I opened my eyes to see a stranger on Ty's bed. My roommates were not in, just myself and the strange lady. I brushed my palm down my face to clear my vision, trying to be sure I was seeing right.
From the little light filtering in through the half-opened window, I could tell she was quite beautiful with mahogany brown skin. She had a yellow top on denim jeans which fit snuggly to her slender frame.
"Just the kinda girl Ty would like." I thought.
She reminded me of the one person who has taken over my thoughts lately. I sat up on my bed to make my presence known.
"Good evening" came her greetings.
"Good evening" I replied.
"I came to see Temitayo, but he went to get something from the next street" she explained.
"Oh... Okay," I replied.
"I'm Esther, and you're Kwesi, right?"
"Yeah. Nice to meet you" I extended my hand.
"The pleasure is all mine" she replied politely.
"If only Olaitan and I had met and greeted each other like this, just the way civil people do," I thought, amused.
"Oh shit Olaitan!"
We were supposed to meet this evening. I checked the time on my phone and it's 4:32 pm. I've got less than 30 minutes to freshen up, walk to school, and meet up with her. And while she had set up the meeting, she told me to be punctual.
It was a Thursday and the only day in the week we, as biochemistry majors, didn't have any chemistry course on our timetable. So I hadn't been able to see her.
After my classes by noon, I called her. We exchanged greetings and she had asked to meet later in the evening at Heritage Park. I set the time to 5 pm since I wanted to start the Bic202 assignment and then get some close eyes.
Since there was a visitor in the room, I took my clothes to the bathroom, washed my face, and changed into my favorite black joggers with a black hoodie. I walked back into the room to spray some of Ty's perfume.
Just then, Ty walked in with noodles and eggs in a black nylon.
"How far, guy?" I greeted.
"I dey, bro," he replied.
"Took you long enough. I thought you were going to sleep there" Esther said.
"I'm sorry, babe; I didn't know I was going to take so long," he apologized.
I didn't miss the 'babe' in his reply.
"Kwesi, let me introduce you to Esther," he said.
"Abeg rest. You think say I go dey wait for you before I greet fine girl abi?" I quizzed dryly.
"We've gotten past that already," Esther said with a soft laugh.
"This one wey you kit up like this, which babe you wan go see," He teased.
"No worry, when I come back, you go explain give me and D1 why you dey hide Esther from us all these while." I teased back and he laughed.
"Okay now, later,"
"Come back home before 10 pm, bro," he said as I was leaving.
"I don hear you" I called back.
Checking the time, it was already 4:50 pm. It's not a good thing that I'm being tardy on our first night out, but what else can I do?
I got to Heritage Park by 5:05 pm and my phone started buzzing.
"Kwesi where are you?" came the angelic voice.
"I'm at Heritage Park already; where are you at?" I replied.
"Just walk towards the alumni building and you'll see me"
"Okay."
I started walking towards the alumni building, and there she was, sitting on a big rock, looking like the angel she was. She didn't have to do too much to take my breath away. I sighed contentedly as I walked towards her.
Despite the shadows the trees cast to give shade, she was outstanding in the simple blue shirt and black joggers she had on.
I wish I could have her in my arms already. But I had to hold back my desires and take things one step at a time.
"Hi, Olaitan" I greeted.
"Hi, Kwesi," she replied.
She had a look on her face I couldn't discern, which quickly changed to a stern look.
"I thought I told you to not be late?"
"Yeah, you did, and I'm sorry I came late" I replied, abashed.
"I hope you have a good reason for being late" she replied, not letting go.
"And if you're sorry, you'll put it into action and be punctual next time." She continued.
"Wow! This is crazy!" I thought to myself.
I did expect to be scolded but I didn't expect her to be this strict. Besides, she's talking like we're dating already.
I studied her stern face. From the glasses frame on her face to the curve of her lips. She reminds me of a stern primary school teacher.
"You know, you could have allowed me to sit before bashing me" I replied finally.
"Oh!" Now she was the one feeling embarrassed, realizing I was still standing.
"Come sit," she said, patting a space beside her.
If she was fair, I'm sure her ears would be flaming red.
"I was just annoyed that I've been here since 4:47 pm and you still came by past 5 pm." She said looking at my face but not meeting my eyes.
"That's quite early," I thought to myself.
Thinking back, I realized she was always in class before the lecturer or myself. She's always punctual. My opinion of her improved even more. Because if she's always this punctual then she's going to be orderly and neat too. Those traits go hand in hand.
"So, how were classes today"? she asked, trying to fix a braid behind her ears.
"Twas fine, I guess. How's it on your side" I replied.
"It was okay"
"You made your hair?" I asked rhetorically.
"Yeah, I made it yesterday evening"
"I like the braids. But I love it even more when you left it afro style"
"Oh! Really?" She said with a smile.
"Yeah, I always wished I could touch your hair every time I saw you, but we were always fighting.
"If I had tried to touch them then, I think you would have punched me in the face," I said, smiling.
"Wow! So you thought so much of me, and yet, you always made sure to mess with me whenever we met?" She quizzed, with a crinkle in her eyes"
I was barely breathing, as she took the air out of my lungs. I wanted to kiss her badly, and my body wanted even more. It doesn't make sense that just her voice and the looks she gives me make me aroused; now I'm feeling like a pervert.
Shuffling my legs to keep my composure, I took a lungful of air and exhaled before answering.
"Yes. I thought so much of you, and I wished we didn't have to fight every time we met, but I just couldn't help it.
"Looking back at it, every time we met, there was always something that placed us at odds, but I'm glad that despite all of the arguments, we're here right now."
She seemed to want to say something but the words got stuck. Her eyes reflecting the desires that I'm sure was blazing in mine. Trapped in a moment that seemed to go on forever, I leaned in to kiss her.