Jingle bells.

December's bittersweet melody.

"December is bad for dating jor" My cousin, Sola claimed, as we sat on the balcony of our grandma's old duplex, picking beans. The sound of "Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell" drifted from the radio in Mummy Agba's parlor.

"Think about it now, Aunty Ayo," Sola said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "With all the dusting and cleaning that we do everyday, when would you even have time for a boyfriend? And what about the academic comeback I want to make in January? I can't afford distractions oh, me that I want to be like you, agba lawyer."

I smiled to myself, memories flooding back.

I recalled bumping into him in front of Baba Afe's shop.It was a very cold morning in December. We were still living in our old house in Dugbe and my mom asked me to get some things from a nearby store. This same "Jingle bell, Jingle bell" had filled the air as he picked up my bag.

"Sorry," he'd said, his eyes locking onto mine.

It was Tadenikawo, my crush from secondary school. I thought he'd traveled abroad after graduation, that was what people said when he didn't attend our valedictory service, but here he was, standing in front of me.

"Ahah, Tade, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied with a smile. "I thought you'd be busy with university preparations. Our baby lawyer."

I am," I said, blushing. "but my mum sent me to get some things for Christmas decorations."

Tade nodded. "Well, I'm actually preparing for my university entrance exams again."

"Again ke?" I asked, curious.

"Yeah," he explained. "My uncle, who was sponsoring my education abroad, passed away. I had to just stay back and retake JAMB next year."

We stood there for a moment, the sounds of the market filling the air.

"I'm sorry about your uncle, Tade" I said, breaking the silence.

Tade smiled softly. "Thanks. It's been tough, but I'm managing."

We exchanged numbers, and from that day, our conversation flowed effortlessly.

As the days and nights wore on, we found ourselves lost in conversations. He'd come to my house and we'll share stories and laughter under the starry sky. Our connection was undeniable. We talked about our dreams, aspirations, and fears. Tade shared his passion for medicine, and I shared my love for law.

From that moment on, we were inseparable. Everybody on our street knew A.Y, the law and Dr. T.

Several months later, Tade gained admission into UI and we started navigating university life together. We'd study together, explore the campus, and support each other through thick and thin. Our love blossomed, and December, once a month of chance encounters, became a reminder of our "meet cute" We'd celebrate our anniversary every December, exchanging gifts and love letters.

But fate had other plans.

Another December, three years later, tragedy struck. We were almost home for the holidays , the bus rumbling along the familiar roads. Tade and I chatted excitedly about our holiday plans. Suddenly, someone let out a scream and before we could understand what was going on, disaster struck. A car cut off the bus, sending it into an electric pole. Tade reacted instinctively, throwing himself between me and the shattered glass. I felt his weight, his warmth, and then...

The last thing I remembered after waking up in the hospital weeks later, was the sound of breaking glass, crunching metal, and Tade's labored breathing. They said he died, even before any help could come for us.

As I sat on the balcony, listening to Sola's warnings and ramblings about December dating, I couldn't help but smile through tears. For me, December would forever be a bittersweet reminder of love, loss, and the unpredictability of life.

I looked at Sola, and she understood. She knew my story, and she knew why December would always hold a special place in my heart. She was young at the time of the accident, but all our family members knew about it.

"December might be bad for dating," I said, "but it will always be the month that gave me Tade." Sola nodded, and we sat there smiling to ourselves, the sound of "Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell" fading into the background.