This is my entry to "WE83 post topics: Your first time". To join in the challenge, click here
I have chosen to write on this
Tell us about the first time you met your current partner - Where did you meet, was it a set up date or happenstance and was it instant attraction or did it rise slowly like the incoming tide? - If you like you may do a fictional story for this one, or post about the true story.
I know this sounds cliché, but everyone has a love story. And by everyone, I mean myself included.
Agreed, they aren’t all like the typical Cinderella story where boy meets girl, they fall in love at first sight, share a magical dance, and for some reason, the girl has to leave by midnight, only to end up losing her shoe.
Nonethless, like in every greatest love story ever written, Prince Charming always saves the damsel in distress, and eventually, the day. I’m not shy to admit that my love story happened no differently
Was it a bright sunny day? Nah. It wasn't a rainy day either. To be quite honest, I didn't care much about the weather on that fateful day because I was too blinded by rage to see anything else. Why? Well, that morning was an unroll of a series of unfortunate events.
You see, I was supposed to be at home taking care of my aged mother who had been ill for weeks. She had me so worried that I had to bring her over to the city to personally tend to her, and nurse her back to health. My office had ‘graciously’ granted me a week to that effect, however barely three days later, I got an urgent call asking me to be at work the next day.
That morning, I woke up early enough to provide my mother with all she’d be needing before heading out. After making certain that she’d pull through a few hours without me, as there was already improvements in her well-being since her arrival in Lagos, I set for the office.
Alas, just as I was about to leave the house, I heard the unmistakable sound of glass hitting the ground and shattering into pieces, accompanied by mama’s yelp of course. Imagine my horror as I raced to the bedroom, only to find out that she’d mistakenly hit the glass cup I’d set on the bedside table, right next to a filled jug of water. To make matters worse, in attempting to pick up the pieces, she’d sustained a cut on her fore finger, and the white tiles were already turning crimson with her blood.
Honestly, at that point, I just wanted to hit something or maybe slam the door hard. Thankfully, I managed to keep my calm, as I rushed over to her to remedy the situation. First, I had to get the first aid box so I could clean up her finger nicely, and bandage it up. Next, I focussed on gathering the broken pieces and throwing them in the bin. Afterwards, I cleaned the water that had been spilled. All of these took no less than twenty minutes.
By the time I was done, I was exhausted, sweaty, and as you can guess, very late for work. I knew I could no longer afford to hop busses, so I decided to book a ride. I thought fate was starting to smile upon me again when I almost immediately got a driver who appeared to be in my vicinity. A phone call through affirmed that he was nearby and kissing mama bye, I rushed out of the house to wait for him by the gates. Five minutes passed, then ten, I kept trying to reach this guy again but the lady on the phone with phonetics kept telling me his line was switched off. Imagine my frustration!
Furious at the events that were unfolding, I decided to walk towards the main road, hoping to catch a lift from one of my friendly neighbors. Alas, the universe wasn’t done dealing with me. I’d only taken three steps when I heard a ripping sound. I froze, eyes bulging. Then slowly, I closed them, and started to pray that it wasn’t a bad tear, all the while, taking deep calculated breaths as I was about to lose my mind. I knew the dress was old and weak, but it was one of my best, and it was such an important day that required me to look my best.
Aware that there was nothing else I could do but go back home to change, thereby losing more turn, I spun on my heels. That was when I realized what had happened.
Right in front of me was a young man who had decided to have me go half naked on the street. Apparently, he had been trying to load logs of planks into a truck. Unfortunately, many of them happened to be filled with nails, and one of those nails had caught my dress.
You know that moment when you can't choose between crying or shouting or doing both of them? That was how I felt.
"Can't you see? Are you blind? For goodness sake, don’t you know that whenever you carry a long wood like this that has got nails on it, the least you can do is look around and make sure no one is standing nearby?” I screamed at him.
In shock, he dropped the plank in his hand. Turned out he hadn’t even been oblivious of the harm he had done, and was probably not going to say anything if I hadn’t turned around.
He stood there speechless, and that infuriated me even more. I expected an apology at the very least. Honestly, he was lucky I didn't have the luxury of time. I still had to dash into the house for a change of dress, and bother about finding transportation to work.
Hissing after I was done eying him to my heart’s content, I began to step around him so I could be on my way. I’d only taken my first step when I heard another voice say;
"Miss, please, accept my apologies. I watched everything unfold, it was truly not intentional.”
I turned then, to see a well dressed gentleman walking towards me. He seemed different from the man I’d accosted earlier. He looked refined, gentle, and even though I didn’t care to admit it then, very handsome.
“The planks belong to me,” he continued as he reached my side. “Thus, I feel responsible for what happened. If you don't mind, I'd like to drive you to work— I assume that’s where you’re headed? And I can tell you are in a hurry.”
Hmmm, I thought to myself, undeniably impressed. Then aloud, I said “At least this one knows how to talk to people. Certainly knows the right words that make up an apology as well.” I watched him for a moment, wondering whether to take it up on his offer, after all, he was the reason for my predicament. Then again, what other choice did I have? I didn’t have time to be arrogant, I was already in too much of a bind.
"Where is your vehicle?" I asked, making my decision. Not that it mattered, any car would do just fine.
He pointed to a red Mercedes Benz C-class, parked just a few feet away.
Not bad, I thought to myself. “I’ll be right back.” I said. Then in a dash, I ran into my compound. Few minutes later I was back leaving my confused mother behind. I followed him to where his car was waiting. Like a gentleman, he held the door open for me and waited until I’d gotten in and was comfortable before closing it. Then, he went around to get into the driver’s seat.
"I'm very sorry your dress is ruined" he pleaded with a soft voice, as he turned on the engine.
Nodding at his apology, I simply muttered, “No 15 Jakande Road"
I saw the confusion on his face. I was in no mood to be chatty. It was obvious he didn't understand what I said by the look of surprise on his face or was it a shock I saw. Either way, I didn't care.
"No 15 Jakande Road. That is my office address." I explained. This time more slowly and with a calmer voice.
He kick-started the car then, and the next minute, we were driving off.
Thanks to Lagos traffic, it took us half an hour longer to get to the office. By this time, I was already irredeemably late. As soon as he found a place to park, I muttered my thanks, hopped out of the car, and raced like a mad woman to the office.
As I reached the conference room, I wasn’t surprised to find every manager seated and waiting. I wasn’t bothered by their long, disapproving looks either. I simply muttered my apologies as I made my way to my seat, aware that I was going to receive a query later.
“You look like you just walked out of hell”, my best friend, Beatrice whispered in my ears as I sat down.
“Well, my dear, you’re pretty spot on this time. I did just walk out of hell,” I whispered in return. Then, realizing that the meeting was yet to start, I arched my brow at her. “I know I’m late. Why’s the meeting yet to start?”
Beatrice rolled her eyes. “New CEO hasn’t arrived. Called a while earlier, said he ran into some trouble. Guess no one can be really mad at you when the boss himself is late on his first day.”
I heaved a huge sigh of relief, feeling as though a ton of weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Just then, one of the board members picked a call, and as he dropped it, announced. “He’s in the building. He’ll be with us any moment from now.”
About ten minutes later, the boardroom door opened, and our new CEO walked in, looking as sharp as ever in his expensive, evidently imported suit.
We all rose to our feet as one of the board members announced, “Welcome Mr. Benard Ofure, our newest CEO who’s going to take Guild Holdings to the next level!”
I looked up to take in the face of our new CEO. It just so happened that he chose to look at me at that moment, as well, and as our gazes locked, mine widened in shock.
Him? I thought to myself.
Yes, you guessed right. Our new CEO was none other than Mr. Benz, AKA, Mr. Plank, AKA, Mr. Driver.
I could see that he recognized me, even though he wasn’t shocked. He must have realized we were headed to the same place after I called out my office address.
But that was the least amusing thing. It was the fact that he had such an important meeting and he had been in my street, doing God knows what, and had even offered to give me a ride while keeping people waiting.
I knew right then and there, that I was never going to see eye to eye with this new CEO. I would respect him as far as office rules applied, but no more than that.
Now that I think back to that day, I can’t help laughing. Who could have imagined that barely a year later, we would be exchanging our vows by the seaside, just as I’ve always dreamed off, promising to love each other forever?
I know, I know, never say never, especially where two hearts are concerned. So yes, that’s the story of how I met my husband.
What else is there to know? I guess the fact that this has all been just a fictitious tale, made up to keep you entertained? Hahaha! You fell for it, didn’t you?
Well, that’s the power of storytelling. Who knows though? Perhaps, I shall end up meeting my Prince Charming just like that, and go on to have my happily ever after? Or maybe I already have? 😉
Thank you @galenkp for this opportunity and I hope your first wasn't this dramatic.
This is one hell of a story.. It was as if I was watching a nollywood movie. Kudos on this.. You did justice to it.. Many would believe this is real if not that you had to tell us it was a fictional story at the end.
Great storytelling skill..
That's the whole essence...hhahaha. I'm glad you loved the writing. Thanks for stopping by.
I told you you write well.this is amazing. I fell for the fiction story and it is well concocted haha. I wanted to say I didn't see where you fixed your dress or did you go home to put on another one? I enjoyed reading, Btw, that part where Mr plank became your CEO got me laughing. He held people waiting, only to be parking planks? Haha
Well, thanks for the vote of confidence but I doubt if I'm coming back full time.
Paragraph 13 has where she dashed into her house to change.
As for the CEO, he needed those planks but I don't what for...hahhahaha