EPISODE 2 of 4
She was thrown into a state of total confusion, as she couldn’t decipher what his motives were. Who wouldn’t? A guy who ignored such glaring signals from a girl who was willing to go to any length imaginable with him suddenly wakes up and wants to talk without seeming to want to meet with her? Talk about what exactly? Well, that’s what we’re about to find out. Guess what he wanted to talk about; nothing exactly! He just got curious and wanted know if what she felt was something real or mere infatuation, and also find out if the feeling was still there. So he had her recite her feelings over and again; a thing she did with much pleasure. Still, some of her words made her claims debatable, adding to the fact that the guy in question is hardly convinced, so he held back and wouldn’t reciprocate duly. But after a great period of inconstant communication between them both, he quietly opted to give in all the way. Even at that, there was this one thing that still stood strongly in the way. Before we proceed to that, there are facts I’d love you to know about this young man.
He had built himself a glowing reputation over the years and wouldn’t trade it for almost anything. He’s trying his best to grow into becoming a responsible man, an imitable icon, a dependable spiritual head, a good father, and a creative lover. Though it seemed almost impossible, he never ceased trying his best to avoid records capable of hunting down future glory. Records like; toying with a girl’s heart and zooming off to settle with another, being considered a selfish pleasure seeker, using and dumping young girls, and the likes. You can guess the likes, can’t you? So let’s proceed.
Due to the above stated and many other shadowed motives, he quietly opted to reciprocate the girl’s feelings which still appeared to be blazing hot! But he sat back to consider the odds he inevitable stood against and try to merge them suitably to everyone’s favor. Having considered and proffered suitable solutions to all the odds that stood against his getting fully involved with the girl, there still was this one odd that appeared to be unmanageable; “THEIR RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS”
If you still remember, I had mentioned in the beginning of the story that the guy belonged to the Pentecostal family, while the girl belonged to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Pentecostal doctrine condemns romantic involvements between two partners who have no agreement to settle together in marriage at a later time, and the Witness’s doctrine condemns any relationship whatsoever with a partner who is not a fellow Witness. This is what had been the guy’s primary reason for holding back on the girl, even though everything about him craved her; for she was a beauty from inside out! But what about the girl? What was her take on the matter? I guess she was too consumed by passion to even consider any odds; at least not that I know of. She would happily commit and unite herself to him, and embrace his offers and requirements; well, so it appeared. But the guy, destabilized by their religious differences, relented in feeding her back with the expected response; for he would certainly have let her go along the line, and that is considered wickedness according to his doctrine. Secondly, he would hurt her true and sincere feelings and set a bad record for himself; something he had worked hard to prevent over the years.
He didn’t bring up the matter for discussion with her, as he didn’t want to appear as a marriage freak before a girl who never for once pulled a stunt that headed towards that direction. Why would he want to turn what can be supposed a “spur of the moment” into a lifelong commitment anyway? So he settled in his heart to keep on relenting and let nature dismiss the thing between them little by little, as out of sight is out of mind. Did I mention that they had grown to become like “OGECHI & JESUSBOY?” Oh yes they had! Not exactly though. Only over the phone; and of course; social media.
So they eventually drew close to seeing each other again, and possibly escalate their romance to the climax. But the guy wouldn’t let it happen due to facts you already know. But then, nature’s breeze only succeeded in fanning emotions to flame until the guy finally overcame his fears and conscience. He was going in now! He was going in big time! So he arranged for a meeting and had her prepare to embark on a trip to his place from two ethnic groups away. Try not to imagine what played out on her arrival lest your imagination gets wild!
Like I was saying, the guy decided to give things a shot without considering anymore what the outcome would be. I guess he was now finally down for whatever! A day was fixed for their seeming reunion, and the girl made her way to the airport glowing like a goddess to fly down and be with him! She was happy it came to that, and the excitement was desperately obvious! Back at home, the guy was busy setting a supposed right atmosphere to welcome her. He wanted to make that day a very memorable one, so he had his bed covered with sheets of decorated linen and perfumed it with aloes, preparing to have his fill of love with her until dusk gave way to dawn. Soon enough, he was done with that, and right then, a call came into his phone. Guess who called in; the girl!
“Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii” she screamed excitedly over the phone.
“Hello there” he replied with a cool teasing voice. “Somebody seems very excited” he added.
“You bet! I can’t wait to be there! Guess what happened last night?” she whispered.
“What?” he asked.
“I had a dream about some things that are most likely to play out when I get there” she replied giggling babyishly.
“Oh really? Do you mind sharing?”
“I would love to. But I’m at the airport right now, and there are lots of people here. I wouldn’t want them hearing the details”
“Hmmmm. Sounds like classified information”
“Really classified” she affirmed still giggling babyishly.
“Alright then, I’ll be all ears whenever the environment is conducive enough to speak of it”
“It won’t be long. Just an hour from now, I’ll be there” she said. Just at that very moment, an announcement to go on board reached her, and she wrapped up conversation with him. “I have to go now. My flight is boarding”
“Alright then. See you in an hours’ time. Goodbye”
“Goodbye” she replied smiling as she hung up and made to go on board.
At about an hour later, she arrived looking very refreshed and full of anticipation. “Taxi!” she yelled, calling on an airport shuttle cab to come give her a lift. “I want to head down south to the I-Reality estate. Can you take me there?” “Of course” the cab driver replied. “It will only cost you some few naira notes.” “How much are we talking about here?” she enquired. “Just a thousand, five hundred” the driver replied. “I’ll double that!” she said with smiles on her face. “That’s so generous of you ma’am” the driver replied and then asked her to hop in, which she did, and he zoomed off!
While in the cab reminiscing and imagining things, her phone beeped and interrupted her little mind travel, and she got pissed off with the phone for interfering with her soon to actualize fantasy. If the phone were to be a child, she would have smitten it a little. Nonetheless, she went ahead to see what notification had come in; probably a message from her eager and longing prince charming enquiring to know where she was at the moment, as he was dying to have her in his arms. So she picked up her phone, inserted her password, and then BOOM! It wasn’t from him. It was a message from one of her besties. A little short story that was trending on social media as at the time. It appeared she had been getting such messages from her bestie over time, so she just smiled on seeing this one and said; “Lora will never stop bombarding my phone with these “IMAGINARY REALITY” stories. I wouldn’t blame her for getting so addicted to these genius writings though. Who wouldn’t? And now she trying to get me addicted to it as well.” She then laughed for a little bit and again said; “Well, I think it came in a good time. I’ll make do with it while enjoying my ride to lover boy. I hope it’s going to be a good read as usual.” She then clicked open the message Lora sent, and the first thing that caught her attention was the title of the story. Guess what the title was; “CAN I STAND THIS LOVE?” She smiled on seeing the title, and was certain it will be a good read, coming in a good time to prepare her spirit and soul for the moments ahead of her. So she leaned back on the car seat and commenced reading.
To be continued.
