The Storm Without and the Storm Within

It was late evening when the storm struck Luanda, the capital of Angola, a country located in the Southern part of Africa. Vina shuddered when the sound of the 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's fury would not abate till dawn. The steady trickle of water from the leaking 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.

Moments later, she heard a knock at her door. She sat up with a start and heard the familiar voice. “Vina! Vina!”

The next moment she jumped down from the bed, opened the door of her home 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. She allowed the man's arms to wrap 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 saw the puddles on the floor. He was seeing 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 the curls with dainty ribbons and trinkets which he found charming. Secretly, he desired her voluptuous body.

Both were single and both interacted frequently, but he hadn’t found the courage to open his heart to her. Whether it was shyness or a sense of propriety or fear of losing his brightest salesgirl, he hadn't been able to fathom. His office, at least, had no rules against colleagues dating.

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

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

“You can stay with me tonight." 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 Vina's short stature, the hem of the full-length raincoat huddled around her toes further 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 guard of Raja’s villa watched the scene more with amusement than surprise. The man hurried to unlock the door and light the candles. Raja placed his precious burden on the floor.

“Go and change,” Raja said, pointing at the bathroom, after the guard left.

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Some time later, they were both seated in the living room. The outside turbulence sounded distant. Light from large candles on heavily ornated stands in the corners illuminated the room. Vina was comfortably ensconced on the leather couch. A white towel was wrapped around her breasts like a bandeau. She devoured from a bowl of instant noodles Raja had made. She ate like a hungry child. He had changed into a comfortable T and shorts and had offered her some of his shirts to wear, but they didn't fit.

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. She closed her eyes in contentment willing him not to stop.

"How does it feel?" he asked back.

"Nice. Very nice, but why?" she asked.

"I am trying to keep you warm. You may fall ill," he answered without looking up, engrossed in his task and enjoying the soft touch 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. Their eyes locked and revealed their hearts without a word being spoken.

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

"Thank God, you are safe," he said earnestly. "I was so worried for you."

"Why?" she asked. There was a hint of mirth in her voice which he ignored. Does she know? he mused. Did I make it so obvious? He wanted to kick himself. It was time to speak the truth, he decided

“I love you, Vina,” he blurted. “I have loved you from the first day I saw you.” It took him a lot of courage to speak those words.

“Why did you never tell me?” she asked.

“You are so beautiful and young. I am thirty. You are only nineteen,” he replied.

She remained silent. Her beauty filled him with remorse. I don't deserve her, he thought.

“I fully understand that you might not feel the same way about me. And I am sorry that I chose this day to reveal my heart. You are scared and lonely. I have no right to take advantage of you!” Raja stressed.

The sound of thunder pierced the silence of the room. Vina's body trembled. He wanted to place an arm around her bare shoulders to comfort her, but couldn't muster the courage.

But, it was his turn to be astonished because with one deft movement, Vina came astride him. The towel had come undone and huddled between their bodies. She pulled and threw it away. Her naked butt on his legs felt like satin. His senses numbed by happiness, he allowed her to take charge. She removed his t, 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.

Reluctantly, he released her mouth and whispered into her ears. “I love you, Vina. But, today is not the day for this."

"I want you inside me now" she begged with all earnestness. He could hear the sound of her labored breath; feel 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.

It took her some time to regain her composure. "Do you know how much time we have wasted?" she asked in a pensive voice. She was still sitting astride him, her soft mounds pasted on his chest and gazing into his eyes in the soft light of the candles.

"What do you mean?" he enquired.

"Did you not see how I dressed up every day only for you." Vina cooed. She kissed him deeply and guided his hand to her sacred spot. His hands touched the smooth softness and knew that she shaved herself, just the way he wanted. His fingertips grazed the damp petals of her womanhood. The touch gave him goosebumps. The intoxicating scent of her arousal hit his nostrils and he wanted to bury his face between her thighs and lap up her essence. She moaned her readiness.

He had fantasized so many times about exploring the treasures of her curvy black body. But, he wanted to refrain 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 him. He would propose to her in more salubrious conditions.

"If you really love me, Vina, please stop now," he extracted his hand and pleaded. He sensed her petulance. Maybe, it would put her off, and he would lose her forever. But, it was a risk he was willing to take to protect her. 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 reclined on the sofa. Raja covered her nude body with a blanket and traced his fingers along her braids. He wanted to care for her for a lifetime.

WC 1750