REFLEX

#4: KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR

Heart pounding rapidly, she takes about two steps back. I could have sworn I locked my house before I left this afternoon. So how the hell though? How?

Femi retreats to a standing position, slowly taking clumsy steps towards her. He clears his throat, preparing for another outburst but she keeps mute, doing nothing but staring at him. He decides to break the awkward silence. "Um, I still have...a spare key to your house. I didn't return it when we...um...when I broke up with you."

That explains it. Suddenly feeling attacked. She scans the area, trying to find some sort of sign so she can brace herself.

"Teniola..." He takes a step towards her.

Holding her hand out to stop him midway, she shakes her head. "What are you doing here Femi?"

"Exactly, I was getting to that. Look, I wanted to talk."

"Talk..."

"Yes talk, let me finish." Teni pinches her chin and scoffs at the ridiculous command in his voice. Yes, it's just three weeks but he hasn't changed. "I messed up okay? Yeah whatever but try to understand me. I was starved. I'm not a virgin, I've had my fair share of ladies and I sure was not satisfied with the fact that sex was not in the picture."

He continues. "I'm saying I want us back together okay? I mean, I couldn't even manage a week without you. I still...love you, you know."

Teni laughs. Femi stares at her, dumbfounded. His stance faltering as she holds her belly from laughing too hard.

"So wait wait," she holds her hands out, clearing her throat so she can stop laughing. "You already had sex to your fill with the ashewos on the streets and now you're back?" Ooh brave Teni. The sudden outspokenness, she's usually never wordy around him.

"There is no ashewo anywhere Teniola. I missed you so I came back. You want to act like you didn't miss me. You know that's a lie."

She did miss him and that's the most annoying thing. She shouldn't miss him. She shouldn't be feeling this way around him. He cheated, Teniola. Like ten times!

"Look, I don't think I can do this Femi. I mean, you coming back is not going to change my mind about sex. I will never be ready until marriage."

He sighs deeply, running his hands through his dreads. "I know and that's not a problem, no sex it is but..."

She cocks her head. "But what?"

"I don't know... I mean, I should get something else, don't you think?"

"What..."

"Ugh. Forget I said that okay?" He shifts on his feet and puts his hands in his Jean pockets. "Well, are we back together now?"

I must be going crazy. I am definitely going crazy. There is no logical explanation for the decision I'm about to make. One thing she knows for sure is that Bolu might straight out cut ties with her.

We all know femi was and is a useless somebody. People like him do not stick around. You deserve so much more, you just don't have sense.

She recalls Bolu's exact words, right after the break up call that faithful night. Yes, maybe it looks like I'm not in my right senses but love is a senseless thing. Isn't that what they all say? Or what's the phrase again? Love is blind.

"Femi, you hurt me." She gulps when he rolls his eyes at her, clearly frustrated. He has this way of making me feel like I'm always wrong.

"Teniola, I apologized already. Do you want me to keep saying sorry? Over and over, huh? Is that what you want?" He taps his feet impatiently, staring coldly at her. Is he upset? I should be the one mad at him. I have been the faithful one throughout our relationship.