CHAPTER THIRTEEN “CONVINCED”

©️ Opeyemi Akintunde
As inspired by the DEEP ONE

Imade’s POV

We exchanged our polite apologies … soft voices, careful smiles …but our eyes did most of the talking.

Then we both walked into the VIP waiting lounge.

I felt it almost immediately.
His gaze…Not intrusive…Not rude.
Just… present.

Like warmth on skin.

I tried to focus on my phone, on the television screen, on anything else … but when I looked up, I caught him staring.

Our eyes met.

He looked away instantly and I swallowed hard.
A few minutes later, I became aware of my own staring.

I didn’t even realise how long I had been looking until he lifted his eyes and caught me. Oh My World! I dropped my gaze just as quickly.
This was ridiculous.
I didn’t even know his name.
Yet my heart was responding …quietly, rebelliously… to a stranger.

When boarding was announced, I stood up with the others.

On the plane, we were both seated in business class.
He was ahead of me …to my left.
Perfect angle.
Seriously, I hated myself for noticing.

I was seated in the middle aisle ; the seat meant for me and Teju.Teju’s seat was empty.
Pain flickered… then disappeared under something else.

From where I sat, I could stare freely. And I did….His shoulders….The calm way he sat….The stillness of him.

About an hour into the flight, I rested my head, hoping sleep would silence my thoughts.

Then…

I felt a gentle tap.
I opened my eyes.
The air hostess stood beside me, smiling.
She handed me a small folded note.
I opened it.
“Do you mind if I come sit by you, seeing the seat is unoccupied?
I have already asked the air hostess.”

I looked up.

He was watching me carefully… with anticipation.
But Gosh! His handwriting was beautiful…Elegant.
Like ancient calligraphy.

I smiled.
He exhaled and He took that as a yes.
Moments later, he was seated beside me.

The closeness was quiet… respectful… deliberate.
He turned slightly toward me and said softly:

“I know I will hate myself in two days’ time if I don’t seize this opportunity to speak to you.” He said calmly and friendly. I felt my breath hitch.

He continued:
“We both know some force is pulling us together …not to do anything reckless … but to at least have a conversation.”

I looked at him…Really looked at him.
And for the first time since my wedding…
I didn’t feel trapped.
I felt seen.
And that scared me more than anything else.

And then a thought crossed my mind, uninvited but loud:

“Now this is what a man looks like. A man who goes for what he wants. He wanted a conversation… and he came for it.”

Audacity!

Something Teju lacked.

To be continued…. www.deepthoughtsintl.org
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Inspired by the TRUTH REVEALER
Written by Opeyemi Akintunde
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