BELLA'S MEMOIRS (ENTRY #11)

HOPELESS ROMANCE

If by now you haven’t established the fact that I am a hopeless romantic, then I feel this would be the time to make it clear. My name is Bella and I am a hopeless romantic. I believe in love and the forever theory. The forever theory goes this way…you fall in love once! Hard, fast…hopelessly. And after that one real love, every other love lives in its shadow. Okechukwu’s final disappearance from my life was particularly hard because I was sure he was my one real love and I was terrified at the thought of never feeling that way about anyone again.

I know you’re probably thinking: “you’re young, you’ll meet other people” or “never say never” but some things you just know in your heart are true, and the truth was I did not think any man could have the same effect Okechukwu had on me. That was why as I got ready for my date with Yinka I was not exactly expectant. He had promised me a good time and I knew he would do his best to make sure he fulfilled his promise but really I did not think he could top any of my “Okechukwu Moments”. The dangerous bike rides at night that messed up my hair and got my heart racing, the romantic midnight walks on the beach, the drama….oh gosh I missed the drama. Come to think of it, the drama was my favourite part of the relationship…talk about twisted.

Yinka sent “a car” and I discovered that what he meant by a car was a bullet proof Bentley and an escort car. Was he trying to impress me? If he was then he was spot on. The car eventually arrived at a very luxurious hotel with a rooftop restaurant in the heart of Victoria Island which had just recently opened. I rolled my eyes…how predictable, even Vanessa had predicted that he’d take me there. I was ushered to the penthouse by one of the hotel staff and one of the guards from the escort car. It was quiet when we got on the rooftop, in fact Yinka was the only one there.

He stood up from his chair as soon as he spotted me and he watched me as I made my way towards him.

Yinka: My God! You are stunning!

Wait…did I describe my look to you? I was wearing a black jump suit that had a gold band at the waist. The band was very snug around my waist so it gave me an hour glass look. The jumpsuit had thin straps on the shoulders. I accessorized with a Chanel brooch and matching earrings. I had on a pair of red strappy sandals and matching lipstick (the only make up I had on). My hair was swept up in a chignon and I had sprayed on a generous amount of my favourite perfume, an Oud fragrance by Christian Dior (bought for me by Okechukwu). I looked classy and sexy…which was my exact aim.

He pulled out a sit for me and I blushed as I sat down. He was such a gentleman. He had on a cream crested blazer, a white shirt and dark brown trousers. He looked…rich.

Me: It’s awfully quiet here today. It’s my first time here but I heard it’s usually busy.

Yinka: Yes Beautiful, but today it’s just us.

He said snapping his fingers at the waiter who was on standby waiting to be called.

Me: Just us?

Yinka: Yes ma’am. I reserved the entire restaurant for you, I didn’t want to have to share you with anyone tonight.

He had just earned an extra brownie point for innovation even though I was playing it cool acting like it was normal for a guy to close out one of the most exclusive restaurants in town for me.

Dinner with Yinka was easy. I felt like I had known him for a long time. He had also gone to school in America so we had a lot to talk about. The chef served us himself and dessert was amazing. I have a sweet tooth and I was so comfortable with him that I didn’t hold back, I went all out and satisfied all my cravings.

Me: I’ve had so much to eat tonight, I definitely have to work out tomorrow.

Yinka: So what do you do to work out?

Me: I go to the gym or go jogging around the estate.

Yinka: So you don’t play any sport?

Me: No. I actually flunked gym class in high school.

Yinka: Who flunks gym class?

He asked laughing.

Me: Be nice! I was tiny, I could barely carry my own backpack without falling over and they wanted me to compete with all these huge girls. It was a traumatic period for me.

He laughed harder.

Yinka: I play basketball, football and golf. So choose one.

Me: Why do I have to choose one?

Yinka: You have to choose one because sports is the way I relax so I spend a lot of time playing. I have to teach you one so we can play together. It’s the one way I get to spend as much time as I can with you.

Me: Hmmmm. Basketball…I’m way too short. I wouldn’t be able to beat you at that. Football….obviously I can’t run as fast as you can. So golf it is.

Yinka: Great! I was hoping you would say that. I actually don’t play the other two sports, I only mentioned them so you wouldn’t find me boring. A lot of people around here see golf as a retirement sport.

We both laughed.

Me: So what if I had chosen football for instance?

Yinka: I would have started football lessons tonight.

I blushed again!!!! I just couldn’t stop.

Yinka: It’s so incredibly cute when you blush. Makes me want to…

He stopped in mid-sentence. I was curious to know what he would say but I didn’t want to ask. Eventually I was ready to go. I had had such an incredible time, I kept waiting for him to ask to see me again. I had initiated the first date so I didn’t want to initiate the second. Finally he said:

Yinka: I would have asked when next I could see you but I have to go back to London first thing in the morning.

Me: Go back?

Yinka: I wasn’t in the country when I called you last night. I was in London roaming my phone but you asked to see me –of course I couldn’t say no. So I flew private this morning to be here for dinner but I have to be back in London on time for the function I travelled for. I am the keynote speaker at an event for Young African Entrepreneurs in the UK. I am back in two or three days.

I was speechless!

Me: Yinka you didn’t have to do that. We could have just had dinner when you got back!

Yinka: I couldn’t wait that long to see you. Come with me.

Me: Huh?

Yinka: Come with me to London. I promise I wouldn’t do anything you don’t want me to do. I would be a perfect gentleman. You don’t have to stay in my house if you don’t want to. Just come with me.

I knew it was crazy but I wanted to go. Technically Yinka was supposed to be the rebound guy and wasn’t that the essence of a rebound guy? The rebound relationship is supposed to be so full of indiscretions and irresponsible behavior it makes you forget your past relationship. I had seen the guy only twice. Didn’t know his house…wait a minute wasn’t he the vice president’s son? What could he possibly do to me? I wanted to go but as usual… I had to front.

Me: I don’t know Yinka. I have to think about it.

Yinka: Fair enough. I leave at 7am so if you change your mind before then just let me know.

His car dropped me off at home and I floated up the stairs. I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman except of course for the fact that I wasn’t a “working girl”, I was a “jobless girl”. When he had asked me what I planned to do career wise I had told him Public Relations. He had immediately changed the topic. I didn’t know whether it was because he had nothing to say about the issue or if he wasn’t impressed by it. I made a mental note to bring it up again on the way to London. London??? I had to call Vanessa.

Vanessa: Hey Bee, I have been waiting up for your phone call. How was your date?

Me: Unbelievably romantic!

I told her all of it. The cars, the closed out restaurant, the food, the dessert and the offer to go to London she kept screaming into my ears.

Vanessa: Oh my God!!! Why did I go to the ladies that day? May be he would have noticed me first. So have you packed?

Me: Did I say I was going?

Vanessa: Bella you have started! Please he is the Vice President’s son! He won’t be foolish enough to do anything to you that would cause a scandal besides the guy has so much to lose if he tries anything stupid. Please go and have a good time abeg. It’s not like anything would happen sef …Bella the saint.

Me: Whatever!

I still hadn’t told her that I had almost slept with Okechukwu.

We hung up but only after Vanessa came up with a plan. I was to go with Yinka to London, tell my family that I was in her house and then roam my phone. It was only two days and she was convinced I could pull it off.

I was nervous and excited but there was one little issue…if I went on this trip with Yinka I was officially ending things with Okechukwu. We had been in limbo, neither of us had officially ended things except his “Best wishes” message… but my travelling with another man was a statement that I had made a decision. In a moment of champagne infused spontaneity, I got into my car and headed to Okechukwu’s house.

When I arrived at his house in Oniru, it was a few minutes to midnight. I called a couple of times and he didn’t pick. No surprise there, he hadn’t taken any of my calls since the night he had left my house in anger. I had never come to his house unannounced so I didn’t know what to do. I got out of the car and knocked on the gate. The guard Musa peeped through the opening.

Musa: Madam good evening o. Long time no see.

Me: Musa please is Okey at home?

Musa: Abeg oga dey expect you? E no tell me say you dey come ma.

I knew Musa was under strict instructions not to open the gate unless Okey confirmed to him that he could. I needed to see him. A lie instantly popped into my head.

Me: His best friend Dapo is in the hospital and Okey is not picking his phone. I have to see him now it’s urgent.

Musa: Ah! Oga Dapo.

He instantly opened the gate and I made my way to the front door, Musa attempted to follow me but I told him to stay back. Okey’s cars were in the driveway and the house was all dark. He was probably in bed. I pressed the doorbell and shortly after I heard a female voice call from the other side of the door.

Mystery Lady: Musa wetin?

I was totally unprepared for this. I had prepared for Okechukwu to throw me out of his house, hug me tight or simply stand and stare at me but I had not prepared myself for the possibility of meeting another woman. I remained frozen. She peered at me through the hole in the door and then the door flung open.

She was very pretty. Dark skinned, tall with a very voluptuous figure. Her hair was all tousled and she was wearing what I recognized as Okechukwu’s t-shirt and nothing more. My heart started racing fast and I was sure I was going to burst into tears.

Mystery Lady: Yes? How may I help you?

Me: I wanted to speak to Okechukwu but its ok it can wait. It’s really late I should go.

I was already turning around to leave when I heard Okechukwu’s voice.

Okechukwu: Ese who is at the door?

Ese??? This was Ese his supposed ex-girlfriend???… My eyes instantly filled with the tears I had been trying to suppress.

He came and stood behind Ese and our eyes met. He was wearing only a pair of shorts. They seemed very ‘cozy’. I spun and ran towards the gate. He followed me.

Okechukwu: Bella wait!

I didn’t answer, by the time I got to the gate it was locked, I started pounding on it and shouting Musa’s name so he could come and open the gate. Okechukwu caught up with me at the gate. He grabbed my arm.

Okechukwu: Just chill and listen to me.

I pushed him but he won’t let go of my arm. Musa came and opened the gate.

Me: Let go of my hand.

Okechukwu: Bella I….

He stopped in midsentence.

Me: You what…?

He remained silent.

Me: I thought as much.

He let go of hand and I cried all the way home, I guess I had found what I was looking for. The final nail in the coffin of our relationship. I couldn’t sleep that night and at 2am I sent Yinka a text. It read…

I’ll be ready at 5am. See you.