“You say we are just friends. Are we really? Cos friends don't stay up all night texting about how good or bad their day was. Friends don't call at 7Am just to hear from you. Are we really just friends? Cos friends don't look at each other the way you look at me.”

—@c.e.o_muna

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C H A P T E R 30:

A life without a controlling husband at home to hit her at the slightest mistake, both real or imagined, was like a dream come true. Having the full house to herself without anyone standing her way was even more amazing.

May felt like a free bird even if she knew it wasn't going to last, for Edric would come back whenever he likes but she was having the best time out of it and only that mattered.

He didn't for once called her on phone to know if she was faring well, which May didn't even care cause his absence had given her so many opportunities. She stopped selling oranges. She used the little profit she had from the orange business to enroll into a catering school in order for her to master cooking.

If she wasn't at the catering school, at home or at Mama Edric's house having a good mother and daughter moments with Maryam, then she was spending the day with Iby. They had gotten so attached to each other that people began to question their relationship. Few people, who simply couldn't mind their business, wanted to know if they were actually dating.

"Oh! We are just friends," May would say to them. Then, if Iby was there with her, she'd turn to him and ask, "isn't it?"

Iby would be lost for what to say like he didn't understand what she was asking then, he would manage a stammer, "Y—ye—yes."

It grew worse when she started calling him, "bestie" or sometimes, "bro."

He didn't like that. Simply because he was in love with her and it was baffling that she didn't seem to notice or maybe she was just pretending? He didn't know.

From the day May was discharged from the hospital, Iby had always being by her side, making sure that she had no space or privacy to hurt herself again. She didn't question the reason why he became extra caring and loving towards her. She didn't question why he was always checking up on her, making sure she ate healthy meals and took her drugs. She felt that as a close friend of hers, he was only doing what he thought was right.

In just two weeks, May had changed so much. She had added more flesh. Her skin was lighter and smoother than ever and she was wearing more appealing clothes.

She hadn't noticed this before until her gossip of a neighbor, Caroline said to her one day, "Ha! May, this is a surprise oh."

May brows drew in quizzically as she asked, "What do you mean? What surprise?"

"Don't tell me you don't understand what I am trying to say."

"How I'm I suppose to understand when you haven't told me anything yet? If you have something to say, be forward about it. I have somewhere else to go." May told her, checking her wristwatch to see if she was late for her catering class.

Caroline smiled widely. "Don't be like that na. No vex."

"I am not angry. Just say it already." May impatiently cuts in.

"Uhm. Listen eh. I am just trying to say you're getting fat everyday."

May looked down at herself with confusion and disbelief on her face to check if there were any changes with her. There sure was but not has Caroline had emphasized it.

Caroline continued, "It's like your husband is transferring alot of money for you from calabar that's why you are looking so fresh and fine these days."

May raised her brow and blinked her eyes then, laughed out loud making Caroline confused that she creased her brows.

"First of all, aunty Caroline, I need you to know that a woman's well being doesn't always come from her husband's pocket. If you see me doing fine today, doesn't mean my husband is responsible for that." May told her as a matter of factly, "I now earn little money from my catering school which I am using to take good care of myself and my daughter. Also.... Please don't say I am getting fat. You could say that I am adding a little weight but not fat, my dear."

Caroline scratched the back of her ear, drawing herself closer to where May stood.

"Eh.. If you say so, no problem. But.. What cream are you using on your skin that is making it light and spotless like this?" She asked.

May fought the urge to laugh. So this was all what the talks were about? "I'll write it out for you later."

Caroline proceeded to say thank you but May had her cut short immediately.

"I sincerely think you've used too many creams on your skin. I don't mean any harm o but you seriously need to stop bleaching."

With that, she walked away with the new feeling of confidence that was building up in her.

............

The weather was hot and dry just like her slightly cracked red lips. She hastened her steps, taking long strides in order to reach her destination on time.

She had been ringing his line but he hadn't picked up yet and she was wondering if he was even ready or if she had taken this too seriously. It worried her.

The sun burning her bare back worried her even more. She so didn't want a skin burn especially not now that she was trying to love and appreciate the body God gave her.

Relief surged through her when his compound finally came to view. When she walked into the compound, she threw some tasty bones she had tied properly in a black nylon bag to the dogs that she was no longer scared of.

The dogs didn't bark since they were used to having her around, rather they shook their tail for her which made her cheeks strain in a little smile.

She got to his apartment only to find the door locked. She searched for the keys but couldn't find it. She tried redialing his line when one of his neighbors stopped her.

"Are you looking for Iby?" asked the dark skinned, pretty lady with a tiny voice that May thought was too tiny for her.

"Oh yes!"

"He is not around."

"Uhm.. Do you have an idea of where he could be by this time of the day?"

The lady thought for awhile, repeatedly tapping her nude lip with her index finger before she finally said, "I think so. Check the football field if he is there. Some men are playing football there."

"Okay. Please, can you give me directions?"

The lady used her hands to illustrate, giving May directions to the field. May thanked her and left for the field.

It was a sandy field, full with onlookers while others played on the field. Admist those people playing, was Iby, all sweaty and dirty.

It seems like the ball hadn't ended so she waited, resting her weight on the coconut tree she found there and trying hard to ignore the penetrating stares drilling holes in her head by other men who were supposed to be watching the people playing on the field but were not. Instead, they were watching the lady resting under the coconut tree.

May watched Iby as he stood in front of the small mocking post, with his legs wide open and eyes concentrating on the ball. Once his team's opponent shoots, he flew to catch the ball. He successfully landed on the sand with both his hands hugging the ball to his chest.

The onlookers cheered at the same time the whistle goes off signalling the end of the game. It was at the time that Iby instincts caused him to look through the little crowd that had formed, that his eyes settled on a familiar face.

The young lady with her light brown skin shinning due to the contrast of the sun, wore a high pony tail and light makeup. Her native, off–shoulder gown hugged her body so well that he couldn't resist himself from raking his eyes down her body and mentally noting how the gown brought out the perfect curves of her body.

When his eyes moved back to her face, she gave him an angry look which earn her an air kiss from him.

Few eyes, which saw this, turned her way and her cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

Some minutes later, after he had fetched water from a well across the street and had taken his time to wash off the dust from his legs and hands, he joined her. They legged slowly together.

Iby threw his hands on her shoulder which she pulled away because he was sweaty and smelling awfully. He didn't take her act personal because he knew she didn't want him staining her dress. As for May, she needed to make a good first impression and she didn't want anyone ruining that for her.

"I wonder how you guys enjoyed playing football under this scorching heat." She said out what was on her mind all these while.

"Well, that's boys for you. Our love for football can make us play under anything. Be it rain or sun." He replied.

"Hmmm.. Is that so? So tell me, which team won?" asked, May curiously.

"It was a tie. The other team are also tough and being a goalkeeper is not easy either." He admitted.

"Ahem!" She faked a cough.

"What is it?"

"You knew we were supposed to visit your cousin today but you came to the field." May told him, slightly offended now.

"It's not like that... The thing is, i forgot." He explained.

She stopped on her tracks to look at him as if to say he was lying then slowly, her perfectly carved right brow shot up, "So a whole Iby forgets some things too?" She asked.

He cackled and her brows drew in quizzically.

"Why are you laughing? What's funny?" she questioned.

"The way you said it." He replied once his laughter subsided.

"Oh.. Really?" She asked, folding her arms and giving him a pointed look, obviously not finding it funny at all.

What an annoying goalkeeper.

"Come on," he urged her. She rolled her eyes but obeyed him anyways. They began walking back to his house.

"About your question, you see... That's to simply show you that I am not perfect." Iby answered.

"I've heard."

They walked quietly, hand in hand until he broke the silence by asking, "So how is your health? How you feeling?"

She shrugged, "I feel healthy. Thank you."

"That feels good to know."

............

Iby came out from his ensuite drying his wet locks with his white towel, looking all hot.

Water was dripping down his defined abs. He had on only his boxer which was showing off the little bulge between his legs...

Ugh.. May, you have to control yourself. You haven't divorced that wizard yet. By the way, he is your friend. You aren't supposed to fall for him.

May had to use more courage than required to not look at him. She bit her lips and forced her self to concentrate more on the movie she was watching while waiting for him to dress up.

Not long, he was ready. Iby was dressed on a simple attire. This made May to mentally question herself if she hadn't gone too far with the makeup on her face and the new dress she had sewed for this day.

It was all to make a good impression. You are a nice person. His family would like you.

She kept repeating the words in her head, trying to make herself feel better.

Iby took his car keys, "Okay... All set? Let's go."

May suddenly began to panic, "Em, do you think I look good?" She asked.

"Yes.." He assured.

She wasn't satisfied. "Uhm, please wait let me add a little lip gloss."

Women and makeup.... Iby thought.

She took out her lip gloss from her small bag and he watched as she applied it on her lip, making it glowy and more tempting to be kissed.

"Can we go now?" He asked.

She tried to steady her breathing, "How do I look now?"

Iby took a long stride towards her. They were now few inches apart. If he dared make another move, she'd feel his breath on the top of her forehead.

"You look good," He confirmed, "But would've been better if you had your hair styled like this."

He slowly removed the ribbon she had used to tie her pony tail neatly, letting the hair fall freely over her shoulder.

Then he gently swept her long, black extension hair over her left shoulder. As if that wasn't enough, he trailed his finger from the side of her forehead down to her ear where he tucked some strands of hair behind her ear.

"Relax." He said afterwards. "Don't fret. My family would love you just the way you are. Remember, it is who you are on the inside that matters and not your outer appearance."

"Okay."

A small smile occupied his lips, "Now take in a deep breath and exhale it out."

May did as she was told. She couldn't be more happier when the method worked, relaxing her muscles and soothing her soul.

Iby cupped her face in his hands, "So tell me beauty, can we go now?"

A wide smile spread across her lips, "Yes, goalkeeper!"

~~~~~

WARNING! LONG AUTHOR'S NOTE BELOW.

Forget about the errors I made in this chapter, (it would be sorted out with time) the update is what's most important.

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*A little spoiler* May is going to meet Iby's family... But would they like her as Iby had said?

We would never know until we read. 🤣😂😀😁