I don’t know how to love; I’ve always told all and sundry. Worse still, receiving love in return is like a bad punishment. Love is a dream, a mere fantasy I have believed for the longest while… but this time round, this time round something happened that got me questioning all my senses and rethinking the analogy ‘that love is a façade’ – like smoke that is carried away by the dessert wind.

“How about we hang out Tuesday night? Upon my return, we do my place? I leave that to you to decide.”
Well, tell me please. Who in their right mind would say no to such a proposition? This is a man to whom elegance, class, sophistication, power and a smart mind came as a package. Created by God on a Sunday, the day of His rest. Not as a chore but as a hobby. A past time to fulfil His creation self-imposed assignment. Intricately molded, piece by piece, body part after the other. Then sent off with a whim of charm: shy from a distance, but his stare, his ever-elusive stare, could melt even the heart of pharaoh. Not to forget the baritone defining his voice….
“I’ll think about it, ” she promised.
“Good night Maria.”
“Good night Valentine.”
So, you see what got me rethinking the love narrative? Somewhere in this wild world, love still reigns supreme. Hearts are melted. Names are written across hearts. And still to others… to others, fairies make their dreams come true.

” Hello, are you well? Very sure you are well?” he queried. Having called her while at work that Monday afternoon.
She was blushing. The element of surprise taking its toll on her: overwhelmed by his charm.
“I am fine sweetheart.” she said smiling. “How about you?”
“I miss you. I miss you so much,” he continued.
Chocking on his sentiments, she didn’t know how to respond. Sentimental was far from her vocabulary. Hardened by life… A tear drop rolled down her cheeks. Happiness may be, or disbelief, we may never live to tell.
“Lovely to see you even from a far! Have a great day Maria.”
“Haaa, someone was busy selling his eyes at the meeting…” she responded.
“Can I be candid? “he asked and without giving her a chance to respond. “I love you so much. And I miss you!”
“Hey, I miss you too… ” she whispered.
“How about, instead of coming and going back home tomorrow, I host you for the night? That way, on Wednesday, it can be easy to plan the day…”
(she had no intention of responding. A cool 32 hours lay between their current conversation and their scheduled meeting.
“I’ll see about it,” she told him.” But, Wednesday was the initial plan, remember?”
“Ok. I’ll leave you to it. Please, be the best. I’ll text you when I board.”
“Ok my love! This is much appreciated.”
“Be safe. And see you shortly Maria.”
“See you shortly my love!”

Now, if this is not love, then, I admit, I have no idea whatever love is. This is what I call love aging like fine wine. Each heart totally sold out to the other. Their words, voices and keenly listening to their heart beats at that time, one would tell, their souls were meant for each other.

Coyly she smiled, blowing him a kiss, and brusquely walking back to her desk. It was time to call it a day. Anyway, what else would a lady ask for, other than to be loved by a such Gentleman?
Upon arrival, he called. Informing her of his predicament for which she became his strength. “Just believe,” she had told him. “All will be well…”
“SA, we’ve landed. Should be home by 9pm. I’ll call you…”
Blah! Bla! Bla! An empty gong banging at the back of her head. ‘He won’t call, I know,’ she told herself, busy on her usual self-destruct mode. ‘He’s gonna claim to be tired or dose off. Tomorrow is another day,’ she self-comforted.
Then the third buzz came, right at the clock of 9.30pm. “I’m I still seeing you tonight? ‘ he queried.” For two hours you are not picking up my calls. Have I done you any wrong? “he lamented, his voice insinuating the hurt he felt, or was it a touch of fear?

Now, let me digress for a second here. You see, for some of us, we’ve been toughened life. Real hard, such an emotional man would scare us to hell and back instead. The way we run at the thought of expressing our feelings… Haaa. We prefer to cry under the rain or the shower. Letting them burning torrents roll down our cheeks leaving ugly marks of pain in their wake. Life has served us such bitter herbs, that a touch of honey on our lips is repulsed at first, for fear it maybe disguised. So, I totally understand Maria. Being wary all the while is just but who we are.
“Do you still want me to come?” she asked so warily, one would be forgiven to conclude this was a couple at war.
“Please do. IMYSM!”
“Let me shower, I’ll tell you when am ready… she said beneath her breath, shrugging her right shoulder in the process.”
And hour later, she texted. ‘send me a cab or shall I book an über?’

Well, remember their date was set for Wednesday? Maria had every intention to arrive only on Wednesday. So, she took her while to book one. Negotiating with herself whether she would honor the call or cancel out altogether. It was her mandate after all. And about 11.30pm, she placed the order. Sent him a text, ‘enroute’ and left.

It’s funny how every experience is a learning board, depending on the recipient. This was one such relationship. Each was in a school of sorts, patience, commitment, risking – all being taught at the exact same way and time. Either graduating in them through their individual lessons. Allowing for queries, clarifications, and alterations being made in the process.

“Hey. Come here.” she uttered rather quietly, stretching out her arms to him. On the other hand, he stood aloof. Like one lost in wild thoughts. Breathing heavily, his heart thumbing loudly against his chest, his eyes dilating.
And like an eagle in one swift motion his lips met hers. And she responded with equal measure. Ravenously, kisses were exchanged. Holding her so tight, you’d think she risked being snatched from him by the enugu.
“You are mine forever,” he whispered into her ear, nibbling the left earlobe in the process. “OK?”
She didn’t say yeh or ney. But her eyes said it all. She was sold out to him, body, soul and mind.
“What can I serve you my darling?” he asked after second, third or was it fourth round of passionate kissing. Her back to the wall. His kisses flowing from her forehead all the way to the necklines. “Come, let’s sit…”

Deep within her though, roamed an entire collection of conflicting emotions. Was this a smart decision to visit him?  Would they share a bed? Did he have an extra bed for guests?  Was she a guest, his clandestine other or a mare sex object? Could she trust herself to run the night without any ugly incidents? Did she even trust him?  To her, this was the night that Valentine stood on the weighing scale. His integrity and respect for her would be tested to the moon and back.

“We have to agree on some house rules, ok? He said, looking at her to confirm she gave him her attention.
” Well, do I have a choice? ”   Maria asked.
” How about we start with, one, never holding back on any thoughts. ”
” And two? ” she echoed.
” You enjoy yourself like you are at home. ” to which she didn’t respond.
” What do you want to watch?” he asked of her.
” CNN please. Or Aljazeera.”
“Meanwhile, let me show you around,” he said. Pulling her off the seat, he planted a kiss on her lips in the process.
“And this is my bed, choose whatever side you want to sleep.” he implored. And adoringly staring her way, he pointed out… “But firstly, I want you to guess what side of the bed I usually sleep.”
In her usual indifferent mode, she pointed. “here”
“Nooooo.” he said. A giant smile plastered on his face., like one who’d just won the Olympics. “That side,” he directed her. And stamped a couple kisses on her forehead and lips.
The night that ensued, is a story for another day. But by three am, the duo was in the shower, with the perfumed scent of intimacy hanging in the air. Each smiling sheepishly, loving the other endlessly but still staring, “The shower or the tub?” he asked. And honestly, she could tell, this was a man in love.

“I never would have envisioned us here. But you are just as fantastic as I imagined. ILY!”

Did he expect her to respond or? How was she supposed to react when he was standing there in front of her in all his majesty? Breathing in and out the same air as hers. She gently rested her hand on his chest instantly chasing his held back sexual feelings into a craze. For a moment she hesitated because she knew once she took the next step there was no turning back. Should she ?…could she?  She wondered at the back of her mind. But here were two consenting adults, so why hesitate? She lifted her gaze to meet his and with conviction laced sweet words she said “make love to me Valentine …..”

Him making passionate love to her, and she surrendering to the passion. She looking at him ecstatically, while he, he couldn’t believe how he had her on his bed.

Truth be told, at this moment, all he could think about was his feelings for her. He wanted her for himself. To love, hold, protect, shield, provide for and above all, just adore her. He was smitten. A move against his guarded life but again, when cupid hits, even kings risk faltering. Ask the wisest man who ever lived. There is just something about a heart sold out to the woman. A man feels like he would give their own being to them. Like they own the whole world and they have achieved all Maslow’s levels of growth. Valentine was happy.
“Tonight, you have to sleep Maria,” he told her. “I’ll ensure of that.”
Again, no response from her but the usual smile…
“Come, I’ll hold you tonight. No waking up before 10am..” Daniel insisted.

How he ended inside of her. His lips seemingly never having enough of her skin, he had showered her entire body with endless kisses. Echoing the words.” ILYSM Maria,” through careless whispers.”

A result of which was the passionate love he had made to her. Suckling on her once more than erect nipples over and over again. Nibbling on her labia. It had been exhilarating. Valentine was serving her, and her body and emotions were responding to his touch in equal measure. And that is how it clocked 4am. He, hampering for breath on top of her. “Oh baby, I love you…. Aaaaahhhh… Oh my goodness. This is mere heaven…. Ohhhhh. Oohhhh. Ohhhh gawd….” he had offered as his cum shot out of him….

And as her nails, dug into his back, she pulled him down to her chest. She too was having her orgasm. He had hit her g-spot. He, the son of mother earth, had gotten her to her point of weakness. Each completed the other. They were perfect broken parts from the same puzzle.

A few minutes later… One more time, she touched him. Caressing his chest. Passing her fingers by his nipples.  Down to his groin. How he slid into her for a third round in one night still awes the duo. But one more time, he made love to her. Each latter experience better; more heated than the first. His was the gentleman’s touch. He was waiting for her to cum. And to cum she did. Her body shaking endlessly in rhythmical fashion.

Looking into each other’s eyes, they smiled.

He needed her in ways he found hard to explain. He had long forgotten how to live. His days were often dark and nights long with never ending thoughts. Then she had come along. Shee showed him that he could live again. She had taught him to find light in his darkest hours. But she too needed him. She needed him to show her what real love felt like.