#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 25: LOVE OR LUST?

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After being robbed of their personal belongings, Yomi and Idara hastily returned to Yomi's car, as they had no other choice as to where to go.

They were both wet and cold, due to being exposed in the rain for too long.

Yomi currently had mixed feelings: gratitude and anger. Gratitude to God because the robbers didn't harm them, and anger because he'd been robbed of his hard-earned money and phone.

Fortunately, Yomi had two bank accounts: his business account and his own personal account. The credit card he'd been with during the robbery was for his personal account, and the money he'd saved in that account was over three hundred thousand Naira; the same money he'd been planning to use part of in setting up Candice's new apartment.

But the money wasn't really Yomi's problem. The painful part for Yomi was his stolen phone, which contained a lot of important contacts for his business. As a professional hair stylist, a lot of Yomi's customers were wealthy men and women who preferred home services by Yomi himself, rather than his employees who weren't as skillful as he was in the business.

He would've felt better if the robbers had only taken his money and phone and left his SIM card for him. So much better.

“I hate this day.”

Idara sniffed, her eyes closed. “Me, too.”

Yomi shook his head, holding back tears, trying to be a man.

“But we are alive.” Idara added, stroking her terribly wet hair. “We are lucky.”

“Yeah, we are.”

Idara sighed, opening her eyes. “So, what now?”

Despite being angry and teary-eyed, Yomi knew that he had to be calm and think straight, in order not to make matters worse. “Honestly, I don't know, Dara. I would've suggested we try boarding another vehicle, but we don't even have any money. Besides, there's hardly any vehicle moving along this road since the last bus we saw before. I'm confused.”

“Boy,” Idara muttered, “this is one hell of a night, indeed.”

Yomi sighed, scratching his neck in thought.

“Maybe we should just sleep here in your car for tonight.”

“What? After all the stress we've been through today?” Yomi objected calmly. “Hell, no.”

Idara frowned. “Come on, we have no other choice, Yomi. After all, it's just for tonight, not like we're living here forever.”

“No.” Yomi said. “I'm too tired to sleep in this car. I need a place where I can sleep comfortably and forget my worries, Dara.”

“Mmm.” Idara sighed, thinking. “Wait a minute...”

Yomi blinked, expecting Idara's next statement.

“You have a GPS on your car, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you have your business' credit card right in your car's glove compartment, right?”

“Yes, why?”

Idara squinted her eyes in response, smirking.

Yomi instantly understood what she was driving at. “Oh!” He exclaimed. “Idara, you're such a genius!”

“I sure as hell am!” Idara grinned, revelling in the moment. “Now, are we gonna get started or keep wasting our time sitting here?”

Yomi smiled lamely, accepting Idara's  challenge. “I'm so down for this! Let's get started!”

__________

10:45 PM.

This was the time presently, as shown by Anastasia's wall clock.

But Anastasia wasn't the one looking at the clock, though. Isioma was.

Leaving the wall clock, Isioma's eyes wandered to the spot where Anastasia sat, busy watching television.

“How're you even comfortable sitting on the floor while watching TV?” She asked Anastasia. “'Cause there's more than enough room on this bed for both of us.”

Anastasia glanced at Isioma. “I'm not complaining, am I?”

“No, you ain't.” Isioma answered. “I'm just concerned, though.”

“Well, thank you, but I'm very comfy right here, Isioma.”

“Mm. I see.” Isioma shrugged. “Rock on, then.”

As Isioma wanted to return to her WhatsApp group chat, something popped into her head.

“Oh, lest I forget,” she said, “there's something I'd like to ask you, Asia.”

Anastasia groaned at Isioma's second interruption of her movie. “What is it this time, Isioma?”

“Well, sorry I'm disturbing you, but I've been thinking of moving in with you guys for some time now.” Isioma explained calmly. “I mean, me and Idara have talked about it before, and she was the one that even suggested that I should come and stay here with y'all. But I need your consent first before anything, since it's your apartment.”

Anastasia sighed, staring at Isioma. “To be honest, Idara has informed me about this issue before. She told me about your feud with Candice, about how you two live like sworn enemies in the same hostel. And, after what I heard about the fight you both had in my compound just yesterday, I have no doubt whatsoever about it.”

Isioma swallowed hard. “But you know I never wanted our quarrel to escalate to the point where the slaps got involved, right?”

“I know. I know.” Anastasia concurred. “I know how stubborn Candice can be, so I don't blame you for anything, because you actually did it to defend Idara. And I'm cool with that. Totally.”

“So does that mean that I'm allowed to move in with you guys?”

“Well, that depends on you.” Anastasia shrugged. “I mean, Candice already has a new apartment. Why do you still want to move out of your hostel?”

Isioma scoffed. “Candice is not my only threat, Asia. Remember I still live with her minions.”

“"Her minions"?” Anastasia quoted with confusion. “Who are they?”

“Alice and Betty, of course,” replied Isioma. “They're part of the reasons why I can't stay in that hostel any longer. I have to leave before they drive me insane.”

“Ha. Nawa o!” The edges of Anastasia's lips curved down dramatically. “This your matter is a very serious one indeed, Isioma.”

“I'm telling you, my sister. I desperately need help.”

Calmly, Anastasia took a deep breath and said, “All right, it's settled. You're welcome to your new home.”

“Oshey!” Isioma's face literally lit up like the sun. “The one and only Anastasia! Any other Asia is a bloody counterfeit!”

Anastasia couldn't help but laugh at Isioma's antics. “Stay there and be whining yourself, you hear?”

“No jor. You're just too much!” Isioma's smile turned into a big grin. “Thank you very, very much!”

“Ha!” Anastasia couldn't stop laughing. “You're welcome o, clown.”

With that, Isioma simply chuckled and glanced over at the wall clock, while Anastasia re-devoted her full attention to the small flat screen TV.

Currently, the time said 10:52 (PM), and Isioma was starting to get worried over Idara's whereabouts. She knew that Idara wasn't the kind of person who fancied late night movements, hence her rising concern.

Not wanting to disturb Anastasia again, Isioma took her phone and subtly dialled Idara's number, but it was reported switched off. She then tried Yomi's number, all to no avail.

“I don't understand what's going on, Asia.” Isioma said, totally uncomfortable.

Anastasia groaned aloud, casting a ‘what's-your-problem?’ look at Isioma. “Isioma, what is it again na?”

“It's about our friend, Idara.” Isioma said. “I just called her number but it didn't go through. Same as Yomi's. They're both switched off. What's going on?”

Anastasia frowned. “How can their numbers be switched off at the same time? It doesn't make sense.”

“Thank you!” Isioma said enthusiastically. “It makes no sense at all, and it's getting late already, that's why I'm so worried!”

“Wait, hold on.” Anastasia stood up. She then took her phone from the stool where it was charging and called Idara and Yomi's numbers for confirmation. “It's true, their phones are off.”

“You see?” Isioma said with fright. “Something's wrong, I can feel it.”

“Stop it.” Anastasia scolded sharply, moving towards the bed. “Don't say that. You can't be too sure.”

“But my instincts never fail me!”

“Darling, there's a first time for everything.” Anastasia said, sitting down beside Isioma on the bed. “Look, I'll personally advise you to discard any negative vibe you're feeling and embrace positivity, because, to the best of my knowledge, Idara is definitely safe as long as she's with Yomi. Maybe they're just held up in traffic or just waiting for the rain to stop or something.”

“Really?” Isioma scoffed. “Then how do you explain their phones which are currently switched off, huh?”

Anastasia sighed heavily, folding her hands tightly. “Isioma, you worry too much. You're acting as if you've never had a flat battery in your entire life. Come on, girl, be a little more positive!”

Isioma blinked, considering Anastasia's suggestion. “Well, you could be right. Maybe their phones are off because their batteries are low. It could be a coincidence.”

“Exactly!” Anastasia concurred with a firm nod. “I'm pretty sure our baby girl will walk in through that door any moment from now. Just stop bothering yourself. They're all right wherever they are. Okay?”

Isioma sighed deeply. “I hope so, Asia. I really do hope so.”

__________

The first thing Yomi did on entering the small hotel room was take off his soaked T-shirt, then he rested against the wall, watching as Idara entered too.

“It's even better than I thought.”

“I know, right?” Idara said, closing the door, her eyes wandering all over the room. “It's very nice.”

“Not very.” Yomi chipped in. “It's just manageable.”

“Come on, it's not that bad.”

“Please.” Yomi scoffed. “I've seen better.”

“Whatever.”

After scanning the entire room to her satisfaction, Idara's eyes suddenly dropped on Yomi's shirtless body.

Damn.

She was completely at a loss for words. Many things started running through her mind. Many, many nasty things.

But, thankfully, a subtle knock on the door jolted her back to reality.

“Who's there?”

“Room service.” A feminine voice responded. “I brought some dry clothes for you both.”

“Oh.” Idara quickly opened the door and collected the clothes from the room service personnel with a grateful smile on her face. “Thank you so much. This is very thoughtful of you.”

“You're welcome.” She said. “If there's anything you need, just ring us up with the telephone inside.”

“Sure.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Hardly had Idara closed the door when she heard Yomi mumbling something from behind her.

She looked at him, puzzled. “Yomi?”

He snapped out of his worries on hearing her voice. “What?”

“What's wrong with you?” Idara frowned, noticing his sudden gloomy mood. “What were you saying?”

“Nothing.”

“Guy, I heard you mumbling something just now.” Idara insisted, moving closer to him. “Why're you suddenly frowning?”

“Idara, my phone and money were stolen from me tonight.” Yomi lamented. “Do you expect me to be all smiles and bubbly?”

Idara sighed, dropping the items in her hands on the bed. “Yomi, I thought we had already gone past this phase.”

“Maybe you have, but I haven't.”

“Oh, really?” Idara frowned, arms crossed over her chest. “Why do you always make everything about you, huh? Were you the only one that was robbed? Was I not robbed, too?”

Yomi rolled his eyes. “A mini purse that contained your outdated phone and some chicken change was taken from you. If you call that robbery, then what would I call my iPhone twelve and my three hundred thousand Naira?”

Idara's face contorted instantly. “Wow.”

She gazed at Yomi in shock and with annoyance, feeling insulted. “I can't believe this is coming from you, Yomi.”

Yomi simply stared back at her without remorse.

“You know what? Suit yourself.” Idara turned around, unbuckling her belt. “If you want to drown yourself with worries, be my guest.”

She flung her belt to a sofa and angrily grabbed a towel and a nightgown from the bed, before storming into the bathroom for a shower.

‘What is wrong with me?’ Yomi thought after a rather short while, pacing the room. ‘I just keep ruining everything. God!’

Yomi sat down and continued dwelling in his scattered thoughts. Little did he know that time was ticking fast, because Idara soon came out of the bathroom, wearing a shower cap and a white towel around her body.

She didn't even look at Yomi at all, and it bugged him like hell.

“Idara.”

Idara ignored him, walking right back into the bathroom. The way she slammed the bathroom door was more than enough sign that showed Yomi how pissed she was at him.

However, Idara came out shortly, now dressed in her blue nightgown.  She headed straight to the big mirror on the wall to wear her hairnet and get creamed.

“Idara, see, I'm sorry.”

Idara paid deaf ears to that, sitting on the chair before the mirror.

Yomi stood up. “So you won't talk to me, abi?”

Idara was actually trying her best to not say a word, therefore she started whistling to block out the sound of Yomi's voice.

“Fine. Suit yourself.” Yomi said in pretence, grabbing another towel and a set of pyjamas from the bed, before breezing into the bathroom to freshen up.

Since there was no phone with Idara, Yomi wasn't surprised when he came out and met her reading a newspaper on the sofa.

He was all dressed and fresh, so much so that even Idara couldn't help but glance at him when she sensed his presence around her.

“I saw you, you know?”

Idara kept a straight face, pretending to be completely engrossed in the newspaper.

“I saw you looking at me, mumu.” Yomi accused, crashing down on the sofa beside Idara. “You can stop pretending now. I totally saw you looking.”

“Guy, I wasn't looking at you.”

Yomi smirked. “Oh, she finally talked. Praise the Lord.”

Ordinarily, Idara would've laughed at that, but she was determined to show Yomi how hard of a nut she was to crack. “You better leave me alone. Stay on your own.”

Yomi's smirk widened, knowing he'd soon hit the jackpot. “See, I know you'll soon smile for me. All it takes is a little pestering to get there.”

“In your dreams.”

That said, Idara got up from the sofa to sit somewhere else, and—as she'd expected—Yomi started following her.

She turned around abruptly. “Yomi, please, behave yourself.”

“Idara, I said I'm sorry na.” Yomi said comically. “Stop vexing for me. You know I didn't say that on purpose.”

“Are you kidding me right now?” Idara grimaced, flinging the newspaper to the sofa. “Like, guy, you literally called me a broke lady to my face. What's that? Like, who does that?”

Yomi facepalmed, attempting to speak.

“Maybe because your parents are rich and you have some cash in your pockets, that's why you feel you've arrived.” Idara spoke fast, eyeing him badly. “I don't blame you sha, Tony Stark.”

Yomi quickly held Idara's hand as she tried to walk away. “Wait na!”

“See, leave me alone, abeg.” Idara said flatly. “I'm tired.”

“Just hold on.” Yomi said, pulling her closer. “I know how angry you are with me, Dara, but just look at me, please.”

Idara kept her eyes on the floor.

“Idara nau, please!”

Hesitantly, she looked at Yomi, frowning. “What?!”

“Look into my eyes, dear.” Yomi muttered. “What do you see?”

Idara scoffed after a short pause between them. “I see nothing but pride and ego, Yomi. All yours.”

“Wrong.” Yomi corrected, his face stern, eyes boring into Idara's like a ray of sunlight. “What I actually have in my eyes are guilt and apology. I know I said something dumb to you and I fully accept the blame. It won't happen again, I promise.”

“I know you, Yomi. You're too carefree.” Idara said. “You'll definitely repeat this same thing another day.”

“I won't. I promise!”

“And if you go back on your word, what should I do to you?”

Yomi breathed in. “Just disown me.”

Idara rolled her eyes. “You're not serious.”

Yomi breathed out, suppressing a chuckle. “I know. So, am I forgiven?”

Idara started smiling. “Yes.”

“Yes!” Yomi exclaimed, chuckling. “I told you you'd eventually smile for me, didn't I? There it is, fam!”

“I hate you.”

Yomi bit his lower lip, chuckling again. “I love you, too.”

Idara rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time today. “Jerk.”

“You smell nice, by the way.” Yomi complimented, stroking Idara's cheek with affection.

Idara blushed. “Thanks,” she said. “You look and smell delicious, too, if I may add.”

“Eww.” Yomi cringed. “That's a very nice compliment, but it's just all shades of awkward, coming from you.”

“And here we go again with the insults.” Idara started pulling back, shaking her head. “Just when I thought you were starting to have sense, boom, you took me by surprise!”

“Hey, chill.” Yomi latched onto Idara's hand before she could go away. “I was not insulting you na. I was just-”

A sudden push from Idara sent Yomi landing right on the bed before he could even complete his statement. But that wasn't all, though! Idara somehow landed right on top of Yomi's body because he'd unconsciously dragged her while staggering to the bed.

Now, they were both lying on the bed together, laughing uncontrollably.

Their laughter, however, died down when Idara started looking Yomi deep in the eyes with so much passion and desire.

Yomi just gazed back at her, feeling something magical building up fast.

One minute they were locking eyes without any major action, the next minute Yomi found himself grabbing Idara's head and kissing her like he missed her.

In all honesty, Idara almost couldn't believe that this was really happening! It felt like a dream, so surreal!

Eyes closed, she basked in the smoothness of Yomi's luscious lips, revelling in the divinity of his touch. It was all too good to be true!

Unfortunately for Idara, Yomi suddenly pushed her away to the side of the bed, rushing to sit up as though he were being pursued.

At first, he had his eyes on Idara with a horrified look in place, wondering what the hell just happened between them, but then he looked away, feeling guilty. “I'm sorry.”

“I'm not.”

Idara's reply was the fire that melted the ice between them. She didn't even know what gave her the courage to say that, but all she knew was that she couldn't just let it end there. She had to do more, feel more, therefore, this time, she made a move and kissed Yomi with all of her heart. She kissed him like a naive child; no rush, no stress, no fear of the unknown. Her kiss carried power, purity, all the emotions she'd bottled up for so many years. She just let go of herself and poured everything out, hoping that Yomi would finally get the hint clearly.

“Stop!” Yomi broke the kiss, pulling back. “We shouldn't be doing this.”

A desperate Idara asked, “Why?”

“Because it's wrong! Damn it!”

Mouth agape, Idara gazed as Yomi slid off the bed, ruffling his hair uneasily.

“We shouldn't have done that at all!” He regretted, pacing the room. “Damn!”

“But there's nothing wrong in what we were doing, Yomee.”

Yomi glanced at Idara, fuming. “There's everything wrong in what we just did, Dara!”

“But it's not such a big deal.” Idara said calmly. “You really need to calm down.”

Yomi stopped walking, giving Idara a perplexed look. “Why am I the only one seeing the absurdity of what we both did? Why are you taking this issue so lightly? Why?”

Idara facepalmed, disappointed at Yomi's ever growing ignorance. “So, to you, what we just shared was nothing but a common kiss, right, Yomi?”

“Girl, what are you even talking about?!”

Idara sighed, keeping her cool. “Yomi, I hate to say this, but are you really that blind?!”

“God knows that I have no idea what you're talking about!”

“Yeah, I figured.” Idara said dully. “I never expected you to have an idea at all. You never notice anything, after all.”

“And what's that supposed to mean?”

“Dude, how many signs do I have to give you before you see me, huh?!” Idara lost control, laying emphasis on ‘see me’. “It's crystal clear that I'm in love with you, Yomi. Why do you delight so much in stressing me? Why? Just why?!”

Yomi stood still, speechless. He was, indeed, having a hard time grasping Idara's parable-like confessions.

“I haven't seen anyone who's as blind and ignorant as you are before in my life!” She went on rambling. “Seriously, you're very annoying! Do I always have to spell everything out for you? I can't even count the number of times I've given you solid green lights, Yomi, not to mention all the times I tried shooting my shots at you, but being the typical blind Bathemeus that you are, you always curved everything entirely, thinking that I was joking or something. What's your problem, man?”

“Wait, you love me?” Yomi asked, finding it hard to believe.

“Are you just realizing it now?” Idara inquired, arms akimbo. “Dumbo!”

Yomi simply stood still, giving it some thought. “You know what?” He eventually spoke. “I think you're just acting up this way because of the issues of your mother and your stolen phone tonight.”

“What?”

“Look, it's obvious that you're in a really messed up mood right now,” he emphasized somewhat calmly, “and I completely understand how you feel, Dara. Believe me, it's okay.”

Idara was practically dumbfounded. What exactly was Yomi saying, for God's sake?

“I obviously made a big mistake by kissing you, Dara. I don't even know what came over me.” Yomi said, too ashamed to look her in the eyes. “Once again, I'm very sorry about that. Forgive me.”

“Am I complaining?” Idara whined. “It was a mutual kiss, remember? I legit kissed you back! What're you apologizing for?”

“Just go to bed, Dara.” Yomi said, walking to the sofa. “Enough of this.”

“Are you kidding me?”

As a response to her question, Yomi turned off the lights, and then the next thing Idara heard was a creak from the sofa.

“Are you serious right now?” She asked, despite seeing nothing but darkness. “You're really gonna sleep on that sofa?”

“Like I said, get some sleep, Dara.” Yomi's voice was low, clearly void of interest in the conversation. “End of discussion. Goodnight.”

Idara hissed out loud, covering herself with the blanket on the bed. “Whatever.”

She shut her eyes tightly and started thinking.

If Yomi really didn't feel anything for her as he claimed, then why did he look at her with eyes that harbored so much passion and desire like hers? Why did he kiss her first, and why exactly did he subject himself to her kiss when she kissed him the second time? Just why?!