The turned table

"Tara, I've noticed this young man is always staring at you—I mean, our new neighbor, the guy next door," Feyi said to Tara, her roommate, one evening while sitting under the shade in their compound.

Feyi and Tara are best friends living together in an apartment after their youth service. They were privileged to be retained at the company at which they served for one year. This was the biggest opportunity for the ladies because it is a difficult task to get employed these days.

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They both live in a two-bedroom apartment, which is a twin flat, while the second flat was empty until a young man came to rent the empty apartment. Their new neighbor is named Cornelius; he is also a graduate but has yet to get employment, thereby keeping himself busy with taking courses online and learning new skills to develop himself in order not to be idle pending the time he will be employed.

"He can't possibly be staring at me; probably it was you he is always staring at, and you are mistaken it to be me," Tara replied scornfully.

"Come on, Tara, he isn't that bad; he is a cute and hardworking young man," Feyi further said to Tara, who was busy with her phone.

"What's your stress? Why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? If you are so interested in him, go tell that to him, not me. I'm definitely not interested in a lazy man whose job is to just sit at home 247 without any vision or plans for his life," Tara angrily replied.

"Relax, girl, it's okay. I'm not talking about him anymore. But he isn't that bad," Feyi said jokingly as she hurriedly stood up after seeing Tara take off her slippers to hit her.

Just as Feyi stood up, Cornelius came out of his apartment to take some fresh air under the shade when he saw Feyi and Tara sitting outside. This was a great opportunity for him to speak with Tara because Tara had not always replied to his greetings or talked to him for once since he came into that house. He is a bit free with Feyi, who always teases him and jokes together.

"Hello beautiful ladies, good evening , didn't know you guys were outside, would have come around earlier to keep your company", Cornelius said with a smile.

"And who asked for your company?", Tara muttered.

"Sorry, Tara you said something?", Cornelius asked Tara expecting a friendly response but reverse was the case.

"You are already inconveniencing me with your presence, don't add to it by mentioning my name", Tara snapped.

"Come on Tara, relax, are we fighting? I'm just here to relax and enjoy the fresh air just as you", Cornelius replied with a smile.

"Meet me inside when you are done, the heat here is becoming unbearable", Tara said and immediately stood up then head to their apartment.

"Sorry guy, you know how Tara can be, don't take her words to heart. That girl needs scolding, she is too childish", Feyi said to Cornelius as she hurriedly followed Tara inside.

"Madam Tara, why did you talk back at Cornelius in that manner, that was not so good", Feyi asked Tara angrily.

"I just don't like that young man around me, that's not a crime. He should try as much as possible to avoid me and that by all means then there will be peace*, Tara replied sharply.

"What if you ended up marrying this young man you dislike so much",Feyi said jokingly.

"God forbid , I rebuke such. Feyi I'm going to be mad at you. Why will you say such a thing ,I can never ever get married to that man, what's his name again?", Tara asked in contempt.

"Cornelius is his name, let that continues to ring in your head . Never say never baby girl, I'm going to be your chief bride's maid and I will remind you then this day when you said you will never marry cute Cornelius", Feyi said with a smile.

"Prophetess Feyi, keep your prophecy to yourself, it can never come to pass. He is not my type of man, you know I don't like dark guys", Tara said in rejection.

"No problem , I'm famished ,let me fix us something light for dinner", Feyi said as she entered the kitchen to cook.

Next morning , Tara was about to step out of their gate when she bumped into Cornelius who was just coming in from outside holding a nylon which contained can milk. Immediately they bumped into each other, the nylon got loose and the cans rolled out. Cornelius apologized to Tara and rushed to pick the cans rolling away in different directions. Tara stood still watching cornelius running after the cans, she was fighting it within herself whether to apologize or not. As cornelius gathered the three cans and was about to enter through the gate where Tara stood, he squeezed himself in just to avoid insults from Tara who stood without saying a word.

"I'm sorry for that, good morning", Tara quickly said and left.

Cornelius smiled and entered into his apartment , he wasn't expecting to receive an apology from Tara not alone a greeting but since she did, it was a surprise to him.

"I bet today's going to be a great day," Cornelius said to himself as he entered his apartment.

In the evening that same day, Cornelius sat outside under the shade in their compound when Tara walked in through the gate. She wanted to walk quietly past Cornelius, but luck wasn't on her side.

"Welcome back; how was work today?" Cornelius asked Tara.

"Why is he always smiling? Doesn't he get angry?" Tara asked within herself.

"Uhmm, fine, thanks, I I I," Tara stutters. I mean, I'm sorry for bumping into you like that in the morning, and for that, I got you back these cans of milk," Tara said. She brought out six cans of milk from her bag, dropped them on the stool beside Cornelius, and hurried inside her apartment without waiting for Cornelius to respond.

"Madam, why did you rush in like that? What's or who is pursuing you?" Feyi asked on seeing Tara.

"No one, won't you get me cold water? I'm coming from the hot sun," Tara asked with a smile.

"And I came in from the cold sun, right? This one you are in a good mood this evening; what happened today at work?" Feyi curiously asked.

"Curiosity kills the cat; nothing happened; I'm just in a good mood, that's all; don't stress it. Let me freshen up," Tara replied and went to her room.

After showering, she took some cereal and wanted to head outside to sit under the shade when Feyi stopped her.

"Madam, don't go and fight outside, please, because it's like Cornelius is outside. I can hear music blaring from his MP3 player outside," Feyi warned.

"I'm not a fighter; relax; I'm not that bad. I can't fight him over nothing," Tara replied with a smile.

"Indeed, do you always have reasons to taunt him before now?" Feyi asked as she signaled to Tara to go.

On getting outside, as Cornelius saw Tara approaching, he stood up to head to his apartment, but Tara stopped him and asked him to please remain seated. The two began to discuss, asking questions about each other and getting to know each other better. Feyi, who was peeping from their apartment, laughed out loud enough for Tara to hear.

In the middle of their conversation, Cornelius received an email from one of the oil and gas companies he had written an application letter to. Cornelius graduated as a petroleum engineer and had been in search of a job since two years after graduating from a higher institution. He immediately jumped up, and in excitement, he lifted Tara off the chair, which was a surprise to Tara.

"It's good news, baby, I got a job at one of the companies for which I wrote an application too. I love you," Cornelius said out of excitement, and immediately he said that. He dropped Tara and tried to explain what just happened.

"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to do that or say that; I mean, I shouldn't have done any of that. Please kindly forgive me. I was just happy that the long wait is over. I'm so sorry for my manners, please," Cornelius apologized.

"It's fine; you don't have to explain that much; I'm happy for you. The big man himself, I'm sure you are going to do well. Just keep being you and always keep that smiling face of yours," Tara said jokingly, and they both laughed.

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Since that day, Tara and Cornelius became close friends, and later Cornelius summoned the courage to ask Tara out for a relationship properly, which she agreed to. They began their love journey, which was a success till marriage was fulfilled. On their wedding day, Feyi reminded Tara of her words of never getting married to Cornelius, but the three laughed it away.

Thanks for your time, and your comments will be appreciated.