Till Death Do Us Part- Episode 5

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We tried calling, texting, leaving voicemails and nothing- nothing was working, J. Ife says with worry in her eyes and while I get what she means on the one part, absolutely nothing explains the entire situation to me because how did we get here? 

I just stare at them blankly- shock, discomfort and any other agonizing emotion you can imagine are very clear in my eyes and on my face. I realise that I hadn't exactly been thoughtful towards my friends and that was extremely selfish and out of character for me. I feel a pang of pain again because I hate that I have caused them to worry and now, I am having conflicting thoughts between wallowing in self-pity and allowing those who care about me take care of me as they'd love to.

I return from my thought to hear Niyi say;

I told him you wouldn't like the fact that he is here but he was worried and to be honest, no one would've been able to stop him. Niyi continues the unofficial apology while shifting uncomfortably on the sofa. 

I finally decide to choose letting them take care of me because self-pity has done nothing but drain me and I am really tired.

Knowing that I cannot avoid his gaze any longer without appearing like a chicken (which I am not!). I turn around and I say; Helloooooo in the tiniest of voices with a mix of shyness, a sad smile on my face and a curious look in my eyes. All the while thinking, where do I start from?

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Seated under the shed outside, I'm finally done telling them all that transpired that lovely Friday that Ife kept me waiting 😐. I see understanding, comprehension and then pity in their eyes because Niyi & Ife know how hard it must have hit me. I look at him and I see pity, a fierce protective glare and anger? After the long silence that followed, finally someone speaks; 

I understand all that transpired on Friday. I was there for the most part. What I cannot seem to understand however, is why you had such a serious anxiety attack to seeing some guy? Am I missing something? Jeff says. 

I launch into the long tale of Stan & Jess and the chaos that ensued. It was refreshingly relieving to be able to speak so honestly and if i'm being truthful, its the least I can do because I owe him an explanation and apology. He practically saved me from... myself I guess that Friday night.

Done ranting, and telling him my plans for revenge, I finally take note of my surrounding- I see that it is drizzling slightly and we are alone. Ife & Niyi must've sneaked off at some point to give us a sort of privacy i think... knowing that what I had to share was hard. 

Note to self: I'll have to remember to order Shawarma for those ones tomorrow o because they can be sensible when they choose to. 

There is something about Jeff- I can't place my finger on it... yet, but it makes me want to blurt out my deepest, darkest secrets and it is so strange because mostly, I prefer to listen than talk. 

Note to self: Do NOT loose guard! 

In the meantime, having looked at everywhere but at him, I decide to finally face him, apologize and just get this part over with. Without a doubt, there'd be shock, pity, but what else will be there? 

Before I can do that, he starts speaking;

Jess, I'm so sorry on behalf of a member of my gender for putting you through all that. He says with smiling eyes. Yea, that apology definitely made me smile. Matter of fact, I slightly choked on my Capri-sonne 😂

On behalf of your gender?! What is this? A gender rescue mission? I respond while still choking because I'm also laughing😅. How does he make me laugh at a time where I definitely do not feel like laughing? At that, he smiles broadly, with a sort-of boyish look. Then he continues;

I mean it. I know (better than some) how hurt can affect a person's perception of things and blind them from experiencing the beauty that life holds. I have experienced that but that is a gist for another day, the point is- I really don't want that for you. I want to speak more on "your revenge", but something tells me this isn't the time. Again, I absolutely understand why you reacted the way you did and I am sorry you went through that. 

Surprises apparently await me at every turn where this man is involved. He has experienced it? I want to know EVERYTHING. But I cannot exactly blurt that out now since we are majorly acquaintance? It seems more like friendship but then it isn't and since I lack a better term, let's go with acquaintance. Speaking of, acquaintance don't call each other "Babe"...

Thank you for coming to my rescue the other day, I- He interrupts me and responds with;

No thanks necessary really. I had come to meet-up with some partners who cancelled last minute 😐and I was on my way back to my car when I spotted you. 

From my lens, your body language communicated distress and I couldn't tell why you weren't moving. You seemed a little "frozen?" not exactly sure how to explain it, but I knew I had to act which leads me to my apology...

I shouldn't have called you 'Babe'. I was trying to assess the situation without giving too much away as well and that was the only idea I thought would give me the advantage of standing close to you to ensure physical safety and also the chance to size-up the assailant and weigh my chances if push comes to shove. He stops abruptly, gulping as though he had just return from a marathon. Interesting.

Right. That makes sense, I think. But following that logic, it follows that, you are well able to hold your own in a fight correct? I ask, unable to stop my curiosity this time.

Haha. Well, I'm no Anthony Joshua, but I'm alright. He responds. At least that question has diverted what might have been an awkward conversation because how do I explain feeling some kinda way at the fact that he was willing to fight for me? 

Well, all the same- Thank you. Also, I apologise for snapping at you and generally being rude instead of accepting help graciously. I say because I was raised better than that rude brat stunt I pulled that night.

Apology accepted. Again, having the full picture now sort-of brings everything into perspective. However, since you're so determined to apologise, maybe you can do it properly over lunch tomorrow? Say 3pm?How did he just finesse his way to this point right now?! Shit, I have to respond...

Uhmm, Lunch. Sure. Text me the details when you've made the booking. I finally respond thinking "What did I just commit to?"

I would, but I don't have your number... yet. Nicely done, Jess! Now it just looks like you're trying to strong-arm him into getting your number😞.

I've been meaning to get it actually, but I wanted to get it from you directly and not Niyi. He continues. Oh? Okay then, that's not on me 💃

Right. Just give me your phone so I can input it and then have yours as well for ease. I responded. Totally not excited that he has my number 😋. I know nothing can happen to us, but a girl can dream can't she???

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*bing* 

Hey, I got home safe. Here are the details for tomorrow;

Uncle T's Restaurant, Jabi Abuja. 3pm. 

See you there! 

I receive his text and I go into full panic mode. What do you wear when going for an acquaintance lunch outing that is totally not a date with someone you may or may not have a crush on?! I have so many questions! My best bet is to bribe my sure babe- just make her salivate for gist and I will have a wardrobe advisor. It's a win-win really. I quickly sent a text to Ife;

Be at my place as early as 10am. Lunch outing. No clothes. Freaking out! She'll definitely get what I mean without having to explain.

*bing*

I'll be there by 7! Tell me EVERYTHING!!! She responds. Yea, that's my bestie 😂

Laying in bed now all I can think of is how random life can be, if I were to judge based on how my day began, I definitely wouldn't have predicted that it would end on a very nice note with me feeling light and content.  As cliche as this sounds, it's plain facts. Life is definitely better with good people around you.

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Heyyyyyyyyyyy,

Hope you're having a good day. 

Now that you know who the 3rd pair of eyes is, what do you think his story is? 

P.S- This series will now be published weekly on Thursdays 💃💃

Till next time, stay safe. 

Love always,

Princess💕