It was not unusual for us to celebrate our promotion to the next class, for our course was one that only a few people willingly applied for—physics. Immediately, Teni, a figure-8 beauty in our class, suggested a beach party. I was quick to counter the idea for personal reasons I did not disclose to my colleagues, including Tunde and Femi. The majority eventually had the say, and it was agreed upon by all to have a beach party during the first weekend of the resumption of the new session. Despite not wanting to attend, I was not willing to miss the fun of the party and perhaps keep an eye on Teni, whom I have admired since freshman but lacked the courage to approach.
My first challenge was picking the appropriate outfit for the beach party. I looked up on Google some possible outfits, and my stack of clothes seemed not to fit into any of them. "I'll just go with simple wear." I thought to myself as I picked up a navy blue knickers and a grey polo shirt on my favorite black sneakers. Though a part of me was anxious, the thought of getting close to Teni greatly overwhelmed me.
By Saturday evening, I had joined my friends at the beach and was excited to see some of my classmates present, including Teni, my crush. Teni's outfit was a simple overflowing gown slit to reveal inner black tights, which I assumed she would swim with whenever the time approached. The breeze that swept the beach was different from that with which I was familiar; it was chilling yet friendly. The party soon started with mats laid on the beach, and an introduction of the average 40 participants began. For me, I made side comments to make the gathering more lively when people disclosed their single status, although I was careful not to pass a comment when Teni mentioned she was single. I felt a little relieved and seemed to be more interested in the games than others; perhaps the hyper-active me was at work.
Shortly after the games on the beach, a few minutes after 5 p.m., we made for the vast water that already had people at the brink, splashing and swimming lazily towards the shore. This was the moment I withdrew from leading the class, allowing my friends Tunde and Femi to take the lead. I removed my sneakers and shirt to show my bare chest, which had some packs on it, a part of me I hoped would attract my crush. Stepping my right foot into the water felt warm to my feet, though a quick and shivering nerve sensation traveled up to my spine. "The sun must have made the waters warm," I thought as my second foot joined in. I did not want my colleagues to notice my hesitation yet; I was not ready to be the hero I was not. Though I enjoyed the waters sweeping my feet and withdrawing, seeing my friends and colleagues in a farther part of the waters encouraged me to draw closer; however, the waves began to hit me differently as the water reached my knee level. My careful steps began to lose balance as I seemed to slip through the muddy floor, and all I could remember was a thud into the waters with my hands beating frantically on the waters, hoping to hold onto anything and anyone.
Although the world seemed to be crashing down on me, I could hear the laughter of a few colleagues while I saw my close friends run against the waves of water towards me. It seemed, however, that it took forever for my friends to arrive, only for me to feel a gentle grasp of my waist, keeping me aflaot, and gently, I relaxed my splatter and struggles. My eyes stared at Teni after I wiped my face with the water. As much as I was embarrassed by my near-drowning experience, I was glad Teni was there to save me. Other hands quickly helped me to the shore, worsening my state with sympathy.
"I thought he was joking." Someone said this among the crowd that gathered right beside me.
"Same here; you know he is used to jokes and pranks." Another voice spoke out.
I was least concerned by what they all said and held tightly to Teni's hand as though my life depended on it. I wondered if it was such a scenario that Teni would save me with a kiss of life, but I did not need that, seeing that my consciousness was intact. Tunde helped me sit up while Femi and a few others massaged my chest, perhaps to relieve me of any congestion.
Three years later, I convocated alongside my friends and Teni. The icing on the cake of my beach memories was that Teni said yes to my proposal after two years of dating. I would gladly be in trouble many times to be saved by Teni again and again.