Prose:

Short Story: Love Adventure

I was surfing the internet💻 when I came across this particular high school movie🎥🍿 audition that was produced in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. After a thorough consideration🤦‍♂️, I decided to hop in and fortunately, I was Shortlisted. Lagos to Uyo is quite far and risky for a first-time traveler like me, but I made up my mind to go for this movie production in order to get more exposed and possibly develop a career in acting.
This was much easier because it was immediately after I finished my final examination📚 and I wasn’t doing a lot in school🏫. a few days later, I picked a date, got some stuff, and started preparing for this movie adventure. I was watching a football⚽ match with my younger brothers in school when my phone pops up messages from a group chat. This group chat was created by actors that found themselves on Instagram going for the movie🎥. I could feel the ecstasy in each and every message indeed, we were all eager to meet each other as new friends and feature in an interesting movie.
The following day, I woke up to see a lot of messages, pictures, and videos on this group chat. “what could be happening🤷‍♀️?’ I glanced through the messages and I saw some nice and ugly comments about the place and the people in charge. “THEY CAN NOT TREAT US ANYHOW!!!!, WE ARE LITERARILY WORKING FOR THEM WITHOUT BEING PAID!!!” I typed this to the group chat to support the motion although, I was still at home😂.
My messages spur a lot of other issues and the people there started sending pictures and videos to the group just to assure us that they were safe. I scrolled through other messages and checked some pictures and videos. As I was watching the video, I saw a very beautiful young girl which I presumed to be under the age of 18–20😎. “AH!!, WETIN THIS GIRL CON DO🤔?’ I said to myself but I couldn’t stop watching the video because of her. I paused it sometimes, zoomed in, and zoomed out her face. I didn’t know I was lost in this girl’s world till my brother came to tap me that light has been restored😍. I quickly pretend as if I was doing something very important on my phone😂😂………………
The following day, I checked the next flight✈ to Uyo from Lagos. “fair enough,” I said to myself as scrolled through the availability. Then, a thought🤔 struck my mind. I have a friend in Benin, and Benin to Uyo is almost six hours. I decided to pay an August visit to my friend and then traveled to Uyo. Everything went as planned👌, I was about to settle down in the room I was given in Uyo when my mom’s🤷‍♀️ calls entered. I have been trying to avoid her calls ever since I planned the journey.
There is no point avoiding her calls anymore, after all, I have arrived here safely. I immediately call her back and she asked about my whereabouts, I figured out my siblings had told her but she wanted to confirm with me. “Ah🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️, Iwo omoyiiiiiiii!!!!!! who do you know in Igbo land??? that place that they use to eat human beings😭😭. Makoba mi ohh, what should I tell your father??” that was her first reply after I told her I went to Uyo. I had to calm her down and remind her that I would be going for my NYSC soon and only God knows where they will post me, so what would she do then? She calmed down and I had to also assure her that I was safe. We talked📞 for a few minutes and she told me to call her if I needed anything since we don’t have a family over there, she also promised to present it well to my dad so he wouldn’t get mad at me for traveling that far without informing any of them.
A few minutes later, A coaster bus🚌 arrived. I realized that they’d gone for a shoot🎥 that day and they were just returning. I wonder how I’m going to survive this late-hour😭 shoot because it all seems so weird to me. I was looking at everyone coming out of the bus and hoping to see someone who can meet my energy to be friends with. Fortunately for me, I saw this beautiful young girl 💃 stepping out of the bus aimlessly, I wanted to go say Hi to her but I was taken aback by a few guys hovering around her like bees 🐝to honey. “I wondered if she would like me, I looked for ugly and tired right now, how can she not even look my side” I kept on talking to myself till I found a male friend have been talking to online, and we linked up. I started asking him about everyone just to know how to start a good conversation with this fine girl. He started telling me everything as we giggle and walked slowly inside….

As we walked inside, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness😑. The atmosphere was charged with the energy of people passionate about the art of acting. My newfound friend, Chijioke, introduced me to some of the actors, and soon we were mingling with the rest of the crew. The shoot had left everyone tired, but there was a sense of camaraderie among us🙌.

I noticed the beautiful girl👩 from the video sitting on a corner of the set, scrolling through her phone. My heart raced😱 as I decided to approach her. Chijioke nudged me playfully, sensing my nerves. “Go on, man. She’s just a person like the rest of us,” he said with a wink😉.

Summoning courage💪, I walked over to her. “Hey, I’m Gbenga. Just got into town for the movie audition,” I greeted, trying to sound casual.

She looked up, her eyes👀👀 meeting mine. “Hi, Gbenga. I’m Amara,” she replied with a warm smile😊.

We started talking, and the initial awkwardness melted away as we discovered shared interests in movies, books📚, and life in general. Amara was not just a pretty face; she was intelligent, witty, and had a passion for storytelling. We exchanged stories about our journey into acting, dreams, and aspirations. It felt like we had known each other for ages, breaking the ice effortlessly.

Over the next few days, we spent a lot of time together on and off the set🎥. We explored the beautiful city of Uyo, sharing laughter😂🤣, deep conversations, and discovering the uniqueness of each other’s personalities. As the shoot progressed, our bond deepened, and I found myself looking forward to the moments when I could be with Amara.

However, as the saying goes, life is not a bed of roses🌹. Our growing connection faced hurdles in the form of cultural differences and tribal distinctions. I am from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, while Amara is Igbo. These cultural disparities are deeply rooted in Nigerian society, often leading to reservations and prejudices.

Despite this, we chose not to let societal norms dictate our feelings. We were determined to build something special, transcending the barriers imposed by culture. Our fellow actors, seeing the genuine connection between us, were supportive, but we knew we had to face the challenges head-on.

One evening, as we strolled through a serene part of Uyo, we broached the topic of our cultural differences. Amara spoke candidly about the expectations her family👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 might have concerning her future partner. We discussed our dreams, acknowledging the potential challenges we might face as a couple👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼. It was a mature conversation that solidified our commitment to understanding and respecting each other’s backgrounds.

As our friendship evolved into something deeper, the movie shoot came to an end. It was time to say goodbye to the city that had become the backdrop of our budding romance. We exchanged tearful goodbyes😭😭 with the cast and crew, promising to keep in touch.

Back in Lagos, we faced the reality of maintaining a long-distance relationship. Calls📞, texts📧, and video chats became our lifelines, bridging the physical gap between us. We navigated the challenges of miscommunication, time zone differences, and the occasional bouts of loneliness. Yet, our connection remained resilient, a testament to the strength of our bond.

Months later, as I prepared for my NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) posting, we faced another hurdle. The uncertainty of where I would be posted weighed on us. It was a test of our commitment to making our relationship work despite the geographical distance that might separate us.

When the posting finally came, I was sent to a state far from both Lagos and Uyo. The distance seemed insurmountable, but our determination prevailed. Amara and I continued to support each other from a distance, celebrating each other’s victories💪 and providing solace during challenging times.

Our relationship weathered the storm of cultural differences, distance, and societal expectations. It became a testament to the idea that love knows no tribe or cultural background. Amara and I learned to embrace and respect each other’s heritage, integrating the richness of both Yoruba and Igbo cultures into our lives.

As the NYSC program came to an end, I returned🚌 to Lagos, where Amara had also relocated for a job opportunity. Our love💕 story, which began on the set of a movie in Uyo, had come full circle. We faced societal prejudices, cultural disparities, and the challenges of a long-distance relationship, but through it all, our love stood strong.

Today, Amara and I are not only good friends but also lovers👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 who have overcome societal expectations, proving that love is a force that transcends boundaries. Our journey, starting from an unexpected movie audition, has shaped us into individuals who value each other’s uniqueness and appreciate the diversity that love brings. We continue to build our lives together, cherishing the memories of our Uyo adventure and looking forward to a future filled with love❤💕💕, understanding, and shared dreams.

©Manuel Odunlami