Echoes of the past - Chapter Five - Cont'd

    

     Fola checked his phone and could not keep the scowl from his face as he saw that there was no missed call or message from Teni. He had called her several times that day and over the last few days but she had not taken any of the calls. It was hard for him to believe but he knew Teni was on the run again. They had gone out just once after their dinner at La Crae and then Teni's excuses had started again. She seemed to have a prefect reason why they couldn't meet anytime he suggested they spent some time together and then the truth dawned on him, the girl still did not intend to have anything to do with him. It was a whole new experience for him and it was even more frustrating because he couldn't put her out of his mind.      He deliberately didn't call her over the next couple of days. He was busy at work and he had to travel midweek to the KH office in Abuja. But despite his tight schedule, he still found himself thinking of Teni. He was angry with himself that he could still not resist the urge to check his phone several times a day to see if he had a missed call from her. That lady meant business, he thought to himself grimly. The thought didn't sit well with him at all. If she was that unaffected by him, then why on earth couldn't he forget about her?     He arrived Lagos Friday evening. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the nicely laid dining table. He opened one of the dishes and a delicious aroma floated across to him from the assortment of garnished grilled fresh fish. He didn't need to read the note propped against the flower vase to know know who had left the dishes there. Anjola, his former girfriend was the only one whom he had given the spare keys to his house to and he had  kept forgetting to take them back. She had called him while he was in Abuja and he must have let it slip what day and time he was arriving back to Lagos. Fola was aware that Anjola was still hoping they would revive their relationship, just like they had done in the past but he knew it was over this time. He couldn't see a future with her, especially not with the way he felt about Teni anyway. He frowned as he thought of Teni, she still dominated his thoughts despite all his attempts to ward off thoughts about her.     He had a shower, tried to watch some TV, but gave it up and headed towards the Ola-Daniel's house. There was no point deceiving himself anymore. He needed to see Teni. He was hoping she would be home and was glad when Risi, the Ola-Daniel's housekeeper showed him into the sitting room before going to fetch Teni. She joined him some minutes later. He just stared at her. She met his eyes for a moment before looking away.     "Hey." She dropped into the sofa opposite his. "I was not expecting you."   "I know." He could not stop his eyes from roving over her peach flowered top and blue denim knee length shorts, she looked so cute. "You were hoping I 'd just fade away, right?"  She played with the edges of the Throw pillow on her knees. "I don't know what you're talking about."   "I thought we 've moved past this stage?" He kept his gaze on her face but she refused to meet his eyes.