At first I didn't want to admit I noticed him even when Kate my closest friend said "I think he likes you" I scoffed saying "Duhhh... who wouldn't??".
He wasn't even an option not like I was desperately single , if anything in fact I enjoyed being single...the freedom and of course loneliness that came with being single was bliss to me.
I even jokingly tell my friends "relationship na scam, flee from every appearances of dating" to which they'd reply comically "yes, great one we definitely prefer to cuddle rocks than humans".
Well... I didn't want Steve simple because he was married,I mean.. very valid reason, yeah?
I'm sure Steve doesn't think so I couldn't see a future with him so I didn't want to be bothered about trying.
"You know he has a wife and three children?" I query.
Turning shocked Kate says "ohh no!, little wonder you weren't interested.
I'm sorry for being a bit pushy". "A bit?" I return,
"okay maybe a little more than a bit" she replies giggling.
I've always been a believer of coincidences but this one is just too impossible.
How is Steve walking out of the supermarket the same time I'm going in?? Did he know I was coming here?? Should I talk to him?? What if...
He interrupts my thoughts with "Hello, beautiful" as if I didn't plead with him to let me be
I try to form an answer in my head, maybe something savage so he knows we're not friends and I'm not planning on being.
Instead my mouth betrays me and I utter "Heyyyyyy " in my usual nervous, exaggerated way "I didn't think I would be seeing you soon".
"You know what they say about the stubborn fly following the corpse to the grave".
Unable to hide my irritation, I say...
"That's a very unpleasant example".
He turns his face in that manner I've come to love and says "Oh really, I didn't know I was that unpleasant".
"You know that's not what I meant..." I try to explain but he interrupts,
"Of course I know, I was just pulling those long legs of yours".
Failing to hide the blush on my cheeks probably impresses him... I make a mental note to avoid any conversations hereafter.
"There's a new restaurant in town, I was hoping you would go with me sometime.." he started, cutting him short I say "Listen Steve, I don't know how to say this to you but ... It's not like I don't want to hang out or anything it's just that I respect the fact that you're married and sincerely wouldn't want to be the reason another woman has sleepless nights or become someone's prayer point as a home breaker...".
"But you're my prayer point" he utters, with that playful smirk on his face.
"Steve!! Ahhhh!! Please stop flattering me abeg".
He bursts into uncontrollably laughter before saying..
"you know I'm joking ", although for some reason a part of me thinks he's not.
Throwing caution to the winds, I said. "You know what.." looking up and facing me, his expression questioning, I continued.
"Let's go to that restaurant you were talking about".
"Perfect!!" He exclaims "I'll meet you there by 8".
"P.m?? What about your w....??" I start to question but he interrupts, "I married her not the other way round so I don't get to be controlled by her".
Maybe we have a chance... I begin to think but quickly shake the thought, the last thing I want is to cause a rift between a man and his wife...
But then again something that will end will end, with or without my involvement. We part ways and I rush through my grocery shopping grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Later I talk to Kate on the phone and tell her about my meeting with Steve.. "So you're going on a date with him?" She asks tauntingly.
"It's not really a date if you thought about it... Let's just call it a casual hangout" I say in defense..
"And can be rephrased as a date" Kate adds.
I can already imagine her face behind the screen so, making up a flimsy excuse I end the call before literally dancing to my wardrobe.
Filled with dinner gowns and corporates, beach wears although I rarely go, native attires courtesy Kate's stitches ....Yes, my best friend also doubles as my designer.. sounds amazing, right?? Not really, Kate makes me model whatever she creates before she even does, no matter how off they seem but on the bright side I always have something new to wear...
I finally settle for a black slightly-above-the-knee-although-shorter-when-I-sit dinner gown I had gotten as a birthday present from my most recent ex, Thomas... Tommy as I fondly called him was.... No,no, nothing about exes, I was only going to think of myself today and I'm sticking with that..
Bathed in almonds and rose water, not too heavily scented I'm standing in front of my full size mirror admiring myself. My dress fits like a glove, my greatest attribute...being able to fit into anything, as if custom-made. My shoulders and upper back are bare but So what??.
"Nigeria is too hot already, I don't need to be heavily clad" I always say whenever mom stats the lecture about covering up. I always laugh and men in suits walking on the streets at almost 100'C, sweating like crazy.