Chapter
Amina
It's been four days since the incident of the black car. They have been coming every morning for the Moi-Moi and every time the same thing happens. The same man would buy and then drove off. The curiosity is killing me already, so today I made a decision to know about the man behind the tinted window. As usual, the car drove through our direction and the man came out of the car, this time around, he didn't wear any glasses. He looks so young by his appearance.
"Good Morning Misses" he greeted flashing both of us a smile.
"Good morning sir. Regular right?" I asked since I now know how he usually buys.
"Yes please," he answered glancing at his watch. I deliberately took time in packaging it for him. I want to use the opportunity to ask him about the man.
"Here's your order. Thank you" I pass him the leather and took the one thousand naira note from his outstretched hands. Reaching for my mini purse, I took out five hundred naira for his change.
"Here's your change sir," I said. The man flashed me a smile shaking his head. "It's okay, you can keep the change. We're now regular customers" my brows furrowed in question. For some unknown reason, I find this side of him suspicious.
"No please, you can't do this. You brought something from me so I have to give you the change" I ushered pushing the money to his direction.
"But I insist please keep it" the way he pleaded left me with no choice. Now it's time Amina.
"I'll keep the change only if you let me speak to the person sitting at the backseat" I stated. The man's eyes widened for a bit. And I shrugged in return. What a good idea Amina.
"Sorry miss if I may ask why do you want to meet him?" Oh, so it's a man. The left of my lips curved up.
"You come here every day and buy five hundred naira Moi-Moi. So I've been curious to meet the man who likes my Moi-Moi so much" I folded my hands across the chest as I wait for him to take me to the man. He let out a sigh and turned around.
"Wait!" I remarked as I take a step to follow him but stopped when I saw him walked to the back door and the window was whined again. I peep my head to check but all I see was black. The man walked back to me with a smile on his face and I find it weird.
"Miss you're lucky my boss isn't an easy-going man. He agreed to meet you" A smile made it way out of my lips. I don't care if he's an easy-going man or not, I just want to meet him. I trekked quietly to the back door. I contemplate on what to do. Knock or just open the door. Just as I fisted my hands ready to knock, the man beat me to it. He whined down the window removing his back spec. My mouth hung open seeing a young man. He was light in complexion with a few stubbles laid on his jaw. I didn't get time to inspect his face clearly by his word.
"What pleasure do I owe you this early morning. My chauffeur said you want to meet me" His voice was so... I couldn't find a word to describe it. It was Masha Allah. But why would a handsome man like him venture in our local area every morning just to buy Moi-Moi? He must be filthy rich seeing how his skin is shining through the morning sunlight.
"Hello," he said again snapping me out of my thought. I mentally scold myself. This is unlike me to stare at a man. But I wouldn't lie the man is indeed handsome.
"Oh yes, I wanted to meet the person who always buys my food and also thank him. Thank you sir" I stated tight-lipped. His gaze lingers on me for a moment and it kind of made me uncomfortable. And that we are by the roadside.
"Don't you recognize me?"
"Pardon? Do you know me?" I inquired my brows slightly furrowed. A chuckle escapes his lips. I didn't miss the small dimple on his right cheeks. To say, this is the first time I'm seeing him. Then why is he talking about me not recognizing him?
"Alright then, since you didn't recognize me maybe next time. I'll bring something that will remind you of me" he glanced at his watch. "Sorry to say but I have to go thanks for this. I must say I love your Moi-Moi. Here" he handed me a small card which I assume is his business card.
"Goodbye, see you tomorrow" he slipped back his black spec. Waving his hands, his driver rushes in the driver's seat immediately.
"Thank you, sir. Goodbye," I stared as the car drove through the road. Turning the card around. AA Group was written in bold followed by a CEO written below. But no name. Who owns a business card without a name? My mind wandered to the one-minute conversation. Do I know him from somewhere? I can't seem to remember meeting someone rich like him. But maybe I did know him, he couldn't possibly lie about me knowing him right?
"Wow Amina, for this past 5days, you've been selling a lot" Ladidi interjected. I forced out a smile, my mind still on faze by this mysterious man I met.
"Just a few left and I'll be off for the day" I uttered. Ladidi nodded her head in return. I could feel the gaze of the other two as I made my way to my spot but decided to let them be for now. I won't spoil my good mood this morning.
"So now you're telling me the man gave you his card? But for what?" Aesha asked as we made our way back home. I met her along the way after I finished selling my food.
"Yeah, are you asking me that? How would I know? He just gave me the card maybe he wants me to call him" I let out. Aesha stopped on her tracks.
"And you'll call him?" A small laugh resonates out of my lips as I stared at my friend.
"Why would I call him? In the first place, I don't even know him just because he's my customer doesn't mean I'll be comfortable around him. He's a stranger" I explained. I'm sure, this is the first time I'm seeing him.
Aesha clapped her hands together. "Wow Minono, playing prideful right? Who knows maybe he's your lucky man"
"Lucky my foot. I don't have time for your nonsense abeg good night" our house was now in view. Waving at her, I pushed our zinc door open.
"Good night Minono, the Moi-Moi seller" I heard her say. The urge to reply to her overpowers me. Turning back around, I opened the gate again peeping my head. She was already halfway through.
"Goodnight, the Moi-Moi seller best friend" A chuckle escaped me as she turned and passed me a murderous look. Without wasting any more time, I sprinted away.
'What a good day' I muttered. Pushing the entrance door open, I muttered a salam. The people I saw in our living room, made the smile on my face vanish.