Muhammad drove into the large area and parked his car, the basketball area was desolate, maybe he was a bit early or way too early. Being a business man, he couldn't help it, punctuality was something he took serious. He was still sitting in his car listening to Memories by maroon 5 when a guy started knocking on his window. Not gentle taps though, fierce knocks that Muhammad feared that the window would have a crack. Not suspecting a thing, he stepped out and noticed about 4 other guys. They were all muscular, all dressed in clothes that showed off muscles, the guy who had knocked seemed like the leader, rough beards but well kept hair, be was light skinned with a visible mark running from the e side of his eyes to his ear, he had a powerful stautue and aura around him. Muhammad took a deep breath.

"We are not here to minice words with you, kindly give us the keys to your car"He said.

Muhammad couldn't place the accent but that was the least of his problem, how could he demand for his car keys, just like that, were they on drugs or did they have charm cos it definitely wasn't working on him. He knew how much his black Audi was worth and to top it all, it was his favorite car too. They really had guts to think they could rob him in broad daylight. It was the audacity for him.

"And don't even think of shouting or attracting attention"The guy showed Muhammad a knife tucked in his trouser, Muhammad scoffed internally, they weren't even well equipped.

The path along there was quiet, only two kids were using the road, they were deep into the conversation they were having.

"Look guys I can't give you my car" Muhammad said when he finally found his voice. " Let me give us some cash instead" He tried to reason.

"Do we look daft to you? My friend hand over the keys to us"Another scary guy ordered, his eyes blazing. Muhammad took in his appearance, dark, Stone cold and all, he looked like a drug king pin and from his hard face, he wouldn't hesitate to stab him quickly.

"All these spoilt rich kids, they don't know anything about life, we know your father can buy another one"He added

It was on the tip of Muhammad's tongue to say, what was your dad doing when his mates were hustling but he held himself back. He hated being referred to as spoilt rich kid, that was a wrong idea about rich kids and then for unknown reasons Nigerians hated rich kids for no reason. It was annoying.

"Are you going to give us willingly or do you want us to take it by force?"the leader asked again, he was now very close to Muhammad, the knife in his hand with a malicious look on his face.

Muhammad was the verge of giving up the keys for the sake of his life, it wasn't like he couldn't get another one, just a single call could get him another one. But then, he heard a familiar female voice.

"Yes DPO, they are about four guys, two are putting on red, yes, close to the basketball court, ok, your boys are close by, please hurry"She ended the call. She was standing at a safe distance, safe enough to sprint off if they came after her.

Muhammad was surprised, he could see the fear on  the boys faces before they took off, actually the police station was close by so for the fear of getting caught, they took off.

Ebere was dressed in a black body hug shirt and an Aztec trouser, he liked the geometrical shapes, the patterns and eye popping colors.

He watched her come closer to him and then he smiled.

"Thank you so much" He said in gratitude with all sincerity, she was truly an angel except for the face she was putting on.

"Honestly am disappointed in you, you couldn't fight back or anything, I never saw you as a coward but you just proved to be one"She had a sassy face now.

" Did you see those boys? They out numbered me"Muhammad pointed out a smile tugging at his lips, he didn't care if she had just called him a coward.

"And so? For the records, I didn't even make any call to the Dpo,I don't know who the nigga is"Ebere confessed and they both had a hearty laugh

" And I know those boys, forget that muscles, they are just petty thieves, they don't have balls, you would have been their major breakthrough in their career"

" You are so smart"He complimented.

" Yeah, I know. I just happen to be a genius"she bragged while they laughed again.

Muhammad leaned into his car and got a bundle of money which he stretched out to Ebere. She didn't only have a frown on her face, it was visible she was pissed off with the way she looked at him, he knew that look, she twitched her lips and raised her brows, that was the way she kept get face the first time they met, when she called him a coward and then now.

"I just want to use it as a medium to say thank you" He didn't know why he was nervous all of a sudden.

" I don't need your money."

The way she said it kinda hurt him, he was taller than her, yes but she was intimidating, no one ever called him a coward or brushed him off, he wasn't used to this feeling.

"I just thought..." He was stuttering, God, Muhammad nearly facepalmed himself, how was this girl able to make him stutter. She was looking at him in amusement.

"Look, it's fine. I'm sorry if I sounded rude but u don't want your money, thank you is enough"She assured him with a smile.

Muhammad nodded and kept the money back. He rubbed his hair while he thought of what to say to her. From his observation she wasn't a noisy type or maybe she was....or not

"Do you live around here?" He finally asked.

"Yeah, my house is few blocks from here and I guess you don't live around here but you always come to play basketball"Ebere noted and he nodded. Just then Ebere remembered something.

"Now I remember, you once splashed water on me, I remember this black Audi of yours"She pointed at the car.

" Oh my God, you are the girl?"

"No, I'm the boy" She scoffed

" I'm really sorry, it wasn't intentional, I knew I splashed water on someone but was really in a haste, so sorry"He apologised and Ebere only shrugged.

" To appreciate you better and to apologise better, let me take you out for dinner next week Friday, pretty please"He pleaded while trying hard to read her expression.

" I don't know .. ... I just..." She stammered. Now that was definitely new, she never stuttered.

"Come on" He persuaded and then she nodded but she looked unsettled
"Don't worry, it's a friendly date"

He brought our his iPhone 13 from his car and handed it over to her to type her phone number in.

"Thanks dear, I'll save it as Monalisa" Muhammad told her and watched as she rolled her eyes at him, it was beautiful to look at.

Her attention was soon shifted from him to another guy who was coming to the court, Muhammad knew the dark guy, he was an excellent player. They exchanged pleasantries.

"I'll give you call okay, see you later" He told her and left.

***
Ebere felt air knocked out of her system when he asked her to go out for dinner with him.

"You didn't tell me that guys with blue eyes and caramel skin were your spec, I would have bleched long time ago and started wearing contact lenses"Kofi joked once Muhammad was out of earshot.

"Shut up, I only saved him from Somto's crew, they wanted to rob him, that's all"She explained.

" Are you sure? "Kofi had a smirk on his face "Because I saw you giving him your phone number"

" Wait, are you my father or my boyfriend? "She asked ready to shove Kofi on his chest.

" Whenever you sound aggressive, I know you are lying" Kofi teased, Ebere shoved him on his chest and he only laughed.

" Better stop touching my chest" Kofi warned"Bad girlfriend, I'll just find another babe"

" You don't have sense Kofi, infact am going home"Ebere said and started walking away.

" I love you too babe" Kofi hollered after her and she didn't know whether to give him the middle finger or go over and slap him.

Back at home it was already 6:00pm and her mum was making dinner with Amanda, they were making spaghetti and fried chicken.

After joining them in concluding the cooking, the family sat down to a sumptuous meal.

20 minutes went past and only the sounds of spoon, gulping of water and chewing of chicken was heard until her mum cleared her throat.

"Honey, you still remember Mummy Anita that has three daughters, don't you?"

Md Kalu nodded, he seemed interested in what his wife was about to say. He was done eating.

"You know that her third daughter right? I think Teni is her name, I heard she got married to a Muslim"

Ebere's stomach chimed at that.

" Children of nowadays, what do they know? None of my daughters would dare that"it sounded like a statement but more of a warning.

Ebere's stomach filled up immediately and she felt sick for unknown reasons. She managed to seat for the rest of the dinner and once they were done, she dashed out and went to her room. For unknown reasons, she was uncomfortable and sick, what would her parents say if they discover that their daughter was about to go out for dinner on Friday with a Muslim boy who had blue eyes?

She groaned and then slumped on her bed, why was she over thinking, he was just an handsome boy repaying her for a good deed, why would he take interest in a person like her, it seemed her inferiority complex was creeping back. She was jostled out of her myriad of thoughts when her door swung open.

"Sis, you look sick" Amanda noticed. Ebere groaned, was it that evident?

" I'm good, just tired"Ebere replied and sat up right on her bed. Amanda sat on the bed too and picked Ebere's phone and unlocked it.

"I heard Effiong was arrested" Amanda informed her sister, Effiong was a childhood friend of theirs, but along the line, they all fell apart, he lived one street away. Effiong's family weren't so rich.

"What did he do?" Ebere inquired.
He didn't look like a bad person or someone who engaged in crazy stuffs.

"They said his a Yahoo boy (Nigerian word for a person who engages in cyber crimes)"

" Really?"

Ebere didn't know why there was a mad rush of boys into that stuff.

"I don't blame him though,his a poor boy,he doesn't have a job despite graduating with good grades,I don't blame him"Amanda had a sullen face but Ebere had a different opinion.

" Stop justifying evil Amanda,yes,stop it. His not the only poor guy on the street,there are thousands of people also struggling but they aren't engaging in frudulent acts. His action was borne out of greed and impatience and not poverty"Ebere had a stern face.

" So why are you taking it personal?" Amanda pouted.

"I don't just like when people give excuses for evil"

Amanda didn't reply again, she focused on Ebere's phone, swiping through her pictures and suddenly her eyes went wide.

"God,is he real?" Amanda shrieked, Ebere leaned in better to see the cause of Amanda's excitement,it was a photo,the group photo of Axiom book club and Ebere knew who Amanda was talking about,the boy in caftan who had blue eyes. Ebere observed the photo better, somehow without even trying,he stood out like a diamond,his blue eyes sparkling and the cute smile resting on his face.

"How can someone's child be so cute and he even has blue eyes" Amanda wailed.

" Same thing I ask myself" Ebere murmured and rolled her eyes.

"And I was even thinking Uche was even handsome" Amanda said again which made Ebere laugh this time, Amanda was definitely crazy.

"Don't let your mother hear you,you'll be in for a three hours lectures about boys"Ebere chided playfully.

" But sis this boy is fine,no his beautiful,you have to marry him, what's his name, people that bear Stanley are usually handsome,is his name Stanley or Uche or Paul?"Amanda asked all at once.

Ebere let out a sigh and with a sad smile at the edge of her lips,she looked at the handsome face staring back from the picture.

"His a Muslim,his name is Muhammad"

That was enough to make hyperactive Amanda keep shut,they know what it meant,the wedding bells were not ringing anytime soon.

**

Honestly I  didn't know I'll not update this book for so long, really sorry.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter though?
What are your ideas of their dinner? 😚😚
Lemme know 🙃
And this is an appeal, please ooo
Tell people about this book,I'll update regularly this week and next cos I'll be free
Almost done with exams,wish me luck🤗