3. Sweet invitation

   Lyn's POV

      Since my nasty experience with Jerry about two years ago, I had never given any man such a sweet smile. I wondered why it happened when Benny introduced me to her cousin Abel. I got carried away by his nice but hypnotizing smile. The way he stared at me was so enchanting that it made me lose count of time. He was so different and his voice was like music to my ears. He called me Angel.

    "Oh, it's giving me a sweet sensation". 

    I had never felt that way in two years. I seemed to be interested in him but I wondered why it appeared as if he didn't like my personality.  Earlier at the cafeteria when Benny got a call, I expected him to start up a conversation or ask me some personal questions or at least ask for my mobile number but he didn't. I even noticed that he was avoiding making eye contact unlike earlier. 

    I liked the way he stared at me when we were introduced to each other. It seemed as if something went wrong all of a sudden. He seemed to grow cold feet talking to me. I wondered why he was all grumpy all of a sudden. Even the way he left wasn't nice. I was sure I didn't do anything wrong or say anything out of the ordinary. I got carried away until my sister interrupted my thoughts. 

   "Lyn, what is the matter?". I realized that I had stopped eating my food. So I apologized, "Oh, I am sorry. Everything is okay, just drifted away a bit".

    "Dear, are you sure that everything is alright?". My mom asked with concern.

      I responded that there was nothing to worry about.  

      My sister chuckled and asked, "Well you seem a bit different this evening. Is there a Romeo disturbing around the corner?".  

      "What? Oh come on Steph". I was surprised as I retaliated. 

     "Hmm baby sis, I know you very well, so no secrets okay? If there is any Romeo around the corner, introduce him so I will tempt him to be sure that he deserves you". Stephanie said. 

      My sister wouldn't stop jumping to conclusions anytime I felt moody. Steph was very caring and supportive but sometimes she talked carelessly making me uncomfortable. I played bold and responded that there was no Romeo.  

     "Oh mine, is Jerry begging you again?". She asked, not giving up yet. 

    "No, come on stop".I nearly screamed at her.     

       "Enough Stephanie, leave your sister alone". My dad cautioned her. She smiled,    

       "Okay, baby sis if everything is alright, finish up your food. You have not eaten anything". She said with a wink. 

      "Don't worry big sis,  if any Romeo dropped by, you will be the first person to know about him, mm". I said with boldness. 

       She smiled in affirmation but looking at her told me that she didn't believe me. Any way I ignored her and focussed on doing justice to the meal before me. 

    Immediately I cleared the table after dinner, I went straight up to my room and showered. I was almost through when my phone buzzed and cut. On coming out, it started buzzing again. The moment I picked up the phone to receive the call, it cut again. It was an unknown number. I dropped the phone and decided to put on my nightwear first with the hope that the caller would call again. The phone didn't buzz again. I got tired of waiting but realized that I was restless. I wondered who it could be. 

       Then thoughts of Abel came to my mind. I started thinking if it could be him calling but changed his mind. My heart skipped at the thought of that. I found myself wishing that the phone would buzz again. I wondered why he would call and cut his call or was the network bad. Then another thought came asking what if it was not Able that called me. Telling me that I should find out by calling the number back.   

      I reasoned it and picked up my phone but my heartbeat wouldn't let me proceed and dial the number. I dropped the phone back and lay down on the bed. I couldn't stop hearing his voice saying, "You should be called Angel". I found myself smiling because of his voice wishing to hear him speak to me again. I didn't know why I seemed to believe so much that it was his number that called me.

 I decided to check if he left a number on his social network account. I tried Facebook and there it was. My guess was right, it was Abel's number. I felt so happy without knowing the reason why. I prayed that he would call back so I could just hear his voice but he didn't. 

   I remained on my bed but couldn't keep my focus so I picked up the courage to call him. I dialed the number and it started buzzing. I was so tense as if I was doing the undoable. My heart kept beating faster as I managed not to cut the call. It buzzed on and stopped but he didn't pick up. I became worried about why he didn't pick up. I mustered more courage and called again. 

     Then he picked but didn't utter a word. I held the phone to my ear and waited to hear him speak up but nothing. I just heard his silence which made me more uncomfortable.         

         "Hello". I mustered courage and spoke

          “Hello”. He responded. 

     “Oh my goodness”  I nearly screamed as if I just heard from a favorite celebrity.    

     The voice I had been wishing to hear came just as enticing as I expected. It sounded so sweet. 

    However, I decided to pretend not to know who I was speaking with.    

     "Who is on the line please?". I asked.    

     "It's Abel Christopher". 

     I nearly screamed with joy due to the way he spoke. but I controlled myself. 

     "Oh, Abel, Benny's cousin?" He responded, 

     "Yes, the same one". He responded.   

    I waited for him to speak up about why he called but he didn't say anything. So I spoke. 

      "Well, I saw a missed call from your number so I decided to call back". I said.    

      "Thanks for calling back. I wanted to ask you something earlier but changed my mind. Sorry for bothering you". He replied. 

     I wasn't happy with that response. I wanted to hear his voice more. 

      "What did you want to ask me?". I pushed on. 

    His tone changed more sweetly. I could feel a smile in his voice as he responded,   

    "As I said, I changed my mind". I pressured,

    "Come on, tell me why since I had called back". I pressured him. 

     “Do you genuinely want to know why?". He asked. 

    I responded positively, and to be frank it seemed I needed to know why, and at the same time I wished it would  

     “Then have lunch with me tomorrow”. He said instantly. 

     “What?”. I was surprised. I didn't have anything in mind but I was glad. I did want to see him again. 

      “Hospital cafeteria will be okay. Make it between two and three in the afternoon". He put in. 

     I didn't know what to say. I just held the phone to my ear asking myself if it was a date or something like that. 

      "Angel, are you there?" He asked. 

    Oh my goodness I felt like I was going to melt away by those enticing words. 

    "Yes, I am here". I managed to reply.

    "So is it a date?"

     I smiled and nodded with the sound, "Hmm". He said, 

     "Angel, speak to me. I want to hear your lovely voice". He said. 

     I screamed within myself, "Oh dear, I hope I am not in trouble" Then I responded with a voice.  

     "Yes, Abel, it's a date, three in the afternoon*. He said, 

      "I will be expecting you, good night". He said.

       "I will be there, good night Abel". I replied. 

Then I waited for him to cut the call but he didn't. So I smiled and said good night again and cut the call.