The Call and the Coffee

Raj took a deep breath, his mind pulling him back to that fateful day. “It all started with a call. One day, I get a call from an unknown number. I answer it, and guess who’s on the other end?”

His friends leaned in, the tension in the van palpable.

“It was Billy.”

The van went silent.

Raj’s voice dropped lower, filled with a simmering anger. “He told me, ‘You know Sofia is married to me, don’t you? So what exactly are you planning?’ I didn’t even know what to say at first, but then I tried to play it cool. I told him, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ But Billy, that guy… he knew. He wasn’t stupid. He’d noticed the changes in Sofia.”

Raj paused, his jaw tightening. “I interrupted him and said Sofia’s just a friend. But Billy didn’t buy it. He started lecturing me about how friendship between men and women is always one-sided, that there’s always attraction involved. He was so smug, so sure of himself.”

Oluwale, sitting in the back of the van, shifted and broke into the story. “Ayo, hold up, fam. Man said all that, and you didn’t even ask Sofia if she loves you? And you were already out here planning the wedding!” Oluwale’s tone was playful, but his words hit hard, his thick British slang colouring every sentence.

Raj shot him a sideways glare, annoyance creeping in.

Robert, ever the refined voice of reason, cleared his throat. “Wait—wedding planning? Raj, I didn’t hear anything about this.”

Oluwale leaned back, grinning. “It’s just an expression, Robert, innit? My man didn’t even know if Sofia loved him and was already picturing their future together. That’s what I’m saying!”

Everyone laughed, except Raj, who gave them a look that could freeze water. “Cut it out, alright?”

The laughter died down, and Raj added sternly, “I didn’t say stop talking. I said, stop at a coffee shop.”

Robert chuckled, nodding. “Right, man. We definitely need some coffee before this adventure goes any further.” He sounded calm and composed, as if they were merely on a Sunday drive, not involved in a kidnapping.

One of Raj’s friends pointed out a small coffee shop on the corner. They pulled over, and Raj climbed out of the van, giving strict orders. “Keep an eye on Billy. Don’t let him out of your sight.”

As Raj went inside to grab the coffees, Oluwale turned toward Billy, eyebrow raised. “Oi, man, why you not saying anything? You just sittin’ there like it’s tea time. Say somethin’.”

Billy looked up calmly, his voice steady. “What’s the point in listening to a story halfway? Instead, why don’t you all hear my part first? Then, when Raj tells his side, you’ll enjoy matching up the pieces like a puzzle. Trust me, it’ll make sense.”

The van went silent again, everyone processing Billy’s calm demeanour.

Gugu, sitting near the front, his European accent thick, piped up with a smirk. “This very deep, man. Philosophical, ya? Wait, wait, let me record this for TikTok.”

Everyone burst into laughter, the tension breaking for a moment.

Raj returned, balancing coffees in both hands. “Here,” he said, handing them out. He even had one for Billy. Robert glanced at Billy, then back at Raj. “Do we need to… untie his hands so he can actually drink this?”

Oluwale shook his head, grinning. “I told ya, Raj, not to bring Robert, fam. This guy’s too soft for this. Always talkin’ gentle when we’re in the middle of business.”

Raj ignored the comment and looked over at Gugu. “Help Billy drink his coffee.”

Billy, eyes focused on Raj, spoke up. “Raj, you and I, we’ve always had a good understanding. I’ve given you your space, and you know I’m not going to run off. Trust me, man. Let me enjoy the coffee like everyone else.”

Oluwale blinked, staring at Billy in disbelief. “What do you mean, ‘good understanding’? What is this, a business negotiation now?”

Raj sighed and motioned for Gugu to untie Billy’s hands. “Billy’s right. He did stay out of our way.”

Gugu, looking confused, fumbled with the ropes around Billy’s wrists. “Okay, this is getting weird, man. Why we go through all this trouble kidnapping him if we could’ve just had a chat over coffee? Now you’re saying this Billy guy’s an angel?”

Raj didn’t answer. He handed Billy the coffee and looked out the window, lost in thought.

Gugu sipped his coffee, shaking his head. “Now, this van not movin’ until we know what happened. You gotta explain all this, Raj.”

Before Raj could respond, Robert tensed, his eyes widening as a police car sped past, sirens blaring.

They all froze for a moment, their hearts racing. Oluwale broke the silence, his voice low. “Bro, we need to get outta here. Safe house. Now.”

Raj didn’t hesitate. “Drive to Oluwale’s place. We’ll figure out the rest there.”

© Nil | 2024