Oceans Apart (2) by Milli

Still waiting for his flight Dozie continued to recall how he had met his lovely sweetheart Behi…….. Their eyes had met in the theater and almost immediately she stood up and walked out. He suddenly felt the urge to follow her and acted on impulse and stood up from his seat. Vivian who had now dropped her phone saw him hurriedly standing up to go out.
 “Where are you going” she asked
“I’ll be back soon”…. He said quickly
He walked out of the theater and looked around for her but there was no sign of her. He was a bit disappointed and started to walk back into the theater when lo and behold he saw her. He could see her very well this time she was slim, kind of tall but not too tall and looked quite simple with a pair of jeans and tank top. She had braids on which was wrapped in a bun on the top of her head which made her look taller. She was on the phone and when she got off the phone she put it back in her bag. He quickly walked up to her and said
“I am really sorry about your glasses I can tell you were really upset when you walked out of the theater”
She looked at him and said ,“It’s….. okay had an extra pair in the car”
“That’s good…erm can we see after the play I feel I really owe u a better apology….maybe I could take you out for a drink or something”
Behi was tempted to say yes. She could see the dude who knocked off her glasses very well now. She had to admit that he was handsome and was much taller than she was. She sighed in her mind. She had just gotten off the phone with her ex…. Bimbo…. whom she hadn’t exactly gotten over. He was calling to well…. check up on her. She had told herself a million times she wouldn’t pick his calls but oh well she couldn’t stop herself and the most annoying part was that he knew she wasn’t over him. The dude in front of her now seemed like a good distraction so she accepted his after play drink proposal.
“Ok that’s cool” she said
He smiled and introduced himself “Thanks” he said “I’m Dozie by the way”
“Behi” she replied back.
“Think the show is finally about to start lets go in I’ll see you after the show”
And with that they both walked back to the theater.

***

Behi had finally said those three words to Dozie. He actually deserved to hear it. He wasn’t just her boyfriend but her best friend also. She could tell him anything and everything but she always had a problem saying those three words because to her they were sacred and should not just be used anyhow except the time was right. She never felt the way she did when she was with Bimbo though. She never really felt comfortable around him as to tell him anything and everything. He was a good guy for a while until he messed up.
She had finally decided to go see a movie with Osas instead of saying home and feeling sad. Her parents were out of town and her sister was in Dubai for a conference.  Osas decided to come and stay over which she was really thankful for. While dressing up she didn’t really feel the need to make up and look all pretty.  Dozie wasn’t around who was she looking all pretty for. Osas was waiting for her downstairs. As she emerged from the stairs, Osas took one look at her and shouted.
“Behi Ighodaro…do not tell me this how you want to leave this house”
“What’s wrong” Behi asked pretending she didn’t know what Osas was referring to.
“Babe come on I know Dozie is leaving but that does not mean you will start looking like a house girl please go put some makeup on and let your hair down.”
Behi sighed her friend was right. She was a lady and she had to look presentable. She didn’t know Dozie’s absence would affect her this much. She had seen him earlier that day and had cried her eyes out. She didn’t even have the heart to follow him to the airport. That would have been too much for her. She went upstairs put on some makeup and came back down to meet Osas. Osas finished up her friend’s look by letting down her hair. She had never seen Behi so sad and down and all because of a guy. Well they both loved each other dearly and she was happy that it was one of her plays that made them meet each other. Anyways her friend was sad and she being an edgy chic was determined to lift her friend’s spirit tonight. She had plans for them to go for a friend’s party after the movie and hoped Behi would agree. With that thought they both left the house and drove off into the night.
Well you know what they say the city comes alive at night and Lagos was not an exception. The Palms was full of people one would wonder if they didn’t have better things to do. Behi had already told Dozie she was going out with Osas. It wasn’t like he didn’t like her but to him she was kind of wild and he didn’t want his precious Behi all about town with some wild chic. Anyways they had been friends before he came into the picture and Behi had never become what she was. So he just told her to enjoy her movie. After all she shouldn’t be all sad because of him.
The boarding gate for Dozie’s flight was finally open. Things were becoming clearer to him now. He was really leaving Nigeria. All he could think about was Behi…. his precious Behi.
After the play that evening he took her and Vivian to a nice spot. He had explained to Vivian what had happened earlier so she understood and later left both of them alone. After she had left Dozie studied the lady sitting down beside him. She was okay with a nice smile but men those eyes were so beautiful. He was actually getting lost in them when she asked
“Erm…are you okay”
Startled he replied “Er yes…sorry was a little distracted…your eyes…are so gorgeous”
“Thanks”
“So did you enjoy the play?”
Her eyes lit up…his heart literally skipped a beat
“Yes it was lovely my friend was one of the actors”
They talked a lot and he really enjoyed her company. He definitely wanted to see her again. They exchanged phone numbers and blackberry pins. They hung out a couple of times he was somebody she was really comfortable with and to him she was well…different from other girls he had met. Well he finally asked her to be his girlfriend and the rest is history.
Behi really enjoyed the movie “Best Man Holiday” which was a reunion of the cast of “The Best Man” an old movie she and Osas had watched a couple of times when they were much younger. She had no idea a new movie with the same cast was out and was shocked and happy at the same time when Osas told her that was the movie they were watching. The movie was a sad/happy movie Behi was really touched by the movie but all Osas did was talk about how hot Morris Chestnut and Taye Diggs were…… typical Osas always drooling over the hot guys Behi admitted the same. Osas was about to tell her about the party she wanted them to go for when her phone rang it was Dozie.
“Hey baby, are you done with your movie now?”
“Yes love I am”
A little smile formed on his lips when he heard the word “love”
“Ok baby…just wanted to let you know that I’m on board now”
Behi couldn’t believe her ears he was really leaving her heart sank
“Ok baby” she said
“Sweetie I love you very much and I promise I would come back for you”
Osas being  a smart girl didn’t need anybody to tell her what was going on she could see the tears forming in her friend’s eyes already as the cinema lights were back on and quickly led her out of the cinema to where the car was parked.
“I love you too baby and I believe you. I would be right here waiting for you when you get back…safe journey”
“Thanks sweetie I will call you immediately I land and settle down take care of yourself for me okay?”
“Okay baby…bye”
“Bye”
The line went dead followed by the tears. Osas held her friend in the parking lot and comforted her while she cried. She loved Behi so much and had to be with her at such times as this. Behi was quite fragile. After she cried she wiped her eyes and told Osas to take her home. But Osas said
“No way. We are not going home”
“Huh….why”
“We are going to groove utunu” she said with a wide smile
“Not in the mood I just wanna go home”
“Hmmm….that’s what you said about the movie see as your face change when you saw Morris Chestnut and Taye Diggs”
Behi laughed a little….”Yea why wouldn’t it…I mean didn’t you see those packs”
“I saw it oh my dear…anyways a friend of mine is having a get together and said I could bring someone….”
Behi cut her off saying “Who is the friend”
This was the question Osas had been dreading all night. It was Bimbo. Behi’s ex. Yes he and Behi had broken up some years back but they (Osas and Bimbo) were still friends.
“Don’t worry dear….let’s just go…I don’t just want you to go home and start brooding over Dozie again”
“Just tell me who the person is I wouldn’t beat you”
Osas never had the heart to lie to Behi and in a defeated voice she said “It’s Bimbo”
Behi couldn’t believe her ears. “Osas seriously???? Of all people??? you have been great today in trying to cheer me up but I don’t think going to Bimbo”s party is the best thing right now”
“I know. I’m sorry babes”
“It’s okay”
“Alright I know you don’t want to go home so why don’t we go get some pizza and ice cream…my treat” Behi said with a smile
“Pizza and ice cream….nah I’m watching my weight” Osas said with a straight face
Behi hit her playfully and her lap and said “You are always watching your weight”
Osas laughed and said ‘Lead the way my dear”
They drove out of the parking lot and after a bit of traffic they were off to Lekki phase one to get pizza and ice cream. The place wasn’t so full and soon it was their turn. They took their pizza orders and then off they went to get some yummy coldstone ice cream. It was truly the ice cream of life. Behi then went to pick up their pizza from downstairs. As she turned to head back up to meet Osas, she heard someone call her name.
“Behi”
She literally froze. She knew that voice anytime, anywhere even in her sleep. She turned around and to look at the forever familiar voice. Your guess is as good as mine. It was Bimbo…..her ex.