I've never been the type to be over the moon that much when it's Valentine's. But then, I love how people display love, gift each other, and the various people who keep on being expectant of something but might not later get anything. But then, it just so happened that there's this particular lady I've been seeing around for a while. We most times meet at the bus park most times when going to school, and while in school too, I don't know how, but then, we usually meet once or twice despite how big my school is, and we aren't even doing the same course; still, we will cross each other's path. We've only exchanged names, departments, and just greetings anytime we meet. I haven't had enough courage to tell her I liked her.
So, as you might have guessed, the story began from the bus park. That morning the traffic was tense; various buses, cars, and all were blaring their horns. Here’s the polished version: Here’s the polished version: My lecture was at around 10 a.m., so I still had some time. At that point, it was just a few minutes past 7 a.m. I wanted to settle some stuff in school; that's why I left home early, but getting to the park and seeing how rowdy everywhere was, I gave it another thought. So, I sat down somewhere and decided to wait like an hour till the traffic eased. A few minutes later, I sighted this lady coming in my direction. Immediately, I dipped my hand inside my bag to bring out my headset and act as if I didn't see her, but by the time I had it out, it was already too late; she'd seen me already.
"Hey, Toyosi. Good morning." She said as she spotted me.
"Morning Cynthia." I replied, checking if my voice wasn't too loud.
"Waiting for the bus too?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah." I managed to respond, my voice trying to betray my steeze.
She sat close to me, collected the headset from me, and wore it on her head as she smiled and nodded her head to the Burna Boy song being played. I couldn't help but steal glances at her. Not long after, the crowd at the park reduced, and we made our way to board a bus. It just so happened that we couldn't find a space to sit when it was our turn, so we stood next to each other. And just as if she was pinched, she removed the headset, looked me in the eye, and said...
"I saw you yesterday..." She paused and continued, "You were wearing one blue hoodie with black jeans." She said, nudging me.
"Ohh, maybe." I managed to respond. That particular hoodie seems to have become a spotlight.
She wanted to say something else, but then the bus ran into a bump that threw us off balance. "Sorry." I managed to say. She looked at me and smiled. Throughout the ride, I was just hoping I could have enough courage to talk, to let her know I really liked her. I even went as far as rehearsing what I would say, but courage refused to find me.
Well, that day went, and even days after. Then came February 14. I never knew that day would later turn into one when we celebrate our love. I was in class that day, and my friends who knew I had eyes for the lady won't stop disturbing me. "Won't you voice out? Won't you do something? Guy, na man you be o" and many more were the things they were saying. And on that particular day, they disturbed me to an extent where I had to leave the class for them and decide to go take some fresh air outside.
We were to start our exams the next day, so everyone was busy reading and stuff. I got outside, but all the tree shades had been occupied by students; some were reading, and some were gisting. As I was about to turn back, I noticed a tree behind one of the classes. The tree was surprisingly free, so I walked there and sat down. I had barely sat down when I had a phone ringing. It wasn't mine, so I looked around and noticed that someone else was actually sitting on the other side of the tree. It was a big tree, so it's understandable that I never noticed. Immediately I saw the person and turned back; our eyes had met for a second, and immediately my brain processed who it was: Cynthia.
I glanced back and met her eyes again. "Hi" I said, a little scared. I don't know where the fear is coming from.
"Hi" she replied with a smile.
"How's exam preparation going?" I managed to ask.
"Huhm, I'm trying my best." She replied.
"And, uhm...happy Valentine's Day." I blurted out. I paused and immediately added, "And... Uhm, I would like to tell you that I have liked you...for a long time now." I said, not sure if my words made any sense.
Then she smiled, not the type that would make one feel uncomfortable; it was a soft smile.
"I was actually expecting when you would say it." She said, smiling.
"Don't tell me you knew." I said blinking.
"It's obvious." She replied. "I notice how you'd stare at me as if I were a..."
She didn't finish her sentence as she burst into laughter, and I didn't know how I joined in as well. And that laughter kind of took away the fear in me. Then she stopped and looked at me, as if studying me or trying to see the inside of me.
"Well, I like you too, and I've been waiting for you to say it." She replied, looking me straight in the eye.
"Seriously, you mean all this time?" I asked.
"Yes, all this time." She replied.
And that was how it began. After school that day, we went to the school market to get something to eat. I held her hand as we walked, talked, joked, and all. I was so happy, happy much more because I had finally crossed the bridge I'd feared for a long time.
That was a day I would never forget. I got home that day, lay down on the bed, and felt this calmness. That was when I realized that Valentine actually goes beyond gifts, flowers, and such; it's also about moments, moments like the one I experienced, moments where your heart beats fast, moments where your words seem to sound incoherent, and yet everything still somehow feels right.
I never planned on loving Valentine's Day, and I never planned on shooting my shot on that day too, but somehow, it loved me. And I've had to love and celebrate Valentine's Day.
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