CHAPTER THREE
It was in the evening, the sun sets to rest, casting a warm and golden hue over the city of Abuja as I made my way to the luxurious hotel where I was to meet my beloved Christabel. My heart could feel beating; pumping blood like the wave of an ocean, beating with anticipation and each step bringing me closer to the moment I had been waiting for. I had meticulously and technically planned every detail of this evening meeting with Christabel, from the elegant setting to the delicious food that was going to be served to us. The company of the woman who had captured my heart and soul got me to plan a lot.
As I walked into the grand lobby of the hotel, my eyes scanned the room, eagerly searching for her familiar face. I could feel the excitement building up inside me, tinged with a touch of nervousness. After all, this was not just any date, but rather a special occasion for me to celebrate our meeting again and the beautiful journey we had shared together.
As my eyes could go viral for a search , I spotted her, standing by the fireplace in a gorgeous crimson dress that accentuated her curves. Her hair was cascading down her shoulders in soft waves, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and love. My heart skipped a beat as I took in her beauty, her mere presence filling me with a sense of joy and contentment.
I approached her and I observed a smile spread across her lips and she took my hand in hers, the warmth of her touch seeping into my very being leaving my soul to imagination. "You look absolutely charming," I whispered, my words laced with admiration and adoration.
She blushed; her cheeks turning a rosy shade, and replied, "As do you, my dear." Her eyes met mine, and in that moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of us.
Together, we gently walked towards the private dining area that I had reserved for us. The room was adorned with soft candlelight, casting a romantic glow over the table set with the finest china and crystal glasses. The ambience was perfect, reflecting the depth of my love for Christabel which I will shortly open up.
As we settled into our seats, I could marvel at how fortunate I was to have her in my presence again. She was really beautiful on the outside and I concluded must be her heart, sharp mind, and gentle soul originated from the Almighty.
As we dined on the delectable cuisine and sipped on fine wine, our conversation keeps going effortlessly, each word filled with love and affection. We reminisced about our journey, the moment we planned for a date and all the special moments we had shared ever since on phone calls. With every passing moment, my love for her only grew bigger and I couldn't wait to tell her how much I love her.
After our meal, we took a stroll in the hotel's lush garden, the moonlight illuminating our path. The air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the sound of music played by a nearby band added to the enchanting atmosphere. We stopped by a picturesque fountain, and as we gazed at the stars above, I took her hands in mine.
"Christabel, I love you, I have been waiting for this moment for so long," I said, my voice quivering with emotion. "You appeared to be my everything and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy as my wife. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
There was some silence in the air, tears formed up in her eyes, and she released her hand and started going angrily, her lips trembling with sadness. I followed her calling and begging her if I have offended her. I tried holding her hand but she pushed me away going outside the hotel fence. I rushed and blocked her but she rather pushed me very mightily and got her way out. My phone fell on group and before I could carry it up and come after her, she had already entered a taxi and the driver moved away.
I stood alone helplessly; the echoes of Christabel's rejection still circulating in my mind. The dream which had felt like truth just hours before, now felt like a distant memory, tainted by the harsh reality of her action. I couldn't shake off the feeling of rejection, of not being enough. The green lights she'd given me throughout now seemed like a mirage, leading me to believe that we were on the same page.
I thought back to the moments we'd shared, the laughter, the adventures, and the romantic conversations. Had I misread everything? Were the signals I'd thought were so clear just figments of my imagination?
The weight of disappointment settled in, my fear of rejection comes true like a heavy fog that refused to lift. I felt lost, unsure of what to do next. What mistake have I made like this? Instead of keeping her as a good friend, I rushed and spoiled everything. Why? Why? But do I have no chance to fall in love? Who shall blame me for falling in love? What sin have I committed? No! No! This is why I have been avoiding relationship in my soul but I now learn that as long as you live, nature most lead you.
Thousand of questions swirled in my head but the answers remained elusive. All I knew was that I was left standing alone in this environment, holding onto the shattered pieces of my heart.
The city of Abuja outside seemed to move on, unaware of the turmoil brewing inside me. I felt like I was stuck in a time warp, reliving the moments leading up to the proposal, replaying what I'd said, what she'd said, and what could've been done differently.
The pain of rejection was a heavy burden to bear. It was as if the rug had been pulled from under my feet, leaving me stumbling to find my balance.
I managed to enter a taxi and go home. As the night wore on, the tears I'd been holding back finally broke free. I let them flow heavily, allowing myself to feel the depth of my emotions. The pain was real, and it was okay to acknowledge it.
In the midst of this heartbreak, I knew I had a choice to make. I could let the rejection define me, or I could use it as an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to heal.
The journey ahead would be difficult, but I knew I had to take the first step. I had to face the pain, process it, and slowly begin to rebuild. The love I had for Christabel wouldn't disappear overnight, but with time, I hoped to find closure and perhaps, a new beginning. Now, I became apologetic that I'm sorry for trying to disappoint the singles by finding a love. Now, if any love finds me, I will find my way.
I couldn't sleep till 2am doing nothing but thinking about Christabel's reaction. I could guess that I started sleeping around 3am but could still feel the previous incidence. A call from Christabel came
unexpectedly. I stood up and carried my phone and could only gaze shockingly. Her words cut deeply pointing out the impulsive nature of my proposal. "You jumped straight to marriage without taking the time to truly know me," she said, her voice laced with frustration and disappointment. I listened, feeling a mix of defensiveness and regret. She was right; I had let my emotions guide me, perhaps without considering the depth of our relationship. "I guess I got ahead of myself," I admitted, trying to acknowledge her concerns. But then, something shifted in her tone. "Despite all these, I have to admit... I love you too," she said, her voice softer now. Those words, spoken in the dead of night, brought a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could work through this together.
"I love you too," I replied, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude but still not believing that I'm actually making a call with her. "I'm willing to take things slower, to get to know you better, and to build a foundation for our future." She said good night and ended her call, I felt I'm going to wake up but I was in the ideal world rather than a dream one. As I tried to fall deep in imagination, a text entered my phone, "Call me tomorrow please. I have an important something to tell you".