FLAMING HEART

THIRTEEN: WHO EXACTLY ARE YOU, FRANCIS?

"I love him! I love this man!" — Obioma.

★ ★ ★

It was a sunny day and Obioma dashed out of the house with a list of things she needed to buy. She had been given some money by Uloma to purchase all that needed to be purchased - it was the money the house mates contributed monthly for food. Surprisingly, Evelyn was excluded from the contribution as Uju bore her burden. Obioma still couldn't understand the depth of care Uju showered on Evelyn. Was there like a promise made or what? She couldn't understand. It was not like Evelyn was a maid like her or any of such sort to be excluded.

Obioma boarded a cab as soon as she got out of the compound and she couldn't help but feel some excitement bubbling in her stomach at the thought of going to the mall again - alone. She had gone there a couple of time with Uloma and Sharon but going alone made her heart flutter. It was like she was going on an adventure. Shopping was always done at the mall when there were a lot to be bought unlike Joy's plaza which was quite small.

Another source of her happiness was the freedom of leaving Evelyn. She had informed her about her departure while she had been sipping a cup of green tea in the sitting room - green tea that was refilled in packs each time the stock went out by Chiamaka who took it upon herself. As usual, Evelyn had waved her off without a word. Obioma was used to this so she wasn't the least bothered.

Thousands of people were in the mall as usual: moving up and down with trolleys. She picked one and headed straight to the food section to pick all that had been documented down on the paper. She was greeted by Mrs Anne: an elderly woman who worked in that section and who had often told her about her strong resemblance of her child.

As Obioma moved through the racks of food product with her trolley, she bopped her head slowly to the music. The mall was like her comfort zone for reasons she couldn't understand. The entire atmosphere was calming and soothing.

After shopping for close to an hour - since she couldn't make her choice on what corn beef or tinned tomato to buy as there were various brands - she finally wheeled her trolley to the counter to make payments and have things packed. As she joined the small queue - there was a man in front of her - she felt a tap on her shoulder. Surprised and agitated, she turned sharply only to see Francis staring at her. She blinked twice as she stared at him; wondering if she was seeing things now. Francis chuckled at her action and she smiled shyly; discovering it wasn't a dream.

"Francis." She had practised saying his name after their last meeting. She really didn't want to offend him gatsby further. "What are you doing here?" She asked quietly.

"I came to get few items for my mother." He replied and Obioma nodded instantly. The man at her walked away and so she was next in line. She contemplated stepping back and allowing the elderly woman at her back take her place while she bought some time to speak more with Francis. But when she saw Francis leaning back, she knew he was waiting for her. The thought warmed her up.

As she took the plastic bags from the cashier, Francis asked to help her with them since they were quite heavy.

"I'll drop you." He smiled at her and she nodded promptly like a zombie. Her face broke into a goofy grin as she admired Francis as he walked ahead of her; carrying her loads.

They got to his car which was parked at the mall's parking lot and got in. Francis made a reverse before driving out of the mall. Obioma felt a glee as the thought of sitting next to Francis - a spot Uju had always occupied - filled her mind. She tried not to stare too much at Francis who seemed to look a whole lot better than before.

"I saw your figure from a distance. I wasn't quite sure if it was you so I decided to confirm." Francis pronounced.

Obioma stared at him then and smiled. "What did you buy for your mother?"

"A bottle of peanut. She loves that."

"Oh!" Obioma nodded and smiled. It seemed like her lips had a brain of their own each time she was around Francis. They just expanded and contracted on their own accord.

"So how have you been? Did the flowers cause any problem?" Francis asked; his eyes fixated at the view ahead of him.

"I don't know if it did. No one said anything about it except Uloma who said you'd explain to her why you didn't use her name."

A soft laughter slipped from Francis's lip and she watched with interest as he took his bottom lip between his teeth for a while.

"I expected that. I guess I'll have to give her that explanation lest she chop my head off." He said after a while and Obioma smiled. It was like everything he said or did warranted a smile from her. He wasn't even making an effort to make her smile yet she was.

"How's your family? Have you met with them?"

Obioma swallowed, "I've not gone yet."

"But you speak with them on regular basis, right?"

"Last many months."

Francis threw her a look then. "Why? Don't you miss your mum and dad?"

Inhaling she replied, "My father has died, so it's only my mother that remains but I used Sharon's phone to call her one day. I hope to get a phone one day so I can call her as much as I want. I don't want to disturb Sharon. " Obioma revealed.

"Your father is dead?"

"Yes, he fell down from a tall palm tree while trying to tap palm wine." Obioma exhaled as she stared out of the window.

"I'm so sorry to hear this and I'm also sorry for bringing it up."

"it is okay. I don't feel so sad anymore. It's been five years it happened." Obioma informed and Francis nodded.

"So why don't you have a phone?"

"I don't have the money to buy one yet."

"Didn't Uloma get you one?"

"Was she to do so?"

"Yes. I feel she should. It won't take her much to do so." Francis shrugged but Obioma didn't respond. "From what you said," Francis continued, "your mother has a phone."

"Yes she does. My elder brother bought a phone for her when he returned from the city to the village."

"So your brother stays here?"

"Yes."

"Is he married or. . ." Francis paused.

"My brother isn't married. He's still serving so I don't think he is ready for marriage." She shifted uncomfortably on the chair; suddenly feeling nervous talking about her family with Francis. She wondered why he was interested in knowing more about her family. He asked questions Sharon hadn't even asked her.

"What about you?" Francis raised a brow teasingly.

"Me?" She asked confused.

"Are you ready for marriage?" He smirked.

Obioma's jaw dropped as she blushed. "Em. . .yes. . .no. . . I don't know." She stuttered feeling embarrassed to be asked such question. Well, I don't mind getting married to you if you proposed to me right now. She thought.

Francis loud laughter echoed in her ear as she watched him laugh heartily; glad she was able to make him laugh for once.

"You need to see your face. Why did you react that way? Don't you want to get married? Like, that's most girl's dream."

"I haven't found the right man." Obioma bowed her head and there was an awkward silence. For some strange reason, she felt Francis was scrutinizing her with his eyes. She felt his intense gaze boring a hole in her head. She couldn't look up to see if she was right for fear of meeting his gaze.

"Well. . . I was only joking." He stated plainly; taking his gaze off her and concentrating on the road.

Silence prevailed for a moment but it felt like a long while for Obioma. Had she said anything wrong to deserve a silent treatment. She rubbed her forehead wearily; wondering why she couldn't do without stepping on his toes.

Few minutes later, the car came to a halt in front of a supermarket. Francis got out of the car; asking her to wait inside the car for him. She wondered wanted to buy and why he had not gotten it at the mall. She sank into her seat; running her fingers on driver's seat and inhaling his strong cologne that filled his car despite his absence.

Fifteen minutes past, yet no sign of him. Obioma began to fidget; wondering if she should go in search of him. Eventually, he came out and walked into the car with a nylon in his hand. She heaved a sigh of relief and they continue their journey in silence. Obioma wished he would say something. She was tempted to ask if she had said anything wrong when she noticed they were around in her vicinity. She kept her mouth shut then; pouting that her little moment with Francis was suddenly coming to an end when half of it had been in silence.

Francis stopped in front of the gate and Obioma made way to come out when Francis held her by the wrist. The sudden cold fingers on her wrist made her shiver as she leaned back and stared at him in surprise.

"Aren't you entering inside?" She asked. "I want to open the gate for you."

"What for?"

"So you can come in." Obioma answered.

"And do what?"

"See Evelyn."

Francis smiled then as he handed the nylon which was by his side to her. Obioma stared him in puzzlement.

"That's your new phone, OB. I've registered your sim card. The phone is set for use." He informed.

Obioma began to shake her head in refusal. "I can't - "

"Take it, OB. This is something Uloma should have done since but since she hasn't, then have it. I want you to communicate with your family at your beck and call."

Obioma's eyes gradually welled up in tears as she stared at him. Why do you do the things you do, Francis? Who exactly are you?  She held her lips to stop a whimper from spilling from her lips.

"Oh Francis!" She muttered as she took the package from him.

Francis stared with an expression she didn't understand. "Don't start crying now. It's nothing. You ought to own a phone."

"Why will you waste your money to get me a phone: a common village girl?" She couldn't help but ask as a tear rolled out of her eyes.

"This is not a waste of money, OB. I want you to communicate with your mother and siblings."

Francis stretched his hand and wiped the tear from her cheek. Surprisingly, his fingers lingered and Obioma couldn't stop herself from shutting her eyes and leaning into his palm. His fingers tread softly upward until they disappeared into her bonded hair. Her body responded to every single movement his fingers made and when she opened her eyes, she was met with a sight she hadn't seen before. There was no denying the conflicted emotions she saw mirrored on his face. His stare brought butterflies to her tummy.

Suddenly, he withdrew his hand and held the steering wheel; gazing forward.

"Read the phone's manual. It would serve as an aid." He began casually, like nothing had transpired between them. "If anyone asks where you got this from, tell them I did. Go in, now."

Obioma nodded slowly still dazed from what had happened. She picked her things from the back seat and turned to go when Francis stopped her.

"One more thing," he avoided her eyes. "I saved my number just in case."

She nodded again and got out of the car; pushing the gate and going in without giving him a last look. She leaned by the gate as she listened to the startup of the engine and the zooming of the car. She placed a palm on her chest; still feeling the tingles of his touch on her cheek.

"I love him. I love this man," She muttered to herself. But why did it hurt? Was it supposed to hurt this way? She sighed deeply and walked into the house. 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

Is Francis just being nice or does he have some ulterior motive?