CHAPTER FIVE

"Allow me; I'll talk to him. I'm not sure what happened between the two of you, but the Daniel I know would not listen to anything you said right now. Richard said as stopped Alex.

Richard called as he hurried after Daniel. "Daniel! Daniel!! Guy, what happened? What is wrong? Why you commot like that?" Richard spoke as he finally caught up with Daniel.

“I’m so pissed right now, man”

“What is the problem? How do you know each other?"

“She’s my ex”

"Your ex?! Wow!! Why don't I know her? I haven't seen you dating anyone.”

“This was before we met. Remember that night we met at the club, and I was pretty drunk."

“Yeah I remember that night”

“It was that day she left me”

“That’s like five years ago, things like this happen, why are you still so hurt about it?”

"You don't understand, she wasn't just anybody. She was my fiancée, and we were going to get married. The day we were supposed to go check out the apartment we were going to live in following our wedding, she ghosted me."

“Ghosted you?” 

"Yes, she vanished into thin air. I couldn't reach her phone, her flat was empty, and none of her friends knew where she was. She vanished without a word. If I hadn't gone to her apartment to find out everything was empty and met her landlady, who confirmed she moved out, I would have thought she was kidnapped."

“Damn, that's...that's serious."

“I spent an entire year trying to reach her. She blocked me from all of her social media accounts; I opened new ones to speak with her, but she blocked them again. At some point, I wasn't even begging her to return; I just wanted to know why, and what I had done wrong. What happened? I needed the closure to move on”

And now, after five good years, I'm finally over it, and she reappears."

“I had no idea you went through such a phase like that. I knew you were going through a heartbreak when we met at the club because of the way you were drinking like you were dying, but I hadn't expected it to be so awful. I mean, you never talked about it either, and I didn't want to remind you of something you were trying so hard to forget, so I didn't ask.”

“It was something I couldn't discuss at the time, and when I eventually could, it didn't matter anymore. I gave myself the closure I needed, I knew I loved her with all of my heart. Whatever decision she made was solely on her."

“Why did you storm out angrily then if you are over it ehn”

“Seeing her again just reminded me of my rage and pain from the past. I'm sorry I ruined the rehearsal; it's your wedding, and I shouldn't have brought my own feelings into it."

“No, do not say that. It's completely fine, and you have every right to feel whatever feelings you're experiencing right now. As you mentioned, she made the decision to go, so it’s her responsibility; don't let it ruin things for you any further, okay?" Richard replied as he gently stroked his friend's back.

“Thanks man, I appreciate”

"So…. Can we go back in now? We need to learn those moves tonight for tomorrow."

"Sure! Let’s do that” Daniel sighed deeply.

"Very sorry for the delay, people! There was a little bit of an issue, but everything is fine now, and we can begin." Richard announced as they returned to the lounge.

Daniel moved passed Alex, completely disregarding her, and stood beside Fisayo.

“Can we put what happened behind us and try to make this work? We have just tonight to get this right” Daniel said as he suggested a truce to Fisayo

“Do I have a choice? Let’s just get done with it” Fisayo said as she took his hand reluctantly

“Just so you know, I still think you are annoying and I don’t like you” Fisayo said further

“Well… thanks for pointing that out. You are the first person to find me annoying though”

“Maybe I’m the only one honest to call you out on your bs.. don’t you think?”

“You know I’m still wondering what I did so wrong to get in your bad books. Still can’t place my finger on it so maybe you are the one who’s just been dramatic, yeah?”

“Shut up before I step on your foot!”


Alex's stare was fixed on Daniel during the rehearsal, and Daniel did his best to avoid meeting her gaze. Fisayo could sense the tension between them, which piqued her curiosity.

“Is everything okay between the two of you?”Fisayo asked as they continued to dance.

“What do you mean?” Daniel replied.

“I mean, you guys had a bit of drama not long ago and she hasn’t taken her eyes off you since we started.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about”

“There’s clearly something between you guys, what do you mean you don’t know?”

“How is your wig? Still good?" Daniel digressed and tried to change the topic.

“You just had to remind me didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry about your wig but I really didn’t put it on the floor, trust me”

"I don't trust you, but I accept your apologies. I'm only accepting because my stylist said I can still wear the wig, otherwise ehn."

“Don’t worry, I can get you another one”

"Oshey, rich man. That's what you do to get the girls over there, abi. You step on their wigs and offer to buy another one.”

Daniel giggled. "Funny how you assume I walk around stepping on people's wigs. By the way, did you bring my suitcases?"

“Which suitcases? I threw them off the road in anger the other time."

“You did what?!” Daniel stopped abruptly.

“I’m just kidding joor, it’s right where you left it in my boot”

“That’s one expensive joke”

“Now I’m really curious about what’s inside for you to react that way”

“Nothing special, just my clothes and other necessities”

“Hmmm" Fisayo regarded him with distrust.

"Mmmhhh hmmm," Daniel said reassuringly.

"Okay, guys!That’s it!! The choreographer declared, "You just need to follow the arrangement tomorrow and you are good," and everyone clapped and cheered.

“Omo, I don tire. Make I find where
to sleep before we go wake for bridal shower again," Ranti remarked as she gulped down a glass of water.

"Sleep? You're not going to pursue the man who has caught your eye again?" Tayo teased

"Pursue Wetin? You didn't see the short drama that happened before we started rehearsing the other time? Ahhh, man vex commot like that when he see woman. It just implies one thing, my dear: na him ex be that wey do am strong thing na why he still dey vex.”

“Ehn, no be ex she be"

“No be the issue be that. The fact that he became angry and walked away shows that he still hung up on her. I don't have the strength to pursue a man who is still stuck in his previous relationship; so road don block for hin side already like that. Even the babe sef, see the way she dey look Fisayo when she dey dance with am; if she see gun that moment she go shoot am straight.”

“So you don give up like that”

“Give up, ke? Na who give up Bleep up? I no give up on my search; I just give up on the guy. As we dey dance that time, I felt something for that Alfred guy, but this one, he lives in the states, I'm not sure I can do long distance."

"Dance of how many minutes, you don feel something for another guy now now. Come dey go, you need that sleep” Tayo remarked




“See you tomorrow guys!” Rolake and her friends bad Richard and his group goodbye.

"Girls, let's go. We still have bridal shower like this, and we need to get enough sleep so we don't wake up with puffy faces tomorrow,"
Fisayo said.

They all went in different directions as they exited the bar.

“Daniel! "Can I speak with you for a second?" Alex called.

“Ermmm sorry, I need to get something from Fisayo quickly.” Daniel replied trying to avoid the conversation with Alex

“Fisayo, my suitcases” he said as he turned to Fisayo

“Oh yeah, follow me” Fisayo replied, Daniel followed quickly as he was glad he could find a way to get away from Alex. The last thing he wanted to do at the moment was talk to her, Alex stood still as she watched Daniel leave with Fisayo.

“That’s your luggage and I didn’t touch anything inside okay?”

“I’m not going to accuse you of theft don’t worry, maybe something else but not theft”

“And what’s that something else?”

“Don't worry, and thank you for keeping my bags. And regarding my attitude earlier today, I was harsh to you, you took your time to come pick me up at the airport, I should have done better, I’m sorry."

“It's fine; I was on also edge because of the wedding stress . I apologize for leaving you in the middle of the road”

“So we good?” Daniel asked to reaffirm

“Sure, we're fine," they said, shaking hands and smiling.

“Alright then, good night Daniel”

“Goodnight Fisayo” Daniel stepped back inside the hotel, pulling his two suitcases and smiling. His smile evaporated as soon as he noticed Alex waiting for him at the reception.

He walked beside her, completely ignoring her presence, as he made his way inside.

“Daniel, I need to speak to you. I won't leave until I speak with you," she stated forcefully.

“You know what? You wanna talk?Sure, let's talk," Daniel responded, setting his baggage aside and walking towards Alex.

“Let’s talk in your room” Alex suggested

“No, we're doing it right here. I'm listening.”

“Really? Is this how you are going to treat me?"

“Will you talk or not? I have stuff to do.”

“Look Daniel, I know you are angry about how I left five years ago but I can explain”

“Daniel scoffed. "Explain? Don’t you think it's too late for an explanation now? When I needed an explanation, when I was going crazy trying to find you to get you to talk to me, you didn't hesitate to block me everywhere; now you want to explain five years later?"

“It’s not what you think Daniel, I swear”

"To think I was looking for you everywhere, including your friends, the locations we visited together, your employment, and your favorite places! You had me running all over cities in New York but you've been in Nigeria all along?”

“I didn't have a choice, okay! I had to leave. My mother was dying, and there was no one to look after the company; I had to come in and take over. There was no way things could have progressed farther between us. I had to leave, but you needed to stay; you were just in your fellowship year at the hospital, and you couldn't leave everything behind."

“And you didn't think it appropriate to tell me? You didn't believe we could sit down and talk things out.
You did not trust me enough to handle the matter.

“I couldn't bear to confront you. We were going to get married, I had met your parents, and we planned to visit Nigeria to meet my relatives. We had it all planned out, how was I to tell you we couldn’t get married anymore because I was coming back to Nigeria. I couldn't face you or your parents, knowing it might not work. There was no way we could make it work with the two of us living across the world from each other, and my mother's illness didn't appear to be getting better anytime soon, so I couldn't guarantee you anything."

“We could have postponed the wedding, we could have just tried doing long distance till it was possible for either of us to join the other but no, you decided to run away, you decided to disappear because that was the best decision?”

"I am sorry, Daniel. I know I hurt and disappointed you. I haven't been able to stop feeling guilty since I left. I never would have thought of meeting you here in Nigeria, at my friend's wedding of all places; it must be fate attempting to offer me a second shot at forgiveness.

“No Alex, you only felt any bit of guilt because you saw me and for the records, Richard's wedding brought me here, not fate. So you wanted to apologize; that's what this was about, right? It's okay; I forgive you.”

“You do? For real? Do you mean it?” Alex's face lit up.

“Yes, can I leave now? I need to meet up with the boys.”

“Sure, we’ll see tomorrow, goodnight," Alex said, smiling. She watched Daniel walk away, thrilled by how their conversation went.

“I knew you still had something for me, Daniel. Don't worry, I'll make sure we get back to how we used to be, if not better." She said to herself before turning to leave


***
"Where have you been, Alex? We had arrived at the hotel before we noticed you didn't leave with us. Rolake inquired.

“I had something to take care of”

“We waited for you at the rehearsal, we had to wait again for the bridal shower” Fisayo remarked

“I just mentioned that I had stuff to do. Do you have a problem? The bride obviously doesn't; the last time I checked, it's not your wedding." Alex spoke in a condescending attitude.

“Excuse me?” Fisayo was having none of it.

"Babes, wetin happen? Make una calm down, abeg." Ranti intervened.

“Na me, she dey follow talk like that? Rolake, you dey hear? Na me be it’s not your wedding” Fisayo said

"Ah and one more thing" Alex continued as she moved closer to Fisayo, whispering in her ears. “Careful with your little dance with Daniel, you don’t want people to get a wrong idea about you two, you might just finally be able to get a man of your own tomorrow, you don’t wanna ruin your chances by clinging too much to someone else’s”

“I beg your pardon?!”