Becoming

I ran to shut my window as the thunder clapped loudly. The rain had been falling for what seemed like ages now. Sooner or later, the roads would be flooded as the drainage system in the city was blocked and the environmental workers did nothing to unblock the system. I sighed as I turned to walk towards by bed. it was going to be a dull day if this rain dies not let up I had called in sick to work. Obviously that was a lie. I had no intentions of going to work today. I had my entire day planned out and now this rain was about to spoil my plans. My phone rang, it was my friend Emilia. "Fine girl, how far?" She asked. "I dey o. Wetin sup?" We had our conversation using pidgin english. "You still dey come?" "You no see this rain? I don't think it's going to stop anytime soon." "Orr, me I don't know how you are going to do it oo. But if you no come you go miss sha." We had planned on going out today. Going out to get a meal or fancy places was like luxury to us. We rarely did it. Today was Emilia's birthday and we planned on going to various fancy places. I had saved up a lot for today and now this rain wasn't letting up. I had even bought a fancy dress. Fancy dresses for fancy places. I had gotten my hair done even bought press on nails. I have never gotten my nail done before. I pray this rain subsides. It seemed as if God was not answering my prayers because the thunder clapped again, so loud that it made the window frames shake. "Omor fine girl can we make this something evening. Omor, rain still dey fall for here oo. Very heavy rain like this. I mean is it not falling in your area." "It's drizzling over here sha. But then if you fit leave house come my side, we fit go from here o." "Emilia, I no get car remember. How you want make I leave house under this kind rain. Keke sef go scarce talk more of bike. Shift this thing go afternoon or better still evening." "If e reach 2 p.m. I no see you, I don go." "Dey play." I said as she ended the call. Looking at the weather, there was no hole of making it this morning. I pray the rain lets up before 2 p.m. I walk into my kitchen to warm the jollof rice I had made the previous day. So much for deciding to go hungry so I would have space in my stomach to eat as much as I want. The rain subsided before twelve noon. I had dressed quickly but spent time dolling myself up and trying to look good. I was very pleased with the end result and ended up spending minutes staring at the mirror and telling myself how pretty I was. I met up with Emilia at one of the locations we had chosen. It was not really a fancy place, like a place where you meet fancy people or eat fancy people's meal. No it was just a normal eatery. It's only perk was that it had a nice spot for outdoor pictures and Emilia had not yet taken a picture of herself. She had paid money to one of her other friends to rent their phone for the day. The phone's camera quality was superb. We spent a couple of minutes talking pictures till we decided we had taken enough pictures of ourselves. We then moved to the second location which was a fancy place. It was one of the biggest shopping mall in the city. I was really excited about this place because it had an escalator. I had never ridden an escalator in my entire life. I usually watch as people fumble on their first time using an escalator. Most of them usually end up being a spectacle and disgracing themselves. I pray I don't end up disgracing myself too. Walking through the shopping mall, I could not help but yearn to purchase some of the goods that were on display in the shops. To top it all was when I came across the section containing wigs. "Emilia imagine that bob wig on your head. Ahh, e go fit you." I said to Emilia as I pointed to the wig. "See as you dey talk. If person hear you now them go think say you be good person. Instead of you to say that it will be fine on you, you're saying it will be fine on me" "But then will it not be fine on you? Ahh God abeg give me money make I spoil myself abeg. I don too suffer. I no fit boast of even one wig. My name na Emmanuel." I said referring to a meme that was going on not long ago. The meme was like as a girl if you don't have a wig, you're a man. "You think say you go dey that your workplace buy wig?" "Eh at least I dey work". We continued our banter until we walked round most of the stalls and shops talking pictures. We then went to see a movie that had just been released and everyone was talking about. It was my first time going to a cinema. I was thrilled beyond measure. And to think that the rain wanted to stop me from going out today. After the cinema we decided to go cool off and wash off the day's sweat by going to the pool. One thing that I pride myself in is that I learnt how to swim at a very early age. We went to a hotel that we heard had a swimming pool. It was new and it was owned by a very wealthy man, so we heard. And it was an indoor pool, that means it afforded us more privacy away from people's eyes. However, I was shocked to see the pool full with people. So much for privacy. We paid the pool charges and for renting swim suits. As I glided through the water, that weightlessness sensation relieved the pressure in my joints and muscles. I did a few maneuvers in the water. The rhythmic movements of my strokes and the coolness of the water created this meditative feeling. It cleared my mind. I felt a sense of freedom. I felt happy. I haven't felt this happy in a long time. I turned to Emilia "Happy birthday Emilia. And thank you for bringing me out. You made me so happy." "Shey me I tell you say if you no come you go miss. See wetin you for miss." She said and then did a few laps. I swam for a while before Emilia snuck up behind me and shook me from my state of peace " You wan tell me say you never see that man wey dey look at you?" She asked. I turned to look around for the man she was talking about. I didn't see any man. "Which man abeg?" She threw a sidewards glance towards her left. Seated there was a group of men having drinks "Man plenty for there na. Which one?" "The dark one with the afro" I turned to look at the man she described. "Oh my God" My breath left my lungs. I couldn't help but stare at the man. He looked tall. He was handsome, very handsome. The aura around him was so overwhelming. And then he smiled at me. He had the most perfect dentition I have ever seen and I could spot a tiny dimple in his cheek. He had a broad forehead, high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, full lips, brown eyes and I could see his muscles straining under his well tailored tight fitting shirt. The afro on his head was just a cherry on top. I would love to sink my hands into that hair Where did that come from but then I would like to sink my hand into that hair tho. He stood up and walked towards me and I nearly died. "Hi" he said. The timbre of his voice sent shivers down my spine. "My name is Henshaw" "My name is Ndanti." "That is such a beautiful name" he said and I smiled. "Thank you." "I must say you're a very pretty lady. I couldn't help but stare forgive me." "It's fine I must say I stared at you too" "Can I get your contact this is not really a good place to talk. Maybe we could meet up later when you're free. I would like to know more about you." He said as he brought out his phone so that I would type in my contact. I typed it in and handed the phone to him. "Thank you very much." He said "Would you girls like anything? Drinks? Food? Anything? Order anything, the bills are on me. I was in a middle of a meeting and I would like to go back to it." "It's fine you can go" I said. I turned to look at Emilia as Henshaw walked to his seat "Ah! Ndanti don bag fine man. All bills on him he said?" "Yes, that's what he said." "See this your fine face no waste. Please waiter come abeg." She said as she called for the waiter. We stayed awhile but Henshaw left before us. He said he had some place to be at but he would message me later. Perhaps this is the turning point for me. Maybe just maybe I have finally found a man of my dreams.