It was another bubbling morning in Nsukka, a town in Enugu state, Nigeria. I had just woken up and was all about the place, getting my things in order and fixing myself some breakfast before rushing off to work when my phone rang.
I rushed over to the other side of the sink where I had kept it, almost tripping on the chair I had used to support my weight while grabbing a parcel from my topmost cupboard. I was late for work and I knew it would be a disaster should my boss call and I don’t pick his call as well.

I finally got to the phone and behold, it was a number I didn’t save on my phone. “Well, maybe he is just calling with another number.”
I picked up the call without much thoughts. “Hello”, I said and a male voice which I could swear didn’t belong to my boss greeted my ears. Though it sounded overtly familiar, I couldn’t pin point whom it belonged to.

“Who am I speaking with please?” I said as politely as I could.
“Wow! You don’t remember my voice?” He came again.
“Uhmmm, I’m sorry but I don’t.” I said, trying to hold unto my patience a little longer.

“It’s Jerry.”

“Wow!” My eyes widened in surprise. “Jerry, how have you been? It’s been a long time. How is everything?” I said at once.
“Fine” he muttered. “Well, I’m in Nsukka.”

My eyes widened even further. Lots of thoughts creeped into my head. Jerry has been a long time love interest. One of those few who believe in persisting till they got what they wanted. I remember when he newly reached out to me. He had been friendly, nice and direct. He had made his intention known almost immediately.
Unfortunately, I was at the time already neck deep into a relationship I cherished and still cherish more than anything you can ever think of in this Earth. And of course, I didn’t hesitate to make that known to him.

For some reason, I think he mistook my words as playing hard to get. He had subsequently and continuously gone ahead to coerce me into giving into his demand. It was more like a cycle with none of us ready to give up their stand. I loved and still love my relationship too much to give it up and Jerry on the other hand, didn’t want to give in to the fact that I wasn’t his.

After one year had passed and I, still on my lane, the point I was trying to make finally began to sink into Jerry’s head, though he still ceased every little opportunity he’d got to coerce me. I offered to find him someone else but he wouldn’t listen. He wouldn’t even hear of it.

Our communication frequency reduced drastically – I think majorly ‘cos I had nothing to say and he was probably not sure what to say to me either. I was weary of creating false impressions so, I didn’t ask too much questions. From the little I knew about him, he gave me the good guy vibe so I hoped we could maintain some sort of friendship but it didn’t look like that would work out either. The more I tried to tilt towards friendship, the more he spoke about something more. As a matter of fact, he was willing to come all the way to Nsukka from the U.S, just to have a face to face talk and most likely get me to change my mind.

About a month after, we spoke and in the course of the discussion, he said, in a form of larment, that it was until our last discussion that he knew I was really serious about not giving him a chance. I felt surprised and happy at the same time. Surprised because I had always made my stand clear right from the outset. So, I didn’t expect that it would take a whole year for him to get the point. And happy, ‘cos, him acknowledging the state of things meant him buying into the notion of finding someone else – though I wasn’t certain of it since he didn’t say anything about it, I still couldn’t rule out the possibility.

Fast forward to one month later and here Jerry was, calling me with a Nigerian number, saying he was in Nsukka. My thoughts suddenly flew to one of the discussions we had had, where he had insisted on flying to Nigeria to talk.
“You didn’t fly home because of me, did you?” I couldn’t help asking.
“Sure. We’re heading for your parents in two days.”
“What? You and who?” I screamed, while deep down, hoping that it was just a joke.
“You in Nsukka?” He asked instead.

“Yeah.”

“I called for something else actually. Wanted to invite you to my wedding. It’s tomorrow.”

I was still for like one second but soon found my voice. Though shocked by the news, I was genuinely happy for him. I knew how much he had wanted to get married, I knew how hard he had been trying – I knew how much work he put into trying to make me his. I screamed lots of congratulations! I am happy for you!! and asked for the invite to be forwarded to me on social media so I could get a clearer grasp of the direction to the venue.
The moment the line went dead, I dialed my boyfriend. I was and still am in a habit of keeping him abreast with things that go on in my life. Turns out he was happy for Jerry as well. He even permitted me to attend the wedding.

I did go for the wedding but not alone. I dragged one of my girlfriend’s along so I could at least have someone to talk to while at the event. We clapped, cheered and watched with so much happiness, but even in the midst of all that, I couldn’t get over the feeling like I was in a movie or a dream or something of its sort. Stories like this, as far as I knew, only happened in movies and fictions. I felt like a typical movie was playing out in my life.

Though I wasn’t in love with Jerry, I still couldn’t understand how a person who had been on my neck barely 2 months back would be getting wedded today. The mixed feeling and shock is still yet to clear out. Those not withstanding, I hope that friendship I had wanted to build before will work out this time, more with Jerry’s wife even.

Author’s note

Fictions are fictions but some fictions do play out in real life. Point is: try to pick one or two lessons from the books you read, be it fictional or non-fictional.

Bridgewater Candle Christmas Bliss was always it for Nora. Andrew, her boyfriend had always made it even more remarkable for her by always making sure he made these candles available for her each Christmas. Her love for bridge water candles has made her undoubtedly in love with both Christmas eves and the eves of Christmas days. As she lit the bridge water candles, she couldn’t help smiling. For one, it was evening and again, the time Andrew had promised to visit had reached. She wanted everything to be perfect – a perfect Christmas for the both of them.

Bridge water Candle Christmas Bliss goes way down to her grandmother. It was the first gift she had given her for her birthday. She could still remember the old woman’s voice: “it’s a magic candle that makes your Christmases magical. Always light them during your Christmas celebrations and all your wishes will come true.” Even though Nora was now all grown, she still subtle believed in her grandmother’s words. And so far, it has favoured her.

“Bridgewater Candle Christmas Bliss” she smiled. The name always made her so happy. She got the food together, placed everything on the table – well arranged and sat just at one side of the table. She constantly looked at her watch and then at the door, waiting for Andrew to walk in any minute but that didn’t happen. Her surging adrenaline wouldn’t let her wait anyone so she grabbed her phone and dialed his number. When a female voice came from the other end of the line, she paused, took the phone out and looked at the number to be sure she wasn’t calling the wrong person. Certain that it was her boyfriend, she put the phone back to her ear. But this time, it wasn’t only a female voice in the background but Andrews. The duo were arguing over the reason another female had called Andrew’s phone. Apparently, Andrew was dating some other lady as well. The phone gradually slipped off her hand and went for the floor. The cracking sound of the screen filled the air but Nora wasn’t bothered. She felt the entire joy she had felt moments ago turn into penury. She sank to the floor, a rain of tears cascading down her chest.

RELATED STORY – Finding Christmas Bliss

The Bridgewater Candle Christmas Bliss turned into a bridge water candle for festival of tears. The tears wouldn’t just stop flowing. She kept crying and wailing – worst part was, she was home alone – no one to console her. A knock came to the door and she thought to ignore it but it persisted. She sluggish got to her feet, wiped as much of the tears as she could and walked to the door. A young man, black, handsome looking and seemingly cheerful stood at the other side of the door with a gift box in his hand. “Yes, how may I help you?” She married – a signal to show the young man that she was in no mood for merriment. “Delivery for you.” He said and flashed her another smile, displaying his perfect set of white teeth. “From who?” Nora furrowed her eye brows. The young man shrugged. “It doesn’t say. Anyways, you will have to sign for me.” He fumbled through the short diary in his hands until he opened to a particular page. “Here,” he said, looking at Nora. “Are you alright ma’am?” He asked as though noticing the marks of dry tears all over her cheeks. Nora simply nodded and without saying another word, grabbed the diary. Halfway into the signing, she paused. “You know what, you should come in. I really do need company. I’m all alone for the first time on Christmas day.”

“Bridgewater candle Christmas Bliss hum” the guy said the moment he sighted the candles. Nora smiled. “Old family tradition – my way of keeping my grandmother close.” She unwrapped the gift and was surprised to see the bottle of wine inside. She turned to the guy. “Why don’t you uncork it – a great part of the meriment.” “My name is Tom.” The guy said and extended his hand for a handshake. Nora smiled. “Nora.” Sue said and shook his hands. “Now that we are acquainted, I can uncork the drink.” He said and Nora burst out laughing.

He soon uncorked the wine and poured it out for them both. “Cheers to more acquaintances, friendships, and many more joy-filled Christmases!” Tom said and they raised their glasses. Nora was the first to take a mouthful of the food and then signaled Tom to join suit. “So, why the tears, or you just like to cry while you celebrate?” He asked as he reached for his own round of the food. Nora shook her head and paused for a while before she continued. “My boyfriend is cheating on me. Just got to know about it today.” Tom’s eyes widened in surprise. “I’m so sorry honey.” He muttered in between a mouth full of food. “It’s fine. I’m kind of glad that I found out. I can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened had I not found out. I will be fine.”

“Bridgewater Candle Christmas Bliss.. What might I do to replenish the idea of a perfect Christmas?” Nora burst into another episode of laughter. “Trust me, by agreeing to spend Christmas with me, you’re already doing more than enough.”

As Lydia hid behind the giant art work just behind the closed door, voyalge of thoughts ran through her head. Misconceptions after misconceptions. She couldn’t believe she let herself get so belittled! The perfect plan she had in her head was the exact opposite of what the world seemed to have in stock for her. The moment she heard the sound of the car as its driver drove out of the compound, she hurriedly picked up her stuff and dashed out of the house. Derrick’s voice, in all its sweetness could not stop her. She couldn’t let it. Her brain went from memory to memory, revoking every single time they had spent together to the detriment of her mental health. She couldn’t believe it had been a lie all along! How could Derrick do this to her, to her of all people!

The annoying sound from the forcefully closed door as Lydia made her way into her little sized self contain room alerted Zara, her roommate and long time best friend. The anger that sprout out her system, one she was ready to unleash on the intruder demystified as quickly as it had formed the moment Zara sighted her roommate. No words needed to be spoken, Lydia’s face said it all.

“Babe, what happened? Is something wrong with Derrick?” She asked the moment Lydia managed to take her seat.

The reply she got wasn’t encouraging. Lydia couldn’t talk. Tears poured down her eyes like a fresh downpour from a secluded spring. More tears found their way down her cheeks each time she opened her mouth to talk. Her heart was beginning to beat fast as she was beginning to choke as she drowned herself in her own tears. Zara’s heart was beginning to skip some beats, she was elated. Only one thing was capable of making a lady cry this way over a man. How she wished her guess was wrong. She knew how much her friend loved her fiance. She could still remember how brightly her eyes glittered the day Derrick had proposed.

Memories upon Memories flooded Lydia’s mind. She couldn’t get herself to understand how an already married man with a kid could lead another lady on, promising her heaven on Earth and even go to the extent of engaging her. To what end? How much more callous can a man be? She was caught in the midst of piercing emotions yet, no clue as at what to do. She pulled out the engagement ring off her finger and flung it to one corner of the room screaming: it is over!

Zara’s guess was confirmed, the worst of her fears… She was still yet to understand what could have led to the severance of a perfectly endowed relationship.

As though reading Zara’s thoughts, Lydia screamed :”can you believe that the idiot is married? His wife visited his house today. He had no idea she was coming. I’m sure if he did, he would have found a way of meeting me outside the house. Zara’s palms hugged tightly to her open mouth. The shock on her face was palpable. She didn’t see it coming. None of them did. It was the last thing she expected from Derrick.

Lydia stared in confusion, her brain turning like a wave under the influence of a multidirectional wind. Amidst the chaos going on in her head, one thing was clear, the only way out of this mess. She needed to move on, she needed to let go. Then comes the big question: can she? How would she embark on that journey of picking up what was left of the pieces??

As she wept, the realization began to creep through her system, the presence of her saviour. She felt His strongholds supporting her weak body. She felt relived knowing that the Lord was with her, the only thing standing between her and and life!