Just for Wedding's Sake - Complete Episode 4

“Most times, lack of understanding could ruin a beautiful relationship. One can say something with a particular perception while another can bear a different conception of that same thing. Hard as it may be to accept, written messages often deviate the content it tries to convey in the mind of others…but for spoken words, the reverse somehow may be the case.” Quote by Ann

Just when Nabel thought she has found all she ever wanted in Danny, this particular issue always surfaced. At several times in their relationship, he had relied on his parents to makes most of the decisions that concerns them. She had tried to make him understand how much she detest that but it has remained the same. Hence, the time around, she could take it no more…let’s find out…

Six months has gone since Danny moved to the capital territory. Everything has been moving fine and our phone communication has definitely improved. Especially at night, we could stay on calls talking nonstop until anyone of us falls asleep. In his absence, I visited his family once which made it my second visit. Though I found it bit uncomfortable, I was able to summon the courage and not only that, I wouldn’t have dared if Danny had not requested. Mrs. Clinton was down with fever and was placed on bed rest by their family doctor who insisted that she required enough rest to be able to recover fast. 

“Oh Nabel, how thoughtful of you to have come around. You are welcome my daughter.” She managed a wry smile as I greeted her.  “How do you feel now mother?” I inquired and returned the smile while I drew closer to her bed. “Not too bad my dear. Come sit by me, your presence would make things a lot better.” She coughed. I sat beside, held her hand and watched her till she fell asleep. During my previous visit, Mrs. Clinton had told me to feel at home anytime I come around. So while she was asleep, I went in search of Tricia. I checked the sitting room but she was not there. I was contemplating on whether or not to try her room when I heard a sound. I jolted, took some step forward toward the direction of the sound and then pause.

“What’s that? Is everything ok?” I asked, unsure of the source of the sound. Hearing no response, I boldly moved closer and finally emerged into the kitchen. There she was staring so sad at the glass plate on the floor. “What’s the matter Tricia?” I inquired but she didn’t response. I guessed she was a bit angered. “Are you hurt?” I asked as I rushed towards her. “No, am fine. It’s just…just…” She pointed at the floor. She had wanted to collect a ceramic plate from the cupboard above her when a glass plate slipped. So she dropped the former in a bid to get hold of the glass one but she missed both and then came the sound. Luckily, there were no breakage.

I picked the two plates, replaced the glass one while I kept the other on the large table at the center of the kitchen. There were potatoes, cabbage, garlic, olive oil, onions and few others on the table. “What are you going to make?” I asked her, collecting a knife. “Cabbage. Mum doesn’t want anything but this.” She replied. “So, how did you learn to cook soup?” I was curious. “Mum taught me.” She replied. I knew she was too tender for that but I guess she must be very smart to have learn so fast. This time, she took a stool, climbed it and brought another knife. I was amused that she was acting like a grown up but I tried not to show it.

“Don’t worry, just watch on while I take care of the cooking.” I said and began peeling the potatoes. “Thanks, but let me handle the garlic.” She requested and I just shrugged. Meanwhile, I washed the potatoes, caught them and put them in a pot. Tricia added some water, and placed the pot on the gas cooker. I washed the cabbage too, sliced it and the rest followed. In less than fifteen minutes and with Tricia’s help, the soup was ready. As Tricia dished some and took to her mother’s room, I cleared the unattended plates in the sink. Tricia came back to the kitchen and helped me rinse the plates…they were really a whole lots.

“How long has mother been like this?” I asked her. “For almost a week. But she is better now than she was few days ago. I was scared.” She replied. “Oh poor you! Don’t worry, mother will soon be alright. She just needed sufficient rest and…that’s it.” I assured her, making sure to use the right wording so as not to pull tears from her. I later learnt from her that her elder sister, Joyce travelled out of the country on vacation with her husband while Oliver, her immediate elder brother had gone back to his new school where he was admitted to study Quantity Survey. “Oh it’s a pity.” I almost thought aloud sensing how hard it must have been for the poor girl since their father was yet to return from his business trip.

By the time I checked Mrs. Clinton room, she had already finished consuming her plate of soup. “Nabel, thank you very much for the soup.” She appreciated when I entered the room. “Welcome. It was actually Tricia and I that prepared it. She is learning very fast.” I complimented. As nightfall approached, I was deeply concerned on the right way to announce my departure to them but fortunately the doorbell rang and it was Mr. Clinton. I assumed he must have been informed of his wife ailment but then I was very much relieve for his arrival since I had no intention of spending the night there…I was least prepared. After exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Clinton, he offered to drive me home and though I tried to decline his wife insisted. I bade them good night as Tricia hugged me tightly. “Don’t hesitate to call me anytime you need my help.” I whispered to her ear and she nodded and I left.

Back to school, normal semester activities were taking place. We were in the middle of the semester and our practical courses had kept us in the laboratory for so long. In one of those cases, we had just finished our practical on networking and were waiting for our group leader to combine our individual report for collective submission, when all of a sudden my phone rang. “Are you busy?” came the unidentifiable caller. “Not exactly, but who is on the line?” I asked coldly. “You will soon find out. Where are you now? I would like to meet you.” The caller replied. “Well, not until you disclose your identity.” I insisted. “Nabel, it is me, Kaleb.” The voice from the other end replied but I noticed a change of voice. Kaleb was my high school classmate but I got admission earlier before him. At the beginning of the semester, I stumbled on him when he came for registration and scrutiny. He had informed me he just got admitted into engineering department. “Oh Kaleb! Why would you want to see me? Anyways, am in computer lab right now. You got to hurry up so you won’t miss me.” I said at last, directed him and then dropped the call.

We were not yet done with our group task when Kaleb called to let me he was outside the laboratory. I excused myself from our leader and went to meet him. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I came outside. It was Nathan, my high school crush. He was somehow my first love, a relationship that was so natural to have existed. He was the chaplain prefect back then while I was his assistant. We both knew that we felt something innocent for each other but our title in school gave us strong restriction – we tried to lead by example. However, after graduation, he had called to pour out his feeling, then bearing in mind he no more had obligation to protect. Soon after that declaration of love, he told me he was going to reside with a far distanced relation due to his parent demise in a ghastly accident. After that, I never got to hear from him again until now, here he was standing before me, looking more handsome and gently than ever.

“You have grown into a very charming lady Nable…more than ever.” He complimented and we hugged. “What about you? You are now a big man!” I laughed. “So Kaleb, this was your little secret eh?” I clowned at him and we all laughed. “So what are you doing in our school? Kaleb never told me you were admitted here.” I was inquisitive. “Well, I wasn’t. After a very long time, I retrieved Kaleb’ contacted him and was surprised when he told me you both are in same institution. So, you can figure the rest of the story yourself.” He concluded and we all laughed again. “So what’s your schedule for the rest of today? Are you free?” Kaleb inquired. “You guys must have planned it because I just finished all I have for today. Just wait a minute.” I said and hurried into the laboratory. I informed my group leader of my intention to leave since I have submitted my own report and he obliged. I picked my school bag and left with them. 

On our way, Kaleb suggested the school cafeteria and asked if I wouldn’t mind and I affirmed. “Nathan, I don’t mean to draw you backward, but believe me, I’m really sorry for what happened…I mean your parents. I tried to get across to you with the contact you gave me to no avail.” I sympathized. “It’s okay. I have long moved on with my life.” He was positive. “Where have you been all these years? When did you arrived here and how long are you planning to stay?” I was very curious, asking him so many questions while Kaleb went to place our orders. All these he provided the answers cheerfully. We all talked at length until they were ready to go but not without Nathan calling me aside.

“Nabel, can I see you again and how?” He couldn’t take his gaze off me. He looked very attractive but I tried to be indifferent. “I…I don’t know. Aren’t you planning to travel soon? ” I asked. He had told me he will stay a day or two with Kaleb since it was weekend. “I am no longer with my uncle. I’m now independently living alone in this state and I work too.” He explained. “Really? That’s splendid!…But I was least expecting to see you.” I was short of words. “Don’t you care about me anymore? Look, my feelings for you has never changed. You know back then in high school, we were…” I couldn’t let him finish. I didn’t want to remember the feelings I suppressed because of the title we bore then. “I’m sorry to disappoint you Nath. Things are different now. I have someone now and moreover I never knew you are gonna come back…I couldn’t have waited for uncertainty.” I said calmly, trying not to sound rude. “I hope you understand Nath.” I was observing the change in his expression and felt pity for him but at the same time, I couldn’t help it.

“You are right but I couldn’t have forgot you so soon. He must be lucky…the new guy. Does he treat you right? Do you love him? Disappointment was written all over his face. Perhaps, he had expected to meet me still waiting for him. But we never had a deal after all, just like Danny and I had before he left to Capitol. “Yes he does and I love him.” I was very firm with my response. As they were leaving, Nathan was not as excited as he was few hours ago and by our looks, Kaleb could tell things didn’t work out fine between us. I bade them good bye and entered my hostel which was situated within the Campus premises. 

That night, I thought about Nathan, about our high school and above all, about what he might be thinking that moment. Right within me, I knew I felt a slight attraction towards him but then Danny was the present. So immediately, I switched my thought towards Danny and wondered if he was alright. As though he too was thinking about me, my phone rang and it was Danny. After our usual greetings he said he has something to tell me. I thought perhaps, he wants to tell me that he would finally be visiting as he had been procrastinating but I was wrong.

“Nabel, you see after what you did when mother was sick, my whole family now acknowledged you and has given their full consent for us to take our relationship to the next level.” He started but I wasn’t surprised, the reason I don’t know myself. “So what are you insinuating?” I asked him without any slightest excitement. “Marry me Nabel. Mother said we should proceed with the wedding as soon as possible.” He said. “So why the rush. Are you ready to take care of a family now? Are you ready for a full commitment?” I interrogated him. “”I can come home soon for us to prepare for the ceremony.” He answered and that was it, I flared up. “You need not worry about that. My family stays closer to you and they will always take care of you while I’m away.” He replied. “I get it! It’s always about your family this and that. You want to marry me and abandon me here all by myself…at the mercy of your family uh? It doesn’t seem like you know what you want and the right time you want it. Like I said before, I ain’t ready yet but if you are so desperate, then I’m sorry I can’t be of help.” I retorted and immediately he angrily dropped the call.  That was his second proposal or better still and it was all messed up.

For more than a month, we didn’t communicate. He failed to call and I was carefree. Gradually, the space he occupied in my heart began to close up. When he finally called, our discussion was very brief and from then henceforth we often quarrel over mere issues. When I couldn’t continue pretending, I informed him I wants to take a break and that was it…it was over!

End of Episode 4….Watch out for Episode 5…