Our Hearts Beat For Anne

Anne

"Not bad," Vincent acknowledged as we walked side by side along the empty road away from my hostel.

This was the area we called the sambisa forest due to its underdevelopment but, was recently revamped giving it a tourist worthy landscape. Though it wasn't a place filled with long grasses and sand anymore, it still retained its name and the unpleasant memories.

"Told you," I beamed.

He removed his blue Jean jacket, holding it down on his left hand, he had on his white polo and black jeans.

"How're your studies?" He asked staring ahead, swinging his jacket back and forth.

He looked so relaxed, I felt my heart swell.

"Stressful as always."

He chuckled and glanced at me.

"Yeah!" I emphasized.

"Hmm," he m.o.a.n.e.d, pouting his lips thoughtfully. "Well, you signed up for it."

"I know! I love the practicals and all but we've been getting no breathing space lately. We didn't even leave for the school break due to the unending practicals. I knew it would be tough but this is pure torture." I poured out exasperated.

"Oh, I get it now!" He exclaimed as if remembering something.

"Get what?" I asked perplexed.

"The reason you were smooching my arm that night, crying and wailing, asking for your mum."

"Huh?" I was more confused than I was before.

"If my arm could pass off as your mum's," he continued, "then I should work out more. Unless your mum is ripped, then I'm good." He finished, holding back a smile that was forcing it's way to his lips. He knew I was trying hard to understand him. He was intentionally being vague.

"I did no such thing," I stated defensively.

He went quiet and kept on walking. He knew I wouldn't let it drop without knowing the full details of how I must have embarrassed myself.

I exhaled sharply and walked faster, turning to stand in front of him.

"Spill," I deadpanned.

He stopped walking and stared at me with those eyes that got my legs all gooey.

He let out a deep throaty laugh that illuminated his entire face. From the wrinkling of the corners of his eyes to his white set of teeth which were surrounded by lush pink lips.

He moved past me, raised his hand, and ruffled my hair, then backed away slowly as if trying to escape a predator.

He gradually increased his pace still facing me with a smile and

as I tried to get closer, he moved faster and faster. I was in a near run just to catch up with him.

"You're not getting away with this! " I yelled out.

He chuckled, turned, and ran off.

I sprinted after him, breathing in the cool night breeze that hit against my face and body, whooshing past me.

He wasn't even putting in much effort but you could tell he was athletic with the way he bounced off the ground.

I kept seeing new sides to Vincent that never in my years would I have believed he possessed.

I knew I wouldn't be able to catch up with him unless he slowed down or stopped so, I planned on achieving that.

"Ouch!" I yelled, holding on to my left knee, scrunching up my face to show my feigned pain.

My plan worked because he stopped almost immediately when he heard me and was already making his way back to me by the time I grabbed my knee.

On reaching me, he started to crouch to get a closer look at my knee when I sprang up, grabbing a handful of his shirt.

He was taken aback by my sudden movement which caused him to jerk back, dragging me with him.

Clumsy me with my flopped plan tripped and fell forward, landing with my whole weight on him. He lost his balance and fell backward and we both landed with a thud on the ground with me on top of him, my hair all over his face.

We went silent. You could hear the crickets, the thumping of our hearts, and our ragged breaths.

I looked up just as he was opening his eyes. We stared at each other and then burst out laughing when the situation dawned on us. His c.h.e.s.t heaved and vibrated while I fell against his shoulder in my fit of laughter.

We laid there for a short while because we were both out of breath. I didn't realize his arms were wrapped around me the whole time till I tried to get off him but found out I was stuck.

He brought up his right hand and moved a handful of my hair from his face to the back of my head, resting his hand there.

He stared at me with those intense eyes, his hand on my head moving slowly to the side of my head.

My body has been pulsing and heating up from the massive body contact.

"So you tricked me?" He asked calmly with a lopsided smile.

"I had no other choice, you were running like Ussian Bolt on cracks, " I said giggling.

His eyes came down to stare at the source of the giggle knocking it right out of me.

"We should head back, " he finally said.

I was honestly disappointed. I didn't know what I was expecting, well, maybe I did but it was asking for much. I doubt he even felt half of what I did when I'm this close to him.

I hurriedly stood up and dusted my clothes, holding out a hand to help him up. He took it, yet he stood up all on his own.

He made no move to walk. He just stood there staring at the ground still holding my hand.

I pulled at his hand to draw his attention and to clear the awkwardness we keep finding ourselves in.

He looked up at me and right there, I saw something click in his eyes.

"F*** this, " he muttered and covered the little distance separating us, grabbing me in a firm embrace. He brought down his face to mine and took my lips.

I was shocked at first, staring wide-eyed at him. Never in my wildest imaginations did I foresee this.

My eyes grew a mind of its own and gradually closed. My lips started moving and in sync with his.

I knew it would feel great kissing Vincent but this was overwhelming. I grabbed onto his cloth to steady my legs which had already given up under me.

He held on tighter, deepening the kiss.

My whole body was on fire, the volcanic kind. Series of hot magma erupting inside me.

My arms found their way around his neck, holding on for dear life. I believe at that moment, my whole body was working on its own and I was brain dead.

He bit down gently on my lower lips, sending shivers down my spine.

My fingers moved to his hair and dragged at his short hair, earning myself a deep m.o.a.n from him.

We pulled apart, gasping for air. He still held onto me to steady me and I was grateful because I would have toppled over.

He stared down at me and was about to say something when I blurted out,

"I like you."

'Jeeez Anne-marie, get a hold of yourself!'

I smacked my lips shut, my face heating up from the humongous humiliation.

His face lightened up with his gorgeous smile.

"Hmm, that's nice, " he said with his cool calm voice.

He took my hand and slid it in the crook of his elbow leading me back to where we came from.

"How long have you been feeling this way, Anny?"

"Uuh...for a while now, " I replied bashfully.

He nodded thoughtfully. He didn't seem bothered or surprised by the info. Well, a man like him must be getting a lot of interest from hundreds of ladies, mine wouldn't be any different.

The rest of the walk was in silence except for the sound of our footsteps and the sounds coming from the creatures of the night.

I was in deep turmoil though. He was too comfortable with the knowledge I shared with him and made no move to return the gesture. I should blame my big mouth for this quandary. I couldn't even get myself to look in his direction.

On reaching the gates of my hostel, I blurted out again,

"Lots of ladies must be given you quite the attention.." I didn't even know whether to term it a question or a statement.

He creased his brows, turning to face me.

"What makes you say that?"

I didn't know how to reply to that.

He moved closer and placed both hands on my arms, bringing his lips down to my forehead.

His lips were warm and soft against my skin, making my hairs stand on edge.

"I'm in love with you Anne, " he said calmly, raising my chin with his right hand to look up at him, his eyes filled with those emotions I rarely saw.

"I've been trying to work out a way to tell you, " he concluded.

I would have passed out from the shock. This man had a lot of bewildering surprises up his sleeves and he wasn't lenient in using them.

"I uh.., " I tried to speak but words weren't forming.

"You don't have to say anything. Just go in and have your rest, I'll call you tomorrow, " he urged.

I gave up trying to speak, rather, I stood on my toes and placed a brief kiss on his lips.

"Good night."

"Good night, Anny."