Chapter 14

Sophia descended the stairs as quietly as she could. Mrs. Asamoah was still in bed and she didn’t want to wake her until breakfast was ready. Heading into the kitchen she got about preparing breakfast for two before remembering Daniel was visiting today. He really had a healthy appetite which she kept in mind as she got breakfast ready. She had indirectly taken the role of the cook of the house, since Rhoda moved out. It was more of a gesture of gratitude to the family that gave her a home. Soon she had whipped up a very delicious aroma wafting through the entire kitchen. Cooking was now second nature to her and even though she really wasn’t an expert in the field she could say she’d learnt from the best.

Quick knocking sounded; she was almost done with the food by that time and had already begun to set the table, opening the door revealed Daniel, in a pale blue t-shirt over dark jeans.

“Good morning” he greeted, she equally responded and then stepped inside so he could enter. 
“You can have a seat, I’m almost done with breakfast. Your mom is still in bed if you want to go check on her” she said on her way to the kitchen walking past the dining table that was partly set up. She grabbed the plate of scrambled eggs to head towards the dining table and nearly let the plate she was holding go flying into Daniels’ face as he entered the kitchen at the exact moment.

“I want to talk to you” He walked closer taking the plate from her hands and set it on the cabinet. “I wouldn’t want you to throw it into my face or worse stab me with the knife, although I’m sure with you can easily just chokehold me...”

“Daniel, are you okay?” she asked noticing the nervous look on his face. “And why would I choke hold you or do any of those things you just said. Besides I also want to talk to you about the church’s project at the orphanage” she had gone through some of the drawings and had thought they could seek his help on the project.

He blinked as he tried to sort through his words, “Because of what I am about to say? And that talk can wait until I’m done”

Sophia stared at him when he made no move to speak but just cast his eyes on the wall behind her taking deep steady breaths, “You were saying?”

His eyes fell on hers and he cleared his throat, “I want you to know, I think it actually is time you know this. I think I like you Sophia. I’ve really tried to ignore these feelings; I’ve even tried fighting it, yet you are all I think about. I really tried, trust me it did not work. And I just realised it never will work till I let it out”

A pin drop silence ensued then, “You think you like me? So, before you didn’t?”

Daniel ran a hand on his lower face mostly across his beard in frustration, “Yes. I’m in love with you. Is that what you wanted to hear? The truth? Yes Sophia I love you.  I don’t know how this happened; I don’t know how I actually developed these feelings for you. But I just know I have to tell you how I feel about you, I just can’t keep it inside me any longer. That’s why I’m telling you this Sophia”

Turning away from his gaze, she picked up the plate of scrambled eggs, “I...I have to set the table” she attempted walking around him but he moved blocking her path. His hands fell on her shoulders, “Sophia I’m serious, I have never felt this for anyone else before. Please say something, anything will be fine just as long as you talk to me”

Sophia took a step back making his hands fall from her shoulders, she felt overwhelmed in that instant, that had not been close to what she thought he wanted to talk to her about. She felt like someone had just dumped her into an ocean of a question she did not know how to answer to get out of, “I don’t know what to say” she said simply and that was the truth, neither did she know what to tell him nor what he wanted her to tell him.

He nodded quietly, “I understand, I wish you all the best with Pastor Aaron”

Is that what he thought of her and Pastor Aaron?

“Nothing is going on between us” she found herself saying a little too quickly.

Daniel shrugged, “It doesn’t really matter if you are together or not, I just can’t factor into your life. That much is seen”

“Daniel but nothing is really happening between us” she said hoping he would believe her, “it’s just, you spring this question out of nowhere and I don’t know. I just don’t know what to say”

He looked at her, his expression that of many emotions she didn’t know how to read, “This is not coming from nowhere. I’m pouring my heart out to you Sophia. Yes you are right, I’m sorry I just sort of unloaded everything on you but I couldn’t keep it inside anymore. I had to let it out. And forget my earlier words; you don’t have to say anything. You knowing how I feel is enough. For now”

Sophia nodded feeling grateful, “So you won’t be mad at me for not giving you an answer?”

He walked closer and cupped her face in both hands, a small smile on his face, “I thought I told you, I can never be mad at you”

“Um, I have to go set the table now; your mother will be up soon. I want it to be set before she wakes up” when Daniel didn’t let go of her face or step back she continued, “Would you mind letting go so I can go fix the table?”

He must have gotten it as he made an ‘o’ sound and quickly stepped back a grin on his face, his hands retrieving the plate from her hands, “I’ll help” Sophia could not have protested as he was already headed for the table.

She followed to find Mrs. Asamoah sitting at the table. She didn’t miss the smile that appeared on the elder woman’s face as soon as she entered.

Feeling embarrassed, she cast her eyes on the floor as she pulled up a chair and sat down at her right hand side, with Daniel taking the opposite chair from her. When she looked up, she found Daniel staring at her with a smile. For some reason that made her stomach queasy. Mrs. Asamoah cleared her throat, making her eyes snap to look at her; she was also smiling sparing glances at both Daniel and her. Throughout the time they had breakfast, both embarrassment and queasiness filled Sophia that she quickly stood up excusing herself to the kitchen with the excuse of being full. That had been a lie as she had hardly touched her meal.
Mrs. Asamoah walked into the kitchen, “Are you okay dear?”
“Yes ma’am”

An eyebrow raised, “Are you sure about that?”

Sophia swallowed the confusion she felt in that instance, “Yes I am ma’am”

“I don’t think you are, look at you, you are avoiding my eyes”
Sophia looked into her eyes quickly before looking down, scared that the elder woman might be able to easily read her, if she wasn’t doing so already, “I’m fine ma’am”

“Why don’t you go ahead, I’ll take care of the dishes” Mrs. Asamoah shooed her out in a tone that meant it was not up for discussion.

She obliged and walked out into the dining room, where Daniel was standing up from the table. “Ah I was just coming to look for you.”

“What for?”

She heard Daniel shift his weight, “You said you wanted to talk to me about the project the church is planning”

“Oh yeah, I just wanted to ask if you would help us with the children. I mean I looked through your paintings and I wondered if perhaps you could help with the planning and setting up of banners. We would need something colourful and I think you painting it would be wonderful. And your talent will also help the children who are interested in painting, give them some kind of motivation. But if you don’t want to, it’s fine. I mean its all okay, I wouldn’t hold a grudge. And besides you do have the right to say no. Besides you might not want to work with Pastor Aaron and I understand if that will be your reason”

“Sophia?”

“Okay, I get it you don’t want to”

Daniel chuckled, “Sophia?”

“Yes?”

“I would love to help”

“You want to help?”

Slipping his hands into his pocket, Daniel shrugged, “I believe I said I would love to help. If only you have no problem with it. So do you have a problem with it?”

“I’m absolutely okay with it”

“Good then, I’ve got a job to do. I’ll be outside if you need me”
Daniel was gone before she could speak a word.

Retreating to her bedroom she let her mind drift to all that happened in just a time span of minutes. A whole lot had happened in between those minutes that still left her feeling as though she’d been plunged into a dream. It still felt like a dream. She entered her room and sat on her bed rubbing her hands together as she felt the cold November winds, she noticed a window was open , letting in the cold and dry Harmattan wind. It was the dry season and during this time dust from the Sahara desert blew in. She stood up to close it, from the window, she saw Daniel rolling a tyre towards a car that was attached to his. He must have felt her stare because he turned in her direction. Quickly she slammed the window close running to sit on the bed.

Taking deep breaths, her rapid heartbeat slowed. She couldn’t understand what was happening, it seemed today was just not a good day for her, Daniel had to confess his feelings and to top it off, Mrs. Asamoah stared at her as though she k:new something she didn’t. With that smile the elder woman had on face, she knew it was something big. She had a feeling it had something to do with what Daniel had said. And Daniel was acting relieved, he looked like he had just been set free of a burden. Of course that was the burden he had unloaded on her, now she had to figure out how to deal with it. Closing her eyes and letting herself go; she fell backwards on the bed, letting sleep take her away. Temporarily.

She woke up from something like a car door slamming. She laid still on the bed staring at the ceiling when she remembered what had happened in the morning. With a groan she forced herself into the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face before headed downstairs. Mrs Asamoah was in the kitchen, so she headed in there. The time according to wall clock in the living room said it wasn’t yet twelve o’clock, making wonder why she was cooking lunch at that time.

“Had a good nap?” she was asked by Mrs. Asamoah on entry.

“Um yes I did”

She nodded at her answer, “I know, you looked like you really needed a nap. I would to if I were in your situation”

“My situation?”

The elder woman just waved it away with her hand, “Don’t mind me, I’m almost done with lunch, hope you will have some appetite for it now. I mean you hardly ate anything at breakfast. Why don’t you go call Daniel and his guest for lunch?”

Guest?

“Sure ma’am” she left to get them. She found them seated on the bonnet of Daniels truck engaged in a deep conversation.

Daniel got off when he saw her approaching them. “Sorry to disturb you guys but your mom said to fetch you guys for lunch”

Daniel smiled, and she couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. He was now free to wear his feelings on his sleeves and she was still unable to sort hers out. “It’s okay” he turned to the man standing behind him, “Hope you don’t mind”

“Not at all, I’m famished. I say let’s go fill some bellies” the man laughed and stepped into view as he attempted to enter the house ahead of Daniel and stopped in his tracks when his eyes fell on her. His mouth fell agape as he stared at her.

Sophia stared back a cold feeling wrapping her in that instant.

The faceless man in her dreams just got a face.

“Rain?”

A/N
*screams* who saw that coming? Thank you all so much for sticking with Rain till this time. You are all very much appreciated 💕 💕 💕

This chapter is dedicated to rjrodda thank you so much for the support. Much appreciated ma'am.  ☺ ☺

Ko si se me te monka......... Stay blessed!