That same day, I proposed to Faridah, we both went on a date to 'Lac de créteil' where we sat at the edge of the lake watching the sunset. I have been waiting for this day. But not going exactly the way I planned it.

Right after an unsuccessful French food tasting, I proposed we take a walk on the covered bridge set piece. We got to the middle of the bridge, Ed Sheeran's perfect was playing from a distance.

"I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight
Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight........"

I turned around, dropped down to one knee, with ring in my hand and said "Faridah, will you marry me?"

"OMG!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!" Faridah answered, jumping up and down.

She answered with a yes! in the most magical place in the world.
My joy knew no bounds knowing fully well that it was Faridah and I against the whole world.

   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A tightening sensation gripped my throat like a lump was in it. When I told Faridah that my mom is sick and I had to leave for Nigeria as soon as possible. I had received a distress call from Nigeria that my mother is terribly sick, the CEO, Dr Oyedeji sent for me as well and I had to report immediately too.

I could see her struggling, letting the tears dry in her eyes trying not to cry in front of me the same way I was doing. After all, we've been in France together for almost three months. Now, I had to go alone. I wish I could stay and complete the four months seminar with my colleagues. I wish I could stay a little longer with Faridah. I wish I could turn back the time to when we used to spend the whole day together and never apart.

"Will you come back to France before the seminar ends?" Faridah asked.

"Uhm.... I don't know. I really don't know if I'll come back." I gave an old reply as expected.

After few minutes, the driver, Mr Raphael arrived and it was time to say goodbye to Faridah. The lump in my throat was seriously chocking me but somehow, I managed to say "I'll text you when I get to Nigeria." And she nodded in reply with tears in her eyes and a fake smile on her lips just to show me she was okay with that. She didn't even let a single drop of tear fall from her eyes before she left but I knew she was going to cry badly when she gets back to her room. I left with a hope that I'll come back to France before the end of the seminar.

I got back to Nigeria around 11pm and my driver was already at the airport to pick me up. I sent a text message to Faridah instantly telling her about my arrival in Nigeria.

The next morning, I went to visit my mother at the hospital where she was admitted before reporting to my place of work.

I opened the door of the ward carefully not wanting to wake my mother up. I went to the chair next to her bed and sat there quietly. I looked at my sleeping mother, she had lost lots of weight due to her condition. My heart ached at the sight of her and tears threatened to fall off but I brushed them off. I don't want to be seen crying so as not to make my mother feel bad. I must be there for her as a pillar of support like she had always been to me. I tried to touch her but ended up waking her up.

"Sorry Mom. I don't intend to disturb your sleep." I said apologetically and she smiled faintly.

"Ah, Oluwatimileyin temi nikan, oko mi Alabi. Omo Ibadan mesi Ogo, nile Oluyole.
Ilu Ogunmola, olodogbo keri loju ogun.
Ilu Ibikunle alagbala jaya-jaya.
Ilu Ajayi, o gbori Efon se filafila.
Ilu Latosa, Aare-ona kakanfo.

Ibadan Omo ajoro sun,
Omo a je Igbin yoo, fi ikarahun fo ri mu.
Ibadan maja-maja bii tojo kin-in-ni,
eyi too ja aladuugbo gbogbo logun,
Ibadan ki ba ni s’ore ai mu ni lo s’ogun.
Ibadan Kure! Ibadan beere ki o too wo o,
Ni bi olè gbe n jare olohun.
B’Ibadan ti n gbonile bee lo n gba Ajoji;
Eleyele lomi ti teru-tomo ‘Layipo n mu,
Asejire lomi abumu-buwe nile Ibadan.
A ki waye ka maa larun kan lara,
Ija igboro larun Ibadan." She hailed me, sadness was evident in her voice.

"How are you feeling now maami?"

"I'm fine, but I really miss you sweetheart. You are all I've got." She said emotionally and I hugged her.

I shouldn't have woke her up because I don't like seeing her sad.

"Everything will be fine maami. I'll do everything to make you feel better." I promised her. She pulled away from our embrace and touched my cheecks in a tender way.

"Oluwatimileyin" she called as I made to leave for the doctor's office. "Please, don't fight with anybody. Do things the proper way." She reminded me and kissed my hands.

"Yes maami. I won't fight anyone." I promised.

I went to the Doctor's office to find out about my mom's nature of illness. I was surprised to know that the doctor taking care of my mother was my best friend during University days.

"Ayokanmi" i shouted as I set my eyes on her.

"Timileyin!?" Ayokanmi said adjusting her glass. She ran towards me and gave me a tight hug regardless of the medical rules she had to follow.

"Longest time baby.... Uhm what are you doing here?" Ayokanmi asked looking quite confused.

"Uhm.... I actually came to check up on my Mother. She was admitted here and i just came back from France last night." I answered looking all depressed.

"C'mon Timmy, you're a big man now. You don't need that. Big boys don't cry" Ayokanmi winked as she pats my back. "She'll be fine" she assured me.

Ayokanmi and I were separated by distance. Yeah, by a very long distance. Our lives have completely changed after University. In University, we were used to kissing each other thousands of times in a day, hold hands and walk the whole of skyway and walkway together. Though we weren't perfect for each other and of course, nothing was common between us. She always prefer purple while I prefer red. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth while I was living in financial crisis with a single mother. Ayokanmi was the most beautiful and sophisticated girl in the Faculty of Life Sciences and I couldn't even dress up properly then.

She wasn't my type cos of her high class neither was I her type too. Ayokanmi was a Muslim and believed only in Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W). I was a Christian and believed only in Jesus Christ yet we were still together and spent every moment together, shared every thoughts, memories, problems, jokes, pain and thousand of kisses with smile on our lips and happiness in our hearts.

We fought like badasses too but never left each other even for a minute. Yes, there was something common between us, a common desire which is to be successful in life. But now, it's been years since we part ways after graduating from University of ilorin.