Keeping space

EPISODE FOURTEEN

Theme: Keeping space

Arike’s POV

He gave me a shocked expression. He was taken aback by my expression.

"I..I...am..sorry. I..I.. didn't mean to raise my voice at you." I apologized to him.

"It's alright." He mumbled.

"Look Dayo...we can't do the things we used to do together as best friends anymore." I stuttered.

"But why?" He asked.

"You're getting married in few weeks time."

He sighed. "That shouldn't affect us."

"You should be with your wife to be and not me."

"I know Shalewa called you. Tell me what she said to you that made you change towards me?"

I shook my head in disagreement. "I am not sharing it with you."

"Keeping space between us isn't right...and you know that!"

 "But everything Shalewa said was right. If I were in her shoes I wouldn't like to see my husband to be stick around his female bestie anymore. Plus I don't want to be on the headline news as a husband snatcher." I pointed out.

I sniffed as Dayo walked over to me.

"No one is going to tag you as anything aside the fact that you are my best friend. Most of my other friends and family knows that I am closer to you than anyone else." He said calmly.

"That's not enough." I said.

"You can't stop being friends with me because I am getting married. I need you more than ever now."

"I am not ending our friendship." I tried to make him understand.

"That's how I see this space you are trying to create leading to."

"See..don't get me wrong Dayo. I just don't want any problem. That's it." I managed to speak amidst the lump in my throat.

I also did a great job at hiding the tears that threatened to spill down anytime soon. To be honest, one of the last things I want to do is stay away from Adedayo. I am so used to having him around. Even while he was dating other women, I never cared about them. But Shalewa seems different maybe because she's getting married to him. She doesn't want me to be with Dayo. All she wants is for me to end my friendship with Dayo so she could have his undivided attention. And that's what I am trying to do for her. I don't really know what I should do! But I just want to put that space between us!

"I am sorry we can't have dinner together and you can't sleep over at my place too. Shalewa..needs you more than I do."

"Okay..okay..I understand." He whispered. "I should get going."

I could see the hurt written in his expression.

"Good night." I said.

He placed a kiss on my forehead before walking towards the door.

Trust me he's never done the kissing on the forehead with me before. I felt like taking back all my words and just let him stay but I can't forget the promise I made to Shalewa. I fought against the urge to run out and call Dayo back.

A tear slipped down my cheek when I heard the door close gently. I didn't expect to feel this pain in my heart and it was becoming almost unbearable.

I think I need to make my heart,body and soul understand that Adedayo Awosika belongs to someone else now and forever. He can't be with us anymore.

"Everything is different now. The sooner we accept the better it is for us." I said internally.

Slowly, I made my way into my bedroom.

FEW WEEKS LATER

I grumbled as I hopped out of bed when I heard the doorbell in my deep sleep. Wait! It's really late! I glanced at the alarm next to my bed, the red light beeped 2:35am! Who could be out there by this time?! Shit! And why is the doorbell So loud?! Plus I wasn't expecting anyone except Busayomi who promise to visit yesterday but ended up being too busy with work at the office with her boss. I hate her boss for giving her too much work!

The doorbell stopped ringing and a bang on the door came afterwards,making me afraid.

"Who the hell is out there?!" I shouted when I got to the living room. No response

Why on Earth did Ahmed let someone in by this time?! Perhaps is it a thief or worse thieves?!

Gba! Gba! Gba! I should call the police.

"Arike! Open up!" I heard Adedayo's voice.

I relaxed a bit. Why is he here? By this time? I haven't seen him since almost two weeks now. We didn't even exchange text messages online or even call. I assumed that Adedayo really accepted my decision to stay away.

To be honest, I expected him to at least call to check on me but nothing. Busayomi said it was the right thing to do and I have been telling my heart to reason the same way.

Dayo's wedding is just in two weeks time. So I supposed he has been busy preparing for the big day. And guess what?! Shalewa asked me to be part of her bridal train but I declined. Why? I belonged to the husband side. And she also offered me the position of best lady, saying that her best friend was now heavily pregnant but I refused the offer. I don't want! I am not even friends with her so why should I get involved with her! Shalewa was just trying to show me that Dayo was hers now. Dorrrhhhhh! Do I look like I Care? I wasn't from a rich background so I wasn't expecting anything more than friendship with Adedayo.

ied to remember where I had dropped the key but another bang on the door interrupted my train of thought.

"Arike! Please open up! It's me...Adedayo."

"Sorry...I know..it's you. I am looking for the keys!"

"Okay..."

"Found it!" I breathed out when I saw it on the stool next to the big couch.

Then I rushed to the door to open it only for the smell of alcohol to wash over me. Ewwwww!! So disgusting.

"Oh my God! Dayo....why are you so drunk?!"

He laughed, pushed me aside and went into my apartment.

I sighed in frustration and slammed the door.

"Dayo! Dayo! What's all this nonsense?!"

"Trust me...I didn't..drink much..."

"Seriously? Why the drink at all?!"

"Now..you..want to...scold me..can't you see I am drunk?!" He dropped on the couch.

"Didn't I make it clear that you can't sleep over again?!"

"I know..but -" He didn't reply but a sniff from him got my attention.

 "Don't I..look...pitiful to you?" He said in a low tone.

I sighed and went to him. "Is everything okay?"

Dayo was never the type who takes alcohol but he only gets drunk whenever something's really bothering him.

"You promised to never get drunk again." I said.

He shook his head. "I can take anything...but not you...pushing me away." He placed his hand over his face.  He was sober.

"I am not pushing you away,Dayo."

He snorted. "Yes... that's it. Arike...we didn't keep in touch for about two weeks..and you were fine with it because that's...how you want things to be between us now."

"Dayo -"

"It was...hard for me..but I...have to respect your.. decision."

Okay so one thing about the drunk Dayo, he tends to talk too much anytime he is such state.

am trying to protect your relationship with Shalewa. I know you love her and she loves you too. I don't want to be a problem to -" I paused.

I shouldn't be conversing with a drunk man. I face palmed myself.

"You should get some sleep." I said.

Suddenly Dayo pulled me in for a hug when I tried to stand up.

"Dayo -"

"Wait..let's...stay like...this..for a while."

I tried to free myself. "Dayo we shouldn't -"

"I miss you." He whispered. I wasn't expecting it. His words stopped me from pushing him away. I miss you too but I can't tell him.

"Please just this one time...I promise to leave before anyone wakes up."

"You should take a shower. Your body stinks of alcohol."

"Why can't they all be like you?" He mumbled into my ears.

"Huh? W..w..what are you talk about?" I asked.

No response came from him.