FLAMING HEART

TWENTY ONE - I WANT YOU. . . AGAIN

"No, I don't. I don't understand why you keep looking down on yourself. Honestly, your words drive me crazy sometimes. If only you knew how much you mean to me." - Francis.

★ ★ ★

Francis who had been chatting with Dee quickly looked up immediately Obioma walked in. His jaw dropped the moment he saw her.

"Wow! She looks like she had just appeared right from a fashion magazine." Dee exclaimed and when Francis didn't say anything, she turned to look at him.

"Close your mouth, Francis. See, those flies will rush in." She teased as the young girl and Obioma laughed.

Francis smiled a little and stood up, "You look really pretty, OB." He then took a bracelet from where it was kept and wore it around Obioma's neck. He stepped back then to access her.

"She's very beautiful, Francis!" Dee complimented and Francis smiled.

Obioma, happy with all the reactions she got, she went back to the dressing room to try out the remaining outfits. She looked extremely pretty in all and they were perfectly her size. Obioma wished she could try all the outfits on the hanger just to see that spark that lights up Francis's eyes each time she walked out of the dressing room in a new outfit. She would never forget the adoration in his eyes.

Dee asked the young girl and two more employees to pack all that had been bought: shoes, clothes, bags and accessories, for Obioma. Francis excused himself while they packed to make a phone call.

Obioma sat on a chair next to Dee as she watched the girls package her new property - it was still very unbelievable.

"You're a very lucky girl, Obioma to have a guy like Francis by your side." Dee told her.

"He's not mine." Obioma softly stated making Dee chuckle a bit.

"He might not be yours now but I assure you, he will later. I see the way he looks at you: with such sweet affection. You're the only girl he's brought to this boutique, you know. I'm very happy to see him with you. I like you. You're beautiful and you have such kind eyes. Take care of him, Obioma. He's more priceless than gold." Dee pronounced and Obioma couldn't help but stare into her eyes. She wanted to tell her she was mistaken and that Francis had a girlfriend he loved and cherished. She wanted to scream out loud that Francis would never see her that way. Oh! How she wished to inform this woman the supposed affection she saw in Francis's eyes was nothing but compassion. She wanted to say all these but found herself saying something else.

"I'd do my best in taking care of him."

Dee smiled at her and gave her palm a gentle squeeze.

Francis came in just in time and he took all the fancy bags which had the name of the boutique imprinted boldly on it into the car. Dee pulled Francis and Obioma into a big hug like a mother blessing their marriage before bidding them good bye.

It was dark already and the stars were out: sparkling like diamonds in the sky. The evening breeze caressed Obioma's skin and she sighed in satisfaction. What she so desired was coming into place bit by bit.

The drive was quiet except for the soft blues playing from the radio Francis had tuned. There was a subtle look on his face as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove.

"Dee is a very nice woman." Obioma broke the silence.

Francis smiled, "she's indeed a nice woman. She's just like a second mother to me. She's my mother's best friend."

"Oh!" Obioma nodded. "She told me I was the first woman you ever brought to her boutique." She stated quietly; wondering if she was to bring that up.

Francis chuckled a bit, "Trust Dee to spill out things. Anyway, you're not the first woman. Uju is. I brought Uju there once but she complained she didn't like the way Dee looked at her, so she never came back instead she shopped elsewhere."

Obioma felt a slight ache at the revelation that she wasn't the first. She had wanted to cleave to that knowledge even though it was the only thing she could boast of.

"Dee is a friendly woman. Why would Uju dislike someone like her?" She asked; trying not to sound heartbroken. And a woman with wrong judgement. She told me you'll be mine but here we are talking about Uju.

"Uju is just like that. Finding fault in everyone." Francis sighed.

This was a shocker. She had expected him to cover up for her since she was his girlfriend, not expose her like that to an outsider.

"But Uju - "

"Can we stop talking about Uju, please?" Francis pleaded.

This was yet another shocker. It seemed like that night was a night of surprises. A lot had been going on. She stared at him for a while before nodding. She thought one's partner should be one's favourite topic but it seemed she was mistaken. What did she know about relationship anyway? She had never been in one.

"Thanks for all you did for me today." She finally stated.

"You're welcome."

"The clothes you purchased for me are very beautiful and expensive, same with the shoes and accessories. I saw the price tags."

"You did? Anyway, they looked very good on you."

"Why would you spend such amount of money on me? We could have gone to a less expensive boutique to purchase them. These clothes you bought are for rich people - "

"Shhhh!" Francis silenced her but she kept talking nevertheless.

"I can't imagine wearing them. If you had told me your plans earlier on, I wouldn't have allowed you go to Dee's boutique. I like Dee but her attires are for high classed people. . .important people." She blurted out.

"And am I complaining, OB? You said you can't imagine wearing them but you did wear them at the dressing room." Francis rubbed his face in weariness.

"You're not but I don't want you spending your money on someone like me." She turned her gaze to the window admiring the beautiful street light. She had never been out in the night.

"What do you mean by 'someone like you'?" Francis asked; anger laced in his voice.

"You know what I mean."

"No I don't. I don't understand why you keep underestimating yourself. Honestly, your words drive me crazy sometimes. If only you knew how much you mean to me and how I wish to do one hundred fold of everything I have done for you. I am more than willing to provide all your needs. I don't consider this as a waste at all. I - " He gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw preventing him from going further. He closed his eyes for a second; exhaling and rubbing his forehead as he did. He bit his lower lip like he had said a forbidden word which he ought not to say. Maybe, he did.

Obioma sat awestruck. She couldn't believe a word of all she had heard. Was Francis alright? Was he now seeing Uju's face in hers? As much as she would like to believe all that he said, she knew she shouldn't. He simply needed to rest. He had had a long day.

Despite all these, Obioma hoped he would say more. Though those words were meant for Uju, she wouldn't mind being the Uju for that night so she could get to hear those sweet words from that sweet lips. She sank into her chair when she found out they were approaching the house. She began to release herself from the tight claws of the seat belt as disappointment overwhelmed her. She was tired already and wanted to leave his presence that instance. She was tired of being confused and disappointed. Perhaps, she should never see him again.

Francis pulled to stop in front of the gate and only then did he look at her. The moon light riveted on his face casting a glow and silhouetted him in the background. He looked radiant under the moonlight

"I'd like to hang out with you again. I don't know if you're okay with it." He asked in a low voice.

"Yes, it's okay by me." Obioma couldn't stop the words from rolling out. Each time she tried to push herself away from him, she saw herself falling back and each time she fell, she fell deeper and more attached.

"Okay then, just call me any weekend you're chanced. I'd come pick you."

She nodded weakly, "no problem, Francis." Mere saying his name was giving her tingles.

"Let me help you with these." He offered but she shook her head defiantly.

"I'll carry it myself, Francis. You should get going. It's late."

"It isn't a bother. I can help you - "

"Don't worry, Francis, I'll carry them myself. You've done enough. I don't want to stress you further."

She got out of the car and waved at him. He was staring at her the same way he had stated at her when he presented her phone to her. She got into the compound and leaned on the gate; listening to the sound of his car; driving out of the neighborhood. She heaved a sigh: Time to face the trouble at home. Numerous questions would be thrown on her about all that she was bringing in. What else would she say other than the truth: Francis bought them for her.

They were all sitting on the sofa watching a television programme when she walked in. All eyes fell on her and Sharon who was lying on the floor fast asleep immediately got up at the sound of the door and hugged her. Chiamaka asked her then what was in the bags she was holding and she told them. What else would she had done?

Silence and an awkward tension filled the air to the extent it could be felt. It was thick and it was in the eyes of Uju which were twitching and in the eyes of Uloma, Chiamaka and Sharon which were wide in surprise. It was on Evelyn's lips which were opened. It was everywhere.

But that was all that happened. No one said or did more than what had been done. Obioma released the breath she had been holding when Sharon offered her food. It was good no one was saying anything but only a fool would think everything was fine. They say speech is silver and silence is golden, in Uju's eyes lied speeches untold. Her face was stoic and her eyes were cold. The news obviously didn't go down well with her.