After The I Do's (Complete)

18

Our journey back home was quiet. Kazeem looked like he was deep in thought and I didn't know if I should try talking to him or just let him be. I leaned into my seat and looked out of the window. The rainy season was gone and harmattan was coming again. Next month was going to be another Christmas. The first I'd be spending without my family. We finally drove into the compound and Kazeem stopped in front of the walkway leading to the door. He got out, throwing the keys to the gateman who caught it. I shook my head and wondered what it would take him to park his car himself. I reached for the door but Kazeem beat me to it. He's been doing that a lot. Opening my doors for me. I smiled at him and got out. He intertwined our fingers and we walked to the house. He pressed the doorbell then turned to look at me. He stared for a while which made me look at him

"What is it?" I asked softly

"Would you like a glass of warm milk and cookies?" He asked, looking hopeful.

I guess he wants to talk.

The door opened but he didn't look away, which made me not look away. I smiled at him and nodded "of course I would"

He returned my smile and led us inside. "Go up and change. Come down when you're done"

I nodded and headed upstairs. I stopped halfway through the staircase and turned back to look at him. He gave me a small smile then entered the kitchen. I smiled and shook my head, then continued my journey upstairs. I quickly had my bath and changed into a black jogger and a loose blue singlet. I plugged my phone into its charger and headed downstairs. I saw Kazeem sitting on the couch, two glasses of milk on the table and a plate of chocolate cookies. I sat beside him and he handed me a glass of milk. I sipped it and bit into the cookie. He took a cookie and began eating.

"I thought you don't like cookies?" I asked with my mouth full. Kazeem glared at me and I rolled my eyes

"I can eat chocolate cookies" he replied with a shrug "and this is the first time I'm seeing you wear a trouser at home."

I laughed and shook my head because I knew he was right. We ate in silence until I placed my glass on the table

"Do you want to talk?" I carefully asked. He looked at me. Like just looked at me. He stared at me, his face in a little frown, studying my face. Then he looked away

"I want to tell you so much Ebere. I want to talk to you. But then, you might not want to hear, or not care or not be comfortable with what I want to say" he replied, then sipped his milk

"You can talk to me, Kaz. You can tell me anything" I smiled softly at him and he smiled back

"I like it when you call me Kaz" he looked at me as if expecting me to say something. I raised my eyebrows at him, then I understood.

"Maybe that's what I'll be calling you Kaz" I winked and he laughed

"I'd love that"

I shifted on the couch, then placed my leg on the table. He looked at me, then at my leg. I expected him to say something about my legs on the table, but he took my leg from the table, placed it on his lap and began rubbing it. I stared at him in shock but he smiled at me. I smiled and bit into the cookie I was holding.

"I met Stephanie five years ago when she was just starting her modelling career" he started and I looked at him, nodding my head to encourage him. "She was so beautiful" he whispered and shook his head. I felt a pang in my chest as he talked about her. I quickly cleared my head and waited for him to continue, scared that if I say anything, he would stop talking. He looked so deep in thought that I reached out and rubbed his arm. He looked at me and I smiled.