Lies aside

It's true when they say only the truth can set you free or is it?

"What do you expect me to say I don't like it. 'When buying something for someone you should first know what they like'. You should have asked me what I wanted."

"I put in so much effort to surprise you and get you a gift, that's all you have to say?"

Jane was not one to tell a lie no matter who it was.

Her best friend Lisa just got her a fancy dinner dress as an early birthday present.

Jane was 24 years old and her birthday was coming up in a week time.

Her family and friends were planning her a surprise party.

"Lisa, am sorry if you hurt am only being honest I don't like the dress. It looks like one my grandmother would wear."

"I liked this dress, it's beautiful and I wanted you to wear it on your birthday."

"Are you crazy, am turning 25 not 40 can't wear such a dress?"

"That's kind of rude, why do you have to say that, can't you just say thank you?"

Mary Jane's young sister walked into the room.

"Thank you, Lisa, but I won't wear it anywhere ever. Are you happy now?"

Lisa simply walked out of the room with a frown on her face.

Mary looked at Jane with a disappointing look.

"Sometimes Jane it's better to tell a lie or at least bend the truth for the sake of someone else's happiness."

"Mary you may be okay with lying but I can't and if someone can't accept me for who I am then they aren't meant to be in my life."

It was pointless convincing her she believed in the truth and nothing but the entire truth.

"Am planning on asking her to marry me on her birthday, what do you think?"

"Wow, that's wonderful, am happy for you."

Duncan had been dating Jane for the past 5 years and he was now ready to settle down.

He worked as a journalist, had a house and car. He thought it was the right time to settle down and marry the woman he loved.

He was 4 years older than her and they made a perfect couple.

She was a lawyer and they met while he was reporting on a case she was working on.

He was moved by her charm and her passion for bringing the truth for people who are falsely accused.

"Do you think she is ready as well?" Mike asked.

Mike was Duncan's elder brother and was married to his high school sweetheart Brenda.

"I think so because I have brought up issues of marriage and she seemed positive about it."

"Then go for it baby bro, she is an amazing woman."

Jane felt bad about making her friend sad even though she didn't like the dress maybe she was a bit rude.

She decided to go over to her place and make things right between them.

"Am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." She said while standing on the doorway with her hands put together as a sign of remorse.

"It's okay, I forgive you I guess we just have different tests at times."

"That is true but we still need to find a dress for my birthday, maybe we can go shopping together and pick something out."

" I like that idea, let me get my purse I will be out soon."

As they drove to the mall they sang along to the songs playing on the radio.

A day before her birthday Jane was at her place one afternoon with her family and some friends.

"I think I must go see Duncan, it's been long I have missed him," Jane said to Lisa.

"No need cause am here." Duncan was standing behind her.

As she looked behind she screamed with excitement and ran to hug him.

He swiped her off her feet and spun her.

"I have missed you too pretty lady."

"Wow, am glad to see you, you have been so busy lately."

"I know but am here now cause my baby's birthday is tomorrow."

They both entered the house and charted for a long time before he left.

He lived in another town 3hours drive away and so he was staying over at a hotel with Mike.

Her day had finally arrived and everyone had been calling to wish her birthday wishes from midnight.

Duncan was the first person to wish her followed by Lisa and others came after.

She hadn't seen Duncan the whole day and she wondered where he was.

During the day she was with Lisa at the salon doing her nails, makeup and hair.

"Wow, birthday girl looking beautiful."

"Thanks, Lisa." Speaking low."I wonder where Duncan is, he hasn't come to see me yet."

"Will you stop worrying, he probably went to his place and his driving back here."

" No way he spent the night in a hotel with Mike."

Lisa didn't want to ruin the surprise for her friend. Her birthday party was also an engagement for her.

Her family and friends were waiting for them at the venue for the party.

Lisa drove the car to the venue but Jane was too busy on the phone trying to call Duncan she didn't even notice where they were going.

"Come on girl let's go."

Lisa opened the car door for her friend.

She simply stepped out with her eyes glued to the phone.

"Thanks."

It was now late as they walked up the stairs to enter the room.

"Surprise!"

Jane was shaken by the voices and almost dropped her phone as she looked up she saw all her family and friends.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart." her mum walked to her and wished her.

"Oh my goodness you guys did this for me."

Her eyes were teary as she was so emotional.

Everyone began walking towards her wishing her well.

She finally smiled when she saw Duncan walking towards her.

"Looking beautiful birthday girl, a toast to many more years."

"Thank you, I was wondering when I was going to see you."

"I wanted to surprise you, hope you like the decor credit goes to Lisa."

"Wow, it's beautiful, thank you, Lisa, you are indeed an amazing friend."

"You are most welcome, enjoy your day."

As the music played everyone was dancing and having a good time.

Duncan asked for the music to be stopped.

He walked towards Jane, he breathed in deeply before he spoke.

"Jane on this special day, I just thank God for your life. I thank him for bringing you in my life. I couldn't have chosen a better partner which is why on this special day I thought of telling you, I can't think of a better person to spend the rest of my life with."

Jane took a step back when she realised where this was heading.

She looked around and so smiles on everyone's faces.

She loved Duncan but was not sure if she was ready to settle down yet.

"Wait, wait, stop. I have to tell you something." Lisa looked at Duncan for a while before she spoke. "Am not sure if I want to marry you, I love you but I don't know if I would spend the rest of my life with you."

Duncan was in shock, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

"I mean, I know you want to propose but please don't." She held his hands. "You still have a lot to accomplish before settling down."

"What's wrong with us accomplishing things together while together as a couple."

"No Duncan I can't marry a man with a lower salary than mine."

Those words hit him so hard, he couldn't believe it.

"Jane how could you say such a thing, money doesn't matter as long as you both love each other besides you both have good jobs."

"No Lisa marriage is for life, am just being honest." She turned back to look at Duncan. "Can we please discuss this tomorrow, today's my birthday I just want to enjoy?"

"I don't think there is anything else to discuss, you have made everything clear. Goodbye Jane enjoy your day."

Duncan walked out of the party with Mike.

Jane tried to run after him but didn't manage to get him back to the party.

"I can't believe he walked out on my party, I simply told him the truth."

"Am sorry, but you shouldn't have said that to him. I thought you love him."

"Of course I love him but am not sure about marrying him."

Jane woke up the next morning and took a shower, she had been trying to call Duncan but his phone was off.

"Good morning mum, am going to check on Duncan at the hotel, his line isn't going through."

"Please come sit down I talk to you before you go." She was sitting in the dining room.

"Please be fast I don't want him to leave without us talking."

"Jane, what is honesty to you."

Jane looked at her mum weird like she was speaking in a foreign language.

"Mum, is this the time for this?" She stood up to walk out. "Am in a hurry, I will be back to talk about this."

"Sit down, am not done talking to you, now answer me."

"Honesty is the complete truth at all times. Can I go now?"

"Not yet. Honesty is the complete truth but in life when you love someone certain things you should keep them to yourself to avoid hurting those you love."

"Isn't that lying?"

"Of course not! keeping something to yourself to avoid hurting those we love is humanity. It's true the truth will set you free but certain truths destroy relationships." She held Jane's hands. "You destroyed your relationship with Duncan last night. You shouldn't have said that."

Speaking with tears in her eyes. "I didn't know mum, I always believed in speaking the truth especially as a lawyer." 

"I know dear but everyone makes mistakes, the right thing to do is to learn from our mistakes and be better people."

"Do you think he will ever forgive me for this mistake?"

"Of course he will his also human and he also makes mistakes."

As Jane drove to the hotel she thought all about what the mother told her.

She realised how she must have hurt many people with her believing in always speaking the truth.

As she approached the hotel she saw Mike packing bags in the car, she was relieved that they were still around.

"Hey, Mike, where is Duncan can I please talk to him?"

"Hi, his in the car."

He sat in the passenger front seat with the windows rolled up and doors locked.

"Duncan, can I please speak with you?" She tried opening the door. "Can you at least roll down the window?"

Duncan simply stared at his phone pretending not to hear her and refusing to speak.

"I know you can hear me so I will go I heard and say what I need to and I hope you can hear me out."

She breathed in and thought for a while before speaking which is something she rarely did.

"I love you Duncan and I am extremely sorry that I hurt you last night. I always believed in being completely honest without caring who I was hurting."

Her eyes were getting teary. "I can't think of a better person to spend the rest of my life with apart from you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

He finally put his phone away and rolled down the window. "Is that all?"

"I don't care about salary, me and you reached this far together and I believe we will continue to succeed together. She held his hand. " Please forgive me and be my husband."

He smiled and came out of the car. He knelt on one knee.

"Jane, will you marry me?"

"Yes, I will."

As he put the ring on her finger and got back up to hug her she realised the truth definitely sets you free if you know how to use it.