I don’t know what love turned me into that year, but I know it wasn’t me acting normally.

There was this guy I liked too much, if we’re being honest. Anytime he texted, my brain would just reset. One time he casually mentioned that he loved early morning walks. Me, that can’t wake up before 9am unless the Holy Spirit shakes me, suddenly set alarm for 4:45am.

And guess what?

I woke up.

I bathed.

I wore sneakers I hadn’t touched since NYSC.

Then I waited… and waited… and waited.

Oga slept off.

He didn’t wake up.

He didn’t come out.

He didn’t even remember the conversation.

Me, I was outside like one security guard patrolling the compound, pretending to “get fresh air.”

Another time, he said he liked girls that know how to cook egusi the “thick village style.” I don’t know which spirit entered me, but I attempted it. The thing came out looking like scrambled eggs and heartbreak mixed together. I still posted it and told him, “I made something small.” He said, “Awwwn, cute.” Cute?? My dear, I almost used the pot to cry.

But the funniest one?

He said he loves girls that read.

I carried Things Fall Apart, a book I abandoned in SS2 and started reading it on the bus like a scholar. One uncle beside me asked, “My sister, exam dey soon?” I just smiled like a philosophy student preparing for dissertation.

Looking back now, I laugh.

Love will humble you.

It will make you do exercise you didn’t plan, cook food you can’t explain, and pretend to be a deep thinker when all you want is sleep.

But honestly?

I don’t regret it.

It was silly…

but it was sweet.

And that’s the thing about love,sometimes the silliness is the story.