Last updated on October 22nd, 2025 at 01:02 pm
It feels almost wrong to remain in Abuja without Joe. Not that I want to immediately relocate to Calabar because of a man, not that I can’t, but his short visit gave me an insight into the alternative life I could be living if we were together. Realistically, if he lived in Abuja, we would both be busy and might not be able to devote as much time as the weekend that he came, but there would be this sense of being anchored.
While I love Abuja and the fact that I get to live with my cousin, who is also my best friend, it doesn’t feel like there’s much tying me to the city. Eliam and my parents are in Enugu. Zabby can decide tomorrow to move to another city with her partner. This means that I’m left floating. It’s this indescribable sense of not being settled. That feeling of not wanting to make long-term plans, not wanting to explore the city or to even call it mine. Should we go into a relationship officially, it’s more practical for him to move here since he works remotely and is self-employed.
For now, we’ve only concluded that we’ll visit each other. He also mentioned that he recently renewed his rent. I wouldn’t want him to have to make any decision until his rent is due. In the meantime, there’s only one exciting thought on my mind. Exciting enough to distract me from how terribly I miss him, and that’s to surprise him. I could surprise him by saying that I was ready to resume things officially, but I wanted to work with the agreed-upon time. It’s an uncomfortable feeling—wanting to go all in with him but waiting until the one-month mark, hating it and loving it at the same time.
I have two surprises in mind. One is getting him a gift and the other is a surprise visit to Calabar. For now, all I have to do is face the first surprise. I finally concluded that he’ll be getting a day’s worth of meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. My aim is not to match his expense while he was in Abuja (since he refused me spending a dime), but to do something sweet for him. He had told me of the place that he orders his meals from. I reach out to them and sort it out, brimming with excitement.
My phone rings, I’m at work, and it’s a welcome distraction.
“I’m loving this, baby,” Joe says, his voice still hoarse, pleasantly raspy, since I’m most likely the first person he’s speaking to, and it’s still morning.
“You must have gotten your breakfast.”
“Oh, I have. There’s only one better feeling than this: you being here with me. But hearing your voice works…for now.”
“Okay, enjoy hearing my voice then.”
“I am, baby. Thanks for the surprise. It’s so thoughtful.”
“I’m glad you love it. Eat up!”
—
“Baby, what’s happening? I just got lunch. Is it my birthday or something?”
“Seems like someone has gotten another meal. Eat.”
“Angie, baby, what’s up?”
“Are you complaining?”
“No way. I don’t mind being spoiled. It has to be sustainable though.”
“No philosophies, just enjoy it.” I smile and end the call.
—
“So, how was your day?” I’m at home now and talking to Joe.
“My woman spoiled me and I couldn’t have asked for a better day.”
“Wahala for who no get woman o.”
“What can I say?”
