Unexpected.

Javan woke up earlier than I did. I took a bath and joined him for breakfast, actually brunch. I woke up at about eleven am and finished dressing up at about twelve noon.

Javan: Hey beautiful.

Ndale: Good morning.

Javan: Good afternoon actually.

Ndale: Goodness! Why didn't you wake me up?

Javan: I figured you needed rest.

Ndale: I had a hard time falling asleep.

Javan: Oh my bad! Next time we would not watch any horror movie. I am really sorry.

Ndale: It is okay. I am so hungry.

Javan: Let's eat.

After taking the first bite of my chicken...

Ndale: Chloe's meals are so heavenly.

Javan: Yes.

He grinned and we proceeded to eat our food. We had jollof rice with grilled chicken, french fries, salad and lemonade. After that piquant meal we went to his study. I sat on his chair and without uttering a word, he sat on me. I squirmed in pain. He laughed and got up quickly.

Ndale: Terry You are so heavy.

I said and got up. He sat on his chair and motioned for me to sit on him. I sat on him and placed my right hand around his neck and kissed his ear. He giggled like a little boy. Great, I had uncovered his tickle spot. I placed my head on his shoulder smiling happily.

Javan: Naughty girl.

I chuckled shyly.

Ndale: Can we have a get together someday?

Javan: Get together?

Ndale: Mhmmm! We would just invite my father, Jade, Chloe, Leah and maybe Leonora, a sleepover kind of thing. Transportation would not be much of a problem because they could use the royal flying cars which are as fast as a Peregrine Falcon. It would be a lot of fun. I would be so happy and everyone else. We would eat, have fun, watch movies and even swim. Your movie room is big enough to accomodate all of us; twenty cinema chairs, nice light setting and excellent sound system. My father would be so impressed.

Javan: That is not a bad idea, I will think about it.

Ndale: Terry pleaseee

Javan: Relax, it will come on but we need to plan properly. I will sort everything out.

Ndale: Great! Thank you.

I said happily and Javan smiled.

Javan: What was your dream about?

Ndale: Yesterday's?

Javan: Yes.

Ndale: That reminds me, I had to ask you about something.

Javan: Go ahead and ask your question.

Ndale: What were you and Jade talking about?

Javan: Just some guys stuff.

Ndale: Tell me please.

Javan: Bro code.

Ndale: Oh! I really want to know.

Javan: I will not tell you anything about our conversation.

Ndale: It is fine, but it looked more like an argument than a conversation.

Javan: Just forget about it, we were just chatting. I thought you were asleep.

ndale: Yes, partially.

Javan: Oh okay, now tell me about your dream.

I remembered the picture vividly and abruptly stood to my feet.

Ndale: The dream was very unpleasant and I do not want to talk about it.

Javan: No problem, come and sit .

Ndale: No, please give me some time alone. I need some air. Excuse me.

I walked out of his office and headed straight for the plants. I spoke softly to the plants and spoke about the dream, my uncertainties and all. Would the man I have come to love cause the death of my beloved kiddo? Just as I had ended my statement, I felt a hand on my shoulder; it was Javan. I hoped that he did not hear a word I had said; he confirmed my suspicion. I stood and stirred nervously at him. He smiled and hugged me.

Javan: I give you my word, I would never harm your brother, trust me.

Yeah great! He heard everything. He cupped my face in his soft palms and promised to never hurt Jade, looking straight into my eyes. I could feel his sincerity; well time will tell.

Javan: I love you.

Ndale: I love you too.

He was elated, carried me and turn around happily, knocking down my favorite plant in the process - Terryndale was its name. He put me down and I bent over to pick the broken pieces of the vase in tears.They were white tulip seedlings; I planned to take them to my mother's grave after they were matured. Javan bent down to pick the broken pieces with me. Our eyes met and for the first time ever, a tear snaked down his right cheek. I was shocked and confused. I dropped the pieces I had picked and wiped his tear but, he would certainly get a scolding from me later. He hugged me and sobbed. I did not understand his reaction but there would be time for an explanation. I stroked his back gently and instead of being angry I was concerned. I managed to get him to go inside and asked Chloe to clean up the mess but not to throw away even a piece of the broken vase.

In just a matter seconds, things can just get messed up. I never thought I would see Javan shed tears and that to because of a broken vase, hmmm. I could not get a hold of everything. He even refused to take his supper though I offered to feed him. I did not understand a thing. For close to three days, Javan skipped his meals and became a bit distant. Was it a mistake to tell him how I felt? Why was he punishing me for his own carelessness? What is wrong with my Terry? I ate little and became worried about Javan.

At noon, I took food to him in his study but he declined and I lashed out at him.

Ndale: Please eat something.

Javan: Thank you Dear, I would take it later.

Ndale: Or you won't at all, as usual. What the heck is wrong with you? Was it wrong to tell you that I loved you? Was it wrong to express my feelings? Was it my fault the vase got broken and the lives of my tulips were cut short? I should be upset, not you because that was my favorite vase and those tulips were for my mother. What is the meaning of all this? Ahhh...

I screamed and stormed out of his study crying; I had mixture of emotions. I took a swim to calm my nerves. After, I went to the room to take a warm bath. I was not in the mood to talk to anyone, at least not immediately. I wrote down the recent events in my diary; that helped a whole lot. I watched a dance movie 'leg work' and danced; that cheered me up a bit.

My smile disappeared at the sight of Javan; I was still upset with him.

Javan: Listen...

I cut in sharply.

Ndale: I am not in the mood to talk, much less to you, so kindly leave me alone.

Javan: I know I was unfair to you.

Ndale: Unfair? You were punishing me, making me unnecessarily worried. I was patient with you however, you have pushed me beyond my limits.

Javan: I didn't mean to do that, I just could not help it.

Ndale: You? How does a broken vase cause...

Javan: Hear me out then you would understand everything.

Ndale: You have a minute.

javan: That vase was very important to me. It was my woman's favorite and she gifted it to me before kicking the bucket. I promised to take good care of it and that is the only memory I have of her. But I was careless and broke it. It was also your favorite vase.

Ndale: Your woman?

Javan: Hilda Hoshama, my mother.

Ndale: Ohhh! I get it. For a second I thought you were once a widower.

Javan: No

Ndale: Sorry about that, but you could have just talked to me about everything. I know what it feels like to lose someone you really love much less your mum.

Javan: I am sorry. I really loved my mother and can never get over her demise; It was just so sudden and painful.

I hugged him, sharing in his pain. I stroked his back gently; thankfully, we were done with shedding tears. I stood on my toes, kissed his right ear slowly and softly; he giggled as I had expected and I chuckled happily.

Javan: Do not think I didn't like it when you said you loved me.

I blushed.

Javan: I love it and would like to hear you say that more often.

Ndale: Mmmm

I smiled shyly and pulled away.

Javan: What?

Ndale: Nothing

Javan: Come back here

Ndale: No

I run around the room as a little child would and jumped on the bed bouncing happily. He stopped running after me, stood and shook his head. I spotted a spider at the edge of the bed and jumped on Javan screaming. Javan lost his balance and almost fell. It was his facial expression for me; I ended up laughing.

Javan: What the butt?

Ndale: I just dislike spiders.

Javan: Oh GOD help me!

Ndale: GOD?

Javan: GOD is Yah.

Ndale: Oh okay. You know, He saved me and made me so happy.

He smiled and..

Javan: But..

He put me down and spanked my buttocks.

Ndale: Ouchhh! That hurts.

Javan: Do not bounce on the bed again.

He said with his stern look and I whimpered.

Ndale: You are so mean.

Javan: Sorry but...

Ndale: That was really painful.

I said as a tear snaked down my left cheek.

Javan: It was just a simple joke.

Ndale: Leave me alone.

Javan: I am sorry. I will never do that again.

Ndale: This is the second time.

Javan: I didn't mean to hurt you at all. I didn't know it would be that painful. I am sorry okay.

Ndale: Okay

I forgave him and let the matter slide; afterall I caused it - I had messed up the bed and almost pushed him to the floor.

Javan: Where is that pretty smile?

I smiled faintly and changed my facial expression. Javan pulled me closer and massaged my hurting butt - my naughty husband. I pushed him away after about thirty seconds and slapped him.

Ndale: Are you crazy?

javan: Sorry I was just trying to..

Ndale: Seriously?

He gave me a stern look and I fell silent.

Javan: You are all mine remember? We are married and there is nothing wrong with me trying to ease your pain.

I realized I had reacted too harshly and needed to set things right.

Ndale: I am sorry I reacted that way. Terry I just didn't like what you were doing. I was very uncomfortable. It was a reflex reaction.

He stood with his feet slightly crossed and arms crossed with his stern look. He stirred at me quietly and I lowered my head. He was clearly angry. My mind went blank and I figgitted nervously. I wished he would just behave as though nothing had happened. I asked for Yah's help and after standing there in awkward silence for five minutes which felt like hours, Javan muttered something under his breath. I barely heard him and lifted my head. He smiled and winked at me. I was confused. ''Come'' he said. I walked slowly to him and stopped leaving a short distance between us.

Javan: Come closer, I don't bite.There is something on your lip.

He pulled me closer, moved his index finger gently over my lips and before I could say anything, he kissed me.

I guess he wanted the same thing - peace. We cuddled and both slept on empty stomachs.