Chapter-5
1733 Words
Edesiri Godwin did not blend into a crowd, not because he was loud, but because something in his presence commanded quiet attention.
He wasn’t tall; just a little above average height.
But his complexion?
God must have taken his time there, a soft, light-gold tone that held its own glow even in the shade.
His features were clean and refined:
a firm jawline, calm brown eyes, and lips shaped with almost annoying perfection full, soft, the type that always looked halfway between a smile and a secret.
The ash-grey senator he wore for Jasmine’s wedding didn’t help matter.
Tailored. Sharp. Perfect on him.
It hugged his arms, framed his shoulders, claimed his waist.
He looked like elegance that walked quietly, minding its business.
But the real moment.
the moment that became its own small story
was when he saw Avva.
He didn’t hide his stare.
He didn’t pretend.
He simply… looked.
And kept looking.
Not like a man seeing a woman,
but like a man studying something rare.
Something unexpected.
Why’s she so difficult to talk to? She no even hard like that, he thought and rolled his eyes slightly at himself.
“The ìdoló of Web3!
which woman dey distract you from the space?” Kelvin’s cousin tapped him playfully.
“Broooo, who be that babe? The one supporting your cousin’s bride like blood?”
“Oh, Avva.”
“That’s her name?”
“Yes na. Jasmine’s bestie. Doctor too. Big woman. Achalugo.”
Avva stood in the middle of the reception grounds, directing their doctor friends to chairs, adjusting tables, handing out drinks, moving like she was in charge and didn’t even know it.
Edesiri watched her, his thoughts weaving around her like slow smoke.
Tall, no, tall enough, with that quiet dignity height gives only certain women.
Her shape?
Soft. Full. Sculpted where it mattered.
See figure na… beauty with brains, he smiled to himself, almost embarrassed at how hooked he already felt.
Her chest rose gently beneath her dress, very present, not loud.
Her dark skin glowed like the sun knew her personally.
Her face… round, warm, beautiful in a way that pulled the eyes back for a second look.
And then, her dimples.
Kai…
Those small, deep smile holes that appeared even when she wasn’t fully smiling.
“Oh Dr. Avva… oh dearest doctor…”
He noticed everything.
Not with lust.
Not with hunger.
But with curious fascination.
The way her brow tightened in concentration.
The little bite of her lip when she lifted something heavy.
The deeper dip of her dimples when someone made her laugh.
He took it all in, quietly…
as if memorizing.
When he finally walked up to her again, his voice carried that softness:
“Dr. Avva… you’re very busy today.”
“Yeah,” she replied, reluctantly.
“But I still want to help.”
“Edesiri, make yourself comfortable like the guest you are.”
“I insist.”
“Thank you. I’m fine,” she said, still not looking at him.
He smiled.
Ah, those lips again.
“You don’t understand. I want to help because it’s you.”
That stopped her.
She looked up.
Fully.
And he held her gaze .. not boldly, not arrogantly, but like a man who already respected what he saw.
A second.
Two.
Three.
She looked away, dimples flashing briefly.
“If you insist then,” she murmured and turned.
He watched her walk away, graceful, full, confident, beautiful.
“She’s a beaut…na urhobo girl be this” he whispered.
He let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding.
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t admiration.
It was interest.
And interest, in the hands of Edesiri Godwin, was never small.
He would hunt quietly. Like a wild animal.
Later , On the Dance Floor
The party rose into its full sweetness. Jasmine’s gown shimmered as Avva danced with her.
“I’ve been watching you and yours,” Jasmine teased.
“Behave,” Avva laughed.
“Can you stop being hard? We’ve achieved everything we prayed for. Give the guy a chance.”
“You know Edesiri Godwin?” Avva asked.
“Yes! Friend to Kelvin’s cousin. I didn’t know him before today. I just asked Kelvin.”
“Jasmine!”
Avva burst into laughter.
“You dey do oh, married woman,” she teased.
“I love you, Jas. I’m so happy about today.”
“
God bless your new home,” Avva added.
“Amen.”
“Can I get a dance with my wife?” Kelvin cut in.
“Who exactly?” they chorused.
“The one wearing newly wedded wife clothes.”
“Na wa…” Avva laughed. “Carry your property.”
She stepped back and that was when she heard it:
“Hey,”
Edesiri called softly.
She turned. “Hi.”
“Want to dance or talk?” he asked.
“How can I refuse a gentleman?” she teased.
“I’m a gentleman now? Ugh,” he laughed.
“You’re not gentle?” she raised a brow.
“Try me,” he said and took her hand boldly.
“You look good today. Like the bride.”
“The bride? What are you saying?”
“That you’re beautiful, Avva. Even a blind man will know that.”
Something in her chest softened.
She smiled , almost shy.
“Let’s talk more. Let’s be friends,” he said, voice low.
“Chat me on i********:. Avva_oyibo.”
He repeated it under his breath, memorizing.
“Doing your internship nowadays?”
“Next month.”
“Good.”
The music inside the hall shifted—soft at first, then warm, then familiar.
A ripple of excitement passed through the guests.
Burna Boy’s “Love” rolled through the speakers, slow and honey-deep:
“Na who go dey by your side if you waka through fire…
Follow you stand inside the fire…”
The moment the first line dropped, Edesiri’s hand tightened gently around Avva’s.
She looked up, surprised, not by the music, but by the way his eyes softened as if the lyrics had just chosen them on purpose.
He stepped closer.
Just a breath.
Just enough.
Avva felt her dimples try to appear, but she pressed her lips together, willing herself not to blush.
Edesiri noticed.
Of course he did.
“Na who love me I go love
Na who love us we go love…”
The words floated around them like a secret only two people were meant to hear.
And somewhere inside that music something started.
Couple of months later...
“Hello Siri,” she typed.
“Hi love,” he replied. “So what do you say?”
“Give me some time to think about it, Siri. Please.”
“Okay. How was your day?”
“It was great. Lots of patients. Many don’t like to follow instructions.”
“I think if you didn’t study medicine, you too won’t follow instructions,” he teased.
“What!!! I’m a natural at following instructions. Ask my mum! My dad was the stubborn head.”
“Speaking of your mum… how’s she?”
She’s fine. She’ll call me soon. She’s big on my career. I can’t throw her expectations to shame.”
“You’re the only child. I still wonder why. I’m sorry.”
“Noooo, let me tell you.”
And she did — my father, his sudden death threw my mother into two-year of grief, my mum believed he was killed spiritually, there were no trace of his illness according to the hospital records, this sorrow made her choose never to remarry.
“The only child is not always a nice way to put it -- It feels like a lot sometimes,” Avva whispered.
“So many expectations on me.”
“Wow…” Edesiri muttered, shaken. “I’m sorry, Avva.”
“No. I’m grateful to God. And I’ll do much more.”
“You will,” he affirmed. “This is just your beginning.”
She laughed. “So yes — tell me. I only know you’re a friend to Kelvin’s cousin and one of Web3 finest warriors.”
“And rich,” she added with raised brows.
“This woman…” he laughed. “But I’ve told you so much already.”
“Tell me again,” she said softly, drawing shapes on her wall with her finger.
He inhaled.
“I’m Edesiri Godwin… and this man is crazy about you, Avva Oyibo.”
A pause.
“If you want to know more… let me show you.
Just give me a chance already.
Will you?”
To be continue
- Writer
