Chapter 4 - Conversations Over Cappuccinos
517 Words
The Gaborone City Skyline was a breath-taking mosaic of mountains and glass. Tinu stood in her hotel room, still processing how the man she'd met at the airport had somehow turned into her favourite travel companion in less than forty-eight hours of meeting him.
John had kept his promise. The morning after their chaotic encounter, they'd boarded the same flight, found themselves seated just a row apart, and spent most of the journey swapping sarcastic commentary about airline food.
Now, two days into the design conference, he showed up at her table during lunch, smiling like fate had sent him an invitation. " Is this seat taken? " He asked.
'' Only if you're planning to discuss boring things like the weather." '' I was actually going to criticize the conference buffet, he teased. They talked for hours again, drifting effortlessly from humour to honesty. He told her that growing up in Lagos, his father had taught him to build things from scratch. She told him about starting her design firm with nothing but a laptop and a dream. She told him about her crazy and funny relationship with her mother; she informed him that even though her mother drove her nuts about her life and relationship, she's still her best friend, and they share a very close bond. I would love to meet her one day, he replied, smiling.
''So," he said, slipping his drink, " why does someone like you, smart, successful, funny, clearly allergic to nonsense, seem so surprised when a man is genuinely interested?"
She blinked. " Because men usually say they're interested until I start talking about work. Then I apparently became too ambitious and independent." John tilted his head. Maybe you just need someone who finds ambition "attractive."
She looked at him, her usual witty comeback failing her." Do those exist?"
He smiled. ''You're looking at one."
Later that evening, they walked along the V&A Waterfront, laughing about everything from bad karaoke to Nigerian over Sabi aunties' obsession with marriage. When a busker started singing "Breathless" by Shane Ward, John nudged her playfully.
Dance with me," he said.
"In the middle of the crowd?"
" Exactly. It's the safest place to be ridiculous."
She rolled her eyes but let him pull her in. The world around them blurred a soft mix of light, laughter, and sea breeze. For the first time in a long time, Tinu felt peaceful. Not because of the music or the view, but because standing there with John felt startlingly easy.
Too easy.
And scared her a little. When they finally said goodbye, he smiled. See you tomorrow?
"Maybe." She said, teasing. " If fate behaves." He chuckled. '" Let's hope it does. I'm starting to like its sense of humour.
As she walked away, she found herself smiling too, though she couldn't decide if she was falling for his charm or the way he made her feel like she didn't have to be "that girl" all the time.
Either way, Tinu Adeniyi's carefully organized life was officially out of order. And for once, she didn't mind.
- Writer
