Fade and Lele

In the vibrant city of Ogbomoso, there lived a girl whose presence was as captivating as it was unique. Though her stature was petite, she radiated a powerful spirit that belied her small frame. With a soft, melodious voice and words that flowed like a gentle stream, she could charm anyone who crossed her path. Her movements were graceful, almost like a dance, filled with an elegance that seemed to transcend the ordinary.

While many might label her as docile, nothing could be further from the truth when it came to her dreams. They soared higher than the tallest buildings in Ogbomoso and crashed with ferocity like the relentless waves at Nazaré. Her aspirations were colossal, their depth hard to comprehend, but she clung to them fiercely. They were her lifeblood, a fierce flame that propelled her forward even when the world felt heavy. In her heart, she knew that as long as she held onto her dreams, she possessed the strength to conquer anything that stood in her way.

She met her fellow dreamer in one of the most unlikely ways. Their meeting was something out of a storybook—unexpected and electrifying. She spotted him at the bustling market, negotiating fiercely with the Aboki over a vibrant concoction of pepper mix priced at N1,500. His passionate banter flowed effortlessly between a playful pidgin and flirtatious Yoruba, capturing her attention like a beacon in the crowd. She couldn’t help but be enthralled. In that moment, she realized that if she hadn’t witnessed his vibrant exchange, he might have slipped under her radar completely. 

There was nothing particularly striking about his appearance at first glance, but perhaps it was his dazzling smile that left a lasting impression—one that would linger in her mind long after their paths crossed. Maybe everything about him was extraordinary; she just hadn’t recognized it until now, reflecting on their brief yet impactful encounter.

As fate would have it, they crossed paths again at the bustling market. She had secretly hoped for this moment, drawn to him in a way that felt utterly undeniable, despite her attempts to convince herself otherwise. But today was different; the usual sparkle in his eyes was dimmed by worry and anxiety. His charming smile, the very one that lingered in her thoughts, was nowhere to be found. 

Without thinking, a flurry of ideas raced through her mind about how she could bring that smile back. Summoning her courage, she decided to approach him. After all, conversation was her forte. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, feigning surprise as she bumped into him. 

“It’s alright! Are you okay?” he replied, his voice tinged with concern. “You’re the girl from the other day with Aboki at that junction, right?”

“Yes, that’s me!” she smiled, her heart skipping a beat. “And you’re the one with the captivating smile!”

He chuckled, and in that instant, she noticed a flicker of light in his eyes—a spark that hadn’t been there before. It made her heart race. Glad to be recognized, she felt exhilarated knowing she could evoke something in him, even in his troubled state.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly from that point on, weaving through the market buzz and extending to the long queue at the Glo office as she upgraded her 3G SIM to 4G. With each exchanged word and shared laugh, the connection between them deepened, igniting a hope that perhaps, just perhaps, this encounter was meant to be.

This is the beginning of their story, stay tuned!