Hi everyone!

AUTHOR’S QUESTION OF THE DAY: How’s your side?

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After leaving the bookshop—with promises of thinking about Timi’s offer and my obstinate reluctance at him taking me home—I move about the 12 meter span of my dingy room in my tube and shorts.

Maama is glancing worriedly at me as I walk from pillar to post.

“You know I can call Ady over if you don’t want to share your worry with me,” Maama says, concern etched over her now glowing face. She looks incredibly better now.

“I’m totally fine,” I mumble with a tight smile at Maama. “I just find myself getting very confused,” I confess finally dragging a chair to sit opposite her beside my bed.

“Are you in love?” she asks with a small smile on her face.

This question causes me to choke on air as I feel thoroughly mortified.

You see, romantic love isn’t something we discuss in a typical African home.

“Maybe,” I grunt.

Maama lets out a raucous laugh at this. Her peering charcoal black eyes are focused on me so intently making me uneasy.

“You are scared,” she observes finally. “I’m so sorry Jade if all those abuse your father made me go through affected you emotionally. But I can promise you that not all guys are like that. And if I’m correct, you are totally in love with this person. I’m begging you to give love a chance. Life is quite short and I’ll be damned if I let my stupidity ruin your life. Think about this. Please.”

My appetite is cut short and I leave home not staying for dinner.

I need to be alone.

But I can’t.

Not with my thoughts howling in my head. I need something groovy.

So I call Adisa.

*

The bar feels like the most appropriate place to let wind and forget my worries.

Blue and red light filter across the bar making me feel light.

The Hennessey I am sipping adds to this effect, and the jazz music playing makes me feel mellow.

For once tonight, I want to forget everything. I am on my tenth drink. Or so.

“Babe, I think we’ve got to chill on the drinks, don’t you think?” Adisa asks worriedly.

She is my designated driver after all, therefore, it will be a crime for her to get drunk.

“I just want to forget,” I slur, itching at my neck.

I itch it again.

And I get the feeling I being watched, even in my drunken state.

Turning backwards, nearly wobbling off my chair, I see him.

It is Timi.

He is resting on one of the pillars at the right corner of the bar. I remember the first time I met him. It feels like Déjà vu.

“And look who I’ve found.” I slur. Again.

“Oh shit!” Adisa cuss beside me.

“You are not angry right?”

I turn towards Adisa at her question, guilt is painted all over her baby face. Almost, overshadowing her glowing makeup.

“You called him?” I slur-scream.
Her ring-adorned fingers shake slightly.

“I thought it might be nice to have that talk with him. And you can finally give him your answer.”

I glare at her before standing up suddenly, nearly crashing into the nearby chairs, I make my way to Timi and I hear Adisa weak attempts at making me stop.

However, I am on a mission.

A drunken mission and no one is going to stop me.

I feel the consuming need to confront Timi. To look into those hypnotizing eyes of his. I have to.

Don’t ask me why. I’m doing it just for the sakes of it.

I can feel his stare on me all through, I can’t make out his expressions under the blue bar light.

But I can definitely make out his impressive physique, his tightly pulled back hair.

His impressive jaw.

His black sweatshirt that sits so comfortably on his likeable broad chest.

His big biceps and his large hands that are currently embedded in his black trouser pockets.

I love him, I realize. And I want to be close to him. Even if it is just for this one damn night.

Maybe I can forget. Maybe he can help me forget.

“Timi,” I murmur, stumbling into him.

I can feel the energy whirring between us. It is palpable and shimmering.

“I’ve missed you,” I whisper drunkenly.

His eyes are oh! So focused on me, I am drawn to him and I feel the urgent need to hold him close and tight, nothing sex-related.

Honestly, this is the first time I will ever think of holding a guy without shagging him.

“I’ve missed you too Jade,” he murmurs.

A light shudder passes through me as his hands wrap around my waist pulling me closer. His nose nuzzle in my neck and I feel complete.

The air degree gets hotter.

Maybe it is just me.

“Say that again,” I plead, “Say it again,” I beg, holding unto him like a lifeline.

“I’ve missed you Jade,” he repeats now staring intently at me.

His eyes are shining, radiating warmth and love and everything I thought I never needed.

I feel that pull again, his stare on my rosy lips as my gaze itself is on his sensuous ones.

I am highly horny at the moment, but I hold his gaze waiting for him to place the first move.

And he does.

So he kiss me.

It is like cold water on a dry, patchy day.

It is like warm chocolate on a cold, windy day.

It feels like homecoming.

His lips are soft and warm and minty. I am whole as I nibble on his mouth, switching between his lower and upper lips, tasting my Hennessy in him. It gives me a heady rush.

My hands curl at his neck as I tug at his hair and curve his face, his impressive cheekbones, caressing them tenderly.

His lips nip at that tender fleshy spot below my ear as my hands trace gently over his granite-cut jaw.

I have the urgent need to take this to the next base as he humps into me, squeezing my plump ass.

I have kissed a lot of lips in my 22 years of life—from Tonto during primary school when he shared his fried chips with me, to my various one night stands—however, none has given me a toe-curling shiver down my spine. None has made me want for more. None has given me the sense of belonging that I feel with Timi. 

Suddenly, his lips disappear, moving slowly to the round of my smooth brown forehead, to the pointy tip of my nose, to the cupid bow of my lips.

The kisses gradually reduce to pecks and nibbles as we move apart—by four inches or so, for a much needed air.

“I need to take you home Jade,” he whispers in my ears, his hands on my waist, swaying us gently to the music.

“To your place?” I smirk evilly, wishing he gives me a positive answer.

“I meant your apartment,” he corrects, his eyes twinkling with humor.

God! I want him.

“You are drunk and I am not in the right senses to handle you like I should a proper lady, besides Adisa called me here to have a talk with you. Definitely not to bone you,” he finishes. Still swaying us.

“Please,” I whine like a two year old, blinking my big doe eyes to get him to change his mind.

“I want to Jade, but that won’t be the proper thing to do. Besides, you still owe me a reply. I thought I wouldn’t touch or hold you till you give me a positive answer, but here I am, wanting even more. You are my weakness, Jade. My Achilles foot,” he murmurs, his husky voice sending shivers down my spine as he coils my afro curl with his finger, his eyes doing things to my body. Still swaying us.

His erection digging in my off shoulder cashmere cladded belly, plus his almost dark hypnotizing eyes makes me realize how much he wants me.

But his lips are set firm. He will not give me what I want. At least not tonight.

I don’t know how to feel about this; hurt that I won’t get laid tonight or proud of him for showing this much dedication.

“Alright,” I nod, hugging him close and real tight, “I won’t keep you waiting,” I conclude, drowning in his alluring and mouth-watering smell, burying my head in his chest.

His fingers running through my hair as he murmurs an “I love you”.

*

It isn’t my intention to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the gist is too intriguing for me not to.

It is Maama and Adisa.

They are discussing my love affair in my kitchen with fervent passion. And my head is pounding so much it can rival a battle cry.

I am terribly hung over from last night and no amount of Panadol can cure it.

I was making my way to the kitchen to get some food into my belly when I heard their conversation.

So, I stand gingerly behind the kitchen door—a lucrative position—and eavesdrop.

“I had an inkling though she never confirmed it,” Maama says, her voice dropping to a low octave.

“She’s so in love with him even if she won’t admit it to us yet. I can just feel it,” Adisa cackles.

“Oh! And he’s so responsible. The way he brought her home—”

Brought me home?

“I know right. He was so stubborn, he followed us back here saying his Dad raised him to be a gentleman,” Adisa cuts in.

“And he’s so handsome,” she finishes.

I can imagine her swooning.

“He will be the perfect husband for my Jade. Oh! My old soul can’t wait,” Maama exclaims.

What??!! Husband??!!

“Will somebody explain to me whatever it is that happened last night?” I demand, bursting into the kitchen and cutting their conversation short.

They have ridiculous smiles on their face like they know I was eavesdropping.

“Babe!” Adisa screams pulling me into a breath-destroying hug.

“How are you doing Jade? Do you feel better now?” Maama is terribly concerned and it shows in her big brown orbs with her hands running through my hair.

“I’m still having a headache,” I reply shrugging Adisa off me, “Besides, I’m pretty hungry,” I admit sheepishly dipping my hands into my shorts pocket.

Sipping my warm chocolate in the middle of my bed, Adisa explains to me everything that happened last night in her own very dramatic way as she walks from wall to wall nearly face planting into my hearthrug.

“Can you summarize everything you just said in two sentences?” I question, “And in a less dramatic way?” I add.

“He followed us home in his car like a stubborn puppy saying he has to know that you got home safely. He carried your drunk ass in from my car and laid you on your mattress. He was so charming to your Maama, she was blushing and stuttering. All in all, he was the perfect gentleman. And the way he looked at you, oh my gosh! Like he’s been searching for you his whole damn life. That guy loves you!” she concludes in a breath.

She is now sitting beside me on my mattress and Maama is at my desk with a creepy smile on her face.

What she said brings a wolfish smile to my face as I remember the mind numbing kiss we shared the night before. I am comfortably warm all over.

“Well, he told me so,” I murmur, hiding my face behind my chocolate mug.

“What??!! But you didn’t tell me this,” Adisa whines dramatically.

“Just like you did not tell me he was coming over to the bar,” I shrug giving her a sheepish look.

“I’m so happy you found the one Jade,” Maama whispers, looking at me with tears in her eyes.

“Give him a chance, I’m begging you. I know you won’t regret it. Call it Maama’s instinct,” she concludes with a wink.

“I concur with Maama,” Adisa affirms with a wide smile on her face, her eyes crinkling.

Wheels are not turning in my head.

For once, I feel clearer and freer.

I guess my decision has been made.

*

It is with horror that I stare at my bed face Monday morning. Eye bags are pretty evident and my face looks swollen.

This phenomenon is as a result of the film vigil that we had—I, Maama and Adisa, on Sunday night not remembering that I & Ady have classes the next day and Maama has a trip to make to the court the following day.

I decide determinedly to look preppy and fresh this morning as I scrub my charcoal face mask with vigor.

Adisa is still in the showers while Maama is on Facebook at 6:00 AM! Maama is just incredible like that.

I check out my outfit—a blue chiffon blouse, golden brown pant trousers, black suede flat shoes, a silver wristwatch and pin-up earing—as I apply gloss to my lip in the tall mirror. My bouncy Afro is pulled tight into a bun and my face cream makes my skin flawless and glow.

To be truthful, I look radiant. And happy. I am happy. For once Jade feels happy.

“Bitch please!” Adisa scream, shoving me away from the mirror, “You’ve been staring like a creep at yourself,” she adds, shivering in disgust, her human hair hitting me right in the face.

"Like you don’t,” I reply lamely, sticking my tongue out.

“That’s mature, Jade,” Adisa mumbles, “So mature.”

One hour later—after Adisa’s change of outfit ten times and her styling, restyling and un-styling of her weave and the snail pace application of her makeup—we are on our way to Prof. Benjamin’s lecture.

I cannot concentrate throughout the lecture. Timi is on my mind all the time. Adisa catches me doodling in class and sends me a wink.

I finally send Timi a text, asking him to kindly meet me at the Student Centre by 12:00 mid afternoon.

He replies with a “Yes!! Finally!!” that brings a loud chuckle out of me.

Our lecturer, a fit young man, exuberates so much passion while talking on the renaissance art, however, the class is pretty dead.

Most students look tired, hung over and distracted. This is probably due to the upcoming exams.

Thinking about the exams gives me shivers that rival the ones I get with Timi.

Again.

He slips into my thought.

*

“Take deep breaths. Everything will turn out fine, I promise,” Adisa implores.

I am really nervous and excited about meeting Timi. My body is literally shaking.

“Okay! I can do this,” I say coolly, after taking a set of deep breath with Adisa.

We part way after this with a hug and air-kisses and I make my way to the Student Center.

Timi is sat already on a plastic chair. I use this immense chance to scope him out from the outside thanks to the transparent glass between us.

He looks well relaxed and comfortable and definitely not agitated—not like I am, now after seeing him. His man bun is still on and I get a fantastic view of his profile.

He is currently chatting with another guy from the adjacent table. His black leather jacket hugs the expanse of his shoulder and boosts his manly aura by tenfold.

Taking a deep breath, I put on my big girl pants—mentally of course—and march towards the sliding glass doors.

His unwavering gaze on my face did not help to calm my racing heart.

Butterflies are swarming in my belly and I feel happy in a nervous type of way.

“Hi Timi,” I greet as he pulls out a chair for me in a gentlemanly fashion.

“Thank you.” I murmur. Blushing desperately.

Thank God for my mocha skin.

“It’s a pleasure Jade,” he grins, his pearly teeth on display.

His alluring scent surrounds me invitingly.

“How’s your day going?” he asks, now seated in the opposite chair, his legs brushing mine.

I shiver at this.

“It’s going fine, I had a class this morning,” I reply. “Yours?”

“It’s better now that you are here,” he murmurs gazing deep into my eyes.

Like he can see the real me. It is totally mesmerizing.

I laugh at his reply as I return his stare unabashed. Handsomely beautiful. That is what I can use to describe Timi. Everything about his physical feature is simply perfect. And I am really attracted to him.

However, asides the attraction, there is a major part of what I feel for him that surpass lust and physical attraction.

I want to know him on a deeper level. I want to connect with him more than anything, no pun intended.

The waiter comes over, breaking our soulful stare, and asks merrily if we want anything to drink. So we order Coca-Cola.

“It’s so nice hanging out with you here,” Timi says, after taking a sip of his chilled drink.

“Yea, same here too,” I agree, enjoying the pleasure of my favorite drink.

Our conversation is mostly on the light side as if none of us wants to breach that aspect.

He laughs at my odd stupid jokes and I find myself mesmerized again and again.

“Do you know that the sky is really blue?” I ask stupidly.

“Oh really!??? I never knew,” Timi answers, his brown eyes twinkling with merriment, “I used to think it was red. I must have a poor color vision. Poor, poor me!”

“That’s bad. You can get glasses. Bet you will look hot in them.”

“Really?? I used glasses in secondary school. Trust me, I looked faraway from hot in them,” he says, shivering dramatically.

I laugh out loud at this.

“Probably because you were small and lanky then. But now you are so fine… and handsome,” I say sheepishly, feeling warm.

“So you think I’m handsome?” he asks with a warm smile that blows my mind.

“Yeah, I think so. And beautiful too,” I blurt before I could stop myself. “In fact I think you are handsomely beautiful.”

I quickly take a shot of my drink to escape this embarrassment.

“Funny enough, I think the same thing too, you are very beautiful. Your warm, brown eyes, how they lit up every time you see me. And your smile. Damn, your smile does plentiful things to me,” he replies shyly with a warmer and deeper type of smile that I have never seen on him before.

It gives me shivers and makes me anticipate for more.

More of everything.

“Things like what?” a curious part of me push.

“Things that I would rather show you than tell,” he assures in a husky voice, his eyes darkening, and definitely giving me goose bumps.

“But, here won’t be the right place. And it’s not even the right time.”

My heart pace considerably.

All of my body wants him to show me.

“So……,” we say at the same time and laugh nervously at it.

“You go first Jade.”

“I’m nervous about this,” I reply rubbing my hands together. My feet getting sweaty in my flats.

“Should we move it outside then?” he asks worriedly.

“Yes please,” I answer gratefully.
He pays for the drinks—I beg him not to pay for mine; he refused—as per a gentleman, his words not mine.

We make our way outside and stroll upon a narrow path to a nearby tree.

“I’ve thought of everything about you, I realize that I really like you—it’s beyond superficial—and I want to get to know you better. And if what it takes is for me to date you. Then yeah. I’m in,” I say, standing opposite him, looking into his eyes for answers as I clutch my cross bag tightly for buoyancy.

His warm eyes crinkle with happiness. I am weightless as he lifts me up in a bone crushing hug.

"I promise you won't regret it," he murmurs in my ear.

His alluring scent and big body cocoons me, shielding me from the evil of the world—even if the shield is temporary.

I feel his smile against my face and in that moment I am happy.

For the second time.

*******************

One thing I can’t do without: Food!!!! My favorite is fried yam and egg.

p.s: I actually have more than one favorite! You can call me a foodie^-^

Tell me one thing you cannot do without, I want to know!

Kindly vote and comment.
I will love to hear from you guys!!