Saved by Love - Episode 16

 

    On one cold Saturday, Adara went to see Akinola in his apartment. They cooked, ate and was playing a game of SCRABBLE. She was sitter on the floor, legs stretched out, wearing a black Jean and beige colored blouse. They kept playing till it got to the fifth round and they called it off. Then Adara said,

“Adara, we need to talk.”

“I am all ears.” Akinola said wondering what they needed to talk about, 

“I don't think we should do this anymore.”

“What?” Akinola asked, not getting her statement, 

“You . Me. Meeting. Dinner. Chatting. Lunch. I think we should stop.”

“And why do you think so?”

“This relationship is not defined and I don't want to get hurt.” Adara explained but her heart screamed, 'I want more'. 

“Okay.” Akinola said, surprising her, 

“What do you mean okay?”

“I meant okay.” Akinola said through gritted teeth. Girls just like being spoilers to everything. Must they define the relationship? Can't they just be friends and then start dating without any prior serious talk. 

“I think I should leave.”

“Yeah, you should.” He said, looking away. She stood up, carried her bag and left

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/saved-by-love

. She blamed herself for thinking he would propose something permanent and that was exactly what she told Bolade that night over WhatsApp Chat but Bolade said it was good riddance to bad rubbish since he could not be man enough to make things official. 

Two weeks after, Adara was still distraught and angry at herself for letting her guards down. She missed Akinola greatly. It was like they never talked or even met. She decided to let him stay in the past and she threw herself into her work. 

All this while Akinlolu did not even know anything was going on anywhere. 

...... 

     One sun scorching Friday, Akinola left work early around 05:00pm and drove to Adara's Store. It was his first time but he remembered her describing it when he had asked and he got there with no difficulty. He pushed the main entrance door open and walked towards the cashier, she was scribbling something down and she asked, not looking up, 

“What can I do you for sir?”

“I will like to see your boss.” He said and that got her head up, her mouth formed an 'O' as she took in his looks, he was not surprised, he had that effect on ladies. So he used it to his advantage and smiled, 

“Can I see her?”

“You mean Miss Zamani?”

“Yes. The very one.”

“Let me give her a call to notify....”

“Don't bother dearie, it's a surprise visit.”

“Oh! It's against the rules but go straight down, first door by the right is her office.”

“Thank you.” He appreciated and followed her directions. He knocked on the door when it came into view and he heard a muffled, 

“Come in.” He turned the knob and opened the door then he went in. Her office was quite spacious and it was beautifully decorated with feminine touch. 

“Yes?” She asked not looking up from what she was drawing. 'What was it with them not looking up in this place?' he decided not to talk till she looked up which she did, some seconds after and surprise crawled all over her face before she turned back to her work asking, 

“What are you doing here?” 

“I came to see you.”

“What for?” Adara asked and Akinola found his way to the cushion two-seater in her office and made himself comfortable then he patted the empty seat beside him and said,  

“Come, have a seat with me.” She did not answer him and he waited after some minutes, he said, 

“I am waiting.”

'Who doesn't know he is waiting?' Adara asked in her mind, scoffing and she stood up and went to sit beside him.

Read " Meant To Be " by the same author ( Olufunlola Adeola )

. Then he suddenly leaned forward and she stilled before he brushed back her hair extension behind her ears and he started talking,

“I came because I wanted us to define our relationship?”

“I didn't even know there was something going on between us.”

“Stop being sarcastic, Adara.”

“I thought you didn't believe in defining your relationships. What changed?”

“I talked to Dre and he explained why it is good to define relationships especially between a man and a woman. 'First' he said, 'Undefined relationship brings along a lot of assumptions that results in 'had I known situations'. For example, the guy might just want s*x and the lady, love but thinking that the guy wants love too, she tends to go along with the arrangement and as soon as he gets what he wanted, he pushes her away, causing her emotional pain.

“Second, it brings about waste of time and even other material things and personal efforts. Anyway, do not let me beat around the bush.” He took her hands in his and continued, 

“Things have not been the same since you left. I miss you and I want what we had. I want us to go on a couple of dates and get to know each other more. I know you are responsible and I appreciate you for that. I...umm...I...”

“You what?”Adara asked, she knew talking about his feelings openly was difficult for him, she had picked that up in one of their conversations, 

“I... I...I love you.”

“I thought you will never get it out. I love you too.” She said and pulled him close for a hug.