… Continued from Chapter Twenty Three.
For a brief second, I’d pictured us standing chest to chest with his hands firmly wrapped around my waist close enough to feel each other’s breathe but I quickly snapped out of the daydream.
“Ebbie come and sit I want to talk to you.”
He said, holding my hand as he led me to the edge of the bed and gestured for me to sit, and I did. He sat right next to me with quite a sober look for someone who had been drinking.
“Lekan is everything okay? Is something wrong?” I asked.
“No, I haven’t. Since the last time we saw, I have been doing a lot of thinking.”
“How do you mean? I asked.
“Well I don’t know how to say this and I’m not sure how you’d take it.”
A part of me was beginning to feel jittery about the conversation. What could possibly be on his mind?
“Then talk to me and find out.”
“Ebbie I love Tola with all of my heart and although I have done a lot of irreparable wrongs in my past, I am ready to sacrifice everything for her. I brought you here to explain my feelings knowing you are her best friend. I can only understand how hard this must be for you and I want to also beg your forgiveness for all the things you must have been through while we were together, it was a terrible phase.“
My attraction towards Lekan instantly fizzled out on hearing these words and for the first time I believed him, his sincerity was glaring.
“You really love her, don’t you?” I said a little surprised at my sudden change of perception.
“I love her but she has refused to talk to me since the last time we were together at the lounge. I couldn’t hide the secret; I told her everything about us.”
“Oh! So that’s why she hasn’t been talking to me either.”
“Please Ebbie you have to help me talk to her, I don’t know what else to do,” he begged.
He genuinely looked a mess, so I decided to fix it. I called a taxi and headed home. Doctor Obi’s birthday was a couple of days away and we planned a party for the weekend. (It was a perfect opportunity to reunite Tola and Lekan.) Tola was still not talking to me so I pleaded with doctor Obi to invite her to the party, knowing she wouldn’t turn him down. I informed Lekan about our grand scheme and he was more than willing to play along.
On the day of the party, we went to the venue a little early to see how everything was set up. The DJ was ready, the hall was well decorated. Lekan was here but Tola had not yet arrived. Doctor Obi beckoned the DJ to stop the music for a toast and just as the music stopped, Tola walked in, she looked beautiful and radiant. I immediately walked up to her.
“Hi Tola, thanks for coming and I’m really sorry I did not tell you about Lekan.”
“It’s okay. Your boyfriend explained everything to me; I’m just disappointed you did not tell me first.”
“I tried calling to explain but you stopped picking my calls. I was afraid and did not know how you’d feel knowing how much you liked him.”
“Well I don’t want him anymore!” she said dismissively.
“Tola, Lekan came crying to me and I have never seen a man beg for a woman as he did. I think he truly loves you.”
“What about all he did to you Ebbie?” she protested.
“He has really changed and I have forgiven him. Please give him a chance, here he comes.” Lekan approached us as we hugged each other before I slowly walked away.
Doctor Obi went on to appreciate everybody for coming and then began to eulogize me before everyone. I could spot Tola and Lekan hugging each other from the corner of my eye. We were in love but to publicly declare it before all our friends was a huge step in our relationship, I was flustered and overwhelmed but little did I know there was more in store. As he spoke, he reached out for my hand and as I walked out to meet him, he went down on one knee. Everyone cheered loudly! I shut my eyes and covered my face in shock (don’t wake me up! I must be dreaming’). When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t stop staring at the diamond ring.
“Will you do me the honour of being my wife?” he said with a charm no prince on earth could match.
I felt a rush of blood to my head, my brain froze and my palms became sweaty. The flashy lights from the camera phones continuously flashed into my eyes and all I remember saying was “Yes! It will be my pleasure to be your wife forever!”
Fast forward to date and I am planning a wedding with really good friends that love me. Everything turned around for me and I am grateful for to God for how far I’ve come.
The end