EPISODE 17 Six months later. Promise walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of toasted bread and a mug of hot beverage. She headed for the dining, the click sound of her shoes echoed through the walls of the empty room. She glanced at the wall clock. It was thirty minutes past seven. She had to leave home before eight or she would get to work late. Her parents had already left. She had woken up with a massive hunger that demanded to be satisfied. The last time she went to work on an empty stomach, she could only think of food and barely got her work done. She drew out a chair and placed the plate and the mug on the dinning table. While she ate, she browsed with her blackberry phone. She checked her email box and almost spilled her beverage on her chocolate brown trouser suit when she saw a mail from TL Communications Company. The firm was one of the companies she had submitted her application letter to in Lekki. At that time, she was informed that there was no vacancy, but they promised to get back to her once something came up. She opened the mail and read through it. An interview had been scheduled for her that day for nine a.m on the dot. She needed to leave home immediately. ‘God, this is the dream job I have been waiting for. I need your endless favour today’. Promise hurried out of the house, leaving leftover toasted bread and a mug of beverage on the dinning table. Her mother would scream if she saw it when she returned from work that day. If all went well, she would be home before her parents. That would give her time to put the house in order before they returned. She unlocked the gate and pushed it wide open. She got into the car, drove out of the compound and returned to lock the gate. She raced back into the car and glanced at her wrist-watch. It was a few minutes past eight. ‘God I really need you today’. ********* Gbenga stood at the opened window and stared at the busy street. He had not seen Promise all day. Where could she be? It was almost four in the evening and she had not shown up at work. He had dialed her mobile number several times, but it was switched off. He had pinged her on the blackberry messenger, sent her emails, but there had been no response whatsoever. He had almost asked her parents where their daughter was, but, he decided against it. Maybe she had a meeting to attend to on the behalf of the company. Why didn’t she inform him? They were together the other night and she didn’t mention something like that. As far as he knew, her schedule was clear that day. They had joked that she might spend the whole day in his office, but, where was she? He sighed heavily and returned to his desk. Why didn’t she bother to call him? She should have informed him about her whereabouts. He hoped nothing bad had happened to her. His heart missed a beat. He picked up his phone and dialed her number again. Someone knocked at his door and walked in. His worried looks vanished when he saw Promise. “Where have you been?” He rose up. “Sweet heart, I have got news for you,” she hurried to his side, excitement was written all over her face. He turned away when she tried to hug him. She sized him up and grimaced when she saw the frown on his face. She realized that he must have been worried when she didn’t show up that morning. “I should have called, I am sorry sweet heart. He folded his arms across his chest and eyed her. “I know you must have dialed my number a million times. I had to switch off my phone because of where I was.” He sat back on his seat and watched her closely. Where was she all day? “I will gist you,” she took a seat opposite him, “I got a mail this morning from TL Communications Company.” He lifted one of his brows in interest, “Isn’t that one of the companies you have been praying a storm to work in?” She nodded and reached out for his hand, “Yes, they invited me for an interview scheduled for nine this morning.” His face brightened, “I believe you did excellently well.” She squeezed his hand, “Yes, sweet heart. God was faithful, I got the job.” “Wow!” He blew her a kiss and she blushed. Gbenga could be so romantic and that was one of the reasons why she loved him. “Come here and give your sweet heart a hug.” She rushed into his waiting arms and they remained in that position for a while. “Sweet heart.” “Hmmm…” “You have made me a very happy man.” “And I am a very happy woman.” “Really?” “Yes, love.” He pulled away a bit and looked deep into her dark brown eyes. They seemed to have a glow about them at that moment. “Promise will you marry me?” She blinked and gapped at him. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he had been longing to say these words to her since they started dating. Each day assured him that she was the one for him. She swallowed hard and tried to steady her trembling body. She had fallen in love with him and she knew how much he loved her, but, she had not expected him to propose so soon. Was he really serious? ‘God is this really happening?’ “Promise will you marry me?” He went down on one knee and brought out a golden ring from his pocket. Her heart melted when she saw the ring. She glanced back at him and nodded several times. “Yes, Gbenga. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you.” He rose and swept her off her feet. ******** Osagie and his family sat outside the house eating roasted corn and boiled pear. Prince and Gift had returned home that weekend for the August/September holiday. Their school had just rounded up another session. “Have you guys picked a date yet?” Gift smiled at her sister. She was glad that Promise was settling down. She would move into her room once she was out of the house. She had always envied her sister’s large bedroom. “We will pick a date once I have visited his mother and siblings,” she smiled back at her. “I heard they don’t live in Lagos,” Prince refilled his glass with Five Alive juice. Promise nodded, “His mum lives in Abuja and his younger brothers live in Port Harcourt.” “Wow!” Gift shook her head. She wished she was the one travelling all over the country. “We are going to see Mrs. Lewis next weekend and visit his brothers the upper weekend.” Blessing nodded in agreement, “The sooner the better.” “Darling, do we have any leftover roasted corn?” Osagie winked at his wife. “I think so,” she got up and pulled Promise along. They both headed into the house. “My first daughter is getting married, I am so happy.” “Thanks mum,” she followed her into the kitchen. Blessing placed a bowl of roasted corn on the table and faced her daughter. “Have you both discussed everything in your past, present and what you want in your future?” She shrugged. “What is that supposed to mean?” She eyed her. “I know all his dirty little secrets mum, take a chill pill,” she chuckled. “I see. It is necessary and important that you both bear your hearts before you tie the knot.” “Really?” She drew out a stool and sat down. There was no stopping her mother whenever she wanted to trash out whatever she considered an issue. “Yes. Whoever you want to marry must be given an opportunity to accept your past, present and future or reject it.” Her brows knotted in a frown, “Reject it?” Blessing sat on one of the stools in the kitchen. “Listen my dear. Regardless of how good or bad you are, whatever the kind of past you must have had, no matter the kind of future you have imagined, whoever wants to marry you must accept you hook, line and sinker.” “Or reject you?” “Exactly.” Beads of sweat broke out all over her face. She had not thought of it before. “Whoever cannot accept your past and align with your future isn’t ready to spend the rest of his life with you? It will never work.” Promise shifted her gaze. She told Gbenga about every relationship she had gotten into, but, she didn’t really expand details about her affair with Keshinro. Does it matter? She noticed her daughter’s worried expression, “Whatever is kept in secret will eventually come out. Many marriages have broken down because one or both partners hid things from each other. It is better to be rejected now, than when you are already married.” Promise folded her arms acros her bosom. She knew that the divorce rate all over the world had increased. She had also heard of couples living like intimate strangers due to one misunderstanding or the other. She doesn’t want to have a broken home. Isn’t a broken relationship better than a broken marriage? Gift strolled into the kitchen, “Dad wants his corn.” Her mother pointed at the bowl of roasted corn on the table. She picked it up and glanced at them. She had a feeling they were discussing something very important. The moment Gift was out of ear shot, Blessing turned to her eldest daughter. “Not everybody will accept your past, but, there is always someone out there who will accept you for who you are, no matter where you are coming.” Promise exhaled loudly. She wondered if Gbenga was that kind of person. What if he wasn’t? Her heart missed a beat. No wonder so many people do not tell their partner about their past. It was difficult to discern whether the person would accept or reject one. It was a painful risk to take, but, it was worth it. “Thank you mum.” Blessing smiled, “You are welcome dear. I am always here whenever you want to talk.” “Okay mum.” They locked gazes. “Can I hug you?” She stared back at her daughter in surprise, “Yes baby,” her voice thickened with emotion. They both got to their feet and embraced. Promise felt relaxed. It had been a while since she had hugged her mother. She needed to do it more often. Blessing felt a tear drop sliding down her face. She couldn’t remember the last time she hugged her daughter. She had felt closer to her while they chatted. She had longed for Promise’s trust. She hoped she would gain it soon. One day in the nearest future, her daughter would confide in her. These thought filled her with joy.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:09:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015