NIGERIAN LUNCH

★★★★★

Guess what? Ahh! You can't guess, don't worry.

Remember the meeting that Gabriel and I that were supposed to have today at our normal place? Well, I called it off, and he was really mad (no hyperbole there).

I decided to cook African dishes for Lizzy's friends, Gabriel and Bola. I just thought of it when I woke up this morning, feeling more refreshed than ever, why don't I just make a dish for them? I asked myself, and immediately, I took Lizzy's car keys and went straight to Lida's house, which was one hour away, to get that my Ghana-must-go bag filled with foodstuffs.

"Munachi?!" Lida shouted surprised to see me.

"Lida good morning. I'm sorry I didn't inform you I was coming. I came for the foodstuffs."

"Ooh, ahh, alright. But I packed some in the fridge oo, especially the ukwa( an Igbo dish that is yellow)."

"Ahhhhh, thank you very much. You've done well."

I entered my room to check for the spoons and plates, then went to carry what I needed from the fridge. After I was done, I told Lida and she bid me goodbye.

"I'd be back another time," I said entering the car.

"No problem, hun."

An hour later, I was in the kitchen. How there's a kitchen here, I don't know, but thank God, everything I needed was provided. There was even gas.

"Mona?! Did you take my car?" Lizzy screamed from outside.

Ouch.

"I'm so sorry Lizz, it was the only one available."

I could hear her mumbling some curse words and could only smile. I'm that annoying. I had sent a text to all of them to be at the kitchen for lunch, at 1pm sharp!

Michael was early. Urghhh...

"Hey," he said, coming to hug me. I returned the hug, "what's cooking?"

"Many things as you can see. Here is the African salad, right there, then see the ukwa, and yeah I made Oha soup for you guys, so you can choose if you want garri and soup or not."

"Wow, that's a lot. I haven't tasted any African dish before, but I'd really love to try yours​. Thank God I have a girlfriend that can cook."

Silence...

Now that was awkward. He called me his girlfriend, meaning he remembers. Ooh the tears!

"Yeah," was all I could reply.

"Look, I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable, mmh?" He said hugging me from behind. Eww eww eww! Michael?

At a point I could feel his love. I mean, when someone likes you that much, but you don't like him, you'd surely feel that love but can't reciprocate it, but you'd feel it. I allowed him to hold me and even kiss my neck ( I didn't intentionally allow that).

"Erm...Michael, I'm really busy," I said trying to push him out. But gave it a second thought since I knew it may cause more problems, you know? Using my butt to push him back may cause problems, you know what I mean nah.

"So sorry," he said ending the torture of his lips, but still hugging me.

"Mona why di-" Richard entered inside, eyes widened at the position we were in. I didn't even care what he thought cause I just wanted to finish making the dishes​!

I brought the ede( cocoyam), blended it then pounded the akwu( palm kernel), sieved it and used the oil. I had already put my ingredients inside pot already (the Crayfish, dry fish, pepper, etc).

"If you guys can try to be helpful, I need you to cut the garden egg for the African salad. And check there, there's kanda for the Abacha as well." I said, not minding if they understood me or not.

They both look confused, but tried to move a little to ease the tension​. Was there tension? Nehh, I didn't feel anything.

It was 12:30 and I had only 30 minutes to finish everything. It felt like I was in that cooking competition they were showing on Mehek last week. You guys know Mehek nah, the ZeeWorld series; Like Mehek always said, feel the food.

After putting the cocoyam, I put our local soup thickner and meat. Then I allowed the soup to boil. As it was boiling, I put water on fire, for the garri.

I decided to help the confused boys out with the Abacha. After mixing the oil with the Abacha, I put the akwukwo anyara( garden egg vegetable) then the kanda( another meat from cows), and the garden egg. I mixed it together and it was perfect.

Without wasting time, I dished the Abacha out. The soup was done by then, so I switched the gas off and served the Oha soup too.

"Wow so much talent," Richard commented. Not like I cared.

"A beautiful talent," Michael concluded, and a smile was plastered on my face. A fake smile.

The water for the garri finally boiled, so I brought the garri out from where I packed it and poured it in the hot water. Finally, I used that 'turning-garri' spoon to turn the garri, and dished it out.

It was 1pm.

Gabriel came in first, frowning, but then surprised to see Michael, Richard, and I.

"Awkward," he whispered to me.

"You've seen it. I've tried my best to ignore those two."

"That not possible," he said, then hesitated, " Why am I talking to you again?"

"Aww Gabe you're still angry? With me?" I said putting my puppy face on. "I'm sorry GABARIELL." I said, and couldn't stop laughing. Yeah he hates it when his name is pronounced wrongly, especially when I put an A after the B.

The kitchen had a dining, which was nice. I bet the school thought students would eat together regularly, ha! But it was so useful today.

Sophie and Lizzy brought the guys in, I mean George, Travis and Zac.

"Yo Mama," Travis said, coming to hug me.

"Oh Lord, I'm sure I stink right now. Hope you had your shower this time. Before I get unwanted diseases," I said trying to sound serious.

"Ha, ha. Luckily I just took my shower before coming over this time. Hmph! You should be proud of me."

" I am proud, my son," I said, patting him on the shoulders and pretending to have tears in my eyes.

Soon, we all burst out laughing at our little act. That's Travis and I for you. We were the drama queens.

Bola came in as well, and seated right beside Gabe, and Michael and Richard reluctantly strolled to their seats.

"So guys, I'm so happy! Alright, cool down... As you know, I called y'all here for a special treat from me, an African treat. So since I can't go back and have some from my Mama's pot, I decided to make one for you guys."

"Skip to the food part!" Travis shouted.

"Shit up ass," Zac told him.

"That's enough, you two," George told them.

"Alright, enough of the talk, enjoy! Oh wait, that's garri and soup, and this is the African salad, so you can choose any or take both. It's gonna be just enough."

I watched Gabriel take a bite of the Abacha and his eyes were bulging. Yeah, that's the effect Nigerian food gives to you.

Sophie had her eyes closed, her face upwards, savouring the taste. Dhurr, Nigeria! Nigeria! Nigeria!

I looked at my friends, and couldn't help but smile genuinely a the sight before me. Now, it feels like home. It doesn't feel different anymore. I'm finally accepting them.

You know, I thought trust didn't exist a long time ago. I thought many things were done for stupid reasons. But you know, having friends, is something that is just... golden.

Friendship is like a flower, each part supports each other for the growth of that flower. They trust themselves with their functions. They never quit each other unless a natural force pulls them apart, but still, it's stands firm.

I love you guys.

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Yaayyyy Abach, Oha soup! Yummm!😊

Anyway, if the chapter is too short, I'm sorry, but I told ya.

This chapter may not look significant, but as you go on, you'll see that your dear Mona really needed trust to move on with these new people.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Remember to vote and comment.

Mmwah!
Munaloves y'all ❤