PRISCILLA'S POV
Three days later, I walked into Murtala Muhammed Airport to pick up David. We had kept in touch since he left the States, and he'd asked me to come get him during his visit to Nigeria.
I moved through the arrivals hall, eyes scanning the crowd, but I couldn't spot him. With a sigh, I reached for my phone and dialed his number.
"Hey, Quickie, I'm here," I said.
"I'm around too, see you soon, pretty," he replied with that familiar grin in his voice before hanging up.
I lowered the phone slowly, my heart tightening as another memory pushed its way to the surface Daniel and I beneath the waterfall, his hand in mine, laughter in the air, the world reduced to just us. My chest ached as though that moment had branded me.
I had prayed about it and placed it all in God's hands, surrendering what I couldn't control. Still, the memory lingered like a whisper I couldn't silence. Right here, in the middle of the bustling airport, the ache pressed deeper reminding me of what I hadn't allowed myself to fully admit, let alone feel.
I sighed and turned to my right and froze.
David sat there, scrolling through his phone, but something about the way he leaned back, one hand tucked in his pocket, the lazy tilt of his head… it wasn't David. It was Daniel. My heart lurched. No, Daniel couldn't be here.
Then he lifted his head. Our eyes locked. Time stalled, everything fading except his familiar grin, slow and unshakably his.
"Hey, pretty," he said.
"Daniel…" My voice barely escaped, fragile, disbelieving.
His grin softened into something shy, almost vulnerable. "You recognized me."
I gasped, tears pricking my eyes. "Daniel, how… how are you here?"
In two strides he was in front of me, pulling me into a hug. For a moment I just melted, arms winding around him. Daniel. Real. Here.
When he pulled back, his smile carried both relief and nervousness. "How did you know it was me?"
I laughed through the lump in my throat. "Neither of you can fake each other's temperament for long."
He chuckled, nodding. "Fair enough. How have you been?"
I shrugged, still trying to steady my heartbeat. "Fine. You?"
He hesitated, the truth flickering in his eyes before he said, "Fine as well."
A throat cleared behind him. Daniel stepped aside, and there was David grinning wide, a single flower in his hand.
"For you," David said with a flourish.
I smiled as I took it, warmth rising in my chest. But I caught Daniel's scowl at his twin's theatrics, which only made David grin wider.
"That's enough. Excuse us for a moment," Daniel said firmly, though his tone stayed calm.
David rolled his eyes, teasing, "Be bold, stubborn," before wandering off ahead.
"David?" I called, frowning. "Are you leaving?"
He winked. "Not far."
I turned back to Daniel. "Where's he going?"
"Don't worry about him," Daniel said gently, taking my hand. "I need to talk to you."
We found an empty bench tucked into a quiet corner. My chest tightened as I sat, the whole airport suddenly hushed, like the world itself was holding its breath for us.
"Priscilla," Daniel began, his voice low, careful. "There's something important I need to tell you."
I smiled softly, trying to calm the flutter in my stomach.
"The time we spent together in the States… it meant more to me than I can explain. I thought about you every day since. And I realized it wasn't just fun because of the places we went or what we did, it was you. It's always been you."
I swallowed hard. "What are you saying, Daniel?"
He drew a deep breath, eyes steady on mine. "I'm saying I love you, Priscilla and I want you to be my girlfriend."
The world tilted. My heart felt like it might burst. Daniel—he loves me.
"I should have said this back in the States," he continued, voice rougher now. "But I thought maybe there was something between you and David. He told me there wasn't. And I…I couldn't stay away anymore. I had to come. Why aren't you saying anything?"
A laugh slipped from me, shaky but bright. "I was waiting for you to finish."
Relief spread across his face, his smile breaking wide. He squeezed my hands. "So? Will you say yes? Will you be mine?"
Tears spilled freely now as I nodded. "Yes, Daniel. I will."
His joy was radiant. He leaned forward, but I playfully lifted the flower between us.
"I love you too, Daniel," I whispered, my voice trembling but sure. "I should have said it sooner, but hearing this from you… my heart is full. I love you."
His laugh was soft, almost choked. He set the flower aside and pulled me close into a gentle, lingering hug.
"I nearly lost you," he murmured. "Forgive me for hesitating."
"It doesn't matter," I whispered back. "You came."
"And I always will." His forehead rested against mine, and for a second, the airport disappeared.
A loud cough shattered the moment. Daniel pulled back with a chuckle, and I turned, David stood a few feet away, winking shamelessly.
"I go love o. Abeg, let's leave here. I'm starving," David called.
I burst into laughter, standing with Daniel as he shook his head.
"You couldn't wait?" Daniel grumbled.
David smirked. "You two were about to forget me. Pretty, remember we're friends. Don't abandon me because of lover boy."
Still laughing, I teased, "This is why you need your own girlfriend. Then you wouldn't feel so lonely."
Daniel slid his arm through mine, his smile relaxed now, whole.
David groaned theatrically. "Ah! The two of you together, eyesores!"
I leaned into Daniel, warmth rushing through me as he pressed a soft kiss to my head. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," I whispered back.
David made a gagging noise. "Eyesores! Complete eyesores!"
The three of us laughed, the sound mingling with the chaos of the airport as we walked toward the exit. My hand in Daniel's, my heart steady at last. We stepped outside, ready to go home.