"Naomi, what are you made of?" I asked my sister between laughter.

"Metals! I'm half human and half robot. That's my true identity"

"You no get sense!"

"I'm serious! I'm a robot."

"So you are saying you can't twerk because you are a robot. I thought robots could do human activity?"

"But they can't twerk. Have you ever seen a robot twerk?"

"Chai! Naomi, how many times will I teach you how to twerk? It is so simple"

"I guess I wasn't destined to twerk"

"Nonsense!" I said and slapped her butt.

"Ouch! You have started again!"

"Yes na! What do you mean by you weren't destined? That's rubbish talk. Laziness will kill you there"

She grumbled and said in defeat, "Fine! Play the music. I will do my best"

"Make me proud!" I said and switched on the music. We were at my room and we had a small Bluetooth speaker. The song played from the speaker with a high volume. Naomi danced and this time, she got it right.

"Now tell me. Why are you dancing it? I thought you weren't destined to?" I taunted and joined her to twerk to the song.

"I guess my destiny changed!"

The tone of the song changed into a slow beat. I paused, shook my head and allowed a brief laughter out of my mouth. "You're a silly girl," I said to my younger sister. I checked the time on my phone and sighed.

"What's the matter?" Naomi asked.

"It's time for me to head home"

"But this is your home," she pouted.

"I'm talking about the other one. I will be going to work tomorrow. This place is far from my hospital. Traffic will hold me. It's better I leave now."

"But I don't want you to go"

"You should be happy I came to visit. We can talk on the phone. You know, do video calls like usual"

"I like that you ensure to visit us every first day of a new month," she sent a bright smile that made her eyes sparkle.

"Yeah! I'm here to wish my family happy new month"

"Yeah! Happy new month. I hope February will be as amazing as January or even better. It's surprising how we have entered a new year"

"And I thank God for that," I headed to the bathroom and quickly washed my face. "You said you will be going to Abuja, right?"

"Yeah! I might stay there for months. It's better you say a proper goodbye"

"Proper goodbye?" I queried, strolling back into the room.

"Yeah! Send me a total sum of 10k. Write a letter to me about how much you love me. Sing me a song and hug me. Then, you can go"

"I senior you. Shouldn't you be the one doing that?"

"Nope! I'm the last born. You should pet me."

"Mtchew!" I hissed.

"So you won't do it?"

"My proper goodbye will be a hard slap on your butt. Do you want it now?" I asked, waving my palm in the air.

"No oo! Please don't slap me"

"Ehen!" I smirked. My brows furrowed when I recalled an incident. I looked at Naomi with wide eyes. "I forgot to gist you".

"Gist me about what?"

"The latest news in my life na. I met a handsome guy"

"Wow! And?"

"Your foolish sister couldn't even ask for his name"

"You didn't? Anita, I never thought of you as a foolish person. Today, you have surprised me. Why didn't you ask for his name? It's so simple," she exclaimed. "Just ask, what is your name?"

"Azin eh! It's so simple. I guess I tagged him as Mr Handsome and forgot his real name is relevant. Anyhow let me give you the details," I said and told her everything I could remember about Mr Handsome and what Clara had said to me.

"OMG! You guys met in a unique way. It happened like the ones in Romance novels. I feel that Clara is right. He might be your prince. You might end up together"

"Mtchew! Why should I listen to a ten year old? I don't believe that. Even if I date that guy, I won't easily fall in love. I'm the kind of person that takes time to open her heart to a stranger. If my relationship lasts with the guy for up to a year. Then there might be a possibility"

"Anita, you cannot control your heart. I speak out of experience," Naomi added but I could hear her voice was laced with pain. Fate wasn't fair to her. She was separated from the person she truly loved. I don't even know how to help her. Should she move on and forget about him? I think that's the best option.

"Naomi, I know my heart. I don't fall in love easily. It is a fact"

"Okay!" Naomi shrugged. "Is the guy your type?"

"Eh....I don't know sha. I just know that he is different from all the guy I've dated"

"I can bet that you guys will end up together"

"I will advise you against it. We might not"

"Let's bet. Anita, I am so sure. I can feel it"

"Be feeling it there. Mumu! Mtchew! You haven't even met the guy. You are busy feeling it," I said and rolled my eyes. I strutted to the bed and sat on it.

"Betting is not good but with you, I'll bet. So...Let's bet. Fifty thousand from each of us. The winner takes all. Before the end of three months...I mean...If you get to know that guy better..you will fall in love with him. I'm sure of it. I feel you guys are destined to be," Naomi exclaimed and sat beside me on the bed. Her eyes glimmered with excitement.

"This is the result of too much romance movies and novels. You won't be thinking realistically"

"Just bet na!"

"If I don't meet him till the end of the bet, I win. Agreed?"

"Yes!"

"Deal! I will put in my money"

"Good! I will earn 100k by the end of three months. That's nice!"

"Don't be too over confident," I rolled my eyes.

"For now, I'm following my instinct"

I playfully slapped her cheek. "You aren't following any instinct. To much romance movies and novels is affecting your brain," I disclosed and rose to my feet. "I will start leaving now. I will go and tell mom and dad goodbye"

"They will miss you"

"I will call them often. If I get leave, I will visit"

"Okay!"

I smiled and walked out of the room. Naomi and I had rented an apartment for our parents. It's a three bedroom flat. It has a simple but modern design. I strolled into the corridor. As I got to the end of it, I met my mother who was walking out of a room. "Mum, I will be leaving soon"

"Ah! So soon?"

"Yes! You know how Lagos roads are"

A long drawn sigh slowly escaped her lips.

"I'm not going forever. I will visit soon"

She forced a weak smile. "I'm happy my daughter have grown! Do you have any man in your life that I don't know of?"

I cocked a brow.

A genuine smile sparkled on her face. "I would like to have grandchildren soon!" she said and chuckled. "Your dad can't wait to see his daughter in a wedding dress!"

"Um..."

"No! Don't rush it. Marriage is something you need to carefully think about. I don't want you to make a mistake that you will regret"

"Hmm..." I trailed off and decided to change the topic. "Mom, what about your shop? Should I send money so you can restock?"

"Well...your father needs some medicine. How about we buy them first then you can think of the shop?"

"Okay! I hope you are making profit in that business," I chuckled and wrapped my hands around her arm. "My wonderful mummy!"

We went to my parents' room and met my dad lying idly on the bed. I dashed to his side and embraced him. "Papa, get well soon! That malaria should never hold you down".

"Don't worry! I will be find, my Dear! Are you leaving?"

"Yes!" I leaned away and stared into his eyes. "Is there something you want me to get for you?"

"No ooo! Oh...," he paused.

"Oh what? Is there something wrong?"

"How old are you?"

I stared at my dad in disbelief. The sound of laughter from my mother filled the room. Naomi walked in with a surprised look. "What happened? Why is mum laughing?"

"Dad just asked me how old I am," I replied.

"You haven't answered me. I'm an old man. You don't expect me to remember so much, do you?"

"Dad, you are not old!" I said, sat at his side and folded my arms.

"I am an old man!"

"As long as you are not yet seventy, I consider you a young man"

He laughed and asked again, "How old are you?"

"Twenty-five!" I replied.

"You are old enough to get married. I will be waiting for your good news!"

Mom let out a thunderous laughter that echoed in the room and added, "Me too!"

"Don't allow yeye boys into your life. We want a responsible man that can take care of you," Dad announced.

"Yeah, Anita. We want a responsible and HANDSOME man!" Naomi squeaked.

I shook my head and smiled, "Okay oo! We will see!"

The journey home was tiresome and long. I left 6:00pm and returned 4:00am.

Lagos holdup na die!

I slumped on the bed. Josie was snoring beside me. I glared at her opened mouth, shut my eyes and sighed. I just had two hours to sleep before I get to work. I have to wake up 6:00am.

I got a wink of sleep before I woke up and prepared for work. I got to the hospital and all day I was moving like a deadman walking. I got a splitting headache and almost collapsed. At 2pm, the doctor I was working under, Mrs Richard, noticed my pitiable state and granted me permission to go home.

She is not really friendly but she can be caring at times.

I rushed home and slept. Two hours later, a knock at the door disrupted my sleep. Josie came home and informed me she had a date with Daniel. With lightning speed, she got dressed and hurried off.

I lay on the bed for an extra five minutes and rose to get to the bathroom. I needed a shower. I rid myself of my clothings and I was in the bathroom. I stood, glaring at the shower. The weather was hot but there was a certain cool breeze that blew into the house. I wanted to bath but I was scared of the cold water touching my skin.

I heard a loud knock and decided to ignore it. The individual kept knocking and I ran to the door. Josie smiled at me the moment I swung the door open.

"Sorry! I forgot my purse. I almost entered bike now. Imagine what embarrassment I will get if I don't pay?"

I chuckled. She got the purse and ran out of the room. I went back into the bathroom with courage bubbling within me.

You are Anita. How can you be scared of water? The water might not even be cold. The sun would have made it warm in the water tank.

I turned on the shower and danced under the water droplet that drummed on my skin. I heard another knock on the door and groaned. It came harder and I frowned as I got out of the shower.

This is so annoying. Who dares to interrupt my bathing process?

My eyes fell on Josie when the door opened.

"Mumu me! I forgot my phone"

"Mtchew! You are right! You are truly a mumu!"

She shook her head and ran into the room. "Why you dey vex na?"

"I was bathing!"

"I interrupted it, didn't I?"

"No oo! You encouraged it with your presence," I replied in a voice, dripping of sarcasm.

"Pele!" she said and rubbed my bare back. I had my large white towel wrapped around my chest.

"I hope you aren't forgetting anything because I won't open that door," I pointed at the iron door at the living room. "Till I have had my shower!"

"Don't worry!" she skipped to the door. "I haven't forgotten anything!"

I stomped to the door and glared at her. "We shall see! Mtchew!" I hissed and slammed the door.

"Anita, my baby! No vex oo!" Josie yelled as she ran down the stairs.

I got back into the shower. Minutes later, I heard another knock. I ignored. There was a knock again and again. I groaned as I washed myself with my sponge. My brows creased as the only word on my head was vengeance. I took my sweet time as I bathed.

Josie will wait tire! Just watch and see!

After awhile, she didn't give up. She still knocked. I finished my task in the bathroom, wrapped my towel at my chest and strode to the door. The towel stopped mid-thigh and cool breeze nipped at my legs.

I unlocked the door and walked away.

"Open it yourself! Your hands aren't broken!" I hissed as I marched into the kitchen.

As I rinsed a glass cup, I yelled, "Josie, you are so annoying. I told you not to forget anything but you did. Nice try but in the end, you had to wait so I delayed you".

I poured water into the cup and sipped it. "Why aren't you saying anything?" I quizzed as I made my way to the living room.

"Because I'm not Josie," a deep voice replied.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "You?"

"Hello!"

"Hmm...." I waved my hands around the room. "What are you doing here?"

"I have an important question to ask?"

"What's the question?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

I just froze and my mouth slowly opened.

I think I can rightly describe my state as DUMBstruck. Cos my brain and mouth has failed me right now.

        -----------------------

Who could be the stranger?

What do you think of Naomi, Anita's sister?

Thanks for reading. Did you enjoyed it? Vote and comment.

That's right!
Itz Mabel✌