I was dazed but tried to mask it.
“What are you doing here?”
Daniel didn’t seem surprised to see me. He wasn’t dodgy or guilty, just calm and collected. He extended his arms and pulled me into a hug.
“My colleague, Rhonda, called me up for a hangout. Since my babe left me hanging, I had no option but to oblige. So, this is where you’re hanging out with the girls?”
I quickly scanned Rhonda’s face for a hint of awkwardness or guilt, but she only smiled politely. I was confused—I had expected some tension, but everything seemed too normal.
“Oh, the girls? Well, they canceled on me, and good Samaritan Yemi came to my rescue.”
“Yemi? Who’s Yemi?”
“Err… the guy who bashed my car the other day.”
He squinted.
“Wait, you’re here with a substitute boyfriend?”
“Daniel, don’t call him that.”
I tried to stay composed. Was I overreacting, or was this a potential disaster?
Daniel pulled me out of the noisy club, excusing himself from Rhonda, who shrugged indifferently. Once outside, where the air was clearer and the sounds muffled, he turned to me, his tone laced with hurt.
“Dami, what do you take me for?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You planned to hang out with Yemi and decided to hide it from me. Does that mean I don’t matter?”
“Ouch. That hurts. Why are you making me feel like a liar? Don’t you trust me?”
“Oh please, Dami. Spare me. You didn’t think to tell me you were meeting him. Am I that insignificant?”
“Daniel, stop it! You’re acting possessive. We’re not even officially dating. I’m free to go out with whoever I want. Yemi is just a friend, like you. If I wanted to hide anything, why would I even tell you where I was?”
He stared at me, exasperated.
“I don’t even know what hurts more—realizing that I’m competing with the guy who bashed your car or feeling like you tried to hide meeting him. Are you in love with him? Just let me know so I can walk away.”
“Daniel, stop being ridiculous! Yemi is just my friend. Am I not allowed to have male friends anymore?”
“Just like you’re keeping me as a ‘friend’?”
I opened my mouth but stopped myself. Raising my hand to signal I was done, I replied, “You know what? I’m done with this conversation. Go back to Rhonda, and I’ll go back to Yemi. He’s probably wondering where I am.”
“There’s no way I’m letting you go back to that guy without a word. We’re going in together so I can tell him exactly what I think.”
He grabbed my arm, and I winced.
“Daniel, stop! You’re hurting me.”
The grip loosened immediately, and his expression softened. His voice trembled.
“Dami, do you know how much this hurts? I’ve always messed up good things in my life. God blessed me with wonderful women, but I took them for granted. When I met you, I felt like He was giving me another chance to get it right. And now, it feels like you’re slipping away before I even have a chance.”
The raw vulnerability in his voice caught me off guard. I placed a hand on his arm.
“Daniel, I’m sorry you feel this way. But you’re overthinking it. Yemi is just a friend—nothing more. And for the record, I’ve been waiting for you to say something real. I can’t keep living on assumptions.”
“What words, Dami? That you’re the only woman I think about every day? That I’ve told all my friends and even my mom about you? That I’ve never felt this way about anyone?”
I pressed my finger against his lips. “Shh. I’ve heard enough.”
He pulled me closer, his eyes searching mine.
“Baby, please, don’t do this to me. Don’t let me lose this. I know it’s early, but I love you. Even if I can’t define it fully, I know I’ve never felt this before.”
The sincerity in his voice melted my defenses. Cupping his face, I smiled softly.
“I’ll come home with you. But let me talk to Yemi first. What about Rhonda?”
“Leave her to me.”
I kissed him lightly on the lips and walked back into the club. Yemi’s seat was empty. Concerned, I called him, but he didn’t pick up. I then checked my WhatsApp notifications.
One message stood out:
*Hey Dami, I had to leave. Got a call that my generator house was on fire. I tried calling, but your number wasn’t reachable, so I left a message. Please forgive me for bailing. I’ll make it up to you. Stay safe.*
My heart sank unexpectedly. Shouldn’t I feel relieved that I didn’t have to explain myself? Instead, I felt disappointed. Was I secretly hoping to see Yemi again?
I quickly replied:
*Wow! What happened? Please let me know when you’re safe. Take care.*
I slipped my phone back into my bag and took a deep breath. Tonight had left me with more questions than answers.