Epic 5

It was a hard decision for Leo to accept but he had to do so.

I went to meet Benjamin to let him know my final decision. As usual, he was already there before me.

"Good day". I greeted as I sat confidently close to him.

" How are you doing today my damsel?". He asked.

“Well, I am doing fine as you can see”. I responded a bit harshly.

“I can see that, so, what good news have you brought?". He asked confidently like he is already assured that I already accepted his proposal.

"Everything that happens in life is good news, depending on the perspective you are seeing things from. It is said that every disappointment is a blessing, so every bad news is good news". I said confidently while sipping the already served juice.

“Wow! That is a nice combination, so what news have you brought?”. He asked.

"After a long thought and it being a hard decision, I accepted your proposal". I said though I felt a sharp pain inside of me after that.

I saw how he screamed in excitement. He kept repeating the word " thank you“ like it was a big contract. Well, of course, it is.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be rejoicing much, I have brought an offer attached to it". I said.

“what offer is that?”. He asked.

“I can't do my wedding without my sister being there, so if you want the marriage to work so fast,  I would advise you to see that the necessary things are being done for my sister to be out of that hospital". I said, though a bit scared.

"That won't be a problem, I will make sure she is given the best medical attention," he said, very excited.

Ow! I wonder how he can offer help to me, with immediate effect, all because of his selfish desires.

"Thanks, but that isn't all". I further said,

"What more do you want my princess, say it for I am here to see to your needs". He said, smiling sheepishly.

How irritated I felt at this moment.

“Well, if you want me to marry you, you must make sure, I am being given a perfect position to work at pine valley”. I said while returning his smile.

I saw the immediate change in his mood.

“Seems you are not able to fulfill everything needed for us to be husband and wife or don't you want to marry me again?”. I further said,

“No! Of course, I want to, well, I can help you to get a job at Pine Valley, but that might take a little time and I won't assure you of getting a better position at the office,” He said sympathetically.

One could predict his death at this point.

“Well, if you are not going to help me get a better position at the office, then you have to forget the marriage deal, else you will take full responsibility for feeding my family”. I demanded.

I could feel the anxiety on his face, guess I have given him a heavy task.

“deal or no deal?”. I demanded, carrying my handbag to leave.

“wait! Hold on, I...”

He was still trying to talk without assurance as I took a step away.

“deal!!!”. He shouted after me, confidently, I smiled, and walked back to my seat.

“I thought as much”. I said and quietly sat down.

“So, how do we go about my sister's health?”. I asked.

“I am on it, let me make a few calls”. He said as he brought out his phone.

I watched him make a series of calls. Within a few minutes, I got a call from Dinma.

“Hello, big sis”. She said, panicking.

“Hello my little angel, why are you sounding worried?”. I asked, pretending not to know what went on.

“I am not fine sis, I think I am about to be transferred, sis, please! Do something, I don't...”.

“shh! Allow them to do their job”. I said while shushing her.

“What! A...r...e  you in any way b...e...h...i...n...d this?”. She stammered.

“worry not darling, I am about fulfilling papa's promises”. I said smiling, though a bit emotional.

“what promises sister?”. She asked, confused.

“worry not my baby, allow the doctors to do their work, I will have to go now, take care”. I said and ended the call.

“that was angel, she said, she is being transferred to another hospital”. I complained to Benjamin, who let out a weary smile, which I cared less to.

“Wow! That is good news”. He managed to say.

“yeah! Good news indeed. All thanks to you”. I said smiling.

“Welcome”. He said.

“I will be taking my leave now, I have a youth meeting to attend at the church”. I said.

“Okay, let me drop you off then”. He offered to help.

“that won't be necessary now, maybe after I have properly introduced you to my parents”. I said.

“Okay, if you say so, do take care of yourself”. He said as I left the place without looking back.

I got home devastated, looking back on the discussion and the biggest decision which I just made. This wasn't the life I planned.

This could be terror waiting for my tomorrow.

I'm getting married to a strange man I know nothing about. 

What if I decide to change my decision now that Dinma has been transferred to a better hospital?

That will be cheating, I trust karma on getting back at me.

What about my real mother? How do I get to pay her back for all her deeds? She seems to be comfortable, I don't think I can ever avenge her. Maybe I should just quit this game and plan. I can't imagine my life being spent on some stranger all because of money.

But, what if Benjamin truly loves me, I know he will take good care of me and won't let me lack.

"Dear Lord, direct my path". I mumbled silently before mama walked into the room.

"How did your day go?". She questioned as she sat next to me.

"it went... It was okay". I said while pausing on my words.

"Everything will be fine, trust me,“ she said while rubbing her hands on my shoulder.

"When mama? when?". I questioned while crying.

"sooner than you can imagine". She said while smiling at me.

Mama seems to be a very strong woman, even in distress, she is still very much dedicated to her Christain life.

"God needs to do something mama, the punishment is much". I complained bitterly.

"He will," she said as she cuddled me, till I slept off.

«»«»«»

Dinma's call woke me up, As I sluggishly used the vibration of my phone to hunt for it, putting my hands under my pillow and bringing it out where I had kept it.

"Hello". I said as my voice sounded so deep.

"sister what did you do?”. Dinma queried in an angry tone.

“What a sister is meant to do”. I said while sitting upright on the bed.

“By marrying a man you don't love, just to see to my health and your other needs”. She cried out.

“What do you know about love Dinma? Life has taught me a big lesson, which l will never forget, even in decades of years to come. There is no word like love, so worry not and enjoy the little treasures of the world”. I said as my stomach grumbled a little.

“Sister! You shouldn't have gone this far, this is your life, I would have managed. God would have provided someone that would have helped us without demanding anything”. She said in a low tone.

“When would that be? When your condition gets worse, are you suggesting I would have gone with mama's idea, can't you see I am no longer working”. I said I was very annoyed. I heard Dinma sob in the background.

“Hey! Are you okay? Dinma, talk to me ``.I said I was a bit scared.

“I am fine sister, I will get back to you later”. She said and ended the call.

I know she is not happy with my decision, and neither am I happy with myself. But, this is all for her.

I went to the kitchen to dish out some food, as my stomach was already giving me signs.

“Angel!", Papa said in a low tone.

"Yes papa", I answered a bit nervously, maybe mama must have told him what happened.

"Please, get me some water". He said as I went to the gallon which was beside the cooking pot and brought some water for him.

"Here you go", I said while handing the cup of water to him.

"Thank you". He said.

"Welcome". I said while trying to go to the kitchen before he called me back.

"Angel!" papa called out again.

"Yes, papa". I answered a bit confused, wondering why he is constantly calling me back.

"Seems like you want to eat?". He asked.

"yes, I am famished, should I also dish out for you?“. I said, concerned.

"It is nothing to worry about, I am not hungry, I want to have some words with you, once you are done eating". He said as he drank the water which he was holding.

"Okay, papa". I said as I went to the kitchen to dish out food to eat. I know what papa wants to discuss with me already. I know it is about Benjamin, I hope he understands and does not shout at me.

I kept looking at papa as I ate my food, I kept wondering what kind of question he would throw at me.

After the meal, I walked up to where he was.

"I am done eating papa". I said as I quietly sat down beside him.

"Okay, be blessed. So, your mother told me what is currently going on. I know I haven't been the best father to you, if I took up my responsibility as a father, I know you wouldn't be passing through this ', he said while pausing a little, his words were like a sharp knife, piercing into my heart. I wish I could stop him to prevent further tearing but I can't as he seemed not to be done with his words. Tears were rushing down my eyes before he stopped me with his words.

"It is nothing to cry for, you are a grown-up lady Angel, you are very smart, hardworking, and very strong. You are every man's dream woman, I won't advise you not to marry at this age or to marry at this age. All I want you to know is that you are of age, and can make any decision which you consider to be best". He said while pausing as he let out a little cough.

"Sorry, papa". I said as I watched him beat his chest softly.

"It is fine, so, as I was saying, make sure you make the right decision. If you love the young man, and he also loves you as well, I don't see any bad thing in you marrying at this age. It will only be bad if you both despise each other, you can still say no, if you have already said yes, and you can also say yes if you already said No, so just go in there, think about it over and over again and do what is right. I think I am done for now". He said while sipping the last water inside his cup.

"Okay Papa, thank you very much". I said and quickly left for my room.

Wow! I have never seen this beautiful, caring part of papa.

Hmm! Maybe I should think over this before things get out of hand. Just immediately my demonic mother called me. I just don't know what I did to this woman! She doesn't call at the right time and I am certain it could be another rubbish that she wants to vomit.

"What is it?". I said as I picked up the phone.

"Wow! Interestingly, she is a woman now, or should I say a wife-to-be. I guess I don't deserve some respect anymore since we are both soon going to be equal in the stages of life". She replied.

Immediately my heart skipped. How did she get the information?  Who could have told her, someone is possibly betraying me? Hold on, could it be Leo? No...no...no! Leo can't do that. Then who? Could Benjamin probably be working hand in hand with her? 

Yeah! That could be possible, maybe she is using Benjamin to get back at me.

"Hello! Are you lost or something? Why aren't you talking or have I made the beautiful parrot speechless? Wondering how I got the information right? You should know I always have my sources and just so you know, my informant isn't in any way far from you, so you should be careful and watchful because you are always monitored". She said while letting out her Cinderella's stepmother's evil laugh and immediately ended the call.

I am indeed being followed, but who could that monster be? 

I swear on my late father's grave, that if I find out who that demon is, I will make sure he or she suffers from all this suffering.

«»«»«»

After weeks of getting to know the better part of Benjamin, we went out more often. I realized I was making the right choice, Dinma was given the best treatment as her healing increased rapidly. 

"Don't you think it's time I get to see your parent"? He said while holding my hands as we both strolled.

"Well, I think it is, I will get them informed before I fix the appropriate time for that". I said as he smiled at me showing his dimples.

"So, what is the best advice you can give someone that is about to buy a car for the first time?".  I asked.

”Well, the advice I will give someone that is about buying a car for the first time, is to make sure he already knows how to drive, knows the traffic rules and regulations," he answered.

"Wow! That is quite an impressive answer, what about the car maintenance?". I asked.

"Wow! That is the most important thing" he exclaimed while trying to shy away.

"Thank God you said it is the most important thing, now consider me as the new car, are you willing to take full responsibility?". I asked while noticing the immediate change on his face.

"Of course, I am willing to, so why did I choose you? Do you think I didn't see other finer women?". He asked.

Well, I have never thought of that, Benjamin is a very nice man every woman would wish to have. He is tall, handsome, well-established, and caring.

“Well, that is true, but you can be pretending as men are known mostly for pretends”. I said while hiding my face away from him.

“Well, that is true, and I also believe you have known me for too long, to know what I am capable of”. He said, which made me speechless.

Quietly, we strolled down the street before we parted ways.

While I was walking back home, I saw Leo. I felt very uneasy because it has been a long time since we talked.

“hi! Leo”. I shouted immediately after I saw him but he gave me a weird look, as he only looked at me, waved and continued to where he was going.

“hey! Chill okay! What is wrong?". I questioned as I ran after him immediately.

"I was surprised you can still remember my name". he said immediately as he removed my hands from his.

"I know I haven't been the best of friends, for completely ignoring you, I am sorry. Please know you are the only friend I have if you leave I might die of loneliness". I complained.

“Well, I happen to be your only friend, what about me, did you ever consider if I had another friend? Did you even consider that I could also be dying of loneliness, I endured the fact the only girl I ever felt something for, didn't notice it. I tried my best Angel! I tried showing my gratitude, I thought I could endure. Yeah! I tried but I was dying within, I felt you deserve the best, and I can't give you that best which you deserve, I had to let go. Not only did I get that from you, but what did you pay me with all the time I have always been there? You ignored me, I know you are happy with your Mr right. Good luck Angel”. He said and immediately left.

I was dumbfounded, could it be that Leo has loved me all this while, why didn't he open up? God! I am really confused, I can't hurt Benjamin now, he has already tried for me, and it will be unfair to pay him back in a bad way. 

I went home with thoughts of many things. I didn't know what to do, but I had to go with my decision. I can't go back now, it is already late, Leo said it all late.

«»«»«»

After a few days, I was ready to introduce Benjamin to my family, everything worked perfectly well.

Papa and mama blessed my new home as we both kicked off our marriage where Dinma, who has fully recovered at this point, happened to be my chief bridesmaid. With my eyes, I searched for Leo, I couldn't see him, I hope he has not done something drastic. I told some people to go look for him, and they came back, with a rather discouraging look. But, while everything was happening, my eyes caught on someone. 

The game began to be a bit clear to me.

How come? This was the question I asked myself upon seeing her. Could she be working for my main mother?