He Came Early

 He came into my life early.   

I saw a “focused” looking young man enter the reception. He was one of those I was asked to entertain.

@marrymeseries

I introduced myself and let them know the HR will be joining them shortly. 

“Can I offer you anything?” I asked.

No they all responded. Good. Let me go and sit down and enjoy this new book I borrowed from the library, I thought.

We became friends 1 month after he joined the organization. Next thing I knew, we were dating and he gave me N1,000 allowance each day.

He took me to his friends wedding. I wore a beautiful Ankara gown made by my talented designer so it was understandable that I was more enamored by my dress than my date.

Back to why he came early. @marrymeseries

I had just read a book by the first black American female surgeon general and how she broke the shackles of poverty. Marriage was not on my mind.

I was also fresh out of teenage trauma that would make African(read Nollywood) script writers tremble with joy.

We also worked together and I saw little need for men’s attention. Which reminds me, “ Do not let anyone know we are dating” I told him one evening. @marrymeseries

“Why?” He asked. He knew I wasn’t into him, we often talked about it and he’d say he didn’t care.

“I don’t want them to know yet”.

I explained again that the Directors gave me an opportunity. They saw a girl with a future I didn’t see. 

“I don’t want to disappoint them”

“How would dating me disappoint them”

Wasn’t that obvious? 

Dirty December came and he asked me out again. I loved how he walked with purpose. Took me to a place I haven’t dared return to. A good spot in Ketu. It looked like a canal. A canal with a bridge well built, yes, better than the one built by Desmond Eliot in Surulere. It was a haven for lovers.

I loved collecting my thoughts there every other evening after work with him. Worse, I couldn’t explain why I wasn’t attracted to this man I knew liked me and knew I didn’t reciprocate his affection.

We talked. I said no to marrying him.

“I don’t have BSc.” I said

“It doesn’t matter.” He assured me.

“You can start the process now.” He encouraged me to get another WAEC form. I was ashamed to share or confirm to people that I couldn’t pass my Senior Secondary school exams but I wasn’t ashamed to tell him. He was a leader. An Alpha male(the good ones).

During one of our outings, he told me he’d taken someone to meet his parents.

“Really?” I didn’t really care.

“Yes. My parents liked her”

“But” I prodded.

“”She has Master’s degree”

“I’m still waiting for the but”

“She’s 34”

“So?”

“So, I don’t like her, I like you”

I rolled my eyes.

“I’m serious”.

Yeah, sure.

“Why would you prefer someone who can’t pass her WAEC?” Are you sure I can trust your judgement?

“You’re smarter. One of the smartest young graduates I know. You also speak better”

Hmmm. Right.

“I need you to see what I see” 

Okay.

“Can we go to the beach next week?”

“The beach? Why”

“To sight see.” The guy loves sights.

“I also want us to talk and I think you’ll be more relaxed there”

Hmmm. 

I love sights too. My mum and our Neighbour used to make plans for children and I was the “Nanny”, the brown adult to take care of the children.

The now sand filled beach was a fun place to be every Christmas. 

The beach we went to was different. There were thugs everywhere. The women who sold “paraga” everywhere. There were also people selling fried food, fish, chicken and chips. 

It was an adventure but this man continued his chase. 

“Let’s get some drinks”

We walked up to one of the more sophisticated sellers of alcohol.

“Which brand do you prefer”

“Anyone with little or no alcohol”

“I need to get you one with stronger alcohol”

“Why?”

“I need you to relax”

“How do you mean? I’m relaxed enough”

“Not as I want you to”  hmmm.

“I want us to date and plan towards marriage”