Vicky barged into the room excitedly after she had escorted her fiancé Chris to the parking lot. She couldn’t wait to unpack the loads of gifts he had brought for her from the UK. It has, as a matter of fact, tradition for Chris to shower Vicky with unsolicited presents each time he came around to visit her in her hall and of which her roommates were never left in the oblivion. Vicky and Chris have been dating since her sophomore days at about the time she was going to break up with her fifth boyfriend. Chris had fallen in love with Linda because of her wild beauty and rare boldness. Vicky, having met her rich and handsome prince charming, was not ready to compromise her position in his life so she held unto him such that it began to suffocate the much cherished relationship. Gradually, Vicky’s paranoia began to eat deep into her relationship with Chris. She wouldn’t allow him to pay her a visit in her hall of residence simply because she doesn’t want to “share her prince charming with her roommates”. it was really becoming irritating and embarrassing for Chris each time she looks through his phone to be sure she has no rival.
One evening, Chris decided to check on his fiancée after work. He actually needed to relax his mind after much pressure due to the stressful nature of his job. Abigail informed him that her roommate had gone out to an unknown destination, but was not sure if she would return that evening. He dialed her number several times but there was no response. Disappointed, Chris decided to take the girls out to the movies in as much as he feels loosened up. Chris had so much fun in the company of Vicky’s roommates; Abigail , Dorcas and Esther. They made intelligent commentaries and argued logically on the movie they saw which drew Chris and Abigail to banter. After Chris dropped them off in their hall, Vicky leapt in fury as she sighted Chris’ black Toyota highlander jeep already zooming off. The shopping bags which Abigail and the two ladies carried infuriated her the more. She couldn’t believe that her fiancé went behind her back to take her friends shopping. It was beginning to seem as if she has been fighting shadows. All her effort to soldier her relationship was becoming a mirage. She wouldn’t be the one sleeping with Chris while her roommates received the gifts. Out of frustration, she snatched the bags and flung them far across the corridor railings and stormed into the room. Vicky locked her roommates outside that cold evening out of acute jealousy. When chris learnt about his finances’ actions, he sheltered the ladies in his home to spend the night. His anger didn’t hold for long because of his forgiving nature and his love for Vicky. As a means of making up for her shortcomings, Vicky invited Chris to a friend’s birthday party which was scheduled to hold that weekend so that they could enjoy each other’s company.
Chris’ business partner from New York who has been in Nigeria to finalize their business transactions was to depart soon after signing the deal. The black American lady had always dreamt of visiting places in Ibadan which is the most populous and largest city in West Africa. Of course Chris was made the honour of taking her round before leaving for her home base. So they decided to settle down at BLENDIES RESTAURANT to have a feel of the African cuisine. No sooner had they eaten their meals than Chris sighted Vicky at the entrance. It was like a movie. Yet again, she caught her fiancé in an evening outing with another woman.
She was too quick to conclude that he refused to attend the party with her simply because he had a secret date. Before he could part his lips to talk, Vicky had already pounced on his guest like a mother hen. She ripped the woman’s clothes to shreds and humiliated her. Chris had to exhume enough strength to disengage his enraged fiancée from his poor guest who was already wimping in fright like a wounded animal. After chris had successfully held Vicky down, he found the voice to explain to her that that was his business partner from the U.S and that he was obliged to show her round town as she requested. Vicky had never been so sorry. She regretted her action. She wished she never embarrassed her fiance’s source of income. She wished she never even showed up at the venue of the birthday party where she met them coincidentally. It has become evident that her obsession and jealousy has threatened her relationship with Chris. Would he forgive her this time?
Since that incidence at the restaurant, his love for Vicky began to dwindle. He could not afford to continue to run at loss because of his fiancee’s intolerance. There is no way a woman with such temperament could ever make a home for him. His dreams of having a future with her began to be an illusion. And then from that moment, the thought of Abigail began to flood his mind. He began to anticipate his meeting with her again on many more occasions. He cherished her attractive smiles which can melt a frozen heart, her intelligence blended with sweetness, her unbeatable sense of humour, her piety and meekness and above all, her seductive curves. What more was he searching for? It was high time he reshuffled his cards.
Soon, he began to book appointments with Abigail. They met; they talked; and they shared various views about philosophy of life. Each time she left, he would breathe in and hold unto her fragrance still imagining her presence. Their friendship grew into a bond so strong that Vicky herself could not attempt to interfere. Every Sunday, Chris and Abigail would worship at church together sharing and striving to implement the word of God in their daily affairs. With Abigail, Chris found happiness and peace. A companion and true friend who was always patient with and listens to him. He has finally met his true love, one who hardly complained nor demanded; one whom he could share his nasty thoughts with; one whom he could share his means with. Abigail showed up when he needed love not nagging. They both got married not only as man and wife, but as best friends.
It didn’t take long for Chris and Vicky to realize that they were not meant for each other. Love is not by force. Vicky tried hard to keep her lover, but her character polluted her efforts. In the end, a motivational speaker whose programme she attended sharpened her rough edges and of course motivated her to shape. So, despite their hearts apart, love finally blesses their parts.
