Two years ago…..
Sharon
Ever since the fight between my brother and Jide, my relationship started falling apart. It's already two months since then and things haven't been getting easy with Jide and I. Sometimes…..I don't know but deep down sometimes, I just had a feeling that…. he'll soon leave me. I just have a feeling that our four years relationship would die in the next twinkle of an eye.
It's really hurting my heart whenever I call him and he says he's busy, busy and always busy. He doesn't regard me like he used to do before. I'm dying slowly in this relationship already.
They say communication is the key to bond all relationships but mine is lacking it. So far, so good, he even travelled to New Zealand without informing me first. I found this out from his younger sister, Wendy. She was fazed about the sudden changes, although, I didn't tell her but she knows.
She personally initiated to talk to him about it. I hope she already does but it's not working.
And here I am, at his parents' 38th wedding anniversary and he is not here. He is no where to be seen at all. And I'm scared holding on to a weak faith all the time. I wished I could just hear him say he was done with me better than getting my hopes up too much.
After these long years of relationship, I don't think I could ever manage a heartbreak. It'll break me down and I think I might commit suicide in the process.
You don't understand. Nobody does. Not even my mom or my family. I've become so addicted to this guy for four years that stepping back now is already too late.
I forgive him all his wrong doings towards me and I hope we patch things up to the next level. Oh god, I just hope he doesn't finds a new date in New Zealand. I'll just kill myself.
Two months of his presence, sex, time, kisses, romance, attention and all and I'm dying slowly. What a slow death for me.
I stood in my white off-shoulder floor-length dress, sipping whiskey, surrounded by my two friends—Kiki and Ire. The party is encircled with guests tripping in and having nice conversations. My parents are here too. Including Jide's siblings. Everybody is present except him.
I've tried calling him earlier in the morning. He didn't answer his phone. I even dropped a text, still same thing. He's ignoring me. But I've already apologised on my brother's behalf.
Is he going to ruin our love all because of what my brother did? But I already told him countless times that he should take whatever my brother did to him as a significant of temptation to destroy our relationship.
My two friends couldn't stop talking about random nonsense. It's not as if I'm listening anyway. My mind is a million miles far from the conversation but I'm just pretending to hear. My eyes are moving about, here and there in search of him. My darling heartthrob.
Ire was talking when I impatiently interrupted. "Are you sure he's coming?"
She rolled her eyes, obviously tired of me asking this for the twentieth time today. "Come on, Sharon. He won't miss his parents' 38th wedding anniversary for the world, will he?"
No, no. He wouldn't. I'm still struggling to buy the braveness of that little faith but it's not working on me. I'm always fragile with everything. Including my heart.
"Girl, have you tried calling him?" Kiki asked.
I sighed bitterly. "Kiki, you and Ire still don't understand it. It's not about the calls," no, not at all. "Guys, ever since that fight with him and Sebastian, things changed. He barely talks with me. He even let the country without telling me. I'm breaking slowly."
"That's...really sad." Ire mumbled. And she's right.
"Are you sure he's not breaking up with you soon?" Kiki added and when she saw the panic in my eyes, she refrained. "I mean, slow communication kills relationships faster. I won't lie to you girl. It destroyed my last encounter."
Oh god. I hope I'm not falling into that category sooner. "I'm worried. I hope that doesn't happens because if it does, I'm gonna end my life."
"Hey, girl, don't say that, please." Ire hissed. She's used to heartbreaks all the time in her relationships. She's brave but I'm not.
"Ire, look. The party has started an hour ago. Guests are coming. His siblings and family are all here. Including my parents and everybody, except him. I can't calm down. I'm worried. I think he's found new love in New Zealand and I'm going to die. Four years relationship is not a joke."
"When did he disappeared?" Kiki was freaking out already.
I'm restless. "Two months ago."
She was like, "And you two barely communicate since then?"
I nodded. "Precisely. I've always been the one calling. He says he's always busy."
"That's nonsense." She whined. "Not a good excuse for a pretty woman he's been fucking four years in a row."
"I think your brother really hit him hard to the edge." Ire added.
Yes...yes, yes, yes. She must be right. I knew I was correct all along. That's something Jide didn't want to speak to me about. I knew it.
That bastard!
"That scumbag." I tight-lipped. "How I wish he was in a relationship. He'd have heard it hot from me."
Kiki laughed and I glared at her. "Well, hello, girl. Haven't you heard the latest update?"
I frowned. "Of what?"
"Your brother has a girlfriend now." She dropped the bomb and I puzzled.
The two wine glasses she had must be affecting her brain. "Please, shut up, Kiki. My brother I know doesn't do relationships talk more of being committed to a single woman."
Yeah, it's true.
"But there is a single woman he loves now, bitch. Duh uh." She arched ironic fingers to my face.
I was irritated, "Who fed you these lies?"
She raised her brows and dropped one hand on her wide hips. "Oh, you think I'm lying? Well, I'll tell you. There was this birthday party Ire and I attended in a bar few weeks ago. I saw your brother holding hands with this beautiful Brazilian woman." She looked at Ire's side and she nodded. "She should be around age 23 or 24. And from the look of things, I think they're really into each other."
I laughed sarcastically, "You're really funny, Kiki."
Ire frowned, booting in. "It's not funny, Sharon. Kiki and I really saw your brother together with the girl. She's pretty, I won't lie, though and she's so young. He looks smitten by her. They were even—"
"Kissing, romancing and flirting." Kiki completed Ire's sentences.
"Exactly, Kiki." Ire credited her and faced me. "So tell me, Sharon, does he do same thing—flirting, kissing and romancing with his bimbos and hook-ups?"
"Hell no, he only fucks them and discharge them at mornings." That's what my brother is pretty good at. He drains himself in sex at night and bullshit his flings.
"See, I took a photo of them arguing outside the bar." Kiki showed me a photo of my brother and a fair creamy complexion Brazilian woman outside a city bar. "And another one when he carried her over his shoulder to his black Audi RS7/RS e-tron GT." Kiki showed me more photos and I popped. "So, is that enough proof to you?"
I tightened my grasp around the phone, my anger boiling. So, after trying to destroy my four years relationship, he finally finds true love?
No. I won't let him. "I'm gonna wreck their relationship, no matter what. I swear on it."
"Girl, I'm not supporting you on that one." Kiki took her phone back.
"Yeah, that's a really bad vibe coming from you." Ire seconded. "I mean, look at it. Your brother is a very dangerous man to start with. Your life will be at risk daring him."
Like I care?
I scoffed, "I don't care, okay? I don't give a fuck what he'll do, you get me? He almost put my relationship in jeopardy. So, karma is coming to bite his ass too."
"And you think ruining his relationship will do you the favour?" Kiki snorts, shaking her head in pity.
I'm hating the vibes coming from them. It's not encouraging at all. I supposed they be on my side but no. They're just acting fools. "Listen, you two, I'm not scared of my brother, okay? And I—"
Ire started retreating from my presence, her eyes staring at something behind me. "Um, I think I need to make a quick call outside. See you soon."
What's wrong with her? "Hey, I'm still talking!"
"I need another glass of champagne. Brb." Even Kiki too?
What's wrong with these girls? "Come back here, you two. Or else, I'll—ah!" I jolted up the moment someone wrapped his arms around my waist.
I traced the cologne and fragrance. It was masculine. And very familiar. I think I know who it is.
I turned around and jaw-dropped.
It was him.
He was here.
Am I daydreaming?
His grin spreads across, revealing his sparkling white teeth. "Hey, baby."
"Jide? You're here." I gasped in awe like he just resurrected from the grave.
"Miss me?" His fingers rake through my red wig.
I don't know whether to be excited or happy but I freaked out immediately. "You scared me! I thought you were breaking up with me."
Something inside me somehow felt relieved of all the troubles kicking in. Now, my mind is at peace seeing him smile with me for the first time in two months.
"Ouch." He tsk. "That's pretty far from my mindset, honey." He's chewing gums again. Such an habit of his.
And whenever he does that, I don't get the chance of kissing his sweet lips. Just a peck till he throws it off.
"Then, why haven't you been picking my calls and responding to my texts?" I freaked. My yellow cosmetic contact lens eyeing him.
"Busy." He munched his gum. His tone very flirtatious.
"That's all you always say." I'm not keeping my cool. I'm pissed. "Busy, busy and busy. Are you busy fucking yourself or your side-chicks?" He didn't say anything. Just kept smiling at me and caressing my face. "Mr. Jideofor Tristan Ejiofor Okafor," I called out his full name. "Our relationship is four years old and you're so busy thinking of how to jeopardize it."
"No, sweetheart. I was busy thinking of how to tighten our bond." He said.
"Ha!" I fall my hands to my sides. "I see. Thinking of how to tighten our bond or just the opposite?"
"Babe, I was planning on doing something very far from what you're thinking right now." His voice softened.
"Something like what?" I snapped.
Thank god for the loud music overcoming my lousy voice. Everyone would have given me a look by now.
"Something like….this." Jide brought out a red velvet box and showed me a diamond ring in it.
"Oh…." I was dumbstruck for only God knows how many minutes. I couldn't speak.
A ring?
Oh my. Is this truly what he's been planning for us? A proposal? And I was just here, nagging and complaining about breakups?
Oh god. This is so beyond my expectations. I don't even know how to react.
Everyone in the hall started turning their heads towards our direction when Jide went down on one knee, holding the ring to me.
Many others 'WOW' in the background. Some where even taking pictures and others where making live videos.
Tear drops started wetting my eyes. I'm afraid I'll get a blur vision if I don't let them fall down.
I kept staring down at the ring and at my boyfriend in one knee. Hopes and faith written in his eyes as he spoke in vows.
"Sharon, everyday of my life, I always wake up to the thought of having you as my wife and mother of my unborn kids." He started, his voice echoing when the DJ turned down the music. "Ever since you walked into my life, my world changed from being a boring nerd to a bubbly soul. You were not only my roommate in college, you were my best friend. My better half. I appreciate your presence in my life. I want to keep that presence around me till the end of the world. Please, Sharon…. don't say no. Please."
I….. I don't know how to admit it. I'm still finding it hard to process the situation.
Everyone started cheering behind us. "Say yes…"
"Say yes…."
"Come on, say it!"
"Yes…. Say yes…."
The tears fell down when I whispered a big, "Yes!" To him.
He was overwhelmed with joy as he slides the ring on my finger.
He stood up and grabbed my lips into a passionate kiss.
I heard the loud whoops of people rejoicing around me.
Sooner, almost all the ladies where hovering around me like leeches. Grinning as their eyes sparkles at the ring.
"This is the most beautiful wedding anniversary gift of my life, Jide. Daalụ maka ime m nne mpako. Chukwu gozie gi, nwa m nwoke. (Thank you for making me a proud mother. God bless you, my dear son.)" Jide's mother—Ella Okafor said something in Igbo then hugged her son.
"Aww, look at that, girl. Isn't it so beautiful?" Ire strolled in with Kiki.
"He proposed, girls!" I squealed. I couldn't contain my excitement. Come on, what do you mean? I'm fucking getting married!
I've been long waiting for this to happen few years ago. And it just did now.
Sometimes, we women don't have to be pissed with the men all the time. We don't know what they're planning for us. Especially if you're in a long time relationship.
They say a patient dog eats the fattest bone.
"Hi, Sharon. Congratulations!" Jide's sister, Wendy shrieked in happiness and hugged me. I felt her round belly poking my flat stomach. Is she pregnant again? No wonder she's been eating almost everything since she got here.
"Thank you, Wendy." I pulled back and whispered something in her ear, "Are we expecting a new baby in the family soon?"
She nodded with a wide grin, her hand caressing her tummy. "My third child is on the way."
"Awww," God, I'm so happy for her. I can't wait to carry Jide's babies too. I hugged her again, "I'm so happy for you, honey. I volunteer on this one. Let me be the godmother."
"Sure!" She's happy for my offer. "You didn't tell me you and my brother once shared a room in college."
I blushed, "Actually, it was a dorm with separate rooms. Just like a flat. And we kind of happen from there." I say, my happy eyes drifting towards Jide who was now celebrating with his classmates and friends.
He winked at me when he caught me staring and I bit my lower lip, anticipating his kiss again.
"Sharon, dear." My mother—Adira Felix Ayomide walked in.
"Mommy!" I hugged her. "I'm engaged, mommy. I feel like crying."
"You're excited. It's tears of joy, my dear." She congratulated me in Yoruba. "Loni, o ni mi ni ayọ nla julọ ti igbesi aye mi. Mo gberaga fun ọ, oyin. Ki Olorun Olodumare bukun eyin mejeeji bi e se n se igbeyawo fun igbeyawo. (Today, you have me the biggest joy of my life. I'm so proud of you, honey. May God almighty bless the both of you as you buckle up for marriage.)"
"Amusin (Amen.)" I chuckled.
"Congrats, honey." My dad—Felix Ayomide pats my back.
"Daddy!" I embraced him. "Daddy, I'm getting married."
"Yeah," he kissed my temple. "I'm so happy for you, hon. I wish you two all the best in the world."
"Amusin (Amen)" I whispered, excited.