On a sunny afternoon in Itam Market, Uyo, Toye navigated through the bustling stalls, the scents of fresh produce and spices filling the air. He had come to pick up a few items for himself, but the task was proving more challenging than he had anticipated. His eyes scanned the various vendors, searching for the right place to buy groundnut oil. When he finally located a stall, a woman with a weathered face greeted him, and he began to negotiate with her.
"I’d like a sachet of your groundnut oil," Toye said, inspecting the oil on display.
After several minutes of haggling, they couldn't agree on the price. Toye wanted to pay much less, but the woman refused to budge. Frustrated but polite, he finally shook his head and said, "It's alright, I'll find it elsewhere."
Lucy, who was observing the exchange between Toye and the groundnut oil seller, noticed the disagreement. Intrigued by Toye's calm demeanor and how he handled the situation, she immediately became curious about him. Without hesitation, Lucy turned to her younger sister, who was assisting her at the stall, and whispered, “Go and call that man back. I’ll cover the difference for his oil.”
Her sister, though puzzled, didn’t question her. She quickly approached Toye, her voice soft but urgent as she caught up with him. "Excuse me, sir, the lady at the oil stall asked me to call you back."
Toye raised an eyebrow, wondering what this was about. He turned to look at the girl who had stopped him, and she smiled warmly.
"Come, let me help with the price. The lady wants to buy the oil for you," the girl said, motioning for him to follow.
Still confused but intrigued, Toye followed her back to the stall, where Lucy was now standing. She smiled at him, her eyes soft with an unusual kindness. “I’m Lucy,” she said in a friendly tone. “I saw that you and the seller couldn’t agree on a price, and I thought I could help. Here, let me add the extra amount for the oil."
Toye stared at her in disbelief. In a world where people often kept to themselves and didn’t offer help freely, this gesture was unexpected. “Are you sure?” he asked, still wondering if this was some sort of trick or misunderstanding.
“I’m sure,” Lucy replied, her smile unwavering. “I can’t stand seeing people walk away when they could have something they need.”
Toye felt warmth rise in his chest. There was something special about Lucy, something genuine. He smiled back, feeling a rare connection. He thanked her and accepted her offer, and after the transaction was completed, they stood in silence for a moment, the bustling market around them fading into the background.
“I’m Toye,” he said, breaking the silence. “Thank you. I don’t know what made you do this, but I appreciate it.”
Lucy’s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Sometimes, people just need a little help. Who knows, perhaps this is fate."
From that moment, their connection grew. They exchanged numbers and began speaking regularly, each conversation bringing them closer together. What started as a simple act of kindness blossomed into a deep bond. Toye would visit Lucy at her house, bringing her small gifts. Lucy would send him pictures of the beautiful sights around Uyo, keeping him company even when he wasn’t there.
As months passed, Toye’s job transferred him to Lagos, increasing the distance between them. It was a bittersweet moment when he left. Lucy, still completing her final year at the University of Uyo, was devastated but understood that his career needed to take precedence. They promised to stay in touch and make it work, regardless of the distance.
Lucy graduated with honors, and as she prepared for her NYSC year, she found herself torn between staying in Uyo or relocating to Lagos to be closer to Toye. Their conversations had become less frequent as both their lives became busier, but they never stopped supporting each other from afar. Toye, now settled in Lagos, would call her every night, reminding her how proud he was of her achievements. And Lucy, with her heart still full of affection for the man who had captured it with his kindness, kept dreaming of the day they would reunite.
Months turned into years, but the love that had started in the crowded market of Itam never wavered. It was a love born from an unexpected gesture, one that Toye would always cherish, and one that Lucy would always remember as the moment her heart had truly found its home.
As time went by, Toye focused on building his career in Lagos while Lucy completed her university education in Uyo and participated in her NYSC program. Both of them secretly hoped that one day, fate would reunite them for good.
