<You could date a stick of dynamite and wouldn't go out with a bang- Eminem>

|21|

THE NEWS of our arranged date spread rapidly like wildfire across the Australian wilderness. Everywhere I went, people both juniors, seniors including some not so subtle teachers---heck I was surprised when I saw one the other day sizing me up and down, perhaps thinking I wasn't up to his holiness, Kian---pointed their stubby fingers at me, no doubt whispering about the fact I was going out on a date with Kian.

Letting a tiny sigh escape my glossy lips, I recalled Jayden and I's little conversation as we had walked home that day.

"Why did you accept in the first place?" he asked as I was munching on the last of the five pringles he'd brought me. Odd how I'm quickly cramming them into my mouth when there's an itsy bitsy issue at hand.

"I did that so he wouldn't feel bad in front of everyone," I said in between mouthfuls of chips. Probably hundred percent sure I look like a fat, brown chipmunk with a mouth bulging full of acorns.

Jayden looked like he wanted to say something but held back and instead shrugged. "Well, you really don't want to go out with him, right?"

I nodded, tongue too tied up with flakes of crispy potato to speak. A reason why I love pringles.

"Then just as you told him yes in public, you can tell him no in private," he said and shrugged again.

Hmm. That was a good idea, I thought, a very good one.

"See you tomorrow Jam and if you want, you can do what I told you to. Bye!" he called out, shrugging, a few feets away from me. I had been lost in thoughts so I didn't know when he'd started walking at a faster pace.

"Bye and thanks for the idea and pringles! You can get some more for me tomorrow, you know!" I yelled after him, hoping my plea for more pringles reached his cute ears. Yeah, seriously he has real cute and adorable ears. They make me want to yank on them most of the time and it's only good mind that holds me in place.

The only reply he gave me was that motion again, hunching his blue cotton sweater clad shoulders up and down. I rolled my eyes, relishing the last of my hot and spicy pringle.

What was up with him and shrugging? It was almost like he cared too much about the fact that I was going out with Kian and was trying to cover it up by not pretending to? Well, that wasn't what I needed to be thinking about right now. Jayden's idea was good though.

And that was what I did. Or rather, tried to do 'cos Kian never ever gave me the opportunity to actually be alone with him. He was always with someone and whenever I signalled to him that I wanted to speak with him privately, he gave me one stupid excuse or the other. Funny thing was that I couldn't help but think he knew what I wanted to do but I always shook that feeling off. He couldn't be that perceptive now, could he?

Now as I stared in the mirror at my reflection---a reflection I still couldn't believe was mine--- I made up my mind that when Kian came to pick me up, I would gently turn him down.

Mom patted my hair just as I was about to stop looking at the dressing mirror. Ugh! Not the hair!

"Mom! You'll spoil the buns if you keep on doing that." I pouted and wrinkled my forehead as I tried to wriggle my way out of her hold and away from the mirror.

She just smiled and led me back to the mirror. "Look there, it's still intact and as perfect as before." True enough, my hair was still in that round puffy shape and I gave out a sigh of relief.

Mom beamed brightly, the light catching the tiny sheen of tears forming in her eyes. "I'm so happy my baby girl is finally going out for a date."

A date which I'm going to turn down soon, I thought sadly as she babbled on cheerfully, tears still glinting in her eyes.

"What are you thinking about honey?" Mom asked, using a white hankie to dab around the corner of her right eye.

"Nothing mom and please don't cry," I whispered and made a move to hug her. I clutched her tightly, inhaling that sweet jasmine scent I loved and cherished so much.

"Now dear dear, I'm not crying. They're just tears of joy. Joy at being able to look at you all beautiful and going out for the first time." She held me away from her and gently turned my face towards the mirror.

"Just look how pretty you are, Olay."

I had already seen my reflection before but I couldn't help but gape unabashed at myself again.

She was right. I actually looked pretty. Decked up in ripped black jeans, a red shiny crop top that had an inscription 'I don't give a fuck!' glaring boldly in creamy white, pure white shiny converses, it was the face--- the one staring right back at mine--- that caught my attention.

Mom, my mini make-up artist, had made up my face. It was a light make up and at the same time flawless too. Smoothly arched eyebrows, smoky eyelids with mascara coating my eyelashes and making them seem longer, a light blush highlighting my cheekbones and my lips shining with glittery lip gloss. My hair was parted in the middle and then rolled into two big buns, like the way little babies' hair are kept. She'd smoothed down the edges of my hair, especially those on my forehead, and gelled it leaving wispy tendrils. It was magical. Mom had really gone all the way.

"All thanks to you Mom, all thanks to you," I said, my breath hitching and hugged her fiercely, again.

Ding dong. Ding dong, the doorbell chimed softly. Kian was here. 7:00 pm on the dot.

"Oh stop being all so emotional, Olay," Mom began, as she tutted here and there at my clothes, checking that nothing was left out of place, "and go meet that young man waiting outside for you."

I nodded, trying to smile and walked out, my palms becoming clammy and sweaty with nerves. I was about to tell Kian no. Again.

Standing in front of the door, I breathed in and out deeply. Once. Twice. Thrice.

Come on Olay, you can do this, I egged myself on as I reached out to the door knob.

No you can't! You dey craze?! Are you mad?! After your mother finished making you up, you want to ruin it all! Jeez, don't be stupid, bad mind whispered furiously.

Too late, it has to be done, I hushed. But my mind was split now. To do? Or not to do? That was the question.

Ding dong, the doorbell went again.

"Olay honey, don't keep that poor boy waiting. Open the door kwan! Ah, kilode? Shaa, never mind sef. I'm coming down to do that since, ahuru m na-ichoghi mepere ya uzo!" Mom hollered from somewhere upstairs.

Shit, shit, shit!

If Mom came down right now I wouldn't be able to follow through with my plan. It was now or never.

I opened the door ever so slowly and plastered a fake convincing smile on my face. "Hi Kian."

"Hey Jamila. You ready?"

He stood in the doorway, the night moon bathing him in silvery beams. Clad in a white Gucci t-shirt, black leather jacket thrown over his right shoulder, black rugged jeans and equally black boots, Kian literally knocked the breath out of me as he stood grinning sexily at me, so achingly, no, so maddeningly gorgeous and perfect.

A chain necklace that had a golden skull as its pendant hung close to his defined chest and every once in a while, the silver stud glinting in the moonlight winked brightly at me. Gawd, he looked so handsome. My heart beat began racing dangerously at how close we were to each other. And if we actually went on this date, how exactly would I survive such a charm and sexy grin that made my toes curl up?

"Yes. I mean . . ." Suddenly feeling very self-conscious and flustered, I reached up to pat down my hair just in case a strand had left the rest. I was darn sure I didn't compare to all that hotness oozing from him.

He smiled warmly at me and it was as if the whole world stood still.

"You look dazzling, Jamila, so beautiful," he uttered softly, still smiling and gazing at me, those wondrous eyes of his roving all over me. Gosh, I was an inch away from melting into a soft gooey chocolate.

I blushed hard, my cheeks heating up and said, "Thank you Kian. I uhh want to tell you something. I don't. . ."

"You don't want to what?" Mom's booming voice interrupted. Frack, I could hear her heavy footsteps marching down the steps and I knew Kian did too. Mummy be spoiling show for me!

"I don't want to . . ." I began, shyly facing down and my tummy a bundle of knots and nerves.

That saying the priest usually says before commiserating the wedding, "If anyone can show any just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace!" echoed like a jarred cymbal in my mind. Weird how I can remember that word for word but then here we go.

Gulping, I looked at Kian directly in those beautiful eyes of his. They almost compelled me not to move or speak but I didn't want to hold my peace.

Again, it was either now or never!

A/N: Yoo! I don land again, as usual :-) This chap was cut into half cos it's so fracking long and besides I wanted to let you guys hang! Would Olay cancel their date? Hehehe, that's for me to know and for you to find out *smirks* Meanwhile, who else thinks that dear ole Den is getting green? I do hope it's not only moi! Sorry for updating late buh I wasnt in the right frame of mind last week. My country Nigeria was in chaos and I was so darn sad nnor. God help Nigeria, pray for us please. Thanks. Thoughts on chap? I hope it's good.

Kwan! Ah, kilode? Shaa: Ah, what's up? Anyways.

Sef: A word just there for emphasis.

Ahuru m na- ichoghi mepere ya uzo: I see you don't want to open for him the door.

Congrats to ahanstasia for being the first to get my middle name even when she already knew it *sighs* Shaa, imma give you your reward. Which book of yours dyu want me to add to my library? :-)

Love,
Nita.