"I'm sorry, but I didn't see anything of yours to indicate it belonged to you or anyone." The beautiful chocolate-skinned lady in her likely early twenties replied with a dimple on her cheek to also buttress the chuckle she freely dished out at me. Her response was supposed to be amusing; however, I was trying hard not to be offended while I maintained my calm. I knew from her response that my defense was weak as the only witness, and my friend Kola was nowhere to be found. The lady continued pressing her phone, ignoring me as though nobody stood there. Her face was unfamiliar, making me quickly assume she was one of the recent transfer students I heard had joined my department; otherwise, everyone in the department knew better than to get on my negative or bad side. The troublesome and egoistic part of me wanted to react proportionately, but as though the wind shushed me to silence, I calmly stayed put, perhaps attracting a few eavesdroppers. I stared at her, bewildered, struggling within me to curtail my anger and frustration while I sought a better offense or defense to launch at her. I was barely standing there for a minute, undecided about my next move, when Kola barged in from nowhere, distracting my uncoordinated thoughts of what to do to evacuate her from my seat.
"Femi, what's happening?" Kola asked me with concern laced in his face, perhaps sensing a tense situation between myself and the lady sitting in my seat.
"I should be asking you, Kola. I asked you to watch over my seat, but you left. God knows where, and now I am having to contend with this beautiful lady for my seat!" I replied, intentionally taking my chance to woo the lady. I noticed a quick blush on her cheek when she turned to look at me for a split second.
"I'm sorry, I just needed to pick up a note outside." Kola apologized.
"It seems you are a gentleman; the three of us could share the two seats if that's fine with you guys." The lady stranger interjected.
Kola and I exchanged glances, and we unanimously agreed to her proposal of sharing the seats. I would have preferred to sit at the other edge of the seat, but I wanted proximity to the beautiful lady.
"The name's Femi," I said, walking past the lady to sit between her and Kola.
"Temitope, but you can call me Temi." She replied, adjusting for me to sit beside her.
"You're new?" I managed to spark a conversation after settling down.
"Not really; just don't come to class often. I have some engagements outside school. I have seen you around, though; you are one Mr. Popular in the department." Temi said, causing me to wonder and blush at the same time.
"It's my pleasure meeting you; hopefully we can be friends." I asked, further engaging her.
"Certainly! My apologies for the seat inconvenience, though." She said. I was actually glad she apologized; my reserved displeasure gradually disappeared into thin air. Kola seemed engrossed with his book, giving us little attention. Not too long after, the lecturer walked into the hall, and the one-hour lecture soon came to an end. While Temi and I seemed to pass some side comments that further alleviated the tension that previously existed between us, we gradually enjoyed each other's company, sheathing our swords of offense.
We exchanged contacts, and eventually I got to know more about Temi and her busy work schedule outside of academics. She was managing a business as a self-employed person and juggling her academics. Our friendship soon blossomed, and my admiration for Temi's industrious nature increased. I put in an extra effort to avail her of necessary materials whenever she missed a class, and this made me work harder on my academics to make up for the time spent supporting Temi.
Two months later, Temi and I were in a relationship, and this was my first time being in one. It was the type of quiet relationship I always desired, and Temi was the epitome of the kind of lady I wanted. Temi soon introduced me to her business properly, and we partnered not only as lovers but also as associates, being an encouragement and guide to each other.
Five years down the line, we have two beautiful kids, Josephine and Samuel. Perhaps something in the wind shushed my ego when Temi and I met, for our love has been one to boast and be proud of.