Jimmy listened intently to Temi's explanation, his eyes reflecting a mixture of wonder and gratitude. Her words resonated deeply with him, offering a sense of comfort and validation in the midst of the inexplicable.
As Temi finished speaking, Jimmy's expression softened into a gentle smile, a sense of peace settling over him. He reached out to clasp Temi's hand, a silent gesture of appreciation for her understanding and acceptance.
"Thank you, Temi," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity, "for helping me make sense of something that has puzzled me for so long. Onyema... it feels like a part of me I've been searching for, and now, with your painting and your words, I feel a sense of connection that I can't quite explain."
His gaze meets hers, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they share, both in the waking world and in the realm of dreams. With Temi by his side, Jimmy feels a newfound sense of purpose and belonging, ready to embrace the mysteries of life and the journey ahead.
A new group came to Temi's stand and studied her painting in sheer wonder and appreciation. They asked questions which Temi answered intelligently. Jimmy couldn't take his eyes off her as she elaborated on her work to her guests. The more he watched and listened to her, the more he realised that he was in love with her and in an unexplained way, he believed he had been in love with her for ages.
The more Jimmy evolved around Temi, the more James watched him and marvelled. He was seeing a different Jimmy, one so smitten and helplessly in love.
When at the end of the day they got back to the male's hostel, James voiced his opinion.
"Since when have you been courting this girl, Temi? When did you meet her and how come, you didn't tell me anything?"
Jimmy, relaxing on his bed faced up and gazing at the roof like one in a trance, smiled.
"Everything happened so fast namesake! This second, I saw her cheering me at the Taekwondo competition, the next second she was in my night dreams, talking to me and calling me Onyema; and the second that followed, I found her in the botanical garden, the most unimaginable place I could find myself, and she was there, under the most precious cluster of shrubs, like a hidden treasure; and today, she painted Onyema and me!"
He turned to face James, "Do you believe in reincarnation or fated love?"
James glared at Jimmy speechlessly.
"There's a very strong connection and inexplicable bond between Temi and I." He continued as he turned back to face the roof. "I feel it so strongly, it's like I have known her and been deeply in love with her from a different time; and I believe she knows it too. We seem too familiar with ourselves and solemnly at peace with ourselves." He smiled.
It took a long while for James to find his words.
"I'm seriously shocked at your sudden transformation namesake! I'm indeed short of words!" He kept staring at his friend. "My childhood friend has suddenly turned to a poet and a philosopher…look at you! What has this girl done to you?"
Jimmy ignored him while he continued to relish the good feelings of his thoughts.
"Are you aware that this is the first time you are looking at any girl closely and even gazing into her eyes intently? You held her hand and spoke sweetly to her, Jimmy?"
Jimmy remained silent.
"What do you know about Temi? What's her full name, who's her father and what does he own to his name? Where is she from? Have you checked her out on Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok?"
Jimmy only smiled and refused to say a word.
"Did you take a good look at her dressing Jimmy? She looked mediocre! She can't hold a light against Liliana. What's about this girl that's..."
"Stop right there!" Jimmy snapped as he jumped out of the bed! James suddered at the sound of his friend's angry voice.
"Don't you dare!" He snarled and squat down, facing his namesake who sat at the sofa in his room, looking him eyeball to eyeball! "Don't you dare speak about things you do not know! Don't talk down on people you know nothing about and most importantly, don't dare compare Temi to Liliana! Don't you dare cross the line of our friendship!" He warned, still staring hard into James eyes.
"I've… heard you and I'm…so…. sorry!
James stuttered and raised his hands in surrender.
When Jimmy calmed down and the two friends became relaxed, they collectively checked Temi up on all social media platforms but found nothing about her, she didn't own a single account or page.
"Let's check on the Students online magazine, there may be something about her in there!" James suggested.
"She's a smart one and those kind of students are usually featured there."
Jimmy happily accepted. They went online and logged in. James was right, in the Fine Arts Department, Temi was a very outstanding year one Fine Arts student showing extraordinary skills in her expressions and interpretations of arts and some of her works were the only ones from year one, featured amongst the senior counterparts.
The two James found out that she was one of those intelligent students that were accepted into the university on scholarship based on their high academic performance and recommendation from the church. Temitope Adenuga was an only child from an average Christian family whose parents, have dedicated most of their lives in active church service.
Those bits about Temi only reinforced Jimmy's respect and blossoming love for her. It didn't bother him that her parents were ordinary or average folks who weren't in the least as wealthy as his and his friend's, he was never attached to materialism. Seeing Temi in the botanical garden, at peace and one with nature had already defined to him the sort of girl she was, so it didn't surprise him that she wasn't on any social media platform. He had never been into girls who were overdressed nor underdressed. He hadn't even been into any girl at all. Fashion, hair extensions, makeups and all that were insignificant to him. Everything about Temi and all she represented was perfect for him.
Jimmy continued to attend the weekly activities of the Fine and Performing Arts Department art exhibition. He ask James not to bother joining but his namesake insisted on tagging along.
Each day, he saw Temi in a new and different light. Each of her participations and performances earned her more of his respect, deeper love and devotion; strengthening the thread of fate that connected them.
The last day of the big event boasted of amazing and electrifying performance of dramas, songs and dancing. Temi performed a song that stole the show and gave an indelible grand finale to the entire event.
As the epic musical drums began to roll,Temi took center stage at the glowing gallery for the art exhibition, a hush fell over the crowd, anticipation hanging in the air like a tangible presence. With a confident smile, she began to sing, her voice a mesmerizing blend of power and grace that captivated the audience from the very first note.
The lyrics of her song weaved a tale of timeless love and longing, painting vivid images of distant lands and starlit nights. Each word was imbued with emotion, resonating with the hearts of all who listened as if plucking the strings of their very souls.
"Underneath the silver moon,
Where dreams and wishes softly croon,
I'll find you in the starry night,
Guiding me through love's pure light.
Through the echoes of time we'll roam,
Hand in hand, heart to heart, we'll roam,
Across the seas, beyond the skies,
Our love will never meet demise.
In every whisper of the wind,
In every heartbeat, every grin,
I'll hear your voice, I'll feel your touch,
A love so deep, it's bound to clutch.
So let the stars above us dance,
In their celestial romance,
For we are but two souls entwined,
Forever in love, eternally aligned."
As Temi's voice reached its crescendo, a palpable energy filled the room, crackling with electricity as if the very air itself was alive with the power of her song. Tears welled up in the eyes of the spectators, moved by the raw emotion and beauty of her performance.
For Jimmy, her song transported him to that already familiar distant place, a memory from a past life or perhaps a dream long forgotten. He felt again, a sense of deja vu wash over him, as if he had heard those lyrics before in another lifetime, another reality.
As the final notes faded into the air, the audience erupted into thunderous applause, their hearts still lingering in the enchanting world of Temi's song. As for Jimmy, he sat transfixed with the memory of her voice and the emotions it stirred within him.