A week later, Maryann came back. She said that the heart surgery and transplant on her father was successful, and thanked me once more for coming through for her. It did not take long before Maryann observed that I was not on talking terms with Frank. When I narrated all that happened, she intervened.
"What is even wrong with us girls most times? Any trivial affair, we call it a break-up. Come on, Tasha, you can't continue to be at loggerheads with Frank. Don't be quick to forget that every relationship is built on the bedrock of trust and perseverance. You can't go on punishing that Frank guy for what is basically not his fault. I know you still love him, but your ego is not helping matters here. Count yourself lucky as someone who has a person as Frank—still loving and caring despite your obstinacy," Maryann said to me.
Her words pierced through my heart, and that same day, I called Frank and apologized for my unruly attitude towards him. I went on to tell him all that happened, and he assured me that Nelson would no longer stay with him. After our reconciliation, I made it up to him by coming over to his house to cook for him, as he barely did cook for himself.
We spent time together playing Romeo and Juliet. Frank was indeed caring, understanding, compassionate, generous, and all that a woman wants in a man. I have never felt loved the way he did when he cuddled me in his arms.
The last semester in my final year was really tough. I took my studies more seriously than ever. At the end of it all, I passed every one of my exams with good grades. At last, I graduated from UNILAG, obtaining a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB). An award was also conferred on me as one of the best law graduating students.
The school hosted a send-off party in memory of the final year graduating students. I invited Frank and he came to celebrate with me. I was taken by surprise when, before everyone present, Frank knelt down and proposed to me. With tears of joy, I said "Yes" to him, and as he slotted the ring into my finger, a warm ovation filled the atmosphere.
Maryann congratulated me, likewise Alex—but with disappointment in his eyes.
After some time, I travelled to Delta State for my NYSC programme. Distance was never a barrier between Frank and I. We spoke to each other every day. After one year, I went home to see my parents and then to Lagos to see the love of my life, after which I relocated to Delta State for my internship at the Customary Court, Oshimili South, Asaba.
My objective was to gain little experience in my field of study by attaching to a legal firm. Fortunately, Frank had a family relative residing in Delta who was a barrister. Through him, I was able to carry out my proposed assignment.
Thereafter, I took a law school admission test to get into the School of Law. The test was a walkover and I got meritoriously admitted into a law school in Ibadan. My colleagues and I were constantly taken on effective group seminars, workshops, and more. I made some friends there too.
Finally, we graduated from law school prosperously. Everything seemed to happen by leaps and bounds. On the D-day, we appeared in our barrister robe and were made to swear an oath to abide by the laws and practice incorruptibly. Afterwards, we were presented our Certificate of Call to Bar.
Furthermore, I enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. I produced my Certificate of Call to Bar to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Having met the necessary requirement, my name was included in the roll of legal practitioners.
Done with all that protocol, I became a fully licensed lawyer. I could then represent in court, draft legal documents, and advise clients. To the glory of God, my dream came to reality—but I had a lot more to face.
I informed Frank that I was coming to his house. My arrival was welcomed with a new car. I was flabbergasted but deeply grateful to Frank for the unexpected gift. He further took me to a driving school to complete three months before I could obtain my driver's license.
Sooner than later, Frank and I visited the hospital where he worked to confirm if our genotype matched, and fortunately, we were compatible. Thereafter, we began to plan our wedding. Around that time, I told my parents about Frank. So did Frank himself.
In fact, he came along with me to Ota in Ogun State to see my parents for marriage approval and rites.
Maryann was still close to me. She was then the sales manager of a big oil company in Ondo State. When I told her about the wedding arrangement, asking for her wise counsel as she always did, she first offered to be the chief bridesmaid. I laughed and gave her a go-ahead.
One fateful day, Frank told me that his parents wanted to see me, his fiancée, and would like to have lunch with us. I only prayed that his parents were as loving as he was and would like me.
On that particular day, I wore my most modest dress to avoid his mother looking askance at me. Mothers had a way of frustrating their daughter-in-law-to-be, and you never could trust them.
Frank and I got to his parents' house in Ikeja. The exterior view of the magnificent house could tell anyone that Frank's parents were great men and women of substance. On getting into the house, his mother came to welcome us. Only the cheerful smile on her face reassured me that she was happy to see us.
"Please do have a seat while I go call my husband," she said before she went upstairs.
"Your mother seems nice," I whispered to Frank.
"Of course she certainly is," Frank agreed with me. "She is a philanthropist," he added.
As Frank's parents walked down the stairs to meet us, I couldn't believe my eyes. Frank's father was Chief Olusegun—the man who duped me on the first night I ventured into 'screw driving' business.
I suddenly developed cold feet due to anxiety. I prayed silently that he would not recognize me, otherwise I would be doomed.
"Is she Barbra?" Chief Olusegun dropped the bombshell as nervousness took a better hold of me. Frank observed this and quickly drew me closer to himself.
"No, Father. She is Adeola Natasha, my fiancée and the girl I told you and Mum about," Frank said.
Afterwards, Mrs. Olusegun led us to the dining room. It began to dawn on me that the shadows of my past were haunting me. Nemesis had caught up with me.
"So, my dear, what do you do for a living?" It was Chief Olusegun asking.
"Sir, erm… I–I–I'm a certified lawyer," I stammered.
"A certified lawyer? I see. That's very nice. I'm glad you are not one of those harlots running after men for money. Your parents should be proud of you, shouldn't they?" Chief Olusegun quizzed.
"Yes, sir," I replied with unease.
"My son must be fortunate enough to have a beautiful and educated woman as his fiancée. You know," he said, "a lot of fascinating…"
All the while, I wasn't paying attention to what Mrs. Olusegun was saying. I was in a state of dilemma. To worsen it all, Chief Olusegun played footsie with me under the table, and when I became irritated, I coughed.
"Babe, are you okay?" Frank asked.
"Yes, I am," I replied with a forced smile.
"Please do take some water," Mrs. Olusegun said, passing a glass of water over to me.
"Thank you, ma," I said, gulping down a mouthful.
After lunch, Frank and I stayed for a few minutes and then left. I felt the urge to open up to him, but I did not know how to go about that. Frank does not know about my past lifestyle, and telling him might ruin our relationship. So, I kept my secret to myself.