the dreaded thirty episode 2

The Dreaded Thirty (episode 2)

Life has a strange way of proving its superiority over the will of man. You
can have plans for your life to go in a certain direction but things might
end up not going as you planned. The best way you can happily go through
life with certainty that your future will turn out great is if you put your
trust in God and believe that your life will go according to his will. Most
times, what we earnestly desire isn't God's will for us and that's why it's
always advisable that we seek God's face in every plan and decision we
make.

To be very honest, Sandra wasn't wrong in anyway by desiring a beautiful
life and setting a short deadline for her marital journey. The only sad
thing she did was to allow herself get consumed by her desires without
letting life play out itself naturally. Sandra felt she could control
everything and that's where she missed it.

On that fateful evening Sandra caught her boyfriend 'Paul' cheating, it
felt as though the essence of her life was ripped out from her. The fact
that she was hoping to be proposed to on her birthday by this same guy,
made matters worse. She just stood there staring at him with lack of words
to properly express how broken she was feeling.

Can you just pause for a minute and imagine how Sandra was feeling at that
moment. How devastated it felt to see her dreams of getting married at age
twenty four (24), crushing before her very eyes. The lack of remorse on
Paul's side increased her pain the more. The effrontery and audacity he had
to ask Sandra why she didn't call before coming over. It was clear he
didn't have much feeling for her as she initially thought. What a sad way
to find out that you are unloved.

"Why did you do this Paul? I trusted you and this is what I get in return
for my loyalty to you? How could you do a thing like this to me a night
before my birthday and proposal? I don't deserve this sort of embarrassment
from a man I was hoping to spend the rest of my life with. Paul how could
you?" Sandra furiously said as tears dripped from her eyes.

Asides from cheating and hurting Sandra's feelings, Paul was confused about
so many other things she said, so he voiced out his confusion. "I don't
understand you, when did I ever say I was going to propose to you on your
birthday? I know I did wrong by cheating on you but the truth is that I'm
tired of this relationship and don't want to be with you anymore. You are
too controlling and dominating; I can't be with a lady that feels she can
control my life just because I'm in love with her. I never said I will
propose to you on your birthday, that's all in your head and has nothing to
do with me. You can't force me into marrying you just because we are in a
relationship. I can't continue like this; I want my freedom and liberty
back. I'm sorry it has to end this way but it's Over between us. I wish you
all the best in your future endeavors. Happy Birthday in advance!" he
coldly said.

At that moment, Sandra was as good as dead because her whole body was numb.
Her heart raced non-stop as her body shivered. Life meant absolutely
nothing to her at that point because the only life she had programmed for
herself in her mind had crumbled. Her mental safe haven was gone and she
was left more vulnerable than she had ever been all her life.

Heartbreak is a minor word to quantify what Sandra was going through at
that moment. She managed to walk down to the busy road to get a taxi home.
Words failed her to go on further in any confrontation with Paul. She
figured there was no need because the cheater wasn't even remorseful.

The ride back home that day was one of the most traumatic moments of
Sandra's life. She cried her eyes out till the driver had to intervene in
the matter. He tried to comfort the grieving passenger with nice words,
even without knowing what the problem was. It was such a pitiful situation
for the devastated young lady but this was just the beginning of her
nightmare.

Immediately Sandra returned home, she ran into her room and burst into
tears. Her cousin who was present went to find out what was happening.
"What's going on? You are scaring me Sandra; what happened in school?" Her
cousin asked.

After crying for a while, Sandra began to narrate her ordeal and when she
was done talking, her cousin patted her back and chipped in; "Sandra, I
know how hurt you must be feeling right now but I just want to tell you
that it isn't the end of the world. Everything happens for a reason, so
maybe he isn't your husband" her cousin said.

With that being said, Sandra burst into more tears as she looked at her
cousin. "I had it all figured out from day one; what happened? I want to
get married and raise my kids early before age 30. I can't be single on my
24th birthday. This isn't the life I desire, I can't take it. What did I do
to deserve this? It's so unfair" she soberly said.

When Sandra was done talking, her cousin shook her head and began to
counsel her. "Why are you so hard on yourself? Why put so much pressure on
yourself with no reason for doing so? Even if you stay single till age 30,
40 or even 50 before getting married... so what? I understand that you want
to get married early and have your kids early, but also remember that you
can't control life and it's unexpected outcome. You will be fine eventually
and would meet your soulmate at the appointed time. Don't be too hard on
yourself dear, everything will be alright" her cousin said.

That word of advice somehow gave Sandra the strength she needed to pull
though that day. It was one of the worst days of her life but life had to
go on.

The next day was Sandra's birthday party. She wasn't in the celebration
spirit at all and told none of her friends what happened between Paul and
herself. Most things for the birthday celebration were already paid for
before the party, so there was no going back. The party lasted for few
hours before everyone retired home. Sandra cried bitterly after the party
ended before leaving for her house.

Life soon moved on a year later. As at then, Sandra was now 25 years old
and it scared her whenever she remembered that she wasn't married yet. It
was hard for the 'Deadline Conscious' lady but something happened one
fateful day.

It happened that Sandra was in a hurry to get few supplies from a
supermarket for work. In great haste, she hurridly picked the things she
needed and was about heading to the cashier to pay.

Immediately Sandra turned in haste, she collided with a handsome gentleman
and her items fell from the basket she was holding. They both hurriedly
bent down to pick up the items that fell off, but were suddenly struck when
their eyes locked together.

Before Sandra could utter any word to the gentleman that had succeeded in
stealing her attention, he looked into her eyes and smiled faintly.

"Hi there! My name is Dominic" he said with a charming voice and Sandra was
Blown Away!