A DAY FOR US

The days that followed were filled with a growing sense of excitement. As much as I loved spending time with Lira in the quiet corners of the beach, I wanted to show her a side of the world that I had always kept hidden from her—a side where we could just be two people, out in the world, enjoying life together without any of the usual pressures. I wanted to do something special for her, something that would make her smile even more than she already did.

One evening, after a particularly long day, I decided to make a plan—a surprise for Lira. It was a bit out of character for me, but I knew it would be worth it.

I made a mental note of everything she had ever mentioned liking—things that seemed small, but I remembered them. A beautiful, simple dress she had admired one day at a local shop. Some shoes that she once pointed out, saying how they looked so comfortable. I wanted to get them for her. I wanted to spoil her just a little, to give her something she didn't expect, to show her how much she meant to me.

The next day, I went to the market and bought a light, flowy dress with soft colors—a deep blue with hints of gold. I also found the shoes she had mentioned—simple, elegant, but comfortable enough for her to walk around in all day. I wrapped them up carefully, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.

That evening, I waited for Lira at our usual meeting spot—the beach cave. I had texted her earlier, asking her to meet me there for something special. I didn't tell her what, just that it was a surprise. The anticipation was making my heart race as I walked around, double-checking everything.

When Lira arrived, her eyes instantly searched for me, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me. "Hey, Amani," she called, her voice soft and welcoming.

I smiled, trying to hide my nervousness. "Hey, Lira. I have something for you."

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "For me? You're being mysterious today."

"Come on, let me show you." I pulled out the wrapped gift from behind my back and handed it to her, my heart beating faster.

She took it from me carefully, her eyes never leaving mine. "What's this?"

"Just open it," I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

She unwrapped it slowly, and when she saw the dress and shoes, her eyes widened in surprise. "Amani... you... bought this for me?"

I nodded, a little embarrassed by how much I had put into this. "Yeah. I wanted to get you something nice. Something special. You deserve it."

Lira stared at the dress for a moment, her fingers tracing the fabric. She seemed speechless for a moment before she looked back up at me. "I don't even know what to say. This is so kind of you, Amani. Thank you."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sight of her genuine happiness. "You don't need to say anything. Just know that I care about you a lot."

Her smile softened, and she stepped closer, her hand gently brushing against mine. "I care about you too, Amani. I really do."

I took a deep breath, knowing that now was the time. "So, here's the plan," I said, grinning. "I'm going to take you out. We're going to spend the day together. No worries, no stress—just fun. I thought maybe you'd like to see the city, try something new."

Lira's face lit up, her excitement evident in the way her eyes sparkled. "A day out? Just the two of us?"

"Yeah," I replied, my grin growing wider. "We're going to have fun. I'll make sure of it."

She laughed softly, her voice full of warmth. "You really know how to surprise me, Amani. This sounds perfect."

"You deserve it," I said, my heart swelling with affection. "You deserve to have fun, to feel free, and just enjoy life. We'll start with the clothes—why don't you try them on?"

Lira's face flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Okay, I'll change right now." She stepped behind a large rock, her voice playful. "I'll be right back!"

As she disappeared, I could hardly contain my excitement. This was going to be the start of something wonderful. I wanted to show her just how much she meant to me, and this was just the first step. I couldn't wait for her to see the day I had planned.

When Lira came back out, the dress looked even more beautiful on her than I had imagined. The soft blue fabric flowed with the wind, and the gold accents shimmered as she moved. She stood in front of me, her smile soft and genuine.

"How do I look?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of shyness.

I took a moment to take her in, my breath catching. "You look... incredible, Lira."

She blushed at my words, but the happiness in her eyes was undeniable. "Thank you. You really know how to make someone feel special."

"That's because you are special," I said, my voice sincere.

They left the cave, stepping out into the warm evening air, and made their way to the city. The lights of Mombasa were just beginning to twinkle in the distance, casting a magical glow over the streets. Amani felt his heart swell with happiness, knowing he had made her so happy.

As they walked, Lira's laughter filled the air, and Amani found himself smiling at the sound of it. She seemed so carefree, so alive, and that joy was contagious. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so at ease, walking beside someone like this, someone who had come to mean so much to him.

As they entered the bustling heart of the city, Amani kept glancing at Lira, watching the way her face lit up with excitement as she took in the sights, the sounds, and the vibrant energy of Mombasa. He was lost in thought, so happy to see her so full of life, when he suddenly realized how much he enjoyed being by her side.

In that moment, everything felt perfect.

But in his blissful distraction, Amani didn't notice the speeding car approaching the crosswalk.

Before he could react, the screech of tires filled the air, and Amani was struck, his body knocked off balance by the force of the impact. The world spun wildly around him, and his gift—the dress he had so carefully picked out for Lira—fell from his hand and tumbled to the ground.

Everything seemed to slow down as he collapsed onto the pavement. His vision blurred, and the last thing he saw was Lira's face, filled with shock and horror.

"Lira..." he whispered weakly, his voice barely audible.

And then, everything went black.

END OF CHAPTER.