FLAMING HEART

TWENTY: DEE

"Where are we going? I'm seriously contented with the places you've taken us to. You don't have to bother taking me elsewhere." - Obioma

★ ★ ★

The movie theatre was a drive of fifty five minutes and when they had purchased their tickets, they entered into the darkened room. There were some empty chairs at strategic places but only two empty chairs at the middle row. Francis made way to sit there and Evelyn followed closely behind but to everyone's surprise, Francis stretched out his hand and ushered Obioma to sit beside him. For a moment, Obioma couldn't move but Francis's bright smile urged her and so she did. Evelyn on the other hand gawked at them for a minute before walking to the next available seat which was three rows ahead, looking like a child whose favourite toy had been forcefully snatched. Sharon tittered and followed suit.

The movie began and the hall became silent as everyone got engrossed in the movie except Obioma who couldn't think straight sitting very close to Francis. She kept stealing peeps at him; knowing she was being obvious but just couldn't stop. She stared at his elbow which he rested on the arm of the chair. It took the strongest of her willpower not to touch him. She couldn't control her eyes from ending up at his lips which were slightly opened, exposing sets of glossy white teeth. She felt hot all over at the thought of closing the space between them. She imagined her lips closely knitted with his: her tongue in his mouth. She wished she could just do it, after all the hall was dark and the only source of light was the huge screen. They could kiss without anyone noticing. Oh, why couldn't they kiss even if it was just once? Should she lean forward; pretending she was trying to take something off his face? Then she could slam her lips on his and act like it wasn't intentional. Who would know? A kiss was a kiss, be it deliberate or forced. God! Since when did she become a w***e? Why was she in so much hunger of his lips? She craved them; a very different craving: not of food.

She turned away from him as she gulped. She could tell the movie was very interesting as everyone's interest was piqued. She tried to concentrate but found her eyes going back to Francis's face. She could watch him for hours and never get bored. He was so beautiful, so fascinating, so perfect. She had never thought she would crave people with high cheek bone but here she was.

She watched as his bushy brow furrowed in concentration; his seductive eyes maintaining their gaze on the screen; his long lashes shooting forward like a branch. His sensuous lips curved into a smile at an action made by one of the actors. Oh! What was he doing to her? Sitting next to him was such a bad idea. She could never focus: he distracted her yet she was distracted without him. It was just too crazy to comprehend.

Obioma was brought out of her longing by the loud laughter in the theatre room. Everyone was laughing including Francis. She deemed they had just watched a hilarious scene in the movie. She tried once again with a great resolve to concentrate on the movie but as usual, she failed woefully. Worn out from all her attempts, she placed her head on her laps and closed her eyes; trying to calm her raging hormones.

"Are you alright?" She heard him ask quietly and she nodded swiftly; not trusting herself to look at him. His mere voice did questionable things to her. She was scared she would grab his face and kiss him senseless if she looked at him. Why on earth did he ask her to sit with him? To distract her?

She remained in her position till the movie came to an end. The next movie was to start in thirty minutes time but Sharon advised they leave since it was getting dark. Francis agreed with her and they all left the theatre. Surprisingly for everyone, Evelyn walked to the back seat.

"Aren't you staying at the front?" Sharon asked her but she ignored her and sat at the back. Sharon shrugged and then asked Obioma to sit in front since the chair couldn't be left empty. Obioma opened her mouth to protest but then, what would be her reason for not doing so? She couldn't possibly say she lost her senses by mere sitting close to him.

She numbly agreed instead and said a prayer for her death was nearby. Francis would be the death of her.

"Let me help you with that." Francis offered despite the fact she didn't need her putting on her seatbelt. He leaned over and she tried not breath for she didn't know what she would do should she inhale his scent. She hated being this vulnerable. It was like he was teasing her. Don't flatter yourself, Oby. Her subconscious jeered at her Why on earth would he waste his time teasing you? He has a girlfriend for crying out loud! Get that into your head!

She knew her subconscious was right but she wanted to linger on that tiny hope that she might be right . . . Perhaps. It was like she was in conflict with her mind and body. Her body wanted something her mind disagreed with.

It was a long quiet drive all the way home as everyone was occupied with their respective thoughts. Evelyn focused on the window through out the drive: sulking and brooding. Immediately they arrived home, Evelyn got out of the car and walked through the gate without saying anything to Francis. Obioma was surprised at Evelyn's behavior but it seemed she was the only only with the shock since Francis looked unaffected.

Obioma turned to go as Sharon did the same only to be held back by Francis.

"Go on in, Sharon. We will be right back. There's one more place I'd like to take Obioma to."

"What?!" Sharon gaped.

"She'll be back soon." Francis replied as waved to Sharon and drove out; leaving a shocked Sharon standing at the gate and a confused Obioma staring at him.

"Where are we going? I'm seriously contented with the places you took us to earlier. You don't have to bother taking me elsewhere."

"It's not a bother. You don't have to worry. I'm doing this because I want to." Francis replied without taking his eyes off the road. Francis was surreptitious: marked by secrecy and difficult to understand or fathom. He was a chameleon also: switching from one mood to the other. One minute, he was caring and sweet and the other, a totally different person.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. Just relax!"

Obioma sighed and after a minute, she said, "Thanks for taking us out today. I really enjoyed the outing."

"Really? Did you?" Francis asked coolly.

"Yes, I did. The meal was very delicious and the movie was. . .was very interesting."

"I don't think you mean that, OB. But you're welcome." Francis said smoothly and Obioma was taken aback.

"Why would you doubt me?"

"Not like I doubt you. I said that because I know you weren't concentrating on the movie. You were carried away."

Obioma looked at him then, abashed. She caught a little smirk on his face and her heart skipped. Had he caught her sneaking peeps at him at the theatre? She shook her head slightly. He couldn't! He wouldn't! He should not!

They stopped at a classy boutique and an elderly woman in her late forties stood up immediately she saw Francis. She pulled him into a tight hug and planted a peck on both of his cheeks.

"How are you doing, Dee?" Francis asked.

"Very well, Francis my boy!" She smiled at him. She then turned her gaze at Obioma. "Oh! You brought company along." She said to Francis and laughed.

"Dee, meet Obioma. Obioma meet Dee. She's the owner of this lovely boutique." He complimented as the woman slightly hit him by the shoulder.

"Good evening, ma!" Obioma greeted with a smile on her face.

"Evening, my dear!" She smiled sweetly at her. "Nice meeting you."

"Same here, ma."

"Oh, just call me, Dee. I'm okay with that." Turning to Francis, she asked, "Are you here to get clothes for your mum?"

"No. I'm here to get clothes for her." He pointed at Obioma who gasped in return.

"Suspected as much." Dee smiled. "Your mother was here just a few days ago so she wouldn't had asked you to come here."

"Yea, Dee. Can you please bring out the best of your collections so we can choose from it?"

"Of course." Dee replied as she called one of her employees to get the collection.

The young girl brought some clothes coupled with shoes and then placed them on the table.

"These are the best of our collections left. Your mum has purchased the best of the best." Dee smiled at him.

"Trust my mum for that." Francis chuckled. Then turning to Obioma, "OB, try these on."

The young girl who brought the collection took Obioma to the dressing room while Francis sat with Dee, chatting and laughing. Obioma who still found it hard to grasp all that was happening picked one of the clothes and examined it for a price tag. When she saw it, she held her lips to avoid screaming. Why on earth would Francis spend such huge amount of money on clothes? Weren't there other cheaper boutique? Why was he buying her clothes at the first place?

She gently wore the black gown and wore a black wedge with it. She stared at the mirror and gasped at what she saw.

"Oby, is this really you?" She exclaimed. "Oby, you have changed o. See you looking like those people that are acting film." She smiled.

She gently walked out of the dressing room; wondering how Francis would react to her appearance. Would he like it?