I sat opposite Haruna as she dipped her fries into the ketchup before munching on it.
“Was he handsome?” She asked as her eyes rested on my face.
“He was so lovely, to be very honest. He had this aura about him and his height, damn! Men fine o.”
She laughed at me and I giggled.
“Ashawo,” she said and we both laughed. “What even gave you the courage to ask for his number? What led to you even collecting the number?”
“So you won't believe it,” I said and she tested her chin on her hand. “I first saw him on the overflow screens of the church. The man was fine but I went to church for God so I didn't think much of it, you get? Then I saw him on an okada on one random day when I was going to see my man–”
“You don't mean it! That must have been a strong coincidence.”
“Swears. So, this man and I never saw each other after that but I was sure he was living in my man's estate and we attended the same church. I sha buried the coincidences until the day I went to ShopRite for a business appointment and I saw him walking into a saloon to get his hair done.”
“He makes his hair?”
“Yeah, did I not tell you before?”
“That's cute. Is he that handsome?”
“Very and the hair compliments him and his aura. He could have been Samson but I will never be a Delilah.”
She laughed and shoved another fry into her mouth. “Delilah is written on your forehead with big letters,” she joked and we both giggled.
“Anyhow, after I saw him walk into the saloon, I almost ran after him but I am too big for that. And I was wondering what was wrong with me. But it is funny that he should surface after my man and I broke up. To me, this was a weird coincidence but then, it could be that it was God.”
“Abeg, God said it's the man that will find favor when he finds a wife. It's not for you to run after him,” she said seriously.
“Ah ah, don't be too serious now. I would never run after a man, especially not with all the advice online about decentering men. Wetin Kpesiri do me still dey pain me!”
I could feel tears welling in my eyes at the thought of my ex calling off our engagement after I found out he was expecting a child with a girl he claimed to be his distant cousin. I had been so blind by love and trust because they lived together for seven months and there was nothing to suspect until I visited without calling and found them sprawled out on the floor of the living room that I had contributed rent for.
“Don't do that,” Haruna said and held my hands. “What happened has happened. Let the sleeping dogs lie.”
I nodded and cleaned my eyes before taking a sip from my cocktail.
“About that fine man, did you wait till he was done with his hair?”
“Nooo. I'm not jobless. After my meeting was over, I didn't bother to check for him although I was using style to wait for him though but there was no point.”
“And you'll open your fine mouth and say you have decentered men. Fine girl!” She laughed and her contagious laughter rubbed off on me and I smiled.
“Whatever!”
“Nonsense!” She blurted and we laughed.
“Then coincidentally we met a month after. My ex was in town and I was lying to myself that I was seeking closure when what I was looking for was good loving…”
“Oh God!” Haruna burst into a fit of laughter and I covered my face ashamedly. “Na wa for you o. Wetin this boy give you chop?”
“Love Potion.” I said and Haruna scoffed.
“Anyways, on my way, I met him at the estate gate and I stopped him. I was tired of the coincidences so I wanted to strike up a conversation.”
Haruna's left eyebrow arched momentarily as she scrutinized what I just said but she kept quiet.
“He listened to me and I told him about what I sell. I used that method to collect his number but I was very fidgety, if that's even a word. He was understanding but also in a hurry.”
“That's nice of him. Did you sweat as you were talking? You know you sweat a lot on your forehead when you are anxious so I need to be sure you did not embarrass yourself.”
“Only small but thank God it was already dark. If not, it would have been obvious.”
She nodded as she took a bite from her crusty chicken.
“I eventually chatted him up via WhatsApp and introduced myself. The only thing he said was 'okay'. I didn't see the need to continue the conversation and so it died there. Until I saw him entering a Keke na pep in front of that popular gym in my area, two weeks ago.”
“Okay?”
“Then I greeted him on Whatsapp and wished him a merry Christmas on Christmas day.”
“Did he respond?”
“Yes. Then I asked if he went to the gym. I'm sure I creeped him out with that question. He'll now think I'm a stalker.”
“We both know you are not so don't worry–”
“Dey play. I have stalked a boy I liked before in RCCG teens church because he was very handsome. I even became his younger sister's friend just to get information about him. But I was unfortunate, he was into my friend and my two, abi three years one sided crush felt like heartbreak.”
“Do I know this crush of yours?”
“Yes. You remember that fair Precious with a mole beside his nose?”
“Jesus Christ. So you stalked that boy?”
"That was then. I was twelve or thirteen at the time the crush began. I had even planned my whole life with him but I don't blame him, that time I was on low cut and my head was too big and I was very skinny. Plus, I didn't even love myself at the time."
“Talking about skinny, thank God you added weight because it would have been a disaster.”
“You are not okay,” I said and we laughed.
Haruna's gaze shifted from my face and I gulped down my cocktail which had already lost its frost.
“That man behind you is fine. See his neat cornrows and muscly arms.”
“Thank God for his life. I have decentered men so nothing concern me if he fine.”
“Okay o. As for me, I can admire them. This engagement ring is proof that I'm taken, if not, that guy is fine!”
“Ashawo!” I said and she smiled.
“Precious and I eventually became friends but we never dated. He liked me at some point but I was no longer interested. I just friend zoned him for life.”
“Wicked girl.”
“That's not true. I don't want a man who shares my height. I want to look up to my man.”
“I see what you did there.”
Just then, her phone rang and she excused herself. I stared at my empty plate before reaching for my purse to check my Instagram notifications.
“Magdalene.”
I heard my name but the voice was unfamiliar. I turned around and Silver was standing beside me with an outstretched hand. I stared at him and he smiled.
“Merry Christmas. I never thought I would see you here.”
“Merry Christmas dear,” I said and tucked a loose braid behind my ear. “How have you been?”
“I've been fine. The shoes you sold for me are top tier. I love them and a few of my friends will reach out to you this weekend. You do a great job.”
“Thank you,” I said and turned around. Sitting behind me, with neat cornrows and muscly arms was Tega, the guy I had been telling Haruna about.
“It was a pleasure seeing you. That reminds me, can we go out sometime this weekend if you are fine with it?”
I nodded.
“When is a good time?”
“Sunday, after service, 12:00 o'clock.”
“Alright, I'll call you to give you the location.”
Haruna walked in barely concealing her surprise.
Silver waved at her and she waved back.
“Who is that fine man?”
“Silver. He's my customer but that is not the tea.” I moved closer to her and whispered, “the guy behind me is Tega, the guy from church.”
“You don't say.” Haruna stole glances of him and said, “that man is fine. I wonder what he looks like upfront. Show me his Whatsapp DP.”
“Unfortunately, it's empty. I guess he's in a committed relationship or he's focusing on his goals or something.”
“You should shoot your shot mama. Let him tell you if he is unavailable before you assume he is.”
“What if he rejects me? Were you not the one saying not to run after him?”
“I did until I saw the specimen of a man. At least, his physique and aura. You should shoot your shots but prepare for rejection because he is too fine and like you said, he may have someone. Accepting rejection without being rude is a sign that you have mastered confidence and self-love. Girl, shoot your shot.”
A girl walked into the restaurant and hugged Tega. Haruna's eyes never left them. I stood up and turned around but I wasn't prepared for the kiss the two of them were passionately locked in. I quickly turned around and went to the toilet.
***
Are you interested in part two? If yes, let me know and see here for an enlightening material to kick-start the new year.