was alone in the shop, lost in the melody of Umar M. Sharif's song 'Wa zana ba kaina', when two promising young ladies rushed in, asking if I had chocolate.
⚪ I replied with a soft voice and a gentle smile, looking at them confidently, as if I had left my shy demeanor at home. They were young, beautiful, wise, and Western-educated.
⚪I showed them the variety of chocolates and snacks available, and they began selecting their favorites. Later, they asked me to mix different types for them.
⚪When I inquired how much chocolate they wanted to buy, one of them pulled out N500 from her purse. I carefully mixed an assortment of chocolates, biscuits, wafers, and lollipops for her. She thanked me and collected her treats.
⚪The other young lady had only N200 with her, which was just enough to buy two items before her money ran out.
⚪ In those few minutes they spent buying chocolates in my shop, we became acquainted and even exchanged names. The taller one was Na'imah, and the shorter one was Khadijah.
⚪ As they were about to leave, I felt the urge to ask Na'imah for her phone number, though I knew she might not have a phone of her own, she would likely use her mom's phone.
⚪ Just as I was about to ask, a thought struck me, reminding me of the reality of my situation (what would happen if I asked for her number, considering we met in my business place, and I'm a student whose priority is to raise my registration fee?)I decided to keep quiet and let the young ladies go without asking for her number.
⚪Mind you, that thought wasn't the only thing that stopped me; the main reason I hesitated to ask Na'imah out was my fear of the potential expenses that would come with dating her.
⚪Let's face it, I can't help but rather than being captivated by Na'imah's stunning beauty, but I knew that winning her heart would require material possessions, which aren't my priority.
⚪As a young man with big dreams and limited means, I'm focused on achieving my long-term goals. I'm living a simple life, working towards a better future, and I can't let lavish spending on romantic pursuits derail me from my objectives.
⚪My priority is to secure a bright future for myself, not to impress or please others, no matter how beautiful they may be.
⚪Hours after they left, I began to regret my decision, and with each passing second, I fell deeper in love with Na'imah.
⚪ My heart replayed every moment we shared, from start to finish. I couldn't hold it in anymore and confided in a friend, hoping he might know her or her sister, but he had no clue either.
⚪ Opportunity knocks only once, and I failed to seize it. Now, I'm left feeling lonely and regretful. As I write this, it's been 21 days since I last saw them, and I'll be waiting for their return, no matter how long it takes.
⚪And today 20/05/2024 marks 230 days since I last wrote about Na'imah, and I still haven't seen her or anyone like her again.
⚪ Despite the passing time, I remain resolute in my hope of reuniting with her once more. Although I acknowledge it may be challenging to recognize her, given it's been nearly a year since our last encounter, my determination remains not shakable.
⚪ Please keep me informed if you come across a girl named Na'imah with the exact qualities I mentioned earlier. I'll be there no matter what.
✍️ Sagir Annur–Umnoor
