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Pelumi sat down on one of the swings at a park close to her home. The park had become a sanctuary to her ever since she discovered it. She would always go there whenever she wanted to sulk, or wanted her company as her companion.

The fluorescent lamps were glowing radiantly, giving the park a fairytale-like glow. The air around was crisp, and scented by the flowers deeply rooted to the ground all over the park. The gently blowing breeze kissed the trees causing the leaves to soothingly whisper.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head up and took a deep drag of fresh air, becoming one with nature. The crickets sang softly, but she didn't mind the intrusion; in fact she enjoyed their melody. With her eyes still closed enjoying the sound, she heard a twig snap, alerting her to the presence of another.

Pelumi could tell, from the steady and heavy footsteps, who the person approaching was, so she didn't feel apprehensive.

"Since you look like you are at peace sitting there alone, should I take the ice cream and leave?" The owner of the footstep asked in a smooth deep voice, teasing her.

She yanked her eyes open, and smiled at her best friend, Durotimi, as he stood in front of her smiling. His smile alone, was enough to make her forget her encounter with her mother earlier that evening. It was almost enough to undo the damage done to her by her mother's words. As she watched him, she felt the urge to run into his arms to seek his comfort. She yearned for his scent wash over her. But as much as she wanted those things, she didn't get up from her slowly moving swing

That isn't a friendly thought Pelumi...

He raised his hands up and she saw it; a medium sized ice cream container from her favorite ice cream parlor, and one spoon.

"If you move I'll finish you!" She threatened, her face stretched wide with a smile.

"You sound so scary right now that I'll just drop the Ice cream and head home," He said as he moved close to her, " on second thought, I'll stay, since I know you can't live without me." He winked before sitting on the empty swing beside her.

"Don't tell me you brought just one spoon Timmy?" She asked as she looked around him for a second spoon.

"Why would I bring two spoons when I am on a date?" He asked, plastering a look of mock horror on his face.

"Then I'll just use that spoon." She moved to take the spoon from him, causing the swing to move.

"Hey! Come on na, can't we share a spoon?" He asked with a weird smile that resembled a gloat on his face.

"Ugh! God give me patience." She groaned frustrated by his behavior, "Timmy the spoon now!" She commanded, her right palm wide open.

"But I only brought one na.." He pouted like a little kid, "Let's just share.....My mouth is clean."

"Timmy!"

"Fine! I have another spoon here, but I would only give it up, if you call me by my full name," He shrugged, "the first name alone," He added with a smile. "Without the 'oluwa'."

Pelumi didn't like that. She preferred to call him Timmy because it didn't sound so personal. The thought of doing so made her squirm in her seat.

Timmy cocked his head to side, as he waited for her to comply with his request...

"Rotimi.." She murmured. Pelumi felt uncomfortable as the name rolled off her tongue.

He shook his head ruefully.

"It's not complete dear.... You forgot something."

"Why are you doing this to me na? I've always called you Timmy." She protested.

"Would it kill you to say it? It's just my name. My grandfather gave me that name you know."

She rolled her eyes at his familiar monologue.

"Fineeee!" She gave in, making Timmy buck up as he waited for her to finally fulfil his wish. But then a second became ten and ten became twenty...forty....fifty-nine...

"Are you going to say my name or am I going to grow old waiting?" He sounded slightly miffed. It was just his name... It certainly shouldn't be a problem. So why couldn't she say it?

"I'll say it, so be patient with me." She said trying to calm him down. He rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.

"Just wait for me o.... Watch me do it now." But time passed again and nothing came out.

He stood up from the swing and dropped the ice cream and the spoon.

"Enjoy...Good night!" He began to walk away...

"Durotimi don't go!" She called after him and he stopped.

Knowing she couldn't see his face, he broke into a smile that was rather sly in nature. He then schooled his features before turning to face her. The moonlight shined its holy light directly behind her giving her an ethereal glow.

"Will you come back now?" She said, "with the spoon." She added.

He smiled, and walked slowly back to her as he whipped out another spoon from the left pocket of his jeans.

"Let's eat."

Working in tandem; they opened the ice cream cover, dug in their spoons and began to eat the ice cream.

"Sweet!" Timmy groaned out, and Pelumi agreed with a nod.

They didn't speak as they ate their ice cream, until Pelumi held her head in pain sucking in a sharp breath.

"Brain freeze!" She managed to say.

Timmy burst out laughing, "I knew this was going to happen when you were devouring it as if it was going to run away."

"And you couldn't stop me?" She asked.

He scoffed, " as if you would listen. Have you forgotten you are ice cream cra...ouch!" He caressed his arm as she punched him and stuck out a tongue.

"I can see maturity right there." He said with a little frown.

The crickets didn't stop their symphony, as the fireflies danced to the tune the crickets made. It wasn't until they had finished the ice cream, before they spoke again.

"So tell me why we are sulking?" He asked as he dropped his spoon into the empty ice cream container.

"Who said anything about me sulking? I don't sulk." She replied, giving her spoon one final lick before dropping her spoon.

"You don't take ice cream unless you want to wallow in misery." He announced, his gaze on the dancing flies.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She denied.

Sighing, Timmy stood up and began to collect the empty ice cream bowl.

"What are you doing?" She asked surprised.

"I am going home. I have been working since I got to the office this morning, and now it's nine pm; man needs to rest, so goodnight and rest well." He said and then turned to walk away.

Before he could go far, she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Oya fine. I would talk, no games." She assured. He let out a weary sigh as he watched her, and she could see that he was exhausted. Her heart warmed, as she realized he still came to be with her even when he was tired. Always running to be by her side.

Side by side, they walked to a bench beside a lamp post and sat down.

"I'm listening." He said, twisting in the seat to face her.

"I have a question and I need your honest answer." She started.

"As if I am anything but honest." He rolled his eyes as he scoffed.

"Just listen." She pleaded, and continued when he fell silent.

Of all the hundred and one questions Durotimi was expecting her to ask, he was not expecting that.

"Timmy, What do you think about me?"