We were done in no time, but it was already late in the evening when we got out. Stepping out of the restaurant, my feet and palm were clammy. It was like they had no blood in them anymore. The air conditioned atmosphere, made the evening breeze come off as heat. I wanted to run back in and sleep there. "It's pretty late," I muttered, while Fareedah nodded as she began to make her way towards her car, causing me to follow suit. "My house isn't that far, you could crash there," she said as she opened the door of her car, sending me into confusion and causing me to frown. 

I got into her car gently, still frowning a bit. She had started the car, before she noticed my expression. "Oh sorry," she muttered as she turned back to the road. "I could drive you back to school I-" 

"Ah, no it's fine," I quickly cut her off, guilt immediately rushing over me. How was I expecting her to drive me back to school. But then, I could use public transport. 

She nodded, slipping into silence as she drove. 

Due to the small misunderstanding between us, the silence felt uncomfortable to me. "So, why don't you do 'friends'?" I asked her, air quoting and trying to kill the silence. 

She smiled. "When did I say I don't do 'friends'?" she asked me, adjusting a bit at the driver's seat as she kept her eyes on the road. 

I frowned, recalling how she had told me she didn't want to be my friend. And she also never hung around any one and even did as much as say 'Hi' to anyone. She was the perfect description of a lone wolf. "But you told me the third time I approached you. You…" I trailed, while she smiled. 

"I never said I didn't do friends," she told me, "I said that, and if I do remember clearly, that I wasn't or I'm not searching for friends." 

Remembering that's what she actually said, my mouth formed an 'o'. "True," I muttered, while she kept on smiling. "But I never see you hang around anyone, or you're always alone and don't even greet anyone." 

She chuckled. "Should I be bothered that you know that about me?" she asked. 

I suddenly felt embarrassed, feeling my cheeks heat up in a blush. "No," I mumbled, quickly looking away from her and out the window, at the road. 

The streets were well lit by roadside shops and kiosks. The road was also still so busy, like no one had noticed how late it was becoming, some business only opening at that point in time sef. I smiled to myself as I saw a group of people gathered about a suya joint. I really did love my country. 

Fareedah and I didn't talk again as she pulled at a black gate, horning. It didn't take up to a second before a young looking man opened the gate for us and she drove in. It was a single bungalow that was within the compound, like she had no neighbours. 

The moment she got down and I followed suit, I saw a Bentley parked not far where she had packed. Chills ran round my body. That was an expensive car, a car of class. My mind began to run. Is she living with her rich boyfriend? Why would she bring me to her boyfriend's house? What have I gotten myself into? It was best I didn't know about her man friend. I felt my body grow weak. 

"Maraba da Ma, (Welcome Ma)" the gateman said to her, causing me to frown. What was that? 

"Na gode. Yaya ranar ku? (Thank you. How was your day?)" she replied him, causing me to shiver.

"Lafiya," he replied her. 

Is she about to sell me? I don't understand what she is saying. Eiyye. My life oh. "Let's go in," she said to me in English as she stretched her right arm to the building a bit, moving. 

It was like with every step I took, my legs became weaker. Is this going to be the end of me? No, it can't be. Quick, tell Inoma. I quickly unlocked my phone and sent Inoma a text. 'Staying at crush's place at Abule Ijesha' I sent, feeling scared as hell, while Fareedah unlocked a black bar gate, stepping into her entrance as she opened the door. 

"Come on in," she said with a smile as she switched on the light close to the door, making the entire place come into view. 

Ah. This is a big man place oh. I took guided steps into the house as I tried to not make my shaking obvious. It was mad spacious. The sitting room was almost three times wider than my room in the hostel. Eiye. "Living with a friend?" I asked slowly, trying to clear the air so I could seal my fate as I stood beside a wine leather chair. 

She shook her head as she sat down. "Nope alone," she replied me, making me frown. Then who has the Bentley? "Have your seat naw." 

I gently took my seat, feeling really nervous. Where did she get her money from? Is she a ritualist? Ewo! I have ended my life with my own hand o. "Please, who exactly are you?" I found myself asking before I could give it much thought. 

She chuckled. "What's wrong?" 

I shook my head, not letting myself process my thoughts. "First, you have an expensive Benz," I began, "I wasn't even fazed by that. But then, you took us to the really expensive restaurant, where they call you ma and almost worship the floor you walk on. And you bring me to this big house, with a big car packed in it? Just tell me, do you want to use me for ritual. Lemme just seal my fate."

Fareedah began to laugh, almost bending to support her belly with her arm. "You really don't know who I am?"

I nodded, giving her a confused look. 

"You really don't know who I am?" she asked, "Da gaske? (Really?)" 

I nodded, even though not understanding what she had last asked. 

She smiled mildling as she then said, "I'm Fareedah Pakka." 

I frowned. "Okay…" I trailed, not getting what she was expecting me to get. 

She smiled, bringing her right hand to her head for a facepalm. "Do you know 'Pakka', the company?" she asked, causing realization to hit me. 

"Pakka, like Daren Pakka, Pakka? The richest man in the whole of Nigeria, Pakka?" 

She smiled, nodding. "Yes, I'm his daughter. Second Daughter and sixth born." 

"Chinm! (My God)" I gasped, bringing my hands to cover my mouth. "He hides his children, so no one knows them," I told her the obvious. 

She smiled, nodding again. "I actually thought you knew, and maybe that is why you wanted to be my friend. It wasn't until the restaurant that I figured out that, you most likely didn't." 

I frowned, another kind of realization, hitting me. "Is that why you aren't 'searching for friends'?" I asked, air quoting. 

"Yes," she replied, nodding. "Was kind of turned to a maga in 100 level." 

I frowned. "What happened?" I asked. 

She sighed, adjusting on the chair she was sitting on. "This group of girls kind of figured out my Dad is Daren Pakka, but I didn't know. So, they asked to be my friend. And not really having friends, I agreed. But, they never really hung with me until it concerned money. So, I was like a money dispenser to them. They never cared about me. It took me till 200 level to realize that, I was never in their friendship at all. On realizing, I cut things off with them, and started to stay alone. Also had a misunderstanding with one of them, who then shouted and talked about how she never even liked me anyways and how I was so proud. So, that was when I stopped. I just presumed everyone wanted my dad's money. "

I felt so disgusted. Sometimes, humans can be so frustrating, they made you want to do criminal things." I'm sorry that happened to you."

She smiled, shaking her head." You don't need to be sorry, you're not them. They're not you. You…" She drew. "...you're different." 

I felt my lips spread into a wide smile as my face heated up. Oof, bless melanin. 

"My dad hides us so we can have a normal like, y'know," she suddenly explained, causing me to nod. "But, well… The surname doesn't exactly make it easy. But, we'll be fine las las." 

I smiled. "Las las."

We chuckled.