The Guy I Never Met

The First Message

CHAPTER 2: THE FIRST MESSAGE

_Ping._

Unknown number.

My heart was in my throat.

I took a deep breath and tapped to open it.

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Ola: Hello. This is Ola.

I got your number from your sister.

Ola.

So that was his name.

I stared at the message.

Simple. Polite. No pressure.

Me:Hi Ola

Three dots.

Ola: Nice to meet you Kemi 😊

I just love getting to know more people. Would love to be friends.

Friends.

My brain stopped.

Friends?

Is he friendzoning me already?

Before we even started??

I could feel my chest get tight.

In my head I was like: Kemi, don’t catch feelings. He just said friends.

But then another thought: But I want to know him. Even if it’s just as friends.

I don’t even like talking to new people.

I’m shy. I overthink. I hide.

But this guy... I wanted to know him.

So I typed.

Me: Okay. I love getting to know more people too.

I would love to be friends ☺️

Send.

Ola:That’s nice to hear.

I’m in 300 level, going to 400 level.

Studying Computer Science. Cyber security and tech.

At OAU in Nigeria.

I don’t really like Idea of poverty. I’m working hard on myself. And if I'm friends with someone, i can be so diligent.

I read it twice.

300 level.

Cyber security.

University.

Ambitious.

And me?

The air left me.

How do I even compare?

How do I tell him I’m in Benghazi working as a house help?

How do I tell him I dropped out of school in 2021 because of... situations?

How do I tell him I’m not even in school while he’s about to enter 400 level?

Do I even deserve to be his friend?

My fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Delete.

Type.

Delete again.

Be brave, Kemi, I told myself.

Me:Wow. That’s really amazing Ola.

I’m proud of you.

For me... I’m currently working as a house help here in Benghazi.

I dropped out of school in 2021 due to some situations.

But I’m planning to go back to school next year, God willing.

I hit send and immediately regretted it.

Too much. Too honest. Too fast.

What if he thinks I’m a liability?

What if he disappears now?

One minute.

Two minutes.

Typing......

Ola:Thank you for telling me that Kemi. I like that you're so open about your situation.

That takes a lot of courage.

I respect people who are working hard, no matter where they are.

School can wait. Life happens. The fact that you plan to go back? That’s what matters.

I read it 3 times.

He didn’t run.

He didn’t judge.

He said he _respects_ me.

My eyes got watery.

“Nobody has said that to me before,” I whispered to myself.

Me:Thank you Ola. That means a lot.

Ola:You’re welcome.

So what do you like doing in your free time?

And just like that, we kept talking.

No pity.

No awkwardness.

Just... conversation.

8:00 PM.

8:15 PM.

8:30 PM.

Then my sister texted (have you wish him a happy birthday)

Me: No 😐

My sister: what a nonchalant human being you are. Make sure you wish him oo.

Me: okay

Then I go ahead and wish him a happy birthday. And he really appreciate it.

He asked about Benghazi. I told him it was quiet.

He told me about school, about coding, about how he hates staying broke.

I laughed. I actually laughed on chat.

Then he sent the last message for the night.

Ola:I really enjoyed talking to you Kemi.

It's really amazing how we just know each other and we click so fast.

My heart melted.

Me: I know right.

Goodnight Ola.

Ola: Goodnight Kemi. Sleep well.

And he went offline.

I sat there in my room in Benghazi, staring at my phone.

At 7:15 PM I saw a birthday picture.

At 8:32 PM, the guy in that picture told me he respected me.

The guy I never met...

Just asked to talk to me again tomorrow.

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TO BE CONTINUED.