The Journey to the Aisle Ep 2

Hey, guys. Welcome back. Sorry for the short delay. Ep 3 will be on the blog on Saturday by God’s grace, so check back then. If you’re getting into Debbie’s story already, then share to your friends. It’s free. Let them be part of this journey. Writing is creativity.

Two
How do you tell your friend you are engaged when the supposed friend is unengaged and depressed about it?
This was the question that filled OG’s mind as she stared at the engagement ring Belema had given her earlier. It circled her finger beautifully and she could not deny the pleasure she felt having it there. She had said yes to him without reservation. Who wouldn’t anyway? She smiled happily. He had been a charmer from the moment she met him in Maxie Supermarket where she worked. He had teased her ceaselessly while she rang his sales. When he asked her for her number, she gave it to him without much thought. She never expected him to call. Belema had not only called, but also asked her out on a date. A date that led to a steady relationship, and one that led to her staring at the engagement ring on her finger.
OG dropped into the only chair in the room she shared with Deborah. She played with the ring on her finger, counting her blessings since she met Belema. She, who couldn’t keep a relationship without yielding to sex, kept herself with Belema after Pastor Daniel’s admonition during the Singles Platform in Jubilee House. His message of abstinence had sunk in deep, and she had repented of all her past mistakes.
Her past had made her doubt the longevity of her relationship with Belema. But he proved her wrong. She was sure now that sex was not what kept a relationship. All her previous relationships had ended despite her willingness to break God’s law on sex. Now, she had found the one who was happy to wait with her.
“Oh Belema,” she called out in pure delight.
Her excitement however died down when she realized she had to tell Deborah. Debbie’s thirtieth birthday months back had been a sorrowful affair, all because she was still single. How then would she flaunt her engagement ring before a depressed Debbie?
The ticking clock made time for the inevitable draw near. Deborah would be home in less than an hour. She had no intention of keeping her engagement a secret, neither did she want to come out with it just like that. She had to think it through before Debbie arrived.
She drew herself out of the chair and stood on her long legs. Legs that her short did not cover. She adjusted the pink singlet she had on; the one Debbie had bought but couldn’t wear because it was undersize. The singlet was perfect for her. Her slender figure got her perfect sizes unlike Debbie, whose voluptuous figure got her shopping all the time.
Thinking of Debbie drew her mind back to the dilemma she faced. She pushed her feet into her slippers and began working around the house. She rolled out her suitcase from the in-built wardrobe. She picked out some clothes and clothes hangers, then she dropped them on the bed. She pulled out her drawer and kept her ring in it. She picked Debbie’s clothes from the bed and dropped them in the basket meant for it. She quickly straightened the sheet on the bed. She stepped back to examine the room and gave a satisfactory smile. She and Debbie had really maintained their room. Painted in pink, the room was their own palace and they treated it as such. They simply furnished it with a family-sized foam on a beautiful bed, a brown sofa and a glass table. Their television and home theatre sets sat beautifully on a glass stand. The wall of the room were decorated with picture frames of them.
OG loved the apartment as much as Debbie. It was where their friendship had bonded. Her shoulders slumped sadly as she thought of Debbie staying alone in the room when she got married to Belema.
She made her way to the kitchen to prepare dinner. By the time she heard the key turning to announce Deborah’s arrival, the spaghetti she had on fire was almost ready. She rubbed her palms together nervously as Deborah came into the room. She saw the surprise on Debbie’s face.
“OG! I didn’t expect you home at this time. You told me you had a big date.” she winked at her, then she locked the door.
OG gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, it was not really a big date.” She said.
“Your dates are not always big.” Debbie commented, then she sniffed the air. “Hmm… smells good. What are you cooking?”
She dropped her bag on the floor, kicked off her shoes while her fingers worked on her shirt’s buttons.
“Jollof spag, as you like it.” OG answered with a smile. She could cover up for a while talking about food.
“Thank God.” Debbie said, dropping on the bed. “I’m so hungry.”
OG looked her over. “Why not take a shower. The food will be served by the time you’re through.” She told her.
Debbie shook her head. “Girl, forget shower. I need food first. Work was hectic today. I had to use my break to attend to customers because my station was not complete. Adriel didn’t come because she is sick. When I’m done eating, I’ll have the strength to shower.”
OG sat on the bed. “The work would have been stressful. I hope Maxie didn’t notice your station.”
Debbie rested on her elbows. “Thank God Maxie was out today. It was Joyce that informed me of Adriel’s absence. I quickly stood in for her to save my team. It was as if everyone wanted to shop today. I can’t wait to rest tomorrow and next.” She smiled. “I’ll enjoy it better than you who spent it going on a big date that turned out small.” She laughed, getting up from the bed, a dreamy look in her eyes. “I could find Mr Right before you find yours.”
She pushed OG lightly, expecting her to laugh. OG couldn’t bring herself to laugh. Her mind went to the engagement ring in her drawer. She coughed instead.
“Let me check the spag.” She said, hurrying into the kitchen.
By the time they settled down to eat, Deborah had started talking about work again.
“It’s annoying when you try to attend to a customer who has decided to be downright rude. You should have seen the way this lady was fuming, all because I forgot to include her packet of tin milk. The most annoying of all was that I had to apologize, smile at her and tell her ‘hope you got everything you needed, see you next time.’” Debbie explained in an angry tone.
“I’m just waiting for us to get enough money at the end of this year and start-up OGD supermarket.” She finished talking.
OG could not say anything. After pushing her food around her plate, she told Debbie she was full. When they were through, she washed the plates while Debbie went to take the shower she suggested earlier. She took her ring from the drawer and closed her left palm around it. She cleared her throat as Debbie dried off her body with her towel.
“I have something to tell you, Deb.” She informed her, sounding serious.
Debbie stopped mid-way. She wrapped the towel around her. If it got OG serious, then she had to listen to it.
OG gave a dramatic sigh. “I hope you can forgive me, Deb.” She said, her eyes rested on the shoe rack beside the wardrobe.
“What will make me not forgive you, OG? You’re my person.” She injected pleasantness into her voice.
OG didn’t smile. She kept the serious look on her face. “I’ve been going on steady with Belema for a while now.” She admitted.
A gasp of surprise escaped Debbie’s lips. After few dates, OG had not told her anything about Belema. OG always sounded offhanded whenever she asked about it. She could not believe OG had been secretly dating him.
“You never told me, OG.” She lashed out at her. Her hurt was obvious.
OG looked as if she would cry the next minute. “I could not Deb. It wasn’t because I wanted to keep it from you. I couldn’t bring myself to get excited about it. How many times have I started with someone, hoping it was the right one and then having my hope dashed? I assumed Belema would go too.” She explained, craving her friend’s understanding.
Debbie understood and could not hold it against her. OG had a record of unstable relationships. Debbie sighed. She touched her right shoulder.
“I understand, OG.”
OG moved away from her. She didn’t want Deb’s affection just yet.
“About the big date, well…” she paused.
“Better come out with it, OG.” Debbie urged.
She turned pleading eyes to her. “Deborah.” She called.
An alarm bell rang loudly in Debbie’s head when OG called her full name. She knew immediately that OG’s news would not be palatable.
“Deborah,” she called again, touching her shoulder with her free palm. “Belema proposed to me tonight.” She announced, a little laughter escaping through her lips. “I’m going to be his wife.”
Deborah stared blandly at her. Her mind could not process OG’s words. OG opened her left palm and showed her ring to Debbie. She had a beautiful smile on her face.
“He gave me this.” She said, then she slipped the ring back on her finger. Tears trickled down her face. “Deb, I’m filled with joy. I just can’t believe it. Belema is going to be my husband. We’re meeting the marriage committee in church tomorrow.”
Debbie just kept nodding, her eyes on the ring. She felt her own tears before she could stop herself.
“Congrats, OG.” Deb said simply.
“Thanks, Deb.”
She heaved a sigh of relief because of the way Debbie handled her news. She had expected an outburst. Debbie’s reaction made what she wanted to say next easier. She held Debbie’s hands.
“I want you to be my chief bridesmaid.” She said, hope radiating in her eyes.
Deborah’s eyes bulged out. She couldn’t get any word through her closed throat. She only gave a nod.

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