Tiara’s P.O.V

The silence was deafening and loud. I noticed and heard every little thing, which included the sound of my breath.

The clicking of the cutleries against the plates was not loud, but I could hear it very well.

This was all Daniel’s idea of moving forward. No one had expected him to reserve a table and invite us all for all – all, including Tobi. Yes, Tobi.

Earlier in the day, he had come to my room to invite me to this surprising dinner. I had spent hours trying to look for the best outfit. I mean, it was our first official date. I had gone all out of my way to look for the best dress among the few dresses I had brought with me for the little vacation.

Imagine my surprise when Tobi and Fikkie came in - hand in hand. They looked like the perfect couple, those usually in front of the magazine cover. Yet, all I had done was hold my chair tighter while pinching Daniel. “What’s going on?”

He smiled as if it was any normal occasion, “I think we all need to move forward.”

And thus, four of us sat awkwardly opposite each other staring at the food we had ordered – or more like, Daniel had ordered for us all, when no one responded to the waiter.

Daniel cleared his throat, “I know this is not what any of us were expecting.”

“I wasn’t even expecting to be here.” Tobi muttered. I found his gaze, and for some seconds, it felt as if he was still judging me in his seat. When he refused to look away, I sighed and looked away. I wasn’t going to go to the judging lane.

Daniel didn’t comment on his response because he was loud enough for everyone to hear him.

“First, the situation we all found ourselves in is unexpected. But when it comes to matter of the heart, no one could really control it. I won’t go into long sermon and preaching. But, we can’t keep being awkward to each other forever, and we can’t avoid each other forever. The best we can do is to accept this and move on.”

A loud hiss made heads turn our way. I watched Tobi drop his spoon finally. He wasn’t even going to pretend he was eating anymore. “For someone who stole someone else’s girlfriend. You’ve so much confidence.”

I dropped my spoon and sighed. This was one of the reasons I knew this was a bad idea, especially in a public area. I watched Fikkie hold him, and that made him keep quiet. It seemed they had come to understand each other a bit in those few days.

Daniel nodded, “Fine. I snatched your girlfriend. But, guy, it happens. If she truly loves you that deeply, I wouldn’t have snatched her. It just shows that they were some holes in your relationship. Even if I hadn’t snatched her, there was a possibility of you guys having problems in the future. In some way, I kind of help you out of future problems.”

I stared speechlessly at Daniel but couldn’t utter a word.

Tobi turned to Fikkie, “I told you I hate this guy.”

“Calm down. He’s my brother, and I know he didn’t mean it as an insult. His tone just usually comes out like that.”
Out of all of us, she seemed to be the only one who could continue her meal and even sipped her drink like all this arrangement wasn’t awkward to her.

“I think Daniel is right. We can’t keep on hating each other. Whatever has happened, has happened. We all need to move on like he said we can’t keep avoiding each other.”

No one responded. The rest of the dinner was somewhat civil, and everyone ate their meals without killing the other person. Tobi didn’t bother to glance at me, and I was just glad for that.

After that day, things were a bit better between us. We don’t look at each other with hatred, and we mind each other business. Fikkie started her wedding plans program too, and some of Tobi’s friend arrived for the party –I was surprised at how they could create time to attend the party on such a short notice, but it seemed nothing is impossible with enough money.

The happy part was that my feelings for Daniel kept growing, and I haven’t for once regretted picking him. He made sure I didn’t have a reason to regret picking him.

“So, what do you plan to do after the wedding?”
L
He paused as if he was lost in thoughts, “I will relocate to Lagos.”

I was laying on the bed when I asked him the question. Immediately, I sat up. “Really!”

He nodded; a ghost of smile appeared on his lips, enhancing his child like charm.

“I think I am ready to settle down now. I’ve finally found the one for me.”