Sister Deborah. - Season 1 - Episode 6

5 years ago

Sister Deborah. - Season 1 - Episode 6

☆☆☆☆☆
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It is a normal thing for anyone to get over excited and anxious when having a fixed meeting with an opposite sex. In fact, using myself as a good case study, I couldn’t fathom if I was just excited, anxious, expectant or nervous about my supposed ‘date’ with Deborah, but I surely wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to impress her beyond her expectations.

I made it to the venue we had both fixed at exactly 7:05pm. Most likely due to the fact that it was valentines day today, I wasn’t surprised to meet almost half of the restaurant filled up with people, which were mostly students from campus with their loved ones. Everything felt different about today, almost as if there was a s£nsu@l indefinable romantic atmosphere clouding everywhere! There was love in the air, certainly.

I secured a table for two at a reserved part of the interior corners of the restaurant where the lights were multi-colored and dim; furthermore beautified by the flowers and the colorful roses surrounding our table.

I noticed a waiter passing by and called after him. “Waiter!”

Another waitress answered me instead. “At your service, Sir.”

“No, not you. I mean you.” I pointed to the male waiter and he started walking towards my direction. When he approached my table closely, I opened the nylon containing Hakeem’s wine and took it out.

“Sir, what would you like to be served?”
“What is your name?” I asked, dismissing his question.

“Tunji, sir.”
“Tunji, I need a favor from you.”
“What could that be, sir?”

I looked around to ensure that nobody was eavesdropping or listening to our conversation. “Tunji, bend down a bit let me whisper it to you.”

Without hesitating, he did as he was told and leaned slightly close to me.

“Tunji, I know you are a correct guy… you look very smart and agile, that’s why I chose you for this favour. Can I confide in you?”
“Sure, sir. Tell me how I can be of help.”
“I want you to help me take this wine here, store it somewhere else because I have a guest coming. I don’t want it to look as if I am broke to her. It would be a thing of shame. You understand what I mean shey?”

“I do.” he answered.
“You can even help me put it in a freezer to make it cold,” I continued saying, “don’t worry, I’ll settle you for sure.”

“No problem.” he obliged. “Is there anything else?”

“I just want it to be perfect, that’s all. I dey use God take beg you abeg, no go fumble o!”
“I said no problem bros. Trust me.” He responded reassuringly. Thereafter, he expertly collected the wine from me and hid it under his short apron as he walked away.
I heaved a satisfied sigh, slowly feeling at ease again. I was looking around when I caught sight of an empty can of Malt underneath my table. Expertly, I picked it up and placed it on top of the table. I wanted Deborah to have the impression that I had taken the Malt while I waited for her arrival.
As I returned my focus back to the surrounding, it wasn’t long before I soon caught sight of the lady of my dreams I had long been waiting for, standing outside of the exterior premises of the restaurant. Obviously, she was clearly confused from the puzzled look etched across her face as she looked around, probably trying to find me.

I could have easily waved at her and ease the burden for her from where I sat but I wanted her to find me by herself. Instead, I took a closer look at her dress code which comprised of a jean trouser, a white V-neck top worn inside, and a light blue jacket to match with her blue sandals. She looked attractive even more with her natural hair curled freely.

Eventually, as though by coincidence, she reflexed her gaze towards the interior corner of the restaurant and our eyes met each other’s stare instantly. She smiled, I smiled too, and she began walking to my direction.
After settling comfortably on the chair opposite mine, Deborah fixed her gaze back to me, still smiling.

“I know I kept you waiting. So so sorry.” She said calmly, almost blushing pale red.
“No, not at all. You are right on time. So so early!” I mimicked her exactly the same way she had said it and we both burst out laughing.
“Neche, jokes aside, you look very corporate today. Look at your fitted suit! Blue like my jacket!” She exclaimed in admiration. If only she knew I borrowed it though.

“Youʼre not looking bad either.” I said.
She smiled. “Thank you. Besides, isn’t this a can of Malt I am seeing next to you? So you have quickly taken Malt just now?”
“Wetin man go do?” I laughed slightly, pretending to be the actual owner of the empty canned Malt.

“In fact I want my own Malt now now!” Deborah ordered playfully, faking a stern frown.

“Are you sure?”
“I mean it.” She folded her hands together, still faking a frown.

I looked around and thankfully, I saw Tunji standing at a far end serving some customers. When he was done serving them and turned back to leave, I called after him. “Waiter!”

“What are you doing?” Deborah asked.
“I thought you wanted Malt, didn’t you?”
“I was only joking!” She said.

By this time, the waiter had already approached our table and stood next to us.
“Good evening, Sir. Evening, madam. What can I offer you both?”

“Do you have Malt?” I asked, looking up to him. I was cutting eye for him and shaking my head slightly at the same time.

“Sorry sir, it’s finished.” He said. “But we have varieties of wines!”

“Debbie, do you drink wine?” I asked, facing her.

“As far as it’s non-alcoholic.” She answered.

“Okay, bring us a bottle of non-alcoholic wine.” I said to the waiter, still cutting glances at him.

“Neche what is your problem? I was only joking!” Deborah said the moment the water left our presence, sounding a bit annoyed.
“Why are you vexing?!” I said calmly. “After all, we aren’t just going to sit here all night talking without taking something, are we?”

“Does it have to be wine?” She questioned back. “I don’t think you know how expensive this restaurant is yet.”

“I am the one spending it. I’ll sort it out. Relax!” I assured her softly. I could see she was obviously concerned about my financial state at that moment. If only she knew about the source of the wine though.

Shortly after, the waiter returned with two glass tumblers and a bottle of wine in a small tray. He arranged them on the table and set the wine aside.

“I am sorry sir, but we seem to have run out of non-alcoholic wines. Andre wine is the only brand we have left. Do you mind?”

In my inner mind, I was very glad that my plan was working out perfectly. I had intentionally borrowed this actual wine from Hakeem knowing fully well that it was alcoholic and that Deborah would certainly decline taking it, but her sudden response undoubtedly took me by surprise.

“Don’t worry, drop it. I’ll manage.” She said, collecting the wine from the waiter. Immediately, my heart started beating rapidly.
“Do you really want to take that wine? It’s quite too alcoholic for you.” I said, trying to persuade her to return it.

“I said I’ll manage it. Is it your concern?” She asked, somewhat provoked. I decided to hush up and stay silent, uttering nothing else in response.

“Do you have an opener, please?” Deborah asked the waiter, who in turn took out a medium-sized wine opener from his apron and proceeded to open the wine, but Deborah stopped him.

“I didn’t say you should open it. However, I appreciate your services. You may leave.” She said with a calm smile, taking the opener from the waiter. After he left, she returned her focus back to me.

“Neche, I reserved the honor for you to specially be the one to open it yourself since it’s your idea in your own way of making it up to me!” Deborah exclaimed, passing the wine to me.

“You want me to–to op–en it?” I stammered, feeling my heart beat thumping even more.

“Of course, open it.” Deborah affirmed.
I remained motionless and stiff all of a sudden as I transferred my gaze between the wine, Deborah and the opener in front of me.
“Do you need help or something?” She asked, looking worried.

I stayed silent, still gazing absentmindedly between the opener and the wine. I didn’t know what to choose, what to do or what to say to avoid opening this particular borrowed wine.

“I think I’ll rather open it myself then!” Deborah finally said, dragging the wine to her side and the opener as well.

My heart beat increased tempo to times ten instantly!

Before I could blink an eyelid, Deborah popped the wine’s cover directly in front of me and I immediately knew I was finished!