One Bad Turn Deserves Another

It is already evening, and Kingsley has not seen Matthew. He has never been this late to an event most, especially like this one. Matthew purposely didn't show up on time because if it were Kingsley, he wouldn't be on time. It is Kingsley's birthday and the guests are already arriving whereas he has not seen Matthew who promised to be the master of the ceremony. The worst part is that his number is not reachable. The only option is to send someone to go to his house and know if everything is alright.

As Kingsley is busy looking for the person to do that for him, Matthew entered, smiling and walking majestically towards Kingsley. What? Does it calls for smiling, Kingsley asked him? You promised to be here by 11:00pm but this is now 4:00pm. In a low-tune Matthew replied him as he walks straight towards the DJ to take up the microphone and take charge of the stage, “Don't worry I will explain everything for you after the party.

Kingsley has never taken anything serious in his life, and he never realizes that those who are unserious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in unserious matter. He will joke with everything and will always do whatever he feels will be good for only him not minding if it will cause harm to another person. Anyone who has had an encounter with him will always complain about his characters. Kingsley's family members, Matthew and his girlfriend Bisi are the only people that understand his character and try to manage his lifestyle. Bisi is a strong woman that has standards and boundaries. She knows what to do at any particular point in time.

The torturing aspect of Kingsley's lifestyle that can even make a god an angry god is the way he treats Bisi as if he doesn't love her. He will ask her for a date and will not show up without any reason. The one that made Bisi to shed tears was the day he brought out a gift in front of her friends and gave it to her but later collected it and said to her, I am sorry the gift is not for you, I was joking.” Only God knows why Bisi has not left Kingsley like other five girls whom he has dated in the past did to him. 

In Bisi is displayed a high quality of maturity and patience which is difficult to find in an average Nigerian girl. Baby, I don't know why you still stick around that dog that calls himself your boyfriend. If I were you, I would have left her since because love has to be shown by good deeds not words, Ngozi advices her friend Bisi. I too don't know why I have not left him, Bisi answered feeling dismayed. Hmmm, one day he will use you as a toilet roll. Just be there and keep saying “I too don't know why I have not left him”, Ngozi mimicked her. Or maybe it is a charm that he uses to tie you to himself, she added. Let's leave that for now because worry is a total waste of time. It doesn't change anything. All it does is to steal your joy and keep you very busy doing nothing. I love him and I will not leave him.

Kingsley left Lagos where he is working to his small village Ugbaike for the normal annual family reunion which his family holds in the seventh month of every year during the new yam festival. It is normally a memorable event for the people of Ugbaike. Kingsley does not usually attend the family reunions, so, I guess this year's own must be special. His family members were amazed to see him. 

Dinner is ready; Tolu brother to Kingsley calls the other family members. Please lead us in opening prayer Tolu, Kingsley's father requested. They began to eat their dinner in silence which is usually their family tradition to eat dinner without talking. I have something important to tell you people. The long silence was broken by Kingsley. I want to propose to Bisi my fiancé on her birthday. It is a good thing to be done, his family members coincidentally and unanimously answered. We also planned to tell you that it is high time you proposed to Bisi or let her be for good but since you have decided that by yourself, it is a good idea. We all are in support of you, his mother added. “So when do you plans to do that? I don't know but what I do know is that I want to propose to her. Why can't you have a plan for ones? Kingsleys father asked him. He yelled in reply as he dropped the eating cutleries, I said I don't know. None of them dared to ask him any other question concerning that rather they concluded in their minds that his is not serious. 

As soon as the reunion was over, Kingsley went back to Lagos without saying a word to any of his family member. When a child is dancing the music of the spirit, he will be asking whether it has no end and a house fly that doesn't listen to an advice will always follow a dead man to his grave. Whenever, Kingsley remembers what his father asked him, Why can't you have plans for ones in your life?, his adrenaline will pump into his bloodstream, his heart rates jumps, his blood pressure surges, his eyes wrinkles and becomes more tightened, his jaw will start clenching while his lips will be in a downside position like opposite to his smiley face. After this feeling erupt, he will fall into the desire for revenge not to his father but to his dirty character. 

After Kinsley returned from work on Thursday, he picked his self phone and called his girlfriend asking her if she will be chanced on the evening of Friday. His plan is to propose to her.

Yes, I will be chanced, any problem?

Nope, I want us to spend the evening together in a cool place, Kingsley replied.

“Its alright. Which time will it be?” Bisi asked.

6:00 pm. I will pick you from your house.

Okay, good night. See you tomorrow at 6:00 pm.

Good night to you too sweetheart. Do have sweet dreams.

On the Friday evening, Bisi came back from work on time to prepare herself and was ready waiting for Kingsley to show up as early as 5:30 pm. It is already 7:00 pm, and he has not showed up. Bisis eyes gaze constantly at the wall clock hung on the wall beside her television until it is 10:00pm then she realizes that he will not show up. My mind told me that he will do similar thing; that he is not going to show up, she soliloquizes. 

This time, it was not Kingsleys fault that he didn't show up. He was delayed in the office by the staff meeting which holds every Thursdays but his mistake was that he couldn't give her a call to explain the situation to her. 

Ding-dong. Ding-dong. It is sound of the doorbell on the door of Bisis house that is wringing.

Who is at the door? Bisi inquired.

It is I, Kingsley.

Bisi was surprised to see him.

Okay, come inside.

Kinsley entered without any apology for what happened yesterday. The only thing he cared to ask is Are you busy doing something now?

Nope, I am not, Bisi replied.

Can you dress-up; I want us to go somewhere very nice and beautiful?

Without saying a word, Bisi went to dress-up. After 20minutes, she can out well-dressed and of course very beautiful as always. 

Kingsley took her to Golden Mirror Hotel which is one of the most beautiful hotels in Lagos where he planned to propose to her. He has ordered a table for both even before they arrived. Their table is perfectly decorated with ornaments, and a customized candle light placed in the center of the table. Kingsley drew the chair out for Bisi to sit down before he joined her on the table by taking his own sit.

He has ordered the favorite food of Bisi and also drinks for both. Everything is perfectly arranged. After the meal, Bisi complimented him saying, I love this place and even their food. Kingsley smiled and said, This hotel is known for the first class services they give to their customers, and that it why I chose this place for us to spend the evening together.” 

He continued It has been a long time we know each other. I have never felt this way before until I met you. It has never been before, and it will never even be after and because of this, I have decided to spend the rest of my life with you. He stood up and moved towards her and kneel his left knee with a ring box in his left hand opened. Will you marry me, Bisi?

Bisi covered her face with her two hands for three seconds before removing it.

Yes, I will marry you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I am sorry I can't accept your proposal today. I want you to go home and think if I am the one you really want to spend your life with and if I am the one you really love. She picked her handbag and bowed out.