Chapter 3 Spaghetti, Secrets & Small Jealousies

Saturday came wrapped in Lagos heat so stubborn it felt personal. Adaora Okonkwo wiped sweat from her neck as she stared at her kitchen. What possessed me to invite him over? she wondered, glancing at the fresh tomatoes, onions, and a pack of spaghetti on the counter.

She checked her phone for the sixth time in five minutes. No message from Tolu yet, though they'd agreed on "around 2 pm." It was now quarter past. Ada fiddled with her hair, then her earrings, then wiped her palms on a napkin. Relax, woman, she scolded herself. It's lunch, not introduction.

At 2:18 pm, a soft knock landed on her door. Ada's heart flipped. She opened it, and there he was - Tolu, wearing a white polo and jeans, holding a small box from "Sweet Tooth Bakery."

"You said dessert, so..." he said, smiling shyly.

"You're late," she teased, stepping aside to let him in.

"I know. Danfo drama," he chuckled, dropping the box on the table. "A woman refused to pay exact fare. Driver refused to move. Whole bus became court case."

Ada laughed, tension easing. "Welcome to my Lagos."

---

Her flat was small but cozy: cream walls, faded sofa, a tiny balcony overlooking other people's balconies. Tolu glanced around, smiling. "It feels... real," he said.

"Real messy, you mean," Ada shot back.

"No," he chuckled. "Like you actually live here. Photos, books... feels warm."

Ada didn't know what to say, so she motioned to the kitchen. "Come, chef's assistant."

They moved to the cramped kitchen. Ada set him to work chopping peppers while she handled the tomatoes. She stole glances at him: focused brow, quiet hum under his breath. At one point, their hands brushed by the sink. She felt heat crawl up her neck.

"You cook often?" Tolu asked.

"Often enough," Ada said. "My mum drilled it into me early. 'A woman must not starve because of laziness,' she used to say."

"Fair," Tolu nodded. "I mostly survive on noodles, bread, and whatever bukka feeds me."

Ada laughed. "You're hopeless."

---

As the pot bubbled, they swapped childhood stories. Ada told him about a failed dance performance in secondary school - how she'd frozen mid-step and ended up running offstage in tears.

"I would pay money to see that video," Tolu teased.

"I burned it," she shot back, laughing.

Tolu shared his own horror story: falling asleep in church and snoring loud enough to wake himself. Ada nearly dropped a spoon laughing.

Cooking done, they plated the spaghetti, sauce rich with pepper and small chunks of beef. Tolu helped carry plates to the tiny dining table.

---

Lunch, Laughter & The Hoodie

They ate in companionable silence at first, then Ada broke it: "So, photographer... how did that happen?"

Tolu wiped his mouth. "My dad gave me an old camera when I was twelve. Took blurry photos of everything: goats, plants, my mum's back as she cooked. Somehow, I just... never stopped."

"Must be nice," Ada said softly. "To love something that early."

Tolu's gaze found hers. "What about you? Always wanted to write?"

"I think so," Ada replied. "But mostly, I just wanted to tell stories people remember. Even silly ones."

They shared a quiet smile.

Halfway through the meal, Tolu teased, "Spaghetti master, I'm impressed."

"You doubted me?" Ada shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"I did," he admitted, grinning.

Ada smacked his arm lightly. "You're forgiven. Barely."

---

Dessert came next: small chocolate cupcakes with soft frosting. Tolu tried to feed her one. "I'm not a child," she protested, but let him anyway. Chocolate smeared at the corner of her lips; she moved to wipe it, but Tolu beat her to it, thumb gently brushing her skin.

For a moment, they froze. Ada felt her heart hammering. Tolu's hand dropped quickly, and he cleared his throat. "Sorry," he murmured.

"It's okay," Ada whispered, voice barely there.

---

A Visitor & A Twist

They were still in that warm awkwardness when Ada's phone buzzed. Zara flashed on the screen.

"My friend," she explained. "She was supposed to check in later."

Ada picked up, and Zara's voice spilled through: "Babe, I'm around your side o! Hope you dey house? I go stop by small."

Before Ada could argue, Zara had ended the call.

"Friend emergency?" Tolu asked.

"She's... energetic," Ada muttered.

Minutes later, Zara knocked, bursting in with bright lipstick, a loud laugh, and a million words per second.

"Ada, why you no tell me you get fine guest?" she teased immediately, eyes raking over Tolu.

"Zara, this is Tolu. Tolu, meet Zara," Ada sighed.

Tolu stood, polite smile fixed. "Nice to meet you."

Zara plopped on the sofa, grinning. "Nice to meet you too! Ada, you didn't say you were cooking for a whole man!"

Ada shot her friend a glare, cheeks burning.

---

Zara's Probing & Tolu's Patience

Zara, ever the mischief-maker, began firing questions. "So, Tolu, are you Ada's boyfriend, or...?"

Tolu paused, glanced at Ada. "Just... friends. For now," he said softly.

Ada swallowed. For now. What did that mean? She felt heat creep up her neck.

Zara raised her brows, smirking. "For now? Ada, explain o."

Ada half-laughed, half-died inside. "Zara, abeg behave."

But she couldn't deny the tiny spark that danced in her chest at Tolu's words.

---

After some teasing, Zara excused herself to "buy airtime," leaving Ada and Tolu alone again. Silence settled, heavier this time.

Ada traced a circle on the table with her finger. "Sorry about her. She's... a lot."

"I like her," Tolu chuckled. "She cares about you."

"She does," Ada admitted softly. "Sometimes too much."

Tolu leaned back, eyes studying her. "She's not wrong to ask, though."

Ada looked up, meeting his gaze. "About what?"

"About... us," he said, voice low.

---

What Are We?

Ada felt her throat tighten. "Us?"

"Yeah," Tolu said, leaning forward slightly. "I know it's fast. But... I like talking to you. Being around you. Feels... right."

Ada's mind raced. Too soon? But her heart, traitorous thing, beat out an answer before words formed.

"I... like being around you too," she admitted.

Silence again, but it wasn't awkward. It felt... charged.

Tolu smiled, relief in his eyes. "Good. We can figure it out slowly, yeah?"

Ada nodded, breathless. "Yeah."

---

Small Jealousy

Later, after Tolu had gone, Zara returned, dropping onto the sofa. "He likes you," she declared.

"I know," Ada said, voice small.

"And you?"

Ada hesitated, then whispered, "I like him too."

Zara grinned. "Then don't overthink it, babe."

Ada rolled her eyes. "Says the girl who almost flirted him out my door."

"I was testing him!" Zara protested, hands up. "He passed."

Ada threw a pillow at her. They both laughed, laughter bubbling like relief.

---

Evening Call

That night, Ada lay in bed, hoodie back over her shoulders, staring at her phone. A new message popped up:

Tolu: "Still thinking about lunch. And the hoodie looks better on you."

Ada: "Thanks again. And sorry about Zara."

Tolu: "No need. She's loyal. Good friend."

Ada: "She is."

Tolu: "Sleep well, Ada."

Ada: "You too, Tolu."

She locked her phone, heart full. Maybe it was early. Maybe they'd crash and burn. But for now, it felt sweet, real, and worth every danfo ride.