#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 20: SHOTS GONE WRONG.

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Hesitantly, Idara collected the big, red cup from Candice, and then she took three slices of bread from the small tray, despite the disapproving look Isioma was giving her from her own seat. Clearly, something wasn't right about such kind act from Candice of all people, and Idara was well aware of that fact, but she had to accept the tea regardless, because Yomi's eyes were also on her, carefully watching her every move.

"Come on, Idara, take a sip and tell us how it tastes." Candice said, still smiling sweetly. "Pretty please?"

"Candice," Isioma called out sharply before Idara could do anything stupid, "why don't you drink it instead and let us know how it tastes, huh?"

"Oh, sure stuff." Candice uttered softly. "My cup is right here."

"Oh, no, no. Not from your cup. I mean from Idara's."

Instantly, everybody except Idara looked at Isioma in a weird manner.

"And why would I do that when I have my own tea, Isioma?"

Isioma furrowed her eyebrows slightly. "Weren't you the one who said that Idara's tea is special?"

"Correction: I said I reserved it "specially" for her, smartass. Don't get it twisted."

"Whatever. Just sip the damn thing already, Candice."

"Fine." Candice snatched the cup from Idara and took a sip of the iced tea in it. "Satisfied now, Aurora?"

Having seen Candice's action, both Idara and Isioma sighed with relief at the same time. "Yes, that is just perfect." Isioma faked a smile at Candice. "So, how was it, anyway?"

"It tasted like heaven." Candice handed the cup back to Idara as she returned to her seat. "I mean, I made it, after all. Y'all shouldn't expect anything but pure bliss."

On hearing that, everybody else except Idara and Isioma started devouring their food like cannibals.

"Excuse me, guys." Idara said as she stood up, dropping her food on her seat. "I have to use the restroom ASAP."

"Atta, girl." Alice said with a nod. "Be safe."

With that, Idara left the group and went straight to a nearby female restroom. The moment she stepped out of the restroom, a gasp of astonishment escaped her mouth, because Candice was standing just beside the door.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here." Candice scoffed, scrutinizing Idara from head to toe. "If it isn't Idara Thompson, the hopeless romantic herself."

"What is it this time, Candice?" Idara swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. "What do you want from me?"

"Answers." Candice replied sharply. "I want to know why you hesitated in accepting my food back there."

"Nothing, really. I guess I was just a little nervous, or something."

"Lies." Candice rolled her eyes in disbelief. "You probably thought that I poisoned the tea, didn't you?"

Idara didn't respond, but her body language gave her thoughts away.

"I thought as much." Candice said, flipping her long blond hair stylishly. "So, even if I really wanted to terminate you, did you really think that I'd do it with so many people around? Oh, you're such a clown, Idara. You know I'm not that dumb, right?"

Once again, Idara said nothing to Candice, not because she didn't want to talk or defend herself verbally, but because she just didn't know the right words to say to this beautiful maniac standing right in front of her.

"Speaking of dumbness, this sudden relationship between you and Isioma is pathetically dumb. Like, really, really pathetic, and dumb." Candice spat on the ground in disgust. "I mean, who exactly does she think she is to you? Some sort of guardian angel, or what?"

As Candice opened her mouth to speak further, Isioma appeared out of the blue, like a true guardian angel from above. She actually came from behind Candice, so Candice was beyond surprised to see her there at that particular point in time.

"Got something you wanna say to me, Candy?" Isioma asked, posing menacingly, glaring at Candice. "'Cause I'm here now. You can say it to my face."

"Hmph!" Candice hissed, turning on her heels to leave. "Maybe another day, girls. I'll see y'all around."

That said, Candice disappeared like a puff of smoke in the air.

Sighing relievedly, Isioma turned around to face Idara and then said, "Dara, what did that fool tell you?"

"Nothing really important, though. She was just babbling, as usual."

"Mm. Okay, then. Anyway, what's up with you and your stubbornness sef?" Isioma frowned, holding Idara's gaze steadily. "Despite all the signs I gave you, you still went ahead to collect that drink from Candice. Worse still, you almost drank it, Dara. What is wrong with you?"

Idara sighed softly. "I'm sorry, Isioma. I don't know what came over me."

"Look, you had better be careful with that psychopath, Dara. Only God knows what would've happened to you by now if she'd poisoned that tea." Isioma's frown thickened at the horrible imagination in her mind. "Gosh, the mere thought of it scares me to the core! You're just too soft for my liking, Idara. Way too soft!"

"I said I'm sorry, Isioma. Believe me, I really am." The tone of Idara's voice emphasized her sincerity. "It won't happen again. I promise."

Taking a deep breath, Isioma smiled and said, "All right, it's fine. It's cool. No problem."

"Thank you, Isioma-" a smile played at the edges of Idara's lips, "-for always looking out for me."

"Nah, don't mention." Isioma offered her a cool wink. "What are friends for?"

Idara simply chuckled at that, before saying, "You know, it's funny how Candice pretends to like us in public, though."

"I know, right? But who cares if she likes us or not, anyway?" Isioma grimaced, hissing loudly. "See, let's just forget about that freak and go back to meet the others jor."

Chuckling again, Idara said, "Cool. Let's go."

__________

The moment Idara and Isioma returned to the group, they noticed that Yomi and Candice were absent from their midst, which was quite strange to them since they both saw Candice just a few minutes ago.

"Asia, where's Yomi?" Idara asked, as she spotted Yomi's phone and car keys on Anastasia's laps.

"Oh, look over there." Anastasia replied, pointing at the distant ocean.

Idara followed Anastasia's gesture and, to her utmost dismay, she saw Yomi and Candice playing together in the water like children. Instantly, Idara felt light-headed and her body became numb, not because her best friend and his girlfriend were laughing and splashing water at each other, but because he ignorantly thought that he'd found the love of his life, who, in question, didn't care about anything about him except for his money and his frequent gifts.

"Um, Dara, you okay?"

On hearing the cool sound of Tayo's voice, Idara snapped back to reality, forcing a smile at him. "Yeah. I'm all good, T. Why'd you ask?"

"I don't know. I mean, you looked kind of distracted, or something."

"Nah, I wasn't." Idara said, widening her smile, seriously trying not to look back in Yomi and Candice's direction. "Trust me."

Both Anastasia and Isioma could literally smell Idara's lies in the air, but they didn't say a word regardless. Apparently, revealing Idara's love for Yomi to everyone else was the least of their intentions for today, and if keeping Idara's secret would cost them their lives, then so be it.

They'd gladly die than tell anyone her secret. Anyone at all.

"Well, if you say so." Tayo shrugged a shoulder, smirking lamely. "Why don't you seat down? Your iced tea is getting hot, by the way."

Idara scoffed. "Uh, thank you, Tayo. I'd love to stay, but I have something way more important to do." She snatched Yomi's car keys from Anastasia's lap and added, "You guys can have my food. I'll be back soon."

"Wait. Where are you going to?"

"Don't worry about me, T. I'll be around the beach."

"Do you want me to go with you? I mean, do you need help, or company?"

"Nah, don't bother. I've got it covered. Thank you."

"All right, then." Tayo nodded in approval. "Be safe."

"Yeah."

With that, Idara turned around and started jogging away from the canopy. Immediately she was out of sight, Tayo said, "Is it just me or is Idara acting so weird today?"

"I don't know about you, Tayo, but she seems just fine to me." Isioma replied, returning to her seat with Idara's food in her hands. "She's just overexcited, that's all."

"Mmm. All right. I'll take your word for it." Tayo took a bite out of his sliced bread, curving his lips into a forced smile. "May God be with her."

"Amen."

__________

Five minutes later, Idara entered a partially dark cave and sat on a big rock with a pen and paper which she'd borrowed from a nice lifeguard; then, setting the paper on her lap, she held the pen tightly and sighed heavily.

Idara had undoubtedly had enough of Candice and her silly, flimsy threats, and she'd had enough of the troubles and the stress that Candice had caused her so far-ever since she came into Yomi's life, to be precise.

Also, Idara was fed up with herself for being a coward, for lacking the courage to walk up to Yomi and tell him the words: "I love you."

Honestly, how hard could it be? Well, obviously, she had never done that to any man before, but judging from the few romantic soap operas which she'd seen at home, she knew it was very possible for a woman to express her feelings to a man without having to regret it at the end.

But then again, those were just romantic movies. They weren't exactly 'real', which raises a question: Should Idara imitate the courage of those telenovela characters or not?

While a terrified part of her begged her not to, another adventurous part motivated her to do so. After considering both sides, Idara finally decided to go with the more positive part. She'd give it a shot today, come rain or shine.

After all, what's the worst that could happen?

__________

Meanwhile, strolling leisurely on the beach with Jordan, Isioma said, "There's something I have to tell you, JD."

Jordan's eyebrows twitched slightly as he said, "Okay. Hit me."

"Okay." Isioma breathed softly, holding his hand carefully, while her eyes stayed glued to his own eyes. "Look, Jordan, I know you know that I'm really into you, even though I often behave as if I'm kidding about falling for you and all that stuff. But, um, the naked truth is that I really, really like you, Jordan, and I've been thinking if we could be more than friends. You know?"

"Hmm." Jordan sighed, averting his eyes to the ocean. "Funny enough, I've always feared that this day would come, Isioma, and now that it's here, I'm still not sure about how exactly I'm supposed to tell you what's on my mind without earning your hatred forever."

"My hatred?" Isioma muttered, stroking the back of his hand with her thumb. "Jordan, don't be silly. You know I can never hate you, no matter what you do to me. I'm not that kind of person. Come on. You know me better than that."

Jordan sighed again. "Yeah, I do. But hey, don't get me wrong, Isioma." He faced her again, giving her a forgive-me-for-doing-this look. "I really respect you as a friend, and I do admire you for taking this big, humongous leap. I mean, damn, you are very bold indeed. But, to be very honest with you, I'm just not into women at all. You know that."

"Yes, I do. But people change, don't they?"

"Yes, people change, but not me." Jordan's eyelids fluttered, his heart beating erratically. "I'm so sorry, Isioma, but you and I just won't work."

"Oh, come on, Jordan. You can't be too sure." Isioma swallowed, her heart pounding against her chest. "Won't you at least try?"

Jordan shook his head slowly. "I'm terribly sorry, Isioma. I can't."

"But why, apart from the fact that you are gay?" Isioma asked, batting her eyelashes curiously. "Is it because you're into Steve?"

Jordan was instantly taken aback by Isioma's utterances. "Wait, how did you know?"

"Ugh! I knew it." Isioma scoffed at Jordan's confirmatory reply, looking elsewhere. "I've always dreaded the possibility of you and Steve falling in love after what happened between you two on the night of Yomi's birthday. Heck, I should've trusted my instincts more. I absolutely knew this would happen."

Jordan tightened his grip on Isioma's hand. "Are you angry?"

"No. I'm just disappointed, I won't lie." Isioma breathed, looking back at Jordan's eyes. "But I don't hate you, though. If Steve is the one your heart truly craves for, then so be it. I won't ruin your happiness. Never."

Jordan smiled at that. "That's very thoughtful of you, Isioma. You know, I may not be able to date you, but I know someone who gladly would."

"Who?"

"Jonathan Alfred, of course."

Isioma cracked up at once. "That imbecile? Nope. Thanks, but I'd rather die single, JD."

Jordan giggled slightly. "Come on, why are y'all always harsh on that poor dude? He's not that bad, you know."

"Yeah, I know, but the only thing Jon knows is sex. He'd probably kill me before my time."

"Ouchey." Jordan snorted deliberately. "He'd probably kill you with pleasure, you mean."

Isioma playfully dug her long, sharp fingernails into Jordan's skin while grinning like a villain. "But, jokes aside, JD, does Steve really like you the way you like him?"

"Yes, he does." Jordan winced mildly, knowing that he completely deserved what he got from Isioma. "He really does."

"Mmm. In that case, I guess it's settled." Isioma sighed softly, as her evil grin faded from her face. "Follow your heart, JD. I'm with you, all the way."

"Thanks for understanding." Jordan stroked her palm lovingly, as though it were a delicate egg which required extreme care. "You're such a darling, Isioma. The very last of your kind."

Isioma managed a smirk. "Thanks. And you, too, Jordan." She loved the glint that appeared in his chocolate-colored eyes when he blinked at her for the umpteenth time. "Man, you are too cute for my liking."

Jordan halted, chuckling calmly as he pulled Isioma to a stop right before him. "Honestly, so are you."

Isioma rolled her dolly eyes, smiling sheepishly. "Totally not true. But hey, um, now that we've made things clear to each other, do you still want me as your friend, Jordan?"

To Isioma's wildest surprise, Jordan wrapped her in his arms and whispered calmly in her ear, saying, "Yes, of course. You're the best friend anyone could ever ask for, Isioma. I'm pretty sure our friendship will blossom greatly. Forever and always!"

__________

Hurriedly, Idara went to a nearby cybercafé to print the poem she just wrote, which she then dropped in Yomi's car after leaving the shop.

Satisfied, Idara started walking back to the beach, and that was when she came across Yomi on the path that led to the shore.

Perplexed, Idara stood still with her gaze focused on Yomi, watching him approach her very, very fast.

"Mumu, give me my car keys first," Yomi said, standing before Idara, "before you start looking at me like an owl."

Swallowing hard, Idara handed Yomi his car keys and then tried to walk away from him, but he blocked her way immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Cut the crap. Your mouth says "Nothing," but your attitude says otherwise." Yomi frowned, gazing at Idara's face intently. "Tell me what's up. Now."

"All right." Idara's voice was barely above a whisper, because she was nervous. Very nervous. "But first, let us go under that palm tree over there," she pointed at the tallest tree for emphasis, "so that we don't inconvenience passers-by too much. What do you think?"

"That's fine by me. Let's move."

When Yomi and Idara were finally under the shade of the tallest palm tree in the area, Yomi leaned against the tree on his side, then folded his arms as he said, "So, you were saying?"

"Yeah. Um... I, uh." Idara stuttered, trying so hard to maintain eye contact with him. "Can I ask you a question, Yomee?"

"Sure thing. Ask."

"Okay. So, um," Idara started toying with her fingers like an infant, "let's assume that a good female friend of yours tells you that she's in love with you, despite the fact that you currently have a girlfriend, how'd you react?"

"Hmm. That's a very tricky question." Yomi said awkwardly after a brief moment. "But one thing I know for sure is that, if my so-called female friend is serious about her feelings for me, I won't make her feel bad about it, because it's completely normal to love someone dearly, as long as they ain't married or engaged, though."

Idara's face instantly lit up at Yomi's positive reply. "Wait, Yomee, are you saying that you'd be cool with your female friend for pouring her heart out to you, even though she knows you're in a relationship?"

"Yes, exactly. That's my point." Yomi stated bluntly, nodding his head for emphasis. "I'd handle such situation very maturely. But the fact that I won't judge her at all doesn't mean that-"

"Yomee," Idara suddenly interrupted Yomi, looking him deep in the eyes, "I love you."

"Excuse me?"

Idara ignored the look of surprise on his face. "Yes, you heard me clearly. I love you so much, Yomee. I've always loved you since we were teens, but I never knew how to express myself until today. Lord knows that I've been meaning to tell you this for a long, long time, and now I'm so glad that I'm finally getting it off my chest. Whew!"

To Idara's amazement, Yomi burst into laughter after listening to her confession. "You, my friend, are without a doubt the most funniest clown I've ever seen on Earth."

Yomi's goofy remark stung Idara's heart to the max. How could he say that? Why was he laughing? Had she said anything funny? Had she made a fool of herself by doing this whole confession thing?

Damn.

"Wait a second. Like, hol' up, hol' up." Yomi said amid laughter, wide-eyed. "You do realize that today is Valentine's Day, and not April Fool's Day, right?"

"Yomee, I'm dead serious here. I swear it."

"Yeah, yeah. Dead serious indeed." Yomi shrugged, cocking his head back a little bit. "I thought Jonathan was dead serious when he told us about his little mermaid tale earlier on, only for me to discover that it was all a steaming bowl of lies in the end. And now here you are, trying to prank me again. Ha! Y'all clowns though."

Idara slapped a hand to her forehead in frustration. "Yomi, do I look like someone who has time for pranks right now?"

"I don't know. I guess I'll leave you to figure it out, Isabelle."

As if laughing at her confession wasn't enough, Yomi had the nerve to walk out on Idara while laughing like a complete lunatic.

Dazed, Idara watched as Yomi hopped into his car without sparing her as little as a glance, unknowingly making her feel ashamed to the core.

Immediately he was in the comfort of his fancy car, he sighted a fresh sheet of paper on his dashboard and took it at once.

Looking through the front and back pages, Yomi discovered that it was some sort of poem with no name on it, so he decided to read it out of curiosity.

It reads thus:

How exquisite is this view as I revisit you
Words of love begin to write as I sigh in delight
The day has only started and my eyes have spilled with tears
They have never parted from what lies fulfilled by years

God, are you so beautiful and nothing but divine
I beg of you to see like me, oh why not redefine
I like the way your name sounds as it beats inside my heart
And when I call you King, oh it repeats the same like art

Darling, my caress can tell you much more to your face
If only I could witness how it feels to touch such grace
My kiss can show your lips how sweet my vow can be of bliss
The kind no one has told you of as endlessly as this

How beautiful a man God made and sent from up above
Oh how I have prayed for you, the one who I so love

Who felt this lovely poem? 😊💙