BUKKY POV
"Actually, I didn't tell her I'd be this late. I only intended to drop Bukky off and return immediately," Akanni said, already defending Mira before anyone attacked her.
"Oh please," my mum cut in. "Tomorrow is Sunday. It's not like you're going to work… or are you?"
"No, ma," he replied calmly — but I could see in his eyes that he knew exactly where the conversation was heading. Even a blind man would know.
"Then Akanni can sleep over and leave early tomorrow morning!"
Toke shouted from the far end of the living room — and immediately bolted toward the dining room before I could properly turn.
"You coward! Just let me catch you," I hissed under my breath.
"Ehn-ehn, you can wait till tomorrow, right?" my mum asked, watching Akanni's hesitation. She didn't even let him answer before she added, "Just tell your maid-mother that your in-laws-to-be held you hostage."
"Mummy!" I snapped.
She only smiled sweetly at me.
Akanni looked like the entire family had arranged this ambush together.
"It's fine… I'll do that," he finally said in defeat.
After the good-night prayer, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward the stairs.
"Good night mom, night dad," I said quickly, not waiting for replies.
"Sound sleep, dear," my dad answered calmly.
"Nighty sweetie. The visitor's room is by the left, baby," my mum added with a suspicious tone.
"I know, Mum."
"But that's not where you're going—"
"Mama…" I warned, "leave the young lady," my dad said, tugging her toward their room. "Let's go."
"Hmm. Caution o, darling!" my mum called after us.
"Good night, Mummy," I muttered and hurried upstairs.
"Don't mind my mum," I told Akanni as we climbed the stairs, hearing him chuckle behind me. "She just likes acting dramatic."
"It's fine," he said. "I understand."
"My room might not be as comfortable as yours," I warned. "It's really girly."
"That's okay. I don't mind."
We entered my room. I went straight to the switch and turned on the lights.
"The restroom is there," I said, pointing to the glass door with the sheer curtain.
"Alright," he replied, settling into a chair and scanning the room. "Your room is nice… very girly."
"It is. But not as nice as yours," I teased.
"Uhm," he hummed with a tiny smile.
"I'll shower quickly and clean my makeup," I said. "Just five minutes."
"Take your time."
I went into the restroom. Exactly five minutes later, I came out, hair damp, face bare, feeling lighter.
"All done. You can shower now," I said, sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Do you have a shirt I can change into?" he asked.
"I should. Wait — let me check."
I walked toward my wardrobe and started searching.
"Go and shower first," I told him over my shoulder. "By the time you're done, I'll find something for you to wear."
Akanni nodded and got up from the chair. He gave me a small smile before heading
toward the restroom, closing the glass door gently behind him.
The moment he disappeared inside, the room suddenly felt too quiet… and too bright.
I exhaled, sat back on my bed properly, and pulled out shirts from the lower section of my wardrobe — the section where I usually kept outfits I never wore.
Most were too feminine, one was too small, one had glitter, absolutely not.
Finally, I found a plain white T-shirt I used to wear to jog around the estate. It looked big enough for him — or at least it would manage.
The shower was still running, so I sat down again and tried to calm my heartbeat. Everything felt… fast, meeting my parents, sleeping over, sharing the same room.
My mum would dance if she found out.
I was still lost in thought when the bathroom door clicked open. Steam drifted out first, then Akanni stepped out — hair damp, wearing only his towel, holding his shirt in his hand.
I swallowed. Hard, "I, uh… found you this," I said quickly, stretching out the T-shirt without looking too directly at him.
"Thank you," he said softly, taking it from me. "Hope it's not your favourite one."
"No," I said, way too fast. "Not at all."
He smiled and slipped the shirt on. It fit better than I expected. A little snug around the chest… but somehow that made it worse for my heartbeat.
"I'll sleep on the chair," he said suddenly, pointing to the single couch beside the bed.
"Why?" I frowned. "The bed is big enough."
"I know," he said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "But I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"I won't," I said. Too quickly again.
His eyes lifted to mine — warm, a little surprised, a little searching.
"But…" he started, then paused. "Are you sure?" I nodded, even though my stomach was fluttering like mad, "you won't come over to my place and have you sleep uncomfortable on the couch. It's just sleep," I added, even though I didn't fully believe it. "You sleep your own, and I also, it's not anything special."
He chuckled slightly. "You're the one reassuring me?"
"Well…" I scooted to one side of the bed and patted the empty space. "Come on."
He hesitated for a second — and then he walked over and sat, slowly, carefully, like he was scared the bed would complain.
We lay down facing opposite sides at first.
Silence, breathing.
Heartbeat loud enough to embarrass me.
"Good night, Bukky," he said.
"Good night." But sleep? sleep refused to come, with him - a time bomb, sleeping beside me, I hope I didn't regret my action of sleeping on the same bed with a man for the first time in my life.