The Lagos sun was unforgiving as it climbed higher in the sky, bathing the city in a brilliant, searing heat. By mid-morning, the streets of Victoria Island were bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the peaceful dawn that had greeted Bisi after the beach party. Despite the heat, Lagosians moved with purpose, navigating the city’s traffic and crowded sidewalks with the practised ease of those who knew its rhythms well.
Bisi sat in the back seat of her car, her mind still replaying the events of the previous night. Tunde’s smile, the warmth of the bonfire, the feel of the sand beneath her feet—it all felt like a dream, one she wasn’t quite ready to wake up from. But reality was calling, and today was shaping up to be another busy day.
Her phone buzzed incessantly, notifications from Instagram, WhatsApp, and emails flooding in. The Lagos social scene was relentless, and Bisi was at the centre of it. She had another party to attend that evening, a fundraiser for a new art gallery in Lekki, and she was already late for a brunch meeting with Yemi, the fashion designer she had met at her own party two nights ago.
The car pulled up in front of a trendy café in Ikoyi, and Bisi stepped out, her sunglasses shielding her eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. She was dressed in a flowing maxi dress, her hair styled in soft waves that framed her face. Inside, the café was cool and inviting, with sleek, modern décor and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.
Yemi was already seated at a table by the window, scrolling through her phone. She looked up as Bisi approached, a bright smile lighting up her face. “Bisi! You’re late, as usual,” she teased, standing up to give her a hug.
“Blame Lagos traffic,” Bisi replied with a grin, though they both knew that was only part of the reason. They ordered coffee and pastries, and soon, the conversation turned to the topic at hand: the fundraiser that evening.
“Are you coming to the fundraiser tonight?” Yemi asked, taking a sip of her coffee. “It’s going to be the event of the season. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it,” Bisi replied, though her mind wasn’t entirely focused on the event. She was thinking about Tunde, wondering if he would be there too. “What are you wearing?”
Yemi launched into a detailed description of the gown she had designed for the occasion, a stunning piece in deep emerald green with intricate beadwork. Bisi listened, nodding along, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the beach, to the conversation she and Tunde had shared.
“Are you okay, Bisi?” Yemi’s voice broke through her reverie, and Bisi blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied quickly, forcing a smile. “Just tired from last night, I guess.”
Yemi raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, she switched the topic to the gallery itself, sharing her excitement about the new space and the artists who would be showcased. Bisi listened, grateful for the distraction, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted within her.
That evening, as Bisi dressed for the fundraiser, she found herself feeling unusually nervous. She chose a sleek, gold gown that shimmered in the light, pairing it with delicate jewellery and her favourite heels. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but wonder what Tunde would think when he saw her.
The fundraiser was being held at a grand estate in Lekki, the perfect venue for such a prestigious event. The gallery’s founders had gone all out, transforming the space into a work of art in itself. Guests were greeted by an impressive sculpture garden at the entrance, and inside, the walls were adorned with vibrant paintings and installations by some of Nigeria’s most talented artists.
Bisi arrived fashionably late, as usual, making her entrance just as the event was hitting its stride. She was immediately swept up in the excitement, greeting old friends and making new ones as she moved through the crowd. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of live jazz music.
She hadn’t been there long when she spotted Tunde across the room. He was talking with a group of people near one of the larger installations, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored suit. Bisi’s heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and he excused himself from the conversation, making his way over to her.
“You look stunning,” he said as he reached her, his eyes taking in her gold gown.
“Thank you,” Bisi replied, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
They fell into easy conversation, picking up where they had left off the night before. But there was an undercurrent of tension between them, a sense that something had changed. As they walked through the gallery together, admiring the art, Bisi found herself wanting to know more about Tunde, to peel back the layers and see what lay beneath his charming exterior.
“So, what’s next for you, Tunde?” she asked as they paused in front of a striking painting that seemed to pulse with energy. “What’s your next big project?”
Tunde smiled, but there was a hint of something deeper in his expression. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “I’ve achieved a lot in my career, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s more to life than just work. Maybe it’s time to focus on other things, like relationships, or giving back to the community.”
Bisi nodded, feeling a connection to his words. “I know what you mean. Lagos can be so overwhelming sometimes, with all the parties and events. It’s easy to get caught up in it all and forget what really matters.”
They shared a moment of understanding, and Bisi felt a warmth spread through her. Maybe, just maybe, there was something real between them, something worth exploring.
As the night wore on, they found themselves on a balcony overlooking the estate’s gardens. The city’s lights twinkled in the distance, and the sounds of the party drifted up to them, muffled by the cool night air. Bisi leaned on the railing, her thoughts spinning.
“Tunde,” she began hesitantly, “do you ever feel like there’s more to life than this? More than just the parties and the success?”
Tunde turned to her, his gaze intense. “All the time, Bisi. And I think I’m ready to find out what that is.”
Before Bisi could respond, Tunde reached out and took her hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. He leaned in, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
But just as their lips were about to meet, they were interrupted by the sound of someone calling Tunde’s name. He pulled back, a look of frustration crossing his face as he turned to see who it was. Bisi followed his gaze and saw a man approaching, someone she didn’t recognize.
“I’m sorry, Bisi,” Tunde said, his voice regretful. “I need to take care of this.”
Bisi nodded, trying to hide her disappointment. “Of course, go ahead.”
As Tunde walked away, Bisi watched him go, her emotions swirling. She had come to the fundraiser hoping to explore her connection with Tunde, but it seemed that life had other plans. Still, there was something between them, something that couldn’t be ignored.
The night was far from over, and Bisi knew that in Lagos, anything could happen. As she rejoined the party, she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held—for her, for Tunde, and for the possibilities that lay ahead in the city that never slept.
Thank you for reading, I will post Episode 4 on Thursday
