Till Death Do Us Part- Episode 7

7

JESS

The meeting with the partners went extremely well and I started with the project immediately. We're now at the concluding stage of the project and I cannot help but reminisce. I am still very excited and in awe about the entire project, the idea behind it, the entire work done, and the fact that I played a significant role in it. It was the kind of job people would only dream of. Setting up an idea hub for creatives and having an inclusive consulting organization that helped to link start-ups with donors and/or grant opportunities was simply genius and very much needed in Nigeria. I was doing what I loved, making an impact, thoroughly enjoying myself, working with a world-class team, and getting handsomely paid for it. I believe that this is just the beginning of so many great things to come because after the meeting I just had with Jeff and his partners, they want me on a consultancy basis to work as a Talent Management Consultant and Program Manager for exclusive programs. So, I would come in on a needs basis and offer my services till the end of such projects. It is exactly what I hoped and prayed for! It'll give me the time to build my company some more while also making money!

Career-wise, your girl is soaring! Relationship wise on the other hand...

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JEFF

He didn’t want to pressure her, but he had given her time and it seemed like nothing was changing. In a few months, we would have actively been friends for a year. I want more. What makes it worse is the fact that I know she likes me. I have seen how she looks at me. What I cannot tell is why she won't let this progress.

That is changing soon though because I have a plan.

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*bing*

Looking down at my phone, I see that it is a text message from Jeff.

Hey! Congratulations 🎉 on the completion of your project and for the steps to be taken going forward. You deserve all that and more. Wanna celebrate? Plus I'd like to discuss something with you. He says and so I type a quick response...

Heyyyyy! Thank you. Absolutely up for the celebration. Plus I owe you plenty cos I'd never have gotten here without you and this will allow me to buy you a bottle of Dal Forno Romano Vigna Seré Veneto Passito Rosso to say thank you. 7pm DUO Restaurant cool? I hit send with excitement that definitely trumps the tired feeling I earlier had.

Yea, great. See you there. He responds.

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Duo is definitely one of the fancy restaurants in Abuja that actually serves good food and with a beautifully and lavishly decorated environment, combined with low lighting, fresh flowers, tasteful artwork, candlelight, soul music, linen tablecloths, and napkins. It is the right location for a celebratory dinner.

Each done with their celebratory meal and drinks, they take their time ambling down to the parking lot while laughing at various activities that took place during the set-up stage of the project. On reaching Jess's car, they stand to say their goodbyes and Jeff puts his plan in motion since this is the perfect time to say all he'd been thinking. Away from the noise and distraction, just the two of them and so he begins;

Congratulations 🎉 again, Jess. I'm super proud of you and how far you've come.

Thank youuuuuu. Congratulations to you too! Breaking into a new field SUCCESSFULLY in Nigeria isn't so easy yet, you and your partners did it as though it was nothing. So you wanted to discuss something with me? Jess says with a serious look on her face.

*laughter*

It wasn't without its challenges but thank you too. Yes, I do have something to discuss with you. Jeff says in an earnest voice and he continues;

We've been friends for almost a year and during that time, I've gotten to see a part of you that not a lot of people get to see and I've gotten to really care about all the parts, the twists, and turns, and all the peculiarities that make you, you. Seeing how we kicked off our friendship, I understood all that was happening and I wanted to give you time to get over all that has happened in the past such that when I finally got to say all I had to say, I'd be sure that you were 100% in the right space mentally. Jeff takes a deep breath, and reaches for her, gripping her arms and easing her toward him so she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze.

I’m saying that I like you. Like, really really like you and that we’ve become more than friends. You know it as well as I do, and it’s time we just agreed to do something about it. What do you say to that?

Jess tunes out thinking Shit! Shit! Shit! I should've known this day would come.. what do I do?! I cannot afford to be here. I can't be with him... How do I tell him that I care about him deeply but that I cannot be with him because- what if it all comes crashing down my face again?

Jess? Did you hear anything that I said? Jeff says in a worried voice as Jess had been silent for longer than a minute.

Yes, I... I don't know what to say, Jeff. I honestly cannot say anything right now because my mind is all over the place. Can we talk about this later? Jess finally ended her statement before she began rambling.

Truth is, her breakup with Stan- if she could even call it that, hadn't just been a disaster. It had taken years to admit she'd been battered—emotionally—and to recognize the lingering effects that had on her. The withdrawal from family and friends. Holding everyone at arm's length out of fear of falling back into another situation where she would lose all sense of self.

But how does she say that to him?

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Shocked, distracted confused, irritated, and angry, Jeff watches Jess drive away with the realization that he might have just lost a friend. Plagued with so many questions and thoughts, he drives home.

Laying on the bed, his thoughts have refused to leave him and he asks the Holy Spirit for help because this is simply beyond him. He thought he had gotten the confirmation so what was the holdup? Trust me. He hears just those two words in his heart and an unexplainable peace comes upon him while sleep slowly reels him in.

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JESS

3 days later all I can think of is, that I need to speak to him. He called twice after that day, but I never returned the calls (Yes, I know that was childish). I need to apologize and his silence has me worried if I'm being honest.

I type a quick text and hit send;

Jeff. Hi

I'm sorry that I haven't returned your calls. Can we see, please? I'll explain everything.

Who knew that time could run so slowly?😓😓. It was the longest 2 mins 50 seconds 135 milliseconds of my life! Imagine my relief when my phone makes a sound.

*bing*

Hi Jess.

Currently swamped with work but we can speak over the phone if possible. Thanks.

First off, ouch! Well, I deserved that. I'm not giving up so easily though because if these 3 days have shown me anything, it's that I really like Jeff and not speaking to him feels like there's a hole in my heart and it needs to be sealed.

Instead of texting, I decided to put on my big girl pants and call...

1 minute 20 seconds and a lot of convincing later...

So I'll see you later today, right? I ask to be double sure that we are in agreement.

Yes, Jess. I'll see you later. Jeff responds.

**

Comfortably seated at Lomo Cafe and waiting for Jeff, Jess is a little... no a lot flustered and is preparing her speech when she sees him walking in and loses all concentration.

Standing up so that he sees her, she offers a little smile and hopes that he returns it. Jeff smiles back but it didn't reach his eyes.

Jess, undaunted thought that it was better to start off with her speech:

Thank you for making it. I appreciate your time and I'll just get straight to it so that I don't take too much of your time.

Let's place our orders so that they can get started on it first. Jeff responds while signaling the waiter who approaches the table with a smile and a menu.

The interruption gives Jess the time she needs to gather her thoughts and she decides to start with her apology and be sincere with all that she had to say regardless of how much she hated speaking about her feelings.

With the arrival of their drinks, Jess starts;

Jeff, I'm sorry. Sorry for how I've acted and for being rude- there's no excuse for that. When you said all you did that night, I freaked out and I didn't handle things well. Truth is, I'm scared Jeff. Scared out of my mind. I like you and while I want things to change, I also don't want things to change because what if it ends up spoiling this friendship that we have? I don't do well with uncertainties and so that is why I freaked out.

She sighs knowing that she had gotten all she had to say without stammering or getting too flustered.

Jeff interrupts her thoughts and says:

Apology accepted, Jess. I hear you and I can understand how all I said may have triggered your reaction. I cannot claim to know it all or to know what the future holds. All I will say is, that there are some risks worth taking and I am willing to take those risks with you. You're worth it to me. But I won't force you because It wouldn't be authentic. I like you, I want us to be more than friends and so I'll just go ahead and ask you directly- Will you be my girlfriend?

The ball is in her court now and she has to decide what next to do.

Taking a deep breath, Jess responds to the questions and says;

Yes, Jeff. I will be your girlfriend. I like you and even though I know it wouldn't be easy, I'm willing to go on this adventure with you.

The rest of the date progressed with both of them sharing all that had been happening in their lives for the brief moment that each was absent in the other's life.

**

Done with dinner and holding hands while strolling to the parking lot, their reverie is interrupted when someone says;

Hello. I'm sorry to interrupt you both.

Jess, I have been trying to speak to you.

Jess looks back and she sees Stan...

Of all the places and times HE could show up, he chooses here and now?!

The universe must be playing some sort of trick on me because...

**

Hello Stan. Jeff responds instead.

Are you by any means stalking Jess? He says with a chilling voice that has Jess taking a second look at him because, what happened to the guy who was giving dry jokes just a few seconds ago?  

No! No please, It's just that I have been trying to speak to her, I have called her at different times and with different numbers but she has never returned any of the calls. I came here with my fianceé and we were just walking in when I spotted you both. Stan responds looking at Jeff.

I need to make amends and I really need to let go of this load I've been carrying he continues, now looking at Jess. If you would just give me 30 minutes of your time at a date of your choosing and at any location you choose, I would appreciate it. I know it is much more than I deserve but if you would please consider and let me know, I would be grateful. He concludes while pulling out a complimentary card and stretching it forward.

Jess doesn't move, doesn't say a word and so Jeff collects the card and they both watch Stan walk away...

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Holaaaa!

Its been a minute.

Apologies for missing our agreed time. Life has been "lifing" but to make up for that I wrote this super long episode for you and I hope that you enjoy it. 

Till next time, stay safe.

Love Always,

Princess💕