Hi steemit bloggers im back again with the continuation of our fiction.
EPISODE 3
Five months had passed since they had started dating, so many days
had rolled by, but it seemed like yesterday. He could remember
everything that transpired on that Wednesday evening, how he
proposed, the expression registered on Helen’s face.“How time flies” he
muttered.
Their relationship had escalated beyond their expectation. Just five
months, and he was tagged brother-in- law by Helen’s sibling, his sibling
and Helen’s sibling had become friends, he was loved by Helen’s parent
and afolabi’s mother felt Helen was the right woman for him, a wife
material. The relationship was a perfect relationship, the bond was so
strong between them and they appeared inseparable. His NYSC call up
letter was in his hands, it was delivered to him the previous day.
He was to go and serve in Abuja, and he has to leave for Abuja in three
weeks’ time. It was a good news, but he wasn’t happy, this was because
his going to leave Helen behind, he would really miss her, only if he had
an option, but here, he had no choice, this was a necessary evil.He was in
an apprehensive state; he kept on welcoming and dismissing different
kinds of thoughts, both the rational and the inappropriate ones. as he
dismissed one, another would rush in, trying to prove it superiority, his
mind was very busy. “Is she going to forget about me if she meets
another handsome guy?”, “is the love we share going to dwindle”,”
would the dream of marrying her become a pipe dream?”
“Perhaps this distance would make our love stronger”, “what if I lost
contact with her” he considered these possibilities. “Afolabi, Afolabioo!
Afolabi!” His mum called out his name “yes mum” he finally answered
“didn’t you hear me calling you” his mum said angrily ” am sorry mum, I
was sleeping “he lied “I would be right back, I just quickly want to get
something from the mall, take care” she said.
The next day afolabi had already made up his mind to break this news
to Helen. He was going to lay all on the table even if it was going to
hurt her.At noon he headed for Helen’s home, the reception he receive
was cool as usual, he feign a bright countenance, and deterred the
sadness in him from becoming conspicuous. As he got into Helen’s living
room, Helen’s younger brother shouted his name with excitement “uncle
afolabi!”
Afolabi managed to toss a smile his way. The little boy asked “uncle
afolabi didn’t you bring something for me today?”It has become a
custom for afolabi to get something for Helen’s siblings anytime he
paid them a visit, but this time, it had slipped his mind, he had been
worried about his relationship with Helen “oh, am so sorry, I forgot, but
don’t worry I would get something for you before I take my leave”
afolabi replied. The boy was pleased with the response.
Subsequently, after they had chatted for a while, Helen noticed he
wasn’t happy and asked him why, he then disclose the news to
Helen.Helen was happy for him, but she was also very sad,she is going to
miss her companion greatly, but it was very necessary. Tears started to
well up in her eyes, but she did her best to keep it from flowing. The
day for afolabi departure finally came, he packed the necessary things
and headed to the bus park, Helen had assisted him in parking, they
were both in the park in warm embrace both had tears in their eyes.
They couldn’t believe they would separate for so long, his service is for
a year and she was in her final year in unilag. It was going to take a
long while for them to be together permanently in lagos.The immediate
future didn’t look exciting, but of course it was necessary. They
hugged, cried, kissed and wouldn’t let go of each other until the chisco
bus started to move; he ran up, caught it and went in. He kept looking
back at her, she was at the same spot too sad and too lonely to wave. It
was a painful but necessary departure.
He reached Abuja, a new environment, he didn’t take time to adapt to
the new environment. It was a serene place where everyman minds his
own business. He was in Abuja but part of him was in Lagos. Not a single
day had passed that he didn’t think of Helen.
He hoped Helen also thought of him like that too. He would save his
allowances and travel down to Lagos when any holiday presents itself.
He wouldn't even consider the long distance, money and the stress of
going to Lagos, the sheer thought of seeing Helen made those factors
nothing.He was usually excited when a holiday was declared, he would
pack up and off he goes to Lagos, he would buy gifts for Helen and her
siblings.He had no eye for any other girl but Helen. The love was really
strong.
Author - TOSIN OYETAYO
