If loving you is a crime.

Elise woke up one morning and decides to take a walk which is something she barely does but she felt the urge to go out and see how beautiful the street of Lagos will look like.On a Saturday morning like this it’s normal for everywhere to be busy and chaotic,but the good thing about today being Saturday was that she gets to see a lot of people outside juggling and taking walks.”Sometimes I wonder if these people actually enjoys running or maybe they’re just doing it for the paparazzi?.They just want to wear cute active wears,that brings out their curves,plus the admirations from onlookers” said Elise.She has always been an introvert and doesn’t really believe in going outside your house to keep in shape.So to her,she believes these runners are just attention seekers and nothing more. After walking some kilometers away from the house she came across a coffee shop and decides to get matcha.Before going in,she was a bit skeptical because of the few persons she saw from the transparent glass door of the cafe.As the only child of her parents who has always been cooked up in the house,unknown to her she developed social anxiety.But on this day,she wasn’t going to let that stop her.She walked towards the cafe shop majestically as if trying to build up confidence within her, but anyone who is close to her will notice how nervous she is.Her palms were sweating and shaking.Immediately she pushes the door open,everyone looks at her simultaneously as if a ghost has entered.She struggles to compose her self and locates a seat,that’s a bit distant from the other customers so she could be alone.She glances through the cafe and stares at the customers seated as if trying to read their minds,her hands still shaking.Thinking of the different thoughts that will be going through their minds,like if they really enjoyed coffee or they’re just trying to meet western standards.She never truly understood the whole satisfaction one gets from drinking coffee and wonders why anyone will choose coffee over tea.”well not to be hypocritical,drinking matcha is not so much different from drinking coffee” she said.”Hello ma,what can I offer you?” Interrupted by the waitress who’s there to take her order.Umm(trying to remember what she wanted to order),I’ll have matcha and a croissant please.After the waitress left,she thought to herself on why the hell she’d order for a croissant.Shortly after the waitress came back and asked if she will be having her order in the cafe or if she’ll have it as takeout.After taking the order,Elise buries her face on her phone watching reels just to avoid eye contact,this is interrupted by a man standing in front of her.Different thoughts went through her mind,on who it will be(slowly raising her head).She is stunned to find out that its Noah(her university crush).Both of them gives each other a passionate hug as if they’ve been searching for each other for a long time .Elise has always had a crush on Noah right from when they were in high school up till university,but Noah seems to always see her generosity and niceness as her being just a good friend.He never saw her past friendship.Aside the fact that Noah is handsome and portrays a good sense of humor,another thing she admires is that he’s a bad boy in every sense.He has killer instinct clothes choices,he was always sent home for one bad misconduct or the other and had almost all the girls drooling over him back in school.She never understood why she like him that much,especially since he has always been used as a bad example to students.So how have you been(his hands tightly gripping Elise hands while getting seated.)I’ve been good, still same me (she replied).Their discussion is briefly cut short by the waitress who brings Elise order.How much is my bill?(Elise asked)oh it’s 20,000 naira ma(replied the waitress)as she was about bringing out her credit card,Noah immediately offered to pay by giving the waitress his card.Elise felt awkwardly shy,she has never received such gesture before.Everything she’s ever had and eaten has always been provided for by her parent.So,seeing someone pay her bill was a big deal to her.Oh you didn’t have to but thanks anyways(trying to keep her cool and not to reveal the fact that it’s her first time a guy was sorting her order).It’s a pleasure,at least for old times sake(collects his card and took a 1,000 naira note from his pocket and hands it over to the waitress).(The waitress collects the money with a struggling smile and walks away).You look so good and grown,I remember the last time we saw,you were what? Maybe 164cm tall? But look at you now(looking at her with an amusing smile).(Elise gave out a little blush)Well,like the saying goes “the young shall grow” and you’re not looking bad yourself(looking at him with admiration).Oh please you’re just trying to flatter me,I don’t look as good as you,or at least not as good as I used to back in school.You know you’ll always look good to me(trying to be flirty).After some back and front with the complimentary,Elise remembers time is fast spent and needs to go back home before her parents calls,which was the usual routine in the house.Ever since her parents traveled she’s always checked on by her parents at least three times a day.She had the first call before she left the house this morning and it’s almost noon,which is around the time her parents usually call.Oh I need to start going it’s getting pretty late(with an anxious face).What do you mean it’s getting late,this is just past 12(trying to grab her hand),don’t tell me you haven’t changed Elise.Noah has always seen her as a child,not because of her age or stature but because of how timid and naive she was,he believed that she didn’t have a mind of her and her life was dictated to her by her parent.Its one of the reasons he knew that he could never be attracted to her or think of being in a romantic relationship with her because he felt the relationship will be controlled by her parent.You don’t understand,my parent will be calling me soon and I need to be home to receive the call or else I’ll be in trouble(getting more tensed and sweaty).I can’t believe you’re still living under the shadow of your parents at this grown age.At 23 i thought you’d have developed a tough skin towards them but i guess you’re still the old you(sounding disappointed).Maybe we can meet up again sometime this week(trying to make up for the disappointing look on his face).Okay that’s fine,give me your phone so I can take all of your socials(leaning to collect her phone).Can I go now(she asked innocently as if trying not to upset him).They quickly said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.