Preparations

Valentine's was just a few days away -

Not that I cared but Kiki did anyway.

We both sat on her bed that was messed up with sheets of paper on which different things had been scribbled on.

Kiki was so bent on getting the perfect Valentine gift for Tobi. She was going to propose to him on that day.

Sandra, from our class already had a sleepover party planned out for that day. To be honest, I wasn't interested in any of that but I knew I had to be there for Kiki. Since we were both invited and she would be attending, I would go.

It could be fun afterall.

"So what could Tobi possibly like?" Kiki bit on the cap of the pen in her hand.

She stared hard at the sketch on the piece of paper in front of her.

"No, I need to think of something else," She curled her lips to show she wasn't satisfied and flung the piece of paper aside.

C'mon Kiki

That would be the tthirteenth piece of paper she would be wasting because of Tobi.

She proceeded to rip out another page from the book beside her.

She stared blankly at the piece of paper for a while, obviously out of ideas.

"Ughh," She surrendered to frustration. "I can't think of anything good. Tilda help me out."

How was she expecting me to help her out?

"How about going to a store to see if there's anything nice to get him?" I squinted my eyes, wondering if my suggestion was reasonable enough.

Kiki turned wide-eyed and immediately grabbed my shoulders.

"Tilda, you are such a genius!" She exclaimed. I could hear the excitement in her voice.

"I know just where we can get a lot of stuff to buy," She added.

I was happy seeing Kiki happy but there was something else on my mind.

What...

What if Tobi rejected her proposal after everything?

I know that Kiki was to buy Tobi a gift for Valentine's as per the game we had played in class but...

Sigh

I just didn't want to shatter her hope and confidence. Supporting her was the most I could do at this point.

Since I had gone to Kiki's house that Sunday after church, her driver drove us down to a store that sold "couple items."

The store was rather large and also sold gifts that people could buy for their lovers. Since Valentine's day was near, the place was quite filled with people whom were shopping for their loved ones.

It was when we even got there that I remembered I was to get Eddie a gift.

That loser!

God knows I wasn't as bothered as Kiki in trying to prepare the perfect Valentine gift.

I bought the first thing that caught my eyes - a stuffed clown toy.

I mean, it was the best I could think of.

Besides, it looked like him anyways.

You can't blame me too much

Kiki and I then moved over to a section where wristwatches were sold.

Believe me when I say, this girl got a Rolex.

Ah, Ah!

What pained me the most was that she was using her father's credit card to do all this. That man spoiled his daughter too much and in a way, reminded me of my father.

The next thing she bought was a pair of palm slippers.

They weren't any ' ordinary ' palm slippers.

Kiki had made sure to get one of the best designs.

Chai!

We later moved on to another section of the store where she could get a couple of perfumes - roses and vanilla scents, all because she claimed Tobi smells that way and she loved it.

Lord have mercy on her for she knows not what is wrong with her.

Finally, she got a pair of matching bracelets for herself and Tobi, alongside a box of snickers - his favourite chocolate.

"Hmm, I wonder where mine is in all this," I folded my arms across my chest, feigning anger as we stopped at the counter to pay for the things we bought.

Kiki shoved my words aside with a chuckle.

She didn't need to tell me of her gift for me. I already knew she had something planned for me, just as I did for her. Exchanging gifts was something we did every Valentine's day.

After hours of shopping for Mr. Tobi, Kiki proposed that we stayed behind a little so she could get to witness the beauty of the store's Cafe.

It was an open space in front of the store where chairs and tables were arranged - it was an outdoor restaurant meant for couples as well.

The tables and chairs were designed with love shapes of different sizes, with cupid's bows adding a sweet touch to the surrounding.

The scenery was far beautiful than anything I had ever witnessed.

Colourful butterflies graced the evening atmosphere. LED heart-shaped lights complimented the carpet grass so well. As it got darker, fireflies began to appear in the surrounding to add a touch to the beauty already cast by the LED lights.

At a reasonable distance away from the restaurant setting, beautiful fireworks popped up in the sky in the form of symbols and writings in the honour of the dining couples.

It was nature at its peak.

"It's so beautiful," I gasped as Kiki and I stood on the long terrace projected to get an even closer view of the fireworks.

"I wish I could propose to Tobi here," Kiki sighed with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"So places like this exist," I was still overwhelmed at how beautiful the scene was.

"How will you know they do when you isolate yourself every day of your life?" Kiki hissed playfully.

"Abeg, let me get something for us to drink. We shouldn't be admiring this beauty with parched throats," She added.

"I hear you, my madam," I smiled and she immediately went off.

I was busy enjoying the scene of fireworks and allowing my eyes to feast on the beauty of the place when I was able to recognize someone standing not too far away from me, watching the fireworks as well.

"Hi," I blurted out and started waving like a lunatic.

Luckily for me, I was able to get his attention.

"Miles!" I called.

His eyes settled on me from across the distance between us that was filled by very few people.

There was no expression on his face nor did he return my wave.

I slowly withdrew my hand to my side with embarrassment written over me. Nobody has ever done that to me, not even my enemies.

Shame had come to dwell beside me and I couldn't bring myself to even glance in his direction.

What even is wrong with me?

I didn't even know him that well yet I was making a fool out of myself.

"I guess you're the stalker today," I heard a masculine voice behind me that caused me to flinch.

"Y-yo-you," I stuttered as I turned around to meet his gaze.

There he stood, tall over me, with barely any expression on his face.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" I rushed over my words.

"Do I have any explanation to give you?" The sassy look that came to stay on his face caused my heart to sink.

As I was about to say something, I heard someone cough loudly as if trying to gain our attention.

"Oh my goodness, Tilda?" Kiki stood in front of the two of us, with a bottle of fanta in each of her hands and a mischievous smile on her face - a mischievous smile I knew very well.

Don't do this, Kiki.