Break These Walls: Chapter 2

Later that evening, as Mia prepared for bed, she gushed over the phone about how amazing her date was to Khakie.

“This guy must really be something,” Khakie said. “I’ve never heard you talk about anyone like this before.”

“It was the best date ever,” Mia said, climbing into bed. “He’s so different, and he’s funny.”

“What does he look like?”

“He’s kind of huge,” Mia laughed. “And he’s good-looking.”

“Well, as long as he’s good-looking, I’m happy,” Khakie said. “Has he impressed you enough to go on a second date?”

“Up to a third date,” Mia said. “In fact, he wants us to see Aladdin this weekend. He says I give him a Jasmine vibe.”

Khakie giggled on the other end of the line. “Well, you are sort of in your own world.”

“You agree!” Mia laughed, bending her legs and resting her free arm on them.

“He-he… I’m sure you guys will have fun.”

“Yeah,” Mia laid down on her back. “Wanna do lunch tomorrow?”

“Sure, let’s go for pizza!”

“Debonairs for sure.”

“It’s a date,” Khakie said. “I just hope I’m more fun than Likoji.”

“We’ll see,” Mia teased. “Let me get some rest. Have a good night.”

“Good night, sweetie.”

The next morning, Mia walked into her boutique with a smile on her face and her flask in her hand. Again, her employees scampered to their positions as soon as she walked in.

“I know you guys are always on Facebook,” Mia said. “I actually saw a really funny story on Kalemba.”

“Mia, are you…,” Susan eyed Mia, “are you happy?”

Mia tossed her hair over her shoulders and laughed. “It’s a good morning.”

“Spill,” Susan folded her arms, wearing a big smile.

Mia giggled. “There’s nothing to spill.” She strolled off into her office, smiling. She still wasn’t over how fun her date with Likoji was. Mia hadn’t had a good time in a long while, especially with a guy. She loved his sense of humour and his personality.

As she slung her bag over her chair, she heard a message tone and grabbed her phone out of her handbag. It was a text from Likoji.

Good morning beautiful

Mia smiled and replied, Good morning, funny man.

So glad I got you to laugh and got to score two more dates with you.

Yeah, it was fun.

Wanna go see the movie tonight after work, then grab some pizza instead of waiting until the weekend?

It’s a plan.

Great!!!!

LOL. Text later. Gotta work.

Alright cool. Later.

With a smile still plastered on her face, Mia put her phone on her desk and made herself comfortable in front of her sewing machine. She tied her hair into a ponytail and took out pink material from a drawer beside her. She was ready to bring her design into existence. But before she even began, her phone started ringing. Groaning, she got up and reached for it, answering, “hello.”

“Good morning, darling,” her mother said. It was hard to miss the excitement in her voice.

“Morning mother,” Mia said. “How are you?”

“I’m having the best morning,” Lucy said. “Likoji’s dad told me you two had a wonderful time yesterday.”

Mia giggled. “He’s a great guy.”

Lucy squealed. “I knew it! He told his dad you’re the most interesting girl he’s ever met and that you’re very beautiful. Rodger and I were both ecstatic last night.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “You know, for once, your plan worked out.”

“I knew you’d thank me,” Lucy said. “When’s the next date?”

“Tonight.”

Lucy squealed in excitement again. “This is an official date. What are you wearing?”

“Relax, it’s just a movie,” Mia sat back in her chair and began playing with the edge of the material in front of her.

“No no, honey. This is your first official date in years. I’m coming over tonight to help you pick an outfit.”

“Mum, you don’t have to.”

“Too late. I’m coming over. Bye.”

True to her words, Lucy showed up at Mia’s doorstep that evening. Mia had invited Khakie over to dilute her mother’s excitement.

The three ladies were in Mia’s bedroom, going through a pile of clothes. Mia’s room was white: white walls, white carpet, light grey curtains, and white beddings. The only colour in the room sprung from the paintings on her walls and the fake flowers in her vases on both her nightstands. She also had a lime green and red fleece neatly folded across her bed diagonally.

Lucy sat down with her glass of apple cider and dismissed the grey dress Mia was wearing. “Too boring.”

Khakie, whom was already seated, giggled. “Aunt Lucy, you’re well beyond your years.”

“I’m fabulous,” she retorted.

Mia looked at Khakie. “What do you think?”

“I have to agree with her,” Khakie answered. “It’s a little too… serious.”

Mia groaned and returned to her closet, which was located to the left side of her bed, and began perusing through her clothes. “Why can’t I just wear jeans?”

“No!” Lucy said, mortified. “You have to impress.”

Khakie giggled and shook her head.

“Can’t I just be myself?” Mia asked, pulling out a maroon off-the-shoulder dress. She showed it to them.

“Yes!” Lucy said, “that’s the dress!”

“Let me throw it on.”

“Khakie, how’s your fiancé, Henry, doing?” Lucy asked, taking another sip from her glass.

Mia rolled her eyes as she pulled off the grey dress, knowing where this conversation was going.

“Your mum must be so happy having a daughter getting married,” Lucy said, resting her chin on her palm. “I wonder when it will be my turn to be happy.”

Khakie laughed. “From the looks of things, it might be soon,” she smiled supportively at Mia.

Mia smiled back and pulled on the maroon dress. “So… what do you think?”

“Perfect,” both Lucy and Khakie said. Mia walked to the other side of the room and looked in the mirror at her dresser. Though she felt overdressed, she looked good.

“Okay, we’re settled on the dress,” Mia said. “Khakie, can you do my make-up?”

“Sure,” Khakie walked over to Mia, who took a seat at her dresser.

“Make sure she looks stunning, Khakie,” Lucy warned.

“I’ll do my best, Aunt Lucy.” Khakie looked at Mia’s reflection in the mirror. “Are you ready to be beautified?”

Mia’s lips curled into a smile. “I trust you because you’re the best make-up artist in town.”

Khakie beamed. “Let’s begin!”

Likoji nervously looked around the Arcades car park and wondered if Mia had changed her mind. It was fifteen minutes past nineteen and the movie was going to start in the next ten. He glanced at his Rolex and winced.

Maybe I should call and find out if she changed her mind, he thought to himself, but something told him to wait a few more minutes. As the minutes ticked by, he grew more and more impatient; but like rain, in a drought, he saw her pull up in her car and park right across from him. She slipped out of the car, locked it, and walked towards him, wearing a smile. “Hi.”

“Wow,” he said, taking her in. “You look stunning.”

“Thanks,” Mia said, “I hope I’m not overdressed.”

“You’re perfect,” Likoji said, unable to believe how good she looked. “Let’s get some popcorn and slushies before our movie.”

“Actually…,” Mia said as they headed towards the cinema.

“Uh-oh, I sense a but,” Likoji turned to face her.

“It’s just that… I don’t enjoy eating popcorn when watching a movie,” Mia interlocked her fingers. “I prefer Astros.”

“Astros?” Likoji did a double take. “Alright. That’s a first.”

Mia nodded. “I know it’s weird.”

“No,” Likoji said, “it’s just a preference. I can respect that. I’m going to get you all the Astros you can eat tonight. I’ll even try some, though I’m not a fan of sweet things.”

“Ladies usually prefer sweet things,” Mia said as they walked through the entrance of the cinema. There were a few people buying snacks before the movie. Likoji and Mia joined the queue.

“I’m more of a salty guy myself,” Likoji said. “I like crisps, Doritos… that sort of thing.”

“I like crisps too, but given an option to pick between the two, I’m picking sweet over salty.”

“That means you must like chocolate,” Likoji said.

“Lindt, to be specific.”

“Fancy… I can tell you like the finer things in life.”

Mia laughed, “I do not!”

“You ordered sparkling water on our first date,” Likoji reminded her.

Mia smiled in embarrassment. “Maybe that is a little fancy.”

“Definitely fancy,” Likoji said. “I like it.”

“Why?”

“It means I’m bound to try new things because of you,” Likoji said.

Mia liked that compliment. He made her feel like she was interesting, something she hadn’t felt in a while. “I’ll most likely rock your world.”

“Be my guest because my life can get a little dull sometimes,” Likoji said as they reached the end of the queue.

“What would you like?” the girl behind the counter asked with a smile. Despite having served people all day long, it impressed Mia that she was still friendly.

“Ten Astros, one medium popcorn, and two slushies,” Likoji answered.

“Ten Astros?” Mia raised her eyebrows at him.

“I told you I’m getting you all the Astros you can eat,” Likoji said.

Mia’s lips curled into a smile. It was the first time anyone had done something this nice for her. “You don’t have to get me that many.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Likoji smiled. “What’s the total bill?”

The girl behind the counter punched some numbers into her cash register and said, “the bill is K245.”

Likoji pulled out his wallet from his pocket, took out a few notes, and handed them to the lady.

She took his money and gave him his change, then she busied herself at the slushy machine, asking them what flavours they wanted. When she was done, she handed them their slushies, then the popcorn, and finally the Astros. Mia and Likoji took their snacks and walked towards the cinema hall. To Mia’s surprise, everyone that was ahead of them was being redirected somewhere else. There was an attendant who appeared to be waiting for them at the entrance to the hall. “Good evening, Mr. Likoji.”

“Good evening, Frank,” Likoji said.

“You may go in.” Frank stepped aside to let them in.

“Did you call to get us special seats or something?” Mia asked him as they walked in.

As soon as they stepped in, Mia noticed it was completely empty. “No one’s here.”

“Nope,” Likoji said, walking up the stairs. “Let’s go sit by the VIP section.”

“Okay,” Mia said, walking behind him. “I can’t believe no one is here. Did people watch it already?”

“Actually… I booked the hall,” Likoji found them seats in the middle of the VIP section.

Mia’s mouth fell open. “What?”

“Now we can watch the movie in peace without disturbances,” Likoji sat down and sipped his slushie.

Mia sat next to him in sheer awe. “You booked the hall?”

Likoji nodded. Mia sat back, completely shocked by his gesture. The door at the bottom of the staircase opened, and someone walked up to them.

“Are you comfortable?” the person asked.

“We are,” Likoji answered.

“Wonderful,” he said. “We’ll start the movie shortly.” He turned and left.

Mia turned to face Likoji, even more surprised.

“I just wanted to make sure this moment was ours,” Likoji smiled.

A smile swept across Mia’s face. “That’s nice of you,” she said. “Although this makes you way fancier than I am.” Likoji laughed. She took a box of Astros from her bunch and opened it. “Wanna taste?”

“Sure.”

Mia poured a few Astros into Likoji’s palm. He mouthed them all at a go. “Likoji!”

“What?” he asked, crunching on them.

“You’re supposed to eat them slowly and enjoy each one,” Mia said.

He burst into laughter just as the lights went off. “I’m sorry, Mia, but I can’t be romantic with food.”

Mia laughed. “I’m not romantic with food!”

“You are!” He said. “Don’t worry, I’ll do it your way. Give me more.” Mia placed more Astros into his palm and this time he chewed them slowly. “Better?”

“Of course,” Mia laughed. He was the sweetest guy Mia had encountered.

When the movie was done, they drove to Debonairs for pizza.

“I have to admit something,” Mia said as they sat down.

“You didn’t like the movie?” Likoji said, alarmed.

“No,” Mia laughed. “I had pizza for lunch today.”

“You did!” Likoji breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you were going to say you hated the movie. That’s fine. We can go over to Steers next door and order something else.”

“Yeah, that sounds better,” Mia said. They stood up and walked over to Steers.

“What will you have?” Likoji asked, finding them a seat in the corner.

“I’ll have Tikka Chicken,” Mia said.

“Okay, I’ll have steak,” he stood up. “What would you like to drink?”

“Fruitree,” Mia answered. “Grape flavour.”

“Fancy,” Likoji teased. “Most people would order Fanta.” He laughed and walked to the counter.

Mia laughed and watched him walk away. She loved how he treated her, both romantic and playful. He could make a wonderful boyfriend but still have that friendship aspect of it, Mia thought. And then she shook her head, No Mia. Don’t go that far.

Likoji returned with their drinks and a receipt with their order number on it. “We’ll have to wait ten minutes.”

“Okay,” Mia nodded.

“So… about the movie-.”

“Loved it,” Mia cut him short. “I still don’t see myself as Jasmine.”

“That’s because you’re both Jasmine and her father,” Likoji said.

Mia slapped his shoulder. “I don’t shelter myself.”

“I’m kidding,” Likoji said. “You’re definitely prettier than Jasmine, though.”

Mia beamed. “Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to say I’m more handsome than Aladdin?”

Mia laughed out loud. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Ouch,” Likoji laughed. They laughed until they noticed they were catching other people’s attention. “We have way too much fun.”

“Too much,” Mia said.

“So, can I pop by your work tomorrow?”

“Sure, you’ll be able to see me in action.”

“Zambia’s best designer in her element,” he said. “Can’t wait.”

The waitress called their order number.

“I’ll be back,” Likoji said.

Mia smiled and watched him walk away again. She felt so lucky to have met him.