Life is super short! Death is certain, so serve God. This is the whole duty of man, nothing else is really worthwhile or counts in the hereafter.

To those who have recently lost someone, I pray God comforts us all I really do.

*****

Liz

We all have that friend that pesters us for advice and still end up doing what they want regardless of what you say. Sometimes all we have to do is to just tell them to do what is in their heart, and save yourself the trouble.

That friend is Pamela.

I rolled my eyes as my phone rang again for the 7th time today.

"Am I with your kidney or any of your vital organs?" I asked immediately her voice came through.

"I miss you, as per my assistant husband," her voice was a low pitch whine now as she spoke.

"I don't miss you. Go back home to your husband in Nigeria and stop stressing me out" I hissed out.

Okay I was low key angry and pouring out my frustrations on the wrong person. He hasn't called back since that night not even once.

A week has passed now, and I could just swallow my pride and call him to check on his mental health, as is my job but just like Pamela I'm not doing that.

Mental health my left ass. We both know its way more than that.

"That's unfair babe. Chris hasn't called me not even once, I know I told him to leave me alone but its almost a year now. He sends someone to pick the kids once in two weeks and that's it. How can he be comfortable with so much gap between us? Do you think he moved in with Nina? Do you think they have started a new family? God its driving me insane today! Its our wedding anniversary the least he could do is call," she screamed at the end of her statement and I had to push the phone away from my ears.

"You wanted to be separated, we both know he messed up but that man loves you! If it bothers you so much why not reach out to him, which I already know you won't because you are one stubborn ass"

"I'm not calling him first, we don't beg men in my family" Pamela responded.

Arrant nonsense. Remain single in your family then.

"Stop being so prideful you might end up loosing him. Its okay to..." My statement was cut off by a beep sound alerting me to a new call.

Jason.

Stupid, mismatched eyes stranger.

Does he think he can just decide when to reach out to me or not like I'm on his standby.

But you know you will still pick, the eye roll that followed this statement from my subconscious was epic.

"Gotta go babe, talk to you later. Something urgent came up," and I quickly ended the call before she could protest.

I waited for him to call back.

So that it wouldn't show that I was so eager. The standard number of times to leave missed calls is two, unless its a serious emergency.

It annoys me whenever I see large number of calls. Imagine calling someone eight times without leaving a voice mail?

When its not like you won't be able to breathe. The person on the other line is either busy, or can't get to the phone at the moment.

I waited for ten whole minutes and he did not call back. I argued with myself whether to call back for another five minutes then I dialed him.

I bit the edge of my manicured nails, that were painted nude. Biting my fingers when I was nervous is something I hate but can't stop.

"Hello," his voice came through and it was just as I remembered. I felt nostalgic remembering the night at the Bar.

"Do you think I'm on standby that you can just decide whenever to call me?" trying so hard not to let my anger and relief at his call seep into my voice.

"Are your feet tired?" He asked in return.

Immediately, I dropped my feet from the little coffee table where I abandoned them earlier and searched around suddenly scared. I wore killer pump heels to the clinic today. I totally forgot about ward rounds. Was my choice fashionable? Yes, but was it sensible? Hell no!

My feet were killing me, how could he have known that? Did he bug my place? Is he watching me right now?

"First, that's not the answer to my question. I swear to God if you bugged my place in anyway we are done," I let out harshly.

Yup. Pent up frustration and anger is definitely out right now.

I knew he was smiling, deep down I knew he enjoyed keeping me on my toes. Then he said in a smooth tingly drawl "I asked if your feet's were tired because you've been running through my mind all day"

Damn!

At first I stood speechless, refusing to let my cheeks spread into a smile even though I really wanted to.

Who does he think he is? That he feels telling me a cheap line, he probably read off Google was going to make everything peachy.

Instead I said "Don't flirt with me it won't get you anywhere. Plus your line is dry can't you come up with something better than that?"

"Well I just wanted you to smile before saying I'm sorry for not reaching out, travelled out for a mission which is why I haven't reached out."

I breathed heavily suddenly excited and nervous at the same time.

"Next time, could you tell me whenever you won't be available? So that our arrangement can work properly and I'll be sure you are fine."

"If I didn't know better I'll say you missed me. Remember you aren't supposed to get emotionally attached to me even if I'm awesome." Jason replied.

"You wish," rolling my eyes even though I knew he couldn't see it.

"I'm fine quite alright, thanks for asking. May I video call you when I get home tomorrow?"

"A least this time you asked in advance" smiling a little.

"Yes doc. " I could almost hear the smile in his voice even without being near him.

"Its a date then." I said before my brain could catch up with my mouth.

Shit!

I mentally face palmed myself and immediately made to correct myself "I meant it's session, its a time to look forward to, I wish to know more about your mental health," I rambled out quickly.

He laughed loud, that deep throaty sound I was coming to get accustomed to, so carefree, so full and rich.

"Its a date." He declared and ended the call. Just like that.

Why was his laugh making my heart pace?

I need to do meditations and clear my head.

Minutes later while I was still trying to clear my head with a detoxifying green tea his message popped in.

Jason: Our date; Tomorrow evening 4:30. I look forward to knowing you my date😂😂😂😂

I smiled. My lips reacting to his text before I even knew I was smiling.

Bye-bye meditations.

Jason: How come you don't reply my texts?

Jason: PS: You are my friend not my therapist so don't go over thinking your pretty head.

Me: what makes you think I think about you at all?

Jason: It doesn't matter, all I know is you are doing marathon sessions in my mind and head. For the record you have to reply my texts now okay, I'm a big Textrovert.

Me: You can't tell me what to do *eye rolls*

Jason: Subject of another day and time. BTW I offer good foot massages, but we ain't that friendly yet.

Me: As wonderful as that sounds, I'm not letting you touch my feet.

Jason: Don't be a scared baby, touching your feet doesn't mean you'll fall in love. Plus I know how much you like touching me😂😂 *winks*

Me: will you shut up about the kiss I was drunk *eye roll*

Jason: Yen, Yen Yen whatever rocks your boat my lady😀

Me: I'm not your anything. Also what's 'yen yen yen'

Jason: Sorry😸😹 I forget that you are not Nigerian it's a slang of some sort.

Me: What does it mean then?

Jason: That's your assignment

Me: Ode(fool) I'm not interested.

The way I steadily be dishing out these Yoruba insults when people don't think I'm capable literally makes my day.

Bless Pamela's poor soul for bringing out the Nigerian in me.

Me: cat got your tongue now?
Mumu!

I laughed immediately the text delivered as he sent me the popping eye emoji. It was so many it filled a whole page.

Yea, take that sucker.

Jason: I'm too stunned for words. I underestimated you😥😥😥. How do you even know these words?

Me: Now that's your assignment. Good night Werey(Mad man)😂😂😂

Jason: That hurts real bad Doc.  I'm going to lick my wound in private thank you. Goodnight.

I laughed out loud immediately I read his last message, somehow I hated to see him leave this was fun.

Even though I have finished all the words I knew.

I opened up google and typed in 'Popular Nigerian Slangs and curse words.'

This was better than meditation. This was fun.

********

What to wear?

How can it be so hard to pick a clothe for a video call?

I've done tons of video calls why was this one in particular a hassle?

It was 4:15 already, I got back from work minutes ago and after taking a rushed shower here I was on the ultimate search.

I had loose curls so I packed my hair in a messy bun with tendrils framing my face. A green blouse that fell over one shoulder was my final choice alongside a tiny short after all he was going to be looking at my face not my legs.

I slapped ChapStick over my dry lips. No one wanted to see me licking my lips through out the video call.

My stomach rumbled for the fifth time reminding me how little I've fed it the entire day. Quickly throwing a plate of chicken nuggets into the microwave and pouring a glass of fresh orange juice I sat down at my breakfast bar.

I got the Chicken Nuggets from Wendy's but forgot them in my freezer. The honey mustard sauce that came with it, was finger, licking good.

I was barely stuffing two pieces in, when his call came in at exactly 4:30.

Punctual. I like that.

He gets to see you stuff your face with chicken Nuggets.

Oh God!

He could either watch me eat or call back later.

"Hi" I called out and chugged a little of the juice.

He had on a black polo that had the words Black, boldly written on it. He looked sleepy and leaner than the last time I saw him.

"Hey doll face, you look amazing." He called out a grin changing his entire features.

"I know," I shrugged like his compliment didn't give mW the butterfly thingy most books wrote about. "Plus who said you could call me names?" giving him the signature eye roll.

I hated it with passion when strangers gave me nicknames or pet names. Like the old man at the grocery shop calling me: Dear.

I'm not his dear, neither was I anyone's Doll face.

My irritation showed clearly on my  face and I'm sure he got the message.

A loud shout came from the background, He pushed his hands into his head probably in frustration.

The voice was feminine so I asked, "Wife or girlfriend?"

My answer was a fifty something black beautiful woman, whom he definitely took his eye colour from.

"Tolulope are you deaf? Why can't answer me? Are you counting the number of times I call you before you answer?" She called out.

Definitely an extra Nigerian mother.

"Mum please I'm busy right now." He appealed to the woman who hasn't noticed me smiling.

Also a mamas boy. At his age, he still lived with his mama.

"Busy doing what? I need you to talk to your sister, I don't like the guy she is seeing. He looks like a money ritualist with his bald head. Plus you've been sleeping all day can you take me to church," his mom asked again this time folding her hands under her bulging bosom.

Her stance was practically telling him she wasn't going to accept No for an answer.

"Mom! How does all bald men looks like ritualist? This is america for crying out loud not the jungle?"

"So now you are shouting at me right, for your information we are all from the jungle even this your America is someone's village. Me, alongside your entire family are from Nigeria jungle" rolling her eyes.

I let out a deep chuckle, and popped another nugget into my mouth. If I knew this call will be so much fun, I would have made popcorn.

Although I should give them a little privacy "Let's talk later," I called out and immediately I did she noticed the laptop and my face popping through.

"TOLULOPE!" She screamed, her eyes the exact replica of her son's widened then lit up with excitement. She grabbed the laptop and positioned herself in front of it. Somewhere he was trying to grab to computer back but was definitely no match for her.

"Touch this computer again, if I won't slap you" she threatened him.

"Hello my daughter. Are you my sons girl? He has no lady friends and none as beautiful as you. I'm his mom, I won't be extra and say I'm your future mother in-law but both of you will make beautiful babies. You are so beautiful" She cooed again.

Excuse me ma, what if you were now extra?

Fire blossomed in my cheeks as I blushed, the situation was both embarrassing and cute.

"MOM!!" He screamed this time quickly ending the call.

My loud laughter echoed in my kitchen before a sudden ache settled in my chest.

I miss this. I've never had this, having a mother to embarrass me.

Suddenly maybe he was rubbing off on me I decided to dial her, it already rang before I could change my mind.

Here we go, maybe unconsciously I was healing after all. I like this blue_grey eyed  Nigerian boy storming into my life and all the colours he brought along.

****

Has your mom ever embarrassed you in front of the opposite sex? 😂😂😂😂😂

Its a No for me but tell me about yours.

Please vote, comment and share. Thanks in advance .

Love,
Orex