TWICE A ZING |A Nigerian Romance|

Chapter 12.

SHALEWA

"So, what happened, Shalewa?" Amadi asks as the both of us take a casual stroll around the park, leaving Kaima in Nadira's care.

"I relapsed." I answer simply.

"Care to elaborate?" He asks.

"It's a long story."

"I'm not complaining." He shrugs.

"Alright. We'll have to sit this one." I say, guiding us to a concrete bench.

"Alright." So, I tell him the story of how I met Timi and how we got into a relationship then married.

"Nobody except us knew this but I was pregnant. On that day, I was craving waffles so I insisted he goes to buy it. It was 2am but my crazy hormones wanted it at that very instant. At 5am, he still wasn't back. Then I got a call that he died in a fire accident at the waffle shop. The fumes damaged his organs badly. He didn't make it. That day was 24th of August, one year yesterday."

"Ohh. Okay."

"So, yeah. I relapsed yesterday. It was also my birthday. I hate myself and can't forgive myself for that." He squeezes my hand to comfort me before speaking again.

"What of the baby?"

"She's dead." He simply places me in his embrace, rubbing my arms gently.

"Sorry for the loss." He whispers. I just nod my head, no longer in the mood to speak.

We return to where Nadira and Kaima are. After ordering an Uber for Nadira to go home since it's a week day and she has school, we go home.

"Thanks for today." My lips curve in a smile as I alight the car.

"You're welcome." He returns my smile.

"Bye, Kaima."

"Bye, Aunty ShaSha." She says in her sleepy voice. I just chuckle at the nickname before I gently close the door and walk to my house.

"Wait." He calls out behind me and I turn. As soon as I spin around, I crash into his hard chest, tugging on his shirt to support myself.

"Yeah?" I let out a whoosh of air as he gently tugs my body to his. He leans in and claims my lips in his, giving me a soft kiss. His lips linger on mine for a while before I finally reciprocate the gesture. We pull apart to breath and then rest our heads on each other.

"Good night, Shalewa." He whispers.

"You too, Amadi." I respond, smiling. He gives me a peck on the cheeks before turning to leave.

Immediately I enter my house, I lock the door and lean on it, sliding all the way to the floor as I try to control the erratic beating of my heart.

My phone chimes, signalling the notification for a new message.

I am sorry, sis. It reads. I get back on my feet and casually fling the phone on the chair. I'll call him tomorrow.

I feel very giddy inside me. I blush like a teenager all the way to my room. I never expected that kiss. Am I allowed to say I enjoyed it? Every fibre in my body wants to reject that feeling, it is betrayal to Timi.