The Wrong Number

We walked to the nearest restaurant, our footsteps in sync as if we had practiced it. I wished I had met him sooner.

"So, what will you eat?" he asked.

"I'm craving some vegetable soup," I said, feeling like it would bring us closer together.

"I'm in the mood for some vegetable soup too," he said and placed the order for both of us.

"What's the history behind your name?" I asked, curious because it wasn't an everyday name.

"Well, my mother was a huge romance novel fan. When she was pregnant with me, she was obsessed with a book where the protagonist's name was Alfa."

"You have an awesome name."

"Don't sweat it, dove," he said with a wink.

"So, who did you think I was?" I asked, just to be sure.

"A girl named Rose." He turned to me. "You work at Juvango, so you might know her."

"I might, if you describe her," I said, resisting the sting in my chest. Introducing myself as Chioma instead of Rose really made the difference. Also I can feel his scrutiny from time to time, like he is trying to connect the dots.

"Well, I don't know much about her physical appearance, but she sounds a lot like you. She loves Naruto just like I do," he said, pausing as our food was served.

"And she makes wonderful food," he added.

"Have you eaten her food?" I asked, already feeling a sense of pride.

"No, I haven't even seen her. She once mistakenly sent me a message, and from there, we got really close," he said as he washed his hands. I did the same.

"You haven't seen her, but you know she makes good food?"

"Yes, she always sent me pictures of what she made." We had now started eating.

"So, why haven't you met up with her? Because from the way you're talking about her, you really care about her," I said, feeling the warmth of the meal fill my stomach. I hadn't realized how hungry I was.

"For some weird reason, I kept refusing to see her."

"Well, you can call her now," I said with my mouth full.

"Easy there, Bunny," he chuckled.

"Bunny?" I asked.

"Well, your two front teeth are big, and you're really cute, so that makes you a bunny." This was the first time since I grew up that someone had commented on my teeth, and instead of feeling self-conscious, I felt more drawn to him.

"I can't call her. I lost my phone, and I'm not good with numbers, so no matter how much I try, I can't remember hers," he said, taking a deep breath, regret evident in his eyes.

"Then I did a SIM welcome-back and reinstalled WhatsApp, but I couldn't retrieve my old messages because I never backed them up. I waited for her to message me first, but she never did. I'm still waiting, but she hasn't," he said, turning to me. The pain in his eyes was suffocating.

"Are you crying, Bunny?" he asked, his voice low and husky, making it sound even sexier.

"No." I wiped my eyes. "Something got into them." I hadn't even realized I was crying.

"Why do you think she hasn't called?" I asked.

"We had a misunderstanding. I was in a shitty mood and ended up saying all the wrong things." He washed his hands, and I did the same, both of us losing our appetite.

"I just want to talk to her once. Ask for her forgiveness. Tell her I'm sorry, that she was the most wonderful thing to happen to me in a long time. Hell, I even blame myself for hiding my identity. Now, I think the reason I hid it doesn't even matter anymore."

"Why did you hide your identity?" I asked.

"I always lose whatever matters to me. I was afraid I'd lose her once she knew who I really was. But I guess I still lost her, despite all my precautions." He exhaled, looking exhausted.

"I'm sorry," I said, knowing I had messed up.

"Don't sweat it, Bunny. It's not your fault."

"Why aren't you angry? If she really cared, she would have called, or at least not stopped calling or texting just because you did," I said, feeling stupid the moment the words left my mouth.

"At first, I was angry. Then sad. But right now, I'd give anything just to hear her voice."

"Is her voice that good?" I asked, smiling, then quickly wiped a stray tear before it could fall.

"Yes. It's heavenly. It fills a hole inside me—a hole that's been there for as long as I can remember." He turned to me. "You really sound like her."

"I guess I'm a guardian angel sent to entertain you in her stead."

"Guardian angel?" He let out a deep, throaty laugh.

"She once called me that."

"Well, I can be that," I said, noticing it was already getting late.

"It's getting late. Can I walk you home?" he asked.

"I'd love that, but I'll take a tricycle home."

"I can just—"

I didn't let him finish. "Every good thing has an end," I said, already feeling guilty about everything I had just heard.

"Okay. Can I have your number? I know it's cliché, but I don't mind," he said with a shrug.

"Well, I don't mind either. But how about we meet again on Monday at this same place after work and share another dinner like this? I'll give you my number then, perhaps." The reason I rejected was because he would know who I am the moment he gets my number.

"That sounds even better." He smiled. "Alright, let me lead you out." He paid for our meal, and we walked outside together.

"Time flies," he said as we stood waiting for a tricycle.

"I'll be going then," I said as I stopped a tricycle. He waved me farewell.

As the driver pulled away, I took out my phone and sent a message to Henry.

"We need to talk."

I needed to hear his explanation. How had he found out about Mysterio? A million scenarios ran through my mind. Then, I smiled, remembering Alfa's laughter.

Henry was handsome, but there was nothing more to him. Alfa was a handsome knot—the more you untied, the more beauty you found. He captivates with his smile, charms with his eyes, infects you with his laughter, makes you marvel at his cuteness, and boy, does he make you sweat with that husky voice that sends your imagination spiraling into unpure thoughts.

He was more than I had ever imagined, and the feeling he gave me was beyond words. I didn't know how long I could resist this.