The Encounter

Blessing pov: It was getting dark faster than usual; the night seemed to be in a hurry to meet her lover. The stars were dancing for joy for the moon, a tiny sliver of bright beam adorned the night sky, like a crown on the head of a queen. The gentle breeze was refreshing after the intense heat waves that had dealt with us all day. I could feel her back cooling off rapidly, and the cool feel of my still moist shirt was rejuvenating. The breeze messed with my hair as it danced around my face. My hurried movement and the crowded street weren’t the best of friends, as the hustle and bustle of Lagos after work hours was as bad as any rush hour. My silent prayers were that I met the Coaster bus. “Oh Lord, please don’t let me miss the bus,” I prayed. I only had enough to catch the bus; if I missed it, I’d have to trek back home, and that concept alone was enough to tie my tummy in knots. Me, alone, at night, on the dark streets of Lagos, I was almost certain I’d die. I was new in town; my job was remote until the son of Mr. Bamidele Olaniye took over the presidency from his father. The cruel man insisted that all accounting staff be present for the first year to work closely to understand his personal work techniques and principles. Sadly, I had to relocate for at least a year or resign, as it was never a part of my plan to leave Abuja. Well, here I am, three months later, navigating my way to the bus park and praying that I don’t get robbed or stabbed or miss the bus. Stories we hear of the Lagos nightlife aren’t encouraging. Finally, I could see the park, and there it was, my life-saving bus. I could hardly contain my joy as I hastened my steps toward it. I got closer, and my heart died right in my throat as I could see its flat tires. Dear God, I had missed the last bus. I didn’t know if that was the last; I was too scared to bring out my phone, and it was too dark to see my watch. My body seemed to ache, my feet got too heavy to move. I slowly dragged myself to the closest person and asked what time it was and if any buses were still coming, in a very tired voice. The elderly lady looked at me and answered me in Lagos’s legendary style, in Yoruba. Dear Lord, I couldn’t understand past the words I hear each morning I step onto the bus. How was I supposed to know what she said? But I was sure it wasn’t the time, as she seemed upset and didn’t bother to check for me either. I swallowed my pain and started the slow walk that I was somehow convinced would lead to my death. I thanked God for small mercies, as there were streetlights almost ten feet apart, and there were others walking along the road. I tried to stay in between so in case of any danger, I wouldn’t be the first to be caught in it. I forced my feet to keep up with the vigorous steps I needed to stay in place. After what felt like an hour, there was a bright light that came from behind, and everyone stopped, turned around, and started to flag down the vehicle. It passed the long queue behind me and didn’t reach the ones in front as it stopped, causing a stampede. Everyone ran towards it, trying to get in, shouting over each other and pushing. However, I heard my name, “Blessing Ebele?” I was shocked. The noise died down, and the crowd parted. Some hissed; others just quietly walked away. I stared at the car, then I saw him, smiling as he always did. He lowered the window more and said, “I thought that was you.” I walked to him, the five or so footsteps which felt longer than my earlier trek, and said a small, “Hi, Cola.…” “Well… Hop in,” he said. I quietly opened the door and sat inside the car of my ex-boyfriend, whom I had ghosted after my youth service. Could this night be any worse? First, the extra workload on a stupid Friday night, then the early darkness, then the missed bus, and now the one person I had no plans of ever meeting again. Cola’s pov: I couldn’t take my eyes off her, God… she looks prettier than I remembered, her oval shaped face was fuller, I could tell from the way her clothes hugged her frame that that wasn’t the only part of her that got bigger, but something was different about her. Maybe from shock or surprise but she seems quieter and the spark in her eyes seem to be deemed or perhaps she’s just exhausted from a long days work. The Lagos career life can drain a person especially if you’re on the employee side of it, as most bosses are demanding and uncaring for your personal discomfort, any negligence is met with a quarry or worst a sack and replacement so instant, you’d not have enough time to blink. Jobs are hard to find even more difficult is finding one that pays well and pays on time. I tried not to dwell much on the dull looks in her eyes nor on her full lips that have constantly been an object of my dreams. The longing for them was so intense I almost pulled over to the road side and kiss her. But instead I clear my throat in an attempt to make light conversation. However my mind was spinning with multiple questions and thoughts I didn’t know which to give voice to, I’d missed her dearly and I wanted her in ways I couldn’t explain to her nor expected her to understand. But this is the love of my life sitting right beside me, after two long years of searching. I knew the moment she stepped into the car that I wasn’t gonna let her go again.