Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

The concert

Ademilade

The crow of a neighbouring c**k disturbed the early morning silence.

What the heck! I rolled unto my side to resume sleeping when the alarm clock began ringing.

Jeez!I groaned out of sleep . Can't someone sleep in peace again??

I opened my bleary eyes and reached for the alarm clock, turning it off; then I dragged myself up from the bed and walked into the bathroom.

The outline of the bathroom was dim in the early dawn light, thus making me see clearly.

I brushed my teeth,and pulled off the only clothing on me, my brief and stepped into the bathtub to have a quick bath.

When done, I reached for my towel and returned to the room, drying my body. I then ambled to the wardrobe and took out a well ironed shirt and a slack trouser and hurriedly changed into it.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and liked what I saw.

The black shirt gave me a muscular fitting and the slacks hung snug on my body.

Perfect! I put on a white sneakers, combed out my curly hair, then, reached for my phone and car keys and walked out of the room to the sitting room and found Kewe looking into his phone and smiling to himself.

I can bet on it that he is chatting with a girl.

"Your girlfriend?" I questioned.

He looked startled for a moment , and then composed himself. "Sort of."

I smirked. "Susanna right?"

"How did you know?" his eyes popped out of his head . "I mean when did you know?"

"I am not a fool bro." I began walking to the refrigerator. "I saw the way you looked at her at the convocation party, it was like you wanted to eat her raw." I opened the freezer and took out a bottled water. "You love her?"

"Hell no." he began laughing . "I am only interested in her .....

"Body." I completed, looking at him aghast . "No man, that girl has gone through a lot. I used her, Prince r***d her, Dave..........."I paused and looked away.

Mentioning his name sent shivers down my body and I felt sick to my stomach remembering how the beast had almost killed me.

"Actually....." Kewe finally spoke. "I like her, but I don't think it can work out in the way you thinking."

"Why?"I took a sip of the water.

"I am in love with someone else." he replied

"What?" I choked my laughter back. "You in love with someone else, and I don't know?" I stared at him in complete disbelief. "Who is the girl?"

"I was just joking."He chuckled nervously and got off from the sofa

"Let's get going or else we will be late to work."

"Like this?"I looked him up and down.

He was dressed in sweat pant and dress shirts."

"Yes." he nodded . "Anything wrong with it?"

He got to be kidding me!

"A lot." I snickered . "We are going to an office, not a beer parlour."

"Oh! Then I guess I have to go shopping this weekend, I didn't come with a single office wear."

"You can wear one of mine." I offered.

"No man."he politely declined. "You have done more than enough for me. And moreover, I am a bit fatter than you so your clothes won't suit me."

He made a point there!

"Just speak to your mum's best friend on my behalf, I am very sure she wouldn't mind." he winked at me and I suddenly felt like slapping his cheek.

Why did I even tell him about Lily?

That is because he is your best friend. My subconsciousness reminded.

Oh right! A crazy best friend! I tossed the half filled bottled water on the centre table and walked out of the house, Kewe following closely behind me.

I locked the door and kept the key under the foot mat, then we strolled to the cars

"You driving?" I asked him

"No." he replied . "You drive."

I smiled lightly as I had expected the response. His laziness toward driving hasn't changed at all.

Opening the car door, I got into the driver seat and he did same at his own end.

"Wow Demi. This car is dope."his gaze travelled round the Toyota Venza . "When did you get it?"

"Last month." I simply replied, started the car and drove out of the compound,down the tarred road to the hospital.

By the time we got to the hospital, the morning sun was all out.

I drove through the huge gate, into the compound and parked out in front of the white building.

Alighting, we began walking into the building when my phone suddenly rang.

I reached into my pocket to check out the caller and noticed it was Obianuju.

I lifted a brow, a smile playing at the corner of my lips.

"Obianuju right?" Kewe asked

I nodded, receiving the call.

"Thank goodness you picked my call today." her hoarse voice rang out through.

"Don't I pick up your calls?" I scoffed silently.

"You hardly do." She accused. "And even when you do, you don't stay long on the phone."

"But we talked for more than two hours last night." I reminded.

"That was last night." She drawled, making me exhale deeply.

When did she learn to nag like this?

"Hope you are prepared for today's lecture?" I changed the topic.

"What lecture?" She retorted. "Have you forgotten that I don't receive lectures on .........she stopped mid sentence . "Oh you mean that lecture."she chuckled. "Of course I am fully prepared."

What is wrong with her? Is she sleep talking or what?"

"Alright dear." I simply said . "I will call you later."

"I love you."she kissed me through the phone and ended the phone call.

"Did she change her mind on coming?" Kewe asked.

"No".

"Till next week then." he smiled lightly. "how I wish I can also see my Princess."he had this dreamy look in his eyes.

I laughed softly. "Then invite her over."

"Can I?" His eyes lit up.

"Yes man". I hit his chest playfully. "Invite Susanna over."

"Alright". A sad smile crossed his face and a distant look came into his eyes.

What is wrong with him??

"You alright?" I stared intently at him.

"Yes." he nodded slowly.

Right at the moment, I heard someone call my name.

I quickly looked in the direction and saw Antonia jogging toward us

"Here comes the stalker." I scoffed.

"Who is she?" Kewe asked, his gaze on her.

"An intern like me." I replied

"You sure about that."he smiled mischievously. "Or you are f**king her too."

"Hell no."I shook my head in disgust. "I am faithful to my fiancée."

Surprise, and then, disbelief crossed his features ." For how many months now?"

"Two." I replied. "I haven't seen her in two months."

"You got to be kidding me."

"How?" I chuckled. "Do you still see me as a flirt? No bro, I am all....... I trailed off when I noticed the short girl was already in front of me.

"Yes." I snapped at her. "How can I help you?"

"Miss Hampton asked of you twice this morning." She smacked her lips . "you should go see her."

"Alright."I gave Kewe shoulder a nudge and together, we walked through the long passage to the the last office.

Knocking twice, I pushed the door open and walked in to see Lily on seat, a brown skinned girl beside her ............wait a minute! Is this not the same rude girl I bumped into yesterday?

"Hi Troy." Lily smiled lightly.

"He is Troy?" the girl eyes widened, somewhat in surprise.

"Yes baby." Lily smiled at her. "Do you remember him? You both played together when you were younger?"

So she is the depressed daughter, unbelievable!!

"You didn't tell me about the pretty girl". Kewe whispered from behind me.

"That is because I never knew she existed." I whispered back.

"And what are you boys talking about?"Lily's voice made us jumped apart.

"Nothing ma". I bowed my head slightly. "Erm....This is Kewe Philips, my best friend, the one I told you about."

"Oh Kewe". she pronounced the name in a very funny way. "You are welcome to Topmost hospital."

"Thanks ma."

"I sent the others to a smaller office, You both should control the main office."

Kewe and I exchanged puzzled looks.

She sent Chike and Antonia to a smaller office, but why??

"And lest I forget." She continued. "This is my daughter Emma." She introduced. "Do you remember her?"

I glanced at the girl . "No ma."

"I can see how much Nigeria changed you." She smiled lightly. "You can go, but your friend should wait for his letter of acceptance."

"Alright ma." I began walking to the entrance , hesitated, and then looked back at the girl.

She was looking right at me, as if in a trance, a light smile ,nearly a smirk on her face.

"Troy."She mouthed and I scoffed, looking away.

I had no time for unnecessary friendships!!!!

OBIANUJU

It was way past noon, and the evening sun casted long shadows in the room, making it look lovely.

I sat down there, in front of the mirror, humming a song as I applied makeup to my face.

I wanted to look really cute for the concert tonight!!

"Don't tell me you still painting your face." Shakirat sniggered as she returned from the the bathroom.

I looked at her in the mirror. "Any problem with that?"

"You have been seated there for more than an hour." She exaggerated. "Juliet, tell me, what exactly is wrong with you?"

"Nothing." I replied her. "Go get dressed."

"Oh right." She marched to the wardrobe and reached into it. "What should I wear sef?"She began flinging out her clothes.

I chuckled inwardly at her disorganised nature. "You should wear a simple gown like mine."

She paused to stare at me, her eyes raking my body up and down. "You call this a simple gown?"

"Yes." I rose up then and looked at my full self in the mirror, feeling proud of myself.

Made of material softer than silk, the blue gown I wore pooled to the top, clinging onto my body like a soft, second skin and showed the start of my cleavage.

"Wow!" Shakirat eyes went huge. "Have you been working on your a*s?" She successfully slid into a pink gown.

"Hum! Hum." I nodded. "Boobs is important, but you see that a*s, hen, it is more important."

"Go away Jor."she hit my shoulder playfully. "We that don't have it nko , should we go kill ourself?"

"At least your boyfriend likes you the way you are."

Her countenance changed in an instant and a hint of smile , a sad smile crossed her face. "Sure". She began putting on her sandals.

What is wrong with her?? I watched her intently for a moment longer, then turned away.

I reached into the shoe rack for a white sneakers and hurriedly put it on, then I grabbed a white handbag and stared at the mirror again.

"Can we go now?" Shakirat asked softly.

"Yes". I picked up my phone and car key, and we walked out of the room and through the long passage, into the chilly evening.

Opening the car door, I slid into the driver seat and Shakirat did the same at her own end.

"You sure the car would work perfectly?" She asked.

I almost laughed at the oddity of her question, she didn't seem to be Joking, but I could see the funny expression on her face.

"Yeah." I plainly replied. " I had it all fixed up."

With that, I started the car and drove through the gate, down the untarred road to Time square hotel.

The squeals of thousands of people could be heard miles away, so I wasn't surprised when I drove into a crowded hotel.

Jeez! I turned up the driveway, only to find my way blocked by a handful of girls wearing skimpy clothes, shaking off their b**bs in front of my car.

"Fine bros I am available for the night."

"You fit afford me, I no expensive at all"

"I go do you well well , you no go regret at all."

"See me now , I be full package......................."

Shakirat and I exchanged puzzled look.

Are they too blind to see that we are also ladies like them??

"Leave the road please."I honk the car horn to scare them off and they scampered in all directions, shrieking and squealing.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. I drove down the driveway and parked in between two cars.

Alighting, I got a better look at the girls faces and noticed Faith leaning against a random car,chewing and popping her gum in her mouth.

"Isn't that Faith?" Shakirat asked from behind me.

"She is the one oooo." I slammed the car door, locking it . "Faith". I called out loud and only then did she look in my direction.

"Uju."her mouth snapped shut and shame filled her eyes.

She was embarrassed, obviously!!

"So this is what you do now."I moved closer to her. "Screwing men for money."

"Erm........" she scratched her hair. "It is not like that, I am waiting here for a friend."

"In front of an hotel right?"I jeered. "Alright oooo." I made to walk past her when she asked.

"What are you also doing here?"

"We are the VIP in today's concert." Shakirat replied, and we both laughed as we walked into the Jam packed hall.

Oh mehn! we couldn't even see the stage!

I hissed loudly. "What are we going to do now?"

"Let's show the bouncers our ticket." Shakirat pointed to the two men standing at a right hand corner in the room.

"Are you sure it will be work?"

"Well."She shrugged lightly. "I can't say for sure till we try." She began walking toward them.

This is so frustrating! I followed behind her,pushing and forcing my way through the crowd till I got to the bouncers

"Good evening." Shakirat greeted them

"How can I help you miss?" The fatter between them snapped at her.

"Actually...... she stretched out her hand to me.

I quickly reached into my bag for the tickets and placed it on her palm.

"We have got VIP tickets to this concert". she handed the tickets to the man.

The man raised his brow as he studied it,then, he looked down at us.

"Come with me."he led us along a path to an empty table. Here,we could see Landon perform at a close view.

We excitedly assumed our seat around the table, making ourselves comfortable and I stared gobsmacked at Landon, shutting my ears to the loud screams as he danced wildly with a light skinned beauty——- Susanna!

You got to be kidding me!

"Why is she on stage with Landon?" I thought and said aloud.

"She is the video vixen to this particular song remember?" Shakirat reminded.

"Oh." I nodded slowly, suddenly wishing I was a model.

At that moment, Landon gaze landed on me.

Holy moly! my mouth skipped a bit.

I wanted so bad to look away, but couldn't,his gaze was magnetic.

For a second, I thought I saw a smile form at the corner of his mouth as he lifted the microphone.

"I am gonna have the last dance with a friend whom I recently met ........."The crowd began cheering loudly and he paused waving his hand, as a signal to hush them up".

"Is he referring to you?" Shakirat shouted so I could hear her.

"I don't know." I shouted back to her.

The noise gradually died away and Landon continued. "She is no other person, than the Assistant Media president, Obianuju."

The crowd cheered on, applauding loudly and I found myself climbing up the stage.

How I got up to my feet, I couldn't tell.

"Thanks for honouring me." Landon closed the gap between us.

He slowly pulled me close, wrapped his right hand around my waist, grabbed my right hand with his left hand and we began swaying to the music.

"You look different tonight."

"How diff...... I choked on my words and had to start again. "How different?"

"Beautifully different."he replied.

I blushed and looked over his shoulders, meeting Susanna's curious gaze.

"Hi".she smiled lightly.

"Hi." I mouthed back and returned the smile.

We weren't friends, neither were we enemies.

TBC