"It's Happy! Nice seeing you again! Hope there is no qualms?" Anu asked feeling a bit tensed up.
"Well, I guess a man is outside the hostel looking for you." Righteous uttered without thinking.
"Are you really sure about this? Supposing the man is out for you! What will you do?" Happy said with a smirk on her pretty, gentle face.
"Men hardly look my way please. Maybe it's because I am too blunt. I don't understand at all, or I'm not attractive enough for any man." Righteous declared with pain in her heart.
"Why all this, my bestie. You are pretty, with your chocolatey colour. Your skin glows and you have a most wonderful smile. It's you the man is out for. Remember that we have exchanged?" Anu rounded up her encouragement by teasing her.
"Anyway, follow me, Righteous because a man, very handsome man is dying for you." Happy said slowly with a gentle smile.
"Hurray! My bestie is hooked up for life. I said it. Didn't I? Oh my God! I can't wait to meet this handsome dude." Anu jumped up for joy.
Righteous wasn't expecting this turn of events. She was so moved that she could hardly control the tears. She bent down, trying to hold back her tears. When she was done, she looked at Anu briefly, and gave a faint smile. She in turn nodded as if she was saying that,' I told you'.
"Shall we go?" She turned to Happy who seemed excited to run the errands.
"Yes, let's go!" She responded, with a nod too.
Going outside, she mused in her heart. A kind of vibration went through her body, wondering who the man could be. Can it be the Doctor? Ha, no it can't be. It could be one of the brothers in the fellowship then. But why can't the person wait until fellowship time. Anyway, she shrugged off her shoulders and followed Happy outside.
Happy pointed to a man under the neem tree afar off. Righteous could not identify the guy.
They got to the place and she could not understand who the guy is, because he was backing her.
Then he turned to face her, and she almost jumped out of her skin.
"Who are you looking for please! I can't remember seeing this face before." Righteous became uptight.
"Yes I am aware of that. Actually, you are needed by another man, not me." He answered.
Righteous hissed and turned to go, but the guy pleaded.
"Please, I came with a car to take you to the man looking for you. To be candid, he begged me not to reveal his person, until you see him face to face."
"I'm sorry but I will not follow a stranger to an unknown place. Please leave now or else, I will inform the security." Righteous threatened.
"It has not come to that. Here take this money and come to,The Serene hotel by yourself. I will be waiting to introduce you to the man dying to meet you." The guy said, handing over a hundred thousand naira to Righteous.
It took time for her to collect the money. It was a deep struggle within.
The phrase,' dying for you' kept ringing in her mind. The money was also inviting. It was a temptation she could not resist, coupled with the fact that she needed men to pick up interest in her.
"Okay then, I will be there but I will warn you that if I suspect any foul play, I will leave the scene immediately. Moreover I have to inform my friend, Anu." Righteous uttered.
"No, that won't be necessary. Listen to me, for how long will you continue to walk in the shadows of your friend? Ha ha, can't you enjoy the company of a man alone? Hmm, If you tell her then she will discourage you not to go. She is very jealous of you getting attention. She wants to be the only one. Anyway, go and tell her. But do not say that I did not warn you."
"Of course, I will inform her. She is my accountability friend. See you later." Righteous turned to go. But he shouted after her.
"You are damn too gullible. Anu will never support you in this."
She was somehow excited, but tried to suppress it. On reaching the hostel, Anu was waiting for her with all eagerness.
"Hey my bestie! Who was the man! Is he handsome? What did he say?"
"Can you please calm down. Too many questions at a time. I will tell you everything."
Righteous related all the scenario, including the money given. Righteous stood up and screamed at her.
"No way, you are not hungry, are you? Please, bestie, this is dangerous for you. Do not go there at all. Go to the hotel with a stranger?"
"What! So the man is correct then!" Righteous uttered, with disssapointment written all over her.
"What do you mean?" Anu gazed at her, wondering what she meant.
"You are jealous of me, aren't you? Do you think that you are the only one who will get attention from rich people? Hmmm, I see that you do not want my progress."
"Ha ha, Righteous! I can't believe you said this just now. This man is not a believer in Christ, is he? You don't know him from Adams. Why will you go in the way of perdition? After all you are a child of God."
"He said it! How about you that married an unbeliever? You got pregnant for him, and was living with him. How about the lawyer? Is he born again? Is Femi born of God. All these people have been sponsoring you, but you never did reject their money. Hmmm, you are evil!" Righteous yelled at Anu.
"Okay, I- I -am sorry. Forgive me." Anu shocked to her bones apologized profusely, feeling guilty.
"Be sorry for yourself. Please I am ready to go out. I just need to change my dress and go to him."
"I wish you well. Safe travels to and fro." Anu replied.
"I don't need your envious prayers."
Righteous declared in protest, whistling as she goes to the bathroom to rinse her body.