The Way To A Man’s Heart – Episode 6

The Way To A Man’s Heart

By Hossana Isaac O.

(Hossy Short Story Series)

Chapter 6

Louisa

I strolled to the kitchen and saw Alyson pouring tea into a teacup from a teakettle. I didn’t know if I should enter the kitchen or just go back.

But I have to get breakfast ready before Jesse gets ready for work in about an hour

As I stood contemplating, she turned and looked at me then smirked

“hey” she said and sipped the tea

“good morning” I said and moved to the water filter to get water. It was too early to drink cold water so I didn’t go to the fridge

“how do you like London?” she asked

“I love the fresh air” I replied without looking at her

“and how do you like Jesse?” she asked again

“I love the way he appreciates my food. Makes me feel very lucky that I can cook” I replied, this time I faced her and looked her straight in the eyes

I think she got my message because her face showed a little bit of anger.

“well… Cooking isn’t even a virtue” she said and twirled her hair with her index finger

“I guess it was your dad that did the cooking in your home” I replied and went to the fridge. I brought out cream and dropped it on the counter. I’m going to make doughnuts and yoghurt for breakfast and I’ll need cream to add to it

“he didn’t because we had a cook in our house”

“then I guess you can never be a good cook cause you never had a role model”

“oh please stop making cooking look like such a hærd thing. It’s just what someone can get up and do” she said and scoffed

“oh really? Great! Then make breakfast” I said and returned the cream to the fridge

“what?”

“you heard me. Make breakfast. It’s not hærd. Come on”

“but…”

“I’m sure Jesse would be thrilled you made breakfast for him”

“okay. I’ll make breakfast not because you said I should but because I want to thrill Jesse and I will” she said and smirked at me

**

“wow” Jesse said as he stared at the octopus looking sandwich covered with butter and jelly. It looked so odd and I covered my mouth, trying hærd not to laugh. Alyson looked at me and frowned

“what is this?” Jesse asked

“it’s a sandwich” she replied

“why did you have to make a sandwich? We’re not ten year olds” I said and she rolled her eyes at me

“I don’t have a problem with her making a sandwich but this… This isn’t a sandwich. It looks like a jellyfish that swam into yellow and red algae” Jesse blurted out and I laughed

“it looks more like an octopus. See, it has… One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight legs. How did you make the legs” I asked and Jesse looked at it

“did you use your fingers to press the slices of bread together?” Jesse asked

“don’t blame me, they kept scattering and wouldn’t stick together” Alyson defended

“oh God!” Jesse said and palmed his face

“you know what, just take cereals” she said and left the dining table

“why didn’t you just make breakfast for me?”

“because she wanted to thrill you and I’m sure you’re quite thrilled right now” I said and he chuckled

“trust me, I am” he said and I smiled

“I’ll get you some crackers and coffee. You’ll just have to manage. I promise I’ll make something better for dinner” I said and stood up

“thank you” he said and I moved away only to be pulled back by him. His hand was gripping softly unto my own hand

I looked at his face and it was quite soft and apologetic. Why would he put on such an expression

“Louisa” he gently called me

“what?” I asked. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it. Then he opened it again

“I… I… I’m… I’m sorry” he stammered

“sorry? What happened? Why are you sorry? What for?” I asked

I had noticed he was quite dull since morning. And now he’s telling me he’s sorry? Oh no! My dad! I hope it’s not what I’m thinking. I hope nothing happened to my dad

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I mean last night. What you saw” he said and my mind came down

“oh” I said

“and I’m sorry if Alyson had put up a stupid act with you cause she’s fond of that” he said

“it’s… It’s nothing. I don’t see that as a bad thing. I was the one who got up at an odd hour. It’s totally my fault. And I’m sorry I barged in on you guys like that” I apologized too

He nodded and gently and slowly let go of my hand. He heaved a deep sigh and began to look at the table

I placed my hand on his shoulder

“Jesse are you okay?” I asked and he looked up at me and faked a smile

“I’m fine” he said. I felt he wasn’t fine but I just left him and went into the kitchen. I brewed coffee and microwaved the crackers from the fridge. I put them into a plate and poured the coffee in a mug then took it to him.

He looked like somebody in deep thought as I approached him. Something tells me Jesse is not okay

“here. Manage this” I said as I dropped it in front of him. He heaved a sigh and looked at me

“thank you” he said

“Jesse, are you sure you’re okay?” I asked and sat on the chair adjacent him

“I’m fine. Just feeling weak. Couldn’t sleep well last night” he said and I understood. He was probably busy with Alyson throughout

“okay. I think the coffee would help. So drink before it gets cold” I said and stood up.

“uhm Louisa wait… I was thinking maybe you and I can go take a look at about three universities around here this weekend. So you’d choose the one you want. Classes would begin in about few weeks time and I can actually help you enrol in one easily”

“oh really? That would be great. Thank you Jesse”

“you want the one closest to the house I guess”

“well, till we see them” I said with a smile and he smiled back. I left him and went back to the kitchen to get my own breakfast.

Jesse

During the weekend, I took Louisa to go and look at the three universities that I liked best. She was pleased with the one farthest from the house. I didn’t like that idea but she seemed in love with the school so I let her enrol. After the day, I wanted to take her out for dinner but she wouldn’t let me. She said she was going to cook for me instead. We however went shopping together and I found out a very shocking discovery.

I was falling for her.

That night Alyson spent the night with me, even after I went to my room angry she had caught Alyson and I, I still had s€× with Alyson but the funny thing was that I kept seeing Louisa instead of her. I kept hearing Louisa’s voice and I kept reminiscing on the time we spent together earlier that day.

She had been with me for just two weeks and I was already falling.

Though it’s quite unusual I haven’t touched her at all. It’s so strange she hasn’t slept in my bed yet. The me I know would have had s€× with her multiple times but one didn’t even happen.

I guess there’s something different about Louisa. I like her. I like her laugh. Her cooking. Her perfect cooking that can mesmerize a man into swimming in her cooking pots. Since Louisa came I look fresher, even my colleagues at work tell me that.

I know it’s good food. Perfect food.

And what I love more is that she diversifies her dishes. Bringing different tantalizing meals everyday. She only repeats a meal when I ask her to.

“how about we make our own barbecue tonight?” she asked as we entered the house

“outside?”

“yeah. Your courtyard” she replied

“sure. We already got the chicken and spices”

“and enough drinks are in your fridge”

“and we’ve got music”

She chuckled to that. I opened the door to the kitchen and she entered.

I exhaled and soothed my forehead with my index finger

“are you okay, Jesse?” she asked

“yeah, I’m good” I replied

“you should go and take a cold shower. I’ll make some popcorn and get some fresh oranges from the tree for orange juice”

“okay then. I’ll see you” I said and left the kitchen

As I undressed and got under the shower, I placed my hands on my wa-ist and let the water fall on me and w-t all my body.

My eyes were closed and I began to see Louisa flashing me that beautiful smile of hers.

I palmed my face with my hands.

What in the world is happening to me? I’m losing focus. I’m getting myself into trouble already.

I wish I could make advances towards her but it would only scare her away from me. She’s quite timid and shy so I wouldn’t want to create a bad impression on her.

I hurried up with my shower so I could go back to her. As I was entering my room, I wasn’t walking carefully and the water dripping from my body and also my w-t feet made me slip and hit my h¡p badly on the floor

I laid down there for some time, this hasn’t happened before. Louisa, see how you made me loose focus

I smiled and stood up then walked to my bed. I sat down and pressed my h¡p. I cleaned myself, applied lotion and wore an orange trouser with a white shirt

I headed downstairs and hurriedly went to the kitchen but Louisa wasn’t there. I came outside and met her sitting on the couch

“hey when did you come here?” I asked and sat beside her

“I’ve been here. Just that you didn’t seem to see me when you passed” she replied

“wait, you mean I passed you while going to the kitchen?”

“yeah”

“gosh. And I was looking for you” I said and she laughed

“the popcorn’s popping. And I just finished squeezing the orange” she said and laid back on the couch while she crossed her legs on top of it too. The couch is very wide, two people can lay side by side on it like a bed.

I began to stare at Louisa, suddenly wishing that she could just lean on me while watching TV and I’d just wrap my arms around her and cuddle her. Then she’ll just turn her face to me and tell me she likes me then I’d k-ss her l-ips and tell her I like her too. Then she’d chuckle and place her head on my shoulder and I’d just tint my head and lovingly place gentle k-sses on her neck, her cheek, her eyes and finally her l-ips.

“gosh!!” I said out loud and palmed my face

“what’s wrong? Did you forget something?” she asked

“I’m in trouble” I mumbled

“trouble? What kind of trouble? I hate trouble” she said and I looked at her

“can you help me please?” I asked and she moved closer

“what’s wrong with you Jesse? You’ve been like this since this week. Always in thoughts” she said. I kept staring at her to the extent that I felt like just leaning forward and placing a light k-ss on her l-ips then tell her she’s the reason.

“I…. I have a position in the company and I wish I could be promoted. You see, the CEO wants to create new departments and there’s one I want. Actually I’m not the only one contending for it. Three other people are. And it’s almost like I’m no match for them. I really need that position but I’m stuck. It feels like I can’t do anything to help myself” I said. It was true though I didn’t have to tell her that. It’s just so she could think that’s why I’m acting this way

“if you’re meant to be in that position, you will. What will be will be” she assured and I smiled. I pulled her and hugged her. Her body was stiff, which means she didn’t expect that.

“thank you.” I whispered. She chuckled and then hugged me back, gently patting and stroking my back.

“no problem Jesse” she said. I smiled because I had no plans of letting go of this hug

“oh no! The popcorn!” she said and quickly disengaged from me and ran off to the kitchen

“bloody popcorn!”

To Be Continued