CHAPTER 2: THE FORETOLD PROMISED HUSBAND.
It had been 3months since the old man had visited and disappeared. The thought haunted Dooter and her parents everyday but the good news (Dooter's promised husband) was always erasing the last scene of the old man's disappearance..... It so happened on a fateful market day as Dooter was heading back home from the market that she met an handsome young man by the most scariest way. A distracted young handsome man almost hit her as she in turn was almost hit unnoticed.
As she stood shocked and expressionless, the young man alighted from his car and proceeded towards her in a hurry to see if she wasn't injured at the most or least....Asking her if she was not hurt and while touching.
Dooter who still stood shivering, barked out with a quivering voice wanting to know if the young man was both blind and drunk to have been driving towards her without noticing a living being just in front of his car. Although she knew she hadn't been hit, she expressed fear while the young man amidst her throbbing fears replied her saying that he was neither blind nor drunk but in truth, he couldn't really explain and express how his almost hitting her had happened.
Remorsfully, he apologized to her and then realized he was standing and talking to a very pretty lady, if not the prettiest....Being gentlemanly, he asked Dooter where she was going not minding if it's his way and now a bit relaxed said she was on her way home from the market then he pleaded with her to allow him give her a lift home but she declined saying that the young man had done the needful so he needn't worry about taking her home. Rather adamant, he still persisted to do her the favor with the hope that in doing so she would forgive him from deep down her heart and not hold a single grudge, she sensed his honest obstinacy and finally obliged to the young man's plea going towards the entrance door in front of the car, the young man moved towards her in a flashing speed then opened the door for her and thanked her the moment she bent down to sit before shutting the door.
On their way going to Dooter's home the young man without taking his eyes off the road asked her name which she told him unhesitatingly.... Negotiating a right corner according to Dooter, he couldn't help but voice out his first found feelings as he confessed and professed how beautiful and stunning she looked swearing that her beauty must have been his distraction- a beauty that caught his entire attention to a thrilling spur of fantasy.
He again, admitted to her name being heavenly and further stated that he was even more drawn to her by the boldness she expressed when she asked him if he was both blind and drunk to stupor to have almost hit her... In truth, he wasn't flattering her and she knew it.
She was also open minded and told him never ever to hold back in silence when he believes someone had done something wrong.
He would have loved and in truth wished she hadn't gotten close to her home but that thought was painfully erased like an eraser on a scribble when she pointed her finger to her home just ahead. The car halted silently right in front of Dooter's hut as the man slowly got down, calculating his steps towards Dooter's side of the car and then opened the door with pleading eyes hoping Dooter would just remain seated...He longed to know her more before she got off the car.
Thanking him for the lift as she got off the car, the young man, for the umpteenth time apologized for his carelessness which Dooter told him that he need do forgive himself since she had long forgiven and forgotten the whole incident. While these words were barely spoken to a halt, her parents came out and saw her with the young handsome looking man standing with her and probably having a quiet conversation.... They had anticipated her quick return but not this quicker but seeing the car parked and the owner, a fine young man had them dumb for some seconds, they were totally surprised and awestruck.
The silence was getting so obvious that Dooter had to fidget a response even as the young man spoke too....He was then invited into the hut by her parents and as they drew closer, Dooter's mother led him in.
(An opportunity he had wished did surfaced, he was the happiest man).... He narrated and explained what happened and as such both parents expressed their gratitude and commended the young man's good heart to haven't fled but waited to have taken responsibility.
Being grateful and exhibiting hospitality towards the young man, he recollected as he stepped out of the hut what Dooter's father had told him about accidents (minor or ghastly).... He told the young man that his fault and blame would be that if he hadn't manned up to have taken responsibility after the incident... He told him that not all accidents are carelessness of an individual but in some cases both victims may be at fault. And while he was being entertained by Dooter,
he thanked her parent then dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out wads of new bank notes (money) in bale and then handed them to both of her parents respectively.... They received it with utmost thanks but Dooter refused to collect the money which he stretched to her.... Looking perturbed, he innocently asked her if the money wasn't enough or too little but she told him not to worry and that he had done much more than his apologies which was with a sincere notion....He immediately expressed sadness and pointed out that it also meant nothing if she collected it and besides, collecting it would mean she has cemented the forgiveness she showed to him... Dooter, finally being persuaded collected the money and thanked him... Walking him towards his car, the young man said he would desire his frequenting Dooter's hut since they were now friends..... He slid slowly into his car without taking off his stare off Dooter, closed the door very slowly, started his car with his eyes that seemed not to want to blink a second closed from Dooter's face and waved at her as he resigned to finally soft pedal at the acceleration....
As Dooter approached the hut, both parents stretched forth their hands as they jokingly mimicked how she first declined the money given to her.... She faked stretching the money to them but swiftly drew back her hands as both parents and Dooter laughed.