TOLANI
Episode 18
Rushing into the room, my father was seated with Chimaobi, discussing at ease.
I couldn’t understand what Chimaobi was doing in my house and in my father’s room.
It was a very huge one for me.
“Dad, what’s happening?” I turned to Yahya Segun who started laughing.
“You all pranked me?”
“Do you not enjoy this form of prank” my dad asked me and I fell into his arms, crying.
He held me closely and began to pat my back. The both of us became do emotional with each other.
It had been a while since I got close to my Dad. I didn’t know how much I had missed him, until now.
We were more like enemie3s for months just because he won’t let me marry Chimaobi and him forrcing a Yoruba guy on me.
“ You don’t have to cry again, everything is settled. I am at peace with your marriage preparation, and I shall give my blessings.” He said and hugged me again. I knelt down before him, wrapping my arms around his waist, and his hands patted my shoulders.
“You have not spoken to your husband to be, go to him, I’m good.” He said to me and every one laughed.
I stood and walked to Chimaobi, who hugged me before my parents and kissed my forehead.
“E jooo, little by little.” My mom said, and we all laughed.
Afterwards, we all had a meal at the dinning table.
Only then, did I get to know about their plans. My dad had already given up on strugggling with me before he saw the message I sent to him. The Yoruba boy my dad had wanted me to marry be3at up a girl in a nightclub and was arr3ested.
The message I sent my dad that night was a hît, although, he had intentions of calling me, my message that night only served as a propeller.
Dad and Yahya Segun reached out to Chimaobi and told him of their plans. Sole reason, they asked me to go to the hospital so Chimaobi could take the 9:00am flight and reach the house before me.
The three hours I spent idly in the hospital was just part of their plans.
I could not stop thanking God for the figght we had with Chimaobi that led to me taking the pills. My pregnancy would have generated another issue for our union.
My dad had given his approval for the marriage and I had just 2 months to finish up my examinations.
I couldn’t just wait to be married to Chimaobi.
We had had too many obstacles, fights and misunderstandings, but in all, we stayed true to each other, fouught to be with each other and tolerate each other.
We returned to Awka the following day and my dad requested to meet with Chimaobi’s parents.
Chimaobi had called his parents and told them of the new development.
Arrangements were made, and the traditional marriage was to hold at Ogun state, while the wedding was to be at Abuja.
On a Thursday, when I finished my final examination, I got home, trying Chimaobi’s line, but he wasn’t picking.
Ruth called me, sounding so high and restive.
“Tolani, you don enter one chance. Guess who I just saw now going home, I just saw Chimaobi with a girl now.”
“What? Like, what type of girl? Where when? How?” I said with shaky hands and voice.
My biggest fear was being jilted by Chimaobi. Most times when he did great things for me, I felt it was too good to be true.
Now, prior to that information, Chimaobi started giving me cold attitude every now and again, he would always give excuses, he would tell me he’s out of town each time I request to come around.
Now, I could see it coming to reality.
“But why will he take me to this length to hurrt me.” I began to cry as I dressed up to meet Ruth. She said she saw him with a lady in five-star restaurants having PDA.
I met Ruth at Regina junction, and we walked into the restaurant.
I had told myself I wasn’t going to create any scene at all.
And yes, I saw Chimaobi with a lady. I walked up to him, and he jolted, looking at me.
“Tolani, what are you doing here?”
“What am I doing? You think I won’t know. Chimaobi! My God will judge you. For hurtiing me…”
“Hey, you are creating a scene here.” The lady said, and I moved towards her to sllap her when Chimaobi held me from behind.
“Calm your nerves, it’s a prank. Don’t hiit anyone, Drake is here.” He pointed at Drake and I turned to look in the direction when Chimaobi knelt down and said,
“Will you marry me?” He said, kneeling down and stretching a beautiful engagement ring to me.
“Chimaobi!” I shoute3d, asham3ed of my actions but cared lesser as people cheered at me to say a big YES.
I looked around, did my all-time women drama before I said yes to him.
“Yes! Baby, forever with you.” I said as he put the ring to my fingers, stood up and lifted me up and everyone clapped.
“I have loved you, I will love you, and I will never ever leave you.” Chimaobi said as I teared up. It was so overwhelming…
This was what I wanted. To be with the love of my life, Chimaobi.
To be continued…
