Our Difference - Episode 1

 

My name is Lotanna, Lota for short. I am the managing director of Rockoil group of companies, though my dad owns the establishment, he put me in charge of it, to take his father's throne back in the village..... and yes, I'm a prince, but not a happy one. How can I be happy when the only woman who has been able to make her way into my life is about to slip of my hands. My own dear Arike, the love of my life, Asa m(my beauty ) ,too sad our tribal difference stands as a barrier to our love . I can remember vividly the first time I met her, she was so composed, quiet and was a beauty to behold. I appreciated the way she behaved that day though I won't say I was really attracted to her. I was in three hundred level then while she just gained admission into the institution (jambito ) and lost her way while going to her lecture hall. She had inquired from some guys there but instead of giving her direction, they tried to ask her out, demanding for her contact number...... ashhhh I wonder how some people can be so crazy.

 Moreover, I was coming behind her and I saw the scene, I had expected her to rain serious abuses on them like almost every girl would or at least slap the idiot that was trying to touch her. "I'm really sorry but I only asked for direction, if you don't mind, I'll like to take my leave, and before anyone of them could react or answer she walked away

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/our-difference

. Mehn!!!!!.....I was surprised at such maturity and calmness, and ever since then I looked out for her on campus and to be sincere I was gradually falling for her. But to cut the long story short, I approached her in my final year, though on many occasions I had NO for an answer, but I had fallen too deep for her to back-out. And on my lucky day, I had taken out like I always did, we had so much fun especially at the amusement park and on our way home, I asked her out again and she accepted.....I can't just start saying how happy I was that day. 

  We continued our relationship even after I graduated, I came to school regularly to see her...... Ohh I left this out, she is also a princess, a Yoruba princess, royalty meets royalty right? 
 When she was in her final year, I decided to take her to see my parents, though she was scared my parents would refuse her because she is from another town, but I assured her that all would be well. 

   We got to my hometown at noon, and headed straight to the palace, luckily my parents were around. Mum was the first to come out of the building after she was informed of my arrival, and I was so happy seeing her all radiant and beautiful ( of course, my mum has always been a beautiful woman ), she hugged me so tightly and looked at Arike smiling, she whispered into my ear "who is she? " and gave me a wink. "Don't worry mum ,you'll soon find out " I said. "Good afternoon ma " Arike greeted kneeling down. "Good afternoon my dear, you're welcome to our home " my mum said and ushered us in. 

  My father was already in the sitting room when we entered, I greeted him bowing and so did Arike. And just then, the palace cook entered to inform my mum that lunch was ready, and we all went to the dinning to eat. I had noticed how mum stared at Arike  all through the meal, my dad on the other hand wasn't bothered, he focused on eating, he is never anxious of anything, moreover he hated chatting while eating. We soon finished lunch and settled back in the sitting room. My dad spoke first, " welcome son, it's been a while, you don't come home regularly, why? ". I had given an excuse of work load in the company and a need for proper supervision.

Read " My Smile " by the same author ( Oluwanifemi Ayomiposi )

. "Oh I see.... and who is the pretty lady with you?" my dad asked and I felt a bit of chill through me, but then, I had to say something. "Well... Dad, Mum this is Arike, the lady I intend to marry. My dad and mum looked at each, and spoke up again "what did you say her name is again ?" . "Arike ",I replied( of course, he knew That wasn't an igbo name. "Where are you from? ",he asked again. "Igwe, I am from Ekiti state "Arike replied. "Yes dad",I tried to add, "she is a pri........  ", "Hold on son ",I was interrupted by my dad. "Alright my dear, you must have had a long journey, you may go in and rest, okay? ",he said facing Arike. "Okay igwe " she said and we headed to my room, but deep within me I was not comfortable.