Sunday, December 28, 2008

My 'first love'

...is getting married.
Wow! He is getting married.
I put first love in quotes 'cos at 17, was it really love? Well...whatever it was, it was niiice. That kind of good feeling that had me randomly cheesing at random hours of the day, counting down the hours till we could see again, my heart skipping when we finally got to see. Ooooh weee, it was nice indeed. It's not often that a man inspires such feelings in my 'cold, cold' heart. :-D

I remember when we first 'met'. Again, I put met in quotes because it was more like me and my friend (Let's call her Amina) saw him walking down the street one day and we were like 'who is that? he kinda cute'.
We had done some research and found that he was the new dude around town, his name was 'boo-boo' and he went to X school. LOL @ our stalking ways. But that's all we knew about his mystery cutie.
And that's how it was...we'd always see him walking down the street and all but he never said nothing. I thought he was snobbish, but when I got to know him I realized that he was just a shy guy...my kinda guy. lol...


I was a shy girl too. So before we even said hi to each other, we had something in common. I was uncomfortable interacting with men on that level, and for most of my teen years I had always been the guys girl rather than the girl that the guys wanted to date. If you wanted the girl that the guys wanted to date, the hot one who everyone wanted her digits, then you were looking at my friend; Amina.
So one day when Amina suddenly told me that my boo boo was always checking her out when he walked past her on the roads and that she had a hunch he was feeling her, I didn't question it. It was nothing new. I was dissappointed but I attributed it to those of those things in life and mentally backed off.

I'd always see boo boo around town and dream from a distance...but that was that.

Life went on, a year or 2 went by. We (we being the class of that year; which included Amina and boo boo) graduated from secondary school and everyone started making moves. Amina got admitted to a uni abroad and she left town. I had no idea what boo boo was up to 'cos his sightings were pretty sporadic, and as for me...I had gotten admission to a uni in Naija; thanks to my sweet SSCE and JAMB scores and I was ready to rock uni and be one hot jambite. :-D

Uni was fun, uni was sweet, uni was nice! Till today, I still miss the good ol' days I had in my Naija uni. Good times, I tell ya...but that's beside the point.
Like I was saying, Uni was fun and I was having a good time. I had started getting over my social awkwardness around men and I was getting chyked and toasted like no man's business.
I hadn't been there for up to one month when one hot sunny day, me and my other jambito friends were sitting in front of the engineering building checking out the cuties when lo and behold, who did I see? My beloved boo-boo. Ooooh weeeeeee! I was sooo excited.
My boo-boo was on my campus and I wasn't going to let him slip by. (Keep in mind that he and Amina never had nothing o, all she claimed was that he was using eye to look her way, so I figured he was fair game)

I immediately went up to where I had spotted him and I said 'Hey! I didn't know you went here..'. He was equally as surprised to see me. He remembered me! He smiled this really sexy smile that made my 17 year old self wanna swoon hard and said 'Hey, I remember you from xxx'. That absolutely made my day...I mean I thought I had paled in comparison to Amina but he remembered me dammit!

...And that's how it began. We'd see around campus and make small talk and then one day he offered to give me a ride home. Ahhh at 17, no man could be pulling up into my father's driveway o but cat dammit if this wasn't a risk that I was prepared to take. He drove me home and that day I was so thankful for the ridiculous traffic that is typical in Naija 'cos it gave us even more time to talk and get to know each other well well. I learned that he had gone to x secondary school, he was the first child, he had 3 siblings, we had a bunch of mutual friends...ehn I learned a lot o! And in turn I shared that I was the last kiddie, my sec. school etc etc.
When he dropped me off he asked for my number and chei! that was risk #2 o...'cos them no born you well to be calling my house anyhow if you are a dude but I was like to hell with that. This was my boo boo right there, I was prepared to take risks for him.

We stared talking every day! Unfailingly.
We'd also meet on campus and have lunch, dinner, hang out...whatever. I was really feeling this boo boo of mine sha. One day during one of our numerous convos, he admitted that the first time he saw me, he wanted to find out who I was but was too shy to approach me. I was like 'me ke? I thought it was Amina you were chooking eye for'. He was like 'Huh?'..Ok so long tori short, boo boo mi wasn't chooking eye for Amina. Even though this was like 1.5 years after the fact it still tickled me and made me blush. :-D

So, me and boo boo were loving our selves well well o. In fact I was even planning to move onto campus soon and I couldn't wait 'cos it would give us even more freedom to flengo well well. (Abeg, it was innocent flengo-ing o...i was just 17 o jare!).
We were the cheesiest couple. He'd do sweet things like dedicate songs to me and what not. Typing this, I am giggling thinking about how cheesy and cute we were.

But as we all know...most of the time, all good things come to an end. And the beginning of our end came when one day I went home and my parents announced that I was coming to start Uni Yankee in a couple of months. It was very bittersweet news...I mean at that point who no wan come Yankee? Most of my friends that I grew up with had come to these parts but on the other hand, I was having such a great time in uni with my new friends, bubbling and shuffling and abeg lets not forget the main factor; my boo-boo. Chei, I was sad...

I broke the news to boo-boo the next day and it was such a sad moment. I told him 'Boo boo keep your head up, you still have me for another 2 months, let's make the best of it'. And that was exactly what we did. We were inseperable...
Looking back, I don't know how I got away with having a boyfriend at 17 under my parents noses 'cos they never suspected jack! My older sister knew the deal tho but that's my heart...she didn't rat her darling lil sis out. In fact, she liked boo boo sef..
I mean 'cos like dang I did some jackie chan stunts sha. Some nights boo boo and I would be on my father's phone till 2 in the morning. Chei, can you imagine if daddy had caught me? Na serious hot slap wey I for chop that day o! *Phewww*

Boo boo and I enjoyed the last days of each other's company but it was always tinged with a hint of sadness. I still remember the day before I left town...we spent the a bulk of the day together enjoying each others company and not saying much. That day I stayed out with him till like 10pm (which by my father's standards was LATE) but I was like whatever jo, that was my last day in town and I was gonna say bye to all my friends; which I did and then reserved the best for last which was hanging with boo boo darl.

Coming out here to a different and strange land, I missed boo boo even more. We emailed each every day and we'd say how much we missed each other and all that sweet, mushy stuff. I even printed all his emails out and I'd read them randomly. (Was I sprung or what?)
Come of think of it, I still have them stored in some of my keepsake boxes...I should re-read for old times sake yeah?

But man, there's only so much that terms of endearment via the internet can do to sustain a relationship between an 18 and a 17 year old. We were young and pretty unrealistic thinking that it would last. One day, I went to the library to read and print my daily boo boo email and he had sent me an email talking about he met someone and would like my permission to move forward with her. That day, I cried ehn! (Damn, maybe I was sprung)...but I no go lie, it pained me well well. I replied and said yes boo boo, go with this chick and be happy...and that was the 'end' of boo boo and I.

He still emailed me. I still emailed him but he had a girl in his life now. I was now second place and second place sucked! I got sick of feeling pangs of envy every time I thought of boo boo with his new chick while me I just dey freeze for the American cold and I kinda sorta gave him some space and stopped replying his emails for a while until I got over him and it.

I went back to Naija a couple of times after that and boo boo and I would always hang. We always had our chemistry and I always wished he was a cheaper plane ticket closer to me and vice versa but ah well...
We remained friends, we are still friends and we spontaneously email each other when the mood hits.

Sooo, in our random communication thing that we currently do, I sent him a happy holidays email and he replied me saying that he misses me and there is so much gist for us to catch up on. The numero uno item on the email was 'I am getting married, so please make plans to be there'.
I was shocked, I mean I knew he was seeing someone but I didn't know it had reached that level...

Ultimately, I am very happy for boo boo dearest. I think that his wife will be a very lucky woman, and I am happy that I met him in my lifetime...the 7 months of the young love we were doing was nothing but bliss. I always proudly boast that I have never been in love but in retrospect, the feelings that I had for boo boo was definitely more than an elevated feeling of likeness. It was sweeet! It was niice and I want to experience that again. Somehow, I haven't met a man who made me that sprung but maybe it's 'cos I'm older now, more experienced and I have more walls up around this precious heart of mine.

So, to boo boo and his upcoming nuptials. *Takes a mental shot of patron*, I wish him the very very best and at the same time, I say:- Another good one has been taken off the market.

Happy Holidays people. Wishing you'se lot a very wunnerful new year in advance and I pray that the '09 will see all of you alive, well, happy and healthy.

*Muah*

32 comments:

Ms.O said...

aww that was a sweet read! I want to love too oo..so that I also can write about it!
Hope your good hun!

neuyogi said...

I feel you sha...

Anonymous said...

Awww...so sweet, and it never turned sour at any point...take care

Ms Sula said...

That was such a beautiful bittersweet story.

I think it's that time. None of my exes were married until late this year, when they just started getting married like it was going out of fashion. So I understand how it feels.

Happy new year in advance! And my 2009 bring you those warm, fuzzy feelings back. As long as there is life, there is happiness to be had.

Take care!

Vera Ezimora said...

Awwwww.

You're right sha...the love you felt for him was so innocent and wholesome because you let your heart love him. But now wey we don grow, ah...we have to think twice. We can't just be loving anyhow anyhow. LOL

Anonymous said...

awwww dear, that was soooo lovely. Ha innocent love is the best na. No one loves like that when they are older anymore o.

Anonymous said...

Ouch!!! ...but then, a friendship without 'time' is established.

NaijaScorpio said...

such a sweet/sad story. It's all good though.

Anonymous said...

aaaww! yours is sweet, mine was sweet, then bitter, and now sweet again. he's married, and am happy! :D

simplegal said...

Awww....how sweet!

Happy New Year dear! May 2009 bring only the best for you!

Omo calabar. said...

Doesn't it suck when that happens. A good ol lady friend just did in naija, and am jealous that somebody else stole her. Anyways nice post, happy new year.

Bombchell said...

oh wow. gosh. how many yrs ago did u guys date?

distance is a sucker when it comes to relationships, hopefully moving here will be the right route. I know people who were in uni back in naija, and wished they remained there and didnt move abroad.

lol omg i tot chyking, toasting, jambite were old words used when i was in ss3. i cant imagine those slangs still being used now, i hope they are so i could feel cool w/ myself lol

Buttercup said...

aww shucks..so cute..so sad..

God will provide u with ur own husband..amen!

Buttercup said...

oh, happy new year btw!

Abujamaiden said...

Eya....You're strong oh. I dunno how I'd handle him telling me about the new chick (oh well you were 17 and he 18 so aint too bad).

Will you attend the wedding?

Happy New Year!

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

awww....
happy new year oh!

Beulah! said...

Eeyah!!!..Pele, it is well. Its good u are happy for him though

Jay said...

aww..honey..this is bitterweet...but more sweet though.
Ahhh...first love, forever etched in ones memory

Don't mind me oo...i've been watching jane austen!! lol

Happy holidays xx

Anonymous said...

awwwww
happy new year

Anonymous said...

AWWW THIS WAS SOOO SWEET I WAS SMILING THE ENTIRE TIME. I WISH HIM LUCK.. UR A SWEETHEART.. ON THE REAL... MERRY ABI NA HAPPY NEW YEAR MY SISTER.. MUCH LUV... BE SAFE... AND NOW THAT I THINK OF IT.. I HAD THIS LOVE ONCE... IT WAS NOTHING AND SO MUCH AT THE SAME TIME... NOTHING IN TERMS OF THERE WERE SO MANY LIMITS... OBSTACLES.. BUT SOMETHING COS IN SPITE OF ALL THOSE...WE HAD SOMETHING SO PRECIOUS(EVEN LOOKING AT IT NOW WITH MY SLIGHTLY JADED EYES... LOL). THANK HEAVENS FOR YOUNG LOVE...

Zena said...

All this mushinesss...I don't know, make I comot

Happy New-Year Darling

Unknown said...

i have never been in-love
your article is really touching
i am impressed that you can attend his wedding.
you are such a sweetie!

tobenna said...

Phew!
That was a long read, Mgbeke!
I think it is a fantastic dedication to your first boo.
And he was a proper gentleman too. Asking you for permission.
Nice one.

Writefreak said...

Awww..such innocent and sweet love!
I could feel you akk the wat reading this cos I'm blessed I married my uni boyfriend, yes! And we were and are still so in love...nothing like young love...
So may you find your true love and congrats to boo boo

Writefreak said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Writefreak said...

Pls forgive the typos, posting from my phone...
I meant I could feel you all the way!

Anonymous said...

OMG that was soo sweet! I loved reading this.

Take Care,
Therapy x

Zayzee said...

good friendship last forever. But hope u have also moved on ever since. he is so nice to ask your permission.

i dont pray any of my exes get married before me o. seriously. i have to be first and send the invite and bless them when they dont show up.

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

Awww this was so cute...lol
Oh for the days when love was innocent and pure. I'm glad you hold no grudges and wish him well. Just found out my first love got married last year as well. Can't say my first instinct was to wish them well...lol
Btw, Happy New Year boo!!!

ablackjamesbond said...

Sweet!

Anya Posh said...

AWWWWWWW... that was too darn sad. It was kinda sweet but too darn sad for me, hun! Kai...why do all good things come to an end. I f'ing hate this man. damn. f'. f'. Kai...it's not fair. Man, i'm so upset now. But I like your attitude to his nuptials. So will you go & be there for him? OMG<<< I would never go. Because I would keep picturing myself walking down that aisle to f'ing meet him at the altar. At the reception, I would bawl my eyes out when he's giving his speech. F'. I'm such an emotional wreck when it comes to these kinda things.

My dear, keep your head up, ehn. Your prince will come. Please don't become to jaded with these less-than-best-men out there right now. Mr. Right is on his way! Keep ya head up.

Anonymous said...

First love sweet love,first love true love,first love nothing like if dt is if it doesn't go sour which most times it doesn't just dat if only we could look thru d future then...a lot of things cud have changed!OM,just discovered u,read 1 or 2 of ur post found it intrstin',so,I'm getting started wth ur post n I found this in particular vry interesting dat I was moved to tears bcos it applies to me just dat mine n I are still together after 10yrs(love over d oceans n worst still,we haven't seen 4 8yrs now,don't think me crazy) but I would love to start a blog wth dis ur title(so help me God)but I haven't d courage,time to n lots of others.I'm loving ur blogs,may God blss u wth ur own,love is God n love is a beautiful thing.OLU