Touching! I have been in love with Matt for years.
While I was studying Mass
Communication, he was the best student
in the Department of Communication and
Performing Arts of Bowen University,
same institution as mine. Epitome of Excellence, beauty and
Godliness… #gbam
I felt tingling in my heart as he proposed
to me last week over a meal at shoprite,
RingRoad, Ibadan.
It was a shock, and stammering, I gave a confident ‘yes’
I woke up as early as 4am the following
day and sitting up, I stared at the
platinum ring he had proposed with the
day before- if I don’t wear rings, I could
as well admire it and smile happily. I decided to have my morning devotion.
I knelt down, sang with great
enthusiasm.
Then it was time for me to pray with a
particular song that I sing everyday.
The lyrics: Not what I wished to be,
Nor where I wished to go,
For who am I , that I should choose my
way
The Lord shall choose for me Its better,
that I know So, let Him bid me go or stay!
It was a bomb! I am by His grace, an
ardent listener of His and I know how He
speaks to me.
Then I heard Him say:
“Daughter! He’s ur choice, not mine. If you know my will for you, then you will
know Matt is not even up to the half”
I cried! If not Matt, who else in this
world? Oh dear God! I was sad!
“I will console you dearie, you will know
him in a day. Just pray submissively for hours till your pride and desires die, and
mine is upheld in your heart”
Then I poured myself out. Once I
became emptied of self, I saw clearly!
So clearly and plainly that i wanted to
swallow myself. God why? Why should this happen to me? Why
should it be this guy! How could this
miserable guy be better than Matt! I am
in soup!
I hate to fall into God’s wrath for
disobedience but Dave! That Dave! Bro Dave is a new member in our district. I
met him at the Iwo Road Tantalizers. He
was so cute in his well sown ankara
prints. We discussed on and on until he
asked me to help him up. I didn’t grab
until i saw his right leg, in braces with crutches across the wall. He had a very
bad leg. I felt bad for him. His wife would
try o! I muttered to myself. Now, the wife
is to be me!
I cried bitterly. I bound and cast to no
avail. It’s Dave! The more I cried and covered my ears,
the more I saw clearly, so crystal clear.
Its Dave not Matt! What do I do?
If you were the one in my shoes, what
would you do? My body tells me: “No”,
my spirit says “Yes”! I have been through the pains and
rigours of a temporal bad leg but a
seemingly permanent one being my
head?!
No! its unimaginable!
I cried that night to the extent that the tissue paper on the floor could almost
make a rug!
I checked my phone and i had missed
Matt’s call for 50 times.
As i checked the message folder, i saw
his message “LizBae, I am missing you so dearly.
Whats wrong with you? I hope u are
safe o. I guess u are praying.
Remember that after His love, its mine
after. I really love u. I am teary now pls
call as soon as you get my message” My heart missed a beat. This boy
doesn’t know what i am going through
right now. I craved for his sweet baritone
voice.
My phone beeped again. I picked it and
checked the message. It was from Mummy Balogun, one of my favorite
confidants.
“Liz, do whatever He asks you to do. He
can’t be wrong. You alone can be! ”
#Gbam! This was like fuelling the fire.
Who told her about me? I haven’t told anyone yet about my struggles, not even
Matt, so what’s this!
As i walked into the sitting room, my
aged grandma asked me to sit. She
looked into my eyes so deeply that i was
weak down in my knees. “Nobody is too ugly, poor, stupid,
disabled to be your husband, if God
leads you.
Dont struggle with Him o ” she said in
her deep ijesha accent.
At this point, i fell to the floor and beat it hard. I cried out with a shriek while
Mama only watched on with a pity.
“God its you talking shae! I know
already.
Stop talking. Do you want me to run
mad. Its too much. I am not ready for marriage sef, let it stop”
I hit the floor hard with such finality that
the blood in my hand ceased from
flowing for a few seconds.
I was already sinning. I was frustrated to
the extreme. I had always obeyed God’s will, but now,
my pride wont allow me!
Carrying my Bible, i set off for Obatayo
District where i attended. I made up my
mind that i would pray so hard when i get
there. Then i promised
“God, i am sorry for my untoward
behavior.
As i am in church now, its a busy day
but the first person to enter this church, i
will agree to marry. Either Matt or Dave” I started praying. I perspired for hours,
sincerely crying to God. After about
3hours, as i rounded off, glad no one
came, i confidently said:
“For in Jesus’ Name have I prayed”
I heard, almost seven times confident than mine, a resounding ‘Amen’
… Matt…. Matt’s here. That’s his voice.
I turned back with great expectations
and wide smile but no!
Why oh Lord! This guy again!
I charged at him with disgust “What do you want from me?
Are you kinda devilish? Please get thee
behind me. Must you follow me about!”
I fell to the ground again with great
disappointment.
God really means this business o! As i shook under the shock, a very
confident, muscular hand reached my
shoulder.
Oh how I love muscular men! But who is
it?
I turned again to find Dave looking at me with pity. It was his hand.
“You are finding it difficult to do His will
right?” he asked, almost childishly.
“Yes i am. God isn’t being fair. U are too
inferior to me. Me to you?? It can’t work”
I said with hate. “I agree with you. Even i cant stoop so
low to marry someone like you.” he
replied
“what!” i exclaimed with pride. I was
angry to the extent i was shaking from
head to toe. I have never been so embarrassed in
my life. This lame guy talking to me
anyhow, no way! It’s not God’s will, its
hallucination.
I tried to stand up but i realised his hand
was on my shoulder. I noticed he really had difficulty in bending.
Leaving aside my salvation for the
moment, I threw his hand off my
shoulders. He missed his step and
down, he fell.
He let out a painful sound but i walked away as if nothing happened . He
stretched his hands toward me to help
him but I was hardened.
As i left the church, i turned back to look
at him. He looked at me with a dropped
jaw as a drop of tears streamed down his face.
My sanity returned a bit. I shuddered
God, what have i done! What is
happening to me!
I quickly dialled Bro John’s number. He
is a friend who lived close by. He came in no time to rush him to the
hospital.
As Dave hung down John’s shoulders in
pain, he looked back at me with ‘You
could do this!’ kind of look.
It wasn’t my fault right? I just got irritated by what he said. Plus… Its a hard thing
to do shae!?
Whose fault is it really???
What really came over me!!!
I asked myself different ‘why’ questions.
I was shocked at my behavior. I was not the kind of person to cause people pain,
especially people with disabilities. I was
always so conscious of them while
dealing with them. But why this sudden
behavior of mine?
As i laid on my bed, the scene of the whole incidence unfolded again. Tears
welled up in my eyes and I knelt down to
pray.
‘Lord i am sorry. I don’t want to regret it
please forgive me…’
The room was blank! God wasn’t saying anything. I was so sad.
Then my phone rang…
It was Matt!
#*I hissed*#
Me: Hello
Matt: There hasn’t been any call from you since morning
Me: (irritated) If i didn’t call, you couldn’t?
Matt: Gosh! Lizzy, do you realize its me?
Me: (angry) ” who are you by the way? ”
Matt: wow!
Me: (coming to my senses) Matt, i am not in a good mood. When i am, i will give
you a call.
Matt: Nice one! Nawa o! Hehehehe,
Lizzy! Wonders shall never end. (he
cuts the line)
I threw my phone on the bed, then i picked it up again.
I dialled Bro John’s number
Me: Bro John, thanks for the other time.
Bro John: No probs. He is in the hospital
now tho. He has been admitted.
#Jesus Me: Is it that serious?
Bro John: No. He was placed on some
powerful painkillers. He is being
observed now. He will be okay.
Me: I hope he isn’t angry with me?
Bro John: He just woke up few minutes ago. He asked after you when he did
Me: He did? Does he want to come? Are
ladies allowed to enter?
Bro John: Sure. But its late now.
Probably you should come tomorrow
morning Ok!
I was so so happy! It was like very cold
water poured upon the hotness of my
heart. So soothing!
He isn’t angry with me. He wants to see
me. Wao! Wait! What’s wrong with you Liz?
Everything isn’t normal right?
Why are you being this joyful! Better call
Matt now.
#That’s true o
I call for almost ten times and Mattt didn’t pick the call.
This has never happened. We had
never exchanged words in anger and he
picks my call.
My phone beeped
‘For these years that we have been together, i trusted you. But Liz, If you
can’t submit to me, then, what’s the
union for? I guess we have just been
infatuated to each other. I know i love
you but i am not convenient with us
anymore. Lets end it. Matt. I didn’t cry!
I heaved a sigh of relief that follows
every movie that ends well. God is at
work.
I slept so well that i dreamt. I gave the
ring back to Matt over a meal. We laughed together and he introduced one
girl to me. She was so beautiful.
‘lets see if something good comes out of
the two of us.
She is Rita’
I was so happy for him. I woke up from the dream with smile. I knelt down and
cried so well. I hadn’t loved anyone like i
did Matt. We have our plans for the
years ahead. We had a note where the
plans were written, what the names of
our children would be was there. He wanted just 2 kids, i wanted 8.
I cried so much that by 6am when my
devotion started, i was too weak. I
gathered up courage and strength from
on high came upon me.
I got to the hospital at around 10am. As i entered the ward, i muttered some
words of prayer.
I looked up and saw Bro David. He
looked at me and smiled broadly.
Very white and well arranged set of
teeth! I thought. I smiled back!…. #Faintly
Me: Can i call you Dave?
… Was the first question that left my
mouth. He looked lost.
Me: except we don’t have to be friends.
He smiled again. Awwwnnn, so nice!
“The devil is a liar. Call me Dave tho.
That’s my name.”
We started talking. I helped in rubbing
his knees, i told him i had been in a
similar situation. He was happy with me. He told me of his accident which claimed
the the lives of his parents who at that
time had just come back from a
vacation in Dubai.
We left the hospital together. He to his
house and i to mine. # we exchanged our phone numbers…(smiles)
As i wanted to climb my bed, my phone
beeped. I ran for it.
It was Dave’s message,
‘If this is what an illness could do for
one, then i should probably start falling sick regularly. Twas fun talking to you
today. Tell me when to call so we can
pray together before we sleep. #grateful
heart’
I smiled happily and hugged my phone
tightly. ‘I will do God’s will come what may’ i told
myself.
I started typing a reply.
‘I am the happiest tonight too. You made
my day.
If illness wouldn’t cause you pain, i would ask for you to be ill but i don’t want pain
for you at all. You can call me now. I am
available. #Icare
Gosh!!! What am i doing for goodness
sake!
Isn’t this too outrageous! I deleted it
Then i typed
‘Really, no problem Dave. God bless
you. Call anytime’
It was a very great day today at the
Jogor Center, Ibadan when together with our friends and family members we
gathered to celebrate 10 years of God’s
greatness in our home.
I got married to Dave three days after
Christmas 2005 at one of the ancient
looking but treasured halls in the United Kingdom- John Hopkins Tourist Centre
#I recounted that day to the amazement
of everyone around. Everyone laughed
when i told them this tale and Dave still
teases me with it till date.
I got married to Dave with my hymen intact- shey you get? *smiles* So while
In the church, i was sweating under
chilling conditioned hall despite the winter
season. No one understood why!
For goodness’ sake, no guy has ever
seen my nakedness! How then would i cope with Dave and I alone in a room.
Some friends said it would come
naturally but i waited sha.
On getting home after the great day, we
were very tired. We needed to sleep but
i didn’t want to- i was shy. So, we started prayer session… Lolzzz
Yes o! We were on our knees praying
fervently while i peeped out of my tightly
closed eye window to see the innocent
guy praying hard. When i realized that it
was more like a punishment than a spiritual exercise, i rounded off.
We showered… Separately! When he
came back from the bathroom, i was on
the bed fully clad though i knew the
lavender scattered over scented
beautifully were appealing. He kept avoiding eye contact with me… Ehyah..
My loving shy husband tho!
Me: Dave, goodnight
Dave: Oh.. Sure. You are tired right?
Me: (heart racing) aren’t you tired?
Dave: Sure. All can wait till morning #Chai! What all?
Me: Ok goodnight
Dave: Alright dearie, I love you dearly
Me: thanks.
That should suffice so nothing ensues
from there- i thought. He climbed the bed, covered us both with the lovely
duvet and there was silence. I laid on my
left side facing the west of the room and
turning back, he was facing the east.
# what’s this? Doesn’t he love me? Even
if i am playing hard to get couldn’t he talk it out with me?
Then i remembered the woman power! I
started reversing gently. After like five
shifts on the bed we bumped into each
other. I screamed and jumped up. He
sat up and started laughing. I was dazed Me: You scared me jor
Dave: sorry dear but was that scary?
You are now my wife o! Touch is
allowed.
I looked at him like a child drenched in
rain seeking shelter. I prayed that he didn’t touch me. He moved close to me,
held my two hands together and
whispered in my ears.
‘I already told you its not tonight.
Whenever you feel confident, tell me.
You are not the only virgin here you know. I have not married a s-x driven
beast!
I concluded as i saw the pure love in his
eyes. I slept in that warm muscular
embrace till dawn. I confirmed the
‘weather for two’ saying! As i recounted the incidence, the hall
was in a total round of laughter.
Dave laughed the more. Now i can
laugh.
I forgot to tell you but Dave now walks!
After a major muscular ligament re- adjustment and other medical jargon
stuffs, my hubby walks.
Also, we have two kids now- a boy and
a girl- Eyinjuoluwa and Olaoluwa. I am
trying all i can now to make sure i have
more even if i can’t have up to the 8… *smiles*
We have big event centres in Abuja,
Lagos and Port Harcourt.
We have 3 ultra modern studio for
photoshoot, acting and other
engagements. In short, we are making it big. We are launching our transport
business next week. 50 buses, 10
marcopolo and 20 mini buses have been
purchased for the business start.
Lest i forget, I was supervising the
goods arrangement in my newly opened supermart when an argument ensued
between a customer and his wife:
Wife: why would you say you can’t carry
the baby! I am pushing the cart, carrying
the baby and holding my handbag. Its
not fair o. Man: Back your baby. Isnt that your
responsibility? Why didn’t you drop your
bag in the car.
Abeg, leave that matter jor.
Wife: At least we are outside pretend to
be the gentleman you are not Man:(turns to her abruptly) woman, be
careful!
I rushed towards them and stepped into
the situation.
It was Matt!
My Matt! Gosh! My so assumed angel has become a Mike Tyson at home. We
sat over a meal and I gave them my
token on advice. I was with a grateful
heart. Thank God I didn’t miss it.
See, Dave loves me so much! Till today
whenever i go out for even the slightest meeting, he would check on me. He still
sends me flowers in my office. Even, he
tells me of every lady or girl that
approaches him. He is faithful to me. He
notices every change in my body. He is
sensitive to my pains. He plans surprises for us. I love him so dearly. He
prays and plays with my children and I.
See, i have my advice to give to you.
If you are married and you are not
enjoying it, you might be out of His will
for your life, reconsider your way and find a way to start loving your spouse.
Though an alternative can never be like
the real, God can still help you.
If you are not married yet, see, God still
speaks o. He has your missing rib with
him- That’s what Dave calls me. Lol Don’t choose by sight, wealth or even so
called spirituality. Be close to him. The
one you think isn’t the one might be the
one. Be humble. You don’t need any
prophet to determine who you would live
with, its all in God’s hands.
