When Love Finally Knocked

Chapter 2 - Men Mayhem, and Matchmaking Madness

Monday morning was Tinu's personal villain. Her phone alarm went off at 6:00 am. Sharp, Blaring Independent Woman" by Destiny's Child. Usually empowering except when she hadn't slept enough and was reconsidering independence altogether. By 7:00 am, she was dressed in her signature power combo outfit: a fitted blazer, bold lipstick, and high heels high enough to intimidate but not enough to sprain. She strutted into her office like a woman who could design a palace and talk her way into heaven.

Her assistant, Nancy, handed her a tablet. Morning, Miss Tinu. Coffee's on your table. And you have a meeting at 11:00 am, lunch with the Senator's wife at 1:00 pm, and Ucy dropped by to save your love life. ,''Her words, not mine," as she tried to hide the silly grin on her face. Tinu blinked. " Please tell me you're joking." Nancy's lips twitched. " She's in the conference room setting up a PowerPoint presentation.'

Tinu groaned. Dear lord, give me strength this morning." Sure enough, Ucy stood in front of the large screen, clicking through slides, "Operation: Find Tinu a real Man." There was even dramatic background music playing softly, Michael Bolton naturally. " Welcome! Ucy announced, pretending to hold a microphone like a game show host. " Today's mission: ending your romantic drought." "Hush. Slide one: Men you already know are off limits. Exes, clients, your gym instructor, because that man is clearly married to his abs." If you know what I mean, pretending to be a weight lifter.

Tinu sank into a chair, torn between laughter and exasperation. " You made slides?" What am I going to do about this crazy, nosy friend of mine, who is still smiling? ''Of course. Slide two: new candidates. I have signed you up for AbujaLoveLink dating site."

"You did what?!"

"It's harmless!" Ucy grinned, clicking through the photos. There was Wale, 35, a banker who likes dogs and hiking. And here's Ife, 37, entrepreneur s***h writer." Entrepreneur s***h unemployed, you mean." Ucy threw a cushion at her. You're impossible!''

Over the next week, Tinu reluctantly agreed to try online dating due to Ucy's constant pressure. And that was how she found herself on a series of dates straight out of a comedy sketch. One man spent twenty minutes explaining why the earth was flat while trying to impress her with cryptocurrency. And brought his mother and two sisters. Literally. And one proudly said, '' I don't believe in paying for dates. Equality, right?"

Tinu returned home frustrated that night, kicked off her heels, and texted Ucy: If I die single, bury me with WI-Fi and fine wine. Men are not allowed." Ucy replied," You're being dramatic. Maybe love will surprise you soon.'' Tinu texted her back, Unless love has a flight ticket and coffee, I doubt it."

She was half right. Because in less than a week, Tinu Adeniyi would find herself stranded at an airport with nothing but her suitcase, her sarcasm, and a stranger who might just make her believe in love again.