The Moment I Met You
Written by
Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to my Lord and King, who has guided me throughout this writing journey and blessed me with the gift of storytelling. May my words honour Him and bring joy to those who read them.
To all those who have discovered love in unexpected places, this book is dedicated to you. May it remind you that love has a way of surprising us and that beautiful connections can be found in the most unexpected moments.
May this book inspire my readers, reminding them of the power and magic of love.
Chapter One
Golden rays of sunlight poured over the bustling city of Abuja, illuminating the lively streets adorned with sleek glass skyscrapers, small buildings, rows of trees, and the colourful fabrics spilling from market stalls. The wind blew gently, caressing everyone with a tender touch, and smiles graced the faces of passersby. The fragrance of blossoming trees filled the air, a natural perfume that brought a breath of fresh air to the surroundings. Laughter and lively chatter mingled with car honks. Smiles, like sunshine, reflected in the eyes of every passerby: a woman clutching a shopping bag overflowing with fresh mangoes, a group of friends sharing a keg of chilled palm wine under a shade tree, and a street vendor calling out in melodic tones. The golden sunlight wrapped the city in a soft, glowing light, making everything feel calm and beautiful.
School children added to the lively scene. Some skipped home in happy giggles, their bright blue, green, or yellow uniforms flashing in the sunlight. Others rode bicycles, their colourful backpacks bouncing, while a few groups still lingered inside the school buildings, their laughter echoing through open windows, awaiting dismissal.
Chioma Chima, however, dragged her feet along the sidewalk, her shoulders slumped like a wilted flower. The interview she had poured her hopes into hadn't gone well. Her face, usually bright as sunshine, was now a mask of disappointment. A sigh escaped her lips, a wisp of air that couldn't quite clear the dull ache in her heart. The vibrant scene around her, alive with light, sound, and sweet smells, seemed to mock her disheartened mood. Even the cheerful voices and laughter that filled the streets couldn't lift her spirits.
Finally, after waiting for a taxi by the roadside for what felt like an eternity under the relentless sun, she was about to call her neighbour, who was a taxi driver, when a cab finally braked to a stop. She hurriedly approached it.
'Where are you headed?' Chioma asked the driver.
'Going to pick up a client, but I can still give you a ride,' he offered, studying Chioma.
'I want to go to Star Restaurant along Jimmy Carter Street,' Chioma replied with a tired smile.
He nodded, and his face showed a kindness that felt like a soothing balm on her bruised spirit. 'On my way to a client, but hop in if you need a ride.'
As the taxi wove through traffic, Chioma leaned back against the worn leather seat, the day's exhaustion settling over her like the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves outside. Closing her eyes, she allowed the rhythmic hum of the engine to lull her for a moment.
After a moment of silence in the car, the driver's voice broke the silence. 'Did you get the job?' the driver enquired, recalling that he had brought Chioma to the interview earlier that morning.
Chioma blinked open her eyes, met his gaze in the rearview mirror, and shook her head. 'No, I didn't', she replied.
'Don't let one interview discourage you,' the driver said, his voice warm. 'Keep putting yourself out there, and the right opportunity will come along,' the taxi driver offered with a hopeful smile. He was a man in his forties, with a round face, dark hair, and warm brown eyes.
Chioma gave him a grateful nod, her spirits lifting slightly. Upon reaching Star Restaurant, she gestured and said, 'You can drop me off anywhere here.' Holding her black handbag and a stack of papers, she expressed her gratitude as the car came to a stop in front of Star Restaurant and then stepped out.
Chioma, twenty-six years old, wore a well-fitted blue floral dress, her dark hair neatly secured in a bun. After bidding farewell to the driver, she waited for his green-coloured taxi to pull away before heading into the restaurant. However, she accidentally dropped the stack of papers in her hand. She paused as she bent down to pick up the scattered sheets.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze turned into a strong wind, carrying away the sheets. Chioma managed to retrieve only four of them before a gust of wind sent the rest in the direction of a tall, slender man engaged in a phone conversation. With one hand in his trouser suit pocket, he looked exceptionally handsome. The women passing by watched him discreetly, blushing and giggling, secretly wishing he were their man.
Frowning, Chioma chased after the sheets, feeling fatigued yet determined. Her legs moved urgently, as if retrieving a cherished memento. As she reached for the final few sheets, they fluttered near the front of a sleek car. Before she could bend down, the man who had been on a phone call was already scooping them up.
'Thanks,' Chioma said, then looked up to encounter a breathtaking sight. The man stood tall, dressed impeccably like a GQ model gracing the pages of a magazine—a paragon of beauty radiating charisma and grace.
His handsome brows framed an attractive jawline, but what captivated Chioma were his almond-shaped eyes and naturally rosy, seductive lips. He seemed like a living masterpiece, a man no woman could resist.
As their eyes locked onto each other, Chioma thought he was straight out of a painting. And it wasn't just his looks; his attire screamed affluence. Dressed in a deep blue Versace suit and expensive leather shoes, he wore a luxury wristwatch and stood beside his unmistakably owned white Porsche 918 Spyder. He exuded an air of aristocracy; a single glance revealed a lifetime of privilege, untouched by the mud of ordinary life.
The faint scent of Chanel perfume added to his allure. Chioma couldn't help but marvel at the god-like man before her. She had once believed Korean or Chinese male celebrities were the world's most handsome, but he redefined her standards.
Then, suddenly, the man's green iPhone 11 began to ring, shattering the sweet moment. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, imagining snatching the mobile phone from the man and smashing it on the ground. How dare the phone disrupt the enchanting scenery before her! Yet, it remained just a thought, for she couldn't possibly act on it. Why destroy the phone of a stranger? That would be courting trouble, she reasoned. She was simply overwhelmed by the man's beauty to the point that her eyes nearly popped out.
'Thanks again,' Chioma managed an awkward smile. His kindness, the way he effortlessly helped a stranger like her, had also captivated her.
The man gave a slight nod. Just as he was about to hand Chioma the sheets of paper he had picked up, his eyes were drawn to several words on them. Without uttering a word, he handed her the papers, stepped into his Porsche, and drove away.
Chioma marvelled at his beauty. He was the embodiment of privilege, far beyond the reach of silver spoons. With a smile, she watched the car until it disappeared from view. After taking a deep breath, she stood for a moment, then turned and headed back towards the entrance of Star Restaurant.
The neon-lit signboard of Star Restaurant wasn't dazzling by any means; this modest establishment primarily drew civil servants and budget-conscious diners seeking affordable meals. The restaurant, adorned with brightly coloured star-shaped lights on its signboard, was cosy and unpretentious.
'Oh my, Chioma, you're back! How did the interview go? Did you get the job?' At the door, Chisom Onuoha, Chioma's best friend, paused from throwing leftovers into the garbage can and lifted her head with a smile. Chisom, a striking young woman and Chioma's closest friend since secondary school, worked as a waitress at Star Restaurant after completing her studies at Uniabuja and her National Youth Service Corps service in Abia State. Like Chioma, she was known for her friendly and kindhearted nature.
Chioma shook her head. 'No, the interview didn't favour me,' she replied.
'Oh, bestie,' Chisom murmured, pulling Chioma into a hug. 'But listen, you're brilliant, remember? This is just a detour, not a dead end.'
'Yeah, you're right,' Chioma replied, managing a small smile. 'Maybe it just wasn't the right fit for me.'
Then, Chisom tossed the trash into the garbage can, and they both walked inside.
At the counter, Emeka Ndubuisi, tall and dark-skinned, furrowed his brow in concentration as he meticulously tallied the day's earnings. He wore dark-rimmed glasses, a crisp white open-necked shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and black flannel trousers. His jacket hung on a coat hook by the wall. While one might consider him good-looking, he was not necessarily breathtaking.
Collapsing onto an empty chair by the window, Chioma refrained from waving a greeting at him since he appeared engrossed in his calculations, and she was feeling a bit lazy to go to him.
However, her mind was abuzz with thoughts. She couldn't pinpoint why, but she felt that the man she had encountered just minutes ago had left an indescribable impression.
It was as though they had known each other for years, as if destiny had brought them together. She daydreamed about holding his hand, waking up beside him in the morning, and sharing Saturday nights at the cinema. This man exuded an air of nobility, leaving her wondering if she would ever see him again. Would she have the chance to catch a whiff of his cologne, gaze at his seductive lips, and lose herself in his captivating eyes that could ensnare anyone? She hadn't heard him speak yet, and she wondered if his voice would be as alluring as the male leads in romantic movies.
Lost in her reverie, Chioma was brought back to reality by Chisom, who approached with a can of Coke and a plate of sandwiches. Sensing that Chioma had been lost in thought, Chisom enquired, 'What are you thinking about?'
Chioma smiled but remained silent, then happily took a big bite out of a sandwich, her mouth full of its delicious goodness.
Chisom, with a grin, remarked, 'Not having a job shouldn't prevent you from enjoying delicious food.'
Chioma nodded, savouring each bite. She quickly polished off one sandwich and eagerly reached for another.
Amused by Chioma's voracious appetite, Chisom teased her, 'How hungry are you?'
'Very much,' Chioma replied with honesty.
Chisom chuckled, her laughter bubbling up as she playfully commented, 'Looks like you have quite the appetite.'
Chioma smiled and affectionately rubbed her satisfied stomach.
Chisom then suggested, 'Perhaps you don't need to keep searching for a job. Maybe you should work here instead.'
'But why?' Chioma glanced around, noticing that Vivian, the funny and pretty girl, was missing. 'Where's Vivian?' she asked Chisom.
'The boss fired her. She was caught stealing from him,' Chisom revealed with a pout.
Chioma had suspected Vivian's thievery before. Once, as she was heading to the kitchen to deliver Chisom's ringing phone, she caught Vivian rifling through Emeka's bag, looking like she was afraid of being caught. Chioma had wondered why Vivian was going through Emeka's belongings instead of serving the customers flooding into the restaurant. Additionally, Chioma was familiar with Vivian's family and had heard someone complain about a missing mobile phone. At the time, she dismissed it as a neighbour trying to smear Vivian's name.
Of course, Chioma refrained from confronting Vivian about rummaging through Emeka's belongings. After all, she wasn't an official staff member, and it was possible that Emeka had asked Vivian to retrieve something for him.
'I never thought someone as pretty as Vivian could be a thief,' Chisom mused, still grappling with the realisation that the very beautiful Vivian was a thief. But, in truth, Vivian was indeed a thief. If Chisom hadn't seen it herself, she wouldn't have believed it. 'I used to envy her long legs, slender body, and even her pretty eyes...' She trailed off, the betrayal evident in her eyes.
Chioma swiftly changed the topic, urging Chisom to attend to the waiting customers. 'Go and serve your customers.'
Chisom nodded and left, glancing back at Chioma before asking, 'What about working here?'
'Why not?' Chioma replied between bites. 'I'm in... If your boss will accept me,' she added with a smile, 'but that will be after I try my luck tomorrow at another company.'
'I see how much you want an office job. Suit yourself,' Chisom grinned, turning away. She approached a couple who had just arrived, searching for a small table by the window. The couple sat down opposite each other at a square table. 'May I take your order?' Chisom asked politely, wearing a sweet smile.
After the couple finished ordering a variety of dishes, the lady turned to her husband with a playful glint in her eye. 'Would you like to order a few more plates?' she asked, her voice soft and affectionate. As she enquired, her head nestled warmly against his shoulder, sending ripples of contentment through them both.
'Why would I do that?' The man understood her intentions but pretended not to.
'Because you eat like a wolf,' she pouted.
'But this morning, you told me to take you to the city's most luxurious shopping mall. Could that be the reason you're acting so adorable?' he teased, playfully pinching her rosy cheek.
'Honey, can't you see there are so many people here?' the woman turned her face shyly.
Observing their public display of affection, it was evident that they were newly married and still in their honeymoon stage. Chisom analysed their behaviour as she patiently waited for them to finish ordering, feeling like a third wheel in their lives.
'Ma'am, anything else?' Chisom asked, feeling a bit out of place.
'No,' the woman gestured for Chisom to bring the ordered food.
Chisom smiled and walked away, returning with a tray filled with steaming dishes. She carefully placed it on the small table and turned to leave.
The woman suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked her husband, 'Honey, what would you like to drink?'
'Liquor,' the man replied with a teasing smile, causing his wife to frown. He leaned towards her and whispered something in her ear, making her blush. The woman looked like a girl who had just fallen in love.
'Honey, you're being naughty,' she pouted, playfully poking his nose.
Chisom didn't hear what the man whispered, but she sensed that it must have been something amusing. With a smile on her face, Chisom walked over to Chioma after serving them.
'The couple over there looks adorable,' she whispered to Chioma.
'Really?' Chioma said, wearing a smile as she glanced around to spot the couple. Even though they weren't the only couple in the restaurant, she easily identified them. Both dressed in white Nike outfits and black baseball caps, they looked young and cute. Lowering her voice, Chioma whispered, 'They are the sweetest couple in town.'
Chisom laughed, then turned around and hurried towards two men who had just entered the restaurant. Chioma was left alone once again. She reached for her can of coke, popped it open with the tab, and took a sip. Picking up the last sandwich from the plate, she took a bite and finished it in just a few swift bites. After another sip of coke, she contentedly burped, rubbed her stomach, and smiled at herself for having such a hearty appetite.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind: if she continued eating like this, she might start to feel like a pig. However, she reminded herself that she wasn't aiming for a career in show business, so why stress over her weight and diet? Besides, she knew that she would naturally remain slim, regardless of what she consumed. Slimness was simply her natural build.