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Episode 7
Benjamin found himself thinking about Helen, images of her smiles kept on flashing; most times he would daydream. He was in love but didn’t want to admit it to himself.
Their friendship kept on brewing, they had several dates, which was fun filled, they had gotten to know each other better, and hence they had become close friends. Helen had this feeling that Benjamin was going to propose, she saw it coming, but she discarded it saying to her friends that they were just friends, and they would remain friends.
Helen’s family already knew Benjamin, Benjamin would spoil them with gifts especially her siblings when he came visiting. Her parent had a haunch Benjamin was going to propose to their daughter, they were hopeful it happened, they wanted Benjamin to be their son in law because he was rich.
He singlehandedly took care of Helen’s birthday; he celebrated it for her big time. He did everything that was possible to make her day a special one. Helen was surprised, she was filled with euphoria. He bought her an expensive shoe and a gown as a birthday gift; Afolabi on the other hand couldn’t make it, he was still in Abuja, but he sent her birthday wishes and also gave her a call.
Subsequently, Benjamin decided to propose to her as anticipated. Benjamin being the man that he was; a man with sugarcoated mouth; made so many promises which he knew he couldn’t fulfill. “I am going to send you to the United States for your master’s, after you are done with your Master’s I would open a boutique for you, our family would move finally to the United States “he spoke with so much conviction.
Helen began to blush “like seriously” she said with so much excited. “Of course, I love you so much Helen, I have never loved a girl like this before, I want you to be my first and last love, and you are very special to me.” This time Benjamin was sincere, truly he had never known the true meaning of love until he met Helen. Helen was speechless, she was expecting this, but she didn’t know it would be this fast.She knew her heart was already taken; her heart was with Afolabi. She had planned on saying “No” but somehow she found herself saying “I would think about it”.She couldn’t believe what she had just said. She had always told her friends she would rebuff Benjamin proposal if he did propose, that she could never think of dating anyone apart from Afolabi.
Now here she was saying she would think about Benjamin’s proposal.Benjamin was very excited, he couldn’t wait to tell his friends. On Sunday, they all gathered at their usual meeting point. Barely had they finished exchanging pleasantries when Benjamin broke the news to them. “Helen has agreed to date me!”; he said given them a “I am the don” kind of look.“Fine Ben, you never cease to amaze me” one of his friends said. “When did this happen” Goodluck said with so much curiosity; “Last week oo, my brother, I proposed to her and she said she would think aboutit”.“What, she didn’t say yes, so she hasn’t agreed yet, don’t get ahead of yourself” Goodluck laughed. “Why are you talking like a novice, Don’t you know what it means when a girl tells you she would think about a proposal, that’s a yes, she doesn’t want to look cheap by saying yes immediately” Benjamin responded. “Fine Ben!” his friends called out his name in unision.
“You already got a wife remember” Goodluck pointed out. “That’s not a wife but a problem” Benjamin said dryly and then continued “My problem started since that day you pinpointed that girl, Goodluck you should have kept your mouth shut that day”. “eyah, all is well even in the well, let’s change topic guys” one of his friends said to change the atmosphere.
Helen was confounded, here she had to make a choice between two guys: she loved one but the future didn’t appear bright with him, he was apparently a struggling corp.The other guy, Benjamin she doesn’t really love him,but the future seems bright with him solely because his career and business was doing great. This was a very sensitive decision she was to make,she had no clue whatsoever as to know the right choice. She was in a dilemma.
Finally she made up her mind to confide in her parents and her best friend, Mary. She was between two opinions. She had no option; she has to choose one person; double dating wasn’t an option.She discussed the issue with her parents; her parents advised her to accept Benjamin proposal, that he truly loves her, that it was very conspicuous.
They warned her not to throw the opportunity because of “LOVE” that Afolabi was a struggling corps; and he couldn’t cater for her needs.”But I don’t love Benjamin, it is Afolabi I love” Helen admitted, her dad snapped “would love take care of you, would it put food on your table, would love give you the comfort you desire, do you even know if Afolabi is cheating on you, here you are; talking about love, this is a life time opportunity, you have to take it, this guy truly loves you and am pretty sure you love him too”.
That night she couldn’t sleep, she kept on thinking. “O God help me make the right choice”. She said looking up intently as though expecting God to stretch forth his helping hands. The next day she confided in her best friend, Mary. Mary told her to follow her heart, and she also made her see why she thought Afolabi was the right person for her, reminding her of all the sacrifices that Afolabi had made because of her.
She was very careful and cautious dishing out her advice, because she doesn’t want to be blamed when something awful happens. “Just follow your heart no one knows the future, pray for God’s direction. Benjamin may love you but I do think Afolabi loves you more, only God knows the best; just make sure you pray”. Mary said. Those words rather than relieve her made things more complicated.
Her parent advised her to accept Benjamin’s proposal, but her friend’s opinion was contrary. She was so confounded that she indirectly brought up the issue in a conversation with her friends. “if you were asked to choose between two guys that truly loves you, the first guy is the love of your life but he isn’t wealthy; while the second guy is someone you don’t love but he is rich and ready to spend on you, which of them would you choose?” she asked with so much curiosity, most of her friends opted for the second guy, Benjamin. She was pensive, a decision has to be taken.
To be continued...
Next Episode: “Suspense”