FLAMING HEART

NINETEEN: A DAY OUT WITH FRANCIS

"I don't know, Oby. Relax! At least, he isn't going to kill us." — Sharon.

★ ★★

Though it sounded like an innocent question, Obioma felt anger for being asked such a question in front of Francis. Was it her intention to make known to the world that she owned nothing?

"Everything on Obioma's body is hers. Those are my gifts to her." Sharon explained.

"Wow! Very thoughtful of you." Uju said dryly.

"I'm shocked o. Is it Oby that is looking like city chic?" Chiamaka teased.

"This is just the beginning." Sharon laughed.

Evelyn who had been quietly staring at Obioma announced, "I'm done! Let's go."

"Alright, bye dear." Uju hugged Francis as she kissed him deeply on the lips. Obioma looked away immediately. She could feel her heart squeeze. When she finally looked at them again, she noticed Uju staring at her.

"Aren't you all coming?" Sharon asked breaking the glare fest.

"Since Charles came, we hadn't greeted him. We plan on visiting him today. Chichi is leading the way." Uloma informed.

"Oh! I haven't seen him too. Anyway, extend my greetings to him." Sharon replied.

"Okay, see you girls." Francis bade and Obioma closed her eyes so she let his voice caress her ears. That cool deep voice that create weird feelings that settles at the bottom of her tummy.

"Get something for us too." Uloma informed and Francis grinned at her.

They all got into Francis's car while Chiamaka volunteered to open the gate. Uloma and Uju stood by the porch watching as they drove out of the compound. Evelyn sat at the front seat while Obioma and Sharon occupied the back seat. As they drove, Evelyn engaged herself in a conversation with Francis but then, she did most of the talking.

"Oby, have you thought of what trade to learn just like Ulo asked you to?" Sharon asked.

"Well!" Obioma began. It was true Uloma asked her to think of a trade she wanted to learn in order to keep busy. It was strange how Uloma was suddenly warming up to her. "I think it's your profession: hair dressing and makeup, I'd like to learn. I've already started learning already so I don't think it would be too hard for me. Staying in your salon with you has taught me a lot."

"I know, right?" Sharon smiled. "That's why I tell you always to watch me every time I style anyone's hair. It's very good to know at least one trade. You can still add more to it if you like."

"More like?" Obioma pursued.

"Like catering, tailoring, decorations, and many more." Sharon informed.

"I think I like catering more. I'd love to know how cakes are made."

"Yea, me too. That'd be the second trade I'd like to learn also." Sharon agreed. "We have a lot in common, Oby."

Obioma smiled, "That's why we're so close."

"Yea!" Sharon nodded; smiling.

They turned their attention back to Evelyn and Francis. Francis looked worn out from the talk but Evelyn looked like she had more to say. Obioma and Sharon chuckled at Francis' bored expression.

"Evelyn and her boring talks." Sharon stated. "Poor Francis!"

Obioma tittered and sneaked a glance at Francis: his hair was full and curly as usual She watched as his long straight fingers held the steering wheel tightly. She wished she could place her fingers on his.

"Where is Francis taking us to?" She asked Sharon, quietly.

"I don't know, Oby. Relax, at least he isn't going to kill us." Sharon yawned. She closed her eyes and leaned back into the chair.

"Do you want to sleep?"

"Yes. What does it look like I want to do. Wake me up when we arrive at our destination." She yawned again.

Obioma shook her head. She would never sleep again in Francis's car after the last experience. She couldn't afford disgrace herself anymore. She had done enough. She still wondered what he thought about that day. Was he irritated or amused? She wished she could read minds.

They drove in silence until they stopped at an eatery along the road. A security man directed cars driving into the eatery and when Francis had parked his car at a comfortable spot, they all came out. Sharon rubbed her eyes sleepily as she did.

"Where are we?" She nudged Obioma.

"An eatery." Obioma replied.

They took their respective seats next to the window which had a large screen displaying a music video. Two menu lists were on the table so Francis and Sharon picked them up. There were many people in the eatery and a soft blue was playing from the stereo. The atmosphere was cool due to the haier thermocool air condition placed at strategic places. The waiters and waitresses were dressed in red polo and black trousers.

Evelyn sat next to Francis while Obioma and Sharon sat opposite them. They sat in such a way that they faced each other. Obioma facing Francis and Evelyn facing Sharon. Evelyn moved closer to Francis so she could view the menu with him and that singular gesture unnerved Obioma. It was anything done by another woman to Francis provoked her. She directed her eyes to the menu list with Sharon and then, a young waitress came to their table to take their orders. Orders were made and while Obioma tried to choose something fancy, Francis asked for swallow. Seeing Francis order such surprised Obioma greatly. She had wanted to order same but had felt she would look very local if she did. How wrong she had been.

When their orders were brought, they all began to eat their meals with great relish. While Francis washed his hand under a tap in a basin, Evelyn asked him to use a knife to eat his meal.

"It's like you don't know the special flavour hands give when it comes to swallow." He rolled his eyes.

"Oby, have a taste." Sharon invited. She had ordered a French meal called Soupe à l’oignon: a traditional French soup made of onions and beef stock, served with croutons and melted cheese on top. It look enticing but Obioma had never seen anything like before.

"No. Thank you. Enjoy your meal."

"It's delicious."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I asked you to enjoy." Obioma stated and Francis chuckled. She turned to stare at him; shocked that he would laugh at something she had said. The discovery made her feel light in the head.

"You must taste this food o. You made Francis laugh at me." Sharon retorted and Francis laughed some more.

"I don't want something that will upset my stomach."

"But - "

"Would you just let her be?" Francis gently stated and Sharon made a face at him. Obioma gently chuckled as she watched Sharon raise her hand in an attempt to hit Francis. Francis dodged a little and they both laughed.

As Obioma ate, she stole glances at Francis. She watched as Francis rolled some semovita in his hand; placing it into his soup and bringing it into his mouth. She smiled softly as she licked her lips hungrily. Sometimes in life, you meet someone that unleashes the tamed demon in you. She felt like eating him up; taking big chunks. Suddenly, Just like he knew what she was thinking, Francis looked up and his gaze met hers. Embarrassed, she returned her eyes back to her food; her cheek flushed. She smiled nevertheless.

A cup of icecream was served to everyone after the meal.

"Where do we go from here?" Francis asked.

"Let's go to an amusement park." Evelyn pronounced.

"Let's see a movie." Sharon proposed at the same time.

"It's too early to see a movie." Evelyn replied her.

"Says who?"

"Me of course. It should be dark before you go to a movie theatre."

"What silly law is that? So I can't go to the movie theatre during the day?" Sharon puffed. "This is ridiculous."

"It isn't. That's when you get the beauty of the movie you're seeing especially when it's a romance. Anyway, what do you even know about movies?" Evelyn blurted out.

"Oh! You want us to go to an amusement park like we are kids still sucking breast. As big as you are Evelyn."

"What! Who told you amusement park is for kids only?" Evelyn fired.

Francis watched in amusement as the exchange of words continued. A small smile formed by the corner of his lips as he watched. He then turned to look at Obioma and shook his head gently. He smiled at her.

"What about you, OB? Where do you want to go? Leave this cat and rat."

"We heard you!" Sharon and Evelyn said before going back to their exchange of words.

"I'll go anywhere they come up with." Obioma replied; shrugging.

"Don't you have a choice of your own?"

"I do but I don't have anywhere in mind to go right now. I'd just go anywhere." Obioma replied. She resolved to look at and found him staring back at her Francis with a smiled. He shifted his gaze to Sharon and Evelyn who were glaring at each other like angry lioness.

"Okay girls, before you turn here to a boxing ring. We'd see a movie." Francis stated and Sharon cheered.

"Are you choosing Sharon's choice over mine?" Evelyn asked; hurt.

"I just felt like that's the best thing to do after a meal like this. Let's get going." Francis replied leaving Evelyn fuming on the chair.

"Aren't you coming along?" Sharon asked.

"What do you care?" Evelyn snapped as she got up and walked quickly ahead of them. Sharon looked at Francis who was suppressing a laugh. She then whispered something into his ear which made them burst into laughter with Sharon throwing her hand around Francis's shoulders.