The Single Girl Diary (Part Two)

Read the Part 1 HERE

I knew what he was referring to. When we were younger, I must have been eight or nine years then. Biyi and I had a weird conversation that led to a few childish events.

‘My daddy says when you love someone you marry them,’ Biyi announced as we sat in the garage, with our school books.

‘Yes,’ I agreed, nodding. I almost always agreed with whatever Biyi said, he was older and more knowledgeable...

‘I love you; you should marry me, Kay.’

Even now, I could remember that there was no hesitation, guile or bashfulness in his statement. It had sounded so natural, so easy and so simple.

‘Yes, I will.’ I replied, with my nine year old brain. ‘Me and you against Taye and Michael.’

As customary with twins, my sister and I were always looking for ways to beat each other at things where no competition was required.

We had gotten married then, making rings out of paper we tore out from our books.

Our wedding was witnessed by the old cars that were parked in the garage. There was no ceremony, no you-may-now-kiss-the-bride, just two young uns with their pure childish love.

‘Hello. Earth to Kay. Did I say something wrong?’ Biyi’s voice brought me back to the present.

Actually what he said had triggered not just the childhood memories but some other ones too.

‘Not really. I was just remembering our wedding.’

He laughed again, a happy sound. ‘Quite a wedding huh? And you didn’t recognise me! Your husband!’

‘It’s been almost twenty years, c’mon. I’m even surprised you remembered me.’ I stole another glance at him; I still couldn’t believe he had grown this handsome and big.

‘You didn’t change much. Well, except, you got prettier.’ Then he leaned down and whispered, ‘and those eyes! I would remember those eyes anywhere!’

I giggled. And I hated myself for it. I sounded like some school girl instead of the twenty-eight year old woman I was.

‘You certainly have cleaned up your act,’ I said giving him a knowing smile.

‘Well, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,’ he winked, balancing our baskets cleverly on his arm.

I didn’t want to admit how much he affected me; just his presence alone was a bit overwhelming. It wasn’t just because he was tall and towering over me, it was more of his charisma. He had good looks and charm combined a combination every woman would find difficult to resist.

Who would have ever thought it?

I sighed inwardly as we made a beeline for the checkout counter.

Only God knew what he had been through these past years, what had formed him into the man he was now. True, our experiences in life hardly left scars on our faces, just on our souls. Like me.

To be continued

BY MIMI ADEBAYO

First Published on PRIDE Magazine