We were able to secure a last-minute flight, and Uncle Lawanson insisted we keep my coming to Lagos a secret. The drive from the airport to Jason’s house was long, Lagos traffic doing what Lagos traffic always does. By the time the driver turned into their street, the sky was already dim, a lazy orange glow fading into night.
When the driver opened the gate and drove us in, Aunty Joana, Jason, and Janet were already outside waiting. Janet had finally gotten over her earlier resentment about her mum moving on with Uncle Lawanson. She had seen how kind and genuine he was to all of us, and she was simply happy her mother had found a good man who truly cared for the family.
They rushed to welcome him warmly, laughing and chatting. None of them noticed me in the car since the glass was tinted.
"Jason, I have a gift for you." He said smiling.
“Uncle,” Jason said, shrugging lightly, “you shouldn’t have bothered getting me anything. I’m not in the mood for gifts.”
Uncle Lawanson smiled knowingly. “Ah, but this gift will definitely make you happy. Maybe even lift your spirit.”
Jason’s face softened. “All I wish for right now is to see Tiara before she travels.”
Uncle chuckled. “Then I must be a genie, because your wish just came true.”
I couldn’t hold my laughter as he motioned toward the car door. I pushed it open and stepped out dramatically.
For a moment, they all froze in shock.
“Tiara!” Janet squealed, rushing to hug me so tightly I could barely breathe. “Oh my God, you’re really here!”
I laughed into her shoulder. “I missed you too.”
Aunty Joana shook her head, smiling as she hugged me warmly. “So this was the surprise you were hiding, eh, Lawanson? You didn’t even tell me!” She winked at me. “But I forgive you. This is the best surprise ever.”
Aunty Joana hugged me and said, "So good to see you Tiara, how's your mum."
“She will be fine ma,” I said softly, trying to be positive.
Jason… he just stood there, stunned, smiling like a lost boy who had suddenly found his way.
Eventually, Aunty Joana pulled Janet toward the house. “Let’s give them some space.”
Jason’s voice finally broke through the silence. “Wow. You’re really here.”
I smiled. “Well, I couldn’t miss the Alumni party. I heard my dad donated to the new library.”
Jason grinned, shaking his head. “So that’s the only reason you came?”
“Yeah…” I said casually, trying not to laugh.
“Not because you missed someone so much that you had to see him before relocating abroad?”
“That’s right,” I teased. “I missed Janet and Aunty Joana so much, I just had to see them before I left.”
He chuckled, moving closer. “Just them? Are you sure you’re not forgetting someone?”
I tilted my head, pretending to think. “Oh, true. My very cute… friend.”
He went quiet for a moment, his eyes softening as if he was memorizing the moment. “God, Tiara, I miss you so much already.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I let the silence speak. Then he hugged me, tight, desperate, real. I hugged him back, and for a second the world stopped.
“Come on,” he whispered, pulling back with a smile. “Let’s go inside. We were about to have dinner. You must be hungry.”
---
After dinner, Jason excused himself for a quick virtual meeting with the other organizers of the alumni party. Uncle Lawanson and Aunty Joana retired early, probably doing grown-up things. That left me and Janet in the living room, catching up like old times.
“So…” she leaned closer, her face lighting up mischievously. “Guess who’s officially going steady now?”
I raised a brow. “Don’t tell me… you and Folu?”
She nodded proudly.
“Wow!” I gasped, hugging her. “I’m so happy for you! How did that even happen?”
She grinned. “With everything going on with my dad, he and his family were really supportive. We got close, and then one day… we had a moment. He kissed me, Tiara. It was so beautiful.” She giggled, then added, “He told me he had always liked me, but because I was Jason’s sister, he forced himself to see me as just family. Ew!”
We burst out laughing. She looked truly happy, and I silently prayed Folu would always treat her right.
Later, Jason came back from his meeting, and Janet slipped away excitedly to answer Folu’s call. “Goodnight!” she sang, practically skipping to her room.
Jason sat beside me on the couch. “I thought you’d be asleep by now.”
“I’m tired,” I admitted. “But I had a lot of catching up to do with Janet.”
He smirked. “She told you about her and Folu?”
I nodded. “Yeah. She’s glowing.”
“My little sister,” he said, shaking his head. “I warned that guy never to hurt her. If he does, I’ll deal with him myself.”
I laughed. “I never took you for a gangster.”
He leaned back, his eyes thoughtful. “I’d be anything to protect the people I love.”
The way he said it made me pause.
“Speaking of love…” he turned to me. “Tiara, you called me your friend earlier. I know we broke up, but you must know, you’ll always be more than a friend to me. I still care about you. In fact…” his voice dropped, deep and persuasive, “I still love you. And I want you back. Tiara, I want us again.”
I was caught off guard. “Jason… I care about you too. And I want to be your girlfriend, but… we’re getting separated. You’re about to start university, and I’ll be starting afresh in the UK. How will this even work?”
He sighed. “I know. But just know, I’m ready to do anything to be with you. I’ll find my way to you, one way or another. Tiara, I’m convinced we’re meant to be together.”
I felt tears prickling in my eyes as I nodded. “I’ll try too. And if fate allows us… then maybe we’ll find our way back to each other.”
Jason reached out, cupped my face gently, and whispered, “I love you.” Then he kissed me.
It wasn’t like the cute, playful kisses we shared before. This one was deep, fiery, like he wanted to make it count in case it was the last.
I kissed him back fiercely. It felt like everything we had both been holding in was finally released.
We stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until footsteps made us jump apart. Uncle Lawanson stood at the stairs with a glass of water in hand, his face unreadable.
“Alright, lovebirds,” he said, voice calm but firm. “Separate rooms. And I mean separate.”
My cheeks flushed crimson. Jason scratched his head awkwardly.
Uncle gave us a small smile before heading back upstairs. Jason and I exchanged a look and burst into quiet laughter.
But inside… my heart was racing.
