Chapter 8: Kunle’s Comfort

From corner of my eye, I see one tall person.

I turn, na Kunle cold, fine face I see.

E notice my tears, e shock small.

E look Tobi side, e don see everything.

“You…”

For the first time, im face no bone.

I quick wipe my tears.

One mad idea just jump my mind. My heart dey beat like generator wey no get fuel.

Na small spirit of wahala push me, but my heart dey beat. Next thing, I grab im hand, pull am enter one lounge for there.

Door close behind us.

I press Kunle for door, stand tiptoe reach im shoulder.

My hand dey shake, but I hold am tight. “Abeg, help me.”

“Wetin?”

Kunle look me, surprise.

After I pause small, I gather courage, kiss am.

Just like before, Kunle no move at first.

But as I wan pull back, shame dey catch me, e just kiss me back.

That one give me ginger, I close my eyes, kiss am well.

I fit taste small salt for im lips, maybe from my own tears. I no even know how long. As I stop, I dey breathe fast.

The room cold, but my body dey hot, chest dey rise and fall.

I look up, ask, “How e be to kiss me?”

Kunle laugh, small shine for im eye.

“Wetin you really wan confirm?”

I squeeze my hand, nervous.

“E be like wood? You no enjoy am?”

Tobi words still dey my head like bad dream.

“So, you dey use me take pepper Tobi?”

My plan clear, Kunle see through am.

Shame catch me.

Na just small craze catch me that time, but now I don calm, I know say e childish.

As I wan pull away, e just hold my waist.

“Then me too… suppose collect reward.”

Kunle kiss me again.

This time, I no hold back. As e lips touch my own, I let my anger, shame, even all the pepper wey Tobi put for my body, melt inside that kiss. Maybe na this kind wahala dey sweet Naija love stories, but that moment, na only Kunle matter.