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Blaze 2

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Episode 2


Soon the date was over and Segun saw me off. I was about driving out of the restaurant when my phone rang. Again, it was Fola. Why is this guy such an enemy of progress? I hissed and cursed under my breath throwing my phone to the passenger's seat. You might be wondering why I did that. It sounds uncalled for abi? You might not understand but I'll explain still.

~
Fola was a guy I met at a coffee shop when I was on holiday in downtown New Orleans about two years ago. I went there with my friend, Chiamaka, who was about starting her own business and needed my ideas and opinion. She asked that we talk over brunch and that was how I met this guy. He was working part-time while studying at Xavier University of Louisiana. I ordered for tea and panninis giving Chiamaka enough time to prepare her papers. Fola happened to be the cashier and he offered to pay. That I was suprised would be an understatement. Shouldn't he be working for his survival and even look forward to a tip from me? This guy amazed me. We nagged about it for about ten minutes after which he eventually paid.
We met again, a few days later, at the French Quarter. And again, I was with Chiamaka. She was bored all day and insisted we go to the Quarter, which was her favourite place in the whole of New Orleans. Unfortunately for me (yes, unfortunately), Fola came with a guy who suprisingly was in the same school as Chiamaka. So, yes, we had to 'link up' and talk.
   'What are you doing in Louisiana if I may ask?' He asked.
  I gave him a bewildered look.
'On holiday' came the answer, simple and short.
  'Oh, you rich kids and holidays sha. Are you schooling in the US here?'
 What in blazes gave this guy the impression that my parents were rich? What if I was the lucky girlfriend of one Nigerian Senator?
   'No. I schooled in South Africa. The Witwatersrand.'
  'Oh amazing' He said sounding like a kid in a candy shop.
  'Why aren't you visiting? It's summer?'
 'My parents are late. I'm here on scholarship. So I have to work extra hours to support myself.' He said, looking rather gloomy.
  'Oh my God! I'm so sorry.' I managed to say sensing his sorrow.
  'It's okay. I get that a lot of times.'
 But wait o, he's here on scholarship, supporting himself but he paid for our drinks a couple of days ago? This guy is a joker.
  'I'm sorry I didn't get your name...' he said breaking the silence.
  'Toun. Adetoun Miller. You?'
  'Folahan Lawal. You said Miller, how possible?'
  'My Dad is British, married my Mom when she came to the states for her Masters degree'
  'Oh, that's nice. So are you done or you are still studying?'
 I gave a sarcastic smile, checking my phone for the notifications that just came in. Chiamaka wanted us to leave.
  'I just finished my Masters degree actually' I said, still smiling.
  'Wow, that's so cool. Where do you stay in Nigeria?'
 I suddenly got an electric shock in my brain, I was telling this guy too much. Besides, Chi was already calling me. Make this guy leave me abeg.
  'I'm sorry I have to leave now. We'll catch up some other time.' Even the guy knew I was lying cos it was so obvious. See who? Catch up on what? Wetin concern me with the guy? I was simply putting up a show, nothing more. He shouldn't be excited abeg. I left hurriedly.
  The next day, Fola called me. Was this guy stalking me or what? I didn't want to jump to conclusion by saying he likes but mehn....this one is obvious and he is so not good at hiding it.
  'We're in the 21st century and I'm an IT guy Toun', came the response when I asked of how he got my number. This dude sounded like a psycopath. Believe it or not. I left the USA about two weeks later and we lost contact since then.
 ~        ~         ~         ~
 Two months ago, I ran into him at a club on the island. My teammates and I hit our target for the year quite early and being the team leader, it obviously called for celebration. Fola was a guest whom one of my colleagues had invited. Seeing him was more of a disappointment than suprise. This guy was bad omen and I could smell it a thousand miles away. Chiamaka did not understand why I was so cold and cruel to the guy. I had my reasons and they soon played out for all to see.

Missed episode 1? Read it here

Thank you for reading and don't forget to leave a comment.
Good afternoon! 💝💝
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