Amina stood outside the gate, chatting with Deji, her new friend.
Time seemed to fly by, as she enjoyed every moment of their conversation. Almost every single day, they meet up in the evening and take a stroll around the estate. Sometimes, he talked about the secondary school he was posted to and how he couldn’t wait to end his service year. He wished he was serving in a bank or a federal parastatal. Other times, he asked her about her catering school and how long it would take before she gets certified.
“I enjoyed the cupcakes you gave me some days ago,” a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Amina brightened. She had been waiting for him to say something about it.
“You should start your own cake shop soonest,” he leaned against the gate.
The girl shrugged.
“Or you could make some cakes and distribute them to all the supermarkets in the area.”
She sighed heavily. “I have thought about that.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” he looked her up and down. He liked the way her flowing gown cradled her slim frame.
She shrugged again. “I don’t really know where to start from.”
“Jesus is Lord!” he stared at her bewildered.
Amina started to laugh. A vehicle halted in front of the gate and her laughter stopped when Lianate stepped out. She glanced at Deji quickly, then back at her employer. She had no idea how the woman would feel, seeing her outside, talking to a boy. She had never been in a situation like that before.
“Good afternoon, ma. Welcome ma,” they both chorused.
Lianate waved at them and walked into the house.
“I think I should go in, she might need me to do one thing or the other.”
Deji paled. He always enjoyed spending time with his new friend. Every second away from her always made his heart ache with longing.
“See you in the evening…” she backed away slowly.
“See you soon, Yarinya (young lady)…”
Amina started to laugh again. “Who is teaching you how to speak Hausa?”
“The students,” he chuckled.
She nodded her head, “Interesting.”
“It was supposed to be your responsibility, but, you have failed woefully.”
The girl clapped her hands and placed them on her curvy hips. “I don’t teach for pennies.”
“You see, you see what I am saying?”
Her laughter rang out like the sound of a dozen nightingales. Deji watched her in awe, noticing how her smiles beautified her dark smooth face. Then it occurred to him that he was falling hard for her.
Amina looked up at him and saw the change in the way he was staring at her. Like he was seeing her for the very first time. His eyes told a story of their own. A story that made her heart to flutter.
******
Lianate kicked off her shoes and joined her husband on the bed. He drew her close in a warm hug.
“How was your meeting?”
“Nasty…”
He chuckled.
“I saw Amina at the gate with Mr. Kola’s younger brother.”
Ike smiled. “I have seen her strolling around the estate with him a couple of times.”
Lianate sat up. “What?!”
He looked up at her. “What?”
Her brows came together in a frown. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He eyed her. “There is nothing to tell. The girl is nineteen. She is old enough to spend time with the boy she likes.”
“Deji is like twenty-six! Who told you that she likes him?”
“He is just seven years older. He is a fine young man, if you will ask me.”
“Ikechukwu…” she groaned with worry.
“What?”
“Amina is naive and that boy is way out of her league. She is like a chick beside a fox.”
Ike’s mouth opened in disbelief.
“I don’t want her to get into any boy-trouble.”
“Leave them alone, Lianate. They are both believers. They won’t cross any boundaries.”
She started to shake her head. “Can you vouch for him?” she climbed down from the bed.
“Lianate…”
“Have you seen the way he looks at her?”
Ike groaned inwardly. His wife tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill at times.
“Amina is a pretty girl. And any boy who sees her will definitely find her attractive. I don’t think she is ready to start dating yet. And that boy is too matured for her, when it comes to boy-girl matters.”
“So when do you want her to start dating? When she turns forty, right?” he eyed her again.
“Of course not.”
“Put them in prayers, babe. And give the girl a word of advice now and then. She will be fine.”
Lianate folded her arms across her chest. She wanted to go back to the gate and drag Amina into the house. She wanted to protect the girl from every wolves in sheep clothing out there. But she knew her husband was right.
“Come back to bed, babe,” he beckoned at her.
“If you promise to also put them in prayers…” she met his pleading gaze.
“I promise!”
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