Michael's car was warm with laughter as they continued talking to pass the time.
Michael asked her questions about herself and told her more about himself, and the more they learned about each other, the more they felt drawn to each other.
"So Ada made you relocate to Warri," Michael said after she told him how she'd ended up living in Warri.
"Yeah. That's part of the reason I can't let her go back to the village. Plus, I've been laughing so much more since she arrived last night. I love having her around."
"Not to sound negative, but I think maybe you shouldn't bring your sisters immediately. You know how you ladies can be. You are yet to be settled yourself, so I think it might be best if you live with Ada alone for a while, and when you're both more comfortable, you can bring your sisters to join you," Michael suggested.
Amara pursed her lips thoughtfully, "You have a point. But I plan to travel home soon sha. I've not visited home since I moved here."
He was about to reply when his phone on the cupholder lit up with a phone call. The caller's name was saved as Baby.
Amara blinked, her smile dying. Baby? With a heart emoji? Who was it? The girl his mother had said God was working on? She looked at Michael quickly, trying not to let her surprise show on her face.
Michael's lips curved with a smile as he picked up the phone. "Give me a moment," he told Amara as he received the call. "Is this an emergency, or can it wait? I'm busy."
Though Amara remained visibly calm, her ears stretched, and she was eager to know who he was talking to.
"Haba! Since when did you become too busy for me?!" Deborah asked. "Anyway, I called to check on you. Have you been able to resolve the issue with your girlfriend?"
Michael shot a look at Amara before responding. "Let's talk about it later. I'm out with someone."
"Hm. You're out with someone? Is it Amara?" She guessed.
Michael rubbed his temple. "Yes."
"I knew it! Give her the phone, let me say hello," Deborah said excitedly.
"No way."
"Why not? Let me just say hello na. I have work for her. I keep saying I will call her, but I always forget. I want her to make the dress I want to wear to the wedding."
Hearing that she had a job for Amara, Michael relented. "Better behave yourself if I give her the phone," Michael warned.
Amara's ears perked. He wanted to give her the phone? Who was it?
Deborah laughed. "Relax, jor. You can put it on speaker if you don't trust me."
Michael turned to Amara. "My sister wants to say hello. Are you up for it?"
So it was his sister, Amara thought with relief. "Yeah."
Michael places the call on speaker.
"Hello," Amara said, her voice soft.
"Hello, Amara! I'm Michael's younger sister. My name is Deborah. I'm not sure if you've heard about me, but I've heard a lot about you from my Mom and Michael," Deborah sang.
Michael sat up. "When did I tell you a lot about her?" He asked before Amara could respond.
"Didn't we spend minutes talking about her just last night? Didn't you tell me that she was annoying?" Deborah asked playfully.
"Debbie!" Michael snapped.
"Don't look at me like that. I didn't say it," Michael said when Amara scowled at him.
Deborah burst into laughter on the other end. "I'm only kidding. Don't mind me. Amara, I'll call you later so we can chat properly. Please help me keep Michael in a very good mood today. I plan to bill him soon."
Amara chuckled. "I'll try."
"Have fun, you two." The call ended.
Michael sighed and put the phone away. "Don't mind her. That's how she is."
Amara crossed her arms. "Really? So how did she know I upset you last night?"
Michael looked away guiltily. "I… I told her. But I didn't say you were annoying."
Her lips twitched. "But you told me I was annoying."
Michael groaned. "I told you, but I didn't tell her that."
Amara laughed. "Okay o."
Just then, Amara glanced at the dashboard clock. Her eyes widened when she saw it was almost six. "Look at the time." Amara gasped. "Can you believe we've been here talking for hours?"
He smiled. "Time flies when you're with good company."
"So, who is the good company between us? Is it me or you?" She asked with a grin, and Michael chuckled.
"I'm not ready for your wahala. Come down, let's go inside," he said, and she laughed as they both got out of the car.
They both hurried back inside the mall and found their seats in the cinema just in time for the movie to start.
They whispered and laughed at silly parts of the movie for a while, their voices hushed.
They were both having such a great time together that they wished the time would go more slowly.
Michael looked at Amara at intervals, whenever her gaze was fixed on the screen, and he felt his heart race each time he did.
He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his feelings to himself. His mother already knew about her, and so did his pastor. Maybe it was best he opened up to her soon.
Unable to stop himself, Michael reached for her hand and slid his over hers.
Amara froze. Her heart skipped. She wanted to turn to look at him, but she knew that he was staring at her, and she didn't want to meet his gaze. Instead, she looked down at their joined hands, her chest thumping like a drum.
She didn't pull away. Her eyes returned to the screen, but she wasn't seeing or hearing anything anymore.
By the time the movie ended, she had a swarm of butterflies fluttering in her belly.
They walked out with the crowd, but Amara's eyes caught a familiar face ahead. Her stomach dropped. It was one of the Deacons in church with his family.
Her steps slowed. She turned, ready to slip away, but Michael stopped her. "Where are you going?"
She leaned close, whispering fast. "I just sighted Deacon Oleju with his family."
Michael looked ahead, and when he saw them, he turned back to her. "So?"
"If they see us together, they will get the wrong idea," she explained.
He looked down at her, his eyes amused. "What wrong idea?"
Her mouth opened, then closed. How was she supposed to explain that? Clearly, he knew what she was saying but wanted to act ignorant.
Michael bent closer, his voice low near her ear. "If by wrong idea you mean them thinking we're in a relationship… then I don't mind. I like you, Amara. And I want to be in a relationship with you."
Amara's heart stopped, then raced so hard she thought it might burst.