“You look stunning again,” he said looking at me.

“You’ve said that remember?” I smiled his way.

“I know but still I feel like recapping it over and over again,” he looked at me deep down in my eyes.

“What?”

“There is something different about you.”

“I’ve been told like a million times,” mockingly I responded.

“So, who do you stay with?”

“Me? Alone.”

“Space lovers.”

“Sort of, I was living with mom but she passed away two years back.”

“I’m really sorry, I never should’ve asked.” He said giving me a sad face.

“No it’s fine.”

He pulled over, next to an unfamiliar restaurant and went inside. It was a quiet place, he ordered a take away and we got back to the car.

“We’re going to a moonlight picnic,” he said.

“Sure.”

“Are you OK?”

“Yes, yes I am fine.”

“OK.” suddenly his mood swung.

He stopped the car, opened the door for me and held my hand leading me to this beautiful park. He laid a blanket and helped me to get seated.

“Thank you,” I flushed.

“No thank you,” he smiled.

“For?”

“For accepting my proposal,” he said breathing slowly.

“It’s nothing really, so tell me a bit about yourself.” I spoke quickly as possible.

“Yes, well there is not much to tell, I grew up in a rich family with a very supporting family, my mother was a teacher and my father owns his businesses. I went to private schools with my twin brother Lwandle, but he wasn’t that intelligent so he dropped out and followed his music career. On the other hand, I continued with school and I hold my degree in Sociology, but my father had decided for my future so I took over his businesses and followed in his footsteps.”

“Wow that’s great! Well, I come from a very stable family but I don’t know my father. Mom was the only person who provided for me so I went to public schools. With a bit of luck I got a bursary and obtained my diploma a year ago and by luck I got a job in a month or so.”

“How old are you?”

“22 this year and you?” I asked.

“25 turning 26.”

“So you have been abroad I guess.”

“Yes I travel a lot.”

“Oh that’s great.”

After a long pause, out of nowhere he asked, “So what’s your love story?”

“Love story?” I repeated with a severe voice.

“Yes, I mean, singles are hard to find these days especially as beautiful as you are,”

“Well I gave up on love a year ago,” with confidence I responded.

“But you still believe there is any chance you will heal and move on?”

“Not at the moment.”

“I see, but honestly no one should be punished for another’s mistake, you know that right?”

“He is preaching now,” I laughed.

“Yes I can preach, do you want me to?” sarcastically he asked.

“Yes please,” I looked into his eyes.

“Or maybe some other time because I have flu, so my voice isn’t in a good tone to preach.” I laughed aloud. “You have a beautiful smile,” he said looking at me deep down in my eyes.

“OK, OK stop it with the compliments now.” I punched him a little on his arm and he held my hand, looked at me straight into my eyeballs and confessed.

“Lue,” he said with a gentleman’s and charming voice.

“Yes?” I responded.

“I think I am in love with you,” he said without any hesitation.

I felt like my past life was fading away. I felt extremely hot butterflies dancing in my stomach and my heart was racing very fast. His words still played in my mind for the first time in a year. I felt so alive and everything was real. I knew this wasn’t a dream because if it was I never wanted to wake from my sleep. In that very moment, I knew what love was and I honestly felt how it was to be loved. Suddenly I felt a raindrop on my cheek and it followed another. I took a deep breath.

“I think I’m in love with you too Banzi,”

The rain poured slightly as he lifted my chin up and leaned to kiss me. His softest, honeyed lips touched mine and profoundly I osculated him back with rain pouring at us, it was the best moment ever. I never wanted to let him go. He lifted me up, held the back of my neck and helped me to relax on his shoulder. We walked back to the car, he opened the door for me and gently put me inside.

“That was the best moment of my entire life, I never thought I would make it through to you,” he was so pleased and I could tell by the look in his eyes.

“I never thought I could feel that way ever again too,” I took off the wet jacket and he switched on the heater and looked me in the eyes.

“I love you Lue! Don’t leave me please, I need you in my life.”

“I love you too Banzi,” I responded shyly.

“Where were you all these years?” I could see the seriousness in his eyes.

“Waiting for a man like you,” I said as he started the engine and took off.

“I am glad I found you,” he smiled at me.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you fall in love quickly or do you take time to get to know someone?