The Confession

It was late evening when the storm struck Luanda, the capital of Angola, a country in the Southern part of Africa. Vina shuddered when thunder pierced the steady patter of the heavy rains that lashed the tin roof of her humble cottage. The entire structure shook like a straw in the wind. A bulb, the sole source of illumination in the room, dangled from a rusty beam and oscillated like a pendulum.

Helpless and lonely, Vina sat on the bed with her face buried in her knees. The weather department had warned that the storm would last till dawn. Drops of water from the leaky roof drenched her blouse. She heard the transformer explode in the distance. Instantaneously, her room drowned in darkness. Sobbing and trembling, she prayed for deliverance from the dark stormy night.

She heard a knock at her door and heard the familiar voice. “Vina! Vina!”

The next moment she leapt from the bed, opened the door and rushed into the arms of the man standing there. She was so besides herself with relief that the inappropriateness of her behavior mattered little. The man's arms wrapped around her.

“When the lights went, I got worried about you.” It was the voice of her boss, Raja, He was from India. His house was close by.

She did not reply; instead continued to hug him tightly.

“It’s all right, Vina. I am here now. Let us go in,” he said.

“There's water everywhere,” she replied with embarrassment.

Raja was carrying a torch. From the doorstep, he flashed the light inside and noticed the puddles on the floor. He saw the inside of her home for the first time. The bareness saddened him. The only furniture was a bed and a cupboard. He spotted a kerosene stove on a shelf in the corner next to which was an upturned plate and a glass. He had always admired her infectious enthusiasm for life and appreciated her intelligence and sincerity. Seeing her sparse home, he now marveled at her fortitude and courage.

They both worked for the same company. He found her sexy and admired the stylish tops and short skirts she wore to work. He adored the way she spoke and laughed; loved how she smelled. His eyes would linger upon her deep cleavage and smooth thighs. Her glowing ebony skin attracted him like a magnet. She braided and adorned her hair with dainty ribbons and trinkets which he found charming. He was deeply in love.

Both were single and interacted frequently, but he hadn’t found the courage to open his heart to her. Whether it was shyness or fear of rejection or concern of losing his brightest salesgirl, he hadn't been able to fathom. Though his office had no rules against colleagues dating, he maintained a professional relationship.

“Please don’t leave me alone,” she pleaded.

"Have you eaten anything?" he asked. He despaired when she shook her head.

“You can stay with me tonight," he offered. She nodded.

His phobia of driving was known in the office. The driver would not be there at this odd hour. Vina understood why he had not brought the office car.

“Wait,” he said. He removed his heavy raincoat and put it around her. Then, he asked her to follow.

"What about you?" she asked with concern.

"I am fine."

They began to walk towards his house. The heavy rains and winds slowed their progress. Given her short height, the hem of the full-length raincoat huddled around her toes, impeding her pace. A streak of lightning struck a clump of trees, yards from where they were. Rooted to their spot with horror, they saw the hungry flames engulf the wood despite the rains.

Raja made up his mind. Without warning, he scooped up Vina in his arms. Cradling her, he began to walk at a furious pace. The act took her breath away for a second, but she folded her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest.

The winds snorted and bellowed like a gigantic monster. He had to take a longer route to avoid the trees. The rain pelted his back like a heavy waterfall, but he was immune to any pain. His only concern was the safety of the treasure he carried.

The nightwatchman of Raja’s villa watched the scene more with amusement than surprise. He hurried to unlock the door. Raja placed his precious burden on the floor. The guard lighted the candles and left.


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Some time later, they were both seated in the living room. It was quite warm inside. The thick brick walls cutoff the turbulence outside. Light from large candles on heavily ornated stands in the corners illuminated the room. Vina was comfortably ensconced on the leather couch. She had wrapped a towel around her because none of Raja's shirts had fit. He had changed into a jersey and shorts and made her a bowl of instant noodles which she devoured like a child.

When she finished, he replaced the bowl with a cup of steaming hot chocolate. She sipped it with content, and watched Raja disappear into the kitchen. He emerged carrying a basin.

Sitting on the floor before her, Raja gently placed her feet inside the basin. The warm water felt good. He started sponging and massaging her legs. A sound of contentment escaped from her throat.

"I am trying to keep you warm. You may fall ill," he explained without looking up, engrossed in his task and enjoying the softness of her feet and ankles.

“Stop, now, please!” exclaimed Vina.

Raja looked up to see that she was patting the place next to her. He sat where she beckoned.

"Thank you for saving me," she said, taking both his hands in her own.

"I was so worried for you," he said earnestly.

The soft candlelight fell on her face. I don't deserve this Goddess, he reasoned, but his emotions overpowered him.

“I love you, Vina. Today may not be the right time, but I have to say,” he blurted out. "I know you are only nineteen. I am thirty. But this is not in my control," he said, pointing to his heart. The confession unburdened him, but he failed to muster the courage to face her. He sat staring at the floor and felt her rise from the sofa. Oh my God! She is leaving me!" Concern for her wellbeing swamped his mind.

"Please stay back till the storm subsides. It is dangerous outside," he said. She responded with a giggle. At that moment, the lights switched on. The power supply had been restored. He was still looking down and saw the towel heaped at her feet before him. Astonished, he raised his head and saw her standing nude.

His hungry eyes feasted on her beauty. She came and sat astride him and pulled his T over his head. Then, she leaned forward and sealed his lips with a kiss. Her breasts pressed against his chest and sent currents of pleasure coursing through his veins. She slid her hand between them and rubbed his hardness from outside his shorts, swamping his mind with exquisite sensations.

Breaking the kiss, Raja whispered into her ears. “I love you, Vina. But, today is not the day for this."

"I want you," she begged. He heard her labored breath; sensed her excitement.

"No, Vina," he said firmly and removed her hand.

"Don't you want me?" She looked shattered.

"I have never wanted anything more," he answered.

"Then?"

"Not today," he declared.

"Why?" she asked without concealing her frustration.

"I want our first time to be very special," he explained. He spoke the truth but not entirely.

"Did you never notice how crazy I was for you?" she asked in a pensive voice. She was still sitting astride him, her soft melons pasted on his chest and gazing into his eyes.

"What do you mean?" he enquired.

"I dressed to please you. I always tried to be close to you," Vina cooed. She kissed him deeply and guided his hand to her sacred spot. His hands found what his mind had always obsessed about. The realization that she shaved herself thrilled him. When his fingertips grazed the damp petals of her womanhood, goosebumps appeared over his body. The intoxicating scent of her arousal hit his nostrils tempting him to bury his face between her thighs. She moaned her readiness.

But, he refrained from doing something that she might later regret. She was young, vulnerable and scared. He wanted to be sure that her acquiescence was not her way of thanking for rescuing her from the storm. He would propose to her in more salubrious conditions.

"If you really love me, Vina, please stop," he extracted his hand and pleaded. She threw him a petulant stare. Maybe, it would put her off, and he would lose her forever. But, it was a risk he ought to take for her sake. His heart leapt up when she nibbled his ears and whispered, "I really love you."

"You need to sleep now," he said, pointing towards his bedroom.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I will sleep here," he said, placing his hand on the sofa.

"I want to be with you."

"Ok, you can lie down here," he suggested.

Vina placed her head on his lap and lay on the sofa. Raja covered her nude body with a blanket. He caressed her head and traced his fingers along her braids. "Sleep, my baby," he murmured.

WC 1600