INTROSPECTIVE

Chapter 18

The soft glow of the exterior lights set in the relaxed overtones of the restaurant.

The dimmed lights of the interior marched the mood of the exterior.With large windows that showered the diners in moonlight.

The spicy incense of rosemary urged Eva in.And she took a deep breath of the scent that reminded her so much of home.

She settled into the soft pillows that were strewn all over the traditional low table that she and Louis would be sharing.

"So how did you find this place?" Eva asked trying to rid herself of her anxiety.To be honest not all of her nervousness had disappeared since the previous day.She was still a little apprehensive of this 'date'.

"You ask that as if you're surprised."

"Honestly I am.I expected you to be 'a movie with pizza' kind of guy," she said.

"You wound me," he fake-exclaimed.

"Hey.Not that there's anything wrong with that.I mean I like a good pizza and a movie too,"she went on yapping," I just didn't expect this much effort for a first -"

"Date," he finished the sentence for her.There was a hint of glee in his tone as if he was enjoying reminding her of just what they were doing so that it could spark up her nervousness.

"Yes,Exactly," she whispered unbelievingly,overwhelmed by the mere word.

"Yes Eva.You're on a date with me.And you're going to enjoy it," he stated nonchalantly as if commentning on the weather.

He chuckled at the expression on her face.

"Look at you turning all red in anger.It's cute."

"You...,"she began,her fists already clenched.

But their conversation was interrupted by the waiter who greeted them amiably.Totally unaware of the tension between them,he dutifully handed them  their menus.

She clutched hers tightly,trying to bite back the retort she had planned for Louis.

The menu was filled with words in some other language.In fact that wasn't even the Alphabet she was used to.

"It's Amharic," Louis helped her out, "turn to the other page."

She turned to find more words that still didn't make any sense to her.Giving up,she closed the menu and turned to the waiter, "I'll have whatever he's having."

"The food is supposed to be shared.So you order for only one plate,"Louis told her a small smile playing on his face.

"Oh.This is definitely not a normal restaurant," Eva acknowledged.

"Yeah, it has this whole communal feel to it," Louis replied.

"That explains the furniture or lack thereof," she said glancing down, "But I like it.It's really cosy here," she said as she leaned on some pillows.

A pregnant silence followed.

"I'm waiting for you to say it."

"Say what?" Eva asked innocently.

"I'm waiting for you to say how awesome this place is and how you're already enjoying yourself."

"Cocky much?" she asked.

More light teasing like this followed and Louis' words were surely becoming reality as Eva sipped her colourful layered cocktail juice.Completely oblivious to the nervousness that had previously engulfed her.He had done it again.

When the food arrived,her mouth watered unashamedly.It was such a colourful array of food and it smelt so good,she couldn't help it.

They were given hot towels to clean their hands before digging in,because as Louis insisted,Ethiopian food was meant to be eaten by hand.Eva was inwardly relieved.Honestly, she preferred her hands to cutlery.