Chapter 5

One week later, on a Sunday morning, while Ebuka was

going to a campus fellowship, he met Rose on the way, she was

looking so stunning as usual in her black, short, armless Black

gown, sunglasses, and handbag.

"Hi, Rose, "Ebuka greeted."Ebuka or whatever you call

yourself, why are you trying to constitute a nuisance to my life?

Why are you bent on frustrating my life? Please leave me alone",

Rose spat angrily.

"Is it because of that boy, that makes you behave like this?

you even embarrassed me and pretended not to know me because

of him.", Ebuka said "How dare you call my boyfriend a boy? you

must be an idiot", Rose said angrily and slapped him hard on the

face, I think this will teach you never to cross my path again, stay

away from me or I will make life so miserable for you on this

campus, "Rose hissed at him and walked out. Ebuka stood

transfixed on the spot as people turned to look at him.

"What have I done to Rose to deserve all these? is it a crime

for me to fall in love with her?", Ebuka thought as he caressed the

check where Rose slapped him as we walked away

***************

Two years later Ebuka graduated from the university and

went for his NYSC at Ondo state while Rose was in 300 level at

the university.

One year later Ebuka finished his NYSC service and his

father handed over a branch of his bank, he soon forgets about Rose

and had made up his mind to move on with his life, though he had

not seen any girl he wanted to marry, he focused on his job, he

became a very successful businessman and controlled his father's

the company very well.

His parent was so proud of him but the only thing that

bothered them was that Ebuka had not yet brought any woman

home as his fiancée, they were so eager to have their grandchildren

as they were getting older and their son was not getting any

younger, they talked to him about it but he would always tell them

to exercise patience.

One evening as they sat in the dining room to have

dinner, Mr. Okafor raised the topic again. "Ebuka, you have

made us proud with all your achievements so far but there is a

saying that "behind every successful man, there is a woman" we

have watched you from childhood up till now that you have

attained adulthood, we have never seen you tell us about your

girlfriend, even up till now you have not brought your fiancée

home, we believe that at your age you should have a woman you

love and want to marry, but you have refused to bring her home

and we are worried because you are our only child and the

the successor of the company", Mr. Okafor said.

"Dad I have told you and Mama not to worry your selves, I am

only trying to be careful in choosing the woman I will spend my

life with, I don't want to make any mistake I will regret in future,

but I promise you Dad you and Mum will soon carry your grand

children", Ebuka said.

"I hope so my Son, besides time is no longer on our side

neither are you getting younger so in regards to this matter we

have decided to help you as your parent to get a suitable wife to

you, I am your mother and I know what is good for you, I know

what you like, so I have carefully searched for a very beautiful

, well mannered and respectful young lady for you to marry, I

believe you will love her when you see her", Mrs. Okafor said

convincingly with a big smile on her face. Ebuka dropped his

spoon in shock, unable to believe his ears.

"But Mum why would you choose a wife for me without

even consulting me first, am not a kid ", Ebuka said. "Am sorry

about that but I believe you will love the choice we made

for you will love the lady when you see her", Mrs. Okafor said as

they ate. Ebuka was not happy about his parent's decision.

The next day being Saturday, Ugomma came to pay the

Okafor family a visit, Ugomma was a very tall, pretty young and

dark-complexioned lady, she was a princess from a very wealthy

royal family, as a result of her family relationship with the

Okafor’s family, Mr. Okafor was able to talk Ugomma’s father into allowing his son to marry his daughter as this will make their

friendship stronger.

Ebuka and Ugomma finally met, they went to a five-star

the restaurant where they discussed and knew each other better. Ebuka

liked her but Ugomma was very arrogant and pampered

which made Ebuka decided not to marry her.

Two months later, the relationship between Ebuka and

Ugomma’s grew, Ugomma was so happy about the relationship as

she so much loved Ebuka.

Mr. and Mrs. Okafor was very happy about the development

between Ugomma and their son, they couldn't wait for the duo to

get married and give them grandchildren.

****************

How time flies! a few years later Rose was through with her university education and NYSC and had a very good job, but unfortunately. she was not lucky in relationships and she was getting advanced in age, her parent was getting worried as some of the men, she dated either died mysteriously or abandoned her,

this gave her so much concern and she went from one church and prayer house to the other, most of the pastors revealed that there was a special Man-God had destined her to marry and until she marries him she won’t have peace of mind, Rose began to fast and pray for God to reveal the special Man to her as she was tired of being single like most of her friends were already married with children. The thought of her predicament began to take a toll on her and she was not able to concentrate on her job anymore, she was soon given a sack letter.

Five months later Ebuka was made the managing director of the bank, his parent was so happy for him and congratulated him with a brand new Jeep. Few days after resuming his new post, he discovered that there was a shortage of staff in the bank and he decided to recruit more staff.

One Day as Ebuka was interviewing some of the people who came to look for a job, after interviewing the first person, the receptionist called in the next person, as the young lady walked in,

Ebuka looked up and recognized her immediately just then their eyes met, they recognized each other immediately.

"Rose", "Ebuka," both called out in surprise "So you are the managing director of this bank?" Rose asked.

"Yes, just managing my father's company", Ebuka replied with a smile.

Rose was interviewed and fortunately, she was qualified for the job they exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet and talk better.

The next day Ebuka and Rose went to an eatery for lunch, they talked better and we're so happy to see each other again as they chatted like old-time friends. Rose apologized for all the insults and embarrassment she gave Ebuka, Ebuka forgave her as he was so happy to see her again.

As time went on they became VERY good friends as Rose had changed her behavior as she had learned her lesson from her Past.

Ebuka enjoyed spending time with her as they helped each other with their works and did things together; Ebuka enjoyed her company than that of Ugomma. Ujamaa was bothered about Ebuka sudden change of attitude towards her but whenever she tried to talk to him about it, he would wave her off, Ugomma complained to his parent, they tried talking to their son but no available.

Five months later Ebuka proposed to Rose as he was so in love with her and couldn't wait to marry her but unfortunately Rose turned down the proposal as she never expected that. Rose was in love with him but could not accept to marry him because of their different backgrounds she was afraid that his parent would not accept her as she was not from a wealthy or Royal family.

Ebuka felt so hurt by Rose he wondered why Rose would turn down his proposal knowing full well that he loved her so much. Rose soon opened up to him on the reason why she turned down his proposal, but Ebuka told her not to worry about it as he would discuss it with his parent but Rose was not still convinced that they would agree for their son to marry her.

The next day Ebuka decided to discuss the matter with his dad, when he came back from work, he had his bathe changed into something casual and went to the parlor to meet his father who was reading his Bible.

"Good evening sir", Ebuka greeted "Good evening son, how was your day?" Mr. Okafor asked removing his reading glasses.

"Dad, there is something important I want to discuss with you",

Ebuka said sitting on the couch beside his father.

"What is it, my Son?" Mr. Okafor asked as he dropped his Bible at the center table to focus on his Son. "Dad, I came to tell you that I have finally found the lady I want to spend the rest of my life with", Ebuka announced.

"Wow, am glad you like Ugomma, so when are you bringing her

over", Mr. Okafor asked as he was so excited by the news. "Daddy

it's not Ugomma", Ebuka said.

"What!", Mr. Okafor exclaimed in shock? Why can't you marry her? Mr. Okafor asked he felt so disappointed.

"Daddy I can't marry Ugomma because I don't love her I just wanted to marry her to make you and mummy happy but now I have found the lady of my dreams, Please Dad I love this lady so much ", Ebuka pleaded.

"Then who is this lady you are talking about", Mr. Okafor asked.

"It's Rose, the girl I paid for her waec fee back then in secondary school, "Ebuka said.

"Rose? that same Rose? Never, it can't happen I won't fold my hand and watch you marry a nobody, a nonentity, a Gold digger, it either you marry Ugomma or not", Mr. Okafor spat out angrily.

"But Dad I want to marry a girl I love, after all, it's me that will spend the rest of my life with her, I can't live the rest of my life with someone I don't love, Dad don't you want me to be happily married like you and mum?", Ebuka asked.

"Do you know how much we stand to gain if you get married to Ugomma? Do you also know what is at stake if you don't marry her, think deeply about this before you make such a decision, Mr. Okafor said as he picked up his Bible and reading Glasses Ebuka walked out of the room feeling dejected?

Ebuka soon became depressed as the days went by, he lost his appetite and loosed Weight dramatically and this got his parent so bothered and affected his performance at work.

One cool evening, when Ebuka came back from work his father invited him to his room, Ebuka sat on the chair opposite his father, looking very moody.

"Ebuka I have been noticing some signs in you; you have suddenly become a shadow of yourself ever since our last discussion. I now see that you love this girl so much and I won't be the one to stop your happiness, I give you my blessings, go after your heart. Ebuka could not believe his ears, he was so happy and his father was very happy for him, Father and son hugged each other.

The next day at the office, Ebuka invited Rose to his office and broke the good news to her, Rose was so happy, they popped champagne in celebration.

Two Weeks later, Ebuka proposed to Rose and she accepted, Ugomma was very hurt when she discovered what happened, she felt so hurt her parent were so angry with Ebuka, but Ebuka and his parent pleaded with them.

Ebuka and Rose soon got married in a grand style, their parents were very happy for them.