21 The Visi

After about two months of getting to know each other, constant chatting, long phone calls, romantic texts, and hand-holding while walking, seeing each other every day out in the open, tight embraces with long goodbyes. He asked her over to his hostel. Without thinking about it, she agreed and it was a date.

Some minutes past 5 PM that very day, Judith highlighted out of a taxi, her black hairs falling over her shoulders, wearing a red dinner gown. A gift from Julie, her crazy aunty who believes life is short and you get to live once; so better make it count. She hasn't worn the gown before for she felt it was too short and body-gripping, revealing all her curves. But today she is willing to be loosed and nothing is going to hold her back not even virtues or her mother's advice.

She looked up at a rock-textured sign saying "Red Pepper Lounge" in bold red letters with a pepper serving as a full stop. It was a two-story building with rails, built like a school. She went in through the gate to meet a group of about five students chatting and arguing. They paused at the sight of her and she waved at them before asking for directions to Tony's room. The handsome one among them offered to walk her to his room.

She left the group and could still hear them whispering

"That must be Tony's babe, the one he has been going on about"

"Wow! She is fucking hot" said the last male among them.

"So am here and you are admiring another girl? Even calling her hot?" said a female voice and the rest of them burst into laughter.

In about a minute, they were in front of Tony's room; his favorite pair of shoe outside his door.

"I think am at the right place; thanks" she turned to him and said.

"Don't mention?" he said smiling from ear to ear.

"My name is…"

"Judith" he interrupted her and they both tittered.

"I guess am quite popular here"

"You are just as beautiful as he said. Tony is really a lucky guy…"

"Yes, I know John. Please, can you leave my visitor now…" Tony responded from inside the room.

"Alright! Tony, you are the man!"

"Thanks, man. Baby, please come in"

Inside, the room gave away his bachelorhood. It was obviously a student room. Everything was simple and well arranged; every decoration masculine and of a dull color. The wall covered in white and brown color paint.

A bed for two stood prominent against one wall. A chest of drawers with a flat screen TV on top was against the wall at the foot of the bed. A reading table with a laptop on it and an easy looking chair beside it were positioned against the bank of windows. Opposite the entrance door were two doors; one leading to the kitchen and the other bathroom. A little fridge stood between the doors.

The air was covered in the sweet aroma of fried rice and chicken; her stomach grumbled. She came hungry on purpose; Tony always boast of how good a cook he is, she is here to find out. Soft jazz from Yanni played softly in the background. Everything was perfect with the atmosphere comforting.

She kept her pause on the reading table and then stood to study the wallpaper of the last supper on the wall at the head of the bed. Wondering why John the beloved, on the picture looks like a woman, resting his head on the shoulders of Jesus and wearing a matching colored cloth with him.

"Welcome baby. I wasn't expecting you this early" Tony said as he popped out from the kitchen, sweating all over.

"Yeah, I decided to show up early, so we can have enough time to ourselves before I go back"

"That's sweet!'He said with arms outspread, coming for a hug. She barricaded him from touching her saying

"No baby, you are sweating".

"Alright," he pulled away gently from her. A sudden questioning smile spread across his face. His eyes were suspicious, wandering around her body. all of which bugged the hell out of her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Nothing"

"What is it? You are hiding something?" she said playfully and softly pushing him.

"Nothing" he looked away shyly "You just look ravishing!"

"Oh… thanks" a blush quickly stained her cheek.

"I love your gown; the color is perfect for you!"

"Thanks, baby, it is all for you!"

Holding her right hand, he whispered: "Can you turn around so I can see all of it?"