Thursday
AKANNI POV
Today marked the third week since I proposed to Bukky to be my girlfriend. She had told me she would think about it, and after three days, she had. I've come to terms with the fact that I have what it takes to start a new relationship after my last one sank into the ocean some years ago.
I believe Bukky is a special person—someone I can truly imagine starting a family with. She is not after money or material things. She is elegant, bold, and has that aura of a businesswoman, which is exactly what I need in a partner—not just someone who fits the home or children roles. She is just perfect for the role, I think.
"You heard what the GM said?" Leke, my colleague, asked as he entered the studio.
"No, I had to take a call, so I didn't catch it. What was he saying?" I asked.
"The GM is actually sponsoring the wine party for the new Program Director," he said, grinning.
"Whoa, there must be something going on there," I remarked.
"You can say that again," Leke chimed in.
"Uh-uh, grown men gossiping? That's truly absurd," Sewa, one of our female staff, said as she entered the studio.
"Excuse me, Sewa," Leke confronted her, while I signaled him to stop.
"Excuse you, Mr. Man. Can't believe this—what's your business in the GM sponsoring the party? Or do you also have your eyes on the new Program Director?" she mocked.
"Sewa, be careful, I'm telling you," Leke warned with a stern tone.
"Leke, she's not worth your time. Just ignore her," I calmed him down.
Actually, this lady had been one of the female staff who had been hitting on Leke, but he usually turned them down. Leke is married, yet some of the ladies were still hoping for something outside his marriage. You could say he was handsome enough to warrant their attention.
"She is so annoying, you know," Leke said seriously as Funmi left the studio.
"You can say that again," I added. "They won't rest until you give them what they want."
"That's over my dead body. I will never betray my wife for someone like them—they have no shame," he said disdainfully.
"Let's forget that," I said, changing the topic. "So, are you bringing your wife tomorrow?" I asked.
"I don't think that's necessary. It's not a couples' party, nor is it compulsory," Leke said dismissively.
"I just want you to bring her along. That way, these ladies would give you peace of mind if they see your wife," I said, checking my wristwatch.
"That's their problem. By the way, are you bringing Bukky?" he asked—he knew I had asked her out.
"I should have thought of bringing her along, but since you're not bringing your wife, I shouldn't bother her. Nobody is going to keep her company," I said, resigning.
"Alright then. And don't forget—the dress code is blue," he said as he made his way to the door.
"I'll probably go with the company's tuxedo," I said.
"The customized one?" he asked, pausing mid-way.
"Yeah… something wrong with that?" I feigned ignorance.
"Come on, rich kid. You can't possibly wear that for the party," he said, turning fully to face me.
"And what's wrong with it? Dress code is blue, tuxedo is blue," I reminded him.
"Why not—let's check in with the boss-man vibes. The new Program Director will know we're not just fill-ins, but capable," he said.
I had barely settled back at my desk after Leke left when my phone buzzed. It was Mira.
"Sir, just letting you know I'll be attending to some urgent issues at the company. Take care of yourself while I'm gone."
I frowned slightly at the message, but smiled inwardly. Mira had definitely changed since I proposed to Bukky. She wasn't like this before. Not during my previous relationships, not in any of my previous encounters. There was a new maturity in her tone, a subtle distance I hadn't noticed before. She always used to fuss over me more, tease me about little things, but now… she had stepped back in her own way.
"Noted," I replied quickly. "Take care as well. so when would you be back?"
"I should have it sorted out on Sunday, I will make it here on Tuesday then" she replies
"what! that far?" I exclaim
"yeah, if you won't be ok, you should call your Girlfriend over" she replies and went offline, she is becoming something else.
"sure, suit yourself" I texted and lock my phone
The day dragged slowly. My mind, surprisingly, wasn't racing with thoughts of Bukky—she was still a couple of days away from being a real worry—but I did notice how Mira's absence left a subtle emptiness. A quiet I didn't realize I had grown accustomed to.
By 10:30 PM, my phone rang. Bukky. I connected it to the car speaker, grateful for the hands-free.
"Akanni! Why didn't you call me today?" she demanded, her voice half-demanding, half-teasing.
I chuckled. "I was about to call you after I got out of the studio. You know… it just got late, and I wanted to make sure I had a proper moment to talk."
Bukky's teasing tone softened, but only slightly. "Hmm… alright, but don't make a habit of leaving me waiting. And what about Mira? Is she around?"
I explained Mira's leave, telling her that Mira would be gone until Tuesday handling some personal work. Bukky's voice brightened immediately. "Oh! Then come over. I want you here!."
I glanced at the clock and realized the night was getting late, but I wanted to make a good impression. "Alright, I'll be there," I said.
Before heading to Bukky's, I decided to make a quick stop at a gift store to pick up a few presents for her parents and little sister. I wanted to show my appreciation and thoughtfulness, and besides, I couldn't pass up this chance.
The streets were quiet, but the store was still open. I raised my eyebrows in surprise and gratitude. "They're still running this late? Amazing," I muttered to myself. "This moment… it's exactly because of this moment."
I quickly selected a few carefully chosen items—something thoughtful for her parents and something playful for Toke, her little sister. I wrapped them neatly, feeling satisfied with the gesture.
With the gifts in hand, I finally made my way to Bukky's place. That night was perfect—the dinner, the teasing, the playful flirting. Later, as we moved closer on the bed, I leaned in, the air between us grew charged, ready to close the gap, what begin like a soft and slow sunddenly grew more soothing, making us to want more, but Bukky place her soft hand on my chest and whispered firmly, almost shyly:
"Akanni… I want to wait. I'm keeping this for when we're married."
I smiled, caressing her hand gently. "I respect your choice, Bukky. I'll wait. You don't have to worry about a thing."
We joked and laughed after that, teasing about how close we'd gotten before she put a stop to it, and then we finally settled into a comfortable silence. I stayed the night, careful, attentive, but respectful, wondering how lucky to be blessed with such a refine lady, not only beautiful, but also God-fearing too.
The next morning, I left Bukky's place, unaware that Mira had returned home. She had prepared food for me, intending to surprise me, but I had already left. Disappointed, she stormed off, planning to confront me the next day.
Little did I know, her absence at that moment, her gesture of care, was quietly overlapping with my night at Bukky's—a night that would linger in my mind longer than I expected.