Kojo's pov
Sometimes I really question my ability to make sound decisions, but not on that night of the dance. I have made rash decisions before and I later on regretted and still regret, but I am sure this night will never be among those decisions.
Dembe. Dembe.
My girl was beautiful, brilliant and even feisty, when she wanted to. All that really looked perfect on her.
When I took her into my arms and kissed her, I noticed that she was not expecting it. Exactly how I wanted. I loved how her eyes always bulged whenever she was surprised and right now, I had the chance of experiencing that beautiful view. Her body went rigid at first, but after a short while, she relaxed into my arms and closed her eyes and put her arms around my neck. I could tell she was feeling the moment, and so was I.
We spoke a common language, even without using our mouths. Well, to be fair, we were putting our mouths into really good use. I could never complain. We wanted to stay like that forever, at least that is what our bodies seemed to communicate. But even at that, we needed air in order to stay alive. Appearing like she just read my mind, Dembe broke off the kiss by softly pushing me away .
"We need to breathe, you know. "
For the first time, she could not look me in the eye. My girl was shy. I wondered what she would do if I put into action all the things that had been running through my mind the whole night as I watched her dance in that dress.
That dress! My God! It was definitely going to be my undoing, but I had to get a hold on myself.
"That kept you quiet, did it not? "
"Do not be so sure about that. "
Trust her to start an argument, even when it was crystal clear that the kiss had done more than just keeping her quiet.
"Come on, D, admit it. Admit that you saw the stars in my eyes, the moon smiling down on us and maybe even heard songs in the wind."
I know that I always sound stupid most of the time, but the look she gave me made me feel even more stupid.
And then she suddenly, burst out laughing, still avoiding my gaze. I did not care whether she was shying off or not. Her laughter was enough to make me forget my way home.
"D, are you going to say anything or are you just going to laugh at the honest fantasies of a teenage boy in love? "
More laughter from her and then she says,
"Okay, I will admit that I saw stars and the moon, but only because, we are out in the open, Kojo. And I might have heard my grandmother singing me a song to hurry back home before the ogre gets me. "
After mercilessly bursting my bubble, she shot me one of those smiles that melted my insides. How I loved it when she was being sarcastic. Two could play this game.
"Oh! I bet you told your grandmother that the ogre had already gotten you and that it was so good looking that you could not get your eyes off it? "
At the thought of that we both broke into fits of laughter. It felt so good to be laughing together again, after all the problems we had had before.
I had really been broken, during the time that Dembe was avoiding me, and I could never think of letting her go away from me, again. She jerked me from my thoughts when, out of nowhere, she said,
"And I might have tasted some wildfruits. "
Oh! Kojo.
I felt really embarrassed, and when she noticed, she added,
"Don't worry, I really, do not mind . And I actually thought that is how forever tastes like. "
Forever. I wanted to be with my girl forever, even if it would last only a second. I wanted to spend my forever in her arms.
"Speaking of forever, come closer, D. "
She was hesitant for a moment, which amused me.
"Don't tell me you are scared of me? Whatever happened to the Dembe who threatened to bite my ear off? "
A shy smile tugged at her lips and then she moved and lay her head on my chest, so naturally, making it seem like that was how it was supposed to be.
I put my arms around her, then we sat there in comfortable silence as we gazed at the sky and it dawned on me that is how it is supposed to be.
It was the full moon and the sky was clear. I remembered my mother's stories about how the moon represented serenity and love. Until now, I had never believed in those tales.
I wanted to continue thinking about the moon, the stars and the stream, but Dembe's dress was really giving me a hard time, not that I am complaining.
"You know we still haven't talked about your dress? "
"What is there to talk about my dress? "
She was startled and amused at the same time.
"A lot. Let's start by the fact that it is making me have vivid imaginations about things I am sure you don't want me to mention. "
" Good. Now let us not mention them. Do you want to swim a little? "
Now, that was such a smart way for her to change the topic of discussion, but I was not going to let her have her peace.
"No, but I do not mind you taking a swim as I watch? "
She suddenly sat up and shot me a look that enough to scotch me to ashes.
"Kojo! You still think you have such a chance after carrying me without consent from an ongoing dance? "
I could feel the love in those words. ;-)
All that was left for me was just to feign an innocent look and smile sheepishly. She noticed the look.
"Try harder on that look if you want to convince me. "
She said grinning and slowly laid back on my chest as if she had not shattered my dream a few seconds ago. I loved this girl.
"Oh! D, you don't know how much I love just being with you here. I know that I can be stupid at times, well, most of the time, but please don't get angry with me, as much as anger really looks good on you. I prefer those little, shy smiles of yours. "
I could tell that she was smiling again after I said those words. Even I could not help feeling cheesy at my own words.
"And I love you so much. "
She stiffled a laugh, then said,
" I forgive you
for being so stupid. And I leave Angry Eyes for you-know-who. "
I wanted to laugh at that but I thought she might just go angry again with claims that I was entertaining thoughts of Namuli, so I did not. Girls can be so hard to understand at times.
"And I love you too, My Kojo, so much.
Now, that was something I understood and wished that time would stop, so that this moment would last forever.
" Just so you know, I am not scared of you and I will not think twice about biting off your ear, or a little bit more. "
"You know what, D, I really don't mind a little bit more."
That earned me a slight shove in the ribs and just like that, my all-fearless Dembe was back and I did not mind at all. I never would.
******
Sorry for the late update.
I promise to update more frequently from now onwards. =)
My brain finds a hard time being all lovey dovey. 😂
But I hope you enjoyed reading and got the sarcasm. :-):-)
Love,
Daisy. 💋