****
Liz

We finally got outside after talking to the police men. Pamela rushed towards me and hugged me so tight she could almost break my back bone.

Surprisingly Jason's mother was here, and his sisters and gang members. All through it he was still holding my hands.

"I'm sorry I missed your launch" Jason looked at me like I was stupid, after all it wasn't my fault.

Suddenly he was pulling me closer to his body, and joining his forehead to mine.

Up close I could see the mismatched eyes I've come to love, but so many emotions were swirling in their depths. He looked so vulnerable and so scared.

I could feel his breath on my cheek, nothing mattered now every other person faded away. In here where it was just me and him I could forget the tragedy of earlier with him I feel like I can thrive.

He raised his lips to plant a kiss on my forehead and I shuddered, without warning he was claiming my lips in a kiss.

Not once in the last 4months has he ever tried to do that.

Oh father! It was every single thing I imagined kissing someone I wanted will be like. He was my first kiss and I'm sure he spoiled me for any other person.

Nobody mattered just us, not their gasps or his mom's open mouth or Pamela's shocked state.

We were acting our own Indian film in the parking lot of east mercy hospital.

Whether he kissed me or breathed me in, they were all the same. Once a long time ago I read something silly 'one day you'll kiss someone you can't live without and it will dawn on you that breathe is of little consequence.'

I want to shout to the rooftops how right that person was.

No one was running away this time, his hands melded me closer to his body and I let myself drown, forget air its of little consequence.

When he finally broke the kiss, I stood shell shocked no more running away now this guy has succeeded in capturing me.

"Elizabeth, I know you have your fears but the last 2 hours I almost want Jason w insane. I can't take back those words even if I tried to, I'm in love with you mind, body and soul. I want it all a relationship, marriage, kids I want it all" he whispered.

Maybe it was the kiss daze or the fact that I've been at deaths door , I knew I wanted this! "Me too"

The little crowd around us were still around staring at our little Indian film or is it Korean Film I heard how dramatic those movies are.

Jason smiled a heartwarming smile and I felt it all the way to the sole of my feet "No more running away doll face! I caught you now"

"Jason Tolulope Mathews" His mom called out and we both froze and turned around noticing everyone.

"Mom! When did you get here" shocked.

"How will you know when you were busy swallowing her face" she replied, and the crowd chuckled.

Jason blushed and I hid my face in his chest feeling shy. "Mom"

"What" she replied moving closer and hitting him on the back of his head.

"Mom don't hit me in front of her, do you even know how that makes me feel" he whined again.

"A mama's boy" I replied and everyone chuckled.

"You can't wait for her to get home and rest before you start swallowing her face " hitting him again.

Swallow! Liz they swallowed your face.

"Mom! Why are you even saying 'swallow her face" face palming himself.

"Because you looked like you want to eat her, even with all this crowd you are still staring at her like she's your Egusi Soup" her hands were in the air now.

"Mom" he shouted again. I chuckled then asked "what's egusi soup"

"Oh dont worry my dear, I'll make it for you" she replied. 

As the remaining crowd dispersed Jason introduced me to all the gang members, my parents and sisters. They were all nice most of them with pitiful looks, I wished I met them on a better note

"Hey, thanks for tonight. I'm tired I want to go with Pamela"

"No, you're going home with me" stroking the side of my cheek.

I stood limply against his chest exhausted. The drive back was a quiet one, till he pulled up at my driveway.

Jason sat in the parlor while I took a shower and wore my pajamas

I slipped into bed and under the covers when he came in. This wasn't how I imagined our first night to be.

The bow tie and jacket was gone, half of the buttons was gone. I laid on my side staring at him.

"Are you okay B?" I shook my head in response.

"Come here" pulling me so close and wrapping his hands around my midriff. "Cry"

And cry I did, till all my tear reservoirs were dry I cried. He stroked my hair as I did "you'll be okay my love. You'll be okay."

I'll never forget the tragedy of today, in Andrews honor I have to live.

******

I rubbed my eyes and padded towards the kitchen where a delicious scent was wafting out from.
Jason was nowhere to be found when I woke up, my sleep was surprisingly delicious in his arms even nightmares were on hold.

On getting to the kitchen I stood shocked seeing Jason's mom in my kitchen cooking. Strange looking food items was littered all over my kitchen, "good morning ma"

"Hey dear!  Jason left you a message, he had to go to work urgently. " she said cutting some leaves furiously.

The clock at the far end chimed 12pm I was asleep for almost 11 hours.

I felt shy and nervous, with no idea of what to do so I said "How may I help you ma"

This is weird! Like super weird.

"No I'm almost done, there's jollof rice. Check that food flask over there" pointing to her far left on the kitchen counter, "I'm making Egusi soup right now, mostly for Jason and so that you can try it out since you are my Sons Egusi soup"

I blushed, like the amount of heat that coloured my cheeks could fry eggs, or maybe I'm just exaggerating. My fingers found their way to my lips as I remembered last nights kiss.

You mean last nights swallowing, I face palmed myself at my subconscious reminder. I'm not sure I'll mind if he swallowed me again anyway.

I got a plate and sat down to eat, the food was on another level. I thought Pamela's jollof  rice was nice this one was a killer. "Jason made it for you early this morning before he left"

My mouth was full of a spoonful of rice and I stared at her shocked, I choked on the rice and she quickly placed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in from of me, while softly rubbing my back.

My eyes stung at her kindness.

How can this boy be fine, sweet, knows how to cook and rich on top. Sometimes I think this is too good to be true!

"Thanks ma" I said wiping my eyes quickly.

"Call me mum, remember I told you you're my future daughter in-law. I knew what I was saying it's called word of prophecy" winking at me.

I had no choice but to laugh, her mismatched eyes was shinning with mischief just like her sons.

While I ate slowly, she told me stories of Jason while growing up and his escapades I laughed so much my stomach hurt.

Then she took her time to explain what each ingredients was, "This is melon also called Egusi" holding a white nylon where it contained.

I nodded my head rapidly and made a mental note to ask her to teach me someday, after all I was his Egusi soup it only made sense that I know how to cook it.

I felt light in my body and soul, Andrews madness showing me a little light. This once I wanted to live, to heal and so when I heard the door being pushed open and Jason came in alongside Pamela, My twin babies, his gang members, his dad and sisters. I felt a tiny blossom of hope spreading through.

If life wasn't so cruel, I really want to hold on to this hope.

I want to spread my leaves like a sunflower, for I'm okay with not being a delicate rose.

"Aunty Izzy" the twin shouted launching themselves at me and I rose up to receive them.

"Hey pumpkins" taking my time to kiss their chubby cheeks.

We exchanged greetings, my almost always empty home was full.
Suddenly I wanted this people to be my family, a fresh fear gripped me at its realisation then I echoed.

You're holding the keys Lizzy! You're holding the keys, break free of fears dumb cage.

Amidst the loud noise and laughter, I felt myself pulled into Jason's arm, someone whacked his head for the fifth time today and I smiled and looked up into his mismatched eyes.

Wearing my big girl pants I muttered"I'll tell you my story, I'm ready to tell you my story and if you'll still want me then I want it all with you too"

"I'll always want you" he whispered in return, and while we got lost in our on little world someone smacked the back of his head again, this time it was his mom.

"You look like you want to swallow her again. Allow us to go before you swallow her please" loud laughter accompanied he statement.

"Go and swallow your husband too" he responded this time, and before she could raise her hand to hit him again he ran.

Ella walked up to me after getting tired of pulling on Xavier's beards "Aunty Izzy why does that uncle wants to swallow you, Is he a bad man? "

Everyone laughed again at her innocence, "ermmmh" I stammered.

"No dear he isn't" Pamela said.

Ella walked up to Jason and said "if you swallow my aunty Izzy I'll tell my daddy for you, he has money. He'll tell people to beat you up"

I laughed and carried my baby up, I probably should not tell her how much I want that uncle to swallow my face again.

*****

To those of you that they have swallowed your face😂😂😂 well-done o. I'm telling Mama Jason for you guys.

Tell me your favourite Nigerian soup!!!!!! For now mine is Oha soup, even though mama Prudy64 has refused to make it for me. Confirm oha soup with plenty roadblocks in form of kpomo, shaki, goat meat, dried fish, and beef that they cut small small!

Chai!!! Nnem oooo. The thing is next month I may he another favourite soup I'm sha weird like that.

I hope you live, bright and free.

Chase your purpose be impactful.

Orex💓