The next day, Yaayi strode confidently into the bustling reception area, briefcase in hand and heels creating a soft, resounding echo. She remained oblivious to the admiring glances cast her way.
Her natural hair was styled in a bun, and her lime top was tucked into a brown skirt that accentuated her slight build and complemented her brown skin.
"Hello, I'm Yaayi, and I have an appointment here," she told the woman behind the counter.
Yaayi couldn't help but wonder why some companies made their counters so high that one had to strain to see those behind them. Probably the work of someone with an oversized ego, she surmised.
"The boss will see you right away, ma'am," the receptionist said. "Go straight down the corridor. The second door to your left."
"Okay," Yaayi replied, pushing the door open. Inside, a woman was flicking through some files.
"Please wait in the office. My boss will join you shortly," the woman said without looking up.
While she sat in the office, Yaayi took in the spacious office, noting the large windows, the wide marble desk with an open laptop, and a tie draped carelessly over a leather chair. The boss had clearly left in a hurry. She...
"Yaayi?" a voice bellowed suddenly from behind. It was a voice she knew well and had dreamt about despite her efforts to forget it.
"But it's impossible!" she thought. That voice no longer existed in her life. Willing her stiff body to relax, she turned and faced the owner of the voice. Her eyes went wide and she went stiff, her shock evident.
Time seemed to stand still. Her heart stopped beating, and her eyes watered in disbelief. Pasting a fake smile on her face, she turned to him as if he were just a ghost from her past.
"Hi, Folu. It's been ages!" She extended her hand for a formal handshake, but he enveloped her in a spicy lemon scent, his strong arm pulling her close as if she were a long-lost treasure.
"My goodness! Yaayi, it's really you!, He countered.
I've searched everywhere for you since I returned! When I saw your name on the appointment list, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. But you're here! In front of me and in my office!"
For that moment she couldn't believe his audacity, embracing her as if nothing was wrong. She pushed him away, her voice hardening despite her conflicted emotions.
"How could you!, She cried in hurt. You were looking for me? Why? To kill your boredom again? Or do you think I didn't hear you referring to me as a pastime to your mother? You fooled me with your sweet words once, but I won't be fooled twice!"
"Yaayi, what I told my mother wasn't true., he replied almost losing his composure. I wanted her to drop the subject because she was probing too much. Back then, I hadn't sorted out my feelings for you."
Taking some steps closer to her, he continued in a whisper, "Yaayi, I love you now. Living without knowing where you disappeared to was hellish. I've always loved you, but it took me a long time to realize that."
"Look, I'm sorry for everything. For the pain I've caused and for not allowing our feelings to flourish. But now we've got a second chance, and I promise not to ruin it this time."
Tears welled up in her eyes, for no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she had always loved Folu.
She had suppressed her feelings because the thought of him not loving her back hurt too much. But now he was here, and the love she had longed for shone in his eyes. Maybe if she had looked closer, she would have seen what was always there.
"Oh, Folu, I've missed you!" She embraced him, surrendering to the feelings she had long suppressed.
"I've always loved you! You can't imagine how much I thought of you after you left and how much your absence hurt."
He took her hands and gazed lovingly into her brown eyes. "Not realizing my love for you sooner made a fool of me. Caring about what others thought of our differences made me an even bigger fool. Everything about you makes me want to be foolish. I love it, I love you, and I always will. I want to journey with you until we grow old."
"I love you, Yaayi. Marry me and make me more foolish for you."
"Of course, I will marry you, silly!" She playfully hit him, reminding him of the Yaayi he first met at the supermarket.
"But..."
"What?" he asked, suddenly afraid she would refuse.
"What about your mom?"
He laughed, a heartfelt guffaw long hidden. "I'll take care of her," he replied, drawing her into his arms and kissing her.
And together, they took care of everything, embracing their untold journey.
...