Was she nervous about meeting Jude? Maybe. It was their first date. They had met on a Facebook group. He had noticed her comment on the social media platform and instantly liked it. He was amazed at her intelligent analysis of the topic of discussion. He did not let it end there.
It was straight to her inbox. He sent her a direct message. He did not get any response until a week. In fact, he had forgotten about her when she replied him. They got chatting in the following weeks and found they had some things in common. They both lived in the same city, worked in the same sector, loved- pets, local delicacies and travelling.
Initially, she had been skeptical about online dating, but she gave Jude a chance. He was not the regular guy, somewhat traditional in his approach to life. He appeared raw, rugged and rough. Instead of a profile picture on Facebook, he had put a wise quote. She was inquisitive to know about the mysterious guy that sent her a message. He had sent her a friendly message without beating about the bush. It was obvious he took his time to compose the message. She thought he must be a meticulous and patient guy by this. Besides, he was not offended he got a response a week after.
After some weeks of chatting, they got used to each other. She would be awakened by his friendly morning messages and bade to sleep with his good night messages. She did not want to be committed to him, but he proved her fears wrong. From chat mates, they graduated to friends and now they wanted something more serious. She had asked him to send his picture in the meantime. For the first time, she beheld her Facebook lover. In the photo he shared, he was bald with a goatee, smiling wryly.This made her more eager to meet him but that would be in weeks time.
How time flies. Before she knew it, it was a day to their date. She had already planned out her outfit and conversation starters. They had agreed to meet in Iya Basirat’s buka. It was not the regular posh restaurants, but it was famous for local dishes. They had planned to enjoy Iya Basirat’s Pounded Yam and Efo riro soup. They both laughed at the thought of it.
On the D-day, she attempted to look her best. A black gown on red stilettos was her choice for that afternoon. On getting to the Buka, Jude came to meet her outside to usher her into their reserved seat. To her utmost surprise, there was her ‘prince-charming’ limping towards her in his blue shirt on chinos trousers. He had a ‘bad’ leg. Well, that was not an issue for her. She still liked his appearance though.
The bubble burst when he abruptly cut her while talking to the waitress. He also didn’t deem it unnecessary to pull a seat for her. It got so bad that he said they had to go dutch. Afterward, he narrated how the company, where he worked as a Facility Manager, was owing him three months’ salary. He had never mentioned this all along.
Food was served. It was embarrassing the way he moulded the pounded yam. He would throw it up slightly, use his fingers to rub it before dipping into the Efo riro soup. He didn’t even wait for both of them to get served; he had already started eating with immediate alacrity. The annoying thing was how he was making so much noise with his mouth while eating. He even talked with food in his mouth. At the other end of the table, she ate her food in silence, calculating what kind of date she had.
After the meal, he grabbed a toothpick and started removing meat particles from his teeth.
“You are not like some girls, they like to ‘form’ “He said with the toothpick in his mouth “I like that I can be real with you”
She smirked in digust. In her mind, she was questioning God that this was not what she bargained for. He already finished eating while she was halfway. Instead of cutlery, she was using her fingers, but she still showed respectful table manners.
Embarrassed at how the date was turning out, she pretended to receive a phone call.
“Emergency….I have to go” She said, looking for the slightest opportunity to call the whole date off.
“What happened?” He asked quizzically “But you have not finished your food or should I help you…?”
“Family issues…” She said as she rose up to go ” You may finish the food…”
Deeply engrossed in eating the leftover, he barely noticed she had left the buka, and that was the last he heard from her. She blocked all forms of communication with him. It was a terrible date as far as she was concerned.