As I deliberated our plight, Okem grabbed me by the waist and brushed his lips softly against mine before kissing me fervently. I did not have the strength to resist him, so I kissed him back with butterflies in my stomach and light bulbs flashing through my mind. It felt like my head would explode. Nothing could compare to the feelings Okem’s kiss erupted in me. It felt magical and out of this world.
He released my waist as we heard a knock on the door, and Ifedi walked in.
“Ifedi,” I gasped and looked around for a bit of distraction, anything to hide my embarrassment. I was convinced she could see through me.
“Okay, time is up. Come and eat, both of you,” she announced, acting completely oblivious. I wondered if the look on her face was plain pretense or just annoyance. She had a habit of listening through doors, so I didn’t doubt she’d been privy to our entire discussion.
We both walked silently behind her like two lambs to the slaughter. As soon as we were out of the room, I glanced at Okem. The look on his face was a combination of triumph and euphoria.
Chapter Eight
I CONTINUED TO see Albert during that break, although I couldn’t quell thoughts of Okem—a consequence of our most recent kiss. The kiss opened my eyes to my true feelings for him—feelings that continued to grow to the point that he occupied both my waking and sleeping thoughts. I was miserable and confused with Okem constantly on my mind. Anyone could see that whatever was bothering me affected the progress of my relationship with Albert. After Ifedi commented on my dilly-dallying between two men, I started to avoid Okem to allow room for my relationship with Albert to grow. Since my relationship with Albert was still the more practical option, it provided me with the justification I needed to erase the feelings of guilt that were cropping up in my head because of how I treated Okem. Soon, I began to anticipate the comfort a marriage to Albert would afford me. But that didn’t reduce the pain I felt from missing Okem. Until that kiss, I had never seen Okem as more than a best friend. Well, who was I kidding? The truth was that for a while, Okem and I had been inseparable, and everyone who knew us could tell that from a mile away.
Albert always hated my relationship with Okem. He couldn’t understand why despite the difference in our status, our bond of friendship was stronger than any he’d ever seen. He could feel Okem’s love for me. I could tell from his jealous tantrums. What I couldn’t imagine was how he would feel if he understood the depth of my own feelings for Okem.
* * *
Two weeks into my holiday, Okem marched towards me while I was curled up on the sofa in the parlor.
“I’m tired of you ignoring me,” he said in a baritone, a dull expression clouding his perfectly sculpted face.
“How did you come to the conclusion that I was ignoring you?” I’d asked, rolling my eyes.
“I just know. Anyway, I came to tell you that I’m leaving home.”
Instantly, my nonchalance turned to fear, my thoughts flew in every direction, and my heart almost rushed into my mouth. I hated to imagine what would happen if Okem followed through with his threat.
“Where will you go?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Anywhere but here.”
“You shouldn’t. This is your home,” I retorted, trying hard to hide my discomfort. “My grandma will be devastated.”
“What about you? Will you be devastated?”
I turned my head away from him and looked into the distance.
“Will you?” he repeated. “You can’t even give me a straight answer.”
“Don’t go, Okem,” I blurted.
“I have to. I can’t bear the thought of you marrying that guy. I have to go out there and try to create something I can be proud of.”
“Why? Okem Don’t go,” I pleaded. “I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” he asked, kneeling before me and looking up to my forlorn face. “Will you miss me? Come with me.”
My heart was in my mouth, and I realized I couldn’t let him go. At the sound of the doorbell, he sprung to his feet and walked out of the room. Ifedi appeared out of nowhere to get the door. I shook my head in confusion just as Albert walked in.
“Did I meet you at a bad time?” Albert asked.
“No,” I lied, staring out of the window, my blank eyes not really seeing the beautiful garden within my view.
Albert took my hand and led me to my grandfather’s study.
“It doesn’t seem like nothing,” he said. “You seem terribly upset. Hey, I have some news for you. Maybe that will cheer you up. I’ll be joining father next month in his business in Ide. I decided to stay home rather than constantly shuttling back and forth to Ajidi. That’s how much I want to be near you.”
I smiled through pursed lips. At least someone is staying, I thought to myself.
“Are you happy about the news?” Albert asked.
“I’m happy,” I said, looking into his eyes, and forcing another smile.
“You don’t look at all happy.”
“I’m just feeling tired.”
“Sorry to hear that. There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I wanted to wait until I had concluded this business matter with my father. Now, there’s no reason for me to wait any longer.”
My heart fluttered. I thought I knew what this was all about,
