Christmas Love on Air

Part 1

It was a few days to Christmas, and Fairy FM 98.4 was buzzing with holiday cheer. On the second floor, the party was in full swing, with gales of laughter from the games, clinking glasses, aroma of all kinds of delicacy, and echoes of off-key karaoke.

But down in Studio 2, it was a different vibe entirely.

Jadesola adjusted her headphones, brushing a stray curl from her face. Annatoria’s ‘This Christmas’ played in the background as she tried to wrap up her shift so she could join the party.

It had been almost thirty minutes of back-to-back calls, laughter and nostalgia–guiding listeners through their favorite Christmas memories.

A caller had talked about their Oblee December plans, another lamented how their church needed a better carol song arrangement because the one they had could get Pentatonix weeping. Another caller shared how they could never understand why anyone would add chicken head inside food packs for neighbours. One caller shamelessly confessed to slipping their number to a cute keyboardist at a carol concert.

Normally, this was the kind of segment Jadesola enjoyed. But tonight, the festive nostalgia came with an unwanted guest—memories of someone she was trying hard to forget.

“Good evening, this is Jadesola, your radio sweetheart! Who’s on the line?”

“This is Big Ed, calling from Alausa,” the caller’s signature igbo accent was unmistakable.

“Hi, Big Ed! Always a delight to have you. So, tell us, what’s your favorite Christmas memory?”

“Honestly,” Big Ed began, with a hearty laugh, “I can’t stop thinking about that time Bela told you, ‘Are you Christmas? Because I want to merry you.’”

Jadesola froze, her fingers tightening around the control board.

“That Bela ehn,” Big Ed continued, oblivious. “The chemistry between you two was mad! I swear, I used to envy him. Bela needs to come back on the show. Can’t we have that as our Christmas miracle?”

She forced out a laugh, “Ah, Big Ed, you’re too funny. But come on now, this is about your Christmas memories. Let’s hear one.”

The calls kept pouring in, but Bela’s name hung in the air.

“Your banter with Bela was the highlight of my Fridays. Please, tell us he’s coming back!”

“We miss Bela on Fairy Sweethearts! Fridays haven’t been the same without you two.”

By the time the show ended, Jadesola was emotionally wrung out. She slid off her headphones and stared at the blinking lights on the soundboard, letting out a slow breath. Would she ever get used to living in the shadow of Bela Bankole?

For about a year, she and Bela had been Lagos’ Friday-night duo, spinning gold out of social media hot takes on relationships, life and everything in between.

While Jadesola never missed a chance to talk about those things from a believer's standpoint, Bela wasn't as spiritually inclined. Yet, their show, Fairy Sweethearts, wasn’t just popular—it was personal. They had built more than ratings, they had a loyal fan base across the South Western region.

But then Bela disappeared six months ago.

Without warning, he’d left. No phone call, no goodbye. Just an impersonal email to management about relocating to Canada for “personal reasons.” His relative owned the radio station, so he had it easy.

However, Jadesola had thrown herself into the job, trying to keep the show going, but the shoes Bela left behind was impossible to ignore.

Listeners kept asking questions. And management expected her to carry the show alone, without finding a replacement. Every Friday, she had to sit in that chair, pretending it didn’t sting to be left behind by someone she’d thought was more than a co-host—more than a friend, even.

She shook herself, trying to banish the thoughts. It was Christmas season. She couldn’t let the ghost of Bela Bankole keep haunting her.

Stepping outside the studio, Chinenye, the next on shift, greeted her with a mouth full, “Omo, Lagos people no dey forget sha. Bela, Bela, everywhere. If not for this small-chops wey I dey chop, I for vex.”

Jadesola laughed. “My sister, I tire o. How’s the party going?”

“The groove is grooving. I no wan leave sef, save this shift. See you later.”

---

The party room was packed with colleagues in varying degrees of festive wear that went with the theme, ‘Denim with a touch of Christmas colour.’ While the staff at Fairy FM were hardworking, they also knew how to have fun. Hence, the office Christmas party was something they anticipated every year.

Jadesola had walked in when Ebi, the head producer was on the karaoke singing All I Want for Christmas Is You, her sonorous voice filling the air.

She grabbed her favourite mocktail ‘Shirley temple’ and hovered by the refreshments table, trying to match the groove. Now that her shift was over, she hoped to feel lighter, but all the earlier mentions of Bela had unsettled her.

“Babes, how far na?” Kamal greeted casually, a Christmas reindeer antlers on his head. “Whoa! You look stunning tonight.”

She raised a brow. “Kamal, abeg, I didn’t even try,” she replied letting out a soft sigh, “But wait o, this your headgear…Are you an employee for this station or Santa Claus?”

He chuckled, then clasped his fingers. “Na collabo, my dear. Speaking of Santa claus—”

“Alright, it’s time for the Christmas Treasure Hunt!” an announcement rang, interrupting Kamal.

“What’s that?” Jadesola asked.

“I think it's MD’s idea,” Kamal said, handing her a slip of paper. “Everyone’s Christmas gift is waiting somewhere in the building. This is your clue.”

Jadesola unfolded hers: Former Studio, Third Floor.

“The old studio? Seriously? I haven’t been there since...” She trailed off, biting back Bela’s name.

“It’s been renovated,” Kamal said, winking. “You’re lucky. Mine says ‘generator house.’”

Jadesola laughed, shaking her head. “Good luck with that. I’ll be back.”

---

The third floor was quiet as Jadesola approached the studio. The door was slightly ajar, the room dimly lit. She stepped inside cautiously, her heels clicking against the freshly tiled floor.

She stood, scanning the room to find any clue or wrapped gift.

“Looking for this?”

Jadesola froze, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, all she could do was stare at the familiar figure in front of her.

He looked the same, yet different—tired, maybe, but still very himself. His crisp white shirt clung to his chiseled upper body, folded casually over his arms. A new pair of glasses framed his charming face.

“Bela?” Jadesola finally said, her voice a mixture of shock and anger.

The air between them felt charged, the weight of the past six months hanging heavy.

His smile was small, but the sincerity in his eyes was obvious. “Hello, Jadesola.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.

“I came to make things right,” he replied, his gaze steady. “Starting with you.”

To Be Continued…

---

💌. Hey, everyone! You like? Well, Merry Christmas in advance. I honestly planned a stand-alone for this story, but as things began to take shape, I decided to split it into two parts (hopefully) haha.

Part 2 drops on Sunday, 22nd December. I hope Christmas is beginning to look like it on your end? See you soon. 💛

Yours in Quality Time,
Adebola. 🦋