“Are you going to invite me to lunch?” Cryst asked interestedly.

Surprised, Ore rolled his eyes inwardly. “Well, I don’t have money with me right now to take you to lunch. Maybe we can do this another day.”

Cryst smiled and dragged childishly at him. “What do you mean by you don’t have money? I can lend you some money now that we have time. You can pay me back some other time. Come on, let’s go!”

“What about my phone?”

“Will you keep watching me?” She chuckled, opened her car, and started the car engines. “Follow me.”

Ore raked his right palm over his head and walked into his car. They strolled into a restaurant in Zone 4. It was called “The Amazonia”. The restaurant had a reputation for being one of the most expensive in Abuja. Ore barely visited restaurants. It was a waste of time and money. Though he wanted to turn his back, he needed his phone so badly and he hated drama. And Cryst was a drama queen. They got in and settled in their seats with blank faces. Except for Cryst, who faked a smile just so he would join her, but he met her with a glare instead.

Other guests, who were mostly couples, arrived, made an order and started chatting. The restaurant had the most delicious dishes and a jungle-like atmosphere with green leaves and flying doves.

Cryst sat opposite Ore and made an order. Instead of playing games on her phone, she watched the timid guy. While watched other couples, Ore swallowed on his saliva. It must be expensive making an order in such a place. The space had a well-furnished and it's air-conditioned interior was a glimpse of paradise. It was then, Ore realized that he was yet to have breakfast.

“Hello.” The server, in a black skirt and cream coloured shirt, greeted. She placed a tray of drinks on their table. “Please enjoy.”

She served the couple two plates of spiced jollof rice, a bowl of full -sized roasted chicken, sliced watermelon, and three bottles of chilled water. The server smiled and walked away, leaving the both of them to discuss.

Ore watched the server till she walked away. Somehow, he wished he could disappear from Cryst’s sight. She was such a character and all he wanted was to avoid her. Though he had decided not to eat with her; he nibbled on his lips, repeatedly and watched her devour on the plate of rice.

“Won’t you eat?” Cryst asked. Deeping a silver spoon in the rice. Chewing on it, she dug another spoon of rice from her plate. From the look on his face, he hated the scenario. 

“What up?” Cryst asked, finally dropping the spoon by the side of the plate. “You look sad.”

“I just can’t eat,” Ore replied her. His eyes pulled on the pool of water as she studied him. “I have a lot on my mind.”

“You can share with me.” She suggested, but he replied her with a dull expression. His eyes glaring into her soul.

“Okay, fine.” Cryst gushed. “Here’s your phone.”

She raised it up and placed it by his side. His face lighting up once she handed it to him.

“Give me your contact. Let’s be friends.” Cryst suggested with a big smile. Her eyes glittered, seeing him smile back for the first time since they met.

“We don’t need to contact each other anymore.” He clarified. “Let’s say our goodbyes.”

Chryst’s smile dropped immediately. Disappointment took over. Ore tapped on his phone and scrolled through. “Did anyone call me?”

Cryst shrugged. Her lips pulled down and pouted out. Ore tapped on his contact and saw Grace called. It arrived 20 minutes ago. Ore darted a gaze at her. “Did you answer my call? What the heck is wrong with you?”

“Yes, I did? Did I do something wrong?” She stuttered. His reaction shocked her. She wasn’t expecting Ore to reply in such a way.

“How dare you?” Ore’s thick brows pulled together, almost touching. Veins stretched out of his neck as he tried pulling back his anger. “Why would you pick up my call?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your privacy, but I felt the call was urgent. After answering, I noticed her shivering voice. I can’t believe she thinks you cheated on her. I don’t know.” She recited, her eyes filled with curiosity. “I don’t know- I would have explained better, but she ended the call. Is she really your girlfriend?”

“Are you crazy?” Ore blurted, holding his face in his hands. 

Cryst nodded and rolled her eyes. She wondered why it was a big deal.

“You pranked me, stole my phone and answered my call! By whom were you given permission to answer my call? You put me in so much trouble I’ve been expecting the call for so long, and you made me miss it.” He dialed Grace’s contact and placed the phone in his right ear.

“Sorry, the line you dialed is not available at the moment. Please try again later.” Ore’s frown tightened. This was getting out of hand.

He called her again, but it was still the same response. His attempt to reach Grace failed once again.

“Did your girlfriend mistake me for someone else?” Cryst’s right hand clenched her jaw. “Oh, my god! That must have hurt her!” She hissed. “How can one dump a guy as charming are you in just a blink? Uh! Ladies of these days-”

“Shut up your mouth!” He cut her short.

Pissed, Ore’s eyes grew red. He struggled to control his breathing, trying to calm himself down. But it was no use - the anger was boiling over.

Chryst read his emotion and just gulped down a cu of red wine.

“Who gave you the right to touch my phone? I should report you to the police, but I’m too pissed to do that right now! You don’t even know me, so don’t force your hand into my mouth!”

Surprised, she folded her harms together and leaned on the marble table.

“You scratched my car. I waited almost two hours for you. The least we could do is have lunch together! And now you’re getting pissed? You can’t just ruin my day for no valid reason!”

“Give me your account number and I’ll send you cash to repair your stupid car. You think you’re rich, uh?” The more he tried to control his anger, the more it raged within his chest. Finally, Ore couldn’t take it anymore. He leaped to his feet, the rage gave him strength. “To hell with you and your car! Who cares if your day is ruined or not?”

“Compensate me with another meal. Let’s have dinner tomorrow and I’ll pretend we never met.”

Ore’s eyes blinked at how insane her words sounded. He grabbed his phone and car keys and left the table. Ore paced the length of his space, fists clenched at his sides, muttering curses under his breath as he stormed into his car and zoomed into the streets.

Cryst looked up and focused on the untouched food before her. She knew holding him back was just a waste of time. ‘Only if someone would love me this much.’ She pondered, eating her rice and drinking water. Cryst ordered the server to package the rest for her in a leather.

A long elrufai bus zoomed across the free road on its way back to town. Grace sat on the chair in the bus, her eyes fixed on the transparent side glasses beside her. Her body was still, but inside she was a storm of emotions. She couldn’t believe what had happened. Ore, the man she had trusted with her heart, had betrayed her. He had been seeing someone else behind her back, and now everything was in shambles. She felt numb, like she was a million miles away from everything. She thought she had gone pastime, but it was even painful than before. Grace hated Ore. Lost in thoughts, her eyes lost focus as the shut it. Only if wishes were horses... Only if death was peaceful. Only if living was worth it. Was I hoping for too much?

They both stopped at the junction and Grace stepped out. As she walked through the streets, she met a boutique which glassy doors displayed a couple’s outfit. A beautiful white wedding gown designed with pears and shiny stones, while the groom’s black suits were hung on a plague... Dashing and fitted. A variety of flowers displayed around the outfit. Grace couldn’t help but to take a pause. And remembered when he came after her with empty promises...

“Don’t worry, it won’t happen. I will do only what you decide for me.”

“Okay, let’s make a deal.” She faced him closely. “I’m not going to Canada because I love my teaching job. My English isn’t so good and I don’t understand French. I can’t go through the stress of relocating. I’d love for you to study for two years and come back to me like you always do. Hopefully, by then, I’ll be able to enroll in a university.”

Ore held her tender hands into his. “I want to marry you as soon as possible to make myself feel at ease. I can’t bear the thought of leaving you again, Grace. If you doubt me while I’m in Canada, that means you’ll run away with another man here and I don’t want that.”

Grace blushed hard at his words. “What if you elope with a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes?

“I definitely won’t!” Ore declared at once, and Grace looked up at him.

Grace remembered the bitterness in her eyes sweetened with hope. The way her walls melted when Ore shared an infectious smile and said, “Hope I didn’t create too much trouble?” He did these on propose?

The truth suddenly came up on her. Only then did she notice the clouds in the sky before getting on the bus. Grace was absent minded. Her body suddenly got chilly under the dull weather. Grace stood under the pouring rain, her clothes soaked through, her hair plastered to her head. Her hair and clothes dripped from the sudden downpour. The sky was dark and gray, the clouds heavy with rain. It reflected her own mood - dark and heavy, filled with sorrow. The rain wiped her as if she was being punished by the Almighty.

Standing in the corridor, Grace faced her reality. The reality of being abandoned and rejected. The reality of being alone and being excited by taking love and empty promises. She got tired of everything. Grace faced the cloudy sky with tears pouring down her eyes. Grace ran her hands through her hair as her heart seized. She tried hard not to break down at that minute. Her heart ached as tears formed from the sides of her ears.

“Dear God. Do you even look to love me? I doubt it because how can you be so cruel? How can you do this to me... I expected Mr. Shina to provide reassurance and confirm the truth.”
She dragged her feet, leaning to the glassy door. “What kind of truth is that? Ore cheated on me all these years!” Her eyes tightened as she broke down in an endless cry.
“Ore! I’ll never forgive you, I promise! How dare you cheat on me! I’ll never love again, I promise!”

Grace sobbed, the tears mixing with the rain on her cheeks. It felt like her heart was breaking, like her whole world was crumbling around her. She couldn’t believe that he had left her. She felt so alone, so lost. She sank to her knees, sobbing harder.

The rain continued to pour down, soaking her through. Grace drowned in her grief, like she would never be able to get out from under it. Her breath came in gasps, her body trembled with the force of her sobs. She felt as if she would never be happy again, as if her life was over. In the distance, she heard the rumble of thunder, and lightning flashed across the sky. It was a sign of her own broken heart, a reflection of her own shattered soul.

She curled up into a ball, pulling her knees to her chest. She wanted to go home, but she just stayed there. Crying out her lungs.