IMOSE

IMOSE 2

After that day, I looked for Imose throughout my remaining registration processes. Sometimes hopeful to the brim, I find myself walking miles cautiously, picking my steps that I will find her. During the searching spree, sometimes, I just take a seat close to the school's back gate where she stays off campus trusting that she will walk pass that route but she never did. She didn't mention the last time though, I only supposed she stays off campus having watched her followed her friend who obstructed our discussion.

At least not until our first lecture in Uniben when I saw her walking gallantly into the lecture hall, I knew it was my time to get closer to her. I stood up from where I sat, ran like the east wind out of the hall and waited for Imose to sit.

"Good morning" I'd said to her

Her face was buried inside the book – Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe. I could tell she didn't hear me not until I almost repeated myself. She was deeply engrossed; enjoying the letters of the sage-author.

"Good...," She interrupted.

"Oh, Good morning, it's you. Sorry, I was lost in the words of Chinua Achebe that I couldn't just take my eyes off it for a second." She replied, raising her head."

I was lost in view of her exquisite beauty, so sudden I wasn't aware for a split-second. She'd carved her eyebrows this time and had applied pink lipstick on her lips. Her eyes again reminded me of why I stood – unmoving – on that day looking deep into its greenness. Her eyes were the glimmering color of emerald, sparkling in the light of the morning sun like a fresh sheen of morning dew. This really brought out the shine in her face.

"No offense will be taken if you would allow me take the vacant seat close to you and enjoy Chinua's great piece of art with you", I answered carefully, still mesmerized.

"I guess that should atone for all my sins from the first day we met, right?" She questioned.

She just smiled this time without showing her gapped teeth but the smile still brought shivers. Sitting close to her was what I planned before leaving home that morning but got disappointed when my legs got there even before the sweepers of the hall. I guess shyness isn't dissociated from being fresher after all. I had to run out so I could pretend I was just coming and to take a seat that was beside her.

"Well, it should but let's see how it goes." I responded.

"Funny enough I can't even remember your name..." She sadly said

I looked at her in awe of disbelief but her two hands were closing her face as if to say "I'm ashamed that I can't remember your name" but what the heck. Your name – Imose – has been the very word I recite at sunrise and sunset ever since then, I said to myself.

With a smile hiding my disbelief I replied, "I am surely not going to remind you of that. Let's make that an assignment for you then."

"Please, you surely don't want to add to the introductory stress I have passed through in Uniben. I beg you to temper justice with mercy and forgive this forgetful fellow." I sensed the sincerity in her tone.

"No, that is not going to work"

"Okay, what am I to do to get forgiven?"

Yes, this was the perfect time. The exact moment I've been waiting for and I must take this opportunity before the offer ends.

"Okay, let me think"

I raised my head up with my hands placed on my jaw as if I was having a deep thought on what to ask her when already the things were embedded in my mind and waiting to be unleashed.

"I think I have got something now. You could accept to be my friend"

I blurted out those words and began to regret the way it came out. It sounded too simple, opportunistic and shallow to my hearing. Well didn't they say there is a great difference between an opportunist and someone who seizes opportunity? I tried to convince myself for comfort.