Chapter 4 A glimpse of the past

* From Albert: Goodnight baby girl.

I read with a smile on my face.

I typed back my reply.

TO ALBERT: Goodnight handsome man. *

I closed my eyes and fell asleep. When I woke up the next day, I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing.

I groaned as I hated my sleep being disturbed which Is why I never turned on my alarm after graduating high school.

I stretched my hands to get my phone on the nightstand. The moment I saw the caller ID, I snapped out of it and sat down on my bed.

I cleared my throat before answering the call.

“Good morning baby girl,“ I heard Albert say from the other side and I blushed.

“Good morning,“ I replied.

“Are you just waking up?“ He asked.

“No,“ I lied.

“Why do I not believe you?“ He said and I giggled.

Albert could tell when I was lying because I always have replies faster when I lie.

“Well that’s because you don’t want to,“ I replied.

“Okay, fine. I just wanted to let you know that you are beautiful and that I love you. Do not forget our plans for today okay?“ He said and I blushed.

“I love you too and I will not forget,“ I replied

“Okay baby girl. Take care of yourself,“ he said before ending the call.

****

I hugged Albert from behind with a smile on my face. I heaved a sigh of relief with my head pressed on his back and my arms around him.

“If it isn’t my favorite human being, I wonder who,“ Albert said, holding my fingers.

He turned around to face me while holding my hands. He stares at me from head to toe before looking back at my face with a grin on his face.

“If I wasn’t your boyfriend, I would be jealous of that man,“ he said and I blushed.

Little words from Albert were enough to make my heart race faster than normal and to make my cheek red as a tomato. He did have to do much to get my attention.

“You should be proud I am yours you know,“ I said with a smile on my face.

“I am very proud, trust me.“

He leaned down and kissed my lips before intertwining our fingers together. We began to move in the direction of his car.

“How are you preparing for your finals?“ I asked him.

“Quite well. My CGPA is still firm. It’s still 4.5 but I plan on graduating with a CGPA of 4.8,“ he said.

“My man is brilliant. I’m proud of you,“ I told him sincerely.

He opened the door of his car for me and I got in. He closed the door before going to the other side to enter.

He helped me with my seatbelt and placed a kiss on my lips.

“Where are we going?“ I asked as he began to drive.

“I didn’t tell you this beforehand because I didn’t want you doing anything. We are going for a picnic. Just you, me, the wind, and the trees. We hardly spend time together and I miss you,“ he expatiates.

“I missed you too. How is the situation with your dad? Is he still angry with you?“ I asked him.

He sighed deeply while pinching the bridge of his nose.

“We are good. He can’t be angry for too long, that’s my dad for you,“ he said and I nodded my head.

“Are you sure?“ I asked.

I couldn’t help but ask. His father wasn’t a fan of mine and he had not hidden his dislike for me the day he saw me at Albert’s place when he visited Albert unawares.

“I am sure. It’s nothing new. My dad and I hardly get along. I mean he is always demanding that I do what he wants so it’s nothing new,“ he said.

I decided to not ask any more questions.

We arrived at our destination. After setting the place up, he asked me to sit.

I exhaled deeply as I sat down next to him.

“So what’s in the basket?“ I asked him.

“Some sandwiches for us and more chocolates for you,“ he said and I giggled in excitement.

“I want some chocolate first, give them to me,“ I stretched out my hands for them.

“This was why I didn’t want to tell you about the chocolate first. Can we at least first eat the sandwiches?“ He suggested.

“Okay,“ I said.

Albert fed me with his hand and sometimes he would put half of it in his mouth and make me bite the other half with mine.

“Finally, my babies,“ I said when we finished all the sandwiches and drinks he bought.

All of a sudden, a heavy wind blew and the bright blue sky was replaced with a sky of gray.

“Did they say it was going to rain today?“ I asked Albert as I got up from where I was seated with the chocolate in my hand.

“Yes,“ he replied and I gasped.

“Did you come with an umbrella?“ I asked him.

No,“ he replied, pulling me closer to him with his hands on my waist.

“We are going to play in the rain, it was one of the things you wanted to do, remember?“ He said and I opened my mouth in surprise that he remembered them.

I told him about this the first night I met him in the bar. I was just rambling that night to him who was a stranger to me at that time and I couldn’t believe he remembered.

“You are...“ I trailed off speechless, not knowing the right words to use and describe him.

“... The best boyfriend any woman can ask for right?“ He winked at me.

I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him on the lips. “Thanks so much, Albert but If I catch a cold, that’s on you,“ I warned.

“I promise you I have other means to keep you warm,“ he said, biting his lips and it hit his chest lightly.

********

The thunder cried loudly and aggressively, signaling that a heavy downpour was about to grace the earth and I cursed mentally when I realized that I forgot my umbrella at the restaurant.

I felt a hand on me and I knew it was Albert and he had caught up to me.

“Just what do you want!“ I exclaimed in anger.

I was now standing face to face with Albert in the middle of the night with tears in my eyes, threatening to come out anytime soon.