The Pain – Chapter 20

Two Months Later

Tina woke up that morning feeling elated. It was 4.30am, and she wanted to surprise Abayomi by picking him up at the airport. He was coming into Nigeria that day. She got out of bed to get ready. She cast her mind back to the past two months. Their friendship had blossomed remarkably, and she was even more confident in her love for him and in his love for her. Abayomi was indeed amazing. He had certain qualities that she never thought existed in any living man. Though he was far from perfect, she loved the way he made God the center of his life. To her, this was the key in making any relationship work. Even when he did things to upset her, because he had God in the center, he was quick to retrace his steps and make an effort to improve on himself. She had learnt so much from him and was confident that she could submit to his leadership. He was considerate, kind, gentle, firm and purpose driven. She still couldn’t understand what he saw in her. I guess God loves me and I’ve found favour in His sight she thought.

Despite not giving him a definite answer regarding his proposal, she had not felt any pressure from him to break their agreement. Now that he was coming into the country, she was going to give him the long awaited answer. She smiled at the thought. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction when she said ‘yes’. She left the house around 5.45am. Mike was supposed to have done the pick-up, but she had called days earlier to let him know that she would do so herself. He had teased her mercilessly about it. She laughed out loud in pleasure as she remembered his words “o ti yo fe” (you are drunk in love). His flight was to land around 6am, and she figured that by the time he went through immigration and reclaimed his luggage, he should be out by 6.30am. She sped down the road and made her way to the airport.

Abayomi got out of the airport and scanned the area for Mike. He couldn’t find him and was about to call when he heard a familiar voice call out his name. He turned and was shocked to see Tina standing a few feet away. She looked beautiful in a flowery chiffon blouse and black pants. He walked towards her and gave her a hug in greeting. He was pleasantly surprised to see her and very happy. His heart beat had even picked up on seeing her.

“Good morning your highness” Tina teased as she helped him with his hand luggage and made her way to the car park. She had parked there because she did not want to risk her vehicle being towed away.

Abayomi laughed at the joke. Some days back, he had jokingly told her how he was related to royalty, as his great great grand uncle had been the king of his village.

“Thank you my subject” he replied chuckling. “You and Mike ehn” he said as he shook his head at her as he walked beside her. He could never have imagined seeing her at the airport that morning. “I guess this is pay pack time right?” he said laughing remembering how he had surprised her at his last visit.

“You guessed right!” Tina replied laughing. They got to her car, and he put his luggage into the car. “So, where are you headed? Mike’s place?” she asked as she started the car.

“Yes please, Mike’s place” he answered. “I need to rest and freshen up a bit before going out. Remember my friend I told you about?” Tina nodded in affirmation “He is in town today, and we need to see before coming over to your office. Can we reschedule for 12 noon? Cos I just found out that his flight back to London is tonight.”

“I’m not sure. But off the top of my head, I don’t think I have any appointment for that time.” she replied. “In the mean time, you guys should drop by. I’ll reschedule any appointment I have. But if I cannot, I will call you before 12.”

“That’s great. Thanks. So how have you been?” he asked “Work? And you specifically?”

“I’m much better. We spoke about this yesterday you know?” she said laughing at him.

“I know, but asking you on the phone and asking you face-to-face are two different things.” he replied. “I really want to know. How are your sessions with Dr. Bidemi going?”

“Great!” she replied. “She has been so impressed with my progress that she thinks my counselling days would soon be over. I’m at peace now, and in fact, I daresay that I’ve forgiven Ugo completely.” she said with a wistful smile on her face. “It was not easy, but I knew it needed to be done. I’m so glad I did because I feel so much at ease with life. I am now ready to do life” she said with enthusiasm.

Abayomi watched her intently as she spoke. Indeed, he could see how peaceful she looked compared to months back. He was very happy to see this positive change. It was already two months since he asked her to marry him a second time. He hoped she had not forgotten their deal to give him an answer. He was very tempted to push, but something in him told him to be patient. Don’t say anything yet. Wait for a few days before even broaching the subject he heard clearly.

The past two months had taught him a lot about love, trust and patience. It had also afforded him the opportunity to get to know Tina better as a friend, and not just someone he loved romantically. He had come to rely more on the Holy Spirit than ever before, and the feeling was indescribable. Tina’s confessions had shaken him to the core, and made him question what he believed a good man, husband and father meant. He knew that to be able to be all that to Tina, he needed something deeper and better than all he had known. He had gone to God in prayers to study more about being a role model in these areas. God began to unravel his character flaws and weaknesses to him in a way he had never seen before. God also revealed clear cut steps from scriptures that he needed to follow to be that person. It had been an interesting journey so far as he could already envision what it would be like to be that man who could love completely as Paul described in Ephesians 5:25-29

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,

Even though he knew he had a long way to go, he was glad that he was on the right path. If and when Tina said ‘yes’, he needed to be prepared because she was one unique woman. He would love and cherish her as Christ loves and cherishes the church.

They continued on their journey in comfortable silence till they got to Mike’s house. It was almost 8am when she dropped him off. Mike had come downstairs to welcome them and help Abayomi with his luggage. Tina couldn’t wait to go inside because she had to get to work. She had a 9am appointment and since it was a Thursday, she was lucky that she could make it before time. She bade them goodbye and drove to work.

Hours later

Tina was busy reading a report when the intercom rang. It was her PA telling her that Abayomi had arrived with another person.

“Tell them to come in” she said as she skimmed through the rest of the report, saved some of the work she had been doing and opened her company’s template in preparation for her meeting with Abayomi and his friend. She heard the knock on the door and said “Come in”. She stood up to receive them as they walked in. As usual, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Abayomi. She smiled as he walked towards her. She looked behind him to see who hi friend was and her smile faltered. She stared in shock at the person standing before her. Abayomi caught her expression and looked back to see what was happening.

“Hey, do you two know each other?” he asked looking back and forth between them.

“Please have your seats gentlemen” she replied instead with a troubled look on her face. They all took their seats as Abayomi looked perplexed wondering what was happening.

“Would you do the honors to let Abayomi know who you are?” Tina said looking directly into the eye of the visitor.

“What’s going on in here?” Abayomi asked in frustration “Sly, do you know her?” he said turning to his friend.

Sly shifted uncomfortably in his chair and couldn’t meet the gazes of the two people staring at him.

“Sly? Sly? Is that what he calls himself now?” Tina laughed. “Do you mean ‘Ugo’? Cos that is what I know him as” Tina said chuckling. She watched as Ugo seemed to slither into his chair in discomfort.

“What?!” Abayomi shouted as he bolted out of his chair so fast that it got knocked down. Tina also stood up immediately as she saw the murderous way he stared at Ugo/Sly.

“Is he the nincompoop you told me about?” he asked in deathly calm looking at Tina. Tina had come around to stand in front of him and Ugo/Sly who by that time was standing a good distance away. She was scared he was going to hit him as she had never seen that look in his eyes before. She put out her hand to calm him as she replied “Yes, he is.”

Abayomi was in blind rage as he stared at his long time friend Sly. They had met during their undergraduate days at the university. He had been one of his party buddies back then. He suddenly remembered an incident he heard about him shortly after he had gotten saved. He had dismissed it as impossible, but knowing that he had been Tina’s tormentor made him realize that it could have been true. Hate bubbled up to the surface. He was shocked as he would never have thought of himself capable of such intense emotion. His entire body shook as he kept staring at Sly. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he had the overwhelming urge to beat him up into a pulp. He was actually about to start doing that when he heard that still small voice say Calm down. That word was like a sweet balm that eased his soul. He felt the hate give way to pity. He looked down at Tina who had been pleading softly, and realized what a sight he must have been. He couldn’t believe that he had been preparing to get physical with him.

He sighed heavily as he spoke “Get out.” Ugo/Sly look startled as he pleaded with Abayomi with his eyes. “I said get out!” Abayomi repeated sternly. “And please, lose my number. I don’t want to ever see you again.” Ugo/Sly nodded in understanding and made his way to the door. As he was about to leave, Abayomi spoke up again “While you are on that plane back to London, I want you to take a good time to think about your life and the lives of the numerous women I’m sure you have negatively affected. I also want you to ask God to save your soul because if such evil could emanate from you at such a young age, I cannot begin to think of what you are capable of now. And to think that I ever considered you my friend!” he shook his head sadly. “I wonder how you sleep with your wife carrying all that guilt. May you find peace in God. Goodbye Sly” he said as they both watched him leave the office.

Abayomi wrapped his had around Tina’s shoulders and held her close. He felt drained.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly. She nodded in affirmation. Tina felt very proud of Abayomi and had a new respect for him. He had handled that situation pretty well. When she saw that it had been Ugo, she didn’t know exactly what to do. Unlike the last time when she had been really upset at his sight, her feelings for him this time had been pity and disgust. It had been funny to learn that he was known as ‘Sly’ . It was a very apt name that described him perfectly. She smiled to herself. Abayomi had saved her a lot of stress by dealing with the issue. She was amazed at his self-control.

“Yes, I will marry you” Tina said quietly after a few seconds. Abayomi stilled as he looked into her eyes. His eyes lit up as it dawned on him that she was finally giving him an answer.

“What did you say?” he asked quietly. “Do you mind repeating yourself?”

Tina smacked him playfully “I said I will marry you!” she repeated louder. Abayomi did a small dance around the office with Tina laughing at him.

After what seemed like a minute. He became serious, as he stood before her. He held her hands as he got down on his knee and pulled out a box from his jacket. Tina covered her mouth in shock. She had not expected him to propose to her again, and with a ring! Her eyes welled up in happy tears as she watched Abayomi ask her again “Will you marry me?”

“Yes… Yes! I will!” she said with more conviction as he slipped the ring on her finger. He stood up and hugged her. Tina was laughing as the tears kept flowing. She couldn’t believe that she just got engaged. Abayomi pumped his fist in the air in joy. He brought out his phone and dialed a number. On the third ring, they heard Mike’s voice.

“She said yes, Mike! She said yes!!” he shouted as he cut the line. He didn’t even give him the chance to respond as he cut the line to make another call. He called his mum and shared the good news with her after which he made yet another call.

“Hello” the voice said. Tina’s jaws dropped open in shock as she looked questioningly at Abayomi.

“Hello sir. This is Abayomi Ige. Tina has agreed to marry me sir” he said beaming at Tina with a wide grin on his face.

“That is great news.” Chief Jacobs said “May God Almighty grant you both wisdom to build the right foundation. Congratulations! Is my daughter there with you? Can I speak with her?” he asked.

“Yes sir” he replied giving the phone to a shocked Tina.

“Hello daddy” Tina said as she put the phone on her ears. Her mind was in confusion as she couldn’t figure out how Abayomi had pulled that off. She listened to her father and answered all his questions. She promised to come over to visit with Abayomi the next day.

“How did you do that?” Tina asked after the call ended. “I mean, how did you get my dad’s number? He knows you” she said in wonder.

Abayomi laughed at her expression as he went on to tell her how he had called Mike when he wanted to propose to her. He had felt it was inappropriate to ask her to marry him without telling her dad first. Through Mike, he got in touch with Tina’s dad and made his intention known. Of course, going through Mike had made convincing her dad way easier than if he had done so alone. The man was fiercely protective of his daughter. He had promised to see him the moment he got to Nigeria. He had made good of that promise the last time he had visited. Unknown to Tina, he had been coming from her parents house the day he and Mike had surprised her. Tina shook her head in wonder as he recounted what he had done.

“Thank you Abayomi” she said with so much sincerity. “I love you very much. I promise to be the best God wants me to be”

“I love you too. I also promise to be the best God wants me to be.” he replied. “This definitely calls for celebration” he said smiling. “Where would you love to go?”

“Ocean Basket” she replied without hesitating. She loved sea foods. She called her PA to let her know she was closing for the day. Luckily, she had no other appointments. She was soon to be Mrs Christina Ige. She loved the ring of it. I am so blessed she thought as she looked at her ring again. It all still felt like a dream. She entwined her hands in Abayomi’s own as they made their way to her car.

“Can I drive?” Abayomi asked smiling at her. Sly had brought him earlier, as he didn’t bring his own car. Tina nodded as she gave him her car keys. They both got in and drove off.