K-drama isn’t Life’s Drama
9
__________ _
New Message from Itohan:
Hey Fifi! How about you come over this weekend?
I’ve got something I think you’ll enjoy. ??
With exams looming around the corner, Itohan’s invitation comes as a surprise. As I read her message, a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. We’re still friends, but life has been happening a lot—I’m talking about midterms, classes, and work.
Oh! I’m so glad to say work.
I reply with a quick affirmative, my heart fluttering with curiosity at what she has in store. The promise of spending time with Itohan is a balm for my unsettled emotions. Yes, I enjoy spending time with my roomie, Mary, but Itohan is a different flex. She’s a forbidden fruit .
When I arrive at her place, she greets me downstairs with a warm hug, her eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. “Boo… I’m so glad you could make it.”
I am too! “Wouldn’t miss this invite for the world,” I reply, smiling.
We make small talk, ride the elevator and as we step into her cozy studio apartment—it’s my first time—I take in the magic she created with the collage of her personal photographs and the artworks of black girls hanging on the wall. In one corner is her dedicated makeshift study space, adorned with textbooks, notes, and a laptop. She has a cute living area with a medium size TV hanging on the wall. Her bed by the corner, although compact, has a vanity table with a mirror holding tiny fluorescent bulbs on the side.
We settle in the living room area, chatting about our respective days and the latest happenings while she offers me chin-chin and groundnut. The familiar undercurrent of unspoken tension between us seems to momentarily fade. Then, with a mischievous grin, she directs my attention to the TV screen. “Are you ready for something new?” she asks.
Curious, I nod.
She navigates to a streaming platform, and before I know it, the screen comes to life with vibrant colors and unfamiliar characters.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Chill babe,” she grins. “I promise you’ll love it.”
“Korean movie?”
“These are addictive, trust me,” Itohan quips, her eyes lighting up.
“I used to watch them, but I don’t have time for them anymore.”
She scoffs. “Which ones have you watched?”
“Ahn, ahn. You don’t believe me? I’m an OG o.”
Itohan chuckles. “These are made different. Which ones have you watched?” she repeats her question again.
“Jumong, Boys over Flowers….”
She nods her head, mocking me. “Those are old school. Relax, let me help you unwind from school stress. ”
The first episode unfolds, and I’m partially drawn into a captivating narrative filled with rich emotions. Itohan and I share glances, occasionally bursting into fits of laughter or offering empathetic sighs at the characters’ plights. In those moments, it’s as if the unspoken weight between us becomes a little lighter, carried away by the simple joy of the drama’s narrative.
As the credits roll on the first episode, I turn to Itohan with a grin. “You were right. This is completely different. I’m curious to find out how she’ll escape the military zone and get back to her rich lifestyle. And how did she survive that fierce wind that carried a tractor?”
She chuckles, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. “Told you! It’s like a whole new world.”
When the drama’s second episode begins, a lighthearted banter ensues between us about the male main character and our laughter fills the room.
I playfully nudge Itohan’s shoulder. “You know, I remember you saying you wouldn’t date outside of your ethnicity.”
Itohan chuckles, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “True, true. But that’s real life. Fictional men from different cultures? Well, that’s a different story.”
I burst into laughter at her quick comeback, placing a hand over my heart. “Ah, so it’s okay to lust over fictional characters, but not real people?”
She shrugs, a grin playing on her lips. “Exactly.”
We continue watching the movie, and I find myself caught up in the plot and the witty exchanges between the characters, making comments and reactions to their acts.
The final scene of the episode is playing out when I check my phone. I gasp. “Two hours.”
“What?” Itohan turns to me with her brows raised.
“This is really different. I can’t believe we’ve been watching this for over two hours.”
She raises an eyebrow playfully. “Told you they were addicting.”
I nod, a grin tugging at my lips. “You were right.”
As the credits roll once again, Itohan turns to me, flipping the remote control. “Next one? ”
I grimace. “I don’t know…”
“Hmm?”
I shrug, willing to spend another hour watching the silly characters. “Just because of my new boyfriend.”
Itohan’s jaw goes slack. “Come oh. Shuo … which boyfriend?”
“Ri nau .”
Itohan cackles then raises an eyebrow playfully. “Please leave Ri Jeong-Hyeok for us single pringles. You have a boyfriend, so I don’t know why you’re becoming obsessed with our Korean bobo.”
I chuckle, shaking my head at the gentle ribbing. “Touché, Itohan. It’s not lost on me.”
Itohan smirks, her eyes twinkling. “So, what’s the verdict? Are you secretly considering dating another race?”
I grin, leaning back comfortably. “Well, I do like the idea of it, you know?”
“Ah!” Itohan dramatically places both hands on her head. “My brother has suffered.”
“It’s not like that.” Chuckling, I hiss, playfully tapping her thigh. “I’m only looking at it from the angle of exploring different cultures, learning from one another. But, as you pointed out, I’ve got a boyfriend. And I’m pretty content with him.”
Itohan raises her hands in mock surrender. “Wow. Fair enough. I was already thinking that Rian guy was entering you.”
“Rian?” I shake my head. “Na…”
“Hmm. Never say never oh.”
“Tah. What are you saying?” I quip, a playful glint in my eyes. “Abeg hit play.”
Itohan nods, her grin unwavering. “Absolutely.”
Our conversation trails off into comfortable silence, with the drama’s theme music playing softly in the background.
When credits for the third episode scrolls, Itohan picks her phone and I notice the change in her expression. She looks… contemplative .
“Everything okay?”
“Yes, yes. It’s just…” she begins, her gaze slightly distant, “there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
Curiosity piqued, I lean in. “Speak, I’m listening,” I tease, trying to make light of the situation.
She takes a deep breath before letting her gaze meet mine. “There’s this guy back home, in Naija, a friend of mine. We’ve known each other for years, and, well, things have changed recently.”
Oh... “Changed how?”
She hesitates for a moment before continuing. “He’s been trying to relocate to Canada for a while now. He’s got dreams and aspirations, and he believes Canada holds the key to making them come true.”
I nod. “True. Anywhere but home.”
She nods as well, her expression thoughtful. “Sad truth. Well, he’s been asking for financial support to make it happen.”
A knot of realization forms in my stomach. “Financial support?”
Itohan just got here. Her sister is doing well, but I don’t expect her to drag her sister into this. Even me that’s in a committed relationship, I struggled to allocate funds for my guys’ upcoming birthday because I’m trying to survive. How much more funding ‘a friend’ to travel out of the country?
Itohan’s gaze meets mine before quickly glancing away. “Yes. He asked me if I could help him with money to facilitate his move. It’s not a small amount, and it’s a big decision.”
Is she? Uh-oh. She’s considering it. He must be important to her. I consider my next words carefully. “Itohan, this is a tough situation to be in.”
She sighs, a mixture of emotions playing across her features. “It is. On one hand, I want to support him in pursuing his dreams. But on the other hand, it’s a significant amount of money. I need to think about my own future, too.”
I offer a sympathetic smile, nodding in agreement. “Hmm. Are you by any chance considering dating him?”
She shrugs. “I was. ”
News! “But…?”
“The whole situation is making me have second thoughts. I be Benin geh. I get sense. I can’t let emotions or the promise of a relationship that does not have foundation blind me from using my common sense. Your bobo is just two hours away. This guy would be hours away. No offense, but I’m not cut out to be in a long-distance relationship…”
I listen, offering a listening ear as she continues explaining her expectations for her future partner, until we’re momentarily interrupted by the vibration of my phone. I glance at the screen to see a text from Special, causing my heart to skip a beat.
New Message from Special Love:
Hey baby!
What are you up to?
I ignore the message. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
When my eyes meet Itohan’s for her to continue, she raises an eyebrow inquisitively. “Who’s that?” she asks, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
I give a nonchalant shrug, feigning casualness. “Oh, just a friend.”
She chuckles, her eyes twinkling. “A ‘friend,’ huh? And here I thought we were all friends.”
I laugh, caught off guard by her teasing. “Okay, fine. It’s Special.”
Her smile widens. “Ah, Special. So, what’s he saying?”
I feel a slight pang of guilt as I keep my gaze on my phone. “Nothing much, just checking in.”
She raises an eyebrow, her expression curious. “And you’re not going to reply?”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Oh shit! Did I just blurt that out?
Itohan’s gaze narrows slightly, her playful demeanor replaced by a more serious tone. “Fifi, is everything okay? ”
I offer her a reassuring smile, despite the unease tugging at the edges of my thoughts. “Yeah, everything’s fine.” My fingers are twitching around my phone. “Just a small thing.”
Itohan’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, her intuition sharper than I anticipated. “Alright, if you say so.”
We resume our conversation and I offer her encouraging words. At the same time, questions dance in my thoughts like ghosts seeking answers. Have I made the right choice by defying Special’s advice? Is my desire for independence jeopardizing the harmony of my relationship?
What are you up to?
Itohan is Special’s number one fan; how would she feel if I tell her he doesn’t like me around her?
As Itohan and I talk about the complexities of relationships, I find myself grappling with the desire to share my UK travel plans. I also want to ask for suggestions for Special’s birthday happening next week.
I battle with the decision to reveal my plans further when she goes to get water for us, stealing glances at my phone, where Special’s text message still sits unanswered.
She returns and we continue, discussing the challenges of long-distance relationships and the sacrifices they entail. I can’t shake the feeling that my travel plan is a conversation that needs to happen. I take a deep breath, the words ready to spill from my lips. But each time I open my mouth, my courage falters, and I falter back into the safety of the present conversation.
I draw in a deep breath, bolstering confidence when another opportunity presents itself. “Um… there’s something I haven’t told you. Something I’ve been keeping to myself.”
Her gaze intensifies as she tilts her head to the side. “What is it?”
I meet her eyes, mine brimming with excitement. “I’m planning to visit Special during this holiday.”
Her eyes widen slightly, surprise mingling with understanding. “You’re going to the UK?”
I nod with more enthusiasm than I thought I was feeling. “Yes. It’s been in the works for a while now. ”
Itohan’s smile widens, her eyes glowing with what looks like genuine happiness for me. “Boo, that’s incredible!” She pulls me in for a hug, then releases me. “I’m so happy for you.”
The anxiety I felt earlier begins to dissipate, replaced by a shared joy. Itohan’s support, her genuine excitement for us—I don’t know why Special doesn’t like this girl like I do.
Itohan’s smile turns mischievous as the topic of my upcoming visit takes center stage in our conversation. “Watch out for those London girls, oh.”
“London girls?” I chuckle. “What about them?”
She leans in, her tone conspiratorial. “They’ve got that British charm, you know? You’ve got to make sure you’re taking care of your man.”
A soft blush creeps up my cheeks, and I glance away, the teasing tone of our conversation suddenly making me feel self-conscious. “Itohan, come on. You know Special and I are—”
My words falter as I realize I’m about to admit something I’ve never shared with her before. The realization dawns on me, and I feel slightly embarrassed and vulnerable.
Itohan’s eyes widen in understanding. She leans back, smiling slowly. “Are you blushing?”
I avoid her gaze, my cheeks feeling hotter by the second. “It’s just... you know, we haven’t been together... like that.” My motto has always been that the strength of a relationship is not defined by physical intimacy.
Itohan’s expression softens as she places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Boo, that’s fine. You don’t have to explain your choices. Just know that men have needs, okay?”
I meet her eyes, my embarrassment giving way to gratitude for her understanding. “Yeah...”