I Wish I Had Held Back – Episode 7
REAL LIFE LOVE STORY by POP FLAIR – Episode 7
A week passed and I didn’t hear from Tope,
as I suspected. I knew she must have taken
the decision to stay aloof, it must have been
very hard on her. I had no option than to
move on and face the reality before me.
Through my mom’s connection, I was able to
secure a very profitable job in one of the
biggest oil companies in Nigeria, in just 3
weeks after my youth service. The company
made arrangements for me to travel to the
U.S for a 10 months managerial course. I only
wished I could tell the good news to Tope,
but there was no means, she didn’t have a
phone, she wasn’t on social media and not
even an email account,
Few days later I traveled to Texas, U.S. It
was a wonderful learning experience and I
was well taken care of. I met people from
different parts of the world and I had a great
time. At the end of the exercise, I returned
back to Nigeria and the following day I was
assigned to the position of an assistant
manager. I had my own office and desk, it
was too good to be true. My salary was
wow!! My life was beautiful.
After 3 months of working I was able to
acquire a brand new car. I could afford any
luxury that I wanted. My fashion changed, I
got lots of cool natives and suits, expensive
wrist watches, perfumes… I didn’t know how
to spend my money, every month it kept on
growing in numbers and since I wasn’t really
an out going type with only few friends I had
a huge savings.
A former course mate at the University was
having a wedding. I was invited and I felt it
was a very good opportunity for me to meet
up with good old friends. I came late for the
church wedding so I took a back seat and
shortly after the church ceremony ended and
we all dispersed to the reception not too far
away.
At the reception I took a secluded seat. I
never really liked to mingle and I decided to
just observe from a distance. I saw lots of
old faces that made me smile. It was really
good seeing their happy faces again. But a
face I would never forget was Ella’s. I had a
major crush on Ella for 2 sessions and a
semester, until she and Osas started dating
shortly before we all graduated. Ella never
reciprocated the feelings and it was difficult
to open up to her. She’s a beautiful fair
skinned lady and very decent. She was into
crafts: She made beads, shoes, bags and
cloths. She carved out a name for herself on
campus.
I was so pleased to see everyone smiling and
having a good time. I was busy with my
phone and next thing, I looked up and I saw
Ella coming my way. My heart beat began to
accelerate faster as she approached me. She
had a smile on and I knew I was in trouble.
She pulled out a seat on my table and sat
down, she then said. “Look who we have
here… Mr Loner. You haven’t really changed
have you?”
I said. “Hi Ella, so good to see you.”
She then said. “Thomas, o Thomas. The guy I
liked so much but never had the balls to walk
up to me.”
I said. “Wait…You don’t mean it.”
She said. “You never knew I liked you? Why
did you think I was always in your class
hanging with Chioma?”
I then said. “Oh my God… But you ended up
dating Osas now?”
She then said. “You are pathetic Thomas. If
you knew how long I came around your class
hoping you would act. You know, I knew you
have always been serious minded, focused
and very dedicated. You were not just man
enough.”
I then said to her. “Are you still with Osas?”
She said. “Osas and I broke up during service
year, he wasn’t serious at all.”
I the said. “Is it too late, Ella?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Thomas,
you are still pathetic. You haven’t changed
but it’s still cute though.”
I then asked her. “How about your craft
business?”
She said. “It’s doing well, I use my house for
now but I really need a place because
sometimes I get large orders and no space
to work. I am thinking of getting a job so I
can save up to get a place for my business.”
I then said. “Okay…. Ella, I know I messed up
in the past. I am sorry about that, I was very
shy and immature. I have really changed,
trust me on this. I have always admired you,
always patronize your crafts even though I
never needed them. If there’s nobody you are
seeing, please consider me. I am begging
you.”
She then said. “Aww… How sweet. you know
what? Let me have your number. Meanwhile,
lets go meet up with our friends over there.”
I then gave her my business card and she
was like. “Wow!! Thomas, you here. I have
always known you were special.”
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