Binary Hearts

57| Between Two Hearts 💕

Adaora stepped out of the bathroom, the air around her thick with unspoken tension. Her skin was still damp from the steam, and her hair clung in loose strands to her face. The playful atmosphere that had dominated earlier had faded, leaving an awkward silence hanging between her and Chidi. She couldn't ignore the pounding of her heart, not from excitement but from confusion.

Chidi, always quick to read the room, seemed to sense the shift. He flashed her a grin, his easygoing charm barely masking the undercurrent of nervousness in his eyes. "You okay?" he asked, glancing at her in a way that was meant to break the ice but only deepened the distance between them.

"I'm fine," Adaora replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She moved to the couch, sitting at the edge, as if keeping some invisible barrier between them. Her mind raced back to the moments they had shared earlier, the heat of their bodies pressed together, his hands roaming over her skin. And yet, here she was, retreating, unsure of what any of it meant anymore.

Chidi rubbed the back of his neck, then gave a casual shrug. "How about we watch a movie or something? Nothing too serious, just to, you know, relax."

Adaora nodded. "Yeah, sure," she agreed, grateful for the distraction. He picked up the remote, scrolling through options, finally settling on a lighthearted comedy that promised to fill the silence with laughter. But even as the movie played, Adaora couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Tunde.

When the movie ended, and Chidi walked her to the door, Adaora felt a wave of relief mixed with guilt. She had spent the evening trying to forget Tunde, but as she entered her apartment and closed the door behind her, the reality of her emotions hit her like a tidal wave.

The room was dimly lit, a single soft glow coming from the lamp on her desk. And there, just beside the lamp, was the pencil drawing Tunde had given her-a portrait of her mother. She ran her fingers lightly over the sketch, admiring the intricate details, the way he had captured every line and curve of her mother's face so perfectly. How had he even managed to find her mother's picture? She never asked, but now the weight of his effort made her heart clench.

Tunde had always been thoughtful, always put in effort in ways that truly mattered. He had a way of making her feel seen, important, like she was more than just another girl in his life. That thought alone stirred something deep inside her, something Chidi had yet to awaken. Chidi made her feel excited, alive even, but the excitement was fleeting. Was that what she really wanted?

She picked up her phone, instinctively checking for a message or a missed call from Tunde. Nothing. Not a single text or a voicemail. She sighed. If it hadn't been for the break she had asked for, Tunde would have called by now. He would have come over, brought food, maybe even another drawing. He would have known just what to say to lift her spirits. Now, all she had was silence.

I miss him, she admitted to herself, a sharp pang of regret twisting in her chest. Chidi had brought out a side of her she had never explored before-naughty, daring, reckless. It was fun, sure. But Tunde... he had given her more. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized how much she missed the way Tunde made her feel-grounded, valued, loved.

************************************

Meanwhile, Tunde was adjusting to life with Adeola as his new personal assistant. It was odd having her around, especially considering how their paths had crossed in such an unexpected way. He had assigned her a room in the guest house, not too far from his own. He didn't want to seem too familiar, didn't want to blur the lines of professionalism, but something about Adeola intrigued him.

Adeola had quickly adapted to the role, but her intentions were anything but professional. She noticed everything about him-how he worked late into the night, the quiet frustration that sometimes clouded his otherwise composed demeanor. She noticed the way he would absentmindedly tap his fingers on the desk when he was deep in thought, the way his jaw would tense when he was on the phone. There was something vulnerable about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on, and it made her want to be closer.

When Sam, Tunde's longt housemate, friend and employee, returned from work one evening, Adeola saw her opportunity. She managed to strike a deal with him, convincing him to switch rooms with her. Sam's room was conveniently located next to Tunde's, and with the promise of homemade meals, Sam agreed without much hesitation. Adeola knew it was a small victory, but it felt like progress.

Over time, the chemistry between her and Tunde intensified. He still kept his walls up, but every now and then, she would catch a glimpse of something softer beneath the surface, a hint of vulnerability that made her believe there was more to him than he let on. She was patient, knowing that trust wasn't something Tunde gave easily. But she was determined to win him over.

************************************

Adaora, on the other hand, found herself slowly pulling away from Chidi. She started dodging his calls, avoiding his texts, and making excuses whenever he wanted to hang out. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy his company-she did-but the more time she spent with him, the more she realized how different he was from Tunde. And as much as she had tried to move on, Tunde was still very much in her heart.

Chidi, however, wasn't one to give up easily. He noticed her growing distance and couldn't stand it any longer. One evening, he finally confronted her.

"Adaora, what's going on?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration as he stood in front of her apartment. "You've been avoiding me. Did I do something wrong?"

Adaora hesitated, not knowing how to respond. "It's not you, Chidi... it's just..." She trailed off, unsure how to put her feelings into words.

Chidi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I like you, Adaora. I really do. But I get the feeling that you're still hung up on Tunde. Am I wrong?"

Her silence was all the confirmation he needed.

"Look, I know I can't be him," Chidi continued, his tone softening. "But I've developed real feelings for you. I thought we had something."

Adaora looked down, guilt washing over her. "I don't know what I'm feeling anymore," she admitted. "I'm just... confused."

Chidi nodded, his expression filled with disappointment. "I guess I knew this was coming," he said quietly. "I just hoped... maybe things would be different."

**********************************

The tension between them remained unresolved, and as fate would have it, the next time they crossed paths was at Paul's birthday party. Adeola had begged Tunde to come along, and after much persuasion, he agreed, unaware of the surprise she had in store for him. As they drove to the party, Tunde glanced down at his outfit and realized, much to his horror, that he was wearing a matching outfit with Adeola-a sleek black and gold combination that screamed "couple."

He let out a low groan. "Adeola, what the hell?"

Adeola grinned mischievously. "It's Paul's party. You'll thank me later."

Tunde shook his head but said nothing more. By the time they arrived, the atmosphere was electric. Music blared from speakers, and people were already milling about, laughing, drinking, and dancing.

Adaora arrived with Chidi, but the moment she spotted Tunde, her heart dropped. He looked devastatingly handsome, and the sight of him standing next to Adeola, wearing matching outfits, sent a sharp pang of jealousy through her.

Before she could even think of approaching him, Chidi grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the bar. Adaora's eyes met Tunde's across the room, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to fade. Her heart pounded in her chest as she saw the look on his face-hurt, frustration, and something else she couldn't quite place.

Tunde's chest tightened at the sight of Adaora with Chidi, his emotions swirling beneath the surface. He clenched his jaw, struggling to maintain his composure as he turned to Adeola, forcing a smile. "Let's go congratulate Paul," he said, masking his frustration. After they presented their gifts and offered their congratulations, Tunde wasted no time in making his exit from the party.