PANTY RAID

60| Lasgidi!

THE CITY LIGHTS blurred as the car sped down Carter bridge. He revved the engine and shot past so many other cars on the highway. A luminous moon hung low in the coal black sky surrounded by tiny silver stars. Despite the cool air, Dayo put down the top of his convertible Mustang.

Dayo had one hand on the steering wheel and the other on Eniola's thigh. Her eyes were closed with a faint smile curving her lips. His heart squeezed as he watched her. She was so fucking beautiful with her dark brown skin glowing in the moonlight.

The drive had been a quiet one. He had a lot on his mind and found the silence welcoming. He'd gotten so used to her, that her presence alone was comforting. Dayo had lay awake on his bed for hours, but couldn't sleep. He'd picked up his keys and thought he'd drive around for a while and had somehow ended up in her hostel.

He tried to convince himself that it wasn't because she'd filled his every thoughts. Although he hated to admit it, he needed her with him.

The ringing of his phone pulled him from his thoughts. He tapped his AirPod to answer the call without checking the caller ID. "Hello?" he said, steering the car around the sharp curve of the bridge.

There was a long pause at the other end, then he heard his father's voice. "I assume you know what day it is tomorrow," he said.

Dayo cursed under his breath. "I don't need you to remind me. I'm even surprised you remember since she meant so little to you," he said, his voice dripping with venom.

"Mind the way you talk to me, boy!" he said. There was a trace of anger in his father's voice but he didn't care, the man had lost the little respect he had for him throughout the years.

Dayo's jaw clenched. "Come by tomorrow. Abike is holding a small party in her honor, you know how she organizes these things every June thirtieth," his father said.

He gripped the wheel so tightly that his knuckles began to hurt. June thirtieth. The date brought back so many painful memories. The day his life changed forever. Dayo sniffled. "You know I won't come." he said. 

"You'll be there tomorrow!" he said authoritatively. "I'm not going to continue to let you disrespect your mother's soul like that," he added.

Dayo laughed bitterly. "Disrespect her soul?" he said with a sharp edge to his voice. "Stop acting like you fucking care. Maybe she'd still be here if you'd been more attentive." he growled, nearly losing control of the wheel.

With that he hung up and pulled the AirPod from his ear. He felt Eniola shift on the car seat to glance at him. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Of course, she didn't believe him but she didn't push the issue either. And for that, he was grateful.

He needed to clear his head and think. Expertly, he swerved the car off the road into a lone, deserted street. Dayo drove as fast as he dared, not bothering to stop at any traffic lights. He drove so fast, he felt like he was back on a racing track. 

Eniola glanced nervously at him, fear written across her face. "Dayo, don't you think you're driving a little too fast?" she asked.

He was too occupied with his thoughts to listen to her. "Dayo, slow the fuck down or you'll get us both killed." Eniola shouted.

To avoid scaring her further, he slowed down a little bit. Eniola released a sigh of relief and leaned back against her seat. "What was that all about? Is everything okay?" she asked, determinedly.

Dayo spared her a glance. "I'm fine," he gritted out. He let the silence stretch before adding, "It's getting late, I'll drop you off at your hostel."

Eniola blinked, a little confused. "No, you're not dropping me off. Take me to wherever it is you're going," she said with finality.

He blew out a frustrated breath and raked a hand through his hair. Her stubbornness grated on his nerves. Dayo groaned and she glanced at him again. "Are you sure you're alright?" she asked softly. 

"Damn it! I said I'm fine," he snapped.  Eniola flinched at the rage in his voice and turn her face away from him. He muttered a curse, feeling guilty for taking his frustration out on her.

"Shit," he groaned.