As Temi walked Jimmy out of her home, under the full glow of the scorching sun, Jimmy felt a surge of courage welling up inside him. He knew he had to share his plans with Temi, despite her scepticism about reincarnation.
"Temi," Jimmy began, his voice tinged with a hint of nervousness, "there's something I want to talk to you about before I leave."
Temi turned to him, her brow furrowing slightly with curiosity. "Sure, Jimmy. What is it?"
Taking a deep breath, Jimmy plunged ahead, his words tumbling out in a rush of emotion. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I've realised that I need help understanding my dreams. The ones that involve you and seem to hint at a deeper connection between us."
He paused, gauging Temi's reaction carefully. Her expression was unreadable, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"I've decided to see a specialist, someone who can help me make sense of it all," Jimmy continued, his voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. "I know you may have reservations about the concept of reincarnation, and I respect that. But I need to explore this further, to find answers that will bring me peace of mind."
Temi listened quietly, her gaze thoughtful as she absorbed Jimmy's words. After a moment of silence, she reached out and gently placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him in the present moment.
"Jimmy, I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to seek help," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.
"My love, I know this might be a lot to take in," Jimmy began, his voice gentle and reassuring. "But I can't help but feel that exploring my dreams together with you could help both of us gain a deeper understanding of our connection. I have contacted a renowned psychologist and he is willing to give me an online or physical session. Would you like to join me?"
Temi's expression softened, but Jimmy could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. "Jimmy, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not sure if therapy is the right path for me," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I've always been sceptical about the concept of reincarnation, and I'm not sure I'm ready to delve into something that challenges my beliefs."
Jimmy nodded understandingly, sensing Temi's apprehension. "I understand, Temi. I respect your beliefs and your boundaries," he said, his tone gentle yet resolute. "But I also believe that therapy could offer us both a chance to explore our feelings and gain insight into our connection, regardless of our beliefs."
Temi sighed, her shoulders relaxing as she absorbed Jimmy's words. "You're right, Jimmy. I don't want to close myself off to the possibility of understanding more about our connection," she admitted, her voice softer now, tinged with vulnerability. "I'll think about it, okay? But for now, I think it's best if you pursue therapy on your own."
Jimmy smiled gratefully, relieved by Temi's willingness to consider his suggestion. "Thank you, Temi. I appreciate your openness and honesty," he said sincerely. "Whatever you decide, just know that I'm here for you, every step of the way."
He held her hand, "I'm however looking forward to you visiting me like we talked. This has nothing to do with the therapy and whenever you are ready to visit, just holla and I will send you my location."
Temi nodded in agreement.
"Can I give you a goodbye hug?" He asked Smiling into her eyes.
"Why not!" She smiled back at him.
As they embraced, Jimmy held her close, savouring the warmth of her presence and the comfort of her embrace.
In that tender moment, he leaned in close to Temi's ear, his voice barely above a whisper as he uttered the words, "Goodbye Mgbeodi!"
Temi's body tensed slightly at the sound of the unfamiliar name, her brow furrowing in confusion. But as the meaning of the name registered in her mind, her eyes widened with recognition, a flicker of understanding crossing her features.
"Mgbeodi..." she repeated softly, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of the wind. The name held a sense of familiarity, a resonance that echoed deep within her soul.
In that moment, Temi felt a rush of emotions flood through her, a sense of connection and belonging that defied explanation. As Jimmy held her close, she returned his embrace with a newfound sense of intimacy, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude for the bond they shared.
Their goodbye hug lingered, a silent testament to the depth of their connection and the unspoken understanding that bound them together. And as they finally parted ways, Temi carried with her the echo of Jimmy's whispered words, a reminder of the mysterious and enchanting journey they had embarked upon together.
Jimmy arrived home safely, James hurried over to play with him and hear the gist of his love trip.
Jimmy sat down with his friend James, on the pool side bench after he had immersed himself in the warm water and swam. He couldn't contain his excitement as he began to describe his visit to Temi's home in Ikorodu.
"James, you won't believe the warmth and kindness I experienced at Temi's home," Jimmy exclaimed, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. "Her family is just incredible."
He painted a vivid picture of the humble yet welcoming atmosphere of Temi's home, describing the cosy bungalow nestled amidst the greenery of Ikorodu. "Their home felt like a haven of peace and hospitality," Jimmy said, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled the warmth of their hospitality.
Jimmy went on to describe the delicious meal Temi had prepared for him upon his arrival, the tantalising aroma of traditional Yoruba dishes filling the air. "The food was absolutely incredible, James," he said, his mouth watering at the memory. "Temi's cooking truly is a reflection of her warmth and generosity."
But it wasn't just the food that left an impression on Jimmy – it was also the genuine kindness and generosity of Temi's parents. He described how they welcomed him with open arms, treating him like a member of their own family.
"And you should have seen their vegetable farm, James," Jimmy continued, his excitement growing. "It was like stepping into a paradise of greenery and abundance. Temi's parents work so hard to cultivate the land, and their dedication is truly inspiring."
Jimmy also recounted the sweet gesture of Temi's mother, who had sent him off with a small souvenir to remember their visit. "It was a simple gesture, but it meant the world to me," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
As Jimmy spoke, James could see the genuine admiration and affection in his friend's eyes, and he couldn't help but marvel at how emotional and sentimental his childhood friend had grown in just few months.
"I'm really glad to hear that you had such a great time at Temi's place." James responded while relaxing on the beach with his friend, after hearing Jimmy rant excitedly about his first time trip to Ikorodu.
"It sounds like you two have a really special connection. I just want to share something that's been on my mind. While I think Temi and her family seem wonderful, I couldn't help but notice that they come from a different background than what you're used to. And I just wonder if that might pose some challenges for you in the future. I don't want to rain on your parade or anything, but I think it's something worth considering as your relationship with Temi continues to develop. What do you think?"
Jimmy stared thoughtfully at the pool water for a while before turning around to face his friend,
"I don't see Temi's humble background or lowly social status posing a problem for us in the future. Who is going to hold that against her, my parents? I don't think so! But hey, I'm glad you aired your opinion."
He turned around to relax on the bench again while his friend shrugged and relaxed too.