JEREMY
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Episode 8
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I sat there, dumbfounded and unsure of what to do next. I wasn’t sure if I should hang up the phone with Samuel or respond to Jeremy’s query.
I have no idea what the appropriate response would be if I decided to respond to Jeremy’s question.
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“I mean, why would Samuel even refer to me as “babe sef”? How does he define “babe”? Did he really just say “babe” as in “BABE”? Or babe, as one may refer to somebody of Eve’s gender in general?”
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I was entering and exiting mentally taxing question-and-answer sessions in those few moments.
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Since Jeremy asked the question, my mouth has been open, but I have not said a word.
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I was brought back to reality by Jeremy’s “Baby, you are not answering my question,” which reminded me that Samuel was still on the line and that Jeremy was in front of me while asking me a question for which there was no correct response.
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“Uhm… Ermm… I… My friend, baby. Wou… Would you mind saying hello?” My heart was racing the fastest it had ever run, yet I managed to stammer as I tried to give Jeremy the phone.
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Jeremy grinned and waved me away.
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“Inform your friend that I said hello! And would you kindly inform him that the only person who may address you as “baby” is me?” The way Jeremy spoke and the expression on his face were hard for me to read. “I had to come back for my wallet.” Jeremy said as he quickly entered the room to retrieve it.
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Jeremy kissed me good-bye as he left a little while later.
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Samuel had continued to hold the line throughout this time. We continued our conversation after Jeremy left.
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As he had alluded to, Samuel was overjoyed to see me the following Monday. I was welcomed with enthusiasm by everyone at work. It seemed like they had truly missed me. (At least, that was the front they’d all put on, even though I was more than confident that some of my female coworkers weren’t really that thrilled to see me.)
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When I wasn’t working that day, I spent the entire time responding to texts from Samuel.
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Samuel was sending me numerous amorous messages as a tease. He praised my outfit and gushed over my beauty. He said that it had taken the special grace of God for him to be able to let go of me during our previous hug.
Samuel claimed he would adore me endlessly if I were his girlfriend.
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“How could anyone not? It makes sense why Jeremy keeps driving behind you, making sure that everyone who has nursing notions knows whose girl you are. You are certainly worth protecting, babe. I’m sure I’ll possibly do the same thing with a little modification if I miraculously find myself rocking your world tomorrow”.
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This was the second time Samuel would use the term “babe” to describe me.
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Samuel begged that I indulge him with a dinner date. He claimed that he needed to at least know how my vacation went, and it wasn’t something we could extensively discuss over text messaging or a phone call.
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After some convincing from Samuel, I gave up and agreed to give him an hour after work.
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That evening, Samuel and I had a terrific time. This time, I made sure that I found my way home by myself.
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Never before had things been better between Jeremy and I. Since that disgusting occurrence, Jeremy has treated me like an egg. Jeremy made a conscious attempt to turn a new leaf, and while it was not simple, I could tell he was making an effort.
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Jeremy and I had such a wonderful relationship that he got down on one knee and proposed to me during one of our many dates with friends.
Nobody anticipated that. Certainly not me.
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The happiest times of my life were the weeks leading up to the date we’d set aside for our introduction. Never before had Jeremy been kinder. I had gotten to know his entire family, and they all seemed to be very accepting of me. The best sisters-in-law a woman could ever have were Jeremy’s sisters. They were nice and considerate, and they treated me like a sibling. Because Jeremy is the only male child in the family, they all cherish him dearly.
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As intended, we had a smooth introduction. At least, that’s what I had assumed until shortly after we had all returned home, when one of my aunts muttered something to my mother. Something about my Jeremy, something that was to completely alter the course of our relationship.
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It was something my aunt had allegedly overheard from one of the people there at our introduction.
To be continued…
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Moshood Avidiime The Writer
