CHAPTER4: THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL.
After promising Dooter that he(Mr Mr Martins) was going to come visit and because of the nature of his work as one of the senior staff in a shipping company which sees him traveling abroad every time, he could only come to see her when he comes back from his travels....
He called and told her that he would be coming in the weekend which made her so excited. She had asked him while they talked on the phone to get her a gift jokingly... Mr Martins took it serious as he also would love to get her a gift which she responded by saying that he should get her a gift of his choosing.... Few days later, during the weekend, he called Dooter while driving that he was on his way coming and then she became more excited and expressed on the phone how eager she was to hear and soon be seeing him... After couple of anticipated hours he arrived the village and this time he bought her a very expensive perfume, body lotions, cream and a carton of noodles. When she saw him she couldn't contain herself any longer as she ran towards him and hugged him so tight that Mr Martins felt he was almost suffocated but affectionately didn't complain as they held each other in the embrace for quite a while.... Her parents were just watching both their daughter and Mr Martins with smiles on their faces without having to interrupt the moment..... They greeted each other and after an hour Mr Martins went to the boot, brought out the gift items he bought and took them in as Dooter also followed him.... After taking the gifts which belonged to her to her room(for she did not want her mother to touch her personal gifts), she went to the kitchen to fetch food for her boyfriend.... She called her mother into the kitchen to know how well and presentable she had to serve Mr Martins meal to which her mother gave directives.... Soon, Dooter came to ask if Mr Martins would love to eat pounded yam and he said yes in fact he would eat anything that Dooter prepares. She went back to the kitchen, pounded the yam vigorously, dished the meal and then served the meal by placing a bowl of water for him to wash his hands before eating.... He washed his hands, waited for Dooter to do the same but she had no idea why he didn't begin to eat until he said that he wouldn't eat alone.... She said she had eaten but knew too well not to resist Mr Martins' invitation... She joined Mr Martins and then did he begin to eat.... After eating, they relaxed and played for 2 hours and then talked... Mr Martins had began to doze off before admitting that he needed to rest... He was then ushered into his room by Dooter... She stood him outside his side of the rooms in their home as she went in to arrange the room for him to sleep comfortably.... By the time she was through cleaning and clearing up his room they talked a while and then he stated that it was time he made her parents know of his intentions which when she heard asked him what he meant but he only told her to get some sleep and then promising to talk to her early the next day before letting the cat out of the bag.... She turned to leave but he held her back by the hand, asked or rather pleaded for a goodnight hug which she gave to him very quickly and then almost cat walked to her room.
Early the next day at exactly 7am, she was already awake waiting for him to wake up and then her phone rang... She received the call and wondered who it was until she heard and recognized the voice: it was Mr Martins.... He called for her into his room and she went along with water for him to wash his face. He greeted her, took the water from her to wash his face and teeth, wiped his face off it's wetness and then sat Dooter right next to him on his bed.... Looking into her eyes he told her how madly in love he was with her....
He told her how hard it was at first to admit his feelings but he couldn't withhold the feelings anymore.... He told her also that his feelings weren't just lust but pure undiluted love and that if she agrees to marry him he would be the happiest man on earth which on hearing what he had said, tears of joy started trickling down her cheeks and though she was happy, she couldn't say a word in response.... Mr Martins brought out his kerchief, wiped the tears off her face and told her not to cry.... He then told her that that was what he intended telling her parents today and she nodded (telling him to go ahead and make his intentions known). As they both walked out of his room hand in hand, they moved to where her parents were warming themselves by a coal fire... Dooter and Mr Martins greeted her parents and then he sat close to them while she excused them all to prepare breakfast... Mr Martins been left alone with her parents now asked of their full attention saying that he had something to say to which Ayaaga gave him a nod to go ahead.... With his heart beating faster he told Mr and Mrs Ayaaga that he was and had ever been in love with their daughter from the very moment he had set his eyes on her.... He went ahead and said that he would so love to have their daughter as his wife if they permit him.... Ayaaga then turned to look at his wife And asked if she had heard what Mr Martins had said. He also asked her if she had something to say to what Mr Martins had just made known to them but she said replied saying that Ayaaga, and not her would do the talking at such issue.... Ayaaga then called Mr Martins by name and told him that as a father, he would have only a wish which would be to see his daughter married to a good hearted and responsible man... Ayaaga then gave approval of Mr Martins and his daughter on the basis of what and who Mr Martins had appeared to be and what he had seen about him. He had confidence in Mr Martins and had waited for such an occasion as this for which he was ever ready to give his blessings.. Ayaaga then asked if Mr Martins had made this known to their daughter before telling them or vice versa and Mr Martins responded saying he had done it the other way around.... Ayaaga then called Dooter to be present... On arriving their midst, her father told her of Mr Martins' declarations and finally asked her if she was okay with it.... She nodded and then Ayaaga gave them the go ahead....
Mr Martins now told them that he would be bringing his mother to come see his future in laws when next he comes visiting then, only then did Ayaaga remembered to ask him about his job.... Mr Martins relayed his nature of work as a senior staff of a shipping company which sees him traveling most times overseas..... Both Mr and Mrs Ayaaga acknowledged his response, thanked him and told him to bring his mother along with him as promised when next he visits.
After she had prepared and served them breakfast, they ate together in merriment.... Mr Martins later suggested after meal that he would love to visit the school he and Dooter once visited for a nice quiet time again... Dooter then hurried to wash the plates before having a nice bath.... She dressed up, sprayed perfume and then appeared few minutes later looking dashing, beautiful and ready to go.... Mr Martins on seeing her in the clothes he had bought for her couldn't stop admiring what he was seeing as he held and led her to the car.... They drove off and no sooner arrived the same spot they once shared quiet time.... They were having fun when she asked him of his taking her for a visit to town which he replied by saying that all things needed to be done respectively before he could come take her to his place in town.. Smiling and leaning on his shoulder they hugged each other and then she planted a wet kiss on his cheek while fondling his hands.... They were definitely enjoying the moment until Dooter noticed on her handset how time was fast spent.... Hurriedly they zoomed and headed for home but on getting home, Mr Martins was already in the kitchen... Dooter darted into the kitchen to help in the cooking.... Meal was later served and eaten together.... She then went to fetch water for Mr Martins to bathe... He took his bath, dressed up and reappeared and sat with them as they were about having a game of draughts.... They played for hours with Mr Martins winning most games and allowing Dooter win quite a few games too. While they were at it Dooter told Mr Martins that she needed instructions on further using her handset.... Mr Martins then asked her to draw closer to him as he guided her on some hidden and open use of the functions of the phone... Mrs Mzamber joked all along telling Dooter to give the phone to her since she was finding it difficult to use the phone effectively without stress but Mr Martins promised to get both parents their gift of handset very soon....
By nightfall, Mr Martins announced his departure the following day but Dooter wasn't happy because his departure had to be so soon rather than later... He promised to take her to town very soon and told her not to be sad.... He greeted and extended a goodnight rest to both parents as Dooter led him to his room.. Standing by his door, they kissed passionately before retiring to their rooms respectively....
The next day Dooter fetched water for Mr Martins to take his bath and wash up.... He was an early bird persona and before 7, he had dressed up, wished them goodbye and sound health before and after his return and in return, they all prayed for his safe trip back to Lagos.... He drove off while waving goodbye to them all.