||TAMIA||

"I'm annoyed," he says making me frown.

"Why?" I ask, my gaze shifting from his tasty and addictive lips to his eyes.

The hunger is still there, blazing hot and fueling my own.

"I can't freely kiss you," he responds in a low tone.

"What happened to you not minding about people seeing us?" I ask with a teasing smile.

"It's not about people right now," he groans.

"Then what is it about?" I softly ask, tenderly caressing his face.

"It's about respecting other people's spaces. This movie shop might be a public spot but--" I interrupt him, helping him finish the statement.

"The owner deserves respect for his space."

"Exactly," he nods in agreement.

Thinking about it, I also find it annoying. We cannot freely show what we feel for each other. Perhaps we should consider getting a private place if we want to explore what we feel more physically.

"What do you suppose we should do then?" I ask, pushing away the need to lean in and kiss him again.

"We should plan for a day to spend together. Just the two of us," he suggests.

"Over midterm?" I ask, thinking about it.

It would be awesome. But the problem is the meeting place. It has to be somewhere that will not arouse suspicion to my parents and is also affordable for me.

"Can you make it work on your side?" he asks, hope replacing the hunger in his eyes.

Hope that I cannot deny. I would rather lie my ass off using my best friends from home, Stella and Abigail. I always do that whenever I want to join my other friends in a fun activity that my parents wouldn't approve of or permit me to participate in. Yeap. I can't leave home without mom's permission especially.

"Yes. I could work around it where my parents are concerned," I respond with an assuring tone and he smiles gratefully.

"Bro, do you screen movies?" I hear Kel asking the social guy.

At the same time, Joe and I turn to look at him with confused frowns. I'm wondering where his question came from. I mean, this is just an average movie shop and movie screening sounds out of place. That's a huge thing to do in such a small room.

"Yeah," the social guy responds, surprising us.

At this rate, I think I'll just call him Social Guy. He hasn't introduced himself and I don't see any hope of him doing it. So, I might as well use what I can.

"Are you talking about the IMAX movie theatre type of screening?" Joe asks with a fascinated expression that tells me he loves watching movies in theatres.

I've never been to a movie theatre before. But one day, I know I'll make it a point of going there. I think it is even on my mental bucket list among other thousands of things I want to do.

"No. The place doesn't have an IMAX theatre feeling or experience. But it is pretty nice," Social Guy says, pointing at a CCTV screen beside one of the computers he is using.

The room doesn't look big but it has a 3D screen mounted on the wall. There is a screening of what seems to be an animation movie going on at the moment.

From the movie's lighting, I can tell that there is quite a number of people enjoying it. It's hard to make out the exact capacity though because the back of the room is darker than the front where the light is glowing.

"Damn, that's somewhat innovative," Joe says with an impressed tone, studying the screening room from the CCTV screen.

"Yeah, I know. And what makes me happy is the fact that it hasn't disappointed me. It has been doing pretty well for the last few months," Social Guy says with a proud smile.

"That's awesome," Kel tells him. Social Guy nods, mumbling a thank you.

Joe places the movies slash series lists on the counter. I look at him wondering whether he has chosen the movies or series he wants to be copied into his flash drive.

"How often do you do it?" Sheraw asks, capturing my attention.

"At least once or twice per week. It depends on the demand of the movie we are screening," he responds.

"And what type of movies do you screen?" Joe curiously asks.

"All genres from both local and international grounds. For instance, after this session, there will be another one at eleven. We shall be screening the movie Mission To Rescue. Have you watched it?" he asks.

"I don't think I have," Joe responds with a thoughtful expression as if he's trying to recall whether he has come across said movie.

"Me too," Kel and Sheraw respond at the same time. 

"It's a recent one. Let me pull up the trailer for you," Social Guy says as he searches for it.

In a few seconds, the trailer starts playing on the screen mounted above the wall behind him. It's a local action movie. I haven't seen much of the genre but this one looks legit.

I'm even getting an interest to watch it. Joe has already gotten the interest. I can see it on his face. Not long into the trailer, I feel Joe's hand that is still wound over my shoulders idly caressing my boob.

Seemingly, he can't bring himself to a stop. As if I want him to. He has lowkey been touching it and now that no one is looking, he's doing more than touching it. He is fondling it. Then kneading it. A time or two, he softly squeezes it. The untouched one cries in agonising need but it will have to endure. Its time will come.

I try concentrating on the movie but I'm unable to. So I concentrate on the nice and arousing feeling. When he stops for a few seconds, I push my boob into his hand some more. As if he understands what I want, he resumes his ministrations.

I feel his fingers pull on my puckered nipple. It surprises and arouses me at the same time. I didn't think he'd feel it over my blouse and bra. He pinches it making me thrust my boobs forward only to feel my bra unclasp. I smile and look at him. He feels me and monetarily shifts his gaze from the trailer, offering me a crooked smile.

"I think my bra hooks unclasped," I tell him.

He feels my back over my light blouse and he smiles guiltily. I nearly forgot that the bra I wore today occasionally unclasps and I have to keep on clasping it.

"It's probably getting out of my way," he jokes in a whisper making me chuckle. "Perhaps you should just remove it."

"And then what, pervert? Do you want me to go parading my boobs and nipples everywhere?" I ask in a low tone.

"Those are my boobs," he pointedly says.

That causes me to laugh. I mean, they are my boobs. They are on my body and yet he's claiming them as his. Selfish pervert.

"They are mine," I counter, prompting him to grab my tortured boob and squeeze it hard.

I shut my eyes, taking in the feeling and squeezing my thighs together. If he knew how wet I am at this point, he'd stop torturing me. He pinches my nipple again and it nearly makes me whimper. I stare at him, silently begging him to stop now.

"The trailer is still running," I point out and he smiles in a nearly sadistic manner.

"I know," he says.

"Then let us concentrate on it," I groan.

"What about me enjoying the feeling of your boobs?" he asks.

"Haven't you enjoyed enough?" I ask trying to hide a smile.

I know he will deny having his full because he wants to keep at it. I want him to but it is becoming a little unbearable with the heat coaxing in my centre.

"Not by a long shot," he responds, his eyes momentarily shifting from mine to the TV.

The trailer, as if on cue, comes to an end. His hand leaves my breast and the warm feeling disappears making me feel bereft.

"Want help clasping your bra?" he asks, whispering in my ear.

"I can do it," I drawl.

"Pretty please," he pleads, winking at me.

"Joe, are we thinking in the same line about this movie?" Kel asks Joe, interrupting our conversation.

"Definitely," Joe responds.

"Hey, are you thinking about attending the next screening?" I ask Joe and he nods.

"Are you okay with it?" he asks in concern.

How can I not be when I am so excited to have a feeling of being in a movie theatre? Well, it might not be the big kind but at least half the feeling is there.

"Yes," I smile at him.

"Perfect," he smiles at me. "But if you feel bored or uncomfortable, please let me know. Okay?" I nod in response.

I know he wants to watch the movie so badly. So even if I got bored, I wouldn't tell him. I would endure the boredom for him until the movie is over. Nevertheless, I don't see myself getting bored as long as I've already gotten an interest in it and also the fact that I have him with me.

"So, how much does it cost per head?" Kel asks.

"Five hundred," Social Guy responds just as a plus-size lady walks into the shop.

She greets us with a simple hi before proceeding behind the counter and taking a seat beside Social Guy. She goes on to business on one of the computers. Well, it seems like she works here.

"That's expensive," I mumble.

"Are you the one paying?" Joe asks me.

I shut my mouth and try hard not to scowl at him. Jerk! I was just letting him know how I feel about the price. To me, that's expensive. I can afford it for sure but not today. Maybe some other time when I have extra money.

"Are there couple tickets? Someone here thinks that's expensive," Joe asks Social Guy.

I wasn't telling him that so he can go shouting about it. I was only...ugh. Whatever. It's not like he is lying about it. I just told him that. But I don't know why hearing him say those words sucks.

"That's way cheaper compared to what I am supposed to charge. And that should be seven hundred," Social Guy says.

"See?" Joe asks looking at me. "It's much cheaper, V~Girl."

"How would I have known?" I retort.

"You wouldn't, of course," he mocks making me feel offended.

Just because I don't go to cinemas or theatres to know about the average prices doesn't mean he should use that to mock me. Stupid rich kid!

"You are a jerk!" I grumble, grabbing his hand and taking it off my shoulder to put it on his lap.

"Yeah. Couple tickets go for eight hundred," Social Guy says, looking between us.

I feel as if I should tell him to stop staring. He's minding our business too much. Ugh. I don't understand why I am mad at him or why I'm starting to feel like an emotional mess.

"Alright. If there are still seats left, I'll take a couple ticket," Joe says, staring at me.

I'm fuming at him. I'm not happy with how he just offended me. But I'm mad at the fact that he didn't even notice that he offended me.

"I'll take one too," Kel says.

"Are there any snacks?" Sheraw asks.

"No. But you are allowed to bring your own. Although no drugs are allowed," Social Guy says. "It's just precautions for my business protection."

"Oh, okay," Sheraw nods in understanding. "I'll sponsor the snacks, guys."

"I'll do the drinks," Kel volunteers.

"I'll help you with that," Joe says. "And anything else we might need."

Not knowing what to say or contribute, I remain silent. I would love to carelessly just utter my contribution to anything at any price. But the pocket money I have wouldn't allow me. In fact, if I want to contribute something, then it would have to be very cheap at pricing.

The pocket money is just but a thousand shillings. That is what I'm supposed to use to budget for everything. For starters, I have to deduct the fare, mom's pineapples and Spasha's gift or something small to eat.

She always expects that from me and I have no heart to hurt her by not meeting her expectations. As for mom, it is customary for me to take something for her too. She normally requests it when I'm going back to school.

Bottom line, I can't show up home empty-handed. And that is a dilemma that is making me feel useless to these beautiful people. I'm used to being a provider even if it is indirectly but I can't do that for them right now. Because of money problems.

Ugh. Aside from feeling useless, I feel parasitic. As if I am waiting to leisurely feed on their budget. Perhaps I should have said I wasn't okay with the movie. If only I had known how much it would cost us.

"Are you okay?" Joe asks in a soft and concerned voice when his gaze lands on me.

Of course, right now he has the audacity to look concerned. Msm!

"Yes," I lie with a smile.

"We have settled on two couple tickets, right?" Social Guy asks.

"Yeah," Joe, Sheraw and Kel respond at the same time, leaving me feeling somewhat left out.

"Great. Caroline will sort them out for you soon enough. Just give her a few minutes. The pay bill is just behind you on the wall," he says.

"We'll pay in cash. We don't have phones," Kel says.

My heart jumps into a race of fear, afraid of Joe asking for his phone right this minute. I avoid his gaze, silently praying that he doesn't ask for it. I'm not ready to end the day yet.

"I'll be back. I feel a little dizzy," I tell him, quickly standing and walking out of the movie shop.

I walk into the stairwell. It's peacefully quiet and I appreciate that. I feel tears threatening their way out. Again, I'm having emotions raging inside me. I've been trying hard to keep them at bay but they are still fighting you'd think I'm at a war with them.

Annoying emotions. I hear someone coming and I hide in the corner under the staircase going up to the first floor. It's darker and hopefully, there isn't a thief or madman hiding in the darkness. A moment later, I instinctively feel Joe's presence.

"V~Girl?" he calls.

I don't respond to him. What will I tell him about his phone when he asks? I really wish that I hadn't insisted on keeping it for him. I wouldn't be worried about so many things right now.

"V~Girl?" he calls again in a worried tone.

I move out of the corner and walk out of the stairwell to find him standing a few feet from it. He stares at me with a worried face.

"What is wrong, baby love?" he asks softly, stepping towards me. I fight the tears. They can't come out.

"Nothing. I just felt a little dizzy," I respond.

"Lie to me again and we are going to fight about it," he pointedly warns.

"It's true. I felt an overwhelming feeling that nearly made me dizzy," I tell him.

It's the load of emotions and feelings inside me that threaten to overwhelm me.

"Why?" he asks, touching my face and keenly looking into my eyes. "Your tears are balancing on your eyelids. Is this about the same issue as last time?"

Undeniably, I nod as single tear rolls down my cheek. I hate the tears.

"Are you ready to talk to me about it?" he asks.

I shake my head in response. Probably, I'll never even be ready to. Though I fear circumstances might force me to tell him somewhere along the way. More tears flow as I try hard not to cry in his arms. Again. Plus I don't want to be an emotional mess right now.

"You want more time?" he asks and I nod in response. "Fine. But this is your last chance. Next time I'll force it out of you. I can't just keep on sitting when I know that something is ravaging you. Do we have an agreement on that?" I nod in response.

"Good, girl. We want to go buy the snacks. But before that, can we sort you?" he asks, wiping away the tears from my face.

Oh, the bra. I take his hand in mine and lead him to the dark corner.

"This is advantageously dark," he says with a sly smile.

"Shut up. You are only helping me clasp the bra and that's it," I tell him.

"I'm not the one who sounds expectant," he smarts.

For the lack of a better comeback, I just stare at him. He smiles annoyingly in victory. I scowl at him I loosen my tie and then open my blouse. When I've opened at least five buttons, I shed it and turn around to give him access to the bra.

He steps forward until I feel my back flush against his front. His head dips to the crook of my neck where he inhales on my skin. I close my eyes expectantly. I then feel his warm hands wound around my waist and onto my belly before slowly snaking up my upper body.

Upon reaching my boobs, I feel them pushing the bra aside and cupping them naked. He palms and softly squeezes them arousing me more. His lips kiss my neck warmly as he starts to fondle my boob. I let my head fall on his chest as I consume his pleasurable if not torturing touch.

"If I wanted to slut you out right now, I would," he whispers in my ear in a husky voice.

"What's stopping you this time?" I ask in a rugged voice.

"Your comfort. This is not a very pretty place to pleasure you," he responds, keeping up with his ministrations.

"It wouldn't be so bad given I had my first kiss at a cowshed," I retort and feel him smile on my skin.

"All the more reason to upgrade," he says as he pinches both of my nipples.

That prompts me to arc my back into his front only to feel his hard length poking on my back slightly above my ass.

"You are hard," I murmur in fascination.

I've never been this close to a man and that to me feels fascinating if not exciting and simultaneously scary.

"Painfully hard," he groans in my ear, his hot breath causing me goosebumps.

"What can we do about that?" I daringly ask, mentally slapping myself for being a senseless horny girl.

"A lot of things were we in a better place than this one," he grunts. "For now, I can endure it."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

His hands leave my boobs and I moan at the loss. They take the bra wings and clasp the hooks. He then turns me to face him.

"Yes, I am sure," he assures me as he takes the task of buttoning up my blouse.

Once he is done, he adjusts the tie neatly and then pulls me in for a much-needed kiss. He devours my mouth leisurely for a moment.

"Let's go get those snacks and watch a movie," he says upon retreat.

"Alright," I smile, feeling pretty good.

We step into the hallway to find Sheraw and Kel waiting for us. Sheraw smiles mischievously as does Kel. I guess we look guilty of pleasure.

"Please spare me," Joe groans at him.

"Alright, Mister Karanja," Kel mockingly says.

"Fuck you," Joe grumbles as he takes my backpack from Sheraw and his from Kel.

He opens my backpack, dumps his inside, closes mine and then carries it.

"No thank you," Kel retorts.

"Here goes your ticket. It's on the fifth floor of this building," he adds, pointing at the movie shop's building.

Joe takes the ticket and puts it in his pocket.

"Thanks," he appreciates as we walk out of the darkish hallway.

The bright light outside painfully blinds my eyes for a second. As we cross the busy uptown road, Joe holds my hand to keep me beside him. We head to a supermarket that's just a few metres away along the uptown road. There, we get popcorns, crisps and sodas. Once we are done, we rush back to the building.

🧯TRIPLE F vs EAST SQUARED🧯

About two and a half hours later, we are walking into Harvesters for lunch. I don't understand how I'm still hungry after having a load of popcorns, crisps and a  carbonated drink. Perhaps those snacks were appetizers.

There is customer traffic at Harvesters. Perhaps because it is lunch hour. Though we are lucky to get a table of four at a corner. Just to my liking. We settle at it and immediately, Sheraw take the menu.

The prices on it are either favourable or darn expensive. But that depends on the type of food. Joe takes the one on our side and places it between us. I let my eyes scan it as I try to figure out what would suit me best.

"What do you want to have?" Sheraw asks us.

"I don't know," Joe sighs as he continues scanning the menu. "What about you, baby love?"

I'm undecided because I know I'll not be the one paying. Again. Perhaps I should have chips and we'll call it a day.

"Have you tried their pizza?" Sheraw asks me before I can respond to Joe.

"Yes. Once and it was great," I respond honestly.

"Should we try it?" Kel asks them.

"I'm undecided about what I want to eat so we can just do that," Joe says.

"I'm undecided too," I tell him in response to his earlier question.

"Then let's just order pizza," Sheraw says. "Preferably chicken tikka and beef teriyaki."

"Whichever you prefer as long as we get pizza," Kel says.

"Speak for yourself," Sheraw says looking at me and Joe.

"I'm good," I tell her.

"I'm also good with it," Joe says. "But Kel and I will handle it, alright?" he asks looking between me and Sheraw.

"Of course, you will. It is not like you were going to allow us to do it anyway," Sheraw grumbles scowling at the two who shrug unapologetically.

Joe calls on the waiter named Mwanzia according to his badge and places the order. Mwanzia then proceeds to sort it out.

"Baby love, can I have the phone? I want to take a few pictures for memories," Joe asks and my heart goes into panic mode.

Speechless, I stare at him with an apologetic gaze. I feel Sheraw's nervousness which makes it even worse for me. I glance at her for a second to find her staring at me silently.

"Please don't tell me you don't have it," he pleads, his eyes looking between mine.

I feel like crying now. I give him another apologetic look that seemingly makes him look somewhat annoyed. That makes my heart feel as if it is being torn apart.

"I forgot it. I'm really sorry," I lie, hating every bit of myself for doing so. "I have been distracted lately--" he interrupts me.

"By what you still won't tell me," he says. Point blank. Ugh, the tears are balancing on my eyelids again.

"But I'll tell you when I am ready," I argue.

"So, is the phone in school?" he asks, disregarding my statement.

"Yes," I nod with a whisper.

His eyes shift from me to the other waiter. He calls him and asks for the washrooms. The waiter named Collins points to a door across our table.

"Push it open and the loos are just behind it," Collins says.

"Thank you," he appreciates before turning to me.

"Come on," he prompts as he stands from his seat. "We'll be back, guys."

Reluctantly, I follow him. Not knowing the kind of doom that might be waiting for me. Sheraw gives me a weak smile when I look at her. Kel is looking at me with a scrutinizing gaze that gives me a bad feeling. I feel as if he knows what is happening.

Gosh, if he does, then he will tell Joe. Then Joe will hate me for lying to him and treating him like a fool. I'm a selfish bitch who cares only for herself. I don't want to get hurt by him for failing him. That is why I'm protecting myself with lies from the heartbreak I fear my mistakes will cause.

"How could you leave the phone in school?" he asks me outside the ladies' washrooms, not minding if there is anyone inside the stalls.

"I forgot it. I only remembered after getting to town. I haven't touched it ever since the night you gave it to me. It's been inside my box and I somewhat forgot about it. Goodness, I feel really bad for failing you," I tell him.

"You should because without it you are putting me in a pretty compromising situation," he tells that to my face.

"I'm sorry, K~Prince," I apologize, wiping the stupid tears that have been playing so easily to get.

"How do you suppose I'll get in touch with you over midterm without it?" he asks in a nearly angered tone.

I don't have an answer to that. Something that bothers me. He stares at me as if he cannot decipher what to do with me. I should just tell him the truth to get it over and done with. It would perhaps set me free from the bondage of pain, fear and anxiety.

But I doubt any of that would go away. I would still feel the pain. Perhaps more than I do now. Anxiety and fear too. Admittedly, I feel like it will be a long time before they walk out of my life. For now, all I can do is stay strong. But I can't be strong without Joe. It's because of him I'm not dying of stress and depression. He's my solace and I can't lose him.

"Baby love, answer me," he prompts closing in the distance between us.

"I don't have a response," I mumble, sniffing away the tears. "All I know is that I feel like crap for failing you big time."

Truly, I feel like crap for all these lies. Even worse, the fact that I cannot bring myself to just tell him the truth. I angrily wipe away the tears on my face. I don't know why I am even crying. I'm pathetic.

For a few minutes, an agonising silence prevails between us. I want to go back to school and beg Stilettos to give me the phone to get me out of this misery. Then she can punish me however she wants. I just want the phone. For Joe. For me. For us too.

"Can we just go have lunch first? We'll talk about this later," he asks as he slowly starts for the door.

"Please stop delaying the inevitable. You're causing me more pain, K~Prince," my heart silently begs.

I take in a deep breath, trying to push all the pain, and anxiety to the back of my mind before I end up feeling overwhelmed. I can do it. I can wait. Yes, I can.

"Can I wait for you guys to finish up?" I ask him.

He looks at me with a questioning gaze. I don't have an appetite anymore. Only because I can't have something catered for by him after failing him and worse, lying to him. I don't deserve anything he wholeheartedly gives me.

"Why? Don't you want to eat?" he asks.

"No," I respond, shaking my head. "I just want to get myself together."

He takes in a deep breath and takes a few steps back until he's in front of me.

"I might be a little mad at you but I'll get over it in a few. So quit beating yourself over it, baby love. Come, let's go have lunch."

"How can I sit still knowing that you are mad at me?" I ask him.

"Because you know even if I am mad at you, I'll get over it sooner than later," he assures me.

"That doesn't make me feel good. I still feel so bad for letting you down," I say.

"So what? You want me to leave you here to try and escape me?" he challengingly asks.

"You are putting on a fight," I grumble.

"You are," he pointedly says. I take in a deep breath and exhale it.

"I'm sorry for letting you down," I apologize again.

"It's okay. We shall figure out how we shall sort it out. Don't stress over it," he says, pulling me in for a hug.

I hold on to him tightly, snuggling in his embrace. I feel him smiling at my behaviour.

"You're damn irresistible," he grumbles making me smile.

"You're giving me pride," I say upon retreat.

"Shut up, I'm still mad at you," he grumbles and I gesture zipping up my mouth. "Let's go have lunch."

I smile as we walk out of the washrooms into the restaurant feeling some weight lifted off my shoulders. There, Sheraw and Kel are busy chatting about the ice cream they are devouring together.

"I thought we ordered pizza," Joe prompts as he pulls the chair for me.

Mumbling a thank you, I take a seat on it. He then resumes his beside me.

"Well, they were selling it on offer and we thought why not? As for the pizza, it's probably still cooking," Sheraw explains as she hands us a tin of blueberry swirl ice cream.

"Thank you," Joe and I appreciate in unison.

We stare at each other and smile.

"Are you feeling like testing your tonsils?" Joe teasingly asks.

"Why not? I'm going home anyway. Mom will make me a concoction," I respond. "Speaking of which, don't forget I'm supposed to be in a matatu heading home by four."

"That's a long way off," he says flipping me off.

"Yeah, a long way off," I nod in response.

We both know that four is just around the corner and it will be here in no time.