XV - The Proposal

The drive back to Segun's from the restaurant was somehow different. They barely spoke and when they did it was to point out something on the way or politely ask if the other was okay. She was disappointed because for a moment back at the restaurant she had thought he was going to propose.

When they got home, she couldn't get out of the car fast enough and had her keys at the ready so she wouldn't have to wait for him to unlock the door. She opened the door and was headed straight for the guest room to undress and freshen up when something caught her eye. The living room was decorated with pretty balloons, flowers and streamers. The was a cake with the words 'Happy Birthday Bimby' on the coffee table in the living room and an ice bucket with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Vintage Champagne chilling. How had he pulled this together? She was almost certain her mom had something to do with this.

Segun rushed into the room out of breath and said, "Stop oh... Surprise! I wanted to do something special for your birthday and your mom helped me with most of it, the other part of it is that your family, mine and our friends will be having dinner with us tonight. Mom had the whole thing contracted to a caterer. There's still one more thing I need to do before our guests arrive." Dropping down on one knee, he rummaged through his jacket pockets and produced a beautifully crafted sparkler of a ring. He took both her hands in his and looking into her eyes he began...

"I wanted to do this properly, I have spoken to your parents, and your parish priest and discussed with your siblings and my family. I'm happy to say I got their approval . I wanted to have a special time with you which is why we went out to lunch. I lost my nerve at the last minute there because I was afraid you might turn me down... That would have been awkward!"

His voice was trembling now. "Bimbo, ever since that moment I clapped eyes on you all those years ago I knew you were something special. You have opened my world to experience wonderful things. Your love, support and faith in me has been unwavering. You make me want to be the best man I can be. I love your honesty and admire you for your strength. I know you would make me the happiest man alive because you're you. I promise to be faithful to you in all things, I will honour you with my body and promise to be the best provider, protector, husband and father to our family. You've been my best friend and you're never far from me. When I'm with you I'm happiest, when I think of you I smile. I can't imagine living life without you. I Love you Bimbo. Please say Yes and be my wife!"

She was crying now, Yes, yes, yes I'll marry you! She pulled him to his feet. Hugging and kissing him, then he slipped the ring onto her finger. This was the best birthday ever.

XIV

Segun had proposed to her on her 23rd birthday. She'd just concluded the mandatory 1 year Youth Service and had gone to spend the weekend at Segun's place. They hadn't seen alot of each other because she had been posted to serve in Minna, Niger State.

He'd been very good. He'd come over to visit a few times while she was over there and it was always an ordeal to see him go. He had prepared her favourite dish, Fried Plantain and his signature Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes, Chilli and Spinach.

She had missed everything about him. His smile, his laugh, his scent. God! if she could just get in under his skin. They'd had a leisurely stroll and afterwards he had told her about the activities he'd planned for the next day.

First there was church and her birthday thanksgiving and don't forget he was taking her to a special treat and afterwards dinner with her folks. She was mystified. 'Special treat' was just like Segun, he was always doing some spur of the moment thing. Over the years she had learnt not to question him. He would never reveal whatever it was.

Sunday came. Segun was singing loudly in the shower and she knocked on the door. "Hey, Mr. Melody will you please stop that racket, anyone would think that you were auditioning for a talent show."

Segun was quite the singer and had often serenaded her. One such time was when he had sung I Swear by All-4-One at the School Concert and had dragged her up to the stage while the whole student body whooped and hailed him. She had never been so mortified.

After Mass that day, Segun had gone to speak with her Parish Priest, Fr. Anthony and wondered why that was but he explained that he had met him at her parents on one occasion and was only saying hello. She thought nothing of it.

He was quiet on the drive back to his place and asked if she was okay or wanted to stop at an eatery on the way. She told him she was fine and that she wanted to cook him something special when they got back to his. They continued the drive back in silence then suddenly he was all animated and said, "forget cooking, let's just head into town and grab a bite!"

Segun... Heat of the moment! Why didn't that surprise her? They headed into the Island. He drove to the exclusive SAIPAN restaurant's parking lot and she had to ask if this was the 'special treat' he had planned all along.

Lunch was delightful... They'd had been shown into the private dining rooms of the restaurant, the decor was tasteful. The lighting created just the right level of intimacy, there was music playing softly in the background. She had ordered the chef's seafood special and had not been disappointed. Segun had the sweet & sour prawns.

They had joked and flirted all through the meal and then suddenly the song she had only recalled this morning started playing... Segun asked her for a dance. "Are we allowed to dance?" she said. "Sure we're paying customers and if we want to dance, we dance! Come on." He pulled her off her seat and they laughed and danced to that memorable song. After the music ended, he led her back to her seat and then stood beside her. "Segun what's up?" she said her face upturned to his.

"I was just thinking to myself how beautiful you are and how happy you make me. I wouldn't exchange this feeling for anything in the world."

"Don't go all sentimental on me now, please go sit so we can have some dessert." Before she knew it he was on his knee and looking deep into her eyes. "Oh my God, oh my God! He's about to propose. He held her face tenderly and moved in for a kiss. It took the breath out of her. It was the most lingering kiss and she felt all the love in that kiss to her very core. Just as quickly he was back on his feet and in his chair. Let's order some dessert he said gruffly. Bimbo was perplexed. So he wasn't proposing... Disappointed!

XIII

So he'd dropped her off home that day and had visited over the weekend. Bimbo was relieved at first that he hadn't made a move on her and then she started wondering why that was. They were both very tactile and she was attractive so why the hell hadn't he?

She finally breached the subject on Sunday evening, they were watching 'Save the Last Dance' in the den. "Segun, is something wrong?". He was taken aback and asked her what she she meant. "Well I thought since we've been dancing around each other for years and I finally turned 18 this month that on our first weekend we would take our relationship to the next level. Is it that you find me unattractive or there's something else going on here? I thought I would have to fight you off this weekend but so far you haven't made a move."

Segun looked at her and replied, "Are you serious or having me on? I thought I was doing the noble thing by keeping my distance and there's you anticipating.. You naughty girl!" He laughed. "To be serious there's nothing I would like better than to make sweet, passionate love to you, jeez it's taken all my self-control not to. I love you, everything about you and for that same reason I don't want to jeopardise our relationship for something I'd like to cherish for the rest of our lives. I may have been a bit of a rogue in the past with other girls but since I've been with you I realise that I should respect my body. I want to give you every part of me and I would like to think the same goes for you but only when we are married."

Married... She was secretly delighted that he thought of them as life partners. "But Segun that's a long way off and since we've never had 'the talk' I didn't want you to think that I took our relationship for granted. You're a man and I know you have needs. I'm just getting used to my body now and there's nothing I would love more than to share my most intimate moments with you. I appreciate that you love me enough to wait for the right time but please if you ever change your mind... "Yes, yes you'll be the first to know. Come here you silly girl, trying to lead me to commit!