Inherent Love - Season 1 - Episode 12

5 years ago

Inherent Love - Season 1 - Episode 12

☆☆☆☆☆

It felt weird sitting in the Chicken Republic fast food joint again, waiting. This time, he wasn’t waiting for just one person; he was waiting for two people. This meeting is sure going to be awkward, he thought to himself. A little chubby girl with glasses and beads in her cornrows suddenly appeared by the glass door, all excited. She looked to her right, as if waiting for someone to catch up with her, and then she pushed the glass door open, and ran in.

She couldn’t have been more than 3 years old, and it amused Stephen that she was strong enough to open the door herself. A tall light skinned lady who appeared to be her mother walked in later, with a cute, smiley faced baby in her front baby carrier. She was dressed casually in denim jeans and jacket, with a perm in her hair that looked like she just left the saloon. He looked away when he realized he had actually been staring at her. His mind wondered off, and he thought of how nice it would be to have a wife; a companion; a partner; someone he could share his dreams with. It felt so good just thinking about it.

When he looked at the glass door again, he saw two women approaching. They got closer and he realized it was Adunni and Modupe. Their dressing was so contrasting; Modupe in black skirt suit and Modupe in body hugging black and green Adire mini gown. They looked so cheerful, and Adunni let out a laugh as they entered the place. It just felt so weird seeing them together.

He got up to greet them both, and they took the two seats opposite him. There was a lengthy amount of silence and then Modupe said, “So…as I was telling Adunni on our way here, the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Ann misinterpreted my words.” When no one said anything, she went on to say, “Let’s start all over again; Adunni, meet my good friend Stephen.” She said with a smile, and Adunni stretched her hand at Stephen. He looked at her for a few seconds, before shaking the hand, and they all laughed. When the laughter stopped, he said, “Let’s go get something to eat.”
……….

He looked at them talking and laughing like sisters. Modupe appeared really happy with the whole arrangement, and he wondered if it was all an act. But really there was nothing he could do if she was faking it. Even if she wasn’t married, he still wouldn’t have tried to date her, because he didn’t see her that way. He valued their friendship more than anything in the world. Adunni on the other hand, he felt strong attractions towards. Even just looking at her from where he sat opposite him sent chills down his spine. Slow way she spoke, but with so much intelligence. The white in her eyes were as clear as a baby’s, and her goo-goo eyes were so enchanting. He just wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to have her fall asleep in his arms. He saw her luscious full lips move but had been too lost in thought to hear what she had said, till she repeated it.
“You want us to go clubbing tonight?”
“Yes. There is a public holiday tomorrow. The three of us could…”

“Oh, no! You guys can go. I have some work to do tonight.”Modupe said, cutting her friend short.

His eyes were on Modupe and he saw her nod slowly before looking away. “Okay.” He said and looked at his watch. “I think I need to pick up something from my apartment; let’s leave now.”

They all got up at the same time, and as they walked out of the restaurant, Modupe was by his side, and Adunni was by her side. She stylishly moved to his right side, and Adunni closed up the space between her and Stephen.
“Where did you park?” She asked him as she wrapped his arm around his.
“By the generator.”
“Oh, you actually parked close to Modupe’s car.”

Cars were parked in two rows outside the fast food joint; their cars were on the second row.
“Let’s walk to your car first.” Stephen said to Modupe.

“We are there already.” She said with a laugh and turned around to look at her friends. She leaned on the black Jetta and said, “I’m glad how this ended. You guys have fun, you hear.”

“I just hope Mr. old school over here still knows how to have fun.” Adunni said and playfully hit Stephen with her shoulder.
“Okay. Go ahead, guys.” She said as she opened her car door to get in. They echoed their byes and walked arm in arm towards Stephen’s Camry. She got in, adjusted her mirror and looked into space for a few seconds, before starting up the car.

As she drove out, and onto the highway, Whitney Houston’s voice boomed through her speakers, singing, ‘where do broken hearts go. Can they find their way home? Back to the open arms, of a love that’s waiting there. And if somebody loves you, won’t they always love you?” Tear rolled down her eyes as she turned off the music player.

The End