FLASHBACK TO WHEN THEY MET(THEY MET AT A WEDDING)
The wedding was in full motion.
Music filled the air, louder now, more energetic. Guests had moved from their seats to the dance floor, colors blending as people laughed, danced, and celebrated without restraint.
Zara stood at the side with the other bridesmaids, watching.
It was a lot.
The energy, the noise, the constant movement—it was nothing like what she was used to. But there was something about it too. Something lively. Something that pulled you in whether you wanted it or not.
"Come and dance," one of the girls said, grabbing her hand.
Zara laughed lightly, pulling back. "No, I'm okay."
"You've been saying that since morning," the girl replied.
"I mean it," Zara said, smiling.
"Leave her," another added. "She's still adjusting."
Zara appreciated that.
Adjusting.
That was exactly what she was doing.
---
Across the hall, Tunde stood with his friends, a drink in his hand, laughing at something one of them said.
"Guy, you see that bridesmaid?" one of them asked suddenly.
"Which one?" another replied.
"The tall one. The calm one."
Tunde followed their gaze without thinking.
Zara.
He recognized her immediately.
"Ah," one of them smirked. "You've seen her."
Tunde didn't look away immediately.
"She's different," another added.
"Very different," someone else agreed. "Not like the others."
Tunde finally spoke. "So?"
"So…" one of them leaned closer. "Go and talk to her."
Tunde let out a small laugh. "For what?"
"Don't pretend," another said. "We saw the way you spoke to her earlier."
"It was nothing," Tunde replied.
"Hmm," they all reacted at once, clearly not believing him.
---
Back at the bridesmaids' corner, Zara adjusted her dress again, shifting her weight slightly.
She felt eyes on her.
Not everyone.
Just someone.
She glanced up.
And saw him.
Tunde.
Looking in her direction.
He didn't look away immediately this time.
Neither did she.
For a second, the noise around them faded just a little.
Then Zara broke eye contact first.
---
"You see?" one of Tunde's friends said immediately. "She looked at you."
Tunde shook his head slightly, but a faint smile touched his lips.
"You people should relax."
"No," another replied. "You should move."
Tunde hesitated.
Only briefly.
Then he set his drink aside.
"Let me go and greet," he said casually.
His friends laughed behind him.
"Greet indeed."
---
Zara didn't notice him approaching at first.
She was too focused on the movement around her, the constant shift of people passing by.
"Zara."
She turned.
Tunde stood in front of her again.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he replied.
A small pause followed.
"You're not dancing," he observed.
Zara shook her head. "Not really my thing."
"At a Nigerian wedding?" he asked, slightly amused.
Zara smiled. "I'm still learning."
"That's fair," he said.
---
There was that pause again.
Not uncomfortable.
Just unfamiliar.
---
"You're enjoying it at least?" he asked.
Zara nodded. "I am. It's just… a lot."
"I can imagine," he said. "It gets louder."
Zara laughed softly. "I'm not surprised."
---
Behind her, one of the bridesmaids nudged another.
"They're talking again," she whispered.
"Let them talk," the other replied.
---
Tunde shifted slightly, more relaxed now.
"So how do you know the bride?" he asked.
"Family friend," Zara replied. "My parents know her parents."
"Hmm," he nodded. "That explains."
"What does that mean?" Zara asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Tunde smiled. "Nothing. Just… you don't look like you've been to many of these."
"I haven't," she admitted.
"Then this is a good introduction," he said.
Zara glanced around again.
"It definitely is."
---
A group of guests suddenly passed between them, laughing loudly, carrying plates of food.
The smell of jollof rice followed them.
"Have you eaten?" Tunde asked.
"A little," Zara said.
"You should try the food properly," he added. "That's one of the main reasons people come."
Zara smiled. "I've noticed."
---
There was something easy about the conversation now.
Simple.
Light.
No pressure.
---
"Come," Tunde said suddenly.
Zara blinked. "Come where?"
"Just come," he replied.
She hesitated for a second.
Then followed him.
---
He led her toward the side where food was being served.
The area was busy, filled with people collecting plates, talking, laughing.
"Take anything you want," he said.
Zara looked at the options again.
"So this is the famous jollof?" she asked.
Tunde nodded. "Yes. And it's serious business."
Zara laughed.
"Alright then."
She picked a small portion.
Tunde watched her.
"Don't worry," he said. "You'll like it."
"I hope so," she replied.
---
They moved slightly away from the crowd again.
Zara tasted the food.
Then paused.
Tunde raised an eyebrow.
"Well?"
Zara nodded slowly.
"Okay… this is actually really good."
Tunde smiled.
"I told you."
---
For a moment, they just stood there.
Talking lightly.
Laughing occasionally.
Like they had known each other longer than they actually had.
---
Across the room, Tunde's friends watched.
"Guy has started," one of them said.
"See how he carried her go," another added.
"This one is interesting."
They all laughed.
---
Back with Zara, she felt something shift.
Not big.
Not overwhelming.
Just a small sense of comfort.
Unexpected.
---
"I'm glad you came over," she said without thinking.
Tunde looked at her.
"Me too."
---
And just like that—
Something simple.
Something light.
Something unplanned—
Began to grow between them.