Love, they say, can show up when you least expect it. One minute you are thinking of yourself alone, and the next somebody's son is constantly in your head.
I was surprised how quickly Keston had become a routine. From his attention, to love, to care, to gifts. He was such an intentional man.
Lately, I hardly stress myself.
Cause when he was not cooking for me, he was ordering something yummy.
That evening, he called.
"Dinner?" he said. "Something quiet."
No phones, just us.
He made the table reservations. The restaurant he chose was the kind of place that made conversations easy.
Keston stood when I walked in, and he rolled up his black shirt, with eyes beaming with affection.
"You look perfect". He whispered. As he pulled out the chair for me to sit.
"How do you manage to know the latest sit out in town. " I asked.
"Worry not," He said.
Your social life is about to experience a change. He said.
"I'm not a novice," I told him.
I was not just ready for some noise.
On our way home, inside the car, I rested my hand close to his, to feel the warmth from his skin.
We saw this live band group performing just along the road.
"Stop"
I said.
"You have a thing for Music."
He asked. As we looked for a corner to park.
I swayed on the dance floor, carried away by the soft high-life music.
Keston watched in admiration.
But I wasn't satisfied.
I dragged him to the centre of the stage. He felt shy initially, but he obliged.
Like lovers, we danced to the admiration of others...
"It's been a long I heard good music."
I said, as we drove off.
"Create time to enjoy life"
You will love it for yourself. He said.
"Yes, My Love" I said, smiling
There's a way love will make you feel like a baby, I said to myself.
For years, I had stopped attending events.
Tina had tried to drag me along, but still I refused. There's a way you will feel hurt, and the outside world won't exist to you.
"I want to hear something you don't tell people often," he said. Distracting me from my thought.
I'm scared of being too happy,"
I said, slowly.
"Somehow, whenever things feel good and perfect for me, I start waiting for the moment it will change."
"Maybe perfection isn't meant to last," he said, thoughtfully. "but that doesn't mean it isn't real while it happens." He added.
He was right!
We did not rush the goodbye. Instead, we sat in the parked car, his gaze held mine, steady and searching.
We kissed slowly, like a secret being told for the first time.
"That moment was when I remembered I forgot to sign the report Tina brought to my office."
I'm in love, Girl.
The minute we pulled apart, the world felt quieter, as if even the air was waiting for what would happen next.....
While serious people were busy working, the likes of me were busy chatting.
"Where's your mind?"
Tina asked, as she stared at me.
"With Keston at the moment," I said. Eyes fixed on my phone, chatting.
"I have been with you in this office, but you seem not to notice me," She queried.
"Do you love him that much?" She asked.
"Have you seen the way he adores me?" I winked.
Babe, his level of intentionality is top-notch.
I said, smiling.
He listened without complaining, he lights up my mood, and he communicates properly without disappearing," I emphasized.
Tell me, babe, what more can a woman of my type want more on a man? I asked, dropping my phone.
Love is not supposed to be hard, right?
"Marry him before he changes, is mind the,?" she teases.
"I can't wait".
Wednesday night, we had dinner together. That day, I listened as she shared his recent challenge he had at the office.
I gave my little input as the Intelligent girl that I am. And he was blown away.
"Seems you are going to stand in for me at my next presentation." He said.
"I will send my rate," I said jokingly.
He stretched his hand to hold me.
"Sophie ", he called quietly, "you made everything feel new again."
He gave me those " I can do anything for you, look" which made me believe him.
We drifted into the night as his fingers caressed my cheek.
As he moved closer, he brushed the edge of my forehead with his lips....
At my door,
"Dream of something worth waking up for." He said.
Our bond felt good, yet some quiet part of me wondered how long perfection could stay untouched.
Over time, Keston and I became really close. We talked in the morning and ate together.
He used every little moment to hold me, especially when I walked beside him.
He was big on affection.
The way he listened, the way he remembered things I barely said. It made me feel seen in a way I had never experienced
Then came Saturday morning!
It was Keston's call that woke me up
Saturday morning.
"Still in bed?" he teased.
"Maybe."
"Get up. I'm taking you somewhere."
"It's the weekend, Keston."
Exactly. Weekends are for memories. Dress comfortably." He said.
We went to the beach,
Sat under the umbrella, watched people as they jogged around, and children playing with kites.
"This place is my escape," he said. "When work gets too loud."
"Looks peaceful," I replied.
"It wasn't like this always. He added.
Here is my go-to place when I need to think.
Now, he turned to me, "I knew everything I wanted."
"Keston," I called.
He only smiled. Sophie, just be here.
So I did.
After eating, he pulled me close to himself, and my head rested against his shoulder. His arms were around me, and I felt protected.
"You know," I said, "you have a bad habit of showing up right when I'm trying to build walls."
"Then I'll keep showing up until you forget why you built them."
"That's Peace"
Us together, no rush, no tension. Just two people enjoying the feeling of how right it was to be together.