He is back! He is back!

I sat up, peering through the window in my room. He had just alighted from an Uber and was chatting with the driver.

Ooh, see those deep, lazy eyes.

I jumped on my bed, screamed into my pillow, and peeked again. The driver said something that made him smile, and his dimples melted me, as always. He carried his duffle bag and headed into our house.

I sighed as I watched him disappear inside. If only I could watch him a little longer.

"Darasimi! You better arrange that dirty room of yours before I get there!" My mom’s loud voice echoed through the house.

Oh no. He lives directly below us. What if he heard?

Ah, Mummy.

I hurried to the kitchen, the aroma of beans porridge wafting through the air.

"Mummy, I’ve heard. Please don’t yell like that," I said, climbing onto the kitchen island and reaching for a piece of diced plantain.

"You this girl! What should I do with you? In a kitchen this big with all these chairs, you choose to sit on the island. And don’t touch that plantain o!"

"Too late," I muttered, popping another into my mouth.

"Mummy! Mummy! Taiwo took my toy gun!"

My younger twin brothers burst into the kitchen, chasing each other around the island like headless chickens.

"No, it’s mine!" Taiwo cried, clutching the toy gun.

"You little devils! Why are you making so much noise over a toy gun? Go and watch CoComelon or something!"

"Darasimi, I’ve told you to stop calling your brothers ‘little devils’!" my mom scolded as the doorbell rang.

"Darasimi, go and check who’s at the door!"

"Ahhhh, why me? Let the little devils get the door!"

My mom turned, her glare freezing me in place. I flinched, sliding off the island and dragging my feet to the door, annoyance written all over my face.

The moment I opened the door, I froze. There he was.

My twisted expression instantly transformed into a radiant grin, my voice softening as I greeted him.

"S...Seyi, you’re here." I scratched the back of my neck, grinning like a fool.

"Uh, yes. My mom told me to give this to your mom," he said, holding out a basket of fruits.

"Oh,t..t.. then p..please come in," I stammered, stepping aside to let him in. He set the basket on the dining table just as my mom emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron.

"Seyi, you’re back from school? You’re on holiday?"

"Yes, ma. Second semester holiday," he replied, smiling politely.

Oh my, this guy will be the death of me.

"Which level are you in now?"

"300 level, ma."

"That’s nice. Please, when you’re free, come and tutor my daughter. She will be writing WAEC soon, and there’s nothing in her head, especially when it comes to mathematics. She’s an olodo..."

"Mummy!" I shouted, biting my lip in embarrassment.

"What? Am I lying? Didn’t you score perfect marks in maths for first time, the last time he tutored you?”

Two years ago. I still remember when they had just moved in. I had bumped into him on my way to throw away trash, spilling it all over him.

"Oh, don’t worry about it. I will just change," he said nonchalantly, smiling.

"B-but your shirt is wh...white," I stuttered, sinking with embarrassment.

"Honestly, it is fine," he had replied, heading inside with a smile that made my cheeks burn.

Why does he have to smile always?

"Darasimi!" My mom’s voice yanked me back to the present.

I glanced at her, then at Seyi, clearing my throat awkwardly.

"Where have you zoned off to now? Go and check the porridge on the fire, joor!"

I nodded quickly and rushed to the kitchen, lowering the heat on the gas cooker. When I hurried back to the living room, he was already gone.

My mom had headed back to the kitchen too.

Why did she even send me to check the porridge if she was going to the kitchen anyway?

I sighed and slumped onto the sofa, flipping the TV channel to IndieSeries, where Unrequited Hearts was airing.

Ironic.

"Darasimi!"

I spun around, standing up quickly when I saw Seyi at the door.

"Sorry, I forgot my phone in the fruit basket," he said, stepping inside to retrieve it.

"Uh...Seyi," I called out as he turned to leave.

"Yeah?"

"W...when should we start the tutorials?"

He smiled, dimples deepening. "Anytime you are ready. You can call or chat me. Do you have my number?”

I shook my head, pouting.

(Actually... I had memorized it from my mom’s phone.)

"Your phone?" he asked.

I scrambled for it, snatching it from a stool nearby and handing it to him. He typed in his number as I inhaled the faint scent of his cologne.

"Here. I will be expecting your message," he said, handing the phone back.

Finally. I wouldn’t just be the landlord’s daughter to him anymore. Maybe I actually have a chance.

"Uh...sure," I mumbled, closing the door after him.

As soon as it shut, I jumped and started dancing in excitement.

Taiwo and Kehinde, who were building toy brick towers, stopped to stare at me.

"Mummy! Sister Darasimi is doing ojuju!" Taiwo screamed as they both ran off crying.

"Hey! I know I’m terrible at dancing, but it’s not enough to scare you, little devils!"

"Darasimi, don’t call your brothers that!" my mom shouted.

I ignored her, grinning at my phone as I saved his number as My Hot Crush.