"Umm...what do you have" was Gerald's reply to the waiter's question.
"If you would kindly look at the menu we have a generous list to choose from."
"Well, this is Nigeria and I'm very sure not everything on this list is actually available no matter how fancy the restaurant looks. So just tell me what you actually have."
"Ok sir, we ha.." the innocent male waiter was interrupted by the indifferent looking, handsome man.
"You know what, never mind. I'll just wait till my girlfriend arrives." Gerald said with a smile on his face like he didn't just piss off the waiter.
Gerald, for the fifth time since he arrived at the restaurant, checked his watch. Dami was never on time he understood that but she had never been this late. He has been seating in the same spot for hours and she still hasn't shown up. He would call her but she wasn't picking his calls and wasn't replying to his texts.
I'm starting to have second thoughts about this proposal thing.
There was nothing wrong with having second thoughts only that Gerald never had second thoughts. The moment he thought about doing something and had second thoughts it was all over for whatever was supposed to happen.
Gerald you're strong it's just cold feet. Cold feet.
Then she came through the front door like the world wasn't ending soon. Well, technically it wasn't ending but for Gerald it was. It was like every time he saw her she managed to get more beautiful.
"Hey, pretty" he smiled and watched as she made her way to their table.
"I'm so sorry I'm late Gerald, my hotel is so damn far from everywhere it's like they built it in the bush" a very annoyed Dami said.
"Well, I did tell you to stay with me at my family house but you declined. Don't you dare complain"
"We're just here in benin for a few days what do want your family members to think" she said to him, smiling as she did.
"That you're my wife, of course"
"Stop it, jor." They both laughed at Gerald's 'joke' and started their dinner.
The dim lighting of the restaurant with the candle at the middle of the table was just enough to make one feel like they and their partner had all the privacy in the world. For Gerald it was perfect, almost too perfect.
They were on their third course and this too perfect night was coming to an end rather too quickly. Gerald decided right at that moment to just speak out,follow his heart and pop the ring.
"Dami, The very moment I saw you at that strip club I knew that you were going to be the end of me. You've been very supportive and an angel disguised and I love you so much words can't be enough.."
"Gerald what is this na" a blushing Dami asked.
"All I'm trying to say is..." She watched as he got on one knee and bring out a box from his suit pocket.
"Marry me Oluwadamilola Mary Osuyi" He smiled but it quickly faded as he watched his girlfriend look at him with more hatred than he could comprehend. What is happening. Everyone's eyes were on the guy kneeling down and on the girl he was kneeling for who didn't seem to be happy about it.
"Gerald, what in God's name is this?" He was about to reply her and tell her that he was doing what they both wanted but she cut him off. "Don't even bother replying" she was shouting now and everyone's attention including the waiter he had pissed off was now on them.
"You knew this was just temporary, I made that clear Gerald. You were looking for a lady, no strings attached and I was that lady so why do you have to spoil everything with this nonsense." She had tears in her eyes now but she still looked like she could murder him on the spot.
Gerald got off his knees shocked that he heard what he heard
"Hold on Dami let's do this later, people are watching" He wanted to grab her hand so she could sit down and they could sought everything out without people watching them but she just dragged her hand away.
"Don't...touch me" and just like that she took her bag and was heading for the door. He stood there and kept replaying her last words in his head. Don't touch me. Don't touch me. It was all over now.