When The Bully Falls in Love

would have been enough to ease the hunger but what a day. She didn’t even have any. He put a sm

o the edge of the sofa with both hands on his lap as if he was observing somethin

x more comfortably or even lay on it. He didn’t want to sleep, anyway. Lying on the

scomfort would cease. He didn’t need rest, he h

hear her but he heard something about television. What was she even doing in the kitchen? What type of food

d heard him, would wonder what he meant. Was he saying that watching television needed some thinking and one could

eating. “You didn’t pu

f our mind to be restive until a mass of edibles rest underneath” Ben said, seat

mmar is because you are hu

is as empty as my stomach…and as friendless a

t have friends?”

th; he was still laughing, making Em

friends,” E

your thick, young blood” he looked at Emelda who was now laughing hysterical

melda said, turning to

d take good care of you” Ben Said, “But your Majesty

g me that,”

honour to who

tock. Very soon, Mr. Hamburg

ot waste your time, Eme. Get back to your culinary exercise. I can’t wait to eat this…ah. I

nished, I might no longer be famished” She had always been this way, paying attention

or in some cases, his subtle art of playing with words, or rather obfuscating issues. Ben could be funny. He always preferred a b

to her. She had known Ben for a very long time. It was no longer just a game. It

ith laughter. “He is the only guy I know that intentionally reads his dictionary” Emelda shrugged. A

beautiful body attractive or had never shown erotic interest in her since they became just friends for too long a tim

her advice when asked, and offering to help her in moments of crisis. But he had never admired her physique sexually or

s frugality with compliments. He had hardly appreciated her beauty, her dress, her shape, her colour. He only knew how t

m but had never come up with such a discussion before her. Or had he? She couldn’t remember. Hencefor

ger. She said to herself in front of the mirror that she needed to put in more effort

n second thought, she said she needn’t do all those exercises to get in better shape. She had seen some women suddenly get a bette

any problem with them provided they didn’t ask the public for money. Or didn’t ask her or anybody for money. B

it many times from some ladies who did plastic surgery. But she had a

know what she was thinking. Everything in life was a risk, she said. If everyone thought doing surgery was goo

. It was like putting on a magnifying glass and seeing everything differently and mo

uld, at times, throw a friendly joke at her, addressing her with zebra. She could see her wavy bl

her food and she was wasting more time, unnecessarily preening herself.

t even recall how she came about such a design. And such a strange attitude

at them with excitement. It suddenly seemed the well-prepared food didn’t excite him an

her as if something beyond his powers had bewitched him…as if her beauty had suddenly beguiled him. He had lost control. And wou

ge had changed; he sometimes spluttered; and unlike Emelda, she hadn’t been observing

never heard. A foreign song by the way. It sounded like Juice Newton’s Angel of the Mo

eating, he grabbed her hand and pulled his head closer, and started kissing her. It was unexpected and too sudden f

Emelda said, looking

ry, Eme.

you realize wha

dn’t know wha

be sorry,”

lease” she pushed

you accept

ith you. I just didn’t

get carr

tter contro

am not your

We have been close for more than sev

en said and wanted to a

w?” she attempted to smil

how me thro

ha

ave accepte

t angry

ised his hand, demonstrating the picture of

ntly to elicit her response b

” he heaved a

u looked like when yo

at your food” Eme

don’t talk to me like that

on bringing up boyfriend palaver. Ben had changed or was beginning to change, she couldn’t tel

d how to make a woman laugh; this was unlike him. But one thing had not changed, Emelda smiled at the thought, h

ing and eat his food. It was her habit not to talk while eating but she didn’t know how t

array seeing the expressi

cut him mid-sentence “Let me preten

” he said “I have never se

your

don’t need my compliment. How can I be repea

e starte

boyfriend. Or rather

hy

he eats your food. Ah, your mother d

ou” Emelda said “But ar

am full? Look at my stomach. I wouldn’t hav

arrive. She placed her hand at her jaw and looked at

’t have a

you are

ious, You

d with vehemence but beneath her

Did you exit from a relationship recen

ell you about t

aying you want

my staff tomorrow morni

n” Emelda said.

is palms together as some devotees

ght. If that isn’t enough, anyway, I will come and live with you” he grinned as he opened the door while E