Folake

The alcohol scorched my throat but it didn’t deter me from another swig.

I set the glass down on the counter with a heavy clink, almost slamming it.

My eyes meet the bartender’s who was currently glaring at me like I was insane.

He whisks the glass away from me in a swift motion, leaving just my trembling hand on the table.

I stare at it attempting to focus while shaking my head vigorously hoping to clear the alcohol from my system.

It wasn’t working.

I hold onto the table’s edge as I struggle to get up, my hands clinging desperately to it like my life depended on it.

“Where’s your husband ma’am?”

A voice pierced through my thoughts.

I jerk my head towards the voice.

He was a man. Of course, he was.

“A lady can’t be out by herself?” I retorted, defiance lacing every word.

A subtle smile forms on his face. It was a beautiful smile or I was just drunk.

His gaze trailed to my hands and I follow it.

The diamond ring on my finger.

“You’re wearing a wedding ring” he states blankly, sounding offended.

“Does it look like a wedding ring?” I ask, unwilling to budge.

He raises a brow and I can tell he’s shocked at my audacity.

He lets out a chuckle and speaks more softly this time.

“Who are you here with?”

I ignore him and try to get up again but he holds me before I can even move.

“You can’t go anywhere on your own. You’re wasted” He says.

I frown at him. “I’m fine, my husband is waiting at home”.

Laughter erupts from him, filling the air surrounding us.

“You know you can just say you’re not married? I wasn’t trying to be offensive. That just looks like a wedding ring” The stranger says.

“Well, it’s not.” I say, my frustration mounting.

He steadies me and smiles. A better one than the last one. This smile was reaching his eyes. He seemed happy to have his assumption tossed in the trash.

“I’m Taves” He says softly.

I stare at him and couldn’t help but wonder if he approached me because he thought I was a damsel in distress or because he was attracted to me.

“Folake” I respond.

“Okay, Folake” he says and holds my hand in his firmly. The connection was evident even in that dimly lit bar.

I must be drunk, I thought to myself for the umpteenth time. And Ovulating, my subconscious adds.

“You’re kissing a drunk woman” I mumble in between kisses.

He stops and stares at me, amused “I’m drunk too”

“You are?” I ask, unsure.

“Sober me wouldn’t be doing this with a married woman” He says.

“I said i’m not married” I clap back, almost angry.

He smiles and gently takes my lips in his again, “If you say so”.

I feel his hands at the back of my thighs and suddenly, I’m no longer on the ground.

………….

“Where’s your ring?” He asks staring at my hand.

I look down at my fingers. “In my jewelry box”, I say.

He looks up at me suspiciously.

“You still don’t believe me? It’s been 2 weeks.” I say unbelievably.

“Why would you wear a ring that looks like a wedding ring around?” He asks.

“To keep men away.” i say.

“Does it work” He asks.

I look into his eyes, “obviously not”.

He smiles and pulls me in for a kiss.

I pick up the call, a huge smile on my face.

“Hi” I say, out of breath. I had to run to pick up the call.

“Folake” He says on the other end of the call.

He says my name in such an intimate way.

“Are you busy?” He continues.

“Nope.” I answer enthusiastically.

“Okay, i’ll be at yours in a few minutes” he says, ending the call.

I drop my phone trying to contain my giddiness.

I get to arranging my room, having a shower and. wearing something… easier. A skirt.

He’s here, I think to myself as I hear a knock on my door.

I rush to the door and open it.

I come face to face with him and he smiles on seeing my transparent tank top and skirt. But the smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

We’re both naked on the bed. Me on him as I play with his hair. His hands on my waist.

“Folake?” He calls.

I raise his head to look at him.

“I have something to tell you” He says.

“Okay” I say, in anticipation. He doesn’t look too eager though.

“I’m in a relationship”

My hands stops playing with his hair as I hear that.

I get off him.

“That’s fine”, I say.

He looks at me, confused. “It is?”

“Yeah, I’m also married. Remember?” I say, smiling and waving my fingers at him.

He stares at the ring and at me, simultaneously.

I laugh and pull him in to kiss me.

He’s confused.

“You like me, don’t you?” i ask, pulling away and staring into his eyes.

His eyes dart between my left and right.

“Yes” He says.

I put my hands around his shoulders.

“Okay then. I was joking about being married and you were joking about having a girlfriend”. I say and kiss him.