For almost a year, I've kept this journal, documenting Lanre and hilarious flat mate, Sherifat. As I browse through the pages, I find the entry about the first time I met Lanre on Facebook.
I logged into Facebook that Saturday because I was really bored. I had avoided the application since my mom’s death because of the condolence messages that awaited me. I had replied almost half when I saw one from a Lanre Ogundipe. It was a strange name but I opened it regardless. There were about four unread messages and I wondered what this man had to say. He was asking about my well-being but the last text caught my attention.
Hello Adenike, I hope you are doing well. I saw condolence messages on your timeline and I really hope you are okay. If you need to talk, please message me. - Lanre.
I laughed because he ended the message with his name and immediately checked his profile. He was 40 and had two kids. I wondered why a married man living in London was texting a 23 year old trying to figure out her life in Nigeria. Where was his wife?
I replied with a quick thank you message and closed the app. Sherifat would be back anytime with her annoying girlfriend and I didn’t like being around her. I dashed to the bathroom, freshened up, hastily dressed, and headed over to my aunt's place in the neighboring estate.
Just as I was about to step inside her home, a notification chimed on my phone. It was a message from Mr. Lanre.
Wow. You finally replied after three months. I’ve been following you for a year now and if you don’t mind, I would love to know more about you. -Lanre
I was tempted to disregard the text, but curiosity got the better of me and I couldn't resist asking him why he always signed off his messages with his name.
Oh nice, I’m more interested in knowing why you end messages with your name. Also, I went through your profile and saw your kids. It won’t be convenient talking to a married man.
I just enjoy signing my name at the end of messages. It has always been my thing. I also understand your concern but I’m a widower. I lost my wife 15 years ago. - Lanre
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope I've not caused any discomfort; I just wanted to be sure.
I’m not going to bore you with our texts but that’s how our story began. Lanre lost his wife two years after marriage during childbirth but their children survived. She gave birth to a set of twins and Lanre named them Oluwaseyike and Oluwaseyifunmi. He mentioned that they relocated three years after and he has been raising the kids with occasional help from his sister-in-law.
Lanre was the sweetest man and although the age difference bothered me sometimes, I decided to give it a try. After two months of talking regularly, he asked me to be his girlfriend in the most romantic way; I heard a knock on the door and asked Sherifat to get it. She was squealing and I had to rush out of my room to find out why. Lanre had sent a bouquet of flowers, a food platter, two bottles of my favorite white wine, a teddy bear and a small note that read,
Adenike, thank you for two months of warm smiles. You are about 3285 miles away but I promise that won’t stop my love for you. Please be my girlfriend. -Lanre
The effort made me really happy. I was used to being the romantic one in relationships so this was really new to me and I had not even met him in person. I called him on facetime and said Yes. He looked elated and promised never to let me down.
I was rounding up my service year and a masters degree was the next step. Lanre helped me search for schools in Dublin and even wrote my application letters. Unfortunately, I got admission into a school in Toronto which was my dad’s first choice. I had not told my family about Lanre; I knew my father would not approve of him and my aunties would talk about me dating a widower during family meetings. Sherifat was the only one that knew him; he always sent a token to her when he transferred money to me.
Present Day
It’s September and I’m resuming school next month. Lanre paid for a flight to Dublin; the plan was to spend a month in Dublin with him before going to school. I was anxious; it’s one thing to bond over the phone and another to meet in person.
I travelled down to Lagos to see my father before travelling. He spent hours reminding me to face my studies and not waste his money. No one knew I wasn’t going to school straight, even Sherifat. I considered telling her but decided against it.
My dad is driving me to the airport and there’s a sad look on his face. Is he going to miss me? I prayed silently for him; apart from our daily arguments, he was the best dad. Before he dropped me off, he hugged me tightly and gave me a peck on my forehead.
I walked around aimlessly before asking for directions from security. It was my first time in an airport and everything was so confusing. He helped me get familiar with the entire process and I thanked him with a thousand naira note.
I checked in and waited in the lounge. There’s a couple sitting opposite me and they are making me think of Lanre. I really can’t wait to see him. My flight was announced and I walked to the plane.
I found my seat easily and settled in. I was excited and nervous at the same time. My seat partner saw me struggling with my seat belt and offered to help. I thanked her and explained that it was my first time flying; she took this as an opportunity to tell me about her experience too.
The takeoff process was strange but I adjusted quickly. I brought out my journal and started to write.
I really can’t wait to see Lanre and the twins. I’ll smother him with hugs and ki..
I couldn’t complete the sentence because the plane started shaking violently. The air hostesses tried to calm the passengers that started screaming but you could see the terror on their faces.
The pilot was making announcements but I couldn’t hear anything. I tried praying like my seat mate but it was impossible. All I could think of was Lanre; the last time we spoke was before I boarded the plane. Is this how our love story would end? I thought about my father. How would he bear another loss? He would watch news of a plane crash and shake his head, not knowing his daughter was on the plane. Then he would wonder why I never called when I got to Canada. Sherifat crossed my mind. I would miss her beautiful smile.
I heard some children screaming and watched parents try to pacify them; I was glad that wasn’t my situation. I thought of Lanre again then I prayed, I prayed for him and the twins, for my father, my aunties and even Sherifat.
The plane was moving at an uncontrollable speed now; the pilot just announced that he had lost control of the plane. I looked around and saw people’s faces. We already knew how the story would end.
I closed my eyes and let tears flow. I cried for the lover I would never meet and the father I was leaving behind. My only consolation was hoping to meet my mother soon, So I embraced the darkness that was to come.