'How much do you charge?'

All of a sudden I look around and notice that inter racial marriages are just about normal. How did that happen I ask myself knowing fully well that not so long ago, parents could go mad if their children ever mentioned they were coming home with an ‘oyibo’. Well, this undefined thing we have going might just become reality…I beam as I rush on out to meet my girls.

He looks me right in the face, 'you are beautiful' and my insides quiver, my feet give way and I have to sit so I do not embarrass myself. Silly me! When did I become jelly?!

We take a long walk and then go on to that spot where only we can connect. We chat endlessly, that’s what we do best anyway…for now. I like to believe that this feeling that is growing in me is not just in me but is a mutual one. I stare in his blue eyes and wonder if I can ever get used to that colour.

I imagine my last name being his as he whisks me off to an event. Standing around and exchanging pleasantries, teeth shining so bright with smiles. He walks off to have a quick chat with a few mates and I feel an arm on my shoulder then I hear the most ridiculous question with a card flashing in my face. ‘How much do you charge?’, I do not make sense of it and he says call me ok and strolls off. As if that is not enough, another one comes right in front of me and starts a conversation. I flow with it naturally believing it to be a part of the event and the same question comes again. I go livid as the question makes complete sense now. I walk straight to Will and pull him aside. 'Am I not decently dressed?' I ask. Confusion written all over his face, he answers 'yes and you also look stunning'. With no regard for the compliment he had just given, I tell him to take me away from this place. 'But…' he protests, 'NOW' I order and make my way for the car park.

He had never seen me upset so I imagine he must have run to get to the car before me. He holds the door open and without even looking at him, I get into the car.

Cautiously and almost holding his breath, 'what got you so upset?' He manages to say. Like a torrent, I start . . .'I have always warned you never to bring me to these sort of places where there are only white people. I never understand why they think every good looking girl in Abuja is a call girl. Imagine two men walking up to me to ask me how much I charge in the space of the few minutes you left.' I see a dark shadow cross his face at that moment and I wonder if that is pain or anger but I do not dwell on it. I wait for him to say something but he starts to drive. We go for the next few kilometers in silence and he takes the turn leading to his house, 'I do not want to go to your house' I protest. 'Please take me home'. He doesn’t say a word and I let him be.

He pulls up in his drive way, walks around and opens the door for me. I step out and he takes my hand. He leads me in and I follow. He sits right beside me on the couch and starts to speak but his voice fails him. I give him some minutes then he finds his voice and he says 'I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally, you know that?' 'Yes', I respond and he apologizes for the way I felt earlier and still may be feeling. At that point, I burst out laughing. Shock again crosses his face and I can’t help myself then he joins in. When I have finally pulled myself together, he asks what was so funny. 'It was the entire thing that happened that got me laughing, how much do I charge. Is that how it is done? I could have made some cool money tonight you know' and I start to laugh again. He looks stern all of a sudden that my laughter ceases. 'How could you say that' he asks and I just stare at him. With no warning, he claims my mouth with all the fury and hunger he has stored up in him since we met, all restraint gone and just as I give in. . . the alarm wakes me with that familiar buzz. 7am already, work! I hit the bed in anger and get out of bed.