Always in my Heart

Meeting after so many years

Carol's smile was genuine. "I could use a makeover myself."

Kemi laughed. "You? You are timeless, Carol."

Carol waved off the compliment. "Flatterer. But I am sure you will shine at Nitrovex."

Kemi hoped so. This was her first major account. Nitrovex had expanded significantly, though she knew little about their operations, despite her parents' history there. Her visits had been few, and her memories of the place were vague at best.

"John Wells has really transformed Nitrovex," Carol mused. "He always had a sharp mind."

Kate raised her eyebrows with a hint of mischief. "Carol, are you on the market again?"

Carol caught the playful accusation in her voice. "Oh, Me? Enough of that. John is merely an old acquaintance. His wife, bless her soul, passed away not too long ago."

Kemi's expression softened. "I see." She had not read that in any of the Nitrovex briefs. She had a fondness for Mrs. Wells, despite the incident at the Scholarship Fair.

"And what about other... acquaintances? Is Wale, the postman, still making his rounds here?"

Carol adjusted a loose button on her blouse. "If you are asking about male companions, then yes, I know a few gentlemen around here. And Wale, he is still about, but he is not my cup of tea. I hope you did not fly all this way just to probe into my romantic endeavors."

Kemi could not help but press on, her arms folded in amusement. "Really now? So, who catches your eye these days? An athlete? A policeman? An artist? A scientist?"

Carol swiftly steered the conversation away. "Enough about me. What about you? Any man in your life?"

Kemi's hands came together, resting on her knee. "Nope. I am as unattached as you are, it seems."

"That is nice," Carol said, her attention momentarily captured by something outside the window. Then, standing up decisively, she added, "Let us take your luggage up to your room. I assume you would prefer your old room?"

Kemi's mind raced back to her childhood room, with its cheerful sunflower curtains and the 'My Little Pony' mural she had been so proud of. "Sure, that works."

"I gave it a fresh coat of paint last fall. I hope that is alright with you?"

Kemi shrugged nonchalantly. "Starlight Pony's era had to end sometime. Besides, change is the only constant, right?"

Carol was already moving towards the staircase by the front door. "You might be surprised, but there are still some spots around the neighborhood you will enjoy. How about a walk after you have settled in?"

ADEYEMI'S POINT OF VIEW

"Why the sudden interest in a downtown stroll?" Adeyemi inquired, a playful suspicion in his tone. "Some new physio routine for your knee?"

Pius glanced at his wristwatch. "Hmm? Oh, I just need to pick up some bolts from the hardware shop. "

Adeyemi looked puzzled. "But the hardware shop is back that way, and it is closed today, Sunday, remember?"

Pius inhaled deeply, puffing out his chest with a hearty laugh. "Ah, but it is such a splendid day. Why not enjoy the scenery? "

The scenery? In Lagos? The most notable sight this weekend was the group of eccentric, bearded fellows parading down the streets.

Pius peered at his watch once more, his pace leisurely, eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Everything alright? Is your knee acting up? "Adeyemi finally asked with concern.

Pius massaged his knee gently. "Now that you mention it, it is a tad tender. Do you mind if we rest on a bench for a bit?"

His friend headed for a glossy green bench under one of the trees that lined Broad Street, one of the bustling roads in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos. A man sat at one end of the bench, legs crossed, deeply engrossed in a newspaper, seemingly oblivious to his extravagant beard that seemed to have a life of its own.

"Okay..." Peter said. He was not in any particular hurry. The only other task on his agenda was marking exam scripts, which he did not particularly enjoy, and the downtown scenery might be quite the spectacle with all the eccentric beards.

Pius sat down, then immediately sprang up again and started walking back the way they had come. "Hey? Hello? "Adeyemi called out, concern creeping into his voice as he followed. "I thought you wanted to sit."

Pius gave him a puzzled look as he hurried on. "What is that?" Clearly, something was off. Was it early-onset dementia? Forgotten medication?

Pius shook his head. "Oh. I thought to get some... adhesive. From Quick-Mart."

Adhesive? That was unexpected. Dr. Pius Vaughan, a renowned professor, was acting like he was high on glue.

Adeyemi quickened his pace to catch up. For a sixty-four-year-old man who might be battling the early stages of dementia, Adeyemi could certainly move swiftly when he chose to.

Kemi, was trying to match Carol's brisk pace. "Remind me again why we are heading to the square?"

Carol powered forward like a determined locomotive. "Oh, it is such a lovely day for a stroll."

A stroll, perhaps, but Kemi had not anticipated a sprint. Nor had she expected a flat tire on her car. She had gone out to move it into the compound and noticed that the left front tire was deflated. She must have run over something on the way into town. She tried not to interpret it as a bad sign for her visit.

An outing to the city center was not what she had in mind for the afternoon, or ever, really. The air was cool, yet she was breaking a sweat. The last thing she wanted was for a local to recognize her and then have to feign excitement about being back in the familiar yet changed Lagos.

Just then, a woman walking a petite dog approached, her smile one of recognition.

"Carol!

Hi," the woman greeted her, then turned to Kemi. "Is that Kemi Brady?"

Oh no, it was happening. "Hi," Kemi greeted, not recognizing the woman she was now shaking hands with. The dog sniffed at her ankle, its wet nose tickling her.

"Funke Adeyemi?" the woman introduced herself, still holding Kemi's hand. "I taught you in Sunday school when you were little."

"Oh, yes, of course," Kemi replied, forcing a smile. "Mrs. Adeyemi. How could I forget?"

"We are just on our way to Ray's," Carol chimed in.

We are? This was news to Kemi.

"I will not keep you then," Funke said. "Lovely to see you again, Kemi. Take care." She continued on her way, her dog now fixated on the scent of a traffic sign post.

One encounter down, hopefully no more to go, Kemi thought.

"Let's move," Carol urged, already striding ahead. "I am suddenly in the mood for a meat pie and a cold zobo drink."

They navigated through the bustling business district of Lagos Island. The Accidental Florist had become Aduke's Flowers, and Betty's Beads & More was now Bola's Beads Boutique. A make-your-own candle shop? That was a novel addition to the vibrant marketplace.

Ah, Ikoyi, a charming, happy facade. Tucked away along the coastal cliffs of Lagos, it seemed so serene and secure. The most scandalous event of the past month was likely someone discarding their puff-puff wrapper on the immaculate grass of Freedom Park.

No, the real theft in this place was far more insidious. It was the theft of aspirations, of respect, of affection. Kemi shook off the thought.

Carol was still briskly moving along the pavement, with Kemi trailing just behind. The trees here were massive, their leaves already a kaleidoscope of gold, reds, and burgundies —a stark contrast to her neighborhood in Chicago, where the trees were confined within iron grates. Patches of blue sky peeked through the towering irokos and palms that lined Awolowo Road, one of the main arteries leading to the city square.

"I do not want us to be late," Carol said, almost breathlessly.

"Late? For a zobo drink?" Kemi quickened her pace to keep up, wondering where Carol found all this energy.

"The queues might be long," Carol pressed on.

Queues? At Ray's Café? Kemi pictured a crowd of elders eagerly waiting outside Ray's, all yearning for their meat pie and palm wine.

They reached the city square where most of the Lagos businesses thrived. The square was neat, simple, and painfully picturesque. Even so, Kemi kept her gaze down, not eager to invite more recognition.

Suddenly, Carol slowed and began waving excitedly as if she had seen a familiar face. Kemi nearly collided with her and had to grasp Carol's shoulders to keep from stumbling. Ahead, she saw Ray's, complete with its green-striped canopy. And, thankfully, no queues.

"Sorry," Carol apologized, pulling her along. "Wow, look at those men's beards."

Kemi turned to see two men approaching, deep in conversation. One sported a beard that looked as though it had been sculpted by a whirlwind, the other's beard was fashioned into a nest with... were those kola nuts? Mr. Whirlwind proudly carried a trophy, all smiles.

"You have got to be kidding me," Kemi muttered.

"I know," Carol agreed. "The windmill at the roundabout is much more aesthetically pleasing."

Kemi frowned. He gets a trophy for turning his beard into a spectacle, and I get nothing for my actual artistry. Another tally mark for the "life isn't fair" ledger.

"Alright, we have arrived," Adeyemi announced, his hand resting on the weathered brass handle of Ray's Café, pausing for Pius, who seemed more captivated by someone down the street than the prospect of a zobo drink.

Adeyemi craned his neck to glimpse the person of interest, but Pius quickly grasped his arm. "Let us take a look at the menu before we head in," he suggested, guiding Adeyemi toward the window where a sun-bleached menu was displayed.

"Adeyemi, this menu has not changed since our school days. It is probably the same one from your time too," Pius remarked with a nonchalant shrug.

Just then, a tap on the shoulder interrupted them. "Ah, Carol, what a delightful surprise to see you here," Pius greeted, his voice booming a bit too enthusiastically.

Adeyemi offered a warm smile to his neighbor Carol, and then his gaze fell on the woman beside her. She was distracted by a group of men with elaborate beards. A surge of recognition sparked within him —the familiar wavy auburn hair, the fragrance carried by the breeze... what was it? Lucky You?

Memories flooded back. She was radiant, the late afternoon sun illuminating her hair with a golden sheen. It was unmistakably her.

Kemi.