FAMILY DUTY

chapter seven: the home coming

The evening was somehow, warmer than usual but still the air was gentle on the skin.

The cool breeze of the evening gently found it way inside the house . It was as if the universe was in support of what was happening.

Before Imani even knew what was going on, the dinner table was set, and Roman, was having a good time with her mum so much that it bothered her but she was never to let that show.

Mrs okafor noticed that too and she asked' are you alright dear'

Yes, i am fine. Imani replied, too quickly even for her own liking.

Roman, glaced at her and continued eating without saying a word.

That infuriated her even more , how dear he come to her house and act like he was part of the family. How come he communicates so well with her own mother, she cant even remember the last time she actually had a heart to heart conversation with her mother but there she was enjoying his company.

Well, if only she knew, what was truelly going on it would not be happening.

Are you alright, Roman asked snapping Imani out of her thought

Imani: hmm, what happened?

Roman: we are discusing our wedding. I've been calling you but you seem to be lost in your thought.

Imani: I think we should finish the engagement first, before we start talking about the wedding.

Roman: noticed the sadness in her voice and decided to change the topic.

Well then, what ever the lady says it is.

Mrs okafor: I am really glad that you understand my daughter.she can be hard to understand sometimes but deep down she is a very good person, who has the best intention for every one. Please do take care of her for me.

Roman: I will.

Those words hit him really hard and it was too real to just throw them away and right that instant he decided that he was going to do as he promised no matter what happens next.

Imani: stared at him, trying to read his emotion and she did not like what she saw.

So to make sure that he had not lost his track, she followed him outside when the dinner was over in disguise of walking him to his car as real lovers would.

Imani: what was that.

Roman: what was what?

Imani: the whole thing, you acting like an actual son - in- law

Roman: maybe you have forgotten, but its just you and I that knew that this is not real in there but if you want to inform her i will love to do you the honour missy.

Imani: I dont want you falling for my mothers charm, she can get the truth out of you in less than a sec if you do.

Roman: look, you dont want your mum to know and i dont want her to know too so you have nothing to be afraid of .

And without as much as a second thought or the the thought for the need to inform Imani, he kissed her, she did not see that coming, and she was going to kill him untill she heared her mum' s voice calling her.

Roman: broke the kiss and pulled her to him.

Imani: mother, what are you doing here.

Mrs okafor : Showing the food she had packed for Roman, she declared, " Roman, forgot this.

Roaman: thank you so much, I would have come right back for it because, it is one of the most delicious things i have ever tasted.

Mrs oakfor : Dont mention, and you dont have to worry once you both are married, you can have those every day Imani, makes them better than i do and they are her favourite too.

Imani: yeah, mum that is so nice of you , but Roman, has to leave now because he has some files to sort for tomorrow.

Mrs okafor: alright ,but then let go of him so he can get going, not realising that she had been holding on to Roman, all the time she snapped out abruptly.

Roman, gave her a smirk,

she cursed under her breath glaring at him. She vowed to deal with him tomorrow at his grannys.

Roman, entered the car and ignited the engine before they went inside.

He is a good man, mrs okafor said looking back at Roman direction.

Yeah, he is. Imani answered.