𝓛𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓼

Omoh and I spent the afternoon at home watching 'Into the Badlands' with a bowl of popcorn in between us. She turns to me at the end of the seventh episode of the first season and affirms, "I believe you haven't told him yet." Picking up the remote control, she turns down the volume of the television.
 

“Told him what?” I ask as if unacquainted with what she’s talking about.

 
“Eno!” She calls out.

 
“What?”

 
“You know he has the right to know.” She declares this with a worried look on her pretty face.
 

My concerns are not too dissimilar from Omoh's. I've been up all night figuring out how to effectively bring this up with Wale. My thoughts were disturbed, and I still get really scared of losing him if he doesn't accept my daughter. Since I started dating again, I've found myself in this kind of predicament, and I don't have the strength to deal with it this time.
 

“I know, and I will tell him.” I inform her, “I plan on telling him tonight."
 

“You are going on a date with him tonight, and you are supposed to meet his sister too. When will you have the time to tell him?”

 
Omoh is right; I may not have the time to tell him. I might be carried away; who knows? I don’t know how to answer her question; I just need to ponder how to create the right opportunity.

 
“Why haven’t you told him before now?” She asks again.
 

I return my gaze to Omoh. “I wanted to be sure. I don’t want to bring another man into my daughter’s life and then watch him leave.”
 

She removes the bowl of popcorn from between us and places it on the center table before moving closer to me. “Is Wale anything like Chidi or any of your past boyfriends?” She inquires.
 

“No.” I answer truthfully.

 
“Then how come it was easy to tell them everything about you, including Ubong and Unwana, and not tell it to Wale?” She demands it again.
 

“I learned my lesson.” I reply, resting my forehead on my palm.
 

“And you chose to apply your correction to the wrong guy in this case.” She whispers disappointedly.
 

I sigh, and I take Omoh’s hands. “I understand your fears, Omoh, and I promise you, I will tell him tonight.” I smile, cheering her up. This is what I've decided to do, and God help me, I intend to accomplish that tonight.

 
“If you say so.” She proclaims it with a little smile on her face.

 
Shortly after, we hear a faint knock on my door, which surprises me. I rarely have any visitors, so I get curious about who this person might be.
 

“Are you expecting anyone?” I hear Omoh ask me.

 
“No.” I reply, heading towards the door.

 
I unlock the door's bolt and turn the knob open. A delivery man dressed in a red polo neatly tucked into blue denim stands at my door, holding a package.

 
“Good afternoon, ma.” The delivery man greets me.
 

“Afternoon.” I reply, stun.
 

“Are you Miss Eno-Obong Ekanem?” He asks politely.
 

“Yes.” I reply, impressed at how accurately he pronounced my name.
 

“Please sign here.” He instructed, bringing out a book and handing me a pen.

 
I placed the book in the box he held and signed it.
 

“Thank you.” He nods with a smile, handing the parcel to me.

 
I collect it and walk into the house, closing the door behind me. Omoh, rush to where I am.
 

“I that from—” She paused, her eyes on me, then the box.
 

“I think it is.” I reply, smiling widely and knowing who she's referring to.
 

“What are you waiting for? Rip it open!” She exclaims.

 
I carry the box to the table in the living room and open it while Omoh watches. Inside, there is a shimmery silver dress and a card laying inside the box.
 

I take out the card, open it, and just like in my fantasy dream, there is a white rose flower fastened in the middle of the card. I leave Omoh to continue ogling the dress as I take the card to the couch.
 

“I can’t wait to see you in this dress. Pick you up by 6. I love you.” I read.
 

“Awwwww!” Omoh, that sounds heart-struck. “How romantic. And you dare compare him with those losers?” She twists her mouth to form an expression of disgust.

 
"Babe," I call.

 
“What?” She yells playfully. “At least now, you don’t have to wear that ugly dress you plan on wearing.”
 

There is a dress I purchased last month to wear to a church event, which was later cancelled. “That ugly dress is quite expensive.” I tell her, carrying the box from the table into my room as Omoh follows behind me.
 

“But not as expensive as this one.” She mocks.

 
“Ha, ha, very funny.”

 
“I’m just saying." She helps me push the door to my room open, and we both step in.

 
“How is Uche?” I ask, dropping the box on my bed and straightening the dress on the bed.

 
“He’s fine, guess what?” She announces it excitedly, dragging out a stool close to the dresser to sit on.

 
“What?”

 
“Guess na.” She yells again.

 
“You are pregnant.” I eventually try to guess. I mean, that is the only thing I could think of.
 

“Is that the news you want to hear?” She asked disappointedly.
 

“It is good news, isn’t it?” I voiced it with a smile. Or maybe this is not the right joke. But how can she blame me? I'm not good at guessing.
 

"Whatever." She sways her shoulders and shakes her left arm sassily. "I'm traveling with Uche to South Africa next weekend!" Omoh declares in raw excitement.
 

“Oh, my!” I jump up, dancing around the room, holding her hands. “I’ve always wished to visit that country; I’m happy for you."

 
“Thank you.” Omoh replies, “We need to get you ready."

 
“Ok, let me shower.” I leave her in the room and walk into the bathroom.
 

The ride to Victoria Island was smooth and romantic; I enjoyed every bit of it. I may have a cheap sense of romance, but with Wale, every moment is romantic.

 
The quiet hum of the car is accompanied by laughter as we drive along, mixing effortlessly with the gentle evening wind.

 
When we arrive at our location, he opens the car door smoothly, exposing a wonderland decked with dazzling lights. He extends his hand with a kind grin, bringing me into a world where every touch seemed like a promise and the evening unfurled like an affectionate tale etched in the stars.
 

I'm not surprised to find such an exquisite restaurant in the heart of Victoria Island that serves as a beacon of refinement.

 
Its exterior is illuminated by soothing ambient lighting, displaying a blend of modern architecture and exquisite elegance. Towering glass windows with magnificent drapery allowed eyes into the realm of luxurious dining.

 
The opulent entryway, flanked by polished brass items, welcomes visitors to a sense of richness, and the perfectly maintained gardens and delicate external design provide a touch of luxury to this culinary heaven.

 
Together, we walk towards the door, and it electronically opens up.
 

As we make our way to our table, he anchors his hand, and I wrap mine around it. The restaurant is, in fact, the most sophisticated place I've ever seen; in fact, I don't even know what most of the items I see here are called. In an attempt to save face, I hold on to Wale as he leads.
 

We are walking slowly when I notice a woman in a gorgeous black dress waving at us, and next to her is a handsome man dressed in a dark suit.
 

“That must be his sister.” I speak inwardly as I watch him smile and wave back at her.
 

We advance forward to where they are, and only then do I realize as I look intently at her.
 

“OH MY GOD!” I exclaim.

1352 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖘