Chapter 42💖

Grace

I snuggled closer to the warmth that I was pressed to but opened my eyes the moment I remembered who I laid next to.  His hands were around my waist and our legs were tangled, while my head rested on his chest.

"Kunle," I called, pushing him but instead of pulling away, he rolled over, coating me with his body.

"Get off me," I whispered, suddenly milked by his eyes which never left mine.

"Kunle." This time it was a plea which he ignored and rather traced slow kisses from my forehead to my lips before setting me free from his cages which had me breathless.

"You don't have to sleep on the cushion. I will sleep on the floor," He volunteered as I slowly caught my breath.

"No need." I sat up, switched on the bedside lamp and placed my pillow between us as a boundary.

"This won't stop us from cuddling."

My glare was a response to his statement. But instead of being intimidated as planned, he burst into laughter. "I'm sorry, you just look funny," He said and I smiled.

"Finally I got a smile."

I moved to the edge of the bed and switched off the lamp. "Don't you dare come close to me."

"I can't assure you that."

***

I woke to an empty room and slight ache in my head that increased as I turned to the window across the room who's curtains were drawn, letting in radiant sunlight.

"Uhmm, I made breakfast but..."

"Good morning Kunle."

"Sorry, good morning baby," He said scratching his head and walking into the room

"What is wrong?"

"I burnt our breakfast."

Forgetting my ache, I burst into laughter, while he stood watching me with seriousness. "Chef Kunle."

"Are you going to make breakfast for us or are you going to sit  there laughing at my  effort?" He inquired with his hand akimbo.

"Don't worry yourself I will cook, I just need to use the restroom."

"Thank you," he said and walked out while I rushed to the bathroom.

**

Still on my pyjamas, I walked into the kitchen where he stood staring at fry pan with a burnt content in it. "What were you trying to prepare?"

"I tried making pancakes and I messed it up."

I shook my head in disappointment, "Shift let me do better thing jor. Your dad will be disappointed."

He obediently moved like a two-year-old, leaned on the wall with hands folded while I trashed the supposed pancake.

"What?"

"I am learning," He said.

He lifted himself and sat on the kitchen cabinet where I mixed the flour.

"I want to clarify something now," he said as I nodded and switched on the gas.

"Why are you mad at me?"

"Seriously, right now? You are asking this now when I am close to the fire and a hot pan."

"Sorry avatar, I just wanted to know, but before you burn me with your fire powers, bye-bye." He jumped from the cabinet and left me with my cooking.

***

With my legs crawled on the sofa I switched the station and threw a hand full of popcorn into my mouth while it rained heavily with lightning. In Nigeria, I knew light and rain were enemy's thus it was like a taboo to see light when it rained.

"Can we talk?"

Sighing, I nodded and reduced the volume of the Tv set.

"I am sorry...I mean it," He started after taking the sofa beside me.

"Hearing you apologize is exhausting," I said placing the bowl of popcorn on the table.

"So I am forgiven?"

"I just need space Kunle, everything is moving too fast."

He nodded and covered my hands with his "I know, and I am sorry Grace. I am sorry for everything."

"What do you want?" I inquired suddenly exhausted from my own annoyance. It felt like I was hurting more than I should.

"I want you. Yes... I know right now you don't believe a word I say...but I want you." He squeezed my hands.

I looked into his eyes and there it was, all written in those brown eyes that danced with assurance, pain, hope, and love mixed together.

"I can't do this," I whispered, pulling my hands away from his.

"I know you don't trust me, neither do you believe anyword I say."  Smiling, he stood.

I watched him walked to the door, slowly turned the knob, and sauntered out while tears rolled down my cheeks.

I love him.

But despite my feelings, I was scared. Scared of the unknown, scared he might change just like Ken. Through in between my fears I knew I couldn't raise the child alone, there was no way he would let it happen. Therefore I was in a lose-lose situation.

It was either I lose the man I love because of fear or, I lost my pride and have the love of my life.

Picking the latter, I rushed out the door and stood in the empty pavement which shielded me from the rain.

" Kunle!" Carefully, I stepped into the rain that immediately had me shivering as my clothes got soaked.

"Kunle!" I called again and like before, I was met with no response and it increased my fear of pushing him too far as I rushed further down the road with my heart pounding.

"What the fuck are you doing in the fucking rain?!" Following the direction of his voice, I turned and was shocked to see him standing at the corridor with his clothes dried and not dripping like mine.

"Where did you go to?" I inquired now under the protection of the roof as I stood beside him.

"This." He pointed to the corridor which led to the other end of the house, "goes around. I needed to think. What were you doing in the rain?"

"I thought you left?"

"It's pouring heavily, no sane person will go into this thunderstorm," he said and just to justify his words, lightning stroke.

"Which makes me insane."

"I never said such. You need a change of clothes Grace."

"Don't worry, I am ok," I said but sneezed right after.

"Come here." He pulled me into the building and straight to the bathroom where he prepared a hot bath. "Take off your wet clothes."

I hurriedly stepped out of the wet ones into a white towel.

"Come here."

"Bossy," I said picking my clothes from the floor.

"You love me that way."

"I admit, I love you but I hate it when you get all bossy and pushy not considering other people's feeling," I said, nonchalantly. But the moment my words dawned on me, I placed my palms on my lips, letting go of my dress.

"Say those words again baby, I didn't get them," he requested, staring into my wide eyes.

"I said nothing." I picked my dress back and tried walking past him to the bath which surely was getting cold but he pulled me back.

"Say it."

"I need to shower Kunle," I said suppressing a sneeze.

"Jesus just say it Grace. Tell me how you feel for once," he cried with depression while I shivered, not from the cold but the stemming emotions that were visible in his eyes.

"I love you, are you ok now?"

"I am not. Gush Grace." He let go of my hands and roamed around the room.

This was not the reaction I expected, he seemed confused and frustrated. He was suddenly reminded of my presence the moment  I sneezed.

"Get in."

I slowly walked into the bath and turned as he strolled in behind me. "What are you doing?"

"I will be bathing you."

"I can..." I swallowed my words just as I met his glare.  "Sorry."

He switched on the hot shower and stood before me as I took off my towel. "I love you, I love you so much," he said, with his hands on my cheeks.

***

Kunle

I Love you.

The journey between the known and the unknown, a journey unending the leaving and hard. But those three words from the woman I loved was an ending to a lot of pain and uncertainty for as I stared at her naked form staring up at me, I knew I never was to let this one go.

At least not in this lifetime.

***

Grace

"So." His hands were intertwined with mine as we sat on the beach staring at the sunset which ended our supposed vacation or prank vacation.

"So."

"Your birthday is around the corner or should I say around the window."

"I will be twenty-four."

"Growing older and crazier."

"Of course," I said standing and pulling him up. I motioned him to bend and jumped on his back.

"Jesus, the baby," he warned.

"I swear I don't feel pregnant," I said as he moved his hands down my ass and gave it a tight squeeze. "You are meant to back me not massage my ass."

"There are no rules to backing." He gave another tight squeeze and I slapped his shoulders.

"Sorry."

"You are a pervert."

"You bring out the worst in me," he said walking us to the waters while I wrapped my hands around his neck as we suddenly grew quiet.

"What will people say Kunle?" I inquired, breaking our silence.

"About?"

"Us. I am this girl that swings the pole and you..."

"My Dad loves you, my friends are crazy about you and I am dead without you, so fuck those people. Them no dey my agenda."

His last sentence had me smiling as he stood with the water on his angle. My worries of last night were still there but gradually fading as we spent more time together learning, laughing and fighting.

"Grace?"

"Yeah."

"Tell me you love me."

I burst into laughter before saying, "No."

"C'mon baby."

"Oya drop me first." He did as was told and turned around with his hands on my waist and our feet covered with cold waters.

"I love you Kunle."

***

Authors note

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all. So I'm done with this baby and next up is the epilogue 💖.