisfaction of exposing her.

Actually, she had not told a total lie about being ill. She had been on one chore or the other over the week so it was normal to be tired. She had even sheared the flowers which had lost its shape over the weeks. Though it was saddening to watch her perfect 'OB' wither away, she was glad it was once there.

Obioma checked herself out once more in the mirror before stepping out of her room. She was wearing an orange dress which was way above her knees. She had noticed at the boutique that was one of Francis's favourite: his eyes had widened the moment she had walked out of the dressing room in it, she knew he loved it and so settled for it. Though she had a hard time finding the dress since her closet was now filled with clothing that screamed expensive - she had long burnt to ashes all that had been brought from the village. There was no way she would wear them again. She was now a city girl - she resolved to find the dress. She ached to please him and so would go any mile to achieve this.

Her phone beeped as she approached the gate. It was a message from Francis informing that he was at the bus stop. She smiled happily as she walked out of the gate; locking it and heading to the bus stop which was few metres away. It was not hard locating Francis's car since he had parked it by the side of the road. She carefully opened the door and sat on her now favourite chair. The car was cool and the windows were shut as usual. Unlike Uloma who had once stated she appreciated God's natural breeze, Francis's windows were never opened.

Francis turned to look at her immediately she got in and his eyes fed on her looks. His lips slightly parted as he unconsciously assessed her from her head to her toe. Obioma blushed when she noticed her short dress was even shorter when she sat and so she shifted uncomfortably on the chair and stared at her exposed lap in the process. Francis came out of his trance by her actions and he faked a cough as he stared ahead and inserted the key in ignition.

"You look beautiful, OB." He complimented as he drove into the road and began to drive with great speed. Obioma noticed he loved moving at a great speed and she loved it too only that she felt it was risky. But why care? Life itself was risky and she here, was attempting a risk by sneaking out with Francis.

"Thank you." She replied. She wished to compliment him too but wondered if it would be wrong. He looked more than handsome in his simple gray t-shirt and dark jean trouser. Seeing him made her feel she was overdressed. She wondered where he was taking her.

Giving her a sidelong glance, he asked, "They are all out for a wedding, right?"

"You know about the wedding?" Obioma's eyes widened.

"Yea, Uju told me about it." He rubbed his forehead and Obioma frowned. He looked worn out - like something was bothering him.

"Why didn't you go then?" She asked instead. She hoped whatever was bothering him wasn't something serious.

"I wasn't invited." Francis replied.

"Uju invited you, didn't she?"

"She only told me." Francis responded blankly.

Obioma stared at him avidly and he burst into laughter. His eyes crinkled as he did and Obioma couldn't help but break into a grin; glad that she had put a smile on his face.

"Why did you look at me like that?" He asked her.

"Because you're not serious." She responded softly; suddenly avoiding his eyes. He smiled and they embarked on their journey in silence.

"Where are we going?" She asked after a while; now feeling the unnerving pain of hunger. In her excitement of seeing him, she had forgotten to eat - something she never knew was possible to do. Her tummy made a funny noise just then and she bit her lip in embarrassment as Francis chuckled.

"I can see you're hungry. Let's feed the worms in your tummy."

They drove for about thirty minutes before stopping at a restaurant. Francis got out of the car; walking to her side to open the door for her but she was already out before he could. He held her hand instead and led her into the fancy restaurant. They had their seats at a round table at the far end of the restaurant, adjacent to the television screen. A waiter attended to them and they sent their orders. Obioma ordered the French meal Sharon had insisted she tasted then. It was a day of risk so she could risk her belly. Surprisingly, Francis ordered the same meal with her and they both ate in silence; each deep in thought. The meal was indeed delicious just as Sharon had stated. Obioma shut her eyes as she savoured the meal; totally oblivious of her surrounding; only enjoying herself. She opened her eyes after a while to catch Francis staring at her. He shifted his gaze to his food and almost choked himself in the process. Obioma stifled a laugh and Francis looked up at her then, thinking she had returned her gaze to her food only to see her staring at him. His cheek flushed and she couldn't help but giggle. He grinned.

Francis ordered a bottle of wine after their meal and they sat staring at each other; taking sips from their glasses.

"So why did they leave you behind? Don't tell me Uju had something to do with this. Tell me the truth." He brought the issue of the wedding up again.

"No. Not at all. I . . .Well, I told them I wasn't feeling too well. . ." She looked down. "which was a lie, actually. I just wanted to see you today since I couldn't make it last week. I didn't want to keep you waiting anymore."

Francis sighed, "I told you when you are chanced. I don't want you forgoing anything because of me. I can wait."

"I didn't want to attend. I seriously didn't want to. I wanted to see you." Obioma protested. You  don't understand anything. Don't you understand that I've been dying to see you since? You don't know how much I enjoy your company. You just don't know what you do to me, do you? A minute with you worth more than gold to me. I wish I could say all these out loud to you but I can't. I just can't. 

Francis smiled broadly at her. "Let's get going." He stood up and she did so too.

"There is an open field with a lake view close by."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He nodded as they got into the car and drove to the open field named Lover's garden. Flowers of various types were used to decorate the vast land and there were numerous statues of various animals.

Benches were rooted to the ground and Francis led her to one which was directly in front of the lake. The cool evening breeze blew Obioma's hair as she sat with Francis on the bench, distancing herself a little from him.