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When it was exactly five o’clock, I logged out of my computer, packed up my stuffs, said goodbye to my colleagues and made a dash for my car. My mind was already in Ajibode where my Akinyemi lived. God knew I hadn’t had time for him in like a week because of my crazy schedule; we only chatted on phone and BBM.
Akinyemi was going for a three-month course in France in few days, and we needed to spend some time together before he left. He had been so happy to be selected for the course. It would be another step higher in his academic career. Turned out his decision to take up the lecturing job at the University of Ibadan (UI) as opposed to that private university paid off, because it exposed him to so many opportunities.
He always said that UI was his location of favour because that was where good and significant things had happened to him. One, he met salvation right there through the Christian Union; two, he got his long-desired first-class Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology; and three, he finally found his missing rib—me. A smile crept up my lips as I manoeuvered my car towards the Ojoo Road, and my mind to six months ago when I met him.
I was shopping for foodstuffs at Bodija Market one afternoon when I ran into my childhood friend, Tola, whom I hadn’t seen in years since we moved from our old neighbourhood. She was studying for her PhD and also working as a graduate assistant at UI. We were so excited to see each other, but couldn’t talk much because of the rowdiness of the market, so I promised to visit her.
Tola resided at Ajibode, in a spacious and well-kept building having a series of self-contained apartments. Only PhD students and working-class singles lived there. While we were chatting in her cozy room, I got to know that Tola was engaged and she was telling me about her impending wedding, when someone knocked on the door and called out her name.
“Ah, that’s my neighbor, Akin,” she said to me. “Akin, please come in.” She called out to him.
He came in, he stood tall, and he was easy on my eyes. His spotless caramel skin blended well with the blue polo shirt and black jeans he was wearing. Although his eyes were partially hidden by a pair of recommended glasses, I knew they had a lot to contribute to his charming face, with help from the smile he had on his lips. He held a Bible and tablet in his right hand.
“Hello.” He nodded at me, with a smile.
“Hi,” I replied.
He turned to Tola. “Tola, how are you now? I want to drop the keys for Bode, I’m off to Bible study.”
“Okay.” Tola stood up towards him. “Akin, meet my runaway childhood friend, Awelewa Daisi. We just found each other again after ten years, isn’t that great? She is a banker.” She turned towards me. “And Awe, meet Akinyemi Adu, my neighbour, colleague and the most responsible guy on the block.”
“Tola, you are not serious.” Akinyemi chuckled and playfully thumped Tola on the shoulder. “Nice to meet you, Awelewa.” He met my eyes, and his lips broke into a teasing smile. “I hope you stay this time.” He excused himself and left.
Well, I stayed, but in his life.
We became fast friends. I would visit Tola, and Akinyemi would come to her room if he was around, and all of us would chat on various topics ranging from our school days to current affairs to things of God till late in the evening when I had to go back to my house. Four months later, Tola got married and moved out. Akin also left and moved into a new two-bedroom apartment with his friend, Bode, in the same area.
Akin and I took the chat to the phone and BBM. He was very intelligent in many matters and displayed a good understanding of the Word of God and how we ought to live our lives as Christians. I began to fall in love, and discovered that it was mutual.
When that happened, I ran to the cross where I was saved, to discuss this matter with my Saviour, if it was okay to remain in love. When I got the conviction to go ahead, I waited for him to speak his mind.
“Awe, I love you, and I want you to be the woman I will build my home with, to spend the rest of my life.”
And I let myself remain in love.
It had been six months now, no heart-wrecking drama, no regrets. There is nothing compared to loving God and being in love with a man who also does.
I parked outside his building and dialed his phone number so that he could come open the gate for me.