Lucky Break?
He proposed on her birthday.
They were both in their final year in the University.
He was always an entrepreneur and had made his mark in the business world, right from school.
She pulled him up from his knees in tears.
She wanted so badly to say yes.
But there was a problem.
She needed time...
She had gotten engaged to her high school sweetheart, four years before.
They were both classmates in the polytechnic at the time.
After her OND, she secured admission into the University to study law through Direct Entry.
But her high school sweet heart had remained in one spot.
He couldn't pass JAMB and stubbornly refused to proceed for his HND.
And though she was technically engaged to him,
Time and life had brought her greater opportunities.
While he seemed rooted to one spot,
She had ridden upon the wings of the dawn into highways of majesty.
It was odd.
She once turned down a doctor's proposal because she wanted to be faithful.
Once in a while she would visit him.
He would wallow in his failure and stagnancy.
She would sympathize and encourage him.
But love soon gave way to feelings of pity for him.
She had left him behind.
It was inevitable that they would break up.
But she didn't have the guts to pull the trigger.
He had to be reasonable enough to know it won't work out anymore.
Their dreams of those days had to be jettisoned.
He was in no position to marry anybody.
And she was not getting any younger.
She: I needed to go and see him and call it off, otherwise I would lose my integrity. I gave him my word when i was young and naïve.
He listened.
The next day she took off to see her fiancé,
She called off the engagement.
It was an emotional period for her.
He Understood.
He waited three months and proposed again.
She: Don't you think it is too soon? You know I love you but what would people say about me? They would say I broke up with my fiancé because I met somebody else and while he was heartbroken, I was happy. It wouldn't look right.
He got it.
He waited six months and proposed again.
She: I love you.
It was the first time she ever said that to him, he was happy.
He: So when can I meet your folks?
She: No! I am in all intents and purposes your wife to be from today, but we cannot make it formal yet
"It is still too soon"
True to her word the dynamics of the relationship changed.
He met her folks.
His folks met her.
They called each other pet names.
It was during the days of "Free midnight call"
They almost never slept at night.
They were truly and madly in love.
They finished their exams.
On their Valedictory day, he proposed again.
He: It has been a year, I intend to marry at 30, we are graduating today. Can we now formalize this relationship?
She kept quiet for a long time, he could sense her discomfort.
He wondered why.
She kept staring everywhere but at him.
He: If by the time we pack our bags and leave this campus, you still don't have an answer for me. i will take your silence as a NO!
This friendship is over and I will move on.
She: Why are you giving me an ultimatum? I have made a grave mistake once, i don't want to make another.
They left campus that day.
He went to meet a female friend of his and confided in her.
His intention was to show his babe he was serious and perhaps get her to commit, so he hatched a plan with the female friend to please pick his calls very midnight and gist with him
She agreed.
The plan was a hit.
Every time his babe called during the day, he wouldn't pick, and during the midnight calls his line was always busy.
The female friend did a good job.
Their conversation flowed.
They had been friends since they were in 100 Level.
She felt his babe didn't value him.
The midnight call snowballed into a meeting of the head and hearts.
Within three months, his female friend had become indispensable.
He saw her in a new light and their friendship proved a very strong foundation.
He proposed to his female friend.
She didn't pray about it.
She said YES.
His babe knew him.
She knew he was playing a mind game.
Issuing ultimatums like a dictator!
Marriage is not about feelings, she had to be very sure.
She spoke with her folks and friends.
The consensus was 'Marry him'.
She tried calling, he didn't pick.
She went to his office.
She: Was that how grave my sin was?
He didn't respond
She: I didn't like the way you were pressuring me? I had to be sure. I love you but marriage is not only about love. I needed to seek counsel. I think I am now ready.
He: I am sorry, I got married last Saturday. I am so sorry.
He: I got married on my 30th birthday.
There was no reason to call you since we were never in any formal relationship.
I am sorry.
It felt like a knife was driven right into her heart, but she held herself together and congratulated him.
She got home before she cried.
It was hell.
PS: Four years later, she married her initial fiance. He had become a very successful poultry farmer. They are blessed with two girls
Perhaps her heart was always with him because he was her first love, perhaps it was just sheer happenstance!
Love is sometimes unpredictable
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