So, This is Love? Episode 17 – Judith Onyoyibo
I was getting prepared for my introduction when it occurred to me I haven’t told Lisa and Sandra yet.
“They must be really mad at me. I didn’t even attend Sandra’s wedding”. I said. I grabbed my phone from my purse.
I decided to call Lisa first, since I’m more closer to her.
She didn’t take my calls.
“She must be busy. This is so unlike her, she’ll call back when she’s free”. I said to myself.
Stephen and I went to the market to get a lace we’d both use in sewing what we’d wear on the day of the introduction.
It wasn’t easy at all. I was completely exhausted. I left Stephen to do the talking and bargaining all alone.
We moved from shop to shop all in my quest to get the very best.
We finally saw a very psychedelic silver lace. It had some touch of golds (color) on it.
When the seller told us the price, I quickly dropped it.
“I thought you loved it? Why did you drop it?”. Stephen asked.
“Babes, this is so expensive. Why should we spend over four hundred thousand naira just on buying lace. It’s not even for our traditional marriage ceremony. Let’s go for something more affordable”. I insisted.
Stephen started laughing.
“Wife material 1000 yards”. He teased.
“I’m not joking o. If we spend 400k now, that means we’d spend over a million naira for the one we’d use for our traditional marriage”. I pouted.
“Worry not my Queen. The Lord will definitely provide for us according to His riches in glory”. He assured.
“You really want to buy it?”. I asked.
“Why not? I know you love it”. He turned to the seller and asked her to send him her account details.
“Well, it’s not my money “. I said and hungrily gulped down a very chilled hollandia yoghurt down my throat.
“It’s our money”. He said smiling.
We bought other things in the market. On our way home, Stephen dropped me at my Tailor’s before driving to his.
When I was done with my tailor, I took a bike home.
I dived on my bed when I got home. My whole body ached badly.
“Wait o, Lisa didn’t call back. What could be the problem?”. I wondered.
I picked up my phone and redialed her number.
She finally took my call at the second trial.
“Why are you calling me Janet?”. She fired at me.
“I’m really sorry babe.. I wasn’t in a good…”. I tried explaining.
“That’s how you are Janet! You are a very selfish person. You are never there for others. You only care about yourself and your moods”. Lisa flared.
“I’m really sorry… I really am”. I stuttered.
Lisa cleared her throat which was followed by a long pause.
“So, why did you call?”. She asked.
“Hmmm… Ehh… Actually, I….”. I stammered.
“Let me guess, you want to celebrate something right?”. Lisa inferred.
“Something like that”. I said almost in a whisper.
“I know! Let me guess, you want to invite me”.
I didn’t say anything.
“You are so thoughtless and egocentric Janet. Do you even know I lost my child?”. She asked.
I screamed.
“Jesus Christ!!”.
“Yeah! You weren’t there for me. I have always been there for you in all your ups and downs. You know na but whenever I need you, you are never there. Well, I wish you well in whatever you are celebrating. Please don’t call to invite me because I’m not interested “. Lisa said.
My heart was shattered.
“Babe I didn’t know honestly”. I said tearily.
“Not when you completely shut everyone off. Well, enjoy yourself. I have to go now”. She said and ended the call.
I couldn’t remove the phone from my ear. I sat frozen.
“Oh my poor Lisa. I no longer know anything about my friend 😭”.
I tried calling Sandra but I realized I wasn’t having her Nigerian line.
I was consumed by self resentment.
I decided to call Stephen because he’s the only one who could make me feel better.
Truly, he did make me feel better. He told me I was in the wrong for completely shutting my friends out even when they were willing to help me but I shouldn’t resent myself because I only acted based on what I felt was right.
He encouraged me to keep on calling her and also give her time to heal and forgive me.
After speaking with Stephen, I became really calm and collected.
It was night, then it was morning and then, it was the day of my introduction.
To be continued.
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