Chapter Twenty Two
1019 Words
‘Who was that?’ Tayo, Darryl’s uncle asked.
Darryl turned around. ‘A friend.’
‘Ah, Hayley, the girl you used to talk about so much.’
‘Yeah.’
‘You know your father doesn’t like her but your mum is quite fond of her.’ He folded the newspaper and took off his glasses.
‘I know that already. Liz sent her regard.’
‘Is Liz your boo?’
Darryl laughed at his uncle use of slang. ‘Yeah, she’s my boo.’
Tayo stood up; at the age of forty two he still maintained his athletic build, tall, a little bit muscular and still as handsome as he had been twenty years ago. ‘Is Liz cool with you and Hayley?’
‘Somehow, she has her moments of intense hatred for Hayley.’
‘That’s how ladies are.’
‘With all respect Uncle, what do you know? You have been a bachelor all your life.’
Tayo placed an arm around his nephew. ‘Just because I did not want to marry doesn’t mean I don’t have my own experience with women. For example women will go any length to protect their men from predatorily hands. Like Liz to Hayley.’ He cited as an example. ‘And they especially love it when you are with them always and give them attention they prefer that to gifts.’
‘Wow uncle you sure do know about women.’
He gazed down at his nephew’s face lovingly. ‘This kid you are almost as tall as I am.’
Darryl smiled. ‘It’ll be a dream come true to be as you but dad said never to be like you.’
Tayo exhaled. ‘My brother knows how to pick cruel words. Are you hungry? Wanna eat?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Potatoes?’
‘I’m your man.’
****
The house was empty when Aisha got to Tan’s. She slowly descended the stairs one hand trailing down the railing, in her other hand was her cell, and she was dialling Tan’s number. He hadn’t been picking up since the last time he had answered and it was starting to get on her nerve. Where was he and why was he screening her calls?
He didn’t pick up again and grunting in frustration she almost threw the phone away. Getting to the landing she swallowed her anger. Where ever he was he’ll be back before night fall. She would wait.
Dropping her bag, she decided to tour the house. The place was huge as usual with eight rooms and six bathrooms. Tan’s room was large and she ran her hand over his things. She spotted a bracelet on the bedside table and picked it up.
Had he gotten this for her? She held it in her palm turning it over. It was pretty but did he think she would take something like this? The design is too simple and it’s cheap. But if he got this for her she’ll wear it as a sign of appreciation. Humming, she put it around her wrist clasping it in place and climbed down the stairs to explore each room before finally settling down in the living room to watch a movie. She flicked through the catalogue for a while and then chose a simple romance movie.
****
‘Why don’t you pick up your phone it’s been ringing for a while now?’ Hayley said calling his attention to the ringing phone. They were in front of a smoothie bar in Molete, leaning against the wall, and smoothie cups in their hands. Hibiscus had texted to Tan’s phone and asked Hayley to meet her there.
Tan who was purposely not picking up retorted. ‘Why? Is it disturbing you?’
‘No, I’m just bothered it’ll drain the power off the cell and Darryl won’t be able to reach me. So turn it off if you aren’t going to pick it.’
He grunted then asked. ‘Are you sure this Darryl is going to call you?’
She nodded. ‘He is my best friend, he’ll call back.’
Tan couldn't help but press. ‘What give you the assurance?’
‘Trust between friends,' she told him.
Tan snorted. ‘What trust? Did he hold one of your most precious secrets or save you from death? Talk about trust. Don’t trust anybody they’ll end up betraying you.’
She c****d her head, regarding him intently. ‘Are you speaking from experience?’
‘Yes.’
‘Darryl is not like that,’ she said, turning back to her smoothie. ‘He will call. Give me the cell I have to call Hibiscus.’
He pulled a face, nevertheless he gave it to her.
‘Stop that you are ruining your pretty face,' she remarked.
‘My pretty face is prettier when I pull a face,’ he told her and gave a goofy smile.
Hayley scowled and dialled Darryl again. It buzzed for a while, then clicked and the operator's voice came on : Sorry the number you are calling is currently switched off please try again later or you can send a voice SMS to do that press ... A bit disgruntled, Hayley ended the call.
‘What’s up? She’s not picking?’ Tan demanded teasingly.
‘It’s switched off.’ She pulled a worried face, her brow deeply furrowed.
Tan studied her for a moment; she was pretty, he thought. But thin and had a dimple in her chin. She was wearing her shirt over the black dress. He felt there was a quality about her, something he couldn’t place a finger on, an aura of immutability. He felt she was different. He saw her shift her weight to her good leg. The ankle was still bothering her but she didn’t say anything in complaint.
‘Nice bracelet,’ he commented finally.
‘Thanks, he got it for me,’ she added purposefully.
Tan scoffed, feeling oddly irritated by bet remark. His shoulders pushed forward in a slouch, his lips slightly pursed in a pout. He fought the urge to mimic what she'd said. That would be childish and he was willing to be Darryl the "best friend" wouldn't be childish.
'Darryl Schdarryl,' he muttered under his breath.
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