The awakening

It had been two weeks since my last date with Chigozie. We had agreed to stop seeing each other and apparently stop talking too because he hadn’t called me since our last date and I had also decided not to call him. After a week of complete silence from him, I blocked his number and decided to move on and focus on planning my grand wedding. Which by the way, was now two months away.

Tunji had promised to reduce his traveling so we could focus on the planning. Our introduction was by the corner and even though our families had promised we could have a small intimate affair, I soon discovered that both our parents had invited practically everyone they knew.

“Adesewa stop sulking. Leave your mother to enjoy planning her only daughter’s wedding”. My dad said one evening. My mother and I had just finished arguing about why I did not think we needed two live bands for the introduction.

“If only Tunji had listened to me, we would have eloped and just come home married instead of the carnival you lot are planning.” I said rolling my eyes at him. He pinched my nose playfully.

“You wouldn’t take the joy of walking you down the aisle away from your old man would you”? He asked.
“Don’t mind her”! My mother called out from the other room. We had no idea she had been listening to our conversation and so we both laughed.

“I can’t wait for this to be over Dad. It’s so stressful”! I said with a pout.
“I know my beauty. Don’t worry when you settle into your new life you would forget all about the stress and start enjoying the perks of married life”. He said as he winked at me.
“Dad”! I exclaimed. My dad has no boundaries!
“Is it wrong of me to assume that I get to be a grandfather again nine months after the wedding.”? My dad asked.
“Nine months? Tunji and I have discussed kids. We are going to wait for a year or two so I can settle back in properly and get a job”. I said.
“A job”? My dad asked surprised. “I was of the impression that Tunji wanted you to find something to keep you busy but definitely not a 9-5 job”.

“How exactly am I supposed to keep myself busy? I don’t think I am ready to start a business, I only just moved back home, so my plan was to get a job and work for a while”. I said.
My dad sighed and reached out to hold my hand.

“You and your husband-to-be need to discuss this. I will support your decision Adesewa…always. But you know Tunji is a very ambitious young man. He may need a supportive spouse who is fully committed to the home front.” He advised.

I couldn’t believe my ears was my dad suggesting I give up my career goals?
“Dad, I want to go back to work and Tunji is just going to have to deal with it”! I was getting upset and it wasn’t because my dad was trying to give me unsolicited marriage counsel, it was because it had become clear to me that Tunji had not only planned our lives out
without discussing any of it with me, he had gone ahead and discussed it with my father instead.

“One of the reasons why I was able to do so much with my business early on in life was because your mother was understanding enough to make the sacrifice of making sure you and your brothers were given undivided attention. Every time I had to go on a long business trip or work late, I was rest assured you lot were in safe hands and so I could concentrate. That kind of peace is priceless”. My dad explained.

I could see his point but wasn’t it a decision I would have to make on my own? Was it a decision that was supposed to be made for me? I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and went up to my room. I didn’t want to argue with him. He was not the problem, he was simply being a good father.

I tried reaching Tunji on his mobile, he didn’t pick and so I figured he was still working. I needed to talk to him but it wasn’t a phone conversation. I decided to surprise him. I had a key to his place and so I packed up some food from the house and drove over to his place to wait for him. When I got to the front door, I discovered it wasn’t locked. I went in and found Chigozie in the living room fiddling with some speakers on the floor. His shirt was off and was spread out on the ottoman beside him.

“Hi”. I said.
He hadn’t heard me come in and so he was startled and jumped up.
“Hi Ma’am. Sorry you scared me”. He said.
I noticed he had started calling me “Ma’am” again but I decided not to make an issue out of it.
“What are you doing here”? I asked.
“My boss, just got a new sound system and asked me to help him get it installed. I was going to get someone to come do it but I thought I should be able to handle it”. He explained.

‘And how is that going”? I asked. The place was littered with manuals, batteries and empty cartons.
“Let’s just say…I like a challenge. Three hours and counting.” He responded.
We both laughed and then I asked;
“Hungry? I brought food”.
He flashed me a dimpled smile “Always”!

We laughed again and I went into the kitchen. I was glad I had the food to distract me. It had been two weeks and I was so glad I had run into him even though it was in the most awkward place of all… my fiancé’s house! My heart was racing in my chest and I was so shaky, I couldn’t explain why. As I tried to get a plate out for his food, it slipped and fell to the floor. Chigozie was beside me in a matter of seconds. He must have heard the plate break.

“Are you ok”? He asked
“Yes. I don’t know what happened. The plate just fell”. I said.
“Let me take care of this so you don’t hurt yourself”. He said.
“No. I’ll do it”. I protested.
We both reached out for the broom underneath the sink and our hands brushed. He looked at me and I instantly looked away. I heard him chuckle lightly.

“I’ve missed you”. He said.
I remained mute and frozen. I was a mess inside. My head was spinning. All I could hear were the warning bells going off in my head.
“Cat got your tongue? He asked.

“We agreed to stop seeing each other”. I reminded him.
“I know. But it doesn’t change the fact that we want to see each other”. He said. I tried to walk away he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
“It’s been two weeks! If I didn’t come here today, would have even remembered I exist”? I asked. I was shocked to discover how angry I was at him.

“Coming from the lady who blocked my number. I am quite surprised”. He snapped back.
I had totally forgotten I blocked his number. How did he find out?
“I have no regrets for doing so. A whole week went by and not a word from you”. I said.
“I was trying to respect your wishes”! He exclaimed.
“Right. How convenient”. I said. I was getting very uncomfortable I just wanted to go home.
“I shouldn’t have listened to you, I should have just done what I wanted to do that day”. He said.
“Which is……?”I asked.

He didn’t respond. Instead he pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine.
Just then I heard the familiar voice of my fiancé call out “Adesewa”….
Stay Connected: @bourdillonnights