JUST BEST FRIENDS

Just friends

By Obodozie favour chioma

Chapter one

[A night]

"Hurry up Norah we are almost late for the party"

"I will be there in a second"

"You have repeated that statement twice now"

"Am here. How do I look?"I asked watching her eyes stare furiously at me.

"Annoying".She replied.

"Really?. common give me a smile"I tried saying but she walked out.

"Will meet you In the car"

"She gets upset easily"I told myself entering the car.

"I don't okay"She said buckling her seat belt.

"You lie. So tell me will Michael be there?"I asked trying to tease her.

"I don't know. If he wants to come he will come"

"Tricia it your boyfriend we are talking about"I tried reminding her.

"Yeah,so?"

"So, you should know if he is coming or not"

"Hmm I don't care"

I watched her for a while before driving out of the compound.

"Tell me what wrong?"I asked curiously.

"We had a fight"

"It quite obvious"I responded.

"Really?"She asked rather sad.

"Yes darling it is"

She kept mute.

I drove close to the road and gave her a nice pat on her shoulder.

"A problem shared is a problem solved"I assured her.

"He wants us to get married"She started.

"Marriage? That great Tricia"I said smiling.

"It is?"She asked in a calm tone.

"Yes it is"I said smiling.

"So what caused the argument?"

"I don't want marriage"

"Why?"I questioned.

"Am scared"She responded.

"Scared of commitment or his mum"

"Both dear"

"Why?"

"I don't know if I am up for this marriage stuff. I mean I can't even cook a meal right nor can I clean"

"So?You can hire someone to help out"

"Yes. I suggested that but Micheal refused bluntly urging I go learn how to do those things as his mum won't be happy seeing an helper"

"What! That childish besides it only in the olden times that women do such"

"We started off with a normal dialogue until Michael left and he didn't show up,I tried calling but no one answered".

"Hmm that serious"

"Yes after what I said am sure he wouldn't want to marry me again"

"What did you say?"

"I wished his mum death"

"Wow"

"Yes, though am upset with him I still miss him alot"

"Call him and you both talk"

I stopped the car at a friend's place.

"We are here"I said and she tried smiling.

"Let go in and wish Bella a happy birthday"She said walking.

"Hold on"I called.

"What happened?"She asked.

"Smile. Your smile matters a lot to your beauty"

"Oh I didn't know"She tried teasing me.

"Let go in we are really late"

"I know right"She said and walked in while I followed put.

The whole avenue was colourful, Bella has decided to have her party close to the pool.

We both walked to where she was to wish her a happy birthday but got a shock instead.

"Hi Bella"We chorused.

"Hi"She responded.

"Girls thanks for not being here on time"She said sacarstically.

"The good thing is we are here. Happy birthday"I said handling her the gift.

"Yes thank you. Wait guys I want to introduce you to my finacee"

"What that I hear?"I asked smiling.

"He proposed"She said waving her hand to show us the ring.

"Wow. Is that a diamond ring?"Tricia asked curious.

"Yes dear it is. Real diamond"She said and gave a short laugh.

"When did this all happen?"I asked.

"Today. It came as a birthday surprise"

"That beautiful. Your Man has taste"Tricia complimented.

"Yes he does. I can't find him now but go enjoy the party I will call you when I see him"

"Sure"We chorused and walked away.

"Bella isn't scared of commitment Tricia"I said and she gave me a smile that says

"Yeah I know"

"How about you call Michael now and you both talk it out and resolve something"

"Okay. Excuse me"She said walking away.

"Hey waiter"I called and a cute blonde guy dressed in waiter's attire came close.

"Ma you called"

I stood for a while admiring him. He had a perfect figure, good looking and worst a charming smile.

He gave me a seductive smile and I quickly looked away.

"Give me that"I requested.

"Sure here"

"Thanks"

"You are welcome"He said and walked out.

"Cute but disgusting. Nothing is ever complete in a guy"

I walked away only to see the waiter giving me glances. I tried ignoring,I couldn't. At a time I walked close to him and asked him why he was staring.

"The same reason you were"He responded quite bold.

"You lack shame"I said and walked away.

"Am John by the way"

I heard while I searched through for Tricia.

"Finally got hold of you the birthday girl wants to cut the cake"

"Yes"

"So how was the talk?"I asked watching her.

"He didn't answer"

"Maybe he is busy"

"Hi guys. I wanted to cut my cake but then I also want to make a special announcement too"Bella said smiling.

"Am engaged and I want to introduce my finacee, he is the reason for my smile, my better half please welcome the love of my life Michael Odin"We all heard as he walked up stage.

"Michael!"Tricia called in tears.

"That Micheal right"I too chorused shocked.

"How could he do this to me?"Tricia had broke down in tears.

"Am so glad to be here to witness the love of my life birthday. I can't thank God enough for making me be here. She is one in a million to me and no one can measure up to her,her cooking,the way she cleans the house and Everything she does put a smile on my life. She is really the ideal wife. My wife to be"He said and hugged her giving her a short kiss on the lips while the crowd cheered on.

"I can't take this"Tricia said and ran off.

"Wait!. Tricia! Tricia!"

I watched her drive off.

I called her and she told me she was home already and she doesn't want to be Disturbed and that she needed space to cry.

I called the neighbor and begged she help monitor Tricia so she wouldn't do anything stupid.

"Michael was going to pay for what he did".

I told myself and walked to where he was.

He was shocked on seeing me.

"Is Tricia here with you?"He finally asked.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. Just wanted to make sure she isn't"

"You are gross"I spitted out.

"Look Jane am not the bad guy here okay am only looking out for a wife material and your friend isn't"

"Mind your words"

"Or what?. It best you come in terms with reality and go explain to her that no man want a woman who can't cook, clean rather is only good when it comes to satisfying my desires".

"Disgusting. Tricia did everything you wanted you sly pig"

"I didn't recall forcing her. She made her choice and I made mine to think she wished my mum death. Mannerless"

"Tricia is the sweetest girl I know and regardless of that you took advantage of her and think you would go freely. Weren't you the one who took her virginity to begin with you shameless dog?"

"Calm down Jane I don't want people thinking I raped her. Look, have moved on so should Tricia I no longer see her as any use to me. Try explaining that to her and knock some sense to her for me I mean what girl thinks a man would respect her after he has seen her legs wide open. No man sweetheart".

"You disgust me"

He gave a short laugh and was about walking out when I heard him back slapping him hard on the face.

"I wished Tricia could do this"

Everyone gathered watching the scenario.

"Jane what gives?"Bella asked surprised.

"Look Bella am doing this for your own good"

"Why did you slap me?. I mean I knew I had mistakenly touched your breast while trying to save you from falling but it was only a mistake and I wanted to clear it before she gave me a tight slap".

"Stop your melodrama you liar"I said and Bella came close and slapped me hard.

"Why?"I asked and she held my hand.

"What gave you the right to slap my husband besides he tried explaining to you he only touched it by mistake"

I stared at Bella then at Micheal who gave me a creepy smile.

"Bella he is lying"

"I see and you are telling the truth. It best you leave you have done enough damage spoiling my birthday and ruining it for the both of us"

"Bella you have got to believe me on this"

"Didn't you here me.Leave"She said and two men came close.

"Take her out and yes I don't want to see your face ever again since you can't be happy for me it best we stop been Friends"

"Tricia. He hurt her. I promise he is a liar"I tried saying but I was dragged away from the party.

"Gentlemen can I take her off your hands she is my girlfriend"I heard and I turned to see the same waiter.

"Here.Make sure she is off this building"

I looked away when the big men realeased me from their grip.

"Come on I will take you home"He said and I walked away mumbling words like

"Michael would pay so dearly"

"Common it late"He said following put.

"Look it was nice of you to save me but that doesn't mean you can do anything else. Am not your girlfriend and I will broad a cab. Hope that understood?"

"Sure. But you can't get any here it already late"

"Hmm" I said and surprisingly he was right.

"Just a lift home won't hurt"

I watched him closely. I hated favors especially when it coming from a guy.

But then it was late.

"Okay where is your car?"I asked.

"It over there"He said and drove close to me with a Ferrari.

"Is this yours?"I asked wondering if he stole it.

"Yeah any problem?"He asked.

"But you are a waiter"I said still shocked.

"It doesn't mean I should be deprived having a car of my own"

"It must be your boss car" I said and he smiled.

"I own it"

"You stole it?"I asked and he laughed.

"Okay if it makes you happy it not mine. I borrowed it from a friend to take a beautiful girl home".

I entered the car, wore the seat belt and said

"What friend?"

"He goes by the name John and he doesn't mind been a driver to a beautiful lady today"He said giving me a smile.

He drove off.

"Hmm"I said my eyes fixed on the road.

"Why are you quiet?"He asked but I didn't say a word.

"Hmm silence treatment then"He said and I stared at him.

"I don't want to say anything"I muttered slowly.

"Alright"He said and fixed his eyes on the road.

"Where are you taking me to?"I asked .

"Somewhere. You need your smile back and that what I want to give you"

"Just take me home"

"Sorry but that won't work"

"So you are kidnapping me now?"I asked.

"Not really. Do you think am going to hurt you?"He asked starring at me.

"I don't even know you,so yes"

"Don't worry I won't hurt you".

"Am going to scream out if you don't stop"

"Don't do that"

"I will"

"You are really stubborn"

"Just take me home"

"This place is better. If you don't like it I promise I will take you home. Trust me"

"Who are you?"

"A friend that can't seem to get his eyes off you"

I rolled my eyes and he stopped the car.

"Stay close to me"

"Why?"

"You will find out soon"

*What with him?*

He walked out opening the car door for me. He led me to a building on getting there I saw a lot of men smoking.

"Hey John who is she?"One of them asked.

"Stay off her Richard"He warned.

"Why?She is really pretty"He said and he drew me away.

"Ignore him"He whispered softly.

"Sure. Let go of me"

He stared at me and left my hands.

"Am going home"I said and walked away.

"Look God answered my prayers the pretty girl came by"One of the people smoking said.

I walked away ignoring his remarks but he held me.

"Where do you think you are going?"One of them asked.

"Don't you want to greet us?"Another came with a smirk on his face.

"Let me go or else?"I warned trying to act brave.

They all gave out a mocking laughter.

"Boss you hear her"

A skinny man wearing a dirty trouser came revealing his brown dirty teeth.

"I like her"He said touching me.

"Get your disgusting hands off me"

"Fierce.I love it"

"Let her go"

"John. We are only joking with her"

"It best you are"He said and I wondered why they were scared of him.

"She is my girlfriend and I don't want her getting hurt. Hope you get?"

"We are sorry"They chorused.

"Baby let go"He said holding my hands.

*Baby?*

"Come in"

"Please take me home if it money you want I will give you I promise"

"Keep your money"

"Okay let me go in peace please"

"Sure but for now you stay with me"

"This is kidnapping"

"No it isn't"

"It is"

He opened the door and dragged me in.

"Am sorry I used force"

I gave him a Stern look.

"Look Tricia is all alone and she is going through hell now please let me go home to her"

"Chill Jane"

"How did you know my name?"

"I made research"

"About me?"I asked surprised.

"Yes, hope you don't mind?"

"That intruding on my privacy"I said upset.

"Well I consider it getting a lady I want"He responded and gave me a glass of wine.

"It not drugged"He said softly.

"Hmm ok"I said and watched him sip half of it.

"Now have your drink. I will be back"He said walking away.

I made a silent prayer and sniffed the drink to be sure. It was real wine.

Eventually I sipped a bit of it and strolled round the place.

It had enough space to fill up a family of five but from the outside it was really little.

I reached for the door and realized it was locked, searching through for the key I heard a voice.

I moved to where it was coming from and right there I saw John.

"Yes sir she is here"

*Who is he talking to?*

"Hmm that would be difficult as she is hesitant to stay"

"You suppose I tell her the truth"

"What?. Stay here with me"

"Sir am not sure that possible. My girlfriend is coming over in a few days"

*So he has a girlfriend?*

"Alright. Next week then"

I heard and I tried running off but a vase fell and broke.

"Sorry. Am sorry"I said trying to pick up the vase.

"Don't bother you will get hurt.."

"Ouch!"I cried out in pain.

"I warned you. Don't move"He said and came back with the first aid box.

"Let me see your hands"He requested.

"Don't worry am fine...ouch!!!"I cried out.

"You aren't"He said and held my hands.

"Just a quick look"He said softly.

"Alright"I said and he leaned over blowing air to my injury.

I watched him for a while.

"Close your eyes and bite your lips"He said and I wondered why.

"Why?"I asked confused.

"Please just do it"He said and I did.

He took out cotton wool and cleaned my wounds that I could get.

"Bite your lips"He said and I felt a rush of pain down my hands.

He must have applied methylated spirit.

"Done. You can open your eyes now"He said and I smiled.