Gini was in the bathroom getting ready for the day's activity when Juwon walked in yawning like a big baby.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked.

He nodded. "Are you going back to the city today?"

"I'll spend one more day with you." Gini didn't like the treatment she got from Juwon's friends but they weren't going to ruin her time with her boyfriend. "Only because I love you though."

"Thanks for staying."

Gini nodded and dropped her wet towel as she walked out of the bathroom. She wore a white short and paired it with a vertical stripes patterned top. Immediately Juwon was done getting dressed, they headed out of the bedroom. Gini was chatting with her sister and promised to fill her in later on how everything went. On getting downstairs, Juwon's friends were all geared and ready for the outdoor. They all had on shorts and Polo shirts. Gini didn't bother saying hello to anyone, if they didn't like her then she wasn't going to act friendly with them.

Juwon hugged his friends and she smiled at Collins when their eyes met. He was the only one that had been a little bit friendly among the bunch. Muna had on white polka dot Bardot off-shoulder coord that looked too fitting and stylish not to be high end. Gini tugged on the hem of her top that she'd had since the boys arrived and she hoped no one noticed the tiny holes in them.

"I'll go with Gini in the convertible, Muna will drive you guys in the suv. We'll met at the river."

Gini smiled as Juwon pecked her. She smiled wilder when his friends didn't look too pleased with his action.

"Alright boys, let's see who gets there first," Roman said.

"This isn't a competition. I'm not racing with him," Muna said and looked at her boss.

"I'll drive," Roman offered and Muna shrugged.

"Game on," Juwon said and dragged her out.

Gini jumped into the car and looked at Juwon like he was insane when he reversed and got the tyres screeching.

"Do we have everything we need?" she asked just to make him take his mind off the stupid competition.

"Muna's got everything covered," he answered and drove out of his home.

"Slow down. Your friends don't know this town so you'll win by a landslide."

"They have Muna."

"She doesn't have an advantage over you, you grew up here."

"I hate losing to those fuckers."

Gini rolled her eyes as she saw the speedometer when they got on the highway. She checked the rear view mirror and didn't see any car behind them. The breeze blew in her eyes as Juwon raced. She leaned close to the door and enjoyed how fast buildings disappeared.

They got to the river before the rest and Juwon lifted her in the air when they got out of the car. Gini embraced him then kissed him on the forehead.

"What's the plan?"

"Boat rides and picnic."

"Isn't it too early? It's just nine." Gini looked at the blue river with tree branches reflecting on the surface.

"If you're not ready you can stay back."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"I'd miss you but at the same time, I want you to do what you want."

"Alright, let's hope someone else is willing to stay back."

"You can ask Muna."

Gini didn't agree nor disagree, she only sighed and picked her sunglasses from her bag. Juwon lifted her and placed her on the blanket he laid on the sand near the river bank.

"Tell me everything."

"I feel uncomfortable with everyone. I thought we were going to be one great group but I know they don't like me. You probably know the reason but won't say. Anyway, I don't care."

"Gini?"

"I do care but there's nothing I can do about it so I don't care. Does that make sense?"

"The only person's affection you need is mine and I give you enough. I'll keep talking to my friends about their attitude but I can't promise anything."

Gini thanked him by kissing him. They tumbled on the blanket with her knees almost touching his groin.

"You're killing me," Juwon said with a smile.

Gini giggled and rolled off him. Juwon pulled her closer and they stayed together while waiting for his friends to arrive. When they heard the sound of tyre on sand, they stood from the blanket. Gini stayed behind while Juwon went to his friends. He came back to her and explained that they were going to rent some boats. Gini held his hands for a moment before waving as he strolled off with his friends. Muna and Collins stayed behind and occupied the blanket. Gini got her bag and spread her scarf on the sand beside them.

She read the novel she brought along but couldn't concentrate as Collins was asking Muna a hypothetical question about relationships. She tried to get past the page she'd been on for almost ten minutes but her mind wasn't in it. She closed the novel and dropped it back in her bag.

"I'll go get the food basket," Muna said and got up.

"Do you need help?" Gini asked politely.

"I've got it."

Gini went with her anyway and Muna shifted as they got baskets out of the car boot.

"Thanks," she said with a partial smile when they returned back to the blanket.

Gini got herself a plate and added toast and scrambled egg on her plate. Muna passed her the chicken bowl and she took a piece then smiled as she handed the bowl back. She poured some apple juice for herself then dug into her meal. She watched the river as she ate and listened to birds singing as they flew from trees to trees.

Collins placed a bunch of red grapes on his plates. "Is that all you're having?" Gini asked.

"Yea. I'm a fitness instructor, I don't eat most things in this basket."

"That's serious. Do you own your gym?"

"No yet, I work for an agency."

"Where's it located?"

"Yaba."

"That's kinda far from where I stay."

"You don't look like you need my help."

Gini took a bite of her toast and smiled before chewing. "Thanks to my dance classes. My sister dances at a club so we go for dance practice at a studio on my street."

"You look like you do that a lot."

Gini resumed eating and scooted when the boys returned. Their raucous laughter added a zing to the atmosphere. Juwon sat beside her and got himself a plate of eggs, he ignored the bread and added fruits on his plate. The other men gathered around and Muna fixed them each a plate.

"Come and see my boat," Juwon said after they were done with the food on their plates.

Gini followed him and they strolled to where the boats were tied up near the river bank.

"It's beautiful," she said when she saw the white vessel.

"Come on."

Gini took Juwon's outstretched hand and dipped her barefeet into the river. He lifted her in when she struggled and she sat on one of the seats.

"Are you leaving the boys behind?" Gini asked when he started the engine.

"No, just taking you for a ride."

Gini looked towards the way they came from and couldn't see anyone from the group. She hadn't realized how far they walked to the boats.

"Ready?"

"Let's go."

She was thankful that her hair was cropped as the breeze blew into her face.

"Are you okay?" Juwon shouted out.

"Love it."

He left the boat wheel when they were very far from their friends.

"Is that safe?" Gini asked when he sat beside her.

"Very."

Juwon rubbed her leg as they watched the water. "Do you still like the water?"

"Not as much as I used to."

"How could anyone change so much?"

She shrugged. "Life happened."

"I love every version though. Gini, what are your goals and aspirations? Like, what do you want from life?"

Gini didn't need to think long and hard, she knew her answers but some she couldn't share. "Have a happy life with my loved ones."

"That's smart. What do you consider happy?"

"Just feeling good. It's been a long time I've felt good. Nowadays, I'm on autopilot. I feel like I've been simply existing, life took a toll on me and I can't tell you exactly how but it really did."

"How do you feel right now?"

"You make me feel better. Do I make you feel the same way?"

"You do. I can't say I've been existing because I've had some highs but I've also been at the lowest of all lows so I understand you."

There was a comfortable silence between then and Gini enjoyed it. She saw fishes swim in the river and watched leaves from trees blowing to the command of the breeze. The sun was out now and her underarm was beginning to get moist.

"You're leaving tomorrow."

"I have to."

"I'm not begging you to stay."

"Thanks."

"I'm going back to the city with the boys so I'll find you as soon as I arrive. Be prepared to be hounded with calls once you leave."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

"I'm glad you're back in my life," Juwon said before starting the boat and turning to go back to his friends.