While Bech and Lily were chit-chatting in Lily’s hall, Jade was alone at their table, contemplating his life. He could not believe his luck, that a woman he wanted did not want him back. It had never occurred in his life. He was the ladies’ man; other men came to him for tips to win a woman, and they had returned with appreciative testimonies. Had he assumed too much?
Jade had never openly expressed affection for Bech. He cast his mind back to the first time he saw her in the university. She had looked odd to him: she had worn baggy trousers and a large T-shirt when she walked into the canteen. He had passed a snide comment about her outfit and she had turned and looked at him but had said nothing. Now that he thought of it, Jade wondered if she had never forgiven him for those things he had said about her.
Unfortunately for him, after they had become inseparable, he had begun to notice all the oddities about Bech which were a cover for the very intelligent and witty lady. The love crept on him slowly; how else had he not noticed that he was getting more attracted to Bech by the day? He had gone out of his way to fill her in if she missed any class they had together – and Bech seldom missed classes.
Jade sighed and slumped in his seat. He sipped on his canned drink. He knew Lily had lied when she said she had things to do with Bech. Bech never bothered anyone with her activities. You were blessed and highly favoured if Bech asked you to help out. He felt very privileged when Bech involved him in her brainstorming sessions for her art projects. Could that be when he had begun to admire the woman? Jade shook his head. What was the point in figuring that out when Bech was not interested in starting a relationship with him? But she had kissed him back! Jade sat up again. She had kissed him with such ferocity for the first few seconds. What if Bech was fighting her attraction to him?! He barked a laugh, turning heads in the bar. He had hope. If Bech did not like him in any way, she would not have allowed him to get that close to her, talk less of holding her close to his own body like he did that night. Recalling the sensation from the kiss that night made him hard again. He had something to pursue.
Jade got up from the seat and turned to leave, dialing Bech’s number as he walked out. So engrossed was he in going after his newfound love that he did not see the lady in his path; he bumped into her with full force, making her drop the things she was holding.
Jade quickly stooped to pick the things up. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t look where… Jesus!”
Jade was sure his heart stopped beating for five seconds before it resumed with such rapidity that he dropped the files he had picked up.
“Hi, Jade.” The woman said coolly.
“Delilah.”
“In the flesh.”
“What are you doing here? You’re dead.”
She scoffed. “The look on your face gives you away. You wish I were dead. Well, surprise. Here I am, in the flesh.”
Jade was speechless. To see Delilah Duncan in the flesh after all these years knocked the wind out of him. Even in the dimness of the open-air bar, he could see her clearly, as if the sun shone upon her. He stood for a long while, absorbing her every detail.
Delilah had always been a sight to behold, even now with the shadows of betrayal etched on her face. Her dark skin, once a canvas of youthful vibrancy, held a hint of sun-kissed maturity. Her beautiful big brown eyes, which once sparkled with mischief and joy, now held a depth of cynicism. The innocence that used to dance in their depths had been replaced by a steely resolve, occasionally punctuated by wicked glints that hinted at the fire burning within.
Her slender frame, shapely and toned like a model’s, still commanded attention. Long, thick hair, once worn loose and flowing, was now pulled back in a practical knot, a stark contrast to the carefree girl Jade remembered. The charm that used to radiate from her smile had dimmed, replaced by a hint of bitterness that had set her jawline into a hard profile. Her full medium lips, not too thin and not too thick, were pursed in a thin line, a testament to the years spent holding back unspoken words. Even her voice, once a melody that could soothe and entice, now carried a subtle undercurrent of cynicism, a constant reminder of the sweetness that had been soured.
“You’re staring, Jade. Shall we get a drink?” Delilah offered casually. A knowing smile played around her lips.
Jade did a double take of his environment and he was glad his girls had left him. How was he going to explain Delilah to Lily and Bech? Especially Bech. He had never told them of her. All they knew was what they had seen when they were in the university. He agreed cautiously and prayed that they had not left anything at the bar and needed it in a hurry.
Automatically, Jade led Delilah to the table that he had just vacated and pulled a chair for her. As soon as she sat, a waiter joined them and took her order. Jade’s mouth had gone dry; he couldn’t drink what he had been holding.
While the waiter got Delilah’s drink, she observed Jade, her reason for being in the town. He had eluded her for a very long time but she had finally found him in this small town.
“You’re a hard man to find, Jade. Here we are at last.” She told him.
Jade remained quiet. Indeed, he had run away, praying that their paths would never cross. Finally, Jade said, “What are you doing here, Delilah? I heard you were dead.”
“Weren’t you glad to hear that?” she spat out. “I’m dead, metaphorically. You killed me, Jade. You ripped my heart right out of me and ran away with it.”
“Delilah… we both knew where we were headed.” He leaned forward towards her, and the waiter appeared with her drink. He pulled back for him to serve and waited till he was out of earshot before continuing. “We knew what we wanted from each other from the start and we kept to it. No feelings attached, Lyla.”
At the mention of her pet name, Delilah’s eyes softened. She blinked, and the softness was no longer there. She replied, “But you knew I was in love with you. You watched me fall helplessly in love with you. You urged me on. Why?”
“Is that why you’ve been searching for me? To know why?”
“No, Jade,” she dropped her voice to a chilly low tone, “on the contrary. I came to kill you.” She stood up without touching her drink, pushing the chair back with her left leg. “Watch your back.”
With that, she majestically walked out of the bar, leaving Jade with goose pimples on his arms. He slumped in his seat again. Just then there was a bright lightning and a loud roll of thunder. A storm was brewing.
