PT 4: Fade’s Summer Love

 

Click to listen while reading Wait for Me

Fade had the summer of her life in Lagos—a full season bursting with the thrill of her wildest dreams and an unexpected spotlight that drew in not one, not two, but three charming guys. It all kicked off at the end of her first month in Lagos when she jumped into one of the most talked-about summer camps for teens, organized by the church her aunt and she attended.

As the days counted down to camp, Fade decided to throw herself into the musical production. After a nerve-wracking audition, she snagged a pivotal role, singing in the scene that would close the entire show, bringing all the cast members together for a grand finale. As she took the stage to kick off the performance solo, she poured her heart into every note. The applause that erupted afterward confirmed that it wasn’t just in her imagination—everyone was raving about her performance. 

Suddenly, she was the girl everyone recognized. Everywhere she went, she was met with enthusiastic questions like, “Aren’t you the one who sang in the closing scene?” Each time, she couldn’t help but respond with a shy smile and an enthusiastic “Yes!” While the attention was exhilarating, it was also a bit overwhelming; part of her relished being in the limelight, yet another part longed for a moment to just blend into the background.

It was during lunch hour that Fade first crossed paths with Adeleye, the most captivating of her summer crushes. After grabbing her meal from the bustling food vendors at one end of the hall, she made her way to the seating area, scanning for an inviting table. Just then, Adeleye’s friends waved her over, beckoning her to join their lively gathering. 

As she settled in, Fade was introduced to Esohe, Esosa, Micheal, Olive, and of course, Adeleye. The table buzzed with excitement when someone piped up, “You’re the girl from the musical, right?” 

“Yep, that’s me! I’m Fade, not just ‘the girl from the musical,’” she replied, a playful grin spreading across her face. Her response sparked a ripple of laughter around the table, but Adeleye, with a quiet presence, merely smiled at her before returning his focus to his food. 

The conversation flowed effortlessly, with Micheal and Esohe, the obvious couple, leading the banter with infectious energy, they were talking about some of the interesting outfits some of the other teens wore and their recent outing to the beach. Fade couldn’t help but notice Olive, who was more engrossed in her phone, punctuating the laughter with smiles and giggles. And then there was Esosa, his gaze glued to Olive, practically pleading for her attention with a look that screamed, “Choose me!” Fade wondered the story there but knew it wasn’t something that would pop up on a table like this on a first meet.

In the midst of all the chatter, there was Adeleye—affectionately dubbed Leye—who spoke sparingly but with such authority that the table fell silent to hear him. He exuded an undeniable charm, commanding attention without even trying. Yet, as much as Fade was drawn to him, each time his name was mentioned, it tugged at a part of her heart she had been trying to forget—the name Lele, always in bold letters, persisted stubbornly in her mind. As much as she wanted to engage with Leye’s undeniable allure, she found herself retreating inward, becoming as unyielding as wood against his magnetic steel presence.

The rest of the lunch passed in a blur of casual conversation; it was pleasant but largely uneventful. Just before the meal wrapped up, Esohe and Fade exchanged numbers, lit up with the promise of friendship, while Micheal connected through social media. As they said their goodbyes, Fade felt the flutter of anticipation for their next lunch together, already looking forward to the conversations that awaited them before heading off to the general sessions.

As soon as the general sessions wrapped up, Fade eagerly tapped her phone to book an Uber, grateful for her aunt's generous transportation allowance. Settling into the back seat, she felt a mix of excitement and curiosity. With a swift flick of her thumb, she opened Instagram, her mind set on finding Lele, just as she had done countless times before. The anticipation of scrolling through her feed added a spark to the ride home but also looming disappointment. However, after a relentless 30 minutes of digital sleuthing, she had to concede defeat, letting out a resigned sigh as she set her phone down, her quest for him unfulfilled.

……

The next day after her encounter with Leye and his friends, Fade found herself in an unexpected twist of fate when she bumped into Leye again. It was purely coincidental, as she had decided to join a small group for the day. Seeing a familiar face, she couldn't resist the urge to sit next to him.

When Leye noticed her there, a genuine smile broke across his face as he greeted her with a casual "hey." But then, as if an invisible barrier enveloped them, silence settled between them. Fade felt a tug of desire to spark a conversation, but hesitation crept in; she didn't want to come off as overly talkative in his eyes.

Thankfully, her mind quickly shifted from the lingering awkwardness between them to the energetic discussion led by Mayowa, the group’s facilitator. He was another familiar face, one she recognized from her time at Light and Salt World Church, where she attended with her aunt. As Mayowa animatedly shared his insights, Fade found herself drawn into the dynamics of the group, eager to learn more while stealing glances at Leye, wondering what thoughts were brewing behind his calm exterior.

The small group discussion buzzed with creative energy as Mayowa handed out a writing prompt: “Write about the most pressing thing on your heart—or anything that stirs your soul.” The room filled with the sounds of scribbling pens and tapping fingers as everyone immersed themselves in their thoughts. After ten minutes had flown by, Mayowa invited volunteers to share their creations.

One hand shot up—an eager gesture that would mark the beginning of Fade's introduction to Dolapo, whom everyone affectionately called Dollz. As Dolapo stood up, a hush fell over the group, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation. 

With confidence and poise, she began to read her piece—a stirring exploration of emotions titled "People, Mirrors, and Fragments." Her mastery of language captivated the audience, her delivery playing with tone, speed, and pauses. Each word resonated deeply, leaving everyone hanging on her every syllable, eager to absorb the profound insights she shared.

Read Dolapo’s piece in the next post!!

Ifedolapo