Gabriel left with Asia for that dinner. There was a lot to be said, a lot to be discussed and a lot to agree on. This was a new chapter and it was frightening for the new couple.
As Gabriel drove his simple Mercedes, Asia took her phone and called Allan. His friends were right. Asia didn't belong with him. She spoke and cried and ended it even as her heart wept.
She didn't know what the future brought. Maybe she would regret it. Probably she would. She nervously pressed her knuckles and looked outside. Where was he taking her?
They made a turn to an army barracks. They were stopped at the gate. Gabriel lowered his window and showed his military I.D and they were allowed in. A few more minutes and they were outside a flat.
Gabriel picked her and went up the stairs to the second floor. He didn't seem to get tired of going up. He didn't break sweat. Asia just held on to his neck, her head on his chest. He loved that even as he opened the door, went in and placed her on the couch.
As Asia looked around, Gabriel disappeared into the kitchen. The house was plain. Too plain. A forty inch TV, six seater couch and a six seater dining table. Gabriel set the table, poured wine, brought the food and lit candles. He picked Asia to the dining chair, switched off the lights and sat opposite her smiling.
"Let me serve you," she said, almost inaudible, stood on one leg and served their plates fish fillet and vegetables.
"You are very beautiful, Asia," Gabriel spoke while she sat. It began raining.
"Are saying that because we are … what's the word?"
"Betrothed? No, you are beautiful. I know we can be happy," Gabriel said.
"What is your concept of marriage?" she asked sipped wine and looked straight at him.
"Well, love, kindness and faithfulness. Plenty of sex, children someday," he stretched his hand and gently rubbed her hand.
"How old are you?" she sized him up.
"Six years older than you, beautiful," he looked at her, held her gaze for a bit.
There was a power black out. The lights that shone brightly from outside suddenly went dark. They ate in silence. There was a storm. Lightning kept flashing into the house.
Gabriel had wanted the dinner. But was he ready to be a husband in two months? He was thirty, late already. Most of his mates were married.
He smiled at her. He would marry her and treat her well. She was not a bad person and he understood her relationship with the brother. It kept pouring outside even as they finished eating.
Gabriel cleared the table. He asked which desert Asia loved. It was getting really cold due to the storm yet she asked for ice cream.
While she sat on the couch and had her ice cream, Gabriel did the washing up. At the very least, he was not sexist. Asia texted David. I should be there with you. She said, rested back. You are not cleared to travel. I will see you in a week. She frowned.
Asia needed David to assure her that this wasn't madness but now they would meet during the engagement party. She cleared her ice cream, took off her shoes and hopped to the kitchen. She washed the bowl herself while Gabriel protested.
"There is a storm. You have to spend the night," Gabriel said in that deep voice.
He stood right behind Asia, his body touching hers solidly, her front facing the sink. He had trapped her, she couldn't move.
"I … I … do I get my own room?" She suddenly felt nervous.
"Is that what you want? Your own room?" he wrapped his arms round her waist and kissed her neck.
"For ... For ... Just for tonight," she whispered.
"You will have my bed. It is more comfortable. You will have it to yourself, just for tonight," he picked her up.
Gabriel fought himself that night. His manly instinct told him to go to her. They would be married soon anyway. It was a dark and cold night anyway.
The thought of cuddling her in bed, his hands straying to that ass, those tits. Damn it. He got up in the spare bedroom and paced. He cursed. He thought of calling David for advice but quickly thought against it. David would laugh at him. He just stood there battling himself, his body losing itself to desire.
Gabriel went for a cold shower. Patience. He needed patience. She would be in his arms soon and that would be his life for years to come.
When Asia woke up late in the morning, Gabriel was not home. She was in pain. She texted him and he responded, told her where he kept the medicine. He would be back to check on her.
Breakfast was on the table. She ate, cleared after herself and checked what she could wear. His t shirt would cover half her thighs. She wore it and went around hopping and organizing the place then she went back to bed and back to sleep.
Asia was woken up by a knock at the door. It was 1 PM. She had been nervous going to bed and hadn't slept till late. She had thought Gabriel would go to her bed and had been nervous just thinking about it. She hopped to the door.
Had Gabriel locked himself out? She didn't think it through. She just opened the door to two women, greeted them and ushered them in.
"Gabriel is not here," Asia said, hopped to the nearby couch.
"Clearly. Who are you?" a lady asked. She was a soldier, even though she wasn't in the fatigues.
"Asia. Asia Rivers," she said as if her name ought to ring any bells.
"Why are you here, Asia?" now Asia was alert.
"We had a date last night. We marry in eight weeks, engagement in a week. Why so many questions?" Asia grabbed her phone and texted Gabriel. You have guests.
"Are you mad? You cannot marry Gabriel. We are in a relationship!" the lady got up.
"Gabriel and I are marrying. And if I die before then, my sister replaces me. See yourselves out," Asia got up and hopped back to the bedroom.
Asia went back in bed. She breathed. Did she expect Gabriel to be single? She got comfortable in bed, got her phone and called Kevin. He had tried calling a couple of times. What do you think of dating a soldier? She didn't expect anything good but she needed to know her fate. They say they conquer war and women. Really now!
Asia laughed, a fake laugh that concealed her concern. Kevin wanted to visit so she let him know she would invite him to a party over the weekend. That marriage would happen. That baby of the promise would be born.
All Asia wanted was to be happy amidst it all but that wouldn't happen if Gabriel was busy conquering women.
Gabriel came. The women were still there. Asia got up. The wound wasn't hurting but still, she hopped to the door, opened it partially and watched. Gabriel was talking. He was telling Alice there that he had ended it with her months ago.
Asia suppressed a smile and opened the door wider. Gabriel saw her, walked to her and picked her up. He brought her to a couch and introduced her.
"Asia, this is my ex, Alice. Alice, my betrothed, Asia. We marry in weeks," Gabriel sat. He was just from work.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alice." Asia smiled genuinely. "I need to head home,"
"Really? David flew out," Gabriel said, looked at her.
"I will go to my house," Asia was still smiling.
"Okay, beautiful. Once I get off work, I will take you." Gabriel smiled.
He breathed as he saw off the ladies. He chastised himself. He should have done better to prevent that. He asked Asia how she was feeling, held her hand and spoke. He apologised. She just smiled and shook her head. She said it would be a long journey and she would always forgive if he came clean like that.
Was it time to kiss her? He held her chin and she looked down shyly. No. He got up, smiled and made a call. Asia needed clothes there even as she looked amazing in that t shirt. He would take her back to her place and maybe good things would happen there.