I gripped the steering wheel of Chidi’s Mercedes G-Wagon, my palms so sweaty, caressing the beast on wheels. It roared at every gas I hit, totally in control of the road. Somehow, I still feared I’d slip and kiss a yellow danfo, but the brakes again proved they were strong enough to halt the beast.
Then I leaned back into the leather; it smelled just like luxury mixed with expensive cologne and old money. The vanities of life, I definitely didn’t have.
“Tobi, are you okay? You’ve been staring at that green light for ten seconds,” Simi said, laughing and cutting me off from my thoughts.
I turned to see her eyes filled with excitement. She looked like a goddess that night. Her lace gown was the color of sunset. I've been with Simi for months now, and I could swear she never cared for packaging. She preferred roadside noodles to expensive restaurants, which I somehow found weird. I could still tell of the time she had made it a lecture about how people who chase status usually forget how to enjoy their own lives. I laughed then. But tonight, my actions were proving her right.
I shifted into gear, trying to sound smooth. “Just enjoying the engine, baby. You know, these Germans know how to work their machines. It doesn't like to be rushed.”
For the second time, I lied to get it again.
"I'm still surprised your office gave you this car as your office car, babe." She replied.
My heart lurched. That was my first lie. I had told her I got a promotion at work, hence the car. Although my bank account held exactly four thousand naira, I was here cosplaying prosperity. I just wanted to treat her right, even if it's just for a night. I mean, Chidi, who let me use his car, had supported me too
We pulled into a fancy restaurant in Victoria Island. As I reached into the glove box for a cable, my hand struck something heavy. A black velvet box. I pulled it out and opened it nonchalantly
It was a Diamond ring. Blinding.
I looked up at her, confused. Then down to the box again. Then to her. Her eyes were locked on the ring, her fingers stretched out in joy.
That was when it landed on me. “Oh no. Chidi, you finish me,” I said in my mind. My throat dried instantly. She thought I was proposing. I gently closed the box like I was sealing a dangerous secret. How can I be proposing marriage when I hadn’t even finished paying off the loan for my last phone?
“Simi…” I said softly, trying to find my words. To explain.
“Yes? Yes? I'll marry you ” she breathed, already glowing.
I shook my head aggressively. “No. Hear me out. This… is not what you think.”
Silence fell between us. Lagos traffic hummed outside like background music for my embarrassment.
I cleared my throat. “This ring belongs to Chidi. He must have left it here when he got out of his car this morning. I was actually looking for a charger.” I explained, faking a laugh. But I didn't realize I had let the cat out of the bag.
Her smile slowly faded, like NEPA light going out in stages. “You’re not proposing?” She paused and squinted. "His car? Whose car is this?" She stared at me. Then she leaned back.
I sat there, mouth agape. "I can explain."
Before I knew it, she pushed the door open and stepped out, her lace brushing the asphalt like it didn’t belong there.
“Simi!” I jumped out, running after her. Nearly slipping on my own feet. She was already halfway down the pavement, almost flagging a cab.
I rushed towards her and held her hands. “I messed up,” I said, catching up, panting at the same time. “I wanted one fancy evening for us. Just one. It wasn't to deceive you but to feel worthy beside you for once.”
She paid me no attention nor even looked me in the face.
“I’m sorry,” I added, softer. “No packaging next time. Just me.”
She turned. She didn't look angry again, just tired.
“With me, Tobi, you don’t need props, Tobi. If you didn't have money, we could have stayed home. Netflix and chill."
“I know. It won't repeat itself next time.”
A long pause. Then she sighed. “Let's go eat Suya first.”
Relief hit me like rain after heat. “But we're already at the restaurant."
"But I want suya now."
"Yes, madam.”
We walked back to the car together. And just as she wished not to go into the fancy restaurant but to get suya.
I gripped the steering wheel of Chidi’s Mercedes G-Wagon, my palms so sweaty caressing the beast on wheels. It roared at every gas I hit, totally in control of the road. Somehow, I still feared I’d slip and kiss a yellow Danfo but the brakes again proved they were strong enough to halt the beast.
Then I leaned back into the leather, it smelled just like luxury mixed with expensive cologne and old money. The vanities of life I definitely didn’t have.
“Tobi, are you okay? You’ve been staring at that green light for ten seconds,” Simi said, laughing and cutting me off from my thoughts.
I turned to see her eyes filled with excitement. She looked like a goddess that night. Her lace gown was like the color of sunset. I've been with Simi for months now and I could swear she never cared for packaging. She preferred roadside noodles to expensive restaurants which I somehow found weird. I could still tell of the time she had made it a lecture about how people who chase status usually forget how to enjoy their own lives. I laughed then. But tonight, my actions were proving her right.
I shifted into gear, trying to sound smooth. “Just enjoying the engine, baby. You know these Germans know how to work their machines. It doesn't like to be rushed.”
For the second time, I lied to get it again.
"I'm still surprised your office gave you this car as your office car, babe." She replied.
My heart lurched. That was my first lie. I had told her I got a promotion at work hence the car. Although my bank account held exactly four thousand naira, I was here cosplaying prosperity. I just wanted to treat her right, even if it's just for a night. I mean Chidi, who let me use his car had supported me too
We pulled into a fancy restaurant in Victoria Island. As I reached into the glove box for a cable, my hand struck something heavy. A black velvet box. I pulled it out and opened it nonchalantly
It was a Diamond ring. Blinding.
I looked up at her, confused. Then down to the box again. Then to her. Her eyes were locked on the ring, her fingers stretched out in joy.
That was when it landed on me. “Oh no. Chidi, you finish me,” I said in my mind. My throat dried instantly. She thought I was proposing. I gently closed the box like I was sealing a dangerous secret. How can I be proposing marriage when I hadn’t even finished paying off the loan for my last phone?
“Simi…” I said softly, trying to find my words. To explain.
“Yes? Yes? I'll marry you,” she breathed, already glowing.
I shook my head aggressively. “No. Hear me out. This… is not what you think.”
Silence fell between us. Lagos traffic hummed outside like background music for my embarrassment.
I cleared my throat. “This ring belongs to Chidi. He must have left it here when he got out of his car this morning. I was actually looking for a charger.” I explained, faking a laugh. But I didn't realize I had let the cat out of the bag.
Her smile slowly faded, like NEPA light going out in stages. “You’re not proposing?” She paused and squinted. "His car? Whose car is this?" She stared at me. Then she leaned back.
I sat there, mouth agape. "I can explain."
Before I knew it, she pushed the door open and stepped out, her lace brushing the asphalt like it didn’t belong there.
“Simi!” I jumped out, running after her. Nearly slipping on my own feet. She was already halfway down the pavement, almost flagging a cab.
I rushed towards her and held her hands. “I messed up,” I said, catching up, panting at the same time. “I wanted one fancy evening for us. Just one. It wasn't to deceive you but to feel worthy beside you for once.”
She paid me no attention nor even looked me in the face.
“I’m sorry,” I added, softer. “No packaging next time. Just me.”
She turned. She didn't look angry again, just tired.
“With me, Tobi, you don’t need props, Tobi. If you didn't have money, we could have stayed home. Netflix and chill."
“I know. It won't repeat itself next time.”
A long pause. Then she sighed. “Let's go eat Suya first.”
Relief hit me like rain after heat. “But we're already at the restaurant."
"But I want Suya now."
"Yes, madam.”
We walked back to the car together. And just as she wished not to go into the fancy restaurant but to get Suya.