TOLANI😲😲
Episode 21
Tears came to Chimaobi’s eyes as he begged me not to pack my things.
Brushing the tears from his eyes, he mumbled and continued to struggle with his tears.
“Tolani, just one chance, if I do it again, go away. Please, don’t walk away from me, I will be miserable.” He begged me, but I refused to talk to him.
“My God, Tolani, just talk to me please. Say a word. Your silence is killing me.” He knelt again, dragging my clothes with me.
He held my hands and squeezed it as if nothing happened.
“TOLANi, look into my eyes and see it wasn’t me who acted that. Babie, please.”
At that point, I couldn’t look at him. I didn’t want anything to tamper with my decision. I was actually done with him.
“Fine, it is late now. I promise tomorrow’s morning, I will drop you home. But I just need your forgiveness. Even if you don’t give me a second chance, just forgive me. I am already going to live with this guilt, your forgiveness matters to me.” He begged.
I stepped out of his presence without a word to the guest room, locked the door behind, and cried my eyeballs out. He stood at the door, knocking and begging me.
At about 6:48am in the morning, I came out of the room with swollen eyes, as I found him lying on the floor.
I crossed him, walked to his room, and packed my things. While I was picking up my panties in the toilet, he walked into the room.
“Bae, good morning. Please, just talk to me. I’m dying. You have not said a word to me.” He held my arms.
I struggled out from his grip, picked my bag and walked away from him.
He continued to follow me, requesting to take me home but I ignored him.
I was so done. I had never envisioned him to slap me once, talk more of four times. It was draining and scary for me to even think about it.
I was left with the pains of losing my man of five years, my best friend.
I was left with the pain of having a scattered wedding plans.
I was left with the pain of living without Chimaobi, I so much loved him.
I was left with the pain of the memories of domestic violence.
I was left with the pains of Mr. Ernest trying to frustrate me. A lot caused me pains.
I didn’t want to excuse Chimaobi or give him benefit of doubt. I had always heard people say, “once he hits you, he would repeat it.”
I got home and called Ruth, she came around, and I narrated everything to her.
“You shouldn’t have called him that, TOLANI. I have told you to check on your temper and attitude. It’s not even about Chimaobi. I do not know Chimaobi, I can’t vouch for him or say he’s like that. So, let’s leave Chimaobi aside and talk about you. I am the closest friend you have aside Chimaobi. I know you, and I am going to tell you the truth. Even if you leave Chimaobi and call off the wedding, meet another man, and you don’t tackle the main issue, the next man you meet will slap you one day. Yes, did you not tell me how your brother beat you up for talking back at him and shouting at him?” She asked, and I became mad at her.
“Ruth, are you kidding me? Like, are you rooting for Chimaobi? He slapped me. Yahya Segun is my brother.” I shouted her.
“You see, you really need to chill. You are shouting now. I am not shouting. We are having a conversation. Learn to have conversations without having to raise your voice. Calm your nerves, girl.” She said calmly.
I started crying again. She hugged me closely and stroked my hair.
“Sis, you are like my sister. We can do this. We can work on this side of you. It is a flaw that would haunt you even if you get another man. I am not going to tell you to go on with Chimaobi or walk away from him. Just follow your heart, okay?”
“Okay…” I nodded, crying again.
“Stop crying, okay. I just need you to put yourself together and defend.”
“That’s it! The man is on my neck.”
“ How do you intend to handle it?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think you will have to involve your parents now that Chimaobi who would have handled that is not available.” She advised as my phone rang.
I looked at the screen, and it was Chimaobi’s mom.
“Pick it” Ruth advised as I picked the phone call.
“My baby, I am sorry. No woman deserves this. I understand fully well if you don’t want to continue, but honestly, I didn’t train him that way. I would want you to forgive him. I have reached out to your parents.”
“What?” I exclaimed.
“Shhh… Let us handle this. Your dad would reach out to you. For Mr. Ernest, I am mad at Chimaobi for not telling us about him. I could easily reach out to senior lecturer colleagues in your school to handle it. Not to worry, I have contacted the Dean of your department. They promised to reach out to me. You know, I love you and I would not want you and Chimaobi to go apart. All I see in you both is love, you both just need to get virtues that would carry you through marriage. I have talked to Chimaobi, okay? He called me and narrated everything to me, he called your parents and your brother too.” She said and handed the phone to her husband who said I should come over to Abuja after my defense, reassuring me they were going to handle my supervisor. Before he hung the call, he said he had a gift for me when I come to Abuja.
“Such a sweet woman.” Ruth said as I sighed.
Not up to 5 minutes, my Dad called me and I spoke with him, my mom and my big brother, Segun. I thought my usual dad would say, “I told you”, but he asked me to follow my heart, nevertheless, he advised me to go on with the wedding, although he and Chimaobi’s Dad discussed and are suggesting if we could shift the wedding date.
“The young man is a good man. He is just not man enough, he needs to learn to subdue himself each time you begin to act like a witch.”
“Dad!” I called out.
“Yes, you women are like witches. You push us to the extreme. It takes a very self-controlling man to ignore.”
After talking to my dad and family, I felt a bit relieved but was still mad at Chimaobi.
I ignored his calls for several times. I just wanted to get off and defend first before I tell all of them my mind.
Two days later, Mr. Ernest sent me a message, asking me to visit him.
“ Come to Taurus horoscope Hotel, Room 306😒😋 as usual if you want to defend next week. Come with your project for me to sign.”
To be continued…
SHOULD Tolani accept Chimaobi? Will they eventually get married? DID TOLANI SLEEP WITH MR. ERNEST?
©️ Esther Charles (The Storytelling Diva)
