C H A P T E R F O U R
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A few weeks passed after that day. Normani and Keith religiously communicated via text and occasionally saw one another but with semester cycle tests looming closely for Normani -- she was often locked away in her dorm studying as much as she could. With a new partnership with Sony for an optimized version of their latest phone -- Keith was neck-deep in meetings and paperwork.

Normani missed him with a burning desire and she longed to see him terribly, but she knew it wasn't possible at the current moment and was trying to accept it. Life was an absolute drag at the moment though and she looked forward to finishing her cycle semester tests. So far, she'd only written two tests and had eight more to go.

On Thursday, Normani was lounging on one of the couches, watching a nonsense TV show while eating Ramen noodles. She was taking a well-deserved study break. She heard her phone ding and picked it up from its place on the coffee table. She smiled at the sight of Keith's name on her notification bar.

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : hey Mani, i hope you're doing well & you're hitting those books! i miss you Awelewa Mi 💓

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : that was such a dad comment, 'hope you're hitting those books' 😒. i miss you too though boo thang 😻 what does awelewa mi mean?

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : i'll tell you if you agree to go out with me.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : you know i'd never oppose to going out with you 😍 it's been so long since i've seen you.

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : twelve days and sixteen hours exactly.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : and that's twelve days & sixteen hours too long. where do you want to go?

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : i'd like to invite you to church with me, this Sunday at 09:00.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : church ?

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : yes, i know it's quite unorthodox to invite you to a church-date but i did mention coming from a religious background & how i haven't been visiting the house of the Lord as much as i should. Sunday will be the first sermon in months & i'd really like you to go with me you told me you come from a religious background too and i figured we could work on our faith together . my mother always told me that a girl who i see in the daylight and a girl i can go to church with is a girl worth committing to.

For a few minutes Normani just gaped at the text Keith had sent, her heart fluttering into new dimensions. She really liked Keith and had often fantasized about being his girlfriend. They'd never really spoken about it but his text showed Normani that she wasn't the only one who was seeking for something deeper.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : wow, i'm speechless.

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : does that mean you won't come with me?

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : no no , of course i'd love to come with you, Keith ❤

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : i know it's serious when you call me by my first name, i was sure you even forgot what it was with you always calling me that horrid pet name 😅

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : 😂😂😂😂😂 YOU KNOW YOU'RE MY BOO THANG 😻😻😻👅💦💦💦💦

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : Mani, no pls

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : okay all jokes aside, i would love to come with you to church 💒

Dark Chocolate : i will pick you up at your place at 08:30.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : what's the dress code?

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : whatever you like i guess, i'm just gonna wear a suit.

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : shocker 😱 . no but for real, what kind of church is this?

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : Pentecostal

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : cool, that means it's a Sunday-best but not entirely old school oppressive-to-women kind of church. great 🌷

Dark Chocolate 🍫 😻 : Mani, you are a wonder, we'll talk later. Take care Awelewa Mi 💓

Awelewa Mi 🌼 : take care too boo thang 😍

XO

The underground subway smelled like urine and sweaty bodies but it was something Normani and Anika were used to. They rode the subway a little past 15:00. They were headed for a little store on 37th that sold cheap patterned clothing. Normani wanted to buy a head accessory to match with the skirt she planned to wear for her church date with Keith the next day. Normani was a tad bit nervous, only because she felt as though their upcoming date was really important. She had the feeling that things wouldn't be the same after Sunday. She would have no control over what would happen to their relationship after Sunday, but she could control how well she dressed. It was a stupid form of self- assurance -- but it made her feel better.

Normani was seated next to Anika and while Normani lazily scrolled through her Instagram, Anika was speedily tapping away at her phone, giggling once every couple of seconds.

"Who you texting that's got you giggling like this?" Normani asked her teasingly.

"It's no one." Anika said trying to hide the fact that she was blushing. The deep dimple protruding from her cheek against her cheek gave her away.

"Aight, don't tell me, but I will find out." Normani said.

"Whatever bitch." Anika said, rolling her eyes.

"You know, Jesus was still on Earth the last time you actually liked someone, so excuse me if I'm a lil shook."

Anika laughed then, tipping her head back for a couple of seconds before she stopped.

"Why am I friends with you?"

"Because I'm the best thing that has ever happened to you, and don't you ever forget it." Normani said.

Their train came to a stop and the two girls squeezed out of the doors, along with a large number of people. Once they were out in fresh air, Normani smiled. The first breath taken after a long time in the subway and trains was always otherworldly. It was a sunny day and the sidewalks were teeming with people. Not a single space on the pavement was unoccupied -- but that was New York.

Normani and Anika walked three blocks in the sunny heat, both dressed in boyfriend jeans and tank tees with Nike and Adididas sneakers respectively. Normani wore a denim jacket over her tank while Anika wore a faux leather jacket over hers. They had a tendency to match their clothing without even trying. They credited it to their 'telepathy' sustained after many years of good friendship.

Once they reached their destination, they entered the small store. It was empty, save for the girl behind the till. The little store was dark and was heavily populated with material. Normani immediately went to the head accessory section while Anika roamed around the different sections as this was her first time at the store. She was intrigued with the array of different pattern styles printed on the articles of clothing -- inspired by different African and Carribean nations. After twenty minutes, Normani hadn't found anything she liked and she was growing nervous. Swallowing her pride, she went to the till. The girl behind the outdated machine was on her phone, chewing loudly on a piece of gum -- a habit that really got on Normani's nerves.

"Hey, I was wondering if you could help me?" Normani asked.

The girl looked up from her phone and Normani got to survey her appearance. She was dark skinned, with dark eyes, a pointed nose and a triangular jaw, with bleached dreadlocks and dark eye makeup. She wore a silver studded nosering and had a red Kenyan-patterned bandana with a matching shirt and jeans. The girl was beautiful and petite in stature.

"Yes, how may I help you?"

The girl had a deep Caribbean accent, her face morphing into a smile.

"I want to get a silk scarf to match a skirt I'm planning to wear and I just don't know where to begin."

"Do you have a picture of the skirt?" The girl asked.

"Yeah, I do." Normani retrieved her phone from her jacket pocket, unlocked it and went to her gallery.

The girl took one look at the brown silk ball gown skirt and nodded to herself.

She went to the head accessory section and returned in under two minutes with a small silk headscarf that was brown with yellow, light green and dark blue patterns. When Normani saw it, she loved it instantly.

"I'll take it." Normani said.

"One dollar and seventeen cents please." The girl said.

Normani fished for her wallet.

"Thank you so much for your help, what is your name?"

"Onewa." The girl responded as she punched at the till to place Normani's cash inside of it.

"Thank you Onewa, you're a lifesaver."

The girl smiled and shrugged and just then her phone rang. She answered it and it was clear that she was upset with whoever was on the other end. The call ended soon and Onewa signed frustratedly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Normani asked. Although she didn't know Onewa well enough, she'd been raised to help people where ever she could.

"My daughter's father was supposed to look after her tomorrow while I work another shift here but he just cancelled. I can't find a babysitter so last minute"

"You need a babysitter?" Normani asked.

"Yeah."

"I might be able to help."

Onewa eyed her skeptically, and with reason. New York was a big busy city and one didn't easily just agree for any random stranger to look after their children.

"I know it may sound weird but I promise I'm not sketchy or something. I could really use the money and I'm sure you really need someone to look after your little girl. I can forward you a copy of my ID, number and address if you're afraid I could skip town with your child or something." Normani assured. "What time would you need me there? How much do you charge per hour?"

"I'd need you to babysit from 12:00 to 16:00 and I'm willing to pay you fifteen dollars an hour."

"Okay, I can do that, let me get your number, you'll text me the address."

×

" Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. " the pastor read on from his Bible. There were ten minutes left until the service ended and Normani was currently seated next to Keith, her hand joined to his resting on her lap.

As always, Keith had looked dashing in a casual suit -- brown khaki slacks , a white button up, a navy blazer and dark brown leather loafers along with a matte black wrist watch. She hadn't been able too keep her eyes off of him all morning, often stealing side glances during the sermon and trying not to expose the extent of her thirst. Keith was the same, unable to stop playing with her hands nor was he able to get enough of the scent of her perfume.

"The Lord urges us to live with hope in all areas of our lives. We must not despair in any situation. Let's close in prayer. Dear God..."

Church was over soon and Normani and Keith made their way outside of the large building. Normani had to go to Onewa's place and Zeke had an emergency meeting so they tried to stall their inevitable departure for as long as possible.

"That was a good sermon." Normani said.

"Yeah, it was. I'm glad you liked it." Keith said and he smiled, instantly making Normani weak in her knees.

"Thanks for inviting me, I'm so glad I got to see you." Normani said softly.

"You know I enjoy being in your presence, by the way, you look breath taking." Keith said and the lowness of his voice warmed up her insides. Keith leaned in and cupped her face. Normani would never get used to the feeling she got just before Keith kissed her: her stomach would erupt in butterflies, her heart would race and her thighs would tingle. Keith's lips were always smooth and felt like heaven against her. She clutched at his blazer as Keith pulled her closer to him as the kiss deepened. What started out as an innocent locking of lips turned into a passionate duel of tongues. Normani couldn't stop the little moans that left her mouth as Keith set her on fire.

When they parted, Normani was panting wildly.

"I have to see you again, tonight, Normani." Keith whispered against her lips.

"I have to babysit right now, then I have a dance class."

"You have classes with Imani during the weekend?"

"No, it's a class for fun."

"You dance for fun too?" Keith asked amusedly.

"Come with me to my tango class, its on 88th. You'll save me from having to dance with a stranger." Normani pleaded.

"What time?"

"Seven. Pleaaaaaaassseeeee come." Normani pouted.

"For you, yes."

Normani squealed in joy and kissed his cheek

"You know I don't dance, hey?"

"Yeah I know, but there's a first time for everything." Normani said.

Keith dropped Normani off at Onewa's place -- a small duplex in a middle-lower income neighbourhood with a kiss to her cheek and a promise to see her later. Normani was over the moon about getting an opportunity to see him again in a few hours.

i aim to give yall lots of fluff for the first few chapters so you don't hate me when the angst comes. if you liked this chapter, give it a lil vote ⭐ leave a comment -- I'd love to hear your thoughts 💭

cred for the help Yoruba pet names like 'awelewa mi' go to Queen_of_blooms 🌻. y'all, like Mani will find out what that means in the next chapter @ their tango date. 🌚

thanks for reading!

-dzangie 💕