Anita was sitting across from him and she didn’t look too happy. What had he done this time, Tolu wondered.
She had walked into his office unannounced some minutes ago and she had only said two words to him ‘Hi, Tolu‘ since then. It was obvious that he had done something but he had no idea what it was. None at all. He looked at her once more; she was still so beautiful even when she was upset.
He shook his head clear of the thoughts and he tried to concentrate on the files before him. Five minutes later, he was still reading the first line. ‘Oh, who am I deceiving?‘, he thought. He dropped the file and he looked over at her. ‘Ni, what is it? This is distracting. I can’t concentrate with you sitting there not saying a word. What have I done this time, ma?’
She looked at him with her ‘semi big’ eyes. He called them ‘semi big’ because they were not as big as the average ‘big eyes’ but they stood out on her face and if she focused them on you, they could suck you in. She was doing that now and all he could think was ‘Had they gotten bigger?‘ She spoke ‘Tolu, when is my birth month?’
He looked at her in confusion for a few seconds. He could feel the anger rising… did she come over here with all this drama just to ask about her birthday? How dare… ‘Hold on, her birthday was January 24. A week ago. Sh*t‘, he thought. Usually, he wouldn’t be bothered but this was someone that had always made a fuss about his birthday since they had known each other years ago and not once had he ever remembered hers. Not once.
‘Ni… ‘, he started. She began to laugh ‘My gosh, Tolu. You should’ve seen the guilt on your face.‘ She laughed some more ‘Come on! It’s not that big of a deal. I turned 24, I should be over birthdays now.’ She was saying that with her mouth but he was looking at her eyes and they looked hurt or was he just imagining it? ‘Ni, for what it’ s worth… I’m really sorry.’ She shrugged ‘Don’t be‘ she said. She got up and picked up her purse ‘Okay, my work here is done. I’ll be off now.’
She had not walked two steps when he said ‘Er… Ni. Are you hungry? I’m just about rounding up here. We could pick up some stuff and we could head home…’ She turned around in shock ‘Home? As in yours?’ He nodded and she shook her head ‘Guilty, are we? Tolu, you don’t have to…‘ ‘Hey! I am in no mood to eat out so I was planning to do that anyway. I just involved you.’ She was about to say something else and he said ‘Don’t make it into an issue, Ni. In or out?’ She walked forward and she sat back down.
He was frankly surprised at himself for inviting her. Anita knew the rules. No girl (not even her) was allowed to sleep over at his place and so far, she had respected that except for one drunken night the year before and the first time when she had insisted. This would be their first time eating dinner together officially.
He picked up the files for perusal at home, called the guys on duty to help him with the other stuff and off they went. An hour later, including a stop at a supermarket (which turned into food shopping for his home instead of shopping for a meal), they were at his home.
He horned at the gate and while waiting, Anita said ‘My third time at Tolu’s secret cove. Wow‘ She wiped away fake tears. ‘I must be very special‘ Tolu laughed all the while wondering why he had the urge to tell her that she was special. He didn’t. They got in, put all the food away and began to cook their pasta which was both their favorite.
He pulled a chair and sat while he watched her make her way round the kitchen getting things done. ‘Oh, no sir. stand up! If you want someone to cook for you, get a wife. Or else, let’ s do this together.’ He laughed and he got up. He knew how to get back at her ‘Okay then! Ni, let’s make this interesting. Anyone who makes a spill takes something off.’ She laughed ‘You’re evil! you know I’m not an especially neat cook! Fine! I’ll show you today.’
By the end of the cooking, Tolu had on only an apron that barely covered anything and Anita had her underwear on (however skimpy) with her apron. She had won and she didn’t hesitate to let him know every other minute.
Just before they sat down to eat, Anita picked up her shirt to cover up but Tolu stopped her saying ‘Leave it. I like the view.’ She rolled her eyes and they sat down to eat wearing next to nothing. For them, it didn’t feel like anything weird.
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