PART 4
NWALA: THE BITTERSWEET STORY
©️Opeyemi Akintunde
As Inspired by the LIVING WORD.
You could call me a chameleon; I am a man on the inside but you can trust me to show up to an event like a diva.
For the sake of misleading my mother, I gave the lunch a killing outfit because I intended to kill the intentions in the heart of the G.O’s son.
The moment I got down from my vehicle in my white shirt dress draped in orange velvet with hot olive green heels with a small purse to match, I knew Reuben must have sworn I was there for the taking. I gave my car key to the Red Hilton staff, for proper parking. The moment I stepped into the restaurant, he was already on his feet…
“His suit! Hmm! Not bad ooo” I thought. He decided to be gentlemanly by pulling the chair out for me, and that’s where I started my drama.
“Please don’t, I have hands” I said
I saw the look of shock… and that definitely threw him off balance…
“I am sorry about that; I just thought every lady would want a man…” He said
“I am not every lady, SIR Reuben” I said straight up. He looked to his side and smiled…
Since I got his silence, I decided to fill it with my words…
“I am not like every lady, in fact I am no lady, don’t let the pretty dress deceive you. I am a man living in a woman’s body. Not a submissive kind of person. I have coconut head like everyone in my family says. I am the new generation woman who believes in gender equality…”
“Interesting” Reuben cut in
“You find it interesting?” I asked
“Yes because you fit exactly the kind of wife I need. Strong yet pretty” He said smiling.
My head went on a roller coaster ride…
“You need a wife who is strong and pretty?” I asked like he just spoke gibberish…
“Yes”
“Oh like, I, Nwala am a need meeter? Like I am just some piece of art to complete your collection, Ha! Ha!” I laughed so hard he knew he had said something wrong…
“I guess that didn’t come our well, can we start this lunch all over again? I came here just to have a friendly chat with you but you came with war, and that threw me off balance” Reuben said. “I apologize for what I said or how it came out… I take back my words. I don’t need a pretty and strong wife. I just want to get to know you” He said.
His apology weakened me… I maintained silence.
“What would you like to have?” He asked
“Just a glass of wine would do” I replied’
We were quiet for about two minutes…
“What course are you studying? He asked
“English Language, but I plan on doing business” I replied
“Nice…taking over your Dad’s business? He asked
“Nooo…? ” Why was this guy saying the wrong things.
“Oh! Personal business dreams? He asked
“Huh Huh”
“Like?”
“Oga what is your business?” Was exactly what I wanted to say but I decided to maintain my calm.
“You have someone in your life?” He asked finally when it was obvious I was not interested in his chitchat.
I nodded affirmatively. There was no point hiding.
“You just came for appearances because of your mum” He said and I nodded again.
I thought this man would be sensible enough to say…
“I am sorry for bothering you,” but instead he made me choke on my wine when he said
“Can you give me the chance to be your friend, get to know me and find out if I stand a better chance” …
I choked, and he rushed towards me helping me through the phase… After breathing in and out, I said to him.
“SIR, I have known my boyfriend since I was eight, and now I am 20 years old, so it has taken me 12 years to know this man, and for me to compare you both, it will take me another 12 years to get to know you and of which I don’t think I have that luxury of time.” I said bluntly
There was stiff silence, there was nothing more to be said, but Reuben the fighter still had something to say…
“I have had my eyes on you for 3 years and within those 3 years, I knew it was you I wanted to be with”
“Sorry, I didn’t get that?” I said blinking my eyes
“Nwala, we have been in church together for 8 years but I became emotionally aware of you three years ago. I decided to let time tell if it was just a crush, but it’s been 3 years and I still feel butter flies in my belly when I see you”
He lost me that moment… Did he just say it took him 3 years to come to terms with his feelings for me… That spoke volumes about who he was, he must be a very slow thinking person. I was not a slow person, whenever I saw something that needed to be worked on, I jumped on it.
“Wow! Interesting to hear, but unlike you, I always know what I want immediately, I don’t have to wait three years to be sure… Sir, No offence, but the truth is you are not who I want.. I would love to take my leave” I said.
I couldn’t pretend to be enjoying the lunch.
“It’s okay, but can we at least be friends?” He asked
“I don’t keep a lot of friends” I replied
“I am sure my addition to the few friends you have shouldn’t be much of a trouble”
“This guy is a persistent troublemaker ooo.” I concluded within me.
“Sure… but I only catch up with my friends once a week, like I limit friendship calls to once a week so I can concentrate on my academics”
“I will respect that! Thank you for honouring the lunch date” He stretched out his hand for handshake.
I took the handshake and the warmth of that palm was second to none. It was a relaxing feeling. There was something comforting about that palm. I couldn’t help but look to his hand… I noticed I had held on for too long. I quickly let go…
“See you around!” I said and walked out of the restaurant. I had lost my composure and my anger in that few seconds that felt like peace.
As I walked towards my car, thinking about that strange moment, I could feel someone following me. I turned back to see Reuben following me.
“Just want to ensure you get safely to your car” He said.
Ordinarily I would have given him an answer like…
“I am not a lady that needs a man to walk her to the car”
Surprisingly, at that moment, I had no strength for such words, I was still ruminating on the peaceful handshake.
I simply nodded.
The restaurant staff drove my car towards where I stood with Reuben breathing down my back.
“Thanks” I said rushing into my car and speeding off.
The ride home was me checking my hand over and over and reliving that moment. I had never felt that kind of peace in my life. Tears started flowing down my cheeks. I couldn’t tell why I was crying, but I knew I had touched something I had never touched before.
War, Conflict, Rebellion had always been my air, my fuel, it was just the way I had been wired.
To oppose things was just my oxygen, but my shaking Reuben did a number of things to me.
I felt naked, I felt condemned, I felt wrong, I felt there was a better life than the one I was living.
And…
I felt Peace or better put, a yearning for Peace from his hands…
To be continued
