UNMARRIED... SO? Part 7

 UNMARRIED... SO? Part 7

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"Why didn't you tell me you were terrified of water?"

I said as I plopped Clinton onto the wall in the shed. 

He had started shaking visibly when we got to the middle of the water. 

"I'm not terrified of water, I'm terrified of a relatively large body of water." 

He said and started laughing. I couldn't help but join in, so I sat on the floor with him. 

Right next to him.

I could feel the warmth emanating from his body, so I moved a little. 

He side-eyed me and I looked away. 

"You are cute when you blush"

"I don't blush, I'm a grown woman"

He turned to look at me fully. 

"You are still a girl, Lulu. Don't hide her."

I looked deeply into his eyes. 

"Did you know you were terrified of water -- large bodies of water-- before today?"

"Uhhhhhhhh----" 

He scratched his head. 

I gasped. 

"You knew!! Oh my goodness.. Why did you agree to kayaking?"

"Because you wanted to do it. And I wanted to watch you, to be here with you. It was worth it."

I swatted his arm. 

"Don't do that.. You scared me when your eyes went so huge and you started shaking... "

"Oh dear. Did I ruin it for you? I'm so sorry"

"No.. No, you didn't. I enjoyed kayaking with you, it didn't matter whatever happened"

He stared at me. Right in the eyes. 

I know I did that to him but why do I feel so warm and fuzzy? 

"It sure felt good to see you dote on me.. You were worried"

I could not look away.

"Oh no.. I just didn't want you dy#ing on me.. "

"Ouch" He clutched at his chest in mock agony.

"And there I thought you cared about me".

" I do.. Silly". Wait What??

I froze.

He smiled.

"You care about me?" Almost in a whisper

"Uhmm-- we should leave the shed before the others get back"

I got up in a hurry and bumped my head against a shelf. 

"Owww"

He got up quickly to check on me. 

"Hey.. Are you okay.. Take it easy. Let me see"

"I'm fine, it's just---"

"Let me see it..."

"It's nothing, let's go"

"Lulu... Let me see it"

The way he said 'Lulu' sent shivers down my arm. He was standing too close to me and I could smell hiis perfume.

AGAIN. 

I let him see it. 

"We need to get you some ice so it doesn't swell. It's already forming. Let's go"

He held my hand and led me out. 

"I can walk by myself. I'm fine".

He turned around, looked at me for what felt like a decade, but in reality was about a few seconds. 

"Lulu, I know you can walk by yourself. You can take care of yourself, and you can rule the world. But while I'm here, I want to take care of you. Please...let me."

His tone was pleading and his eyes were soft and genuine. I felt another layer of my walls being brought down and all I did was nod. 

He smiled and led me out to the hut-like spot where they sold drinks and requested for ice and a napkin.

He was gentle.. Not Condescending.

He asked...Not Demanded.

He cracked silly jokes while at it and I sat there and just enjoyed it. 

I didn't realize that I could just be a girl and not in control all the time. 

I haven't felt this safe enough to let myself just... BE. 

"Feel better?"

He snapped me out of my daze.

"Yeah, much. I can barely feel a thing"

"Now..That makes us even"

"Huh... "

"You care about me.... And very obviously, I care about you too."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out so I just shut it and smiled. 

We walked to the car and talked about what to have for lunch or dinner. It took me a while to realize that we were holding hands. It felt natural. Normal. Good. 

"I called Aunty Ene" 

I said when we got to the car and I leaned on it. 

"Really.. How did that go?"

"Well, she's not sorry about what she did", 

I laughed.

"But I told her that her meddling days were over. She understood"

I intentionally left out the part where she said she knew that Clinton was the right one for me and if we did end up together, we owed her. 

Definitely not saying that. 

"That's nice. Well, all things being equal, I have her to thank. I may never have met you. Now that I think of it... What was I doing before I met you"

"Ha ha.. Very funny" 

"No I'm serious. It's only been about a month and some, and I cannot remember what my life was like"

I blinked hard. Unknowingly. 

"Lulu, I don't mean to be so forward or pushy. But I need to tell you how I feel about you. You don't have to say anything right now but... I have to."

I nodded.

Almost unnoticeably.

Gosh, my heart was beating in my ears. 

"You have been an actual ray of sunshine. I love your dedication to your work, your family, and your faith. How you set up guards to protect yourself but deep down you really are a sweetheart. I look forward to spending time with you, talking with you, doing nothing with you. I like you, Lulu." 

He chuckled and stepped back as if taking in a full view of me. 

"I like you a lot. And I know that it may be too fast too soon, but I would love to be the man of your dreams."

He took my right hand and placed it on his heart. I was limp and went along with it. 

"If you will have me"

Silence.

Awkward silence. 

"Well, someone better yell CUT or I'll go on another monologue"

I burst into laughter.

Good ice breaker.. 

"You intrigue me, Lulu. And I want to tread this path with you."

"Clinton---"

"You don't have to say anything right now---"

"I know. I want to."

I stepped away from the car and took deep breaths before turning back to face him. He was leaning on the car now. 

So.. Roles reversed.. Lol. 

"I was terrified when I realized how much I liked you. It was like alarm bells ringing all over the place and I tried to quiet them. Especially within such a short time. I thought... maybe, attachment. But it's not that. It's you."

"Me..?"

"Yes, you. You confront the parts of me that I tucked away. The parts of me that I was too ashamed to say to myself. You make me feel safe and also make me feel strong at the same time.. It's like two sides of the same amazing coin. You make me laugh.. Effortlessly. You know what.. I knew I was done for when I didn't block you after the Daniel issue... I just wanted to see what it would do to me. What you would do to me.. "

He pulled me close. 

"And now?"

"I'm scared out of my mind Clinton. I don't know how not to be who I am or if this is all just a façade that'll fade."

"But..?"

"But here you are..."

"Here I am.. We don't have to rush anything. If anyone knows how things could go downhill fast, it's both of us...I'm not perfect, Lulu.. But I want to learn you and with you."

"There's so much I don't know about you."

"I'll tell you everything...everything you need to know."

My alarms were silent.

Weird. It was as though I was in a bubble. 

I could barely feel the pain on my head anymore. 

I looked up at him and smiled. 

A genuine calm smile. 

He kissed my forehead and hugged me. 

And I just realized... WE HAD NEVER HUGGED UNTIL NOW! 

"Let me take care of you, Lulu.. I'll never let you go."

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart"

I pulled away from the hug and he wiped my teary eyes. 

"I'm hungry". . He burst into laughter and we got in the car. 

"Wait.. What does this mean now?"

"You mean.. What are we now?"

"Yeah, it needs a definition"

"Don't worry, I'll ask you properly. Like a lady should be asked. "

We drove out of the parking lot into the express and my inner voices were quiet, as if satisfied and full. 

Is this it? 

To be continued... 

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