Reasons Why

8) Surprise

A/N: I understand that it's a bit difficult to understand the Nigerian Pidgin being used in the characters conversations which is why I've taken out the time to translate them. If you get confused about anything you can scroll down and check the meaning. If you're not clear on the meaning, you can always ask me. Writing a story about Nigerian characters isn't complete without Pidgin because virtually everyone in the country speaks it.

"I'm sorry!" Patricia shook her friend's hands with pleading eyes. The girl was sitting on her bed in her self contained room, grudgingly licking the ice cream and cake she bought for her as an apology. Yet, she was giving her the cold shoulder. It had been a week since the "life threathening incident" as Flora liked to call it. Her friend deliberately avoided her during the past week. She didn't even bother to speak to her as she usually would after service on Sunday. Today was Wednesday and luckily a free day for them. Now she had the time to talk to the girl properly and beg for her forgiveness. 

Honestly, Patricia knew that if the girl was truly angry with her, she wouldn't have let her into her room. The fact she was eating what she bought was another indicator that she was just milking her apologetic mood. "Babe na. Nor vex."

"I dey vex o. How you go kiss me in front of everyone in the hospital?"

"Jesus! Flora!" 

"What?"

Patricia tried not to laugh at the girl's suppressed laughter. She could hear the amusement in the girl's voice. She knew what she was doing. Kissed her in front of everyone in the- damn what an exaggeration! "Oya, don't be offended. What can I do to make it up to you?"

"Buy me one carton of Springles and sharwama. Then take me to Mat Ice, buy me sausage roll and order Coldstone from Jumia for me."

"Would you like me to bring the cloud to the earth also for you, my Lady?"
Flora almost choked on her last spoon of ice cream.

"Amen," Patricia chorused immediately the girl started coughing, signifying that she wanted her to choke.

"If I slap you, Patty!" The light skinned girl heaved, hand on her chest, eyes teary from coughing violently. "Shey you want me to choke bayi?"

"Yes."

"Jesus."

"Do you know how long I've been sitting here begging you? Be there pretending as if you are angry after you have finished my ice cream and cake. Now you want to bill me like this? How will you not choke? How will my God not choke you?"

Flora laughed. "You are mad."

"I learnt from the best." She knelt down and bowed for her friend. "I hail you, craze woman."

"Shey pastor preached on the power of the tongue on Sunday this girl? Season your tongue with salt and watch what you say, boss. I will report you to pastor Seyi."

Patricia hissed. "You know how many people you don curse since Sunday morning? That girl you exchanged words with before we entered into your room today unkor? Shift joor."

"No, you nor suppose add Benedicta matter. That girl dey mad. She's a fool I swear-"

"Season your tongue with salt, sister Flora," Patricia teased.

Flora glared at her friend, tongue tied. Nothing stung more than a person using your own words against you. "Okay na. 1 - 0."

"Actually, it's 2 - 0. My ice cream and cake."

Silence.

"Oya, Patricia, dey go house." Flora stood up, clapping her hands together with urgency. "Oya, oya, oya. Get up and start going."