The Man I Love - Episode 5

For two minutes there was silence, Tosin

 could not believe her eyes,

 she tries to move, watching the floor
 carefully in order to avoid being hurt by the shattered glass.

She missed a step and Emeka caught her as she was about to fall.

"I will always be here to catch you Tosin" he said.

 They both stared at each other for a while,

Quickly, Tosin freed herself from his
 grip.

"Now I can see that Hani's issue has affected your sense of reasoning, how can you even
 contemplate that, do you think I want to get married as a result of a compromise? 

The fact that I've never had a man to call my own all my life does not give you the
 leverage to request this of me? Do I look
 desperate to you Emeka?

answer me I'm talking to you"  she sounded off.

"Forgive me Tosin but I'm serious, let's get 
married in two weeks, don't worry about
 anything, I've been saving right from my 
university days, 

I may not be wealthy but you won't lack anything I promise just say yes" Emeka 
pleaded... I will visit my family tomorrow”
 he added.

"Two weeks!" She screamed with her eyes 
And mouth wide open.

“Is this a competition or what? Why are you being vindictive Emeka? 

You want to get married before Hani, really!

Emeka, marriage is not something you do to pepper them, 

To be frank with you, you will hurt yourself if you continue like this.

You have to heal first before any other 
thing”

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-man-i-love

. She advised.

"Can you just say yes?" He persisted, 

"It's like you're not geting me. Okay you
 know what,

I won't say anything till we meet daddy
 (their Pastor)” Tosin replied. 

"Fine, it’s okay by me" Emeka answered.

Tosin left, 

It was  on a Friday, she soon arrives in her
 self-contained flat where she lives with her aunt and her children as the husband of her aunt works in another state, he only visits
 on weekends.

Lying on her bed conflicted, she ruminated
 on Emeka's proposal and all that transpired in his house all through the night,

 "Emeka is a devoted Christian and he has
 been of help to the church in diverse ways, they have been friends for two years
 because she started the church after her 
NYSC. 

But I know Hani!" Tosin said to herself,

 although Hani is not their church member, the church knows her as Emeka's spouse for he has introduced her to everyone as his
 wife to be and she always comes around
 during special programmes.

"Hani and Emeka have really come a long 
way, what do I do Lord...?"

She prayed in the spirit and slept off.

**********
 Few days before Hani invited Emeka over,
 She was together with Vil her new 
apartment, suddenly, Vil started whispering sweet nothings into her ears,

His moves made her feel sightly
uncomfortable. He started touching her 
hair, 

"This is obviously beyond our normal play," she thought to herself.

"stop!" Hani said softly

 "We are going to be married in a few days
 so what's the attitude for" Vil complained

"I can't, I promised myself to wait till 
marriage besides I'm a child of God"
 Hani muttered... 

Vil roared in bitter laughter, 

“child of what, then what i'm I?...please, 
please, don't make me laugh, what 
difference does it make, We will be married any moment from now right? 

I think you should forget about you said or
 did not say and allow us enjoy this beautiful moment.

It’s just you and I" he persuaded.

She remained silent.

Vil gave her a cup of juice that he had kept 
on the stool prior to her arrival.

 She drinks it with a mixed feeling not 
knowing if she had made the right choice to back on her words.

Hani woke up the next morning 
grief-stricken as she found herself lying on
 the bed while Vil was already up grooming himself for the office.

“God! 

Emeka never took advantage of me for once even when he had several opportunities to, I feel so terrible... Nevertheless,

Vil and I will be getting married soon, I just hope everything goes swimmingly" she
encouraged herself.

 One month later…

Vil and Hani set out on a journey to Benin
 for their parents to know them in person. 

Though Vil’s parents are aware but not in
 detail. he promised to discuss everything
 a bout their marriage with them on his
 return and also to introduce his bride to
 them too,

So they can go and see her family and do the needful.