Melissa
The scene slowly changed, and so did the temperature. The cold wind flowed through the car window, making me lower it fully, letting in the cold wind that caressed my skin like a lover. I closed my eyes, releasing every single second.
It was different from the times I had visited the place. I had always travelled with crowded matatu, so enjoying the scene, openly was never an option.
"Go left," I said, my eyes still closed.
All this while, none of us spoke of the issue that took place a couple of days ago. I was thankful but also knew that we had to face it sooner or later.
Finally opening my eyes, I was immediately greeted by the captivating Curvy Hill that loomed proudly, looking evergreen. It created an illusion that one was no longer in the city.
"Love nature, I see," I heard Max's voice through the noisy wind.
"So much," I smiled, loving the tranquillity nature always brings.
"Why?"
¨Do one need a specific reason to like nature?¨ I questioned, my eyes finding his for a splitting second before returning to the view. I waited for him to say something, but it never came.
¨From spring's hopeful new blooms and fall's exquisite array of colours to winter's magic and summer's energy. Each season abounds with different types of natural beauty to explore and admire,¨ I recited a poem I read somewhere.
¨In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful. I guess being surrounded by nature makes me feel like being at home.¨ It was the truth.
Nature is something that feels the empty spot in my soul. Surrounded by nature always gives me a feeling of home. Like I am where I should be.
I sometimes wonder if was somehow connected to my origins?
¨Any turns I need to take?¨ Max's voice broke my daydreaming state. I looked around to see that we were almost there.
The presence of many Masaai people indicated that we were now in a different district. I now understand why many people and tourist finds them interesting. The maasai people are the unique and emotional tribe. From the way they dress and behaves is fascinating.
Taking another turn, we left the town behind and were once again surrounded by green trees.
The car was stopped in a raised area, where the windmill was present. We got out, and we could see the view of the landscape from above.
We both leaned back against the car, sighing while taking in the site. It was breathtakingly. The barn blossomed on the hill amid the grass and the meadow flowers, as if one day it sprung up from some precious seed.
What I'm saying is that it belonged there, and if it were absent, the picture of that landscape would be missing something very special. So, though the timbers were aged and the light that streamed in from the holey roof illuminated the dust like ethereal confetti. It was truly a great place. I loved it.
"So, your idea of a date is nature sightseeing?¨ Max asked with an amused look on his face.
¨Why? Not a fan of nature?¨ I asked, tilting my head on his side.
¨I kind of liked it, but when you said date, this never once came to mind. Usually, when girls take me on a date, it would be a more closed-door thing,¨ he tried explaining, as my mind wandered back to that day, when he took me to his apartment for a date.
At that thought, I could not help but titter.
¨Well, that did not turn out so well, did it?¨ I said, making it sound like a joke, and was amazed to see Max feeling abashed. He was smiling awkwardly, running his fingers through his soft hairs, reminding me how my fingers felt in them. My fingertips itched.
I was not as innocent as I thought.
The tips of his ear were slightly red, making my eyes wide in realization.
¨Are you blushing?¨ I gaped at Max. I could not help but bite my lips, thrilled to see how uncomfortable I was making him.
¨Nonsense, I don't blush," his reply was quick, trying to cover his embarrassment with a scoff.
¨Oh, come on. It does not make you look less of a man. Actually, you look adorable,¨ I cooed teasingly, only to receive a glare from him. I covered my mouth, holding in my laughter but could not.
¨Quit it!¨ he warned, not that I paid any heed.
¨Max is blushing, Haze is blushing,¨ I sing sung, shaking my body from side to side, enjoying this side of him.
¨Oh really, now. Do you want to laugh at me? How about we laugh together,¨ At first, I did not get the underlying message of his words, and I scrunched my eyebrows, trying to understand what he meant.
By the time I realized. My eyes circled, and I took a step back in alarm. Sure enough, Max was stalking slowly towards me.
¨Haze...¨I warningly called him.
¨Yes, beautiful,¨ he answered, ignoring my warning. And the way he called me beautiful...focus Mel...
¨Don't you dare,¨ I raised my finger, taking a step back from him.
¨Oh, trust me, beautiful, my middle name is dare,¨ and just like that, my Spidey senses was on high alert.
Danger!
Their was no time to waste but to start running away. I ran in circles and zigzag, trying to escape from him, but I clearly underestimated Max, as soon enough, he had already captured me, tickling my sides.
If there was one weakness in my world, then it would be, tinkling.
I squirmed in his arms, a giggle running out of my mouth like a child spinning top.
¨No, Max!¨ I tried getting away from him, but he was damn too strong for me.
The noise that burst forth was like a cross between a snort and a drunken laugh. I never knew when to breathe between the giggles.
¨You were laughing at me, right?¨ Max said, his hands - fingers not easing one bit,¨
¨No...p...please...stop,¨ I tried making out a sentence but could not. I was a laughing mess!
¨Please what?" he asked.
¨I...I...no... laughing at you, I promise not to laugh or make fun of you,¨ the words came tumbling over my mouth.
¨Uhuh, and what else?¨ he coaxed, and my laughter resounded in the area.
"What else!" I cried, laughing hysterically.
"Say you will always call me Haze and not Max,"
What? I paused for a moment before my sides started tickling agan.
"Alright, I will forever call you Haze,"
"And..."
¨And...oh my goodness, Haze...you are the best and most handsome man I've met.¨ Magic word you should know about men - their ego is top-notch.
Finally, he stopped, but not after lifting me off the ground and spinning me around, earning a squeal from me. My laugh continued to echo in the vast land, creating a scene from a romantis movie.
Once I was back on the ground, I did not waste time to move a couple of steps backwards as mind started to clear. My body was still ticklish, and my laugh had yet to die.
Laughing was my greatest treasure of the day, for my inner smile grew so wide, that it became these auditory fireworks. I finally calmed down, a smile still on my lips as I stared at Max, who was now staring at me with some emotions I could not fathom.
¨Are you alright?" I asked when he did not move or say anything.
¨You have such a beautiful laugh,¨ he said, catching me off guard. It was my time to blush. I could feel the blood rising to my face, burning it like it was on fire.
I heard Max chuckle, his eyes still on me, then a inaudible 'cute' left his lips. I cleared my throat, turning away from him and looking at the landscape in from of me. The reflective greens of the landscape glowed brighter in the strengthening light.
"Over there, see these lands?¨ I broke the silence, stretching my hands so he could see what I was trying to show him. I felt his presence stop behind me.
¨Yes, what about them?¨ he asked. I could feel his warmth from behind, telling me that he was closer.
That foreign feeling made want to lean closer to him. Swallowing the nervousness and the urge to be close to him, I continued, my eyes not leaving the sight.
¨They are beautiful, right?¨ I asked.
¨Yes, beautiful,¨ I swallowed, detecting the intensity of those words. I knew then that it was not the lands Max was talking about. It was me! From my peripheral vision, I saw that he was staring at me.
It made me happy, but I tried as much as to brush them away.
¨Three are for sales," I said, and there was silence. Slowly I turned to face Max, only to see his confusion.
"The land that I told you about. The one you took a liking to." I added, but he still said nothing. His hazel eyes looked like the sunlit boughs and the soft moss that clothed the hazel tree.
"You are telling me even though the deal isn't over?" he asked carefully. Before I could answer, he added. ¨Are you still mad at me?¨ The time finally came.
¨I told you I am sorry, there are some things we have no control over, like dreams. It did happen, and I apologize many times for it. I understood that you needed space. I conceded. I texted, but you never replied. Still I respected your decisions. Then out of the blue, you called me, asking me out on a date just to break off the deal-¨
¨I am not breaking anything off,¨ I cut in quickly before he said more. I was dumbstrucked at the way aggitated and helpless he talked a while ago. It made happy to know that he did not want our deal to end. Max furrowed, staring down at me as if looking for answers in my face.
¨I am aware that we can't always be in control of our emotions. You got out of control in...you know, and I overreacted. I should have been more understanding but was too scared to face you at that time. You brought me to your house, hoping that we could be friends, and I messed that up when I said those hurtful words,¨ I paused, taking a deep breath before going on.
¨I brought you here because I want us to be okay. For this to work, we need friendship, as you said before, and friendship is based on trust,¨ I gave Max a small smile.
"What if I turned my back on you?"
"You wouldn't," I spoke more quickly than I intended. Max gave me a questionable look, and his eyebrow raised slightly.
"I mean, you can't. I have already spoken to the owner and showed him your picture," I giggled when he shook his head, smiling.
"So someone been taking pictures of me secretly," Max smirked sexily, his face full of amusement. That smirk of his always messed with the rythm of my heartbeat.
"What? I'm just being careful," I waved him away, smiling.
"And here I thought you trusted me," his eyes narrowed slightly.
¨I trust you, Haze. I just don't trust Max, the businessman man,¨ I retorted, earning a laugh from him. Silence was what followed as we seemed to have nothing to say.
"How many times have you come here before?" Max asked after a while. We were back, leaning against the car as we watched the magnificient colours of the horizon.
"A couple of times. This is the first time I brought someone along with me," I answered truthfully, with a smile.
"Really?" he asked intriguingly.
"Mmh," I hummed in response.
"Then I must be special to get the honors," his voice was low sounding next to my ear, which made me look up at him. He was there, looking down at me, with that smirk of his bringing out a sense of mischief, of innocent fun, and at that moment, I knew everything was okay.
"You wish," I elbowed his stomach playfully before walking away, chuckling.
We took a little walk along the hills and the landscape, admiring the view and nature itself. We talked a lot, just like how friends do. I got to know that he was studying the art of agriculture in business and was also doing his masters already.
Also that he has travelled a lot as a child and lost interest when his dad left. They seemed to have been closed before everything went south.
Jake was his best friend ever since childhood, and so was Nicky. Ken on the other hand, was the youngest and a bit immature but loved hanging around from tender age. David, even though I haven't met him yet, he sounded interesting.
They just met in college and already clicked with everyone, not to forget Kim. I was really looking forward to meeting her, she sounded interesting, though I wondered if she would like me.
"They will like you," Max's voice broke my trance.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"It's easy to like you. I like you," and just like that, I forgot how to breath. Surely he did not mean he had feelings for me, but still...
"Breath, baby, breath," he said, laughing at me. I let out the breath I was holding and shook my head. I was so embarrassed that he knew I was being nervous. He just said that he liked me, an innocent-like.
Not like like, like, like but just like because if he didn't like me, then he would hate me.
Yes, that kind of like. A good kind of like, like a friendship like
Am I making sense?
"Hey," once again saved from my thoughts by my Haze.
Did I just say my Haze? Scratch that.
"You know almost everything about me, but I know nothing about you. Just the fact that you stay with Bibi," Max suddenly spoke, catching me off guard.
I did not expect him to ask me that question at all. But thinking of it, he was right. I came to know about his family, what he was studying, met his friends while I did not share anything.
"Their is nothing interesting to know about me apart from what you already know." I answered, which was true.
I am, but a simple girl.
"Their must be something. Bored me with it," I stopped and looked at him.
"How about this. I will tell you everything but not just now.¨ He hesitated for a while before nodding in understanding.
¨No pressure.¨ he said, his hand squeezing my shoulder, that got me to smile.
***
We made it home in the evening eventually after a long, fun day out. We did only walk and talk but also joined some fun activities like riding a bike and - oh, zip-lining. I thought I was fearless when it came to heights, but not until I looked down. I almost fainted, seeing how high I was.
¨So..." I drawled as we got close to my house. ¨How did you find my idea of a date?¨ I asked, my chin raised high in pride. I was happy that he enjoyed himself.
¨It was...healthy,¨ he stated, jokingly making me roll my eyes.
¨It sure is healthier than behind closed doors,¨ I retorted while laughed.
¨It was amazing. Just like you. When Nicky kept blabbering on how good a time you guys were having, I must admit that I was...jealous.¨ Thrilled by his revelation, I could not stop myself from grinning.
We were approaching my house, when we slowed down upon seeing Andy in front of my house.
He was pacing back and forth, seemingly agitated and waiting for someone impatiently.
Max's hold on my hands tightened.
"Haze," I called him softly. I could see his jaw clenched. Seemed like he not pleased to see Andy there.
¨What is he still doing here? Does he always visit you this late?¨ I was surprised by the way he sounded angry and annoyed. It made me wonder, what exactly happened between the two of them.
"I don't think he believes us. He is never going to believe that I magically fell in love. More so, with you since you two know each other and go to the same school," I said.
"I know, but we need to convince him anyway," he said, glaring at Andy, who still was yet to notice our presence.
I felt Max holding my hand and was about to lead me towards Andy when I tugged back my hand, stopping him. He stopped and looked back at me, a frown marrying his face.
"Wh..." Max began, but I placed my finger on his lips, hushing him off.
Max squinted his eyes in confusion, probably wondering what I wanted to do. Well, I wanted to do something that would probably leave me burrowing my head on the ground.
I tiptoed and wounded my hand around Max's neck. I could literally feel my heart beating in my ears and was afraid that I might pass out from nervousness.
I already thought of it, and Max was right. He had already done much to convince people that we were dating and now was my turn.
I pushed away the nervousness at the back of my mind and leaned my forhead against his.
¨What are you up to now, crazy one?" I heard Max ask, his voice a little strained.
I could see from the corner of my eyes, Andy, looking at us.
Good. I thought.
¨Making him believe that we are a couple,¨ I answered, smiling, but gulped when I saw his eyes.
There was something more in them. Something that I have only been able to read in books that I didn't know existed in real life. They burned with an emotion that transformed his entire face. My nerves that were already worn thin felt giddy at the sight of his deep stare
I tried to hide my nervousness with a grin.
"I...I think this will convince him," I stuttered, wanting to retreat. Wanting to cower back as the boldness from before vanished.
Damn you, Mel, get your act together. You started this of your will.
I was about to let go, when I felt his hand around my waist, holding me tightly. I looked back at him questioningly to only see him with that mischievous smile of his.
He pulled me closer against his hard chest, causing me to gasp. His other hand started moving at my back up slowly, tracing my backbone through my cloth, sending tingles in my whole body and weakening my knees.
Finally, he reached my neck. Goosebumps aligned my skin, and my blood was pumping back and forth. I was only trying to act my part but didn't expect him to react. It was too much to bear.
I was getting lost in him. My eyes were becoming heavy.
"Haze," I breathed.
Max held my chin, rubbing my cheeks with his thumb. His head was so low and closer that I could feel his breath funning my face.
"Maybe he needs more than just a hug to convince him that you are mine," he said with a husky voice.
Mine. That word again.
I did not get to ponder on that thought for too long, as the next thing that happened knocked all air from my lungs.
He had slammed his lips to mine. I hardly had a moment to react before he locked his lips with mine, soft and delicate at first, then progressed deeper.
Every fibre of my being stood, and time dramatically drew to a standstill.
My wide eyes shut as I felt his hand tightening, pressing my back against him, his other hand on my neck, angling my neck as he deepened the kiss.
I felt every sound go silent until I could hear the sound of my heart beating, so loud that I was afraid it might jump out of my chest. My brain lit on fire, and warmth spread throughout my entire body. This was my first kiss, and I didn't know what to do. He was in control.
His lips were warmer and soft than I thought, the kiss light and delicate, and regardless of how abnormal my heart raced, I couldn't seem to push him away. In fact, I did not want him to stop.
Oh my goodness, what was going on with me?
And he pulled away, my being on fire for what transpired.
"Mel," he whispered slowly. Never did my name sound so good before. This man was really going to be the end of me.
I didn't know what to do or how to react, but one thing was for sure I was in a state of shock.
What do you say after you have been kissed?