Newfound Destination

~ 40 ~

I was starting to get uncomfortable as Mustapha didn't even crack me a single smile since I came here.

Instead, he pulled me to the cushion and made me sit down as he sat in front of me.

"Mustapha, is something wrong?" I asked him.

At last, he smiled, "I have something to tell you, it's very important."

I released a breath, "I'm listening."

He nodded, "So um, you know...me and Khalil were friends once right?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Well, back then...we were in love with the same girl. We didn't know it at first but when I found out that Khalil was seeing the same girl I was seeing, I got furious. Jealous even, that I just...I couldn't let him have her so this broke our friendship. We became enemies. We were both trying to get the girl and actually... Khalil was winning the battle because she liked him more. However, I didn't stop. I kept going until one day..."

I knew where this was headed and I could tell that Mustapha was getting uneasy so I placed my hand on his in an attempt to calm him down.

"Just go on." I smiled warmly.

He nodded, "One day...Faridah, she...she commited suicide and I always blame myself for it. I pressurised her and she couldn't bear it anymore. But Khalil had a hand in it too, he was always pushy with her, just being a nuisance. Till this day, I can never forgive myself for that."

I looked in his eyes and he was clearly crying, "Mustapha, it's not your fault. It's not Khalil's fault. It's Faridah's."

His brows furrowed, "What?"

"She couldn't make a decision. According to you, she liked Khalil more but then she liked you too, not as much as Khalil. If I had known her, I'd advise her to go with Khalil but still remain friends with you." I explained.

That's what I did.

He studied me, "Is that what you did?"

I smirked, "What do you think?"

He didn't say anything, just sat there staring at me as I stared back.

After some seconds, he engulfed me in an embrace. That warm and gentle embrace of his that made me melt.

"I love you." He stated.

Uh...

"I...I don't know if I..." I pretended.

He pulled away to look at me, "What?"

"I'm just joking!" I laughed.

"Okay then tell me you love me too." He dared me.

I chuckled, "What?"

Don't give me that look, the thought of saying 'I love you' just makes me feel weird.

But...

"Fine. I love you." I said.

"That's good. Wasn't too hard, was it?" He questioned.

"Abeg just leave me, I need to get back to work." I stood up with a sigh.

Then he suddenly pulled me down to sit on his lap.

Oh my God.

"Kai! What are you doing?! This is so cheesy!" I struggled to get off but he held me still.

He was leaning in...closer and soon an inch away. Our faces were an inch away, although our noses still touched.

He nuzzled his nose against mine before attaching his lips with mine. I smiled as I felt the warmth of his lips.