They ordered food and drinks, and chatted for quite a while about their activities since they last met. David went to Denmark on a PhD scholarship from a food processing company that is well represented in West Africa. He spent some time working in the company’s Research Department, for which he was paid rather well. Esaaba, on her part, told him about her experiences as a National Service person and Teaching Assistant at her department. She was hoping to start a Masters Degree Programme at the Department, but was also exploring the possibility of getting a university scholarship to study abroad.  

‘David, I don’t mind hanging around a little longer because I live close by, but in your case you will be driving for a while, so if you like, we can meet again in the next few days’.‘Okay, my car is parked over there. But first give me your number. Can we meet in the next couple of days?’                                                                                                                            

‘We certainly can. I will be moving from my parents’ place very soon, maybe in the next few days, so I will tell you my location when you call’.                                                                          

‘Why are you moving from your parents’ place, if I may ask? Something interesting happening?’

‘How shall I say it? My parents think I am delaying in getting a husband, so they have been putting pressure on me to get married. In fact they tried to force a guy on me, and it backfired’.  

‘O dear. I was about to ask you a question on this topic’.

 ‘I quite understand the situation you are in’, David said as they approached her house, ‘The situation as you have described it is quite difficult. But I wish you did not have to leave your parents’ home on a sour note. If I make a suggestion, I would ask you to wait for just a few days, and try not to react to any provocation. If the situation gets worse, then of course you can leave’. ‘Well, I agree with you. I will take your suggestion. Hopefully, they will leave me alone to make my own decisions.                                                                                                                             

 ‘Esaaba, I have never forgotten about you. Is it possible for us to start our uncompleted project?’  

‘You have a way with words, David.

 Uncompleted project. Well, I have told you my current status. If you don’t have any skeletons hiding in your cupboard in Denmark or in your hometown, then I am ready to listen to what you have to say’.

‘I made friends and went out with a couple of ladies, but I never entered into any commitments, and I don’t have any cupboards anywhere. Maybe you and I will buy some cupboards, and store some interesting things’.   

‘You did not tell me where you are working’.                                                                                   

 ‘Ah. I was offered a position here at the local office of Eurofood, the company that gave me the scholarship. And I have been penciled in for some teaching at the Department, so hopefully I will be seeing you often’.                                                                                                                         

Esaaba went back to her room a much different person. She sat on her bed again, and this time she wiped her mental slate clean, and said a quiet prayer asking God to confirm if this is the relationship He planned for her. She felt thankful that she was able to forgive her parents and Beesiwa for treating her so badly. They certainly meant well, but they certainly went too far to have tried to force a husband on her. And though Beesiwa needed some advice urgently.

Marian called as she entered the office in the morning, and wasted no time to ask questions. ‘Esaaba, so what happened yesterday after I left the two of you alone? Esaaba broke into uncontrolled laughter.                                                                                                                          

‘Ei, Esaaba. See how you are happy. You can’t even talk. David will have to pay for this’.

‘You did well, Marian. We had a great evening, and we will be seeing each other’.

‘I’m happy for you two. I pray that everything goes well. David is a great guy, and I’m happy you found each other at last.

Esaaba saw notification of a message from Stanley Forson, and she opened it. It was short and not friendly.

‘Good morning. Now that I have told you about the circumstances under which I made the marriage proposal and gave you the ring, I withdraw the proposal, and would like you to return the ring to my parents.

To be continued