John was the guy I loved so much and the affection that bound us together was to be precise, one that bore a love story any enthusiast historian would like to write home about.
At times in one's lifetime, a person comes unexpected and that person would have the greatest role to play in ones love story. In my own case came John some 13 months ago.
I was walking down the Crescent street of Ikoyi in the early part of that day and was literally crying for a breakup unexpected. I loved a guy for three months and half but when I denied him intercourse, his real intent manifested. He stopped to pick my calls and reply my chats and when he did respond once in rare blue moons, the choice of words and tune would even inflict greater pains than the ones inflicted by ignoring the calls at all.
It became unbearable for me. That was a guy I loved, my first love to be precise. Same guy would treat me as if I was just a last option in his life. His beautiful smiles ceased to show up and there was no more arrangements for dates.
I decided to hit up his apartment for a discussion about the stand of the relationship. It was a semidetached house adjoining his parents' property. The house was well painted in sky-blue and white. Via the window, I sighted Simon sitting on a couch. It took him decades to respond to my knock on his door. "Damn! I'm freezing here!" I lamented as the winter cold romance my body. When he opened the door, there was not a smile on his face.
"Simon, obviously you've changed a great deal for the past one month now. This relationship is only about 4 months old but it seems crippled for a reason I don't know."
"Vanessa, I'm sorry I won't really have time for relationships now. I want to focus more on my dream of becoming a famous rapper."
"Simon, but when you asked me out, you said you will always have time for me and now---"
"Sorry for that, now I don't think I will have such time!"
"Does that mean it's over between us?"
"I'm sorry to say it had been over since the previous month."
I felt shocked and disappointed but managed to prevent my tears from rolling down as I made my way to the exit. "Good bye Simon," I said and allowed my tears to roll freely when I reached outside the house.
It was a kilometre walk back to my apartment. I walked with sluggishness back home but the beaming of a car horn came interrupting midway.
"Hey lady…, oh you're in tears! Can I help you please?"
"No sir. Thanks a lot."
"Please lady, get into the car and let's talk. You're walking and crying in this chilly morning."
After much insistence, I hoped into the car.
"Don't cry, young lady. Please wipe off your tears." he said and offered me a white handkerchief. Though the air in the car was fresh, nothing smelled better than a contact with the piece of fabric. It was snow-white and fragrant with perfume.
"So tell me," he continued after I managed a lot to stop crying. "Why were you in tears?"
"Nothing sir. I mean, it is somehow a private stuff and---"
"Okay, I understand. Nothing should make you shed your precious tears please. By the way, I'm John Abraham and I'm glad to have you here."
"I'm Vanessa Williams. Thanks for your care and concern."
"So where is your apartment, let me drive you down there?"
"It is some few metres away. It is at Number---"
"15 Mango Street," he interrupted.
I was so amazed, but not as much as I was shocked. "How could a total stranger guess my home address?" However, I waived off the thought almost immediately.
When John drove me to my street, he requested to be friends with me and as gentle as he proved by his first impression, I had no reason to turn down the offer.
"Here is my card. It contain my personal phone number and home address. You can reach me anytime. Feel very free to do that."
"Thanks for your kindness sir, I appreciate."
When he drove off, I stood for a long time staring towards the direction via which the Rolls Royce disappeared into thin air. Back in my room, I faced reality. I experienced a breakup and that; I had to accept and move on. I cried in my closet and at the same time, thanked nature for causing the breakup just few months into my dating with Simon. If the relationship was way older than 3 months, the pain would have been double.
Days later, I copied John's contact and sent a chat to him. He responded almost immediately. He knew I was the one, obviously because my photo was on my DP.
After we had an hour of chatting, he decided to invite me to his place.
I agreed to meet him at his downtown lodge where he would apparently retire for recreation after a busy weekdays.
At first, I was not comfortable with the invitation. Though I had all freedom I needed to be with him, I still felt it was nevertheless improper to meet up someone at his place, just after meeting casually and not even twice but just once. But the pains inflicted in me by Simon, I needed a company; so I accepted the invitation.
On Saturday morning being the next day, I took a quick shower and mounted my high heel shoes. Since Simon once complimented that my fair complexion goes well with black outfits, I chose the best of my black gowns and wore it alongside golden coloured blings. My hair cascaded down my shoulders and even I could smell the scent of the hair conditioner I applied. Strawberry perfume was my favourite on sad days therefore, I sprayed it in large quantity.
"Vanessa, it's 2 pm already. Won't you have dinner before you go out? By the way, where are you going out to?"
"Mummy, I'm fine. I wanna go see a friend."
"You didn't tell me in advance so you're not going."
"C'mon mom, I'm 21 and a university graduate. I can take care of myself I promise you that. You need not worry."
"Alright then, be safe dear."
I walked to the dining table where mom was sitting and gave her a peck on her forehead.
"Bye mom!"
"Bye Vanessa! Ensure you return before dark okay!"