Lost but Found

As Jimmy wandered through the university's botanical garden, he noticed a secluded corner filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. There, amidst the blossoms, he saw a girl sitting on a weathered wooden bench, her hair, a cascade of golden curls and her face illuminated by the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves above. She wore a floral pattern dress which blended perfectly well with her caramel skin shade and altogether, made her look like something that was grown in the garden. She belonged there.

She seemed lost in thought as she gently twirling a delicate flower between her fingers. Jimmy stared at her in disbelief and walked gently towards her. Her presence was captivating, and Jimmy felt drawn to her as if they were connected by the red string of fate. As he approached, a sense of familiarity washed over him, and right then, he felt as if he had been waiting for this moment his entire existence.

His heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he finally stood before her. With a soft smile, she looked up, her eyes meeting his with a depth that seemed to pierce his soul. Time stood still as they exchanged a silent greeting, the air around them filled with an unspoken connection.

For Jimmy, it was a moment of surreal wonderment—a dream brought to life before his very eyes. Unable to contain his emotions, he was tempted to reach out to touch her hand, feel the warmth of her skin against his own and in that instant, he knew that he had found the girl of his dreams, the same girl who was his angel of strength.

"MGBEODI!" He patted his lips unconsciously and called out.

"It's Temi! The girl said and smiled.

"What?" Jimmy blurted out as he tried to snap out of his daydream.

"Temitope! That's my name!"

"Oh! Temi is a beautiful name! I'm Jimmy!" He said,

"I know!"

"You do?"

"Yes! Who doesn't know you in this school!" She giggled. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

"You made me proud cos I was always rooting for you!" She giggled again. "I even betted money for you!"

She smiled happily. "What are you doing here? Are you lost?"

Jimmy just glared at her and was completely mesmerised by her voice, her eyes and her smile. He was lost for words. "Yes I'm lost but found!" He said not listening to himself.

She laughed! "Not to worry, I'll lead you out, I'm used to this place, no one in this school knows here more than I do."

Jimmy smiled and sat close to her on that wheathered bench and felt at home. "How often do you come here?" He asked.

"Whenever I want to study alone or have a 'me' time, maybe once or twice a week. It's very peaceful and like home here." She answered and looked around the garden dreamily.

"Yes it's peaceful!"

As Jimmy sat with the girl of his dreams in the tranquil garden, a profound sense of peace enveloped him. The silence between them felt comforting rather than awkward, like two souls sharing a moment of quiet understanding.

His thoughts danced like leaves in the gentle breeze, reflecting on the inexplicable connection he felt with her. He marvelled at the way her presence seemed to fill the spaces within him that he never knew were empty, as if she was the missing piece he had been searching for all along.

Every glance exchanged between them spoke volumes, conveying a depth of emotion that words could never fully capture. Jimmy found himself marvelling at the beauty of her existence, grateful for the opportunity to bask in her presence.

In that serene moment, amidst the blooming flowers and whispering trees, Jimmy felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He knew that whatever the future held, he would cherish this moment forever—a fleeting glimpse of perfection in an imperfect world.

Time stood still as the two sat silently in the garden. Soon, the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sky, the botanical garden transformed into a breathtaking scene of ethereal beauty. The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the towering trees, painting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the lush greenery below.

The flowers, already vibrant in their hues, seemed to come alive in the soft, golden light, their petals aglow with warmth and radiance. Bees buzzed lazily among the blossoms, collecting nectar as if in homage to the setting sun.

As the evening approached, the temperature began to drop slightly, and a gentle breeze rustled through the foliage, carrying with it the scent of earth and flowers. The garden seemed to sigh in contentment, as if savouring the final moments of daylight before the night descended.

For Jimmy and the girl he sat with, the sunset infused the garden with a sense of magic and tranquillity. They watched in silent awe as the sky transformed into a canvas of fiery hues—shades of orange, pink, and purple blending seamlessly together in a breathtaking display of nature's splendour.

In that fleeting moment, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the garden was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, Jimmy felt a profound sense of gratitude for the beauty of the world around him. And as the day gave way to night, he knew that the memories of this perfect evening would linger in his heart forever.

He stood and extended his hand to her, "Let me walk you back to your hostel, it's getting dark!"

She took his hand and smiled. He pulled her up and together, they found their way out of the garden and headed towards the girl's hostel.

"Temi, how long have you been in this school?" Jimmy asked.

"This is my first year!" She announced contently. "I got into the humanities to study fine and performing arts!"

"Oh wow! You must be very intelligent then," Jimmy remarked. "Fine arts I find very complicated and intricate, compared to architecture.

Temi laughed a bit and it sounded like a music in Jimmy's ear.

"Fine art is isn't complicated at all or maybe it's because I'm passionate about it. I find the course profound and multifaceted. Studying fine arts allows me to explore diverse forms of expression, delve into the complexities of human experiences, and cultivate a deep appreciation for creativity and aesthetic beauty. It enables me to critically analyze art, understand its cultural and historical significance, and communicate my own perspectives through various mediums."

Jimmy was stunned! He had never heard anyone speak so intensely and passionately about their choice of study. "Now I understand why the botanical garden is a second hostel for you in this school."

Temi laughed again and each time she did, Jimmy would feel a pull of the invisible thread of fate that joined them.

"Thank you for walking me back! I will go in now!" She stated with another beautiful smile.

Only then could Jimmy realised that they had already arrived at the female hostel. As she turned around to leave, he held her warm hand to say goodnight but immediately he felt a rush of warmth and excitement coursing through him. His pulse fluttered and that familiar sense of connection he had felt earlier before and in his dreams surged again.

"I should be the one saying thank you Temi! Thank you for yesterday!" He could barely mutter.

"Why?" She asked as she turned around to face him and make another eye contact with him, and right there and then, Jimmy realised that she was the most natural and beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

"For cheering me on yesterday! For your amazing support even when you didn't know me! For even beting on me!" Temi laughed! "And for finding me when I was lost!"

"Are you always this humble and modest?" She asked sweetly and without waiting for his answer she added, "It was all a pleasure and a privilege! Good night Jimmy!"

His hand lingered on hers for a while before he released it and watched her walk inside her hostel.