The sun had begun its descent, casting a warm golden hue over Forcados University, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The campus was alive with murmurs and laughter, and the aftermath of Aaron's grand gesture at the cafeteria had spread like wildfire. Students were still talking about it in excited whispers, reliving the moment with awe and envy.
As Kaima, Chelsea, and Chuma made their way towards the school gate, the atmosphere was thick with love. Couples strolled hand in hand, whispering sweet nothings, sharing shy smiles, and stealing kisses under the streetlights. The air smelled of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens, mixed with the scent of roasted suya from the vendors stationed outside the gate.
Chelsea sighed dramatically, hugging herself. "God, when will it be my turn? Just look at them." She gestured to a couple nearby who were sharing a bottle of soft drink and laughing heartily. "I need someone to do all this lovey-dovey stuff for me too."
Chuma rolled his eyes and nudged her lightly. "You're always complaining, Chelsea. Why not go and ask Aiden to be your Valentine? You've been ogling him for months now."
Chelsea gasped in mock horror. "Chuma! How dare you expose my plans like that?"
Kaima laughed, shaking her head at their playful banter, when suddenly Chelsea stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. "Oh - my - God."
"What?" Kaima asked, confused, before following her friend's gaze.
Right there, just outside the school gate, leaning casually on a sleek black car parked along the roadside, was Obinna. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black fitted jeans, he looked effortlessly charming. His deep brown skin glowed under the evening light, and his confident stance exuded an energy that made Kaima's heart do an involuntary flip.
But what truly caught her attention was the bouquet of red roses in his hand. He stood there, a playful yet sincere smile gracing his lips, his eyes locked onto hers.
Kaima blinked, feeling her heart begin to race. "What… is going on?"
Chelsea, already fishing out her phone, grinned widely. "Oh, this is happening. This is really happening."
Obinna stepped forward, his smooth voice cutting through the bustling noise of the evening crowd. "Hey, Kaima." He held out the bouquet to her, his eyes twinkling. "These are for you."
Kaima, still in shock, hesitantly took the flowers from him, her fingers brushing lightly against his. A small card was nestled among the roses, peeking out through the petals. She swallowed hard, pulling it out carefully, her breath hitching when she read the bold words written in elegant script:
"WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?"
Chelsea let out an excited squeal, nudging Chuma. "Oh my God, tell her to say yes already!"
Chuma, ever the cool and composed one, smiled knowingly and patted Kaima's shoulder. "Come on, K. What are you waiting for?"
Kaima looked up at Obinna, whose expression was hopeful yet patient. Her mind raced back to their brief yet meaningful moments, the late-night chats, the lingering glances outside class, and the effortless conversations they shared. A soft smile formed on her lips, and she nodded.
"Yes," she said shyly, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze.
The small crowd around them, including Chelsea and Chuma, erupted into a chorus of "Awws" and claps. Chelsea was already recording the whole moment, whispering, "This is going straight to my Instagram."
Obinna chuckled, reaching out to gently take Kaima's left hand in his. "Thank you for saying yes," he murmured, his thumb grazing her knuckles. "But I'm afraid your friends will have to let me steal you for the evening."
Chelsea pouted dramatically. "Fine, fine, take her. Besides, it's the weekend, mister!"
Obinna laughed, leading Kaima to the passenger side of the car, opening the door like a true gentleman. "Ok, Chelsea."
Kaima glanced back at her friends as she slipped into the car, holding the bouquet tightly. Chelsea waved enthusiastically while Chuma gave Obinna a friendly nod.
As Obinna slid into the driver's seat, he reached over and gave Kaima's hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes meeting hers. "The night is just getting started, and I plan to make it worth your while."
Kaima smiled, finally letting herself relax into the seat. "Then You have a lot to make up for after that test today."
Obinna grinned. "I know. And trust me, I have it all planned out."
As the car pulled away, Kaima stole a glance at the bouquet on her lap and felt a flutter in her chest. Valentine's Day might have started with stress, but it was definitely ending on a magical note.
-----
The soft hum of jazz music flowed from the speakers in Obinna's apartment, filling the space with a calm serenity. The dim, warm lighting cast a golden glow across the living room, accentuating the delicate Valentine's decor he had set up for her earlier. Red and white balloons floated lazily in corners, fairy lights twinkled like tiny stars, and scented candles flickered on the shelves, filling the air with the soothing aroma of vanilla and lavender.
Kaima lay against Obinna's chest on the plush couch, their legs tangled together in a comfortable knot. His arms draped lazily around her, fingers tracing slow circles on her arm. The television played a romantic drama neither of them was paying attention to, letting the background noise blend seamlessly with the soft music. The center table in front of them held a tray of snacks—half-eaten cookies and fruit slices—along with a jug of chilled juice and two glasses, still half full.
After picking her from school, he had taken her home, waited on her bed while she showered, helping himself to a book on her bed. When she was done, he had helped her pick out an amazing black fitted long gown and heels to match, with silver accessories to compliment her looks, teased her as she did her makeup, and had helped her style her braids. Afterwards, he had taken her to dinner at a fancy restaurant, where they had a classsy meal.
While at the restaurant, he had asked her what she wanted to do afterwards, and she had opted for a mini book store raid, and afterwards, a stroll along the busy road, which Obinna, being a gentleman and ready to please her had accepted without asking questions.
Now back at his place, nothing had prepared her for the surprise that lurked behind his locked doors. She had been blind folded from the car, all the way to his flat, which was at the top floor, of the two-storey building. Obinna had guided her steps, making sure she doesn't miss her steps or step on her dress alongside teasing her and making her laugh, all the way up to his floor.
Inside the apartment, he had guided her to sitting room. After making sure she stood at the right position, he removed the blindfold, letting her take in the scene in front of her, the surprise was clearly visible on her face as she turned around and lunged at him, startling him for a moment. Soon, he was returning her hug, with a big smile on his face matching hers.
His efforts had payed off. It was stressful, the planning and arrangements, and not to forget helping out Aaron, and timing himself, making sure to catch Kaima at the right time. But in the end, it was all worth it. Anything to hear her laugh and to see the huge smile on her face.
Her eyes flickered across the apartment, taking in the effort he had put into making the night special. The thoughtful decorations, the cozy ambiance, and even the perfectly chosen playlist—it was all surreal. She smiled softly, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Obinna... I wasn't expecting any of this," she murmured, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.
He tilted his head, looking down at her with a lazy grin. "You should expect more, Kaima," he said, his deep voice rumbling against her back. "You're worth it and much more."
She sighed contentedly, leaning further into him. "Still… the dinner, the bookstore raid, the stroll along the busy road…" She trailed off with a chuckle. "I honestly didn't expect you to be up for all my whims tonight."
Obinna laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Are you kidding? The bookshop was my favorite part. I could've left you there and you'd still be flipping through novels till next week."
Kaima giggled. "You're not wrong," she admitted, just as her mind drifted back to memory of him practically dragging her away from the book store, with a promise to be back soon. "But I really enjoyed tonight. Thank you for making it so special."
He squeezed her gently, resting his chin atop her head. "I just wanted to give you something different from the usual. Something memorable."
She turned slightly to glance at him. "You did."
A comfortable silence stretched between them, their breathing synchronized as the music played on. Then, Kaima chuckled out of nowhere, breaking the silence. "Do you remember when I told you about how I fell off a bicycle and landed in a drainage back in primary school?"
Obinna grinned, already knowing where the conversation was headed. "I still don't understand how you managed to pedal straight into it."
"Hey!" Kaima nudged him playfully. "I was trying to show off, okay? There was this boy watching, and I wanted to impress him."
Obinna threw his head back in laughter. "And instead, you ended up drenched in muddy water. That's classic, Kaima."
Kaima rolled her eyes. "Not my finest moment," she mumbled, unable to suppress her own laughter.
He shook his head, grinning. "Reminds me of when I tried to jump over a fence to escape my dad after sneaking out one night."
Kaima's eyes widened in curiosity. "What happened?"
"I got stuck," he said, covering his face in mock embarrassment. "My shorts hooked onto the top wire, and I just hung there for almost fifteen minutes before our gateman found me."
Kaima burst into laughter, her whole body shaking against his. "No way! That must have been so embarrassing."
"Tell me about it," Obinna groaned. "My dad came out with a flashlight and just stared at me like I was the biggest disappointment of his life."
Their laughter echoed through the apartment, filling it with warmth.
As the night stretched on, they continued sharing their childhood stories—moments of mischief, silly mistakes, and dreams they once held. The laughter, the teasing, the shared memories—it all felt easy, natural, and incredibly comforting.
Eventually, Kaima's voice grew softer, her eyelids fluttering shut as she nestled closer against Obinna's chest. He glanced down at her, a small smile tugging at his lips as he gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.
"Sleepy?" he asked softly.
She hummed in response. "Mmm... maybe a little. But I don't want this night to end just yet."
Obinna pressed a light kiss to her temple. "It doesn't have to. Sleep here, I'll wake you when it's time."
Kaima smiled, her fingers lightly grazing his arm. "Thank you, Obinna. For everything."
He held her a little tighter, resting his cheek against her hair. "Anytime, Kaima. Anytime."
And with that, they let the peaceful night envelop them, the love in the air speaking volumes in the silence.