Make the move.

I left home that morning 30 minutes earlier than usual. My plan was to walk some distance before boarding a vehicle to my work place. That was to be part of my morning exercise, but more importantly I would be able to save N50 on transportation. And as usual I had my earpiece on, playing music from my phone.

I got to the busstop only to meet a crowd of commuters waiting for vehicles as well. It didnt look good, it wasn't part of my plans for the morning but there was little I could do, fuel scarcity was beginning to bite hard. So i just joined the crowd.

That was when I saw her. Radiant in the bright morning sun. Looking smart in her properly pressed NYSC khaki trouser and white T-shirt, carrying a file. Light complexioned with even lighter make-up, about 5ft tall and beautifully built. She had walked up from behind and stood next to me, my heart skipped. I couldn't help but look twice (she was that pretty). 

Immediately I opened my mouth to say something, no words came out. What's wrong with me? I thought to myself. What happened to my tongue? My heart begin to palpitate, I still had the earpiece on but wasn't hearing anything anymore, my mind had drifted far away, or rather, just 2 feet away. I wanted...I needed to talk to her but somehow I had lost my voice. How disappointing. To make up for the unfortunate development, I decided to form not-interested. I began to bump my head to the music that I wasn't even listening to. I made up my mind though; Since I'd lost this first opportunity, I'll wait till we enter a vehicle then I'll make my move. I started rehearsing my lines, practising what I'd say. 

Just then a bus came, I let her enter first in the row just behind the driver. I was to follow after her but one uncle had other plans, he entered before me. 'Which kind bad belle be this? Evil barrier'. Anyway, I eventually went in after the man. I kept practising what I'd say. Immediately this man gets off, we'll be side by side, then I'll make my move. As the bus rolled on I raised my eyes and looked in the mirror above the driver, there I caught her gaze just a split second before she looked away. I smile in my mind. 'She must have been staring at me. Taa! I done catch am'. The mental smile was transforming to a physical one, immediately I comported myself.

It wasn't long before the obstacle of a man got off. I draw closer and sat next to her. The time had come, I took off the earpiece, braced myself to make the move. Just as I was going to practicalize what I had been rehearsing, her phone rang. 'Nice, just nice'. Some evil forces must be at work here. 

From her conversation I gathered that she was late for the monthly NYSC clearance and was speaking to someone, a colleague who was there already, and pleading with the person to help pick a number for her. 

Good, now I have something to build the conversation on. So I waited patiently for the call to end but it was taking forever, no need to get frustrated now, I've come this far I'm so close now. Just a little more. I kept encouraging myself until I heard "driver dropping dey". I looked around to see where the voice came from. My heart sank when I realised she was the one. With the phone still at her ear, she was already standing. I could hear her telling the person in the other end of the line that she had just reached.

The bus had stopped. What do I do, do I get down here and follow her? But it was still far from my designated busstop, if I got off here and followed her I'd have to pay another N100 to get to my destination. That was twice the amount I saved by trekking. I was still weighing my options, before I could come to a conclusion, the driver had moved. I was left staring at her through the window as the bus rolled along.

N/B

This is completely a work of fiction. If there appears to be any form resemblance, please it is totally coincidental.