Within these walls

Chapter 16

"You are shivering, are you cold? He interrupted me in between a laugh.

The conversation had gone from Show Dem Camp to various life experiences and just general talks. I found out he was 33, the second child and so many other personal information. Nothing beats physical interaction, even though I have been speaking with him on the phone for a week now, it feels different looking into his face and interacting.

"Yeah, a little bit. Farid spoilt his outfit, so, I gave him my jacket and they left with it," I answered.

"Who is Farid?"

"My friend's son."

"Okay, well I have a hoodie in my car, let me go get it for you," he made to stand up.

"No! don't worry, I will manage and I don't want to inconvenience you."

"You are obviously cold and if you want to enjoy this concert, you need to protect yourself from the cold." He said.

"Yeah, but it is your hoodie. Like it is wearing your clothing item. I don't like random people wearing my things and I definitely don't want you going out of your way."

"Ouch! I can't believe you just called me a random, I thought we have been bonding. By the way, part of what I wanted to talk to you about is something that will hopefully lead to you stealing my clothes in the future."

Did this man just indirectly tell me he hopes we can get married? I asked myself. I mean that is what that stealing his clothes innuendo meant, yeah? Or am I overthinking? I debated in my mind.

"What does that mean? I feigned ignorance.

"You know what since we have started this discussion we might as well carry on. Walk with me to the car, so, we get the hoodie and we can talk more before the concert starts." He suggested.We walked a distance in silence before he spoke up.

"I don't even know where to start, I don't even understand why I am this nervous but I will just say whatever comes to my mind. I have known you for months now and you have grown so much on me, you know that thing where you go into something with no expectations but you are wowed, that is how I can describe what led me to this situation.

I came into Ak's office that day with one thing in mind, getting that project done, I didn't know I will leave with more than I bargained for. To be honest, when you walked in that day, there was nothing on my mind beyond, you were beautiful. But my experience in life has taught me that beauty wasn't enough and I wasn't looking for anything, so, you were just another beautiful woman. Then, while working on the project I found out you were very interesting. You are like that epitome of goodness that keeps giving."

"Okay, what does that even mean?" I laughed.

"An all-round amazing person that keeps unravelling every day. Over the last few months I have learnt that you are very kind, I have seen the way you treat your subordinates at work, you take it upon yourself to take care of everyone and it is beautiful to watch. But you are also very stubborn, remember that day I found you on the road after that taxi man bashed your car. I didn't expect you to be that hot-headed but boy you were. Then you are also a badass in what you do, you are like a walking bag of skills, I don't think there is anything in your field you cannot do. On the other side, you are also very witty, you always have a reason to engage in a bant with someone. It is very funny to watch. The way you put your heart on your sleeve and fight everyone that tries to come for your loved ones is beautiful. I have seen that in your relationship with AK and Aisha.

What I am trying to say is that I have been driving from my office in Garki to Wuse 2 a lot in the last few months not because I loved seeing AK's face or I had a business in your office but because I couldn't get you out of my mind. Every time we meet, I learn something new about you and it excites me. Like today I learnt that you lick your upper lip when you are trying not to smile, I am aware of your undying love for Ribena. I also know that I won't catch you without a bottle of water in your hand even though you don't ever drink it.

I know there is more to you Salima and the thought of getting to know every tiny detail about you puts a smile on my face. I don't want to say this is love because it seems too sudden but I don't want that feeling I get every time your name pops up on my phone or when you say Hi Mr Ahmed to go away. So, Miss Bello will you do me the pleasure of being my girlfriend? and if this works out well, I hope we get to grow old together,"  he finished.

"Woah, AbdulJalal that is so much to take in at a go," I said, my mind was spinning.

"You don't have to answer now, take your time, no rush," he laughed.

"It is interesting to see that you have paid so much attention to me in the past months. I had no idea I was being stalked," I tried to make light of the situation, so, he doesn't feel awkward.

"Have you seen yourself? It is hard to not stalk you," he laughed.

He opened the back door of his car handed and me the hoodie. The hoodie smells so much like him and it got me smiling sheepishly.

"I think you are a fine man, you have been nice to all of us and haven't had a reason to disrespect us. I also think you are very funny, it is crazy how you crack me up. You are also super smart and very focus on where you want to be in life and that is inspiring. O! I also noticed you have beautiful fingernails. There is more to you and I think it will be exciting to get to know you more, but I will have to do a bit of thinking and get back to you on the dating part," I said.

"Well, thank you for all your kind compliments and I will be waiting for you to get back to me. Like I said, no pressure," he finished.

The concert was so fun, I was shouting in the name of singing through it all by the end of it, I had lost my voice. AbdulJalal, on the other hand, spent half of his time taking me pictures and videos, it seems like that wasn't his scene but he didn't complain sha.

"I can't find my phone," I panicked while AbdulJalal was reversing the car out of the parking space. After the concert we stopped by Grand Square he needed to get bread and I wanted yoghurt.

"Here call it with mine," he passed his phone.

I dialled my number and my number popped up saved as "Lee."

Trying hard not to blush, I licked my lips, crooked my neck sideways and raised my brows then asked him

"Who is Lee?"

"Whose number did you dial?" he asked, raising a brow.

I just ignored him and went ahead to call the phone. Turns out, I left the phone on the counter, AbdulJalal found a place to park again and went to get it for me.

My mind is divided into two, It is full of excitement and I feel very giddy but I also feel guilty, it feels like I am betraying Bimbo. I shouldn't be getting involved with a man she had or probably still has an interest in.