Serial Heartbreaks

It all happened 2 years ago, 7th of May, 2019, on a Tuesday night. I went to hang out, with Ruth, Ebuka, Sly, and Ruth's 2 other friends who happened to be Sly and Ebuka's girlfriends, at Junkyard around Central Area, and also watched the champions league semifinal between Barcelona and Liverpool. Barcelona having the advantage of a 3-0 lead coming into the second leg, left me excited that they were going to qualify and proceed to the final.

We ordered drinks, and barbecue fish, to add flavour to the supposed victory. We were all Barcelona fans, except for the girls though, who only came to enjoy the evening.

The night didn't turn out as I expected, because Barcelona lost. We were heartbroken, a night that was supposed to have ended in merriment, ended sour, as Liverpool thrashed Barcelona 4-0. My first heartbreak for the night.

I was overcome by anger and hurried everyone to finish up so we could get going, I didn't want to stay there anymore. What was the point honestly, I was already hurt, a team I support, losing a 3-0 lead, it was annoying. My expectations didn't turn into reality.

In less than 10 minutes we were all done and stood up to leave.

"Ruth. Ruth dear," a thick masculine voice called from behind.

We all turned to see who it was, and even if the person called only one person, we still wanted to know who he was.

We turned around to meet the grin of a huge fellow, who looked exactly like his voice. I was intimidated at the sight of him. He was putting on a pair of black jean trousers, a blue stripe shirt and a black suede shoe, holding a glass of beer in his left hand, with his right hand in his pocket. He was in his 50's, so I thought because that was how he looked.

"Baby," Ruth responded with excitement and ran to hug him, and kissed him.

The others looked at me in surprise, I looked back at them the same. I was more surprised than they were.

My legs became heavy, my palms were sweaty and I just looked on wondering if I were in a trance, but it was real, so real.

Ruth ran back to me and dragged me over to meet her 'baby'. My legs couldn't move, and I dragged myself slowly to where he was.

"This is my boyfriend, John. And John, this is my baby, my special one, Honourable Minister David Akanbi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs," she said, smiling like I should be impressed she knows a Minister.

He stretched out his hand from his right pocket for a handshake, and I stretched out mine. His handshake was firm. I felt my heart stop for that brief moment. Then the others came to join us.

"Nice to meet you, John. So you've been the one sharing my love with me. I can see she uses my money to take care of you well," Hon. David humoured.

None of us could utter a word, we looked on, confused.

"Is this happening?" I thought to myself.

Sly tapped me on the shoulder and nudged his head towards the exit, signifying that we should leave.

"You all should have a seat, join our table," said Hon. David. "Order what you want, enjoy the evening."

"We already had enough, and it was evening. We were already prepared to leave. Thank you," I said, with a little shaky voice. "Ruth, let's go," I continued.

"You all can go. John, I'll meet you back at the house later," said Ruth, while having her seat.

Hon. David looked at me, smiling, turned around and had his seat too. I stood for a long time and thought about walking over to drag her to leave, but what would I have achieved, I'd embarrassed myself more. I turned around, and we all left. Second heartbreak.

They tried to console me and make a joke out of it to cheer me up, but I was deep in that mood, drowning.

Ebuka dropped me off at home and asked if he should stay with me, asking if I'd be fine. I told him I'd be fine, I just need a good sleep, after the embarrassing night.

I went straight to bed and tried to sleep, but I couldn't, I kept thinking of a whole lot, how I got myself in this. I blamed Barcelona, for what happened, if they had won, I would have had one thing to be happy about.

I stayed up until morning, had my bath and went to work. I used to work at Access Bank PLC in Garki. I wasn't productive that day, because I kept thinking of everything that happened the previous night, and I became ill. I had to make an excuse and left work early.

The journey to the house felt longer than usual, if flying was possible, it would have been my means of getting home then. I got home, laid down on the bed and slept.

There was a noise coming from outside, the noise woke me up. Everywhere was dark already, and I slept for a long time. I checked the time and it was 7:36 pm, I was very hungry too. I walked to the kitchen to see if I had any food left, so I could eat and to my surprise, I saw Ruth, dicing onion and pepper, she wants to prepare something to eat.

"Hi dear, you slept for a long time, are you alright?" she said, smiling.

"When did you get here?" I asked, in a harsh tone.

"Why are you sounding that way, did you sleep hungry?"

"Are we going to act like nothing happened last night?"

"Yes, about last night, you embarrassed me, John. You didn't act maturely. He was friendly with you, he even asked you to have a seat and order anything," she responded, putting her hands on her waist.

I looked at her in disgust, pushing the blame at me.

"It was my fault? Me? You introduced me to your sugar daddy and you expected me to be happy? Are you alright?"

"The money I spend on you, where do you think I get it from? You should be grateful to him for that."

"It's about money now, right? I don't spend on you, I don't give you enough? I am done with this conversation, I don't want to get angrier than I already am."

"Fine, it's a break-up then. I'm leaving," she said and walked away.

She packed her things and left my house. And I couldn't stop her or say anything. I never saw her again or spoke to her, until she called me on the 13th of October, 2020.