The Beginning

I think I am starting to understand why some people can never understand love or infatuation or attraction. It is because even the main characters don't always fully understand what they are going through.

Wake up, Clean up, Fill up, Work
Lunch, Nap, Work, Clock out
The human mind is a sponge
That's why the girl remember things
And her life so easily falls into a routine

So when something comes in
And throws a wrench in
The monotoneity that becomes her
The sensations that follow
Cannot be explained with any words

Decisions that were made in a flash
Are now second-guessed, times over
Reason will not make her believe
In the possibility of any goodness

She's trying so hard to
Leave that impression
And trying so hard not
to be overbearing

It hardly makes sense.
 

"..." Part 6

What do we have here? Gasp! A continuation!

* * *

It was Sunday afternoon. They had just attended the late morning service at Ade's church. Gina claimed she was Christian ... yeah. She identified with the Christian 'race', but she wasn't serious about it. Until Ade started taking her regularly over the past few months, it had been almost two years since she'd 'paid God a visit'. She was a pro at dodging wedding ceremonies and making entrances at the receptions. She had felt that she wasn't good enough for Jesus-business. She was doing too many of the things that people who attended some churches back in Nigeria had been banished for. She tried to avoid 'annoying' God by coming to church, probably after a one-night stand.

Ade had said a lot to her about how God's forgiveness worked, and convinced her that she was always welcome at church. It worked.

Now, she hadn't mised a Sunday service in 5 weeks. This particular one, the preacher talked to them about the fruit of the Spirit. He stressed that the nine components are not nine different fruits, but nine 'seeds', so to speak, of the same fruit. A Christian's goal is to request grace to live a life that exhibits all the different seeds.

At the end of the service, Mr. Popular Jingo Ade, took Gina with him on his meet-and-greet-my-folks-in-church tour. They were heading towards their car in the parking lot when Ade's cell phone rang.

"Mum!"
. . .
"Mummy ki lo de?"
. . .
"Noooo! God! No!"
. . .
"When, Mummy? Who's there with you?"
. . .
"E je ki n ba won s'oro"
. . .
"Auntie . . . Auntie e pele. What happened?"
. . .
"Ok. I'll talk to her. Please pass the phone to Mum"
. . .
"Mummy, it's going to be OK. OK? I'll call you back in about 3hrs.

Gina was sure it was bad news. Ade had walked away from her as his expression changed. He has his head turned towards the sky; he shielded his eyes with one of his hands. He was crying. She feared the worst - Death. His father and mother were in good health. His maternal grandparents were still alive too. She saw him end the call and bend over with his palms just above his knees, to prevent himself from falling over. She went towards him, and put a soft palm on his face.

"Baby?" she asked quietly.
"My Dad."
"I'm so sorry."
Ade was trying so hard not to break down. She watched him as he held his head backwards trying to blink away the tears. Gina took the keys from him, and led him to the car. They sat in the back seat. Ade cried more that he expected to. Gina simply heldn him. Every few minutes, she would wipe his face, and then hers.

After about 20 minutes, Ade spoke up. "G, do you mind driving?"
"Not at all. Where do you want to go?"
"Londe's house."

Gina couldn't find the right words throughout the drive. She simply reached for her boyfriend's left hand and held him. She didn't want to disturb his thoughts anyway.
"Gina, I love you. I'm going to say it every time I have the opportunity. Do you understand me?"
"Yes."
"Good."

* * *

Ade had composed himself by the time they drove up the driveway of Londe's house. He couldn't get himself to call her about coming over though...

"Ade, what do you want me to do?" Gina asked as she pulled the key out of the ignition.

"I don't know..."

Londe could tell that something was wrong as soon as she saw her brother. She turned to his girlfriend.

"Gina, what's going on?"

Gina turned to Ade, and then mumbled something about finding the bathroom.

Ade sniffed, "Sis, Daddy . . ." was all he could get out before he broke into sobs.

Carlos ran out of the room when he heard Londe scream.

"Londe?" Carlos scanned the living room, "what's going on?"

"Their Dad passed," Gina offered, returning from her very short bathroom break.

"Baby..." Carlos reached for his wife.

* * *

Gina made some tea while Ade and Londe spoke to their mother in one of the other rooms. These were the kinds of things that confused her about God. Why let these beautiful people who loved him so much be so hurt? Their father wasn't even ill! He just slept . . . forever. She remembered learning as a teenager that God worked all things together to good, but, what good could come out of losing someone so dear?

She wiped off tears she hadn't relaized were falling and picked up the tray of mugs as she heard Ade and his sister walk back into the living room.

"Here, have some Chamomile tea and sit."

Londe managed a thankful smile before plopping herself into her husbands arms.

Ade took the loveseat next to them and motioned to his girlfriend, "Come here."

She put down the tray, picked up her own mug and joined him. Four of them sat in silence for a while. Carlos offered to say a short prayer when Ade and Gina got up to leave.

* * *

Ade pulled up at Gina's apartment block at about 8:30pm. The car rolled to a halt but neither of them made any attempt to get out of the car.

Then, as if controlled by a remote, Gina shifter in her seat, drew closer to Ade and kissed him. He was shocked at how sudden it was, but he appreciate the gesture. An alarm went off in his head however, we he felt her hand underneath his shirt, as she started to climb into his seat.

"Gina, what are you doing?" he asked as he pulled himself away from her. Her eyes were closed, and he realized that his fingers were still in her hair at the back of her head. "Gina," he called again softly, retrieving his hand from her.

When she finally spoke, she was embarrassed. "I'm sorry. . . I thought - I don't know what came over me".

She hurriedly wiped at a lone tear on the left sire of her face, staring at the hem of her skirt.

"Good night, " she whispered as she pushed the car door open and ran into her apartment building.

Ade waited until he saw the light in her flat come on before driving off. He looked at the backseat of his car through the rearview mirror, half expecting to see his mother shaking her head.

"But nothing happened!" He spoke into the silence.

he pused on the Power button od his car stereo and welcomed the sounds of Seal's 'Dreaming in Metaphors'. He ran his hand over his prematurely balding head and let out a sigh as he eased onto the highway.

"..." Part 5

* * *

"Hello"
"Hey... It's 4:13 in the morning dude!"
"I'm sorry. We need to talk..."
"O-K. Are you good?"
"Yeah, I'm fine".
"OK, so what do you want to talk about hon?"
"Won't you let me in?"
"What do you mean 'won't you..' Wait, you're in front of my house?!"
"I'm sorry boo, I just..."
"This better be a very good talk", she cut in, hanging up.
In a few minutes, they were back into the warm flat burshing off snow flakes and hanging up coats.
"May I make some mint tea?"
"Yes dear, Please".
Gina disappeared into her bedroom and came out with a comforter and two pillows. She fluffed the pillows on the sofa and sat at one end, wrapping her housecoat around her. She watched her boyfriend fix a pot of tea.
"Please put a lemon slice in my cup. They're on the top shelf in the fridge".
"OK. Honey?"
"Yes please. 3 tea spoons. Talk to me babe, you know I hate suspense".
Ade offered her the lemon and honey-ed tea in her favorite mug, a red one from the Cornell University bookstore, before dropping into the sofa next to her.

* * *

"How long were you asleep before I called?"
"I went to bed at 11:15", she replied trying very hard to be patient, while looking for answers in her boyfriends eyes.
"Gina, I have to tell you something"
"I know! You keep expressing the urgency but you don't seem to be in a hurry to come out with it".
"OK", he started, placing down his mug and tucking his hands under his arms like he was preventing them from doing something else. "You're probably going to laugh at me".
"You know what?", Gina started at she put down her mug and got up, "I'm actually very sleepy".
Ade laughed. "This is ridiculous Gina. Why don't you..."
"Oh Ade! What is it?! Did you kiss someone else? You can't remember my birthday? Your mum doesn't like girls that didn't grow up in Nigeria? What could be important enough for me--"
"I love you! Shut up and listen", he interrupted.
Gina sank into her chair. "I'm sorry", she whispered.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Gina, are you OK?" It was her neighbor.
"I'm sorry about the noise, Al. I'm OK. Thank you", Gina called back at him.

* * *

Gina put her head on Ade's chest and interlocked her fingers with his.
"I don't know when I was sure I loved you Ade, but I didn't think telling you was such a big deal. I mean, I don't think the entire concept is a big deal, you know?"
"I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"I deserved that yeah?"
They just held each other in silence for a while.
"Ade?"
"I'm here", he stroked her hair, "you need to wash your hair by the way."
"Oh, shut up", she poked him the ribs before wrapping her arms around him, "I love you too Ade. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now."
"Mmm."
"Wait, how long have you been awake?"
"I haven't slept."
"What do you mean? You were trying to figure out how..."
"Oh please. Don't flatter yourself. I was working."
"Mmmhmmm".
"Working and thinking about you. I love you G!"
"Shh. Don't make Al come back".
"Sorry", he whispered, "but I love you".
"I heard you the first two times".
"Yeah, I know, but I want to be sure that you know that I love you".
"No wahala. Sha let me sleep. Cool?"

* * *

Ade got up to plug his ipod into her stereo system, and selected the 'Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' album.
"I love all your music boo".
"I know, me too", Ade replied, returning to his position on the sofa. "Babe, I'm hungry".
"Really?", she shot up suddenly and ran into her room.
"What do you have in there?"
No response.
Gina walked out after about 3mins, fully dressed in her winter gear, and a pair of black socks.
"My boots are in that closet. We're going to IHOP!"
"Yo, it's 5am!"
"Best time to go dude. The freshest food available" she sat on the floor to pull on her boots, "Come on, get dressed!"
"OK, then", he replied wearing his jacket, "you're a trip Gina".
"Really? I think so too", offering her arm to be pulled off the floor.
He pulled her up and drew her into a long kiss.
"I've been waiting for that".
"Yeah?"
"I wanted you to kiss me, so you won't call me forward again", Gain replied, pinching his arm.
"Ouch! Come on, I apologized about that. Don't..."
"I know. I kid, I kid", as she leaned in to kiss him.
"Let's go".
"Have you had their apple crepes before?"
"Eww, No".
"You're just a village boy.

* * *

"..." Part 4

You won't believe what happened? I actually got inspired to write more! Can you imagine?! I wrote some more while I was at camp, and didn't even remember till now. Very bad, abi? I'm sorry. So, the story continues...

"Darling, what do you mean?"
"Don't darling me? What happened to Sayesha? What? Huhn? She's moved on to her next hit?"
"Come on Gina..."
"I am expecting someone, dude. Please leave".
She might as well have slapped his face.
"I can't believe you. It's only been a little over 3 weeks and you're already screwing someone else?"
"You're an ass. An idiotic hypocrite".
She picked up his shoes and jacket, opened the door and threw them out, holding open the door for him. "Get out."
"I'm so sorry baby. That came out wrong".
"It hurts like hell right?", she scowled at him, "don't ever come here again".
He stepped out, "I was foolish, I agree. You were too..."
She started smiling.
"What the hell is funny?"
"Hi Ade. He was just leaving."
Ade stretched out his hand as her ex turned around, "How're you doing man?"
"I'm aight", he shook Ade absently. "Gina..."
Gina let Ade in and slammed the door.

"I'm sorry about that, he just showed up at my door. I was civil enough to let him in, and all he did was insult me."
"Are you okay?"
"I think so", she smiled, "I'll get my stuff".

Ade had called her to invite her to a Tyler Perry play that was in town for just two days. They had reservations at an Ethiopian restaurant afterwards.

* * *

The city was so beautiful just before it got completely dark. The sun set on their side of the lake. It was an amazing sight as they drove along the Lakeshore highway. Soft music vibrated through his speakers. He obviously loved Neosoul - Floetry, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Musiq, D'Angelo, Corinne Bailey Rae and Erykah Badu. The conversation was easy.

"How long have you lived in this city?"

"About 9 years."

"Oh yeah? That's about 6 years longer than I've been here"

"My Dad's job brought us to the US just before I finished up in high school. He was here for 5 years before leaving for Dubai. I stayed because I had a nice job with IMI in HR".

"I won the visa lottery just before my NYSC service year ended. My sister has been here for... forever. She was able to fix the whole thing up for me, and as soon as I got here, I started working as a Manager at one of the department stores in New Brunswick."

"New Where?"

"New Brunswick, New Jersey"

"Oh..."

"Yeah, I know - country. It's not as bad as it sounds though, trust me. I won't have stayed there for a whole year if it wasn't at least almost fun. I dated this Jamaican girl while I was there. I think that was one of my biggest mistakes. She had 2 baby daddies - 3 children. I don't know why all of that didn't make me raise a red flag..."

"Freak in the bed?"

"Umm... I plead the 5th"

"Ok then. That answers my question..."

"Anyways, she definitely wasn't the girl for me. Also, her mum has a bone to pick with all Nigerian men; I still don't know why. And I think she was sneaking around with one of her baby daddies while we were together... I'm sorry, I should stop whinning".

"No! No, I'm not complaining. You seems like you need a listening ear."

"Well, I really don't talk about this heart stuff with anyone but my sister. She even has to cook for me first. She's like my best friend. I don't think..."

Ade's phone started ringing.

"It's her", he whispered before picking up the phone.

"I'm good. Just about to see the Tyler Perry play at Lakeview".

...

"For real?! You didn't tell me. That's cool.!

...

"Yeah I know. Well, I have a... date", he chuckled.

...

"I'm not going to answer that."

...

"No."

...

"I said No. Good bye!" he almost yelled before hanging up; his cheeks were almost obviously hot.

Gina was laughing uncontrollably, "What's going on?"

"She said she's going to be at the plat as well", he replied without taking his eyes off the road.

"This is hilarious. Thank your stars you're not oyinbo. See pink cheeks men."

"Yeah... whatever", he smiled.

"So, tell me about the last few punks you've dated"

"Why'd they have to be punks?"

"I'm just saying, whoever was stupid to let you go is a punk, you know?"

"That sweet. Thanks", she smiled at him and they held each others eyes for half a second, "keep your eyes on the road boy!"

"Anyway", she continued, "I've dated a white man, my favorite cousin's best friend, an Egyptian man and an Urhoba man, in the last four years. Urhobo man was a little too boti for me; white man was cool but his parents haven't gotten the memo that black people can now own the bus company, not only seat in front; my favorite cousin's best friend was just a wuss. He kept giving my cousin detailed updates about our relationship, like who does that?! The Egyptian guy... he didn't deserve me."

"So which one did I meet?", Ade asked, emphazing the last word with air quotes.

"Egyptian".

"Oh... ", he glanced over at her, "you OK?"

"Yeah. I just feel like I was duped, with him. You know?"

He reached over and grabbed her left hand for a very short moment as he drove into the Lakeview parking lot.

* * *

Ade picked up his phone during the intermission to find his sister. As they walked into the lobby, Gina held his and stopped him short.

"Thanks for doing that" she said, smiling into his eyes.

"For...?", he asked.

"Earlier", she loosened her grip on his hands, "I always thought the problem was with me, you know? Like I was never good enough, or that I had to fix myself before I'd find that man, you know, THE MAN..."

"You say 'you know' a lot, you know?", he rubbed his thumb on her cheek and then looked up to locate his sister. "There they are."

"Hey Sis", he leaned in to give her a light peck.

"Gina, meet Londe and her husband Carlos, my bro", Ade made the introductions.

"Very nice to meet you Gina", Carlos said.

"How are you my dear? Nice to meet you", was Londe's response.

"I'm fine thank you. Very lovely to meet you too", Gina replied, "Your sister is very pretty, you know, what happened to you Ade?"

They all shared a hearty laughter, and made plans to meet at the end of the play, before returning to their seats.

"Do you sing?" Gina asked Ade as they listened to one of the musical numbers in the play.

"I like to believe so", Ade replied.

* * *

The play ended a little before 9pm and they drove to the Ethiopian restaurant in convoy.

"Ade, do you purposely avoid compliments and conversations that could possibly be intimate or deep?"

"Why'd you say so?"
"Because you didn't exactly respond when I thanked you for making me feel better about my past relationships".

"Well, that wasn't that serious..."

"I'm just saying", she cut in, "it seemed that way".

"OK. To be honest, yes. But for a reason. I don't want to encourage anything that would make it seem like we're moving in leaps and bounds, instead of baby steps..."

"Excuse me? That's a little insulting, I'm sorry, because you make me sound forward".

"No, that's not my intention. I'm just making sure that we're on the same level, you get?"

"Never mind".

"Come on, Gina... that's not what I meant...

"No, it's OK"

The rest of the drive was silent.

Dinner was good. Gina talked freely with Londe and Carlos but skillfully avoided eye contact with Ade. She figured Londe had noticed because she kept whispering to Ade and nodding or shaking her head. They all shared a Devil's food cake with icecream for desert, before saying their goodnights.

Ade turned on the music as soon as they got into the car, and neither of them spoke till he drove up to the front of her house. He turned off the engine, but neither of them moved.

"Gina"

"Yes Ade"

"Gina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that you were moving faster than I am. It's just before anything emotional or deep happens between us, I would like us to define what we're doing..."

"OK. Thank you"

"You don't always have to thank me".

Gina smiled and they sat in silence for a few moments. Ade turned off the music and folded his right leg under the left one so he could turn to face her. He took her left hand, turning her towards himself, and reached for her second hand.

"Gina, I like you a lot. A whole lot. We don't know a lot about each other, but I like what I know already. I can't complain".

"I like you too a lot Ade. There's a feel good vibe that you have and I like that very much. I think, for a stranger, I'm a little too comfortable around you".

"That's not always a bad thing... you know?"

"Stop", she smacked him playfully as they both laughed.

"Gina", Ade said, getting suddenly serious, "would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"I haven't been officially asked out in like five years", she chuckled.

"So...?"

"I'd love that Ade. Yes."

"So, is this like popping the question where I'm allowed to give..."

Before he could finish, she snatched up his lips in hers, and kissed him. When she came up for ait laughing, her eyes were moist.

"What's the problem?"

"I'm OK, Ade. You'll learn that about me soon".

Ade pulled her closer and they snuggled up nicely as her put in his John Legend CD, and turned down the volume of the stereo system. Small talk about grade school, college, family and friends and general likes and dislikes continued until the car fell silent after about an hour and a half.

Ade was the first to wake up; it was 6.15am.

"..." Part 3

"Hello, good evening", Ade answered the phone.
"Hi. Can I... May I speak to Ade please? Ade Oki?"
"Speaking. Who am I talking to?"
"It's Gina", she was able to muster before bursting out in tears.
"Oh wow. What's going on? Where are you?", he replied.
"Somewhere on I-80. I just slid over black ice. I managed to pull over, but my car wouldn't start anymore I don't have triple A, I didn't know who else to call. And I figured you knew about cars. Plus...", she stopped to sniff and wipe her face.
"And you're crying?"
"You know what? I knew this was a bad..."
"I'm sorry Gina. I'll come find you". Before hanging up, he got a better description of where he'd find her on the highway.

After dancing around for about an hour and some, he pulled up behind the Red Rav4. I wasn't until he got out to walk towards her car that he noticed how badly the snow was pouring down. He was thinking the entire drive down.
Should I be offended by the fact that she only called me when she needed something? Is it a problem that it took her 6 weeks to find a reason to call me? Should I have gone back to the store to find her? No! Maybe I'm just blowing things out of proportion. Maybe she simply needs me to check her car out, nothing more. Wait, why didn't she call her boyfriend? I should actually be happy she 'couldn't think of anyone else to call' yeah?
"Hey", he tapped on her window.
She laughed as she wiped tears of her face, "I really wish there was someone else I could call".
"Oh! Come on, you are happy that I'm the one that you called. I am too".
"There really wasn't anyone else to call. I didn't make that up"
"Yeah... OK. So what seems to be the problem?"
"I don't know, maybe the battery. Or my ignition..."
"Ooo, ignition..."
"Get your head out of the gutter jo". They both laughed.
"Why don't you go sit in the car. Let me take a look at this".

Gina smiled as she walked to his car. She was actually happy that she had to call him.
I mean look at all that candy. Yum! God spent extra time on some people... Wow! nice car.
She pushed on the radio button. Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill's Turn Your Lights Down Low. She closed her eyes and reclined the seat. She opened her eyes and sat up immediately as though she didn't want to be caught enjoying herself. She looked around the car. He had a Bible on the passenger's seat. She opened the portion with the bookmark; "'but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD', was highlighted.
Wow, deep stuff. This guy seems like a keeper. I wonder what's going on with my car. He didn't even step out to check under the hood. Oh well... She closed her eyes again. Almost immediately, Ade knocked on the window.
"Comfy?"
"My bad"
"No, it's cool. You car's OK now"
" What was wrong"
" I just had to check a few things. No biggie"
"What? I'm a woman, so I can't understand automobile lingo?"
"I have to ask", Ade replied, ignoring her protest, why didn't your boyfriend come get you?" By this time he was in the passenger's seat.
"He doesn't exist anymore".
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry".
"No, No, No, No, No. He's still alive. He's just not my boy anymore".
"Hmm. That's sad".
"Yeah right", she laughed. "Do you want to come over to mine for a coffee or something? It's the least I can do".
"I don't drink coffee, but I can manage some pepper soup".
"Dream on", she said as she left herself out.

* * *

She lived in one of those 'project-turned-condo' buildings in the transforming hood. Just a few years earlier, this was one of the areas you were advised to stay away from. Now, some of the downtown businesses were spilling in. It looked nice. The roads where ploughed; all the street lights worked; no dangerous people roamed the streets.

"Welcome to my humble abode".

"This is nice! Was it expensive?"

"Obviously not, since I am able to pay for it with my Sprint salary".

"Oh yeah?"

"Well. I'm the one of the managers of the store. Actually, it was a gift from Daddy".

"Oh! Daddy's girl huh?"

"Bite me!"

"What's your last name anyway?"

"Lai-Williams. Well, Williams really. Daddy's name is Lai; I like the ring of that..."

"Sounds like one of those Lagos 'power-house' families".

"My parents live in Dubai. "

"Dubai. That's one place I've always wanted to visit".

"It's beautiful. The entire place is like a resort".

"How often do you go?"

"About twice a year. Christmas of course, and any other time I can squeeze out some vacation days", she took his coat, "I'm making myself some coffee, what can I get you?"

"You know... Do you have some chicken..."

"What?! ", she cut in laughing.

"No seriously, I would like that pepper soup I talked about. I can make it myself if you don't mind".

"Well, I don't have any of the pepper soup ingredients".

"Don't need 'em. Just ata-gigun and the regulars".

She sat down to catch up on the shows she had recorded, though she sometimes caught herself stealing glances at him working skillfully in the kitchen. During commercial breaks, instead of skipping over them as usual, they talked about things they liked on TV, Nigerian movies, Jamaican food, and everything in between. Before long, they were enjoying some hot chicken pepper soup.

"Seriously Ade, you have to teach me how you made this".

"It's actually very simple".

"So", she stopped for another slurp, "what was wrong with my car? Will I need to call you again soon?"

"You left in gear while trying to start it", he replied without looking at her.

"Oh! Wow... now I feel very foolish".

"It's OK. I too would have done anything to see me again".

"Ode. Get out of my house", she laughed pointing at the door.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone".

"Thank you", she smiled at him.

"So, what happened with your boyfriend?", Ade asked.

"That night we ate at Ruby Tuesday, he wasn't pleased. I explained to him that it was just to get you to stop coming to the store", she was staring at her fingers and her voice was lower now, "I ran into him with one of our mutual friends at a party last week. They were in each others' mouths... then they spotted me... apparently you gave him a reason to stop cheating on me and get busy with her publicly..."

"And you miss him?"

"Well, when you've spent almost three years of your life as one man's running mate, missing him kinda comes with the package doesn't it?"

"You'll be alright", Ade looked down at his watch, "I should go. I'm opening the store tomorrow, and home is about 45 mins from here".

"Thank you so much Ade. I really appreciate your help today"

She walked him to the door, and before he stepped out, she gave him a hug and lingered for 5 seconds longer than necessary. She was so comfortable with him, yet she knew practically nothing about him. Except that he was Ade Oki, the dealership manager.

What kinds of cars anyway?...

Ade wove at her one more time before driving off.

Hmph! Nice to know I'm in position to play rebound boy. Gosh! Why do I even like this girl? God you know we talked about this. I'm not messing around anymore. If she's not the woman I'm going to marry, please quickly fix my mind and do what would make me forget her, kiakia!

...TO BE CONTINUED...

"..." Part 2

I used an ellipsis as the title because I can't think of anything better... yet. Plus, I've decided it's not a recollection anymore. It's too detailed to be a realistic 'walk down memory lane'.

At 7.58pm, she came out and peeked out of the window hoping that he would have given up and left. She expected him to have come into the store to look for her. She had been hiding in the back room now for about 20 mins. She could see him standing in the parking lot against the door of his car, just waiting. He didn't look down at his watch or look around impatiently. He just stood there with his hands on the door and his face to the sky. There was something neat about him. He wore a sweater vest over his grey dress shirt. The sleeves were folded to his elbow. The shirt came out under the vest nicely, and rested just around his jeans. She couldn't see his shoes. He had cut his hair since yesterday. His face has a nice chiseled frame; he had one of those hair-line to side burns to moustache and beard things that she wasn't too excited about. He pulled off a napkin from his pants pockets, and took off his glasses to clean them. As he lowered his head, he smiled. Oh!

"Go out there and meet the guy already", one of her co-workers startled her.
"Oh Pls", she feigned, "like I don't have a boyfriend".
"You have to admit, he's cute"
"Not really" He's beautiful!
"Well, I'm closing up in a minute".

Gina sighed heavily and walked out. She was looking right at him, but he didn't even look up. He just turned around and got into his car.
Oh no! He didn't even see we walk out. Darn! I guess I'll just get take-out from Ruby Tuesday'
She kept looking into her rear view mirror hoping that he was actually following her, but there was a pick-up truck blocking her entire line of sight.

"Hi Gina, welcome back! I was thinking you probably didn't like Ruby Tuesday anymore".
"Well... I've been cooking", she laughed, "I'm just going to place an order to go".
"OK then! You know..."
"Actually, we'll both be eating in", someone cut it.
Gina turned around trying to look very angry, "Excuse you?"
"You're welcome", Ade replied.
"Gosh, this is going to be very eventful", she mumbled as they walked to their table.

* * *

They sat down and he pulled out a new-looking Maroon Blackberry Curve.

"I thought you were looking for new phone Mr..."

"Ade. Ade Oki. Yeah I know, silly men and their toys yeah?" he flashed her that smile again, "were you trying to bail out of our dinner plans?"

"I thought you didn't see me when I walked out of the store. I assumed..."

"But deep down, you're happy I'm here aren't you?" he asked putting the phone away.

I can't believe this man is making me 'blush'.

"Anyway, what do you want from me?" she asked.

"Why must it be that I want something from you?" he retorted, "ever occur to you that I may actually have something I want to give you?"

"Are you always this cheesy, or is today my lucky day?"

"I think I'm going to order"

They had a VERY quiet dinner. It felt like a 'Who's gonna speak first?' contest. She observed him - he chewed silently with his mouth closed, his well built arms poked out through his shirt sleeves, he obviously loved his veggies, his lips were so kissable, he smiled at people walking by, he had the most beautiful eyes. He was very distracting...

"Are you just going to keep watching me eat?" he asked without looking up.

"You're very cocky, you know right?"

"What's your name?"

"Gina. Georgina".

"So, what's your real name?"

She scuffed at him, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You're obviously Yoruba, and all you Nigerians come to America and try to do like the Americans"

"You're sickly obnoxious. My parents gave me an English first name, deal with it!"

"My parents gave me 17 Yoruba names. Sorry if my thinking is a little lop-sided"

"Why are you so different from the man I spoke to yesterday?"

He smiled again... "I don't know what it is about you that sometimes makes me act like a 14 yr-old boy".

"It's probably a bad time to tell you I have a boyfriend"

"Oh, I know. I just don't think it's a major setback. If you said fiance, ehen"

She laughed. That was the first time she had felt his Nigerian-ness.

"That's beautiful", he said, stopping and looking straight at her.

"What? I have something in my teeth?"

"No, that laugh... it's so ... real. It's amazing"

She looked down at her watch. Before she could look up and say anything...

"You're actually enjoying yourself with this stranger, but all of a sudden you feel like you're cheating on your boy, when this was just a platonic dinner. You could have been sitting here with a business associate"

"But it wasn't..."

"Really?"

"I have to be up early for work tomorrow."

"But you don't get off till 7.30pm, meaning work doesn't start till about 11am..."

"I should go...

"Here's my card. Call me sometime."

"What do you do?"

"I run a car dealership downtown."

"That's nice."

She led the way out of the restaurant. Outside the door, she held out her hand to him.

"Thank you", she said.

"No, Thank you", he replied as he leaned towards her and gave her a peck on her right cheek.

Dang! He smells good.

TO BE CONTINUED.

"..."

* * *

"Err, have we met before?"
"Didn't you get the men's memo that that line has dropped off the face of the earth?", she laughed at him.
"I'm sorry", he smiled. 'Answering a question with a question, she's Nigerian...' "it's just that I eat lunch here everyday. I don't think I've seen you before"

"Hmmm...", she sighed impatiently, starring through him as if sending a message.

"I'm bothering you? I don't mean to encroach on your space...", he started to walk away but something told her he'd be back. She just wasn't sure when.

"So, you work in the area?" he turned back to her and continued, "you eat lunch here everyday?" He looked nervous but she wasn't moved.

"Today will be my last day", she said as she looked into her purse.
"Why? Is the food terrible? Don't pay them any mind if the servers are rude. They have to..."
She shot him a very stern look, "because until now, I always enjoyed my lunch - in peace!"
"I'm sorry". He went on to place his order.



He normally placed 'to go' orders. But today he took the table behind her. She had her back turned to him; she didn't know he was still there. He watched her pull out a small bowl from her lunch bag. It looked like pasta. 'She cooks, star; she saves money, star. She pulled out a book from her purse and read as she ate. 'Bad habit, but she's educated, star.There was something about her demeanor. She commanded a presence but she wasn't intimidating. Her phone rang - 'E ba mi wa Fati mi o (Fatima by Olu maintain)'star! star! She's in touch with her heritage. He wasn't eavesdropping but he heard bits and pieces - "Baby, don't say that, come on... Yeah, OK, fine! I'm sorry... Anniversary... Love you". 'Minus 4 stars! Damn it!' Just as he got up to leave, it happened. She put down her fork and picked up a stewed drumstick and ate it 'without minding anyone'. Star! Star! Star! Star! Star! Star! Star! Star! Ade himself never understood why that was pleasing to him but he was ecstatic. There was something human about her that he was suddenly drawn to.
"Shoot! I have 6 minutes to get back to work", he mumbled.
The following week and a half, he ate at every restaurant in the area hoping one of them would be her new lunch place.

* * *

It had been a month now and he had already given up. He was checking out new prospects. Walking back from lunch one day, he spotted a new phone that his service provider had just launched.
"Nice! I need to check that out".
"Welcome to Sprint. Someone will be with you in a moment". The lady looked up at him for a split second. It was her! He let people get ahead of him till she was free.

Gina couldn't understand why the man in front of her was so giddy. 'It's a phone store, not a 'candy' shop'.
"How are you doing Sir?"
"Yeah, I'm good... great actually..."
She waited for him to continue, but he just stood there smiling.
"So, are you a Spring customer? Was there a problem with your service? Would you like to see some of our phones? Do you..."
"Yeah, the phone in the window, can you... So you don't remember me?", he just had to ask.
"Should I?"
"About a month ago? Bagel House? You teased my 'pick-up' line?"
She looked at her monitor and shook her head, "I'm sorry".
"OK I'll just look at that phone in the window".

He came in at about 3pm for each of the following 3 days to look at 'that phone in the window'. She couldn't take it anymore.
"What exactly do you want?"
"What do you mean? I simply want to see that phone..."
"You've seen it already... three times!"
Even her colleagues were starting to tease her about it. He never let anyone else attend to him.
"Well, I'm comparing it to ..."
'Aargh!' She couldn't take it anymore, "do you want to go to dinner tomorrow night?", she blurted out.
"Are you asking me on..."
"I get off work at 7.30. I drive a red RAV4. Just drive up. I'll lead the way. Have a good day Sir. Next please!

TO BE CONTINUED...