My Indecisive Prince Charming

When a guy is hot today and cold tomorrow—is it love or confusion dressed as affection?

He was indecisive. That was his only flaw...or at least, the only one she could see. And maybe the one that ruined everything.

To Oyin, he was a paradox. Her weakness. Her strength. Her almost-lover. Her almost-everything. She had many names for him. Too many. None of them ever quite fit.

But honestly, what were they?

They weren't even a thing yet. She wanted more? Yes. 

But him? He was a confused soul, always speaking in riddles.

One minute he was asking her to see him, the next he was walking someone else out —like she didn't matter at all. Some days, he'd text her all day. Other days, he'd withdraw completely from her.

She stuck around because of his looks, yes. And also the way he'd look at her.  The kind words that fell from his lips so… easily. He truly was a charming young man—when he wasn't shutting her out, that is.

On the occasional days when he chose to hurt her, his eyes were always so cold—distant. She screamed in her head. He'd walk past her in his friends’ company like she didn't exist. He'd avoid her eyes. And when she finally got a hold of him, he'd pick on her. Like she was the problem.

On other days, he was all warmth— jovial, flirty, funny, caring. Everything she thought she wanted.

He was also always overprotective. She didn't think any girl wants a guy that thinks it's okay to threaten even her male friends because of his "on and off" attraction. Or do you?

Honestly, Oyin would fly across the country to avoid breathing the same air with a guy like that.

Oyin wasn't asking for too much.

Just his heart.

And even that...he couldn't give.

* * *

He wasn't entirely heartless though. He had his own thoughts too. He had dated a lot of women, but none had ever made him feel the way Oyin made him feel. And it scared him.

He didn't understand why seeing her made him happy—even when he was having a bad day. He didn't understand why he always felt so comfortable anytime he's around her. With his ex, he only just felt attracted to her body and nothing else.

Although it's not entirely a good thing, no Nigerian man would openly admit their fears. Or say "they're scared." And definitely not to a woman.

"Maybe he's scared to tell a woman he's scared," Oyin's closest friend, Adepeju had once told her during one of their conversations about Olamide.

One evening, Adepeju and Oyin had taken an evening stroll around the school campus. They gisted and talked about school life, attending classes, guys and how stressed they were generally.

Oyin noticed him first. Olamide was walking with his friends, Deji and Fisayo. They were laughing at something she didn't know or care to know. Her eyes were focused on him—how charming he looked in his black jean trouser and red t-shirt.

"Oyin!" Adepeju called a little too loud. The boys heard and turned in their direction.

"I'm right here, you know" She muttered, her eyes darting between Adepeju and Olamide. When she caught his eyes, on cue, he looked away. Like she was some sort of masquerade—sacred, forbidden and unseen. The kind they say men shouldn't look in the eye.

The knot in her chest tightened.

"Let's go back to the hostel, before these ones start toasting us." Adepeju—who seemed to have noticed what Olamide did— said dragging her along in the opposite direction to the boys.

Olamide watched her being dragged away. He didn't regret looking away. He wasn't in the mood for her. Or maybe he wasn't in the mood to talk to her. Or maybe he was just shy. He wasn't really sure anymore.

He didn't know if he wanted her to stay or disappear. So he said nothing. Again.