"I think we should take a break. " Tiara announced over the phone to her boyfriend, Aremu, while fighting back tears.
"Babe, I don't understand, what's wrong?" Aremu asks.
"You know what's wrong."
"I asked you to give me time, Tiara. Marriage can't be rushed, we need to put so many things in place. Just wait for a little bit more."
"Well, I'm tired of waiting."
"Can I come and see you? Where are you right now?"
"I just need you to respect my decision, and let me be for now. I'll come for my stuff after Christmas when I travel back from celebrating with my family. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"You can't be serious. What happened to our plans of spending Christmas together? Was it not.....?" The next thing he heard was the dial tone of the phone, she had dropped the call already. What could be wrong? Last night was her birthday, and he turned up in a big way for her.
"Tiara, are you sure you are doing the right thing?
Sholape, Tiara's friend says, consoling her after the call.
"How else do you want me to explain? We've been together for three years, and he hasn't shown any signs of settling down with me. The man knows I'm family-oriented. I thought he was going to propose last night, but no, he had to buy expensive things that I currently don't have use for. You are my best friend, you know first hand how long I've been anticipating a proposal from him. I thought he was the one but I was wrong. Love truly is never enough."
"Have you tried to talk to him about how you feel?"
"I have, several times, but he keeps promising to do the right thing. Surely I can't beg him to marry me."
"So, your Christmas plans with him are canceled?"
"Obviously. I'm going home to be with my family, hopefully, I can heal even if it's just a little bit."
"Come here, sweetheart. You are going to be fine."
Sholape draws her friend closer and pacifies her.
Aremu bangs his fist on the table in frustration, his laptop open before him. He had forgotten his password again. Thankfully, Tiara always predicted scenarios like this and kept all his passwords secure. He always forgot his passwords, his head was full. If he could use the same password for everything he does, he would but it's too risky. Thankfully, Tiara has a copy of everything.
He picks up his phone to call her to ask. He dialed her number and called twice but she didn't pick up. He still had time before he sent in the work, he would just get it from her when she got back. He angrily slams the laptop close and calls his friend for a bro date to loosen up.
Tunde took a loud, annoying gulp from his cup of beer and belched in an even more disgusting manner. "Pardon my manners, please. There's a way it hits you when you are having a cold beer after driving for hours in the scorching sun." He apologized to his friend, Aremu who was staring daggers at him.
"Etiquette, simple etiquette, Tunde. Stop embarrassing me, please."
"I'm sorry, so you said Tiara left you?"
"She did simply because I won't propose to her. I told her I'm not ready yet. I need more time."
"Well, you, my friend are a fool."
"Tunde, that's harsh."
"I'm sorry, But I don't know how to be diplomatic when telling the truth."
.
"Insult me all you want, it's not your fault."
Tunde sets his cup down on the table wearing a serious expression.
"How can you say you are not ready? This girl has been there for you through thick and thin, she manages all your affairs and ensures she gets lucrative jobs for you through her consulting company. Heck, she even manages your finances, and you say you are not ready. You are the practical example of stupid. If I had that kind of girl, who adds value to my life every day, you can bet I'd marry her the very next day. Don't you love her?"
"You think I don't know all that? What do you mean by asking if I love her?" I love her more than life itself, I just want to be fully prepared before settling down, you know?"
"Shut your mouth, you selfish being. You earn more than I do, you have three houses already, five different cars, and an estate, that you are currently funding as another one of your numerous investments. Tiara did it and we all know that. Isn't it selfish of you to keep her waiting for three years?"
"Calm down, Tiger. I love Tiara, I do. She's the love of my life and I would never take her for granted. I'm just scared, scared that if we get married, we'll lose the love we have for each other. I mean, we hear stories of couples who have dated for years and parted ways soon after marriage. I don't want that to happen to us, and I was thinking if we never got married, we would be fine all through. I just don't want to lose her, and now it seems I have."
Tunde stares at his friend pitifully and nods, "I guess I see your point, but there are many other examples of successful marriages, why not look on the positive side? Your marriage is going to work if you think it's going to work. I could stake everything I've got that you and Tiara will make the best couple ever. Even a blind person can tell that the chemistry between you is off the charts. Come off it, man before you lose her to someone who's not going to waste time on making an honest woman out of her.
Aremu hurriedly stands up from his seat and downs the rest of his drink in one gulp. "I've got to go, bro, thank you." He rushes out of the bar.
"Why the rush? Are you okay?" Tunde calls to his retreating form.
Aremu dials Sholape's number and paces impatiently until she picks up. "Hello, Sholape, I need your help." He goes on to explain to her and smiles to himself after dropping the call.
"Merry Christmas." Tiara heard her little nieces and nephews chant outside her room. They knocked and repeated the same thing, she knew they wouldn't leave until she opened the door. How was she going to get through the day? It was Christmas day, and she was supposed to be happy, but it was not to be. She was the only spinster in her family, and she was ashamed.
It wasn't anything to be ashamed of, she had been told many times, but she wanted to be a part too. She loved Aremu too much and gave him her all till he was successful, skeptically anticipating his proposal each year. He was not ready, he always told her. It was time to face the future with an open mind. It was hard, no, squash that, it was almost impossible, but she would try.
With her new resolve, she stood and went to open the door for her intruding visitors, and guess what? Aremu was there on one knee, a bouquet in one hand and a half-open box containing a ring in the other. She stared open-mouthedly at everyone, it wasn't only her nephews and nieces that were there. Sholape, her parents, siblings, and a few friends.
"I've realized there's no me without you. You have stood by me in times of trouble and desperation. You have made me a better man and you have relentlessly rooted for me every single time. I don't just love you, I am madly in love with you though I needed to be taught a lesson for letting you leave in the first instance. I miss you badly, and I'm certain that my life will be a disaster without you in it. On this note, this stupid, proud man is on his knees asking you to marry him, make him a better man, build a home filled with love and bliss where divorce isn't an option, and give birth to smart beautiful children for him, with him by your side all the way. What do you say, my best girl?" Aremu concluded his moving speech amid cries of "Say yes" from everyone present. Even the little ones were giggling.
Too overcome to speak, Tiara nodded in the affirmative and Aremu slid the ring on her finger to the sound of applauses and cheers.
Later that night, snuggled in Aremu's arms, she smiled at her big diamond ring for a long time. It was worth it. She had been anticipating for a long time, and just when she gave up, her deepest desire was granted.
She couldn't wait to be the latest "MRS" in town. All is well that ends well.