To Live For Once (Set Me Free II) - Episode 38

Amaya:

 My face falls as we turn the corner and find the store I'd seen selling owo soup just this afternoon. It is locked.
"Is that the store?" Rory who's been quiet our whole walk down the street, must have noticed my face fall. I nod at him then shake my head.
"Let's go back. I'm too late." I start to turn but he holds unto my hand. My eyes snap up to his and he lets his hand fall to his side.
"There's nothing like being late. Come on. We can find you something else to eat." He assures me.
"Don't bother I'll just order something at the motel." I grimace at that. The food wasn't to my taste at all.
"You don't seem like you like that idea. Come. I know just the place. I've been here four months. Trust me." He doesn't let me speak but takes my hand and pull me after him. My growing hunger tells me to shut up and follow him.
"There!" He sounds excited. I can't help but catch unto his excitement. It's contagious. The next street is unlike the one we've been walking on. It's the exact opposite. It's covered in street lights. I'm reminded it's Christmas season.
"Isn't it lovely?" Rory points to a set of lightings singing a Christmas song. I find it cute.
"It's okay." I admit relunctantly.
"I know right?! Come!" He continues to drag me with him

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/to-live-for-once-set-me-free-ii

. I lean on my cane and try to keep up with his pace. I do a double take at the place he finally stops at.
"Customer! E don Tay were I see you oh?" The older hausa man smiles widely at Rory.
"Work has been hard my man! You know how it dey be." I try to hold the laughter bubbling inside me. The malam smiles before getting back to his other customers. I stare at Rory like he's grown a second head but he doesn't seem to notice. He's busy scanning the packs of indomies left on display.
"You go like this." He says when he looks back to me. I can't hold it anymore. A very inladylike snot comes out of me and I burst into a fit of laughter at Rory's crooked Pidgin English.
"What?!" Rory poke my rib and my laughter gets more out of hand.
"That's awful. Just stick with proper English." I say amidst my laughter. Rory eyes me precariously.
"And you can do better?" He asks and I nod.
"So much better. And that's saying something because I literally suck compared to the local here." When Rory keeps staring doubtfully at me, I smirk.
"Watch and learn." I whisper to him.
"Okay?" He still looks doubtful as I hail the hausa man over.
"Oga girlfriend kwo?" He asks as I smile at him.
"Something like that" I brush off
"She's my wife." Rory comes to stand closer to me and I resist the urge to elbow him.
"Wow. Una two make correct match." He says. I ignore that and point to the pack of hungry man noodles on his counter.
"Two packs of hunger man noodles and six eggs malam. Make the egg no burn o. Or I no go pay in full." I feel proud of my Pidgin English. The malam smiles at me. I think he knows legit Pidgin when he hears it.
"Trust me madam. Your husband go testify say I be baba for meshy runs." He jokes before going back to the pot on the gas. I nudge Rory and smirk.
"Fine. You rock. Local champion ma'am." He bows then smiles obnoxiously at me. I elbow him again.
"Ouch!" He chuckles and I pause at the sound. He seems to be in a good mood. I'm expecting a swing soon though.
"What?" He notices my staring. I look forward and shrug.
"I'm just wondering when your mood swing will show up."
"I don't have mood swings!" He protests.
"Of course." I say sarcastically.
"You're mean." Rory pouts like a little boy and my eyes flicker to the perfect curve of his lips.
"Stop acting cute. It's barf worthy." I look away from those lips. Resist temptation, Amaya.
"You're mean. But at least you admit I'm cute. How bout this look? Cute right?" He says and narrow his eyes giving his already too good looking face a smoldering look. I dramatically pretend to barf and the insufferable man dig his fingers into my ribs. 
"Admit it!" He says as I try to wriggle free. He pins me against the counter and press his body into my body in a delicious way. I'm insanely ticklish though and the giggles coming out of me are completely uncontrollable.
"Stop!" I protest.
"Say I'm cute." He comes too close to my face. My breath hitch in my throat at his shimmering eyes.
"G--go away!" I manage to get out. He presses more into me. I try to break free but only manage to press more into him. An involuntary groan leave his throat at the contact and both our eyes fly up to clash. His eyes gleam a darker color and I feel my body start to get hot. His head slowly start to come down. He's checking my eyes for permission but I can't seem to move any muscle. I think I'm frozen. No! Dont kiss me! No! Stop him Amaya. He's going to shatter your resolve and mess with your senses. His lips are so close. His eyes tell me final chance to move away. I can't. My eyes start to flutter close.
"Jesus Christ!" I jump back and my eyes snap open at the exclamation behind us. A older woman with her hands over her little boy's eyes glare at Rory and I.
"Get a room!" She spits at Rory before facing me fully.
"You should be ashamed of yourself. Women nowadays have no shame." She mutters while her son tries to get her hand off his eyes. She pull the boy behind her like I'm leprous while Rory takes a protective stance over me.
"We're married." He pulls his ring up to her face with a murderous look.

Read " Mirage " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. She cower back before I grab Rory's arm.
"I'm sorry ma'am." I apologise to the harassed woman who hisses and storms away with the little boy.
"Rude." Rory mutters when she's out of earshot.
"This is Nigeria. You don't kiss women on the street." I take a seat on the wooden bench, the heat of a moment ago completely died down.
"I'm your husband." He grumbles after taking a seat beside me. I move away a little.
"Am I really?" I ask without getting a reply from him. I don't want one anyway. It takes a few more minutes before the hausa man brings our noodles to us in packaged bags. Rory takes it and tries to pay for everything. This time, I put my foot down and pay for everything instead. Okay, maybe not before agreeing to his condition of following him some place quiet to eat our food. But like I said, I want to be independent. Even though I have to make a few compromise. A sulking Rory takes my hand and lead me out of the small kiosk.
"Where are you taking me?" I ask after a moment of uncomfortable silence.
"A place that reminds me of home." He says and I don't say anything else.