Chapter 14
1284 Words
Yemi’s pov
The night started ending the moment I slowed the car in front of her building. That was how it always felt. Like something warm was being taken away gently, not forced, just slowly. The street was quiet. Clean roads. Soft lights. No shouting. No horns. Just the sound of the engine breathing.
Hana did not rush to remove her seatbelt. She sat there and looked ahead. I looked at her instead. The side of her face. The calm way she rested her hands on her lap. The way her hair fell forward a little.
“You are quiet”, I said a little worried.
“I am just thinking”
“About what?” I asked her
She turned to me.
“About today”
“Was it bad?” I asked her genuinely worried that she didn’t have a good time like I did.
“No. It was very good”, she replied immediately with a smile in her eyes so I knew it was true.
I smiled and reached for her hand. Her skin was warm. I rubbed my thumb over her fingers without thinking.
“I am glad”
“You always say that”, she said back immediately.
“Because I always mean it”
She laughed softly and leaned back in her seat.
“I did not expect the night to go like that”, she said looking a little sad now
“In a good way?” I asked not sure now.
“Yes”
That yes stayed with me. I nodded and looked at the building again.
“We are here”, I said
She sighed quietly and finally removed her seatbelt.
“I do not want to go yet”, she finally said and something in me jumped for joy knowing my babe still wanted to spend more time with me.
“You want me to drive round again?” I asked her.
“Maybe just one more minute”
I turned on the engine. The silence felt full. Not awkward. Just full.
She leaned closer and rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her slowly. I kissed her hair gently. She smelled like comfort and sweetness.
“Thank you for tonight”, she said with a smile on her lips.
“Thank you for trusting me with it”.
She lifted her head slightly.
“You always say things like that”
“Because I feel them”, I replied her
She looked at me closely, like she was searching my face for lies. She did not find any.
“You are different”
“Different how?” I asked her.
“You pay attention”
I swallowed.
“That is because I know that love is in the small things”, I replied.
She smiled and nodded.
“I like that”
I leaned in and kissed her softly. Not rushed. Not hungry. Just warm. She kissed me back gently. When we pulled apart, she rested her forehead against mine.
“Drive safe”, she waved at me.
“Go inside first”, I said to her.
“I will text you”
“I will wait”, I responded.
She opened the door and stepped out. Before closing it, she leaned back in.
“Goodnight, Yemi”
“Goodnight, Hana”.
I watched her walk inside before starting the car. My chest felt heavy in a sweet way.
The drive home felt longer than usual. The road lights passed one by one. My hands stayed steady on the wheel but my thoughts were everywhere.
I replayed the way she laughed at dinner. The way she asked about my childhood. The way she listened when I spoke about Nigeria, about home, about how different life felt here.
Being here teaches you many things. It teaches you how to miss home. It teaches you how to choose carefully. It teaches you how to love with intention.
When I got home, I removed my shoes and lined them properly by the door. Old habits. Yoruba habits. Respect for space.
I dropped my keys and jacket and stood still for a moment.
“This girl”, I said to myself reminiscing of the moments we’ve been spending in my house.
I went to the bathroom and washed my face. The mirror showed a calm man with eyes that could not hide joy. I smiled at myself.
“Mo gbe. You are in trouble, Yemi”, I said to my reflection in the mirror.
I returned to my room and sat on the bed. I removed my shirt slowly. Her scent stayed on it. I shook my head and placed it carefully on the chair.
I lay down but sleep refused to come.
My phone buzzed.
“I am inside”
I replied immediately.
“Lock your door”
“Already done that”, I imagined her reply in her sweet voice.
“Good”
I stared at the screen for a second before typing again.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” I asked again. I knew she had replied to this exact question earlier but I just wanted to make sure.
“Very much”
“Tell me”
“I liked how you held my hand. I felt safe”
That sentence hit me deeper than she knew.
“I am glad you felt that way”, I replied immediately.
“You make things calm”
I placed the phone on my chest and stared at the ceiling. A Yoruba man in love does not shout. He grows quiet. He grows thoughtful.
I stood up and opened my Bible. Not because I wanted to preach. Just because it reminded me of who I was. I read a short passage and closed it.
“Thank you God”
I knelt beside my bed.
“Thank you for today. Thank you for her life. Help me love her with respect. Help me be patient”, I prayed.
I stood up feeling lighter.
Back on the bed, my phone buzzed again.
“What are you doing?”
“Thinking about you”, I replied.
“You always say that”, she sent with a blushing emoji.
“Because it is true”
“Are you smiling?” She suddenly asked.
“Like a fool”
“Good”, I chuckled a little and that alone filled the silence in my room.
“What are you doing?”
“Lying down”, she replied
I closed my eyes.
“I miss you already”, I typed
“It has not even been an hour”.
“Love does not count time”, I replied and she replied with a heart.
I placed my phone aside and lay on my side. The room felt colder. Abroad cold. I pulled the blanket closer.
Thoughts came softly. Thoughts of taking her to places she had never seen. Thoughts of teaching her Yoruba words. Thoughts of listening to her talk about Korea, about home, about her family.
I liked that we were different. I liked that we met in the middle.
My phone buzzed one last time.
“I’m sleepy babe”, she finally said
“Same here”, I finally let out a yawn feeling sleepy also. I had a long day planning everything out.
“Thank you again”
“Always”, I replied immediately.
I placed the phone face down and closed my eyes. This time sleep came gently.
With her name resting in my heart.
- Writer
