I GOT ENGAGED

I’m a very curious person, so when I saw my friend, Bunmi, with a ring on her finger, I was surprised to say the least. Bunmi isn’t a talker. She’s reserved, and let’s just say I wouldn’t have thought, nor did I see it coming. Bunmi is very involved in the lives of others. But hers is always on DND. Hence, the reason why I thought it was nice to conduct a not-so-official interview just to share with you. I hope you like to hear a love story.

Here’s how the interview went.

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Me: Hi Bunmi, there are so many things that look good on you, but the ring is definitely standing out.

Bunmi: You’re a very funny individual. But yes, you know I’m not one to take compliments, but I definitely agree with you on this. Thank you?

Me: You’re welcome, I guess. I’ve never known you with anyone, and you’re very vague about the people you talk about. So, who is he?

Bunmi: I knew you really didn’t care about me. It was just amebo that brought you here, but you know what? I’ll indulge you. He’s my penguin.

Me: Pen what?

Bunmi: My penguin.

Me: Does your penguin by chance have a name?

Bunmi: Yes, he does. His name is Zacchaeus.

M: Say what?

B: Zaccheus.

M: Okay, I see why you call him your penguin. Who bears Zacchaeus? Is he short?

B: *laughs* You’re unbearable. And no, he’s not. He’s of normal height.

M: What is the normal height?

B: Next question, please.

M: You look like you’re so in love with this, your Zac… Can I call him Penguin?

B: Absolutely not. He’s mine.

M: Did I say he’s mine?

B: Move to the next question before I decide I’m not sharing again.

M: My bad. Where did you meet?

B: At work.

M: stares in disgust* Who dates their co-workers?

B: Maybe me?

M: I’m judging you.

B: smirks* that’s why you’re single and alone.

M: Fair play. So, was it a love at first sight kind of thing? Or the bumping into each other and colliding with hot tea or whatever is written in romance books?

B: Naaaa, it was a process. Didn’t even see him that way at first. He was just a co-worker.

M: An attractive co-worker?

B: He wasn’t attractive.

M: So you’re getting married to an ugly man?

B: When did I say that?

M: But you said… You know what, have the mic, explain how you met and all the shebang.

B: I was wondering when you would stop talking. You talk too much for the person who’s only supposed to ask questions. Yeah, my penguin. He was just a guy at work, nothing special. And we didn’t collide into each other. Whatever brought us together was basically greetings, and maybe when I had questions at work. Seeing as I met him there, he was usually my go-to.

M: Why was he your go-to?

B: He was calm. He didn’t speak when it wasn’t necessary. He just had this serene energy, and I was there for it. And I wouldn’t say he was attractive. Or rather, he wasn’t someone you would look at twice because of his face… That came out wrong. But his attractiveness would definitely grow on you. Definitely not you, but you get what I mean.

M: I get it, he’s a grower.

B: The fuck?

M: Kindly ignore. So how did you get together? What was the meeting like?

B: Errr, if I get your question correctly, you’re asking about when we started bonding?

M: Yes, that.

B: We got together during a get-together. Did you see what I did there?

M: You have pride. Please continue.

B: Nothing special. We’ve always smiled and greeted each other in the office. But every time he said my name, it was really nice to hear the way the sound of my name rolled off of his tongue. So, when the individuals at my office decided to get together. He asked if I was going to be there, and while I had initially decided against going. I gave it a second thought and decided to go.

M: How was the get-together?

B: It wasn’t anything special. Just people getting together basically.

M: I meant, how was it for both of you?

B: Well, we got together. We actually sat together and gossiped about anything and everything we could think of.

M: Sounds regular.

B: I know.

M: How did it proceed from the get-together?

B: If i hear the word get-together one more time. Anyways, during the whole shabang, I think we both realized how similar we were. He was very reserved, and I’m very reserved. It was easy to talk to him, and I guess vice versa. We were not trying to impress each other because I guess we both didn’t think of each other that way. I think? So, it was more of a friendship kind of thing.

M: What happened to opposite attracts?

B: I honestly can’t say cause I think it’s easier when you and your person are alike. You complete each other’s sentences while thinking about it and things like that. But whatever floats whoever’s boat honestly.

M: So, did you start hooking up after that? Not that I endorse premarital coitus.

B: No, we didn’t. We met up after that, though. Countless times. Just to talk and unwind after work. Sometimes at my place. But mostly at his. I don’t like people being in my space so much and he didn’t mind me being in his, so it made sense.

M: Ouuu, sounds nice. So, if you didn’t engage in coitus. What were you doing with all the time you spent together?

B: We tal…

M: Talk no dey finish for una mouth?

B: Well, if you didn’t cut me off, you’ll have heard other things.

M: My bad, proceed.

B: Like, I said, we talked, we drank and played games. But most importantly, we enjoyed a huge amount of comfortable silence. It was bliss.

M: You make the ordinary sound amazing.

B: It was. It was my jam, my thing. I didn’t like to do so much. And he didn’t either. So we bonded over doing less.

M: So, no dates?

B: Not at first. It was just hanging out in each other’s space.

M: When did the sparks start flying?

B: The sparks never flew; they grew. Is that English correct?

M: I have no idea, but I think I get it.

B: Yeah, I didn’t even know they were there until I intentionally checked for them.

M: When did the intentional dating start?

B: I guess even without a conversation, we just couldn’t imagine life without the other person. We had woven ourselves into each other’s lives so deeply that it was almost impossible to untangle. He was my person, my penguin, and I was his. But the conversation had to be had. So, we did have the conversation. And we made the decision to start dating properly.

M: What changed after the intentional dating started?

B: Nothing changed. It just opened the door to more.

M: More what? Coitus?

B: You’re obsessed. But I guess that’s part of it. I never really paid attention to him that way because you don’t sleep with your friends. Even if they are single. And I don’t know if it was the same for him, but I know he was respectful enough not to make a move. So I guess we opened that door and started paying attention to each other that way. And we became more intentional. Like I said, we’ve talked, so we had a background knowledge about most of the other things so the knowledge was there. We just needed to put in a little more effort, and we were good. He knew the type of dates I liked, nothing much, car dates, taking walks, ticking things off our bucket list, and he put all the talking we’ve always done into action. One word for it would be easy. It was easy, the process was.

M: Sounds easy and nice.

B: It is. I like it. I love it.

M: I love it for you.

B: Thank you.

M: Describe your Penguin

B: He’s kind. He’s calm. He’s easy. He’s your typical golden retriever. He’s my person.

M: Not so many words.

B: Yeah. I guess it’s not your typical sparks flying, gbim gbim type of love. He makes my heart calm and without anxiety, and that's my jam.

M: I’m happy for you, honestly. I’m glad you’ve found your person.

B: Thank you. looks at her ring*

M: Can we say hi to your penguin? You never even mention what tribe he is?

B: He’s Igbo.

M: An Igbo man named Zacchaeus. Okay.

B: It is what it is. But you could call him Zac.

M: Zac… Okay. Do you mind calling him?

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B: brings out her phone to dial his number* phone rings* Hi Baby

Responder: Talon soro (“Who’s speaking?” says a hoarse male voice in Yoruba)

B: Who is this? Can I talk to my Penguin?

Responder: Pen kini? (“pen what”)

B: Where is the owner of this phone?

Responder: Emi ó mo o.( I don’t know o)

B: Ehn? Baba é ba mi soro. Kilon shele? (Baba, talk to me. What is happening?)

Responder: Eni tó ni phone yi ti ni accident. Won ti gbe lo si hospital. (The owner of this phone had an accident. He has been taken to the hospital.)

B: Ehn???

THE END.

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That was it. There is no Bunmi anywhere. It was just my imagination i don’t like to use the word fiction, but that’s what it is. Was bored, and it kept me busy at work. Please tell me what you actually think or NOT. Wrote this in 3 hours for the record. I have no clue if that’s fast or slow.

Y’all are eating good o. 3 letters in a week?

Ciao cousins.