He Said “I’m on My Way” and I Knew It Was a Lie 

In Nigeria, “I’m on my way” is not a statement.

It’s a mindset.

He sent the text at 6:05 p.m.

I’m on my way.

I smiled.

Not because I believed him.

But because I liked the confidence.

I replied, “Okay 😊”

That emoji alone took effort.

By 6:30, I was still ready.

By 7:00, I had accepted my fate.

I called him.

“Where are you?”

“I’m close,” he said.

Close where?

Close to God?

Close to his house?

Close in spirit?

I didn’t ask.

I already knew.

By 7:45, I had removed my shoes, changed clothes, and sat on my bed pretending not to care. Then my phone buzzed.

I’m outside.

Outside suddenly became very accurate.

I rushed out, heart doing small gymnastics. He was leaning on his car like a Nollywood lead who knew exactly what he was doing. Smiling. Calm. Unbothered by the emotional journey he had just taken me on.

“You said you were on your way since,” I said.

He smiled wider.

“And I arrived, didn’t I?”

Nigerian logic.

We talked.

Too close.

Too soft.

Too intentional.

He teased me.

I pretended not to enjoy it.

I enjoyed it.

At some point, he lowered his voice and said, “You know you look good, right?”

I rolled my eyes.

He smiled like he won.

Before leaving, he said, “Next time, I’ll come early.”

I laughed.

We both knew the truth.