Post by Being Ready And Stable (BRAS) (@brashub)

NNEKA'S DIARY X

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon. Grace was even more excited than I was. She laid out what I would wear, cleaned my shoes and handbag, and practically took over my preparations.

I told her I wanted to wear jeans and a T-shirt. She refused.

"Sis, not today," she said, insisting that I wear the lovely gown she had picked out.

Truth be told, if not for work and church, I'm not sure I would own a gown. Give me my jeans and T-shirt, and I'm good to go. But my sister Grace, whom I fondly call Fashionista, always knows exactly what to wear for every occasion.

The venue wasn't far from my house, but this was Lagos. I left by 2:30 p.m. and arrived at exactly 3:10 p.m.

As I walked into the reception of the guest house, a lady approached me.

"Good afternoon, ma. Please follow me."

I was about to explain that I was there to see Kunle when she smiled and said, "I know."

Surprised, I followed her.

The guest house was classy and beautiful. For a moment, I forgot I was still in Lagos.

We climbed a staircase and walked through a long corridor until she stopped in front of a door. As I reached out to knock, the door opened.

The room was dark.

Just as I hesitated, the lights came on — though dimly.

There, seated in the middle of the room with his back to the entrance, was a man.

The chair turned.

Kunle.

He stood up and wrapped me in a tight hug.

For a moment, I almost melted.

His cologne didn't help matters.

He pulled out a chair for me and sat opposite.

Only then did I notice that the room contained several other tables and chairs — but they were all empty.

"Nice having you here," he said.

"Same here," I replied.

A waiter soon appeared with drinks and later served pepper soup.

The atmosphere was awkward at first, but slowly the tension eased.

At one point, Kunle asked what else I wanted.

"Human head," I replied.

The three of us burst out laughing.

The conversation eventually turned to Mary.

"She still asks for her mother every day," he said quietly. "She hasn't fully understood what happened."

My heart broke for the little girl.

Life could be so unfair.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then Kunle sighed and gently took my hand.

"Nneka," he said softly, "I like you, and I would like us to give ourselves a chance."

My heart skipped.

"But I also want to mourn my wife for a complete year. I only made this move now because I didn't want it to be too late."

I stared at him.

Speechless.

"Please say something," he said.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

To be continued...

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