I met Lakunle at the mall that afternoon. It was exactly a month I got back from service and I wanted to just get some snacks to munch on.
Raymond, one of the family driver had
escorted me down but I asked him to wait for me in the car while I do my
shopping.
I couldn't get over the fact that my
friends called me "Petite" all through my secondary school days till
I graduated from Kwara state University.
I was wearing one my favorite flowery gown
with my gold necklace and watch, packing my braided hair to the back because I
value simplicity a lot.
I entered the mall, picked up one of the
basket with aim of getting a lot of snacks and other junks.
I moved from ice cream spot down to where
they placed the juices, I picked some minced pie, to chicken and other
varieties.
I was almost going back to the counter
before I remembered I hadn't picked pringles. I love pringles so much that I
can take that every day without getting tired.
The shelve in which the pringles was placed
was a bit of a struggle for me as my hand couldn't reach. I looked around to see
if I could call on one of the staff to help me bring some down.
"Can I help you with that?" A
baritone voice said behind me.
I turned to look at who it was and I saw a
young light skinned man, in a blue jean and round neck black polo.
"Sweet oh sweet" I muttered
silently and he asked again if he could help me with the pringles, this time he
asked with a smile and it seem to be the brightest thing I've seen all day.
Without hesitation, I requested he should
help me with it and he agreed.
"I love pringles too" he added.
"Oookay" I replied with a smile
back and I could bet with you that there was a connection but I don't want to
keep the driver waiting too long.
"My name is Olakunle Abraham, just
call me Lakunle" he said while pointing his hand for a shake.
"I stay around too" he added as
we exchanged phone numbers and we departed.
That was the beginning of our friendship.
It took me a while to change his number
back to Lakunle with the love emojis in it. I had always saved his number
with "Lakunle Mall" because I don't want to forget where we met.
It has always been a thing for me to save
people's name with either the city we met, a place or other funny things. I bet you could go through my phone and see
names like "Funmi Ibadan, Ayo UK, Lanre Festac” and so on.
I can't still explain how we went from
being total strangers to being friends we can't go a day without reaching out
to each other.
We chat on Facebook down to WhatsApp and
switch from one social media to another. Everything moved so fast and I really
can't place the connection but I can call it a name, maybe it's love or more.
Lakunle had always spoken to me about his
singing gift. He has written several songs but the fear of "what will
people say" hasn't given him enough boldness to push his music out.
"Why not try out a studio
session?" I asked him out of curiosity after one of our hangouts but he
said maybe not yet.
My parents couldn't watch me sit home for
too long as it's been the 3rd months since I got back from service not resuming
either at my mom's business or applying for any job.
I just wanted to have enough rest mentally
and physically before deciding whether I want to take up a business or not.
As a graduate of accounting, getting a job
either by default or connection wouldn't be that hard, all it takes is to apply
or tell daddy which firm I would love to work in.
"My dear, I'm counting fewer years
left at service, you should get your credentials ready so you can join the
ministry of finance" my father raised the topic during dinner time one
night.
As interesting as it sounds, I wasn't sure
if I really wanted to work in the same work place with daddy but I know it
would be a plus for me to enjoy all the benefits of my father's labor.
"I will think about it daddy" I
replied
"Think about what again? You should be
grateful you have such privilege" my mother interrupted.
I still don't know which day our mother's
will understand we are no more kids and we can make some certain decisions
ourselves.
"I am no more a kid mummy, I should be
able to make certain decisions" I said silently
"Speak up, let me hear you o" my
mother said but I know I dare not say that out if I don't have any other house
to stay yet.
An idea popped through my mind that night
as we were about to sleep.
What idea is it?
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