Femi's POV.

I was about heading out of the restaurant when I heard someone yell out my name so loudly, I turned immediately; my eyes scanning the entire restaurant for the voice's owner and finally, my eyes met with Amara's. She had a bright smile on her face and was hurriedly approaching me while I stood, smiling so widely at her. It'd be a while since I last saw her.

"Femi, I thought you were intentionally ignoring me. I kept shouting your name and receiving unwanted stares yet you didn't stop. And you're tall with long legs on top" she said, all in one breath, with a childish pout on her face whilst folded arms - which earned a chuckle from me.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't avoiding you, this place is quite noisy and that's why I didn't hear you. How are you? And how are your studies coming along? Hope all is well with you" I replied and her face immediately morphed into an excited one.

"I'm fine, everyone at home is fine too and school is fine too. Now, please come and join us. Chioma and Amanda are here too and I'm sure you'll enjoy their company, at least Amanda's and mine. Mine most especially" she said and I laughed.

"I wish I could come, I'm really running late. The only reason I came here was because I needed to get refreshments for the business meeting I'll be having at my workplace in a few minutes. Some other times, please" I explained and her shoulders slumped in disappointment.

"All that running and yelling, for nothing" I heard her mutter.

"I'm so sorry, but greet Amanda and Chioma for me. Tell them I said Hi, again" I said and immediately waved her goodbye while heading for the door.

"Okay, bye!"

"Bye" and I immediately left the restaurant.

* * *
Chioma's POV.

A loud sigh behind me got me turning around to see whose it was. Amara lazily walked towards her chair and immediately reconciled her behind with it, a disappointed look on her face; a face that was once perky a few minutes ago.

"What happened?" Came my question. I wondered if Femi was rude to her and I'd already began to think about all I'd do and say to him if he was.

"He left. He had a business meeting he had to urgently leave for" she explained and I let out a sigh of relief.

"You're happy he didn't come? I knew you were against Femi and I. Our love is too much for this heartless world" she said, dramatically letting out a sigh, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Amanda was too busy devouring her plate of well garnished spaghetti and grilled chicken, to care. She ate with no care in the world whatsoever.

"I only sighed cause I thought you were looking so dejected cause he was rude to you" I replied and she shrugged.

"He wouldn't dare. He's not like that, you should've known better" she said and I raised my hand in surrender. She was currently in defender mode and seemed like she was ready to defend him if he happened to be dragged by anyone. And so, I concentrated on finishing my delicious plate of Jellof rice and peppery chicken.

Silence surrounded our table for a while, but a comfortable silence. We ate our respective meals, momentarily making eye contact with one another, yet no one actually said anything. But of course, if anything, Amara would be the parrot to elude all form of silence. I was surprised how her face, which was once covered in a cheerful smile, morphed into a deadly serious one.

"Chioma, home is on fire" she finally said, solemnly, and I immediately lost my appetite, my mind racing through possibilities of what she said being true. I silently hoped she was joking.

"What do you mean by that? You said home is fine and everything is okay" I said. Amanda also seemed to have finished eating and so she listened with rapt attention.

"I mean, home isn't like it use to be. Things are out of place now...and mom and dad are the ones who are shaking badly. They've been having series of quarrels and it's always cause of..." she swallowed, shutting her eyes like it'd change the truth. I already knew what her answer would be. "You" she finally said, letting out a sigh.

Amanda turned to look at me with pity in her eyes and I could tell those eyes were only asking me to be strong and hear her out entirely.

What have I done? I created a rift between my parents because of my stubborn ego! Why?

"They're always talking about you and the reason behind you being at the mainland, and on some occasions; they wouldn't even talk to each other for the entire day. And who I fear this is hurting the most...is dad. I know he's hurt by sending you away, and I know the last thing he wants is to be nagged on a daily basis by his own wife on the matter. I didn't tell you earlier cause I wanted to discuss this in person, you have to come back home. You just have to, at any cost. Even if it means going down on your knees to beg, then please do it" her eyes began to brim with unshed tears.

"Cause if you don't, mom and dad might end up having more of these problems in their marriage. I don't know about you, but I do not want that. Not now, not ever" she added, with a shaky breath escaping her lips. "And the worse part is; I don't even get to talk to someone about it. They just shush me up as usual and tell me it's time to study. Well, I can't study with a heavy heart. Words don't get transmitted to my brain when I'm sad!" She half-yelled, earning a few head turns from the other customers next to our table.

I felt disgusted with myself. That day when all these started, my mother referred to my father by his first name; something she hadn't done in years. I should've known my absence would create a rift, I didn't intend for that rift to be created. I only felt I was right at the time, I only felt like everyone was against me and I was being wronged. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed things would turn out this way.

A bitter feeling sat amidst all the other feelings I had, erupting all my other emotions with it's bitterness. This entire meeting was a happy one just a while ago, and now this news has come to destroy those few minutes of joy I had. Did I think going back home would be easy? Well, yes. I hoped it would. But I was wrong, I'll have to do more than begging and changing. I'll have to make it up to my parents, change the entire situation for the better. I might be an awful person, but I still have a heart; a heart that works - even though it doesn't always show - I still do! And I do not want to see my parents fighting because of me.

"My family needs me. Chioma, quit being stupid!" I hadn't realized I'd said this out loud, not until I heard a few chuckles around me, chuckles from both Amara and Amanda.

"Don't worry, things aren't all that bad, but things will get worse if you don't come back soon. Please, Chioma" Amara said, her eyes searching mine for hidden answers. Answers I was still trying to gather and process.

"You don't have to worry, I know exactly what to do" I said to her, a small yet confident smile on my face, a smile - I hoped - was enough to deceive everyone - and even myself - that everything would be fine.

* * *
Femi's POV.

"You won't believe my day! I seriously had no idea things would be this stressful at work today" Kunmi said as she walked into my room with me. She'd surprised me by coming straight here the minute she was done with work. It was just us both, Damola somehow felt a little sick and decided to just stay home instead. I made a note to myself that I'd pay him a visit by tomorrow.

"I told you, welcome to my world! The lamentation geng don set!" I said and she laughed, taking off her heels. For the first time in a really long while, Kunmi actually wore heels. I found it funny cause she hated it with all her might, she called them walking death traps. But today, she was dressed in a simple blue off-the-shoulder gown and her five inch kitten heels.
[The lamentation geng has set!]

"Back on the lowlands!" She sighed as she pulled them off. "These things almost cost me my sanity. They were literally stabbing my feet with their demonic heels. Ugh! My feet has never felt this sore" she groaned and I laughed out loud.

"Kpele, it's what shortness use to cause. When God was sharing height, you were fighting boys" I laughed and she glared at me, a dagger-ous glare.

"Who says I'm short? I'm quite tall for a lady" She argued and I looked her over, from head to toe.

"Who is deceiving you, please? That person needs a slap to reset their brain" I said and she shook her head with a glare.

"Talking to you is a waste of time, so spare me that trash" she muttered and sat on my bed, which made her bounce on the bed cause of it's springs.

"Please turn on the TV. I really need to watch something" she said.

"You can't watch me? See me nau, I'm I a joke to you? Right?" I said, plopping beside her and tickling her, to get her laughing. Something I usually do to get her laughing again, especially when I need to be sure we're cool.

"No! No! No! Not this again!" She laughed as she shoved me aside and ran for the door. Of course, she didn't get quite far before I caught up with her and smiled at my victory.

"Don't mean to brag, but this guy happens to be an athlete who's won several medals at the Olympics" I said and she practically did a three-sixty with her eyes. It amazed me how fast they rotated.

"Keep garnishing your life with lies, it'll never make sense without me in it. That's for sure" she said, shoving me to the side and heading to the bed once again.

I laughed as I ran after her and tackled her, making sure she fell on her back, landing on the bed; with me on top her.

"See this girl oh! When I'm done beating you, you'll have sense. A whole me like this" I said, as I continued to tickle her against her will. I silently hoped she wouldn't be another Chioma by punching me in the nose. For some reason, even thinking about that day made me smile. That day, she actually laughed and I was fascinated by the sound of her laughter cause it was rare to me. Something she never really showed and I was hell-bent on bringing that side of her to light. Unfortunately, my nose paid the price.

I found myself smiling at some memories we had together, memories that came flooding my mind at a go. I almost forgot I was playing with Kunmi and actually thought I'd been with Chioma, since I'm so used to teasing her these days. Her face came popping right before my eyes, that stern but model-like look of hers made my smile increase.

"Chioma, you..." I immediately stopped myself, the minute I looked down to see a now smiling Kunmi. Unfortunately, she heard me say Chioma's name. Although I wasn't afraid to say I was thinking about her, I did feel a need to worry a little since Kunmi didn't like her one bit. And I silently hoped it wouldn't cause yet another fight between us both.

"Chioma?" She asked, her face marred with confusion as she quirked a brow at me.

"It was a mistake. I thought you were her for a minute there" I said, still sitting on top her. The only thing I worried about now was the look on her face. I feared she was angry, but then I let out a sigh of relief the minute she smiled again.

"Take that!" She laughed, hitting me with a pillow on the head.

I groaned, playfully glaring at her as I reached for a pillow of my own. With that, she turned us over, such that she was now sitting on top, her trusty pillow in hand and a devilish smirk on her face.

"Don't test me" she said as she repeatedly began to smack me with the pillow, most of the smacks landed on my face; which I tried protecting by covering my face with my hands. After numerous smacks, I immediately grabbed hold of her hands and got her down, with me now on top and her pillow now in my hand.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, sister" I tried laughing menacingly but only sounded foolish while doing it.

"You'll hit a lady? How can you do that? And to me of all people. I thought you weren't a man that'll hit a lady! For shame, Femi! For shame!" She yelled and I got distracted by her amateur acting and she immediately tickled me, forgetting I wasn't that ticklish.

"Nice try, actress" I muttered, returning the favor aggressively while she laughed so hard.

After numerous amounts of tickling, my door finally came open and I turned to see my mom walk in. Kunmi smacked me with a pillow on the head, completely unaware of her entrance. Talk about awkward!

She had a mischievous smile on her face and I wondered what she must be thinking. Mothers can be so confusing, their minds are a temple of craziness at times.

"I see you guys are catching up. I hope I'm not interrupting, I'll leave you two to continue" she said and I immediately mentally face-palmed myself repeatedly.

"No, no! We were just playing" I said, getting off Kunmi, who now happened to be aware of my mother's entrance. Her hair was a slight mess and so was her now wrinkled dress which tried to arrange immediately. I could tell she was a little embarrassed, but was trying so hard to keep it low-key.

"Okay then, you both should come downstairs. The food is ready, that's what I came to tell you guys" mom said, that smile never leaving her face.

"We'll be there in a minute" I said, searching for my Pam slippers.

"Okay" and with that, mom finally left. And I could've sworn she left me a wink.

That woman!

A smack on the head with a pillow, made me turn around to see Kunmi now on her knees on the bed; with a pillow in hand and a childish grin on her face.

"Ouch! That hurt!" I yelled and she laughed, doing it again.

"It was meant to hurt, you animal. Eat pillow, face my smack of destruction!" She yelled, repeatedly smacking my head with the pillow. I wished we could continue with the pillow fight, but I was hungry and food cannot be ignored. That'd be insulting, both to the food and to my caring and sweet mother who prepared the food with so much love.

We soon had to leave the room and headed downstairs to eat. My mouth was already watering, I couldn't wait to eat my mother's famously delicious Efo. One of my favorites. The aroma was enough to get my mouth watering and my tummy, rumbling. I couldn't wait to settle down and eat. That was just how hungry I was.

* * *
Chioma's POV.

I lay on my bed, feeling tired, and now dressed in my purple pajamas. Amanda already left an hour ago and I was all alone, again. The silence in the house was quite devastating, all would've been well if only I had someone to stay with me. And I didn't want to be selfish by calling Amanda , she's had a pretty long day and she'll be off to work by tomorrow...and so will I.

Letting out a tired sigh, I tossed on my bed, pulling my comforter closer to my body and trying so hard to get some sleep. I stared at everything in my room, I tried counting sheep, and I even tried thinking about sleepy stuff; and yet sleep refused to brace me.

Finally, pulling the covers away from my body, I tried going online, but I didn't have much friends to chat with so that also proved to be a useless effort. I groaned, wishing someone would text me, or at least call. Anyone!

Amara came to mind, but I considered the fact that it was late and she had school tomorrow, plus, my parents always make her sleep early. Early to bed, early to rise - they'd sing to her ears.

I huffed out air out of my mouth and lay back down on my bed. I gripped the sheets groggily, pulling the comforter over my body once more. And then, a call came in, causing me to spring out of my bed with so much speed, I wondered if I were bitten by an electric ant. The excitement of finally having someone to talk to came to a wobbly side the minute the name Femi displayed on my phone screen. We're not that close but I was glad he called either ways. I smiled as I answered the call, noting to myself not to act too excited just so I don't seem like I'd been hoping for his call. I didn't want him to think I was a loner with no friends, maybe I am, but he doesn't have to know that.

"Hello?" Came that alluring baritone, my tummy curled in excitement just hearing him speak.

Don't get too excited.

"Hello, Femi. What's up?" That question felt weird to ask, even for me. We weren't exactly at that what's-up? Level, yet.

"I hope I didn't wake you, I was just calling to check in" he said, and I found myself smiling again, happy that he'd been thinking about me...maybe.

"Uh, I'm fine. I wasn't sleeping, so you didn't disturb me. What about you? Can't sleep?" I replied.

"Not at all. Damola isn't feeling too well, else I would've disturbed him instead" he chuckled and for some reason I kept hearing the echo of his chuckle in my head. It was deep yet alluring all at the same time.

"Amanda went home a long time ago, so I'm practically all alone right now. And bored, but I was just chatting with some friends before you called" I lied. It wasn't a complete lie though.

"Aww, I can only imagine how that feels like. Being alone must stink real bad, huh? Too bad it's late, I would've come over...but my mom will freak if I leave at this hour" he said and I laughed.

"Yeah. Well, what about your other friend? Kunmi, right?" I said. Although I don't like her, I found no reason to actually despise her to the extent of not caring if she's dead or not. She's not worth me hating her that much.

"She left for her house a really long time ago, she's found a job now and I really don't want to bug her. She'll need her beauty sleep for tomorrow, and that's why I called to bug you instead. I'm getting used to this niceness of yours, that's why I can't help but want to experience more of it. Am I crazy for wanting more of that? Wait, no. On second thought, don't answer that. I know you'll say Yes" he laughed and I chuckled.

"You talk too much" I muttered and he chuckled.

"I don't" he whined, sounding like a toddler being given a bowl of plain vegetables. "I just like clowning around sometimes" he added.

"Or you mean all the time" I chimed in.

"Pfft!" He scoffed. "I do not clown around all the time. You know, for someone whose trying to be nicer, you're not really being nice to me right now. Why don't you compliment me a little? Tell me I'm handsome, cute...awesome? You know?" He said and I laughed out loud.

"I didn't decide to turn nice for your personal entertainment. Sheesh! You're really expecting way too much from me. Seriously? You want a compliment?" I chuckled once more. "Femi, you amuse me" I added and I imagined he'd be smiling right now.

"I'm not asking for too much, woman. Just say what I want to hear. What's hard there? After all, they're all true" he replied and I laughed.

"Dreamers never wake up" I said.

"Jeez! For once, just once. Just compliment me. You're pretty, I say it all the time...well, sometimes, but still you'll never tell me I'm handsome or say something sweet about me. Are you afraid of me or something?" He said and I took a second to wonder what does go on in that head of his.

"Fine, you're a handsome young man with a captivating smile. Happy now?" I finally said, smiling.

"Wow! Captivating smile? My smile is captivating? I'm honored. Thank you for saying that" he replied, dramatically, and I rolled my eyes. He does have a really charming smile, as much as I hate to admit it, it's true.

"Don't feel yourself too much" I said.

"Why won't I feel myself? Free me oh jare!" He laughed and I shook my head at his childishness.

"Oga, goodnight. I'm getting tired now" I said, although I felt a bit sad. I actually enjoyed speaking to him and saying goodbye made me remember I'd be left with the silence and loneliness of my house, again.

"Okay now, goodnight. But don't say I didn't warn you if you call back again oh. Try not to think of me too much, you hear?" He replied and I quirked a brow at his statement, letting out an amazed chuckle.

"Come and be going, this boy!" I laughed.

"Goodnight, dear. Sweet dreams, and feel free to dream about me. I won't tell anyone, and I won't judge" he replied and for some reason, my mind lingered on the fact that he called me 'dear'. I smiled and chuckled, much to my dismay. I didn't even know why I was smiling in the first place.

"G'night" I said and immediately hung up. I lay back on my bed, that smile still refusing to leave my face. His face came to my mind and that smile of his got my smile widening. I had this feeling deep within me that I couldn't explain, a happy and excited feeling that was just so confusing, all I could do was smile about it.

Once again, I pulled my comforter closer to me, snuggling into my comforter as I remembered snuggling just like that on Femi's chest. Even though I'd been embarrassed back then, right now; I wasn't. Slowly, my eyes fluttered close and sleep slowly claimed me.

He was right. As much I tired not to think about him, I did.

"Sweet dreams, Femi" I muttered in my sleep.

____________________________

Hi guys!

So...this ship is slowly getting to the shore, it's ready to sail and I'm gonna make it sail. It gats sail, by force by fire. No babalawo can stop this one oh😂

Okay, please share your thoughts on Femi's and Chioma's relationship in this chapter. And please remember to vote if you liked this chapter, and also please help in sharing this book with your friends if you can.

I love you all dearly, thanks for your time❤️

Till my next update,
Bye...