Tunde was in his late twenties, clean shaved, chocolate skin color which was complemented by a 5 feet 9 inches height. He had moved into the neighborhood two years earlier and stayed back after his mandatory youth service to the nation. I guess he was comfortable with the environment and equally retained by the organization he served which was rumored to be facilitated by an uncle of his. I have always wished we had an audience to spark a lasting conversation and occasionally, took evening strolls hoping that we would meet which had never worked out. I was in my final class of High school, seventeen years old and my hormones often threatened to push me above board. I felt more devastated after learning Shalewa was a freshman student at the prestigious Achievers' College, a top-notch college of excellence. Shalewa's academic advancement was already a score ahead of me and as the days passed by so did my resentment grow against Shalewa, shifting unconsciously my goal of attachment from Tunde.
"I can't let her have my Tunde. What does she have to even attract his attention? Gosh! Men could be so annoying." I fumed and poured out my heart to Bose, my classmate who came visiting after I made a distress call to her. I buried my head in the pillow in my room while Bose sat on the bed beside me, patting my back and stroking my hair gently with her other hand.
"Come on girl, you're a beautiful girl and any guy would be lucky to have you." Bose comforted me reassuringly.
"I don't want any guy, it's Tunde or no one else and Shalewa is about to whisk away my heartthrob right under my nose!" I lifted my head off the pillow and spat out bitterly as though fumes of anger could devour Shalewa wherever she was.
"It's alright babe, have you tried talking to your (emphasis on the 'your') Tunde at any instance?" Bose asked, looking worried.
"I'm the girl here, he should approach me first," I said pouting my mouth with a sorry look.
Bose burst into uncontrolled laughter for a few seconds which got me confused. "Wake up girl, Nigerian men have a lot on their mind. It's your job as the lady to align their thoughts to your desires. Walk up to him, who knows, he may equally have had a crush on you." Bose said after she stopped laughing. "And forget Shalewa, if Tunde's yours, you won't be stressed in being together."
"You sure?"
"Trust me, girl, make a go for it, it won't kill you at least," Bose said, opening her arms for a bear hug which I sheepishly took.
Bose and I continued our girl talk till later before dusk when I walked her home. Her house was a few blocks away, about ten minutes walk and I used the opportunity to enjoy the evening breeze. We kept gossiping and talking about school, boys, and many topics that came to our mind. I froze for a brief moment suddenly and this scared Bose who immediately followed my gaze. "Oh, Tunde and Shalewa again?" Bose said, equally fixing her gaze on the duo walking side by side and towards our direction which was a narrow path. There was no way we could avoid them unless we turned back which I knew Bose would object to.
"Let's go back, Bose!" I blurted out, unable to compose myself.
"Not me, we've come far enough and what's the worst that could happen? Brace up, girl. I thought you were the hard girl in school." Bose replied, nudging me forward.
We continued walking although our pace was slower, thanks to my hesitation. For every gap we covered towards Tunde and Shalewa who seemed engrossed in a discussion with occasional laughter and giggles, my heart raced fast as much as it pieced from their sight. Tunde and I had always had awkward eye contact before now but this time around, I wanted to avoid his eyes as much as possible.
"Hi Mr. Tunde, how are you doing? I see you're enjoying the evening walk with your girlfriend." Bose spoke to the duo as we all met at a point. Tunde and Shalewa stopped midway and a giggle crept on Tunde's face while Shalewa burst into laughter.
"Shalewa, you will not allow me to see wife with this your presence," Tunde said in a hushed tone, loud enough for us to hear. "My apologies ladies, Shalewa is my distant cousin and she only came to spend the holidays with 'our' uncle, Mr. Felix. " I prefer to live as an independent adult, you know." He continued
"Ah ah!" I found my voice eventually, surprised and yet, relieved. I saw Tunde's eyebrow raised at my quiet outburst of relief.
"You seem quite surprised beautiful Ella," Tunde said. I found my heart melting immediately when I heard him call my name. I never suspected he even knew me by name. 'Guess he took notice of me. And Gosh! He called me beautiful' I thought to myself as I found myself blushing. I felt Bose nudge me gently, probably she noticed I was carried away in fantasy.
"Nice to meet your cousin sister, Shalewa," Bose said with a smile and surprisingly, opened her arms out to her for a hug which Shalewa obliged.
I had no choice but to follow suit and my once erratic heart enjoyed calm as I hugged Shalewa. "You're welcome to the neighborhood dear," I said.
"Thank you, girls, guess I have new friends and I can free Tunde for some time," Shalewa replied with a sweet smile.
"Come on girls. Where's my hug?" Tunde said, spreading his arms out wide for a hug. "I deserve the free hugs too."
"Let me give you one." Shalewa teased.
"Go away, I'll prefer Ella's hug," Tunde said, waiving Shalewa aside.
I was shocked but glad. "Let's pity him, girls. He feels left out already." I said intentionally grabbing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before walking into Tunde's arms. I didn't know how long the hug was but, I had to disengage when I heard Bose and Shalewa giggle. I felt Tunde's heart race like a gallop just when mine was beginning to calm.
"It's enough, don't hug all the hugs in one evening," Bose said as Tunde and I disengaged. I was shy but I enjoyed the moment. Shalewa was the live of the meeting and they walked us to Bose's house and afterwards, walked me home.
Tunde and I exchanged contacts and that was the beginning of our love affair.
