Whenever I listen to people say amazing things about their love life it excites me but each time I venture into one, I end up with a broken heart.
At a point, I decided that I was not going into any relationship until further notice. Probably, a year or six months to when I am ready to get married but things changed eventually.
My very good friend Delight and I have this culture of hanging out during the weekends. We often meet at one of the biggest mango trees near the main road.
The two logs of wood under the mango tree became our sitting spot. Any day we meet there, we often go to the nearest shop to get Nutri milk (a soft drink) and some biscuits.
Unfortunately, that culture stopped due to our schedules. Delight got a teaching job that takes more of his time and I am always indoors attending to my online job whenever I return from work.
However, in November 2024, things took a different form. I was in my room taking a nap after having a busy day at work when my phone began to vibrate.
With a sleepy eye, I managed to move my hand underneath my pillow and drag the phone out.
It was Delight that was calling, "hello," I answered the phone with a deep voice.
Oops, "I hope I didn't wake you up?" Delight asked on hearing my deep voice.
"You obviously did," I chuckled.
Omo, "sorry about that. I wanted us to hang out today, it's been a while but since you are resting. Let's make it some other time," he replied.
"Where are you?" I quickly inquired.
"At the main road, at our usual spot," he responded.
"Okay, I will be there in a few minutes," I replied as I dropped my phone on the bed and sluggishly walked to my wardrobe and changed my dress.
Arriving there, I saw him seated with his cousin brother Abi, they were both wearing white T-shirts while I was on a black one.
Some minutes after exchanging pleasantries and caught up in a conversation about celebrities, Delight interrupted. "Guys, let's go and get Nutri milk, it's been ages."
"Which ages? You are gradually getting addicted to this Nutri milk of a thing, but who am I to object, shall we?" I replied.
Abi and Delight looked at me and laughed extensively. "I thought you were going to say no," Ari answered after taking a break and continued to chuckle.
"I love that thing more than you all. Please let's go," I replied as we walked down to the shop.
Unfortunately, when we got there, there was no Nutri milk. I felt so disappointed. "So what do we do now?" I asked.
Em, "there is another shop across, why don't we check it out?" Delight suggested.
Hm, "once you don't get anything from this very shop, I doubt you will get it anywhere else," Ari replied.
"Let's just go, let's exercise our legs a bit," I motivated them.
After crossing the road, we continued interacting and laughing until we went to the shop Delight suggested.
Arriving there, Delight went inside to get the Nutri milk while I and Ari stood outside because the shop was congested.
There were goods arranged on the left and right side, leaving just a narrow path that can only take one person per time as entrance into the shop and there were a lot of customers already inside.
While we were still discussing, I lifted up my eyes and I saw this lady, slim, tall, and dark in complexion wearing a sleeveless long pink gown.
Ari was busy talking not knowing I was lost, for a moment, I saw myself alone with her already walking down the aisle. I left my mouth and eyes widely opened as I journeyed into imagination while stirring at her with all focus.
Suddenly, I heard "Emreal," "Emreal," from a distance, then a continuous tap on my back, "what is it?" I asked as I turned and faced Ari looking tense.
"Why were you stirring her that way?" Ari asked, looking at me weirdly with his right eye.
"Nothing brother, she is pretty. It's been a long time since I saw any lady like that," I answered.
"Is that why you didn't respond to her greetings?" He asked.
"What? You mean she greeted us?" I asked.
"Yes of course," Ari replied.
"What is going on here," Delight interrupted us, handing the chill Nutri milk to each of us.
"It's your guy Emreal, it seems he is in love with the girl that came out of the shop and picked something and went back inside," Ari replied to Delight.
Oh, "Jessica? That's the new sales girl here. Everyone talks about her beauty and her humility. Such a respectful lady," Delight praised her.
Those praises caught my attention, I felt sparks in my heart and all I ever wanted was to see her one more time before I leave but I was shy and she was very busy inside.
"Okay, that's nice, let's leave," I replied.
Days passed and I was caught up in love. I always long to see Jessica. When I couldn't take it anymore, I started going to buy things from her shop often.
Funny enough, any day I go there and she serves me, I lack the courage to talk to her after buying what I wanted.
The day I made up my mind to finally talk to her, I came to the shop with Delight, I already told him how I felt about the lady and he advised me to shoot my shot.
Reaching there, I saw a new person in the shop. "Hello, I want to buy two bottles of Nutri milk," I told the young man selling.
"Okay, a moment please," he quickly packaged them for me in a black nylon.
"Here sir," he extended his hands, handing the nylon to me.
"Oh, thank you. Please, where is Jessica," I inquired while giving him the money.
"Jessica resigned. I heard her Dad say he isn't comfortable with her working here anymore. Is there any problem?" He asked.
"No sir, thank you," I replied.
I came out of the shop with a gloomy face. "She isn't here bro," I told Delight as I stepped outside. My mood went bad, I lost interest in the drink.
"Chill man, if she is yours you will surely get her. Just be patient," Delight encouraged me.
After about two weeks, in December, the clothes I ordered from one of the vendors in my community arrived. So, I went to get them, and just when I was about to leave.
I heard "good afternoon sir," from a soft, sweet feminine voice behind me.
"Afternoon," I replied as I turned.
Behold it was Jessica, my heart skipped, my breath almost ceased, my legs started shaking and I began to stutter, "how, how, how are you?" I added as I composed myself.
"I am fine, longest time," she replied.
"Yeah, it's been a while, where have you been?" I asked.
"I have been going to school, Dad stopped me from going to work for reasons known to him," she replied.
"Oh, sorry about that. We missed you," I answered, smiling sheepishly.
Awnn, "I missed you too. Actually, I came here to pick up my goods. When I saw you I thought it would be nice to exchange some greetings," Jessica replied with a sweet smile dodging eye contact with me.
Ah, that was my moment. "That's nice of you dear, please can I have your phone number?" I didn't hesitate to ask.
"Yes, of course, let me have your phone," she demanded.
"Okay," I dropped my goods on the ground, dipped my hands in my pocket, removed my phone, and handed it to her.
"Make sure you give me a call," she told me after typing the number.
"Thank you so much dear, I will. I thought you were leaving?" I asked.
"Yes, I have gotten my goods already," she answered.
"Please, can I walk you?" I asked, my eyes fixed on her.
"Sure, why not," she smiled, still dodging eye contact.
We spoke at length and walked till we reached her house. The conversation was mutual, I could sense from her reaction that she was having feelings for me too but that was the first day, so I had to hold on.
When I got home that day, I called her and we spoke at length again. After like a week more, I told Delight about the whole thing and he said I should give it a try since we are already flowing well.
Which I eventually did and she accepted me. Currently, I and Jessica are dating. She's one of the person's I have dated for consecutive two months and I am not willing to let go. So far, I have never dated any lady who is as smart, understanding, reliable, and loyal as her. No doubt she's my match made in heaven.