Fingalickin' at AdeolaOdekustreet was relatively empty considering the hour.
Most offices were closed for the day. There was a couple seated towards the far
end of the restaurant, they seemed to whatever might be happening around them. Another group of young
men where chatting away as they finished up their drinks. They must have had a
good day at work. Work hasn't been fantastic, I closed really late after
editing and re-editing various manuscripts. I just wanted to finish up my food
and go home to collapse on my bed. Somehow the young lady seated alone at table
far across from me seemed to hold my attention. I had noticed her right from
the minute she came in. She had this aura around her and worked with a kind of
confidence that was rare among the female folk these days. I must have burnt a
hole in her well tailored jacket with the way I stared. She had been waiting
for about fifteen minutes all the while typing away on her phone. I wondered if
she had an appointment. For a moment she turned and I had to stop my gazing. I
didn't want to appear ride just in case we might have a talk later. She called
for the waiter and her voice was just as elegant as she looked.
I knew I had to
talk to her. Just as she finished up her drink, I walked up to her table.
Pointing to the seat opposite her, I asked, 'is this seat taken? '. She shook
her head, still sipping from her glass. Taking my place on the empty chair,I
introduced myself 'Hello, my name is Tade ',. She looked up at me, and for a
moment I thought I would be snubbed. With an expressionless face, she replied,
' hi '. I continued the conversation trying to make it as smooth as I could
without being too forward. We seemed to be getting along fine, with her
laughter and mine interjecting at different points. After about fifteen minutes
of random talk, she told me she needed to be on her way. That was When I asked
for her number. ' Sorry I don't give my number to strangers '. The words hit me
hard. ' Okay, but how would I get to see you again then? ' 'I would leave that
to fate '. ' Can I at least get a name along with the face? ' ' Sure, my name
is Arewa '. ' You are indeed a beauty to behold '. 'i hear that a lot, but
thanks anyway. I need to get going '. And she made for the door. I just stood
there wondering if ever I would see Arewa again.
For the next few weeks, I couldn't get the image of this
beautiful lady out of my head, she seemed to be like an obsession to me. I
visited fingalickin' a couple of times in case I would bump into her. I even
tried asking one of the waiters if he knew the lady in question. There was a
night I dreamt about her, she had somehow found her way to my office which was
a few blocks away from the restaurant were we had first met. As I stepped out
into the reception, there she was in all her glory seated cross legged in one
of the chairs. 'I found you ' she said, smiling her megawatts smile. I cannot begin to describe my disappointment
when I woke up to find out that it was a mere dream. I hoped and prayed that
this dream would become reality someday soon. As the weeks became months, I
began to lose hope of ever song her beauty again.
Work was going well at the office and I didn't want
anything to disrupt that. My Manner
assigned me to a project for which I would have to travel to Abuja to give the
proposal to the board of directors at one company. I really felt reluctant
about going, but since there was none else for the job I had to go. The trip to
Abuja was uneventful and I knew that, all things being equal, I should be back
that evening.TheCeo's personal assistant was meant to be around for some
reason, but apparently she couldn't make it. We went on with the presentation
in her absence. I rounded up the presentation, thankful that it went well and the
directors were pleased. Just as I made for the door, she walked in. I couldn't
believe my eyes. She apologized for her absence and proceeded to the CEO and
whispered something to him. As she straightened up making to leave the office,
I tried to get her attention and walked up to her. She turned back towards the
room and seeing me, she gave that smile that could make even the toughest of
men become weak at their knees. 'Arewa' i said, ' fate has surely planned for
us to be together'.'
Three years, five months, four days and a few hours
later, my Arewa was walking down the aisle with her father to meet me. In just
few minutes, she would be my lawfully wedded wife. I Couldn't believe how lucky
I was to have such a woman in my life, her mischief, brains and beauty. She is
never a bore to be with. Even as she got to the altar and I looked into her
eyes, the sparkles in them. She was blushing like a little child that had
received a bag full of candy on Halloween night. I made a mental note to ensure
that she would always and forever have that smile on her face. '....o have and
to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part,
according to God's holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow.', I
completed my views never being more sincere than I was at that very moment. '
You may kiss the bride '. I leaned forward and our lips met. In my minds eye, I
could see a life with her full with love, peace and all theinbetweens.
Kunmi
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