Kelvin thought back to that morning. He had felt reluctant even getting out of bed. But the many small jobs he did, helped him get through his life and he operated on 'a must do' schedule. He gave himself no rest and usually worked himself to the bone each day.
He sighed and got off his bed. He lived in a student-like apartment since he had started working. The room was just big enough to contain a bunk bed and he shared that with one other person, but they hardly talked so he never even thought much of him. He wasn't anti-social in any way though. He had his share of friends but believed that there was a time for everything.
Kelvin liked to live frugally and saved every little penny he got but spent very little on himself. He had never attended a university, but he was very learned and self-taught in many things. He had had a very difficult childhood and saw his past as his motivation for his future.
"Why am I thinking of these this morning?" he thought to himself.
He realised that he had started reminiscing on his past after he met Amanda the day before. For some reason, he wanted to show the best of himself to her even though he had a hunch that she would never judge him.
He was glad that he had come in to work this day as he nearly for once in his life had not.
Back in the restaurant, Kelvin chuckled to himself as he left because he heard Yvonne say, "Oh he's damn hot!"
"I would have missed all these if I had not reported to work, today", he said to himself when he heard,
"Mum!" Amanda hush said with a flushed face as red as a tomato.
"Don't mum me, He's a total hunk!"
"I'm allowed to admire him if you won't", Yvonne winked at Tasha and they both burst out laughing. They just enjoyed teasing her but she remained unaware.
"You're all crazy," Amanda whispered and took out her phone to distract herself so that she did not have to pay heed to them.
Suddenly Tasha's words caused her to look at them again. "Amanda, I know that it was just yesterday but please do not tell me you are still thinking of that jerk… I mean that man, Eddy. He is to marry your sister!"
"Really, don't tell me you still like him?"
Amanda took a deep look at Tasha and when they felt that she might not respond because one could see the different emotions running across her face, she said, "You can't bury feelings that have grown for years in just one night". Amanda said this so quietly that they had to strain their ears to hear her.
They knew that her words were the blatant truth and therefore no one said anything in reply. Rather, Yvonne rubbed Amanda's back gently in a comforting gesture.
Amanda jerked up in the seat as if remembering something and said, "… and mum, stop indulging Kelvin. I just met the guy and do not even know him at all. How can you let him address you as an in-law when we are not even dating yet? I-" She was interrupted by Kelvin as he overhead that part of the conversation when he had just brought their order. He said,
"That can be rectified, my sweetheart. What do you wish to know about me?", he smiled with such tenderness at her that Amanda was taken aback temporarily. It was as if time stood still for a moment for just the two of them.
Kelvin held her gaze and set the meals in front of them. Unknowingly, Amanda's eyes followed him, and it was as if they were engaged in a staring contest. He squatted beside her and uttered these words meant for ears only,
"I have loved you before I met you, I – I waited all my life to meet you and I have no intention to let you go now that I have found you. You may think that I am crazy or delusional but believe me when I say that I know it from deep within the depts of my soul that you will definitely be mine and mine only".
Amanda was shocked and stunned when she heard these words. She had no idea how she felt hearing a stranger say those words to her. She felt a little fuzzy on the inside, but she had had it with men when the words and actions of Eddy passed through her head.
Kelvin studied her for some time and raised his hands as if to caress her face but dropped it and stood up from his position.
"Would you like anything else ladies?" he asked.
Tasha looked flushed and she open her mouth, but no words came out as she stared at where Kelvin was in front of Amanda. Yvonne was not in any better state as she had paused with a fork of salad near her mouth as she watched the exchange between her daughter and the young man.
"Damn! this man is smooth."
"He really knows what he wants", she whispered to herself.
"Let's date", Kelvin dropped these final words at her as he continually stared at her. Yvonne and Tasha turned to look at her eagerly, but she replied,
"You are all outrageous!"
"Seriously? What is wrong with you people? Just leave me alone!" Amanda muttered frustratingly.
Instead of leaving or giving up, he said with an interesting look on his face, "It looks like I've got my work cut out for me and I will work harder to get to my goal." Kelvin replied.
"Uhhhh… what is this?" Amanda said in frustration to which the ladies at the table smiled but said nothing in response.
Kelvin bid them goodbye and went back to his work, but they felt his eyes on them the whole morning till they left the restaurant. None of them brought him up again as they felt how uncomfortable Amanda was with the topic but the faint flush that always crept up her neck when he was brought up did not go unnoticed by them.
The week passed incident-free until the engagement day arrived.
Amanda did not know whether to view it as a good or bad omen when she arrived at the venue.
"Why did it have to be this restaurant?" she said as she stared at the sign which read, 'Highway restaurant'.
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