||SERAH||

"So you guys are like, what, dating?" Mom asks me over the phone.

About a week ago, when Sue didn't respond to me as I expected, I turned to my mom and told her about Asahd. I then talked to her about our relationship. At first, she was skeptical as she was worried that I'm dating someone beyond my league. A day later, she changed her skeptical perspective and accepted it, which made me very happy. Now, she is my chief adviser and supporter.

Initially, I hadn't planned on telling her anything until Asahd and I were skin deep thick. Nevertheless, it no longer matters. I hope that she won't nag me about meeting him even if it is once. I say once because, in this era, youths in the country rarely take their men or women home to see their parents. Well, not unless it concerns issues like dowry payments or getting married.

It is sad because the parents don't get to know more about the people their children get involved with. After the said issues are dealt with, the youths disappear back to the city to continue with their lives. It's sometimes by rare chance that the parents get to interact with their partners after that. Hopefully, the case will not be the same for me. I would love for my man to get to know my parents and maybe interact a bit with them. But that is when the time comes.

"Yes, we are," I shrug smiling like a fool as if she is seeing. "He asked me out on an actual date. I didn't tell you this earlier."

"He asked you out on a date?" she asks in surprise as expected.

"Yeap, he did," I respond.

"I'm surprised there are still guys who remember to ask girls out on a date before sneaking their way into their beds first," she comments.

"I was surprised too but also excited," I confess. "This will be the first official date I've even been to with a guy. Unfortunately, the others seemingly didn't know their way around dating to remember an actual date is important."

"You are lucky to get a man who knows what he is doing. I'm happy for you, darling. Enjoy the date and don't forget to be careful and safe," she says making me roll my eyes. I'll for sure remember to be safe when we are ready to explore sexual activities.

"Be assured that I'll remember that when the time comes," I grumble.

"Remember too that it is easier said than done," she retorts.

"I know that mom," I assure her.

I know very well that a momentary and bad decision can be made when two people are rushing to satisfy an ache.

"Anyway, do you have something to wear?" she asks.

"Yeap. I have some dresses that I barely wear. I'll choose one from them. I've also got the shoes. So I think I'm good to go," I respond while checking out the red silky dress that's spread on the bed.

The black heels on the rack are calling to me for the first time in a long time. I think it's been over a year since I last wore them. Patience my babies, soon you'll be shining in my legs. Asahd is finally going to see the complex side he has always wished to see. Today is the day and I'm honestly looking forward to his reaction.

"All the best darling," she says.

"Thank you," I appreciate before hanging up.

It's six twenty. I still have forty minutes before Asahd comes. Although that's not much time when I start preparing. It will fly by past as he'll soon be calling me to let me know that he is at the gate. Dusk lately has been arriving so late. Mostly at around seven-thirty. I think we are in that period when we have longer days than nights. I'm not so sure about it though. I studied geography only for a year before dropping the subject back in high school. Salma would however know about it. Had the question been of any importance, I would have asked her.

Speaking of questions, I still have so many of them ringing in my mind. All concerning Asahd and his reasons to keep me anonymous to his family. Some of them I've thought about more times than I can count in one night. Additionally, the more I keep thinking about them, the more I grow hesitant to ask them. It is the fear of knowing the actual reasons behind everything that makes me hesitant. I've decided to shut them out and refrain from thinking about them. Clearly, it is not doing me any good. I'm sure Asahd has reasonable explanations to justify his actions.

It's about ten minutes to seven. I'm already done preparing and now I'm waiting for Asahd's call. I didn't do much makeup. Just some lipstick, mascara, and eye pencil. I'll not be wearing my glasses for the evening but I'll be carrying them in case of emergency. They are a necessity that I'm never supposed to leave behind. As I check myself out in the mirror for the fifth time, the ringing tone of my phone distracts me. My heart nervously starts racing when I see Asahd's name dangling on the display. It is about time.

"Hey, pretty. I'm at the gate. Shall I come get you or will you come?" he asks, going straight to business.

"I'll come, give me two minutes," I respond, feeling anxiously excited.

"Two minutes, pretty. I know you ladies tend to turn that into two hours," he points out.

"Three minutes because you've stolen one from me," I retort.

"Okay, fine. I'm waiting," he grumbles before hanging up.

I put on my shoes, grab my bag, keys and walk out of the house. I lock it and soon I'm heading towards the gate. Thankfully, I don't have to open it as it is already opened. Alice isn't anywhere to be seen. Perhaps she had something to do today. She might as well be in her house. Regardless, it's good she is not here to gawk at me. I step out of the gate to see Asahd leaning on his car and idly staring at the perimeter wall surrounding our residence. When he sees me, he stares as if he hasn't seen me before. I was going for that look. He too looks great. He's in a white turtleneck, black soft jeans, and white timberlands boots.

"Damn, Mawia. Finally, I'm seeing another side of you that I've been yearning for. Wow," he comments checking me out thoroughly.

Deep within, I feel so good with myself. His comments admittedly add value to my life no matter how simple they may be. That's because they always boost my courage and self-confidence. Sometimes I think he was purposely brought into my life to revive my lost confidence and self-belief.

"You do look great yourself. Although I'm used to it," I comment making him laugh lightly.

"Thanks for the compliment but today all the those should go to you. You really do look gorgeous, pretty. When do you ever get out like this?" he asks with a mesmerizing smile, still checking me out.

"Maybe once in a blue moon and when a guy named Asahd asks me out on a date," I respond making him chuckle. "Simplicity is embedded in me to allow me to always go out like this."

"It suits you very well. Perhaps you should try it more often. However, only if you are comfortable. I wouldn't want you to if you are not okay with it," he suggestively says before pulling me into a hug and kissing my temple.

"I'll put it into consideration," I murmur while soaking in the sweetly intoxicating scent of his perfume.

"Good. I've missed you," he murmurs in my ears.

Purposely on the sensitive part that awakens goosebumps all over my body. I've realized that Asahd isn't worried or afraid of PDA. Otherwise, he wouldn't bother doing things like hugging me intimately and giving me chaste kisses outside. Especially when people are obviously and curiously staring.

"I've missed you too," I confess, embracing him tightly.

He caresses my back and places a wet kiss on the crook of my neck before retreating. I would be lying if I said that kiss didn't turn me on a little. Also, just thinking of him kissing me there then proceeding to my breasts and further down to South Africa turns me on more. Before my mind travels any further, he prompts us to get into the car. Soon, he starts it and we drive off.

"Where are we going?" I ask curiously when he drives into the main highway.

"For our date. Where else?" he bounces making me shoot him a glare.

"Asahd, don't cross purpose intentionally," I grumble. He smiles guiltily for a moment before turning to me.

"To a certain restaurant that I know serves life worth delicacies. I'm sure you are going to like it if not love it," he says before his eye focus returns to the road.

"I'll probably love it if you did. I just hope that they don't serve food with carrots," I say.

"You don't eat carrots?" he asks sparing me a glance.

"Yes. I don't even know why I hate them but I can't stomach them. Once when I was in standard five, we went to my aunt's wedding. They served carrots in almost every dish. Then, I just didn't like them. But since I was hungry, I had to eat the food. My dad told me to ignore the frigging carrots. I did try and I was able to finish the meal. However, minutes later, a sudden nauseating urge clouded me. Moments later, I was rushing to the washroom to drain everything out. Ever since, I passionately hate them," I explain.

"At least now I know something else you hate other than Julia," he says making me laugh with a rolling of my eyes.

"You enjoy teasing me a lot. I stopped hating on Julia when you confessed to liking me. I only hated her because she got noticed too easily while I didn't. Bottom line, it was in her power to get to you so easily that made me hate on her."

"So you like her now?" he asks with a smug face that's totally out of place.

"No, I don't. She is just an ordinary person. I don't like her. I don't hate her. She is like any other person I know but has no close or distant relations with," I respond.

"I'm sorry about the carrots thing," he apologizes with a serious face.

"No need to apologize. It's already a norm for me not to eat carrots. It doesn't even bother me. Anyway, do you think if I did eat them my sight would be good?" I ask with a serious face just to test him. The frigging dude bursts into laughter before turning to me.

"I don't know, pretty. They tell us carrots do work but I'm not sure about that," he explains once his laughter tappers. "I'm sorry, I found it funny. I'm really sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" I ask while breaking into laughter. "It wasn't a serious question. I know for a fact it wouldn't have improved because my sight problems started way long ago when I was little. They just recurred."

"You duped me," he complains. I shrug with a smile, turn to the window and stare at the artificially lit city.

"Where did you learn to treat a woman so good?" I randomly ask minutes later.

"You think I'm treating you well?" he volleys with a sweet smile.

"You've answered my question with another, Asahd," I groan.

"Well, from dad and mom. Even when we are still in the picture, dad treated mom like they had just started dating. Back then, Blue and I never understood anything. We just watched them, both in secret and in the light. It was when we grew up and started getting the hang of things we understood everything. It was also then that I started hoping that one day I'll meet a woman who I'll want to love and settle with forever," he says.

"That's inspiring. I wonder why you claimed you didn't know anything about the dating process," I prompt.

"Never mind about that," he says, sounding a little distant. "I simply wasn't sure if I was capable enough to be the perfect man you would want to date."

His explanation doesn't settle right with me. I feel as if there is a real reason as to why he said that. I'm not going to push it though. If he ever wishes to tell me everything that's behind the scenes then he will.

"I think you thought wrongly," I mumble as I turn to stare out of the window once again.

"I'm not so sure about that," he mumbles to himself. As if is suddenly lost in thoughts.

Surely, there is something. A secret behind all this. For now, as said, I'll let it go. I'm not going to ruin my first date with unnecessary questions at the moment. For the rest of the drive, we are silent. The questions that I tried pushing far behind my mind have awakened. They are stringing through my head like a disastrous plague. He shouldn't have vaguely responded. No. I shouldn't have asked about the whole dating thing. Otherwise, I would be completely excited about my date. Frigging questions. After tonight, I'll consider asking them.

"What are you thinking about?" Asahd asks as he parks the car in a half-empty lot.

A few yards away is a glittering banner with the names Farida's Cuisines. This must be the restaurant he is talking about. I've seen it a few times before while passing through this side of the city but have never been inside. According to rumors, it is mainly known as a couples zone. Well, I'm about to evaluate the validity of the rumors.

"How lucky I am to have you," I partially lie.

I'm not only lucky but grateful. He doesn't know this but he fits right in with the rough description of the type of man I've always wanted to have.

"I hope that I'm going to be worth your while," he softly says while taking my hand and kissing on its backside.

"You are, already," I assure him with a genuine smile.

We step out of the car and walk around to the front. He takes my hand in his and takes me through the parking towards the main entrance of the restaurant. The security checkup is brief and soon our feet are clanking on the shiny marble floors. As the restaurant is upstairs, we climb the short flight of stairs before entering into an intimate environment.

Several people are sitting at different tables and conversing within themselves. The soft music in the background is what gives the place some intimacy. The rest comes from customers who seem to be closer to one another. Evidently, it's not just about couples. Even families. The restaurant is just like any other. It's just that it offers that warm intimate feeling people may be seeking with their loved ones.

"I don't usually do fancy places but this place is quite beautiful, intimate, and warm," I comment as we walk through it.

"You've already started liking it without the food yet. Wait until you taste the food," he suggestively says as a male host approaches us.

"Good evening and welcome. Any reservations?" he asks.

"Yes, table fifty," Asahd responds.

"Oh, please follow me," he requests before we follow him to wherever table four is.

"I didn't know you had to make reservations first," I whisper to Asahd.

"Not usually. Unless you want something special," he responds with a smile.

"Oh," I nod, failing to understand it totally.

The host takes us to an almost secluded spot in the restaurant. You have to climb a staircase to access the spot. Despite being above, it is also hidden by a booth. When you are down here, you can't see whatever the people up there are doing. Shit, if that doesn't make me think like a naughty girl. They probably designed it that way to provide privacy and perhaps intimacy for the customers. There are a few other similar spots with different operations going on below them. Below ours, there is an operational bar. 

"Your table is up there. Everything you requested is perfectly in place. When you are ready to order there are menus on the table. Have a lovely night," he says.

"Thank you," Asahd appreciates with a polite smile. The host nods and then leaves.

"Ladies first, miss," he says ushering me up the stairs.

Leisurely, I climb them as I take in the atmosphere of the place. The soft music is reaching here too which makes it even more intimate. When we get to the top, surprise washes over me when I see a candelabra with five red candles burning fiercely and lighting up the place. There is also champagne in a silver-grey ice bucket wrapped with a red ribbon. A fresh bouquet of red rose flowers in a vase. Two champagne glasses on white tablecloths. Among other requirements, there are two menus with brown leather covered. Damn, I'm already in love with the place and the setup.

"I know it's a little bit cliché but happy belated valentines," Asahd says as he steps in front of me.

"I don't care if it's cliché. To others it may be but to me, it's not. No one has ever treated me out like this before. It is not like I had any expectations but this is new to me. I love it and thank you so much," I express, feeling a bit emotional.

"I'm glad that you loved it," he says as he steps in closer. His face dips towards mine and in a moment, we are sharing a slow but searing kiss. "Be my girlfriend," he says on my lips once he retreats.

"Can I think about that?" I ask with a secretive smile.

"How much time do you need?" he asks, his eyes searching mine deeply.

"Maybe a second," I respond, my eyes shifting from his dark eyes to his soft lips.

"I think it's already over," he prompts as he uses his hand that's on my waist to tug me closer.

"I will be your girlfriend," I state before his soft and warm lips clash on mine for another searing kiss.

A moment later, we take our seats, sitting opposite each other on the two booth chairs. Asahd takes out his phone and starts snapping a few photos.

"Sorry about this. It's preserving memories," he apologizes making me smile.

"I'll let you snap more if you let me snap yours," I say.

"You are free to do that," he says checking the photos out. "Perfect," he comments then puts his phone back into his pocket.

"I'll sneak a few," I state while checking out the menu.

"You and Blue have a similar habit of sneakily snapping people," he comments. I can feel his eyes on me and that makes me smile inwardly.

"I think it's a girl's thing. Sneaking snaps of men they like or love," I say.

"Nice response. I love it because it means something," he smiles. "What interests you on the menu?"

"Matoke, chicken, and salad," I respond.

"Delicious, if you ask me. Salma ordered that the last time we were here. After having a taste, I can guarantee you that it is indeed delicious."

"I'll settle for that," I say closing the menu and placing it back.

"I'll settle for that too," he says with a smile.

He orders our food and in no time, the food is brought. As we eat, Asahd tells me about his life. The small nitty-gritty that people don't deem important nowadays. They might even be considered as a wastage of time. As the night progresses, I return the favor. It comes a time when I move over to his booth. It feels much better having him closer to me. My diary will have something new memories to store soon. We pop the champagne, toast, and drink to a few things in our lives. But most importantly, our relationship and whatever will come of it.

"If there was a dance floor here, I would have asked you for a dance," he whispers.

"I don't know how to dance. Unless you teach me how," I point out.

"I can teach you. Which reminds me that I'm supposed to take you on a tour to Boabab conservatoire. When are you free this week?" he asks.

"I have assessment tests on Wednesday that I need to study for. Probably on Friday and the weekend. Can you make it happen then?" I ask, hoping that it will work out.

"Yes. I'll be at the dance studio almost daily. I'm sure I will be able to steal time for you. So when you decide on the day, let me know," he says.

"I will," I say as I look up at him from his embrace. "It seems to me like you grow handsome every day," I comment.

"Stop flattering me," he chuckles as he locks his gaze with mine.

"The truth must be expressed sometimes," I state. In the flash of a second, his lips are on mine with a hungry kiss.

Without thinking, I climb on his lap and straddle him for easier access to him. When I'm perfectly settled, he continues to passionately kiss me while caressing me lovingly. Thank goodness the table does a good job of hiding the dark ministrations of Asahd's hands. That's in case there are any cameras. The last thing I want is for the security behind the cameras to get an eyeful of my ass. It doesn't matter if it's under some lace pants.

Asahd's hands softly and firmly caress the cheeks driving me crazy. This is one of the moments when making a one-time bad decision hits hard. If my mom's warning didn't constantly tick in my head, I'm pretty sure I would be on my way to making that one decision. Also, it is not time to explore that juncture we are tempting yet. However, I doubt there is any right time because, with Asahd, every time feels like the right time.

"You make me want to try some risky shit, Mawia," he says in a breathy voice.

"Like what, Asahd?" I mumble as I catch my breath.

"Make you come with my fingers in this place, then after that take you home and make love to you," he confesses while staring deep into my eyes.

"You make me think of nothing else other than you doing that to me. It's like you are infiltrating my mind and I can't stop it because I know that is what I want and more," I confess.

"Should we just do it or should we slow down?" he asks.

"I can't think right now," I respond.

"Maybe then we should wait for a while," he suggestively says.

"That will be a torturous wait," I grumble.

"Perhaps it will be worth it," he retorts. "For now, let's go get you your gift, and then I'll take you home. Tomorrow, you can come to visit me at my place after classes. I'll take you home later. In case you want to sleep over, I'll be more than happy to accommodate you."