Samuel's POV
2:07am. Hotel Gate, Ikeja.
I wanted to follow her.
She walked off into the empty street.
My feet moved.
Then something in me said, Stop. Let her be._
So I stopped.
"Oga why you dey follow me? Abeg go back."
I nodded once. Turned around.
Walked back to the gate. To the hoodie on the ledge.
I picked it
Later.
I couldn't settle.
Her face kept coming back.
No shame. No flinch. Just "Ruth." Just "Yes."
_God help me, this is hard._
I don't have her number. I don't know where she went after 2am.
I only have her name.
_Tomorrow._
That was the only thought that let me breathe.
Tomorrow, I reach Tony.
Tony knows her. Tony said, "This is Ruth."
If I'm going to see her again, I go through him.
Not tonight.
Tomorrow.
*7:42am.*
Phone in my hand.
*Me: Brother Tony, good morning. We need to talk. It's about last night. Are you free today?*
Sent.
Through him, I will get to her again.
*8:19am.*
No reply.
Phone screen on. Off. On again.
Nothing from Tony.
I put the phone down. Picked it up.
Her name kept sitting in my chest. Ruth.
I don't chase women on empty streets at 2am. That's not me.
But I also don't forget a look like hers.
_Tomorrow._
I told myself that last night.
Today is that tomorrow.
11:03am.
Still nothing.
I walked. No direction. Just movement.
Every woman in a black top made me turn my head.
None of them was her.
I stopped at a bus stop. Sat on the edge.
What now?
I can't find her without Tony.
And Tony isn't answering.
*1:47pm.*
Phone buzzed.
Not Tony.
I almost didn't check.
*Tony: I saw your message.*
My thumb hovered.
*Me: Can we meet today?*
Typing…
It stopped.
Started again.
*Tony: Bro, last night… I'm sorry. That was messy.*
*Me: I'm not here for that. I just need to see her.*
Long pause.
*Tony: Ruth?*
*Me: Yes.*
Another pause. Longer.
*Tony: I don't have her number, Samuel.*
I stared at the screen.
*Me: But you know her.*
*Tony: I see her around. Oshodi. Sometimes Ikeja.*
*Me: When?*
*Tony: Nights. Late.*
He didn't say more.
*Me: If you see her… tell her…*
I deleted it.
*Me: If you see her, tell her I was looking for her.*
Sent.
*Tony: I'll try, bro.*
That was all.
I locked my phone.
Through him.
That's still the only way.
*2:30pm.*
The phone stayed quiet after Tony's last text.
_I'll try, bro.
That was it.
I sat there with it in my hand like it would change if I stared hard enough.
It didn't.
*4:11pm.*
I was back where it happened.
Hotel Gate, Ikeja. Daylight now. Harder.
Security was different. Busy. Nobody remembered 2am.
The concrete ledge was empty. No hoodie.
Someone took it. Or rain did. Or she did.
I didn't know.
I stood there anyway.
Because if she came back through… maybe she'd look.
She didn't.
*6:48pm.*
Dark was coming again.
Lagos does that fast.
My chest was tight. Not panic. Just… waiting.
I kept thinking of her voice. "Oga why you dey follow me? Abeg go back."
She meant it.
And I did go back.
But I didn't go away.
*9:03pm.*
Phone buzzed.
I checked too fast.
*Tony: I'm at Oshodi. I don't see her.*
My jaw clenched.
*Me: Keep looking.*
*Tony: Samuel…*
*Me: Please.*
No reply.
I put the phone in my pocket.
_Tomorrow._
I said that again.
But tomorrow felt too far.
So I stayed.
On this street.
Where her name is the only thing I have.
*9:47pm.*
I didn't move from the street.
Tony said he'd try. That has to be enough for now.
Cars passed. Horns. Music from a passing bus.
None of it was her.
*10:22pm.*
Another text.
*Tony: Nothing yet. I'll be here till 12.*
I didn't ask him to.
But he's there.
*Me: Thank you.*
Sent.
*11:15pm.*
The night got colder. Same way it was last night.
I pulled my jacket closer.
No hoodie to give this time.
I kept my eyes on the crowd.
Women in black tops. Women with makeup on.
I looked. Looked away.
Because it wasn't her face.
*11:58pm.*
*Tony: I'm heading home, bro. No sign of her tonight.*
I read it twice.
*Me: Okay.*
That was all I had.
*12:04am.*
I was still standing there.
Oshodi was loud. People rushing. Last buses. Last everything.
I wasn't rushing.
I wasn't going anywhere.
Because if she shows up tonight… I'll be here.
Not to follow her. Not to trap her.
Just to be here.
_Tomorrow._
It became today. And I'm still waiting.
*The Next Day. 8:03pm.*
Phone buzzed in my hand.
*Tony: She's at a bar. Ikeja. Close to the gate.*
My chest dropped. Then lifted.
I didn't ask which bar.
I was already moving.
*8:17pm. Outside the bar, Ikeja.*
Neon. Loud music. People standing outside with bottles.
I didn't go in.
I stood across the street. Back to the wall.
Hands in my pockets.
Let her be.
That was last night.
Tonight… I just need to see her.
To know she's okay.
*8:29pm.*
The door opened.
Her.
Black top. Same one. Makeup on. Arms folded.
Ruth.
She wasn't looking for anyone. She was just… there.
Leaning against the wall. Waiting. Or resting.
I didn't call her name.
I didn't cross the street.
I just watched.
Because the thing in me said again, _Step back. Let her be._
So I did.
*8:31pm.*
*Me: Tony. I see her.*
*Tony: Don't go to her, bro. Please.*
I didn't reply.
I kept watching.
Ruth looked up. Like she felt it.
Her eyes moved across the street.
Found me.
Half a second.
No surprise. No smile. No anger.
Just… Ruth.
She held my gaze.
Then she looked away.
Back to the bar wall.
I stayed where I was.