For how long, Mike; for how many years should I keep clinging to your empty promises? I have been with you in this relationship for two years now and it's not even making a headway. Do I have to wait for eternity? I am a woman, Mike, and each year that passes steals away the dew that freshens my youthfulness. Do I have to wait until nature takes away what makes me a woman before you do the needful? I am becoming fed up with your 'I want to marry you' tales.
Sandra ranted about Mike's delay in fulfilling her marital rites when he stopped by at her place for his routine visit.
But I am doing my best, I had suggested we have a low-key wedding. It is you who wants to ruin our journey with your overambitious taste, Mike managed to speak amidst stutters.
To hell with your low-key wedding, to hell with you, Mike; Sandra retorted as she suddenly becomes infuriated by his statement.
For five times I have served as a chief bridesmaid in my friends' wedding ceremonies. A low-key wedding will be a mockery to my personality. I want a classic wedding or nothing else.
Sandra was still venting her anger when Mike stretched out his arms and gently dragged her to his bossom.
I didn't mean to hurt you, angel.
Just a little time and we will be together forever, Mike assured her as the tears that welled up in her eyes descended in torrents on Mike's broad shoulder.
The Future
Eight months afterwards, Mike was enjoying the cool breeze outside his room when a WhatsApp message from Felix, his bossom friend, popped up on the screen. He opens the message and finds out it was a photo from his friend.
He refuses to download it, not only that he does not have enough data, it is the first day of the month, so he assumes it was a new month wish from his friend, though it was an uncommon gesture in their friendship of over ten years.
Felix is surprised that Mike has not replied to his message when he saw the two blue tick signal which indicated that he had read the message.
Did you see that,Mike? Another message came in from Felix.
Yes I have. This is quite strange but so thoughtful of you at the same time, thanks man. Mike typed, but as he tries to click on the send icon his phone goes off.
In three strides, he dashes into his room and begins to comb for his power bank, but he cannot find it in any of the conspicuous spots that he normally keeps it in the room.
Completely led by intuition, he approaches his bed and begins to search for it among the clothes piled up on his bed. He heaves a sigh of relief as he finds it under the duvet. He connects the phone to the power bank and walks back to his spot.
Impatiently, he switches on the phone, another message from 'No One Else' pops up on the screen. That was Sandra's. He opens the message, it is a photo that looks like the one Felix had sent to him earlier and underneath it is a message that reads, "I'm sorry,Mike". He clicks and downloads the photo.
Zooming it with his two fingers, he spots a disturbing inscription on a card, ' perfect match 2024, Sandra weds Joe'.
His hands now trembling, he goes back to check the message his friend had sent to him earlier, he finds out it was still Sandra's wedding card.
Reality playing out like a mirage before him, he rushes to Sandra's Facebook page to find out if it was true that his Sandra of two years will truly be getting married to another man.
Alas, Sandra's timeline was flustered with her wedding invitation posts from family and friends.
The most insulting of all the posts on Sandra's timeline is that of Esther,her childhood friend,who was aware of Mike's love affair with Sandra.
'When true love knocks on your
door,
be bold, ignore jokers and do not
Shut your heart against it. Say no
to time wasters. What God has
joined, let no bastard put asunder.
Congratulations, my baby girl'
That was Esther's post. It was no joke,Sandra was getting married in three weeks time. He was merely a time waster, that was his place in Sandra's life.
Very sad, the pain that Mike will have to go through. Seems like his pocket couldn't afford the expensive kind of wedding that Sandra wished for - and that's a pity. Hopefully Sandra is happy, with his friend, whose pocket could pull it off. Touching story. I enjoyed reading your story very much. Thanks for posting.
As readers finish the story they wonder if Mike is not a lucky person. What kind of wife would Sandra make, if she valued a showy wedding over her relationship with Mike? What would happen if the children needed tuition for school and she could not afford a new wardrobe? Would she choose the wardrobe over her children? Would someone with Sandra's values make a good wife?
The story is well written and the conflict well defined. There is no easy solution, and this is very much like life.
Thank you for sharing this interesting story with us, @fonpet