* * *
"Hello"
"Hey... It's 4:13 in the morning dude!"
"I'm sorry. We need to talk..."
"O-K. Are you good?"
"Yeah, I'm fine".
"OK, so what do you want to talk about hon?"
"Won't you let me in?"
"What do you mean 'won't you..' Wait, you're in front of my house?!"
"I'm sorry boo, I just..."
"This better be a very good talk", she cut in, hanging up.
In a few minutes, they were back into the warm flat burshing off snow flakes and hanging up coats.
"May I make some mint tea?"
"Yes dear, Please".
Gina disappeared into her bedroom and came out with a comforter and two pillows. She fluffed the pillows on the sofa and sat at one end, wrapping her housecoat around her. She watched her boyfriend fix a pot of tea.
"Please put a lemon slice in my cup. They're on the top shelf in the fridge".
"OK. Honey?"
"Yes please. 3 tea spoons. Talk to me babe, you know I hate suspense".
Ade offered her the lemon and honey-ed tea in her favorite mug, a red one from the Cornell University bookstore, before dropping into the sofa next to her.
* * *
"How long were you asleep before I called?"
"I went to bed at 11:15", she replied trying very hard to be patient, while looking for answers in her boyfriends eyes.
"Gina, I have to tell you something"
"I know! You keep expressing the urgency but you don't seem to be in a hurry to come out with it".
"OK", he started, placing down his mug and tucking his hands under his arms like he was preventing them from doing something else. "You're probably going to laugh at me".
"You know what?", Gina started at she put down her mug and got up, "I'm actually very sleepy".
Ade laughed. "This is ridiculous Gina. Why don't you..."
"Oh Ade! What is it?! Did you kiss someone else? You can't remember my birthday? Your mum doesn't like girls that didn't grow up in Nigeria? What could be important enough for me--"
"I love you! Shut up and listen", he interrupted.
Gina sank into her chair. "I'm sorry", she whispered.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Gina, are you OK?" It was her neighbor.
"I'm sorry about the noise, Al. I'm OK. Thank you", Gina called back at him.
* * *
Gina put her head on Ade's chest and interlocked her fingers with his.
"I don't know when I was sure I loved you Ade, but I didn't think telling you was such a big deal. I mean, I don't think the entire concept is a big deal, you know?"
"I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"I deserved that yeah?"
They just held each other in silence for a while.
"Ade?"
"I'm here", he stroked her hair, "you need to wash your hair by the way."
"Oh, shut up", she poked him the ribs before wrapping her arms around him, "I love you too Ade. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now."
"Mmm."
"Wait, how long have you been awake?"
"I haven't slept."
"What do you mean? You were trying to figure out how..."
"Oh please. Don't flatter yourself. I was working."
"Mmmhmmm".
"Working and thinking about you. I love you G!"
"Shh. Don't make Al come back".
"Sorry", he whispered, "but I love you".
"I heard you the first two times".
"Yeah, I know, but I want to be sure that you know that I love you".
"No wahala. Sha let me sleep. Cool?"
* * *
Ade got up to plug his ipod into her stereo system, and selected the 'Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' album.
"I love all your music boo".
"I know, me too", Ade replied, returning to his position on the sofa. "Babe, I'm hungry".
"Really?", she shot up suddenly and ran into her room.
"What do you have in there?"
No response.
Gina walked out after about 3mins, fully dressed in her winter gear, and a pair of black socks.
"My boots are in that closet. We're going to IHOP!"
"Yo, it's 5am!"
"Best time to go dude. The freshest food available" she sat on the floor to pull on her boots, "Come on, get dressed!"
"OK, then", he replied wearing his jacket, "you're a trip Gina".
"Really? I think so too", offering her arm to be pulled off the floor.
He pulled her up and drew her into a long kiss.
"I've been waiting for that".
"Yeah?"
"I wanted you to kiss me, so you won't call me forward again", Gain replied, pinching his arm.
"Ouch! Come on, I apologized about that. Don't..."
"I know. I kid, I kid", as she leaned in to kiss him.
"Let's go".
"Have you had their apple crepes before?"
"Eww, No".
"You're just a village boy.
* * *
