TOLANI
Episode 19
Chimaobi and I had some time together for us to spend and pick up some wedding choices.
As usual, I picked royal blue and silver as the colour for the day, but he chose navy blue.
While in the room, we went back and forth, trying to pick up a particular one.
Finally, we chose royal blue. Chimaobi gave up the navy blue for me.
Invitation cards were all printed, the wedding was to come immediately after my academic project.
Now, I visited Mr. Ernest, who was my supervisor. He had asked me to come to his office for him to sign on my project before I submit it.
Our wedding date was scheduled on August 19, while I was supposed to defend 29th July.
Getting to Mr. Ernest, I found him about to leave his office.
“Good evening sir” I greeted him, but he looked at me with so much disgust, picked up his bag to leave.
“Sir, please, you really need to sign on my work.” I begged him.
“Is this the time I asked you to come?”
“But sir, I have been in school, I have been calling you, but you didn’t pick.”
“You are not ready to defend on 29th with your mates. It’s like you want an extra year.”
“Sir, please, just sign in, and I will submit. Please sir.” I begged him, but he walked me out of his office.
You all remember Me Ernest, my lecturer who had his eyes on me. I had turned him several times, but he had refused to let me be.
I thought I was done with his drama since 8 had a smooth sail with him ever since he began to supervise me. He stopped making advance at me, became naturally friendly.
This new development and sudden hatred for me shocked me.
“Get out of my class.” He ordered as I walked out immediately but stood at the door, begging him.
Now, my defense was scheduled on 29th July and that day was 20th July. Our traditional marriage was to hold on 17th, and we had intentions of going for honeymoon at Kenya. I had always wanted to go to the Giraffe manor for years now. When Chimaobi asked me to make a choice of where I want to be at for our honeymoon, I chose Kenya.
Although, he chose Mauritius. So, we opted to go for the both, Kenya first, then, Mauritius.
Now, I didn’t want anything to delay my plans. Having an extra year would be the worst thing that could ever happen to me.
Everyone would be disappointed with me for causing a delay.
I knelt down and begged him further, but he locked his door and walked out on me. I had just 8 days to sign and submit my work.
I had finished my project work a while back, but he kept delaying to sign.
I immediately called Chimaobi on the phone. Heartbroken, I broke in tears, narrating what had happened to him.
Chimaobi got so mad and came to school to meet me.
“Where’s the FO.OL?” Chimaobi said with hot sweat covering his face while I cried.
“Is that why you are crying? Will you stop that? He has no right not to sign your project. After all, he delayed you, you finished your project since. Where’s your HOD’s office.” He asked, hugging me, to stop crying.
“Look at how students are looking at you crying. Stop please.” He said as we walked into his car.
“Where’s your HOD’s office?” He repeated but I dissuaded him from that.
“Bae, no, please. I don’t want troubles. I just want to graduate, I just have 8 days. When are we going to meet my HOD, a very busy man.”
“So, what do you want us to do?”
“Let’s follow him gently, you can call him and talk man to man.”
“Oh! Tolani, you have told him you are not interested, and you have someone you are engaged to. He should respect that and not use his position to play you. I see no reason I should reach out to him. For what? Involving his superiors is the best option here. We are not begging him.” Chimaobi said, as he started the car and zoomed off from office space.
“Bar, please, for my sake, don’t involve anyone. Let’s settle this amicably.”
“Can you stop telling me this? What best way should this be settled. I should pamper him, is that what you want? Mbo? Unless you are hiding something from me, aside this, I see no reason you want me not to take up this case this way.”
“Chimaobi! What do you mean by that? That I had or have something going on with him or what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Chimaobi! You don’t even trust me?” I began to cry again.
“You are such a j**k to think I have something with that useless man.”
“Then, let me handle it. Why hinder me?”
“Because I have limited time left, 8 days Chimaobi. Going back and forth to meet his superiors will be a waste of time. This is Nigeria, I know what I’m saying.”
“This is nothing.” He frowned…
To be continued…
Always remember that, there are diverse obstacles, limitations, distractions, and battles you fight as couples. Don’t think the relationship is easy, or your union should go well. A lot would stand in your way as lovers, what is left for the both of you is to either fight and win over these obstacles, or the obstacles win over you.
Choose one!
What is really going on? Why is Tolani against the idea? Why is Chimaobi not viewing from Tolani’s standpoint.
©️ Esther Charles (The Storytelling Diva)
