PUPPY LOVE SNAG

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"Niella" a voice called from behind.

He was the only one who called me Niella. Who would have thought that our paths would cross again much less at the place where we had first made each other's acquaintance and created indelible memories together. I ceased my traipsing thoughts and whirled to face him my heart pounding in my chest.

"How are you Niella?" He asked with his ever contagious smile.

"Am good" I felt an urge to embrace him but some kind of resistance force halted me.

"You are as radiant as ever" I dumbly stood not knowing what kind of reply to give him.

It had been four years since we parted ways, three and a half years without hearing from him but deep down I wished to meet him again and now that destiny had brought him before my face, it felt so strange.

"So what are you doing here? Is it, business?" He queried breaking off the cold silence between us.

"Just a dinner date with my husband."

"So you got married."

"Mmh," I nodded.

"Daniella, I really miss the old good times rather I miss you Niella."

"Hubby must be worried, I need to go," I said dodging the question

"Niella," he grabbed my hand from behind "you haven't changed at all Daniella, you still are evasive.

"Really," I smiled sheepishly.

Back then my life had been an open page to him and though we took different paths it elated me that he still was au fait with the real me even after a quadrennium.

"So you still treasure this place, I hope it doesn't remind you of us?" He winked cheekily.

"Yes, I mean no."

"Hey don't be nervous I am still the old Roi, not a stranger."

" Roi sorry but I have to go,"

"So can I buy you coffee one of these days just for the good old times?"

"I don't know, but it was nice seeing you again, it is surely a small world."

"The pleasure is all mine Dani."

"Bye."

Hey Niella, it's a date, is it? He asked and I nodded in agreement walking off.

Roi was my first love, I remember we met back at the same hotel during our college days. We had such enormous attachment between each other but not until later we released that we were worlds apart and even though the bond was still strong our goals in life were way beyond compatibility.

"Love what kept you so long to get back, I was worried," Tony asked on arrival

"I am sorry Tony I bumped into an old friend of mine, sorry love I kept you waiting,"

"It's okay Dani, Can we go."

"Sure," I said in reply as my eyes rolled towards the direction I left Roi.

My gaze was focused on building up traffic as Wiz Khalifa "see you Again" played in the back of mind. Tony wary steered his way through the annoying traffic, I turned and stole a glance at him and he gave me a wink with his ever-alluring eyes, I genuinely beamed and I turned my focus away from him as my mind inexorably recounted the unwitting encounter. He stretched his hand to reach mine and I felt goosebumps run through my curvy physique. It was amusing how bashful I still felt any time he bored into me with those alluring eyes or any time his hands landed on my body.

"You are still driving," I said sheepishly the muscles on my mouth flexing widely.

"But I need someone to hold on to"

"You are so corny." I retorted.

****

On the pursuit of our passions, that's when Tony and I met. but him being a famous photographer I had known him via magazines and television.

"You are such a powerful model," He said, it felt good to be commended, by such a renown lens-man.

"Thanks."

"Were all those your designs."

"Yeah," I replied with a bliss

"My name is ...."

"Tony," I interjected

"Oh! Am I that famous?"

"In the fashion realm? Yes, you are."

"Nice, and you are?"

"I'm Daniella, a designer, a model and the owner of Dani collection store."

"And apart from photography, I am also a part-time model," he stated.

"No doubts, you got the looks."

"It's a pleasure meeting you and I would want to work with you."

" If the pay is good then count me in," I jested.

"I mean it, Daniella." He said weightily.

How was I supposed to know that this well proportioned eminent lens-man was solemn? Onset a friendship unfolded, blossomed into love and later into a beautiful union.

As the windshield wipers swung madly against the dripping rain waters the street lights appeared more blur, Sluggish I snuggled on the seat and the only thing I could recall was Tony fasting my seat belt. On arrival, he carried me off the car into the house but we almost kissed the floor due to the slipperiness or maybe my avoirdupois was weighing him down. I clenched him tightly my face against his neck and for once the fear of losing him crept me.

"Hey I will never, let you go" he whispered.

The wide casement from my cozy base provided a stunning view of the bustling city, in distinction to my enclosure, I could hear the unknown music made by the sewing machine in the working area. My phone buzzed at the far end of the desk and suddenly I ceased contemplating.

"Niella, can I see you, I mean for coffee," the message read, but before it sunk in, the phone droned again. "Please for old times sake, please."

I didn't understand why he was trying to resuscitate a dead past, but maybe a cup of coffee would bring clarity, I snappily grabbed my porch and latched the door behind me.

"An early weekend?" Tina asked on my way out.

" No Tina"

"So should I wait for you to get back?"

"It's okay, I don't think I will head back here but take care of everything and if something arises give me a call."

"Sure boss, I am at your disposal."

"Tina I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely, Dani."

Tony crossed my mind, and forthwith uneasiness flooded my heart, what would be his reaction if I told him about Roi? would he even allow me? Was it even necessary?. I quietly sat in my car at the parking lot trying to settle the wrangle between my mind and heart, I suddenly gave in to my mind and stepped on the gas. After a few minutes, I felt a bit calm, though, numerous thoughts wildly run through my mind. I stretched my hand to turn on the music but abruptly, I hit the breaks and it felt as if my heart throbbed off my chest.

"Are you crazy or drunk can't you see the light is blinking green, crazy lady," the furious dread hair guy shouted from the windshield.

"I am sorry sir, sorry," appeased by my words he walked away and I gasped in relief.

"I knew you would come, but why do you look troubled?"

"Because I virtually sent someone six feet under," I said staring into space.

"But are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm in perfect shape. But that aside, why did you want to see me?"

"I don't think it's a sin for old friends to chill out together."

"But we were more than that, we had chemistry." He pulled his lower lip between his teeth peering at me as if his next words were on my brow.

"Are you happy?" He enunciated

"Happy? What do you mean?"

"With your current life?"

"Utterly Roi, my career is thriving and I have an amazing husband."

"Is that so, then why did you accept my bidding."

"Because... because... you called me and to be clear Roi, what we had ended a long time ago," I uttered indubitably clearing the qualm.

"Are you sure?" I bobbed in accord "Then come with me," he said pulling me off the chair."

"But....."

"No questions, Niella," he interpolated.

I vacantly stared at him as he pulled me along, clueless of what was cooking in his mind.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked, on the rooftop of beauty tower just a stone throw from the cafe.

"These walls are witness to the love that we shared, this little bench can vouch of the countless time we cuddled on it,"

"Why are you doing this, Roi?"

"Because I am not convinced that you don't feel anything for me,"

"Four years is a long-time Rio, people change and feelings also change. Besides you have a wife, don't tell me it's not for love that you married her."

"But she can never make me feel the way I do when I'm with you."

"That's is all in your noddle."

He gave me a blank gaze and abruptly pulled me closer, his arms looping my waist. I raised my eyebrows and our eyes locked.

"Tell me, Dani, that this place does not even remind you of our first kiss?" he asked amourously his left palm pressing my cheek.

"Roi..." By saving grace my phone buzzed, and snappily I loosened my self off his girdle.

"Love, can I pick you up?" Tony catechized for the other side."

"It's okay am on my way home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I will be home soon."

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you.." he disengaged before the cessation of my phrase.

His inquisitive eyes said it all, I clenched my fist trying to find the right words.

"Roi, I'm sorry if I led you on, I admit I longed to see you again but that was all. Tony means everything to me and I cannot picture a world without him," I shouldered my hand on him. "You will always be a good friend to me, Roi and I don't want my past to be a shadow to my present, I am sorry," I perspicuously said moving off but he abruptly grasped my hand.

"Niella," he called and I turned.

"You are a good man and I am definite you love your wife, goodbye Roi."

Cruising heedful, my mind and heart felt light, there was unceasing urge to be home, I wanted to be in his arm, to feel the warmth of his embrace. He was always home early so when I saw his car at parking lot an obscure bliss flashed my heart.

"How was your day love," I inquired my arms looping his midriff. " Tony I love you so much honey," his silence gave me a scare. Did he suspect I laid about my whereabouts? Had he gone to my office? I held on to him so tight dispersing all the fears. "I am sorry love"

"Sorry, for what?" He whirled detaching my hands from his body. "Are you sorry for the guy I saw holding your hand across the street or what are you sorry for Daniella?" he rumbled disappointment palpable on his face.

Addled I leaned my head on his breast forcing him to lounge on the wall. Tears streamed off my eyes dampening his white shirt.

"Tony I love you so much, I can't live without you, that man means nothing to me, he was my first love but you are the love of my life, you are my world, Tony. I love you, I am so sorry, I'm sorry," I said sobbing uncontrollably on his chest.

He pressed his palms on my drenched cheeks and ardently pecked my brow. " That is enough," he clasped me in his arm that I could feel his heartbeat from his chest. " stop crying I trust you, love, I was disappointed am sorry for yelling at you, I love you more than words can convey Dani, I adore you beautiful."

I allowed myself to vanish into the warmth of his embrace my face buried in his chest.

He held me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"I am such an idiot for making you cry, sorry."

"I'm sorry Tony, what were you doing at the cafe?"

"That is a surprise."

"Do you have to cover my eyes."

"Yeah, be careful with your steps," he cautioned his hand slipping my waist.

"Where are you taking me?" My question met silence "Tony, love, please talk to me,"

"Impatient girl, we are almost there," he muttered.

The scattered red petals graced my eyes, the candle lits the entire setup wowed me.

"Wow, it's incredible, what is the occasion love?"

"Do I need an occasion to treat my wife?" He asked holding me from behind. "These seven months of our marriage have been the most amazing days of my life and I love you more than when you swept me off my feet. You know, I vowed to always recall imperative days in your life even the moody ones," I tittered " love I have something for you," he said promptly as if my giggle had jogged his memory.

"And this is?" I asked as he handed me a white streamered box.

"Take a look."

"My favorite chocolate cake!" my face was lit up with glee.

"Happy birthday in advance beautiful, I wanted to be the first person who puts a smile on your face before the actual day and I'm glad I pulled it off, I love you, Dani."

In tears, I ran into his arms, "I love you so much honey thank you for everything. You are such an amazing person,"

"Don't you cry you might discourage me from doing this again. The food is getting cold but I'm okay with cuddling the whole night."

"Did you cook all this?"

"I hope you are not trying to question my culinary skills?" the creases on his temple were priceless.

He stroked on my hand the whole time, it felt as if we had fallen in love for the first time. My eyes scrutinized his every step as he moved towards his laptop and the napkin hanging loose on his chest. He took my hand and helped me to my feet.

"May I have this dance," how would I say no to our favorite song "if tomorrow never comes" by Ronan Keating he took my hand on his shoulders, looping my waistline, he gently pulled me closer, I faced up and our eyes met.

"Do you remember our first dance at the gala dinner?"

"That was so abashing," I clenched my teeth gazing into space.

"You almost broke my toe with those tapering heels and I had to bit my lips to avoid a shriek."

"But, I had warned you about my inept moves, albeit, your expression was comic that I couldn't stifle laughter," I chuckled.

"And everyone gazed at us, that was so mean."

"Sorry, I couldn't help it."

"To be honest that day still lingers in my mind because it was special, our fast dance and the first time we were in each other's arms, it was the most amazing feeling in the world. Dani, no one can make me happy the way you do l adore you so much beautiful, every time I see you, I fall in love with you all over again, now and forever I will never let you go," He pecked my brow.

"And I love you more, Tony, you are an answered prayer and the best thing that has happened to me, thank you love."

Swaying to the music, I rested my head on his breast as the cool night breeze flashed through our skins. Cupping his neck I slightly closed my eyes as we both allowed the lyrics, to drown us into the world of romance, our heartbeats close together.