Chioma

Ten

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" Oma! I'm sorry".

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   Why was he sorry. I was the one at fault. His arms drew me closer to himself. Close enough to close the distance between us. His face was just about an inch from mine. I loved that smell of hazelnut chocolate. His right fingers lifted my face to his."Oma I'm sorry". Moving slightly away from him, I felt this hint of disgust."Ugo! What? What exactly do you think you are doing? Do you think it's easy for me? At this crucial time, all you want to do is play mind games with me". I was pissed. As I was about to stop the tear drop from falling, I felt Ugochukwu's fingers just below my eye lid. "Oma I'm sorry". I wrapped myself in his embrace. His hand stroked my back as I cried on his shoulder. " Oma, I wasn't playing mind games with you" he said before letting go of me and heaving a sigh of relief. I tried to wipe my face but Ugochukwu beat me to it. His white handkerchief wiped every trace of tears on my face. Maybe almost all. Placing his handkerchief back his pocket, he stretched out his hands to hold mine. His grip was firm but soothing. "Oma, I'm sorry for not coming to see you all these while. I was fool to get angry at your silence. You were going through a lot and you couldn't tell anyone. Not even your mum. I should have asked you. I should have had time for you and listened. I shouldn't have made you feel bad when I found out the truth. I should have been your best friend and not a fool" "Ugo! Please stop blaming yourself totally. Its also my fault. I shouldn't have hidden it from those dear to me" "so I'm dear to Oma" he said with a hint of laughter. His attempt to lighten the atmosphere was nice. It made me giggle. "See how beautiful you look when you smile". His words made me blush. "stop jhor. You'll just be flattering me anyhow". His change in expression was surprising but expected." Oma! You know I hate it when you call my comments flattery". He drew me closer to himself."Oma! You're very beautiful and you know it" He commented on my beauty each day he saw me. It became so regular that it looked more like flattery. "Ugo I'm sor..." His index finger fell on my lips just before I was able to complete my sentence"no more sorry".
   We took few steps towards the bank of the river. It was at the same river we met. I took off my slippers. I loved that feeling of wet sand under my feet."I was the one who convinced you to swim that day" Ugochukwu stated. "No you weren't" I countered playfully "I swam at my will". Ugochukwu took off his shirt slowly. I could see his bright yellow skin glow. His skin had a nice glow. Could be the body cream he used. Ugochukwu always protested each time I tagged his glowing skin to a toning cream. " its natural " he would always say. "that was how my uncle caught the big fish" "uhhhh! Were you say something?" I had drifted away from reality. "I was talking about my uncle's big catch last fishing season. You were looking at me, so I thought you were listening" "oh yeah. The big catch". I wasn't listening. I wasn't looking either. I was lost and staring. You won't blame me for staring at his bright yellow skin as it glowed under the sun. His biceps were well sculpted. His abs were getting somewhere." So Oma take off your dress" "what?" "Take off your dress so we can swim" was he really expecting me to take off my dress. Not happening. "No. We aren't kids anymore and have things to hide you know" "then you'll just get wet because of them" he said before lifting me off the ground and into the large body of water "Ugo! I'll deal with you" I said between splashes. Ugochukwu's hands were quick to dip my hair into the water. My wet hair covered my face. It made me look a bit scary. "I'm coming for your blood" I said in a scary tone."you can't taste any bit of this" he said stroking his skin.
   The sudden silence was awkward. Not that we had nothing to say. We had a lot to say. Well, I did. I knew I couldn't explain how felt but I was sure I wanted more. More than just his company. More than his friendship. More than his warm expressions. I had spoken to mama about it. Her laughter was out of this world "Oma! Who sent you to love Ugochukwu?" "Mama I love him. We are meant to love each other remember" "you know that's not what I meant. You love him. You're in love Oma" "mama biko stop joking jhor. Am I not too young to love?" Mama turned on that 'serious' look."no one is ever too young to love Oma. It just depends on how mature your heart is to handle love". I was surprised. It was visibly written all over me. "Mama! When did you turn to a love expert?" "Oma, I fell in love at a tender age. I acted on love, I didn't regret love but I didn't understand love either. so, I lost love" she put her hand on my shoulder and said "don't loose love no matter what. You might be getting married to Chief Odogwu but if you ever find this love you have again, don't loose it". " Oma, I want to tell you something ". Ugochukwu's calm voice pulled me out of my thoughts. " Oma I don't know how to say this. You might not take me seriously. It might seem useless now but I just have to let it out". I nodded in response. His soft fingers traced my dark skin and landed on my cheeks. I was scared about acting on love just like mama did. "Mama! What if we loose love. Can we ever find it?" "Yes Oma. If we loose love, we can always find it. Love is patient and eternal. It waits no matter how long it takes". Ugochukwu's hands drew me closer. "Oma, I love you. No no no. What Am I saying? I mean, I'm in love with you" I felt his soft palm at the back of my head. I could feel his breath on my face. What was he trying to do? "What are you trying to do?" "Oh! I'm sorry. That was very silly of me. Uhmmmm. I'll just go" "I didn't say you shouldn't. I just asked what you were trying to do". I felt his soft lips on my cheek." And I'll always love you. Married to chief Odogwu or not". His lips were quick to touch mine. I couldn't respond. I didn't know what to do. I just blushed when he had let go of me. I knew it was a foolish step but I want to act on this love, cherish this love, understand this love and wait for this love to find me again.