The Guy I Never Met

Just Friends?

CHAPTER 9: "Just Friends?"

The phone rang twice before Destiny picked up.

Destiny: Kemi??

Destiny: Is that you?? It's been forever!

Kemi: Hey sis 😂

Kemi: I know, I know. Work has been crazy.

Kemi: How are you? How's everyone?

Destiny: We’re fine o. We’re managing.

Destiny: But enough about us.

Destiny: What about you? And Ola?

Destiny: That gentle guy from church?

Kemi smiled to herself. She was washing plates but she stopped.

Kemi: Ah you remember him 😂

Kemi: Ola. Yeah.

Destiny: Of course I remember. I was the one who posted him, you know.

Destiny: So how is it going between both of you?

Destiny: Are you two... you know?

Kemi: Nooo 😂

Kemi: It’s not like that.

Kemi: We’re just... friends.

Kemi: Really good friends.

Destiny: Just friends?

Destiny: After all the late night chats?

Destiny: After he checks on you and you check on him?

Destiny: Kemi, I’ve seen how you talk about him.

Kemi: Yes, just friends. And you know what? I’m okay with it. It’s not bad. It’s actually really good.

Destiny: Hmm.

Destiny: Okay o.

Destiny: Ola is a good boy sha.

Destiny: Gentle. God-fearing.

Destiny: As long as he’s treating you right.

Destiny: As long as you’re happy.

Kemi: I am.

Kemi: He listens. He understands.

Kemi: We talk about real things.

Kemi: Fears. Faith. The future.

Kemi: It’s nice to have someone like that.

Kemi: Especially here.

Destiny: That’s good, Kemi.

Destiny: Just don’t close your heart completely o 😂

Destiny: But I trust you.

Destiny: Friendship is important too.

They talked for 20 more minutes. About home. About money. About Life. Then they said goodbye.

And Kemi sat down.

The kitchen was quiet again.

But her mind was loud.

Being friends with him is not bad.

Actually... it’s really good.

What if not everyone you meet is meant to be your partner?

What if not everyone is meant to be someone you date or marry?

What if some people are just meant to be there when everything gets tough?

What if some people are meant to remind you to keep going?

What if a soulmate could also be the person who reminds you to always work on yourself and pray?

What if a soulmate was the person who says "you are doing better. You are not failing and you are trying your best"?

Maybe that was Ola.

Kemi looked around her small room.

The bills on the table. The work uniform hanging on the chair.

The phone with all their chats.

I don’t have to tell him about this talk.

This is just between me and Destiny. And me and God.

But I can still be grateful.

I’m grateful that in all this middle, God sent me someone.

Someone who doesn’t make me feel small.

Someone who doesn’t make me feel like I have to be perfect.

Someone who just... gets it.

Friendship is not a small thing.

Friendship is not "just".

Friendship is everything sometimes.

Maybe Ola is my soulmate in friendship.

And maybe that’s exactly what I need right now.

A small smile formed on her face.

For the first time in a long while, the word "friend" didn’t feel like settling.

It felt like peace.

It felt like God.

She stood up and started washing the plates again.

But this time, her heart felt lighter.

No pressure. No expectations.

Just us. Talking. Praying. Surviving the middle together.

And that’s enough.

TO BE CONTINUED...