On a hot Thursday afternoon, the kind where the sun burns through people's heads. Love came knocking.
I was on my way home when I saw this handsome looking tall, and confident young man. I was just assessing him in my head.
Then I heard a voice, calm, teasing and full of confidence.
Hey beautiful! I'm your new neighbor.
"I smirked." Not ready for a conversation, though.
He gave me a captivating smile, revealing his dimple.
He was wearing a black fitted shirt, revealing his masculine build, sweat dripping on his neck, holding his car key gently with one finger. Such an attractive young man. I said to myself.
The kind of guy your mother warns you about, and your heart still says just a small.
I rolled my eyes, but my heart giggled before my mouth could stop it.
That was how Keston entered my life. Not with Roses or Cars, but with Jokes, easy charm and laughter.
We talked briefly, and I welcomed him into the neighborhood. We exchanged contact information with a few side jokes.
But somehow, in those few moments, I felt I'd known him before my heartbreak started.
Every morning, I'd wake up with a message from Keston. "Good morning, my Angel," and every time I'd blush.
Some mornings, Keston would drop me off at my workplace before going to his office. He was so caring.
It was after a week, as Keston dropped me off at work, he told me he would pick me up at the close of work.
"I'm downstairs." He said as I answered the call.
His countenance was different. This time it was cold. Unlike his usual self,lf full of praise. Our drive home was quiet. At my gate, he said
"Freshen up, be at my place at p.m."
The way he sounded, part of me wanted to decline, but the other part of me has grown so fond of him. I wanted to find out why the mood changed
His house shows and smells rich.
With lighted candles and petals. Table set for two. I was impressed cause it felt like Valentine's.
"You cooked?"
I asked.
"Not really, but I'm trying everything possible to impress you."
I smiled.
We had dinner almost in silence. When I tried asking him about it earlier, he waved it off.
At some point, the house was silent. Not in an awkward way, but it was charged with emotions. The distance between us became smaller.
Just when I couldn't resist his gaze, he stretched his hands towards my chin.
I like you a lot, Sophie. More than I should.
I didn't expect that. Not with the way he behaved on our way from work. But his honesty awakened something deep inside of me.
I told him he barely knew me. But he said he has known enough to want me.
He gave me so many promises of love and how he was going to make me the centre of his world.
When I felt the sincerity in his voice, I agreed immediately to become the happiest girl in the world. I have suffered a lot. Besides you don't keep a hot and charming prince waiting. And just like that, I let go of all my defenses.
"Let's see how it goes." Maybe we can work. I said.
"He smiled."
A hug so warm and soothing followed.
That's all I needed to feel.
I couldn't resist it, I didn't even pull away. That hug was tight and deliberate. I was lost completely in his embrace. That instant, I was completely blown away.
He stood up and pulled me up. He turned on the music. He brushed a strand of hair around my ear. My body was already rising with passion, his fingers lingered on my cheek so warm and steady, then slowly, he leaned in.
"We kissed."
It wasn't a hungry or practiced kiss,
It was a slow, intense and careful kiss. The kind that speaks without words and makes you yearn for more. Nothing else in that moment matters; we just wanted to enjoy our company and flow with the beat.
All I could feel was his warmth and his breath. I told myself something real is happening between us.
When I finally pulled away, for a few seconds, there was silence, and then he whispered, "I had wanted to kiss you from the first day I met you."
"You took your time," I said, and we smiled softly.
"Some things are worth waiting for he whispered." At that moment, just staring at the lighted candles, I believed him.
At the balcony,
It felt like it wanted to rain.
I wanted to stay there forever, wishing this moment would never end.
When it finally wanted to drizzle, he said-
"I guessed the universe wanted you to stay longer."
"Maybe the universe wanted me to run home immediately," I said jokingly.
He stepped further again, planted a kiss on my cheek and said, " Then let me walk you home."
The walk back to my place was filled with laughter. He told me about his childhood memories. At some point, he hesitated like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.
Thank you for tonight, I said.
But he placed his fingers across my lips, "You made the night much better."
The rain began to fall harder, but I chose not to rush my feelings. I'm still in awe and I couldn't wipe the smile away from my face.
It's been a long I felt this good.
"I felt seen."
While going through the night's event, as I lay on my bed, I felt this warmth in my chest that I didn't want to lose.
Keston cooking for me, the laughter, the care in his voice, the way he looked at me, the shared moments, I recalled them all and smiled at each thought.
The kiss, such a passionate and beautiful moment. Never wanted it to end, and in between memory and sleep, I realized something terrifying and beautiful.
I had fallen in love!