Yesterday's Future 2✔️

30. The weeded couple.

11:54am,
Florence Park & Gardens,
Ibadan.

Lost amidst the maze of cars and the memories that flashed in her mind in the parking lot of the garden, Simi felt her heart racing within her chest. The cacophony and glamor of the wedding celebration echoed around her—the distant melodies of cheerful music, but her thoughts were scattered, refusing to find a focal point.

The more she replayed it in her head, the more her encounter with Adam inside the reception shattered all her expectations, sending a whirlwind of confusion through her veins, especially when he embraced her, so affectionately, so intense and so achingly real. It was a breathtaking feeling she hadn't experienced since their last encounter.  And she didn't miss how the mood shifted on the table with his presence too. It was no wonder to her that Adam had a subtle effect on everyone, but for her, it was surreal. Adam was surreal, a dream made flesh. Or perhaps, a nightmare?

Back in Abuja, Tiara, the bride, had told her that Adam wouldn't make it to her wedding because of work but coming to Ibadan, she had convinced herself that she no longer cared if he did or did not, and that if he did, she would act natural and they'd get on with life like nothing happened, like normal adults should. Apparently, Simi had forgotten how the mere presence of Adam, his name and his essence always clouded her thoughts and prompted unexpected decisions. She'd forgotten how far she was from being normal.

Adam Coker, the Tiara's big brother, was the mystery man whom Simi had unashamedly thrown herself at—mentally and physically—one night during their two weeks coincidental stay together at the Coker's estate, six months ago. Adam had just returned from New York and was visiting his family for the first time in nine years and she, she was on a spontaneous break from her music career.

"What do you really want?" Adam asked, even though he was speechless.

"I want you to take me. Here. Now. It's just us in the house right? I want you to touch me like you did the last time. I really want to feel closer to you..."

Simi vigorously shook her head, as if trying to physically shake off the weight of her thoughts, but it was futile. The memories clung stubbornly, refusing to release their grip on her mind, teasing and taunting her.

When he left days after that to reunite with his ex-wife and son in New York, she had resigned herself to all kinds of notions. She accepted that what they had shared was merely a fleeting fling, devoid of any future together. She believed he had lied when he professed his love for her. She even convinced herself that she didn't want to see him again, fearing the intensity of reliving their brief, hopeless romance that had made it incredibly difficult to move forward.

But then, just a few minutes ago, Adam materialized before her, standing in the flesh, close enough for her to feel his breath on her face as they embraced... but he was accompanied by another woman. A flood of emotions stirred within her, overwhelming and confusing her. It threatened to shatter her fragile composure, leaving her unsure of how to handle the situation, so much so that she had to excuse herself from the table. It just felt all too real and too stinging to see that he moved on with someone else, while she was still finding it so hard.

Needing a moment to collect herself, Simi had  sought solace far from the reception party, all the noise, and all the eyes, craving the cool embrace of fresh air and the earthy smell of fresh flowers. As she inhaled, thinking of her next line of action, a pungent scent invaded her senses—an unmistakable aroma of burning marijuana from somewhere in the lot. For someone who had been smoking herbs for about eight years, she couldn't miss that smell.

Following her nose, Simi stumbled upon another unexpected scene that took her mind off her thoughts—Tari and his girlfriend, Ayo (mostly called 'AY'), inside a blue jeep tucked away at the far end of the garden's parking lot. Her jaws dropped and surprise melted into sheer delight as the trio embraced, exchanging gleeful greetings.