The morning sun spilled gold across Katriel's room, brushing her eyelids with warmth. She stirred, a soft smile playing on her lips, savoring the calm before the day truly began. Her thoughts were gently interrupted by the familiar ping of her WhatsApp. A message from a friend Zack, led her to a new name she hadn't expected: Trez Yilmaz a 2nd-year engineering student in Turkey, reaching out with a smiley greeting. She had replied casually, yet something about it lingered in her mind.
The next day, another ping this one from an unknown number with a +90 code. She froze as she read:
"Merhaba, guzel."
Her heart skipped. Her cheeks warmed, and for a heartbeat, she simply stared at her phone, unsure if she was ready to admit how much that small greeting made her flutter. She typed carefully:
"Hello, and who is this if I may ask?"
"It's Trez."
And just like that, a connection sparked. Over the weeks, their messages grew longer, laughter weaving through words, glimpses of life shared across thousands of kilometers. Video calls became their secret universe. Gifts arrived unexpectedly at her door a bouquet here, a note there each one carrying his affection, each one tightening the invisible thread between them.
A year passed. Every sunrise, every small interaction had strengthened their bond. Now, finally, it was time to meet. Trez's flight from Istanbul to Lagos was long fifteen hours but the miles seemed trivial compared to the anticipation building in his heart.
Katriel, unable to sleep the night before, had imagined every detail -the hug that would finally erase the distance, the warmth of his hand, the familiar smile she had long admired only through a screen. She dressed carefully, her heart pounding in rhythm with the excitement thrumming in her veins.
Then, the moment arrived. The flight doors opened. People spilled into the arrivals hall. And there, through the crowd their eyes met.Time slowed. The world faded. Fifteen hours of travel, a year of longing, countless messages all converged into that single instant.Trez stepped forward, breath catching, a smile breaking across his face as he whispered her name. Katriel's own heart seemed to leap from her chest. Slowly, almost reverently, they closed the distance between them, until at last their arms wrapped around each other.The first hug,the first kiss. Every mile, every day apart, melted away. And in that embrace, they both knew: this was the start of every tomorrow they had imagined, finally together.
The airport seemed to vanish behind them as Trez and Katriel stepped out into the warm Lagos air. The city buzzed with life honking cars, laughter, and the smell of street food but neither noticed a thing. Their world had shrunk to the space between them, hands intertwined, eyes locked."Are we really here?" Katriel whispered, half in awe, half in disbelief, a shy smile tugging at her lips.Trez laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We are. And I've waited so long for this moment."They hailed a car, sitting side by side, shoulders brushing. Every small touch sent little sparks up their arms. Trez insisted on holding her hand, and Katriel found herself resting her head on his shoulder during the ride. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter punctuating every sentence, like they were old friends discovering each other all over again.
First stop: a quaint café overlooking the Lagos Lagoon. Trez had secretly asked the driver to take them somewhere peaceful, where they could talk without the city pressing in. They shared a plate of local pastries, sipping sweet hibiscus tea, eyes wandering between each other as if memorizing every detail."You're even more beautiful in person," Trez murmured, voice low, eyes warm. Katriel felt her cheeks flush, her heart thumping wildly."And you… you look exactly like your photos, but somehow better," she replied, her laughter mingling with his. After the café, they wandered along the lagoon, feet brushing the water's edge. Trez picked up a small seashell and handed it to her. "A little something to remember today," he said. Katriel smiled, tucking it into her pocket, knowing she would treasure it forever.As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, they sat side by side on the sand. Words became unnecessary; their closeness, the gentle brushing of fingers, the shared smiles said everything. A quiet understanding settled between them,they were finally here together and nothing else mattered.
Trez leaned in, brushing his lips against her forehead. "I promised you love across distance," he said softly. "And now, I get to show it in person."Katriel's heart swelled. "And I've been waiting for you every single day," she whispered back.
The city hummed around them, but in that moment, Lagos was theirs alone a beginning, a promise, and the start of a thousand unforgettable memories.