She blamed it on the fact that she had being brought in a religious family where her mother had insisted that any man that made it home, must be the one she or Mandy had planned to marry.
Maria, had nothing like marriage in mind, so she stayed miles away from men. Although her family were not religious fanatics, her mother firmly believed in core discipline, self control and the decency of being chaste. Maria had therefore remained a virgin even at 22.
When maria was 12, she had watched her mother embarrass a boy who visited their home, because he had given her a surprised kiss. Her mother had walked him out of the house, even though her sister Mandy, had stood apologizing on his behalf
" Not in this home" her mother had yelled, shutting the door behind him,and warning him never to come an inch close to her daughter.
Maria walked to her car packed some distance away from the academy with tobi by her side. Tobi was her bossom friend. He also had a fine physique, and was a bit chubby. They had being friends ever since junior school, and had become like family, ever since he lost his parents. .
"How did it go?" asked Mandy, who had stepped out of the door immediately she heard maria's car drive in through the gate. Mandy had just finished medical school, and was home to search for a place to undergo her mandatory internship.
" Fine, hopefully I get selected." Maria replied thoughtfully, as she made her way into the house, to the kitchen where her mother would likely be.
She had dropped tobi off, and would likely see him next week at the academy.
" Hello mum" she greeted as she leapt forward to give her a kiss. Her mother was busy baking. She had baked some Irish potatoes for dinner, and was preparing some fruit juice.
" Yummy" Maria teased, helping her self with some of the baked Irish. She smiled heartily, opening the fridge to pour herself some milk.
"Oh dear, thank goodness, you are home and early for dinner" her mother said, as maria giggled and hummed excitedly
"You must be really excited about something" said her mother observing. Maria had poured herself some milk in a glass and also balanced her back the white kitchen cardboard to give her mother a funny look.
She wanted to say something, but quickly changed her mind, and winked at her mother instead, trying to leave the kitchen.
Her mother quickly blocked the exit, with her hands stretched in the right and left direction, as they both ran around laughing and trying to outsmart each other.
" Please tell me Maria, what's the good news all about? I am hungry for good news" Her mother said, persuading maria who was now staring at her suspiciously to spill it.
" Don't worry mom" Maria finally wisphered laughing, " when it's time, you will get to know" she said, as she ran out of the kitchen laughing.
In her room, Maria couldn't help but feel strangely stupid. She had just come close to telling her mother about a man she barely knew. What was she even thinking?
A man she didn't give the opportunity to know her or even she getting to know him. Not even having his contact or name. Wasn't even as if he showed any practical interest in her. She paused. "Interest?" What about the way he stared at her? Was that not interest enough? She chided herself for that silly thought. Of course, even men who were only interested to get into the pants of a woman would look at them that manner.
If only she had allowed him, before running off into that elevator. Maybe he had wanted to say, he liked her. She had fallen for him. No she hadn't. She quickly corrected herself. Her heart was not that fragile to fall like that for any man.
All of a sudden, maria heart strangely brightened like a ray of light has just illuminated a dark spot. What if he worked at the academy? She thought. He was not an actor. She was sure. She was already familiar with those who wanted a role in the movie.Who then was he? And what was he doing at the academy?
Maybe he tagged along with a friend. She concluded.
Her lips twitched. She pricked herself. Why was she thinking about him even after leaving? Why couldn't she get him out of her mind.
Why was it that the more she wanted to stop, the more she did. Was this love? No, it couldn't be. "Maria doesn't believe in love. Love couldn't possibly happen to her". She said to herself.
The thought of him filled her mind again, that she didn't hear when Mandy walked in to invite her for dinner.
" Maria, are you Ok? I heard you talking to yourself" Mandy exclaimed, as maria nodded and assured her that she was perfectly sane.
When Mandy left to set the table, maria found herself thinking about him again.
If only she had bothered to ask for his name. She wished she could turn back the hands of time, to go back, and not only ask for his name and contact but also for a date. A date? Hell no. That would be like throwing herself cheaply at him. She shivered at the thought.
She, Maria Thomas, will never throw herself cheaply at any man. Other women could do so, but definitely not her. Not now, not ever!!! She stamped her feet on the floor, as if they were a staff of authority to prove her stand.
Maria washed herself in the shower, she and Mandy had just returned from the hospital. Their mother had slumbed again while climbing down the stairs. The doctor had earlier revealed, she had a heart disease. They had spent every thing in their savings to treat her. And now they needed more money to carry out the full treatment, before it escalated.
The water from the shower poured down on her bare body as it washed down the tears that flowed freely.
She thought about the past weeks and the various challenges that had enveloped it.
Just two months, she had celebrated being offered admission into law school after spending months applying without any progress.
she had then made an effort to proceed for the fees payment and registration, only to be greeted with the sudden news of her mother's ill health.
The doctor had even given them an option to pay for the final treatment of her mother's kidney's problem, or risk watching her die.
Mandy also tried to take some menial jobs to raise money but it was barely enough to feed.
She couldn't imagine living in a world without her mother, and had quickly forfieted the fees payment and had paid for the treatment instead.
When she had exhausted her savings and couldn't afford the payment, she decided to seek for a job instead and forfeit the education.
She was grateful she still had her university certificate intact. Someday when she could afford it, she would enrol for law school again.
After the back and forth, she had called tobi for help, and he had promise to help her get a slot in a short movie contract from a family friend he knew. She needed a job she would engage in for a short time to see if she can raise some money for the fees and the drugs for her mother.
Tobi had asked her to apply for a loan.
She already knew the outcome, and so declined it They were yet to settle their debts. How could she apply for her?
No loan company would even agree to give them another loan since they still had unpaid ones. Her only hope now was the movie contract. She prayed that Mr Jason would consider her. That she would be selected among the finalists qualified for the job.
She stepped out of the shower, dried her wet body and dressed into her night gown. The night gown was quite revealing, but it was her favourite. She drew the dulvet over her and closed her eyes.
Then she remembered the man at the academy and a short smile cut across her pale face. She felt sorry for her self. She had probably being enchanted by him.
Somehow she felt, thinking about him was a way of momentarily forgetting about her many troubles. But she somehow needed to focus her mind on other things.
She would try not to think about him. She assured herself.
Maybe there were other women too, whom he had cast the same spell on too or was it just her? Or was it because he was just too handsome to go unnoticed? Whatever it was, she would try to kick him out of her head?
She immediately slapped her head again "behave maria, behave" she chided herself.
" This was never the self I always prided in" she said. She had always behaved better, she thought. Maybe because of her mother's popular anthem, of how a woman should be desired by a man, and not her cheaply hurling herself at him.
But the thoughts had just refused to go. She just couldn't stop thinking about him.
She finally slept off, feeling defeated.
The day was bright with sunshine, designed by beautiful forms of cloud. Then she saw him walking towards her. His eyes so clear as the blue sea. He smiled at her, exposing the most beautiful and perfect set of dentals. She was speechless and only awed at the magical moment. This could be a dream. She thought. How could such a fine young man choose her, of all the beautiful women in the world.
He was dressed in a white suit matched with a golden coloured pants. His bow tie which was a sweet combination of gold and milk colour complemented his skin colour. He wore a dazzling shoe, with leather which seemed to have being gotten from a flesh leopard skin.
When he got to her, he took her hands in his and led her to the front where a crowd of people were gathered to watch. Roses littered the walkway and purple flowers decorated the walkway and the beautiful walls. The tables were also decorated with vases of golden flowers.
Maria looked round, and felt she had slipped into paradise. She wished to live forever in this moment, in this place and with this man. She had never imagined so much beauty or happiness all in one place. She felt so much happy. She had never being this happy, in her entire lifetime.