𝓛𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓼

𝑬𝑵𝑶 𝑷𝑶𝑽

I walk slowly into Pepkin's Tavern, scanning carefully through the diverse faces as I search for a familiar one.

There he is, sitting on a tall bar stool with his elbows relaxing on the counter and his back turned away from the rest of the people enjoying themselves at their various tables.
 

The blueish rays of the ceiling ring bulbs illuminated the place, helping my eyes to visibly spot his unmistakable, majestic shoulders that spread prominently within his striped shirt.He is a beauty. For a man, he stands out among many.

 
"Stop tripping, Eno.” I hear a voice in my head say, "You know why you are here. Just get your bangle and leave before things get complicated."
 

I sigh slightly before examining my outfit of choice. I have on a plain, deep blue mini dress that clings sensually to my form. The dress's left sleeve is long enough to reach my wrist, almost concealing the small, black leather watch on my wrist. The right sleeve, however, is replaced with a thin strap, and my feet are in a pair of simple black sandal heels. Despite the simplicity of my outfit, I still felt that I overdressed.
 

I decide to let down my long braids instead of banding them up as I usually do. Instinctively, I slide the hair on my left side to the back, showing off part of the long silver earrings on my ear.
 

The slow, romantic tune playing helped set the atmosphere into a lovers zone, which only made me more nervous as I prepared my feet to move.
 

I clutch my black purse firmly with both hands as I walk closer to his side, and without invitation, I sit on the stool beside him to keep my wabbling feet from tripping.
 

I immediately noticed the surprise evident in his eyes, but what was more captivating was the sparkle in them.
 

"I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up and I'd have to leave here heartbroken," Wale says, giving those flirtatious smiles. He sure knows how to enthuse a lady.
 

I wear a small smile on my face before gently looking away. He must have noticed my sudden shyness because I hear him snigger in amusement. And without being told, I borrow a little confidence and carry it proudly on my shoulders. "I’m here, aren’t I?" Can I have my bangle, please? I asked, trying to be polite.
 

"Not yet, honey, you—"
 

"Honey?" I snigger.
 

"Hmmm?" He replies, making it seem as though I literally referred to him as 'honey.
 

He raises an eyebrow at me, then draws closer to me, causing a warm flush on my cheek.
 

He’s close—too close. My mouth sways slightly open, trying to at least stutter a word, but disappointedly, it remains that way. "He’s smooth.” Wake up, Eno.” I mentally yelled at myself. But yelling for my sanity is useless now as my lips coyly form a smile.

 
He draws back to himself when the bartender opens a bottle of an expensive wine Wale had ordered and pours the contents into the wine glasses in front of us. Then leaves to attend to other customers.
 

"Why am I here?” I asked, and almost immediately when we were left to ourselves again.
 

"You didn’t believe me when I said you enchanted me?” He asks back.
 

"Please wake up; this isn’t Disney, and neither are we children. But of course, it’s true what they say."
 

"Who says?" His curious eyes are a testament that he didn't understand what I meant.
 

"They!" I reply, laughing.
 

I watch him giggle. "He is too good to be true.” I tell myself, "Maybe he’s one of those prince charming after all."
 

"You have a good sense of humor; I like that.” He complimented me.
 

Did I impress him? "Nigerians are fond of answering a question with a question," I say to him, remembering he hasn't told me why I'm here.
 

"Proudly Naija." He makes a peace sign with his fingers and laughs. "You don’t remember me, really?
 

"No. Please, can you kindly help jog my memory?" I request, sipping my drink.
 

"At Primy Bar, the guy you accidentally hit on your way out of the bar and blamed it immediately on him.” He turns to take a sip of his drink, leaving me to my thoughts.

I recall he mentioned that at Uche's party, but I didn't fully pay attention to him. I drift my attention from him, trying to remember the encounter at the Primy Bar, and then the thought of Chidi creeps into my head as I successfully remember my unexpected meeting with Wale while exiting the bar.

I can feel my countenance change, and I know Wale notices it too. He places one hand gently on mine, and the sensation forces my heart to beat erratically.

 
I instantly withdraw my hand from his. "You should have watched where you were going.” I reply in a low voice, exhaling slowly to steady my beating heart.
 

"Yes, but you ran off, leaving me with no chance of apologizing."
 

He is right. "Wait! Is he trying to be modest?” I ask myself,surprise?

 
"There was no need for that; I was—” I pause, stopping myself from giving any details as to the reason for my behavior at the bar.

 
I can’t be talking about my bad relationships to a complete stranger who I think is trying to get in between my legs and then board the next bus out of my life. He’s just going to end up being a plus one to my already full and aching list of bad relationships. I won't take that chance.
 

"Are you OK?" He asked in a sincere tone. Softening his voice the moment he observed my sudden calmness.
 

“Yes," I respond immediately. "So, are you friends with Uche?” I ask him, changing the topic and hoping he rides along.
 

"No, I’m not. I mean, I know the guy, but I won’t particularly call us friends.”
 

“Ok," I say, drinking the wine in my glass.

 
"He’s friends with my cousin; I went to the party with him. There and then, I sighted a gorgeous lady standing at the door, so consumed in the conversation with her friend that she couldn’t notice a lonely soul reaching out to her.” He goes on, smiling again and placing his captivating gaze once more on me.
 

Again, that hot rush on my cheek "Wow," I hear my voice fall shy like a girl on a first date with her crush.
 

"I refused at first to go with him, but now I’m so happy I did. He relaxes his back, placing his elbow on the counter.

 
"Of course you are.” I smile into my glass of wine and sip it slowly. This makes Wale rumble out a low laugh without taking his eyes off me. If anything, he must have notice how timid I look right now and it amuses him.
 

As we sit beside one another, the beautiful blueish glow of the tavern's lights casts a warm glow on our faces. Every time our eyes met, my heart begins to beat a bit faster, a subtle indication of our underlying attraction.

 
Our dialogue is set against the lively chatter and music, which, despite my internal conflict, flows naturally. I catch myself chuckling at his jokes while fidgeting tensely with the glass rim in an effort to hide my mounting emotions. My spine tingles with even the slightest touch, and I catch myself sneaking glances when I think he's not looking.
 

As the night goes on, I come to the realization that although the feelings I have are true, a barrier of doubt prevents me from fully accepting them. Our romantic intensity is apparent considering my inner struggles, leaving us both, well, mostly me, in a complicated emotional dance.

 
I'm not intending to fall, but this guy isn't making it any easier. God indeed took his time in creating him, with everything perfectly placed. Just while he sips his wine, I quickly examine him.

 
His lips are so delicate and rosy. I bet he will be a fine kisser. His arms are so strong, I’m certain he knows how to work them. The fantasy of being in his arms possesses me so much that I don't realize I'm biting my lower lips. "Eno, snap out of it." That inner voice scolds me again, forcing me to startle a bit. How embarrassing.
 

Like someone jolted with electricity, I get up from where I sat and say, "I should get going.” I tell him without reservation.

 
He grins but says nothing to stop me.

 
I turn around to take a step, feeling guilty of my dirty thought, before hearing him finally say,

 
“Wait, please; it’s late. Allow me to drop you off at home.” He offers politely.
 

How can I refuse? It’s not every day one gets a free ride in Lagos. "Thanks but—"
 

“Please," he offers again, not giving me an opportunity to say no.
 

"Ok." I accept with a smile.

1513 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘