"Hello My Darling"

That was exactly how the chat message I received from a 'potential classmate' started.

Ok, it's just been about a week in, still trying to remind myself why I decided to take this online degree course, when a chat message pops up below the screen of my PC, on the University home page.
I opened it and the opening sentence was "Hello My Darling"  Hia! (Looks around)

I read further..."How are you coping with the class my dearest"  What Class???

Mba nu...there's got to be a mistake somewhere.

I quickly checked my browser and the web link to be certain I wasn't on www.singlesonheat.com or something like that.

May I repeat myself, that it is ABOUT A WEEK in the virtual learning environment, reading through information toggle, sorting out tuition payment plan, student profile and a fellow classmate on the class chat list was already being super familiar.

Maybe it's just me, but I do not use endearments loosely.  Do you?
I equally do find that the 'friend tag' is used arbitrarily when one is just a contact on Whatsapp?

Ok I'm taking this up a notch right?

All of this reminded me of a work event I anchored some weeks ago in Abuja. When it's was time for the lunch break, a guy walked up to me, going on and on about 'Our' service year in Jos. (Shocked).

I noticed he smiled the most and laughed the loudest (exaggerated histrionics) at my really dry jokes when I was moderating the event some minutes earlier.
Standing next to me, he kept on about how close we were during the 3 week orientation programme in Jos. Truth be told, he remembered my name (or did he pick that up during my intro?). When he was done, I looked straight into his eyes and said "I'm sorry, what did you say your name is again?"

A SILENCE FELL.

"Are you saying you can't remember my name?" He asked. "We were really close in Jos. I even told most of my friends and siblings that you were my best friend". He continued.

Huh???

The whole scenario looked so surreal. Best friends in 3 weeks? And we haven't been in touch in 9 years?
I could see he was visibly hurt and I didn't want to make him feel bad any longer...but I had to tell him the truth while I swallowed an intense urge to laugh.
"Dude, 3 weeks in Kuru camp was tough on me o. The only thing I remember is not having a bath in days. After I left Kuru, I completely shut down that part of my life. I honestly can't remember you nor the events itself. But guess what? No time as the present! (I smiled). Here's my card, say hello when you can and don't be a stranger".

Nonsense. Those lines didn't work. The guy sulked through the entire event like a 2 year old whose favourite toy has been tossed out of the window.

The point I'm driving at is that, the guy was just an acquaintance. Little wonder I forgot him in a hurry. He wasn't a friend. Or was he? It seemed like a clear case of 'he was close to me but I wasn't close to him'?. Ever been in that situation?

Let me know what you think in the comment section! :-)

Till next week Sunday (God willing and after I'm done putting 'Mr Hello My Darling' in his academic place...Oh, it is a HE by the way)...Be true...Be happy!


N.B - I want to say a big THANK YOU!!! For taking out time to read my first blog post and dropping a comment to cheer me on. It means a whole lot to me. I am super encouraged to go on. I will try to do better in personalizing my responses to your comments other than Thank you. :-)

I'm just going to lean back right now and wait for your comments...