4th February, 2024

Patrick’s POV

I heard my front door open and close then the familiar heavy footsteps coming to the kitchen where I was preparing a delicious delicacy for dinner. I thought of sending some to Ife, even if it will get cold, she could warm it but I came up with a better idea.

I turned to look at Yemi who had an odd look on his face. My eyes darts to his had that held a red envelope.

‘That must be Ife’s letter’ excitement surged through my body immediately.

I cleaned my wet hands and lowered the heat temperature of the stove so I can read my love’s letter.

Yemi walked to me and shook his head, then he stretched out his hand to hand me the letter.

“You both are weird” he commented.

I grinned. “Only those madly in love knows what love can make you do” I tell him.

He shook his head once more and took over what I was cooking.

“Be quick, you know say e no go tey before food burn for my hand” he started stirring the stew that was boiling

I sat on one of the stools in the kitchen then looked at the red envelope again. The smile didn’t slip from my lips. Just stayed there, like a permanent tattoo.

“Open something and read” Yemi’s voice cut through my train of thoughts. “You’ll just be smiling like mumu” he muttered but I heard him and I wouldn’t say anything because I am madly in love.

I brought the card close to my nose so the scent can linger in my memory before I opened the letter to read it. As my eyes scanned through the letter, my smile got bigger and bigger and I just want to go over there and surprise her then hug her and never let go.

“What did she say in the letter?” Yemi said from behind me.

I jumped a bit and folded the paper then put it in the card because he was trying to read what was in the letter.

“That’s none of your business” I said to him.

“What do you guys write in these love letters you send to each other? And a letter? Seriously? From Nigeria to Maldives and vice versa”

I smiled and put the card in my pocket. “Go and get a girlfriend, then you’ll understand and for your information, hand written is romantic. Cheesy but very romantic” I stuck my tongue at him.

Yemi clapped his hands and nods his head, then he gave me thumbs up.

“Weldone. 1-0” he snapped his fingers in my direction. “I will get you too, shey na to find babe? I go find one and pepper your body"

“Nothing wey you fit do go enter me” I clicked my tongue and went back to what I was doing.

“No be Valentine’s Day you and Ife wan see? Remain like eleven or twelve days but I go get babe wey go make you vex”

I hissed. “That one na your problem. At least, I get babe wey I go see after some days”

Yemi slapped the back of my head. “Do fast, I wan chop” I hissed and turned off the stove when the stew was ready.

The assorted vegetable was ready, so I served the rice, beans, vegetable soup and stew with many assortments like Ife loves it, snapped it and created a reminder to print it out so I can send the picture along with my response to her letter.

I and Yemi settled to eat in the living and we were watching the current soccer match. I am an Arsenal fan while he supports Manchester United. And there’s a match between the both of them. Of course, Man United is winning.

In the middle of the match my phone buzzed and I picked it up to check who it was. it’s a message from a number I don’t recognize. My forehead furrowed and I opened the message to read it.

I miss you, please call me – A

My mind immediately drifted to one lady in particular. I looked at the phone number attached to the message properly and could only think of that one person

Yemi, mute the TV and turned to look at me. “I almost forgot, I saw Angela at the supermarket earlier today and she told me she misses you then asked for your number”

“And you gave her?” I gave him an ‘you’re kidding’ look.

“Sorry man,”

Now, here comes trouble.