Unhinged

It's been three months already, all she could think about was seeing him or at least hearing from him. She last heard from him last month and she has been calling, it's always someone picking up and telling her he's not around at the moment, not until she couldn't reach him again.

She became worried,not until his parents told her they had spoken with him the previous week. She was so happy, he's alright At least.

But she became worried again, when she asked the reasons for his unavailability to answer her calls. She was told they were at war, with a certain deadly group that has been contributing to national insecurities. However, they assured her, he was alright and would call her when he is available to talk with her.

Her intuition told her to ask,why wouldn't he call her directly but she decided to let it slide and hope that he's gonna call as they promised.

Still, she couldn't wave away the sense of skepticism she felt. But she pushed away at the back of her mind and relaxed a bit . However, She decided not tell them yet about her pregnancy, at least not until she told her parents first.

She slouched on the couch after the call ended and touched her belly which hasn't shown any sign of pregnancy yet . She rubbed it in a circular motion and reminisced on how she met Kelvin.

She had worked as a secretary in an Academic lesson center. She was just another human being who feels she's just existing. Nothing is going on for her, she felt she was just living, working and trying to fit in into what every other normal human being was doing.

Until Kelvin she thought life was very boring and uninteresting ,though it seems the words only existed in her side of the world . She had only a friend, who is so different from her ,crazy is the word to describe her friend, she thinks. But even at that her friend with all her craziness hasn't managed to change her perspective about life

For her, she was just passing through life not really paying attention but for her friend everything was fun . She sometimes wishes she could live a little more like her friend. But being the only child and raised by a single mom who struggled to provide for her was not fun .

She woke up this particular morning not feeling any different than any other days. She struggled out of the bed, brushed her teeth, took her bath and decided to wear a dress with a yellow flower motif . The day was already looking gloomy to her and she did not want to look gloomy as the day was. While she was styling her hair ,she heard her mom calling her to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Mom,I'll be there in two minutes ",she said as she tried to apply mascara on her eyelashes. She ended up smudging it .

"Good lord", she said, shaking her head . When she thought everything was not looking so fine,this happened, making it bad. Would it get any better,she asked herself. She went over to the sink to wash her face and decided, makeup was not for her today.

"Rose honey, your food is getting cold", she heard her mom say . She patted her face dry and carried her bag and left her room down to the kitchen.

"Good morning mom, she said as she took her breakfast to the table and sat to eat. Looking at her time,she saw she had 40 minutes left to get to work. She rushed her breakfast , kissed her mom goodbye and left hurriedly.

She got to work quite early and had time to arrange her working space . She sat down to resume work and prayed the day didn't get worse.

Soon, the manager came in looking all grumpy and irritated. He started cussing at everyone, she prayed he wouldn't remember her. She hid well in her corner not talking, just observing. Seems, everything and everyone was bent frustrating her today, she thought when the manager turned towards her direction and said something about her looks and her not always dressing professional enough.

Immediately, the manager went inside his office,slamming the door to his office behind him. She sighed in frustration and sat down on her chair and shut everyone out.

"Don't put it into heart, sweetheart", Mrs Kate said.

" He's just in one of his moods",she whispered. "Don't let his words bother you at all darling", she chipped in.

Rose Smiled appreciatively. Mrs Kate was one of the few people that paid her attention at work .

Shortly after everyone settled down, he walked in , tall, handsome and unbelievably attractive. Exuding an energy that can't be ignored with masculine scent that made every head turn. He was wearing an army uniform. He was huge and 7ft tall. Rose stood up to welcome him.

"Good day Sir, how may I help you sir", she said to him.

"Hey beautiful, I'm here to see Mr Conwell. Is he in ? , he said with a voice rich in masculinity yet has a soft edge to it .

Rose was taken aback by his compliment. No one has ever spared her a second glance let alone complimenting her .

"Yes he is in, do you have an appointment with him?" ,she asked him while trying hard to hide the fact that she is blushing .

"No.i don't, but pls tell him his nephew is here to see him", he said.

"Okay sir", Rose said as she talked to Mr Conwell on the phone on his nephew's arrival.

"sir, he will receive you now ", she said

"Okay,thank you ", he said as he went into Mr Conwell's office.

Rose was told to bring in some coffee few minutes later. And when she came in to drop the coffee, she caught him studying her which made her a bit clumsy. And when he wasn't staring at her, she stole glances at him And when he was done serving the coffee she went back to her desk feeling all giddy, a feeling she doesn't understand.

"Hi again, I'm Kelvin", he said extending a hand.

"I'm Rose, sir ", she said putting her hand in his to reciprocate his greetings and all the while avoiding his eyes for a reason she doesn't really know.

"Nice to meet you Rose", he said with a smile and as Rose smiled back her uneasiness melted away.

As she went home that day,he was all she thought about and all through the night he kept seeing his face . She tossed and turned and when she finally slept, she dreamt about his smile

Over the rest of the days, she didn't see him again . Until she ran into him at the bus station, she was surprised to see him.

They boarded the same bus and when he took his seat, she deliberately sat behind him and hoped he wouldn't talk to her. And he didn't, until they alighted from the bus. She walked away hurriedly as soon as her feet touched the ground but was surprised when someone fell into walking space with her.

She knew it was him. It was the same masculine scent of his, she couldn't have mistaken it, but she refused to acknowledge his presence and pretended not to have noticed him.

" Hi Rose, we meet again ", he said, extending his hands to her.

"Oh God, that voice", Rose thought as she turned her head towards him and tried hard to hide her rising blush. "Oh ummh, hi Mr Kelvin, nice to meet you again", she stuttered shyly , accepting his extended hand.

"Off to work?" , he asked

"Yeah " , Rose answered

"We're going the same direction then", he said.

" Oh ,you have something to do at the office? Mr Conwell doesn't really come to the office this early", she added without waiting for an answer to her question. " God pls help me, " she thought as she mentally hit her head with her palm.

"Oh no, I'm not going to the office nor do I have any business with my uncle. I came back from the force on leave . So I decided to come stay with my uncle here in Florida. I'm going to be here for a while, until I'm called back,that is. So I figured that instead of staying idle, I could be useful", he said.

"So you're looking for a job then ?", Rose asked him.

"Already got one, at the coffee shop down the street", he said.

"Wow, I'm surprised. I mean you could just work at the office", she said.

"I know, just wanted it low key. Plus wouldn't want to be the reason for a constant distraction at work", he said chuckling.

"I mean, I saw how everyone was staring the other day when I walked in, it was a bit embarrassing", he said chuckling again.

"That means you caught me staring too ", she said blushing .

He looked at her and when she turned to meet his gaze, they burst out laughing. He walked her to the door of the office and promised to wait for her after working hours so they could go home together.

Rose was overly excited all through the day, she smiled often and sometimes seemed lost in thought. That didn't go unnoticed by her colleagues at work, they knew her to always be by herself in her own little corner. And everyone was eager to know the reason behind the new development.

Work went smoothly for Rose, at least she thought it did go smoothly for her, she wasn't so sure about the others. She had almost forgotten, Kelvin had promised to wait for her after work hours , she almost jumped out her skin when she saw him leaning on the wall patiently waiting for her, when she came outside the office building.

"Hi Mr Kelvin", she greeted.

"Oh pls it's Kelvin, drop the formality already", he said smiling at her .

"Okay, Kelvin.....shall we ?", she asked as she returned back his smile.

"Yes we shall ", he nodded.

They walked to the bus station and conversed all through the way home and almost forgot themselves. They exchanged contact and She bid him farewell when they got to the bus stop and took the route to her home.

The excitement didn't leave her. She called her only friend Clara to at least find closure or some advice or anything at all. She just wanted to bare her heart out to.

On the second ring, Clara picked up .

"Hey girlfriend", she cooed.

"Hey, could you come over, I want to discuss something with you", she asked hoping she wouldn't say she's held up with work.

"Yeah, sure girl . Is everything alright though? I mean you sound very alright but it sounds urgent", she asked.

"Yes I am, it's just matters of the heart. I think I like someone ", she said blushing.

"Really, OMG Rose,you met a boy ?", Clara squealed.

"Might as well be a man, just come over Clar", okay?

"Give me thirty minutes", she said.

They hung up the call and Rose decided to freshen up and wait for her friend. Forty five minutes later,the doorbell rang. She rushed out to open the door for her.

"Sorry I'm late babe, I brought an apology gift though", she said as she produced a pack of pizza and two soft drinks from her bag.

"Aww, Clar, thank you for the gift. You know I wouldn't hold that against you, I knew you would be at work. I'm so glad you came", she said, hugging her friend.

They sat down and opened the pack of pizza and each took a slice. Rose told her friend how she met Kelvin And everything that has happened up to the moment they were talking. Clara only listened attentively and watched as her friend poured her heart out to her.

"...... So that's it", she concluded as she waited for her friend to say something.

"So,you love him?", Clara asked.

"Love? I don't know but if I'm being honest to myself, i really do like him", she said looking at the pizza she hasn't touched.... She took a bite and closed her eyes savoring the sweetness. She opened her eyes some seconds later to see her friend looking at her.

"What", she asked her friend.

"Does he feel the same way?", Clara asked her.

"Honestly I don't really know, we just seem cool with each other. I just love the way he looks at me", she said almost thoughtfully.

" Okay babe , I understand how you feel. But you have to keep your feelings in check at least until you are sure he feels the same way as you. I don't want you putting your heart out and having it trashed,just like that jerk did to you", Clara said.

At the mention of what happened in her last relationship, Rose frowned. But her friend was quick to notice.

"I'm sorry I brought that up Rose, I'm just looking out for you", Clara said as she put her hand on her friend's shoulder to comfort her.

"I understand Clar, that's why I called to talk to you about it. You know me better than anyone else and you've always been her to comfort me at my lowest. And you're right, once beaten twice shy. He hasn't said anything about having any feeling for me. I let my feelings ahead of me", she said.

"It's okay to feel this way babe, just be careful and give it time and don't rush things, okay ?", Clara advised.

"Yeah, Thank you Clar. I love you ", she said hugging her friend.

"You too girlfriend", Clara replied her friend and hugged her back.

Fifteen minutes later, Rose saw her friend off and retired for the night. Does he feel the same way as she does towards him, she slept with the thought in her mind.

Kevin's POV

Her eyes, he thought, remembering the hazel pool of her eyes that he almost drowned in when he first met her at the office. The sound of her voice melted his worries when he heard it.

He had come over to his uncle's place because he felt he needed a change of environment and to think his mind off the gothic pictures of war from his mind. Certainly, falling in love was not part of the plan, Yes he knew something was cultivated inside of him from the first time he set his eyes on her. His parents had pleaded he stayed with them until he went back to base but he had that push to come over here,whatever it is, he hoped it was for good.

Having had a prior notice of his coming, his uncle's family had welcomed him with open arms and excitement . He had told his uncle that he would like to keep himself busy while staying with them and his uncle had tried to convince him to work for him at the office.

He however had declined with excuses. Working at the coffee shop was more convenient for him. He had started working today at the coffee shop and never told anyone who he was,even his employer. He just wanted to enjoy the peace, quietness and solitude and possibly clear his head before he goes back to base.

His day started off well as he never expected to meet Rose on his way to work. He knew she had tried to pretend she didn't see him,but he wasn't giving her that chance. He also somehow thinks she feels the same way.

He wouldn't be so sure until she acknowledges it herself but first thing first, he would have to tell her how he feels.

"Will ask her out this weekend, probably to see the movie", he thought to himself.

"I hope she agrees", he muttered as he picked up his phone and dialed her number.

Rose's POV

She groaned when her phone rang, someone was depriving her of a much needed rest after the day's work. Thank God it's Friday, she would at least have enough time to rest even though she had things to do at home .

She grudgingly picked her phone and looked at the screen to know who was calling her but saw UNKNOWN CALLER written boldly on her screen. She dropped back her phone and laid back down.

But on the second ring, she picked it up and waited for the unknown person at the other end to speak.

"Hi, this is Kelvin", she heard the person at the end of the line say .

"Kelvin?", she said shocked.

She hadn't saved his number after the exchanged contact, she had forgotten.

"Ummh,hi Kelvin ", she said.

"Seems, you've forgotten me,huh?", he teased her.

"No, I forgot to save your contact after the other day, sorry about that", she replied honestly.

"It's okay, so how are you?", he asked.

"I'm fine and you",she replied

"I'm fine, just missing you", he replied.

"You are missing me?", she replied, shocked over his statement. "Why?", she asked again almost like she was asking herself the question as she felt she wasn't sure what she heard.

"I'm sorry if I'm sounding ... .too straightforward. I was just hoping you could agree to go out with me this weekend. We could go see the movie or sit out somewhere and talk for a while? ", he said, sounding unsure.

Rose was still very much dumbfounded. Kelvin asked her out ? She wouldn't have imagined it would happen soon. He said he missed her,does that mean he feels the same way as she does?. She didn't realize she has been keeping quiet for awhile as her thoughts took her away from the moment, until he heard him say:

"Hello, are you still there ?", with a voice ladened with uncertainty.

"Yes, I'm a bit surprised. Are you asking me out? I mean .... Yes i will love to go out with you ", she said blushing unashamedly knowing he can't see her .

"Thank God, for a send I thought you would decline. Okay, is Saturday evening convenient for you? Probably by seven pm?", he asked.

"Yes it is", she replied.

"Fantastic, seven it is then", he said.

They hung up later after discussing work.

Rose couldn't believe Kelvin called to ask her out . She called Clara immediately.

"Clar, guess what?", she said excitedly.

"What's popping girlfriend, why all the excitement? ", Clara asked.

"Clar , he asked me out", she said squealing.

"Who?"Clara asked, confused.

"Really? Like are you kidding me now Clar? Kelvin, remember?", she did not believe her friend had forgotten their discussion.

"Oh my God, babe are you serious?", Clara asked with excitement in her voice .

"Yes Clar. We're going out to see the movies on Saturday evening. Please Clar I need your help with what to wear and my makeup". She pleaded.

"Yeah sure babe anything for you. Will be there by 5". Clara said.

"Thank you so much Clar, I love you", she said blowing kisses on the phone.

"You too babe, see ya tomorrow ", Clara said as they hung up the call.

That night, she slept with so much excitement in her heart and a smile on her face.

She woke up the next day with so much energy. Her mother even noticed and prayed,whatever is making her daughter smile so much continues to do so. She made a mental note to engage her in a discussion about it later.

The day went on normal but to her, it was dragging itself. She dozed off after sending the Email Mr Conwell told her to send to their client.

She woke up when the doorbell rang, she opened the door to reveal her friend Clara smiling at her. She noticed Clara was carrying a small bag with which undoubtedly was not meant to carry a pizza box as Clara always comes with one when visiting her.

She however didn't ask her friend what she had inside the bag. They hugged each other and went into her room.

"Is your mom at work?", Clara said looking around .

"Yeah, it's her shift". Working at the hospital isn't that easy, I have to sleep here all by myself some nights if she has night shifts", she said.

"Sorry about that Rosy", Clara said.

"Don't give me that face Clar,you know it's normal and I'm used to it already", rolling her eyes at her friend.

" Okay, why don't you go have a warm bath, while i rummage through your clothing and see what I can find that would be fit for tonight", Clara said

"Okay Clar, will be out in a jiffy", She said entering the bathroom.

She gasped immediately as she stepped out of the bathroom seeing the red material laid out in the bed, beside a black flare gown.

Okay ... .the gown,she recognized as hers but the other material....., Rose thought to herself as she turned to her friend who was pretending not to have noticed her confusion and asked; "What's this Clar?"

"It's a lingerie duh, you need an eyeglass?"Clara answered, still searching for a matching footwear for her friend.

"What's it for?"She asked, confused.

Clara stopped what she was doing and looked at her friend like she had grown two heads.

"Its for skating, hope you're satisfied with the answer ? Clara joked.

"Hahaha, not funny Clar. Of course I know what it is I saw, but we're going to the cinema not to his house. Stop getting funny ideas", she said.

" Besides he stays with his uncle, who happens to also be my boss at the office, so how convenient is that ?", she added.

"Just put it on, Rosie. Besides you never can tell what he has up his sleeve. Better be prepared. C'mon babe, dress up he will be here anytime soon", Clara said.

Rose looked at her friend with gratefulness in her eyes. Happy she has a friend as thoughtful as her. She wouldn't have in her wildest thoughts, thought of getting lingerie for any reason at all and that's because she doesn't really know her stand with Kelvin at the moment... but it wasn't such a bad idea.

Kelvin was at her door to pick her up at 6:58. And when she came with her friend to receive him,she could see the look of admiration in his eyes.

"You look beautiful ", he said.

" Thank you Kelvin", she muttered blushing.

Clara cleared her throat to get their attention when it seems she has been forgotten. She smiled when they both looked in her direction.

"Oh ummh forgive me. Kelvin, this is my best friend Clara, Clara meet Kelvin. She said,

"Hi Clara, pleasure to you", Kelvin said, extending his hand toward Clara.

"The pleasure is mine", Clara said as she received the handshake.

"I trust you are a gentleman, pls take care of her and bring her back on time", Clara said as she hugged her friend goodbye.

"Hope you're with your spare?" Clara asked and watched as her friend brought a key from inside of her clutch bag and waved it at her face smiling.

"Alright, have a nice time", Clara added as she watched as they entered the car Kelvin came with and they drove off.