The day broke so quickly, the anxiety that came with a 'dream come true'. For 2 months I had waited, planned and unplanned what this day should look like. I had chosen Saturday, the day perfect for dates. After a whole week filled with activities, a Saturday of rest cannot be questioned.

I called 'The Chauffeur' to confirm our table reservation and tried on my red dress for the hundredth time, I may have added a few kilo in the past few days. Chike had chosen an exclusive table for two, decorated with candle light; first things should be memorable he had said. I still blush whenever I remember those words, not because of the beauty of it but because of the shape of his lips articulating the word mem-o-ra-ble. I had told my parents a lie about a vigil at the church, so I could get away with spending the night outside. I requested specifically for an evening date, I wanted something close to the movie I saw, I wanted to be dropped off at my house (hotel) at 10pm.

With everything seeming perfect, I went about my chores for that day with a delight that surprised everyone, smiling and talking to myself as I practised my conversations for that evening. I ate very little during the day, carefully reserving a space in my bowels for the sumptuous dinner I was expecting. I left my house at 6pm to the hotel room I booked, deceiving everyone that I was among the organisers of the vigil and needed to arrive earlier than others.
At 7:30 pm I was all gorge and making my way to my 'favorite' place. With the help of the friendly receptionist at 'The Chauffeur', I had no stress locating our table. I arrived earlier than the 8pm we had agreed, I needed to compose myself and practise countenances before he arrived.

8:15pm and Chike was no where to be found. I didn't want to appear impatient on my first date and so I dismissed the thought of calling him. But at 9:00pm I became worried. What exactly was his plan? Here I was, starving myself just so we can eat together and he is no where to be found, without as little as an SMS from him. I still managed to suppress the urge to call, he probably wanted to hear desperation in my voice I had thought, I wasn't going to give him that opportunity.

10:00 pm and still no sign of Chike. At this point I couldn't hold it any longer, I scrolled through my phone for his contact. Whatever prank he was trying to play was not funny any longer. I'd leave in the next 5 minutes if he doesn't show up, what nonsense! Just then, I heard my phone ring. I hurriedly picked, ready to lambaste him. But it was not Chike, it was a strange voice, are you Claire?.... That was the beginning of my nightmare.


It was 12:00 am at Annunciation Hospital, Chike looked lifeless, laid on a bed with a needle inserted into his left wrist. His car was hit by a trailer with a failed break, pushing him into a nearby bush. Was this not supposed to be my night? Who did I offend? There I was with cash just enough to fund my transportation and I had to be home at 7:00am latest to cover for my lies. Yet I was faced with the challenge of caring for a guy whose family I cannot even contact. The young man who brought him to the hospital said his phone fell out as they tried to shove him into a car. All efforts to locate it afterwards had proved abortive. This was surely the devil's plan I thought to myself, to expose my little secret to the entire world.

That night was the longest I ever had, I slept and woke up for the third time and it was still 2:30 am. At 3am, I decided to say the Divine Mercy Prayer, I know I had offended God with my lies but He is abundant in mercy. As I said each bead, I held at my rosary ever so fervently, crying out to God to save me, He was my only hope. With my eyes weak from crying, I fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up by 5:30 am to find the bed where Chike had lay, empty. Could he have died while I was asleep? I started crying all over again, this time blaming God for not answering my prayers. What did I do to deserve this? Not only was my date ruined but now I have to deal with the Nigerian police, I will have to give a statement as the last person contacted by the deceased. How did I get here? I summoned up courage to go downstairs, determined talk to the nurses about my situation, I have to leave before daybreak.
Just as I turned towards the stairs, my eyes met with Chike's; till this very moment, I cannot describe with accuracy, the appropriate ratio of exhilaration, euphoria, increased energy, trembling, racing heart and accelerated breathing, I felt setting my eyes on him.

My first date ended at exactly 6:00 am, not remarkable in the way I had imagined but still my most remarkable day.