The song that we hear with our ears is only the song that is sung in our hearts – Ouida

Dear Di,

Since the day I received that call from Andrew saying he was in Nigeria, I’ve not been at peace. I began to ask how he got my number when I remembered that the internet makes it very easy to find people you’ve lost touch with or contact someone who can provide the information you need. I didn’t have to look further than Wumi. I called her immediately and she confirmed that they were friends on facebook and he had asked if she had my phone number and she didn’t bother replying but just reeled out the number like a drill sergeant. “Why?” I asked her.

“You won’t get a guy like that who loves you with the whole of his heart. Jas, just give him a chance.”

I was shaken up after that. Andrew was a complication I couldn’t begin to explain. I had no doubt he loved me then (I don’t know about now), but I guess I was afraid of my reaction to him and what my family members would say if I brought an oyinbo person to the house as my boyfriend then, especially my mother’s sisters – aunt Imalda and aunt Aiye.

They did meet him once and their reaction can only be described as a best seller.

The first time I met Andrew was a drama in itself. One of my lecturers, Mr Shola, was rushing off and I wanted him to sign my course form. He told me he would attend to me first the next day and as he was about driving off, he gave me a flash and asked me to go to the faculty of Engineering, the Mechanical department, ask for Andrew and give him the flash drive. I began to ask for his surname and more description and all he said was, “You can’t miss him,” and sped off. I went round that department that day looking for the unknown Andrew. They must have thought I was a 100 level student who didn’t know my left from right, because I kept being tossed from one point to the other until a lanky fellow said he was Andrew. I didn’t bother to ask if he knew the lecturer, I just handed him the flash and walked off. That evening I got a call from Mr Shola asking me who I’d given the flash to and I told him Andrew. He asked me to meet him at his office immediately. I was a little disconcerted that I took my course forms and lecture note along. As I entered his office, a guy of mixed parentage and curly hair sat backing me. I could tell he was tall and well built, but my concern was the grim look on Mr Shola’s face.

“Jasmine meet Andrew,” Mr Shola introduced us sarcastically.

And then he turned. I couldn’t help but gasp. They both thought it was because of my mistake, but I felt my heart give a lurch and then he smiled and then he spoke with an Irish accent.

“Don’t worry sir, I’ll find it. I think it’s the class clown, Andrew, in the 300 level Electrical Engineering who has the flash.” Then he asked, “Was he dark and lanky?” I loved the way he pronounced lanky. And then I made the mistake of looking into his eyes to answer. They were blue. I couldn’t wait to tell Dera and Abike that I unconsciously exclaimed aloud.

“What!”

“Jas, May I call you that? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you.” I cleared my throat. “Sir, I’ll get the flash back.”

“Since you put us in this mess, you’ll follow Andrew to look for his namesake and make sure you get it. Now I can’t do any work. Andrew was supposed to look at it and develop something for me.”

“I’m sorry sir, but you know how these ‘Engine’ boys behave. They…”

“Engine boys? Andrew interrupted. “Is that what we are called?” He asked laughing, shutting down his laptop.

“Alright, let’s go Jas, because I have to come back here to do some work. Excuse us, sir.”

He got up and opened the door for me.

“Sir, could you sign the forms now or should I leave it on your desk?” I asked with all the timidity I could muster. They both began to laugh.

“If you get the flash before 8 p.m., I’ll sign your course forms.”

And so began the adventure with Andrew Fain.