Adedayo blinked a few more times, took a quick look back and hastened his steps out of the apartment, shutting the door right behind him. The man in front of him stared at him with slight confusion and worry in regards to his recent behaviour. Suddenly, a mischievous grin appeared on the man's face.

"Don't tell me you have a woman in there?" He teased and when Adedayo didn't deny but rather wore a strange cloak of guilt, the man's face lit up.

"Wait, you really do have a woman in your apartment? You? Adedayo Michael?"

Adedayo cocked his head a little to the side. "Listen, Sarki, it's a different story and I'll explain when I meet you tomorrow. I... I don't want to alarm her with your presence right now."

Sarki's brows arched up one second and then a light chuckle followed through. "Alarm her with my presence? Guy, did you pick her up from the streets? This is sounding ridiculous even for you. Abeg, I'm hungry, let's go in." Sarki tried to walk past him but Adedayo's stand was stronger than he expected.

"Please understand. I'll call you tomorrow."

Sarki took a step back, folded his arms below his chest and stared at Adedayo for some time as if that would be enough to grasp what was happening. "Dayo, I'm your only friend and I know you. I know you're not dating anyone and I know you don't pick up prostitutes." Sarki stared at him a little longer. "You just met this woman today, didn't you?"

Dayo's gaze wandered everywhere before meeting his friend's and it was clear to Sarki what the answer was.

"It's just temporary..."

"So, you brought a strange woman home? She could be anything, a thief, a kidnapper associate and even a witch."

"Please don't raise your voice. She could hear you." Dayo was more concerned about her feelings. As much as possible, he would rather she remained calm and less nervous around him. Maybe that's stupid of him but the truth is, he'd thought about everything Sarki said even before it was said to him and somehow, he'd come to believe she was nothing of a sort, just an ordinary woman in need of help.

Sarki stared at him; disbelief encoded in his gaze. To say he's utmost surprised with this news would be a lie. It has been six years of friendship with Dayo whom he had to save from himself more times than anyone would believe. His ridiculous attention and need to help out anything and anyone who seemed like they needed saving was slightly infuriating. Sarki could never understand it completely. Maybe that was part of the reason Adedayo became a teacher while he went ahead to get a government job.

"I'm not leaving here till I meet this woman." Sarki stated and with a deep look into his eyes, Dayo knew he meant it. This was an issue because he really didn't want to impose so much on Joy.

"Sarki..."

"I'll barge in. I'm warning you. It's better you let her know your dear friend is visiting."

Dayo ran a hand over his face, hesitated a bit more before walking back into his apartment, gently shutting the door behind him. The aroma from the boiling rice reminded him of what he'd left on fire and he hurried into the kitchen. Quick, he used a kitchen towel to carry the pot off the fire to the sieve in the sink. Thank God he arrived just before any could burn. After sieving, he poured the rice back into the pot, added salt and then some water before putting it back on fire.

When Dayo stepped out of the kitchen so did Joy, out of the room. He couldn't help himself from staring. She was in his shirt, in which its length couldn't make it to her knee. Maybe it was the bath and change of clothes but she had a different glow to her, one brighter that made her even much prettier.

"It fits." She said and that was enough to remind him he shouldn't stare so he lowered his eyes one moment and it was back to her again the next.

"I'm glad it does." He replied and watched as she walked to the couch where she took her seat. This would be the best time to tell her about Sarki.

"Um..." He started before making his way to take a seat as well. "...I have a friend who would like to meet you."

Her eyes dilated a little and he knew what that meant. "No, it's—he's an immigration officer. I mean, maybe he can find out if you're a foreigner or some other information about you that might be helpful." He watched for any reaction from her and there was none that seemed alarming. "Is it okay with you?"

After some time, she nodded her head, deciding to not let her budding trust in him waver. "Yes."

Adedayo went ahead to open the door for Sarki to come in. The minute Sarki was seated, he took the time to get a look at her as much as he could. To say her appearance was full of question marks would be a lie. If anything, a little dress-up and she could stand to be out of either of their leagues. Her skin tone was evened out, no blemishes or spots here or there. Her fingernails were neat and had no dirt stuck within. It was hard for Sarki to judge if she was good or bad.

"I'm Sarki. You?"

She looked from him to Dayo and back to him.

"Joy."

"Sarki, she doesn't remember who she is." Dayo felt the need to explain and Sarki released a light chuckle, not quite believing him.

"You mean she has amnesia?" He queried; amusement painted on his face. It was obvious he didn't believe she indeed has no recollection of who she was. When neither Dayo nor Joy smiled or expressed similar amusement as he did, it began to dawn on him they were serious.

"You just said your name is Joy."

"I gave her that name." Dayo intervened once more and Sarki stared at him a little puzzled.

"Can you help me?" Joy asked and both men's gaze were back on her. "Adedayo said you're an officer who can help. Can you find out who I am?"

Dayo blinked a few times than normal. Adedayo. This was the first time she'd pronounced his name and she did it with such poise that it left an imprint on him. He didn't know why but he felt good hearing her call his name.

This time, Sarki was convinced she wasn't so ordinary. Her pronunciation was good, better than his or Dayo's. It was clear she was well educated, maybe even outside the country, in the land of the Europeans. Maybe she was someone important or from a prestigious family.

"Can I talk to you in private, Dayo?" Sarki asked and got to his feet, so did Dayo. They walked into the kitchen where Dayo then took a quick check on the rice and when he saw the water was all dried up, he turned off the stove cooker for the meantime.

"Dayo, I don't think she's evil but... I also don't think she's good news." Sarki said in a really low voice. Dayo's brows furrowed a little.

"Why do you say that?"

"I'm sure you took a good look at her and listened to how she talks. Trust me, you don't want to mess with these wealthy people."

Dayo's brows furrowed a slight deeper. "But... you don't know if she really comes from money."

"In that case, she's either a very good scammer or she does come from money. I believe the latter. Take my advice and get rid of her tomorrow. You might not be able to handle what the consequences of all this might be." Sarki advised; his eyes clear with warning.

Dayo took a look back and when his face was back in Sarki's view. Sarki could read the hesitation and contemplation drawn across his face.

"Dayo." Sarki called and Dayo lifted his eyes to him. "Tell me she no dey your heart already."

A frown appeared on his face, disapproving of Sarki's interpretation. "It's not like that." Really, Dayo didn't believe he was head over heels in love with her already. It was simply his good heart clouding his judgment.

Sarki raised a brow at him. "I hope so. Find a way and be rid of her tomorrow. Let her be someone else's problem. Okay?"

Adedayo gulped down and lightly nodded after a bit of hesitation.

Sarki rubbed his hands together as a smile brightened his face. "Good. So, is the stew ready? Serve me some rice." He said as he turned in search of a plate. Dayo was quick to stand in his path.

"I think you should go."

Sarki's expression fell. "You've said that too often tonight. It's me, Sarki. Your good friend. You've always appreciated my company."

"I still do. It's just..." Adedayo ran his hand over his face. "... I prepared for two mouths and Joy might feel uncomfortable."

A sigh left Sarki's lips. "Is she uncomfortable or you are?"

Adedayo remained silent. In the end, Sarki gave in seeing as his friend was rather not himself but this was it. This was what Dayo was made of, full of hesitations, complications and thoughts. It was hard to predict this is definitely what he can do. Sometimes, Sarki believes his friend's lonely and stressful childhood might have messed him up much more than he presented. On the outside, he's rather calm and kind but on the inside, he was full of self-doubts and a mental state at the brink of collapsing.

"Fine. I'm going. I'll call you tomorrow." Sarki said and was on his way out of the kitchen.

"Good night, Joy. By the way, Joy is a lovely name." He said on his way out of the apartment and though a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth in appreciation to his praise of her name, she wondered why he was leaving without giving her a proper reply. Before she could query him, he was gone, the door closed behind him. She got up and went after Dayo in the kitchen. There, she sighted him squatting to the ground as he tried to turn on the stove cooker again. 

Unfamiliar words

Abeg - Please

Tell me say she no dey your heart already  - Tell me you don't already have her in your heart

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