FLAMING HEART

TWENTY EIGHT - JEALOUS

"That's your business! I've said what is on my mind and it is final. If you don't want to live by it, then get out of my house!" - Uloma

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Obioma rolled her eyes at this; muttering words to herself.

"Yea, I went out. Why are you at my house?"

"I want to see you. Where are you? Are you on your way? Should I wait?"

Obioma smiled cynically. The voice was so not like Uju. She sounded so desperate; her voice pleading. The Uju she knew was always calm, cool and controlled; carrying herself like she owned the world. Funny how she could break for a guy. Obioma laughed inwardly; feeling even more proud of getting Francis. He was hers. He had always been hers right from the start. Uju had only captured him and she had come to his rescue.

"I can't see you now. Perhaps, later." Francis replied and Obioma smirked; feeling above of Uju. There was a pause for some seconds and Obioma thought she had ended the call.

"What's going on Francis? What's happening to us? You don't call me anymore. I don't even hear from you again. You're just so distant from me."

"I've been busy, Uju." Francis muttered.

"I'm also busy, Francis but I still find time for you. It's like you're avoiding me. What now? Do you have another person?" Uju's voice was already breaking and Obioma wondered if she would cry soon. It would be a pleasure to hear her cry. It would be a pay back for all the time she made her cry.

"We'll talk later." Francis told her and Obioma turned to face him with a frown. He hung up and sighed; shoving his phone to his side. The phone kept ringing but he refused to answer it.

"So, OB - "

"What is it, Francis? Are you worried about her?" She cut him shut. Jealousy and anger building up in her; making a fierce combo. "I thought you love me. I can't believe you haven't broken up with her yet. Are you trying to date both of us simultaneously? What's this?"

Francis glanced at her; his face filled with worry. "Of course not. I do love you. . .so much but things are complicated. You won't understand."

"Make me understand then." She folded her arms.

"Let's bury this issue." Francis pronounced and she stared at him for a moment.

"Break up with her!" She finally stated and Francis shot her a look.

"You can't be with me and her. You said you don't love her. You said it wasn't your choice to date her, so why are you still with her? Break up with her, Francis. I don't like the way she's calling you neither do I like her coming to your house."

"It's not that easy." He whispered and she scowled.

"What do you mean by it's not easy? What is hard in saying: Uju, I break up with you?"

"How would you know when you haven't been in a relationship before."

Obioma was taken aback. She gaped at him.

"What do you mean?"

Francis sighed and rubbed his face. "I didn't mean to say that. The thing is, my relationship with Uju is not something I can just throw away like that. I have to be wise about it. Hope you know my parents hands are in this?"

"So you mean because your parents hands are in this, you're going to continue being with her?" Obioma's lips were quivering.

"Of course not. I love you, OB and it's you I want to be with. I just need some time to -"

"Stop the car!" She blurted out as she began pulling the seatbelt.

"What?! I've not even -"

"Stop the car, Francis!" She almost screamed.

"But -"

"Stop the car!" She screamed this time and the car came to a stop. She pushed the door open and walked out without another word. They were already close to the bus stop so the distance was minimal. Francis kept watching her with mouth agape as she hurried into the street. He pulled out of the driveway while she walked to the house. Tears were threatening to fall but with the strongest of willpower, she held them back in. She hated to think she was sharing Francis with Uju. She wouldn't lose Francis for anything. He was hers and she would get him by any means necessary.

The house mates were seated in positions like they were in a meeting when she walked in. All eyes fell on her as she greeted them. Uju turned her eyes away from her as she propped her palm under her chin; lost in thought. Sharon stood up then and drew her into an embrace.

"I was worried about you. You weren't picking your calls." She whispered. Obioma's eyes widened at this. She had kept her phone on silence so as not to disturb her while she went to Francis's house.

"Obioma, where are you coming from?" Uloma interrogated; with a frown etched on her face.

"I . . . I went to see a friend." Obioma stuttered.

"Who did you tell?" Uloma was facing her squarely. The room was silent and the television volume was on mute. It was like they were in a court: Uloma the judge and Obioma the offender.

"Everyone was taking a nap. I didn't want to disturb." Obioma replied; hoping her lie would be bought.

"So you left the house without telling anybody and you couldn't pick your calls when we called? Why do you think you have that phone in your hand? Do you think it's for fancy? The phone was given to you so people can know communicate with you."

"I'm sorry I left without informing anyone. I'm also very sorry for not picking my calls. I didn't know when it was ringing. It's my fault." Obioma admitted; praying Uloma would let the issue slide.

Uloma heaved a sigh then; fixing her eyes on her phone screen, "Which friend did you visit this time? The same one you visited last Sunday?"

"Yes." Obioma smiled.

"Why haven't your friend visited you too?" She asked to her surprise.

Obioma racked her brain for something to say, "She's a maid and her boss doesn't allow her to leave the house."

"Oh! Is that so? So it is you that can leave the house? Honestly, I'm not happy with this new found behaviour of yours: roaming through the street like a jobless woman. You're my responsibility, Oby. I brought you from the village and it's my duty to protect you. The city is dangerous. I don't want to be in trouble because of you. The only time you'd not be under my care is if you go back to the village and return to the city yourself. Only then can you move up and down the street."

"I'm not moving up and down the street. I only went to see a friend. You all also visit your friends." Obioma was already getting angry. They made it look like going out was a crime when they spent the night at God knows where.

"She's now rubbing shoulders with us. What experience does she have?" Evelyn whispered to herself but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Eve, please. No one asked for your opinion." Sharon retorted.

"Evelyn is right. What experience do you have that you're comparing yourself with us?" Uloma continued.

"How do I have experiences when you want me to stay locked up at home?" Obioma asked; shifting her weight to her left leg. She was already stressed from the talk with Francis. Did she need this now?

"Then go back to the village and come back on your own. You can come back to this house if you like - that I don't have a problem with. Look here, Oby! This is the last time you'll visit your so called friend. You've visited her or him twice so it's time for him or her to visit you. Don't leave this house again. I have enough problem on my shoulder. I don't need extra." Uloma told her. She stood up and began walking away.

"That's how I will receive phone call one day to hear 'there is a girl lying on the road' or 'pay a ransom of one million to release your girl'. Abeg o." She blurted out as she took the stairs.

"I can take care of myself! Stop treating me like a child. I'm twenty two for crying out loud! Even twelve years old walk around the street, how much more twenty two?" Obioma retorted.

"That's your business, Obioma! Do you hear me? It's your business! I've said what is on my mind and it is final. If you don't want to live by it, then get out of my house." Uloma finalized as she walked away.

"End of story." Evelyn giggled a bit before keeping calm after she saw the glare Sharon threw her way.

Uju who had been calm since, stood up and pushed Obioma violently from the way as she took the stairs to her room. Obioma stared at her, flummoxed.

"You shouldn't have done that, Uju!" Sharon yelled as she tried pulling Obioma into an embrace but Obioma walked away with tears blinding her vision.

"Obioma!" Sharon called out in shock but Obioma refused to reply.

She locked her door behind her and sat on the bed; cupping her face in her palms. Her mind was racing as she stared at nothingness. Her only means of seeing Francis had been cut short. What would she do now?

Tears slithered down her cheek. She was already fed up with her sneaking around. She was tired of the fact that she couldn't be with him openly. She was angry that he wouldn't break up with Uju. She was deeply annoyed with Uloma for talking to her that way.

She fell to her bed as her mind created imagery of Francis's face when he hung up on Uju. He looked sad: like he didn't want to; like he cared. Was he messing around with her? Was she now his plaything?

"No!" The word slipped out of her mouth. "Never!"

Her phone began vibrating then and she stared at the caller. It was Francis. She turned away and walked into the bathroom leaving the phone to vibrate to its heart content.