FLAMING HEART

TWELVE - MR RIGHT?

"I know there is a guy you like and you think he is your Mr right. Who is he?  Do I know him?" — Sharon.

★ ★ ★

It was another working day and Obioma was helping Sharon open up her salon for the day's business. She had woken up early so she could go with Sharon. She was already fed up with Evelyn's new found job of getting on her nerves.

Obioma could still remember how loud she had screamed when she saw the sheared flowers. She had wasted no time in accusing Obioma in front of the house mates of shearing the flowers her name and when she was told it was Francis who did the act, she had turned white in shock like she had seen a ghost and had glanced at Uju who ate her food in silence like none of the drama ensuing was her business. Just to dwell on the issue, Evelyn had burst out in anger; yelling at Obioma for not informing her about Francis's visit while Chiamaka and Uloma had expressed their shock at Francis's behaviour. Uloma had gone further to tease that she would interrogate him for not using her name.

Regarding Uju's silence, Obioma had thought she was not affected in any way and had thanked God silently for she had wondered how her relationship with Uju would be from then hence forth. However, what had happened in the kitchen that night had knocked her off her feet. She had been doing the dishes when Uju barged in; slamming the door and walking towards her direction. Obioma had been scared shitless; wondering what was happening as Uju shot daggers at her; pupils glazed; nostril flared. Obioma had thought for a split second she would be stabbed with the kitchen knife lying on the cabin. It was a relief when Uju had smiled, taken a bottle of water from the fridge beside her and walking out - not without throwing a last look masked with a sweet smile.

It had felt like a warning of some sort. More like they were in cold war. The thought Uju might be insecure irked Obioma to the utmost crest. Why should she be insecure? Francis was deeply in love with her. He had shown it so many times in public. She wished she found someone like him who would shower her with love both in public and private.

Obioma made a mental note to stay away from Uju. But then she felt if Uju had a problem with the flowers sheared someone else's name, she should confront her boyfriend rather than shooting deadly glares. After all, she hadn't forced Francis into doing what he did. He said he wanted her. I chose you. Those were his exact words.

"Mmm, what are you smiling about?" Sharon's light voice brought Obioma back to reality. "You've been holding that weavon pack in your hand for quite a long time. I was hoping you'd hang it up but you didn't. Now tell me what you are thinking about and why it's making you smile." 

"Emmm. . ." Obioma bit her lower lips. Obviously she couldn't say she was thinking of Francis telling her 'I chose you'. Besides, she would never share that with anyone. It felt like their own little secret. The thought made her giggle.

"You're still laughing? Wow! This must be a good news." Sharon eyed her playfully.

"Mmm. . ." But he still isn't mine.

She then turned to look at Sharon who was looking at her expectantly; hoping for a tip. The gloom look on Obioma's face made the smile on Sharon's face disappear.

"Is it about your mother?" Sharon asked; totally concerned. Obioma nodded quickly; jumping on the perfect excuse.

"You missed them right?"

She nodded again as she whispered, "Yes." Now thinking of it, she did miss her mum and siblings. It had been so long and she no longer trusted Ikenna and his words. She wanted to see things with herself to be absolutely sure.

"I know how you feel. I also miss my mum a lot. I was her baby and so, while coming to Lagos, I felt like a child forcefully dragged away from its mother's." Sharon chuckled uneasily. "But we have to move forward right? We can't be tied to our mother's apron string for life. Can we? We need to start our lives because one day," she shook her head sadly. "they will leave us to face this harsh world alone. So cheer up, my dear sister."

Obioma nodded and smiled. She felt really blessed to have met someone like Sharon.

"Anyway, when will you go to visit them?" Sharon asked as she cleaned some packs of attachment before hanging them on a header.

"Well, I haven't decided yet." Obioma paused; as she thought.

Sharon nodded in understanding; stroking her palm as she did. She brought out the show glass where makeup kit, powders, necklaces and other materiel were displayed. Just then, a young man walked past the shop and Sharon's eyes followed him as he did. He was quite handsome but to Obioma, he couldn't compete with Francis. It was even like an insult to compare him with Francis.

Sharon on the other hand, kept looking at him until he got into his car and drove out. She sighed then broke into a shy grin when she noticed Obioma staring at her.

"I'm just wondering when if he was my Mr right." They both laughed at this.

"Honestly, I wonder how he looks."

"This guy?" Obioma asked, puzzled.

"My Mr right. I wonder if I'll be as lucky as Uju."

Obioma raised a brow as she stared at Sharon: purely confused.

"Francis?" Obioma puffed.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Isn't she lucky? I can remember how I felt when I found out those two are a couple. I was so jealous." Sharon began laughing. "I'm so ashamed of myself for feeling that way right now. How can I be envious of two happy couple? Imagine that, Oby."

"How sure are you they are happy?"

"Don't they look happy to you?"

Obioma sulked. "I don't know."

"Well, they are. Why do you look so sad? Don't worry our Mr right is out there and he'd come at the appointed time?"

Obioma pursed her lips, "is there a Mr right for every girl?" It was true she always pictured herself with perfect man, but then, how true was this? Was she born to be alone?

"Of course yes! There's a man for every woman and a woman for every man. Every girl has a man made specially and only for her. You just have to be patient." Sharon replied.

"But what if your Mr right is in a relationship? Have you lost him forever?" Obioma asked.

"I believe if he's truly yours, he'd definitely come back to you. His so called relationship will never work. Do you know why?"

Obioma shook her head.

"They're not meant to be."

"But what if he leaves the relationship but go to another girl?"

"No relationship will work out well because he's not with the right person. He will continue to move around until he settles with the right person which is you." Sharon turned to face her; examining her face critically.

"What if he's very happy with that girl now?"

"He can never be as happy with anyone as he would with you, Obioma." Sharon embraced her and she relaxed. According to all Sharon had said, if Francis was truly meant for her, he would definitely come back to her no matter how happy he and Uju seem to appear. She really wanted to believe Francis was hers and above all things, she hoped Sharon was right in all she had said.

"Who's the guy?" Sharon released her. Obioma stared numbly at her. "I don't understand."

"I know there's a guy you like and you think he's your Mr right. Who is he? Do I know him?"

"You're funny, Sharon." Obioma chuckled. "There is no Mr Right now. I wish there was one. I was just thinking about what my Mr Right is doing right now?"

Sharon smiled brightly at this. "I thought I was the only one doing this. Many a time, I sit quietly; imagining where my man is and what he is doing. Was he thinking of me? Questions like that flood my mind. It's crazy right?" Sharon asked as they but burst into laughter.