Chapter 5 Could this be Love

We got to the studio, It was a one room divided into two sections using an orange coloured curtain. One section for the clients and the inner section for editing and shooting. I did the shoot but it was a nature shoot. I didn't like the interiors. What held me there was the editing. I got to meet some other Facebook friends there, mostly guys. I got so many compliments. We gisted about so many things while waiting for the pictures to get edited, I got to know that he was 20 and not yet in college too. I kept checking my time and complaining of my curfew.

Most of them were surprised, they felt I should be allowed to stay a bit late. Well I wouldn't blame them, they don't know how my parents behave most especially, my dad.

"It's getting late, I should get going" I told Dom after checking the time and it was 5:30pm. The client's room was now empty. I had just 30mins left and I knew it wouldn't be enough time to get back home. The stress of boarding several transportations and possible traffic congestion was not the only problem but it was the rainy season, the interior roads leading to my house were bad. I've been living there for the past 8 years. No changes.

" What about your pictures?" Dom asked.

"You know what? You can go back home anytime right?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Good you will get them and send them to me" he nodded again.

"So let me go tell them I'm leaving" I said while attempting to stand. He held me back. I was about to turn and ask what was wrong but I met his face so close to mine and his eyes staring at lips.

I got caught in the moment, slowly he started inching forward, not taking his eyes off my lips for once. I wasn't helping him out. I sat there transfixed. I tilted my lips slightly open as his lips were about to touch mine. Just then the door opened and we shifted away from each other, then I realized I had been holding my breath the whole time. I started breathing heavily trying to catch my breath. Without looking at him I got up abruptly and went over to the inner room. After informing them of my departure, I came out and found him in deep thoughts. I called out his name but he didn't reply.

"Dom," I said again, this time gently shaking him. He turned and stared at looking like he was lost.

"Do you mind escorting me outside?" he nodded before I could finish asking. So we stepped out into the cold evening and walked in silence.

"I'm sorry about what happened back there" he finally broke the silence, grabbing my hands gently. It felt so good. With the cold breeze blowing in my face I looked up to the sky hoping this moment would last. Thoughts about going home late left my mind as I tried to enjoy the moment. I wondered why he was apologizing. Maybe it's the most manly thing to do. Hadn't he seen I had wanted it as much as he did. But I would be rushing things by accepting that fact.

"It's fine," I replied absently. He turned to look at me. I could feel him staring but I didn't look his way. Because I was blushing badly while relieving that moment over and over again. That wouldn't have been my first kiss though but my first romantic kiss. Others were done totally without my permission and I didn't like it.

"Okay, you should board a bus here so you won't be late" he said finally breaking the silence and ruining the moment for me. I didn't want to let go of his hands but I just had to. He stopped a bus for me and I reluctantly let go of his hands and boarded the bus. I waved at him as the bus drove off.

I alighted at the park and strolled into a music store to get the latest albums. Even if I'm not celebrating anything, at least I should dance to loud music all day, I thought to myself. Maybe there will be a change this year. I smiled while trying to decide between two different albums I just picked.

* * * * * *

Two days to my birthday I'm Seated as usual at home doing nothing, scrolling through different social media platforms, laughing at jokes posted. Some friends who actually remember that it's my birthday in a few days message me wishing me a Happy Birthday in Advance. Of course Zoe, my bestie wasn't left out.

"Babe, happy birthday in advance" Zoe texted.

"Thank you babes" I replied back.

"So how far have you gone with the preparations for the celebration?" she typed back.

"Babe you know already, there's usually no celebrations" I reminded her.

"You have to look for a way to change that, you can't continue this way". She kept pushing.

"I Know babes, don't worry I'll think about it, if I come up with anything I will let you know". Just then Christian's message entered. I abandoned Zoe's own to go check it out.

"Happy birthday in advance daughter" I opened Christian's message and it read. It's been a long time since he texted. I thought to myself and decided to send it too.

"You haven't been looking for me" he replied back immediately". Actually he's been busy with school recently. I can't even remember the last time we spoke. I met Christian last year the same year I met Kelly. Kelvin Solomon, that was his name. The guy who's left me in a confused state as to whether I'm still a Virgin or not. But he preferred to be called Kelly. Someday I'll share this story. Christian happens to be in the same state University as my sister Diana. That's how we even became close. I remember he once asked me out but I had turned him down so he asked me to be his daughter which I readily agreed. Then that was the trending thing, having a second father on social media or having a best friend of the opposite gender. We all knew how this kind of relationship ended. Well as for my own father daughter relationship? We hadn't even met yet.

"So can we meet?" Speaking of meeting, Christian's message popped up.

"Yeah, sure. Venue and time?" I don't know why I agreed that fast but let's just say I would really love to finally meet him.

"10am at the circus" he typed back.

"Pls dress sexy and keep to time" he stressed. I was about to type back asking what he meant by that when he sent "Lol, just kidding".

"Alright then, see you tomorrow" I texted back rounding up our chats.

Dad had travelled that very evening. I knew he wouldn't be around that's why I accepted the meeting with Christian. Now I was left with just my mum to face. I told her I was going to meet an old High school friend of mine pertaining to my birthday. She had thrown all kinds of questions on me and I had tactfully answered them. So by 10:20am the next day I arrived at the circus wearing a tiger print, knee length straight gown with black, flat shoes to match. I was never the type of person to keep to time. I brought out my phone and dialed Christian's number informing him I was there. He told me he was there too and asked me to walk down a little and I will find him. Truly when I walked down a bit I did find him. I was surprised I was able to recognize him on the first meeting, unlike Dom.

"Hi" I said while accessing him. He was well dressed putting on a senator top made with Ankara material on a black trousers. He was short and fair skinned. He didn't look that bad.

"You're dressed a bit too serious and outdated" he said and I froze. Seems he had been checking me out too.

"Your gown looks nice no doubt but if you had put on slippers instead of these flat shoes it would have made a whole lot of sense" he went on. And I just kept mute. I couldn't believe he was actually saying that to me on the first meeting. Seems he is the " I'll say it exactly as it is" kind of guy.

" Let's go sit there," he said, pointing over at a spot. Not even stopping to think for a moment how I felt about what he just said.