Judytex_Stories
*EPISODE 1*
(CLICKED)
Wearing a gorgeous wedding dress and walking down the aisle with that special man you truly love feels like a dream come true for almost every woman. And every bride-to-be always looks forward to that special day with excitement written all over her face.
But the opposite was the case for Tricia Balogun, who was getting married to a total stranger she met a few weeks ago.
* * * * * * * * * * *
(A few weeks ago)
At 12:30, Tricia was getting her makeup done on a movie set when her assistant (Gift) brought her phone to her.
“Your phone is ringing.” Gift said.
“Who is calling?.” Tricia asked with her eyes closed, just like the makeup artist had instructed.
“Your mother.” Gift said.
When Tricia heard the word mother, her mood suddenly changed. She opened her eyes and sat up straight with a frown.
“Arrrrgh!.” She screamed and clenched her teeth and fist, disturbing the makeup artist. “For heaven’s sake. Why can’t this woman let me breathe?” she asked totally annoyed. Then she turned to the makeup artist, and said, “One minute please.”
She got up quickly. And furiously, she snatched her phone from her assistant and went to a corner where she redialed her mother’s number because the background where she was was quite noisy. As it was filled with film crews.
Tricia Balogun, 25 years old, was a young, vibrant and beautiful woman. She was a fast-rising actress who had received numerous awards for her excellent acting skills in films.
Her father, Femi Balogun, was a well-known businessman. He was wealthy and influential.
Her late mother was the first wife. But unfortunately, Tricia lost her mother when she was barely 10 years old.
And since then, her stepmother (Eniola Balogun), who had three children, began to play the role of a mother in her life.
Mrs. Eniola Balogun had always wanted Tricia to get married by all means. Because she saw her presence as a threat to her children. Based on the fact that her husband had a soft spot for Tricia and treated her differently from the rest of his children.
Mrs. Eniola pretended to be caring, but she really doesn’t want anything good for Tricia. And that’s why she was constantly setting her up on blind dates with men who were sometimes 20 to 25 years older than her.
And every time Tricia comes back to say the blind date didn’t go well, Mrs. Eniola starts complaining bitterly to her husband. Telling him how his daughter had been busy turning down various marriage proposals from different men.
“Hello mom,” Tricia said as soon as her mother answered her call.
“Hello Tricia,” Mrs. Enola said with excitement in her voice.
“You called,” Tricia said, trying so hard to contain her anger.
“Yes, darling. I called to make sure you didn’t forget your blind date. I hope you still remember that it’s tonight?” Mrs. Eniola asked.
“Yes, mom. It’s still in the back of my mind,” Tricia said rolling her eyes.
“Good. You better do that because I’m not ready for any c**k and bull stories this time. And you better look good. Because men are easily attracted to what they see. You know as the saying goes, the eyes must feed before the mouth.” She said.
“Yes, mom. I’ve heard you,” Tricia said clenching her fist.
“All right. Good luck to you.” She said and ended the call.
As soon as Tricia hung up, she hissed and handed her phone to her assistance. Then she returned to complete her makeup.
On the other side of the world was Jeff Omoshola. A 30-year-old prominent businessman whose parents have been on his neck, pressurizing him to get a wife before the year runs out.
Jeff was a business-oriented man who didn’t have time to develop a serious relationship with any lady. And marriage was not one of his priorities at that moment.
As a bachelor, he woke up every morning with his usual morning routine without having anyone to talk to in his well-furnished duplex apartment.
He only had one friend (Leo) who was like his partner in crime. They were of the same age and Leo worked in his office.
When evening came, Tricia reluctantly showed up at the restaurant where her blind date was waiting for her.
She walked in and dialed her blind date’s number, only to see a man in his late 40s waving at her at the extreme end.
Tricia couldn’t believe her eyes. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves before finally taking a step forward and approaching her blind date.
But the blind date didn’t end well because she kept throwing insulting and derogatory words at the man on purpose. Insulting him indirectly and making him feel less of himself. It was like she was literally pouring her frustration and resentment on him.
Immediately after the blind date, her stepmother called to rain insults on her for disrespecting the man who wanted to save her from singlehood.
Tricia knew full well that going home that night would not be a good idea, and as such, she went to sleep at her best friend’s house instead.
Arriving at Precious’s house, she lazily walked into precious bedroom and threw herself on the bed.
“Babe. This one you decided to come here to spend the night. I hope you haven’t committed any crime at home.” Precious asked shutting her door.
“Precious all I need right now is a good night’s sleep to cool my head. Because I literally had a hectic day today.” Tricia said, turning her face against the ceiling.
“But what did you do this time?” Precious asked sitting next to her.
“What else other than insulting my blind date,” Tricia said.
“Insult keh?. Tricia are you for real?” Precious asked completely amazed.
“I’m telling you,” Tricia said.
“But why?. What did he do to endorse the insults from you?” Precious asked crossing her arms curiously.
“What hasn’t he done? Look precious. I’m just tired. I’m tired of being forced to go on blind dates with different men all the time. And not just any man, but old men. Men who are 20 years older than I am. I’m only 25 for god’s sake. I’m not old enough to end up with a guy who is old enough to be my father or uncle. And trust me, It really sucks. And I’m so fed up with everything.” Tricia complained bitterly.
“Hmmm.” Precious took a deep sigh. “This whole blind date stuff is getting really bad. But why is your stepmother always hooking you up with old men?. She seems to be so desperate to get you married at all cost.” Precious said.
“Exactly my point. She acts caringly, but deep down she wants to ridicule me in front of her friends and kids. Does it mean she doesn’t see all those young men who are single and ready to settle down? Why must it be old men all the time?. And most at times, she hooks me up with old men who are looking for someone to babysit them all in the name of a wife.” Tricia lamented.
“This is serious,” Precious said. “You know what? I think I have a solution to your problems.” She said.
“And what could that be?” Tricia asked, sitting up.
“Look, friend. Since your stepmom is always hooking you up with old guys, how about you start going on blind dates with young guys instead?” Precious said.
“Can you even hear yourself? How and where will I see these young men? Is it when I’m always busy shooting a movie?. I barely have time for myself and you know that. But that’s not the problem. The problem is that I’m not ready to settle down with any man right now.” Tricia said.
“Well, your next blind date would decide whether or not you’re ready to settle down,” Precious said optimistically.
“Why do I feel like you are so optimistic about this?” Tricia asked giving her a curious look.
“That’s because I know a way to connect you with young men,” Precious said with a mischievous smile.
“Precious. I just hope it’s not all those Yahoo guys.” Tricia said drawing her ear.
“Trust me, friend. You can’t have me as a friend and be going through this hell. But wait o. How many guys have you gone on a blind date with?” Precious asked.
“This last one should make it 10,” Tricia replied.
“10?.” Precious shouted, with her jaw dropped in shock.
“You don’t know what I’ve been going through,” Tricia said.
Back at Jeff’s house, his friend Leo came over to spend the night at his place. As they talked, a phone call came in from Jeff’s mother, who began to lament about Jeff’s refusal to find a wife who would bear her grandchildren. When Jeff hung up, his expression changed.
“Why the mood change? What did Mumsy say that pissed you off so much?” Leo asked.
“What else other than her usual nagging and complaints about me getting a wife,” Jeff said.
“But why don’t you want to get married? I’ve thought about this countless times and I can’t seem to find any reasonable reason why you refused to find a wife,” Leo said.
“Leo, please. Don’t even start.” Jeff said.
“No friend. I have to be honest with you Because I don’t understand your way with women. Or are you interested in men now?” Leo asked looking at him suspiciously.
“I’m interested in men and I haven’t made advances at you the whole time?. You know what? You’re just a psycho.” Jeff said.
“What is the problem then? Or is your manhood not working?” Leo asked, staring at him suspiciously.
“Leo? What’s wrong with you? OK. Why don’t you bring your babe to test if I’m functioning or not?. Let’s see if she won’t take in after one touch. Nonsense” Jeff cursed after which he sipped his wine.
“Then what’s your problem? Why aren’t you interested in finding a wife?” Leo asked.
“Because I’m not ready to settle down yet. Don’t you get it?” Jeff screamed.
“What else do you need? You have a successful business for yourself, you have your duplex and you have everything it takes to start a family. So what’s with your constant I’m not ready to settle down talks?.” Leo asked.
“It’s not about my possessions and acquisitions. It’s about me, Leo. I’m not just ready within myself. I think I need more time.” Jeff said.
“Well, I don’t think you’re not ready. I just have a feeling you still miss Kemi. Isn’t this whole thing about her?” Leo asked.
Hearing the name Kemi brought back painful and hurtful memories to Jeff, who thought he had moved on and healed from the pain of his past.
That night, while Leo slept, Jeff got up and went through his drawer, where he pulled out pictures of his one-time lover and friend, Kemi.
Memories of their love flickered in his mind as he stared helplessly at their pictures. He didn’t even realize he was shedding tears until they were dripping on the pictures. He wiped away his tears and slowly put the pictures back where they were. Then he slept with his head facing the ceiling.
The next morning, Tricia woke up yawning and holding out her arms helplessly. She looked around and couldn’t find Precious.
She opened the door and walked into the living room, where she found precious operating her laptop with all seriousness.
“Good morning, Precious.” Tricia greeted sitting next to her.
“Oh. You’re awake. Good morning.” Precious greeted back concentrating on her laptop.
“What’s with the serious concentrating on your laptop this morning?” Tricia asked totally curious.
“I’m setting up an account for you on a popular online dating app called click,” Precious said.
“Are you alright?.” Tricia asked in disbelief.
“Yes, friend. You know, one special feature about this app is that you will get to connect with single men based on the description, age, occupation, preferred country of origin, tribe, state, religion, and everything you desire in your dream man. Isn’t that perfect?” Precious asked excitedly.
“No. It’s madness and I’m not sure I’m ready to buy that idea. Well, if you will excuse me, I have an important appointment to catch up on.” Tricia said, getting up.
“Suit yourself,” Precious said, concentrating on her laptop.
Back at Jeff’s house, Jeff woke up to find Leo using his system.
“Hey, dude! What are you doing?” He asked yawning.
“Helping you overcome your biggest fear,” Leo said.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Jeff asked totally confused.
“I’m helping you find a wife. Or better still, a life partner,” Leo said.
“On the system?.” Jeff asked totally confused.
“Yes. On a dating app called click. Trust me you will meet girls of your taste through this app. Because the app helps you connect with girls who fit your descriptions and all,” Leo said.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Jeff said, finding his way into his bathroom.
“Just leave it to me, bro. I’ll help you get a wife in no time.” Leo assured.
“Dream on,” Jeff said walking away.
Later that afternoon, Precious called Tricia and asked her to get ready because she had found someone who matched her description of a perfect man. But Tricia hissed and ended the call.
The same thing happened between Jeff and Leo.
“Listen Leo. If you don’t have anything better to tell me then don’t call me during working hours.” Jeff said and ended the call.
But that evening, Tricia went home to get some of her things when she ran into her stepmother, who started insulting her for ruining her last blind date. She then proceeded to inform Tricia about how she had fixed another blind date for her.
Unwilling to go on another blind date with an old man, Tricia told her stepmother to forget about the blind date that she had found a man she would like to marry.
She stepped out of the house and called Precious asking her to set up a date for the blind date with the young man from the dating app.
Leo, on the other hand, didn’t let Jeff rest until he finally agreed to go on a blind date with the lady from the dating app.
The day for the blind date finally came. Leo took his time to dress Jeff to his taste while Precious took her time to make Tricia look stunning.
Tricia and Jeff eventually met in an eatery. And Tricia was pleased with what she saw. At last, she was finally having a blind date with a young man. Apart from that, nothing else mattered to her. After exchanging pleasantries, Jeff got straight to the point.
“I’ve seen you and I have to admit you look beautiful,” Jeff complimented.
Tricia couldn’t help but blush effortlessly. It felt good and refreshing to hear those words from a young blood.
“You don’t look bad either,” Tricia complimented back.
“Thanks for the compliment,” Jeff said. “But you know, the truth is, my best friend forced me into this blind date stuff. And I only came here because I didn’t want to make him feel bad. Not like I’m really ready for marriage or building any serious relationship.” Jeff said.
“Same here,” Tricia said. “I’m only here because my friend came up with this idea. And my stepmom won’t stop pressuring me to get married when I’m not even ready.” She said.
“Same here. My mother is always on my neck. Like she doesn’t call to check on me. Her calls are always to remind me of the need to get a wife.” Jeff said.
And they both burst out laughing.
“It seems like we both have something in common. With that said, how about we just get married?” Tricia said, crossing her arms.
Hearing this, Jeff almost choked on the water he was drinking.
“What?.” Jeff asked, with his eyes widened in shock.
“Yes, Jeff. Let’s get married and divorce a year later.” Tricia added.
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