Original Sin. You can’t say anything meaningful about love unless you put your personality to the test.

 From the unpublished work, Love Birds

 by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

He slammed shut the door. I followed him into the sitting room where he sank into his favorite seat. “Please sit down and make yourself comfortable,” he pointed at the sofa. I placed my bag on the sofa and slowly settled down. My eyes travelled round the sitting room. His portrait on the wall, the chairs, light bulbs on the ceiling, the tiles on the floor, fans and shelf were neatly arranged. The atmosphere was refreshing. No foul smell, the house was organized. I was attracted to the books carefully arranged on the shelf. I got up and moved over to the shelf. I picked one of the books and turned the pages slowly. The book had a decent cover and the print was great. I shot a glance at him. Our eyes met. “I love reading books,” I said. “They enrich lives.”

“Yes, it is good to read. I read a lot,” he smiled. “What can I offer you?”

I placed the book back on the shelf and returned to my seat. I understand why he is staring at me. I had no bra and my nipples seemed to stick out a bit. I sighed deeply and answered, “I am not overly choosy. I came for the party!”

“The party for two?”

“Yes.” I adjusted and laughed.

“If you had told me that you were coming me immediately, I would have prepared. At least, a good food for the two of us,” he explained.

“I wanted to surprise you!”

“I understand but sometimes it is counterproductive, especially when you are dealing with people you don’t know too well. Excuse me!” He rose from the chair and moved to his refrigerator by the corner. He threw it open and brought out two bottles of soft drink. He slammed the bottles on top of the refrigerator, got some empty glasses from the table by the side. He gathered everything and returned to his seat. He placed the drinks and empty glass cups on the table and sat down. “Join me,” he pushed one glass cup and one of the bottles of drink to my side. He opened his own drink, poured out some liquid in the glass cup and drank it. “Ah,” he let go a belch that could kill a dove. “That was great,” he said. He slammed the glass cup on the table, and turned to me, “How are you feeling now?”

“I am much better,” I answered. I took my drink, poured some in the glass cup and sipped from it. The cold drink was very refreshing. I placed the glass cup gently on the table. I glanced at him as he fixed his gaze on the television. “Where is your wife?” I asked.

“Oh, you saw the portrait on the wall. Good you asked. I am not married,” he disclosed. “I know it is difficult to believe.”

“I thought you were married. Who is the woman in the portrait? Is she your girlfriend?”

“No.” He took a mighty heave and swallowed hard. “I was once married…” His countenance fell. He shook his head, hissed and turned away.

“So what happened?” I sat up. “Where is she?” I inquired and took another sip from the glass cup. “She left you for another man?”

“It’s a long story. I try not to think about her because it leaves me disillusioned. She had cancer and was terminally ill. We fought gallantly against it but could not prevail. Ever since she died, I have been empty. At the moment, I am struggling to cope with life.” He turned to me, “Have I answered your question?”

“Yes, you have,” I nodded, slowly. “It’s a pity. Sorry for your loss…” I glanced at the portrait on the wall once again. I could imagine how happy they were when she was alive. She was so adorable.

“That is what I always hear from sympathizers. Dalmos, sorry for your loss. Dalmos sorry for this. Dalmos sorry for that. Soon, you will be gone and I will be alone, burning and whining like a miserable dog. The loneliness is killing me and I am losing my head!”

“You sound very negative. I thought you were a clergy.”

“You forget that I am first a human being before anything else,” he looked sternly at me. “I am made of flesh and blood like everyone else.”

“That is true.”

 “When she died, I thought my whole world had come crashing down to the earth. I was a tragedy.”

“Well, I could be of help. We could spend some time together, go to the gym, dates and lots more,” I exhaled. “This is not an assurance. Don’t take my word for it.”

“Why?” he adjusted his frame on his seat. “Are you confused?”

“No. Not really. What I am after is a willing partner. Humans need each other.”

“Yes, you are right.”

 “As a man who have helped me, I should be your source of strength and support in your trying times.” I took another sip from the glass cup and faced the television. Is this paradise too good to be true?

There was silence momentarily in the sitting room. After he had emptied his bottle of drink, he placed the void glass cup on the table. He sat up and asked, “Did you say you will help me?”

 “Yes!”

“Oh, thank you. You came at the right time!”

“I understand your plight but I cannot guarantee anything because I have no idea what awaits me. As a friend, I will do my best to make you happy.”

His face broke into a gap toothed smile. “You remind me of my late wife. She never hides her feeling or displeasure. What a woman!”

“She must be a strong woman too.”

“Yes, she was my pillar and backbone. I have a decent apartment. You can stay with me for as long as you want.”

“We must tread with caution,” I warned.

“Of course. We barely know each other but we can work it out.”

“I agree.”

He stretched his hands and palms up. “I am like an open book,” he laughed. “I have no cockroach in my cupboard.”

I straightened my chin. “I did not come here to surrender to a man. I came to thank you for saving my life,” I told him. “Is this what you call a party for two?”

“NO!” He appeared so unsettled as if he was holding something back. He rose to his feet and walked out of the sitting room.

“Where are you going?”

There was no answer. He barely looked at my side and headed off.

I jumped to my feet as my gaze followed him to the door by the corner.  He opened the door, went into the room and shut it behind him. I sat back confused and did not know what to do. After seating in the sitting room alone for some time, I decided to find out what was wrong. Gently, I got back on my feet and walked to the door. I opened the door and tossed my head inside. I saw Dalmos by the window, staring at the big blue sky. I entered the room and shut the door behind us. “What are you doing here? You forgot you have a guest?”

“I am sorry,” he looked over his shoulders.

“That is not good enough.”

“I just could not stand you.”

“Why? What is the problem?”

“The more I stared at you, the more I remember my late wife. You are just like her. I felt guilty that I failed her.”

“So you thought the best thing to do is walk out on me?”

“I did not do enough to keep her alive,” he spoke with a quivering voice as tears gathered in his eyes.

“What would you have done to save a woman that was terminally ill?”

“Sometimes I ask myself why she would have to die.”

“Except if there is something you are not telling me. You need to forgive yourself and move on, Dalmos.”

“I am frustrated,” he sighed.

I went to the window, patted his back and stood by his side. As we gazed silently at the beautiful earth, his hands were on the burglary proof. The weather was clear, the sky stared at us in the face and butterflies hopped from one tree to another. I loved the serene atmosphere. As he lowered his left hand, he mistakenly brushed my nipple. I was disoriented because I felt a little vibration. My mind began to work very fast. I imagined Dalmos and I having sex. I tried to get the thought out of my head and stayed focused.

“Sorry,” he apologized. Then he crossed his hand over my shoulder and pulled me close to his body. “I didn’t intend to do that, you know. You were too close to me and my hand went the wrong way.”

He’s trying to play his card just right. “That is a subtle sign. If I were you, I would just ask.”

“What? I don’t exploit people.”

“I know what you are looking for,” I smiled. “I hope you won’t dump me after I give it to you,” he turned and our eyes met. We stared at each other for some time. Then I adjusted my body, I moved my right thigh between his legs and said, “I guess this will get you in the mood,” I pressed my thigh against his penis and squeezed it gently.  

“Ah, I won’t fail you,” he groaned. He placed his hands on my shoulder, slightly pulling me to himself and sank a kiss into my head. “You are so energizing.”

“I have heard that bedtime story before.”

“I am not womanizer. I won’t hurt you. I swear!”

“Why should I trust you? A clergy man who loves sex.”

“I’m a human.” We both laughed and kissed.

“I know. You are not looking through a plastic shopping bag.” I slowly pressed my thigh against his body again. I felt his penis growing harder and bigger as he moaned in pleasure.

Dalmos slipped his hands under my shirt and located my breasts. He stroked my nipples. The sensation left me shuddering. Slowly he took off my shirt and my breasts were exposed. He looked at them as if he was seeing a naked woman for the very first time. “Oh, wow! You are so endowed,” his love for big boobs seemed to grow even bigger. “I could eat you all day!” he joked. He leaned forward and took my nipple in his mouth. He wrapped his long tongue and teeth around it as if he was going to swallow it in one whole lump and pulled it.

 I felt a deep pain inside of me. Quickly, I tapped him on the head. “You are hurting me. You are pulling my nipple too hard,” I cried out.

“I thought you were enjoying it,” he raised his head and said.

“Yes, I was. Not until you pulled it so hard. Just slow down. Use your tongue alone,” I told him. I held his head, pulled him close to my body and rubbed it gently. The device seemed to work.

Slowly, he lowered his head and took my nipple in his mouth again. He rolled his tongue around the nipple and gently pulled and twisted it. The sensation was great. He struck the right note and my whole body was electrified. He sucked and caressed my breasts. Things were looking up for the two of us as I shivered and stroked his head.

Before I could blink, Dalmos snatched me and tossed me onto the bed. He was eager to penetrate me immediately. He took off his shirt, he threw it on the floor and I helped him unzipped his trousers. His penis was very hard. I took it in my hand. “This is massive,” I said, stroking his penis gently. We kissed. “You are such a hot head,” I commented.

“My wife use to say it,” he sounded as if his penis had won him an Olympic medal.

“Come over to the bed.”

Gently he crawled into the bed. “Lay down. Let me give you a treat!” I took his penis in my hand. I stayed on my knee and bend my body over. I slipped his penis into my mouth. He held my head for balance, gently fondling my hair. I loved the sweet sensation.

As I pulled back and forth softly, his body vibrated. “Oh, wow! You are just what I need! You are the best,” he moaned. He almost brought down the roof of the house as I worked on his penis. Giving his dick a hand job, I went for his scrotum and sucked every bit of it.

Dalmos seemed to enjoy my every move as his body shuddered vehemently. Then I pulled away, gently lay with my back on the bed, and spread my legs for him to return the favor. He mounted me. He grabbed his genital and used his hand to guide it into my vagina. “Ah, your dick is too big!” I cried as he began to drill me so fast and hard. I was totally insane. “Please, go faster. I need you deep inside!”

“I will,” he whispered to my ears, breathing down on me.

I held him tightly as he pounded the hell out of me. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a dick of this size inside of me. He rode me for several minutes before he pulled away and shot his load of sticky mess all over the place. He rolled off my body and collapsed beside me.

“You are so sweet,” he said, caressing his hairy chest.

I paused. Should I smile or give him a kiss for the kind words? It was a familiar tone of a selfish creature. I felt it wasn’t worth it. I swallowed hard and stared at the ceiling, angry.

But he took my silence was an invitation to do it all over again. Then he tried to touch me.

 I wore a long face because I felt he was selfish and had exploited me. First, I was yet to reach orgasm. I thought he was going to suck and feast on my vagina before inserting his penis but that did not happen. He rushed in and succeeded in satisfying himself alone. Secondly, it was painful that we had to make love on our first date. I did not expect things to turn out this way. What is the need having sex without reaching orgasm? I pushed his hand away. “You have had your way. Now you are satisfied. I will suggest you stay away from me!” I told him. I stormed out of the bed and went for my clothes.

“What happened? Why are you angry, Lizzy? I thought you enjoyed it.” He got up from the bed and came after me.

“I am angry over what we just did!”

He glanced at the bed and back to me. Then he asked, “Which one, exactly?”

“Everything!” I looked straight into his eyes. He was dreadfully confused. “I am not cheap! I am not a whore!” I yelled at him.

“No, Lizzy. You shouldn’t be upset.” He came close to me and held my hand. “Please, forgive me if you feel that I have taken advantage of you. I thought you wanted us to have sex.”

“Terrible!” I hissed, I withdrew my hand from his grip. I shifted my weight to one leg, crossed my arms over my body and looked away.

“I understand your feelings, Lizzy. But I will not fail you. I will stick to you all the way.” “Come,” he threw his arms open, “Give me a hug and let’s put this behind us.” I pushed him, he staggered and fell on the bed. I grabbed my clothes tightly and ran out of the room. I slammed the door behind me. I went to the sitting room and sat naked on the sofa.

The slow sentimental song that played over the television set was nice and soothing. Gradually, the angry feeling began to die down. Then Dalmos came out of the room, he walked into the sitting room naked. “Lizzy, stop feeling insecure.” His penis dangled freely between his pair of legs.

“How do you want me to feel?” I fired back with an eye on his large genital. I wanted to tell him right away that he was selfish for not helping me reach orgasm too but I wondered how he would feel. Some people view women who demand for sex as flirts.

 “I understand. As I said a while ago, you are in safe hands. I will always make you happy.”

 I took a deep breath and looked at him as if I was expecting further assurances that he would do better next time. The intercourse we just had was not good enough and I am ashamed to tell him.

“Trust me, Lizzy. I will not let you down. You should clean yourself before leaving.” He turned and walked away.

“Where are you going?”

“To the shower.” He barely looked over his shoulder as his voice tailed off.

I reluctantly got up from the seat and followed him.