Bended Knees

I had just finished with my book club meeting and was descending the escalator. Just when I’m about getting off it, this hunky guy bumps into me. And no, it didn’t happen like in the movies, there was no looking into each other’s eyes or sparks circling over our heads or any of those love at first sight movie nonsense.

It was the complete opposite. I lost my balance and fell with my butt hitting the ground hard . I heard something snap like what you hear when cracking a knuckle. I didn’t think much about it until I tried pushing my weight off the ground, that was when this piercing sharp pain erupted from my right leg and halted my movement.

Great! I just dislocated my knee, second time this year.

There I was sitting on the floor, screaming and cursing out in pain. The poor guy must have been terrified because I kept on hurling insults at him. Don’t blame me, I was hurting and it didn’t help that a small crowd had already gathered and there were a lot of ‘sorries and peles’ which just made the whole situation ten times more embarrassing and it heightened my frustration.

“I’m so sorry, let me help you”, he said as he tried to help me get back on my feet.

“Stupid? how do you expect me to stand now, can’t you see what you’ve done,?” I said pointing to my hurting knee.

“Ok, but we have to take you to the hospital or something”,

“Who’s we? Abeg, just be going, you’ve already caused enough damage, I’ll order a ride home” I said while reaching towards my bag for my phone.

Before I could say, Jack, I felt he scoop me off the ground into his arms.

“What?!! Put me down”, I protested as I started hitting his chest, screaming and trying to wiggle my way out but his grip was so strong and my painful knee wasn’t helping, so I just gave up and settled.

I generally don’t like being the center of attention so I felt like the whole mall was staring at me while he carried me to his car. And the walk seemed to go on for eternity.

Finally, with me still, in his arms, he gently bent down close to the passenger’s door, opened it and pushed it wider with his elbow, then carefully placed me on the seat.

To be honest, for a moment there, I felt no pain and that was when I took the time to look at him.

He had a sturdy, muscular physique and a caramel complexion. His face was freshly shaven, and he had flawless skin. He must use a moisturizer because his skin was smoother than mine.

He wore brown polished shoes and sharply creased chinos, with a crisp cotton white button-down shirt. His cuffs were turned up twice from his wrists. He had to be around six feet.

If I had to compare him to anyone I had seen on TV, I would have to say he put me in the mind of Omari Hardwick.

The anger and frustration I had earlier felt disappeared as my subconscious mind just wanted to date him at that moment.

“I’m really sorry about your leg, I have a friend who’s a medical doctor, I’ll have him take a look at it, again, I’m really sorry.”

“Thanks, but you don’t have to worry about me, It has happened before, so it’s nothing serious, I’ll be fine.”

“But…”

“I said I’ll be fine!” I snapped.

Surprised at my reaction, he said “oh ok, I’m sorry, let me drop you off at least,” “No!, I’ll order a ride”. Knowing how embarrassed I felt, I just wanted to get out of there

I went ahead to order for my ride and while we waited, he tried to start a conversation by saying how sorry he is and how bad he feels because of my injury.

 “I wish you will allow me to do more”, “no, thank you, my ride is almost here”. “Ok, how about your number please, at least I can call to find out how you’re doing later”,

“Don’t worry about that, I’ll be good”, I replied, and just then my Uber arrived.

Even though the pain had subsided a bit and I knew that I could manage a limp, but how is a girl supposed to bask in the arms of her knight in shining armor. Of course, I pretended to be in pain and ding! I was back in his gentle arms.

This time, I savored every moment of it. There was something about the way he handled me, gentle yet so firm, his skin felt so velvety against mine. And when he looked down at me and smiled, he revealed the most beautiful set of dentition I have ever seen. Even though I was feigning being upset the entire time, I didn’t want that moment to pass.

Gently, he placed me at the backseat of the car and went back for my bag from his car. As he was handing me my bag, my fingers brushed against his, my body spasmed and I mistakenly dropped my bag, spilling its content. Get it together M, you’ve embarrassed yourself enough today.

He held out my work ID card, “Mmenyene, huh?”, not quite getting the right pronunciation, but what did it matter. I rolled my eyes and took my card and bag from him. “Thank you,” I said as I shut the car door. I saw his lips move but I couldn’t make out what he was saying as my driver began the ride back home.

The intercom on my desk rang, “there’s a package for you ma’am” said the voice on the other end of the line. “Oh ok, send it upstairs”. I was expecting a delivery from ‘moffin options’.

My attention quickly shifted from my PC when the office assistant dropped a box of red roses on my desk. My single ass had no idea who it came from, so I was just as confused.

I took out the card that came with it and it read;

Forgive me for being so rude. I’m sorry for the pain I caused you. I hope your knee now feels as good as new. -Lanre

Oh, the hot guy from my fall, how cute. But how did he know my office though? Has he been following me? Lots of questions that I had no answers to. And it didn’t help that he didn’t even leave a contact number or address or something.

I caught myself smiling, maybe this is a sign from God that I should finally leave the single’s world.

Close of business and I’m walking towards the parking lot to wait for my colleague. “Hello Mmenyene”, a voice said from behind me. “I’ve heard that voice before,” I thought as I turned. And there he was, standing a few meters away from me. 

“Hmmm… hell Lanre, are you stalking me now?”. He looked ten times more handsome now with his pewter grey fitted pants and suit. Lanre looked very neat from head to toe. I couldn’t quite figure out his cologne but it made me just want to bury my head in his chest.

As if he was reading my mind, he took a few steps towards me and drew me towards him with his eyes. My world came to a standstill and the only thing I could hear was my own heart, beating faster and faster as he inclined towards mine. His face was now so close to mine that I could smell the sweet musky fragrance on him.

To be honest, I had not invited this prodigy of a being this close to me, I had merely wished to be in his arms once again, expecting only the expression of aesthetic delight I might find there. Before I could withdraw my mind from all its far places and focus on this one moment, his arms were around me and I felt the rush of helplessness as his tongue slipped inside my mouth, gentle but demanding.

A buzzing sound jolted me back to reality. Half-conscious, I wriggled my arm free and slapped at my bedside table, searching for my phone as its relentless brrrrriing burrowed into my head.

My knuckles knocked against something cold, something which clanged like hollow metal, and it jerked me to full consciousness. What on earth had that been?!

The alarm never stopped its ringing.

 

THE END