The rain came like a hush over the city, steady, gentle like the universe was holding its breath.
Efua stood bare footed in front of the mirror, her sundress clinging to her skin just slightly from the humidity. She wasn't sure why she was nervous, she wasn't new to dates. But this wasn't just a date
This was Jessel….
And Jessel wasn't like the others
They hadn't even touched yet, and still he had stirred something in her chest that made her question if she had ever really been seen before. She tried to steady her breathing as she reached for her perfume, the soft floral-vanilla one she reserved for evenings she wanted to feel delicate but grounded.
Her phone buzzed
Jessel: " I'm parked. No rush. Take your time".
Even that. The way he said things, like he'd already decided she worth waiting for.
She peeped through her window and found him standing outside his car leaning casually against the passenger side door. His grey t-shirt hugged his chest, sleeves slightly rolled. He looked up from his phone and smiled when he saw her .
Not a grin. Not flirtation. Just warmth
"Efua" he said, voice like evening rain. " You look like you walked straight out of a dream I forgot I had".
She blinked, a laugh bubbling from her chest " and you still remembered it?"
He opened the door for her without answering. Just smiled.
They drove to a tucked away café in East legon, one of those hidden spot only locals and international people knew, the soft ambience and gold lighting wraps the place with warmth not too dim but just enough to cast gentle shadows that invites whispers and lingering gazes, with low jazz music.
As they settled into a window seat, the energy between them was electric, slow. Pulling. Unforced
" I like places like this " she said looking around
" I figured" he said. "You seem like someone who doesn't want to talk over noise".
The conversation flowed like they had done this in another life, they spoke about work, dreams, childhood memories. She told him about her goals, the pressure to succeed without appearing too ambitious. Her dream to buy a house, He didn't just listen, he mirrored her thought back with clarity.
" You don't want a house", he said " You want a place where you and your mother never have to shrink again"
She looked at him — really looked.
How was he doing this ?
Midway way through their meal he said something that nearly undid her.
" You always touch your necklace when you are overthinking".
She froze. Her hand was already at her chest
" You've been watching me closely"? she teased, trying to lighten the moment.
He smiled, gently " I've been noticing" there's a difference.
That's when she realized: Jessel didn't look at her like a man waiting for his turn. He looked at her like someone memorizing a poem.
After lunch the rain had stopped, leaving the city washed and shimmering, neither of them wanted the afternoon to end so he drove towards Labadi beach. The sky was overcast, the waves gentle. Efua took off her sandals and stepped into the wet sand letting her toes sink between the sand.
Jessel joined her, both walking in silence, their hands brushing once then again.
" I never come here with men" she said suddenly.
He glanced at her " Why not"
"Too sacred"
She nodded "Thank you for making an exception"
They sat close on the sand, watching the sunset into the ocean. The city felt far away, her walls felt farther
" You feel real to me" she said quietly, unsure where the courage came from.
Jessel just exhaled slowly, " I was hoping you'd say that. Because I've felt real with you for weeks now.
Then he turned to her, meeting her eyes fully, no games, no flirtation behind.
" Efua, I want to date you. No grey areas. No phases.
I want to be the person who chooses you everyday, not just when it's convenient or romantic.
Her breath caught, she felt a heat rush to her face, her chest and her fingertips.
" I've been afraid to want that" she admitted
"Then let me be the one who teaches you how safe it can feel".
She didn't know how long they sat like that, knees brushing, hearts exposed. But when he reached out and traced her cheeks with his thumb, her body leaned in without asking permission from her mind.
He kissed her.
Slow. Grounded . His lips were soft, patient, like he wasn't just kissing her mouth, but her past, her fears, her silence. She melted into it.
It wasn't their first kiss.
It was their first surrender.
When they pulled apart, she whispered, "so this is real?"
Jessel smiled, resting his forehead against hers.
"Efua this is only the beginning".
On the drive home, the silence between them was thick and knowing. He placed one hand on the gear, the other resting on her thigh. No words just the steady rhythm of presence.
At her gate, she lingered. He didn't rush her out. Didn't ask to come up.
He just said, " call me when you feel overwhelmed", or when you just want to sit in silence with someone who gets it.
She nodded. Her heart already knew she would.
As she walked up into her apartment, her heart ached, not from pain but from unfamiliar peace.
Jessel had entered her life like a whisper and still managed to rearrange the volume of everything.
She changed into her robe, took a long soothing shower did her skincare, and sat in her bed, phone buzzing once .
Jessel: " sleep well, woman who sees everything but still hides her heart. I'll be here when you are ready to hand over, no rush" .
Efua smiled.
For the first time in a long while…
She believed him.
Next chapter…..