I met Ikechi on one of my night outs when I visited Lagos. He looked really handsome standing at the bar with his starched white shirt, sipping whisky. What drew me to him was his smile and how his face glowed when he laughed at what the woman on his arm whispered to him. I didn't even notice her until he laughed and I looked around him for the source of his laughter.

I started to plot, trying to get his attention and possibly his phone number that night. I found him very attractive but I did not want to be hasty. I like to chase my men in a measured, calculated manner. Call me a psychopath and I would not give a damn. 

After a few minutes of dancing with my friends and stealing glances at the dark-skinned bald-headed Adonis at the bar, I noticed his date had gone to use the restroom. Now was my chance. But instead of making a beeline to him, I followed after his date to the restroom. 

---

I pushed open the door to the women’s restroom, the bass from the club’s music muffled slightly as I stepped inside. The restroom was bright and bustling with activity. I quickly scanned the room and spotted the girl fixing her makeup in front of the mirror. She had a shy demeanor, but there was something about her that made me think she might be friendly. Taking a deep breath, I walked over, my heels clicking on the tiled floor.

“Hey, I love your dress! Where did you get it?” I said, smiling warmly.

She looked up and smiled shyly. “Oh, thank you! I got it from a boutique downtown. It’s one of my favorites.”

“It looks amazing on you. By the way, I’m Gazie,” I said, hoping to strike up a conversation.

She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Gazie. I’m Esther.”

“Nice to meet you too, Esther. So, are you having a good time tonight?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Yeah, it’s been fun. I came here with my cousin,” she said, nodding.

“Oh, that’s cool. Is he the tall guy with the great smile I saw you with earlier?” I asked, trying to sound casual while my heart raced a little.

She smiled fondly. “Yes, that’s Ikechi. He’s practically like a brother to me.”

Relieved, I nodded. “Ah, I see. You two seem close.”

“We are. He’s always been there for me,” she said, nodding.

I grinned, feeling a surge of hope. “I noticed him when you both walked in, and I thought he was handsome. I didn’t want to step on any toes if you were together.”

Esther smiled warmly. “That’s so considerate of you. But no, Ikechi is single.”

“Really? That’s good to know. Do you think you could introduce me to him?” I asked, my excitement growing.

“Sure, I’d love to. I think he’d like you,” she said with a mischievous smile.

“Thanks, Esther. You’re the best,” I said, grinning from ear to ear.

“No problem. Let’s head back out and I’ll introduce you,” she said, laughing.

We left the restroom together, the music growing louder as we reentered the club. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves, but Esther’s

friendly demeanor put me at ease. We made our way through the crowd towards Ikechi, who was standing by the bar, looking around.

Esther tapped Ikechi on the shoulder. “Hey, Ikechi! I want you to meet someone.”

He turned and smiled. “Oh? Who’s this?”

“This is Gazie. We just met in the restroom. Gazie, this is my cousin Ikechi,” she said, introducing us.

“Hi, Ikechi. It’s nice to meet you,” I said, smiling brightly.

“Nice to meet you too, Gazie,” he said, grinning.

As we started talking, I felt a flutter of excitement. Esther slipped away to give us some space, and I silently thanked her, hoping for the best.

---

I took them both by hand and dragged them to my friend’s table. 

“Hey guys, look who I just met! Ikechi and Esther. You guys, meet my friends - Joy and Sogs.”

They exchanged pleasantries over the noise of the club and we went back to dancing and drinking. Ikechi came close to me and whispered

“Do you want to get a drink? I’m going to the bar.”

“Yes, sure. Let me come with you.”

He took my hand and led me through the crowded club to the bar. 

“Are you good?” He asked me.

“Oh? Such a gentleman.” I teased. “Yes I’m good. Are you good?”

He nodded and smiled at me. He asked the waiter for a glass of whiskey.

I whispered that I wanted a margarita to him and he relayed my order to the waiter.

He started looking intently at my face while we waited.

I was startled by his intensity and asked.

“Is there something on my face?”

He smiled and said “No there isn’t, you are just really interesting to look at and I like your face.”

I blushed and looked away. He laughed and pulled me closer then whispered “do you want to take a walk outside? I want to talk to you and it’s too noisy for a conversation.”

I nodded and this time took his hand and my glass of margarita that had since come and dragged him outside the club. Outside felt like a breath of fresh air. 

We walked down the street of the club and leaned against a car to talk. He was a very funny man. We talked for what felt like hours.

We talked about our jobs, our dreams, our motivations and shared funny stories. He felt nice to talk to. My feet began to hurt and I started fidgeting. He noticed and asked if I wanted to sit somewhere. I said yes and we walked to his car. He opened the door for me and helped me take off my shoes and gave me a pair of slides that I suspected belonged to Esther. Then he walked over to the driver’s side and sat. He turned and faced me, then took my hand. 

“Hi” he smiled at me. The smile that stole my heart the first time I set my eyes on him.

“Hi” I smiled back at him. 

He started looking at me with his usual intensity again. I could not help it so I said;

“May I kiss you?” just when he said;

“May I kiss you?”

We laughed and screamed “Jinx” at the same time and burst out laughing again.

The laughter subsided and he put his hand on my neck, pulled me close to him and kissed me.

I kissed him back with as much intensity for a few minutes and pulled back. I swear I felt sparks and fireworks. 

“Did you feel that too?”

“The fireworks?” He asked and chuckled. 

“Damn, I thought I was being dramatic.” I chuckled.

This time, I pulled him close and kissed him again. He kissed back, his hands going all over my body. He felt so good!

My phone started to ring and it was Joy calling. I pulled back and took her call.

“Girl, where are you? We’ve been looking for you. Sogs wants to go home and Esther is wondering if you’ve seen Ikechi.”

“I’m with Ikechi. We’ll be heading inside now.”

We hung up and I put on my shoes, preparing to head back into the club.

“Huh, may I have your phone number? I would love to keep in touch with you.” he said, we exchanged numbers and he came out to open the door for me. I got out and took his hand and we walked back to the club together. We met my friends and Esther at our table and Sogs raised an eyebrow when she saw us holding hands. I winked at her and Esther hugged me and said our goodbyes. I took her Instagram and followed her immediately. She followed back and promised to keep in touch. 

Ikechi hugged me one last time and whispered “Till next time” then took Esther’s hands and left. 

I left with my friends to wait for our Uber. As we settled in, I got a text from Ikechi “You made tonight fun Gaz. I can’t wait to see you again.” I smiled and sent him heart emojis. 

---

The next morning, I woke up hungover in Sogs' apartment. She was sleeping beside me and I knew how cranky she got when she was suddenly woken up so I crept to the kitchen to warm a bowl of hangover soup. I took my bowl of soup to the living room and settled cross-legged on the sofa and put on the TV. I liked to watch the news after a night of debauchery to see the damage city people caused in the course of the night.

But the first thing I saw that faithful morning were pictures of Ikechi and Esther. The news report said they had been victims of a fuel tanker explosion. I sat in front of the TV frozen, not moving or hearing or breathing. This could not be possible. I recovered and immediately screamed. Sogs came running out of the bedroom startled and asking questions. I could only point at the TV.

"I liked him Sogs, I really liked him!" I said as I dissolved into tears. Sogs gasped and held me as I cried.

This was another romance that could have been.