Awakening love... Part 2

 THE MORNING AFTER...

Steven woke up with his arms and the room empty. Apparently, Grace had snuck out to save them the ‘morning after’ awkwardness. He stood up and hit the bathroom. He put the shower on full blast then began to think of the things that occurred over the night. He hoped that Grace would not expect anything more from him. He just wasn’t ready for commitment. He thanked
his stars that he controlled himself when she refused to go for the home run.

He wouldn’t like to be one of the guys that girls went on twitter to accuse of rape. He had a reputation to protect. His family wasn’t rich but they cherished their pride. The Olayemis, especially his father, would never forgive him if he brought any form of scandal to the family name.

He put off the shower and stepped out of the bathroom pulling a towel around his waist then he heard his phone ring. It was Tomi calling, he answered the call. “Ogbeni, which kin sleep you dey sleep? Come down here. We are waiting for you. Even your roommate is here” he shouted impatiently. “I dey come” Steven hollered back.

He dressed up quickly and joined them at the lobby of the lounge. He apologized for keeping them waiting and they all left.

Throughout the journey back, Steven and grace tried to behave as normal as usual in order to prevent Tomi and the rest of the guys from assuming that something went down between them over the night.

Steven offered to drop Grace off at home with his car though she had come in Tomi’s car. They drove in silence to her apartment at Ketu. When they arrived, he parked the car and began “I’m sorry about what happened yesterday night. Let’s just blame it on alcohol and hormones”

Grace’s heart broke but she wasn’t going to show it. “yeah, of course. Stupid hormones. No big deal”.

 Deep down, she didn’t want it to be just hormones and alcohol that resulted in the magical night they had together. It had to be something more. There had to be. He must have felt what she felt.

“So we are good, right?” he asked smiling

“Yeah, right” she answered, not at all feeling good.

She alighted and they parted ways.

Days turned into weeks and things appeared have reverted to normal between Grace and Steven.

Grace still hoped that Steven would in a moment of euphoria, realize that she was his soulmate and they were meant to be but it was not to be so.

It was during this period of sulking, wishing and self-pity, that Grace bumped into Alabi Olamilekan, an old friend.

************

Grace and Lekan met at NYSC camp about four years before. They had flirted a bit back then but nothing serious came up and they lost contact after service year.

They met at a wedding. Grace hardly went to these Owambes but there was no getting out of this one because the bride, Tinuke, had been one of her very good friends from university days. Lekan was one of the groomsmen. She had seen him earlier at the church ceremony but hadn’t recognize him. Later at the reception, he found her and introduced himself. Recognition washed over her face.

“Wow! Lake-labi! Na your face be this so?” she exclaimed

“No o, na my leg” he said beaming

They hugged and did the whole ‘long time, no see’ routine then exchange numbers.

“I’ll hit you up later. I’ve got to run, I’ve got groomsmen duties to take care of, see ya later!”

In the weeks that followed, Lekan kept in constant contact with her. Calls, texts and very soon they were going out on dates. Movies, games, and even amala joints.

At first, Grace was still hung up on Steven and not totally responsive to Lekan’s lovely gestures. But soon, she was found herself liking him and enjoying their dates and his company.

During their conversation, she found out that he was now working with an accounting firm although he was a graduate of engineering. It had been difficult getting a job in his field so he broadened his horizons and now he was pretty comfortable.

He spent his time, money and a lot of attention on her and he wanted a serious relationship. He made her smile, even when she didn’t feel like it. It almost appeared to be too good to be real- she was in love!

It had been just eight months after they started seeing each other when he proposed. It was a quiet, romantic dinner at Orchid Bistro, Ikeja.

She was speechless when she saw him down on a knee with a ring that dazzled even in the dim lighting of the restaurant.

“it’s too early… too fast” She stammered.

“I know, but I’m not taking any chances. You’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. We don’t have to get married immediately but I want to announce to the world that I’m yours and you are mine.

She thought of Tomi, Steven and many other guys whose faces she couldn’t conjure in this moment…

With her heart bursting with joy, she cried, “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you Lekan”

SONGS OF SOLOMON 8: 4

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not awaken love until it so desires. (NIV)

Hi guys!
So what do you think? Too cliche? I know real life doesn’t always work like that but if you could write your life story, wouldn’t it be a happily ever after.
Drop your comments in the section below 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
Do you think the story  should just end there