In The Dark – Episode 23

A Story By Stanley Oluwatosin

“Hello miss… You forgot your bag with me, you wanna come get it in my room?” Kelvin said from the other end. I could not help but laugh at his silly question, ” and what is happening in your room?” i asked with little interest. ” ehm lets just say something that will wipe your tears” kelvin said. I hummed and said “Not good enough reason for me to come cos have not been crying”

“Seriously?!” kelvin shouted and i told him yes.

“what if i have a better reason?” kelvin asked and i told him its not because of his reason, it just because i wanted to be alone. Kelvin respected my wish of wanting to be alone and told me to take care of myself before ending the call.

I switched my phone off and sluggishly got a dress from my wardrobe before i went to see Mi mom in her room. We talked for awhile about alot of things excluding relationships, i gussed mi mom was purposefully skipping that part. After a lot of gisting, i had dinner with mi mom, though i had little appetite, her company lifted my spirit.

After dinner, i told mi mom i would retire to my room. “Sure you will be fine?” mi mom asked and i noded. “I don’t think so, probably you sure come stay with me” Mi mom said and i agreed, with the conclusion that been alone will only help in making me think of Jordan the more. I had my shower and changed into my night wear in my room before i went to join Mi mom in bed. Mi mom was super fun to be with, if not for her,i would have cry myself to sleep.

***

“Hey baby, wake up you are late for work”. I heard some whisper into my ear from afar. I slowly opened my eyes and i saw mi mom. “Get up honey, you are late for work” Mi mom said again and the event that brought me to her room occurred to me. I looked outside the window and saw how bright it was already, i quickly pulled the blanket away from my body and rushed to my room. Thinking of how harsh Mr.larry would scold me for my lateness.

I had a quick bath and quickly got a dress before i applied little make up. Satisfied with my look i rushed out of my room and said a quick bye to mi mom before dashing out to my car.

Fortunately for me, I met mr.larry’s absence at work. I quickly settled in my spaced and got bussy with the files on my table, though the files were not due for submission anytime soon, but i needed something to be bussy with in order to free my mind.

I was still bussy with work when i heard a knock on my door. I told the person at the door to come in and a delivery boy walked in.

“Are you miss Nancy” he asked and i noded. “please sign here” he said as he put a note in front of me. I signed and received the package with surprise. I quickly opened the package immediately the boy was out of sight. “Waoh!” I murmured immediately i saw the content of the package. In the package was a very beautiful red rose and a colourful greeting card. I smelt the rose as i read the message in the greeting card. It was a beautiful Goodmorning message and i could not help but smile as i read. Inside the card was a small written note. “miss your phone has been off. I quickly got my phone from my bag and switched it on as i read the content of the note over and over again, trying to figure out whose hand writing it was. My only hope was for it to be from Jordan, in a bid to apologies for his wrong. “I will surly forgive him again” i said as i fold the note and got back to work.

****

At exactly 4:00pm, i got off work. I decided it was time to leave when i had nothing else to do. I packed my bag and left for my car. “hey miss!”. I heard someone say behind me, i turned and saw kelvin full of smile. I walked up to him and hugged him before i asked what he was doing at my walking place. “ehm lets just say am waiting for an angel and i found her already” kelvin said with a smile and i hitted him playfully. “Get in” kelvin said and i asked “to where?”.

“no questions” he said as he opened the door for me. Kelvin was behaving all romantic and this made me doubt if the delivery was from Jordan.

“wait… Did you send the delivery boy?” I asked with a questioning look. “Lets say i did” kelvin said with a charming smile and we both got into the car. I handed my car key to one of kelvin’s security before we zoomed off to the unknown destination.

****

I ended up in a cinema with Kelvin. We saw a movie together and i loved every moment of it. In the middle of the movie kelvin tapped me and touched his shoulder. I knew he was trying to tell me to place my head on his shoulder but, i pretended i was lost. He tapped me again and touched his head before touching his shoulder , i could not help but burst into laughter. With him realising that i was pretending not to get his sign, he pulled my head and placed it on his shoulder with a little force. I would have fought him to free myself but the laughter made me weak. I let my head rest on his shoulder and concentrated on inhaling his scent over the movie.

On kelvin’s shoulder, all the memories we’ve had together came afresh as i inhaled his scent.This was the same guy that helped me out of a mess the first day we met.Though the mess i created was super annoying, he never got mad at me neither did he disclose a thing to my mom.After the whole messy meeting, he took me like a sister and started a cooking lesson with me.I could remember consulting him whenever i had a problem, i could remember running to him like a guardian and i could remembering him taking my problems in and solving it like his own.I looked back at all the things kelvin did for me when my mom died.I could remember how he stood by me and held my hand so i would’nt fall.I could remember his timely advice and his financial assistance even though he was in need as well.All this going on in my head got me emotional.I wiped the tears in my eyes and held kelvin close to myself.I wished to have him this close forever because every moment with him makes me feel like the only girl in the world.

“Is somebody trying to seduce me?” kelvin’s voice brought me out of my thought.I released my tight grip on him and smiled shyly. “why are you crying? The movie is not tragic” kelvin asked in a whisper and i just noded in response to his question. “Okay ma’am, lets leave” he said and i said “i am fine with the movie”.

Kelvin chuckled and said “and who said you are not fine with it. We are leaving because the movie has ended.Sure you did not even notice because you are so obsessed with me”.

I raised my head and looked around the cinema. Most of the people we saw the movie together were on their way out. I struggled my shoulder and said “Oh, i never knew”. Kelvin laughed at me and said “how will you know? When you are bussy holding me as if i would run away” i hit kelvin and told him to go if he want to. He rose to his feet and bent down toward me before saying “Just say you want me to stay with you and i will never leave”.I smiled and told him to disappear for all i care. Kelvin pinched me on my cheek and held my hand as we left the cinema.

****

kelvin took me to a five star restaurant after seeing the movie.The restaurant was beautiful but had little people in it when we arrived, probably because of the expenses.

We settled in an empty chair and a waiter walked up to us for our order.

Kelvin asked for what i would love to have as we went through the menu.I told him i would settle for a plate of coconut rice and chicken but kelvin ended up ordering most of the food on the menu.

In less than twenty minutes, our table was filled with varieties of food.Though i wanted to keep my eye on my coconut rice, kelvin forced me to take alittle from all the meals on the table.We had a glass of red wine each before we decided it was time to leave.Myself and kelvin went hand in hand over to the cashier to settle our bill. “Woah what a perfect couple. Please invite me over to your wedding, i get excited when i see true love” the cashier a middle age woman said.I smiled shyly as i thanked the woman in a bid to hide the fact that myself and kelvin were just friends.”You need to pay me to be the groom at your wedding miss” kelvin whispered on our way out and i hit him on his shoulder.We both laughed as we left the restaurant, holding hands like love birds.

I was happy even though i ended up with a sudden pot belly, due to the meals kelvin forced me to take.

****

Time checked 8:00pm. Kelvin parked infront of my gate.I could not help but feel lucky to have kelvin with me.He was there for me whenever i needed him and this made me feel the need to express my gratitude.I cleared my throat loudly and said “Ehm…I just want to say a big thank you for been a support whenever i need you.Thanks for been there kelvin”.

Kelvin smiled and said “you are welcome Angel.I just want to let you know that i will always be there for you no matter what,till you will realise that with me is where you belong” Kelvin’s statement came to me as a surprise and this made me look up at him.I caught him staring at me as well and we remained in a point, staring at each other for a while.I could see the fire burning in kelvin’s eyes but i could not decide if it was mere likeness or love.Kelvin slowly bent over to my side and i unconsciously closed my eyes.I felt his lips on my cheek before he burst into laughter.”It just an innocent goodnight peck miss”.Kelvin said and i opened my eyes. Instead of feeling embarrassed, i joined in the laughter as i hit him continuously.When i was satisfied, i came down from the car and told him never to come looking for me as i walked toward my gate. He laughed and pleaded but i rushed into my compound and closed the gate loudly.(forming angry).

I was yet to step foot into the house when i got a new message,i unlocked my phone to read the message

“Am sorry for all the pains i caused you.Please give me another chance to set things right I miss you! (Jordan)”

****

I could not believe my eyes as i read the message over again.”If only Jordan had sent the message a day ago, i would have been the happiest girl in the world but he saw the need to apologies when i was getting attracted to kelvin” i thought.

The ringing of my phone brought me out of my thought. The caller I.D was Jordan, i decided i was not in the mood to talk to him and rejected the call.

” and my baby is here!” I heard mi dad’s loud voice immediately i entered the livingroom. “Daddy!” i shouted as i rushed at him for a hug.He held me tight and asked after my well being before mi mom interupted by clearing her throat loudly.I hugged mi mom as well in order to balance the equation before i left for my room.

***

Immediately i got to my room, i undressed and went into the bathroom in a bid to wash off the stress i went through.

I could not stay long enough in shower due to the continuous ringing of my phone.I got out of shower and got my phone from my bag.To my surprise, there was more than ten missed calls from Jordan.With my phone in my hand, settled in my bed and thought on what to do.

Again i compared my up and down relationship with Jordan with my relationship with kelvin.I realised that kelvin had always been there for me even though he never confessed his love for me but Jordan on the other hand had always confess his love for me even though he never seemed to be there whenever i needed him and due to the fact that i had always forgiven Jordan, his eyes were blind to the fact that there is always a limit to what a lady can take. There and then i decided it was time to give Jordan a piece of my mind.

I continued to wallow in my thought until the ringing of my phone interupted.It was an incoming call from Jordan so i accepted the call and murmured “hello”.

“Thank God you finally accepted my call” Jordan said from the other end.I only hummed as a response. “Baby i know you are still mad at me but am sorry” Jordan said and i asked “for what exactly?” Jordan cleared his throat and said “For everything baby, all that i did to make you cry.I just wanna let you know that i deeply regret my actions and life is worthless without you. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me baby.Am so sorry honey and its real i cannot live without you. Please don’t say no to me”.

Jordan ended his speech and just like magic my anger flew away.

I told Jordan i had forgiven him and he screamed out of excitement. We talked for more than a hour before finally calling it a day after i accepted Jordan’s request to have a date with him the next day. The joy i felt within me after making up with Jordan made me realise how much i had missed him. I went to bed with my face filled with smile.

****

“Wakie! Wakie sleepy head!” I heard someone scream into my ear the next morning. I slowly opened my eyes and the sight that welcomed me was a shocker. “Khole!” i shouted as i hurried out of bed and jumped on her. Khole was looking really ravishing in a simple wear and more beautiful than ever. “easy sis, don’t squeeze the life out of me”. Khole said and i released her from my grip. “when did you get here?” i asked. “this morning” khole replied. “where is Josh?” i asked. “He went back on a bussiness trip” khole replied.

“woah and you will be staying here with us?” i asked and khole noded with a smile.I rushed at her for a hug and i ended up pushing her on the bed.Myself and khole talked about everything, yet we could not get enough of eachother. Khole had alot to tell me about her honeymoon and i could not help but envy her as she narrated her experience. Later in the day myself and khole went to the new apartment Josh got for them.It was a big mansion built in the secluded area of the state. After touring the house to my satisfaction, khole decided it was time to leave.

Jordan called on my way back home with khole in a bid to remind me of our date, i told him i would be there and i could feel the excitement in his voice before i ended the call.

***

Time checked 4:00pm. I was simply dressed in a red flowing gown with a silver sandal and a matching clutch.

I bid my foster parent and khole goodbye before i left in my car. I called Jordan i was on my way and he told me to come over to five star restaurant not far from his house.

I saw Jordan immediately i parked in front of the restaurant, he ushered me in and we settle in an empty table. Jordan made an order and held my hand, making romantic promises as we waited on our order.

“enjoy your order ma’am” the waiter said as he placed a covered plate in front of me and another infront of Jordan.

Jordan opened his plate of fried rice and i opened mine. “What?!!” i screamed in shock. What was in my plate was not rice but a Shinning Golden ring. Jordan got on one kneels with smile and loudly said “WILL YOU MARRY ME NANCY?”

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Jordan got the ring from the plate and went on a kneel before saying “Will you marry me Nancy?”

To say i was shocked is an understatement, because the proposal came as nothing but a rude shock. Getting proposed to is every girl’s dream and screaming “YES!” as an answer is like the simplest thing on earth but answering the question gets tedious when the love is no longer burning.

In my case the question was difficult to answer because i was not sure if i could put up with Jordan’s behaviour for the rest of my life if we were at all bounded by marriage and on the other hand i could not vouch if accepting Jordan’s proposal and refusing to get married to him would not create a messy suituation.

“Common sunshine, am waiting, we are waiting”

Jordan’s voice brought me out of my thought. “We?” i asked as i looked around our table. There was a crowd of people already with their smart phones up, ready to capture the event. I murmured ” oh my God” as i slowly stood to my feet and faced Jordan. I looked at Jordan, he was happily on a kneel with a ring in his hand. I could not bare to reject him publicly because i could not imagine the embarrassment it would cause and knowing Jordan to be soft hearted, i knew he could end up hurting himself if i should reject him.

I wished my family was with me as i slowly walked to Jordan.My family were the only people i trusted with making a life time decision for me.I was infront of Jordan with my hand stretched out already when i thought of what my mom decision would be. “Never sacrifice your happiness for nobody” I remembered my mom’s words and i realised i was ready to accept Jordan’s proposal just because i did not want him to be embarrassed. “My happiness should come first! No matter what”.

I heard a voice scream in my head and i took a quick step backward, away from Jordan causing the ring to fall off.

“What is wrong baby?”

Jordan asked, but instead of giving him a response, i grabbed my phone from the table and sprinted out. Without minding the crowd or the out come of my action, i ran to the exist as fast as my legs could carry me.

“Nancy! Nancy!” I could hear Jordan’s voice behind but his screaming did nothing to stop me.

Not until i got out of the restaurant did i realise that i left my car key and my bag behind. Going back was an impossible idea.

I was still thinking on what to do when i heard Jordan scream my name from behind. I could not wait because i could not face him and i could not bare to see the disappointment in his eyes.

“Bike!” I shouted immediately i saw an empty commercial bike coming my way. I mounted on the bike and told the driver to fly away. He zoomed off and the sadness i felt within me after leaving Jordan behind knew no bound. “I thought i would be happy that i made the right decision” i thought with tears in my eyes.

****

I rushed off the bike immediately the driver parked in front of my gate, forgetting to settle the bike man, all i wanted was to be in comfort of my room. ” Madam wey my money?” the bike driver’s voice stopped me at the gate, i told the gate man to pay him and ran inside.

I met Mi mom and Khole in the livingroom, i could not even bring myself to greet the duo as i ran into my room.

“Nancy! What is wrong with you? Open up” i heard mi mom and khole’s voice from outside. I slowly walked to the door and let them in.

“Nancy what is it? Where is your car? Were you robbed?” mi mom asked immediately she got in. I replied no as I slowly walked to my bed. ” Then what happened?” khole asked.

I cleaned the tears forming in my eyes and said “He proposed”

Mi mom moved closer to me and asked “who proposed?” i told her Jordan and she asked if i accepted him. I could no longer talk inbetween my tears so i only noded. Mi mom took mi into her arms and said “you did the right thing”.

After a long time of continuous weeping, i told khole and mi mom that i wanted to be alone and they obeyed my wish.

I was about to lay on my bed when i got a message alert. “Thanks for the public disgrace, i thought you love me but i never knew it was all for show.You car is with me and do not dare to send someone to get it for you.Get your a$$ down here cos i need answers! (Jordan).”

That was the message content.I read the message over again with shaky hands before i quickly disconnected my phone and dump it under my bed.I wrapped myself up like a child, expecting war from Jordan.

***

“You have a guest” khole said as she woke me up the next morning.I slowly came out of bed and went to the livingroom. To my surprise it was kelvin. “Nancy what happened to you?” kelvin asked with worries as he hugged me.I gently settled in a chair and narrated all that happened to kelvin.

“What rubbish! Who does he think he is? Am getting your things right away!”.Kelvin shouted and stormed out of the house.All my effort to get him back proved abortive. Knowing what Jordan could do, i was scared for kelvin. I wished he listened to me!.

…to be continued