2023, the year I tried to fall in love.

You could tell yourself no plans concerning relationship in the new year while writing out your goals but towards the end of January, you could find yourself in alter disbelief falling in love with a stranger you just started talking with.

20th January 2023, I had just moved to a new apartment and whoever says moving apartment is easy can get a backhand slap from me if they are close by. I was looking like someone that has been homeless for months considering the toll that looking for an apartment in Lagos takes on one’s health (Physical, Emotional and Mental health). I settled in pretty fast because I had the apartment all set up before I brought my belongings. Unknown to me, I didn’t know I forgot to send my new address to the laundry man so he could deliver my clothes to me. When I didn’t see the laundry’s man green light, I decided to put a call through to him since he has refused to call and show up with my clothes. He said he would come the next day as he had work to do.

One of the neighbors in my compound had been trying to form friendly since I moved in. Young, good looking guy but I paid him no attention because I wasn’t looking to make new friends at least not even in my compound. I told myself, I no dey do compound friendship. One faithful evening, while I was talking to my friend on phone, I heard a knock and when I asked who was knocking, it was the young, good looking neighbor. He said he heard me shout and wondered if everything was fine with me. I was surprised because I was only catching up with my friend and sometimes while I am at it, I could forget myself and my environment as I was staying alone and wouldn’t be disturbing anyone.

I told him it was nothing as I was only talking with my friend. I noticed he was trying to start another conversation so I obliged him for a few more minutes. Days after, we started seeing outside of the compound frequently and that’s how we exchanged contacts and started talking. Interesting conversations on career, faith and values but the two things he never spoke about; his family and relationships. I didn’t think of it as a big deal until it was very obvious he was trying to shy away from having the conversation. I became curious but also stayed calm anytime we get to see each other as he was already hinting he likes me.

Two months after, my laundry man decided to show up with my clothes after many follow up calls. He explained that his sister had family issues and that affected her emotionally and he had to be there for his sister because her husband left her with triplets. As he was telling me this, my neighbor walked past and to my shock, laundry man shouted “Kola!!” when he saw him. He said, aunty, that’s my sister’s husband that left her. My jaw dropped because I knew something was off but I couldn’t place it. Time will always prove things but then we go again. The right love will find you, it will find me.