*EPISODE 23*
[FINAL EPISODE]
{MY SOULMATE}
Gloria was doing her laundry outside, at the front of the compound. While her parents were both seated on a wooden bench that was at the corridor discussing. Then all of a sudden, they saw a brand new Range Rover driving into their compound.
“Are you expecting anyone?.” Gloria asked her parents who shaked their head signifying no.
They focused their gaze on the vehicle until the engine stopped and the door swung open. Gloria quickly wiped her hands on her dress and stood to her feet with curiosity written all over her face.
The owner of the vehicle alighted from the car and lo and behold, it was none other than Chris Ogbuefi. He shut his door and focused his eyes steadily on Gloria whose heart jumped up for joy. Seeing him again like that, brought back old memories. Memories of the first day he followed her to her house and called her foodie. Memories of all the days he drove to her house to pay her visit. All those memories came replaying in her head. And all she could do at that moment, was shed tears. But this time around, she wasn’t shedding tears that came from a place of pains and sorrows like she had been doing for the past 25 years. Her current tears came from a place of longing, desires and joy. And without saying a word, they kept gazing into each other’s eyes. Seeing them in such situation, Gloria’s father signaled his wife to get up. And they both cleared their throats and went inside leaving the two to settle their differences. Meanwhile, as they went inside, they quickly peeped through the window that was in the sitting room to watch what was going on between the two outside.
“Hi Gloria.” Chris waved not knowing what to do or say.
“Hi Chris.” Gloria responded quickly looking away.
“Emmmm….are you washing?.” Chris asked totally confused of what to say in that situation.
“Yeah. As you can see.” Gloria responded dragging her feet on the ground.
“Collins is doing great with me.” Chris went on talking rubbish.
“Wow. That’s good news. I’m glad he is.” Gloria responded staring at the sky and back to her clothes.
“Are you still single?.” Chris asked out of the blues.
“Yeah. And you?.” Gloria asked back fumbling her dress.
“I’m single aswell. And ready to mingle if you wouldn’t mind.” Chris responded scratching his head with his car key.
Gloria couldn’t help but gave a quick smile as she found him funny and cute.
“So, uhm…I’m actually….” Chris stammered lost of words. Then to his greatest surprise, Gloria rushed up to him and pecked him on the cheek.
“I’m ready to mingle too.” She said with a smile.
“Then you Shouldn’t have kept me waiting all these while. Do you know how much I’ve missed you?.” Chris said almost crying.
“Don’t even let me start with you Chris. Why did it take you this long to come for me?. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?.” Gloria lamented hitting his chest.
Chris smiled and held her hands in his. Then looking steadily into her eyes, he said.
“I’m sorry for taking this long to come back for you. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting all these years. Gloria. The truth is, my life feels incomplete without you in it. You own a place in my heart that no one else can replace. I’ve told you this before, and I’m saying it again. You are my love, my peace, my life. You are my soft place to fall, my guiding light, my best friend. In you I see our happy ever after. Gloria, You are my soulmate. And I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life without you in it again. So please, do me the favor of being my wife. I need you. Our son need you. My house need your presence to become a home. Please Gloria, I know this is coming unexpectedly, but I can’t risk taking more chances. So please, would you be my wife?.” He asked going on his knees.
Hearing these heart soothing and warming words from Chris, Gloria’s eyes got filled with tears. She couldn’t help but nodded affirmatively to his proposal.
“Yes Chris. I’ve never wanted anything more than to spend the rest of my life with you. So yes Chris, I will marry you.” Gloria said holding Chris hand.
Chris then got up, deepened his hand into his pocket, and brought out the bracelet.
“You know, my son said this bracelet is worth more than any ring. And with his permission and approval, I hereby return it to its rightful owner. Which is you my darling.” Chris teased slipping the bracelet into Gloria’s wrist. Gloria couldn’t help but blushed effortlessly.
And with a serious look, Chris looked deeply into Gloria’s eyes. Without hesitation, he pulled Gloria to himself. And with a smile, he leaned forward and planted his lips against hers.
Gloria’s parents who have been watching the entire scene through the window, could not control their tears as it rolled down uncontrollably down their cheeks.
Gloria’s father quickly stepped outside and cleared his throat. And immediately, Gloria pulled away from Chris who composed himself.
“Chris Ogbuefi.” He called with his hands behind his back.
“Sir?.” Chris answered.
“If you want to have my daughter all to yourself, I’m sure you know the right thing to do.” He said.
“Yes sir. It won’t exceed this week I promise.” Chris said.
“Better. Cause my daughter is a hot cake. And delay could be dangerous you know?.” He added. And they all burst into laughter.
A week after, Chris brought his people and performed all the marital rites needed in marrying Gloria. And without hesitation, they quickly picked a date for the wedding ceremony.
Back at the City, Janice was confused about who to choose between Eric and Collins. Cause Eric was now a changed man. He became caring and sweet towards Janice thereby, confusing her. But Collins didn’t force it. He was okay being her friend and he was ready to accept anything.
Janice was seated in the sitting room lost in thoughts when her mother walked up to her and sat beside her.
“What has been bothering you my child?.” She asked placing her hand on Janice’s shoulder.
“Mom. I’m kind of confused.” Janice said sitting upright.
“Confused about what my child?.” Her mother asked.
“Choosing between Eric and Collins. I just realized that, they are both good men who mean well for me. Eric is a changed man and he is now everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. And Collins had been nothing but good to me. Mom honestly, I’m confused.” Janice said.
“Hmmmmm. My child. I believe your heart knows where it truly belongs. Don’t force it. Don’t make a choice based on pity. Make a choice based on how much you love that person, and how much that person loves you. Amongst these two, I’m sure you know the one whose presence makes you feel relaxed and secured. I’m sure you know the one that gives you the peace that you’ve always wanted. Search your heart my child. And let it guide you to your soulmate.” She said holding Janice’s hands.
The next day, Eric called Janice out and they both hanged out. But while she was with Eric, she found herself missing Collins. The places they went to, the food they ate, the fun they had and everything they did that day, reminded her of Collins. She kept flashing back to his cute smile and innocent behaviors. Then the words of her mother came replaying in her head.
“…..amongst these two, I’m sure you know the one whose presence makes you feel relaxed and secured. I’m sure you know the one that gives you the peace that you’ve always wanted. Search your heart my child. And let it guide you to your soulmate.”
And at this point, Janice was convinced that Collins was who her heart longed for. And the man she felt more at peace with.
“I’m sorry Eric. I don’t think I can do this anymore.” She said out of the blues.
“What are you talking about?.” Eric asked totally confused.
“I don’t think I can continue lying to myself Eric.” She added.
“What exactly are you talking about?.” Eric asked.
“I think I’ve realized who my heart longs for the most.” She said smiling.
“And?. Who could it be?.” Eric asked folding his arms.
“It’s Collins.” Janice revealed.
“I knew it all these while. But I still wanted to give it one last trial. Hoping that things would work out in my favour. But I guess the reverse is the case.” Eric said with a painful smile.
“I’m sorry Eric.” Janice said feeling bad and remorseful.
“It’s fine Janice. Collins is my brother and his happiness is my happiness as well. I wish you both luck.” Eric said.
“Thank you Eric.” Janice said with a sense of guilt.
The day of the wedding ceremony finally came. Chris joy knew no bound as he waited impatiently to be joined to his beautiful bride. He stood at the altar gazing impatiently at the entrance of the church for the arrival of his beautiful bride Gloria.
Few moments after, Gloria walked into the church with her father beside her. Her wedding dress flowed effortlessly on the floor as she walked up to Chris who could not wait to behold her.
As she walked up to Chris, she flashed back to all the fun moments they shared, the heart breaking moments and the beautiful moments. She was lost in her imaginations and thoughts that she didn’t know when tears started rolling down her cheeks.
When it was time to exchange their marital vows, Chris held her hand and with tears in his eyes he said,
“To my beautiful wife Gloria. You’ve been through a lot because of the love you have for me. Life has thrown different challenges and trials at us in this journey of love. We’ve been through hell and back together today to be made man and wife. And before this holy altar of God and all the guests present here today, I’m making a vow to you today. I promise to never let you shed anymore tears for the rest of your life. The only tears that will ever be seen in your eyes, will be tears of joy and not of sorrows and regrets. I promise to be a good father to our beloved son by guiding him to the right path without coerce or force. I promise to be a loving and caring husband to you my beloveth wife. I promise to live the rest of my life compensating and making up for all my shortcomings towards you. I promise to be there for you in good and In bad times. In health and in sickness. In rich and in poor. In better and in worst situations till death do us part.” He said.
Then he slipped the ring into Gloria’s finger. Gloria who was already shedding tears, held his hand and said,
“To my beloveth husband Chris Ogbuefi. I’ve always loved you with everything in me. And I’m making a vow to you today before this holy altar and before the presence of everyone here today. I promise to love, respect and be submissive to you for as long as I breathe. And I promise to be a good mother to our beloved son and a good wife to you my husband. I promise to be there with you in good and in bad times. In health and in sickness. In rich and in poor. In better and worst times till death do us part.” She said and slipped the ring into Chris’s finger.
The entire congregation applauded in excitement. Then the priest gave Chris the long awaited permission to kiss his bride.
And without further hesitation, Chris slowly pulled up Gloria’s veil and with tears in his eyes, he planted a warm kiss on her lips.
“Congratulations I hereby, pronounce you man and wife.” The priest said.
At the reception ground, Collins was going to pick few drinks when he bombed into Janice.
“Hi.” Janice waved.
“Hi Janice.” Collins waved back.
“Uhmm….are you free?. Can we talk?.” Janice asked.
“Well, if it’s that important then I think I’m free.” Collins replied.
“Alright. Can we go somewhere quiet?.” Janice suggested.
“Okay?. Sure. Why not?. Lead the way.” Collins said.
Janice led him to a quiet corner away from the reception ground.
“So?. What’s this thing you want to tell me?.” Collins asked.
“Well you see, I think I’ve made up my mind to go for the one my heart beats for.” Janice said.
“Oh. That’s nice. Congratulations.” Collins said thinking it was Eric.
“Just like that?. Aren’t you going to ask who it is?.” Janice asked.
“It’s obvious Janice. I wish you both luck in all your endeavors. I’m truly happy for you. And I’m glad you told me this now. Cause I really needed it to know my way forward.” Collins said.
“You silly. It’s you Collins.” Janice said.
“Huh?.” Collins asked totally amazed.
“Yeah. I’ve thought about it and, it just can’t be anyone but you who my heart beats for. I love you Collins and I hope to spend the rest of my life with you.” Janice said.
Collins couldn’t believe his ears. He scoffed and tears dropped from his eyes. And without hesitation, he pulled Janice into a warm embrace.
“Thank you Janice. Thank you for choosing me. I promise I will never give you any reason to regret ever choosing me.” Collins assured.
“Come on Collins. This wasn’t what I was expecting.” Janice said freeing herself from Collins’s embrace.
“What did I do wrong?.” Collins asked totally confused.
“Aren’t you supposed to kiss me?. Gosh Collins. How can you be so clueless and innocent in matters like this?.” Janice asked pouting her lips.
“Alright you asked for this Janice. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Collins said.
He took few steps forward, grabbed Janice by the waist and pulled her to himself. He then slowly lowered his lips and planted a deep, slow and pleasurable kiss on her lips.
THE END๐๐๐.
THANKS FOR READING TO THE END. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE STORY?. DON’T FORGET TO DROP LESSONS YOU LEARNT FROM THIS STORY ๐.
Rich people should learn from these story
No one can stop destiny