I was in my room, working, when my phone lit up with an unfamiliar number. Curious, I picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Daniel, it's Priscilla. Good morning."
For a moment, I froze then a smile spread across my face. "Priscilla…hi" I sat up straighter, energy rushing through me. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. I actually need your help, are you busy?"
I glanced at my open laptop, the half-finished work staring back at me. Whatever it was could wait.
"No," I said quickly. "What do you need my help for?"
"Well…" she hesitated, then her voice softened with a little laugh. "The thing is, I'm done with the work I came here for, so I want to spend today having fun and sightseeing. I was wondering… if you're not busy, can you spend the day with me?"
My chest warmed at the thought. "Hmm… Priscilla"
"Please, Daniel," she cut in, almost pleading. "I'll be lost and bored without friends."
I chuckled. There was no way I could say no to her. "Okay, I'll come. Text me where you are and I'll come pick you up. Are you at the hotel?"
"Yes."
"Fine then. Give me twenty minutes and I'll be there."
"Thanks, Daniel. See you soon."
"Okay. See you."
When the call ended, I closed my laptop without a second thought and stood. A thrill ran through me, quick and electric. She wanted to spend the day with me. Just me!
I hurried to get dressed, my mind already racing ahead wondering what the day would bring, and why just the sound of her voice had me smiling like this.
I arrived at the hotel earlier than planned. I wasn't sure why I rushed maybe some part of me just couldn't wait. Standing in the lobby, I caught myself scanning the entrance, heart thudding like I was sixteen again waiting for a crush.
Then she appeared.
Priscilla.
Her smile hit me first warm, unforced, the kind of smile that seemed to quiet everything around it. She wasn't dressed fancy, just casual, yet somehow she stood out, like the city itself had paused to make room for her. My chest tightened, and for a second, I simply froze, letting her presence wash over me.
"Daniel," she said, her voice soft, teasing at the edges.
"You're ready?" I asked, trying to sound calm, though the slight hitch in my voice betrayed me.
"Of course. Today is for fun." Her eyes sparkled, alive with a kind of light that drew me in far too easily.
We stepped out together and walked toward my car.
As I drove through the streets, I stole a glance at her, the way she leaned into the seat like she belonged there. She turned to me suddenly. "So, how have you been?"
"Fine. You?" I answered with a smile that felt too quick, too eager.
"Fine." She grinned, studying me like she was weighing more than just my words. "So, where's the best place to go have fun?"
"That depends. What do you want to do?"
"Hmm… shopping, the beach, games everything possible."
Her excitement was contagious. I laughed, the sound surprising me with how light it felt. "Okay then, let's go."
I took her to Santa Cruz Beach and parked just outside. The salty breeze swept over us as we walked down toward the Main Beach. We bought ice cream and snacks, then settled on the sand. Around us, children's laughter mingled with tourist chatter and the steady rhythm of the waves.
"Tell me about you," I said, breaking the silence before it made me too aware of how much I enjoyed just sitting there with her.
She smiled, her eyes glowing as she spoke. "Okay, so my name is Priscilla Omololu. I'm from Ogun State, Nigeria. My mum is no more, so it's just me, my dad, and my younger brother." Then she tilted her head toward me. "What about you?"
"Huh… I'm Daniel Babalola. I'm a twin, and I have an older sister. We're from Oyo State."
"That's nice. Is your elder sister here in America too?"
"No. She got married last year and moved to Scotland with her husband. They visit sometimes." I smirked, leaning closer, letting playfulness mask the sudden shift in my chest. "What about your brother? Is he married?"
She hit my shoulder lightly, her laughter like a spark. "If his older sister isn't married, how would he be married?"
"So, Miss Bola, you're not married?"
"That's a sharp observation, Mr. Daniel. Thanks for noticing." Her smile lingered just long enough to make me look away before it gave me away.
We both laughed, the sound folding into the sea breeze as naturally as if it belonged there.
"So, no fiancé or boyfriend waiting for you at home?" I asked, a little too casually.
She shook her head. "None. And you? Married?"
I shook my head, softer this time. "No. Neither a girlfriend nor a fiancée."
"Why not?"
I shrugged, turning my gaze to the waves instead of her. "I haven't met the one I'm ready to spend my life with, I guess."
She tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "So, indirectly… you're not in love right now."
I looked at her then, really looked, and felt something shift. A small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. "I never said I'm not in love right now."
Her lips curved knowingly. "Hmm… so are you?"
My pulse quickened, but I forced my expression into a teasing mask. "Maybe." I winked, but inside I hated how much truth clung to that single word.
"Come on," she pressed, leaning a little closer, "you can tell me. Who is she?"
I stood quickly, brushing sand from my jeans before I gave myself away. "I'm not sure yet. Do you want to ride the roller coasters now?"
"Nice diversion," she teased, her laughter ringing out as she rose.
I shrugged, grinning, but inside I knew she'd struck closer to the truth than I was ready to admit. Together we walked toward the roller coasters, the air between us alive with laughter and playfulness, yet underneath it all, something deeper was stirring something unspoken but impossible to ignore.
PRISCILLA'S POV – Her personal thoughts
I had so much fun riding the roller coaster with Daniel. The wind whipped past my face, my heart racing from the speed and the laughter we shared. Every twist and turn made me laugh harder than I expected, and every time I glanced at him, I felt a strange flutter in my chest.
Bowling next, I cheered and teased him, and he laughed with that easy, effortless grin that made my chest tighten in a way I couldn't ignore. Even at the restaurant, sitting across from him and sharing food and stories, I felt… different. Lighter. Free.
There was something about being around Daniel that made me feel like I could be completely myself. I could talk openly, laugh loudly, even be silly, and he never judged me. Not once. And the more time we spent together, the more I realized how much I liked it, how much I liked him.
A small part of me started to worry, though. The way my heart fluttered when he smiled, the way I caught myself watching him when I thought he wasn't looking, it scared me just a little. Could it be that I was… starting to have feelings for him?
I shook my head slightly, trying to dismiss it, but the truth lingered, warm and persistent, like sunlight creeping through the cracks of my thoughts. I didn't know where this would lead, but for the first time in a long while, I didn't want to think about that. I just wanted to stay here, in this moment, with him.