Chapter 21 The midget and the imp

Abby sorted and arranged all the groceries into the pantry, refrigerator, and deep freezer accordingly before laying out the ingredients she would need for the shrimp pasta and edikaikong soup.

She was searching through the cabinets for an apron when she heard him came into the kitchen. She turned around, meaning to ask him if he had any idea where the aprons were kept. She opened her mouth but the question she was about to ask froze on her lips when she laid eyes on him.

He had changed into a knee-length grey jogger with a T-back black tank top, that had 'we lift the gym' written at the front.

'This man is a walking and breathing temptation. How could he even look so damn attractive in something as simple as a sportswear' she thought. Subtly ogling his muscular, well-built chest and well-toned calves and biceps. Wishing she could run her hands freely all over his body.

'I must be crazy for thinking I could handle this kind of temptation without going all the way and doing the unforgivable!'

"Sup?..." He asked, casually walking towards Abby, unaware of the havoc he's wrecking inside her.

"Hey!...where did you go to?" He said again, snapping his fingers in her face to get her attention when he saw she was just staring into space, not responding to him.

"What were you daydreaming about in my house?" He chuckled in amusement when he saw she had zoned out.

"Uhh?... Who is daydreaming? I was just wondering where the aprons could be kept because I can't find any." She managed to say and released the breath she had no idea she was holding.

Her throat had dried up and the atmosphere in the kitchen had suddenly gone very hot when she had not even started cooking.

"Have you checked the top cabinets?... Are you okay though?" He asked with concern when he saw she had sweat on her forehead. He instinctively laid his palm on her forehead to feel for her temperature.

"The kitchen is well ventilated and you've not even started cooking so what's with the perspiration? You don't have to cook if you're not up to it you know, we could order something..." He looked down at her with concern

Abby was surprised at his care. She loved the feel of his cool palm on her forehead and wished he could keep it there for a little while longer.

"I'm fine thank you... It's just a little headache but I'll be fine don't worry about it." She flashed him a quick assuring smile so he would know she was fine.

"Hmmn... Okay. As long as you don't faint on me. I just don't want to draw attention to myself by calling for an ambulance."

"Really!?" Abby asked sarcastically. She was disappointed in him. Just when she thought he actually cared for her well being. She should have known better.

"So all these show of care was about me not fainting in your kitchen!? Tunde are you sure your brain is wired like a normal human being!?" She asked with an unbelievable look on her face.

"Yes of course! I said that to know if you're truly fine... See it actually worked! Your mouth is back to running... even though you still look like you're about to keel over..."

"Can you please tell me where the aprons are kept? She cut him off abruptly.

Okay... You don't have to snap my head off... I asked if you've checked the top cabinets?"

'What a crazy man! He said my mouth is back to running... And I thought I could talk...' Abby thought recentfuly before answering his question.

"No. It's too high up for me to reach"

"Midget!" he laughingly murmured under his breath and started opening the cabinets two at a time.

"Hey, who are you calling a midget? Can't you be nice for once in your life...y-you this big imp of a bully!" she retorted back at him.

"Imp? No, imps are supposed to be small, so you can't call me an imp" he said with a triumphant laugh like they competed who could throw the best jabs.

"I added 'big'; big imp. The name just suits you so perfectly, I can't think of another" she retorted with a serious facial expression and they both laughed as they continued to exchange bants with each other.

"No aprons I'm afraid..." Tunde announced after searching through the cabinets "... I could give you a shirt to change into" he offered

"Oh, no need. I'll manage, don't bother yourself." she hastily replied

"You gonna cook in your dress... What if you get stains on it?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll be careful.

"Okay, suit yourself..." He shrugged. "So what are you cooking for us?"

"I wanted to make shrimp pasta for you and edikaikong soup with poundo for me. Until I learned just now that you love pounded yam so guess we'll both have poundo with edikaikong soup"

"Do you know you have a tiny trait of a racist in you?" He asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Huh..." She said in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Why would you judge... No, no wrong choice of words. Let me rephrase... How could you guess my local language and the kind of food I like based on the color of my skin?" He asked with a frown.

"What are you talking about!?" She asked, still confused by what he was saying.

"You wrongly guessed my language based on the color of my skin right? Now shrimp pasta?..." He asked with a raised brow. "Who told you I would prefer shrimp pasta to a traditional Nigerian dish?"

Abby was flabbergasted "I'm sorry. I just assumed..."

"...that I couldn't speak Yoruba or wouldn't like delicious, home-cooked Nigerian food because my skin is lighter than yours and my accent is slightly different ...now if that's not racism then what is?...he rudely interrupted her.

"Ughh! Will you please stop interrupting me!" She shouted stamping her feet in frustration.

"Uh oh. Temper, temper... calm down, will you? I was just messing with you okay" he grinned roguishly.

"Well you better stop messing around then because I might just end up killing you out of annoyance and frustration " She deadpanned

"Hahaha... Okay, sorry, sorry! Please don't kill me in annoyance "He pleaded to put his two hands together in a praying manner.

"Now seriously... It just happens that all the food you chose to prepare are my favorites: pasta, shrimps, and pounded yam, I love them. You know, since you already know all that I love to eat, I think you should dump your boyfriend and let's be together already... After all we both know how you feel about me... Or what do you think?"

"Hmmnn..." Abby cocked her head to one side pretending to think about what he said: "well, seriously... I think you need a shrink! And about us being together... Uhm...No thanks! You are crazy and I don't do crazy. Nice try though".

"I like you." He said obviously in amusement.

"Aww, you do? Too bad! Have you forgotten I have a boyfriend?" she asked him sweetly, enjoying the way his face clouded over.