SHADOWS AND FEELINGS

CHAPTER ONE: THE KNOCK Anita was walking back from the market one fateful day, she is a 23 years old lady, a graduate and the only daughter of her family with two brothers. While in her street, she noticed a blue car approaching and the drivers gaze was on her intense and unblinking.Anita saw how this man was looking but Anita pretended not to notice . She entered a shop to get few things,then left the shop to head home, unfortunately, when she stepped out, she saw the blue car parked ahead.a chill ran down her spine. she quickly ran into the house because now everything is becoming suspicious. When she got in, she sighed in relief, she thought to herself “ could it be a kidnapper, a dangerous person, or an admirer?” Trying to shake it off her head , she busied herself in the kitchen , prepping to cook, she heard a knock on the door ! Then her fear surged again but decided to shake it off and head to the door to see who’s there, but before reaching the door, she heard a familiar voice outside, . Relieved she went to the door and said Mark? Surprised and asked what brought you to my place? I’ve never seen you in my house before, that was Mark. Mark has a shop in Anita’s street, but all the years she has known him, he had never entered her house not until today . Hello my friend Mark said with a smile on his face, I have always wondered how your house looks all these years but I’ve never had the privilege to come in, not until today, let me go straight to what brought me here,a man with a fine blue car parked in front of my shop few minutes ago and was asking about you, I told him the little I know about you, you are a kind, friendly, mature and down to earth person, sometimes I wish u could marry you actually but I’m married he laughed, the man said I should please get your number if you don’t mind I know things like pisses you off because something similar had happened before, when the man came to my shop and asked me to give you his business card. Anita’s fear returned ‘him again?’, what does he want from me ? , I thought I was over that already, what does he want from me I’m not interested. Mark said, my friend I think he is a nice person and he gave me some money to do this, although I’m not just doing it for the money, I think i have a good feeling about him, maybe you can just give this one a listening ears, anyway it’s your choice , but since it’s just number you can give him then maybe block him if you want to. Tell him if he wants my number he should come get it himself Anita said, okay if you say so said Mark . He left, she returned to the kitchen. Just a few minutes later she heard a knock again , behold the man in the blue car was standing at her door step. Anita said hello cautiously , and said ‘hope I am safe’. He smiled and said hello beautiful lady my name is Erik, i am so sorry to have disturbed you and any trouble I may have caused you. I saw you walk past me but i honestly couldn’t resist I had to find a way to get to you, I’m sorry if sending that guy offended you. Can i speak to you for a moment? Anita said I’m cooking but you have a minute, thank you Erik said and proceeded, I have never done this before, chasing someone down like this but for some reasons I am drawn to you, before I proceed, can i ask you question? Go ahead Anita said, he cleared his throat and said my dear , do you have a boyfriend? I Want to know, Anita replied no I don’t, why do you ask? I asked because I am interested in you and if you don’t mind id like you to give me a chance to love you. Anita blinked and stunned by his words, said what do you mean love me we just met it’s not even possible, are you not married, you look too matured not to be , he laughed and said first of all I’m not saying I have fallen in love completely already, you wouldn’t believe me would you ? All I’m saying is give me a chance to get to know you and then we take it up from there . Secondly no I’m not married, although I have 2 kids I am a divorcee it is a long story, when we start getting to know each I’ll tell you more about it all I ask for is a chance from you, and do not mind the looks I am just 35 years old and how old are you ? She said I am 23 years old,a recent graduate from the university, I studied philosophy, I’m not looking for anything right now because you men are hard to trust, you break hearts like it’s a hobby, well let’s see how things go I don’t want to rush into anything and I guess age is just a number.A smile grew on Erik’s face upon hearing her response, “I am not perfect, I am not promising heaven and earth, but I will do my best to treat you right and give you the right amount of love that you deserve, not to waste anymore of your time please the prettiest lady on green skirt,can i have your number?” She blushed and they exchanged contacts then Erik thanked her and left, leaving Anita at the door with her mind restless and spinning with questions. Why me? What does he want from me? Will this man be a blessing or a curse to me? Anita thought, she shook it off and went back to the kitchen.