part 5

In life we all have expectations and we so wish our lives move in their Lane, but that's not the case always, we trip at some point in our paths and it's okay, though we have to make sure we don't get to have the whole fall because at times it creates scars...shame...fear... memories and certain emotions that we may not be able to get rid of easily.

I gave myself a little pep talk on my way home. I do it all the time; it helps me focus and guides me in decision making.

I pull up in the driveway and see the lights are on, I become a little bit puzzled because it's not something I would do besides I don't switch in the lights in the morning...only my bedroom light and it's always day and clear outside I don't need them anyway.

I walk into the house and a great aroma hits me.

"Jesus Christ, who the hell is in my kitchen" I speak loud enough so as to be hard.

"Wooo...I didn't expect you to be here early." I couldn't hide my smile.

Nain just glanced at me and went back to being busy with his cooking.

"I thought you were...ahhh...I don't know somewhere far from here, I guess." I say trying to avoid his gaze.

"And why would I leave, huh." He says and removes his apron, tosses it on the counter and ambles towards me.

He gets so close, impossibly close and my breath gets hitched.

"Do you remember that date when I came over at your place?" He says and I remember to breathe.

"Ya..., that was like our third date." I say fidgeting with my hair; I roll it around my fingers.

He walks towards the dining table and sets down the plates, arranging a table for two.

"Let's go back to that time." He says as he reaches for the wine glasses. He walks to the table with two glasses in his left hand and a wine bottle in his right. Before setting them down, he looks at me and says

"let's start afresh, let's not leave, let's meet again like we are strangers."

I stare at him, my mouth drops open at his words. Am I getting this right?

"Your joking right, hahahaha" I fake laugh and strode towards the table.

Before I pull out my seat, Nain gets to it in a flash and pulls it for me. He helps me get down in it and then whispers in my ear.

" No, am not my love. Am more than serious about it." He says and kisses my earlobe.

I couldn't help but giggle. I think I may like this evening more than I thought.

"So how is the food, do you like it?" He asks as he pours more wine into his glass.

"You know I love your cooking, I wonder why you just didn't become a chef." I say with a mouthful of food.

"A stranger wouldn't compliment me like that." He says with a serious face.

I can't believe him. I look at him in disbelief and then burst out laughing; I didn't miss that grin that formed on his face.

I think he is serious about this thing of us acting like strangers.

It seems like something interesting but it doesn't settle well with me either. I don't know how it will go if things don't go well as he has planned, I don't even know what he has planned.

"Hey morning." I say once I feel him move on the bed.

" Morning little miss sunshine, you are up early." He says as he pulls me to his side. He places a kiss on my forehead.

" I have to go to work." I state and jump out of bed.

"You can call in sick." He says,

I roll my eyes and get into the bathroom.

He has been chattier than before, he seems happy but I don't understand why when yesterday morning it was a different story. My marriage was on the verge of breaking but now it's like two strangers getting to know each other.

"Holy shit." I slap my head and get on with the bath not letting last night’s drama of strangers get to me.

When I walk out of the bathroom, Nain is on a video call with one of his friends I guess. He is so focused on the phone that he doesn't hear me walk out of the bathroom.

I stand at the door way and just stare at him sitting half naked of the bed. I drooled over the master piece given to me as a husband.

His brown skin so smooth, his body is well built with all the right groves needed given the fact that he is not so much of a physical person though he does work out at the gym every weekend.

His facial features are so masculine and beautiful. I love those dark eyebrows of his and those grey brown eyes, the features you can't miss on his face.

He smiles and I can't get enough of his perfect teeth, that smile makes me fall in love again.

He moves his hand to his hair and shuffles it a little bit, his biceps flex and I feel like I need to be in those strong arms.

I love this man.

“Tiannah...." I am brought out of my thoughts by his voice.

"Huh...ya, what." I stutter

"What are you thinking about, where you checking me out just now." He says, a grin forms on his face.

" No, I_ I_ I have to get ready for work." I rush into the closet to get myself ready.

****

“What’s wrong with you, embarrassing yourself like that?" I say to myself in the mirror and give myself a mental slap.

I get ready for the day in a flash not putting so much effort as I always do.

"You look amazing." Nain moves closer to me and gives me an abrupt hug. He holds me for a moment till when my body fully relaxes.

"Do you have time today evening?" I want to show you something.

"Today..." I say and pretend to be thinking hard.

" I want it to be our second date."

I was literally drooling holes in his eyes at the moment.

" If you don't want us to continue with this it's OK, I can understand. But I want to get to know you more." He States while rubbing circles on my arms.

This man is impossible; I had forgotten we were still in the game of strangers.

“We have our anniversary in a months’ time sir, so can your memory recollect all those dates we’ve gone to.” I stare at him in disbelief and continue” I don’t think so.” I slowly pull myself out of his grip.

“You have forgotten our agreement that early, we are starting afresh.” He says raising his hands up in a dramatic manner. I couldn’t help the giggles that left my throat. This man can be irresistible at times so I decided to give it a try besides I have so much to make up with him.

"I want to get to know you more as well, but did you move into my house this fast because I see a lot of your stuff in my closet and my bathroom." I blurt out ruining the moment.

I had to do this because he makes it hard for me to say no when he is looking at me with those eyes.

He scratches his head and smiles, I give him the what you gonna do look.

"OK, I know it's too early to move in but I can't live without you, when..."

“No Nain." I cut him off.

" There is no excuse, think about it before you say anything. I think it's too early."

I say and walk away with a victory smile.