Femi

It was within the hallowed walls of the Chapel of the Resurrection at the University of Ibadan, in the modest setting of its basement, that my gaze first encountered Fikemi. The year was 2016, the session just commenced and I, then a 200L student, had already served a few months as the General Secretary of the Freshers’ arm of our fellowship (SCMUI).

During an introductory meeting for the freshmen, each was invited to share their name and academic discipline, a thoughtful gesture intended to facilitate connection with senior students within their respective faculties. Among the new faces, Fikemi’s introduction resonated with me, as her course was closely related to mine. An opportunity for “easy follow-up,” I thought, knowing little that divine providence was orchestrating a far more profound design within that unassuming gathering in that basement.

Our initial exchange occurred shortly after the meeting. I approached her with the intent of offering assistance as regards course registration and other registrations freshers tussle with in their first few weeks. Our conversation was largely unremarkable, save for a passing remark from a senior member of the fellowship, who noted her as the daughter of a respected alumnus. This information piqued my interest further, reinforcing my intention to ensure her smooth integration into our fellowship. Thus our friendship was born.

The ensuing months saw me fulfilling the role of a supportive elder brother, offering guidance with academic registrations, explaining scriptures and tutoring Physics courses. Throughout this period, our connection remained purely platonic. We stayed platonic friends till I was in 400L when we had a rift for a while. We reconnected later that year but it wasn’t like before. Then COVID came. The ensuing lockdown unexpectedly fostered a deeper bond between us, marked by our almost daily conversations.

Upon resumption, the little strain we’ve had earlier in our relationship had not only dissipated but had been replaced by a significantly stronger connection. Towards the end of my 500 Level, I was entrusted with the presidency of our fellowship, and Fikemi concurrently served as a dedicated member of the executive council. This shared responsibility drew us even closer, as she became an invaluable source of support throughout my tenure. I often sought her counsel on important decisions, consistently marveling at her wisdom and insightful perspectives. She was one of the few who offered constructive criticism when I strayed, a quality for which I held deep appreciation. Unbeknownst to me, the unfolding narrative was evident to those around us. Yet, in my perception, we remained merely platonic co-servants within the fellowship.

The topic of the nature of our relationship arose on a few occasions, and I, with perhaps a touch of naivety, consistently maintained that we were “just friends.” Late in 2022 into the early months of 2023, having completed my service in the fellowship and my final examinations, I was preparing for my housemanship and was locked in for about three months to know my next directives. During this three-month interim, the reality that had been apparent to others finally dawned upon me.

I recognized, with undeniable clarity, how God’s plan had been unfolding over the years, how no one had much understood me as profoundly as Fikemi. There was no one with whom I would rather share both moments of triumph and times of tribulation. She had witnessed the entirety of my character and had remained steadfastly loyal. It was with this newfound conviction that I returned to her residence in February, where I formally asked her to embark on a romantic relationship with me. Some two to three months later, she graciously accepted. And now, here we stand, a testament to a journey that began in the most unassuming of circumstances, guided by a hand far greater than our own.