I remained taciturn as Oyoko chatted incessantly about her new found love, Desmond.
My mood was not trigged out of jealousy. I was quite happy for her. We were.
She had just recovered from a fatal heartbreak after her boyfriend of ten years jilted her for a sixteen year old girl whom he had impregnated.
It was not an easy moment for her and for us too because at one point or the other her mother would call us and shout for help because she has been indoors for weeks or was caught cuddling a kitchen knife at the backyard.
Finally, Desmond arrived to change the narrative. I was truly happy for her.
No one amongst them knew that my boyfriend broke up with me two days ago because I was too big for him.
I had wept bitterly and spent the whole day looking at myself at the mirror.
I pleaded with him and promised to register for a gym class again but it seemed the more I begged him the more annoyed he became. I quietly left his presence.
I decided to keep the bad news from the girls so as not to spoil the good news of Oyoko’s engagement party coming in two weeks time.
Someone patted me from behind. I recovered from my reverie. The girls burst into laughter.
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“Anuri! What are you thinking of again? Ifeoma asked.
I smiled. I wished they could see the pain in my eyes.
“Oh. I have been busy at work these days and I am just calculating on how to clear the workload off my desk “, I quickly replied.
“I was saying my fiancé got us tickets to his boss birthday. I told him I would love you girls to come along because I don’t want to be lonely”.
“You know I will be working on Saturday”, I quickly replied as if I knew the date already. Attending birthdays was the last thing on my mind.
“Come on, Anuri, it’s on Sunday”, Oyoko said laughing. I gave up.
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As the party became intense I quietly went to sit at the pool side bemoaning my fate. I really love Ozor and want us back together but it seemed I was desperate. I wonder if he has finally found the slim lady of his dream. I had called his lines severally but to no avail. Maybe he has block my line. Did he hate me that much?
I decided to leave the party and lied to the girls that I received a call at home that my father is sick.
As I turned to leave, I came face to face with a tall frame. The celebrant. I was shocked. He should be in the hall for goodness sake I thought aloud to myself.
“Hello! he said smiling and extending his hand for a shake. I obliged reluctantly. He looked younger than he were in the pictures.
“I saw when you entered with your friends but I was busy with some colleague “, he said looking at me.
“Okay ” I said, surprised he noticed us and still dazed on what was happening. I looked around to see if anyone was watching us but no one was in view except from his men standing poles away.
I noticed he was still looking at me, a proper scrutinization. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed of my body. I knew I have a nice body stature though plumpy but Ozor had planted the seed of inferiority complex in me and I wonder when I will be fine.
“You are so beautiful” he said smiling again.
“Thank you “, I replied shyly. Ozor has never complimented me since two years of our relationship. I noticed he has a lovely set of teeth and for some reasons I felt he was cheating on his girlfriend for complimenting me. I suddenly become jealous of the lucky lady that will be dating such a rich, handsome young man. But why will I be thinking of that already.
“I’m Anselm”, he said giving me his card.
I collected the card and pocketed it immediately.
“You are Anuri right? he said smiling. I noticed he smiles often.
One of his men came to whisper something in his ears. He bade me good bye and left with him.
As I walked briskly towards the gate I wonder how he knew my name and the thought of it excites me.
As I waited for taxi at the other side of the road. Ozor sped past me with his new girlfriend. Tears filled my eyes and I allowed them flow endlessly.
As I retired to my room that night consciously avoiding the calls of my girlfriends. I threw away Anselm’s card in the trash. What’s the need.? “Men are all the same”.
I was wrong. Anselm called me the next day, the day after, and so it continues until I say “I do” to him on the alter. Intentional man. To even think of the way he scouted for my number to call me few hours after meeting him and I couldn’t call. We wedded before Oyoko and her king, Desmond.
Now I knew why she was chatting incessantly that very day. When you find the right one. You will know.
