It was the 12th of February. I stepped out of my apartment to head over to the market. It was barely 10 am yet but the sun was already shining in its full glory. By the time I had walked to the end of my street, I was dripping with sweat. I decided to get a handkerchief immediately so I walked into a store just across my street. It was then I saw it.
Source
Placed in a conspicuous spot just above the top of a red shelf sat a gold necklace. It was placed in a small, transparent jewelry box with small lights by the side of the box, giving it extra finesse.
I didn't know there were tears in my eyes until I turned to pay the lady at the counter for the white handkerchief I had picked up.
“Are you okay?” She whispered. I smiled and nodded
“Yes, thank you,” I told her, she smiled with relief and handed my change over.
I had gotten that kind of necklace two years ago.
It was a Valentine's ritual for me to stay indoors, see a movie, and eat whatever it was I felt like since I wasn't in a relationship. My friends knew this so when they made Valentine's plans with their lovers for those who had and planned individual dates for those who didn't, I wasn't contacted.
However, on the 14th of February 2022, after I had finished devouring a plate of Amala and ewedu soup, a delicious Yoruba delicacy that I loved to eat during special occasions, I walked into the bathroom to take a shower when I heard my phone ring.
I ignored the call until I was out, then called back when I saw it was David, the only male best friend I had at the time.
“If there is an emergency now, is that how you will stall a call before you pick up?” I smiled instantly.
“What do you want? Find yourself a random girl to spend your money on and leave me to sleep, please”. He laughed.
“I want to spend it on you…” I didn't let him finish
“Now that's creepy but what's up for real?”
When he said he wanted to see me, I thought he was joking.
“You know I wouldn't call you out if it wasn't important. Please” and he sounded serious. I groaned.
“Does it have to be right now? I really want to sleep after my amala. Don't worry, if it can wait, I'll see you in the evening”
Since he said that was perfect with him, I allowed myself to drift off to Slumberland.
“So what's the occasion?” I asked him when we finally met.
He turned to me. “You single creature, how will you know what the occasion is? Let's eat something, then we'll go play video games.”
He wasn't making sense. David didn't play video games but I thought he wanted to try it out so I didn't ask questions.
When we stopped at a fancy eatery, I began to wonder what was going on. David ordered two plates of food and helped me bring mine to the table.
I caught him staring twice while I ate, something was fishy. I could sense it, but I couldn't place a finger on it.
When we were done eating, he held my hand and guided me into a video game center just across the street. The shop was quite empty.
“Treasure, I know you must be wondering what's going on, you'll know in 5 minutes if you keep calm.”
He said when we had gotten ourselves a spot somewhere at the back.
“You’re the most talented young lady I've met. Sweet, beautiful…” I expected to see my friends jump out at some point to shout that they planned it all and it was a prank but my mind stopped diverting when he said “I love you”.
It was then he brought that glittering necklace out.
I could feel my entire body tremble as I held my breath.
“This is no longer funny” I warned but the look in his eyes told me it wasn't a joke.
“Would you be my girlfriend?”
The few heads in the shop were turning towards us. Someone brought out a phone to video but the shop owner who I later found out was David's cousin warned him not to.
I don't know how David caught the “Yes” I whispered but he clasped the necklace behind my neck as soon as the word tumbled from my mouth and held me in a tight embrace.
I could hear clapping all around me.
It was almost two years now and as I reminisced on the sweet memories we had shared since then, a smile took over my face.
I was finally in love!
