Binary Hearts

58| Unspoken Yearnings 😟

Paul’s heart sank the moment he saw Adaora with Chidi at his birthday party. They stood close, laughing at some private joke, and it felt like a punch to the gut. He couldn't help but scowl as he sipped his champagne, watching them from across the room. Paul had always admired Adaora from afar, and seeing her with Chidi—his boss—was an unwelcome surprise. He tried to hide his frustration, but the sight of them together sent a storm of emotions through him.

The party was a grand affair, filled with elites from different walks of life. Expensive suits, designer dresses, and a variety of luxury gifts were exchanged. One guest handed Paul a set of designer cufflinks worth more than Paul’s monthly salary, while another gifted him a wristwatch so encrusted with diamonds that it sparkled under the chandeliers. It was overwhelming, even for someone who had been exposed to wealth before. For Adaora, it was even more surreal. She found herself navigating this opulent world, still amazed that she could even be present among such people.

She was out of place, but in a way that made her feel like she was peeking into a world she never thought she would roam. She wore a simple but elegant dress Chidi had suggested she wear, and it only heightened her sense of feeling out of her element. The way everyone mingled with ease and offered extravagant gifts—it was so far from her reality that she almost pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

Eventually, the night drew to a close, and they left the party together in Chidi’s sleek black car. The leather seats were cool against her skin as she settled in, and for a while, neither of them spoke. But Adaora could sense something brewing in Chidi's mind.

“So... I’ve been thinking,” Chidi said, his voice breaking the silence as they drove through the city. Adaora glanced at him, unsure of where this conversation was headed.

“About what?” she asked, already feeling a weight in her chest.

“About us,” Chidi replied, keeping his eyes on the road but his tone serious. “What do you think about us dating officially? Being in a relationship?”

Adaora felt her heart rate spike, frustration bubbling up inside her. She hadn’t expected this—at least, not now. They’d barely gotten over the evening, and here he was, pushing for something more. She clenched her fists slightly, not wanting to explode.

“Can we not talk about this right now?” she said, her voice tinged with exasperation. “Let’s just... discuss it later, please.”

Chidi's expression hardened for a brief moment, but he didn’t press further. “Alright, later then,” he said softly, though there was an unmistakable undercurrent of disappointment in his voice.

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

Meanwhile, back at Tunde’s house, the atmosphere was tense. The ride home had been quiet, with Tunde barely speaking a word to either Adeola or Sam. As soon as they walked in, Sam, tired from the night’s events, headed straight to his room. Tunde, however, didn’t seem to notice—his mind was elsewhere. He went straight to the couch, sat down, and stared blankly ahead.

Adeola watched him carefully from the doorway, concern written all over her face. She knew something had happened at the party, and she was certain it had to do with his ex though she doesn't know who she was. The frustration and sadness in his posture were unmistakable, and it pained her to see him like this.

Just then, the power came back on, and Adeola quickly turned on the fan and flicked through TV channels, hoping to create a more relaxed environment. But it was clear that Tunde was too deep in his thoughts to notice. Deciding to give him some space, she excused herself and went to her room to change into something more comfortable.

When Adeola returned, she was dressed in a silky nightwear that clung to her in all the right places. The fabric shimmered slightly under the dim light of the living room, and she knew she looked good. But when she came back, she found Tunde still in the same clothes he’d worn to Paul’s party, sitting on the couch like a statue.

“Why don’t you change your clothes, Tunde?” she asked gently as she sat down beside him. But Tunde didn’t respond—he barely even moved.

Adeola sighed and shifted closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. “I don’t know what happened, but I know you’re hurting. And you know what? The person you’re hurting over is probably fine right now. She’s either sleeping or with her new boyfriend.”

Tunde’s head snapped toward her, confusion in his eyes. How did she know what was going on with him? He didn’t say a word, but for the first time that night, he felt a little of the weight lift off his chest. Even if he didn’t reply, Adeola’s presence was beginning to calm him.

Adeola got up and walked toward the kitchen. Normally, Tunde didn’t like her cooking for him—he always insisted that he was the better cook. But tonight was different. He was down, and she saw this as her opportunity to do something for him. As she walked away, Tunde couldn’t help but glance at her. The sway of her hips caught his eye, and he was amazed at how soft and perfect her ass looked. But he shook his head, determined not to show any weakness.

In the kitchen, Adeola scanned the shelves, unsure of what to prepare. It was already late, and cooking something heavy wasn’t an option. As she opened a cupboard, her eyes landed on a bucket on the floor. Lifting the cover, she found snails inside. Perfect. She smiled, pulling out a few snails and quickly setting to work, roasting them with pepper and curry.

Adeola loved cooking, but this time it felt different—she was cooking for Tunde, and she found herself enjoying it even more. She hummed softly as she prepared the snails, placing them on broomsticks for easier handling and dishing them out with some chilled Hollandia yoghurt she found in the fridge.

When she brought the dish to Tunde, he looked surprised but didn’t protest. He started eating without thinking, the savory flavor of the snails distracting him from his usual rule about not eating Adeola’s cooking. Adeola sat beside him, watching as he ate. He looked handsome, even though it was clear he was stressed, going through a lot.

At one point, the pepper caught Tunde off guard, making him cough. Adeola quickly jumped to her feet, rushing to the kitchen for water, but in her haste, she twisted her ankle. She winced in pain but managed to grab the bottle of water and hand it to Tunde, who gulped it down, thankful for the relief.

Once Tunde was okay, he noticed Adeola was no longer in the living room. Something felt off, but he couldn’t place it. A few minutes passed, and his discomfort grew—Adeola wouldn’t just leave like that.

Worried, he got up and went to check on her, knocking on her door. There was no response, so he opened it to find Sam sleeping inside. Confused, Tunde headed upstairs to Sam’s room, only to find Adeola sitting on a chair, her door ajar.

“Adeola,” he called softly, but she didn’t respond.

“Adeola, what’s wrong?” he asked again, moving closer.

“I’m fine,” she replied, though her voice cracked.

Tunde could tell immediately something was wrong. He knelt in front of her and gently turned the chair so she was facing him. Her eyes were red and swollen with tears she had tried to hold back but couldn’t.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice full of concern. But Adeola couldn’t speak. She was crying too hard to form words.

Without hesitation, Tunde stood, holding her by the hands and helping her to stand. But as soon as she did, she nearly collapsed, and that’s when he realized she had twisted her ankle earlier. He remembered hearing her cry out but hadn’t thought much of it at the time.

He didn’t waste another second. Despite her thick body, he lifted her into his arms with ease, carrying her downstairs as though she weighed nothing. Adeola, though still in pain, felt her heart lighten slightly as Tunde’s arms cradled her. The tension between them seemed to melt away with every step.