SINCERELY, YOURS

 

After waking up and realizing it was all a dream, I went about preparing for work sluggishly, all the joy and excitement I had in the dream had fade away, and I have never felt so heart broken. Why don't good things last long? Why do bad things happen to good people? These are some existential questions I asked myself while staring at the mirror.

Instagram was the perfect escape for times like this, let me go and see new videos that will make me smile at least. I scrolled through and there was nothing interesting on the TL apart from the usual restaurant exploration posts, I was about to go off and continue with my mood, but stopped when I saw a post from none other than JD himself, so this guy will just go about posting as if he didn't just break my heart, "this life no balance las las" I said to myself.

He posted about visiting various states and how he hopes to meet up with his fans in these states. Apparently he was in Abuja and was hoping to see some of his super fans. Wait what?? He’s in my city? Did I read that right? Is this it? Is this fate trying to fix me up?!  I quickly replied the post, I know I wasn't supposed to after what he did but I couldn't help it, I mean, it is Johnny in MY city… I sha stated that I would love to meet him and I hope that it is possible. I’m literally crossing my fingers for this to happen. Can you just imagine it?!! I went off and continued with my day, all the while ensuring that I do not check my phone every second but, I decided to check back after a while. He had sent me a DM and for the first time that day I smiled, to be honest, I more than smiled, I literally grinned. My cheeks were literally hurting from grinning that hard.

He asked if I was in Abuja and if I’ll be free so we could meet, lol as if anything can stand in the way of us seeing. At this point I could no longer hide my excitement I began replaying the scenes from my dream and… Ooops I've still not replied JD's DM, I will be free of course, I could give him my whole day, I replied yes and then he got my WhatsApp number with the promise of communicating further details for the meet up. I had to pinch myself to make sure this wasn't a dream.

Then the worries started; what if he wasn't as fun in real life as he was in the dream? What if his voice wasn't as calming and soothing as it was in the dream? What if he doesn't smell as nice as he did in the dream? What if I don't find him as exciting as I did in the dream? As you may have noticed, my head has the ability to think various thoughts in milliseconds. Well, I guess the only way to get answers to all my questions is to finally meet up. It's time to go off and finish the load of work that is staring me in the face. 

I tried to finish up my work quickly so I could close on time and prepare for my date with JD the next day. What am I going to wear for this date??? I quickly message my sister/wardrobe manager that I have better gist for her when we get home.

It was finally closing hours. I quickly packed my bag and headed home. I got home, dropped my bag and went to the sitting room to give mummy the latest gist in her sweetheart’s life. “Mummy o, you will not believe who messaged me today…”

 I ask her to give me a moment to settle in while also using that time to wait for sisi to get home. I have to give this gist together to my two dramatic family members. Finally sis is home;

“Babes, how far? What is the gist abeg?

Mummy come o, I’m starting now and I will not repeat it again. I shout out to my mom who is in the kitchen.

I proceed to give my people the breakdown of everything, and their responses were as follows;

Mom: Hey God! Sweetheart, you’re finally going to meet Joe Drille? I roll my eyes and correct her on the name for the umpteenth time! I don’t even know why I bother because she’ll still call him Joe when they are singing her favorite song, Halleluyah ft. Simi. 

Sisi: *loud scream* Babes!!!! I’m so happy for you, show me, show me, show me!!

Mom in her usual fashion starts to pump me with questions; what will you wear? Where are you people meeting? What time are you supposed to be there? What will you do when you meet him? She probably should have been the lawyer not me. My sister is also rambling a couple of questions at me. Lol, they are as excited as I thought they would be. They continue this while my mind drifts away to other places…

Next, we begin to plan for the d-day. Sisi asks me how I want to look. I respond with “Comfortable. I don’t even want stress biko.” she shakes her head. Left to me, I would dress like a boy and just pull up, but, my mother will have my head. She says I have to start behaving more like a girl… whatever that means.

Now, to the part you’ve all been waiting for….

The next day couldn’t come quick enough. I woke up earlier than everyone, I even woke them up for morning devotion. Lol, don’t you dare laugh! It’s not every day that your dreams come true in such a splendiferous manner. I checked my message to see if the messages from Johnny were still there of if my mind had started having serious delusions. It was a relief to see that it was still there with the updated time and location.

I dressed up in a black pant trouser, black turtle neck and black flats because black is bae and I love how black makes me feel plus, its super cormfy. I would ordinarily pack my hair up, but, it is a special occasion and, it MUST be remembered. I let my hair down, I even applied foundation and powder! Look who’s been such a girl, mummy. I got my bag and I was about to bounce out when I heard mummy call;

 “PP did you carry your facemask and transport money?”

Yes mummy I did! I responded.

 “Ok, hope you’re not forgetting anything o”, this woman! I say in my mind.

I am definitely ready. I hitched a ride with sisi who will drop me off before proceeding to work. I suspect that she just wants to ensure that her baby girl is fine. My world’s best sister. On our way, I drop a quick message for Johnny;

“Hi Johnny, Good morning. I’m on my way and should be there in a few minutes.” I wasn’t expecting a response but then it came and I felt like I just had my own slice of heaven. He said; “Yay! See you soon” I couldn’t believe it! Johnny sounds excited to see meeeeee. I told my sister who had noticed that I had started hyperventilating.

“Calm down, Onye.” She says with a smile. On the ride, she gave me a couple of instructions;

1.       You must not freeze because you rock!

2.       You will take enough pictures & videos because you will regret it if you do not, and

3.       You will have fun because you deserve it.

Yes ma, I responded while rolling my eyes. I looked out the window and I noticed how bright the day seemed. The skies a wonderful shade of blue, bright but not sunny. And the grass, oh my, the grass were greener than I had ever seen them and I was one to notice these things. Was this “The Johnny Effect?” I wondered, naaa. It can’t be…

We arrive and my heart is pounding so fast. I come down from the car, take a step forward and I turn back to look at my sister who is smiling so fondly at me. Can she see how my legs are shaking? or how it feels like I’m about to choke on this facemask? She gives me a look and in that instant, I know that she understands all that I am communicating with my eyes. She gives me a thumbs up and a weird face and just like that, I start smiling and the shuddering stops. I wave goodbye, and then I walk into the premises- in my head, the song- Victory or Death by Lois Viallet is playing as I walk in, in slow motion.

I stepped in and immediately walked to the entrance, ready to bounce in with my background song playing and I see that, it is locked. Wait, what?! How can it be locked? Do they not know that I am supposed to meet Johnny here?? I wait for a few minutes, I don’t see any sign of them opening so, I send a message to Johnny; “Hi Johnny, I’m here, but it seems locked. Tried to call but it was unavailable”. I decided to take a stroll to the back and just look around while I wait.

My phone rang, I’m sure it’s my mom calling to know if I’ve arrived safely. I look and it’s Johnny. I take a deep breath and…

“Hi Johnny.” I say

“Hey Princess, I’m sorry I’m late, I will be with you in about 3mins. I also called the restaurant lady and she should be there soon as well” He said

In my head I’m like, OMG!!!! Was that my name he just called? Why does it sound so different coming from him!! What is this hypnosis? His voice definitely sounded like I thought it would! Calm and soothing.

“Oh ok, that’s fine.” I respond. That’s fine??? Was that all you could say, Princess? *palm to the face moment*

 

Few minutes later, I’m staring at the birds in the air wondering what is running through their minds when I feel my phone vibrate. I look and it’s Johnny. Twice in a day? Wow!!

“Hi Johnny” I say

“Princessssss” it sounds like it’s from behind me and so, I turn and there he is all 6ft1 of him, tall glass of awesomeness.

I walk towards him and the song- “I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden” begins to play in my head. There and then, I understood the inspiration behind those love songs and it was beautiful.

I walk slowly and shyly, then I ask; “Can I hug you?” He responds by hugging me and it felt like those hugs that get you crying because of how warm they are. His shirt, a blue velvet material felt so soft, all you’d want to do would be to stay in his arms and he smelt just like I thought he would- woodsy, subtle yet masculine. I could tell instinctively that this wasn’t the scent of any perfume, rather it was the scent of HIM. He stated that he had invited some other super fans, I expected that but I still felt a pang of jealousy.

We turn back and walk to the entrance, there I see that Johnny had come with his luggage, I glance at it and in my mind I’m thinking; “oh did I miss the memo for our elopement?” and as if he saw the glance he says,

“I decided to come with my luggage so I wouldn’t bother going back to the hotel from here”

At the entrance, we are met by this beautiful girl who Johnny introduces as the Birthday girl. Her smile makes you want to smile. I can only imagine how she felt, seeing someone she cares about on her birthday!! If I felt this happy, I only imagine that her joy is much more.

I ask him what time his flight is as we proceed to enter the restaurant and he says, later. He just brought it, so that we could have more time. “Awwww, that’s really nice” I say.

Being a gentleman that he is, he opens the door and I step in, saying “thank you”. Inside, we are met by some other fans who seem like nice people. I can’t help but feel that my day is being shared, but, yea I understand. We sit down and I’m staring like Joe from “You” series. *snap out of it, girl! This is Johnny, you know you have questions you’ve been dying to ask. Now is your chance to do that.*

Johnny begins with introduction. He introduces everyone present and I could see how shy he truly is. It is kind of comforting to see, knowing that he is probably feeling the same way I’m feeling. When the waitress brought the menu, he asked that we order whatever we want, and all that is running through my mind is, “why won’t he take of his facemask?” I mean, looking at his eyes and deciphering what he is thinking is a pleasure, but seeing him smile would even be more amazing.

As though reading my mind, Nkem says the exact thing I was thinking. “Take off your mask, Johnny”

Oh, I beg your pardon, you have not met the super fans; we have Birthday girl @lightskingirl whose beauty could cause traffic, then there’s Chiamaka @makaliiia whose smiles were so warm, and Zainab @otiniii whose quiet gaze took everything in, there’s Chizoba @elle.cj (on IG) whose goofy nature would make you fall in love, Nkem whose directness could make a monk blush, Timothy @inspiration_timsings1(on IG) whose dedication was admirable and then, there’s me- Princess, the storyteller.

When I met them, I wasn’t sure how to feel or what to say, but gradually, we started chatting like long lost friends. They felt like family. There was no pretense, no hidden agenda, no hostility just a group of people who have one thing- their love for Johnny. I didn’t feel like my time with Johnny was being intruded, rather, it felt like I was sharing my time with family. You could tell that there was an unspoken feel of love & acceptance from everyone. Like Nkem said, there’s an aura the fan base of every celebrity has. We have this aura because of the kind of person Johnny is.

We asked him so many questions, he told us jokes, and he is as exciting as I had dreamt he would be. It felt like we were all connected through this invincible web of joy. I was so happy I barely had appetite. For a while there, I got quiet, I focused on taking in the moment, drinking in the sight of him and just thinking of some other questions that I had in mind but couldn’t exactly ask because in my opinion, his responses may be automated or generic and not specific since we had company and he may feel shy. Plus, I didn’t want him to feel like he was at an interview, since all I wanted was for him to be comfortable enough and just be himself. Maybe I will one day somehow, I’ll ask. I snap out of it and finally asked him what had been on my mind for a while;

“Johnny, will you do #Bad dancer dance for us?” you don’t always see people who can dance beautifully horribly like you, so, I wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity.

“Definitely! In fact, we should all do it!” he responds.

My day is made! My phone vibrates and I see that mummy sent a message;

“Sweetheart I hope you are having fun? Stay safe.”

“Yes, mummy. Thank you. I’ll gist you later’. I respond

Several hours later after various laughter, questions, quips etc, it was finally time for Bad dancer dance. *channeling my inner usher*, we all get up and move to our makeshift stage, then we begin filming. It was hilarious and amazing!! My new found family were the best! We took pictures, made silly videos and I was so happy I could literally walk on clouds, the only thing amiss was, my best friend- my sister was not here with me, and it didn’t even occur to me earlier to call her on a video call…

After the videos, the time we all dreaded came- Johnny had to leave. You could tell that he was reluctant to leave but, he had to… the stressful city of Lagos was calling him back and he couldn’t continue to live in “la la land Abuja”, as much as he would’ve loved that. He gave his final speech, lol, and we hugged… it was the most beautiful sad moment you had ever seen. I smelt him once again, (I promise you, I’m not weird) and committed his scent to memory.

“Thank you for taking out the time to see us, Johnny. It was a pleasure” I say.

“Lol, Princess you’re not serious. Thank you for seeing me” he responded with a smile. As if I would ever turn down the opportunity to see him.

“I hope to see you when next I come to Lagos” I say and in my head, I can already see it, maybe make an episode of my podcast with him and…

“Definitely! Do reach out and let me know when you do” he said.

You bet I will, you shy one. I thought. I wonder what it would be like to be his friend. I can’t lie that I am curious about him, there is just something behind his eyes that makes you realize that, he is layers upon layers of mystery… What makes him happy? How does he cope with the celebrity life? Does he like cartoon? Just the random things that make him, him and just seeing the Johnny or John behind all these.

Maybe one day I would find out… or maybe not. Either ways, it’ll always be a pleasure meeting Johnny.

We (the super fans) stayed back, made a little noise, took pictures, exchanged numbers and promised to see each other more often.

I had an amazing time, I made new friends, and the serendipitous nature of it all is something to be marveled at. There is indeed a connection in wishing for things and those things materializing.

 Till the next time *Winks*. 

You can check my twitter for pictures @OdeyprincessP

P.S- part of the story is fiction, part isn’t. I’ll leave it to you to decipher what is real and what isn’t. Lol. This was written under the influence of Boyz II Men- II and Evolution Album, and it was inspired by Bad Dancer & Mystery Girl- Johnny Drille.

Stream Bad Dancer today.

Love always

Princess