(044 - No Capping.)

Congratulations to olaworetenny and chiosom118 for winning the first position in the Quiz two weeks ago! Well done guys 😌✨. You people should go and read o, we have a quiz next week.

Guys😫😭, me too I will fall in love one day and I and my boo will have a catchphrase like "No Capping". I don't doubt that Chima and Dawn are going to make your heart jump plenty in this chapter.

Something good is about to happen. Or rather, many good things😌✨.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍
(Dawn Damipe Dayo)

It was painful.

It was so painful sitting down today at Gomery and listening to Semeeha repeat everything she said in the garden that day, unapologetically spewing out insensitive and invalidating words again like she didn't know... or couldn't see the glaring effect it had on me.

Very painful.

She didn't have to use the exact words she said to me that day. She reconstructed her statements but that didn't water down or diminish the fact that they still meant the same thing, and still carried out almost the same progressively detrimental effect it had on me back then.

I couldn't sit back and listen to her talk about me that way again. I had to leave, for my sanity. Even Hilary couldn't stay.

Leaning back on the tubular steel chair I was sitting on in the middle of the park, I allowed myself to think back to all the questions that bombarded my mind as soon as I left Gomery. Questions I couldn't help but ask myself.

Why exactly did she say those words to me?

What sick pleasure did Semeeha Malik derive from putting me down and treating my feelings like they didn't matter?

How did she feel watching me bawl my eyes out, right in front of her because of her hurtful words?

How was she so comfortable, seeing her best friend cry out in hurt because of the words that came out of her mouth?

I could still remember it vividly... the smirk on her lips that day while she watched me cry. It almost felt like she was enjoying it, like she was relishing in the feeling of seeing me in tears, in pain, hurt beyond measures.

Semeeha Malik enjoyed making me feel sad.

Why?

It was unsettling, almost creepy in fact.

And the fact that she still could have made her point without invalidating my feelings, without making me feel ungrateful, without justifying the sexual comments I was getting from stupid men... the fact that she could have still made her point without attributing the reason for all my hard-earned accolades and success as a dancer to my body... but didn't, proved that.

Did she do all of that on purpose? Did she say all of that on purpose?

I mean, she couldn't even apologize properly.

...Maybe I'm sorry for how harsh I presented my words...

Maybe? She wasn't even sorry.

Semeeha didn't feel bad about what she said. She didn't feel any remorse. In her mind, she was right, and for her to adamantly refuse she wasn't in the wrong for what she did, it was like my opinion about the situation didn't matter. My feelings didn't matter. My hurt didn't matter.

Wow.

All of this, these thoughts made me doubt if we were ever friends in the first place. Because someone won't intentionally hurt their best friend the way Semeeha Malik keeps hurting me.

Maybe she was never my friend, to begin with. Maybe she was just with me because she knew how sensitive I was. She knew she could prey on my insecurities because that's what she has always been doing. Subtly or not.

But what kind of joy did she derive from doing that? Or did she just do it for fun?

It was hard to figure out the answers to these questions and trying to figure them out only brought about more unanswered questions that left me confused... and sad.

But I tried my best to push out the feeling of sadness or insecurities that had begun to plague me, telling myself that I wasn't going to let her words get to me ever again. Semeeha Malik has hurt me for the last and final time.

Never again.

I felt a presence behind me, the shadow of a figure hovering above me and acting as a shade to block the ray of sunlight shining on me. Before I could turn around to see who it was, strong, familiar arms wrapped around me from behind and drew me into a taut body.

That familiar, firm body.

I inhaled on instinct, every thought I had in my mind disappearing into thin air as I caught the faint whiff of an intoxicating scent that I was very much acquainted with. I couldn't stop the smile that stretched across my lips, humming softly as I leaned into him.

Him.

"Hey," He whispered and I sighed, feeling his lips brushing my ear just by a breeze.

My lips widened further with a smile and I leaned back against his body, bringing my hands up to hold unto his that were still around me, hugging the both of us tighter. Thankfully, the armrest connected to the steel chair was low enough, so there was no form of discomfort between us.

"Hi,"

I whispered back, tilting my head to the side a little bit to nuzzle my cheek with his. He hummed, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my head and squeezed me a little tighter before finally pulling away, coming to the line of my vision. I didn't think I would smile any wider than I was already smiling until he did.

He looked good. Really good.

I took my time, allowing my eyes to sweep over his features.

As far as I have noticed, Sochima Ansel Johnson wasn't someone that paid close attention to his choice of clothing, or a specific fashion style or brand like most guys in Crestview would. But when he dresses up, he ends up doing it in style, like he was doing right now.

He was dressed in a simple white top beneath a denim jacket, black jeans, and black tennis kicks. Nothing more, nothing flamboyant, but he was still able to pull it off, looking effortless drop-dead gorgeous.

It was like every new day I see him, he just keeps looking better, more handsome... hot.

So Hot. I mused, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth and bobbing my head to the side to have a better look at him.

(Picture of Chima's Outfit 🥵🔥✨)

"Why are you staring at me like you want to put off my clothes?" His deep voice tore through my racy thoughts, forcing my eyes away from his frame to look at him. He was staring down at me, eyes twinkling with mischief and his lips pulled up in a knowing smirk.

I squinted at him, unable to hold back my smile.

"Now you are just giving me ideas," I wiggled my brows teasingly. Chima threw his head backward in laughter and I joined him.

"But seriously, you look really good." I voiced out my compliment when our laughter had already subsided.

"Thank you," He answered, his lips stretching into a grin. "And you..." He trailed off, looking away from my eyes and down to my frame, taking me in.

He wordlessly focused on me, looking at me like he was just seeing me for the first time since he got here. I watched his eyes sweep over my frame, taking me in like I did him but slower, more intently... and way more sensually. I felt my breath hang in my throat, my heart picking up a rapid beat.

His stare made me feel like my body was being dipped into a volcano. It made me feel Hot.

But even with all the intense, profoundly fervid emotions in his stare, I could still see... and feel the warmness and tenderness of his gaze. The undisguised love, the irrevocable admiration, the glaring adoration. I could see all of it, more intoxicating and exhilarating than it has ever been.

Then I heard him sigh softly, a sigh that told me he was in awe of me. It made me feel beautiful... perfect

It enthralled me how a guy can bare his feelings out in front of the girl he's in love with like that... unashamedly, and without saying as much as a word.

His look said it all.

His look made me feel... Everything.

"You look Beautiful, Dawn," He said, his voice coming out husky and breathless. It was like all that time he was watching me, he didn't breathe.

And his words, what he said, no matter how many times he has told me before, it felt like he was just saying it to me for the first time. My heart skipped three beats.

Yes, I counted.

"Thank you," I sounded just as breathless as he did, if not more.

Just like his clothes I was in a simple outfit too, dressed in a turquoise long-sleeved body con round neck top, flowery short skirt, and nude sneakers. But I know I looked good

And Chima did too.

(Baby Dawn's outfit 😫💖✨)

"I'm so sorry for coming late though," Chima said after a brief silence, settling down in the space beside me. I brought my phone out of my purse to check the time. I almost chuckled when saw what the time said.

Was he seriously apologizing for being five minutes later than our meet-up time?

"My mum asked me to run an errand for her," He continued to explain himself. "She ordered a few things for her boutique so she asked me to pick them up for her. So I had to take her car and drive to Ikoyi to pick the items up for there, then get back to Crown to drop them off before heading this way-"

"Yet, you were still able to make it here in time," I cut him off, smiling at him.

"I was still late," He maintained. Now, I couldn't stop the chuckle from escaping my lips.

"Just by five minutes Chima," I told him. "It's fine. Besides, you already sent me a text prior." I reminded him and he sighed, the expression on his face looking like he was trying to gather his thoughts together.

"I just thought..." He began but I shook my head slightly, causing his words to trail off.

"It's okay, Chima. Really," I promised him and he sighed again, nodding.

Ever since I told him about my past with Tekena Tamuno, Chima has... well, he has been overthinking every action he makes towards me. At first, I thought he was just being his usual sweet and delicate self. But when it started getting a little too much, I realized what exactly was going on.

Chima doesn't want to hurt me the way Tekena Tamuno did.

And the simple understanding of what he was doing, and how intentional he was about not hurting me made me grow in love with him more than I already was.

Consciously or unconsciously, he was giving me more reasons to think that he was perfect.

To think that he is The One.

Once again, God forbid I let this perfect human being go.

"How was your hangout with Hilary and Kizito at Gomery? Chima asked me, bringing me out of my reverie.

The question he had asked, oblivious to the kind of effect it had on me immediately dampened my mood, my mind flashing back to my thoughts before he came and the hangout at Gomery, plus everything going on with Semeeha Malik.

I tried to force my smile back on, but Chima had already noticed the change in my demeanor.

"What's wrong?" He asked, moving closer to me and I looked at him, shaking my head. "Did something happen to Kizito or Hilary? Are they okay?" He asked, the concern in his voice evident. I almost smiled, appreciating how much he cared about the welfare of my friends almost as much as I did.

"Nothing happened to them," I assured him and he exhaled in relief, nodding.

"Then what is it? What happened?" He probed further, searching my eyes with it as if he wanted to figure out what was wrong without me telling him. And knowing Chima, he could. But maybe not in this case. There was no way he could guess exactly what was up.

"Dawn," He called calmly, urging me to speak.

"Semeeha was there." I opened up.

Chima didn't look half as surprised as I felt when I saw Semeeha. Even though I tried to hide it, I was shocked when I saw her standing right beside Kizito earlier today, staring back at me. I thought I was going to be hanging out and have fun with my two best friends today, only for me to see that it was more of a peace maker's meeting than a hangout.

"By coincidence or..." Chima began to ask but trailed off when I shook my head.

"Kizito planned it," I told him. "He tricked the three of us into meeting at Gomery so that we'd talk about everything going on between and settle it once and for all," I added.

In a way though, when I walked into Gomery and saw Semeeha, I had an inclining of what was going on. It kinda made me a little relieved that someone was trying to salvage what was left of my and Semeeha's friendship.

Little did I know it wasn't going to work out.

"Oh, and did it work? Were you guys finally able to find a common ground? Did Semeeha apologize?" He fired the questions at a stretch, optimism flashing in his eyes. A short humorless laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head again.

I wish.

"Not even in the slightest," I muttered, looking away from Chima's piercing gaze. I heard him exhale, and from my peripheral vision, I could see him bob his head to the side, feeling his eyes still watching me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly, carefully and I inhaled, thinking.

Did I want to talk about Semeeha Malik and everything she said to me again? Did I want to do that to myself? It was always therapeutic, that is talking to Chima. He always knows exactly what to say to ease me of every burden and make me feel a lot better.

But this time, I wasn't sure.

So, I shook my head.

"I rather not," I answered in a small voice, glancing at him from beneath my lashes. Chima smiled, nodding in understanding.

"Okay," He whispered.

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"She actually told me to suck it up and grow a pair," I said to Chima, my words a little muffled because my mouth was filled with hamburger.

Okay, I know I said I'd rather not talk about what happened at Gomery, but I just couldn't help myself. Chima had this very compelling presence to himself, an aura that made me want to tell him everything. This wasn't the first time I'd be opening up to him about something after telling him I didn't want to open up.

After I told him I didn't want to talk about it, he asked me if I had gotten anything to eat. When I told him I hadn't, he suggested we grab a bite from the nearest restaurant which we did. But as soon as our order came, I started letting it all out, ranting about everything Semeeha said... just like I was doing right now.

And he didn't have to pressure me.

All the while, the dark-skinned boy just sat right there in front of me, munching on his snack and listening to every word I've been saying without saying anything back. And even though he wasn't saying anything - and hasn't said anything since I started talking, I knew I had his full attention.

So, I went on.

"And then she told me that I was overreacting," I ranted on, taking another bite off my hamburger while Chima watched. "That I should stop acting like my problems are the biggest in the world, that people have far bigger problems than I do. As if that will ever justify everything she said to me, or will make me feel better," I paused, hiccuping because of the speed I was using to eat. Chima was quick to pass me my milkshake.

"Thank you," I muttered between hiccups, placing the straw between my lips and taking a drag. When I looked at Chima, his lips were tugged up slightly in a small smile, his eyes peering right into mine as he quietly, and thoughtfully watched me.

He finds my ranting funny. I thought to myself, averting my gaze from his for a moment.

"You find my ranting funny," I voiced out my thoughts, looking back at him.

"I find it really cute, actually" He corrected, his lips stretching further into a full-blown smile. I couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped my lips.

"Just don't bother saying you don't want to open up when at the end of the day, you will." He added teasingly and I burst into laughter, throwing my head back over the headrest of the seat.

Well, it's true.

"So," Chima drawled after my laughter had subsided, and from that, I knew he wanted to get back on topic. "What else happened? Did she say anything more?" Chima asked, leaning forward against the table.

I exhaled.

"Nothing she hasn't already said to me. Just reconstructed her words, as if they'd hurt any less." I answered, trying to brush it off with a nonchalant shrug.

"With everything you just said, I take it that she didn't apologize," Chima noted and I chuckled, nodding.

"She didn't even feel sorry," I told him. "For some reason, she still feels like everything she said to me was the truth," I stated, leaning back against my seat. "Even if they were the truth, there was a better way she could have said it without making me feel the way she made me feel," I looked at Chima, who was watching me intently.

"You know," I continued, a sad smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "I felt a little relieved when I saw her today," I told him, and Chima leaned forward even more, listening to me.

"I thought I'd at least get the last chance to figure out if I really wanted to cut her off, or not. I mean, we have been friends for more than four years. It's difficult to just let her go." I said, averting my gaze for a moment before looking back at Chima.

"But now, I guess there is no more friendship between Semeeha Malik and me," I sighed, sounding more defeated than I was supposed to be. And Chima picked up on it.

"Why do you sound so sad about it?" He asked. I shrugged, a small chuckle escaping my lip.

"Because I kinda feel bad that I'm letting my almost five years of friendship with Semeeha go like that," I answered. Chima's thick brows furrowed in a slight frown as if he didn't agree with me.

But I went on nonetheless.

"I hoped she'd get to change my mind from my initial decision. I wanted her to do something... anything that will give me a reason to let this mess up go just like I've done all others before, a reason to tolerate her once more-"

"There's the word," Chima cut me off gently. "Tolerate." He said. I furrowed my brows in confusion, wondering what he was talking about.

"I don't understand," I told him, and he nodded in understanding, getting ready to explain himself.

"Dawn, you have been tolerating Semeeha all this while because you had to. Because you felt the need to keep your friendship with her since she was part of the first friends you made." He began, holding my gaze in his.

I leaned forward to listen, silently urging him on.

"And you had to keep tolerating her because of your mutual friendship with Hilary and Kizito," He continued."You also had to keep tolerating her because, in some moments, she'd be more of a good friend than a..." He trailed, looking up thoughtfully like he was trying to find the right words to describe Semeeha's friendship with me. "Not so good one," He found it, giving me a small, apologetic smile.

There was nothing he needed to apologize for. He described it a lot nicer than I would have.

"But the truth is that you don't have to keep tolerating someone that has shown repeatedly that she doesn't care about your feelings, even if she is, in her weird way, trying to help you. Today proved that," He told me matter-of-factly.

"And really," He chuckled lightly, "I feel the reason why she kept doing that to you is because you kept tolerating her. You kept accomodating her. You kept making excuses that she'd change, well... until now," He paused. I exhaled, taking in his words.

He is right.

"You are right," I voiced out, exhaling again. "I settled,"

"But you are not supposed to," Chima told me, and I met his eyes. "Yes, there is compromise in friendship, but that doesn't mean you should lower your stakes for anyone, especially someone that doesn't appreciate it." He said.

It's true. I've compromised for Semeeha a lot more than she has compromised for me... or any of us if I'm being totally honest.

"Listen to me," He whispered, stretching his hands over the table to me and I met him halfway, allowing him to take my hand in his.

I watched silently as he pressed our palms together, then started lacing his fingers between mine before looking back up, my eyes meeting his.

"You are a Queen, Dawn," He told me, his tone firm and his words hitting me with a full force. I had to nibble on a corner of my lower lip to stop myself from smiling so hard.

"Queens don't settle." He said point-blank, his eyes locked on to mine like magnets. My eyes drifted close, inhaling and digesting the words, my heart fluttering in my chest. This time, I couldn't stop the smile from stretching across my lips. So wide that my cheeks began to hurt.

He always knows what to say. I don't know how humanly possible it was for someone to be so perfect with words just as much as he was with actions. Chima was just too good... to perfect that there's absolutely no way I was the first girl he'd be falling in love with.

"How come you always know the right things to say?" I had to ask, watching his lips stretch in a smile, his face mirroring my expression.

"I really don't," He shook his head, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his modesty. "I don't think about my words before they come out of my mouth. I just speak." He maintained.

"Bullshit," I didn't believe him. "It's so obvious if this isn't your first rodeo," I smirked at him, but he returned it with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know who your first girlfriend was, but she was so lucky to have you," I voiced out my previous thought without thinking through it. "But if she broke your heart, then she's such a douche for letting someone like you go," I added.

Chima looked at me in awe for a moment, before bursting into a round of laughter

"Whoever told you I've been in a relationship before?" He asked when his laughter had subsided, propping his head with his fist with an amused expression still marred across his face. I blinked.

"You haven't," I said, not asking because his reaction to my assumption was enough for me to know that Chima hasn't been in a relationship before. And the slight shake of his head confirmed it.

Wow. I couldn't hide my shock.

"I've never really had the chance to," He said, punctuating his words with a trifling shrug and a lazy smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Not even in your old school?" I pressed on. But he still shook his head no, and I couldn't help the low wow that escaped my lips. Someone with charms like Chima shouldn't have problems getting girls at his beck and call, so it was a surprise that he didn't.

The idea of me being his first... well, everything was somewhat thrilling.

"I can't believe it, honestly," I voiced out my awe and he chuckled.

"Why is it so hard to believe that I haven't had a girlfriend before, or haven't had anything intimate to do with any girl for that matter?" He asked, his eyebrows quirking with inquisition. I exhaled, shrugging.

"I don't know..." I drawled, not knowing how to construct my words. Chima laughed again, nodding as if he understood my discomfort.

"I've only been in love with one girl all my life," He said, staring brazenly at me.

"And I'm still in love with her till now," He whispered, causing the corners of my lips to stretch in a smile no matter how much I tried to hide it. I looked at our still joined hands, watching his thumb brush the side of mine absentmindedly.

His words made me think back to when we were taking under the bleachers. When he told me the exact time he fell in love with me. The first day he stepped into Crestview.

When he told me how long he had loved me the night at Wonder Coast, I never expected it to be that long. I can remember only so much from that day. I can remember directing someone to Sir Isaac's office, asking him if this was his first day. When he said yes, I welcomed him to the school.

But it's something I do anytime I come across new students. I didn't even know it was Chima that day. Didn't register his face. Didn't even know he had fallen in love with me right there... and for almost three years and I still didn't notice.

But most importantly, how come he never came to me?

"Why didn't you come to me?" I asked. Chima chuckled, shaking his head.

"It would have been bizarre walking up to you to tell you I love you, don't you think?" He asked teasingly and I smiled.

It would have been bizarre. I probably wouldn't have taken him seriously.

"Besides, I thought it was just a crush and it would go," He continued. "You were the only person nice to me that day and that moment stuck in my head like a footnote. And my mum kept reminding me of the reason why I was in Crestview in the first place, pleaded with me not to get distracted." He said.

"So, you forgot about me," I teased and he laughed.

"I never forgot about you," He assured. "I just tried to focus on finding my footing first in Crestview... both academically and in athletics. But when I was done with that and I thought it was the right time for me to get to know you, you were already in a relationship with him," He didn't have to say the name before I knew who he was talking about.

Tekena Tamuno.

My relationship with Tekena hindered Chima's chances with me.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"Why are you sorry? You didn't know about my feelings for you," He shrugged. "I was late, he beat me to the punch and I accepted it. So, I just tried to keep myself occupied and busy so that I won't keep tabs on your relationship with him. Maybe that's why I didn't know what he did to you, which I should have known if I was keeping tabs. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Chima," I told him.

"I could have stopped him from hurting you," He maintained. "There were so many things I could have done differently to prevent what he did-"

"But you made up for it by helping me get over him, over everything." I cut him off. His forehead creased in confusion, wondering what I was saying and I smiled.

Well, I guess it's my turn to tell him when I also fell for him.

"Under the bleachers, early third term," I began and he sat up, his face lit up like he was trying to remember what I was talking about.

So I went on to reveal more.

"I had just gotten back from therapy. I was trying to be strong, I acted like I was strong, like I was ready to face the school again. But even though the side talks and insults had reduced, they were still lingering. Sometimes I'd break down and cry when my friends weren't watching." I recounted, chuckling lightly at the memory.

Everyone thought I was strong when I came back in third term, but the truth is that I was still trying to find my strength. I was still trying to find something to hold unto.

Until Sochima Ansel Johnson gave it to me... with just ten words.

"Then one day, you found me crying under the basketball court bleachers," I continued, pausing when Chima's eyes twinkled with remembrance.

"I didn't think you'd remember that day," He whispered, and my lips stretched wider in a smile. And to think I once thought he wouldn't remember.

"Well, just like my kindness on your first day was the footnote for you, this was the footnote for me, Chima," I told him, and his smile widened, his hand squeezing mine gently.

"You saw me there, crying and you sat beside me and allowed me to cry my eyes out. You allowed me to be weak. On a normal day, I'd have been embarrassed that someone found me crying, but that day I didn't care. I just wanted to let it all out and you didn't stop me from doing that. You let me.-

And after my tears had subsided, you didn't have to ask me what was going on. You didn't prob me, you didn't pressure me, you just waited for me to be calm. Then you said ten words that changed everything for me, ten words that gave me the breakthrough I needed."

"You are too special to let anyone get to you," We said together.

Chima's eyes fluttered close as he sighed like he was reminiscing the moment over and over again, a content smile stretched across his lips. I felt tears well up in my eyes at that memory, the memory that led to all of this, to this very moment.

"You were never late Chima," I whispered and he opened his eyes to look at me. "This, what's happening right here, right now between us is proof you are right on time. That this is a perfect time." I said to him. He sighed again, his face lighting up and beaming as his eyes stayed locked to mine.

"God knows, I had to go through what I went through in the hands of TK, even though I didn't deserve it," I went on. "But I wouldn't have met you the way I did if I didn't go through it. None of that matters anymore. What matters now is just me and you now," I said.

"It's just you and me," He repeated, his voice clouded with thick emotions.

"And I love you, no capping," I whispered, and he beamed even more.

"No capping,"

He whispered back, lifting my hand that was in his and bringing it to his lips. He pressed soft, dainty kisses at the back of my knuckles, mumbling out words that sounded like how did I get so lucky, and I chuckled, knowing for a fact that I was the one lucky to have him. And I couldn't have asked for a better time for us to be together than now.

It was perfect timing, too perfect.

It almost felt preordained.

Destiny. Fate.

Chima's phone started ringing, cutting through my train of thoughts. He picked it up with his free hand, not wanting to let my hand go before answering the call. And from the way he was talking, I was able to deduce that the caller was his mum.

I honestly can't wait to meet the woman that raised this perfect boy.

He kept speaking to her, switching between English and Igbo at some point. I thought I heard my name in between the conversation but it must have been my mind playing tricks on me. I just sat still and watched the exchange in fascination.

I've never heard Igbo sound so good coming from someone.

Maybe because you have never heard someone speak Igbo. My subconscious mocked me.

"That was my mum," He said when he hung up. "She doesn't like me eating out so she wants me to come home now because she already prepared Dinner. A feast, she said." He told me, chuckling to himself at his mum's choice of words.

"Oh," I looked at my phone to check the time. It was just 7:00 pm, I didn't even notice that it was already getting dark. Though I wasn't in a hurry to go home just yet, I guess I have to because Chima was already going home.

"So you are going home now," I stated, pouting.

"No, we are going are going home now," He said instead, grinning from ear to ear. My brows creased together in confusion.

"What?" I was confused.

"Are you ready to meet my mum?"

My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

When I said I couldn't wait to meet the woman that raised a perfect guy like Chima, I honestly didn't mean I was ready to meet her now. Yet, I couldn't stop myself from saying yes when he asked if I was ready to meet her... and I couldn't take it back because of the excitement he exhibited by my agreement to meet her.

This is why we were both seated in the 2013 model Toyota Camry with Chima behind the steering wheel and me at the passenger's side, driving through the gate of Lekki Crown.

I took a deep breath, feeling both excited and a little nervous. Excited that I was finally meeting his family, his mum, and the infamous twins. Nervous because I wasn't sure how they'd see me and if they'd like me.

I've barely said anything all through the drive and I knew Chima could sense my nervousness, especially with the way his eyes kept flickering off the road and to me. It was only a matter of time before he spoke.

"You are nervous," He said on cue as if he had heard my thoughts. I turned my head to look at me, just as he turned his eyes away from the road to look at me, an understanding smile playing on his lips.

"Just a little bit," I confessed and he nodded, hitting the brake to slow down.

"You know, we can turn around if you are not comfortable meeting her today," He offered, heading towards the next U-turn. "I'll drop you off at home and we can easily reschedule-"

"Hey," I stopped. him from talking further. "I'm a little nervous, yes, but I'm also excited to meet your mum and siblings. This is a perfect time, I promise." I assured him and he grinned, heaving a sigh of relief.

"My mum is definitely going to love you," He muttered and I giggled, feeling more at ease.

We kept driving till we got past the estates and moved to a town-like part of the Crown. When we drove through the gates after Chima greeted the security men, it felt like we had entered an entirely different place from the Crown.

I didn't need anyone to tell me that we had entered the barracks.

Estates in Lekki Crown were quiet and quiescent, literally a ghost town most of the time. But where we just entered was bustling with so much energy. It looked like a lively, fast-paced environment with lots of exciting and enjoyable things to do.

Like the children playing football on the large field in the middle of the houses, some spectators watching and cheering them on. Or like the different kiosks and suya stands at the corners of homes. Everything about this place was warm and welcoming.

It felt like New York, a city that doesn't sleep.

Unlike all the big houses in the estates of the Crown, this particular estate had compact, but very modern houses. The way the social media always paints the army barracks, like everything was an eyesore, this place was proving me wrong. This place was beautiful and organized.

Homey and Serene even with all the energy.

"We are here," Chima announced, parking in front of a house that looked completely different from all the houses I've seen. Asides from the color difference, there was also a difference in size and the positioning of the house was a little distance away from every other house, just right by a lake.

(Sochima's House😌🔥)

"Come on," Chima was already standing by my side of the car, my door opened so that I'd come out. I took his outstretched hands as he helped me out, shutting the door behind me before leading me to the front of the door.

Squeezing my hand gently, he said. "Everything is going to be perfect," and I nodded, mirroring his smile.

He knocked on the door, his fist gently hitting the wooden door in a specific beat that was returned from whoever was behind the door. And immediately, the door flew open, revealing two pre-teens, a boy and a girl.

Ariel and Axel. The Twins.

"Ansel!"

The loud shrieks almost tore through my eardrums, followed by the girl lunging herself at Chima who caught her effortless, hearty laughter escaping his lips. The boy still stood in his spot, grinning from ear to ear.

I watched, unable to help the wide smile playing on my lips.

"I still carried you this morning, Ariel. What exactly did you eat between then and now that makes you so heavy?" Chima groaned, dropping his sister who pouted, probably taking offense at what Chima said.

"You and I know she's the one eating all the junks in the fridge," The boy chipped in, teasing his twin sister along with Chima. The girl glared hard at him, slapping him hard across the arm.

"Hey!" She chided, still glaring at her brother. "I'm older than you!"

"By twelve minutes. We were still born on the same day," He countered, rubbing the spot his twin hit him on. I just couldn't take my eyes off them, couldn't stop my smile from widening as I watched them.

Both of them were so cute.

"Guys," Chima called their attention, stopping them from bickering. "Behave. We have a guest," He cocked his head in my direction, and the twins followed his direction, their eyes falling on me for the first time since we got here.

"Hi," I whispered, raising my hand in a small wave. It didn't take a second after I did that for Ariel's eyes to widen in recognition, a gasp escaping her lips like she had seen me before.

"This is Dawn," She looked at Chima as if to confirm her speculation and he nodded, beaming with smiles.

"Yes, it's Dawn." He affirmed. Ariel squealed, throwing her hands around my middle in a bear hug. I gasped out a laugh, looking at Chima inquisitively but the boy only shrugged, his lips turned in a lazy smile.

Did he really tell his siblings about me?

"Oh my God, you are so pretty," Ariel gushed when she Finally pulled away from me, looking at me like an angel that had just fallen from heaven. For a twelve-year-old, she was rather outspoken with a bubbly and outgoing personality.

I liked it

"Thank you," I grinned. "You are so beautiful too," I told her and she smiled back, muttering a shy thank you.

"I wonder how my ugly ass brother was able to snag such a beauty," A voice that resembled Chima's, though not as deep, said. I didn't need anyone to tell me that it was Axel speaking.

"Language, young man," Chima chided teasingly and I giggled.

Axel ignored his elder brother and walked up to me, using his hip to push his twin out of the way so that he was the one standing in front of me, a smug smile playing on his lips. The action also had me bursting out in laughter, but I bit down on my lips.

The boy was a spitting image of Chima, only younger. Obviously just as much of a charmer as his brother was.

"Axel Somtochukwu Johnson, the more handsome brother at your service," He smoldered, picking my hand in his and bringing it up to his lips to kiss.

But couldn't go through with it because Chima grabbed him and pulled him away from me. Ariel and I burst into laughter on cue.

"That's enough of you," Chima told his brother, who stuck his tongue out to him. "Let's go in please," He added.

Ariel held my hand, pulling me in with her as her brothers followed behind us, announcing to the entire house that her brother's wife had come home even though Chima tried to shut her up severally. I couldn't stop laughing

This is just like my house. Maybe even crazier.

"Kaima, stop shouting," Chima chided for the umpteenth time, closing the door of the house behind him.

"Mummy, your daughter-in-law is here!" Ariel disregarded her elder brother, still yelling at the top of her voice. Chima was going to chide her again, when a new voice filled the room, alerting my senses.

"Can you not ever shout in this house?" The older, feminine voice asked, accompanying the middle-aged woman that walked in right after. I swallowed, my eyes on her.

Chima's mum.

And Christ, the woman is beautiful!

"It's your daughter o," Axel was quick to tell on his sister. It was something Dean was capable of doing, and the similarity of the action elicited a giggle from me. A loud one.

Everyone turned to look at me, including Chima's mum.

Oh shit

I was about to start having a nervous breakdown when the older woman spoke.

"Is that Dawn?" She was asking Chima, but her eyes were still fixated on me, her eyes glistening with recognition while I stood there, completely awestruck at the fact that the entire family knew me.

Chima smiled, nodding as he turned to me too.

"Yes, she is," He answered. The woman gasped, her eyes widening in more recognition as her lips stretched into a wide, welcoming smile that put me a little at ease. She stretched her hands out, beckoning to me.

"Come, my darling," She said to me and I slowly walked toward her. When I got to her, she pulled me into a bear hug, burying me into her soft body. I breathed out a laugh, wrapping my hands around her.

Now I was completely at ease.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, my darling." She said when she pulled away from me, cupping my face gently in her hands and I smiled.

"It's nice to finally meet you too, ma'am,* I answered and her smile widened.

"You're so much more beautiful than Chima described you to be, and trust me, he talks about you a lot more than he talks about basketball," She whispered that part only to my hearing and I laughed.

"Mum," Chima groaned, obviously hearing what she said, and I laughed, even more, his mum joining me.

"Dinner is ready," His mum announced after her laughter had subsided. "All that is left is to set the table," She said. I offered to help while Chima had to go and freshen up. His mum led me into the kitchen.

"Everything smells so good," I hummed in the aroma of the food, plenty of it. Chima wasn't lying when he said she prepared a feast. It looked like a feast.

"I don't know what made me cook so much tonight," She said like she heard my thoughts. "Something in my spirit just kept tugging me to cook more and more. If there is any leftover there are people I can give," She explained and I nodded.

Soon, we got to work, setting the table. Mrs. Johnson engaged me in several conversations, making me feel a lot more comfortable around her. She was an accomodating woman with an airy persona, quite like my mum so it wasn't difficult to warm right up to her.

Chima joined us moments after, joining us to set the table and joining in the conversation as well.

I felt so much at home here.

The doorbell went off, interrupting the conversation we were having. Then seconds after, the doorbell rang again.

"Dawn, can you help us check who is at the door?" Chima asked. "The twins have a habit of opening the door for strangers." He added. I nodded, stopped what I was doing, and started walking out of the kitchen.

By the time I was getting to the living room, I was hearing voices, meaning the twins had opened the door, just like Chima said.

"Ariel, Axel, who-"

I got to the living room, and my words hung in my throat at the scene before me. A man was standing there in front of the closed door in an army uniform, carrying Ariel in his hands with Axel's hands wrapped around his waist in a hug.

He was huge, herculean. He looked strong and fit, chiseled in fact. Even beneath the army uniform, I could tell that he was very well jacked up with firm and defined muscles, brawny and buffed. But then, I didn't know who he was, or what he looked like.

I wasn't seeing his face because it was buried in Ariel's neck while she hugged him but I could see a bit of his beard and part of his hair that wasn't covered by the camo hat, black with bits of grey hair. It was enough for me to know he was an older man, a much older man.

But who is he?

I was going to speak up and ask who he was, especially since he had Ariel and Axel in his hands. But as if he sensed my presence in the room, he look up and his eyes met mine.

And then, it hit me like a truck, knocking the breath right out of me.

The Resemblance! The Striking Resemblance.

It can't be. Is he...

My eyes widened.

Oh, my God!

"Hello," He greeted me, but I could sense the confusion in his voice, probably wondering who I was. I blinked, trying to find my voice. And when I finally did, I could only call one name.

"Chima," I called out, looking in the direction of the kitchen.

"Chima!" I called again, louder when he didn't answer the first time, keeping my eyes on the man standing by the door, watching me quietly Soon, I started hearing footsteps, followed by Chima coming into my line of vision.

"What's going-" He began to ask in concern, walking up to me.

But his voice trailed off when his eyes followed my gaze, and landed on the man who was already smiling. I watched Chima's mouth fall open in shock, his eyes widening like saucers in surprise and disbelief all rolled up into one. That was all I needed to confirm my suspicion.

The man is Chima's Dad.

"Ansel," The man called, stepping away from the twin and beginning to walk to where Chima and I were standing.

"D-Dad?" Chima whispered in question as if trying to confirm if he was really seeing his Dad.

His voice quivered, his eyes welling up and glistening with unshed tears that shocked me to the core. It made me realize how much I had no idea how strong Chima had to be, hiding away the hurt of his father being away for such a long time.

"It's me, Son," His Dad moved closer, confirming that he was really standing there in flesh and blood. "I'm back," He added, removing his hat so that Chima would get a better view of his face.

"It's me," He repeated in a whisper, now close enough to Chima. "I'm here," He breathed, stretching out his hands for a hug.

It didn't take Chima one more second before he fell into the waiting arms of his Dad, threw his arms around him, and buried his face into the man's chest, sobbing softly. His Dad sighed in contentment, holding onto his son, whispering for me not to cry, assuring him that he was finally back.

I didn't even know I was crying myself till beads of tears dropped on my arm. I quickly wiped them off, watching father and son reunite with each other after such a long time.

It was beautiful. So beautiful.

If Chima's reaction is like this, I can't begin to imagine how Mrs. Johnson would react when she sees...

"What's keeping everyone out of the kitch-"

Just on cue, she walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. And just like Chima, her words hung in her throat when she set her eyes on her husband. The man, noticing the presence of his wife in the room slowly pulled away from his so, his eyes fixated on his transfixed wife.

"Chioma," He called her name gently, lovingly. He called in a way that made even me sigh out, my chest swelling in love.

"C-Chris," She said in a barely audible tone, her voice quivering a lot more than Chima's. I can't begin to imagine to rush of emotions she had flowing through right now, seeing and hearing her husband for the first time in almost seven months.

"Hey baby," He whispered, his lips stretching in a smile. I almost chuckled at the pet name he called her, now realizing where Chima had gotten it from.

Speaking of Chima, he was now back to standing beside me, his eyes fixed on his parents. I stretched my hands out and carefully took his, gently weaving my fingers between his. He didn't waste any time grabbing on. I sighed, my thumb rubbing the back of his palm in a soothing caress.

"Are you here?" She asked her husband, moving closer to him.

"I am," He answered her, closing the remaining distance between them. "And I'm not going anywhere," He sounded like he was making a promise to her, and the firmness in his voice told me he was going to keep it.

That was all it took for the flood gates to open, for Mrs. Johnson to burst out into tears and fall into the arms of her husband. It didn't take a second before the twins joined in the hug, I let Chima's hand go, telling him to join in the family hug.

My heart went out to him, to the entire family. I couldn't stop the tears that cascaded down my face. Tears of happiness on their behalf.

I cannot take my Dad not calling for just one night. But Chima, his mum, and his siblings had to endure not being able to see or hear from their Dad and Husband for so many months. I can't begin to comprehend the kind of anxiety, fear, and worry that might have been going through their minds, unable to hear his voice or see his face, not being able to know if he was okay or not.

I cannot begin to envisage the kind of torture Mrs. Johnson especially must have gone through.

But he was back now. He was back to stay. And I couldn't be any happier for the family. I couldn't be any happier for Chima.

His Joy, Their Joy was pure, undiluted, and unclouded.

And being able to experience their Joy firsthand was the best thing to ever happen to me today.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Dinner at the Johnson's was amazing. Amazing was even an understatement because it was Wonderful. Everything was wonderful. From watching the family reunite to the dinner proper, it actually felt like I was having dinner at my house minus a few things.

Everything just felt perfect. I'm glad to have been able to witness it all. Especially Chima's radiating happiness since his dad revealed he wasn't getting deployed anymore. His happiness had known no bounds.

He hasn't stopped smiling since we left his house. And throughout the drive to mine, He still didn't stop smiling, happily drumming his fingers against the steering wheel and beaming like he won a lottery.

But then, having his Dad back home for good was like winning a lottery.

I was happy for him. So happy.

"Are you going to keep staring at me?" Chima's voice tore through my thoughts. "Because we have already gotten to the front of your house," He added, nodding towards the familiar building we were parked in front of.

I didn't even know when we entered Coven City.

"You can't blame me for watching you being so happy," I countered jokingly and he laughed.

We both got down from the car and met in front, just before the gate. And when I got to him, Chima was still grinning from ear to ear, unable to contain his excitement as much as he tried to. It warmed my heart so much to see him bubbling with so much happiness.

It was beautiful.

So beautiful.

"Chima," I whispered, moving closer to him till I was in his space.

"He's never going back Dawn," He said, the happiness in his voice undiluted and unfiltered. "It was so hard for me, my mum, and my siblings, but now it doesn't have to be hard anymore. He's not leaving again and that's all we've ever wanted." He sounded so happy, that it moved me to tears.

"I know," I whispered. "I know, Chima, I'm so happy for you," I told him.

I was, I truly was.

Chima moved closer to me till there was no space between us, wrapping his hands around my waist to flush any atom of space left, no matter how small. I moved closer to him, placing my hands on either of his arms, feeling the muscles of his biceps flex involuntarily beneath my touch.

Then he pressed his forehead to mine, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips.

"Thank you for being there, Dawn," He whispered, his voice low and husky in a way that made his body shiver against mine. His breath on my face made goosebumps sprout on my skin, accompanied by the chilly night breeze.

"But I didn't do anything-"

"You didn't have to," One of his hands came to rest on the side of my face, his fingers brushing the skin of my cheeks, leaving burning flames in its wake.

"You were there, and that's all that matters." He whispered again and all I could was hume, the feel of him this close to me, touching me like this clouding my senses gradually. It didn't even take minutes before Chima roused such feelings in me.

"I love you," Chima whispered.

"I love you." I sighed breathlessly.

"No capping,"

"No capping,"

He pulled his forehead slightly away from mine, so he could look at me. Then I saw it, every emotion fighting to burst through his being and consume me completely.

This wasn't the first time Chima would be looking at me with his emotions written all over his face. But this was the first time he'd be looking at me with his eyes filled with the depth of his feelings for me. It was as if now, I was just beginning to understand how deeply he loved me.

All of me. Unashamedly.

"I want to kiss you,"

He whispered, his voice deeper and thicker with waves of concentrated emotions, a mix of the happiness he was feeling and every other thing he was feeling... every other emotion. It felt so raw altogether, emitting from him in waves that shook me.

I was also shaken by our closeness, his scent invading all of my thinking faculties and leaving my mind completely numb. His words were the only thing ringing in my head.

...I want to kiss you...

Those words were enough to evoke anything and everything in me.

I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to kiss him but everything I was feeling, every feeling that came from his dainty touches on my clad skin, his soft irregular breath fanning my face, the feel of our bodies pressed against each other... every emotion that flowed through me like a tsunami seemed to have left me tongue-tied.

I didn't know what to say, or how to tell him that I wanted him to kiss me senseless. It was all I wanted.

Speak, Dawn! I pushed myself inwardly.

"Yeah?" My voice came out in a quivering mess, the word coming out like a question instead of a go-ahead. Chima noticed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips at my nervousness.

He exhaled softly, slowly brushing the tip of his nose against mine, sensually running the tip fingers on his fingers down the line of the arch of my back, causing a small sharp gasp to escape my lips, feeling myself almost go limp in his arms.

That simple action seemed to unknot the tension, and I felt myself visibly relax.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked this time, his voice calmer now and I found myself nodding slowly, unable to will myself to respond. That was all the response he needed to pull me in.

Chima tilted his head lower to my level till our faces were barely centimeters apart and my eyes fluttered close. I felt his breath on my lips, followed by a gentle, almost hesitant brush of his lips against mine. It was like he was giving me a final chance to pull away if I didn't want this.

But I didn't pull away. Because I wanted this. And that was all the encouragement he needed before pressing his lips again mine completely.

I saw God...

I died, went to heaven, and saw GOD!

Chima kissed me slowly, slower than I have ever been kissed in my entire life. He kissed me like we had all the time in the world, taking his time to savor the feel of his lips against mine. His lips moved in soft strokes, intimately dragging out the pleasure in a way that made me want to whimper and beg him for more.

This was a kind of kiss I have never tried or experienced before. A kind of kiss that made you feel every single thing, just by soft, slow strokes of his lips against mine.

My God.

I literally melted, sighing against his lips as I parted mine and kissed him back in the same way. I followed his pace, mimicking every single action he made with his lips, every single movement syncing perfectly with his. And as I did that, I let my hands trail from his chest to his shoulder, then up his neck till I was touching the back of his head, allowing my fingers to dig into his hair.

He liked that.

I could tell by the low guttural groan that escaped his lips, and the way his hands tightened around my waist, arching my body into his.

He began to pick up the pace, not with the movement of his lips but by amping things up a bit. I felt him tug my lower lip between his teeth, gently pulling on it to ask for entrance. I gave him, parting my lips a little more, and allowed his tongue slip between them, a soft moan escaping my lips.

It was at this point I knew Sochima Ansel Johnson CAN kiss.

For someone that has never had any experience kissing a girl, Chima sure knew how to use his tongue skillfully.

He angled his head to the side as if to kiss me deeper... better, his tongue stroking against mine passionately, twirling and dancing around in a way that had me weak to my knees. I couldn't stop the loud, wanton moan that escaped my lips, one of my hands grabbing his shirt to steady myself against his body.

He was never rough with me, gently holding me against his body as he kissed me in ways I have never been kissed before, kissed me to oblivion and back, evoking feelings of soul-shattering and mind-altering pleasure I've never felt in my entire life. A pleasure that I would never forget.

With just one kiss.

One simple kiss.

He kissed me senseless like he promised to. Kissed me senseless like I wanted him to. Kissed me till I was breathless and he was my only source of air. His kisses were like black holes, pulling me in more and more, till all gravity was lost under his touch.

Chima kissed me till I forgot my name and all I could remember was his.

Sochima Ansel Johnson.

That was the only name I could remember.

The kiss reduced in intensity as we came down from our high. Chima began to kiss me more gently than passionately, almost teasingly. He would tenderly tug my lips between his teeth, drawing out soft moans from me. He seemed to like the sound of it, humming in satisfaction every time he hears it.

Dawn," He whispered between kisses, his voice raspy.

"Yeah?" I mumbled in response and he hummed again, pressing another kiss to my lips.

And another.

And another.

And another one.

And one other one.

And the last one.

Then, he finally pulled away, touching his forehead to mine. My eyes were closed, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath. I could feel his heart beating rapidly against his chest, tugging fiercely beneath my palms that were splayed on his chest. He exhaled, brushing his lips against the tip of my nose, dragging out a shaky sigh from me.

Something had changed. This Kiss changed something.

It was like seal that stamped every thing we felt for each other and made it permanent.

I wanted to be his now more than ever.

"Be my Girlfriend,"

𝐀/𝐍

Well Sochima, it's about damn time! Don't you think so guys 🌚. But then, it haff finally happen o!🥺🥺🔥🔥 Daughter of Zion is now in the modafucking trenches! They no even born Dawn well to say she wants to go and think about it. Think about wetin!

I am so sorry in arrears for any form of tackiness in this chapter, I've not had any sleep... like zero sleep. I was so hell-bent on completing this chapter that sleep was getting in the way. So I apologize 😭.

Our babies are finally going to be official 🥺❤️. But that doesn't mean the drama on their end has ended. Tekena is still a bastard, and bastards just don't know when to quit. But don't worry, E go be 🌚.

For now, we are taking a very very long pause from Dawn's POV. I'm sure y'all are happy to hear that. We are definitely going to be getting more of #Jidela, #Sidara and Semeeha with #Gizito. Premium drama loading.

Till then, kisses 😘.