Unconditional Love

She has never been the same again since their paths crossed that busy morning in the elevator. They were both headed to their various offices which were situated in the same building but on different floors and for different companies. She had to exit from the moving cubicle on the 8^th floor and did not know where her crash was headed to, on a 16 floor tower, which added to the anxiety that was building up on sighting the guy when he stepped in.

Her enthusiasm to find out who the guy was and how to nail him has just made life beautiful. It has given her something to live for apart from the busy corporate life she led. Life to her has taken a dramatic turn for good and she was going to bask in it. She was going to allow absolutely nothing, not even her negative emotions to come between her and her new object of happiness.

Jemila has been a single lady for the best part of three years even though she accepted and went on a couple of dates with men from all walks, but the farthest any of them went was a hug when they managed to drop her at home. For those who did not pass her virtual test, they never got the chance to even escort her home.  She was paying the price for bitterness from her previous relationship.

She has now by twist of fate discovered how to spend her days other than poring into her work all day and making deadlines, which is to find happiness. She began coming out of her office from time to time to monitor the elevator and sometimes frequenting the eatery on the ground floor just to bump into her new object of fascination. At home, she carried out all her chores with gaiety and some renewed energy and at night she becomes sleepless.

Even though it was only two days, it felt like years, so she changed her strategy by rearranging her office, so she could directly be watching the car park through the window blinds. That was sure to work and it did work after the sixth day which brought her self-torment to an end. 

She came earlier the next morning and waited around the car park until her Superman arrived. Even though, she thought it intrusive and falling over the cliff, she approached him, extended a hand and introduced herself.  If there was anything that worked for him about women, it was the air of confidence they exude. He took the extended hand of friendship, smiled and spoke for the first time.

“Safo is my name. I work for Gemini Consults as a lawyer. I resumed last week” he revealed and managed a coy smile as they headed towards the main building. 

They chit-chatted their way up and even managed to book a lunch date before parting to their various offices. With a beaming smile, elated Jemila pumped a fist in the air as soon as she came out of the elevator and started humming an old tune she’s never heard herself sing in a very long while. But, how could she sing a love song when she was at loggerheads with love? She swung joyously to the office, knowing that everything was alright.  

Maybe everything was not alright because anytime she was this close to her dreams, something goes wrong but she caught herself before her thoughts derailed further into negativity. “No, this is the guy of my dreams, the one I’m going to give my unconditional love to and I am going to do everything to have him. Period” as she settled in to contribute her day’s quota.

Before long, it was lunch-break and everything came to pass as she envisaged. Lunch with the perfect gentleman also turned out to be the first time she was seen in the company of a man at the canteen.

Love is a good thing.

Their first date turned out well which warranted another one in the evening. It was Tea or Ice cream and a movie afterwards, to be decided two hours before the date. And while Safo was taking everything easy and considering Jemila, a very good distraction from his marriage which was on the verge of collapse, Jemila was on cloud nine waiting to climb higher. 

Well, she is on the threshold now.

Whereas Safo was talking to her wife’s lawyer and some family members from both divides all afternoon to save his marriage, Jemila was busy picking out clothes from her wardrobe in her mind’s eye. She changed into several clothes, applied assorted lipsticks and ear rings to match, until she got the perfect dress and accessories for the night. She was also scripting in her mind how she was going to break the news without sounding unnecessarily desperate.

What if she was desperate? Well, she couldn’t come home tonight without telling him somehow, lest she will explode into tiny fragments and that would be the end of her existence. What happened to the old motivational, “go for what you want”?

Time waits for no man and they were already seated across each other, giggling and licking Ice creams from their beech sticks like school kids in the ambience of the new plush Ice cream joint in Town. As far as expectations were concerned, the night was turning out well for Jemila, so she thought the timing was right to spill the beans.

“I hate to push my luck but I would like to state that, it’s nice being friends with you. I can’t believe we are already having good times like some old friends. I feel at home already and wouldn’t mind having a repeated dose of this every time” she broke the ice.

“How do you mean”, he enquired firmly

“Please, I have never been good with words and hope you understand me” she explained further

“That will be a little difficult since I don’t know what you talking about”

“I love you” she declared and waited for some time to pass and continued

“It’s unconditional and I knew it the very first time we met. I would have waited for your feelings for me to mature, but I’m sure I couldn’t have made it through this night without letting you know”

Safo just smiled, shifted his chair back, beckoned to an attendant within sight and adjusted well, so he could reach out for his wallet at the back of his pants to pay the bill.

“Jemila, its nice knowing you and I think you are and will be a nice company but no one can love anyone unconditionally, not even God. We all love with conditions attached and I refuse to continue this meeting. Good evening” 

Touché!

Jemila just sat there dumbfounded and could not come to terms, but one thing was clear as she sat in the shades the lights threw at her and that was at least she could love again. Yes, she will love again only this time, it will be conditional.