"It's a free world". Ireti responded absent-mindedly without looking up. I smiled and made myself comfortable on the empty chair right opposite her. A waitress approached me after a few seconds and asked for my order.
"I'll take what the beautiful lady's having." I smiled at the waitress. This statement caught Ireti's attention as she looked up at me indifferently.
"Do I know you?" She asked, and this time I could sense some curiosity yet calmness in her tone as she pierced into me with her dazzling gaze.
"I don't think so, but I'm sure we can begin from somewhere." I replied.
We paused for a moment. I wondered what went on in her mind as she stared at me, causing me to look away for a moment.
"Alright, you won," I replied, lifting both my arms up in surrender.
"And what did I win?" She asked, looking confused.
"I thought we were in for a staring competition."
"Hmmm, come to think of it, it was effortless and unconscious. Was there a prize for the competition?"
"Perhaps I could take you out on a treat? Of course, at your convenience, and I'll be paying." I chuckled.
"Your name again?"
"Pardon my manners; I'm Fredrick; you can call me Fred."
"Alright, Fred, it's nice to meet your acquaintance. I came here for a time alone, but your company surely interests me. 7 p.m. tomorrow, same venue?"
"I'll be honored." I smiled. She stood up to leave almost immediately; it was getting late already—8:48 p.m.—and the restaurant was about to close. "May I have your digits?" I asked as I stood up to walk her out.
"That'll depend on how tomorrow goes, Fred." She replied and walked away, her heels making quiet and rhythmical steps.
I sat back and finished up my juice after paying off the waitress, and I left for my hostel off campus.
The following day, as dusk neared, my eagerness peaked as I walked into Love's Meet Restaurant some minutes before the hour of 7. I was lucky to have the same table we sat at the previous day, and I hurriedly sat on my spot. I was compelled to look back in the direction of the breath-taking fragrance exuding from someone who had just walked into the restaurant. Violà, looking dazzling in a knee-length gown that revealed her straight legs, was Ireti, with her chocolate skin color perfecting in contrast to her white set of teeth as she sighted me at the same spot as the previous day.
"Your elegance is dazzling, Ireti." I stood up as I took her hand in mine, ushering her to her seat opposite mine. "She did not resemble the gloomy figure from the previous day, thanks to Dave, who had broken up with her," I thought to myself as I beamed with persistent smiles. The waitress was swift to come for our orders, clearly catching the attention of everyone present, giving me a feeling of pride. We chatted and talked for most of the date, getting to know many things about each other and giving each other a feeling as though we were soul mates in a previous life. Ireti avoided any talk about Dave, and I did not push further. Our first date didn't have to be ruined by hurtful memories.
Ireti and I began to hang out more often, quickly becoming an item. No single day passed by without hearing each other's voice, and oftentimes, we saw each other as time permitted. I was glad she was healed from her past relationship with Dave.
Hearing her version convinced me that Dave wanted out and gave flimsy excuses. Dave had told me no man could tolerate Ireti's excesses beyond a week, and now it's been a month since we started dating, officially. What I did not tell Ireti was that Dave was my friend, and perhaps I had approached her because he was out of the way.
My relationship with Ireti bloomed into something that could only be described as perfect. We had become so accustomed to each other that we practically shared everything. Though we were final-year students, our plans had graduated beyond college as we looked forward to a life of forever. All the traits Dave talked about were not found in Ireti, making me wonder if it was the same Ireti he talked about. Well, Dave got to know about my relationship with Ireti, and I was glad he cared less. A month before our graduation from college, I got the shock of my life from Ireti when she visited my hostel, which was off campus.
"How could you, Fred?" Ireti screamed at me, shocking me as well as confusing me.
"Babe, what are you talking about?" I asked helplessly, confused.
"I trusted you, Fred! Dave sent you to tear me apart further, right?" Her words tore into my soul, as I knew I should have disclosed my relationship with Dave to her before now. She picked up my phone's photo album and showed me an ecstatic picture of myself and Dave from my phone's gallery.
"I'm sorry, babe." The words finally came out as I watched Ireti's face soak up her tears. "I thought you'd reject me if you knew Dave and I were friends. I'm sorry, babe. He didn't put me up for this. My feelings for you are genuine; believe me." I continued. It was my first time seeing Ireti weep, and it hurt me more because I was the reason. She waved her hand, stopping me from approaching her when I reached out. She walked out of the room after wiping her face with a handkerchief. I cursed under my breath as I stared at the photo.
My respect for Ireti exceeded my imagination, for though it took a week of persistent pleas and explanations and deprivation of her attention, she gave me an audience to defend myself.
"Just this one more chance; if there's any secret you are keeping from me, you better spill it, Fred." Ireti warned sternly as I enveloped her in my arms.